Russell Bellomy MIGHT BE "Michigan's best option at QB after Denard Robinson"
Another article from the DetNews talking about Russell Bellomy:
"Bellomy was impressive during Michigan's spring game, and by all indications has been so in fall camp, as well. Whether Bellomy will indeed move into the No. 2 job — past Gardner and behind Robinson — will become clearer as fall camp unfolds.
August 14th, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
Borges and Hoke both stated, all of two days ago, that Gardner is the #2 QB. I've never criticized a board topic, but this should not be a board topic. It's a bored topic
August 14th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
BOOM ROASTED!
August 14th, 2012 at 6:15 PM ^
I personally use: BAZINGA.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
Because I am getting negged to death on this. I posted this because it was an article on Michigan Football, in no way was I advocating one QB over the other. Just posting an interesting read about Michigan Football on (wait for it) a Michigan board.
August 14th, 2012 at 5:20 PM ^
You FIEND!
August 14th, 2012 at 5:31 PM ^
Just to be clear, this article tells us absolutely nothing. You could say this about almost any back up on the team.
Watch - Courtney Avery had a strong spring, and might be good enough to take over one of the starting CB spots by the time the season ends. Is that statement true? Absolutely. Is it worth writing an article about? No, it's not. Is said worthless article worth reposting on MGoBlog? Sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph no.
August 15th, 2012 at 2:57 AM ^
Courtney Avery had a strong spring, and might be good enough to take over one of the starting CB spots by the time the season ends. Is that statement true? Absolutely.
Is cornerback as high profile a position as quarterback? Do you see what I did there?
August 15th, 2012 at 8:17 AM ^
Is said worthless article worth reposting on MGoBlog?
While I generally agree with you, is it really that bad of a topic for discussion? This is likely to be the biggest story out of our fall camp in the coming weeks: does Devin slide to WR, and if so, does Bellomy take the full allotment of second string snaps.
It's a major issue and we should be thrilled we have major issues to discuss again. Or would we rather clutter the board with non-football topics, such as MGoMechanic questions, Thor topics, etc?
August 15th, 2012 at 9:09 AM ^
Based on very little evidence, I'd rather see Bellomy in there. But I dont get to watch practice. Then again, I didn't get to watch practice during the great Threet/Sheridan battles, and I could've told you which one was actually a quarterback within their first quarters of play...
August 14th, 2012 at 9:43 PM ^
I have no doubts that Gardner is listed as the #2 QB. I do have doubts whether he'll be the first QB off the bench if Denard is injured. What coaches say is often different than what they do, especially with Michigan's coaches.
Besides, Gardner has struggled at QB almost every time he's seen action. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Bellomy is giving him a serious challenge at the position.
August 15th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
I think it's unfair to judge Devin's playing time. When he came in last season he was in for mostly one to two plays. When he was actually given a series and time to get into rythym (Illinois, NW), he was actually very good (touchdown pass to Odoms at Illinois was a very good read/ accurate pass). The spring game was pretty bad, but that was just one day.
August 15th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Gardner at Inkster in the state finals was for the most part a one man team. He had little around him and still took his team to the championship game. He doesn't have the mobility Denard does, then again very few athletes in the entire NCAA D1 do...however Gardner given a chance to sink into the offense and synch into the playbook could be a descent QB.
Perhaps the hype around Shane Morris has the coaches thinking Gardner is too fast and too good with a football in his hands to be bypassed, and putting him in the WR spot could disguise some wildcat type stuff, throwback screen to Denard, adnauseum, not to mention help him transition toward his future as a wideout with Morris as the QB...all speculation.
August 14th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
I was at the Spring Game and I'm not sure "impressive" is the right word for Bellomy. "Serviceable" or "Better than I expected" might be closer to his performance. If he has taken strides to make himself a true number 2 qb, then I'm very very happy. But if Denard goes down, I want Gardner in there at qb.
August 14th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
The article it titled:
Russell Bellomy might be Michigan's best option at QB after Denard Robinson
August 14th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
And even that title is deceiving, article offers no evidence other than DG is playing WR.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:02 PM ^
This could be true, Devin did not look good in the spring game. After two years in the system I would have hoped for a little more touch on his part. Bellomy was fairly impressive that same day.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
MGrowold MIGHT the handsomest son of a sea biscut this side of the Rockies..I MIGHT be the tallest, richest and be in the best shape too. Heck, i MIGHT even be Coach Hoke in real life (you'll never know) or I MIGHT actually just be the third persona of RDT & WIAB that hasn't officially been outed yet.
Or, like Bellomy, I might not.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^
right, because i am.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^
Well.......
You might be.
August 14th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
August 14th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
This article headline reminded me of Betteridge's Law of Headlines, except with "might" instead of a question:
One thing though: This story is a great demonstration of my maxim that any headline which ends in a question mark can be answered by the word "no". The reason why journalists use that style of headline is that they know the story is probably bollocks, and don’t actually have the sources and facts to back it up, but still want to run it.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:20 PM ^
Except I'm not. I think the only way Bellomy plays QB ahead of Gardner is if an AMWRHG decides to envoke its powers, forcing Gardner to play all the WR positions.
EDIT: To ensure this DOES NOT happen, I've just offered tribute to said deity.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^
Certainly in a perfect World this is true and allows Devin to focus on WR, where he contributes in a way none of us saw coming.
Unrelated - anyone hearing things on premium boards about a freshman DL who blew out his knee (no, it's not Pipkins)? I won't say who, as it's a rumor right now, but someone who could have competed for time.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^
August 14th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
August 14th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
The general scouting report has been that Bellomy is very smart with the ball, accurate, and has some decent legs in terms of escaping the pass rush. You are correct that his arm strength was his biggest issue coming in to Michigan. Aside from that there were comments about his mechanics breaking down under pressure.
Personally I think the long term goal for Gardner is a WR move. Gardner's passing mechanics still break down (shotput motion) and if Bellomy can improve his arm strength I think that in Borges eyes at least, Bellomy would be the better option. Also Bellomy doesn't have that pesky medical redshirt issue lingering over him (the NCAA will decide Gardner's fate post his senior season). Bellomy being groomed as the next starting QB ensures that Morris can be redshirted if desired. As much as I loved Henne as a four year starter, I liked RoboHenne more than Freshman Henne. Also at this point being a dominate 6' 4" WR might be better for Gardner from a NFL perspective. Dual threat guys are not really in demand in the NFL and Gardner spending a year or two proving he is a dominate outside WR should land him a lucrative contract somewhere. As a QB Gardner would need to hope he came in and put up Cam Netwon style numbers in his one year as a starter to have hope of being a high pick and a good contract. Two years as a successful WR would get Gardner a nice contract.
Overall Gardner is likely the #2 guy this year as he can more Denard like things than Bellomy can, but if Bellomy is the starter next year, Morris is the backup, and Gardner is a deep threat, I wouldn't be shocked. Or Gardner could clear up that shotput motion issue and shock the world.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^
is the #2 QB for this team, and that Bellomy is coming along well.
Gardner is going to be a STUD at WR this year and make a big impact on the offense. I sensed Borges holding back a little in the presser, but you could still see a gleam in his eye (not that kind of gleam).
August 14th, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^
Would be cool.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
Gardner is the back up QB as has been said by our beloved Brady Hoke. Devin from what limited playing time we have seen, has a tendency to push too hard to make the big play. This is understandable from a kid trying to get on the field and I don't think reflects his decision making if he were the every day QB.
August 14th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^
in the brief appearance in the Illinois game than any of the brief appearances in the spring games. He was clutch (though perhaps unspectacular) in a huge game on the road.
In the wasted redshirt year of 2010, he threw some very nice balls against Bowling Green (I thought he had a TD dropped in the end zone).
August 14th, 2012 at 5:11 PM ^
The BG game is what I always remember about him. He looked poised and threw some of the most beautiful looking passes I've ever seen. Seriously, amazing mechanics, and this perfect spiraling arc of football that I just knew was going to the right place.
And the dropped TD you're remembering came right next to a TD called back for a penalty and an actual TD (I believe). He threw what should have been 3 perfect TD passes in a row. I was smitten.
I also remember one pass last year (either Illinois or Northwestern) where he was rolling right, threw on the run, and the replay shows a view of him from downfield following through perfectly as the pass sails exactly where it needs to go.
I, for one, am very excited for 1-2 years of DG at QB.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^
August 14th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^
This reminds me of the 2-QB set ideas last year that many on this board thought would obviously destroy defenses. What if we have THREE QBs IN THE GAME!?! How do you defend against THAT? Get to work, Al...
August 14th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^
How about you talk to Heiko about that...
August 14th, 2012 at 7:39 PM ^
August 15th, 2012 at 9:33 AM ^
and if he posts on here, I bet he changes his tagline to "Why UofM-I-Hart... Why...".
August 14th, 2012 at 5:15 PM ^
This article is what happens when the athletic department at Michigan gives you NOTHING. After all, there are deadlines to meet....
August 14th, 2012 at 5:43 PM ^
I was actually very impressed by Bellomy in the spring game, and I thought Gardner was honestly pretty bad. I think Gardner is probably our best option next year, or as a long term backup, but if Denard gets minorly dinged in a game I would put more trust in Bellomy to keep the offense rolling and not make any big mistakes.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:14 PM ^
I don't think Gardner is our best option next year. I think over the next year, Bellomy will improve more than Devin will, partly because of his age, and partly because of DG's time at WR. Also, Devin will be an asset to us at another position next year if he doesn't start at QB, Bellomy will not. This is why I think Bellomy will be our starter in 2013.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:20 PM ^
I hope not. No offense to Bellomy, but I would much rather have Gardner step in if (God forbid) Denard went down. Gardner was unimpressive last year but possesses skills that Bellomy just doesn't have.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:33 PM ^
The only game gardner was unimpressive in was the Spartan game and even then, he threw a TD pass. I know it was called back because he stepped over the line but it was still strike. devin would be just like Braxton Miller, Logan Thomas type
August 14th, 2012 at 6:29 PM ^
If you are going by the spring game, Gardner was going against the 1's on defense with a limited playbook. Also, Devin and Bellomy is learning the new system while Denard is still playing RichRod's system. So basically what i am saying is Devin is learning 2 systems while bellomy is learning one which is the new system. Devin would make a great wideout but Michigan will need him more at QB if Robinson goes down.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^
Coach Hoke and the staff aren't trying to convert Devin into a WR, they're trying to get an extremely talented and athletic guy on the field for more than one full season. If he's used as a WR from time to time then so be it, but next year Devin will be the starting QB.
August 14th, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^
Pretty clear Borges would be happy, and not surprised, if Devin emerges as an elite WR and Bellomy develops into a competent back-up for Denard this season, and the starter for 2013.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:37 AM ^
I sensed the same thing from the presser. I think DG will bust out at WR this year, so much so that it will be hard to put the genie back in the bottle.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:30 PM ^
and all have said 100% hat Bellomy is nowhere near Devin when it comes to QB play. So do not get your hopes up for him jumping over Devin.
August 14th, 2012 at 7:51 PM ^
OP literally quoted the title of the article - take it easy MgoNegbangers
August 14th, 2012 at 8:01 PM ^
Yes, but I think that's the problem. The title was at worst misleading, but at best useless, and didn't warrant being posted.
August 14th, 2012 at 8:07 PM ^
Enough with the Bellomy as the #2 QB stuff. This is the kind of stuff that comes last in the summer, people just can't find anything else to talk about so they overthink/make up things.
The coaches are telling you, with no coachspeak or deception that DG is #2...yet we want to say "wait, but what if?" Stop it people, stop it.