I think most people are frustrated with how he has been used, but are they really upset with the "how" or with the results?

Why do you think he isn't being used to return punts/kicks? Seems like getting him the ball in space could make him a great weapon. Could he get hurt doing it? Sure. But how big of a loss would it be if he got hurt based on what he's giving them right now?

While he's listed as the #2 QB, if Taint actually had to miss some time, my guess is that Sheridan would move up to #1 anyways, so that's not really a concern to me.

I'd like to see more creativity with getting Robinson the ball. Line him up as a wideout, run end arounds and fake end arounds, pass it laterally out to him and let him throw it or run it from the wings, etc.

I think his talents are being wasted right now.

Remember when JLS put his freshman QB in on kick coverage(?) and he got hurt for the season(?). Maybe you put the guy in as a slot receiver a la Cordell Stewart or as a half back but you don't throw the guy out there to get murdered on special teams unless you've given up hope that he will play quarterback. Injuries would keep him from getting reps at QB in practice (I assume he's getting reps at QB in practice).

I'm not as dialed in to this as a lot of others here, but I don't have much hope for him at QB, not with Forcier's development and remaining eligibility, and the stud they have coming in next year, too. I think the kid needs to be part of the action sooner rather than later or they risk the chance that he'll transfer, IMO.

The Stanton analogy is barely worthy of comment. Sending Stanton out there as a gunner on the kickoff team is hardly comparable to putting the ball in a playmaker's hands (ala Tim Brown). Shame on you.

Yeah, sending the rookie qb to special teams because you think he's too talented to keep off the field isn't at all like sending the rooking qb to special teams because he's too talented to keep off the field.

What was I thinking?

Weak.

Stanton wasn't on special teams because he was "just too talented to keep off the field". He was on special teams because JLS had given up on him and could spare him as a gunner.

Strong. Nice Edit.

I love this.

JLS gave up on Stanton in his rookie year then started him every year after that?

Coherent.

So he was removed from the QB rotation and used as a gunner on kick coverage because JLS saw him as the QB of the future?

Coherent.

You seriously are going to argue that JLS didn't think Stanton was his future QB when Stanton was the starter the rest of his college career and then was drafted into the NFL as a quarterback?

You make these too easy. You are letting down Motown.

JLS gave up on him and then had to go back to him out of necessity. It's just the way it worked out, it wasn't a plan.

If only we had some Spartan slaps here to laugh at you about that.

Your comparison of the Stanton and Robinson situations is what is laughable.

Robinson is an elite athlete with world class speed, someone that potentially could totally change the field position of the game every time he touches the ball.

Stanton is a Lions draft pick. A terrible bust of a Lions draft pick. And yes, the redundancy is intentional.

If you have legitimate opinions on why Robinson's use should be limited to gimmicky QB draw plays, then please share.

Hey, I'm pretty sure I mentioned putting him in the slot receiver roll or as a half-back. But don't let that stop you from completely changing my argument.

As for why you might not want to do that: Well, halfbacks need to know blocking schemes if they are going to be in the game and not run the ball and I don't think you want your future QB trying to pickup blitzing LB. Maybe he can't catch well enough to put him in receiver.

Or maybe, the coach thinks he's going to play QB either next year or the following year and so he wants him to learn that position.

The comparison with Stanton is obvious and correct. You put him at risk by putting him in a position he's not cut out for and unreasonably so if you think he's worth more than just a punt returner.

Oh, and we've already got a guy who's doing a pretty ok job returning kicks.

Hey, I'm pretty sure I mentioned putting him in the slot receiver roll or as a half-back.

You did, my fault, +1 for you.

And LOL@continuing to label him as "the future QB", how many "future QBs" are they gonna need?


You put him at risk by putting him in a position he's not cut out for and unreasonably so if you think he's worth more than just a punt returner.

Yes, it's risk/reward. I think the reward outweighs the risk. And how do you know if he is any less "cut out for" returning kicks than he is being a gimmicky backup QB?

Desmond Howard was "just a punt returner" in that one Super Bowl, too.

What am I supposed to call the true freshman who they play at QB at times and have called their possible QB of the future? Shoelace?

I wasn't saying Robinson can't return kicks I was explaining why the comparison was apt. Giving the guy you want to play QB the ball in a giant game of smear the queer is putting him at a position he's not cut out for. It's a high risk position that doesn't advance his understanding of the position you want him to contribute in.

Yes, it's a risk/reward situation and clearly the coach doesn't share your complete dismissal of him as a QB or else he would have already put him somewhere else.

Right, the coach doesn't agree with using him this way, which is why I made this thread about disagreeing with the coach.

As for why it hasn't happened yet (getting creative to get him the ball in other manners) I tend to think that there might be other things at play, such as a promise made to Robinson that he'll be kept in the QB mix. I'd rather get the kid involved in meaningful action than risk losing him in a transfer like McGuffie, but he has to be willing.

DR may not go for it either way, who knows, but if he gets sick of 3 and outs and being the target of criticism, he might, eventually.

I maintain that his talents are being wasted.

As much as I can't stand Sheridan, I'd rather see him take over if Forcier had to miss a lot of time. At least the defense wouldn't put 10 men in the box against him. I don't see Robinson as a starting QB, ever. The sooner they realize that the sooner he can learn multiple positions. Throw him WR screens, run reverses with him, wildcat, whatever. I'm fine with punt returns too. Punt returns are not the same as kickoff returns (most teams have RB types taking kickoffs and WR types taking punts). There is no wedge busting and a wall of guys on punt returns. You catch the ball and have two gunners coming at you with very little time to move. You beat them and you have a shot at big yards. But usually you are trying to beat people individually and not taking huge hits. I wouldn't worry about injuries there (as long as he practiced it).

I was thinking that maybe he said he'd only come to UofM if he gets to QB. Is that something a recruit could demand? If so, maybe RRs hands are tied for this year anyway.

Well, if he's in there at wildcat he's still a QB. I would think he wants to be on the field as much as possible. I don't see how he'd have an argument to say he belongs at QB when clearly he has no clue what the play is or no intention of throwing the ball ever. To me if he really cared about being a QB he'd know what he's doing out there by now. Instead he looks like the pocket is filled with poisonous gas and he must escape as fast as possible.

Maybe RR will say 'you ain't got it at QB kid' at the end of the year. Tell him if he wants to transfer, fine, but your days as our QB are OVAH (other than the Wildcat, which seems to be perfect for him).

He looks like a huge 'big play' type guy, just not at drop back QB.

I feel let down.

You have to give to get. I feel great.

Looks like dreams come true....................Denard Robinson, the running back.

RB wouldn't have been my choice, but I like that they are at least getting creative with him.

Looks like dreams come true....................Denard Robinson, the running back.

Where did you see/hear that?

Do a Google news search for Denard Robinson

I think he will remain primarily a QB this year, but if Tate does go down, I expect Slick Nick to get most of the reps and DRob will continue his "role". Next year is the real question. Do you move him to a WR/RB/KR hybrid, or leave him at QB and redshirt Gardner? I kind of like that idea. He can be sprinkled in at QB and maybe a few other spots next year, redshirt Gardner, that way when they're Juniors, Tate is a superstud QB, DRob will be used all over the field, and we'll still have Gardner for 2 years after Tate leaves.

Don't expect miracles at running back from Denard. It's a position he's never played before, IIRC.

Now wait--I KNOW this whole Dick Rod thing is almost predicated on chocolate milk and plugging holes with bodies (eceivers as DB's, Tight Ends to defensive end, etc)--but there is something to playing running back that is much different than playing QB. It isn't just "Give me ball I run go fast touchdown"

Robinson should be left at quarterback or moved to defensie back, where, oddly enough, he actually fucking PLAYED during high school, and was regarded as a top 10 defensive back out of high school! Holy shit--would THAT ever be something strange for Michigan fans to get their heads around: recruiting players who have played the position they were recruited to play in college!

^okay so this week you're anti-Michigan and anti-Rich Rod? I'm just trying to figure out your schedule here.

I don't have a schedule.

I do what I want, when I want (unless someone tells me not to).

Amen.

I don't have a schedule.

I do what I want, when I want (unless someone tells me not to).

Not to!

Slime.

http://deadspin.com/cops-find-denard-robinson-passed-out-asleep-in-his-car-1783172943

Ha, still can't believe I met him at a Pizza Hut and didn't know who the fuck he was until after the fact.