Steelers move Devin Gardner back to Quarterback

Submitted by RogueRage on

Pittsburgh Steelers move Devin Gardner back to QB http://t.co/Vtu97FgLdj

— Patrick Claybon (@PatrickClaybon) June 4, 2015

I don't know if this is a good or bad sign, but best of luck to him. I think he's got a shot at battling with Gradkowski for backup to Big Ben. I was picturing he could be pretty versatile at receiver for them and maybe make some magic like Randle El did ten years ago. Hopefully he can beat out Landry Jones and make the squad.

Magnus

June 4th, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^

Agreed. I think the real Gardner is the guy we saw in 2012 and the second half of 2013. He got screwed over by no offensive line, no running game, and no consistent receiving targets in 2014. From a physical standpoint only, I think he's the best QB in Michigan history - size, speed, strength, arm strength, toughness, etc.

Tater

June 4th, 2015 at 2:09 PM ^

I also agree, and I think Devin also got screwed over by an offense which was so predictable that the defense often knew where the receivers, backs and ball were going as soon as Michigan broke the huddle.

Remember also that he never complained, was a great citizen and was proud to attend the University of Michigan.

vablue

June 4th, 2015 at 2:30 PM ^

He had problems coming back from mistakes.  In his first start against ND he lost in mentally after throwing the pick TD in the end zone.  But some of that could be coaching as well.  If he makes the steelers as a QB, that would be a huge condemnation of the former coaching staff at Michigan.  If he doesn't make it, we will never know. 

I do feel bad for athletes like Gardner.  They chose our school and put their faith in Michigan, yet they did not get the top notch coaching they deserved.  Luckily they still had the opportunity to get one of the best educations in the country.

Northfielder

June 4th, 2015 at 12:44 PM ^

I hope he does well and catches on at the next level - always thought he had potential just a litany of issues prevented him from really developing into a great M QB...The Denard factor forcing a position change to WR so he could see the field...a shaky O line...etc.

I do worry about the turnover thing though...even with proper coaching.  No question he is a class act and reps Michigan well no matter what he does post football.

jblaze

June 4th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^

Gardner showed flashes at QB for sure, but our lack of WR play and a bad pass protecting OL, along with his injuries means he has a shot as a backup

Space Coyote

June 4th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

And at times showed the mental capability for the position, but I think the 2013 situation really killed his ability to see the field or have confidence from the position at all. This is likely a "he wasn't going to cut it at WR, but remember at one point in 2013 when he looked like a high upside option at QB? Let's give that a shot real quick"

At best he makes a practice squad, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him.

bacon1431

June 4th, 2015 at 11:22 AM ^

Yep. I was hoping a fresh start with a new OC/QB coach this past season was going to help save his career, but you could tell he was still broken. Feel for the kid. He would've been a good-to-great Qb in the right situation IMO. And four years with Harbaugh would have been real interesting to watch with him. He's got his MSW and my girlfriend had classes with him and Cam Gordon and she was pretty impressed with them. so either way, I think he's gonna end up fine and making a positive impact somewhere. 

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^

He needs to pick a position and stick to it if he wants to remain in the NFL.  Bouncing around between positions will get him bounced out of the NFL so fast

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^

He can say whether or not he wants to switch positions.  I think he has the talent to be a decent NFL player at either WR or QB.  But flipping back and forth will put him behind the curve.  Especially given how different the training regimens are for those positions. 

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:49 AM ^

He can clearly say he'd rather continue trying to make the squad as a WR. Landry Jones and Gradkowski have been in Pittsburgh for 2 going on 3 years so they know the offense.  Plus the Steelers picked up Tajh Boyd as well.  He has to beat out Tajh Boyd (who never took time off to train as a WR) plus one of either Jones or Gradkowski to make the team.  If I was DG I'd have said no I'm a WR.   This is the NFL players play for themselves.  And if he thought he had a better chance to make a roster as a QB why did he switch to WR in the first place?

Michigasling

June 4th, 2015 at 2:55 PM ^

and he thought it would give him a better chance to play.  He'd switched for the good of the team at Michigan (and yes, to get actual playing time), and then switched back to the position he'd trained for.  He worked out as a WR, showed he was willing to switch and work at getting better, then P'burgh says, "Hey, let's see what you can do at QB."  Apparently they think enough of him and what they've seen so far to give him a shot.  And he's probably thrilled for the chance.

Mr Miggle

June 4th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^

against Gardner making an NFL roster at this point. Refusing an opportunity to try out at the position he's played nearly his entire life would be insane.

If he gets cut, he can see what other offers are out there. Maybe he'll have an option about what position to play. Then he could consider your advice. If all the offers are to try out at WR, he's in no position to insist on playing QB or vice versa. .

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^

Tebow is an interesting case because the experts said he would be a better TE.  But he had never played TE before.  DG switched to WR because he thought (or was told) he'd have a better chance making an NFL roster as a WR.  If he wants to be a QB that is fine but he needs to decide what position to play and stick with it.  Denard was the same way with the WR to RB switch. He dropped the "offensive weapon"  label and went 100% into being a RB and until he was injured was having a pretty nice year.

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^

blaming DG?  I just said he needs to pick a position and stick to it.  Bouncing between QB and WR will not get him the training he needs to make the roster at either position.

buckeyejonross

June 4th, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^

It's probable the Steelers saw he wasn't going to beat out anyone for a WR spot (and as a native Pittsburgher, we are very deep here and just spent a 3rd round pick on a WR) and said "he played QB too let's see if he can provide value here."

Honestly, this seems like a precursor to getting shown the door. Landry Jones has been awful, but many guys haven't beaten him out yet, and Gradkowski isn't going anywhere.

bacon1431

June 4th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^

I don't think he'll battle Gradkowski for the backup spot. Gradkowski is a solid pro and tons of experience and knowledge. He's gonna be battling for that third spot. Best of luck to him, though I imagine he's behind the 8 ball because all offseason he's been working on his WR skills. 

Tuebor

June 4th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^

"I imagine he's behind the 8 ball because all offseason he's been working on his WR skills."

 

Exactly. Unless they have a Seneca Wallace plan in mind for him this is a scary situation since teams sometimes only carry 2 QBs especially if one of your WR (ie. Gardner) could be an emergency 3rd stringer.

mgobleu

June 4th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

I for one put him in the "poor damn" category, as I don't think he was ever given an ideal situation to do his thing. Best of luck and hope he can make a career out of it.

bklein09

June 4th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

I'm wondering if this allows him to stick as a scout team QB? Teams are probably always looking for ways to prepare for the mobile QBs that are becoming more prominent, and maybe the Steelers are hoping he could help with that. Either way, if it allows him to hang around and develop a little then good for him.




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