Article on Denard

Setting aside his speed, arm strength and unlimited potential, this kid is just the most likeable player that I can remember.  He has as much natural ability as any kid in the nation, without a shred of the ego / arrogance that usually accompanies such talent. 

Also, while many poke fun at RR's "quirky" personality (Football Bust), I think that it was pretty awesome that he got down in the snow and made snow angels with Denard.  What an awesome guy.  Whether he stays or goes, and whether he was a good fit for Michigan or not, it is hard not to really just like Coach Rod.

Robinson never had seen snow, let alone someone flap his wings in the stuff.

"So I got on the ground and started making a snow angel," Rodriguez recalled.

Robinson said he also remembers picking up some snow, playfully chucking it at Rodriguez, "and then running pretty fast after that."

Robinson also packed snow into a plastic bag for his return flight.

"Melted on the plane," he said.

Very nice story. I'm starting to think that it's harder to get positive press in the MSM (you have to have an unprecedented season offensively) than negative (you have to play a cheesy song at a banquet).

Oh well. Here's to two more years of Denard housing fools.

On the day he committed, Robinson told reporters: "'I want to be the face of Michigan."

Has he done that?

"Not yet," he said. "I haven't proved myself. I still want to make my name like Des (Howard) and Charles Woodson and Tom Brady."

He is getting there. But we all know that he will always be one of the best that played at Michigan and will always be one of the most liked. We all love ya Denard, keep on being yourself and working hard.

That an interesting, positive, compelling human interest story on the Michigan Wolverines, Rich Rodriguez and one of the team's star players would appear in a newspaper...

...in Chicago.

favorite part: 

On the day he committed, Robinson told reporters: "'I want to be the face of Michigan."

Has he done that?

"Not yet," he said. "I haven't proved myself. I still want to make my name like Des (Howard) and Charles Woodson and Tom Brady."

as RR says in the article, he's not even close to hitting his ceiling. His ceiling is scary-good

.....our own Denard Robinson, and those other QBs of questionable character.

Denard: "I want to be the face of Michigan"

Pryor: "I'm just biding my time here until I can hit the big payday. Anyone want to go kill someone? Come on, you know you really want to!"

Newton: "I want to be the most expensive college player, ever. My daddy says he's got that covered."

Denard(very humble, I might add): "I haven't proved myself yet"

Pryor: "Is it gonna be 2012 yet? I needs my bennies now."

Newton: "$180k? Hah! Just wait til' they find out how much Auburn ponied up!"

Ok, ok. I know Pryor and Newton didn't really say those things, but it isn't that big a leap to imagine that they have. I'll take Denard over those two clowns anyday.

I love these threads... they make everything seem bright and happy. Posbangs for all! Happy ChristmasHannukahKwanzEtc!

Our helmets have wings and we can make snow angels together!  How many other programs can say that?  Maybe we need to bring Dee up when it snows and let him make snow angels with Denard and Richrod.

I'm worried that this article doesn't have a HARD EDGE.

like Denard even more than I already did.  Is it even possible?

"...for a recruiting visit on the second weekend in January 2009."  He committed on 2/4/09

Late in the recruiting process by most accounts.  Wonder what gem(s) RR will bring in January 2011

That there are still people in the media (even if it is in Chicago) that realize there is more to a person than wins and losses and their song choices at banquets. I think people fail to get past the title of "Coach" when the think about Rodriguez, thus neglecting that oh so important fact that he is a human being who loves, cries, feels and cares just like the rest of us.

Regardless of what people feel about his tenure as a coach at Michigan, I'd argue until my voice is gone against anyone that says this guy doesn't have the character or the passion that a Michigan Man needs. I hope people don't let their opinions about the CC muddy the fact that Rich Rodriguez truly cares about what he does and the kids he coaches. He's successfully molding boys into men, and that's a hell of a lot tougher job than winning football games, IMO.

Such a winner.  My biggest fear of the possible coaching change is losing him.  The domino effect of losing a leader like him would be catastrophic. 

I like how last year all anyone could talk about were the shoelaces.  Heck, even to start this season it was all about the shoes.  Now that the country has learned the true character and abilities of this great kid, they have more of a story than just the footwear.

Of course the over/under on shoelace references by the Gator bowl tv crew must be +/- 5.

"My family wanted Florida," Robinson said. "But the drive is as long as a trip to Michigan."

And Tim Tebow's decision to return for his senior season didn't help the Gators.

This is the first time that I can say: Thank you, Tim Tebow!