The Wolverine Now

THE WOLVERINE • PAGE 39 That finished the day for the veteran and put the league on notice that at 37 years old, he has plenty of football left in him. Denard Robinson Adjusting To Life As A Running Back Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson isn't under center anymore, and he's not in the spotlight the way he was in Ann Arbor. He does have a great opportunity in Jacksonville, however, to emerge as a significant part of the Jag- uars' offense. Robinson has been impressive as the change-of-pace back through three presea- son games. After playing through a nerve injury in his arm — one that limited him in his senior season at Michigan — to car- ry only 20 times for 66 yards last season, Robinson has rushed 14 times for 82 yards and a touchdown through three preseason games. With Maurice Jones-Drew, No. 2 on the Jaguars' career rushing list, leaving for Oakland in the offseason and only former Minnesota backup Toby Gerhart in front of him, Robinson will have an opportunity. "I'm a running back right now; it's fun doing that," Robinson told the Detroit News. "I'm just helping the team out with whatever I can do … [My injury] is still lingering a little bit, but for the most part, it's healthier. "I'm not the kind of guy that complains about things; I just go with it and have fun with it and enjoy it. The hand issue is done. I feel a lot better. I can open my hands and grab, and I feel comfortable with it." Robinson had trouble holding the ball last year, fumbling three times in an of- fense that finished 31st in the league in rushing. Now 197 pounds, he's still small- ish for an NFL running back, but he's learning how to adjust. "I did work on my strength, and I did work on trying to maintain my speed and do little things," he said. "I'm making sure I keep my pads low. That's one of the big things, because I was so used to running from the QB position. Now I have learned how to run with my pads low." He's also proving himself by playing on special teams, including as a gunner on punt returns. "It is different, but you enjoy it and have fun with it," he said. "It's fun just to go out there and play a different position. "You have to find your niche in the NFL. That's one of the things that comes with it. If you're not the main guy, you have to find a role on special teams." Robinson is expected to stick with the Jaguars when they announce their 53-man roster next week. Notes • Former Michigan linebacker Cameron Gordon, a rookie free agent in New En- gland, was placed on injured reserve re- cently with an undisclosed injury. ❑  MICHIGAN IN THE PROS

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