Denard to play WR?!

Mel Kiper has Denard Robinson at WR in the NFL. When Denard was asked how many footballs he has caught in his life the answer was zero. You think Michigan might have Gardner throw to him instead of the end around this year? I don't want a lot of experiments this year with throwing to Denard. Big Ten title is real close to coming to Ann Arbor.

Mel Kiper has Denard Robinson at WR in the NFL. When Denard was asked how many footballs he has caught in his life the answer was zero. You think Michigan might have Gardner throw to him instead of the end around this year? I don't want a lot of experiments this year with throwing to Denard. Big Ten title is real close to coming to Ann Arbor.

Depending on how both look in the spring game and practice leading up to the start of the season, it's not that bad of an idea.  I always thought if DR had a shot at the NFL it would be a roll like Hall or Hester and a KR/PR guy.  In terms of accuracy and production in the air, he took a major step back from the progress he made the year before.  I wouldn't be too sad to see DR move to the return duties and keep the duties as a WR in the wildcat formation.

I would really like to see Gardner keep the ball, roll away pass back to DR and give him the run/pass option with a more open field.  The way we ran the formation this year if DR didn't get the ball his part in the play was over and, at times, the D gave up on him and ran to the ball.  I think we need to use every option possible and make sure the other team has to defend every player and every inch of grass out there.

The good news is the transition, if it happens, should be a really easy one for him.  First, as the QB, he knows the plays and the routs the WRs run so he doesn't have to learn anything new.  The biggest question I have is, does he have the size and durability to play WR all season long?

Kiper's assessment is risky at best.  It is based solely on his potential as an athlete.  Most of the guys that change from QB to WR going into the NFL fail.  It seldom works.  Randle El is one of the rare exceptions.  Brad Smith has been a modest success, I suppose.  At least he has made a living in the NFL.  The biggest concern is simply can they catch the football.  That's kind of an important attibute for a WR, obviously.  To think a guy who has never done it can do it while guys are breathing down his neck trying to make sure he doesn't catch it is a risky proposition that can't be fully evaluated in any sort of pre-draft combine or tryout type situation.

As far as next year, I can see some bubble screens or something of the sort as opposed to always doing the end-around they always ran with him this year.  But I don't see much more than that.  Generally, I expect the QB usage next year to be pretty similar to what we saw this year.

Honestly, the concept of Denard in the NFL is a long-shot in my opinion.  If Denard stands a chance to get drafted as a punt returner, he had better play very well and win against Alabama, MSU, Ohio, and Nebraska.  I predict that Denard is left sitting around until the 5th round and all UofM haters will laugh at our "star starting QB". 

Honestly, the concept of Denard in the NFL is a long-shot in my opinion.  If Denard stands a chance to get drafted as a punt returner, he had better play very well and win against Alabama, MSU, Ohio, and Nebraska.  I predict that Denard is left sitting around until the 5th round and all UofM haters will laugh at our "star starting QB". 

I will only state this.....Denard Robinson will play in the NFL. He will never be a QB, but he will definetely play atleast 3 years in the NFL....High Character kids with the speed and talent he has will be a plus to any team. I will go on to further state that he will last longer in the NFL then most 1st round picks that feel entitled.... DR can be on my team any day of the week simply based on his leadership skills.....Heck at the very least he would be a ST captain.....He will be more though.....

I wouldn't mind seeing him play WR this year and have Borges find ways to use Denard as a playmaker. I think Gardner is the better QB option for a pro style offense. Denard will never be a pocket passer and I don't see him getting much better. I'm fine with him at QB but starting Gardner and putting Denard on the field in other ways isn't a bad idea.

I'm fine with him at QB but starting Gardner and putting Denard on the field in other ways isn't a bad idea.

Agreed, but I'm still banking on Gardner getting his exta year after DR is gone....Hoke is a smart guy....He will use Gardner for the next two years and Morris will come in ready to take the reigns......I hope he red shirts, but doubt that will happen with only Bellomny as a true back up.....

Kiper's assessment is risky at best.  It is based solely on his potential as an athlete.  Most of the guys that change from QB to WR going into the NFL fail.  It seldom works.  Randle El is one of the rare exceptions.  Brad Smith has been a modest success, I suppose.

Kipers assessment was realistic to what NFL teams are looking for. Its blatently obvious that Denard does not have the skillset to play QB in the NFL.  However he does have worldclass speed and ankle breaking cutting ability which is not only at the NFL level but at the high end IMO.  So Denard has zero chance of being drafted as a QB so realistically he will be drafted (as an athlete like you said) which puts him at receiver/returner.  If he can't catch or route run then that leaves returner..if he can't do that he won't be playing obviously.  I think his natural abilities will make him a prolific return man in he NFL.

As far as guys changing from QB to wr....there really aren't that many who have tried.  Along with Randel el and Brad Smith ANquan Boldin has been successful  and also Matt JOnes prior to his coke binge. Of those guys(or the guys that failed) who does Denard remind you of? Reminds me of Randel El and Randel El had a nice career.  

Kipers job is to assess the draft and he was spot on IMO.

 

I have no doubt that he'll be drafted at WR or DB or something like that.  It's his assessment that he'll be 1st or 2nd WR on the board that I find ridiculous.  I admire Denard as a person, and respect his raw athletic ability.  But anyone who puts him as their 1st or 2nd WR on the board is being downright stupid.  You don't rate someone that high without knowing from what you have seen that they have at least the basic skills to play the position.  No one will have any idea whether he can actually catch the football with a defender on him or coming at him, or whether he can run routes and make the appropriate route adjustments during the play.

As far as Boldin and Jones ...

Boldin - he played QB in his last season just slightly more than how often Denard lined up at WR last year.  I rememberr that last season quite well, because Boldin really caught my eye that season at Florida State.  He caught my eye primarily as a pass receiver.  Since Boldin was primarily a WR, scouts had plenty of opportunity to see him running routes and catching the ball.

Jones - PLEASE ... ARE YOU SERIOUS?  He's the classic example of why you don't draft a QB as a WR that high in the draft.  He was brutal, even before we found out about the coke.

We don't know how Denard will do as a WR.  Nobody does.  He might be Randle El.  He might be plenty of guys who made the switch and failed.  If you think about it, did Randle El or Smith really become 1st round type receivers in the NFL?  Not really.  Nice guys to have on your team.  But they are primarily just depth guys that work well as a 3rd WR.  Neither came anywhere close to being a star in the NFL. 

Should someone draft Denard based on his potential?  Absolutely.  Should they draft him anywhere near the top of the draft?  Absolutely not.

Jones - PLEASE ... ARE YOU SERIOUS?  He's the classic example of why you don't draft a QB as a WR that high in the draft.  He was brutal, even before we found out about the coke.

He certainly shouldn't have been a first rounder, however his career was developing quite nicely, especially for having a bum at QB. After regressing in his 3rd year he was having an excellent 4th year before getting suspended 12 games in. 65 catches for 761 yards in those 12 games.




     

The idea with Denard in the NFL is almost laughable at this point. As a QB, his size, limited accuracy, lack of arm strength, and poor decision-making don't give him a chance. As a RB, DR has lightning quickness but doesn't possess the vision needed at the next level. His overall speed is adequate (4.4-40) but nothing the NFL isn't used to. His likely inability to block would also limite his use in the backfield.

That leaves DR as a returner/ slot receiver. I think he could excel here if put into the right position but we have never seen him run a route or catch a bll so it is difficult to assess. I admire the kid for sticking to his guns and wanting to play QB and I think that is the position he optimizes his talents on this Michigan team. I just wish someone would advise him to at least take a look at WR. The biggest issue with that is Gardner hasn't proved he is capable of getting him (or anyone else) the ball when open. I think Borgess would be able to get him at least 15 touches plus some opportunities on the return team. Anyway, there is my pipe dream.

J

The problem is some GM thinks they are smarter than every other GM and will draft him much higher than they should. Remember Matt Jones the Ark QB that ran well and moved to WR....1st round.


Denard would be a great KR/Slot/emergency QB. His athletic ability would make him a good fit to be a specialist and he can actually fill alot of spots that teams have just 1 guy. But again he would be worth a 4th round not the level Mel Kiper wants to elivate him to.



Best case scenerio he is a poor mans Percy Harvin. Worst case he lacks the hands to be a KR/wide out. 

Gardner will be just fine once he gets the chance to get any kind of rhythm in the flow of a game.  You could throm Brady in sporadically like they did DG and get a less than stellar showing.  Gardner has all the tools with arm strenghth and accuracy when given the time in the game to play and get a feel for the game.  He looked pretty good in the one game he played a considerable amount and he doesn't get alot of time with the #1's to work on the routes and timing because D-Rob needs all he can get.  I would love to see Michigan go into the Bama game with a plan to utilize both of them as much as possible.  The fact that Gardner has the size to see more down field along with the ability and speed to tuck and run when nothing is there is great but I also don't think we would see him throwing as many jump balls as D-Rob likes to.  IMO Gardner has a little better decision making ability under duress.  Don't et me wrong I love Denard and all that he does and has given us at U of M, I just think if he really looked at the fact the NFL doesn't look good for him at QB he may being willing and want to try to work on a little bit more of the slot stuff this year to show that he can play at the next level just in a capacity other than QB.  Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the idea of having a 3rd string emergency QB who could also return kicks and line up on O could be quite intriguing for any GM looking for value. His skillset is raw, but he's got enough versatility for someone to take a mid to late round flyer on him. Kiper having him as one of the top receiving prospects seems like more of a statement about the receiving prospects than denard.

I think the idea of having a 3rd string emergency QB who could also return kicks and line up on O could be quite intriguing for any GM looking for value. His skillset is raw, but he's got enough versatility for someone to take a mid to late round flyer on him. Kiper having him as one of the top receiving prospects seems like more of a statement about the receiving prospects than denard.

Hail, I think having DR line up at QB in the NFL and calling it an emergency is underscoring the point. It is doubtful he would even be given that playbook. Speculating where he goes in the 2013 draft is fruitless until we know how he performs his senior year. If it is similar to this year, I would guess you are correct with estimating a 4-5th round pick. If he shows receiver/returner capabilities that could easily get bumped up to the 2nd round, even 1st if he performs well. The issue is that Michigan is unlikely to utilize him as a returner because of the chance of injury. The team doesn't have enough talent at the skill positions to take that risk.

The League is ever changing.  If the Wildcat formation, NFL interest in Chip Kelly, Tebow's success within the spread option has taught us anything, it's that there is a place at the next level, for Denard Robinson.  I'm not sure why people are so hell bent to define his role.  The kid will be a high draft choice.  He will play in the NFL long enough to receive pension. 

Whoever drafts the kid with the dreds and the magical smile will be getting elite level speed and talent.  I don't think anyone within his future organization, including DR will know exactly how to use him until he reports to camp and does his thing.  GO BLUE!!

Good analysis Windy. Wait! There was none? Oh, he is a fast kid with long hair and a pretty smile? OK, lets draft him. forget the fact that he has no arm for a quaterback, durability for a half back, or tested hands for a wideout. Lets draft him on faith (insert sarcastic comment here) and not on his performance against quality opponents.

Love,

Jalopy

Good analysis Windy. Wait! There was none?

So much for shelving Michigan football til the fall... you are quickly becoming this boards new KJ.  

He's an elite talent with the football in his hands.  Somehow Ray Charles can see that but you can't.  You're quickly becomeing a joke and awfully transparent.   GO BLUE!!

So much for shelving Michigan football til the fall.

sorry, my therapist quarantined me to the basement until NSD

you are quickly becoming this boards new KJ

i do so miss him. Perhaps I should borrow your skirt and try out for the cheerleading squad?

He's an elite talent with the football in his hands.

Correction, he an elite college football talent with the football in his hands as long as he isn't throwing the ball. I really do like DR and think he could win a Heisman if used correctly. Tell me, what position should a lightning quick athlete play that can go from zero to gone in half a second? If you answered returner/receiver give yourself that oreo you have been eyeing.

You're quickly becomeing a joke and awfully transparent.

I'm starting to cry (bee gees reference). Transparent? While I admire your narrow-minded focus, I think it might be time for you to branch out and embrace your north side brethren.

XOXO

It's just too easy to get under toilet paper thin skin...

 my therapist quarantined me to the basement until NSD

Lies.  It's pretty clear you've never left moms basement... 
  
Tell me, what position should a lightning quick athlete play that can go from zero to gone in half a second?

Well besides the obvious Josh Cribbs/Devin Hester return role, which likely will send one if not both men to Canton, there is Wildcat QB, 3rd down back, slot WR (if for nothing more than decoys and reverses) and then of course the bevy of gimmick plays that could be run through him from time to time.  But yeah... seems like there is absolutely no role for him in the league....

While I admire your narrow-minded focus

I'm an easy guy to hate.  I'll be the first to admit that but the value and information I bring to these boards speaks for itself.  Haters and posers don't fair well in discussions with me as you've clearly witnessed over the past few years.  Keep it up though.  I'd lose even more respect for you if you quit now.  GO BLUE!!