'11 CA DE/OT Troy Niklas (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[tadman95]

IMO, Troy is the key to the game on offense. At times this year, Troy had been both excellent and below average when blocking. If he can block great all game (and catch a few), that will allow Eifert to split wide and challenge the bump and run coverage that Bama likes to employ. A&M threw over the bump and run and went with the jump ball successfully. I look for ND to do the same and it starts with Niklas blocking well.

I agree 100% If Troy gets involved early, it creates a lot of problems. I think we have to try and exploit it.

 

[ND NYC]

IMO, Troy is the key to the game on offense. At times this year, Troy had been both excellent and below average when blocking. If he can block great all game (and catch a few), that will allow Eifert to split wide and challenge the bump and run coverage that Bama likes to employ. A&M threw over the bump and run and went with the jump ball successfully. I look for ND to do the same and it starts with Niklas blocking well.

if this is true, (i hope itsn not)...we could be in for a long night.
its asking a lot.

 

[Irish Steeler]

No problem, Troy 'Hercules' Niklas will more than rise to the top at the NCG! He's our next great TE at Notre Dame!

 

[ThePiombino]

IMO, Troy is the key to the game on offense. At times this year, Troy had been both excellent and below average when blocking. If he can block great all game (and catch a few), that will allow Eifert to split wide and challenge the bump and run coverage that Bama likes to employ. A&M threw over the bump and run and went with the jump ball successfully. I look for ND to do the same and it starts with Niklas blocking well.

I hope this isn't the case. Bama compares to Stanford as far as "elite" defenses we've seen this year. Pretty sure that was Troy's worst game by FAR. He was basically playing the role of turnstyle. Hopefully he's developed considerably since then, but I think the amount that he would have needed to develop in order to be a net positive vs whatever Bama throws in his direction is probably asking too much at this point.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I hope this isn't the case. Bama compares to Stanford as far as "elite" defenses we've seen this year. Pretty sure that was Troy's worst game by FAR. He was basically playing the role of turnstyle. Hopefully he's developed considerably since then, but I think the amount that he would have needed to develop in order to be a net positive vs whatever Bama throws in his direction is probably asking too much at this point.

If that is the case, then Eifert will not be able to split wide, which takes away a big part of our game plan.

We should remember though that while Bama is stout defensively, they do not get after the QB like Stanford did. The front four of Stanford is better than Alabama's front 3 IMO.

 

[ThePiombino]

We should remember though that while Bama is stout defensively, they do not get after the QB like Stanford did. The front four of Stanford is better than Alabama's front 3 IMO.

That's a good point and hope to God that's how it plays out.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If that is the case, then Eifert will not be able to split wide, which takes away a big part of our game plan.

We should remember though that while Bama is stout defensively, they do not get after the QB like Stanford did. The front four of Stanford is better than Alabama's front 3 IMO.

Stanford runs a 3-4. But you're right in that they have an incredibly aggressive front-7. I'd attribute that mostly to their superhuman OLBs, Trent Murphy and Chase Thomas.

The main difference between this 'Bama squad and their juggernauts of recent past is the lack of elite pass rushers.

 

[IrishSpartan]

I hope this isn't the case. Bama compares to Stanford as far as "elite" defenses we've seen this year. Pretty sure that was Troy's worst game by FAR. He was basically playing the role of turnstyle. Hopefully he's developed considerably since then, but I think the amount that he would have needed to develop in order to be a net positive vs whatever Bama throws in his direction is probably asking too much at this point.

I really dont agree with this statement yes there both elite but there nothing alike. Stanford is heavy blitz forcing turnovers, while bama is a man up and slug it out type defense that doesnt get much pressure at all

 

[Sherm Sticky]

After getting physically dominated on defense I've been thinking if it was a mistake moving Troy to offense.

He is a physical specimen. He could have been a big, physical, quick DE. Let's face it, Notre Dame needs more depth on the d-line.

I know you are going to say we needed him numbers wise at TE. But, we could have taken that TE in the 2012 class, name escapes me, who really wanted to come here but ended up at Oklahoma. That would have left us with Welch, Koyack, him and Huerman. Not bad.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

After getting physically dominated on defense I've been thinking if it was a mistake moving Troy to offense.

He is a physical specimen. He could have been a big, physical, quick DE. Let's face it, Notre Dame needs more depth on the d-line.

I know you are going to say we needed him numbers wise at TE. But, we could have taken that TE in the 2012 class, name escapes me, who really wanted to come here but ended up at Oklahoma. That would have left us with Welch, Koyack, him and Huerman. Not bad.

Personally, I prefer him as a blocking TE. The more power we use on offense, the more comfortable I'll feel. I loved how Bama lined up and went right at us (not necessarily the outcome, but just that style of football). That's the direction I hope ND is trending. If so, we need Troy to knock some heads while our big backs run through.

 

[CHIDomer9]

After getting physically dominated on defense I've been thinking if it was a mistake moving Troy to offense.

He is a physical specimen. He could have been a big, physical, quick DE. Let's face it, Notre Dame needs more depth on the d-line.

I know you are going to say we needed him numbers wise at TE. But, we could have taken that TE in the 2012 class, name escapes me, who really wanted to come here but ended up at Oklahoma. That would have left us with Welch, Koyack, him and Huerman. Not bad.

Taylor McNamara

 

[Ndaccountant]

After getting physically dominated on defense I've been thinking if it was a mistake moving Troy to offense.

He is a physical specimen. He could have been a big, physical, quick DE. Let's face it, Notre Dame needs more depth on the d-line.

I know you are going to say we needed him numbers wise at TE. But, we could have taken that TE in the 2012 class, name escapes me, who really wanted to come here but ended up at Oklahoma. That would have left us with Welch, Koyack, him and Huerman. Not bad.

For that one game, yes, I agree that it would appear that way.

However, I don't think we make it to the NCG without him moving. After Welch went down, we were thin on pysical TE's. Not sure what we would have done.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Taylor McNamara

Yep that's him thanks.

 

[Buster Bluth]

The ability to block in space > being a massive/athletic DE.

Niklas' pass blocking isn't elite, but this kid will be an animal in 2013 on the line turning DE's and opening up the edge for Carlisle.

Keep him at TE.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He's also got soft hands. Niklas is more likely to pick up the torch Eifert is dropping than Welch or Koyack, imo.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

The ability to block in space > being a massive/athletic DE.

Niklas' pass blocking isn't elite, but this kid will be an animal in 2013 on the line turning DE's and opening up the edge for Carlisle.

Keep him at TE.

I wasn't say move him back to defense, that would be stupid.

 

[mgriff]

The kid is a monster at 6'7 260. He's an athlete and I like his run blocking already. If he can make some strides as a receiving tight end he'll just become another match-up nightmare. I see him as being our next big tight end if he can put it all together. May not be as elite of a receiver as Eifert, but do not move him back to defense.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Once again I wasn't saying move him back to defense.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Troy said a joke that wasn't funny at all and like five girls laughed. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23impissed">#impissed</a></p>— Dan Fox (@DPFoxy) <a href="https://twitter.com/DPFoxy/status/293764180819988480">January 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'm cracking up at the prospect of Hercules saying something lame, to which five jersey chasers laugh hysterically. Foxy's reaction:

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I saw that tweet... Lol'd.

No idea why they would laugh....

 

[dshans]

No idea why they would laugh....

Pity laugh???

 

[yankeehater]

I work with a guy whose son played with him at Servite. I have not heard anything, but praise for him and the way he conducts himself on and off the field.

 

[Grahambo]

 

[Old Man Mike]

Considering that offensive line reformation, and therefore blocking consistency, is our only really legitimate area of potential mediocrity on offense this coming season, Niklas is HUGELY important to us in 2013. [i.e. it will be good to think of our line as having "4" out of "6" demon blockers, rather than only "3" out of "5" [Watt, ZMart, Lombard, and two unprovens].

It's "nice" that he can make girls laugh [that's the only reason boys exist afterall], but I prefer it when he makes DEs and OLBs cry.



"Boys were made to make girls laugh;
Girls were made to make boys smile."

Mountain William, The West Virginia Sage.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

The dude is just an organism fighting and striving to endure! Hopefully this winter/spring/summer he's learning to love that pain a lil' bit more! haha, seriously one of the funniest speeches I've heard at a pep rally. Love this guy after listening to that! Combine that w/ Shembo's and Dicky V- it was an epic day (we'll leave out the Manti part for now )

 

[PANDFAN]

San Dimas High School Football Rules! - YouTube


this is what i picture every time i think of troy's speech

 

[ClausentoTate]

Pity laugh???

Yeah, that's it...

 

[dshans]

Yeah, that's it...

Would "self-preservation" laugh work for you? Don't wanna poke the bear ...

 

[dublinirish]

was troy's "speech" at the michigan game pep rally an "act"? i find it hard to believe thats what he is really like from interviews i have watched of him.

 

[BeauBenken]

Well to be a good comedian, you either have to be funny looking or good looking. Then people will laugh at pretty much anything you said just because you said it.

Those girls must think Troy is pretty funny looking.