Why Devin Gardner Will Not Redshirt
It seems that the common thought here on MGoBlog is that it would be in the team's best interest to redshirt Devin Gardner next season and allow him to take total control of the team in his third or fourth year on campus, as a RS Sophomore or Junior.
While I actually agree with that line of thought, it's not happening.
I'm a pretty big fan of Rich Rod's. I see the direction that he's taking this team and I like it. I realize it will take time, and I am more than willing to give him that time. I am not in charge of how much time he has, however. If he doesn't perform soon, more and more fans will be calling for his job, and they just might get their wish if this season results in a 6-6 or 7-5 record.
Gardner is Rodriguez's prototypical quarterback. More skill rushing than Forcier, more skill passing (especially after some coaching this spring) than Robinson. In two or three years, he will be a dominant force in Ann Arbor, but Rodriguez can't wait that long.
This isn't to say he doesn't have the best interest of the team in mind, but he is going to have to have at the very least an eight win season to keep the critics at bay, and even that likely will not be enough.
Nine or ten wins will keep his job secure, and the easiest short-term fix that would give this team the best chance at a ten win season is using Forcier primarily, and using Gardner much like Robinson was used last season. With Gardner in the backfield, however, there will be a little more confusion for opposing defenses. It wont be "Robinson up the gut" play after play. Gardner will be an intimidating player to line up against.
So while it would absolutely be in the teams best interest to redshirt him and maximize his playing time and impact at Michigan, even one more season under eight wins could cost Rodriguez his job, and then three years of Michigan football will have been completely useless as a coach with a more traditional style will be brought in, and there will be even more re-building to find players that fit that scheme.
As long as Gardner isn't a big disappointment at spring practice and can learn a good zone read as well as about 30% of the playbook, Rich Rodriguez has to play him this season. He won't be starting on opening day, and he may not start at all this season, but he'll be in the same role that Robinson was in last season. It has to be done for Rodriguez's job, and for Michigan's immediate future.
As for Denard.. I don't know. Slot? KR/PR?
February 9th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
I agree 100%. He's got the arm strength, and accuracy wasn't horrendous. I think when it comes to decision making, it'll be more time looking at film, and in practice. He was a true freshman...these things will come with time. Of course, he's not afforded MUCH time, but to write him off after a year, it just rubs me the wrong way.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
Okay...he was "Horrible" where only the first letter is capitalized rather than the entire word.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
is in immediate danger of losing his job that playing a pure freshman QB—whose passing skills are far more raw than Forcier's were at the same stage of their development—is going to save it.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
Rich Rod will coach his game irrespective of the temperature of his seat.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:33 PM ^
A variable: The coaches will have to want to use a change-up QB. They might not.
Another: Gardner would have to be better than Robinson even though Robinson has a big jump on him in terms of experience.
Final assessment: Gardner plays if a.) the coaches want to use a change-up QB and b.) Gardner is better than Robinson and c.) he's enough better that burning his redshirt is merited, i.e., the difference between what he brings and what Robinson brings is a greater contribution to the team than an extra year of eligility would be...I understand your point about Rodriguez being willing to sacrifice the future for the sake of 2010, and we can agree to disagree, but I don't think Rodriguez is feeling the heat nearly as much as the media would make it out. Michigan is going to be patient and he knows it, IMO.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
Wonderful, well thought out reply. I agree on all points.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
I honestly can't see inserting another true freshman in at QB. And I really don't think RR will burn a RR redshirt for spot duty. I really hope you're wrong in this.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
I understand what you are saying. It would be nice to see DG in next year, even in spot duty. I think the ceiling is high for DG. HOWEVA, at this point I don't know if it is worth it to burn his redshirt just for 10 plays a game. DG's passing didn't look that great in the state title game or the UA game. It is possible that DG improves a lot during the spring. It would seem like it would need to be a HUGE improvement to justify having DG see the field. We all have to trust the coaches on this. I would like to see DG redshirt. But if RR decides he is ready then we should support the decision.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:38 PM ^
After watching last season, who can say that playing a freshman QB is the way to get 9 or 10 wins? Rich Rod can keep his job with a bowl game, and the offense will improve with experience and time. Devin Gardner is not the answer, and one cannot simply assume that his throwing mechanics will get better over 9 months.
I get that he is a great physical talent, but that won't win you any games above what Rich Rod can get with two sophomores with playing experience. Denard and Tate will both get better in the offseason, and I would rather take a knowledgeable, experienced and slightly-less athletic QB over an athletic, raw, and confused one. With Tate having a better grasp of the offense, there won't be the need for a Denard-like player to come in and "mix things up."
Rich Rod won't have anything to gain by burning Devin's redshirt, even if he wants to win now. Playing Gardner will only hurt the team.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
I just don't see how this would improve a hypothetical 6-6 or 5-7 season. Tate and Robinson are both more experienced than Gardner. I believe that its a stretch to assume that Gardner's passing skills will be better than Robinson's in the fall.
I also believe a FAIL season will have more to do with the D than the O.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
Do you remember last year at all, do you remember how exciting Forcier was? This kid is going to be better this year, he'll have the zone read figured out, DG redshirts bottom line. Sorry but these posts irritate the shit out of me. Tate will barring injury, be the only QB to play in 2010.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^
Okay, let's be realistic... When is the last time one quarterback took every snap?
Another quarterback IS going to play. That's all but guaranteed. It's just a matter of whether it's Denard, Gardner, or Jones.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
Let me revise, Tate will take the vast majority of snaps in 2010.
Magnus you remind me of an old man :).
February 9th, 2010 at 2:54 PM ^
Shoot...I eat old men for breakfast.
Wait a minute...
February 9th, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^
Im here for the negbang
February 9th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
The OP has a decent point or two, and I personally don't think Gardner is going to redshirt. He can bring something to this team that isn't there. He's more of a power, shaky runner than Denard's pure dilithium speed. In an ideal world, he redshirts, but if you've watched any Michigan sports in the past ever, you know we don't live in an ideal world.
I'm going to shut this down to prevent an unnecessary negbanging.