Talked to Sam Webb about QBs...

Submitted by FabFiver5 on

I was sitting courtside last night for DeShawn's epic 20/20 performance (and the rest of the team's sleepwalk) and I ran into Sam Webb at halftime.

Talked to him a bit about the QB situation now and asked him who he thought we had the best shot at still getting. He said he considers Tajh Boyd highly unlikely based solely on the fact that he wants no part of playing in the kind of offense we run. (That made me question why he committed to WVU in the first place, but whatever).

He did say though that he thinks we have a serious shot at Denard Robinson. I've heard that he could possibly commit somewhere on the spot if he likes it enough. His official visit is set for the beginning of January and Sam said everything was riding on that.

Maybe we can bring him in, see how he does at QB in fall practice and eventually move him somewhere else so we can go for a highly-rated guy in next year's class? Just a thought.

P.S. Apparently I'm stupid, because I just realized that I neglected to ask him if he knew any additional nuggets of knowledge about the Stinky Beaver. Oh well.

chitownblue (not verified)

December 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 AM ^

Robinson makes sense (for us) more than anyone else. If we got Boyd (unlikely) or Eugene Smith (somewhat more likely), it would put a serious crimp in our ability to land Devin Gardner, who most, I think, see as a superior prospect to Boyd, Smith, and Forcier. Also, it would help us to have QB's spread out - that way he could have 3 years of starting (if Threet wins the job) or 2 years of starting (if Forcier wins the job) - which would be more appealing.

Also, if Robinson didn't win the job next year, we could have him as depth for the season, and realistically transfer him to DB or WR with the arrival of Gardner.

TomVH

December 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 AM ^

He committed to WVU because Stewart said he wants to pass more. I talked to Devin Gardner the other day, and he was optimistic about Beaver leaving, joking about it too.

Magnus

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 PM ^

Denard Robinson is a VERY raw quarterback prospect, but he does have some tools to work with. He has decent arm strength and some semblance of mechanics, although they're very inconsistent. I don't think he's a guy who could come in and start as a freshman over Threet or Forcier, but he is a guy who could play some QB in two or three years.

Magnus

December 24th, 2008 at 4:27 AM ^

I've seen a couple highlight videos of him throwing the ball.

(For those who will undoubtedly criticize me for judging from a couple short videos, I realize watching a couple highlight videos doesn't make me an expert on the kid. Let's move on.)

I've studied quarterback mechanics to a certain extent. I'm not anything close to an expert, but I've been to coaching clinics, worked with my team's quarterbacks at times, read some articles, and watched an instructional video or two. There are probably people on this board who know more about throwing mechanics than I do, but I think they'll all agree that Robinson has considerable work to do (although that's pretty common for HS quarterbacks). Like I said, though, he's got potential.

Magnus

December 25th, 2008 at 12:05 AM ^

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoZiQtlTauc

There's a free video on Youtube. It's not great quality, though.

Considering the fact that people jump on me for making judgments based on highlight videos, I feel like I have to present two or three caveats before each opinion I offer. It's like the fine print on a contract that you think is common sense and therefore unnecessary, but then somebody lacking common sense comes along and gives you shit because you didn't include the fine print but then it's too late to edit the fine print into the contract.

colin

December 25th, 2008 at 4:03 PM ^

aside from a number of bad HS habits that he can get away with thanks to his athleticism, I liked his potential. Throws with authority, seems to really be able to chuck it. He needs to work on getting over his front side consistently, as he sometimes throws off his back foot. But I'm encouraged.

Jay

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 PM ^

I'd feel much better if we were able to land Eugene Smith or Tajh Boyd in this year's class rather than hoping and praying that we can bring in Devin Gardner in '10. Banking on Gardner coming in next year because Beaver decommitted is a huge gamble. I wouldn't care one bit if a commit from Smith or Boyd in this recruiting class costs us Gardner in next year's class.

myrtlebeachmai…

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:37 PM ^

one way or another (if we kept Beaver or got Boyd/Smith) it'd end up like this: Everyone is "happy to compete, beacause (they're) all competitors." Then next year, or this year after the loser is red-shirted, someone asks for a transfer, and in the mean time we lose hope for the '10 class because Gardner/whoever has moved on away from our 2 '09 deep QB position.

I also think it'd cause a shitstorm of controversy. Everyone was already so polarized about Tate, that if RR tried to use both QB's he get hammered. Trying to accomodate 2 in one class won't work here, we're not that established yet. We'd be better with a second-tier guy who has potential elsewhere, and leave the QB job to the Threet/Tate battle.

Jay

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 PM ^

He's the only one that can laugh, although, Stanford certainly took advantage of a USC squad ravaged by injuries in '07. Even the mighty Trojans couldn't overcome losing multiple offensive linemen and their starting quarterback for that game.

myrtlebeachmai…

December 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 PM ^

The successful dual-use QB programs I remember seeing (like Florida or LSU) had offenses that were already running liek clockwork and allowed for maximizing each QB's best abilities.
I agree that us not being established leaves alot of desire out there for prospects, to want to come compete for the job, since it's "so open for the taking"; however, once the battle is decided (starter named) I think it gets ugly. I don't think we're sound enough on "O" yet to bounce back and forth. Right now, in my opinion, we need consistency more than anything.

evenyoubrutus

December 23rd, 2008 at 1:21 PM ^

and I think this will make him more likely to commit. But Sam kept talking about how Michigan was going after a more 'athlete' player who had experience at QB and could play the part but was also fully capable at another position, like DB. Obviously Denard Robinson fits that, but doesn't that also sound like Thomas Gordon? Couldn't he be a backup QB if it's necessary?

Brodie

December 23rd, 2008 at 1:42 PM ^

It sounds like Rodriguez is looking for an athlete and a passer in this class... it's been suggested before, but maybe he's looking to run a two QB system. We know he loves innovation and the so called "Suggs offense" Cam Cameron invented this year for the Ravens certainly fits the bill. Maybe Rodriguez is intrigued?

Magnus

December 23rd, 2008 at 1:55 PM ^

The two quarterback system has been tried repeatedly and usually does not work. On top of that, Rodriguez has found success using one quarterback in the past. Innovation often comes from below - coaches/teams with less talent try new things to even the playing field or use the element of surprise. Established coaches and teams have already figured out how to win.

Pete Carroll isn't going to come up with some newfangled offense.

Urban Meyer was an innovator and that's what got him to where he is.

Rodriguez has the coaching chops and the talent at Michigan (or the talent is incoming) to run a successful offense the way he's run it in the past. He doesn't need to take a giant leap from where he is to make an impact.