Devin Gardner Impressing at Manning QB Camp
I don't get the size=pro-style thing AT ALL. Cam Gordon and Vince Young are big guys too - but clearly they're suited for something other than a straight-forward 'pro-style' attack. Pro-style means not running your QB (except for scrambles), which really limits the effectiveness of a player who is a run-threat. It's equivalent to never throwing to your running back if he's a good pass-catcher.
I don't mean the qb needs to run for 100 ypg per se, but being an every-dwon threat -- forcing safeties and LBs to make really hard decisions. If you can have desiged run plays 4 or 5 times a game, that's enough to mess defenders up. Pro-style doesn't do that, and Gardner's leg are a major asset.
Furthermore, his pure passing ability (as in standing in the pocket and throwing a 15-30 yard timing pattern) leaves much to be desired still. Yes his arm is good, though not exceptional, but his form, consistency, accuracy -- all need work. He absolutely shows promise here, and he's definitely in the "dual-threat" category that a guy like Denard isn't, but he's not nearly good enough (yet) to be an elite pro-style guy. In short, he needs to use his legs to be at his best right now. He could get to where he doesn't need them (for anything other than dodging pass rush), but it seems far more likely to me that he'll be most effective running and passing like RG3 and others have been.
I don't know what you mean by a 'spread' qb exactly - since that's what Brady is, but if you're saying he shouldn't run the read-option play every down, then I agree. If you're saying his legs should be relegated to butlegs and scrambles, I emphatically disagree.
I actually think DG is exactly what Borges wants in a QB and we will see the effects of this in the upcoming season. I really thought that Borges called a great game in the Outback Bowl and that an evolved version of that offense will be on display this season. Gardner has more overall talent than Denard IMO and I expect him to have a great season and end up in the NFL after the season, which I think is his plan.
Other than the quick-decision on Bellomy, neither of the other two QBs recruited by Borges resemble Gardner. Morris is reasonably athletics but won't be asked to run much and Speight will never run.
When Devin shows to be a prolific leader on the field on Saturdays. I know he has the ability. We have seen glimpses of it. He's a great guy and a stellar athlete. But I want results when it matters. I think he'll prove that the traditional UM QB is back and better than ever!
DG vs Braxton Miller pt 2 will be a tremendous again this year. Only difference is I think DG will get the better of him this go round
I was there in 2011 and it was awesome to see about 50% of the crowd being Michigan fans. This year since it's at the end of the season I expect to see even more in the maize and blue since we'll be undeafeated going into this game...
My big concern is DG being over-restricted by the the lack of a backup. He's become good in the pocket, but he's deadly when he is a threat to run . . . if we ever let him run.
Braxton Miller's success is because of his threat to run. Without his legs, he's a pretty mediocre QB. I don't want to see DG become a version of Braxton Miller that can not run.
I don't think I've ever been as quietly confident about a QB going into a season than with Devin Gardner this year. Frankly, what he did from a position change standpoint last season was nothing short of miraculous.
This year, there's no Denard gimmick-ry and shuttling on and off the field... There's nothing but what this offense has worked on in the off-season. Gardner brings that dreaded ability to absolutely launch the bomb while also take off if the defense falls asleep. How can you defend that?
So, in my mind, there's no doubt that Devin will be excellent. How excellent, and how many games we win wil really be decided by whether a second receiver can take some heat off Jeremy Gallon, and whether Fitz Toussaint bounces back to 2011 form/ Derrick Green comes in ready to play.
The comparison? Geno Smith. He is a classic case, though, where if noone else steps up, even a great QB can helm a 7-6 team (West VA last year).
We'll see. Not soon enough...
Johnny Manziel doesn't seem to be impressing anyone at the camp:
Our boots on the ground in Thibodaux, La. — believe it or not, we have them — informed us that Johnny Manziel was sent home from the Manning Passing Academy on Saturday afternoon by Archie Manning himself. Our source, who wishes to remain anonymous because of his connection to the camp, gave us the scoop after Manziel showed up tardy Saturday afternoon after being out on the town Friday night. The Texas A&M star reportedly enjoyed himself a little too much Friday night and rolled back into the camp at Nicholls State University some time around noon Saturday before getting the boot.
Heisman. (Joking...but not 100%)
Sure it would be a great honor for him and the program, but when you look at the NFL record of Heisman-winning QBs, it seems to be a curse.