Fasano's NFL Decision

[jiggafini19]

Removed.

 

[jiggafini19]

There are a lot of good ones out there for this year's draft.

I'm concerned with his fumbling as of late. Fasano is very athletic. Thus he liked to dive for extra yards and hurdle defenders. This exposes the offensive player to getting bashed while airbourne. It makes the chances of fumbling that much higher. It also increases your chances of getting hurt badly.

I'm curious to see what his decision will be. Fasano somewhat fell out of sight for the second half of the season. Is he injured?

 

[bigdon]

There are a lot of good ones out there for this year's draft.
I'm concerned with his fumbling as of late. Fasano is very athletic. Thus he liked to dive for extra yards and hurdle defenders. This exposes the offensive player to getting bashed while airbourne. It makes the chances of fumbling that much higher. It also increases your chances of getting hurt badly.
I'm curious to see what his decision will be. Fasano somewhat fell out of sight for the second half of the season. Is he injured?

I have the same thoughts about him. Maybe he was trying too hard to impress. I think his production fell off because Quinn just didn't go to him as often.

I think there is a legitimate argument that Quinn's decision making was not all that great in the latter part of the year. Early success with Sam and Stovall seemed to keep him in that mode. I think he was throwing into the crowd a lot in the later games.

 

[leppycole]

I think he should stay and work on the butter hands. Big fumble against USC, plus he needs to work on outweaving double coverage.

 

[irish9331]

You go and it is a sure ticket to the CFL, NFLEL, or Arena. Stay and see what you can do to improve your ball handling next year.

 

[BGIF]

I have the same thoughts about him. Maybe he was trying too hard to impress. I think his production fell off because Quinn just didn't go to him as often.

I think there is a legitimate argument that Quinn's decision making was not all that great in the latter part of the year. Early success with Sam and Stovall seemed to keep him in that mode. I think he was throwing into the crowd a lot in the later games.

I'm curious about the decision making in the latter part of the year point. McKnight was initially "The Man", if there was one. As I recall Sam and Mo exploded after McKnight went down. In the last half of the season, Quinn was 150 for 226, 66.4%, 18TD, 3 INTs. In the last half he threw more passes ad completed more passes, more TD, less INTs. His QB Efficiency Rating went from 151 in the first half of the season to 165.6 in the second half. If Quinn was throwing more into a crowd in the latter part of the season it would seem he was doing it MORE successfully.

All season long Weis and Quinn kept saying, "we take what they give us". Seemed to me like Sam and Mo and the least mentioned receiver, recording setting RB, Darius Walker, all cut into Fasano's numbers as did the other TEs.

MacAfee, Bavaro and other ND TEs of note usually were the prime time receiver in their day. They didn't have to share too much. Fasano played with the best overall receiving corps in ND history and Weis moves the ball around.

 

[jiggafini19]

The kid from Maryland announced he's going pro. No shocker there.

I am starting to get a strange feeling that Fasano will come back. We're all a little disappointed with the loss to OSU, so maybe it is just an obvious guess that he'd come back for "unfinished business" and such.

I think with Stovall and Shelton gone, the uncertainty of McKnight coming back off an injury and Charlie Weis' offense could get Fasano back for one more round.

 

[irishnd31]

The kid from Maryland announced he's going pro. No shocker there.
I am starting to get a strange feeling that Fasano will come back. We're all a little disappointed with the loss to OSU, so maybe it is just an obvious guess that he'd come back for "unfinished business" and such.
I think with Stovall and Shelton gone, the uncertainty of McKnight coming back off an injury and Charlie Weis' offense could get Fasano back for one more round.

Good points. To add on to that, what kid would not want to have one more year under Charlie Weis? If it was me, I would learn all I can and take away as much as I could from Charlie while I still could. Charlie has been to show and was very successful. I am sure that he has given his 2 cents to Fasano on whether he is ready or not.

I also feel that Charlie is thinking that Fasano and Carlson could play a major role in developing the younger guys like Reuland and others.

 

[bigdon]

The kid from Maryland announced he's going pro. No shocker there.
I am starting to get a strange feeling that Fasano will come back. We're all a little disappointed with the loss to OSU, so maybe it is just an obvious guess that he'd come back for "unfinished business" and such.
I think with Stovall and Shelton gone, the uncertainty of McKnight coming back off an injury and Charlie Weis' offense could get Fasano back for one more round.

I believe this decision will be made more by Weis than Fasano. Two weeks ago I would have bet he was going. Now I am like you Jiggs, not so sure.

The word was that Weis was going to contact his NFL people about Fasano to better advise him. I believe if he gets positive answers he will tell Fasano to go. This will have nothing to do with the needs of ND--it will be decided solely on the best course for Fasano.

There is an unusually good crop of TE's coming out this year. Fasano would have a lot of competition. On the other hand there is risk in staying. Injury is the primary one but there is no guarantee another year will make him more valuable to the NFL.

I believe Fasano has mentioned the possibility of coming back to pursue a NC. FORGET IT!! ND is several years away from that venture. The "unfinished business" he is referring to must be the improvement of his talents. And there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[jiggafini19]

The unfinished business term was not something Fasano said.

Can Weis "make" the decision for him? If Fasano wants to come back, can they stop him? I'm guessing they could, but that would be a d*ck move to tell him no if that's what he truly wants.

 

[bigdon]

The unfinished business term was not something Fasano said.
Can Weis "make" the decision for him? If Fasano wants to come back, can they stop him? I'm guessing they could, but that would be a d*ck move to tell him no if that's what he truly wants.

Please reread my post. I said that Weis would ADVISE him and that advice would be in the best interest of Fasano, not ND.

I think Weis will lay out the options very plainly based on his knowledge of Fasano's chances in the NFL draft. Certainly the decision will be up to Fasano but if Weis comes back with a prediction of a fifth or sixth round pick when Fasano is looking for a second or third it is Weis' information that will be the guide.

If he decides to come back, Great! I am sure Weis can use him.

 

[jiggafini19]

I believe this decision will be made more by Weis than Fasano. Two weeks ago I would have bet he was going. Now I am like you Jiggs, not so sure.

The word was that Weis was going to contact his NFL people about Fasano to better advise him. I believe if he gets positive answers he will tell Fasano to go. This will have nothing to do with the needs of ND--it will be decided solely on the best course for Fasano.

I read too much into the first sentence, Big Don.

Ultimately, regardless of what Weis may say, A.F. has to figure it out. Whatever they hear now can change once the combine rolls around.

Right now, my best guess is that he's a day one round 1-3 draft choice and could be out of the top five in tight ends taken.

 

[KMac151993]

I think the thing that either hurts ND or hurts his draft stock is his fumbling problems he has had this year. If he returns we will have to deal with it, if he turns pro I think that could hurt his draft stock a little.

 

[domerfor life]

I think the thing that either hurts ND or hurts his draft stock is his fumbling problems he has had this year. If he returns we will have to deal with it, if he turns pro I think that could hurt his draft stock a little.

Yeah I agree. He's been fumbling too much of lately and you best believe that pro scouts have noticed that. Lucky for us, Matt Shelton was near the play when he fumbled. BTW, what happened to Shark's hands? Did he leave them in South Bend?

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

If he did go to the draft this year what round do you see him going in? Don't get me wrong I love Fasano but I don't see him being selected until the 3rd

 

[domerfor life]

If he did go to the draft this year what round do you see him going in? Don't get me wrong I love Fasano but I don't see him being selected until the 3rd

You've got Marcedes Lewis, Jeff King, and Vernon Davis coming out this year. I think he'll probably go late 2nd round.

 

[jiggafini19]

Pope from Georgia. Very good.

Byrd from USC. Plenty of good guys out there.

 

[domerfor life]

Pope from Georgia. Very good.
Byrd from USC. Plenty of good guys out there.

Yeah, you're right Jigg. Most of those guys are better athletes.

 

[jjsccer2]

I think Fasano will come back to the Irish. He didn't have that great of a year. He had more fumbles than TD's. Hopefully he'll start playing the way he should next year if he comes back.

 

[iloveirish_12]

Can i ask what you guys are talking about? Fasano is good and he could go to the NFL. Just cause he fumbled once against USC(and it wasn't like he just dropped it. The guy came from behind him) doesn't mean he shouldn't go to the NFL. I don't understand why you guys think this.

 

[Gizmo]

Can i ask what you guys are talking about? Fasano is good and he could go to the NFL. Just cause he fumbled once against USC(and it wasn't like he just dropped it. The guy came from behind him) doesn't mean he shouldn't go to the NFL. I don't understand why you guys think this.

I don't think anyone is really doubting his NFL pedigree, but as it stands the TE position is pretty stacked this year. I've heard experts referring to Fasano as anywhere from the 3rd to 6th best TE in the draft, meaning he might be drafted around the 3rd round or later. If he comes back for another year he undoubtedly improves, and quite possibly becomes the best TE in the draft. The difference is millions of dollars. But whether he goes this year or next he's definately ready, it's just a question of how ready.

 

[BGIF]

Well purely from a fans perspective, I'll be selfish.

There's going to be a numbers crunch with the big class coming in (assuming zero underclassman attrition and Leitko, Frome, and McKnight). If Fasano goes NFL, Freeman gets another year. IF Fasano stays, Freeman gets a job and begins his career.

i like Freeman. He''s great depth but I'll still take the 1st Team guy pairing with Carlsen in the 2 TE Sets.

 

[KMac151993]

No question even with his fumbling problems Fasano would still help out the Irish if he returns. Freeman is a great guy and a wonderful TE but Fasano just brings that security blanket with Quinn and adds to the firepower of the offense. If he leaves we can lose the problems with fumbling TE's and as was shown this year if Freeman and Carlson can just split the difference and become realiable then the TE corps won't be hurt very much.

 

[iloveirish_12]

No question even with his fumbling problems

What fumbling problem? You guys keep saying that. He hasn't fumbled anymore than anyone else.

 

[bigdon]

I don't think anyone is really doubting his NFL pedigree, but as it stands the TE position is pretty stacked this year. I've heard experts referring to Fasano as anywhere from the 3rd to 6th best TE in the draft, meaning he might be drafted around the 3rd round or later. If he comes back for another year he undoubtedly improves, and quite possibly becomes the best TE in the draft. The difference is millions of dollars. But whether he goes this year or next he's definately ready, it's just a question of how ready.

I am almost always on the side of the player who opts to go NFL That is still my position on Fasano. We all agree that he is ready for the next level but have different opinions about whether he will be 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or higher round.

Does anybody think another year will make him better? I think that year will be better spent in the NFL. Will another year make Vince Young better? How about Bush? Leinart hurt himself by staying--same with Jason White.

If we argue that he has a fumbling problem he can correct that in the NFL as well as ND. ( by the way I think his fumbling "problem" was WHEN it happened rather than HOW MANY)

As I have previously posted the "risk-reward" ratio is not in his favor by staying. Good for ND? YES!! Good for Fasano? absolutely NO.

 

[KMac151993]

What fumbling problem? You guys keep saying that. He hasn't fumbled anymore than anyone else.

I can think off the top of my head of 4 fumbles that he had 2 of which were lost. If you can name another player on the roster that had that many, I can't.

 

[domerfor life]

I can think off the top of my head of 4 fumbles that he had 2 of which were lost. If you can name another player on the roster that had that many, I can't.

And they happened in the red zone.

 

[Vince Young]

I think Fasano gets a worse rep for fumbling than he really deserves, but he does seem to have a knack for fumbling at the worst possible time. That's probably why we all think of him as having a "fumbling problem."

I normally disagree with leaving college early for the NFL, because if you get injured in training camp, you're up real life without a diploma.

However, Fasano has enough credits to graduate already, so he'll have his diploma. And TE is a very punishing position to play, so there's only so many years he'll be able to play it. Why spend an extra year playing it for free if he doesn't have to?

Godspeed, Anthony Fasano. We'll miss you on the field, but you have to put yourself first on this one. It's your life, after all. Good luck in the NFL.

 

[bigdon]

I think Fasano gets a worse rep for fumbling than he really deserves, but he does seem to have a knack for fumbling at the worst possible time. That's probably why we all think of him as having a "fumbling problem."
I normally disagree with leaving college early for the NFL, because if you get injured in training camp, you're up real life without a diploma.
However, Fasano has enough credits to graduate already, so he'll have his diploma. And TE is a very punishing position to play, so there's only so many years he'll be able to play it. Why spend an extra year playing it for free if he doesn't have to?
Godspeed, Anthony Fasano. We'll miss you on the field, but you have to put yourself first on this one. It's your life, after all. Good luck in the NFL.

Ditto and amen

 

[Gizmo]

I actually agree with you VY and bigdon, but I have a question about Fasano.

This year Fasano is probably TE #3-6 in the NFL Draft, but next year he could be TE #1. Some recent #1 TEs include Kellen Winslow (#6 overall) and Jeremy Shockey (#14 overall). My question would be what is the relative dollar difference between being selected in the middle of the 1st round vs. being selected in subsequent rounds where Fasano is being projected?

One of the great things about Weis is that he can provide guys like Fasano with the absolute best advice on his NFL prospects. I hope Fasano chooses what is best for him and his family, and if leaves I'm happy for him and I wish him the best of luck. But unlike Leinart and Young, he could very well improve his stock and another year with Weis' tutoring could mean millions of dollars. If that's the case, staying would be in his best interest.

Thanks for any insight.