Denard Robinson will play wide receiver at the Senior Bowl on January 26, televised nationally on the NFL Network. Just a small bit of news, but I imagine this gives us some actual insight into his intentions for the combine, draft, and playing in the NFL.
ESPN article
Senior Bowl roster (1/15 edition, PDF)
Wonder how good his hands
...
Sports blogs: One of the few acceptable places to ponder how good another man's hands are in public.
Scouts
Are often more interested in how the players look in the week of practices leading up to the game than the game itself. We'll have daily recaps of how he did in practice, as well as video on NFL Network and NFL.com.
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The practice week is always
The practice week is always more important. The scouts and front office people are mostly gone by Thursday, and completely gone by Friday (outside of the teams coaching of course). Monday, and especially the full pad Tuesday and wednesday practices, are a players big chance to make a good impression.
"They've roused the Fire Wyrm!"
-the 13th Warrior
Should be interesting
Wish the game was on a channel I actually got. Would love to see how Denard looks playing wide receiver the full time. I really want to see Denard make it in the NFL.
"But in the tire fire that was last year's secondary he showed a little spark." - Brian Cook
I has
a sad
ERMAGERHD DERNERD ART WERDE
ERMAGERHD DERNERD ART WERDE RECERVER
Abort, Retry, Fail?
I Haz A Happy-Sad.
One more chance to see Denard with the winged helmet (I think they still get to wear the team helmet) and one more chance to see #16 play some CFB. But sad to see the loss of the most iconic UM player since Charles.
L.S.A. '88
It would be cool to let him
It would be cool to let him wear the number 1 for the game.
As soon as i get 100 points I'm up voting and down voting ever comment on this site!!!
The consensus move
Is obviously to a slot/scat/wr role but his catching skills are really yet to be seen. This will be a great experience for him and us as fans to finally see his combine skill and see how many fakes out of 5 he's really about. Also, whatever team gets him, you know and they know he can still throw the ball a ridiculous amount of yards, I don't think he'll never attempt a pass in the NFL. #16
Bo' Money Bo' Problems
maybe, maybe not
Look at the trend in NFL QBs. Nobody's running a read-option spread offense, but seeing the play run on Sundays is getting to be pretty common. When RGIII got hurt in the playoffs and Cousins came in, the Skins had to change the offense drastically. Now it's unlikely that an NFL team will have a backup QB returning kicks and entering the offense for some plays, but you never know.
And teams will spend money teaching QB mechanics. The Broncs tried with Tebow, but he couldn't figure it out ... which is probably why they shipped him away. The right team might see in Denard a guy that can provide value immediately with potential as a project too.
The 49er's do enough read
The 49er's do enough read option where it almost seems 50/50 on their play calling at times
I'd be willing to bet he
I'd be willing to bet he throws a pass here and there, similar to how Antwaan Randle El did.
If Ann Arbor is a whore, why didn't you get in?
I have a feeling he's going
I have a feeling he's going to look like a natural catching the ball and we'll all realize he's been on the wrong end of the pass all along. I'm excited because I think he'll be exceptional at getting YAC.
I dunno...
I have a feeling he's going to look like a natural catching the ball and we'll all realize he's been on the wrong end of the pass all along.
The former can be true without poving the latter. He might be able to kick a football from here to Tuesday, but it doesn't mean he should have been a kicker instead of a quarterback.
I think Tom Brady should be a
I think Tom Brady should be a punter
Hope Denard proves all the
Hope Denard proves all the "experts" wrong and has long and successful career on Sundays. He deserves nothing less
"The goal, the expectation of this program is the Big Ten Championship"
I hope I remembe to watch
I hope I remember to watch this. I also hope Denard dominates.
Denard has spent the offseason working really hard and smiling at people.
where is that rye from?
where is that rye from?
K. Pretty sure he's a running
K. Pretty sure he's more running back than wide receiver. Hasn't been running routes in college. Set a college record for rushing yards, instead, but whatever. He's still Dilithium.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
THIS
I think Denard could be a decent #3 who adds value on special teams, trick plays, and maybe thow a couple of runs in there too. But I think for him to become that he needs a couple of seasons of returning kicks and developing his routes. I'd love to see him come to the Colts assuming Arians stays because his system LOVES fast WR's-- and he has a good track record of developing them.
"It was open," Toussaint said. "I can't compare this hole to any other holes because I can't remember that but it was a huge hole."
Interesting
That the long snappers are listed separately. . Maybe that position is important enough to deserve scholarship consideration.
A little OT
Where are other Michigan players?
Jordan Kovachs definitely deserves to be on that list.
Not OT
Jordan Kovacs definitely deserves to have his name spelled correctly.
They could be participating
They could be participating in other games.
They could also be deciding to skip it to train for the Combine.
You mean Galvatron.
You mean Galvatron.
All hail Hoke!
That's probably about right
His routes and his hands will obviously be the question. Though he's technically big enough to be a back in the NFL, i'd guess that teams will want to see him in space where he can do the most damage to defenses.
I've got hope. The right organization drafting Denard could make things interesting. Clearly, the era of the dual-threat QB has begun in the NFL, and it's going to continue. Denard's not ready to be a starting NFL QB. However, an innovative team could pick up a hardworking kid that can provide immediate impact on offense and devote offseason resources to teaching him the details of playing QB that he needs.
If his routes and hands are acceptable, you've got a guy that with some polish can play the slot, come out of the backfield, and even go wildcat. Put him in a backfield with a dual threat QB and you could give a DC real fits. Can you say halfback pass? Five years ago he would have been special teams only, or maybe seeing time in a 5 wide set. Now, there are a lot more possibilities.
wait wait wait
Someone above mentioned Kovacs. But -- Big Will doesn't get an invite? Kenny Demens? I can see JT Floyd being passed over for this.
I know there is the Blue/Gray game, right, are our seniors going elsewhere?
Big Will is in the Shrine Bowl
he has really struggled in practice. Many people mentioned that he has a tendency to stand up high and doesn't use his hands well. He's just an another big body. Not a good endorsement for Big Will, but these are the problems that plauged Big Will the entire time he was at Michigan.
so much for the "Cass Tech"
so much for the "Cass Tech" pipeline.... all these guys we get from them seem to never pan out, at all. Still waiting on Terry Richardson and Royce Jenkins-Stone, too.
You keep tooting that same
You keep tooting that same horn. Why so much ANGAR?
Disgruntled former moderator. I got a lot of problems with you people!
Yeah, those darn freshmen
Yeah, those darn freshmen that aren't Big Ten already. What's the matter with them? Taylor Lewan won the Outland Trophy by the third game of 2009.
big surprise he was terrible
big surprise he was terrible his whole career
Where are you reading that?
I was reading that he was one of the surprises of early practices and was dominating the line of scrimmage. The big complaint was that he wasn't showing quickness into the backfield but was stuffing the line at the line of scrimmage.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/01/will_campbell_willing_to_play.html
Should we point instead of fist pump during the Victors?
The Blue/Gray game is no more
That and the Hula Bowl are no longer played but I think there's another college classic to go with the Senior Bowl.
Interesting to see if
Quite possibly he is used as PR/KR during this game? It would give an idea if he has the feel for that type of skill or not? I think many of us can all agree that, as long as he can catch the ball he should be able to play WR. With his speed he could be a weapon on reverses or jet sweeps which are used sparingly in the NFL. He could suceed in the right situation/team as he will be a later round pick, therefore he might get a playoff team to take a chance on him.
How freaking fickle is our
wrong tab.... disregard.
Touchdown Michigan!
I am really stumped as to WHY
I am really stumped as to WHY Denard isn't being looked at as a RB.
Think of all the shots hes taken, and I'm referring to inside runs, too. He has essentially been an elite RB, throwing the ball. Chris Johnson on Tenn is who Denard reminds me of.... this is just bizarre..... Denard is big enough...200 lbs, and can add another 10 lbs.
I hope someone knowledgable chimes in here, because I've always thought Denard would be the next Chris Johnson, in the NFL.
One thing I can think of is
One thing I can think of is that teams may be scared that he have too many carries with negative or negligible yards gained...
Runs of -1, 1, 2, -2, 21, 3 may appear to be a 4 yard a carry average, but that isn't the running style you'd want to maintain drives. Obviously he could be paired with a more regular back, but that may be the "Barry Sanders" fear.
~Herm
Stop the uniform changes! Contact Dave Brandon 734-764-9416.
I would not be surprised if
I would not be surprised if he's seen as too thin and/or too fragile. He might be 197 lbs. or so, but he looks small out there. And he's had a fair share of bumps and bruises throughout his career (knee, elbow, etc.), although no devastating injuries.
He's also not very adept at blocking, and pass protection is a huge thing with lots of NFL teams throwing the ball around so much. From a blocking standpoint, it would be an easier transition to WR than RB. Wide receivers just have to get or stay in the way, but running backs have to stone linebackers, safeties, and sometimes defensive ends.
Fair enough... however one
Fair enough... however one looks at Ronnie Hillman taken in the 3rd round by the Broncos... Hillman looks very tiny, yet Denard looks much bigger to me.
I agree completely
As great a runner as he is, he's never had to develop several skills a running back needs. You mentioned the blocking already, which is probably the biggest hurdle. He also doesn't even know how to take a hand-off (he reaches out for the ball), and he too frequently cuts off his inside foot. Those things can be taught, but as long as his hands are good enough, the transition to WR is the easier path.
I hope Denard ends up on the
I hope Denard ends up on the Patriots somehow. I think they would be creative enough to get him on the field in various ways. I think he could make a name for himself in that offense. If he can learn to catch well he could be Wes Welker 2.0.
"I have seen the top of the mountain. And it is good."
Is he healthy enough?
I always figured the reason he didn't play more WR at Michigan was because he was still banged up. You can run with one arm, but to catch with one is a little tougher.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Lions
need a slot guy...sign him up.
Go Blue!
Denard Robinson=Percy
Denard Robinson=Percy Harvin????? Harvin has done well in the NFL.
Go Blue. That it all.
My MGoYard
Percy
It took Percy a bit to get going in the NFL, he is solid now but I think it could be the same for Denard. A year or two to learn from the older guys and I think you got a solid 3rd WR option for a team. Percy is arguably a #1 type receiver, I am not sure Denard is like that but definetly a good option.
Go Blue!
Depends
I think Denards success will be completely linked to a coach who will be able to figure out how to use him. He would be great in SF, or maybe now in Philly. He will be the biggest reason I pay attention to the draft.
Ann Arbor by birth. Wolverine by choice.
A little OT
Mealer will be at the Colligiate Bowl on the same team as our old pal, Sam Mcguffie (WR, not RB)
Go Blue. That it all.
My MGoYard
Hope for The Best
Sad that Denard may be limited by the lingering nerve damage, especially if he’s unable to fully extend his right arm, or the impact of taking throws in practice aggravates the nerve injury. Can’t imagine that ten days of training as a wide receiver will allow him to fully display his talent. Guessing that a fully healthy Denard Robinson might've had a good chance to be a fairly high NFL draft choice as an "athlete."
The Senior Bowl will be played on January 26 in Mobile, Alabama (TV: NFL Network at 4 PM)
Not sure if they’ve assigned teams yet, but assume that Denard is on the North roster. His quarterbacks could be Mike Glennon - NC State, Zac Dysert - Miami (OH) and Ryan Nassib - Syracuse. Landry Jones - Oklahoma, E. J. Manuel - Florida State and Tyler Wilson - Arkansas are the other quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl.
Have to hope that Denard succeeds at anything he attempts after he leaves Michigan (and "leaves Michigan" is tough to type when it’s used to refer to Denard Robinson.) Whether it’s in professional football or, like Roy Roundtree, in the field of social work, or in any other field that will have him helping people, it will be great to see him make his mark on the rest of the world beyond the great wide Maize and Blue family.
What a great ambassador Denard has been for the University of Michigan! Credit to him and his family. Congratulations, young man, and (in the words of Doug Karsch) "besta luck!"
Wonder how good his hands are. We'll miss you #16!