Birk's Eye View: Does Denard Robinson belong at quarterback, running back or receiver?
At some point, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez will have to decide what position Denard Robinson belongs at long term.
For now, the answer is quarterback. Robinson and starter Tate Forcier are the only Wolverines capable of running Rodriguez’s spread offense anywhere near its full potential. Forcier turned Michigan Stadium into a morgue Saturday when he was face down on the turf for a few moments, writhing in pain, with bruised ribs.
Forcier left the game briefly, returned a series later and should be available for this week’s Big Ten opener against Indiana. Robinson ran for a touchdown in his absence and another one a quarter later, further dazzling fans with his amazing athletic ability.
Assuming Michigan continues to recruit more system-friendly quarterbacks, Rodriguez has to consider moving Robinson to running back or receiver, where his skills won’t be wasted sitting on the sidelines most of the game.
On three carries Saturday, Robinson ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging 8.6 yards on 18 electric carries this year.
In the passing game, Robinson has been erratic. He threw two interceptions in four attempts Saturday, all incompletions, and has a minus-6.1 efficiency rating for the season.
Rodriguez said Robinson’s struggles are partly a product of wanting to prove he’s a quarterback, something Robinson flatly denies.
“I’m not trying to prove to nobody,” Robinson said. “Just proving to myself.”
Still, the fact remains that Forcier has shown a proficiency under center few would expect from a true freshman, Robinson is one of the most explosive athletes in the Big Ten, and Rodriguez is creative enough to use both in the backfield - routinely - at the same time.
By this time next year, I suspect that might happen.
Positives, negatives and leftovers You don’t need me to tell you how good Carlos Brown was or how bad the defense played early, but here’s a few observations of note from Week 3.
The good • After a sloppy first two games, Michigan’s offensive line had one penalty Saturday, a false start by guard Steve Schilling in the third quarter. It was the first time this year the Wolverines did not get called for holding.
• Regardless of Brandon Minor’s health, Michigan is deep enough at running back to stick with the by-committee approach for the foreseeable future. Speedy Michael Shaw (nine carries, 53 yards) was a nice compliment to Brown (a career-best 187 yards) Saturday, and even Mike Cox broke off a nice 24-yard run. “Sometimes a coach wants to have one guy get greased up and have a lot of carries,” Rodriguez said. “But we do so many things probably at a faster tempo, the more backs we can have ready to go, the better off we’re going to be.”
The bad • Jason Olesnavage tightened his grip on the kicking job with a flawless Saturday, making his only field-goal try and connecting on all six extra points. Bryan Wright was less productive kicking off. He had one touchback in eight attempts, and shanked one ball badly out of bounds.
• Kevin Leach was credited with 10 tackles, but seven were assists and I’m not sure he’s fast enough to be a regular contributor once Big Ten play begins. Michigan will be glad to have Jonas Mouton back next week.
• Gutsy call by EMU coach Ron English to go for the fourth-and-one early. Mike Martin was out of the game for that play, but Renaldo Sagesse and the rest of Michigan’s defensive front got blown off the ball for a 22-yard gain. Sagesse, to his credit, did flash on a few plays later in the game.
The extras • Besides quarterbacks Robinson and Forcier and defensive end Craig Roh, three true freshmen played an offensive or defensive snap Saturday: Defensive tackle William Campbell, running back Vincent Smith and cornerback Teric Jones. Safety Vlad Emilien and linebacker Brandin Hawthorne also played on special teams for the third straight game.
Receiver Je’Ron Stokes, who played the first two weeks, was not listed on Saturday’s participation report. Stokes wasn’t listed on last week’s injury report, either, but it’s not too late to come up with some nagging ailment so Stokes can redshirt this year.
Barring injury, you can expect the rest of Michigan’s 2009 recruiting class to redshirt as well, including cornerback J.T. Turner, who’s out with the NCAA Clearinghouse left him too far behind in the playbook to contribute.
Five of the eight true freshmen in the playing group - all but Roh, Robinson and Jones - were early enrollees.
• Rodriguez was hopeful guard David Moosman would be ready for this week’s game against Indiana, but offensive line coach Greg Frey didn’t sound so sure. Asked if Moosman was close to playing against EMU, Frey said, “Nah. I don’t know how close he is, but I’m hoping real close. I’m hoping Schmitty (trainer Paul Schmidt) does some good things.”
• Rodriguez on the injuries and the win in general: “I think we took some positive steps today, I also think we took some steps that maybe weren’t so positive. But it’s a good win and again we got to overcome these injuries. I’ve said it many times, 12 straight games with no open dates, we knew coming in that injuries could play a factor and they’re going to. Our next guy will pick it up and go from there.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Dave H
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 1:45 p.m.
Also, w/r/t JT Turner, Tim from MGoBlog wrote earlier: "There are a few more freshmen that haven't played yet, but probably will before the season is over. Justin Turner is among them." But you guys seem to think Turner's probably going to redshirt, even with our lack of depth. Did Rodriguez actually address Turner by name today?
Dave H
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 1:41 p.m.
Guys, I've only just finished the second paragraph and have noticed two rather obvious typos. "Potentiall" and "writing in pain."
Torgoman
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 11:21 a.m.
Totally disagree. Robinson is the change-of-pace (running) QB though Rodriguez wants him to also be capable of being the true back-up/competitor for the job. BUT, because Forcier has been so good, it's meant not only Robinson is more secure in these roles for this year, it also means we're less likely to get another QB in this system. If we do get Gardner or someone like that, he'll likely redshirt meaning Robinson will most likely not only stay as the running change-of-pace QB, but will be NEEDED as the back-up next year too.
supertornadoe
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 9:40 a.m.
I agree Denard stays at qb at least 2 years. Question though, why isn't Vladimir Emilein playing. Wasn't he having a great spring and in line for the job and now nothing? Anyway, I believe (and you'll have to check the tape for sure) that I seen Je'ron Stokes on the field last in that game. Second to last drive maybe? Interesting to hear about Turner. That kinda sucks, we could use some db's to give our starters a rest. Especially against teams that are going to try to run them ragged. Go Blue.
DwightSchrute
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 9:25 a.m.
Denard will be at QB this season and will split time between QB and slot WR/wingback next season. With Gardner coming in and given Denard's putrid passing abilities, this is what will happen.
81wolverine
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 8:10 a.m.
It's a good question. It really depends on how the rest of the season goes and how fast Devin Gardner picks up the offense next year. But, Denard will probably be at QB for at least two more years. He's a great runner - not just blazing fast, but has great open field running ability. His passing skills and handle on the spread offense is a long way off right now. He just needs to get quality reps where possible. The defense is Michigan's biggest concern right now. Leach did OK, but Michigan REALLY needs to upgrade it's personnel at LB down the road. Our defensive line needs to get bigger, stronger, and quicker. They've been manhandled on too many plays the last few weeks. But, Craig Roh has a great future at U-M. What a talented young player! I'm hoping that Will Campbell is ready to get more playing time sooner rather than later.
Theo212
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 6:48 a.m.
Coach Weiss awoke one day, To a Peanut Buster Parfait. Dantonio, Vest, JoePa and the rest, Have Maize and Blue Dismay! -Theo Ruiz Genikluhaggen '09 Four easy wins coming up, Gents! Season begins Oct. 24 vs PSU.
maizenbluenc
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 6:04 a.m.
As Rich says, Denard has only been around for 6 weeks. I think it is too early to tell. Denard may learn to speed up his progressions and become a good college passer -- he just needs time, and experience -- especially at game speed. Granted, Pat White had more (but still limited) success as a freshman passer at WVU in his first few game. But I think we trust Rich and his coaches assesment here. Unlike Feagin last year, Denard's in the games, and practicing at QB. So they must be seeing something in practice. I thought the press (BTN et al) thought Denard would emerge to make an impact by the end of the season... so why chew the kid up three games in?
tater
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 5:03 a.m.
As for "beating this topic to death," I never get tired of POSITIVE articles about UM football. I would call it more of a "slapping it on the butt to bring it to life." "Beating it to death" would be the "fall of UM," "lack of family values," "RR on the hotseat," the brilliant (mock heroic satire alert) "expose" on athletics and academics, and the even more brilliant cataloging of the petty grievences of whiners who didn't want to practice more than the minimum, combined with lying to freshmen and taking their remarks out of context. It is refreshing to see positive stories about UM after having to put up with what we have had to put up with the last 20 months. Fans love to speculate about "their" team. Good writers are able to provide the product the fans want. I'm very happy with this article, and will read as much about Denard as they want to write. As long as it is either positive or neutral.
tater
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 : 4:55 a.m.
I see Robinson as a slash kind of player next year. For now, though, QB is too thin to really risk him at too many other positions, but I do like the thought of two QB's in the game at the same time. Also, there is a chance he could end up doing an Anquain Boldin. Boldin was the best HS QB I ever saw, playing at Pahokee. He played QB for the first couple of years, but moved to WR when FSU was thin there and he realized that not only did he know the routes better than the WR's, but he was faster than they were, too. It worked out pretty good for him.
1bit
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 9:50 p.m.
This system needs quarterbacks and running backs (and unselfishness). The most impressive change this year is that Michigan is playing as a team. Don't worry about Robinson, he'll get his hands on the ball in some fashion and his arm is good enough to be QB. Just some better judgment is needed. The QB situation will be a heck of a lot better when Gardner and Jones come next year (yes, I'm worried like everyone else that Forcier and/or Robinson are going to get injured before the end of the year).
azwolverine
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 9:25 p.m.
Robinson will stay at QB this year for sure. We can't risk him in some hybrid position where he and Forcier both get injured. He can pass about as well as Sheridan and has 10x the speed. Maybe in two years when Gardner comes in and has had some time in the system Robinson can switch, but certainly not now. He's not a complete option to go to at QB, but he sure seems to be our next best option after Tate.
BigWolverine13
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 9:25 p.m.
It seems that injuries are to be expected for QBs under Rodriguez's system. Robinson must remain at QB and develop further in that position. What's the alternative if Forcier were to be injured? With Nick were back to a 3 - 9 type season. Yikes!
15crown00
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.
Robinson has to play.He's to good not to but he's not a complete QB.How about some fancy name hybrid position where he does a little of everything?
tomhagan
Sun, Sep 20, 2009 : 8:38 p.m.
this topic is being beat to death, unnecessarily so... Denard will stay at QB for at least the next 2 years, if not longer. RR has stated this from day 1. The only people speculating about it are the media and some not so informed fans.