Tag: Denard Robinson

Michigan vs. Bowling Green Awards

Denard Robinson’s bruised knee ended his exciting day.

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Fitzgerald Toussaint.  Toussaint only carried the ball twice on Saturday.  One carry was a 61-yard gallop.  The other was a 5-yard touchdown.  He was caught from behind on the 61-yarder, but that can probably be attributed to the knee brace that was holding his sprained left knee in place.  I’m not going to hold that against him.  And if the biggest knock on a guy is that he got run down after gaining 61 yards, then I’m not too worried.  Unfortunately, he reportedly injured his shoulder, which is why he only got two carries.  Hopefully he can get healthy and stay healthy so we can see him on the field more in the coming weeks.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Kenny Demens.  He played pretty well on Saturday (5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), and I think he’s a more viable backup than Mark Moundros.  And if all other things are equal, it’s better to get the younger guy reps.  Demens is only a redshirt sophomore, whereas Moundros is a fifth year senior and will be gone after 2010.  I know Moundros is a captain, but that shouldn’t necessarily figure into playing time.  (I also wish Moundros was still playing fullback, but that’s a separate discussion.)

MVP of the Bowling Green game . . . Denard Robinson.  Again.  He had 5 carries for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, on top of going 4/4 passing for 60 yards.  He left with a bruise knee halfway through the first quarter, but he was on pace for approximately 800 total yards in the game.  He surely would have been pulled for a backup before he reached that level, but he could have easily hit 300 yards rushing by halftime.

You might notice that I didn’t give out any “Let’s see less of this guy . . . ” Awards.  That’s because all three units played fairly well on Saturday, and there weren’t any glaring weaknesses.  Plus I’ve already made clear my feelings on a few guys who get too much playing time, so there’s no need to revisit those quite yet.

Michigan 65, Bowling Green 21

Quarterbacks Devin Gardner and Denard Robinson celebrate during Saturday’s 65-21 victory over Bowling Green.

Yesterday was a pretty ridiculous good time.  It’s hard to learn much about Michigan’s team in a game like this, because everything worked.  The Wolverines had 721 total yards, which is only six few than Michigan’s all-time record for yardage that was set last year against Delaware State.

A couple new things I noticed . . .

1. Michigan used a “heavy package” that included two tight ends in the backfield with the QB and the RB.  Michigan is getting to the point where they can install new packages and formations without confusing the kids too much.  We’re starting to see how many different looks Rich Rodriguez and Calvin Magee can show, and at least for now, they all seem to be working.

2. Michigan used some defensive packages with four cornerbacks.  As far as I know, Michigan hadn’t used a nickel or dime package in a couple years.  Last year’s adjustment to multiple wide receivers was to put linebacker Steve Brown and one of the free safeties on the slot receivers.  This four-corner look might not be a legitimate option against a talented Big Ten team like Ohio State, but it could be used situationally.  Showing it against BGSU gives those kids a chance to practice it, and it also gives future opponents something for which to gameplan.

There were also several old themes revisited, many of which have been addressed here earlier.  I won’t go into too much depth on these, but they were worth noting . . .

• Devin Gardner redshirt vs. Tate Forcier.  Gardner had some good moments but still looked awkward at times.  I’m on the record as saying that Gardner’s redshirt shouldn’t have been burned, at least not so early in the season.  This game seemed to support my theory.  Gardner finished 7/10 for 85 yards and 1 touchdown, while rushing the ball 6 times for 25 yards (4.2 ypc) and 1 touchdown.  Meanwhile, Forcier set a Michigan record by going 12/12 for 110 yards and 1 touchdown, in addition to 4 rushes for 30 yards (7.5 ypc).
• Vincent Smith is still not as good as the other running backs.  He did have a nice touchdown run where he actually ran through a tackle.  But by the end of the game, Fitzgerald Toussaint had 2 carries for 66 yards (33 ypc) and Michael Cox had 6 carries for 56 yards (9.3 ypc).  Still, Smith (12 carries, 62 yards, 5.2 ypc, 2 touchdowns) tied for the most carries with Michael Shaw (12 carries, 59 yards, 4.9 ypc, 1 touchdown).  Even freshman Stephen Hopkins had a better average (6 carries, 33 yards, 5.3 ypc), although Hopkins put the ball on the ground.
• Cameron Gordon and Jordan Kovacs are slow.  Gordon couldn’t catch up to a 265 lb. tight end a couple weeks ago, and this week he got torched by a MAC wide receiver on a screen pass that turned into a 71-yard TD.  Jordan Kovacs was also unable to gain any ground on Tyrone Pronty that play.  It’s not good when both of the team’s safeties are so lacking in foot speed, but that’s where Michigan’s defense is right now.  It would have also helped if Thomas Gordon and James Rogers gave better efforts . . .
• Michigan needs to rush more than three to get to the quarterback.  The Wolverines had three sacks (two by Ryan Van Bergen, one by Jonas Mouton), and at least two – maybe all three – came on plays where Michigan sent more than three rushers.
• Denard Robinson is good.  He had 5 carries for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns, and was 4/4 passing for 60 yards.  All that happened in about half a quarter of play.

Scouting report: Denard Robinson

Denard Robinson had 502 total yards vs. Notre Dame in 2010

Denard Robinson, Michigan’s early season Heisman hopeful, has exploded onto the national scene in 2010.  Robinson showed flashes of his running skill as a freshman backup quarterback in 2009, running for 351 yards on 69 carries (5.1 ypc) and 5 touchdowns.  But his passing was less than stellar.  That combination of skills led many to believe that he would move to running back or receiver in the new season, but that obviously isn’t the case.  Here I’ll offer some thoughts on Robinson’s play so far, the things he does well, and the areas he can improve.

STATS
2009 Passing: 14-for-31, 45.2%, 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions
2010 Passing (through 3 games): 53-for-76, 69.7%, 671 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception

2009 Rushing: 69 carries, 351 yards, 5.1 average (long of 43), 5 touchdowns
2010 Rushing (through 3 games): 74 carries, 559 yards, 7.6 average (long of 87), 4 touchdowns

STRENGTHS
Extremely fast . . . Great acceleration . . . Elite top-end speed . . . Keeps shoulders square to line of scrimmage when running ball . . . Moves well laterally without losing balance or forward momentum . . . Above average arm strength . . . Improving accuracy on both short and long throws . . . Flashes occasional soft touch on deep balls . . . Quick decision maker . . . Rarely holds the ball too long . . . Large hands allow for good ball security on pump fakes . . . Shows poise in pocket and will take contact to make a solid throw . . . Throws ball accurately and with velocity on the run

WEAKNESSES
Desire to get upfield sometimes limits vision of lateral running lanes . . . Tendency to hold ball in left (non-dominant) hand when running . . . Questionable ball security when rushing, especially with ball in left hand . . . Carries ball low and loose at times . . . Carrying ball in left hand sometimes prevents use of bubble screen on zone read option play . . . Doesn’t show consistent touch on intermediate and deep throws . . . Lacks great height for seeing downfield . . . Scrambles quickly without going through entire progression, although athleticism makes up for happy feet . . . Throws many balls low and hard . . . Has 3/4 arm delivery, which makes release point low . . . Questionable mechanics often point toe to left of target instead of straight at target . . . At times will throw off back foot to get rid of ball

GAME PLAN AGAINST HIM
1. Force Robinson to give up the ball on the zone read option.  Ends and linebackers should stay home and make Robinson hand off the ball to the running back.
2. Strip ball when he scrambles.  His ball security is questionable, and he will put it on the ground in traffic.
3. Play zone coverage.  Don’t turn your back to the quarterback.  He will underthrow the ball at times and open himself up to interceptions.
4. Force Robinson to run/scramble left.  He has more ball security issues and hasn’t shown the ability to throw the ball when rolling left.  Most of his big runs have come to the offense’s right.

Michigan 42, Massachusetts 37

I wasn’t able to watch the game live yesterday.  After getting home at 12:15 a.m. from Friday night’s game, I was back at the football complex by 6:45 a.m.  Then we had a full day of practice, film, and meetings before I left at 3:30 p.m.  That’s pretty standard for Saturdays, so unless Michigan plays a 3:30 game or a night game, I have to watch it later.  The first time I checked the score on my phone, though, it was 17-14 and UMass was leading.  Usually I like to watch games live, but I was probably better off this way.  It would have been extremely frustrating to watch that game live.

So these thoughts are coming from the perspective of a guy who already knew the final score:

Notre Dame is stupid.  I don’t understand what Notre Dame was trying to do last week.  UMass certainly wasn’t able to shut down Denard Robinson (104 yards rushing, 241 yards passing, 3 total touchdowns), but they did a better job than the Fighting Irish.  Notre Dame had much better athletes, and they should have sold out to keep Robinson’s gains to a minimum.  It would have been difficult for Notre Dame to lock up with Michigan’s four- and five-wide looks since Brian Kelly’s squad had limited depth and speed at the safety positions, but it would have been worth a try.  It would have been better to have Zeke Motta covering Roy Roundtree than to let Robinson run for 244 yards.

Vincent Smith can’t get it done.  I know he came in early and worked hard.  I know he’s coming off ACL surgery.  I know he’s a willing blocker.  I know he has good hands.  He just can’t be a feature back in the Big Ten.  Good running backs have to be able to create for themselves in open space, and Smith just hasn’t shown that ability.  When evaluating Smith’s performance last year, I typically excluded his stats against Delaware State because . . . you know . . . that was just an unfair fight.  Sans DSU Smith had 31 carries for 110 yards and 0 touchdowns.  This year including FCS school Umass, Smith has 32 carries for 110 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and 1 touchdown.  Smith isn’t the best back on the team, and honestly, he might even be the fourth-best (behind Michael Shaw, Michael Cox, and Fitzgerald Toussaint).  Michael Shaw averaged over 10 yards a carry, but he got only one more attempt than Smith in yesterday’s game (12 to 11).

Michigan needs to stop scheduling FCS teams.  I said this prior to the 2007 game against Appalachian State, and I’m still saying it.  Playing FCS teams is a no-win situation.  If Michigan wins, they’re supposed to win and they don’t earn any respect.  If Michigan loses, it’s a giant blow to the team’s confidence and reputation.  I’m sure there are plenty of lower-tier FBS schools (from the MAC, the Sun Belt, the WAC, etc.) who would take a big payday and go home with a probable loss.  Michigan’s loss against Toledo in 2008 was the Wolverines’ first against a MAC school ever, but that loss doesn’t resonate nearly as loudly as Michigan’s failure against Appalachian State the year before.  Athletic director doesn’t need to go dumpster diving with these FCS schools.

Denard Robinson showed a little bit of touch.  Robinson showed something against UMass that he hadn’t shown in the first two games of the season, and that was the ability to put touch on a long ball.  The Wolverines rolled the pocket right against a Cover Zero look, and Robinson dropped in a rainbow to Darryl Stonum, who was streaking down the left sideline.  There hasn’t been much to criticize about Robinson’s play over the first few games, but that play answered some questions.  If teams in the future give Michigan a Cover Zero look or a Man Free defense, hopefully Robinson can take advantage.

The lack of defensive depth is apparent.  Massachusetts held the ball for 37:38 compared to 22:22 for Michigan.  But Michigan didn’t make a single substitution in the defensive backfield – TJ Floyd, James Rogers, Jordan Kovacs, and Cameron Gordon were the only DBs to play.  Even if all those guys are in great shape, it’s asking a lot to have them out there for almost two-thirds of the game.  Only 37 scholarships are currently being used by defensive players, and 13 of those are true freshmen.

Michigan’s offensive team speed is ridiculous.  I’d be willing to bet that this is the fastest team Michigan has ever put on the field.  Even Michigan’s “slow” receiver Roy Roundtree was able to run away from the UMass defense for a touchdown (which would be called back).  Denard Robinson, Darryl Stonum, Michael Shaw, and Martavious Odoms are the burners, but all these guys can run.  There are only a couple skill position guys whose speed is mediocre, but those guys haven’t been on the field much.

A win is a win . . . I guess.  I’m mildly upset about the score and yardage totals.  While I’m certain that the actual talent differential between Michigan and UMass is more than five points, the performance on the field leaves some questions.  In the years to come, not many people will remember that Michigan almost lost to UMass.  This is temporarily upsetting, but that will wear off.  I can’t speak for everyone, but I didn’t learn anything new from this game – Michigan’s offense is explosive, the defense is terrible, and the special teams are mediocre at best.

Michigan vs. Notre Dame Awards

“Prison Abs” Gordon

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Michael Cox. I know I sound like a broken record, and it doesn’t bode well for me (or him) that Cox hasn’t seen the field in the first two games. However, Michigan’s runnings backs just aren’t getting it done. So far Michigan’s three running backs (Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw, Stephen Hopkins) have combined for 42 carries, 129 yards, and 2 touchdowns (a 3.07 yard average). I really don’t care who totes the rock for Michigan, as long as he runs the ball at a better clip than 3.07 yards per try.

Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Denard Robinson. Hold on just a second before you go ballistic, though. I don’t want him to be relegated to the bench (unless the game is out of hand). I’d just like to see him carrying the ball less. He’s averaging 8.0 yards per carry, but he’s averaging 28.5 attempts per game. That would be 370.5 carries in a 13-game season, and that’s way too much. Hopefully Robinson can get a bit of rest in the next two weeks against UMass and Bowling Green. Robinson might be the best player in the country right now, and he needs to stay healthy.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Thomas Gordon. True freshman Carvin Johnson won the starting Spur job in fall camp, but Gordon played pretty well against Notre Dame in his first career start, as Johnson missed the game due to a knee injury. Gordon was the fouth-leading tackler against the Fighting Irish, tallying 5 stops, 2 tackles for loss, and Michigan’s lone quarterback sack. I think he’s stronger at the point of attack than Johnson, and while the freshman is probably more athletic, my bigger concern at the position is the ability to stand up to blocks and tackle. Gordon seems to do those things better than Johnson, from what I’ve seen.

Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . Craig Roh at defensive end. I think this was a game plan adjustment for Michigan’s coaches, and the results were questionable. In order to counter Notre Dame’s passing game, Michigan put elite pass rusher Roh on the field instead of the solid but unspectacular Greg Banks. However, Roh was overpowered repeatedly, and despite getting a decent rush at times, he was unable to take down the quarterback. If Michigan goes with a 4-front, then I’ll be happy to see Roh lined up at defensive end. But in a 3-3-5 defense, he lacked the strength to stand up to the two blockers that usually stood in his way.

MVP of the Notre Dame game . . . Denard Robinson, obviously. He had 258 rushing yards, 244 rushing yards, and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing). He also led the game-winning drive, on which he was 5/6 passing and ran for 17 yards, including scoring the final TD.

Unsung Hero of the Notre Dame game . . . Zac Johnson. Rasheed Furrha and Johnson share the #36 jersey according to the official roster, and the official site lists Furrha as the player who participated in Saturday’s game. However, I distinctly remember seeing Z. JOHNSON on the back of #36’s jersey, so I’m assuming that was a typo on the website. Regardless, Johnson had 2 special teams tackles and continued the solid special teams coverage he’s shown for the past couple years. He also made a smart play on the punt return unit, grabbing a ball on the bounce that appeared to have hit a Michigan player (although I don’t think it did). Johnson saw the ball bounce, plucked it out of the air, and fell to the ground, eliminating any chance for a Notre Dame player to recover.