Gardner's outstanding presence
After seeing Gardner play twice now, I am taken aback by his presence on the field, and it is beginning to feel like the Michigan Qbs of old. One can feel it by watching him play, as he is a total gamer, is quite heady, and is very imposing. He is bringing athleticism to the pocket type Qb that is very effective and efficient. Evidence is the safety he avoided, and also the incredible td he ran when he tiptoed the sideline and got the pylon. While watching Denard it has often felt he was bringing Qb skills to an elite-skilled Rb, but watching Gardner its taking a true pocket passer and adding great ball skills and athelticism. Wow, the future is looking bright at Qb for next year.
November 12th, 2012 at 1:56 PM ^
your ideas are intriguing to me and i wish to subscribe to your newsletter
November 12th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^
Denard Robinson is indeed a RB/WR playing quarterback. There's a reason that very few schools were willing to give him a shot at quarterback. Not that he hasn't done great things from that position, but he's very limited when it comes to playing like a traditional QB.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^
The biggest thing I notice is how one dimentional our offense is when Denard is in the game. With Devin in the game, all of a sudden our wide receivers are getting the ball more, and our running backs have more room to work with, since the defense has to respect the pass. Denard did some great things, but Devin makes the rest of the guys on offense play better.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
We really didn't become a two-dimensional team with Devin. We just went from a team that runs 65/35 to one that passes 60/40. The bottom line is that if Denard doesn't get hurt, we probably put up a good amount of points against Nebraska, and look just as potent against bad defenses in Minnesota and Northwestern (Seriously the only even "average" defense to beat Denard the past two years was Iowa's last year, he eviscerates bad ones)
November 12th, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^
So much of the one-dimensionality is based on the playbook and the play calling. He did pretty well passing a couple of years ago--but the passes were especially picked to play to his strengths. I think Borges should mix in some more of those passing plays instead of the 'Denard Robinson can only throw short passes' mentality. Caveat: I'm an armchair quarterback and have never played the position personally other than video games
November 12th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^
Reduced to the one I used to know.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
I'll leave the thread but lets keep the "Denard vs. Devin" flamewar out of it. I don't feel like going "BiSB" (i.e. MGoPostal) this afternoon.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:17 PM ^
my apologies... this was not my intention....
but the skillsets are really becoming obvious.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^
lulwat?
No way you write this post if we would have lost to NW.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:05 PM ^
I'll admit I was just as critical as anyone of him after watching him play last year. He looked frequently lost and tried too often to scramble around and open up big plays with his legs, thinking his athletic advantage was as great as it was in high school (relative to the competition). I thought (by default) Bellomy was going to be our guy moving forward until a younger player came along.
The Devin we saw in the Minnesota and Northwestern games is night and day compared to what he did last year. His pocket presence is top notch and I think he's done an outstanding job on deciding when to tuck and run. He's made a couple of bad decisions on his throws but other than that, he's been very intelligent and accurate with the ball. The future is bright with this kid.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
I was really impressed with Gardner's ability to "feel" the pressure in the pocket and know when to step up. There were a couple times he made a half step forward to narrowly avoid a defender coming to around the edge that he couldn't possibly have seen.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
Totally agreed here... I guess the best way I can say it is this, stealing a quote from Apocalypse Now.... "He was one of those guys that had that weird light around him. You just knew he wasn't going to get so much as a scratch here."
November 12th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^
What position do we worry about in the offseason now?
November 12th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
we should spend the offseason hoping the OL gets phased out as a position group between now and fall camp. At the very least I'll be doing that with the guard and center positions.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
I think the only major issue or question mark will be replacing most likely 4 starters on the o-line. The talent is there from a recruiting standpoint...but it will be interesting to see how they gel and if the hype was the real deal.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^
We also would not have any Denard vs Devin talk if the OL hadn't been a let-down this year.
It seems that every play is a QB scramble, and there a few lanes for the RBs.
Really - if Denard scambles and gets picked (like ND) then the argument is that he doesn't make a good QB.
Devon scrambles and almost gets picked and a miracle tip, juggle and catch saves the day. If that was picked there would be no Denard vs Devin talk.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
How about running back? WR? Defensive line?
Don't worry; we'll have plenty to complain about. We'll even move to other sports if we have to--we could really use an upgrade to our coxswains, for example!
November 12th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^
If he continues to hit deep balls, as Brian pointed out, you can't defend 4 verts with a scramble-ready QB. That's going to cause nightmares next year after a solid off season as "The Guy". You already see the fruits of this labor, as those quick hitches and outs are wide open and the throws right on the money.
It's clear that this staff won't get the Denard-like prospects in the future, but maybe Devin's success will open up the possibility of getting those special 6'4 QBs who can run as well.
I have to imagine, now that Devin's on film as a guy who can pass, that we will see the "Deuce" in some form against OSU.I'm not sure how you account for Denard running, Devin's deep ball, and Devin's scrambling all in one play, but it can't be easy.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
He seems to be a "gamer". I love Denard as much as the next guy, but I would agree that Denard is more of an athlete playing QB. Devin looks the part of a QB and I am excited about his future. His presence and poise is pretty remarkable considering the very small amount of practice time and game experience.
On a separate note, am I the only one that would to see Denard incorportated into the gameplan. His legs still work, right? He is still our best athlete/runner?
Is that something we are waiting to spring on Ohio?
November 12th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^
If he can't grip a ball and it hurts when he falls on his elbow, why would we want him on the field? Whether he's playing quarterback or not, people are going to try to hit him when he has the football. That's a basic truth of football.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
Does anybody else see a similarity to Drew Henson in Devin's game? Mobile, seemingly heady (small sample size), decent arm with unorthodox throwing motion. Like Drew, a heavily recruited 5 star Michigan High School QB with enough athletic ability to force coaches into getting them on the field somehow, someway.
Please tell me Devin doesnt play 3rd base.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:14 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^
Denard avoids sacks primarily by being too damn fast to risk blitzing. But when there is pressure and a collapsing pocket, he usually goes down or makes a poor decision.
Where Devin excels (given his limited experience) is in manipulating the pocket and delivering throws under pressure. His size definitely helps here, but he also seems to have more of that sixth sense that good QBs have for when and where to move to keep a play alive. Devin is also more willing to scramble, which has really helped us.
Denard is a guy you build an offense around, because he has unique strengths and weaknesses compared to other QBs. Devin is more of a dual threat type that can excel in a more traditional offense by using his athleticism to extend plays and burn teams that sell out on defending the pass.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:15 PM ^
Sorry to say but it feels as if we had the wrong Qb at wr..... however I prefer to see Denard at Rb... he reminds me of Chris Johnson, and think about it.... Denard can take the punishment, as hes been taking it like a man for four years now. We should start using Denard as GB is with Randall Cobb...as a slot WR but then a RB on third down, and returning kicks, too.... and work him into more rushing carries. I cannot see a reason why Denard isn't just as good as Chris Johnson, or even Jamaal Charles.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^
No. You don't get it (and most likely never will)
A Devin vs Denard comment or post WITHOUT data, analysis or evidence is a worthless comment or post.
A Devin vs Denard comment or post WITH data, analysis or evidence is perfectly fine and encouraged.
Note, your gut feeling or 'boy does he sure LOOK like a qb' is not evidence.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^
If we actually had the power to neg, you would be in Boliva and entering CAPTCHAs everytime you post.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^
Yep ladies and gentlemen, we are still arguing whether the all-time yardage leader at the winningiest program in college football history is any good at the position in which he acquired that distinction.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^
Didn't I just tell you above to keep the Devin vs. Denard comparison out of this??? David is exactly right - the topic has been hashed and is only going to start a flamewar. Call me what you will - my purpose as a Mod is to prevent flamewars. So knock it off! Like my 4 year old son, this is your second warning. The next time I have to say it is a timeout.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
Can we PLEASE not insinuate that Michigans leading yardage gainer of all time should be benched because his back up played two games and "looked good" and "is tall?"
November 12th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^
CAN WE PLEASE STOP HAVING THE DISCUSSION AT ALL??? Two more weeks, people. Can't you let Denard be the undisputed starting QB (even if he's not starting) for two more weeks? What is wrong with you all that you can't just let it be despite all of the requests and warnings? No more warnings.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^
Apparently some people can't accept these two things are both true:
a) I really, really hope Denard is healthy this week as when healthy he gives the team the best chance to win.
b) I think Devin has done a great job so far and can also be really, really special next year at QB with an offseason of practice in an offense that Borges feels most comfortable calling.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^
(eye roll)
The worse reason to base a depth chart from is ... "well, what do recruits think?"
November 12th, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:34 PM ^
Because he wasn't practicing and taking snaps as a qb. It isn't that hard to figure out.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^
...so there's that.
EDIT: Beaten to the punch by David from Wyoming, who, like me, has a name and is affiliated with a place.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
It's the OPINION of some people in the Michigan fan base, including me, that Devin gives us our best shot to win.
Everyone's entitled to an opinion or is yours the only one that counts?
November 12th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
Edit: david from wyoming's answer is better.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^
That is true, however, if you use facts and/or logic to back up an OPINION is start to sound like you are SMART.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^
That's it. Thread's getting locked.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^
November 12th, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^
You know you can reply to comments, right? It really helps the read-ability of the thread in general.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
Hitting the reply button is key so we know what/who you are responding to.
November 12th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^
Denard is the all time yardage leader and should be given his job back when he is healthy. However, Denard has struggled to move the ball against good defenses (see MSU 3 yrs, VT, Bama, ND) Those teams stacked the run against him and dared him to throw, with him failing most of the time (except Junior Hemingways bailouts).
Although DG hasnt faced a legit defense yet either, its hard to just say he would have done better. His game does seem like it could do better against the tougher D's as he has a better ability to get the ball to the receivers. I also think Denard is a way better runner, but on designed running plays. I honestly believe that Devin is better at scrambling and tucking and running on designed pass plays. Idk how many times ive screamed at the TV for Denard to RUN!!! as he sits in the pocket and ends up throwing a wounded duck up for grabs.
With our RB situation however I believe we need Denard simply for the fact that he IS our running game, and he moves the chains.
It is an interesting topic to debate, and I dont think anyones opinion on this QB situation should be chastised because it definitely is not a no-brainer