'10 NJ WR Bennett Jackson (Notre Dame Signee)

[TerryTate]

I wouldn't put too much credence into what Tee said.

Elliott/Cooks have their work cut out for them.

 

[SaltyND24]

Unfortunately there are two sides of the field lol.

Very true...however, if he can lock down his side of the field...we will be able to use safety help on the other side of the field...it's crucial that by the middle of our schedule that we have a guy at CB that can hold his own on his side of the field...Cautiously optimistic right now!

 

[NDhoosier]

I am calling it, two shut-down corners will solidify our defense as a top 10 unit...

 

[PANDFAN]

I am calling it, two shut-down corners will solidify our defense as a top 10 unit...

way to go out on a limb w/ a prediction###optomism, lets get 1st

 

[Fbolt]

way to go out on a limb w/ a prediction###optomism, lets get 1st

 

[eNDzone]

There is no way the staff could have predicted the loss of two top CB commits in the 2012class. I am just glad they had enough foresight to move Bennett last year so he would have some more time in and give us the depth we need at CB. I like that the staff is constantly keeping an eye on the depth of this team.

 

[Walter White]

There is no way the staff could have predicted the loss of two top CB commits in the 2012class. I am just glad they had enough foresight to move Bennett last year so he would have some more time in and give us the depth we need at CB. I like that the staff is constantly keeping an eye on the depth of this team.

This was a very fortuitous move on the coaching staff's part.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I wouldn't put too much credence into what Tee said.

Elliott/Cooks have their work cut out for them.

The truth! This is the only thing that you can say about the given situation!

 

[ChiRish]

There is no way the staff could have predicted the loss of two top CB commits in the 2012class. I am just glad they had enough foresight to move Bennett last year so he would have some more time in and give us the depth we need at CB. I like that the staff is constantly keeping an eye on the depth of this team.

Agree completely. Imagine if they hadn't moved Bennett already and the Tee incident happens. They'd have to do it right now, and man would that just be asking for a disaster.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Wow! And did you see where Phill pegged Benett Jackson? Anyone care to see how kind he was to last year's corners?

http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012PreseasonHonors/All-Independent.pdf

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Wow! And did you see where Phill pegged Benett Jackson? Anyone care to see how kind he was to last year's corners?

http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012PreseasonHonors/All-Independent.pdf

1st team was Gray and Blanton in 2011. 2nd team CBs were from Army and Navy.

To be fair, this "all-independent" team is only drawn from Army, Navy, BYU, and ND. So it doesn't say a lot that our players dominate this team.

More telling, at least from Steele's perspective, is the #49 PS Rating he gave Jackson last season.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Exactly. And why?

 

[Bobias]

Wow! Nobody has said anything about the great job that bjax is doing at the corner this year. He is another member of this secondary that has really stepped up this year and is performing very well thus far. Him, Russel, and Shumate are definitely a vast improvement over Gray and Blanton last year. They actually turn around and make legitimate attempts to catch or deflect the football.

This secondary is really turning out to be a great surprise, and one that will only continue to get way way better as the season progresses and these very young and green players get valuable in game experience. Not to mention the fact that we will have Lo Wood, Austin "Werewolf" Collinsworth, and possibly Jamoris back for a 6th year; plus a very talented incoming freshman class and you have the makings of an elite secondary to match an already elite front 7. This defense is starting to look more and more elite every game, and is shaping up to be a monster in 2013.

 

[NDinFL]

Wow! Nobody has said anything about the great job that bjax is doing at the corner this year. He is another member of this secondary that has really stepped up this year and is performing very well thus far. Him, Russel, and Shumate are definitely a vast improvement over Gray and Blanton last year. They actually turn around and make legitimate attempts to catch or deflect the football.

This secondary is really turning out to be a great surprise, and one that will only continue to get way way better as the season progresses and these very young and green players get valuable in game experience. Not to mention the fact that we will have Lo Wood, Austin "Werewolf" Collinsworth, and possibly Jamoris back for a 6th year; plus a very talented incoming freshman class and you have the makings of an elite secondary to match an already elite front 7. This defense is starting to look more and more elite every game, and is shaping up to be a monster in 2013.

x1000

 

[NYMIKE6]

It's much easier for guys to bitch and moan, but when it comes to eating crow they all disappear...

 

[NDinFL]

It's much easier for guys to bitch and moan, but when it comes to eating crow they all disappear...

TRUTH.

Although I will give irishpat and irishtrain credit in that department

 

[Riddickulous]

His 3 interceptions would be good for most on the team last year, I think.

Like the rest of the secondary, his improvement from game one to game four has been remarkable.

 

[pkt77242]

Wow! Nobody has said anything about the great job that bjax is doing at the corner this year. He is another member of this secondary that has really stepped up this year and is performing very well thus far. Him, Russel, and Shumate are definitely a vast improvement over Gray and Blanton last year. They actually turn around and make legitimate attempts to catch or deflect the football.

This secondary is really turning out to be a great surprise, and one that will only continue to get way way better as the season progresses and these very young and green players get valuable in game experience. Not to mention the fact that we will have Lo Wood, Austin "Werewolf" Collinsworth, and possibly Jamoris back for a 6th year; plus a very talented incoming freshman class and you have the makings of an elite secondary to match an already elite front 7. This defense is starting to look more and more elite every game, and is shaping up to be a monster in 2013.

While I agree that B-Jax is very good this year but Blanton was pretty damn good last year. He is a definite upgrade over Gray though.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Wow! Nobody has said anything about the great job that bjax is doing at the corner this year. He is another member of this secondary that has really stepped up this year and is performing very well thus far. Him, Russel, and Shumate are definitely a vast improvement over Gray and Blanton last year. They actually turn around and make legitimate attempts to catch or deflect the football.

No way. This secondary has faced 1) Navy (a nonexistent passing offense), 2) Purdue (with their inferior QB thankfully), 3) Michigan State (Maxwell is terrible, and WR corp is pathetic), and 4) Michigan (Denard is the worst passer in the country).

People are taking way too much out of one quarter of lousy football against Michigan last year. Blanton was superb, and going into 2011 the IE consensus was that Blanton would be the liability and that Gray would get drafted 4-7rds. They just weren't bad last year.

When this DB corp performs against Oklahoma or Southern Cal, then we'll see what they're made of.

We are aware that WRs were open on Saturday, right? Denard just missed them badly. Guys got open often enough for a fine QB to succeed.

This secondary is really turning out to be a great surprise, and one that will only continue to get way way better as the season progresses and these very young and green players get valuable in game experience. Not to mention the fact that we will have Lo Wood, Austin "Werewolf" Collinsworth, and possibly Jamoris back for a 6th year; plus a very talented incoming freshman class and you have the makings of an elite secondary to match an already elite front 7. This defense is starting to look more and more elite every game, and is shaping up to be a monster in 2013.

Diaco will have to replace the best MLB in the country, and possibly Carlo/Fox. There's a 1% chance Slaughter comes back.

2014 is a more realistic year for them to be on an Alabama level.

 

[Riddickulous]

No way. This secondary has faced 1) Navy (a nonexistent passing offense), 2) Purdue (with their inferior QB thankfully), 3) Michigan State (Maxwell is terrible, and WR corp is pathetic), and 4) Michigan (Denard is the worst passer in the country).

People are taking way too much out of one quarter of lousy football against Michigan last year. Blanton was superb, and going into 2011 the IE consensus was that Blanton would be the liability and that Gray would get drafted 4-7rds. They just weren't bad last year.

When this DB corp performs against Oklahoma or Southern Cal, then we'll see what they're made of.

We are aware that WRs were open on Saturday, right? Denard just missed them badly. Guys got open often enough for a fine QB to succeed.



Diaco will have to replace the best MLB in the country, and possibly Carlo/Fox. There's a 1% chance Slaughter comes back.

2014 is a more realistic year for them to be on an Alabama level.

We keep Fox no matter what, IMO.

 

[NDinFL]

No way. This secondary has faced 1) Navy (a nonexistent passing offense), 2) Purdue (with their inferior QB thankfully), 3) Michigan State (Maxwell is terrible, and WR corp is pathetic), and 4) Michigan (Denard is the worst passer in the country).

People are taking way too much out of one quarter of lousy football against Michigan last year. Blanton was superb, and going into 2011 the IE consensus was that Blanton would be the liability and that Gray would get drafted 4-7rds. They just weren't bad last year.

When this DB corp performs against Oklahoma or Southern Cal, then we'll see what they're made of.

We are aware that WRs were open on Saturday, right? Denard just missed them badly. Guys got open often enough for a fine QB to succeed.



Diaco will have to replace the best MLB in the country, and possibly Carlo/Fox. There's a 1% chance Slaughter comes back.

2014 is a more realistic year for them to be on an Alabama level.

I agree about the secondary comparison from last years to this years, my only disagreement is that this years secondary (mainly the CBs) are way more athletic and faster than Blanton/Gray

 

[RDU Irish]

Bennett just has a nose for the ball. Very pleased with his play and the entire secodary. It also helps the secondary look good when the front seven are applying tons of pressure. Buster is right that they are still not tested vs. impressive passers. We will see what happens but I think the ceiling is plenty high for these guys that they will keep getting better and have enough great plays to make up for the brain farts that are sure to come.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Is it just me, or do you guys think the fact that he orginally was a WR actually helps him in the secondary?

He looks like he knows how to go get the ball and annoy WRs.. or something.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Bennett Jackson and the entire rest of the defensive backfield can hit. I mean they can deliver an openfield blow; they can really sting! Blanton could some but Gray couldn't. The only consistent one at that was Harrison, last year.

The thing Blanton or Gray couldn't do is what Danny Spond and BJax did all day against Denard. They contained in open space without selling out. Every one of the underclassmen have better lateral movement than last year's corners and are much more decisive.

Receivers wide open all day? They were playing zone, a loose zone at that. The defensive plan was to keep Denard in the pocket. The plan will change with other teams.

PS. Buster's point is awesome about the growth of the defense. But remember to apply the safety in numbers rule of the Kelly staff. (Manti will not be replaced with one.) And the fact that Spond and Shembo have the edges locked down like never before and will get better, with competent backup.

 

[NDhoosier]

Ya, but many people on this board were scared shitless about Michigan and Denard's long balls and giving up the big play.. Now all of a sudden it means nothing? come on guys, some of you are looking like ESPN now.

 

[RDU Irish]

Even if you have someone beat to the river with only one out you can still be scared that card will hit. Denard throwing is kind of like fearing two pair will make a full house versus your straight. You are periodically going be disappointed but the odds are strongly in your favor.

 

[irishknight35]

Even if you have someone beat to the river with only one out you can still be scared that card will hit. Denard throwing is kind of like fearing two pair will make a full house versus your straight. You are periodically going be disappointed but the odds are strongly in your favor.

Sounds like every top ten team in the nation that plays a top 25 opponent...except Alabama, they kray!

Just have to find a way each week to bring your best on Saturdays. If not then you risk losing a winnable game.

 

[NDdomer2]

Bennett Jackson and the entire rest of the defensive backfield can hit. I mean they can deliver an openfield blow; they can really sting! Blanton could some but Gray couldn't. The only consistent one at that was Harrison, last year.

I wouldn't say Russell can hit. He needs some serious off season work with Luongo.

 

[irishknight35]

I wouldn't say Russell can hit. He needs some serious off season work with Luongo.

Some added muscle will do him some good in the future but he has looked vastly improved as far as tackling technique from his first two collegiate games. In games 3 and 4 he looked much more relaxed and was reacting instead of thinking 'which way is this guy going try and get by me'/waiting for the runner to come to him.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I wouldn't say Russell can hit. He needs some serious off season work with Luongo.

Hey buddy! Glad to see you made it back okay. I rode to K-ville, Sunday on the bike just to tell you I been. Since we both were at the game I musta had better seats. KRussel had a couple of mighty good pops, (was just bespeaking Michigan). And I liked that stiff arm on the int at the half. But there is no arguing with your point; can you imagine him with a couple of years with Paul Longo? Santa Maria!