Michigan's Denard Robinson adjusts to different offense

CHICAGO - Kevin Koger often has an obstructed view of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, but when he does see the man they call "Shoelace," Koger watches with awe.

"It's exciting because it could be a designed play up the middle and he could break it for 80 yards," Koger said. "You never what's going to happen with him. You always have to stay alert. Even when he's  scrambling or it's a designed run, you've got to stay alert and stay on your blocks."

Robinson, a junior, was the Big Ten's offensive player of the year last year and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He zoomed to a Michigan record of 4,272 total yards last year, including 2,570 yards passing. He was perhaps the nation's most electrifying player last year.

Robinson (6 feet, 193 pounds) set a Michigan single-game record with 502 total yards against Notre Dame last year. He ran for 1,702 yards, setting the national college football record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.

"He's a pretty difficult guy to get a hold of, but at the same time, so is Dan Persa at Northwestern," Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen said. "Those two guys are probably going to be the two best ballplayers we face this year. Like (defensive coordinator) Norm Parker says, the best thing to do is keep them inside and front of you, rally to the ball and gang tackle and you'll be fine."

But Robinson will have to adjust his style of play this year. He captivated the college football world working primarily out of the shotgun in former coach Rich Rodriguez's spread attack. Rodriguez was fired after last season, and new Michigan Coach Brady Hoke wants to install a traditional, physical running attack.

Robinson's changes include simply taking the ball from center, focusing on his footwork and working on play-action fakes. He dedicated his off-season toward improving those fundamentals and watching tape to correct his mistakes.

"I know I have to get better in the pocket and stepping up, putting my feet toward my target, keeping my feet underneath me," Robinson said. "So that's something I want to get better at, watching the film and seeing what things I can get better at."

But Hoke said he's no fool. With a dynamic player like Robinson, there's no reason to totally scrap what he does best. While the team will try to alter the offense toward a pro-style attack, Hoke will allow Robinson to improvise when appropriate.

"We're smart enough to have elements he does well from what he did in the past in the spread in our offense," Hoke said.

Some people have questioned whether Robinson is capable of adjusting to the style of play. Robinson said he uses that criticism as motivation.

"If anybody says something negative about me, if they say I can't do something, I always feed off it," he said. "Really, sometimes, I don't listen to it. Just do what you have to do to get better."

Robinson is nicknamed "Shoelace" because he never ties his shoes. He said he came by the nickname honestly when he started playing football as a child.

"My coach tried to tie them and they came untied," Robinson said. "It was not rebellious. He tried to tie them and we both tried to tie them and they didn't work. I don't wear them tied.

"It's just something I've been doing since I was young. I've always been doing it."