SI Andy Staples on Denard Transitioning to WR
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130123/denard-robinson-seni…
Robinson and his advisors have selected receiver, the position at which Kentucky's Randall Cobb and Indiana's Antwaan Randle El -- two ex-quarterbacks -- have thrived in the NFL. (Cobb also played some receiver at Kentucky.) But a wise deployment for Robinson might be more similar to the way the Vikings use Percy Harvin. Harvin can line up as a receiver, but he can also line up in the backfield. (He did this at Florida as well.) Robinson, whose elusiveness is similar to Harvin's, would work well in that role.
January 24th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
From a really good beat writer from the Eagles:
http://www.phillymag.com/eagles/2013/01/24/chip-kelly-meets-with-denard…
My spidey sense, given all that I have learned about Kelly and his plans for the Birds is that he will take Robinson if he falls to round 3. While he may go higher to someone else, I think that they (the Eagles) would be one of the best places for him to end up in. While I don't think there will be an Oregon offense installed in Philly, I do think Kelly (who likes Denard per the article) would know how to use him effectively in an offense.
January 24th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^
If he let the dreads free to flow out of his helmet like we all have seen (and loved) for four years he wouldnt be having these issues. This is obviously how he harnesses the dilithium until the appropriate time.
January 24th, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
January 24th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^
he was a quarterback for his freshman year and then moved to reciever/returner/designated really fast dude, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Cobb_%28American_football%29. Josh Cribbs, Randle El, Edleman, armanti edwards are the best examples
January 24th, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^
January 24th, 2013 at 12:49 PM ^
Redskins fans might have to settle for Morris, Denard, and...Cousins in the backfield for a little while.
January 24th, 2013 at 6:38 PM ^
isn't that an oxymoron?
Denard won't go in the first two days, after that who knows... I think if he breaks 4.4 he gets drafted if not he won't. If he breaks 4.3 then maybe you can look at the first two days...
jdon
January 24th, 2013 at 4:33 PM ^
While I understand the rationale for comparing Denard to Harvin, what is the benefit for Denard to try to become a receiver instead of a runningback? Is there something about Denard's running style that NFL scouts dislike? I would think that he would compare favorably with backs like CJ Spiller, Chris Johnson, and Jahvid Best (at least when he was coming out of college). Wouldn't it be easier for Denard to learn to pass block, rather than having to learn route running / pass catching? I feel like the assumption that Denard can make the transition to WR simply because he is an amazing athlete underestimates the difficulty of learning the skills to be an NFL receiver.
January 24th, 2013 at 5:55 PM ^
January 24th, 2013 at 6:09 PM ^
To further expand, as a Bears fan, I've painfully watched Devin Hesters attempted transition to wr. I could easily see Denard struggling in the same way Devin has, his playmaking ability doesn't mean much when his route running/pass catching are below average. I would be upset if the Bears drafted Denard to be their new "playmaker" project, especially if that pick was anywhere before the 5th round. It seems like the transition to wr creates a lot more risk to his potential success.
On the other hand, at 196 lbs, Denard already has the size and speed to play runningback. If I was picking Denard, I would be looking to create the type of combination that the Bills had with Jackson/Spiller this year, or that the Chiefs have had with Jamaal Charles and either Thomas Jones/Peyton Hillis/Larry Johnson. I know the runningbacks I've listed have had injury problems, but it seems like in the NFL these days it is important to have 2/3 vialbe options at runningback, and I'd happily take Denard somewhere in the 3rd round if that was how I planned to utilize him.
I really want to see Denard succeed in the NFL, but I don't think that receiver is the safest choice for him.
January 24th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
Takes Denard without hesitation. Early. Number one, he is a football player. Not a track guy and not a boxed in guy (see 'Pat White'). He has the perfect attitude. He has intangibles that cannot be coached or taught. I would not be one bit surprised to see Jim Harbaugh select Denard and turn him into a star.
January 24th, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
Well, he certainly isn't a "boxed in guy", but he's unfortunately a great college football player having trouble fitting into any box (see "Tim Tebow"). I'd love to see him tear up Sundays, but he's going to need to be picked by a team with the luxury of patience and depth.
January 25th, 2013 at 4:00 AM ^
A team with the luxury of patience and depth sounds like it could fit the 49ers. Further, Tebow doesn't have elite speed and agility. Give Denard one off season of dedicated pro coaching and with his focus and eargerness to do whatever it takes; a really good coach sees that he can be taught corner, receiver, hybrid or a combination therewithin. A smart coach puts a player of his ability on the field.
January 24th, 2013 at 4:41 PM ^
Yes, Percy Harvin 2.0. Only smarter, better looking, faster and more elusive. My gut always told me that Denard would end up in a similar role. I wish him nothing but a long and prosperous career in the NFL.
January 24th, 2013 at 9:22 PM ^