Snowflake: would Gardner take a number change to the infamous "1"?
It has become obvious that Gardner has mad skills as a receiver, and is only going to get better, as he gets used to running routes and has more practice with Denard.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Gardner has an outstanding season as a receiver. He already has a good start. Would or could Devin be offered roster number "1" next year? More than that, would Devin even consider accepting "1," because that implies a tacit acceptance of a permanent move to WR.
Gardner has made clear that he is a quarterback first and foremost, and that he is receiving this year in order to help the team, and in order to get on the field now. All well and good. But based on the current season, and also the next Spring Practice (and how he does at QB at that time as compared to Bellomy,) I could envision Gardner being "strongly encouraged" to continue as receiver in 2013.
Obviously, this is all premature speculation. Which is what the internet does so well.
September 18th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
For serious.
September 18th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
Gardner has already said, multiple times, that his dream is to play QB for Michigan. If the coaches think he is the best QB, they aren't going to play him at some other position so that he can improve his NFL draft stock. The coaches would love to be able to say they placed a guy in the NFL, but not at the expense of winning their own games.
By the way, some fans used the same argument to suggest that Denard ought to switch to another position, to make himself more attractive to the draft. Denard's dream was to play QB, and he was the best guy available, so he played QB.
Gardner will almost certainly be a QB in spring practice and voluntary summer workouts, since otherwise Bellomy would be the only QB on the team. Even if you think Bellomy will ultimately be better, you wouldn't want a situation where the job is handed to him without competition. Besides that, what if he suffers an injury, and then you've got nobody?
I also think Gardner will be a QB in fall camp, because no sane coach would want their only options to be Bellomy or a true freshman, even when that true freshman is a five-star stud. So by the time of the opening game next year, Gardner will have had plenty of time to show he is the best QB on the roster.
My own view is that Gardner will probably prevail over Bellomy, because he's a year older and has a higher athletic ceiling. But if he doesn't prevail, it won't be for a lack of trying.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
1) This is beyond Snowflake. It's just a bad idea.
2) The word "infamous," by its nature has a negative connotation, so you might want to fix that. Proof? Proof: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infamous
September 18th, 2012 at 12:07 PM ^
Although I don't think this is a snowflake thread at all. As far as I understand it, a "snowflake" is one poster's take on a subject that everyone has an opinion on, like posting a Damefan1 style preview of a game or posting a "well that sucked" thread after a loss. This is posing a question I haven't seen asked here. I don't think it's even possible with our QB scholarship situation for next year, though.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
some controversy attached to it- maybe if disfamy was a word that would be more accurate. But why can't a qb wear #1? Wait- who the heck made Justin's comment flamebait? This is getting out of hand.
September 18th, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
Infamous was chosen deliberately. The whole kerfuffle between BE & RR over #1, and the need for Braylon to somehow be involved with who gets #1, makes the thing a bit of a headache in my book. Honestly, I don't know that Hoke really cares about this kind of stuff. He has more important things to focus on. It might have helped a bit if it had been given out more (Mario Manningham? Hemingway?)
At any rate, I'd be open to suggestions to change out "infamous." Maybe "dubious?" "Headache?" Give me something. What's clear is that right now, #1 is not an unambiguous positive.
I'd like #1 to be given out to someone worthy, as soon as possible. While Devin would be the one I would look to first, the reality is that it is unlikely to happen. I'm hoping that by the 2014 season, Darboh or Chesson have made a strong case. Barring that, perhaps one of them or Treadwell make a strong case for number 1 in 2015.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
Sure give Devin Gardner the # 1 jersey I can't think of anyone better. Devin can wear it for a couple years, and then it can go to Berkley Edwards
September 18th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
Do you think we could get Berkley to walk on if we offered him the #1 jersey?
September 18th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
Just imagine how upset Braylon would be in the 1 went to a wa...oh I see what you're saying.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
I think Berkley Edwards is more likely to end up in AA than Derrick Green. I hope Berkley ends up in this class. His father and brother were better than advertised, so why not expect the same from Berkley.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
How about we give him a jersey with "#1" so that we can all tweet about it in an endless wave of twitter euphoria! Wow, wow, WOW!!! #1 #wow
September 18th, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
...it's trending. You non-MBAs just don't get it. #1 #GoBlue
September 18th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
What on God's green earth makes anybody think the #1 jersey is so sacred, nobody can wear it. I'm all for giving it to Bo Dever if he'll have it, if not young Dever, then Gardner or Dileo or Jerald Robinson is perfectly fine with me.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:37 PM ^
...in fact, it should be so non-sacred that it should be reseved for the fans instead of any player.
And...it should be the only jersey available to fans too, so that none of these young athletes can keep making that argument about schools making money selling their jersey. Problem solved, amatuerism saved.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
Who do you really think Braylon would allow to wear the jersey? For the third time, it's his decision as a matter of scholarship policy.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
I find it very hard to imagine a situation where Gardner even has the option to play WR next year. Even if Bellomy wins the starting job, I don't see Gardner playing anything but spot duty in special situations (goal line fades, etc). The reason the coaches had the luxury of moving him this year was because they had a competent third QB option in Bellomy. It's possible Morris steps on campus and immediately fills that role, but I doubt it. Given the complexities of Borges's system, the coaches will want Morris to redshirt unless in case of absolute emergency.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:37 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^
It should work out fine. There are usually more than one receiver on the field at one time anyway. For that matter, with Michigan's history, they could probably name a legend for each and every position on the offense and defense. Imagine how badass it would look if every player on the field was sporting a "legends" patch!
Once everyone is special then no one will be.
/Syndrome
September 18th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 1:44 PM ^
Has it been determined yet ?
September 18th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^
I think there's a legit possibility...
September 18th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
Jesus. Everyone here was ready to hand the #1 to Roundtree a year ago. How did that work out? Unless he goes for 1000+ and 10+ TDs, we shouldn't even be thinking about this.
September 18th, 2012 at 4:10 PM ^
But then, that'd be a great problem to have, wouldn't it? (1000+ yards and 10+ TDs.)
September 18th, 2012 at 7:35 PM ^
WHAT, Is it still July. You did not bring this in September(checks calendar) yes, yes you did..... He's he's he'sssssss caught what 8 passes and not how many! Hell Braylons caught more balls (checks stats-oh he's got 5) - well ok not so much, but hay lets slow the bus down and see how things shake out.
As of today mark me down as a NO vote for Mr. Gardner receiving #1