Denard WR Speed Option Play
This was ran 3 times I think, with Devin at QB and Denard at WR and every time Denard came streaking across the field ready to take a handoff. I like the idea of the play but not the personnel. I would rather see Denard/Devin at QB and have Shaw/Gallon be the one running across field and run a play similar to the one Martinez of Nebraska ran. I know having a QB streaking across the field has much potential for throwing and trickeration, but I'd rather have Devin be the one running because he has already shown his ability to thrown on the run. Also the opposing defense is always locked onto Denard so I think it would be better if someone else was running the "trick" part of the play.
GO BLUE!
October 9th, 2011 at 2:04 AM ^
Having Denard run it makes the D think about it more. Denard is by far our biggest threat, which is going to make the D slide to the side he's going towards. That opens it up for a fake and allow Devin to roll out the other way. We actually did fake the speed sweep this game, though Devin wasn't able to find anyone open downfield.
October 9th, 2011 at 3:17 AM ^
Isn't that a jet sweep?
October 9th, 2011 at 4:48 AM ^
Yes, in NCAA video games. Different terminology is used in different programs. I don't know what UM calls it, but a "Jet Sweep" is the most common term used for it.
October 9th, 2011 at 3:20 AM ^
they really need to start handing it to denard on that play.. otherwise the defense won't bite
October 9th, 2011 at 3:25 AM ^
disagree.
this package simply tries to get the defense to think 'DenardDenardDenard' (//Tommy Rees: FloydFloydFloydFloyd). If you ran the same play with Denard under center and someone like shaw streaking across, I really doubt it would be any more effective. Not that we've really broken anything noteworthy out of it, but it's also never been a total fail. I'd actually like to see Devin step back in the pocket and fire up a deep ball... see if we can catch a safety/db cheating.
I'll use this space to point out that I'm enjoying watching Al Borges tinker with the offense. It's got to be very interesting for him, even moreso when Denard has an amazing ability to make atrocious throws/decisions right on the heels of a Heisman highlight reel play. He's building something totally unique, and it seems to be inspiring him to be creative. Sure, there have been some dud calls here and there, but overall, I'm impressed with his willingness and ability to be flexible with his comfort zone (spread v west coast, etc).
when these 2 seasons with denard have come and gone, I'd love to ask Al whether he and the staff would actively try to recruit raw QB athletes like that again, rather than returning to the prototype pocket passers of old.
October 9th, 2011 at 7:41 AM ^
I wish they would keep this offense. It's so exciting and fun to watch. I think Al is starting to love all the things he can do. The one problem is simply, there will never be another Denard.
October 9th, 2011 at 6:30 AM ^
I think Michigan is trying to dispell the notion that Denard Robinson IS the offense, and rightly so. Many teams have it set in their collective mind that this is the case - a fair number of fans do as well. In any event, Borges is giving teams looks from several different offensive philosophies, which he can do with the personnel he has. Why not take advantage of that and make someone's D-coordinator frantically flip through their playbook?
October 9th, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^