'11 PA TE Ben Koyack (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Luckylucci]

It's just not that simple. As others have said previously he is having troubles catching passes. He has multiple uncontested dropped this season. Also Kelly has specifically said that if his receivers and te's can't block they won't play. In fact he said it about tj jones recently.

 

[4irishnation]

LOL

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

It's just not that simple. As others have said previously he is having troubles catching passes. He has multiple uncontested dropped this season. Also Kelly has specifically said that if his receivers and te's can't block they won't play. In fact he said it about tj jones recently.

Don't know why he has been dropping the rock but I don't expect this to be a problem the rest of the season (I don't remember him having butterfingers before this).

For Kelly's "block rule" Lining him up against DBs is a way for him to keep playing because he can't block anyone else on the D. Let Niklas and Eifert handle the big boys.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I wish Alex Welch was healthy.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I believe that Koyack [even Niklas somewhat] is confused as to WHOM to block when they are lined up next to a tackle. I've seen [I think] many times when ZMart or Lombard will drive down into the opposing D-Line, and the TE does not pick up the defender who was more-or-less in front of our tackle.

Some folks [but not Mayock] will hoot that Martin or Lombard have stunk the field up on those plays, but the action by our tackles looks so decisive on them that I HAVE to believe that the non-pick-up is on the TE (or if it's a stay-at-home quick pass, on the running back. I think that the latter happens sometimes when GAIII is the back and we're quick passing [more than Theo and almost never with Cierre]).

So I think that some of this is strength and technique, but some of this is "read". And some might be misplaced blame. But I agree that big Ben is going to have to get bigger in the blocking game. As to catching the ball: he can catch. That has to be a head not a talent thing right now. My intuition is that almost all his troubles are head things.

 

[RDU Irish]

It's just not that simple. As others have said previously he is having troubles catching passes. He has multiple uncontested dropped this season. Also Kelly has specifically said that if his receivers and te's can't block they won't play. In fact he said it about tj jones recently.

Then what the hell is Koyack doing on the field?

 

[ThePiombino]

Then what the hell is Koyack doing on the field?

There's not that much depth at that position with Welch out.

 

[PANDFAN]

Don't know why he has been dropping the rock but I don't expect this to be a problem the rest of the season (I don't remember him having butterfingers before this).

For Kelly's "block rule" Lining him up against DBs is a way for him to keep playing because he can't block anyone else on the D. Let Niklas and Eifert handle the big boys.

i believe he only had 1 catch last year...but his hands were supposed to be really good coming out of high school

 

[Grahambo]

His path is somewhat similar's to Eifert. He is a sophomore and has had to play behind one of the greatest TE in ND history but also one of the best in college the past two years.

He is not asked to do a whole lot and he is asked to block more then A) He is used to and B) He is comfortable with at this point. Eifert was the same way. He has developed himself into a pretty serviceable blocker the last two years.

Koyack is developing and will be the starting TE next season. I also heard he has potential.

 

[Irishnuke]

His path is somewhat similar's to Eifert. He is a sophomore and has had to play behind one of the greatest TE in ND history but also one of the best in college the past two years.

He is not asked to do a whole lot and he is asked to block more then A) He is used to and B) He is comfortable with at this point. Eifert was the same way. He has developed himself into a pretty serviceable blocker the last two years.

Koyack is developing and will be the starting TE next season. I also heard he has potential.

Niklas should be the starter. Better receiver and a much, much better blocker. There will probably be lots of two TE sets though so Ben will get his reps.

 

[Emcee77]

"Starter" is a misleading term at the skill positions on offense (except QB). It just depends on packaging. As Lou pointed out the other day, Chris Brown has started two games. So has GAIII.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

"Starter" is a misleading term at the skill positions on offense (except QB). It just depends on packaging. As Lou pointed out the other day, Chris Brown has started two games. So has GAIII.

ok...so, potentially a starter.

 

[PANDFAN]

Ben Koyack, Junior, Notre Dame
Buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Tyler Eifert in 2012, he'll make his mark this season.

kiper's top 5 TE for the draft...he is listed as someone to watch for

 

[Irishnuke]

Ben Koyack, Junior, Notre Dame
Buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Tyler Eifert in 2012, he'll make his mark this season.

kiper's top 5 TE for the draft...he is listed as someone to watch for

Don't even know why he's mentioned. No way he is going pro after this season.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Ben Koyack, Junior, Notre Dame
Buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Tyler Eifert in 2012, he'll make his mark this season.

kiper's top 5 TE for the draft...he is listed as someone to watch for

The staff has had a lot more praise for Niklas both as a receiver and a blocker, no? And Koyack seemed to be the #3 TE last season, behind Niklas.

Maybe Kiper knows something we don't, but I doubt it. More likely he's going off Koyack's high school ratings and ND's reputation for developing TEs.

 

[PANDFAN]

The staff has had a lot more praise for Niklas both as a receiver and a blocker, no? And Koyack seemed to be the #3 TE last season, behind Niklas.

Maybe Kiper knows something we don't, but I doubt it. More likely he's going off Koyack's high school ratings and ND's reputation for developing TEs.

winner winner chicken dinner...also there is a huuuuuuge drop off in talent from #1 austin sefari jenkins....man i wanted that kid at ND....hope he doesn't get into more trouble...but anyways it looks from who was selected there really isn't anyone else that is a big name w/ production...

 

[IrishLax]

I'm interested to see how Welch does if he can stay healthy. Was supposedly poised for a breakout before the injury bug hit again and again and again...

Really not sold on Niklas unless his blocking has improved. No idea how someone that big blocks so poorly.

 

[PANDFAN]

I'm interested to see how Welch does if he can stay healthy. Was supposedly poised for a breakout before the injury bug hit again and again and again...

Really not sold on Niklas unless his blocking has improved. No idea how someone that big blocks so poorly.

not knowing who to block and not going 100% because he is unsure looking around but unfortunately his man was already past him

 

[clashmore_mike]

The potential is there, or so I've heard.

 

[RyCo1983]

The potential is there, or so I've heard.

Well played

 

[Domina Nostra]

I am not worried about TE, in the least bit. My prediction is that all 3--Niklas, Welch, and Koyack-- will have great seasons.

 

[Anchorman]

I am not worried about TE, in the least bit. My prediction is that all 3--Niklas, Welch, and Koyack-- will have great seasons.

To be honest, I hope that's not the case only because it will mean our receiving corps sucked.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am not worried about TE, in the least bit. My prediction is that all 3--Niklas, Welch, and Koyack-- will have great seasons.

I was gonna post the same thing except I was going to use the adjective "great." This is shaping up to be a hell of a season for the tight ends. Knock on wood, if they all stay healthy, we have three that if they get their legs under them, could be in the top ten in the nation.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I'm interested to see how Welch does if he can stay healthy. Was supposedly poised for a breakout before the injury bug hit again and again and again...

Really not sold on Niklas unless his blocking has improved. No idea how someone that big blocks so poorly.

In all fairness, I don't think his run blocking is that bad. It's just his pass pro that's literally hit-or-miss.

 

[Junkhead]

I am not worried about TE, in the least bit. My prediction is that all 3--Niklas, Welch, and Koyack-- will have great seasons.

We haven't had a decent TE in decades, what does it matter anyway?

 

[Buster Bluth]

And let's be cognizant of the fact that it was his first season at TE. To go from DOG to TE and blocking DEs is a pretty big change.

 

[ThePiombino]

I'm interested to see how Welch does if he can stay healthy. Was supposedly poised for a breakout before the injury bug hit again and again and again...

Really not sold on Niklas unless his blocking has improved. No idea how someone that big blocks so poorly.

With you here. There have been a lot of apologists regarding his blocking in the Stanford game, and I get what they're saying- he recently converted to TE from OLB, but that doesn't change two things:

1) He played TE in HS
2) Even though he may have a reason doesn't change the fact that he can be a liability in the blocking game

 

[ScooterIrish]

With you here. There have been a lot of apologists regarding his blocking in the Stanford game, and I get what they're saying- he recently converted to TE from OLB, but that doesn't change two things:

1) He played TE in HS
2) Even though he may have a reason doesn't change the fact that he can be a liability in the blocking game

I think the Stanford is a tough one to judge him by. He had to block some of the best LB's in the country during that game and got schooled. No surprise. The coaches shouldn't have put him in that situation imo...

However, I love him in the passing game. He's huge, fast and has great hands. The blocking will come with reps.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

In all fairness, I don't think his run blocking is that bad. It's just his pass pro that's literally hit-or-miss.

Exactly, I think the whole knock on Troy was the Stanford game where he had to deal with Thomas and Murphy, and for some reason he got no help from the tackles, expecially Martin. The coaches admitted there was a breakdown there, and that it wasn't all Troy's fault. Go back and check the interviews and articles if you don't believe me!

With you here. There have been a lot of apologists regarding his blocking in the Stanford game, and I get what they're saying- he recently converted to TE from OLB, but that doesn't change two things:

1) He played TE in HS
2) Even though he may have a reason doesn't change the fact that he can be a liability in the blocking game

Exactly what I thought, too! Somebody on this board that went to his high school set me straight on that. He played more guard on offense than tight end; they had some stud tight end that played ahead of him and his primary utilization was on defense. Help me out with this somebody. Also, where he had a problem last year was in technique, which is a practice thing, and that is mostly because he got so big, and with our scheme. If you go back and look at it, he had a hard time picking out who he was supposed to block, so he was always a half a step late, and off balance.

This year he will be a road grader; for which we again owe HH another debt of gratitude, and once he gets his hands on the ball (which have improved also) he will knock the blocks off of defenders, and run over their carcases. You will hear opposing defenses cry, "Stampede!"

 

[ThePiombino]

Exactly what I thought, too! Somebody on this board that went to his high school set me straight on that. He played more guard on offense than tight end; they had some stud tight end that played ahead of him and his primary utilization was on defense. Help me out with this somebody. Also, where he had a problem last year was in technique, which is a practice thing, and that is mostly because he got so big, and with our scheme. If you go back and look at it, he had a hard time picking out who he was supposed to block, so he was always a half a step late, and off balance.

I stand corrected then and, subsequently, a little more optimistic about his blocking progress. Either way, I do love the mismatches he will create in space.