https://twitter.com/ndatrivals/status/409751359508840448
Sorry I'm on my phone and couldn't embed. Just seemed a little odd there wasn't any communication there and that Nix wouldn't finish the season as part of the team.
He does not get to be with the team? Because he signed with an agent?Hm. That quote doesn't coincide with his answer in the Q&A via the transcript I read. Maybe he clarified after the fact.
Either way, if Nix does something like that on his own, how can BK regulate that? That's on Louis, not BK. I would also be willing to bet Louis regrets not waiting to sign until after NY now, considering he won't get to go and be with the team.
He does not get to be with the team? Because he signed with an agent?
I have never herd that
Q: Will (senior defensive tackle) Louis (Nix) be going?
BK: No. Louis has signed with an agent, so he's not allowed to be part of the bowl in terms of bowl gifts, bowl travel, all of those things.
Q: Was there a conversation there about possibly delaying that so he could join you?
BK: I was not involved in that conversation.
Former players and such get sideline passes for games. Would he be able to do that as long as it wasn't school provided?
I would guess that once Nix signed he was given an advance on his future contract. That would be tempting based on all I've read about his family's situation and his desire to take care of his mom.
I hope he finished his degree, seems like he's gone kind of quick.
Apologies for further hijacking Golson's thread.
Golson sighting on campus
From the Oklahoma game onward, Golson had an aggregate QBR that would put him in or close to the top 10 nationally. Basically, over the last half of the season, Golson played at a "very good" or borderline "elite" level.
The only question is what happens with his time off? If he made natural progression in year 2, we'd be looking at him being a baller in complete command of the offense in year 3. Instead, we have some question marks.
This is from the Pinstripe thread, but I wanted to drop it off here since it's about Golson.
The bolded part is the thing that interests me the most about next season. Everyone expects a better campaign in 2014, and for good reason: It's highly unlikely that the team is hit as hard by injuries as it was this season; you're losing four starters on offense, but bringing back far more than just the other 7 contributors; key defensive contributors return, which should help to offset other growing pains that will be experienced; and finally Golson returns!
However, what will people think if the team struggles again to an 8-4/9-3 record? Let's say Golson struggles through the early part of the season, and offense struggles with play-calling and execution at key moments just like it did this past season. Will people say, "let's wait until next year (2015) to judge"? After all, that would be Golson's third year at the helm, and I'm a bit more patient when it comes to the direction the program is trending, so that's the camp I would be in.
But what of the other side? How crazy will people be if ND goes 9-3? Would it be reasonable to put it on BK's head? Should Zaire at least be ready to play at a high level if Golson can't? Or could/should people be expected to wait for 2015 for the big payoff?
The point is that this year, many are saying "wait till next year when Mobile QB is our starter." But if the team struggles, it could be much the same thing. "Wait till 2015 when Mobile QB is a veteran." It's going to be an interesting year in 2014.
I think even with rust, Golson comes back about as good as he was at the end of the 2012 season. He's supposed to be stronger, so hopefully he comes back better, but I'm factoring in the fact he hasn't taken a snap in 12 months really aside from his QB coach.
Defense will probably take a step back...or will it? With as many injuries as we had this season, if we stay healthy next year we may see an improvement? Who knows there. I feel good at LB, better than I did going into this season anyway. Our secondary should be improved I would think. DL will be the biggest question mark, especially if Tuitt doesn't come back.
Offensively we'll have to be better, even with the loss of Z Mart and Chris Watt on the line. I think the offensive line is poised to do great things in the coming years. They may need to adjust a bit and learn to play together, but the right side is shaping up after this season, and Elmer will fill in nicely on the left next season I think. The only loss at skill position is TJ, which will hurt, but we've been honing a class of freshman. Hopefully DD reestablishes his rapport with Golson too.
Looking at next year's schedule, and I'm guessing we're dropping Rice and Northwestern if ASU isn't going away, I think 10 wins is very doable. I would expect 1-2 losses between USC, Michigan, and Stanford. USC is the big question mark between those 3 as we have no idea how Sark's first season will go, but I expect him to turn things around quickly with the excitement a new coach brings. Michigan will play us tough as usual, but it's winnable if we come to play. Same for Stanford. Running the table is probably out of the question though unless the defense returns to form.
[EDIT] Forgot Florida State there and that we play them away. Yeah, that could suck...next season could be rough, but I think 10-2 is still the goal and very possible.
I think even with rust, Golson comes back about as good as he was at the end of the 2012 season. He's supposed to be stronger, so hopefully he comes back better, but I'm factoring in the fact he hasn't taken a snap in 12 months really aside from his QB coach.
As for EG, I believe he will come back very solid and be what he was after the OK game. The way he handled his suspension makes me think he has matured a lot and that presence will be huge on the field and in the locker room.
That's my question though. What if EG isn't solid next season. What if he's rusty and we drop a game or two early that we might have otherwise won? Or what if Zaire has to play and isn't ready for primetime? Does BK get the benefit of the doubt, and we say "wait till next year"? Or do people start questioning BK?
Edit: For the record, I believe EG will come back, win the job, and play great. I truly believe BK is going to finally let everyone off the leash. However, I'm very interested in the "wait till next year" talk that we're hearing now, that we very well could be using again next season.
Golson sighting on campus
Depending on how the timing of it plays out, next year's schedule could be brutal. No Air Force, no Wake Forest, no Rice, adding Louisville, FSU and a host of other ACC teams. It could be a real nightmare.
Rice is 10-3 and will probably finish 11-3.
Guys like Jaylon and Grace and Russell will have to take on leadership roles to make up for the losses.
I agree with this. Anout game 5 I noticed it and started trying to pay attention. I feel like it is double.Speaking of Russell, I would like to see numbers/percentages of how many times he was targeted by QBs compared to Bennett. I felt like offenses were basically avoiding targeting him for the most part, but I could be completely wrong.
Speaking of Russell, I would like to see numbers/percentages of how many times he was targeted by QBs compared to Bennett. I felt like offenses were basically avoiding targeting him for the most part, but I could be completely wrong.
Rice is 10-3 and will probably finish 11-3.
I think it was noticeable from the get go. You could see that Temple wanted no part of him, nor did Michigan. In fact, I may have mentioned in the Temple thread that Russell had a quiet day, but only because Temple never seemed to throw his way. If he was a weakness, I'm sure teams would have tried him more often. Lock. Down. Corner. Wonder if he would be a defensive captain next season?