Denard Robinson : All posts

with gallery: Fans inundate M Den store to meet Denard Robinson

Sales associate Dearron Haygood, who has worked at M Den for the last eight years, said he's never seen a bigger crowd at the downtown Ann Arbor store than he did Saturday. The draw: Denard Robinson, University of Michigan senior and star football player.

What did you think of the Michigan football segment on '60 Minutes'?

The Michigan football team takes the field before the game against Northwestern on Nov.10.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

with video, with poll: 'I Love You Denard' gets music video just ahead of Michigan-Alabama game

Pat Stansik, the rising comedian from Ann Arbor who's found considerable success online, has just released a music video for his song "I Love You Denard."

Stansik released the audio for the song, a tribute to University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, on YouTube in February, but it's been missing a full-blown video—until now.

Denard Robinson will set records this year, but Michigan won't alter approach for Heisman campaign

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is considered a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, but the Wolverines won't alter the way they operate to boost his candidacy.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

It has 78 consensus All-Americans.

And yet, just one primarily offensive player has won the Heisman Trophy since World War II.

Why?

Alabama DE Damion Square on Denard Robinson: 'That's what we're coming to stop'

Quarterback Denard Robinson is going to have a target on his back when Michigan opens the season against defending national champ Alabama.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Alabama is aware of his exploits, and that the Wolverines' offense will flow through him when the teams tangle Sept. 1 in Arlington, Texas.

"He opens up things because he's very, very fast," Alabama defensive end Damion Square told reporters Wednesday, according to al.com. "As a defense, we've got to first and foremost come in the game and stop what they want to do first.

"They want to give him the ball first, and that's what we're coming to stop."

Russell Bellomy's no 'Shoelace,' but his QB aptitude and confidence has Michigan excited

Michigan football quarterback Russell Bellomy has impressed coaches with his ability to learn quickly and play confident.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When reporters and photographers were ushered into Al Glick Field House on Sunday for the Michigan football team's annual media day, a small open door framed a portrait of who, exactly, people were there to see.

Standing outside in the bright sunshine for a photo shoot was senior quarterback Denard Robinson, sporting his trademark smile and long flowing dreadlocks, and junior signal-caller Devin Gardner, who accompanied his freshly cut mohawk with a slick pair of sunglasses.

Robinson and Gardner have done this before, they know the drill.

Some 50 feet inside the building, cautiously taking questions from a handful of reporters for the first time ever at Michigan was Bellomy.

There were no sunglasses. No mohawk. No ear-to-ear grin.

Sports Illustrated puts Denard Robinson on the cover, but ranks MSU ahead of Michigan

When local Michigan football fans receive their annual Sports Illustrated college football preview issue, a familiar face will adorn the cover.

None other than Wolverine senior quarterback Denard Robinson.

Robinson is one of five college football players to be awarded regional cover spreads in Sports Illustrated's annual preview. The other four were West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones and USC quarterback Matt Barkley.

CBS says Taylor Lewan, not Denard Robinson, is Michigan's most important player

CBS believes that Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, not quarterback Denard Robinson, is the team's most important player in 2012.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

CBSsports.com, however, sees the discussion in a different light.

During its Michigan preseason breakdown, CBS labeled junior left tackle Taylor Lewan -- not Robinson -- as the Wolverines' most important player in 2012.

"Every great offense has to have an anchor, and the 6-foot-8, 302 pound Lewan serves that role for the Wolverines," the site wrote. "Lewan is expected to dominate the opposition in the same manner as current NFL-er Jake Long did in his days in Ann Arbor.

"For Michigan QB Denard Robinson to be the explosive weapon he can be, Robinson needs Lewan to be one of the best in the Big Ten up front."

Michigan QB Denard Robinson receives outpouring of support for media day speech, but ready to work

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has always allowed his play to do the talking. Now, he's trying to step up off the field as well.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Now a senior and the face of a Wolverines team craving his leadership, Robinson is working to open up -- and speak up.

His first big breakthrough occurred recently at the Big Ten's media days in Chicago, where he delivered a stirring 8-minute speech while speaking for the league's players. He opened up about his brother dying when he was 10, and later holding recruiting visits at his grandparents' house because he was so self-conscious of the drug-infested streets that surrounded his home.

"As soon as it was over, I texted him and told him that I thought it was incredible," senior receiver Roy Roundtree said this week. "I had never seen Denard open up like that."

Michigan QB Denard Robinson named to 5th national watch list, this one for Golden Arm Award

The hype continues to roll in for star Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson.

The senior is widely considered a top-five preseason candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and now has been named to a fifth national preseason award watch list. This one is the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation's top quarterback.

An expert on living in the public eye, Michigan's Denard Robinson ready for Heisman Trophy hype

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson says he's prepared to handle the Heisman Trophy hype that may surround him in 2012.

AnnArbor.com file photo

A full-fledged celebrity in Ann Arbor for the past few years, Robinson's popularity has began to take on national scope of late.

Whether it's in the student section at Crisler Center, a hockey game at Yost Ice Arena or an airport bathroom -- all eyes appear to be on Denard.

"We were at the airport coming to Chicago (last week) and Denard went to the bathroom," Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said. "And there was this guy who looked over at me and Jordan (Kovacs), so we figured that was kind of cool that he knew who we were.

"But then Denard walks out and the guy's eyes light up. But he doesn't care, he just smiles and puts stuff in his bag and walks away. ... He gets that a lot. But he does a great job of handling it all."

Denard Robinson has cut out the 'Little Debbie' snacks, gotten into the best shape of his career

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson says he's taken better care of his body this offseason, and believes he's in the best playing shape of his career.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

One: He has the potential to score six points just about every time he touches the ball.

Two: He's had the potential to leave the game due to injury, just about every time he's taken a hard hit.

This summer, Robinson says he's done everything he can off the field to amplify No. 1 and lessen No. 2 at the same time.

And that process, he says, began at the snack counter.

"I never (used) to pay attention to what I ate," Robinson said. "I'm probably the biggest junk food eater ever. I'm like Lamar Odom when it comes to stuff like that.

"It'd be all candy, all Little Debbie snacks. All the bad stuff."

Michigan football QB Denard Robinson not offended by NFL detractors, concentrating on senior season

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson isn't offended by the NFL analysts who say he'll have to switch positions after college.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Most believe Denard Robinson will never be a full-time quarterback after this season.

Asked whether or not that bothers him, motivates him or amuses him, the Michigan football senior star was indifferent last week in Chicago during the Big Ten's annual media days.

He may never get a full-time crack at taking snaps in the NFL, but he says he can't worry about that right now.

He's too busy playing quarterback for the Wolverines.

"You know what I say to all that?" Robinson asked rhetorically. "I'm at the University of Michigan, right? I play quarterback, right?

"I'm going to try to be the best quarterback I can be for the University of Michigan."

CBSsports.com puts Denard Robinson and Taylor Lewan on All-Big Ten team, second team All-America squad

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson was joined by offensive tackle Taylor Lewan on CBSsports.com's first team all-Big Ten list, and second team all-America squad.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

On Monday, the Michigan football quarterback and offensive tackle received more preseason attention, this time from CBSsports.com.

CBS placed both Robinson and Lewan on its first team "All-Big Ten" squad, and had a spot for both on its second team "All-America" list.

Michigan football QB Denard Robinson says hello to Ohio State's Urban Meyer, the coach he nearly played for

CHICAGO -- While wandering in and out of one of his multiple organized interviews Thursday, Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson bumped into the man who nearly became his coach.

That man?

Ohio State's Urban Meyer.

"I said hello to him," Robinson said during the Big Ten's annual two-day media event. "I told him my family said hello, and that's pretty much it.

"I'm at the University of Michigan now."

Michigan football team 'not worried' about playing Michigan State, more focused on overall improvement

The Michigan football team isn't happy about its losing streak to Michigan State, but it isn't obsessing over it either.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

During the first session of the Big Ten media days in Chicago on Thursday, coach Brady Hoke and his three player representatives were given multiple opportunities to express their thoughts on whether or not the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has hit an all-time high in terms of intensity.

And virtually every time, the Wolverine contingent brushed it off.

"Right now, I'm thinking about winning summer camp, being the best I can be for this team right now," Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson said. "I'm not thinking about Michigan State. I'm thinking about being the best quarterback (I can be).

"I'm not worried about playing Michigan State."

Michigan football's Denard Robinson, Taylor Lewan make Big Ten's Players to Watch list

Michigan football offensive tackle Taylor Lewan and quarterback Denard Robinson were named to the Big Ten's preseason "Players to Watch" list Thursday.

AnnArbor.com file photo

But Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson and offensive tackle Taylor Lewan made the next best thing Thursday.

Robinson and Lewan were among 10 Big Ten players named to the now annual preseason "Players to Watch" list at the league's two-day media days event in Chicago.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson racks up 4th national watch list appearance, this one for Manning Award

Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson was named on Wednesday to his fourth preseason watch list, the most of any Wolverines player.

The senior is among 25 players included on the watch list for the Manning Award, which goes to the nation's best quarterback. He also has been tabbed for the Walter Camp Award (player of the year), Maxwell Award (most outstanding player) and Davey O'Brien Award (best quarterback).

Michigan's Denard Robinson named to watch list for Walter Camp Player of the Year award

Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson is on the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team's star quarterback was named as a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award on Friday, given to the nation's most outstanding player.

Michigan football over-under: Can Denard Robinson improve his interception numbers?

Will Denard Robinson be able to get his interceptions under control this season?

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

At times, his shiftiness and pure foot speed make it almost impossible for defenders to corral him, almost like someone's using a joystick to move him from side to side.

Then, at other times, it seems like the owner of that joystick gets too caught up in the superhero moment -- and pushes Robinson to throw balls off his back foot, or try to fit passes into spots that simply don't exist.

At Michigan they take the good and the bad when it comes to Robinson. In 2011, there was plenty of good, and also a whole lot of bad.