Excited for Denard

Submitted by GratefulBlue on

Because I despised the other thread so much, I thought we needed some balance on the MGoBoard.

1) Why post a thread like that?

2) Borges and Hoke have been at this a while, let's have a little faith.

3) Denard spent a lot of time out of games last year, and plenty of that was due to the large number of predictable QB keepers that went up the middle into the teeth of the defense for four yards. For all we know, the Borges offense will keep the defense guessing, open up lanes for the big jaw-dropping, open field Denard TD runs, and spare our nimble-but-not-exactly-burly quarterback from the punishing hits that limited his PT last year. 

I'm excited for Denard and for our new offense. Let's also not forget that in most of our biggest games last year (MSU, OSU, the other MSU), our offense completely stalled.

 

OHbornUMfan

March 23rd, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^

IIRC, at least two of the plays that led to Denard spending considerable time off the field came from awkward hits/landings along the sideline, not predictable runs into the teeth of the defense.  While I understand how quickly the idea "the D knows it's coming and they want to hurt you and if you run it where they are, they WILL hurst you" can catch on, it's fairly intuitive that injury is more likely when greater speed has been built by both players (open field) and the runner changes out of protect-self mode into it's-safe-now mode (sideline).

Just sayin'.  On the whole, yes, I am enthused for the possibility of the many great things Denard can and will do this year.

msoccer10

March 23rd, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^

And did you notice how he ran out of bounds before getting hit against Mississippi State? The previous coaches started telling him to forget the extra three yards and get the fuck out of bounds. I am sure the new coaches will tell him the same. Also, Denard will learn that its more important for us to have him on the field than for him to get those three yards and his injuries will diminish accordingly.

GratefulBlue

March 23rd, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^

I know the hits you're talking about, but you can't tell me that running the ball 20-25 times a game and taking a lot of hits from interior linemen didn't have any effect on Denard. In boxing only the last punch knocks the guy out, but that doesn't mean the gut punches and jabs earlier in the match didn't contribute.

Of course he could get hurt in any offense and on any play, but I'm looking forward to seeing our numerous running backs take some of that punishment off Denard's plate.

MgoSuh

March 23rd, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

I kind of envision his success as a kind of opposite to last year's. Last year, he would run, run, run, run, then the defense would get comfortable covering the run, and he'd throw it to a wide open receiver. I'm excited to see if he throws, throws, throws, if the defense will back off and he will have wide open gaps to make big running plays, like when he would make those rare huge passing plays. Just something to think about...

beenplumb

March 23rd, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^

I don't believe Denard is scared for Denard. I think he's probably as pumped (if not more so) for this new season as we are, or he wouldn't have stuck around.

That, to me, is more important than what the MGoCommunity has to say (uselessly speculate).

highestman

March 23rd, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^

I was never convinced Denard was going to be an automatic hiseman candidate under RR's system.  He racked up A LOT of yards on really weak opponents, and looked like he was really geting beat up in the big10.  I don't think there was a single big game where he didn't have to take a few plays off because he was banged up.

If I recall though, Mike Vick didn't have to run designed QB runs 50% of plays to be dangerous.  Denard made great improvements as a sophmore passing the ball, I'm excited to see him learn to scramble and improvise out of a designed pass play, which I think is the most frustraiting thing for a defense to give up.

Tater

March 23rd, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^

Since there is no such thing as a "Hiseman" Trophy, I guess I'll agree with you.  But Denard would have been THE top returning Heisman candidate if RR was still at UM.  Luckily, Denard would probably be the first person to say he doesn't give a bleep about the Heisman.  He just wants to win, and that is always the bottom line.  

GratefulBlue

March 23rd, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^

Winning more games will improve Denard's Heisman chances more than anything else. He fell off the radar late last year because that "perfect fit" RR offense stalled in the games that mattered most. Do you remember what we looked like offensively against tOSU and Miss State? Heisman winners come from 10, 11, 12-win teams.

stillMichigan

March 23rd, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^

Last year, dropping back to pass was like Denard getting to rest from all his carries which I think explains his hesitation to take off. I can't remember how many times there was open field ahead of him and he tried to thread the needle. That won't be happening this year.

ijohnb

March 23rd, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^

that Denard will be used in whatever fashion best allows him to succeed and prosper long term in football.  I am relieved that he will not again be used in an effort to get year 4 for an embattled head coach using hope as a many dreaded thing.  It will certainly not look like last year, and Denard will certainly be playing in the NFL when he is no longer a Wolverine.

BrnAWlrne

March 23rd, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^

I am confident in Denard for two solid reasons:

1.  His talent as a football player:  You can't teach the things he's able to do on the field.

2.  His work ethic:  This is a very overlooked characteristic of Denard.  His off-season leadership and workouts with the team helped attribute to his success on the field.  He'll put in the work in the summer (as well as the rest of the offense) to get better running this new offense.