Offseason Speculation: What is Gardner's Ceiling?
Despite the fact that it was a relatively small sample of QB play this season, Gardner looked pretty damn good at times, including an impressive performance against the mighty South Carolina defense. What do you think his ceiling is? Let's say the levels are:
-All B1G QB
-All American QB
-Heisman Finalist
-Heisman Winner
-Top 15 pick
-Top 5 pick
-Number 1 overall pick
Obviously, a wide range of possibilities, but this is assuming again, an optimistic ceiling, not a prediction of what he'll necessarily turn out to be. Personally, I think his ceiling is somewhere around All-American/Heisman Finalist, a lot will also depend on his redshirt and the success of team the next couple years.
In case you need a reminder:
February 25th, 2013 at 11:04 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^
February 26th, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
Ceiling.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^
but with the offense were most like ging to run in 13' .I dont expect huge numbers from him..so I will say all B1G and top 15 pick
February 25th, 2013 at 11:22 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:59 PM ^
he played amazingly well, especially considering he was not working at qb for most of the year. But 200 yards passing a game is not going to get him in the heisman race. Unless DG can somehow keep scoring touchdowns at the sick pace he was during that 5 game stretch, he wont have the #'s Make no mistake, I am super excited about his potential and I always argued with people who claimed Bellomy had passed him. He has all of the physical tools to be great and I know he won the classroom award at the elite 11 camps..all that adds up to great potential. All that being said, I look at our schedule and only see 2 maybe 3 games( ND,OSU, maybe Neb or NW) where there will be a need for a strong passing attack. Other than that I expect the coaches to pound the run.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:00 AM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^
Heisman.
Realistically? Qb of a BCS-bound 10-2 or 11-1 team, with a crapton of upside for 2014.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:11 PM ^
All-Big Ten. More than that and you might want to adjust your homer glasses.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:25 PM ^
The question is about his ceiling, not his most likely outcome. His ceiling with respect to accolades is extremely high. If we can put together a stellar season (say two or fewer losses) and he's a big part of it, he'll probably be part of the Heisman discussion. I'm not saying that's likely, but it's certainly possible.
February 26th, 2013 at 11:32 AM ^
Kinda suprised I didnt get hit with the flamebait. Usually I'm cautiously optimistic, but I feel like a heisman season is very unlikely this year. We are still waiting for Hoke's recruits to kick in, so maybe next year if DG gets the redshirt. It'll seem more likely then.
February 26th, 2013 at 1:18 PM ^
What's most likely to happen isn't the same as what could happen if everything goes right.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:11 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:18 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^
I thought he did decent against South Carolina. I feel like the coaches didn't put the entire team in the right positions to win against ohio though.
February 26th, 2013 at 3:22 AM ^
Exactly. I feel like his ceiling is what Borges' playcalling allows it to be. I think/hope we'll see improved o-line, rb, and wr play this year (Gallon really started showing some breakout potential towards the end of last year, and I see Funchess and Dileo having big years), so my big question mark will be the RPS game and making adjustments to exploit defenses, and that frankly has left me unimpressed more often than not under Borges. Trying to be cautiously optimistic though that Borges will design a solid offense around Devin, who is a better fit for his style than Denard was.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^
shouldn't really have to mold Devin into something like what Denard had to go through offensively... What we saw at the end of the year is likely what we will see next season.
February 26th, 2013 at 10:05 PM ^
Well, yeah. That was my point. The OSU game happened at the end of the year, and it seemed like Borges' gameplan may have been the biggest factor that led to offensive ineffectiveness and a loss.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:12 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:13 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:23 PM ^
Outstanding comprehension of the word "ceiling" here.
Sorry, but if anyone deserves an obnoxious, snarky response like this, it's you.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:12 AM ^
why can't his ceiling be average in the big ten? or even below average?
February 26th, 2013 at 12:22 AM ^
It makes no sense to say his ceiling is far below the level he actually played at last year. it's a possibility that he plays that way, but it is not his ceiling.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:46 AM ^
David, I hate to be the one to break this to you... but you are a dick. And somewhat of an idiot if you think Gardner didn't show flashes of being an All Big-Ten talent last year.
February 26th, 2013 at 1:00 AM ^
A ballsack just called you a dick.
February 26th, 2013 at 3:32 AM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^
But if the receivers can step up or a top talent can emerge (Darboh?) then maybe All-American. I wouldn't say he can get into the top 15 in the draft, but I'd be surprised if after coming back for his redshirt senior season and devloping nicely, he doesn't go by the end of round 2.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:21 PM ^
All assists and no turnovers.
Cut down the interceptions and fumbles and he is going to win the Heisman.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^
because it gave me a warm and fuzzy. Also, looking at the "hopefuls" it is not that out of the question.
IMHO, I don't think Manziel will win again. In the SEC, you can bet your ass Saban is staying up until 4:30 in the morning watching film to break down this guy.
I think this is a pretty decent list: http://www.foxsportssouth.com/12/10/12/Who-will-be-in-2013s-Heisman-Trophy-race/landing_sec.html?blockID=833277
Unfortunately, I think Braxton (vomits) and Aaron Murray are Devin's biggest threats. With a big up to Marqise Lee.
What does everyone else think?
EDIT: also, Taylor Martinez is on that list so take it FWIW, because that made me LOL in a "no chance in hell" way.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:22 PM ^
his ceiling is that textured spray on "popcorn ceiling" kind. It's also sometimes known as "cottage cheese" ceiling. I just hope it doesn't contain asbestos.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:39 AM ^
is the only proper ceiling for a Gardner.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:25 PM ^
Devin's exhibits great poise in the pocket amd has solid arm strength. He possesses the speed and elusiveness to pick up crucial yardage at important junctures in the game.
I think Devin needs to improve his coverage recognition, and his awareness in the pocket. Several times he tried to make something happen but got sacked when he should have thrown the ball away. His improvement in these areas will definitely come as he's given a full offseason, spring, and fall with first team reps and film study. I do think the continued transition to what Borges wants to run will present a slightly slower pace of improvement then if it were the same system as last year.
I believe if Michigan's offensive line is able to establish the run at even an above average level, Devin and the WR's will benefit greatly. I have a feeling Devin Funchess will double his Freshman numbers and emerge as one if the best TE's in the nation.
All that said I think if granted the Medical redshirt he will become a potential 1st team All American.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:29 PM ^
His improvement in these areas will definitely come as he's given a full offseason, spring, and fall with first team reps and film study.
Working with the first team is great, but how about the fact that he'll actually be practicing as a quarterback?
I agree with your broader point. I expect a major step forward.
February 26th, 2013 at 1:39 AM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:27 PM ^
I don't know that he out performs say Braxton Miller, but few QBs will next year. I think DG will have a very strong season, and we see the best offensive season for Michigan to date (in the Hoke era.)
February 25th, 2013 at 11:28 PM ^
How is his ceiling not #1 draft pick? He's a former 5* recruit with NFL size and speed. He's shown glimpses of excellence and more than likely has 2 more years to develop.
Now, do I think he will reach that ceiling? No. But then isn't the better question, based on pure speculation, what do you think he will become?
February 25th, 2013 at 11:32 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:34 PM ^
All depends on if he puts in the time in the offseason. I think he will, and I remain cautiously optimistic. My ultimate guess is All Big Ten next Fall, and if he sticks around until 2014, that could be a really special year.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:40 PM ^
February 26th, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^
I'd rather him be both quick and accurate.
February 25th, 2013 at 11:57 PM ^
he has shown he has the arm strength (Rountree vs. Northwestern), but if he can consistently hit our WR on the money, while still utilizing his altheticism, he is going to be scary good. As an aside, DG has GREAT instincts and decision making skills (the former is absolutely unbelievable).
February 25th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:36 PM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:36 PM ^
He is inevitably going to be underrated by the press going into next season, I don't expect him to be on any of the preseason all B1G teams but he will have a tremendous season next year and hopefully the year after.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:29 AM ^
February 25th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^
February 26th, 2013 at 1:27 AM ^
February 26th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
Damn can't believe I did that.