Devin Gardner Praise Thread

Submitted by Toby Flenderson on

The kid came to play today. He showed some real heart and was the reason we were in the game until the end. He even was playing with one leg and was still fighting through. Thank you devin

Erik_in_Dayton

November 30th, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^

That was a hell of an effort.  The loss doesn't erase that.  DG has been punched in the mouth all year long, and he kept coming back for more...It seemed like he was really getting on guys today - in a good way - too.  It was nice to see that leadership.

Sopwith

November 30th, 2013 at 3:55 PM ^

The B1G needs to explain the instant replay decision.  

Anyway, 32/45 for 451 yds., 4 TDs, no INTs, that is one of the greatest individual performances in Michigan history.

Greater than Biakbutuka's individual performance in '95?  I don't know, maybe.  Put the '95 defense behind Gardner today and we win easily.

Lampuki22

November 30th, 2013 at 3:56 PM ^

DG the person and that was a gutsy performance. That said I would prefer he go back to being a wideout and backup next year. His decision making just is not good enough.



Otherwise next year is this year plus one or two more wins.

Lampuki22

November 30th, 2013 at 4:04 PM ^

How many of those yards were after the catch?



Do we want to win a big ten championship? Or just rack up stats and lose all of our close games trying to come back from behind?



Devin will start at QB next year no doubt. I just don't think that it's in the long term best interest of the team. Morris burned his RS barely played and what did it get us? 7-5 that's what.

Gustavo Fring

November 30th, 2013 at 5:23 PM ^

His flaws were also on display today.  He held on to the ball too long at least once (the sack on the final drive that almost ruined everything), he locked onto Dileo on the final play and did it a couple of times earlier too (nearly threw a pick on the prior drive in the same situation, if you remember) and had a couple of overthrows. 

But that kid is a quarterback.  Period.  He's a smart player.  Made a brilliant check at the line worthy of Peyton Manning into a weakside run for Deveon Smith early in the game.  Stood in the pocket and took a ton of hits.  Made some amazing plays when the initial protection broke down.  For the most part, he was accurate (best throw of the day was that bomb that Funchess should have caught).  He displayed a big arm too fitting the ball in some tiny windows to Dileo.

Does he need work?  Yes.  He needs to work on going through his progressions, setting his feet, and being more consistent with his mechanics.  But to suggest that he's not a quarterback is a lazy analysis.  He's just as far along as many qb's his age. 

 

Victor Hale II

November 30th, 2013 at 6:48 PM ^

Well, I never said he was perfect.  My point was simple: with protection and smart play calling, he is fully capable of performing like he did today (the ND game comes to mind, too).  Most UM fans would take that kind of play each and every week.  However, without those elements to help him...well, we've all seen how the last several games went.

Go Blue in MN

November 30th, 2013 at 3:58 PM ^

He's been playing hurt most of the year and almost pulled off the biggest upset in this storied rivalry's history.  I hope he's not too hard on himself about the last play.  I'm excited to see what he can do next year with this year of experience under his belt.  This game should silence the foolish "Move DG back to WR" crowd

Toasted Yosties

November 30th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^

but I have an overwhelming feeling of awe for this team, especially for Gardner, for how hard it fought on the field today.  I think of the final scene from Friday Night Lights, where the player comes up a yard short of a game-winning touchdown...heartbreaking but inspiring. Thank you, Team 134.  Already looking forward to Team 135.  Go Blue!

NJblue2

November 30th, 2013 at 4:03 PM ^

I really love DG. Even though he's made mistakes throughout the year, he's put so much heart into every game this year. He's been beaten up yet he still played a great game. You can't ask much more of him, he truly loves his team and his school.