[video=youtube;d2xuk-t6iFA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2xuk-t6iFA[/video] Where do you think this guy would have rated in this draft had he been trained up as a receiver/return specialist at Michigan instead of quarterback? I think Rich Rodriguez did this kid a disservice by allowing him to play quarterback.
I would still look at him as a desirable WR prospect in Day 3. I think that some of the drops he had in Senior Bowl practices were a result of some nerve issues he was working through to where some of his fingers were still numb. That was going to be a slow recovery. But from the televised portions I thought he showed a lot of ability in route running. Obviously he needs to be taught, but he can really move well and with the football in his hands he's an extremely exciting player. I think at his pro day he looked good catching the football, didn't drop anything. I think he had some catches during the game itself. Denard has always been a gamer so it's possible you could see him drop some balls in practice (especially if his fingers are numb) and then during the game he just finds a way to snag the ball numb fingers or not. He was a heavy consideration for me in #MockTwo as I was planning what I was going to do in the 6th-7th rounds. The bottom line is he didn't make it to those picks, was taken with the 6th pick in the 6th round. I'm not saying I would've taken him if he was available at 6.16, though. The #MockTwo people allowed some guys that shouldn't have been available that low to still hang around and I felt like I was picking up starting caliber players left and right in guys like D.J. Hayden, Hugh Thornton and Joseph Fauria. If Denard had been available at my final pick at 7.18 then he was going to be a heavy consideration. I probably still would've steered toward the QB pick because I really wanted to write up Peter Lalich.
I don't, I think Rich Rodriquez is a coach of amateur football playing college students not a A ball manager looking to feed "the big club".
I just wonder, with his ability to do things on the foot when he has the ball in his hands, where he would rank had he played receiver for four years. Had he done it, it would have removed any questions about his ability to transition. I do wonder if he would have been a potential first day pick had he done it.
The catches I'm talking about during the Senior Bowl game itself. Keep in mind he had numb fingers when he did this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QRNdt6WZJ8&feature=player_detailpage#t=143s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QRNdt6WZJ8&feature=player_detailpage#t=32s Robert Alford and B.W. Webb are small school guys that are creeping into Day 2. He made Webb look like a fool on the screen and he made a really challenging catch while going to ground on a speed out for a first down against Alford.
Because he knows how to run routes, knows how to use his hands as a receiver, catches the football better, is taller and bigger and stronger. You know, basic "I'm an actual wide receiver" stuff.
I've read Robinson has been working strictly as a RB at his pro day and work outs and that's where he will likely stay?
Clearly I struck a chord...sorry. I was just asking real questions. I didn't know if he could catch or not, and I figured if he could then his longer record of playing against better competition and the fact that he seems more versatile could out weigh some of the polish he lacks and Patterson doesn't.
When I see his game, I see Josh Cribbs who MAYBE can learn to run quality routes. I'd have a hard time buying into the idea that he can do Rb stuff like picking up blitzes etc, his time at Qb could mean he can read a blitz coming, but actually blocking it is another story.
Denard Robinson is essentially Brad Smith. That's what he is. A little smaller, a little faster. I don't think Brad Smith has been a bad weapon at the NFL level. Maybe not a great one. But Robinson has open field run instincts that Smith didn't have, IMO.
I agree. I could see a team taking him and using him like a McCluster. Some runs. Some snaps split out. Some PR. I think the only question is gonna be can he pick up routes and is he tough enough. Based on what I've seen from him I think he is. But we don't know for sure until he gets hit by a big NFL body a bunch of times
B/c Tavon is already there. He's already spent 4 years developing at the position to get where he's currently at, so how long will it take Denard to bridge that gap? IMO a lot of what Tavon does is mental and has a great feel for the game as a receiver. I personally wouldn't pass of Austin with the hopes Denard becomes everything Tavon already is.
But at the same time, if you DO pass on Tavon Austin, Denard Robinson probably becomes the next best substitute for the kind of player that you expect Tavon to be.
I agree with that logic, definitely. For me personally, if I'm infatuated with Tavon I wouldn't pass on him hoping Robinson develops into the player we all hope he does, and with the shorter duration of rookie contracts as well as their reduced salary cost, I'd want the player who doesn't require a few years of developing.
Me too. I wouldn't pass on Austin for any other player in this draft. He's my favorite, but even if we do take him, depending on how the board looks, if Denard is still available in the 4th or 5th, I may consider taking him too, especially if to that point, Austin was the only WR taken. Robinson is as much a potential RB as he is a WR anyway, so it wouldn't be like we're overstocked at WR. It may put Thigpen on thin ice for a roster spot though.
As much as I like Thigpen's game, he has to do things in the offense or he will be skating on the thing stuff, watched him play in Canada and he can do a lot more things then they used him for last year but it has to translate into the NFL or he should be upgraded.