Hoke on Denard "He can be our QB"

if you can't work a Denard into your O as a QB you should not be coaching

he has enormous talent

Xs and Os are not as important as execution and toughness

I'm seeing Hoke as a potentially fabulous, inspirational manager, in the Lloyd mode. He DOESN'T have to be an X's and O's genius.

Now, I'm just praying that Denard really buys in. Despite all the positive talk, he is going to have to live with all a while to sort out his feelings and prospects. The fact that RR isn't taking up the reins anywhere right now helps. And I think that Denard really loves it in A2, and would like to make it work.

Also, FWIW--and despite his strong desire to be a QB--I don't think he is necessarily and NFL QB. So it is not as though he is ruining his pro prospects if he stays. 

always appreciated.....

I think one thing you can definitely say about Hoke is that he's going to be far more open minded as a coach than Rich Rod or Lloyd were in terms of how he's going to run his team.  He knows that despite this initial Michigan Man lovefest, he's going to start getting buried in the media and by the fan base if he doesn't win, and win now.  He understands the urgency of what's going on here and if he needs to run a more spread-like offense, he'll do it.

My personal forecast (even though making assumptions right now is ridiculous, per aquaman) is that whatever offensive system we are running, we are going to see a lot of quick throws from Denard and we're going to still see our share of designed runs from him.  However, there's going to be a lot greater emphasis on the running game from our actual running backs, and that can only be good for Denard's health as the season goes on.  We need more balance there, and the threat of Denard's running is still going to make defenses prepare a lot, even if he carries the ball less. 

I can go back to work now, now that I've had a solid Denard update today...

...if he had said, "Denard will be our QB."

Carr's staffs in the past told both Jermaine Gonzalez and Antonio Bass that they could be the QB at Michigan, even though, imo, they never had any real intention of playing them there b/c they knew those guys couldn't do what guys like Brady, Henson, Navarre, and Henne could do in their offense.  Going to Michigan was not in the best interests of Gonzalez or Bass, imo.

First and foremost, you want to make sure you're utilizing your personnel in the best way.  You don't want to put a square peg in a round hole.  I think sometimes coaches make a mistake that, you know "I'm gonna do what I need to do no matter what," and sometimes you gotta step back from that.  This is never gonna be about the coaches, it's gonna be about the guys who are playing, and who gives your program, your team, the best opportunity to be successful. . . .  There's difference ways to do things, the spread, and different types of spread . . . we've been able, because of the personnel, to do a lot of those things, and Denard fits right in there with what we'd like to do.

There's no parsing those words.  He will adjust to the players he has.  Thank god, and step away from the ledge. 

it's just that our recievers drop half of his passes.

This guy has done nothing but say the right things ever since he stepped on campus.  If he coaches and recruits half as well as he talks I'd say things are looking up for Michigan.

The only thing that will change is the order of progression.  This will not be qb run first option.  RB handoffs, short screen passes, tight end passes, ect. first will then allow him to use his speed when plays break down.  I think this will be a hell of an offense when teams can't key on his running.

Reading coverage and finding passing lanes are his issues in the pocket.  If Hoke can build in those skills, then great!  Denard has the work ethic to learn and improve at anything.  His height will always be an issue, but Troy Smith was short too.  Chances are probably low that it works out, but Denard has made one quantum leap already; maybe he has another in him.

On this board, Hoke was debited about eight months before he was hired.   So really, it's already September 1st and the clock is running.  We had better be 12-0 & headed for the NCS by next Monday (that's thenend of November, MGoBlog-Hoke time) with the number 1 2012 recruiting class or else.  I blog here & by God, I WANT RESULTS.  NOW. 

ESPN just said Hokes primary concern is keeping Denard from jumping to the NFL.

What?

You want Denard Robinson to be your qb?  Fine.  But use him intelligently.

1.  They should watch the Philadelphia Eagles offense.  We have pretty similar personnel.  The Eagles use 5'9" Desean Jackson very creatively on underneath routes and as a deep threat(Odoms) as well as 6'1" deep threat Jeremy Maclin (Stonum).  They also have a strong third down and red zone receiver in Jason Avant (Hemingway) and a playmaking tight end in the seams (Koger).  In addition, like us, they have a quarterback who at any time is one of the fastest players on the field.  They do many creative things to get him outside the pocket, on the move, and even draw up some running plays for him to mix things up as well.  The only true dual-threat qb in the NFL.

2.  Be creative.  Talk to Rodriguez.  You don't wanna use spread option, that's fine.  But talk to the creative minds.  Figure out how to get Denard 10-12 rushes a game to keep the defense off balance.

3.  Denard will need a lot of work as a passer.  Some of the most gifted NFL qb's have struggled running the WCO.  Accuracy and mechanics need to improve tenfold, as does his ability to make reads.  They need to get a very good qb coach.

and he will be the starting QB next season (please don't leave !).  However I think that a new coach may actually help Denard become an even more complete QB.   He has a great arm and has shown touch ... his height makes his "reads" tougher than if he was 6"6" (ala - Cam) ... but I didn't see a huge improvement from the start of the season to the end.  His pure raw talent was his primary source of his greatness.

Just maybe, if Hoke has a good QB coach (aka - Scott Loffler) we'll see an even more dangerous Denard !!!

Go Blue !

With the option to view specific comments.

It's a pain in the neck to read through a 100+ comment thread for the 5 new comments.

For fuck's sake, Denard was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.   Over Pryor, Cousins, Stanzi and the 3-headed RB Monster at Wisconsin.    Translation:   he's a fantastic football player.    His abilities exceed the system the he was playing in.

I would invite our opponents to assume that he won't be effective in any other system.  Please.  Go ahead.   Jump to that conclusion.

Hoke better adjust to his personnel.  His staff decisions are also vital.  Being surrounded by good coaching is vital for a head coach.  Just ask Rich Rodriguez...

am very happy so far.If we can keep most of are players we will have a good season next year.