Denard Robinson: Redshirt?
Before I address the title of my post, how fucking awesome is it that today we are reading actual football articles based upon actual football practices with actual football players actually playing football?? This is the best day of the year until we play Western.
Now, onto the title. As far as I can tell, every person on this blog (including me) expects that Denard will play this year, with most assuming a Percy Harvin type role except that he would also pass from time to time. Some brave souls ("Denard is fast!") project him as giving Tate full competition as the starter (for the record, I don't think that will happen).
But is there a chance he would redshirt? I think there is a chance, based on the following:
1- Denard = raw
2- Remember that many schools did not recruit him as a QB, including spread offense schools-see #1 above.
3- Tate by all accounts and based upon limited video, is far more polished a QB and has far more command currently of the offense. That is a serious head start on PT.
4- We have one year of Jason Forcier to utilize. While there is no future for Jason, and I don't claim he will challenge to start, there is every reason to believe that he can be at minimum, competent in a backup role if needed.
5- Is it possible that Sherideath can be competent (nothing more) this year? I think that is quite possible.
So, putting these assumptions together, what we have is one promising Freshman QB (Tate) that is likely to start, two veteran QB's that can be competent, and one raw freshman (Denard) that needs much work on throwing motion and other fundamentals.
What this spells to me is a QB situation that is FAR above where we were last year. If we have three QB's that can be competent, that beats the zero we had last year by approximately 3-0. So following this logic, would Rodriguez then conclude that a Denard Robinson, with a redshirt year of practice under his belt, is A-far more likely to be a factor next year and in future, and B- not needed at QB due to the assumptions above? Oh, and a reminder: Pat White redshirted.
This is not necessarily the future I am predicting, but I think it is a future that is possible. What do you think?
Now, onto the title. As far as I can tell, every person on this blog (including me) expects that Denard will play this year, with most assuming a Percy Harvin type role except that he would also pass from time to time. Some brave souls ("Denard is fast!") project him as giving Tate full competition as the starter (for the record, I don't think that will happen).
But is there a chance he would redshirt? I think there is a chance, based on the following:
1- Denard = raw
2- Remember that many schools did not recruit him as a QB, including spread offense schools-see #1 above.
3- Tate by all accounts and based upon limited video, is far more polished a QB and has far more command currently of the offense. That is a serious head start on PT.
4- We have one year of Jason Forcier to utilize. While there is no future for Jason, and I don't claim he will challenge to start, there is every reason to believe that he can be at minimum, competent in a backup role if needed.
5- Is it possible that Sherideath can be competent (nothing more) this year? I think that is quite possible.
So, putting these assumptions together, what we have is one promising Freshman QB (Tate) that is likely to start, two veteran QB's that can be competent, and one raw freshman (Denard) that needs much work on throwing motion and other fundamentals.
What this spells to me is a QB situation that is FAR above where we were last year. If we have three QB's that can be competent, that beats the zero we had last year by approximately 3-0. So following this logic, would Rodriguez then conclude that a Denard Robinson, with a redshirt year of practice under his belt, is A-far more likely to be a factor next year and in future, and B- not needed at QB due to the assumptions above? Oh, and a reminder: Pat White redshirted.
This is not necessarily the future I am predicting, but I think it is a future that is possible. What do you think?
August 11th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
I would assume that part of denard's commitment was based on the fact that he will be able to compete for and recieve playing time....I doubt we snagged him telling him we might redshirt him....
If not at QB, he will be on the field elsewhere...He is too valuable not to
August 11th, 2009 at 9:50 PM ^
theres zero chance denard gets redshirted. zero. the dude is a total gamer, and will play a ton at qb, figure as high as a full split. this is a guy you want with the ball with the game on the line.
and gardner is arriving in a year and since we need alot of help at qb, we can use up denard's eligibility now
August 12th, 2009 at 1:56 PM ^
the dude is a total gamer, and will play a ton at qb, figure as high as a full split. this is a guy you want with the ball with the game on the line.
=== end of your quote.
My question: based on what evidence? Or is this just your e-pinion?
August 12th, 2009 at 3:53 PM ^
The film reflected heady, athletic, and talented play against the top teams in Florida as well as the nation. Which serves as a lead in for what has Jason done? He is older, so possibly more mature and composed, but he is new at this offense as well, what 'automatically' puts him as better than Denard? Why use Jason to get valuable game snaps when he'll be gone next year? I don't know if Denard will be selected over Nick at the beginning of the season but his potential is greater than Nick's; by the end of it he will be the second string guy.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:33 PM ^
My prediction is this, Tate gets the nod on day one to start. He struggles some but does wel enough to win a few games. Meanwhile DRob sits on the side lines and develops. About 6 games or so into the season (maybe against Del State) we see DRob take the field for the first time. He runs a wildcat or something like that and stays in for a few more plays. He will probably throw one time before coming off the field. At that point we will see what he cna do on the field. 6 games should give him enough time to learn enough about the offense that he does not go out and lose the games for us and then the real competition between the 2 will be on. I do not see any gain in redshirting him. I think one of these 2 guys will secure the spot of starter for next year and DG will redshirt.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:30 PM ^
Redshirt seems unlikely to me if for no other reason than we have Forcier(s) and Sheridan at QB. This time next year we have Forcier, Sheridan, and Gardner.
By the time Forcier is gone, Gardner will be ready to start.
2 years from now I hope our talent and depth are far superior to what they are now. Use what we have now if it provides value.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:26 AM ^
I dont think they are going to RS him. My guess is he becomes a Wildcat QB and have some trick plays. I do not think his long term future is as QB, after DG comes here and he RS for a year, then D-Rob will move to a Percy Harvin-esque role, IMHO.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
Denard is just too good of an athlete to keep off of the field. Ultimately, I think he'll become a WR/Slot/RB hybrid that brings a HB pass into play. A wildcat with him in there is also an interesting prospect. This assumes that Tate is the man and can be the QB for the next 4 years (unless Gardner has something to say about this). Denard just isn't quite polished enough to beat out Tate in my opinion.
I see the QB depth chart looking like this: 1. T. Forcier (note: not J. Forcier just to be extra clear), 2. Sheridan OR Denard (with Denard getting the #2 by himself later in the season). Next season, I could see (possibly) redshirting Gardner, but the same argument, that he is simply too good of an athlete to keep off of the field, stands for him too.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:38 AM ^
"4- We have one year of Jason Forcier to utilize. While there is no future for Jason, and I don't claim he will challenge to start, there is every reason to believe that he can be at minimum, competent in a backup role if needed."
The issue with this is that J. Forcier is behind Denard, by at least 2 days now (at a minimum), not to mention that he is not even in camp yet. Don't forget, this is a new offense to him, as well. I doubt that he will be able to catch up and/or pass Denard on the depth chart, especially given the speed that Denard brings to the spread option run (RR's favorite play).
August 12th, 2009 at 10:38 AM ^
I think Denard will get reps in the first game. The lightest part of our schedule is the first 4 games. If Denard has to come in because Tate gets hurt in the later part of the year, we don't want it to be his first game experience. Therefore, I think his redshirt will be burnt in the first game. I hope Sheridan is better than last year, but he will never be the threat to run that Denard is, and Denard already has more velocity on his throws, based on practice video.
August 12th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Sheridan will be "competent" after having being God awful last year? He clearly has mimimal talent, particularly running the ball, and even last year his forte' was supposed to be his understanding of the offense. Another year of knowing the system will not make up for his lack of ability. He's simply too slow and has too weak of an arm to ever be truly effective. I am a true believer in the argument that Sheridan on the field at any point this year means we're in big trouble.
With D-Rob, at a minimum, the defense has to respect that he can break a run to the house on any given play. For that reason alone, I think he gets at least 5-7 snaps on runs from week 1. This number will increase throughout the season.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:08 PM ^
Sheridan will be better because he knows the offense better. The offensive line is going to be a lot better than last year.
It is going to be tough for Denard to understand the offense that fast. I do think he will get a couple snaps a game.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:44 PM ^
and how does understanding the offense better going to help Sheridan when he still can't throw or run? Review those game tapes from last year...the only times his passes looked good were when he forgot what color jersey his receivers were wearing. He will not be "competent" this year or ever.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:02 PM ^
I know what you are saying. His passes were not that good. The running game will be a huge factor for whatever QB is back there.
He can run somewhat. If he makes the right read this year he will gain more yards rushing.
I do hope though that Tate or Denard do get ahead of him because they have way more potential.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:20 PM ^
The offensive improvement in general should help even Sheridan, but I still don't think to the level that would allow for a Denard redshirt, which was the original point of the article.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:46 PM ^
I NEED TO SAY NO MORE, EXCEPT BNAGS MUST BE A CARPENTER - BECAUSE HE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^
There is no chance that he redshirts. We need the depth.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:58 PM ^
Does Denard return kicks? He is blazing fast and I'm guessing at least a little bit shifty. He might even be able to hold onto the ball.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:23 PM ^
Don't want a qb returning kicks, man.
This is a worthless reply, just so my points aren't 1040...
flashbacks...
August 13th, 2009 at 10:26 AM ^
Simply to athletic to keep off the field and as RR has said he is a QB. I have said this in other posts as well if he wanted to be Percy Harvin he had that opprotunity at FLORDIA! I love that he came up and is Blue but he came to compete at QB give him that chance and we are going to see some magic. Tate will be the starter but what does the D think when D-Rob comes trotting out and he is lined up with Minor and C. Brown in the backfield. LB's pick your gaps and prey because if the QB read is correct it is going to be hard to stop! Any one of those three one on one with a LB or a safety I like our chances.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^
DRob is way too athletic to keep off the field. There is no way in heck that DRob redshirts. At the risk of bringing up flashbacks for some I'll ask this... Does anyone remember the QB play last year? Others on this board have referred to our starting QB last year as DEATH!! But I saw it more like a painful, agonizing, torturous DEATH!! There is no way P.A.T. DEATH!! is allowed to take the field unless the sky is falling.
My hope for 2009 is that Tate is as good as advertised, and starts against WMU. He doesn't have to be spectacular at first, but good enough to win. I think the coaches need to work DRob hard in practice to get him up to speed, but I also want to see him in some games on occasion to get some game time experience. Maybe some sort of WildWolv formation.
What I REALLY hope is that between now and Oct. 5 the coaches come up with a few good "Trick" plays for DRob and unleash them, unmercifully, upon MSU. Let's show the Spartans how much that "In state dominance" has paid off for them.
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