Devin Gardner Appreciation Thread

Submitted by SugarShane on

 

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.  

Tyang

November 3rd, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^

I give Devin credit, but it was Minnesota. Bellomy played against Nebraska in the red sea. Put Devin against msu, out Nebraska, he would probably get destroyed, than all the fans would want Shane morris to start next year.

Sideline

November 3rd, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^

My girlfriend's entire family told me "Gardner is a WR, no need for him at QB" and I continually said Gardner will be our QB in 2013. Finally I got a 'good call' this weekend. Gardner is a TEAM player and I am glad he had the game he had today.



Go Blue!

Newbs

November 3rd, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^

I gotta say Devin did one hell of a job today regardless of who it was against. He got off to a jittery start and kept his composure and started to find his rythym. And I love Denard as much as the next guy but we have to admit that Denard is a great athlete but Devin is a WAY better QB and he seems to provide Borges with the ability to call a more balanced game which makes everyone better. I know it won't happen but I think Devin should stay at QB and Denard moved to the slot and in for a "wildcat" formation.

goblue81

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^

The one thing I was most impressed with was his decision making.  He was decisive - he never looked confused as to what was going around him.  There was one play where he went primary read, secondary read, run - no hesitation.  Then you have the game awareness with the defensive offside free plays.  All around solld game mentally.

And... man did he throw a nice deep ball today.  He was very accurate for not really having played the position this year.  Given more time and reps I'm sure those few passes that were behind receivers would be right on target.

MGoPAR

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^

Short week to turn in the WR card and start reading coverages and thinking like a qb. Maybe split snaps the rest of the year to protect Denard's arm and have defenses prep for multiple qbs? Also would help get him more game speed reps for 2013. 

Finally, didn't notice much drop off from WR production by moving him back to qb. But, should say was just Minny. 

GVSUofM

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:08 PM ^

I honestly believe that his time spent on the field at WR has helped his maturity process, develop a better appreciation for the speed of the game and generally has gotten him more comfortable in the offense. I too believe he gives us an option now at slowly developing S. Morris as opposed to throwing him into the fire and possibly causing more harm than good.

JamieH

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:32 PM ^

and it was only Minnesota, but Gardner looked better throwing the ball today than Denard has looked at pretty much any point this season.

No way will he ever come close to matching Denard's threat as a runner, but Denard is just not a great passer.  What we saw from Gardner today, considering he has barely been practicing at QB, indicates to me that he can probably be quite a bit better of a passing QB than Denard is.

 

tylawyer

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:37 PM ^

I was fairly blown away by his athleticism.  It pains me to say it, but the player he most reminded me of was, um, Terrelle Pryor.  So in the best tradition of Fred Jackson, I'll say "He's like Terrelle Pryor, but a good person."

Bodogblog

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:46 PM ^

Incredible job today by a true Michigan Man.  So happy for this kid, had a tremendous amount of poise.  He didn't want to just survive the pressure situations in this game, he wanted to score. Can't wait for Denard to return, can't wait for Devin to take the reins next year.

artds

November 3rd, 2012 at 5:59 PM ^

The bomb he threw to Drew "what the" Dileo was actually a really impressive play. Even though the receiver was open, it's not a gimme that you're going to throw the ball perfectly when your target is 50 yards away. A lot of guys would have over/underthrown it despite the poor coverage.

WolverineFanatic6

November 3rd, 2012 at 6:06 PM ^

No question he's the best passer we have. We need to break out the full house formation of last year to get our best athletes on the field.



This is not a shot at Denard but DG knows when to scramble and has a big arm. I'm not a fan of his release but as long as it gets to where it's going then I'm good with it.



It sucks that RR burned his redshirt for no reason. This kid could have and still can be special. Rest Denard as long as possible to get that nerve healed up for OHIO cause I think we can win the next two with Devin out there. Knowing Denard he will be back next week. I hope he doesn't have to miss anymore time so he can break pat whites record.



We are lucky to have two amazing Michigan men!!

BlueFordSoftTop

November 3rd, 2012 at 6:14 PM ^

 

Devin reminded us today that he is very agile for a big guy. As WR and prominent target, Devin has been consistently nailed once the ball touches his hand and so the agility was not  often on display. Today he danced in the backfield, even playfully at times like a tot dodging a tag, and avoided all but one sack and also launched that huge frame over the line for a TD following a hurdling over the opposition.
 
After Devin rediscovered his composure at QB, I *knew* we would prevail in this one. What an athlete and team player deserving of our praise.

aiglick

November 3rd, 2012 at 6:38 PM ^

Really great job Gardner.

You picked up your team when the team really needed you.

Keep working hard and good things will continue to happen.

Go Blue.

MGoClimb

November 3rd, 2012 at 6:49 PM ^

I was really impressed.  I thought he made some good reads and made good decisions for the most part.  It certainly looks like he'll be our starter next year.

I wasn't keeping an exact count, but it seemed like Gardner was under center quite a bit.  Nice to see.

StaT_2

November 3rd, 2012 at 7:07 PM ^

Gardner looked much better today than he did last year (especially in his extended time vs MSU -- cue the clown music).  I can now relax knowing next year may not be a complete disaster.

Eye of the Tiger

November 3rd, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^

Was it me, or did Borges seem to call a better game with DG at QB than he normally does with  Denard? I think DG is better suited to his kind of game. 

That said, there's a reason that, even if that is actually true (and it may not be, since my sample size is one game against Minnesota), there's a reason they've had Denard start up to now. No one runs like him, and that's still our best weapon.

Still...I'm relieved knowing that we have a great backup, who will be a great starter next year. 

Blue in Yarmouth

November 4th, 2012 at 6:14 AM ^

I love Heard and think he should keep the starting role if healthy, but Devin's decision making is what impressed me most on the day. After that interested he just seemed to make very sound decisions in every aspect. From checking down to throwing it away to scrambling when nothing else was available. The kid played a great game and gives me hope for the future and a hope he gets that medical redshirt.

South TX MFan

November 3rd, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^

What impressed me the most was his ability to shake off that early sack and pick and settle down and play well. I had that dreadful feeling after the first few series but he turned it around and played great. He made good decisions and reads, and TD drives of 91, 90, 86 and 79 yards showed real guts and leadership. I suddenly feel better about next year.

I Bleed Maize N Blue

November 3rd, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^

I was a bit nervous at the start of the game, especially when Devin scrambled and threw a pick.  There was also a time he almost held onto the ball too long, but managed to spin and throw it away.  But he settled down, and that TD bomb after a scramble was impressive.

As others have said, he was decisive - when I was thinking RUN when people were covered, he was already doing it.

It seemed to me he was under center a lot more that Denard is.

I feel much better about things if Denard lands on his elbow and has to go out.  (Don't land on your elbow and have to go out!)

Small sample size, but I was thinking there's our starter next year.

FL_Steve

November 3rd, 2012 at 8:26 PM ^

Tip of the hat to him, heck i'll take the whole thing off and bow after that performance. I honestly cannot believe Gardner didn't take a single snap at QB in the Nebraska fiasco. I'd be fine with DG taking the reins again next week and really let Denard address his "boo boo's."

954Greenwood

November 3rd, 2012 at 10:51 PM ^

Gardner played great today, but it's too bad we lost the chance to control our destiny in the Legends division because he wasn't available at QB last week. When it comes down to it, the coaches took a huge gamble when they decided to have DG practice exclusively at WR all year. Denard takes ~20 carries/game and is bound to get hurt for a spell during the season. Backup QB becomes a really important position in that kind of offense. The gamble didn't pay off and we might have lost our shot at a Big Ten title because of it. Gotta put that on Hoke, ultimately. I'm not saying we should get rid of the guy or anything, but this was an incidence of roster mismanagement. They corrected their mistake, though, and I'm looking forward to watching DG at QB in the future.

aiglick

November 4th, 2012 at 12:48 AM ^

Things tend to work out.

While it is true MSU screwed the pooch today I do think that we have a decent shot.

We just got to take care of our business and things will take care of themselves.

AMazinBlue

November 4th, 2012 at 12:54 AM ^

he played well after the INT.  If the offense can stay in that rhythm the rest of the season , leave DG in there.

We have to remember this was MInnesota.  NW will be tougher and OSU has a much better defense.  To win the next three and beyond, I think some combination of Denard and Devin is crucial to finish the season on a positive note.

If Devin plays as well or better next week, I say let play until he gives the coaches a reason to pull him.

It seems Borges calls a more consistent and logical game when Gardner is in there too.  I think today proved that Denard is so unique Borges really doesn't know how to properly use his talents.  If he could catch and run routes, a few plays at slot could be interesting, but I don't think his body could take the punishment.

jmblue

November 4th, 2012 at 2:59 PM ^

We have to remember this was MInnesota. NW will be tougher and OSU has a much better defense.

Minnesota is not the horrible defensive team people here seem to think they are. They are 34th nationally in total defense. (OSU is 39th and Northwestern is 60th.)  In terms of defensive pass efficiency, they are 16th nationally.  

Our opinion of Minnesota is distorted by the fact that we destroyed them last year when their team was shorthanded and their coach was suffering health problems.  They're a halfway decent team this year and should make a bowl. Northwestern should indeed be a tougher game, but that's because of their offense, not their D.

jwilkins3

November 4th, 2012 at 1:47 AM ^

He also had guys like Tree and Gallon making plays around him which made it great. Defense was solid. With respect to recruiting and WR prospect Treadwell I think Gardner answered a valid question for the passing game next year today! Great 180 this week and congrats to a true Michigan Man!

Wisconsin Wolverine

November 4th, 2012 at 9:23 AM ^

I know this is a DG appreciation thread, but I hope Gallon gets a ton of cred for what he did this weekend.  Dude was all over the field making big plays, even in spite of that ankle tweak he did.  He even went over the top of that gopher DB to high point a touchdown.  He just never quits!