Michigan Football: 10 Reasons Denard Robinson Isn't Going Anywhere
Whenever a head coach with a very specific offensive system gets fired, the question is always asked: Is the quarterback transferring?
When that quarterback is Denard Robinson, more people are interested, for a few reasons.
One, he's the starting quarterback for Michigan, and two, he's insanely talented. Robinson put up some pretty gaudy stats this season. He averaged 329 all-purpose yards per game, which was good enough for second in the country.
His ability to run and pass caught the eye of Heisman voters early, but faded along with the Wolverines' defense.
Will he stay or will he go? We don't know, but here's 10 reasons for Robinson to stay in Ann Arbor.
10. Robinson Would Have To Sit Out a Year, Unless He Goes JUCO
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Robinson just finished his sophomore season, and if he decided to transfer now he would lose a year of eligibility, but due to his red shirt that remains unused, he would have two years to play two. I doubt he would take a gamble like that. He would be better off staying at Michigan with the new coaching staff.
If he didn't want to sit out a year, he could be Blinn College's new quarterback next season. We know their recent history is pretty rich.
One year at West Virginia would be all he needs to have them ranked in the top 10 again. But who knows what the future holds with the staff in Morgantown.
9. Who Can Beat Him Out?
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I don't care what kind of offense they're running; what quarterback on the depth chart right now can beat out Robinson? I don't care if they are running a pro offense or not. Denard Robinson made some big plays this year with his arm, and I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone this quick that could beat him out for that spot.
Robinson passed for 2,570 yards last season with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Michigan is unlikely to land a big-time recruit, Tate Forcier might not even be enrolled at Michigan and Devin Gardner is an inexperienced version of Robinson.
8. He Could Easily Switch Positions
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Say he does stay at Michigan and quarterback doesn't work out. Well, it might not be the worst thing for Robinson. The kid is a phenomenal football player. He is fast, smart and fearless. If he wanted to switch to wide receiver or even defensive back, he would probably be one of the best ones Michigan's got.
It wouldn't be a terrible thing. It would also mean they found someone better than him at quarterback, which I don't think is likely, but it would be good news if it did.
It would be a pretty quick transition for a hard working, gifted athlete like Robinson.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. If He Stays, He Will Be On a Big Stage
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No matter what happens at Michigan, people are going to know about it. People care about Michigan football, and this year, Denard Robinson was the highlight of their team. He made them tolerable to watch. No matter what he does the next two years, at whatever position, he will get the most exposure at Michigan.
He has nothing to gain by leaving to play two years somewhere else, especially if Hoke is willing to cater to him offensively, or if he has to switch positions. Either way, this is the best place to showcase his talent.
6. Hoke Will Play to Robinson's Strenghts
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Denard Robinson is that good that Brady Hoke will want to structure the offense around him. He has led the offense already and led them well. Hoke knows he will have to be flexible when it comes to implementing his system.
We all saw what happened with Rich Rodriguez when he just took Lloyd Carr's team and started running a spread offense with it. If he would've been a little less rigid with his play calling and adjusted to his team, then they might have had a better record and he might still be employed.
But Hoke won't screw that up again. He has said that he will implement his pro-style spread offense slowly and play to his players' strengths.
Robinson is the main piece to the puzzle. He ran for 1,702 yards as a quarterback. He was the offense last year.
5. Hoke Wants Robinson Back, Badly
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Hoke met with Robinson for 15 minutes on Wednesday and has not made it a secret that he wants him back at Michigan. While building towards the future, Robinson is the guy that is going to get them through the first couple years of bumps.
Hoke understands that and will do everything he can to keep him in maize and blue.
4. This Will Be a Good Opportunity for Him As a Quarterback
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If Denard Robinson stays at quarterback, which I think he will, then it will provide him with tutelage in more of a pro-style offense. We all saw what happened to Pat White in the NFL, and I think Robinson just having this knowledge under his belt of a more advanced passing attack will give him hope to play quarterback in the NFL.
But I think his NFL future lies at receiver. The guy is good with the ball in his hands.
3. If He Did Switch Positions Right Now, It Would Be Better for Him
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I love watching Denard Robinson play quarterback, but I cannot help but think of Pat White whenever I see him. I think if Robinson transitions now to either wide receiver or possibly defensive back, then he will be good enough to go to the NFL.
If he doesn't get drafted, someone will pick him up. He'll get a shot. But the earlier he transitions, the better for him from a learning curve/film standpoint. He'll have something to show the scouts next year. I say he has a legit shot at defensive back because I think I could start at defensive back there too. So I know one of the most athletic players in the country could.
2. Game Experience Is Priceless
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I think Denard Robinson will be able to play whatever position he wants, and I think it will be quarterback. The main reasoning behind this is simple. Experience. He has so much big-game experience at the hardest position on the field that anything else would be a walk in the park for Robinson.
They will want his athleticism and experience at the quarterback position, though, and he will thrive again.
1. His High School Coach Thinks He Will Stay
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Denard Robinson's former high school coach Art Taylor has been fielding calls from other schools such as Florida and Central Florida, asking if Robinson is transferring.
"I told Denard to ask, 'What offense do you run and where do I fit in?' " Taylor told ESPN. "You run the offense to fit the personnel you have. Denard loves Michigan. He'll listen to what they have to say. But it is a tough decision.
"I think if the right things are said at Michigan, I think he wants to stay," Taylor said.
"Denard does not want to sit out a year."
If Robinson doesn't want to sit out, then he won't. I hope he enjoy being recruited again. Most people don't get to do this twice.
Like I said earlier, they're running this offense around what they have. Not what they wish they had, a la Rich Rod.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
