Inkster (MI) vs Ignatius : Results & Comments

[1OSUNUT]

My son and I just got back from watching Michigan recruit Devin Gardner play Ohio oer Cleveland St.Ignatius and OSU recruit Scott McVey. We left after the 3rd quarter with Iggy up 49-14 and all the starters out. The Vikings were just completly overmatched on both sides of the ball to really do anything with Iggy. The Iggy offense was also clicking on all cylinders and the QB (Pittsburgh recruit) was on fire. McVey also had a solid game. He was able to sack and pressure Gardner a few times.

You guys have a very good player in Gardner. This kid looks identical to Pryor physically. He is big and strong. He is not as quick or fast as TP - but he is no slug either. The biggest difference I see between him and Pryor is - Gardner can throw. He has a more fluid throwing motion then TP does. His ball seems to sail a bit high and he was under constant pressure most of the night. He did cut loose on two throws that gave you a glimpse of his potential. He threw a 45 yard rocket down the seem between two defenders only to have it dropped. He also threw a 60 yarder right on the money that was dropped as well. Both throws were made with easy. He did get loose on a 70+ yard TD scamper just before half when Iggy thought they had pushed him out of bounds - but he stayed in and ran down the sidelines.

If I was Jim Tressel I would be going after this kid - if a spread QB is what you want. I think Tate is going to be in real trouble when this kid shows up. He may not be as refined as Tate - but God gave this kid the goods. He is big and strong and can take a hit. He was knocked around pretty good tonight and it did not faze him. This is the big powerful QB RR thought he was going to get in TP.

Any chance you want to trade TP for Gardner ?

[hail2mich]

Good to hear about Gardner. I think he will be redshirted next year, and Rich Rod will have him develop behind Tate which I think is ideal. I can't imagine him being even better than Tate in his first, but from how it sounds, it looks like Michigan has a very good QB situation in the future!

I have read from some people that his footwork was not too pretty when he threw. Did you notice that?

[zilla]

"If I was Jim Tressel I would be going after this kid - if a spread QB is what you want."


Any Michigan fans worried about this? With Tate and DR, will Gardner see playing time sooner at OSU?

TP will be a beast at WR in the NFL IMO, time to move him over.

[1OSUNUT]

Looks a hell of a lot better then Pryor's. When he had time to plant and throw - he threw lazers. He was throwing a tight spiral and was pretty accurate. When he rolled out and threw on the run the ball was wide and high - sort of normal at this age. That is a hard thing to do for a pro - let alone a high schooler.

Wait to you see this kid - he won't redshirt. He will make DR a wideout or slot player. The kid is a beast and could run the RR offense like it's supposed to be run - if he has the brains. That I cannot tell by watching him. Inkster runs a pretty simple offense that Iggy figured out without much trouble. The biggest plays Inkster had was when nobody was open and Gardner took off. The team he is on may have done good in the Michigan state tourney last year - but they are not top Ohio level by no means. Many of the plays tonight was Gardner angainst 11 guys. Even he is not that good. I feel he will be way to good to redshirt - wait to you see him in person. He is huge.

[nc wolverine]

who can u compare his speed to... size kinda sounds like vince young a little low on the weight tho.

[hail2mich]

Thanks for the info. Great to hear!

[1OSUNUT]

He covered 70+ yards with very little effort. He also runs a lot like Pryor. These kids look like twins. He has the ability to look down field while rolling out and pulling away from defenders. When he tucks it under his arm he glides pretty good. He may not be a quick or fast as TP - but he is close. He is a smooth runner for a kid that big. The kids chasing him were hauling ass and he looked like he was jogging and pulled away. He has the long strides you would expect a 6'6 kid to have.

I'm telling you this kid is going to press Tate next year - at least do what DR is doing this year. It was hard to really see his true abilities because Iggy was on his ass all night. He did complete a 15 yard pass with a linebacker on him while falling down - he is strong. You guys are going to love him - if you get him.

[Blue In Ohio]

Must really be something if an OSU fan can admit that a future Michigan recruit is that good. I still don't think we start over with a true freshman at qb next year. I think that is too much of a long shot due to how complex the offense is. I still think the best situation is to redshirt Gardner and have him starting by his junior year. By then we will have recruited some of the best and fastest players in the country to be working with him and he will walk into a much better situation that Tate has had to walk into this year. I say Rich Rod will have the patience to do this as long as he is winning enough and Michigan fans will be patient as long as Michigan continues to show some progress and win big games atleast half the time. What RR did last year by choosing to start over from ground zero rather than running a pro style attack that resulted in a 6 or 7 win season shows his patience and vision for the future. The things Rich Rod does are not by accident they are done with vision and purpose that most college football fans can't comprehend. I think Gardner will be just fine with that becuase he is seeing peeks of just how Rich Rod and Calvin Magee will unleash him. I don't see Gardner taking chances with anyone else especially not JT and his staff who really don't know how to use that type of qb. OSU and it's coaching staff are much better suited for a pro style qb. Unless OSU brings in a master of the read option attack I don't see gardner having any reason to consider them. It will be interesting to see who OSU goes after this recruiting season for a future qb. I don't think Tressel takes a chance again on another dual threat type. Dual threat types just don't seem to work out in a vanilla offensive scheme because they are not accurate enough passers. In a vanilla offense the only purpose of a qb is to hand the ball off and pass the ball. If that qb cannot pass he has no value in that scheme which with Pryor shows. Pryor looks like he can't decide what he wants to do. Honestly he would be better off if he acted more like Denard and was a little too quick to take off because atleast then his running skills could do some damage. Too often by the time Pryor decides to take off he is way too surrounded to escape and with him being as big as he is he is an easy target to atleast get a hold of until help arrives. Pryor would be better off taking off early than waiting until the pass he has to complete is nearly impossible like the 4th and 14 pass he had to throw for OSU to keep the ball at the end of the game. He needs to do a better job choosing when to pass and when to just take off. He has to play within his own skill set rather than trying to be something he is not.

[Maize&BlueBalls]

My son and I just got back from watching Michigan recruit Devin Gardner play Ohio oer Cleveland St.Ignatius and OSU recruit Scott McVey. We left after the 3rd quarter with Iggy up 49-14 and all the starters out. The Vikings were just completly overmatched on both sides of the ball to really do anything with Iggy. The Iggy offense was also clicking on all cylinders and the QB (Pittsburgh recruit) was on fire. McVey also had a solid game. He was able to sack and pressure Gardner a few times.

You guys have a very good player in Gardner. This kid looks identical to Pryor physically. He is big and strong. He is not as quick or fast as TP - but he is no slug either. The biggest difference I see between him and Pryor is - Gardner can throw. He has a more fluid throwing motion then TP does. His ball seems to sail a bit high and he was under constant pressure most of the night. He did cut loose on two throws that gave you a glimpse of his potential. He threw a 45 yard rocket down the seem between two defenders only to have it dropped. He also threw a 60 yarder right on the money that was dropped as well. Both throws were made with easy. He did get loose on a 70+ yard TD scamper just before half when Iggy thought they had pushed him out of bounds - but he stayed in and ran down the sidelines.

If I was Jim Tressel I would be going after this kid - if a spread QB is what you want. I think Tate is going to be in real trouble when this kid shows up. He may not be as refined as Tate - but God gave this kid the goods. He is big and strong and can take a hit. He was knocked around pretty good tonight and it did not faze him. This is the big powerful QB RR thought he was going to get in TP.

Any chance you want to trade TP for Gardner ?


Nice try but your manipulative ploys to stay on this site simply because you know OSU will lose the next 3 years in a row will not work. Go away.


Although, I will miss blogging to you. Even though you never went to OSU I think if I were to meet you I would want to bitch slap you then hug you, then give you a super wedgie when you thought I was hugging you. :D:D

[Maize&BlueBalls]

My son and I just got back from watching Michigan recruit Devin Gardner play Ohio oer Cleveland St.Ignatius and OSU recruit Scott McVey. We left after the 3rd quarter with Iggy up 49-14 and all the starters out. The Vikings were just completly overmatched on both sides of the ball to really do anything with Iggy. The Iggy offense was also clicking on all cylinders and the QB (Pittsburgh recruit) was on fire. McVey also had a solid game. He was able to sack and pressure Gardner a few times.

You guys have a very good player in Gardner. This kid looks identical to Pryor physically. He is big and strong. He is not as quick or fast as TP - but he is no slug either. The biggest difference I see between him and Pryor is - Gardner can throw. He has a more fluid throwing motion then TP does. His ball seems to sail a bit high and he was under constant pressure most of the night. He did cut loose on two throws that gave you a glimpse of his potential. He threw a 45 yard rocket down the seem between two defenders only to have it dropped. He also threw a 60 yarder right on the money that was dropped as well. Both throws were made with easy. He did get loose on a 70+ yard TD scamper just before half when Iggy thought they had pushed him out of bounds - but he stayed in and ran down the sidelines.

If I was Jim Tressel I would be going after this kid - if a spread QB is what you want. I think Tate is going to be in real trouble when this kid shows up. He may not be as refined as Tate - but God gave this kid the goods. He is big and strong and can take a hit. He was knocked around pretty good tonight and it did not faze him. This is the big powerful QB RR thought he was going to get in TP.

Any chance you want to trade TP for Gardner ?



OK, well, It' s no big deal first of, are you ready? Here is what you do: You have never attended either school and you simply root for OSU because you live in Ohio, so the good news is - you can probably sell your place in Ohio - because as far as I know corn, spinach, yaks and beets are still going strong - so say you take a 25% hit on your house - Simply move your family to Michigan where the housing prices are down 42-45% and start dressing the little nuts and the wife in Michigan gear and you are good to go for the next 5 years. You make out monetarily and you get to continue to root for a wining team - this time one that can win agains the SEC.

[TheHoff]

"If I was Jim Tressel I would be going after this kid - if a spread QB is what you want."


Any Michigan fans worried about this? With Tate and DR, will Gardner see playing time sooner at OSU?

TP will be a beast at WR in the NFL IMO, time to move him over.

Umm I highly doubt he goes to OSU, after he committed to Michigan there was a picture of him on his myspace up of him burning an OSU scholarship offer letter. I lol'd.

[Bossgobbler23]

Gardner grew up liking the Bucks but was offended when they did not offer. THe Bucks went after Joe Montana's kid instead but he committed to Washington. I also believe that he will red shirt though he is a great talent. It would be a great benefit to learn the RR system for a year under red shirt.
Thanks for the report NUT. I have not seen DG in person.

[1OSUNUT]

I was just making a general statement - there is no way he goes to Ohio State. Why would you right now. Tressel is proving he has no idea what to do with a QB like Pryor or Pryor is overated and stupid. Either one is bad news. If Tressel did not pull Pryor Saturday - will he ever. He has made a deal with the devil.

Gardner will thrive in the RR system - and I don't think he redshirts. I don't think DR is a very good QB and Tate is starting to look fragile. I think Gardner will be forced at some point to burn his reshirt anyway - so why not let him play. Once you see this kid in person you will understand. He is the perfect kind of player to run the read option. He is Pryor with better mechanics. I'm sure other schools are going to pressure him yet and promise him the world. If he gets through that process and remains a Wolverine - you will have a good one.

[Bossgobbler23]

I was just making a general statement - there is no way he goes to Ohio State. Why would you right now. Tressel is proving he has no idea what to do with a QB like Pryor or Pryor is overated and stupid. Either one is bad news. If Tressel did not pull Pryor Saturday - will he ever. He has made a deal with the devil.

Gardner will thrive in the RR system - and I don't think he redshirts. I don't think DR is a very good QB and Tate is starting to look fragile. I think Gardner will be forced at some point to burn his reshirt anyway - so why not let him play. Once you see this kid in person you will understand. He is the perfect kind of player to run the read option. He is Pryor with better mechanics. I'm sure other schools are going to pressure him yet and promise him the world. If he gets through that process and remains a Wolverine - you will have a good one.

No doubt Tate is small framed but he will grow and will learn from experience to pick the times he physically attacks the defense. He is too talented not to play. I see him as a Colt McCoy type of player except I think Tate has more potential. Though Gardner is VERY talented, I think he still benefits from a red shirt. He would still be prone to freshman mistakes. Tate will have had the benefit of a season under his belt under the RR system.

[Frank Rizzo]

Cant believe im sayin this...but,Nut is right.I mentioned before on an earlier post months ago,that my son and I met Deven Gardner at the big house at spring game.He is a monster.Myself and others were thanking him for choosing Michigan and believe me,HE IS A MICHIGAN MAN.He said he cant wait to play for us.Lookin good in M ville.

[Sten Carlson]

Gardner will thrive in the RR system - and I don't think he redshirts. I don't think DR is a very good QB and Tate is starting to look fragile.

Nut,

first let me thank you for the interesting and insightful comments about DG's performance in the game you watched. I am very excited about him coming to Ann Arbor.

With regards to the quote above, I agree DG is PERFECT for RR's system. But, I disagree that he doesn't redshirt. From what I've read, he's already stated that he will do whatever the coaches deem appropriate. Personally, I think the redshirt year is the best thing for him as he'll be able to learn the offense, work on his mechanics, and most importantly, learn the intangibles that Tate has without the pressure of having to preform.

I think DR is fine, and if it weren't for Tate, we'd all be saying, "DR will be a great QB in a few years..." I think DR only going to improve, but I don't see him surpassing Tate for the starting position, barring injury.

Which, brings me to you contention about Tate being fragile. I can't really argue with you that he is undersized. However, he has A LOT in common physically with Colt McCoy. He was scrawny too when he came to Texas. He looked like he was going to get broken in two even play. He got hurt once vs KSU, and then he put on 15-20 in an off season and came back and was running over tacklers (see the Rice game from '08). Tate is never going to be big, but he'll get a lot more solid as his career progresses -- he's just a pup remember. I'd be willing to bet that Tate's physical fitness is going to be priority #1 for Barwis and crew once the season is over.

Lastly, I think the DG is 100% a Michigan Man! He wants to play at Michigan, and most importantly, he wants to play for a guy like RR that will showcase his talents. Also, it sounds like he's 100% a team player, and wants to learn everything that he can from a talent like Tate. All those things point to him being in Maize and Blue -- let's just hope that he enrolls early!

Go Blue, and thanks again!

[goblue]

Knowing RR, he will probably tell everyone that he'll let the qb's compete in practice and the qb that plays the best will start. But as we all know, that can be a very subjective statement. Then you have the question of moving DeRob to receiver now that we'll have more depth at qb with Gardner as well as the kid from South Carolina Cornelius Jones.

At this point I think Forcier will start next year with Gardner redshirting as long as Forcier stays healthy. Even Iowa coach Kirk Ferenz said about Forcier that it's very unusual that a freshman qb can come in and play the way Forcier does. But if Forcier gets banged up I think RR won't hesitate to put in Gardner and forget about redshirting him.

[MICHDAD1]

OK, well, It' s no big deal first of, are you ready? Here is what you do: You have never attended either school and you simply root for OSU because you live in Ohio, so the good news is - you can probably sell your place in Ohio - because as far as I know corn, spinach, yaks and beets are still going strong - so say you take a 25% hit on your house - Simply move your family to Michigan where the housing prices are down 42-45% and start dressing the little nuts and the wife in Michigan gear and you are good to go for the next 5 years. You make out monetarily and you get to continue to root for a wining team - this time one that can win agains the SEC.

Maize n Blueballs, I think this audio would be appropriate for your suggestion for Nuts.

http://174.101.19.153/sounds/commercials/like_nut.mp3

LOL!

[TheHoff]

Knowing RR, he will probably tell everyone that he'll let the qb's compete in practice and the qb that plays the best will start. But as we all know, that can be a very subjective statement. Then you have the question of moving DeRob to receiver now that we'll have more depth at qb with Gardner as well as the kid from South Carolina Cornelius Jones.

At this point I think Forcier will start next year with Gardner redshirting as long as Forcier stays healthy. Even Iowa coach Kirk Ferenz said about Forcier that it's very unusual that a freshman qb can come in and play the way Forcier does. But if Forcier gets banged up I think RR won't hesitate to put in Gardner and forget about redshirting him.

That's what I was thinking, move DR to Slot, keep Cornelius Jones as our backup QB and RS DG. If tate gets injured we can use Cornelius, if Tate is injured long term we move DR back to QB.

Either way DR WILL be on the field more and that's what we need. He just HAS to be on the field as often as we can put him out there, just to fast and to shifty to be sitting on the sidelines.

And if Tate stays for his Senior year DG will start take over his Junior year, if not his Sophomore season.

[1OSUNUT]

That is the worry. I don't see sitting this kid two or three years. If a big time team has a opening at QB and can offer him playing time right away - you might be in trouble. I just cannot see this kid sitting that long - he is to good.

[goblue]

[QUOTE=TheHoff;29397]That's what I was thinking, move DR to Slot, keep Cornelius Jones as our backup QB and RS DG. If tate gets injured we can use Cornelius, if Tate is injured long term we move DR back to QB.

Either way DR WILL be on the field more and that's what we need. He just HAS to be on the field as often as we can put him out there, just to fast and to shifty to be sitting on the sidelines.

And if Tate stays for his Senior year DG will start take over his Junior year, if not his Sophomore season.[/QUOTE

If DeRob moves to slot, Gardner should be #2 unless Jones beats him out in practice. No way should you put Jones ahead of Gardner just to redshirt Gardner. It should be #1 Forcier, #2 Gardner, #3 Jones, #4 Sheridan.

The tricky question is is if DeRob still stays at qb. Then it would probably be #1 Forcier, #2 DeRob, #3 Gardner, #4 Jones, scout team for Sheridan, as long as DeRob is more ready than Gardner and Jones. But if Gardner and/or Jones beats out DeRob, then they would move ahead of DeRob and then put DeRob at slot since he would never see the field at qb.

[Sten Carlson]

That is the worry. I don't see sitting this kid two or three years. If a big time team has a opening at QB and can offer him playing time right away - you might be in trouble. I just cannot see this kid sitting that long - he is to good.

Perhaps, but it seems that the idea that a guy should expect to start his freshman or sophomore year is a recent phenomenon -- historically, it was maybe sophomore, but most likely junior or senior year (unless there is a necessity like UM this season). It's become an instant gratification world.

I think DG wants to learn, and want to be at Michigan and to play for RR. If he ha to wait, it's what most QBs will do, so be it.

[1OSUNUT]

Sten -

I totally agree. That is the way it USED to be - times are changing. I think Tressel got sucked into making a deal with the devil. Many coaches are turning over their programs to freshman and sophmores because they want to get their use out of them before they leave. Look at Barkley at USC - what is the odds he stays 4 years after the sucess Sanchez is having. Look at Bradford for example. If he comes out last year he is pick #1 to Detroit - now he has a bum shoulder and will drop in the draft, costing him millions.

The days of waiting your turn are over. These kids are looking to play right away. They might be willing to sit (redshirt) one season - but they are not coming to sit for three years before they get on the field. The blue chippers at least don't think that way. I just don't see how Tate and Gardner are going to fit. I can see if Tate was a junior - but he is only a freshman. Gardner will have to sit 3 years and be a junior when he gats a chance - I'm not buying it. I think Tate will be the odd man out and that RR has promised Gardner something. It is very uncommon for a blue chip recruit like Gardner to agree to sitting three years - even at Michigan.

Robinson is completly out of the picture at QB when Gardner shows up. If you have not seen this kid - your in for a surprise. He is like Pryor with a fluid throwing motion. Does he need work - absolutly. Every high school QB needs work to play at the college level. But this kid makes Tate and Robinson look like junior high players - size wise. Maybe he will be dumb as a box of rocks like TP is and fail horribly at the college level - who knows. But physically he makes the rest of the guys look like little boys.

[Frank Rizzo]

Again Nut I agree with you,However,my opinion is RR will rotate between Tate and Deven ,with Denard playing slot receiver,kick and punt returns,and in the back field as tailback .He also has the threat to throw a laser pass down field. Just what I think, what do you guys think ? Rememeber,you must have (two) dual threat QB's to run this offense correctly....again,J.M.O.:D

[cartyboi]

I really am not worried about who is going to play where. The best player will play. This is how you start a program though.. you don't recruit a QB and then wait a few years to get another freshman and start all over. You have a guy who's been in the system who can pick up where the team left off when a guy leaves. I'm uber surprised that OSU doesn't have that right now. After TP who do they have? A baseball player? Next year, after we get Gardner, we'll have Tate, DRob, and Gardner.. I don't think having a stud come in the challenge Tate is a bad thing. Competition is what will make us great. Don't let a guy get comfortable. Tate understands the way things work. He isn't going to let Gardner play in front of him. Gardner is going to have to show that he is better than Tate.

[goblue]

I think so much of it depends on how well Forcier does the rest of the season as well as how well Gardner catches on and does in practice next year. It's going to get very physical from here on out against all big ten teams in cold weather. Forcier's running ability doesn't seem to be as effective as earlier on, which is an important part of the qb position in RR's spread offense. He's already had one concussion and has an injured shoulder. If he can hold up and be effective like he was earlier on then I think there's a good chance he'll start next year. If he's effective and we beat Ohio State, then I think it's a no-brainer that he's the starter with Gardner only playing if Forcier gets hurt.

If he plays like he did against Iowa and/or gets banged up too easily then I think it depends on how well he gets bigger and stronger in the off-season. If Gardner enrolls early and catches on quick and looks like an unstoppable beast in practice, it's still possible Forcier would start with Gardner working himself in during the season. If Gardner still needs to work on his throwing mechanics and/or isn't ready then they should just redshirt him and have Forcier and DeRob at number 1 and 2.

[TheHoff]

That is the worry. I don't see sitting this kid two or three years. If a big time team has a opening at QB and can offer him playing time right away - you might be in trouble. I just cannot see this kid sitting that long - he is to good.

That's thing Tate is going to bulk up, big time IMO. He never lifted weights in highschool, so the sky is the limit for how big he can get, Tate has the ability to be one of the best QB's to ever come through Michigan. Just has to work on his decision making, and if he bulks up and can start taking the Big 10 hits I really don't see a way that DG surpasses him.

That's also pending if Tate actually stays for his Senior year i think he will but you never know. If Devin hasn't opened up his recruitment by now I don't think he ever will, he's seen how good Tate is so early in his career, I think he knows that he'll be sitting a year or two. (after his RS). If we don't RS him than I see him transfering as that will only give him one maybe two years of starting, if he RS's he'll 2-3 years.

[TheHoff]

If DeRob moves to slot, Gardner should be #2 unless Jones beats him out in practice. No way should you put Jones ahead of Gardner just to redshirt Gardner. It should be #1 Forcier, #2 Gardner, #3 Jones, #4 Sheridan.

The tricky question is is if DeRob still stays at qb. Then it would probably be #1 Forcier, #2 DeRob, #3 Gardner, #4 Jones, scout team for Sheridan, as long as DeRob is more ready than Gardner and Jones. But if Gardner and/or Jones beats out DeRob, then they would move ahead of DeRob and then put DeRob at slot since he would never see the field at qb.

The only reason I see it like that is the long term decision, if we don't RS him and DG never beats out Tate than that gives him only his senior season to play, but hey, if he beats out Tate next year, than congratulations to him. But I want Tate to play out his career here, his passing ability, leadership and clutch performances down the stretch can't be denied, and we've only seen him for 5 games.

I would rather keep DeRob off the field, have him as the backup, and RS Devin so we can have him start for minimum two years instead of one if he doesn't RS, and who knows Tate may leave early for the NFL if he bulks up enough and is able to take the hits.

[tpilews]

I think the depth at QB for 2010 allows RR to move Denard. You've got Jones, Gardner, Sheridan, and Tate. That's plenty of depth and a capable backup in Sheridan. I really think Gardner should and will redshirt next year. Denard will be free to play the "Percy Harvin" role. Michigan's got some serious athletes available for this offense. Gallon, Stokes, Hemingway, Koger, Stonum, Odoms, Grady, Denard, etc... This offense is going to be exciting to watch in the future.

[amazinblue]

...Gardner will have to sit 3 years and be a junior when he gats a chance - I'm not buying it.

I think Gardner redshirts. And, then sees action beginning his second (redshirt freshman) year in Ann Arbor. I'm not saying DG starts - but, he'll see a fair amount of game time.

Whether it's action in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th quarter will depend on a lot of things - BUT, if you don't think that this Michigan offense will provide the opportunity for players on the depth chart to get game time in the future, I believe you're deeply mistaken.

The question of whether DG would start over Tate or DR - well, the only peson that can answer that question is DG. If he's the best QB with the best ability to execute the entire playbook while making very good decisions - I think RR will give him the chance.

And, I don't think that TF books for the NFL early.

[goblue]

I think the depth at QB for 2010 allows RR to move Denard. You've got Jones, Gardner, Sheridan, and Tate. That's plenty of depth and a capable backup in Sheridan. I really think Gardner should and will redshirt next year. Denard will be free to play the "Percy Harvin" role. Michigan's got some serious athletes available for this offense. Gallon, Stokes, Hemingway, Koger, Stonum, Odoms, Grady, Denard, etc... This offense is going to be exciting to watch in the future.

That's just the thing though. If we redshirt Gardner then DeRob will have to stay at qb for second string depth. There's no way Sheridan could be second string.

[BBA1994]

That's just the thing though. If we redshirt Gardner then DeRob will have to stay at qb for second string depth. There's no way Sheridan could be second string.

I really think RR is going to keep DRob at QB for at least one more year. He promised DRob a shot at QB and will give him all of next year to prove his worth at the position. Then, IMO, after his sophomore year, if he doesn't look like he'll take over the starting position from Forcier or a red-shirted DG then he will offer him the opportunity to play a Percy Harvin type role and earn his way into the NFL at that position.

[Sten Carlson]

I just don't see how Tate and Gardner are going to fit. I can see if Tate was a junior - but he is only a freshman. Gardner will have to sit 3 years and be a junior when he gats a chance - I'm not buying it. I think Tate will be the odd man out and that RR has promised Gardner something. It is very uncommon for a blue chip recruit like Gardner to agree to sitting three years - even at Michigan.

Nut,

I see what you're saying, to an extent, but I think things are a bit different under RR than they are under other coaches. RR doesn't name starters, i.e., Gardner isn't "going to sit" unless he cannot out compete Tate and DR, and if he cannot, then he should know that he shouldn't be the starter.

I don't think RR has promised DG anything other than, "you'll have a chance to compete for the starting position each and every week..." I think that is the beauty of having that policy -- and if I am not mistaken, that is the same policy that PC has at USC (and might be a huge reason that he's able to attract so many blue chip recruits). If you think you have the game to dethrone the upperclassman, show what you got, and maybe you'll start.

Yes, DG could go somewhere else, somewhere that he is assured to start as a freshman, but it might not be anywhere comparable to Michigan. The only reason that Tate is starting is out of necessity, and because the system is so new. I'd be willing to bet that Michigan will not start another true freshman for as long as RR is at Michigan -- basically, he won't need to.

Again, DG is not "agreeing to sit for three years", he's agreeing to coming to Michigan to play QB, to take his chances with competing for the starting spot week in and week out.

I agree with you 100% that JT made a bad decision with regards to TP. I felt like he should honored his senior QB's diligent commitment to the team, and used TP as the back up. I think in the long run, having TP there (and struggling to progress) is really going to hurt OSU's QB recruiting. It's pretty obvious that TP isn't going to be drafted this year, or next year for that matter. Which means that he's going to be playing for another 2 seasons after this one. So, using your logic -- what blue chip QB is going to want to sit behind a guy like TP when he could go elsewhere? If TP were tearing it up, and competing for the Heisman, I think the blue chip QBs would be thinking that it is this season, and maybe one more, before he gets drafted -- thus opening the door.

I think the situation is the opposite a Michigan. Tate has come in, shown that he has game, and his development is only going to be hampered by his physical growth (like Colt McCoy). If he comes out next season and has a great season, competes for the Heisman, the recruits (like DG) might think he's going to leave after his junior year -- thus, with a redshirt, DG would only be "sitting" one season, and would probably get lots of reps in blowouts and due to possible injury.

I am rambling a bit, sorry, but I think the QB situation at Michigan is REALLY looking solid. To be honest, I had a strong suspicion that it would be like this under RR, as this has been his M.O.

Go Blue!

[Sten Carlson]

I really think RR is going to keep DRob at QB for at least one more year. He promised DRob a shot at QB and will give him all of next year to prove his worth at the position. Then, IMO, after his sophomore year, if he doesn't look like he'll take over the starting position from Forcier or a red-shirted DG then he will offer him the opportunity to play a Percy Harvin type role and earn his way into the NFL at that position.

Agree 100% BBA!

What we're seeing right now is a necessity issue, not what RR desires. He promised DRob to compete for the QB position because he knew that he NOBODY else and it was unsure what Tate would do. When DG comes in, I think we see the same thing we have this season -- Tate backed up by DRob with a bit more Special DRob in places. We cannot have it now because we cannot run the risk of having DRob down and Tate being backed up by Sheridan -- it's just too risky.

When Tate and DRob are juniors, and DG will be a rs freshman/soph I think we see A TON of special DRob -- even to the point that he'll be returning kicks and punts, plus wildcat (i.e., he'll be getting 15-20 touches/game)....man this is going to be SO EXCITING!

It's great to be a Wolverine!

Go Blue!!!

[TheHoff]

I think Gardner redshirts. And, then sees action beginning his second (redshirt freshman) year in Ann Arbor. I'm not saying DG starts - but, he'll see a fair amount of game time.

Whether it's action in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th quarter will depend on a lot of things - BUT, if you don't think that this Michigan offense will provide the opportunity for players on the depth chart to get game time in the future, I believe you're deeply mistaken.

The question of whether DG would start over Tate or DR - well, the only peson that can answer that question is DG. If he's the best QB with the best ability to execute the entire playbook while making very good decisions - I think RR will give him the chance.

And, I don't think that TF books for the NFL early.

That was the pretty much what I was trying to say, DG will get playing time, albeit probably mop up duty and the occasional wildcat position in his (RS) Fresh season, a more elaborate role when he's a sophomore, with starting a few games, where Tate really isn't needed. We're going to have games like that. He's going to see ALOT of time for a backup QB.



Agree 100% BBA!

What we're seeing right now is a necessity issue, not what RR desires. He promised DRob to compete for the QB position because he knew that he NOBODY else and it was unsure what Tate would do. When DG comes in, I think we see the same thing we have this season -- Tate backed up by DRob with a bit more Special DRob in places. We cannot have it now because we cannot run the risk of having DRob down and Tate being backed up by Sheridan -- it's just too risky.

When Tate and DRob are juniors, and DG will be a rs freshman/soph I think we see A TON of special DRob -- even to the point that he'll be returning kicks and punts, plus wildcat (i.e., he'll be getting 15-20 touches/game)....man this is going to be SO EXCITING!

It's great to be a Wolverine!

Go Blue!!!


I agree completely, I honestly think we can have an offense that was comparable to the Florida offense last year, we have the stable RB's they did(not as fast). We have our Percy Harvin in DeRob, only difference will be is that we will be incorporating a quite a few more pass plays because Tate is just so damn accurate and throws such a catchable ball.

[StevieBrownforHeisman]

thanks for an informative, constructive post, OSUnut.

wow, did i just say that?