Way Too Early 2013 Season Thoughts

[arrowryan]

You're offense can only be complex as your quarterback. Last year Golson was making his first ever starts as a college quarterback, so of course we are going to play a little conservative. I expect a big step forward in 2013 with our offense. I will never expect our offense to be like an Oregon offense because we run a different offense and our team is built differently

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I'm very curious to see what kind of wrinkles BD adds to the defense to remedy the predictive nature that was brutally exploited by Bama.

Of course Temple and our bowl opponent are the only ones with time to really dig in and prepare, but a need to diversify is there.

 

[IrishLax]

I'm most interested to see...

1. Does our offense take a big leap forward? Do we work in pistol or zone read concepts? I think we'd be very foolish not to.

2. Who starts at safety?

3. Who starts at RB?

 

[arrowryan]

I'm most interested to see...

1. Does our offense take a big leap forward? Do we work in pistol or zone read concepts? I think we'd be very foolish not to.

2. Who starts at safety?

3. Who starts at RB?

I would say Farley for sure. And maybe Shumate?

 

[chicago51]

I would say Farley for sure. And maybe Shumate?

I have high hopes for Shummate. He was wanted by teams last on the same level Max was this year.

Austin Collinsworth is a wild car coming off an injury.

Barratti actually got playing time at Safety last which those above really can't say.

So outisde of Farley it could get interesting.

 

[arrowryan]

I have high hopes for Shummate. He was wanted by teams last on the same level Max was this year.

Austin Collinsworth is a wild car coming off an injury.

Barratti actually got playing time at Safety last which those above really can't say.

So outisde of Farley it could get interesting.

I think the only reason Shumate didn't play at safety is because Lo Wood got hurt so they had to move Shumate to the nickel cornerback spot. Other wise KVR would've been the nickel corner with Lo Wood starting and Shumate would've been at safety

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not any more.

I wonder if Lo will see the field. I wonder how safety will shake out. Least likely to play; Badger and Turner. Most likely to play; Collinsworth, Baratti, and Farley. And then there is Redfield!

I will not say anything about outside linebacker, because nobody has any idea what will be what by August.

Inside linebacker. Most likely to make it or break it; Moore, and Rasaba. Most to lose; Calabrese, (he is principally different from all the other linebackers because of his lack of speed.) Most likely to tear heads off; Fox, and Grace. Grace was there last fall, but behind Manti. When in he had some voracious hits. Fox started hitting like a beast before the end of the season, too.

DE: Houndshell backs up Tuitt. That is the way it was. It will be interesting to see if it stays that way. With Day, Jones, and EV, let alone Rochelle, who two members of the staff are now looking at to be one of the surprise members of the class, we are going to have to let the dust settle in late August to know for sure.

Strangely I am okay with any offensive configuration at any position, even quarterback. I would love to see EG and GK push each other back and forth, no matter what the Irish are the winners. Except; I can't help thinking the offense is better with Cam McDaniel in the lineup; and I am unbelievably interested to see who the starting center is!

 

[GoIrish41]

shumate and redfield at the safety spots would give ND the most athletic safeties they have had in a long time -- maybe ever.

edit. but I also think Farley is a stud.

 

[chicago51]

What should we expect from Lo Wood. He was on track to be the starter until he got injured. Then KVR goes all freshman on us. Can Wood contribute this year in some way that is significant? Then start as 5th year senior in 14?

 

[IrishSpartan]

shumate and redfield at the safety spots would give ND the most athletic safeties they have had in a long time -- maybe ever.

edit. but I also think Farley is a stud.

I wouldn't say Farley is a stud but he is reliable.

 

[cody1smith]

Golsen will have 3000 yards
Lo wood will start if healthy
Huge hole where Teo was.
Amir will start.
Daniels leads team in receptions
Stanford will be our hardest game.
Both lines will be among the best.
We still will not be a high speed team.

 

[arrowryan]

Golsen will have 3000 yards
Lo wood will start if healthy
Huge hole where Teo was.
Amir will start.
Daniels leads team in receptions
Stanford will be our hardest game.
Both lines will be among the best.
We still will not be a high speed team.

Probably not, no way you keep a Freshman AA off the field.

I don't understand what you really mean on your last piece. What do you mean by "high speed"? Like Oregon fast? We are a pretty fast team anyway

 

[pkt77242]

What should we expect from Lo Wood. He was on track to be the starter until he got injured. Then KVR goes all freshman on us. Can Wood contribute this year in some way that is significant? Then start as 5th year senior in 14?

I wonder how healthy he will be, as achilles injuries are very tough to come back from 100%. I hope he can provide quality depth but I am skeptical due to the injury.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I wonder how healthy he will be, as achilles injuries are very tough to come back from 100%. I hope he can provide quality depth but I am skeptical due to the injury.

To add to this, what about Atkinson and the other non starters at corner? Wasn't Brown breathing down Wood's neck when Russel came out of nowhere? We could actually have five not including any linebackers that may be able to play corner.

 

[cody1smith]

Probably not, no way you keep a Freshman AA off the field.

I don't understand what you really mean on your last piece. What do you mean by "high speed"? Like Oregon fast? We are a pretty fast team anyway

Not trying to compare to the ducks they are unreal. The majority of our snaps will be taken with less than 15 seconds on the play clock.

 

[arrowryan]

Not trying to compare to the ducks they are unreal. The majority of our snaps will be taken with less than 15 seconds on the play clock.

Well that's fine with me. Quick snaps really only help teams that lack size (Oregon). Our size, depth, and player speed will trump that

 

[cody1smith]

Well that's fine with me. Quick snaps really only help teams that lack size (Oregon). Our size, depth, and player speed will trump that

I'm good with it to. Never really liked the high speed spread. But deep down everyone has been hoping to see it a little since Kelly took the reigns.

 

[Old Man Mike]

There are an unlimited number of small questions about this team, but there is only one big one.

HOW GOOD WILL GOLSON BE?
[The subset of questions here is: can he find a way to see over the middle? Can Kelly design the offense so that he can see over the middle [meaning full-comprehension after two steps]? Will we be forced to become a continuously moving-the-pocket offense? Will Golson find accuracy throwing the long ball? Will Kelly be forced to use Kiel more than we think? ].

Everett is an athletic masterpiece, but you almost have to redesign offense to fit him. He CAN manage all the issues above in theory. We will have to wait and see what the reality is.

 

[Buster Bluth]

There are an unlimited number of small questions about this team, but there is only one big one.

HOW GOOD WILL GOLSON BE?
[The subset of questions here is: can he find a way to see over the middle? Can Kelly design the offense so that he can see over the middle [meaning full-comprehension after two steps]? Will we be forced to become a continuously moving-the-pocket offense? Will Golson find accuracy throwing the long ball? Will Kelly be forced to use Kiel more than we think? ].

Everett is an athletic masterpiece, but you almost have to redesign offense to fit him. He CAN manage all the issues above in theory. We will have to wait and see what the reality is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG0UGLzNoFQ

So much rolling the pocket!

 

[chicago51]

Thanks guys for the feedback on my Lo Wood question.

I have another question/thought; how good will Sheldon Day be?

I ask because I thought Sheldon was just as good as Stephon Tuit as a freshman compared to Tuit as a freshman. Now don't think Day has the physical ceiling that Tuit has but he could make a similar leap in progress to not only replace Kap but be an upgrade then the defensive is going to be the best in America hands down.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Day, in my opinion was an everydown player last year, which put him ahead of ST and AL. He is not as tall of course. I think he is just over 6'. But he is a beast. I am not sure many in the country, (upperclassmen let alone freshmen) have better hands. And he is quicker than a hickup. There are some things that are trade offs, but if he can transform his body, and get more speed and strength, like the average player, he will be deadly. With experience he will be nuk-u-lear! His ceiling is awfully high.


Wait, and before any of you go into the lower celing stuff, how would you like to have this kid coming at you relentlessly? I mean his motor is always at high RPM and he is always coming at you!

 

[scUM Hater]

Thanks guys for the feedback on my Lo Wood question.

I have another question/thought; how good will Sheldon Day be?

I ask because I thought Sheldon was just as good as Stephon Tuit as a freshman compared to Tuit as a freshman. Now don't think Day has the physical ceiling that Tuit has but he could make a similar leap in progress to not only replace Kap but be an upgrade then the defensive is going to be the best in America hands down.[/QUOTE]

A) Did you mean defensive line?
B) Until we see a team like Bama again.

 

[chicago51]

Thanks guys for the feedback on my Lo Wood question.

I have another question/thought; how good will Sheldon Day be?

I ask because I thought Sheldon was just as good as Stephon Tuit as a freshman compared to Tuit as a freshman. Now don't think Day has the physical ceiling that Tuit has but he could make a similar leap in progress to not only replace Kap but be an upgrade then the defensive is going to be the best in America hands down.[/QUOTE]

A) Did you mean defensive line?
B) Until we see a team like Bama again.

I meant d-line

 

[Old Man Mike]

a). Sheldon Day replacing Kap will quickly be seen as an upgrade [I like everything about Kap, but my opinion stands]. The Dline backups [Hounshell, Kona/Tony, EV, Jarron, Isaac, maybe Romeo/Ishaq], will help form the nation's best Dline.

b). Spond/ Foxcarlo/ Shembo one year older will be and upgrade on their selves one year earlier. Jaylon backing up many places, plus Ben and Ishaq/Romeo/Doug, create an upgrade everywhere backing up. Grace in for Manti? In my opinion, the minor fall off there will be made up for [and more] elsewhere. We will have net-better-speed. Controversially, if Grace is good, this unit will also be an upgrade.

c). Russell/ Jackson/ Farley --- compared to themselves --- same logic as above. Motta is the toughest loss on defense, as he made most of the tackles in the tougher games when plays got away from Diaco's scheme, and he was the on-field general. But we are absolutely loaded with safety talent. People say Collinsworth. People say Shumate. People say Redfield. I say Baratti. Whoever's right, he'll be a good one. Upgrade here too.

Bottomline: nobody's going to be anxious to play Big Lou's Bunch of Maulers.

Gonna be fun to watch, fellas.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Temple game in PA???

 

[NDhoosier]

Well that's fine with me. Quick snaps really only help teams that lack size (Oregon). Our size, depth, and player speed will trump that

agreed, I dont want to be "Oregon fast" as far as snapping quickly. Oregon is a very simple offense. They have a limited number of plays with small variations. The QB does not really have to think or read the defenses, the QB just has to react once the play starts. Oregon is a running team. ND is a pass/run team. I want Golson to have a chance to read the defense because he will be throwing downfield much more than Oregon.

Also, arrowryan is correct. Oregon's offense is a gimmick because it is undersized, ND does not need to play like that, so ND would get more of an advantage by giving Golson time to read the defense pre-snap.

 

[GoldenDomerDJ]

We need a Wide Receiver to emerge. I think DaVaris Daniels will be that guy to break out, but will he be dominate? Thats up for debate. If we had a Floyd-type of WR we would be deadly.

 

[Booslum31]

We need a Wide Receiver to emerge. I think DaVaris Daniels will be that guy to break out, but will he be dominate? Thats up for debate. If we had a Floyd-type of WR we would be deadly.

I've thought this for awhile (since Flloyd left). To have a great running game we need the opposing safeties to "stay put" or busy themselves doubling-up on a stud reciever (or two).

 

[Bogtrotter07]

a). Sheldon Day replacing Kap will quickly be seen as an upgrade [I like everything about Kap, but my opinion stands]. The Dline backups [Hounshell, Kona/Tony, EV, Jarron, Isaac, maybe Romeo/Ishaq], will help form the nation's best Dline.

b). Spond/ Foxcarlo/ Shembo one year older will be and upgrade on their selves one year earlier. Jaylon backing up many places, plus Ben and Ishaq/Romeo/Doug, create an upgrade everywhere backing up. Grace in for Manti? In my opinion, the minor fall off there will be made up for [and more] elsewhere. We will have net-better-speed. Controversially, if Grace is good, this unit will also be an upgrade.

c). Russell/ Jackson/ Farley --- compared to themselves --- same logic as above. Motta is the toughest loss on defense, as he made most of the tackles in the tougher games when plays got away from Diaco's scheme, and he was the on-field general. But we are absolutely loaded with safety talent. People say Collinsworth. People say Shumate. People say Redfield. I say Baratti. Whoever's right, he'll be a good one. Upgrade here too.

Bottomline: nobody's going to be anxious to play Big Lou's Bunch of Maulers.

Gonna be fun to watch, fellas.

There is a move to the inside that may make sense, if not Councell, Okwara. Either way you would put a guy inside guys above 6'3", two deep. That is tall. The kind of quickness that they have is also tough. Manti was great, but I am not sure the additional height, not losing quickness, with everything else improving, doesn't bode poorly for opponents expecting a down year for ND.

I have really thought about it. I don't know that Carlo hasn't hit his ceiling, and I believe he like me and most of you, isn't fast enough. Danny Fox has much more speed, Jared, Romeo, Ben, and Anthony as well as Moore, Spond, Williams, and Shembo, all have the quicks. Some more than others. CC thenJU are probably the slowest, just a gut feeling.

We need a Wide Receiver to emerge. I think DaVaris Daniels will be that guy to break out, but will he be dominate? Thats up for debate. If we had a Floyd-type of WR we would be deadly.

Agreed. Brown, Ferguson, and Smith could also. TJ is there. But you have someone in the freshman class that if going to become a target. I don't know who; but I think James Onwaulu, is the most likely. And remember. We have all these underclass guys that can run or catch, McDaniels, Carslile, Neal, Folston, Bryant, Mahone, etc., etc., . . .

 

[BleedBlueGold]

We need a Wide Receiver to emerge. I think DaVaris Daniels will be that guy to break out, but will he be dominate? Thats up for debate. If we had a Floyd-type of WR we would be deadly.

I've thought this for awhile (since Flloyd left). To have a great running game we need the opposing safeties to "stay put" or busy themselves doubling-up on a stud reciever (or two).

Disagree about the Floyd talk. I'd rather have multiple WRs who can put up good numbers versus one WR who can put up great numbers. Daniels will break out, but TJ, Neal, Brown, etc should have good seasons as well. Golson is going to spread the ball around. This isn't the "just throw it to Floyd" offense anymore....and that's a huge plus.