If Denard can't go, might get in for one "symbolic play"
Angelique at the Detroit News reports that on the Stoney and Bill radio show this morning they asked Hoke if he would consider putting Denard in for one last play at home if he can't start.
"That would be something I would think about, but to be honest with you," Hoke said. "The seniors and the guys and the people who are truly Michigan fans, I think they understand the significance he's had."
So you may not have seen Denard for the last time at Michigan Stadium. Maybe.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121115/SPORTS0201/211150421/If-Den…
November 15th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
I hope he takes it to the house (and there will be many moist eyes in Michigan Stadium).
November 15th, 2012 at 1:00 PM ^
It's only fitting that Denard's last play at Michigan Stadium, would be just like his first.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^
Perhaps after a brief fumble.
November 15th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
so I can hear the announcers explain how he got the nickname "Shoelace."
November 15th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
Stop it! Where did those onions come from?
November 15th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 1:08 PM ^
Lots of seniors to start Saturday. They may only play the 1st play, but there will be a lot of seniors out there on that 1st play.
November 15th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
Going to be a very loud ovation after that play...glad I'm making the trip to see his last home game. I hope he can get in for at least one play.
November 15th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
And, as Salvatore Quattro's reference sailed over the heads of his fellow MGoBloggers, he became known as Margaret forever after.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Mo did it in 1994 with Walter Smith, who was also a co-captain of the team. I do agree with Hoke that a symbolic play may not be necessary.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^
but I do. I would imagine I'm not the only one who feels this way. Denard isn't just a special football player, he's a special kid. I would feel so sad if I didn't get the chance to give him one more vociferous cheer following a play.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^
need - no. want - yes. i'd like to see it too.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:37 PM ^
You were probably standing next to me at that game too, weren't you! Good times.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^
that was our sophomore year, so yes! walter smith caught that ball right in front of us.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^
Those were some fun times. I think my shin is still brused from us all going ape-sh-t during the 1993 win over OSU.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:47 PM ^
If I recall, his leg was all messed up and despite that, he was stalking Coach Moeller on the sidelines and constantly asking to get in the game. I think it was against Wisconsin. Moeller got him in for one screen pass, the Wisconsin guys (to their credit), played extremely soft coverage, and when he caught the ball, the crowd went nuts. That was a great Michigan memory.
November 15th, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^
Captain of the team. Blew out his knee pre-season. I'm thinking it was Minny, but am not certain. I think he was supposed to make the catch and go down, but instead tried to get some yards (but maybe I'm embellishing that part).
EDIT: Whoops should have looked below first.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^
If Coach Hoke has already thought about this, it seems to me that Denard will most likely not be playing much this Saturday. Although I do find it somewhat strange that Coach would tip his hand like this. I'd much more expect Brady to simply say Denard is "banged up" or "we'll see how he feels." Very telling.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^
The Walter Smith play happens at 21:53
November 15th, 2012 at 4:59 PM ^
I remember that game well. I hear they are showing that play again on PBS this weekend...
November 15th, 2012 at 5:09 PM ^
I remember that play, you could see Moeller telling Walter to make the catch and just get out of bounds. Walter caught the ball, found the closest defender and popped him right in the chest. Dude loved to hit.
November 15th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
My Hokespeak is a little rusty but I think that roughly translates to, "Denard is going to start and play the entire game at QB."
"Symbolic play" doesn't seem like something Hoke would say if he were leaning towards sitting him. Sounds more like something Brandon would say though Brandon would probably have Denard out there with a commemorative patch commemorating himself.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^
Your Hokespeak is a lot rusty. : (
November 15th, 2012 at 1:14 PM ^
you are not hearing positive "things" from Fort Schembechler about Denard's status?
November 15th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
this is so lousy
November 15th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
People know how much Denard has meant to this program. He has been an outstanding person and teammate while remaining dedicated to Michigan. The last three years have shown that to be true over and over. I don't really think he needs a "symbolic play" for people to remember him or for his career to be meaningful. Don't get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to see him trot out onto that feild healthy and lead his team to victory over Iowa, but that being said I would not want to jeprodize his health or risk any adverse consequenses of sending him in to a game if he is not in fact fit to play. Nerve injuries are difficult things to judge and if he doesn't take it easy until it is fully healed it could have long lasting reprocussions. I love denard too much to have him lose it all on a symbolic but ultimately meaningless gesture.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^
I don't think it would be done for the fans. I think it would be done for Denard and his teammates, so they could see him on the field one last time.
November 15th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Fuck me, I can't think about Denard this week without getting a little bit misty. Cot Damn onions.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^
I had a dream last night about Denard's last home game. It woke me up. That's all I am going to say!
November 15th, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^
Now that's symbolic!
November 15th, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^
I hate to be a bummer. But it sounds like Denard will probably not play. I translate the discussion of a symbolic play as, "He isn't going to be ready to go."
November 15th, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^
Fumble the snap on purpose.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:28 PM ^
Denard's first play in the Big House was a fumbled snap broken play for a touchdown ...
November 15th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
November 15th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
He will come in to take the knee at the end of the game
November 15th, 2012 at 2:10 PM ^
That would be one classy move by Ferentz. I'm sure that Lloyd has already spoken to him about this.
November 15th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^
I hope he fumbles the snap and takes off for a TD.
I mean just look at that speed...
...cya... :(
November 15th, 2012 at 1:52 PM ^
at some point Saturday is a must, IMO. They have been the catalysts for Hoke to bring this program back to repectability.
One thing I haven't seen discussed is when DR runs the football, he ALWAYS carries the ball with his left hand. This eliminates the gripping problem the nerve issue has caused with his right hand during a run play. I could see him getting a couple of real run plays rather than just a cameo if further injury isn't an issue.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
Does Denard need a functioning ulnar nerve to play as a running back or slot receiver?
November 15th, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^
I was wondering the same thing. situational playing time.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
...I've been wondering that too.
Not that I've ever been one of those people who insisted he wasn't a good QB or anything, but he's still an electric runner & a weapon. Why not get him on the field if possible? Gardner was willing to try reciever and I'd imagine that Denard is just as selfless. I guess this just points to the fact that the injury must be too severe to risk letting him take a hit.
November 15th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
Denard is still your starting QB unless otherwise noted - I could see changing the playcalls to accommodate any limitations, but not putting him out of position.
It would be nice to see him out there for at least some of the game if he is available, but as other have mentioned, he has meant so much to Michigan and done so much for the program simply by being here as well as through his play that it would be a bonus rather than a necessity on many levels. Even Kirk Ferentz said that the Hawkeyes were preparing based on the assumption that both Robinson and Gardner would be under center. Consider also that there are the Buckeyes and a bowl to prepare for guaranteed, and a healthy Denard would be invaluable for those, so if he plays Saturday, it's likely at QB, and I imagine for only a portion of the game.
That being said, it is really a day for all the seniors on this team, and hopefully they are all out there at some point - this group has been through quite a bit, and it has not been easy on them, I am sure. They deserve every clap and every decibel of that ovation, in my opinion.
November 15th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^
I think there are two issues:
1) If he has trouble gripping the ball, he could be a fumble risk.
2) The fear of further injury to the nerve. What if he lands on it again?
November 15th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^
I remember our LB Mays in the Rose Bowl ('97) got in for one play.. I believe it was National Title team. He had career ending knee injury. Classy move by L Carr and staff to get him into the game.
November 15th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
Senior day is nice but I think we have to play him against OSU if there is any way possible. We don't need him against Iowa so unless he is close to 100%, I say keep him on the bench.
Now, for OSU, I think you pull out all the stops including using Denard as a running back against OSU if he can't go at quarterback.