'13 PA OT Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[dwshade]

McGlinchey-Elmer-Martin-Lombard-Stanley

Do you guys see it a different way? I'm looking at this starting 5 for next year, if McGlinchey pans out then it could be a great line

That's how I see it with who plays the two tackle spots TBD. That is who plays on the left side and who plays on the right side.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Elmer - Hanratty - Bivin - Lombard - Stanley

This is assuming Martin isn't healthy to start the season. I think McGlinchey would work in at one of the tackle spots, and if Hegarty plays well against Stanford and in the bowl game he may hang on over Bivin.

I agree w this if Nick isn't healthy. I just don't see someone taking a tackle spot from Elmer now that he's had more time in the weight program and more playing time. If someone does however, it means the line is going to be stacked. I wouldn't be surprised to see Monteleus push for some time at Guard next year (battling Hanratty for pt).

 

[Irishman77]

Elmer hegarty Martin Lombard Stanley

 

[Bogtrotter07]

No one has any idea because, A) Only Harry knows; B) Competition dictates who starts because of the number of potential starters on this squad.

Isn't it nice to be in the dark because there are so many potential starters?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Still would rather see Stanley on the left side and Elmer on the right. Just my opinion.

 

[chubler]

Still would rather see Stanley on the left side and Elmer on the right. Just my opinion.

might not be the worst idea long-term as well.

Short-term, you get more experience at left tackle to protect Everett, and long-term you get Elmer, one he's developed, protecting Zaire's blind side (so essentially playing left tackle, but on the right side because of the whole lefty thing)

 

[IrishLion]

I don't even care if my projected starting line is completely wrong, because like Bogs said, there are so many ways it could go. It doesn't matter who the starting five are, because either way it means the best five are out there. And considering the talent that has been stocked along the offensive line, you know that whoever is starting is going to give you quality play.

It's not like two guys with mediocre ability will be battling to see who can elevate their play; it's more like 5+ guys with good-to-great ability will be battling and trying to get in the mix, and no matter who wins the battle, we know it's someone who will get the job done.

 

[chubler]

Interesting point my family just raised (gotta love the ND football talk around thanksgiving):

We've been recruiting big, huge, strong O-Linemen, very similar to what you'd want for a pro-style, power-running scheme, but we don't have a power back. We seem to be a zone-running spread-type team. All of this is fine either way, but don't you usually want slightly smaller, more agile O-linemen for a spread offense with the kind of backs we have?

 

[IrishLion]

Interesting point my family just raised (gotta love the ND football talk around thanksgiving):

We've been recruiting big, huge, strong O-Linemen, very similar to what you'd want for a pro-style, power-running scheme, but we don't have a power back. We seem to be a zone-running spread-type team. All of this is fine either way, but don't you usually want slightly smaller, more agile O-linemen for a spread offense with the kind of backs we have?

I think the days of pigeon-holing a lineman based on spread/power are mostly over, except in rare/clear cases. If you are recruiting elite o-linemen these days, as ND is, you are getting guys that are big enough to block with power but athletic/technical enough to handle the finer aspects of blocking in a spread.

As I said though, there are some exceptions, like a Damien Mama who is just a bulldozer but still elite. Plus, even in a spread, the guards are still going to be the more stout guys, regardless of athleticism/power.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

We've been recruiting big, huge, strong O-Linemen, very similar to what you'd want for a pro-style, power-running scheme, but we don't have a power back. We seem to be a zone-running spread-type team. All of this is fine either way, but don't you usually want slightly smaller, more agile O-linemen for a spread offense with the kind of backs we have?

Our recent OL recruits are tall, long and athletic-- perfect for a spread. We're not recruiting power-lifting meatballs to blow opposing DL off the ball in a man blocking scheme.

 

[Emcee77]

Interesting point my family just raised (gotta love the ND football talk around thanksgiving):

We've been recruiting big, huge, strong O-Linemen, very similar to what you'd want for a pro-style, power-running scheme, but we don't have a power back. We seem to be a zone-running spread-type team. All of this is fine either way, but don't you usually want slightly smaller, more agile O-linemen for a spread offense with the kind of backs we have?

I think it depends what kind of spread. Oregon's had a lot of success recruiting the kind of OL you are talking about, guys who have the agility to bump the DL and then get upfield in a hurry. That fits Oregon's pure-speed system, but lots of programs these days are having success by spreading defenses out AND overpowering them. Malzahn's offense does this, Clemson is famous for doing it, etc. I think that's the direction we want to go.

 

[chubler]

You smart people make me happy. Let's get these boys on the field and run over some people.

 

[PANDFAN]

Still would rather see Stanley on the left side and Elmer on the right. Just my opinion.

only w/ zaire at qb

 

[Old Man Mike]

Next year, not counting any of the newbies, Hiestand has several options to choose from, all of whom will probably make NFL teams later in life.

Elmer is number 1. The only question is what position he plays.
Lombard is number two. He's a guard if he's healthy.
NMart is number three. He's the center if he's healthy.
Stanley is number four. He's probably one of the tackles.
.....THEN.....
Hiestand has two youngsters of elite talent and nastiness: McGlinchey and Bivin. If Lombard and NMart are healthy, only one will start.

That line would likely be:

Stanley/ Elmer/ NMart/ Lombard/ McGlinchey [possibly flip tackles]. Elmer is not "wasted" at guard [though in my opinion he is the best tackle of the lot], because Kelly's spread reduces the differences between guard and tackle play somewhat [still plenty of athletic pass-blocking in space], and Elmer's savagery translates into violent bull-run-blocking as well. Notice that ALL our guys are "tackles".

If one of NMart or Lombard can't go full bore, then in my opinion Bivin starts --- at either the center or guard position. The conceivable variation is if the player out is NMart, then Hegarty [given his somewhat surprising near-stellar performance vs BYU] holds the Center position.

If BOTH NMart and Lombard can't go, then my guess is both Matt and Hunter are in. However you view it, Coach Harry seems to be likely to have six or seven elite line prospects ready to play, a tested veteran [Hanratty] ready for emergencies, and Montelus and McGovern waiting in the wings. My guess is Harrell will be serviceable as well.

When one focusses on this array of power, and the four 2014 mountains soon to join, I'm excited for our offense over many years to come, and astonished that we can still interest new elite OLinemen to join this Brotherhood of Silent Destroyers. Whoever comes to ND for OLine is telling us that he's pretty dammed confident of his abilities --- and REALLY likes what Coach Harry accomplishes.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Reviewing the Redshirts: OT Mike McGlinchey - One Foot Down

Excited to see if the big fella lives up to the hype for us. From what's been said, he could be a dominant tackle.

He is the perfect modern-day tackle and can offer length that we haven't seen on any recent Notre Dame lines. God made this kid to play tackle and that's what he'll do. Although I will say, I was amazed at his ability to get low as a senior and if he's athletic enough to play tackle he could probably pull off being a guard especially if only to briefly fill in for an injured player. The best athletes tend to be able to do a lot of things really well.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Reviewing the Redshirts: OT Mike McGlinchey - One Foot Down

Excited to see if the big fella lives up to the hype for us. From what's been said, he could be a dominant tackle.

I started this train of thought in another thread. For the offensive line : key in the article A) He is one of the most athletic player on the team, per Brian Kelly, which translates to among other things he has freakish speed; B) With his prototypical tackle length he is one of the linemen that does not appear to have the ability to play inside; C) Right now he has to be viewed as the number three tackle.

I am telling you, several teams have excelled at bringing an extra tackle in to create an unbalanced power situation along the line :

The fact is 35.6 percent of coaches use unbalanced formations between 6-10 snaps a game, 33.7 percent use them five snaps or less.

Reasons?

◾27.4 percent of coaches will use unbalanced sets to get an extra blocker on the perimeter. This helps with perimeter run game schemes like toss, speed option, outside zone and jet sweep.
◾26.5 percent of coaches will use unbalanced sets in order to create and extra gap in the run game. We’ve found this is more suitable to gap schemes like power and counter.
◾15.6 percent of coaches will use unbalanced sets just to "create a different picture" for the defense. As one coach told us in our survey, "defenses just don’t know how to adjust to them."

Picture (with the personnel tools ND has with quarterback, running back, blocking wide receiver (all necessary to pull this off), putting a fast, huge tackle, covered by an end outside the (starting) tackle on a power side. First you will catch defenses adjusting and if they react the way most do they will pay attention to the power and bring players up for a run at the point of the power. Then you pull this guy (with speed) the counter, sweep, option, sprint out, and play action possibilities are endless.

How do you defend something like this?

Because not only does the team have deception on their side, but they can create a matchup of superior personnel against any team at will, give or take.

 

[dublinirish]

BK saying he has the best arm on the team before makes me know i will be disappointed if Glinch never gets to throw a pass at ND

 

[irishfan]

McGlinchey-Elmer-Martin-Lombard-Stanley

pretty nasty looking o-line if it ends up looking like this

 

[Bobias]

I don't know if it has been mentioned in a while, but I feel they could also slim him down a bit and use him as Niklas' replacement if none of the TE's prove to be dominant enough. I understand that he can provide us with great depth or even start at tackle next year, but think of his potential at TE as well. I mean, the coaches constantly rave about how athletic he is, how he is one of the first ones down the field on special teams drills, the fact that he actually played a bit of TE in high school, was a great basketball player with supposedly great hands, and that he would still be able to run block when needed.

This would only happen, however, if two conditions were met. One, would be none of the TEs stepping up and filling the role of the "next great ND TE". The second, would be him not cracking the starting lineup at tackle. In reality he would only have to trim down to the 270-280 range, and he could be one of the most physically impressive TEs ever. I mean, the Troy Niklas experiment worked out really well, and it's not like this is something new to the staff. Plus, he would still be able to come in and provide outstanding run blocking support when needed.

I am not saying that this is the definitive, bar none, best route to go with him. I would, however, keep this possibility in mind during spring ball considering the lack of a proven dominant TE and the competition at tackle. The potential of this move is huge, and the down side is fairly limited because they could just bulk him back up if it doesn't work out. He would only lose a year of pass blocking experience, and with his athleticism, he would be able to pick that back up much quicker than most. I dunno, it just seems that using phrases such as "god made him to play tackle" or "born tackle" too narrowly define his potential. He really could excel at both positions, but considering the fact that Elmer and Stanley both have 2-3 years ahead of them it looks like Mcglinchey could get stuck as a perpetual backup to those two if he doesn't beat one of them out. Just my two cents.

 

[Irish#1]

I started this train of thought in another thread. For the offensive line : key in the article A) He is one of the most athletic player on the team, per Brian Kelly, which translates to among other things he has freakish speed; B) With his prototypical tackle length he is one of the linemen that does not appear to have the ability to play inside; C) Right now he has to be viewed as the number three tackle.

I am telling you, several teams have excelled at bringing an extra tackle in to create an unbalanced power situation along the line :



Reasons?



Picture (with the personnel tools ND has with quarterback, running back, blocking wide receiver (all necessary to pull this off), putting a fast, huge tackle, covered by an end outside the (starting) tackle on a power side. First you will catch defenses adjusting and if they react the way most do they will pay attention to the power and bring players up for a run at the point of the power. Then you pull this guy (with speed) the counter, sweep, option, sprint out, and play action possibilities are endless.

How do you defend something like this?

Because not only does the team have deception on their side, but they can create a matchup of superior personnel against any team at will, give or take.

Agree, just adding that extra lineman makes the defense spread out more and opens the middle as well.

 

[wizards8507]

I started this train of thought in another thread. For the offensive line : key in the article A) He is one of the most athletic player on the team, per Brian Kelly, which translates to among other things he has freakish speed; B) With his prototypical tackle length he is one of the linemen that does not appear to have the ability to play inside; C) Right now he has to be viewed as the number three tackle.

I am telling you, several teams have excelled at bringing an extra tackle in to create an unbalanced power situation along the line :

Reasons?

Picture (with the personnel tools ND has with quarterback, running back, blocking wide receiver (all necessary to pull this off), putting a fast, huge tackle, covered by an end outside the (starting) tackle on a power side. First you will catch defenses adjusting and if they react the way most do they will pay attention to the power and bring players up for a run at the point of the power. Then you pull this guy (with speed) the counter, sweep, option, sprint out, and play action possibilities are endless.

How do you defend something like this?

Because not only does the team have deception on their side, but they can create a matchup of superior personnel against any team at will, give or take.

ALLL TEH LINEMANZ!!1!

Seriously though, I love it.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Think about it. Bring the extra lineman in. Post and drag a wide receiver and bring the receiver from the other side across. Off the play fake that would be phenomenal. There wouldn't be a linebacker standing, because the would all need their asses back, as they would have just gotten faked out of them.

So then you come in with this intense power advantage, and the personnel to do other thinks with it. So what are they going to do. Are they going to bury the runstoppers who need to cover the shallow middle when the first receiver drives deep and off? Or are they going to ignore catastrophe and fly to their coverage spots and ignore a running quarterback. (Some teams may do neither and still get run over.)

 

[wizards8507]

We'd be losing an eligible receiver, correct?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Yes. That is why if you look at the stats I posted up-line, there is a specific minor percentage coaches are willing to try this. In fact, against certain teams you may not try it at all.

 

[wizards8507]

 

[NDdomer2]

We ran an unbalanced line for our goal line package in college. really works great and has a lot of motions and PA options with it.

 

[Praytorian]

Can someone tell me why you lose the extra receiver? Why can't the extra tackle just report in as an eligible receiver?

 

[wizards8507]

Can someone tell me why you lose the extra receiver? Why can't the extra tackle just report in as an eligible receiver?

You can't "report in" in the NCAA like you can in the NFL. If you're wearing anything from 50 to 79, you're automatically ineligible no matter where you line up.

 

[Emcee77]

You can't "report in" in the NCAA like you can in the NFL. If you're wearing anything from 50 to 79, you're automatically ineligible no matter where you line up.

Really?? I can't believe I didn't know that.

 

[Praytorian]

Thank you for the quick answer, I didn't know that either.