RJ Jackson: Now on the Weis radar?

[Irish Envy]

Since he is now the newest recruit to jump out of the woodwork, though I would try to start up a thread on him. I've read that Weis is trying to get him to come in on the 21st along with Julian Williams and anyone else they can get interested between now and then.

What do you all think?

 

[Rip Rap]

Since he is now the newest recruit to jump out of the woodwork, though I would try to start up a thread on him. I've read that Weis is trying to get him to come in on the 21st along with Julian Williams and anyone else they can get interested between now and then.

What do you all think?

We really need him. As I've said elsewhere: It would be nice to move Hoskins to corner, and neither Wilson nor Jenkins have ever impressed me enough to think they actually deserve scholarships at the Div. 1 level. In fact, I think Wilson should just graduate this year. That means we really only have Walker (and Thomas with the potential for tremendous improvement). Jackson could come in and get about 30% of the carries next year.

 

[the_voidoid]

We really need him. As I've said elsewhere: It would be nice to move Hoskins to corner, and neither Wilson nor Jenkins have ever impressed me enough to think they actually deserve scholarships at the Div. 1 level. In fact, I think Wilson should just graduate this year. That means we really only have Walker (and Thomas with the potential for tremendous improvement). Jackson could come in and get about 30% of the carries next year.

i've heard florida is in the lead since their leading rusher left early for the draft. jackson could apparently go in there and start immediately.

 

[jiggafini19]

This class will probably only net about 15-18 guys total. Ty's firing had a very negative impact on this class. Weis has done all he can. These 11th hour guys are possibilities, but longshots at best. Once New England's season is over, I hope Weis starts evaluating juniors right away for next year's crop. This whole process has really been a clusterf*&#.

Herring and Hord were big time signings. Both will do well at ND in four years. Too many big time signees were lost in the shuffle and went elsewhere.

Any word on Eubanks? It would be nice to steal him and get Roche. I think they'll have Roche anyway.

 

[irishjay]

Eubanks is considering ND and IOWA. He is taking time to decide and should announce next week.

 

[irishgo8]

I think there were alot of Hail Marys being said - my friend in South Bend said that Jackson was going to commit to ND but then held back and said that he is waiting for a friends decision (not an athlete) but i hope he does chose ND

 

[Guest]

How would your friend know this?

 

[irishgo8]

How would your friend know this?

He works at ND and is nosy

 

[Guest]

I highly doubt Jackson committed. Notre Dame isn't even his favorite, although that may change.

He hasn't even visited ND yet, so i doubt he was considering committing.

Either your full of B.S. or your friend is made up...

I happen to take recruiting seriously like many do here, please don't make stuff up.

 

[brucejcarr]

We need another runner ASAP. Just hope Coach Weis can land him. He's supposed to be a bunner, he could be our Kevin Faulk

 

[Guest]

anyone know if RJ has set up a visit with ND yet?

 

[sblxdoc]

off the subject a little bit, but does anybody have any updates on Patrick Turner and if he has interest still in nd?

 

[RECON Daddy]

He would be a great pick up, but we'll be ok regardless.

 

[Irish Envy]

He would be a great pick up, but we'll be ok regardless.

You think Walker is ready to carry the entire load at running back?

 

[RECON Daddy]

I'm from GA and seen him play. I think so, especially if we have speed at the receivers. Having a vertical passing game opens up the run and hence the RB gets hits less and can carry the ball more and not to mention more effectively.

 

[Irish Envy]

I'm from GA and seen him play. I think so, especially if we have speed at the receivers. Having a vertical passing game opens up the run and hence the RB gets hits less and can carry the ball more and not to mention more effectively.

Weis doesn't operate that way. He is an establish the run first type of guy. That said, I'm sure another back is going to be crucial to getting the most out of his system. RJ Jackson is a big time back... we need him.

 

[timm3117]

Where in GA recon?

 

[RECON Daddy]

I'm from WR and went to school @ GSU.

 

[RECON Daddy]

I don't disagree with you, but the threat of the deep ball can keep the secondary honest. I'm not saying that we dont; need him....I'm jsut saying of we don't get him we'll be ok. I feel CW is creative enough to design this year's offense around what he has.

 

[brucejcarr]

We have to remember what D-Walk did in HS....HE BROKE HERSHAL WALKER's state records for a RB ! I think D-Walk can be a big time back for ND, we just need to give him a chance

 

[Irish Envy]

We have to remember what D-Walk did in HS....HE BROKE HERSHAL WALKER's state records for a RB ! I think D-Walk can be a big time back for ND, we just need to give him a chance

I think you guys are thinking this is a black and white issue, but it isn't. This is about how you keep players into a groove, healthy and give them ample rest so they can be at the top of their game when they are on the field.

I don't think anyone is questioning that Walker has amazing potential, but I expect Weis to run the ball in excess of 30 times a game, and I don't think Walker has that in him yet.

 

[RECON Daddy]

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I really feel he can carry the ball 25-30 times a game effectively. And I don' think this is a black and white issue. I think it is deeper than that. As a true freshman (w/o receiving the maximum benefit of having an off-season with the S&C coach) he excelled. I think with the natural maturation of an 18 year old coupled with an off-season will improve him greatly. Add in the fact the CW is an offensive mastermind; I think Walker will bust 1200 yards this year.
With that being said, the unknown is always there. We do need quality waiting in the wings if nothing else to have a change of pace.

 

[Aerosmith777]

Someone said C-Dub is a run first kind of coach, but actually that's not exactly true. He ran more than he passed this year, but that's the first time that's happened in his offense since he's been OC, and it was only b/c of the presence of Correy Dillon. In the past, his offenses have thrown much more than ran. I think he makes his offense around what he's got to work with. Walker is a solid back (he did set ND's freshman rushing record...). He might not be a pound it up the middle, 27-30 carry per game back, but that's ok, b/c Quinn should be able to take the pressure off if he's coached right. I don't see why Walker can't carry the ball 20 times a game though & still get 90-100 yards per game, w/ quinn passing the rest of the time.

In short, an extra RB would be nice, but there are A LOT more pressing needs in South Bend right now to me.

 

[irishtexan]

i agree. weis is a superb offensive mind and he sets his offense around what talent he has. he doent try to force an offensive system into being successful. that said, if we dont get a runningback to commit this year, i think weis can pull something out of his pocket to find someone else who can run the ball effectively or he will be able to work his way around it. there is still alot of talent on the roster, in my opinion.

 

[Rip Rap]

Weis has changed his style throughout. Right now he is one of the most run-oriented offensive coordinators in the NFL, though he could change that readily.

But think about ball control late in the game. For whatever reason Hoskins isn't available. Walker has played his heart out, rushed for 500 yards, brought a few of the touchdowns in, and yet it still isn't a blowout. ND has the ball with a two-point lead on their own 30 with five or so minutes left in the game. Wouldn't it be nice to run it down their throats and take time off the clock? Problem is, Walker just passed out and we're left with Wilson, Jenkins, and Thomas. And so we are passing late in the game because we can't count on the run. And only three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad.

 

[Aerosmith777]

maybe all they need then is a change-of-pace back, not a feature guy. I mean, walker rushed for 786 yds and 7 TD's as a freshman. He sounds pretty good as a feature back to me for the next few years. But if they wanna get a big guy who's over 230 lbs for short yardage situations, i could understand that. I just don't think they need another potential starter at that position nearly as much as they need a whole lot else. Right now, if I'm Charlie Weis, I'd take one solid athletic shut-down corner over 3 four star RB recruits at the moment.

 

[irishtexan]

Weis has changed his style throughout. Right now he is one of the most run-oriented offensive coordinators in the NFL, though he could change that readily.

But think about ball control late in the game. For whatever reason Hoskins isn't available. Walker has played his heart out, rushed for 500 yards, brought a few of the touchdowns in, and yet it still isn't a blowout. ND has the ball with a two-point lead on their own 30 with five or so minutes left in the game. Wouldn't it be nice to run it down their throats and take time off the clock? Problem is, Walker just passed out and we're left with Wilson, Jenkins, and Thomas. And so we are passing late in the game because we can't count on the run. And only three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad.

lol, i see your point. lets just hope walker doesnt ever pass out!

 

[Irish Envy]

Someone said C-Dub is a run first kind of coach, but actually that's not exactly true. He ran more than he passed this year, but that's the first time that's happened in his offense since he's been OC, and it was only b/c of the presence of Correy Dillon. In the past, his offenses have thrown much more than ran. I think he makes his offense around what he's got to work with. Walker is a solid back (he did set ND's freshman rushing record...). He might not be a pound it up the middle, 27-30 carry per game back, but that's ok, b/c Quinn should be able to take the pressure off if he's coached right. I don't see why Walker can't carry the ball 20 times a game though & still get 90-100 yards per game, w/ quinn passing the rest of the time.

In short, an extra RB would be nice, but there are A LOT more pressing needs in South Bend right now to me.

But in order to keep the opposing secondary honest, you have to establish the run first. If the opponent keys on Walker and has him stopped, they will play pass protection more effectively. This is where it is key to have a 2nd back that can do things that Walker can't, so teams simply cannot just key on Darius.

This is a situation about keeping defenses honest more then it is if Darius can handle 25-30 carries. Hell, I can grab Joe Bob in accounting to give you 25-30 carries... just doesn't mean they will be quality.

 

[Guest]

Weis has changed his style throughout. Right now he is one of the most run-oriented offensive coordinators in the NFL, though he could change that readily.

But think about ball control late in the game. For whatever reason Hoskins isn't available. Walker has played his heart out, rushed for 500 yards, brought a few of the touchdowns in, and yet it still isn't a blowout. ND has the ball with a two-point lead on their own 30 with five or so minutes left in the game. Wouldn't it be nice to run it down their throats and take time off the clock? Problem is, Walker just passed out and we're left with Wilson, Jenkins, and Thomas. And so we are passing late in the game because we can't count on the run. And only three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad.

I agree. Weis in a game can play it with the pass or the rush. he changes his offensive gameplan all the time. The pats became a real run oriented team this year because Dillion came in. he plays with the strenght of his team. I've watched some Pat games this year, and they can throw it down field when they want. Watching Charlies offense I usually find it hard to predict what play he is going to run. You watch some teams like the Jets, and know exactly what play there going to run ...

 

[Aerosmith777]

But in order to keep the opposing secondary honest, you have to establish the run first. If the opponent keys on Walker and has him stopped, they will play pass protection more effectively. This is where it is key to have a 2nd back that can do things that Walker can't, so teams simply cannot just key on Darius.

This is a situation about keeping defenses honest more then it is if Darius can handle 25-30 carries. Hell, I can grab Joe Bob in accounting to give you 25-30 carries... just doesn't mean they will be quality.

I think it goes both ways. I mean, if you can run the ball it makes passing it easier b/c those safeties have to drop down to defend the run. But by the exact same token, if you can pass it makes running it easier b/c those same safeties as well as linebackers have to be ready to drop back in pass coverage and can't blitz as much.

And I realize anyone can rush 25-30 times if you just give them the ball. My point was I think Walker can put in 20-25 quality carries a game, especially if the passing game improves this year and gives him some more running lanes that previously had been occupied by run-blitzing linebackers.