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

[Irish Houstonian]

Yeah, so does everyone on the team. It was a tough game for everyone, but Zeke made a ton of plays and was called on to clean up other people's missed tackles way too often. He was asked to do things he normally doesn't have to. Sorry I think you are just flat out wrong here.

Trust me, I wish I were wrong here too. But the tape doesn't lie.

 

[CHIDomer9]

A career high in tackles, including hits that broke up passes, is by far his worst game?

Yes, it was. He took quite a few terrible angles and had more missed tackles than any other game this season. Saying he had a bad game doesn't take away from the other 12, and it doesn't mean he wasn't a large part of why ND played in the NCG.

 

[Ironman8]

Trust me, I wish I were wrong here too. But the tape doesn't lie.

Lol, the tape? That tape makes everyone look like ****, except probably Nix. Go show me the tape with Motta's 14+ tackles and jarring hits. That doesn't lie.

 

[Ironman8]

Yes, it was. He took quite a few terrible angles and had more missed tackles than any other game this season. Saying he had a bad game doesn't take away from the other 12, and it doesn't mean he wasn't a large part of why ND played in the NCG.

You don't think his bad angles on some of those had anything to do with missed tackles by our linemen and backers, leaving him to scramble to make a play he didn't think he'd have to originally make? Pretty hard to get a good angle on those, trust me.

I think that this was Manti's worst game by far this year, and it left Motta dealing with wayyy to much, and he played his *** off trying to cover for other people's mistakes.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Lol, the tape? That tape makes everyone look like ****, except probably Nix. Go show me the tape with Motta's 14+ tackles and jarring hits. That doesn't lie.

Ok, if you disagree so strongly, what do you think Motta's worst game was this season?

 

[Grahambo]

Yes, it was. He took quite a few terrible angles and had more missed tackles than any other game this season. Saying he had a bad game doesn't take away from the other 12, and it doesn't mean he wasn't a large part of why ND played in the NCG.

In his defense, he was doing WAY more then he should have been doing last night and arguably prevented the score from being worse then what it was. He was never a flashy/speed guy and having to control the secondary all year was as tough a job as I've ever seen.

At one CB spot he is having to help a player who came in as a WR and had to make the transformation to CB. The other side was a true FROSH RB who flipped to CB like two weeks before the season. Then his counterpart goes down early in the season and is left having to assist Shumate, a true FROSH, and Farley who is getting his first PT.

 

[Ironman8]

Ok, if you disagree so strongly, what do you think Motta's worst game was this season?

I'd say probably Miami, where he also had a couple poor angles on tackles while allowing WRs to get deep on him a couple times even thought that was the single thing we were most worried about.

 

[Ironman8]

And I am sorry, he had 16 tackles last night and 1 pass defensed.

 

[Walter White]

Ok, if you disagree so strongly, what do you think Motta's worst game was this season?

First quarter of Navy and Miami.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I'd say probably Miami, where he also had a couple poor angles on tackles while allowing WRs to get deep on him a couple times even thought that was the single thing we were most worried about.

Ok, well, it is subjective so I guess we just have a difference of opinion.

 

[irishpat183]

While Zeke was in on a buncha tackles in what looked like a "great game"....he didn't play well at all.

Coverage....I'm just not going to go there.


And he did miss a buncha tackles as well. Of course, Lacy made all of our D his b**ches last night.


Zeke really suprised me with how well he ended up playing this season given his Navy debacle. But last night wasn't a good night for Zeke.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Guys.
Zeke box stats look nice.
His play wasn't.
Simple as that. Easily his worst game of the season. Just like manti. Just like pretty much everyone else on defense.

 

[irishpat183]

Guys.
Zeke box stats look nice.
His play wasn't.
Simple as that. Easily his worst game of the season. Just like manti. Just like pretty much everyone else on defense.

Yep.

and when all is said and done...WE GAVE UP 42 POINTS! So no one on the D played well

 

[Ironman8]

Agree to disagree boys. I don't think he played great, but he played his *** off and in my eyes it definitely wasn't his worst game. He had missed tackles, but he had less than others on the team, while also making 16 stops of his own, including 7 solo.

 

[Walter White]

Yep.

and when all is said and done...WE GAVE UP 42 POINTS! So no one on the D played well

Truth. Its a team game and the whole unit played badly together.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Agree to disagree boys. I don't think he played great, but he played his *** off and in my eyes it definitely wasn't his worst game. He had missed tackles, but he had less than others on the team, while also making 16 stops of his own, including 7 solo.

Exactly. As a whole the defense got schooled but Zeke was all over the field making tackles he never should of had to make.

 

[chicago51]

Zeke Motta played his a$$ off. He was out classed athletically and did miss some plays but he played his heart out.

It shows though that ND needs more athletes in the secondary. I love the overachievers like Motta but they just don't win you championships.

 

[Grahambo]

Zeke Motta played his a$$ off. He was out classed athletically and did miss some plays but he played his heart out.

It shows though that ND needs more athletes in the secondary. I love the overachievers like Motta but they just don't win you championships.

I bring you(and by I, I mean the ND staff)...Max Redfield lol

 

[pumpdog20]

I thought Zeke played a hell of a game. He was ten times better than Te'o last night, and I don't see anyone bashing him.

 

[Riddickulous]

I'm with Ironman here.

It seemed like Zeke Motta had to make the tackle on nearly every play. Given that he was left to do everything himself against both the run and pass, I'd say he did a decent job of it.

 

[chicago51]

When your safety is making double digit tackles it usually means your team is having a bad game defensively.

Remember when Kyle McCarthy used make double digit tackles on a weekly baisis and how poor our D was in those days?

 

[IrishLax]

Lot of different opinions here. I view Zeke's game much like Brady Quinn in the Sugar Bowl during the Weis era. Weaknesses got exposed. Probably costs him a least a round or two in draft stock.

I think it's pretty obvious that all three graduating players on defense had their draft stock hurt in this game.

 

[Walter White]

So when do all you guys think Zeke will be drafted?

I don't think he hurt himself too much that game.

My prediction is 3rd round.

 

[irishpat183]

So when do all you guys think Zeke will be drafted?

I don't think he hurt himself too much that game.

My prediction is 3rd round.

It really depends...A huge combine would help erase some of the bad angles and coverages in this game.

We'll see. He's not as athletic as Harrison "Irishpat is my b**ch" Smith is...but he did overall have a good year.

And while he made a buncha tackles...he wiffed, badly, on a few plays that could've been for lost yardage or prevented a TD. It's the big plays that count.

 

[4irishnation]

Why is the opinion of those that do not agree get bashed over and over again? I stated my opinion on what I saw and because it is different from yours it turns into a bash fest and name calling. This board is full of people who will state their opinion and it's ok, but others do the same and are outcast. Love this site for info but some of the people on here flat out suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FORGIVE ME FOR NOT BENDING OVER AND KISSING YOUR FEET

 

[4irishnation]

Lot of different opinions here. I view Zeke's game much like Brady Quinn in the Sugar Bowl during the Weis era. Weaknesses got exposed. Probably costs him a least a round or two in draft stock.

I think it's pretty obvious that all three graduating players on defense had their draft stock hurt in this game.

Thank you for putting into words what I felt last night but couldn't get out

 

[koonja]

I think Zeke can play special teams and SS at the next level. What might hurt him is there's 3 year's proof that he does not take the correct angles to make up for his lack of speed. Last night aside, big hitter and strong tackler.

 

[Sweetness34]

Zeke Motta played his a$$ off. He was out classed athletically and did miss some plays but he played his heart out.

It shows though that ND needs more athletes in the secondary. I love the overachievers like Motta but they just don't win you championships.

+1

 

[ThePiombino]

+1

Who would have ever thought that losing Harrison would hurt us more than losing Floyd? No offense meant to Motta- he did a HELLUVA job this year with what he had to work with.

 

[Ironman8]

Who would have ever thought that losing Harrison would hurt us more than losing Floyd? No offense meant to Motta- he did a HELLUVA job this year with what he had to work with.

Losing Slaughter was almost as big as losing Harrison IMO.