robbyt003

January 9th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^

I'm pretty excited to watch him in everything he does from here on out.  Whichever team drafts him will be my 2nd favorite NFL team (unless it's Green Bay or Chicago).  

MichGoBlue858

January 9th, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^

I'm starting to wonder if he actually has a lingering injury in his throwing arm. I know he's not playing QB in the NFL, but it's not like his throws are so bad that he can't complete a pass.  

PB-J Time

January 9th, 2013 at 3:49 PM ^

Gotcha...not trying to get on ya. I guess that we agree then that given his inability to throw a week ago coupled with his lack of improvement over 2 months since the injury makes me believe that this injury is still very much lingering. 

I do agree that (when healthy) he can throw the ball and would make quite a good Wildcat QB if there is any NFL team/OC who is willing to dust off that idea. Seems to me that we have option QBs (RG3, Kaepernick, sort-of Wilson), but the change-of-pace/Wildcat QB has fallen out of favor recently. 

stephenrjking

January 9th, 2013 at 3:57 PM ^

The package wildcat is a bit of a fad, and while some teams will run it it has been demonstrated to be pointless to have a guy on the roster for the wildcat only. If a team runs it, it will use a position player or backup QB who can run.



There will be some teams adopting the read option as part of their base offense, but their QBs need to throw accurately. Denard does not. He is not a legit QB prospect, and the senior bowl is interested in the pro potential of players, so they will not work him at QB.



And it's better for him that they don't. He needs to get work at positions that NFL teams will use.

Nothsa

January 9th, 2013 at 5:56 PM ^

After playing QB at Indiana, Antwaan was drafted by the Steelers - he mostly was used as a receiver/special teams guy. He threw on plenty of trick plays during his career, and is the only receiver to throw a TD pass in a Super Bowl, and finished his NFL career with the highest passing rating of anyone who threw more than 20 passes. (Wikipedia, so it must be true).

B1G_Fan

January 9th, 2013 at 4:48 PM ^

 Vincent Smith hasnt completed a pass since Nebraska either but his arms are both fine. NFL teams have years of footage on Denard throwing and since Aldavis is no longer living Denards not getting drafted as a QB. Hopefully he can answer questions about his hand/ route running because he showed he can play RB whenever he chooses

Darth Wolverine

January 9th, 2013 at 3:36 PM ^

He needs the extra playing time since he missed some last season. This will also be his last chance to impress NFL scouts. I have to believe SOME team will take him simply for his speed alone. He obviously won't be a quarterback, but he showed some flash at running back. I feel he can definitely be a slot receiver and definitely a punt/kick returner.

PB-J Time

January 9th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^

Now that the season is over and we're in to this kind of Draft prep stuff my question is when would he consider surgery for his arm. Considering how long this has lingered it is quite possible he'd need ulnar nerve transposition. I would imagine he'd want to do that after the senior bowl before the draft. Or conversely does he try to minimize this until he is drafted and let the NFL team docs guide his decision. Thoughts?

PB-J Time

January 9th, 2013 at 3:52 PM ^

Good question. Without an MRI I really can't tell you if it is bruised/irritated or entrapped. Nerves are netorious for slow healing, but it has been over 2 months without improvement (and it sounds like this was a re-aggrivation of previous problems). My best from-the-couch guess diagnosis would be entrappment, but who knows (that is rhetorical...obviously he and his docs do)

*please excuse terrible spelling...long day

GoWings2008

January 9th, 2013 at 3:58 PM ^

if you were writing it out, as a doctor, we wouldn't be able to read it anyway. 

I'm curious though, if it was that long without any improvement, why oh why would they have him attempt a pass during the Outback Bowl?  Even though it was only one (that I can remember) and it was short, seems like a waste of a play if it was still giving him problems.  But like you said, obviously he and his doctors are the only ones who know for sure.

Ron Utah

January 9th, 2013 at 5:04 PM ^

It will be exciting to see how NFL coaches use him.  He might be playing for the Lions staff, FWIW, since they are coaching one of the teams.

LSAClassOf2000

January 9th, 2013 at 5:29 PM ^

Kyle Meinke did a nice little write-up - (LINK)

It seems that Mel Kiper was talking about how Robinson needs to be something akin to Antwaan Randle-El in the Super Bowl and show that he can catch the ball, and according to Kiper, if he can do that, the theory would be that Robinson could go as high as the second round. 

For reference, some of the other RBs that accepted invites were  Montee Ball,  Kenjon Barner and  Jonathan Franklin. Other WRs that accepted include Chris Harper, Tavarres King and Ryan Swope (list of acceptances, current to 1/4)

Good luck to Denard in the  Senior Bowl!

Mr. Yost

January 10th, 2013 at 9:17 AM ^

I think they're very similar - I've always said that. Hopefully Denard can catch. Otherwise he'll find a role as a wildcat QB, KR/PR and occasional speed back.

I will say this, with NFL going more "college-like" I wouldn't be shocked to see Denard succeed in the league.

Guys like Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, etc. can certain use his skills to the best of their ability.