Gardner ESPN's #1 breakout candidate.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/08/espn_says_michigans_devin_gard.html

I read that. Frank Clark is on that list as well.

Still worry a little bit that expectations are too high. He's going to need a good running game threat which we have not had since Mike Hart, save Denard, to set up his passing. I hope that interior of the line grows up quickly.

Denard was the best runner in terms of the speed/instincts combo that I have ever seen at Michigan. He'd have gotten 2,500 yards rushing behind some of Bo's O-lines.

'shoes

I agree Shoes, that it is a bit unsettling that the bar's already been set so high for Devin for '13.

However, vital as it is that our running game (particularly power running inside) develops to take some of the onus (and pressure) off him, I also think our defense---which I expect to be much improved---will ease his load as well. He won't need to lead us to 38 points a game to win. Maybe not even 20...and I mean against the GOOD teams.

He was 3-2 as a starter (simply by the mathematical terms), but in "other" terms, he was 5-0. I sure as hell can't pin losses of 21-26 or 28-33 on the QB (or offense in general).

I pin the Ohio loss on the offense, but mostly the OC. Went was too vanilla in the 2nd half. The defense played great in the 2nd half. Giving up 6 points on 2 FG and both coming on short fields.

fishgoblue22 wrote:

I pin the Ohio loss on the offense, but mostly the OC.  Went was too vanilla in the 2nd half.  The defense played great in the 2nd half.  Giving up 6 points on 2 FG and both coming on short fields.  

That game made me wanna hurl. It was a winable game, against the biggest rival, on the road. Might have been a different outcome with some more aggressive play calling. Gorgeous Borges didnt trust Devin to air it out, got predictable, lost the game.

O$U is going to see a much different offense this year. And Michigan has the whole year get it ready.

All Gardner needs to do is take off running more often (when he's got an open lane) and his passing game should take off. His passing is already there, but if he runs more he'll open it up. Big season coming from the QB! Go Blue

Good points all but I wonder how much they'll want him running given the lack of a proven back-up.

'shoes

wshoes wrote:

Good points all but I wonder how much they'll want him running given the lack of a proven back-up.

'shoes

yeah, I just hope he runs more on passing downs when it's there, and then slides. QBs, who have the athletic ability like DG, seem reluctant to run, because they want to focus mostly on their passing. There's nothing wrong with that, more power to him, but I think he'll open it up if he just takes off a little more.

wshoes wrote:

Still worry a little bit that expectations are too high. He's going to need a good running game threat which we have not had since Mike Hart, save Denard, to set up his passing. I hope that interior of the line grows up quickly.

Denard was the best runner in terms of the speed/instincts combo that I have ever seen at Michigan. He'd have gotten 2,500 yards rushing behind some of Bo's O-lines.

'shoes

In what world is running for 1,034 yards and 9 touchdowns in 11 games, on 5.6 yards per carry, not a good running threat?

Fair point on Fitz' 2011 but he was a little bit boom or bust that season (with more boom to be sure).

He was no factor @Northwestern, @MSU and in the Sugar Bowl. Its also likely that the defenses focus on Denard aided him greatly.

In year when we had top O-lines and top tailbacks our running was more consistent.

'shoes

wshoes wrote:

...Still worry a little bit that expectations are too high...

^^^this^^^

wshoes wrote:

...In year when we had top O-lines and top tailbacks our running was more consistent...

^^^and this^^^


But I still think Gardner is going to have a good year. Good enough to win the B1G and get us into a BCS game. I also have prepared myself to not have meltdowns because I fully expect DG to have at least one bad game and also to make stupid mistakes in a few games, one of which will most likely cost us a game. We still win the B1G though.

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

wshoes wrote:

...Still worry a little bit that expectations are too high...

^^^this^^^

wshoes wrote:

...In year when we had top O-lines and top tailbacks our running was more consistent...

^^^and this^^^


But I still think Gardner is going to have a good year. Good enough to win the B1G and get us into a BCS game. I also have prepared myself to not have meltdowns because I fully expect DG to have at least one bad game and also to make stupid mistakes in a few games, one of which will most likely cost us a game. We still win the B1G though.

Sage advice Sandy.

'shoes

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

I fully expect DG to have at least one bad game and also to make stupid mistakes in a few games, one of which will most likely cost us a game.

I've been saying this for a while, these are kids playing a game. Granted they are very good athletes but still kids. I agree completely.