Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has a fan in former Wolverines QB Brian Griese
The thing that impresses Brian Griese about Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson isn’t his dazzling speed, big-play ability or the fact he’s the nation’s leading rusher.
It’s Robinson’s accuracy throwing the football.
Through four games this season, Robinson has completed 71.2 percent of his passes.
“That’s nuts,” said Griese, a former Michigan quarterback himself who broadcast last Saturday’s Michigan game against Bowling Green for ESPN2. “Think about that. That’s Drew Brees.”
Denard Robinson warms up before Saturday's game against Bowling Green.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Griese said it’s not only Robinson’s improved mechanics from last season that are giving opponents fits. It’s his ability to sell play-action passes that’s creating opportunities.
“The ability to approach the line of scrimmage with the threat of running and (him) being able to throw those balls off-balance, that’s so hard on a defense,” Griese said. “Guys are wide open because of him.”
It’s been a dramatic turnaround from 2009, when Robinson completed 45 percent of his passes, going 14 of 31 with four interceptions. This year, he’s completed 57 of 80 attempts for 731 yards and four touchdowns passes.
Griese spent some time in the week leading into Bowling Green with Robinson on Michigan’s campus. As much as he’s impressed by Robinson on the field, Griese is equally impressed by the sophomore off it.
“Everybody sees what he’s done on the field, the electricity he’s brought to college football this first month of this season,” Griese said. “He’s not satisfied by any stretch.
“He said to me, ‘I don’t care about the stats or the publicity.' In fact, he hates the media attention, which to me, you know he’s the perfect package. He’s an unbelievable kid and a great representative of the university.”
Pete Bigelow can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
BloodAngel
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
Courage - the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery While I agree the men and women in the armed forces, police, fire departments and so on deserve as much recognition as can be bestowed upon them. Athletes can still display courage. Do they display as much courage as someone in the armed forces who are deployed at war? No they do not, they still display courage though regardless because of the difficulties and challenges they face.
Clickp
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
I love sports. Watching and playing. What I dislike is people using the word "courage" when describing an athlete playing a game. Courage is what our service men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan have. Courage is what our police and firemen/women have fighting crime on our streets or running into burning buildings. Courage is what a single parent has trying to raise a family on a fixed income. Running around a football field or leading your team to a score, no matter how well it's done, might be skillful and athletic, but it's not even close to courageous. BTW, Robinson is a gem.
tulsatom
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
I especially liked the way he showed courage and leadership in leading the team down the field for the winning score at Notre Dame. I hope he stays healthy, because if he does, U-M will continue to score lots of points.
81wolverine
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 9:11 a.m.
I agree with Griese. His throwing accuracy IS the most impressive area he's improved since last year. Yes, I'd give a close second to decision making too. But, I've seen him make some throws this year that are simply amazing - including down the field. In the U-Mass game, he made an absolutely amazing throw down the field for a big gain in the face of a blitz where he got knocked flat. I never saw Chad Henne make a throw like that his sophomore year. Still, a lot of his passes have been shorter routes. I think he will continue to need to work on his passing down the field. But, that's perfectly fine. His attitude his good and he knows he needs to learn a lot more. I think some people commenting thought Brian Griese was saying Denard is as good as Drew Brees throwing the ball. C'mon. He was just making a comparison in completion % to make a point - not to say Denard is anywhere as good as Brees.
Larry Weisenthal
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 3:53 a.m.
Quote: >>Statistically, sure, Denard is like Drew Brees. But I bet Denard couldn't hit the bulls-eye on an Olympic Archer's target numerous times in a row like Brees did on an episode of Sports Science. Unquote What Brees did (hitting bull's eyes) was the football equivalent of shooting free throws. Women basketball players are often better at free throws than men and the world record for consecutive free throws made is held by a 75 year old retired podiatrist, if memory serves. Griese explains what is behind Robinson's 70% completion percentage -- his receivers get open because the defenses are kept off balance by Robinson's multiple threats. He's not only hitting the short screens, but his downfield throws have also been on target. Throwing accuracy is only half the story. The other half is how big a target a quarterback can create. Robinson creates bigger targets for himself to hit.
Larry Weisenthal
Wed, Sep 29, 2010 : 3:46 a.m.
Quote: >>Statistically, sure, Denard is like Drew Brees. But I bet Denard couldn't hit the bulls-eye on an Olympic Archer's target numerous times in a row like Brees did on an episode of Sports Science. Unquote What Brees did (hitting bull's eyes) was the football equivalent of shooting free throws. Women basketball players are often better at free throws than men and the world record for consecutive free throws made is held by a 75 year old retired podiatrist, if memory serves. Griese explains what is behind Robinson's 70% completion percentage -- his receivers get open because the defenses are kept off balance by Robinson's multiple threats. He's not only hitting the short screens, but his downfield throws have also been on target. Throwing accuracy is only half the story. The other half is how big a target a quarterback can create. Robinson creates bigger targets for himself to hit.
azwolverine
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 8:41 p.m.
Denard is a stud, for sure. We can't depend on scoring 35 a game, though, with the likes of Iowa, PSU, Wisconsin, and OSU on the schedule (and Nebraska next year). Those teams can play defense with the best of them (although PSU is struggling to play offense this year - that should be interesting). There will be games where a stifling defense, turnovers, special teams errors, etc will come into play and the defense needs to step up and win the game. Yes, Michigan will win their share of games and Denard will continue to be amazing in most of them, but until the defense steps up, we have the same shot of losing most games as we do of winning them (outside of Illinois and Purdue who just flat out stink). But I do agree with Griese (why wouldn't I, he won a NC!), Robinson is a special player.
MichiganMan5
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
If Denard stays healthy, we have a chance in every game we play, he is so amazing, he can tuck it and go for 50 yards, or he can drop back and hit his receiver's for short 9 yard gains, both of those options can wear defenses down and I see us putting up 35 plus on every team we play, with our running game and Denard's passing, If the defense can step up and get enough stops, we can win 10 games this year, simply by out-scoring opponents, that is if the defense makes enough stops and our offense has a good T.O.P numbers every game. GO BLUE!
Rodie
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 7:04 p.m.
Defense wins games in the Big Ten.
michboy40
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 5:37 p.m.
When D Rob picked UM he noted RR's willingness to give him a shot at QB. NO other coach was willing to do that, and when he came into the games last year I could see why. However, D Rob is different, and RR obviously saw that when others did not. I bet those other coaches would like a do-over!
Joshua
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 4:36 p.m.
Denard's accuracy is misleading to an extent, because defenses are now so worried about his ability to run. Isn't that what's so amazing about Robinson? Opposing defenses don't know what they're going to get.
Metalc0reJ
Tue, Sep 28, 2010 : 4:17 p.m.
Statistically, sure, Denard is like Drew Brees. But I bet Denard couldn't hit the bulls-eye on an Olympic Archer's target numerous times in a row like Brees did on an episode of Sports Science. What I'm saying is, Denard might be accurate but his accuracy isn't what he's improved most from last year. What he's improved most is his decision-making. Last year he threw 4 interceptions and it wasn't like they weren't heading to the receiver's direction, they were just thrown into good coverage right into defender's hands. I don't know how many times I've said this now, but Denard isn't even the most accurate passer on the roster, I think Tate Forcier is easily. Denard's accuracy is misleading to an extent, because defenses are now so worried about his ability to run. Of course in this system, any QB's accuracy may be inflated, since so many passes are short and quick. I'm not trying to bash Denard, he's without a doubt a phenom in his own right, but realistically I don't think he's even close to Drew Brees (I know Griese wasn't implying that, he was only kidding and commenting on the similar percentages).