Donovan Warren Confirms He'll Be Back Next Season
Please pardon me for citing the Freep, but it was the only site that I could find it on
http://www.freep.com/article/20091122/SPORTS06/911220662/1054/sports06/…
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 AM ^
"Vincent Smith told reporters that freshman quarterback Denard Robinson would be back."
Thank goodness?
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 AM ^
And you don't want competition at the QB spot?
Denard was less prepared than a lot of freshman - and especially Tate - to play this year. He has a lot of talent, and while he remains a wild card, he could show tremendous improvement in the coming years.
I think he has greater upside in Rodriguez's offense than Tate. It's a ways off on the horizon, but I'd be really bummed if we didn't get a chance to develop him.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 AM ^
I was just curious why Denard wouldnt be back. I thought it was funny that quote was thrown in there, because it seems fairly obvious Denard would be bck.
I gots no problems with Denard.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 AM ^
I'm assuming the statement was made as there was talk or more so fabricated stories that he might transfer. Never really thought the idea had much legs, but I think the competition @ QB next year will be something to look forward to.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:49 AM ^
Makes sense. I read it as 'are we sure we're happy that Denard's coming back?'
I also think it's weird that Smith threw that in there. It actually makes me slightly more nervous that Denard might leave that I was beforehand.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:47 AM ^
I didn't read the article, but I'd be surprised if Vince added that tidbit unprovoked. Some reporter was probably trying to get a little dirt from a freshman slip of the tongue and asked him outright about Denard's intentions for next year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 AM ^
...he night transfer, especially with Devin Garner coming.
I really hope he stays.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 AM ^
is Vincent Smith speaking for Denard? Why Didn't Denard tell the media that Denard would be back?
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 AM ^
It was Denard, but he was moving so fast that he looked shorter. So, the news crew assumed that the 5'6" kid with dreds was Vincent Smith.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 AM ^
THANK GOD! Warren's all in, we have to build on this. Time to start the momentum train.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 AM ^
but really? Did v. smith really say that?
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^
But if Warren confirmed he's coming back, that is some great news. Seems a little early for such a big decision though.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 AM ^
Its early and we should take into account how emotional he would be after Saturday's game (I am assuming this was after the game, I did not follow the link)
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:52 AM ^
by pro scouts that he would be a mid to late round pick. It doesn't do him much good to come out early unless you are a 1st or 2nd.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 AM ^
Didn't know he had the pro scouts give him the mid to late round news. (sorry DW, but I'm glad they didn't place you higher in the draft!)
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^
My understanding of it is that that mid round estimate was just that- an estimate. It was without workouts and watching film. The article did say that Warren will see where he would be projected.
"Back to help that cause is junior cornerback Donovan Warren, who said after the game Saturday that he would return for his senior year -- though Warren did tell annarbor.com Monday that he would ask the NFL to evaluate his draft status."
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 PM ^
That's the problem... there is no film of juniors for them to evaluate. The NFL is suing the company that provides the college coaching tape
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 AM ^
Great news. We really needed him to come back with our youth at that position.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 AM ^
If he does indeed come back that would be a great vote of confidence in the coaching staff.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:24 AM ^
It's great that Warren is saying he'll be back but I'll be a lot more comfortable when January 15th passes.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 AM ^
He and the rest will hopefully have pent up rage and prove next year that Michigan will be a success under Rich Rod. The competition should be fierce with guys hungry to play and dominate on the field. Unfortunately, we now have to wait a long off season until that first game in September. The season just goes by way too fast.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 AM ^
That would be HUGE if Donovan stays for his Senior year. Think he's good now? Well, wait until next season.....Can you say "Thorpe Award?"
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 AM ^
Having him back gives us some much needed leadership on the defense next year. That's a big sigh of relief.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
but it would be good for the team no doubt.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 AM ^
to be able to have our entire secondary returning under the same system.
If this is remains the case, we fans have another BG-style player to cheer on next year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
With Justin Turner coming off his redshirt we're looking pretty good at the 1 and 2 CB spots.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 AM ^
JT's redshirt is the dumbest thing ever. Assuming he lives up to his ranking and athletic ability does anyone on this board expect him to stay for four more years? I have to believe he would have helped this year just based on athleticism even if he made some mental mistakes. Go ahead and neg away if you must.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
I think Turner redshirted because he just isn't ready to play. I mean, the coaches had Cissoko leave the team and still chose to switch Woolfolk to corner and back and then start JT Floyd rather than have Turner play. Also, Teric Jones has played and burned his redshirt while Turner has not. Those are great lengths to go to in order to avoid burning Turner's redshirt. Do the coaches think that they have a potential star in Turner? Probably. But the fact that he didn't see the field this season means that he is probably still all potential.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 PM ^
Donovan Warren had a high ranking and has a lot of athletic ability, and he (as of right now) is staying four years.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
Wouldn't it be great if the defense became an asset next year? I know it doesn't look too likely based on this year, but there are reinforcements coming in the form of recruits and redshirt freshmen. The kids out there now will have another year of Barwis and another year of experience in the scheme.
As for Denard, I look forward to him being more of a slash next year; with depth at QB, RR will be able to afford to get him on the field more at other positions. By the time he is a junior or senior, I fully expect him to change positions. RR will have fulfilled his promise to Denard about giving him a chance at QB, but Denard will realize that the NFL usually doesn't hire QB's under 6-4, and choose to maximize his draft potential by playing at another position.
You never know: Denard could be a Ty Law-esque corner if he so chooses, or a smaller, faster version of Ole Miss' Dexter McCluster at RB/wildcat. There still is plenty of potential at QB, but he needs to throw the ball better so that everyone in the stadium doesn't know he will be running the ball.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
I pray that you're right on the Dexter McCluster comparison...that guy is so much fun to watch and if we had that kind of slasher on our offense, we'd have a dimension that I think we lack right now (outside of Vincent Smith starting to emerge, that is).
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 AM ^
Drew Henson - We all thought he would be back... Nothing matters till January because those punk agents will be contacting him and selling $$ sign dreams...
Go Blue
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:55 AM ^
Donald Brown confirmed he was returning to UCONN, prior to their bowl game, and then afterward said he was declaring
Let's hope this does not happen
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 AM ^
Arrington said he was coming back after the Florida win. Look what happened. The talk means nothing right now.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 AM ^
Arrington said this before a season in which we a) had a new coach that he'd have to adjust to, b) knew that we were going to be worse next season, and c) knew that it was likely that we would have a subpar starting QB in the wake of the Mallett transfer. These factors meant that coming back would hurt Arrington's NFL prospects and also would mean that he'd have to get used to a new coach with a wholly different style of play than Carr's. Unless he really wanted to graduate, he had nothing to gain and a lot to lose by staying.
Warren, meanwhile, will likely improve his draft prospects by staying, while the team will likely improve as well, meaning that he'll probably (as in, if he'd better be able to) go to another bowl game. He has a lot to gain by staying and only faces a moderate risk of having a smaller salary as a result of the new CBA (which should be completely negated by being selected higher in the draft).
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 PM ^
Arrington said he was staying after the Florida game? I don't think that's accurate. I distinctly remember various "insiders" saying he was gone well before that game.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^
what he said yesterday doesnt mean a whole lot. He is a borderline guy and may get some advice to suggest otherwise.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 AM ^
Someone needs to get him in touch with Ernie Shazor ASAP if he really thinks he's ready for the NFL. He desperately needs another year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 AM ^
Or Leon Hall, who was here his senior year (not sure if he was considering leaving or not) and has been shutting down top receivers.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 AM ^
...and assume that Warren will indeed return. Finally, a piece of good news. It's a lot easier to find 2 DBs who can play than 3.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^
The NFL scout rumors are saying that Warren's not ready and needs another year of development. I know very little about the quality of our position coaches or even what constitutes a quality position coach, but in line with most opinions on this board, I wonder whether we have the personnel at key position coach spots to give a guy like Warren, who is obviously physically gifted, the coaching he needs to get to the next level. Warren will play on Sunday's no matter what, but I hope we can give him what he needs to become a better, smarter player this next year. The growth of our secondary and linebackers this season was not evident at all.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
That's excellent news if it proves true. Having Warren line up across from Turner, with two scholarship safeties behind them can only mean better things for our defense.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^
Warren has asked the NFL to evaluate his draft position......just saying
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 PM ^
but I don't think Donovan Warren is AS good as he's often given credit for. Don't get me wrong, he's a very solid player, but I believe he stands to benefit quite a bit from one more year in CFB. I think his value is boosted by a lack of talent in the rest of the secondary, therefore making it even less attractive to throw his way. When people do throw in his direction he's usually within close enough proximity to the receiver to make the tackle before many YAC are accumulated, but I don't see him right in the pocket of the offensive player breaking up the pass often enough. I think another year at Michigan and he makes that step to be as good as many perceive him to be, and helps his draft status substantially. I hope it is the case that he does choose to stay for his 4th year and has a very strong campaign on a defense that (hopefully) makes big strides. If he does end up declaring for the draft, then best of luck, I'll be rooting for him on Sundays.
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 PM ^
Remember as the season went on Warren got used more in deep drops, so he didn't get to display his coverage skills. Better safety play would help him out.
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 PM ^
This article made me like Brandon Graham. He has consistently shown to be classy and can single-handedly kill a drive.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^
Ummm...the article cites annarbor.com in the text.
-1 for citing the Freep.