Tater

January 12th, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^

You're kidding, right?  Keeping Denard Robinson is the difference between maybe winning nine games and maybe winning six.  Do you really want to see a depth chart of Devin, Jack Kennedy, and whoever else they can get to walk on or take a few snaps at QB?  The only chance this team has of keeping any momentum whatsoever is to keep Denard Robinson. 

Devin could do a decent job for his first year, but if Denard was gone and there was no realistic depth at the position, Devin would be handcuffed because Hoke wouldn't risk him getting hurt. 

Make no mistake about it; this team needs Denard Robinson more than it needs any other player on the team right now. 

Maize and Blue…

January 12th, 2011 at 5:59 PM ^

Denard came here because he was offered the opportunity to play QB in a specific offense.  Who the hell are you to question a man who always deflected praise away from himself and towards his team.  If he wants to play in a system that best utilizes his talents and Michigan can't provide it he deserves that opportunity.  I hope Denard does what is right for Denard because it's his future not yours.  Put your fandom aside, we'd all love him to stay but Denard needs to look out for his future not some internet blogger who makes idiotic statements about him not being a team player/competitor.

MCGamechanger

January 12th, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^

If he leaves then it really hurts his teammates and him leaving is all about valuing himself as more important than his teammates that he has deflected all of his personal accolades to. I am just saying that the way Denard acts and has represented himself, this decision to transfer and remain mum while leaving his teammates guessing and having to answer for him is not what UM needs with this coaching change.

Denard has every right to transfer but my personal opinion on him will change if he does. Just as I felt that Ryan Mallett/Justin Boren had every right to transfer, but in my opinion their decisions exemplified what type of teammates they really were.

Obviously the offense would miss Denards athletic ability but lets remember that any coach other than RR wouldnt run him 25 times a game to get his rushing yards up there. The offense was too dependent on Denard and others need to step up. Just like Tate did against Illinois and Iowa when Denard got hurt.

Denard's leadership is  his best quality and if he leaves someone else will step up. Just like when other leaders have left UM, theres always someone else to step up.

harmon40

January 12th, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^

I didn't blame Mallet and I wouldn't blame Denard, either (much as I hope he stays).  Mallet left for a situation that better suited his talents and now stands to make millions in the NFL draft.  And you think he should have stayed in a system that didn't fit him so he could be a good teammate?

Same for Denard.  I hope the coaches do what is necessary to tailor their philosophy to his skills.  They are crazy if they don't.  In that case Denard would have a decision to make, but that decision would be "stay at Michigan and try to learn the new system or change positions, as opposed to transferring to another school where I can play QB in the system that fits me."  It would not be "be a good teammate or be a bad one."

Logan88

January 12th, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^

I agree...but, what Denard might prefer to do and what might be in Denard's best interest are not necessarily the same thing.

Denard might prefer (I have no idea what he prefers, naturally) to continue to play QB in a read option system that would be the best fit for his abilities while in college. However, that would probably not be in his best interest long term. While Denard has the potential to be a great college QB, he has little (no?) chance of playing QB in the NFL. Very likely, his long term future (e.g. draft position) would be better served by changing positions to one he would be better suited for in the NFL while still in college.

Either way, I hope Denard stays at UM...obviously.

harmon40

January 12th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^

If Denard leaves it would be catostrophic, given our current QB depth chart. 

Do you realize that if that happens, and Tate doesn't come back, a redshirt freshman (albeit a talented one) will be our only viable QB on the roster for next season? 

Do you further realize that it would then be another 2 seasons w/o having a viable upperclassman QB on the roster, for a total of 5 consecutive seasons? 

Whatever needs to be done to convince Denard to stay needs to be done.  The OC selection was not a good start.

aiglick

January 12th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^

I hope Denard stays but only if he thinks it's in his best interests. I guess this position reiterates 99.9 percent of the rest of the MgoCommunity.

seegoblu

January 12th, 2011 at 6:05 PM ^

If Denard wants to leave, he will leave. He can write his ticket to any school in the country that runs a spread offense.

Imagine him in Oregon? Oww, my head...it hurts...

mgoSk

January 12th, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^

Oregon's definitely a perfect fit for him. I was just thinking today that if Masoli had not gotten in trouble, etc. the National Championship game may have turned out differently had OU reached it. Masoli was a bowling ball while running, and as a senior, he would have had more experience than Darren Thomas, no disrespect, etc.

Michigantrumpet82

January 12th, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^

Link to Larry Lage AP article re: Art Taylor:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/41045590/ns/sports-college_football/

Let's stop the panic.  The questions he's telling Denard to ask are legit imate ones about his role in the offense. 

"I talked to Denard this morning and told him, 'You have to ask the new coach questions about the offense and what your role will be,'" Taylor recalled Wednesday afternoon shortly after Hoke met with the team and media. "I've told him what a great education he'll get if he stays at Michigan, but if they want to turn him into a drop-back quarterback and waste his 4.3 speed (in the 40-yard dash) that might not be the best place for him."

What I got from this article is that Denard loves Michigan and Hoke seems committed to keeping him.