Any word on Denard?
Has anyone heard much regarding Denard? I have seen posts about K Grady's twitter and talk of "everyone" staying, but am looking for any info. I think Hoke would be an absolute fool to not tailor the offense around Denard, regardless of his system/philosophy at this point.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:11 AM ^
Denard would be our best recruiter for the next 2 years.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:57 AM ^
If we did that, no one would know who had or hadn't signed with us until they actually enrolled.
January 12th, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
I don't think that's so much of a bad thing. I think we all obsess over recruiting a bit much and sometimes I think the recruits just want a little bit of anonymity. Say what you will about how DB handled the CC, but I did like that it was Fort Schembechler again with no leaked info to undermine things the way it do for RR.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:37 AM ^
WIth Magee going to take the Pitt job and Hokes previous statements about the spread I'm very nervous about losing Denard taking off for the Panthers. Hopefully Hoke can instill some Hoke-A-Mania in Denard and keep him in Ann Arbor.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^
FYI... Hoke has employed different versions of the spread during his tenure in Ball State and San Diego State. The ONE comment where he appeared to sound completely anti-spread is being blown out of proportion. One of the main criteria in DB's hiring was that the HC would be able to tailor his approach around the talent at hand. Hoke has proven he can run the spread... mainly, because he HAS ran the spread.
Offensive style should not be a concern. Hoke's a good coach, and he'll implement a system fitted to our players' skills.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^
So he was for the spread before he was against it?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^
When asked recently about the influence of Oregon’s offense, Hoke subtly revealed his disdain for the tactical shift Michigan experienced under Rodriguez. He is convinced that modern spread option offenses can be counterproductive to the core values of smashmouth football and are, therefore, to be avoided.
“Right, wrong or indifferent, when you’re zone blocking all the time -- when you’re playing basketball on grass -- you practice against that all spring, you practice against it all fall and then you’re going to play a two-back team that wants to knock you off the football,” Hoke said. “I don’t think you’re prepared.
“I think there’s a toughness level (required in college football). I still believe you win with defense. That’s been beaten into my head a long time, but I really believe that. The toughness of your team has to be the offensive front and your defensive front.”
January 12th, 2011 at 3:12 AM ^
AFAICT, he did not speak to the media, like other players did. Tomorrow he meets the new coach, that's when we'll know.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:14 AM ^
Pray that he stays!
January 12th, 2011 at 3:16 AM ^
The players will be introduced to Hoke tomorrow, and I assume that's when he will give his pitch to Denard. It probably depends on how much of a requirement playing QB is for Denard, because I don't really see it happening in the new system.
Just a guess, but I'm starting to get the feeling that he's gone. I think it will be a tough sell for Hoke to keep him around.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:18 AM ^
Awesome, he might take the most dangerous and dynamic player in college football and put him at a different position than the one he broke numerous NCAA records at as a true sophomore, first year starting player. Genius.
January 12th, 2011 at 4:28 AM ^
Denard is great, but he isn't going to be a QB unless he actually learns how to read defenses. We can't have someone throwing that many interceptions next year. I would love to see him stick around as a QB, and hopefully Hoke will design an offense to fit his strengths.
Bottom line though, Denard will not be guaranteed the starting QB job next year, and who knows if that will sit well with him without RR being around.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:04 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
Tate agrees with you 100%
January 12th, 2011 at 8:37 AM ^
Gotta side with AAA here. I love Denard, love him; however, let's not forget that Devin Gardner not Denard was our highest rated QB recruit and for good reason. He has the size you can't teach, can make all the throws, and will be able to stand in the pocket and read defenses (and run when he has too). Recruitniks were gushing over his coachability and football smarts (not to mention his arm). Yes you can not teach Denard's speed but Gardner could actually be the one who takes us to the next level. I would like to see Hoke use them both, really show us something dynamic (not at the same time), but Denard leaving does not spell doom for us.
Look at SDSU's offense last year for proof that we could be explosive - QB: 3800 yards passing with 28 TDs, RB with 1500+ rushing with 17 TDs, 2 WR's with 1200+ receiving and they scored 35 ppg which is better than our 32.7 ppg. Things are not looking so bad :)
January 12th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
Ratings on high school kids are near worthless if you ask me. They are simply a way for individuals to allegedly assess "talent." These third-party assessments cannot truly identify a kid's upside or true potential. I'm sure Gardner will be great one day, but Denard is outstanding now. I will be extremely disappointed not so see the starting QB job as Denard's to keep. SDSU's quarterback stats are immaterial. DIfferent player, different team.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^
I just want the transition to go smooth, bringing back as many returning starters always helps!
January 12th, 2011 at 8:37 AM ^
So did Randel-El. Indiana wasn't exactly winning a ton of games. Denard needs to do what's best for himself. I don't want to see a "sad Denard". But, secondly, he needs to do what's best for the team. If he decides what's best for himself is staying, than he should be willing to play whatever position helps the team most.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:19 AM ^
why not adapt to Denard for the short term, and then adjust the system accordingly after he graduates? Maybe I really don't get it - but why don't coaches (RR included going back to his 1st year) adjust to what talent they have? Obviously over time, recruit the athletes that fit the coaches vision, but be pragmatic in the meantime. It is Hoke's job, and he knows more than I do, but it just seems to make sense, no?
January 12th, 2011 at 5:44 AM ^
Hoke can take one look at the depth chart and see a much more adaptable guy in Devin Gardner. Goodbye Denard, hello 4th straight year of starting a newbie QB.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:41 AM ^
Even if RR were the coach Denard would have had to compete to be the starter. Just ask Tate.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:40 AM ^
I would assume Tate's grades and the fact that he wasn't at the team meeting mean we're down to two scholarship quarterbacks. Make it one if Denard leaves. I heard about the only significant recruit Brady had at SDSU for this year is a quarterback. Wonder if he'd come. Now I'd say we had better add a QB to this class.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
Could this hire help us with Cardale Jones (and maybe Glenville in the process)?
January 12th, 2011 at 3:29 AM ^
But I don't think Denard will have any problem competing for the job if given the opportunity. I believe he knows he needs to improve his pass reads anyway if he wants to take the next jump (as a college QB) so if Coach Hoke tells him he will get a fair shot at QB in the system they implement we may be ok. Then again, it depends on where (if anywhere) RR lands (stated in the prev post).
I'm ready for the worst. I'll cry like a 2 year old for 1/2 a day if he leaves but I'll get over it. Barely! Oh dear, please stay!
January 12th, 2011 at 7:43 AM ^
Unless you (aaamichfan) have spoken to Coach Hoke please don't make any assumptions about Denard not fitting in the "new system". This blog needs more hard information and less speculation that is passed off as informed analysis.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:54 AM ^
Well, it's not going to be the same offense...
January 12th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
it wouldn't be a blog
January 12th, 2011 at 3:17 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 7:11 AM ^
I love the support Grady is giving out so quickly, but I agree that it doesn't mean a lot, yet. He may truly mean it, but a lot can change and I don't think anybody will be surprised if a few players decide to take their talents elsewhere. I really hope nobody leaves, but it could definitely happen. If any players are leaving, I hope they leave soon so they could possibly be raplaced through recruiting. That is really my biggest question about Hoke. If he can retain some recruits, I'll be impresses.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:17 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 3:22 AM ^
yes, i believe that word you're looking for is "goodbye" or possibly "godspeed". who should expect him to give the school a chance who never gave a chance to the one head coach who gave him his chance to play QB?
January 12th, 2011 at 6:50 AM ^
Michigan never gave Rodriguez a chance? He ruined his own chances by fielding a team that gave up 35.2 points per game. And this was a very experienced offense in 2010, and they still couldn't put up points against teams like OSU, Wisconsin, MSU, and Mississippi State.
Rodriguez had his chance. He blew it.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:17 AM ^
I'm really sick of hearing how RR didn't get a chance. I would have been fine with giving him one more year, but the blind followers and apologists are tiring me out. The 'nobody supported RR' is getting very old too, because IMO it is BS. Aside from a few nay-sayers early on, it wasn't until 2010 when we had NO DEFENSE and too many turnovers that I started hearing the hate.
Rich will land on his feet, and when he does, I'll be happy for him and his fan base. Right now I'm supporting our new HC so idiots on this board can't say 'nobody supported him' later on.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:25 AM ^
you're saying we won't be hearing, 'he just needs more time! it takes time to transition from the spread to pro-style. plus the one blown recruiting class left us with no depth!'???
because that will sound familiar.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^
Also (my third time referencing this, sorry) look at SDSU offensive stats from last year, very impressive.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:26 AM ^
Denard is a QB. Other offensive schemes can utilize his skills. He can throw the ball.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:30 AM ^
I could see Borges utilizing him well.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:35 AM ^
exactly. the guy can play quarterback. the only way that he's not playing quarterback is if devin or tate explodes in the offseason as denard did this past year. would anyone really object to that?
quarterback is the position that worries me the least going forward.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:42 AM ^
January 12th, 2011 at 7:27 AM ^
I often found myself wishing Denard would run more from the pocket when receivers weren't open. That is when a lot of dual-threat guys make huge gains running b/c the D is dropped back in coverage.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:27 AM ^
Hoping to see Denard stay, I would like him make some gains before his junior year as far as his passing consistency. Lets see cut down on throwing off his back foot. I am not so sure that the read option was his thing. I think he struggled reading when to keep the ball and when to handoff. There didn't look to be much improvement on this as the season went on and the schedule got tougher. Sure he did great against bad defenses. I think he's very capable of growing as a passer and improving like he did before his soph. season.
January 12th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
If Denard is in the pocket, there will be a lot more open receivers. Teams must contain, which means open lanes for our streaking receivers.
Listen, maybe Denard can help the team in other ways. I mean, what are his chances of starting in the NFL at QB? If he wants to play in the NFL, maybe he starts the transition now (Hester like). I know he wants to play QB, but I'm also thinking he wants to do what is best for the team and his family in the long run.
Denard can still play QB in a wildcat formation with Hoke, but he will not be running the same O. However, if he is that good of a passer, I'm sure he will compete for the job as every other player will do.
Lastly, does anybody really know if he only wants to stay spread? He could love how Hoke utilizes his skills. We are all so quick to assume. If you think Hoke hasn't been watching U of M games all year you're wrong. He knows what he is getting. He is a smart guy...have faith. Denard will do what is best...We'll support his decision as he has supported his team the past two years, regardless of his choice!
January 12th, 2011 at 7:17 AM ^
I don't think Tate is really an option anymore. He wasn't at the team meeting, and hasn't been heard from since he was sent hom form the bowl game.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^
I would say that Tate is not here now and wont be in the fall. I am not sure why we haven't heard anything yet but I assume that we will hear somthing very soon in regards to him not playing at Michigan anymore. Hope I am wrong.
January 12th, 2011 at 6:52 AM ^
Denard's not a very good QB. I'm sorry, but he's not. I hope he stays, but I don't necessarily hope he's our QB for the next two years, at least not if we're going to run a pro-style offense.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:23 AM ^
"Denard's not a very good QB" on this board, because everyone loves Denard (and they should). But I agree, mostly because of the turnovers. Part of that is youth/inexperience, but not all of it. Denard is a fantastic kid and he made great strides from 2009 to 2010, but IMO a coach who gets him to switch postions (RB, WR, kick returner?) will be doing him a favor. I see him playing on Sundays for sure, but maybe not a QB.
Regardless, there is nothing not to love about Denard. He's a great guy and great talent, and M fans should be proud that he chose to come here.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:29 AM ^
I believe that Denard can make Percy Harvin look like a no-talent scrub. But I don't see him as a QB, never did. Our offense was a one trick pony and good teams could contain Denard. If Hoke doesn't want Denard at QB, I hate to say it, but thems the breaks, Shoelace....
January 12th, 2011 at 8:02 AM ^
Denard is one of my favorite Michigan players ever, no one has ever made me laugh out loud at offensive plays the way he does.
However, I respectfully agree with you that he is a system QB. He needs the right system to play that position, and that system has to value his running abilities. He will not find such a system in the NFL and he will be playing football for no more than two more seasons if he is desperate to include "throwing passes" in his job description.
For my own sake, I really hope he stays and turns into a Randle-El/Ward/Boldin/Brady Smith type playmaker (yes, I know that they are different style players, but all were QBs who found success in the NFL at different positions). He can split his time at QB and receiver this season and depending on the development of Gardner/stud recruit QB, his senior season as well.
Then maybe we can watch dilithium on Sundays, while Pat White is busy playing minor league baseball. It's a shame the NFL cannot utilize superb running QBs with mediocre passing abilities, but the reality is these guys will not be throwing passes in the NFL on a regular basis any time soon. End of.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
Aaargh!
This "system quarterback" bullcrap only means one thing- not like NFL quarterbacks.
So, I guess Drew Henson is a "system quarterback" because he's not in the NFL?
There can be no argument that John Navarre was a system quarterback. He's not effective in any system a part from a drop back and throw it to talented receivers.