Senior Bowl: Denard Robinson, WR
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)
January 16th, 2013 at 12:34 AM ^
Wonder how good his hands are. We'll miss you #16!
January 16th, 2013 at 2:47 AM ^
Sports blogs: One of the few acceptable places to ponder how good another man's hands are in public.
January 16th, 2013 at 8:21 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 12:39 AM ^
January 16th, 2013 at 12:42 AM ^
a sad
January 16th, 2013 at 12:53 AM ^
ERMAGERHD DERNERD ART WERDE RECERVER
January 16th, 2013 at 12:58 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:16 AM ^
It would be cool to let him wear the number 1 for the game.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:22 AM ^
January 16th, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
The 49er's do enough read option where it almost seems 50/50 on their play calling at times
January 16th, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^
I'd be willing to bet he throws a pass here and there, similar to how Antwaan Randle El did.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:29 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:29 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:12 AM ^
I think Tom Brady should be a punter
January 16th, 2013 at 1:34 AM ^
January 16th, 2013 at 1:34 AM ^
I hope I remember to watch this. I also hope Denard dominates.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
where is that rye from?
January 16th, 2013 at 2:54 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 8:12 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 6:14 AM ^
January 16th, 2013 at 6:56 AM ^
Jordan Kovachs definitely deserves to be on that list.
January 16th, 2013 at 4:18 PM ^
Jordan Kovacs definitely deserves to have his name spelled correctly.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:13 AM ^
They could be participating in other games.
They could also be deciding to skip it to train for the Combine.
January 16th, 2013 at 7:58 AM ^
From what I've seen in person and on film he's going to be the greatest receiver the planet has ever seen. People are going to call him Megazord since that's way more impressive than Megatron.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:08 AM ^
January 16th, 2013 at 8:52 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:05 AM ^
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?
January 16th, 2013 at 9:31 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^
You keep tooting that same horn. Why so much ANGAR?
January 16th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
big surprise he was terrible his whole career
January 16th, 2013 at 1:58 PM ^
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
January 16th, 2013 at 9:37 AM ^
That and the Hula Bowl are no longer played but I think there's another college classic to go with the Senior Bowl.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^
wrong tab.... disregard.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:04 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
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
January 16th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 4:31 PM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
need a slot guy...sign him up.
January 16th, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^
Denard Robinson=Percy Harvin????? Harvin has done well in the NFL.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
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.
January 21st, 2013 at 8:39 PM ^
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.
January 16th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
Mealer will be at the Colligiate Bowl on the same team as our old pal, Sam Mcguffie (WR, not RB)