Michigan's Denard Robinson is top Big Ten QB in ESPN.com ranking
He threw too many interceptions last season, was often bailed out by the jump ball and consistently struggled with his accuracy.
But Denard Robinson has always been a high-risk, high-reward player. And in one writer's opinion, Robinson's reward makes his the best returning quarterback in the Big Ten.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, above, was tabbed the sixth-best player in the Big Ten by ESPN.com.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
ESPN.com Big Ten writer Brian Bennett unveiled his list of the 10 best players in the league for the 2012 season, and the dynamic Michigan football quarterback came in at No. 6 -- the highest signal caller on the list.
"There might not be a more exciting player in the country than 'Shoelace,' who's put together more heroics than a comic-book character the past two seasons," Bennett wrote. "But his passing remains suspect, as evidenced by his Big Ten-worst 15 interceptions last season.
"The word out of spring practice was that Robinson had improved his fundamentals and looked sharp as a passer. If he can add accuracy to his other many talents, the sky is the limit for him and the Wolverines this season."
Bennett's top-ranked player in the league is Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead is No. 2, Ohio State defensive end John Simon No. 3 and Michigan State defensive end William Gholston No. 4.
No other Wolverines made the list.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Tom
Sat, May 26, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
Robinson always looks good against teams like Minnesota. He is the most overrated player in college football history. Denard chokes in the "big ones" and is "ofer" his lifetime against the Spartans! Gholston always comes to play when it matters most. Where's the threat?
Justin
Thu, May 24, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever will denard be the #1 qb in the big ten. Sure he's a great runner but he is downright awful at passing and I don't care how much anybody says how much he's been working on things. the coaches have said that the past 2 years. once he loses or has a bad game he just slowly gets worse. I'll give him 3rd best qb in the big ten and that's with all the starters who have left too! haha
RJ12688
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
He is the clear choice for number one. He isn't the best passer, but he is hands down the best play maker. He can completely take over a game when he is playing well. Ask Nebraska and OSU about it.
Steve McQueen
Thu, May 24, 2012 : 3:41 a.m.
Damn straight baby.
aarox
Wed, May 23, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
Once again, this ranking is just one 'casters opinion. And picking DR as a pre-season QB favorite is a cupcake pick. I agree with most of the commentary so far. A lot of "if's" and a lot of skepticism. Not buying DR as a tier 1 QB. Apparently I have a lot of company. Get somebody with an accurate arm and let DR run the backfield. That's our best chance to match last year's record.
azwolverine
Wed, May 23, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
No way Robinson isn't the QB next year. Not only will he be, but he deserves to be and, imo, he gives UM the best chance to win. He led Michigan to 11 wins, he's a senior, and he's been working under Borges for over a year now. The way he lit up both OSU and Nebraska last year was amazing. Robinson's experience and flat out will to win make him the only QB that Michigan will consider for the starting role this season barring injury.
The1Cool
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
That's what I liked about the few passes he threw in the Spring Game, they were short, high-percentage passes. We need to start games off with easier passes to get DR into a groove.
Tally10
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
Easy solution to the passing game; mix in more short passes in the game plan and give DR a check-down receiver on long routes. All QBs with high passing % build them with a high % of shorter passes and a lower % of deep passes. Like ALuck last year, he didn't have that deep threat WR so the TE became more involved. AB has to understand that his QB is his play maker, DR is not going to throw the ball out of bounds or run out much, his 1st instinct is to make something happen, AB needs to call the game to allow his play maker to make plays. You don't put your 3pt shooter in the post, you set screens to free him!
Tally10
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
You make a good point Don, "more time", if the D is stacking the box and bringing pressure ( MSU) the long pass is not the answer. Yes your mechanics are going to suffer...you're being hurried, no time to set your feet. The short pass will also open up the longer pass as well as the run, and DR's threat to run opens the shorter pass routes 1st. You have to take what the D is giving you, if they're stacking the line and/or blitzing, then you attack the vacated spot not run the WR into coverage.
DonAZ
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
Good points ... I found myself noding my head in agreement to some of what you wrote here. My counter-argument would be this -- there are limits to what even Denard Robinson can do as play maker if Denard's instinct is simply to run. I think we saw those limits at the tail end of 2010. The Ohio State game and the Mississippi State games illustrated what a defense could do when it knew the focus was stopping Denard. Borges is a disciple of the West Coast Offense, which was all about high percentage short passes executed with precision. I suspect Borges wanted very much to utilize Robinson for that, but some of Robinson's shortcomings -- mechanics, decision making -- made that offensive scheme difficult to implement in full in 2011. Early in 2011 Robinson had a tendency to throw straight into the outstretched arms of defensive linemen. I wonder if some of Borges' reluctance to go high-% short passes stemmed from that. One of the downsides to the short passes is that if improperly thrown they can result in pick-6 pretty quickly. If Robinson's decision making instincts have improved year over year, we may very well see more of what you describe. Imagine the horror to defensive players of having to stay back to defend the screens but also not give up a sliver of running room to Robinson. Watch the offensive line play early ... if Robinson can have even just a little bit of time I think we'll see some magic out of him this season. If the O-line allows too much pressure on Robinson then we might see more of "old Denard" -- throwing off back foot, throwing into protection, etc.
bigblue
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
If DR can evolve in the passing game this year Michigan could contend for a National championship.
Justin
Thu, May 24, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
yeahhh.... I'm gonna have to say no to that one.... but hey! good excitement!
D21
Tue, May 22, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
DR has to shorten his passing stance to gain more accuracy with his throws as am sure it has being pounded into him by Gorgeous Al.