Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson speaks 'Florida' ... and his teammates are fluent with his fast talking
There might not be a quarterback in the history of college football who could beat Denard Robinson in a foot race.
His mouth isn't far behind.
Junior guard Patrick Omameh said Robinson speaks so quickly in the huddle, he used to have a hard time understanding the play calls.
“He just has to do everything fast, and I don’t know why,” Omameh said. “I think we’ve kind of adapted to his … I guess, uh … method of speaking. We say he be speaking Florida.”
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson speaks "Florida," teammate Patrick Omameh said. Omameh on Robinson: “It’s just real fast. Everything is just super sped up. I’m like, ‘You know, you can slow down a little bit if you want us to run the play right. But, you don’t have to.’"
File photo
Robinson is a soft-spoken junior from Deerfield Beach, Fla., although he's become more vocal as his stature on the team has risen.
He burst onto the national scene last year with a big opener against Connecticut, but it was his performance the following week against Notre Dame that made him a fixture in the Heisman Trophy discussion.
As Michigan (1-0) prepares to face the Irish a year later (8 p.m. Saturday, ESPN), much has changed for the junior quarterback, including the offense from which he operates.
But his teammates say he still is the same old Denard — fast talking and all.
Is Omameh fluent in Florida yet?
“I would consider myself bilingual,” he said. “I wouldn’t add it to my resume or anything, but I’m acquiring a skill-set, I’d say.”
What’s the biggest difference between English and Florida?
“It’s just real fast,” Omameh said. “Everything is just super sped up. I’m like, ‘You know, you can slow down a little bit if you want us to run the play right. But, you don’t have to.’
“I feel like speed is just his thing, I guess. Talking fast, running fast. I guess he’s just grown fond of that.”
So has everyone else — except maybe Notre Dame (0-1).
Robinson rushed 28 times for 258 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-24 win last year against the Fighting Irish, setting an NCAA record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a game. He also passed for 244 yards. His 502 total yards set a Big Ten single-game record.
"Last year, Denard had too many big plays against our defense,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday during his weekly teleconference. “We'll be looking for answers toward keeping him in that realm where he doesn't take over the game.”
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Lorain Steelmen
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.
The 'threat of Denard', can be very effective, if, (and I think he will), Borges, is shrewd enough to prep DRob to take what this defense will give him. This will be an excellent opportunity for DRob to prove he is a QB, and not just a runner. Good Luck DRob!!!! On the other side of the ball, UM's defensive front, which was called out by the coaches, after last saturdays' game, must step up, and control this game. If this thing comes down to a kick, we may be in big trouble.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
I can't wait to watch BK blow up on the sidelines on Saturday!
ab
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
I grew up in Florida about 35 minutes north of deerfield beach, and other than transplanted northeasterners, I can't think of anyone I knew who spoke "real fast". If anything, native Floridians tended to speak relatively slowly, similar to southerners.
A2D2
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
Wow, I guess this explains my 16 year old son. He speaks Florida!!!
DraderOHIO
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
If Michigan can win saturday I can see them going in to the Michigan state game 6-0. If that happens I can see Michigan going 9-3 or 10-2. If Michigan lose Saturday I see them going 8-4 or 9-3. B1G games for michigan this year is ND, Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio. I see those 4 team being teams Michigan could lose to. P.S I don't think ohio state is that good look out for a trap game w/ toledo. I know it is Toledo, but I live in the toledo area and toledo is calling this year team the best team toledo put on the feild in a long time. THIS IS MICHIGAN!! GO BLUE!
Buster W.
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
@NWU can be a scary place to play, too.
Terrin Bell
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 2:19 a.m.
I don't know about that. I watched the Ohio State game. Ohio State looked pretty good to me especially considering all the drama going on over there.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
Pro: one of the signs that someone is in command of the knowledge they possess is rapid speaking. Con: Failure to communicate clearly important information can result in mission failure. Notre Dame: at this point, I think they're like Wiley E. Coyote; always just a step or two behind the Road Runner. Notice their coach says they're preparing for the 2010 version of Denard and the Wolverines. Wait'll they see the 2011 version this Saturday night. ;-)