In this series I will be focusing on players who’s mere presence denotes the proverbial “Red Flag” to be waived. There’s an age old adage in the scouting community that reads; The best type of ability is availability. Whether it’s off the field issues or medical concerns, the whole high risk/high reward scenario is enough to drive the NFL community up the wall.
I can see it now. Former Michigan QB, Denard Robinson, is a bust. He’s flamed out after years of of dropping passes and running sloppy routes. What once looked to be a promising career, is now an afterthought in the minds of many fans. Draft execs and media members alike, dubbed him the next Antwaan Randle-El coming out of college. Randle-El was the athletic QB from Indiana University who made the switch to receiver in the pros and had a pretty productive career returning punts and receiving the ball. At 5’10 – 185 lbs he made the perfect “Wildcard” player. Line him up all over the field to catch – and even do some gadget throws. Denard “Shoelace” Robinson! Antwaan Randle -El 2.0! Too bad nobody saw the discrepancies between the two before it was too late…No Wait! That writer “Uptown Murf” did! He warned us this might happen. Why didn’t we listen? Why?
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Around draft time, the media has a tendency to compare players that are in the midst of being drafted to their predecessors who have already played in the NFL. A lot of the time these comparisons are dead-on. Some of the time these comparisons are lazy and devoid of creativity. In the case of Denard Robinson, the comparisons to Randle-El are just that. Lazy!
Yes both Randle-El and Robinson are QB’s who were successful at the collegiate level. Both wowed the Big 10 conference with exciting, explosive plays. Both were pegged early on as players who were too small and lacked the traditional QB acumen to be taken serious as a draft prospect at the position. The subtle difference, or not so subtle, is that Randle-El can catch! Yes you know, the most important part of being a receiver?! You could tell at the Senior Bowl that Randle-El could work at the position. He fielded punts effortlessly. He ran routes and caught the ball away from his body. Overall he looked as though he played the position exclusively in college. This was an easy sell job. Denard Robinson on the other hand…Uhhh…Not so much.
Anybody who watched Denard at the Senior Bowl and subsequent scouting combine, saw a guy who looked extremely awkward working exclusively as a receiver. He dropped easily obtainable passes. He rounded off routes. He generally looked as though he had two left hands or something. It just didn’t look smooth. But you know what did look smooth? His run after the catch ability. As a matter of fact, he looked as if he could be one of the most dangerous threats in the league with the ball in his hands. He has extraordinarily dangerous stop and go agility. He has exceptional vision. Surprising power. Dynamic quickness with speed to burn (4.43 at the combine). Moving him to receiver will not take advantage of those facets of his game. Moving him to running back will undoubtedly highlight those characteristics!
I can see it now. Denard Robinson, the former QB turned running back, lived up to his billing as the next Jamaal Charles. You know, the lightning fast track star who used his agility, vision, and exceptional quickness to rush for 1,120 and 1,467 yards in consecutive seasons. After tearing an ACL in his second game of the next season – came back the following year to rush for a career high 1,509 yards! All while averaging a career NFL best 5.8 yards per carry. And the kicker to that, he clocks in at 5’11, 199 lbs. The same exact size as Denard Robinson. I wholeheartedly believe that if given the opportunity, Denard Robinson can have similar success. If paired with a workhorse type back – Denard would be the ultimate change of pace running back. Let’s go to the film and see why.
Late in his senior season, Denard sustained an elbow injury to his throwing arm that caused damage to a nerve. In turn, he had trouble gripping the ball and could no longer throw. The creative staff at the University of Michigan still found a way for him to contribute given his innate running ability. They moved him to running back.
Denard lined up in the Shotgun…at running back!
Here Denard is line up at running back and will be running a toss sweep to the boundary.
Getting Denard to the outside will pay dividends in the NFL
Denard receives the toss.
Agility + Quickness = Uh oh!
Here I illustrate the pursuit of the linebackers who are in pretty good position and closing quickly.
Looks to be in trouble.
The ‘Backers arrive with some bad intentions.
Gruesome! Leaves them in a 2 car pile up!
Well this shows the type of short area agility he has to take what seemed like a short gainer into a chance for more by breaking some ankles.
The ability to decelerate and accelerate in a nano second.
On the next one.
Not allergic to contact.
Driving through the tackle for more yardage. To be a good running back you can’t shy away from contact. You will never see Denard scared of a hit. Sometimes to his detriment – but you can’t teach heart.
Guys like Jamaal Charles and Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson are a rarity. Guys at or under 200 lbs that can drive the pile when necessary. They make a living running to the outside but can also get a few carries inside the tackle box and make it count. These guys are as fearless as they are fast. Here I’ll show you why Denard Robinson belongs in the conversation with them.
Denard with a convoy.
Using his vision.
The hole develops for progression to the second level.
Two tacklers looking to bring down Denard after a good gain.
Well looks like Denard will be going down now – good run Denard!
Not so fast! Denard brings some power in his 5’10 – 199 lb frame. He’s very stout and built just like a C.J. Spiller type. His last 3 college games saw him rush for 98, 122, and 100 yards. Mostly as a running back.
TD: Time fire up the band!
67 yards later it’s a TD! This is the kind of electricity Denard can bring to an NFL backfield. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, who have a thunderous power back like Trent Richardson can use a back like Denard Robinson. He’d also be a great fit with Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings. Get him the ball 7-12 times a game on tosses, sweeps, and draws – and watch him chew yardage up.
Putting him at receiver involves too many variables to get the ball in his hands. He should be handed the ball and sent on his merry way. Denard Robinson can be a future star at running back. If drafted as a receiver ala Antwaan Randle-El, expect a steep learning curve. Don’t make that mistake NFL. Do the right thing. Cast him as a running back!
