Devin Gardner Appreciation Thread
Devin, wanna burn your redshirt and hand the ball off so I can teach Tate Forcier a lesson? OK, coach.
Come in as a hybrid QB/WR in a dual-QB formation to mix it up? No problem, coach.
We're thin at wideout, Devin. Do you mind relinquishing your role as a heir to the QB throne to help our depth? Sure thing coach.
Nevermind, Devin. That didn't work out very well. Wanna give it a go at QB this week?
Ultimate team player, and looks to be one hell of a QB. Minnesota or not, this kid just made me very optimistic about the 2013 season.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
Count me in. Sam Webb often says the kid has done everything asked of him. Feeling a lot better about the rest of this season and next.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:06 PM ^
This. What was last week a sort of panic about next year's QB situation has this week become somewhat of an excitement. All in a matter of 7 days.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
I guess I'm really surprised that the offense maintained some level of complexity and smooth execution under Gardner's command ... I dunno how that kid managed to stay on top of the playbook and the signal calling while spending all season at WR. I felt like he's got athleticism and talent, I just didn't know how well he would lead the offense. I'm really impressed that he brought it all together. He looked intelligent out there.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
Recall that RichRod said that Gardner had a better command of the offense than Forcier in Gardner's freshman camp. Even discounting for the hyperbole, it's still says something that RichRod could make that statement to Forcier.
One week to review and remaster the whole playbook? No problem.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:24 PM ^
True, but Forcier was obviously no genius...
November 4th, 2012 at 1:00 AM ^
by any means. However, Devin is a great QB.. Morris can sit a year learning from him next year. I hope Devin is Qb for next year.
November 4th, 2012 at 1:05 AM ^
certainly learn from Devin but what do we do with Bellomy?
November 4th, 2012 at 8:59 AM ^
They do what big time programs do with every unathletic QB that can't throw.....run scout team and try to get good enough for serviceable mop up time.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:23 PM ^
I think that it improved.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^
No kidding, I think it was actually a more balanced attack. Not gonna lie, I appreciated seeing Rawls given the chance to run too. I feel like he and Fitz were complementing each other nicely.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:42 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 6:25 PM ^
I agree with your overall sentiment just would reword to type of players.
These team members are these kids.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:47 PM ^
I feel like Rawls lit a fire under Tous' ass. The difference between Tous in the first half, before Rawls started getting snaps, and in the second was night and day.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^
Honestly looked like a veteran after some early jitters. But who can blame him considering the line not blocking too well. Really liked his decision making on deciding when to run and the hard counts to draw the other teams offside and the awareness to throw downfield for a free play is something I haven't seen in a long time. I'll take this good performance for now, just kinda wished that he would have taken more QB snaps prior to Nebraska
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:12 PM ^
Gardner had a really good day - very impressed. One thought I had was that as a WR he has to know the routes that he and the other WR's, TE's are running even better than he had before the stint at WR. Additionally, he has had a ton of game experience this year vs a handful of plays last year. I suspect that being on the big stage for eight previous games, even as a WR, helped him from being overwhelmed.
I often go to the games early as I like to watch the teams warm up. Ever since he arrived in Ann Arbor, I thought between Devin, Denard and the no longer with us Tate, Devin had the best arm by far.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:42 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 9:04 PM ^
the same as mine. fear/hope/angar/despair/confusion/joy . . . all within less than 10 seconds.
although I did all that with my lard-ass half-off the couch and with bits of nacho shooting out of my mouth. and instead of 10 people watching it was just a cat with a bladder infection.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
Hope he can get his medical RS for that freshman year.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:14 PM ^
I know what the procedure is but I think if he is going to get it, or the coaching staff plans on him getting it, they would have told us by now
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
He does not get a ruling until after his senior year, at least that is what we have been told.
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:34 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:52 PM ^
Gardner obviously looks like the starter next year, but Morris may not redshirt. Bellomy's going to have to beat him out for the #2 spot for that to happen.
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:29 PM ^
If Gardner doesn't get hurt next year, they will not burn Morris' redshirt just to play him in garbage time. IIRC John Navarre and Chad Henne played every meaningful snap in some of their seasons.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:41 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:09 PM ^
Devin looked a little scary on the first two drives but he sure settled into a groove. Glad to see that Jug! Go Blue!
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
in other news, Demens looks like a star wars character for some reason. I love him.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
Great game by Gardner =) Perfect antidote for last week.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
This game would've been really shaky without Devin
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:12 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:12 PM ^
Gardner is a great testament to the legacy of great Michigan Football players. True team player, Bo would be proud.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
While Devin besides just size is not as phsyically dominate...but from against minnisota mind you he seemed to make all the right reads.
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:44 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:01 PM ^
*Physically dominant... Not that hard to spell.
*Minnesota, also not hard to spell.
Therefore; your argument is invalid.
November 3rd, 2012 at 10:46 PM ^
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
Let's not get too excited for next year guys. MAXIMUM of 2 returning starters on the line if Lewan decides to forego millions for a year. Sorry to be buzz killington.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^
geez give us a few minutes!
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^
Lewan would be a big loss for sure, but our OLine is pretty terrible this season as it is. Would it really be a loss losing the interior guys and replacing them with younger guys who are higher rated? Probably a push at worst. That said, Lewan will probably go and that will be a big loss.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:45 PM ^
Yes. Young lineman are usually a problem, regardless of their rating.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^
Not always. Talented linemen can step in as RS freshmen and make an impact right off the bat. (True freshmen OL are rare.) Our 1997 OL actually started three redshirt freshmen - who went on to be 4-year starters.
In any event, a talented QB can make the OL transition go a lot more smoothly.
November 3rd, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
Lewan and Long both started as RS FR. (and so did Hutchinson.. one of the linemen you're talking about) and Hutchinson actually converted to the OL during his RS year!
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
Yea, I just meant usually. Two first round top 15 draft picks and a once in a lifetime season don't negate the fact that young offensive lineman usually struggle. I'm not saying DOOM, and hope I'm wrong, but I'm just generally nervous about next year.
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:22 PM ^
Hutchinson, Backus, and ... who else? I think they were the only ones from that class to start. Maurice Williams, IIRC, didn't start right away.
November 3rd, 2012 at 5:46 PM ^
Jansen So
Zeiman Fr
Adami Sr
Hutchinson Fr
Backus Fr
November 3rd, 2012 at 8:16 PM ^
Yes 3 freshman, but a Senior at center.