Who is Likely Next (2013)

[ThePiombino]

Hegarty if healthy most likely. If he isn't, look for Harrell / Hanratty to get a look (both have trained for center) or possibly see one of the more experienced lineman (Watt or Nick Martin) shift over there.

Not possible. Neither of their names being with an "H". Rookie mistake.

 

[Ironman8]

I have a sinking feeling we're going to have to find out in 2014. I love what the staff is doing this year, and God knows they've pulled a few rabbits out of their hats over the past 3 recruiting seasons. That said, I just don't see EV coming here. I HOPE HOPE HOPE I'm wrong.

Louis Nix is a freak talent - kids like him come along once in a blue moon. With that being said, it is obvious that ND is ok with shifting some of the DE types inside (Springman, Shwenke, etc) so if we do not get a pure inside player this cycle I would look for some outside guys to simply shift inside in '14.

 

[ThePiombino]

Louis Nix is a freak talent - kids like him come along once in a blue moon. With that being said, it is obvious that ND is ok with shifting some of the DE types inside (Springman, Shwenke, etc) so if we do not get a pure inside player this cycle I would look for some outside guys to simply shift inside in '14.

Do you think that catalyzes a shift to more 4 down-linemen looks to make up for the lack of that dominant NT presence, at least until a true NT comes along?

 

[Ironman8]

Do you think that catalyzes a shift to more 4 down-linemen looks to make up for the lack of that dominant NT presence, at least until a true NT comes along?

Possibly, but with the size of our OLBs I think it will still be structured the same way and simply allow for more rotation. I think the staff cares more about getting huge, athletic kids in here and then making sure they have a fresh rotation of able bodies rather than having a true nose that can really only play on run downs (which is why Nix is such a freak talent - a nose that doesn't have to come out on passing downs and is fact one of our best pass rushers).

I still think teams will have a hard time running on a Jarron Jones / Springman / Sheldon Day line with Rochell, Hounshell, Matuska, and whoever else we pull in this year in '14 (assuming Tuitt goes pro), especially with the size and speed of our LBs behind them.

 

[ThePiombino]

Possibly, but with the size of our OLBs I think it will still be structured the same way and simply allow for more rotation. I think the staff cares more about getting huge, athletic kids in here and then making sure they have a fresh rotation of able bodies rather than having a true nose that can really only play on run downs (which is why Nix is such a freak talent - a nose that doesn't have to come out on passing downs and is fact one of our best pass rushers).

I still think teams will have a hard time running on a Jarron Jones / Springman / Sheldon Day line with Rochell, Hounshell, Matuska, and whoever else we pull in this year in '14 (assuming Tuitt goes pro), especially with the size and speed of our LBs behind them.

Great points. Have a rep.

 

[Emcee77]

Do you think that catalyzes a shift to more 4 down-linemen looks to make up for the lack of that dominant NT presence, at least until a true NT comes along?

I don't. I think it will just put a little more pressure on the linebackers and other DL. I'm no expert but I think the basic theory of the 3-4 is that the DL's primary role if to tie up blockers so the LBs can fly around and make plays. Nix is giving us a bonus by doing more than that--getting penetration and pressuring the QB or making tackles by himself. As long as Springmann or whoever we plug in there is able to occupy a blocker or two, there's no reason to change the system -- but the linebackers will have to be extra good because there won't be a superstar NG to bail them out if they don't get in position. My $0.02

 

[chicago51]

Dick Lebeau (Stealers DC and one of the most respected defensive minds in the history of football who has been running the 3-4 forever) said that DEs in a 3-4 (which lets face it are more like DTs) are actually more important than the NT. It is nice to have a transcedent talented like Nix at NT but ND will fine after he leaves. They will be just fine with a solid 300-310 lb NT like a Springman (listed at 300) as long as the continue to bring in the Stephon Tuits and Sheldon Days of the world to play DE.

 

[ThePiombino]

I don't. I think it will just put a little more pressure on the linebackers and other DL. I'm no expert but I think the basic theory of the 3-4 is that the DL's primary role if to tie up blockers so the LBs can fly around and make plays. Nix is giving us a bonus by doing more than that--getting penetration and pressuring the QB or making tackles by himself. As long as Springmann or whoever we plug in there is able to occupy a blocker or two, there's no reason to change the system -- but the linebackers will have to be extra good because there won't be a superstar NG to bail them out if they don't get in position. My $0.02

My concern is more with them being able to eat up blocks than getting a pass rush going at the NT position. I'm not sure Springmann can be that guy, but like Ironman has said- Nix was a freak and most NTs aren't able to do what he can do. I guess we'll just have to temper expectations of that position, at least for a while.

 

[ThePiombino]

Dick Lebeau (Stealers DC and one of the most respected defensive minds in the history of football who has been running the 3-4 forever) said that DEs in a 3-4 (which lets face it are more like DTs) are actually more important than the NT. It is nice to have a transcedent talented like Nix at NT but ND will fine after he leaves. They will be just fine with a solid 300-310 lb NT like a Springman (listed at 300) as long as the continue to bring in the Stephon Tuits and Sheldon Days of the world to play DE.

Great insight.

 

[Ironman8]

I don't. I think it will just put a little more pressure on the linebackers and other DL. I'm no expert but I think the basic theory of the 3-4 is that the DL's primary role if to tie up blockers so the LBs can fly around and make plays. Nix is giving us a bonus by doing more than that--getting penetration and pressuring the QB or making tackles by himself. As long as Springmann or whoever we plug in there is able to occupy a blocker or two, there's no reason to change the system -- but the linebackers will have to be extra good because there won't be a superstar NG to bail them out if they don't get in position. My $0.02

Agreed. We just have to rely on the staff bulking up guys who they deem the best fits and the LBs behind them. Who would have predicted Kap behing as athletic and as great of a run player as his when at 300+ when he came in at 225?

The staff is targeting real athletic kids with big frames that will allow for the right time of strength and weight gains while maintaining their athleticism. Matuska is a prime example of this - if you watch his film he is extremely athletic for his size, yet could easily put on another 30+ pounds and maintain it. Rochell is a monster - I see him as a shorter (but much stronger / more filled out at the same stage) as Jarron Jones.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Dick Lebeau (Stealers DC and one of the most respected defensive minds in the history of football who has been running the 3-4 forever) said that DEs in a 3-4 (which lets face it are more like DTs) are actually more important than the NT. It is nice to have a transcedent talented like Nix at NT but ND will fine after he leaves. They will be just fine with a solid 300-310 lb NT like a Springman (listed at 300) as long as the continue to bring in the Stephon Tuits and Sheldon Days of the world to play DE.

I hope so, because those guys are a lot easier to find than prototypical NTs.

 

[Ironman8]

My concern is more with them being able to eat up blocks than getting a pass rush going at the NT position. I'm not sure Springmann can be that guy, but like Ironman has said- Nix was a freak and most NTs aren't able to do what he can do. I guess we'll just have to temper expectations of that position, at least for a while.

Eating up blocks is easy to do with the frames that our staff is recruiting - it's obvious it's their main focus with they guys they are bringing in. Sheldon Day behind the outlier, everyone else is 6'5 plus with frames to easily handle 285 - 300 pounds. These are big boys. With their feet it is easy to see how they each could eat up 2 blockers on a given play, allowing the Anzalone's and Grace's to have at the RBs without issue.

Keeping lineman from the second level is the best thing our D does, and is why we have really given up one long run all year.

 

[ThePiombino]

I hope so, because those guys are a lot easier to find than prototypical NTs.

^this

 

[ThePiombino]

Eating up blocks is easy to do with the frames that our staff is recruiting - it's obvious it's their main focus with they guys they are bringing in. Sheldon Day behind the outlier, everyone else is 6'5 plus with frames to easily handle 285 - 300 pounds. These are big boys. With their feet it is easy to see how they each could eat up 2 blockers on a given play, allowing the Anzalone's and Grace's to have at the RBs without issue.

Keeping lineman from the second level is the best thing our D does, and is why we have really given up one long run all year.

You're like literary Xanax. Thanks.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Does anyone know the D stats when Nix is in and when he is out?

I'm not saying we will be horrible with Nix gone, but I doubt we will be as good as this year.

 

[chicago51]

Having a NT that can penetrate and rush the passer from the NT is one of the rarest of luxuries. ND probably won't have that unless Eddie V comes on board.

BUT... as long as ND can get a big body that can be a space eater they can continue to be an elite defense year in and year out. This of course is assuming they continue to bring in 4 and 5 star studs at DE, LB.

The importance of the NT in 3-4 is simply to draw a double team when opponent is trying to run the football. The pressure/pass rush in this defense can come from the DEs as well as the CAT linebacker.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Does anyone know the D stats when Nix is in and when he is out?

I'm not saying we will be horrible with Nix gone, but I doubt we will be as good as this year.

You don't need statistics to tell you the obvious. The defense will take a step backward if Nix leaves. If he stays, it can be just as good with a chance of being even better.

 

[PraetorianND]

Seems like we tend to put a little too much emphasis on any given recruit/s. Great coaching goes a long way.

This is the post of the decade! Reps

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

You don't need statistics to tell you the obvious. The defense will take a step backward if Nix leaves. If he stays, it can be just as good with a chance of being even better.

I think anyone who has watched the games can say that, but I'm interested in how much...

I think it's telling that while everyone is screaming for Manti, Manti screams for Nix.

 

[Old Man Mike]

What Lebeau is saying about Pittsburgh is the NFL. He the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that comment misses something about college defense. Every guy on defense in the pros can, if he gets his leverage correct, stop the O-Lineman in front from moving forward. All the pro D-line must do that in order for the supermen LBs to fly into what little creases there are and stuff things. The added value of the DEs is of course when it's NOT a run. Then their ability to penetrate, loop, and pass-rush eclipses what the NT mountain can do.

Now take college ball. Many of those thoughts still apply, but college defenses have holes in them: guys who just aren't as good as pros or even their teammates. Giving the offenses more shots at you is MUCH more likely to kill you. SO, it is vital to stop the opponent on third and short and get right off the field. Lou Nix stops third and short if the opponents are stupid enough to try to run between the tackles. Unlike almost any other player, the O-Line in that area just seems to encounter an unmovable stone, and the QB or RB runs right into his lineman's butt, forward progress stops, and the guy has to try to improvise [meanwhile Te'o, Spond. Shembo, Russell, Jackson, Motta have circled in like violent vultures with other ideas].

Nix is a mountainous moving stone. HE GETS US OFF THE FIELD. We have nobody else like him [watch Springmann and Schwenke "shock" backwards a little on those plays]. No amount of tinkering-in big DEs is going to do this. The only other guy who looks like he stones the guy in front of him basically every time on our roster is Day. Sheldon is a mini-Lou. Maybe he could replace him... sort of.

 

[connor_in]

Wowzers...we are playing musical chairs to Crazy Train and bringing in more players for fewer chairs

Eddie
Max
Tarean
Aqm
usual January surprise guy from out of nowhere

 

[NDPhilly]

TP JUST TWEETED A THUMBS UP

 

[greyhammer90]

TP JUST TWEETED A THUMBS UP

 

[Riddickulous]

TP JUST TWEETED A THUMBS UP

He's probably overseeing a gladiatorial match and is deciding the fate of the victor.

 

[sparkyND]

TP JUST TWEETED A THUMBS UP

Can someone tell me what this signals. I don't want to get over-excited. Thanks!

 

[clashmore_mike]

 

[NDPhilly]

Can someone tell me what this signals. I don't want to get over-excited. Thanks!

Well over the weekend he tweeted Buzz Buzz while Bryant was on his visit and he committed shortly after.

 

[Cali_domer]

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He's probably overseeing a gladiatorial match and is deciding the fate of the victor.

Fun fact: despite its portrayal in most films, "thumbs up" was a command for the victorious combatant to drive his gladius up through the loser's chest. "Thumbs down" indicated that the gladiator should sheath his blade in the sand.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I think TP is Brian Kelly lol