'09 FL S Zeke Motta (ND Verbal 10/9/08)

[rtrn2glory]

bad time to bumpn threads dude...phew

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Bump!

This kid is bringing it every game. Leader...and damn when he hits he HITS!!

 

[jmurphy75]

lays the wood

 

[timm3117]

Uhm, I'll take the school that has produced the players that are pro-bowlers or near pro-bolwers over the school that has produced adequate pros, when calling a school TE U.

So then you pick Notre Dame, we were putting TE's in the NFL before most people had ever heard of the U. See Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

It has been a pleasure watching him play this year.

 

[Emcee77]

It sure has. What a tough, hard-nosed safety. Punishes with every hit.

 

[irishog77]

So then you pick Notre Dame, we were putting TE's in the NFL before most people had ever heard of the U. See Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

No.

Well, I'll give you that Casper was a very good TE in the NFL and Bavaro had a couple good years, but, no, they aren't 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

And if we use your logic, I guess we can call TCU "Quarterback U" because Sammy Baugh and Andy Dalton went there.

 

[BGIF]

No.

Well, I'll give you that Casper was a very good TE in the NFL and Bavaro had a couple good years, but, no, they aren't 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

And if we use your logic, I guess we can call TCU "Quarterback U" because Sammy Baugh and Andy Dalton went there.

TCU actually was QB U.

In 1939 Davey O'Brien, TCU QB, was the first player to win the Heisman, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards, (The Triple Crown of Collegiate Football). He was a first round draft choice and as a rookie BROKE Sammy Baugh's NFL season records.

BTW, Davey O'Brien and ND Heisman winner Tim Brown both attended the same H.S.

 

[BGIF]

So then you pick Notre Dame, we were putting TE's in the NFL before most people had ever heard of the U. See Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

Leon Hart ND '49 was considered the prototype TE.

At 6'-4", 245 he was big enough and quick enough to play TE in this decade and dominate. He won the Heisman and Maxwell Awards and was a NFL first pick, not just a First Rounder, FIRST PICK OVERALL.

 

[timm3117]

No.

Well, I'll give you that Casper was a very good TE in the NFL and Bavaro had a couple good years, but, no, they aren't 2 of the best TE's in NFL history.

And if we use your logic, I guess we can call TCU "Quarterback U" because Sammy Baugh and Andy Dalton went there.

Thats your opinion. Casper is an NFL Hall of Famer, one of only 8 tight ends in the Hall. Bavaro was a great TE, but I bet you just go back and look at some stats, and forget that Pre-2000's, the tight end was a blocker first, not a gloried WR. As a Giants fan I got to see Bavaro, and Shockey play, and you can't even compare the 2. Bavaro was a man, and Shockey was worried about getting on Sportscenter.

 

[jerboski]

Much respect to Zeke, looks like a completely different player this year. Great job

 

[Riddickulous]

Player development sure is nice, isn't it?

 

[irishog77]

Thats your opinion, yet you state it like its a fact. Casper is an NFL Hall of Famer, one of only 8 tight ends in the Hall. Bavaro was a great TE, but I bet you just go back and look at some stats, and forget that Pre-2000's, the tight end was a blocker first, not a gloried WR. As a Giants fan I got to see Bavaro, and Shockey play, and you can't even compare the 2. Bavaro was a man, and Shockey was worried about getting on Sportscenter.

I gave you that Casper was very good. But by virtually any method used, Bavaro is not considered "one of the best TE's in NFL history." Just because a player was good and on your favorite team doesn't make him an all time great. I loved the Cowboys when I was a kid. Darren Woodson a great player on those teams, won multiple championships, the Dallas D had some dominant years while he was there, and he went to multiple pro bowls. But I don't let all that skew objectivity and allow me to claim that Woodson was one of the best safties in the history in the NFL. I mean, I suppose I could if I consider the volume of how many guys have actually played S in the NFL and divide where Woodson may rank. But doing that would make HUNDREDS of players at any position "the best." If you want to use that criteria, then sure-- Casper and Bavaro both would rank up there. But top 3? Top 5? Top 10 to EVER play the game? Nah.

So I used my opinion, "yet I stated it like it's a fact?" Kind of like "See Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro 2 of the best TE's in NFL history."/B] That's nothing more than your opinion...an opinion that you'd almost surely be in the minority holding amongst coaches, GM's, players, writers, analysts, etc.

 

[timm3117]

I gave you that Casper was very good. But by virtually any method used, Bavaro is not considered "one of the best TE's in NFL history." Just because a player was good and on your favorite team doesn't make him an all time great. I loved the Cowboys when I was a kid. Darren Woodson a great player on those teams, won multiple championships, the Dallas D had some dominant years while he was there, and he went to multiple pro bowls. But I don't let all that skew objectivity and allow me to claim that Woodson was one of the best safties in the history in the NFL. I mean, I suppose I could if I consider the volume of how many guys have actually played S in the NFL and divide where Woodson may rank. But doing that would make HUNDREDS of players at any position "the best." If you want to use that criteria, then sure-- Casper and Bavaro both would rank up there. But top 3? Top 5? Top 10 to EVER play the game? Nah.

So I used my opinion, "yet I stated it like it's a fact?" Kind of like "See Dave Casper and Mark Bavaro 2 of the best TE's in NFL history."/B] That's nothing more than your opinion...an opinion that you'd almost surely be in the minority holding amongst coaches, GM's, players, writers, analysts, etc.

Thats not just my opinion. Mark Bavaro #8 on Sport Illustrated list of best TE's in NFL History. The lowest ranking I found had him at #15 all-time.

 

[irishog77]

"Sports Illustrated has published a new book titled “Football’s Greatest” in which it rates the top NFL players in history by position. Notre Dame’s Joe Montana is rated the #1 quarterback, Dave Casper the #7 tight end, Alan Page the #6 defensive lineman, Tim Brown the #15 wide receiver, and Mark Bavaro the #11 tight end."

So clearly SI disagrees with me on TE's. Alright. I'll admit those guys were better than I gave them credit for.

 

[IrishInFl]

Named a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe award today.

 

[rtrn2glory]

not bad...gonna be screwed by his lack of INT's, but he's been super productive all year, hopefully that trend continues.

 

[koonja]

I owe Zeke all of the credit in the world. Said I'd reserve judgement on his 'improvement' until after Oklahoma. He played a near perfect game. Great player!

 

[Riddickulous]

I have mad respect for Zeke.

 

[Zwidmanio]

I have mad respect for Zeke.

Agreed. I'll admit that I was skeptical about his ability prior to the beginning of this season, but he's proved me wrong each and every game this season. He's been playing like a man possessed and has been a joy to watch, particularly when he brings the pain to opposing ball carriers as he seems to do at least once or twice per game.

On top of his overall play, he deserves a lot of credit for being a leader for our secondary and helping make sure that everybody is getting the job done. The relative strength of our secondary has been a pleasant surprise for me this season and I don't think we'd be in the position we are if not for Motta.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

After we lost Slaughter, he stepped up to be the man. Playing great with a few mistakes.

 

[ThePiombino]

I just wish he had blown up Stills on that "touchdown" at the end of the game.

 

[Luckylucci]

Congrats to Zeke! That is a very impressive list of players and to seem his name on their is a testament to how well he's playing. Its good that he is getting national recognition as well. He is definitely increasing his draft stock this year.

 

[irishpat183]

Ok, ok.......He's still a sh*t sandwich, just not a soggy one. LOL


I should start hammering all of our players. They seem to read these threads and prove me wrong...

 

[BGIF]

The ND Press Release

The ND Press Release

Zeke Motta Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

Oct. 29, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY - University of Notre Dame senior safety Zeke Motta was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award today.

Motta was one of 15 semifinalists selected for the award given annually to college football's top defensive back.

Motta ranks second on the Irish with 42 tackles and has added two pass breakups this year. Beyond his personal statistics, Motta has been the leader of a secondary that was ravaged by injuries in the offseason and beginning of the season. He has helped break in three new starters in the defensive backfield and led Notre Dame to become one of the top defenses in the country.

The Irish rank No. 11 in pass efficiency defense and the 13 interceptions in eight games this year ranks eighth nationally. Opponents are completing 57.4 percent of passes this year and only one team has passed for more than 201 yards against Notre Dame.

The Thorpe Award is named after Jim Thorpe and presented by the Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City. The three Thorpe finalists will be named on Nov. 19 and the winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6. The winner of the 2012 Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5, 2013.

2012 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Johnthan Banks, Sr., Mississippi State
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, So., Oregon
Matt Elam, Jr., Florida
Tony Jefferson, Jr., Oklahoma
Nigel Malone, Sr., Kansas State
Dexter McCoil, Sr., Tulsa
T.J. McDonald, Sr., USC
Dee Milliner, Jr., Alabama
Zeke Motta, Sr., Notre Dame
Jordan Poyer, Sr., Oregon State
Eric Reid, Jr., LSU
Xavier Rhodes, Jr., Florida State
Bradley Roby, So., Ohio State
Logan Ryan, Jr., Rutgers
Phillip Thomas, Sr., Fresno Stat

-ND-​

There's an awful lot of you out there that owe this man an apology just like you owed Harrison Smith an apology.

 

[tko]

I already apologized earlier this year. Go Zeke.

 

[RDU Irish]

I like to see us reloading instead of retooling.

Zeke has been a monster this year. Zeke, Tuitt, Teo and Nix are one hell of a defensive core to build around.

 

[dublinirish]

Why not Zeke!?! Nobody on that list stands out for me.

 

[Riddickulous]

Why not Zeke!?! Nobody on that list stands out for me.

Just quickly glancing over the list, Banks, Poyer, Milliner, and Elam have had better seasons.

 

[dublinirish]

im aware of those guys and maybe Milliner is a little bit more well known than the others but there is no Eric Berry or Honey Badger type player there, its there for the taking for anyone.