Devin Gardner will 'probably not' redshirt, plus other Michigan football team news
Rich Rodriguez didn't divulge the Michigan football team's starting quarterback Monday, but he did add some intrigue to the three-way race.
Rodriguez said true freshman QB Devin Gardner would "probably not" redshirt this season, meaning that some role is projected for the 6-foot-4 former Inkster High School standout.
Freshman quarterback Devin Gardner is likely to see playing time this season, Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez said on Monday.
"His progress has been pleasing," Rodriguez said, "but all the guys have made progress. They've all gotten better since the spring."
Rodriguez said he has a good idea of which quarterback will start Saturday against UConn, and will inform Denard Robinson, Tate Forcier and Gardner of his decision later in the week. He's not putting much thought into how to explain his decision to the three contenders.
"I don't need no Dr. Phil moment with the guys, where it's 'let me explain the situation,' and 'how do you really feel about it,'" Rodriguez said, drawing laughs from the 30 or so media members assembled Monday. "It's 'this is the deal and go out and play.' "
Other key developments Monday:
- On the team's first depth chart of the season, true freshman Carvin Johnson is listed as the starter at the hybrid linebacker position.
- Mark Huyge is listed as the team's starting left tackle, withstanding a challenge from redshirt freshman Taylor Lewan.
- Teric Jones has moved from the defensive backfield to running back.
Comments
Mumbambu, Esq.
Tue, Aug 31, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
Jack Kennedy!
PortageLkBlu
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 8:32 p.m.
Nate, appreciate your input. Please excuse some of the complaining and bellyaching your reading from some of these so called Wolverine fans, complainers. A lot of them are confused and scared it's to be expected. I myself remember when fans were freaking out at John Cooper and he was winning so you can imagine how some of these,"loyal" fans are falling apart with anxiety. I have a strong military background and combat experiance so I suppose that's why I don't abandon the ship but rather stick with it and as the kids mature and with playing time the ship will right. Fear not buckeye fan Mich. will be back with RR coaching and things will get back to normal, like Eddie George said, We wanted Mich. to be tough competition every year, it's how we rated how good we were each year.
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.
Good grief! Is any of this good news? Think about it for a second. Our QB spot is such a mess that a true freshman can't be ruled out for playing time over last years 12 game starter and the experienced back up. A true freshman WINS the 5th DB spot, plus he's not even one of the guys who was expected to contribute right away. Hugye. I have nothing else to say about this guy. And lastly, our RB situation stinks so bad we have to pull a guy out of our secondary (OUR SECONDARRY!!!!) and move him to RB. I keep hoping and praying I'm wrong, but good lord, this is getting to be ridiculous.
15crown00
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
usually there has to be 1 starter at QB and the rest get ranked however they get ranked.Gardner at this point would be a replay of last year. The jury is still out whether Robinson can pass well enough.Therefore Tate is he starter
Rodie
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 5:02 p.m.
I think it ridiculous to have 3 quarter backs. If Tate is stating(which is likely) then maybe Gardner is backup QB and Robinson is moving to RB or WR with the rest of the team. This coach is either the best in the country or the worst - TBD
Lokalisierung
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:56 p.m.
"Tate will then take over and produce a come from behind win for Michigan - and suddenly find himself back into favor with all...at least for a week." Too true. Then agian come back wins against Eastern and Rice anren't that tough
Txmaizenblue
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.
My 2 cent perdiction: Denard will get the nod, only to throw a stupid pick in flat for a TD in the first quarter, and then some other turnover. Tate will then take over and produce a come from behind win for Michigan - and suddenly find himself back into favor with all...at least for a week.
ferdcom
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
"I don't need no Dr.Phil moment"!!! This guy's a highly paid employee of a first class university?
Nate
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 2:54 p.m.
Forcier has the most experience. Someone needs to step up and lead this team. Hope UofM is more competitive than last year. Buckeye Fan
Lokalisierung
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
"To those of you who passed judgment on the kid's ability and character and on the U-M coaching staff without ever seeing him play or knowing one thing about him, eat it." Eat what? Eat their words because the kid hasn't done anyting yet? The season hasn't even started and you're declaring him a great story?
Sparky79
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
I don't assume RichRod saying Gardner would "probably not" redshirt means he will play or has won the starting job (highly unlikely given the reports about Denard's improvement). It could just be RichRod throwing that out there to keep people guessing who will be starting. I only see Gardner getting mop up time when, winning or losing, the game is out of reach. Even then I don't know if I'd support that. Sure, it'd get him a few reps, but when everyone else has given up on the game, I think I'd rather him keep that redshirt. Anyways, enough of the QB talk. The name I'm most excited to see above is Carvin Johnson. Why? Because when the report first came out that he committed to Michigan, the bandwagon Wolverine fans on this site came out en mass to bash both the kid (because he was unranked by Rivals and Scout at the time) and RichRod for recruiting a virtual unknown. The comments showed the absolutely horrendous side of some U-M "fans" todays. To those of you who passed judgment on the kid's ability and character and on the U-M coaching staff without ever seeing him play or knowing one thing about him, eat it. He's listed as the starter for the Spur position and I hope he goes on to a great career wearing Maize n' Blue! Go get'em, CJ!
81wolverine
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 1:18 p.m.
This is completely expected. Coach Rodriguez wants 3 guys ready to play QB who can move the team. If Gardner were to redshirt, we wouldn't have that. Plus, who knows - he may be ready to become the starter later in the season depending on how well (or not well) the other two do. Long term, Gardner is going to be the main guy anyway. I think moving Teric Jones to RB is probably a good move given the loss of Austin White. He's supposed to have some speed too.
elahaie
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 12:38 p.m.
considering the depth and experience they have in the backfield i guess it comes as no surprise they're moving T. Jones to running back. you can never have enough running backs!
Forever27
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
@Sean, I don't think that this means Gardner will start. I think that Forcier and Robinson are battling it out for that spot. My wild and baseless guess is that Forcier starts against UConn with Robinson seeing significant playing time. Gardner is going to get as many reps as possible throughout the year to gain experience for when he assumes to starting position in a year or two.
Sean T.
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
I'm assuming with Gardner playing he may have won the job. Initially, I was against it but as long as he can get the reps with the number one offense then fine. QB by committee doesn't work so as long as we have a starter, I'm cool. I still hope Tate gets a true shot at being the starter.