Denard Robinson holds the key to success this season
With apologies to Douglas Adams and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the answer to the meaning of life the universe and everything is not 42.
It’s 16.
At least that’s the answer for Michigan Wolverine fans this season.
After weeks of breaking down game tape and evaluating the incoming football roster for the upcoming season, I have reached the following conclusion:
It’s all about Denard Xavier Robinson.
Of course, he needs no introduction. Since he grabbed hold of the starting QB position two seasons ago amid the implosion of Tate Forcier he’s taken Wolverine fans on a wild ride. From the 2010 Notre Dame game where he gained 258 yards while announcing his entry into the Heisman Trophy race, to last season’s improbable last minute comeback, again against the irish, to lead the Wolverines to victory in the first night game in history of The Big House- Denard is the spark plug that makes the Big Blue Machine go.
In fact last season’s 11-2 record might be the most damning indictment of former coach Rich Rodriguez and his gang who-couldn’t-shoot-straight defensive coaches. With Denard in full Heisman mode in 201o, the team barely squeaked into a bowl game beating. This past season a more restrained Denard Robinson under Brady Hoke and a rejuvenated Greg Mattison coached defense gave a Wolverine fans a taste of what’s possible.
For the next three months, fans will debate who will snap the ball, who will block and who will catch the ball for the Wolverines. We’ll agonize over every rumor while fretting over the the defensive line and backfield depth charts.
I’ve seen Anthony Carter electrify Michigan Stadium. I’ve seen Desmond Howard dominate the Buckeyes and break into his Heisman pose. I was there when Tim Biakabutuka ran for 313 against the Buckeyes. I was at Penn State when the mere appearance of Charles Woodson in the Wolverine offense made the Nittany Lions panic like a second rate junior varsity squad. I saw Braylon Edwards dominate Michigan State in the famous triple overtime game.
I’ve experienced all these great performances and many more (even some by opponents; Donovan McNabb, Dennis Dixon, and Troy Smith to name a few) but the game-in and game-out electricity of Denard Robinson trumps them all.
Last year my analysis told me the we were looking at a 8-4, 9-3 regular season. In retrospect, a few less distractions at Michigan State, a few calls breaking our way against Iowa and…which brings us to this season.
There’s three months to fill before the Wolverines play in Dallas.
We’ll hear the clowns at ESPN debate whether Denard should demand to play wide receiver!
We’ll talk about why it took 18 months for the Athletic Department and the band to figure out travel arrangements for the Cowboy Classic.
We can question if “The Brand, The Brand, Brand(on),” has replaced the “The Team, The Team, The Team!”
But there’s really only question that matters when the Wolverines take the field in Dallas against Alabama to start the season.
“This is a great way to kick off the 2012 season with two of the nation’s winningest college football programs,” said U-M director of athletics Dave Brandon. “We are excited about playing a regular-season game in the state of Texas, a region of the country where we have traditionally recruited. Our goal is to get as many Michigan fans to the game as possible to witness this match-up of traditional powers.”
“…it has recently been decided that the Michigan Marching Band will not be traveling to Texas for the Cowboy Classic game vs. Alabama this fall. The Athletic Department is treating the Alabama game as a standard road contest, not as a bowl game. Therefore, there is no bowl-style budget available to bring the band to Texas.”
What happened during the 18 months between these announcements may take some time to uncover but reaction from Wolverine fans was known immediately. Less than 5 days later the athletic department reversed itself and it was announced that band would be traveling to the game.
The solution that had remained a mystery for 18 months was suddenly solved in less than 5 days.
The message is clear- don’t mess with the band.
Fans may be accepting of piped in music during home games but the idea of having the Victors played via tape during a huge national game is unacceptable.
Fans, stung by rising ticket prices and seat licenses, and a less than stellar home slate of games put their collective feet down.
Sending the band isn’t cheap, and surely the athletic department can’t be expected to pay for everything all the time but considering the special nature of this game and the projected athletic department budget for 2012
…At the University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, athletic director Dave Brandon presented a budget with anticipated revenues of $121.2 million versus expenses of $109.8 million, a surplus of $11.38 million. The Michigan athletic department expects a surplus of $4.7 million for fiscal year 2011, which ends June 30. It will be the department’s 10th straight year in the black.
This should have been an easy call. Certainly it shouldn’t have taken 18 months to find a solution.
Now some have questioned the financial terms of the deal Michigan negotiated to play in the Cowboys Classic. They cite the loss of revenue for surrendering a home game at Michigan Stadium versus the revenue generated by traveling to Dallas.
This is why accountants don’t make strategic decisions for organizations.
Now there are things I don’t like about this game. First and foremost it leaves season ticketholders with a weak slate of game at the Big House this season. Secondly, Dallas err Arlington (the home of Cowboys Stadium) is one of my least favorite destinations and honestly I would have preferred playing an away in a collegiate stadium.
But those reasons aside, if you’re Dave Brandon you make this deal in a heartbeat.
For the 6 month run up to this game Michigan will receive unprecedented media coverage. They get the opportunity to play a high profile game in the heart of prime recruiting territory and within driving distance of tons Michigan alumni. They have locked in a high profile opponent, something that even a BCS bowl bid (Virginia Tech) can’t guarantee. The game is early enough in the season that the Wolverines can easily recovery from a loss, and if QB Denard Robinson pulls of the victory he and the Wolverines could be on the way to very special season.
And stay tuned because rumors of more special event games have been swirling for years. Visits to the New York area and the west coast (anybody up for a Nike/Adidas showdown?) have obvious appeal.
The only mistake in this saga was shortchanging the band.
And now with the minor details resolved we only have to wait for the actual game to be played.
Last spring as we entered the Brady Hoke era, it would have been hard to notice any differences in access to the Michigan football program compared his predecessor- the recently fired Rich Rodriguez.
The main difference was Brady’s easy going demeanor and uncanny knack for saying exactly what the Michigan faithful wanted to hear from the new coach.
But after an improbable 11-2 season, capped off by a BCS Sugar Bowl win, one thing is clear- the fort is back.
The steel curtain has fallen, the blockade is in place, choose your metaphor but fresh information is a highly restricted commodity as we enter season 2 of the Hoke era.
In retrospect, the curtain of secrecy first showed itself with the unexpected “big game” road uniforms unveiled against Michigan State last season.
People aware of the game day surprise faced serious consequences if the secret leaked out in advance.
This spring the control of information was further locked down with the banishment of media from practices. Even former players and high school coaches who were still allowed access to practice were given clear instructions reminiscent of the World War II Manhattan project’s directive- “What you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”
After weeks of eager anticipation, the Wolverine faithful were treated to a spring game that showed…well not much. I’m convinced after watching the “game” on tape, that one conclusion is obvious- the Wolverines have great uniforms. After that I’m not so sure.
One thing I am sure of is that this atmosphere of secrecy sure reminds me of the Lloyd Carr era.
Hoke claiming he would like to have a full on competitive spring game for fans but is prevented from doing so because of “numbers” could have been taken verbatim from from a Lloyd Carr press conference. Fans can hold out hope for something more, some day, if numbers allow.
Don’t hold your breath for that to happen. Hoke like Rodriguez and Carr before him, is reluctant to risk injury in a meaningless exhibition.
So what does this mean for fans? Well they’re going to be reading a lot of re-packaging of press conference quotes and breathless recaps of official athletic department video clips.
And don’t expect a lot of insider leaks out of this version of Fort Schembechler. At least for now, the shields are holding.
The recent band-getting-hosed-by-being-left-out-of the 2012 College Football Kick-off game against Alabama seems to be a rare occurrence of unfavorable news leaking out before Athletic Director David Brandon could sprinkle his maize and blue pixie dust on it.
The veil of secrecy is not a bad thing. It served Lloyd Carr and Michigan football well during his tenure. But whether it can be maintained in an era dominated by social media and twitter is another thing altogether. It’s hard to imagine that a coach who doesn’t use email can appreciate the implications of these new information channels.
Is Brady Hoke taking a page out of his old boss’s playbook with the media?
We will have to wait and see if he starts trading verbal jabs with sideline reporters be sure.
The aura surrounding the Wolverine Football program is a deeper shade of blue.
There is more confidence, more appreciation. There is added optimism that the team has the ability to compete in its conference, offensively, defensively and on special teams.
QB Devon Gardner
There is more swagger, as well as more quiet confidence, among those that have earned and worn the M, and among the fans that fill those expensive stadium seats. High school coaches are warming to the program. Recruiting is prospering as far as instant analysis of the process can divine. Hoke’s judgment in hiring his staff is beyond reproach. Their coaching abilities are universally respected, and those abilities are put to full use.
As Coach Hoke steps into his second season, he has raised perceptions, expectations, and realities regarding his program. People can actually believe it when the Wolverines state their goals are a B1G Championship and beyond. It appears to many that the Wolverines might realistically be a factor again, might really be able to compete at significantly higher, or the highest levels, now.
Coach Hoke appreciates how far his current group has progressed since they struggled last spring with new coaches and new systems, but he is not satisfied. Hoke will never be satisfied. The necessity to improve and compete is as much of a mantra for him as demanding that tough guys play for him.
Coach Hoke has been able to figuratively clear all the first year hurdles to success in unexpected fashion. Hoke running hurdles does conjure up a visual doesn’t it?
It is hard to think his first fourteen months at the Michigan helm could have been done better. Hell yes, a victory over MSU would have been sweet, and knocking off Iowa last season also would have been sweet, but we are looking at the big picture here. Look where the Wolverines were defensively the year before, and the year before, and the year before. In fourteen months great strides have been made.
His teams have always done better the second year, and that will probably be true of the upcoming season. That applies to Borges, and Mattison, and maybe some of the other coaches. Progress is being made, and this team of Wolverines is assisting in its manufacture and propagation.
Improvement is palpable everywhere, including the improved stadium, bigger scoreboards, in the merchandising of the program. No yellow ring around the stadium, no NCAA sanctions, the BuckNuts humbled. That too, and waiting in the wings is….what? Likely more success.
Even Rich Rodriguez deserves some credit. Of course not defensively, but the acquisition of Denard Robinson, and others who have stuck it out and contributed deserves credit. RR deserves extra credit for Denard. Robinson is the best dual threat QB in the country, and improving. And he is not the only RR acquisition that is benefitting this team. Think Roundtree and Kovacs, and more.
Notwithstanding this, Rich does have the ability to stick his foot in it public relations wise. Like reported comments that he said he baked the cake, and iced it, but someone else got to eat it, when commenting on last season’s Michigan football success.
This doesn’t have legs when one considers his team’s defensive ineptness, his lack of defensive recruiting. There is no excuse for Michigan being one hundred tenth in the nation in defense. I have a feeling he will do better with Casteel as his DC in Arizona. Casteel has made the 3-3-5 come alive at times. Wouldn’t it be something to meet Arizona in the Rose Bowl someday?
Much credit for the Wolverines success the last fourteen months must go to the personality, work ethic, values, and football acumen of Brady Hoke. He has proved to be the right man, at the right time, in the right place.
QB Denard Robinson
The Wolverines should be one of the teams to beat in the B1G this year if Denard has a big year. If they can find effective replacements for center Molk, receivers Stonum and Hemingway, defensive lineman Heininger and VanBergen, nose Mike Martin, and if some freshman not on the scene yet can shore up the two deep for those disabled by injuries yet to happen.
The depth of the offensive and defensive lines is a concern, and Will Campbell and Ricky Barnum both have huge shoes to fill, as Molk and Martin were the best linemen on last year’s team.
Barnum muffed two snaps Saturday. Coaches say he fits his new position perfectly. When he was interviewed post spring game, he brought the subject up himself and shouldered responsibility: said it was his fault, said it had not been happening, and would stop there.
Center Rickey Barnum has huge shoes to fill replacing David Molk
Campbell’s defensive line was identified as too soft in the middle by both Coach Hoke and Mattison, but they still looked pretty good. Gang tackling is back. Strong side end Keith Heitzman was mentioned by Coach Hoke, and I could not help but notice Richard Ash at DT. On the OL, Joey Burznski, Junior/Sophomore, started at left guard.
The players I talked to said that players improve under the expectations of this staff in the summer. Team 133 is still a work in progress, but it is a work in progress at a higher level than last year.
Saturday, as you are probably well aware, the “spring football game” was held in Michigan Stadium, with the offense winning 17-0. It is not a game, but a glorified practice. Attendance was estimated at 25,000 and undoubtedly was not improved by the dire weather forecasts the night before that said the game might be cancelled. Thunder storms did not appear as forecast and the day proved a decent replica of a fall day-dry but not pretty and, gray. The new lights were on. Almost $250,000 was raised for Mott Children’s Hospital.
A flag football game with 100 former players filled the morning, Maize against Blue, with the Blue prevailing 33-19. Alijah Bradley won the MVP award, again burdened this year with the 10 foot tall statue he also won last year. David Brandon did his part. There was a band, announcers, both scoreboards were working. The end zones were roped off due to the pending lacrosse game. There is danger to fans from over thrown balls in that game.
This spring event is not a game, but a glorified practice, with some frills and two 30-play segments. It is difficult to judge much about the quality of a football team under this format. Something similar has long been excused because of the effect of 85 scholarships instead of 115. That heightened the nasty effect of injuries to a team. But it also seems that lack of depth plays a part. Alabama held its spring game before 80,000 and reports indicated it was a game, not a glorified practice.
Some press reports indicate Coach Hoke has said he wished an “exhibition game” against another team was allowed. This certainly would peak interest, but whether it would aggravate injuries would remain a question.
QB Russell Bellomy
This year was unique in that under studies got huge chunks of playing time. For example Russell Bellomy got extensive opportunity at QB, and Devin Gardner got some. Obviously they are confident Denard and others know the system well enough to sit. Many played and got their first exposure to playing in the Big House under game conditions.
Thomas Rawls had two runs for TDs and 42-yards on 10 carries. His slashing, hard nose running style fits the system perfectly. Justice Hays got some carries. Fitzgerald Toussaint looked like, well, the Fitzgerald Toussaint you know. Coach Hoke identified FB Paul Gyamati as a tough runner, and lauded FB Stephen Hopkins as having a good spring.
Asked if any receiver was going to wear the Number 1 this year, Coach Hoke reminded that he has 115 worthy players, all trying to earn honors.
Vincent Smith, Jerald Robinson, and Jeremy Gallon collared passes, none of which were deep.
The switch of Craig Roh to strong side defensive end seems to have benefitted him, Jabreel Black is doing well with his hand down, and on the weak side there is a prospering competition between Frank Clark and Brennen Beyer, with Beyer starting this time, but Clark close. Keith Heitzel, a reserve strong side DE was mentioned by Hoke.
Blake Countess grabbed a pick. Brandon Hawthorne made his presence felt with five tackles and an interception. He has been tolerating some dings.
It is difficult to predict future success or failure from “spring games”. Players that have a strong spring game may falter in the fall. The same can happen to a team. The whole body of work has to be considered including the results of competition.
Sometimes the defects revealed in the spring are glaring. Such as defensive deficiencies in the spring game at Saline a few years ago. Not so this year. It seems that the Wolverines are going to be a highly competitive team in the B1G this year. Whether they will be able to compete at a national level won’t be validated until after their appearance Arlington, and even then the team that ends the season may be much stronger than the one that started the season.
What we do know is that something good is being built in Ann Arbor. How good only time will tell.
