Allen beat the favored Snapp in aphotofinish 56

He has scored three rushing touchdowns this season, including one yesterday against Iowa to bring Michigan within two points in the fourth quarter. The problem is, when hes in, the defense knows hes not much of a threat to pass. Just ask Michigan State defensive end Trevor Anderson.They did everything we practiced this week, Anderson said following the game last week, in which Michigan State won 26-20 in overtime. When they decided to put in Denard Robinson, we knew they were going to run the ball. They couldnt throw it with him.Its fun to watch Robinson run the ball with the way he jukes and jives his way past tacklers. But while it worked in the first few games of the season, the effectiveness of using Robinson as basically a run-only quarterback diminishes each game.The more the season goes on, and the more good defenses he faces, the less success he will have when lining up at the quarterback position. Im not lobbying to completely move him to running back or receiver.

Put him in the backfield and run the option or even the team's staple, the zone read.Rodriguezs offense is predicated on getting the ball into the hands of playmakers in space, so why not find more ways to get Robinson on the field Of course the risk is Robinson getting injured, which would leave Michigan just an injury to Forcier away from being forced to use Sheridan as its quarterback. Nothing against Sheridan, but as we saw last season, hes not the right guy for this offense.However, I dont think that argument holds much weight, since Robinson takes hits every time hes on the field anyway when he runs the ball. At the very least, getting him on the field in various positions makes the offense far less predictable. By this time, opponents are well aware of Robinsons talents, and to see him in the slot or in the backfield would surely add a layer of unpredictability and give opponents more to prepare for.Robinson could be headed for that type of role in the years to come anyway, since Michigan has five-star quarterback Devin Gardner locked up in its 2010 recruiting class.Gardner, rated as the nations No 1 quarterback by Rivals and No. Elite 11 camp director Greg Biggins compared Gardner to Vince Young, Tim Tebow, Juice Williams and Dennis Dixon at the same stage in their development.So with that in mind, as well as the solid play of Forcier (even with his struggles at Iowa), I think it is time to expand Robinsons role beyond that of just quarterback.Ask yourself this: Is it better to keep him on the sidelines for all but one or two series a game in an effort to keep him healthy Or would it be more valuable to get another exciting and proven playmaker on the field to make the offense even more difficult to defendI vote the latter, and it should begin this Saturday.With Delaware State, from the Football Championship Subdivision, bringing its 1-3 record to Ann Arbor, Michigan doesnt have to worry about needing a perfect game to win.Delaware State has lost to Florida A&M, Delaware and Bethune-Cookman, and averages just 14 points per game.

What better time to get Robinson on the field, not only at quarterback in passing situations, but also in various positions to get the ball in his hands in space It would give Michigan a chance to practice some of those plays that expand the playbook even more, but it also would give the following weeks opponent, Penn State, more looks to prepare for. Not only would they know that when Robinson is lined up at quarterback hes going to run They would also be wary of No 16s presence in the slot or in the backfield. Slot receiver Kelvin Grady is talented, but he hasnt proven the elusiveness that Robinson has shown with the ball. An FCS opponent allows this young team a chance to work on some new things and get its confidence back before delving into the remainder of the Big Ten schedule.

And well see if Rodriguez has any plans up his sleeve to expand Robinsons role.. 240 Top Athletes From Original Field of 11,000 Head to 35th Anniversary MadisonSquare Garden FinalsBROOKLYN, N.Y.(Business Wire)Wayne NJs Amber Allen, a student at Passaic County tech, upset Nijgia Snapp ofOak Crest High School in Mays Landing, NJ in a close 400 Meters event at theColgate Womens Games Semi-Finals on Saturday. Allen beat the favored Snapp in aphoto-finish 56.96 to 57.14. Allen had trailed Snapp in all four weeks ofpreliminaries, coming in a close second all season. Both athletes will join top point scorers from six age/grade divisions, at theColgate Womens Games Finals, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 31stat 11:00 AM. The event celebrating its 35th anniversary has according to meetofficials produced 22 Olympians, 100s of age/grade national champions, andcountless changed lives.