'11 CA DE/OT Troy Niklas (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Irish YJ]

I understand your point in theory but don't recall TE's being a big receiving part of Kelly's Offense at Cinncinati where he had mobile QBs.

Regardless of TR's lack of mobility, Niklas was a HUGH (height and girth) target in the Red Zone or should have been. He did have 4 TD catches one short of the ND TE record but should have had double that considering ND's weak TD production in '10, '11, '12, and '13.

Golson adds a facet to the attack but in reality the Red Zone potential was not realized in '12. Check the team stats for Kelly's era.

Does any of his Cinci O days translate really to what he's doing at ND today? Again, really really really, I stress really,,,, hinges on the OC.

Regarding RZ potential, EG was green, and a bit slow (learning curve) in 2012.

Betting he will read / check at a whole different level this year. I think he will also blow the top off of Ds with C Breezy.

We have lots of talent at WR/TE, and my gut says Hercules and Brown are going to benefit in a huge way (regardless of OC).

 

[IrishLax]

When was the last time a TE like that was drafted in the first round? I just don't see a team picking a dominant blocking TE, with above average receiving skills in the first round.

Probably Pettigrew in 2009. Can't really remember back further than that... definitely rare though. Pettigrew was only an average receiver and I think caught about 40 balls for a mediocre chunk of yards in college. The reason this one sticks out in my head is I'm pretty sure he caught zero TDs as a senior and people laughed at Detroit for using a 1st round draft choice on a TE that caught 0 TDs.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I understand your point in theory but don't recall TE's being a big receiving part of Kelly's Offense at Cinncinati where he had mobile QBs.

I made this statement when he was hired and was told that I was incorrect and that TEs were pretty important.

Regardless of his time at Cincinnati, aren't we thinking he's aiming for a power spread (e.g. Clemson/Ohio State/Auburn) and using TEs even more. No?

 

[Wild Bill]

When was the last time a TE like that was drafted in the first round? I just don't see a team picking a dominant blocking TE, with above average receiving skills in the first round.

Bubba Franks
Daniel Graham
Ben Watson
Jermaine Gresham

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

.

 

[irishog77]

I think Niklas should have been targeted more this year especially in the Red Zone but it didn't happen. I suspect that's more play calling than progressions.

As for matching Eifert, he was used more as a WR than TE giving him more opportunity in Kelly's offense to be a target.

I understand your point in theory but don't recall TE's being a big receiving part of Kelly's Offense at Cinncinati where he had mobile QBs.

Regardless of TR's lack of mobility, Niklas was a HUGH (height and girth) target in the Red Zone or should have been. He did have 4 TD catches one short of the ND TE record but should have had double that considering ND's weak TD production in '10, '11, '12, and '13.

Golson adds a facet to the attack but in reality the Red Zone potential was not realized in '12. Check the team stats for Kelly's era.

I think it was play calling as well. TJ Jones (the smallest WR on the team) was targeted a lot though. DD some too. I never understood why Niklas and Koyack weren't really targets down there, despite the fact they were usually in the game then. I never understood why a guy like Robinson, who BK obviously trusted enough to play, was almost never even in the game in the red zone.

 

[pkt77242]

Bubba Franks
Daniel Graham
Ben Watson
Jermaine Gresham

Gresham? His last year at Oklahoma he had 66 catches for 950 yards and 14 Tds. If that isn't a dominant pass catcher I don't know what qualifies.

 

[Rizzophil]

Watson ran something crazy like a 4.5 40. Then tore his ACL and was never he same again

 

[CanadalovesND]

Watson ran something crazy like a 4.5 40. Then tore his ACL and was never he same again

Still managed to carve out a 10 year NFL career... and counting.

 

[Wild Bill]

Gresham? His last year at Oklahoma he had 66 catches for 950 yards and 14 Tds. If that isn't a dominant pass catcher I don't know what qualifies.

Good call. I wouldn't go as far as saying he has elite receiving skills but he was definitely a pass catching threat coming out of college. I just remember him being enormous, similar to Niklas, and I threw his name out there without thinking too much.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I believe that Troy will make modest improvements to his game, mostly just adding consistency, and does indeed go in the first round. He is huge, has good hands, has excellent athleticism for his size, and embraces pain without being a psycho. NFL teams will love him.

 

[dublinirish]

Ben Watson looked pretty fast when he ran 99yards to tackle Champ Bailey a few years ago!

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I believe that Troy will make modest improvements to his game, mostly just adding consistency, and does indeed go in the first round. He is huge, has good hands, has excellent athleticism for his size, and embraces pain without being a psycho. NFL teams will love him.

If he does improve this year I think he can put himself into the second round, but I don't see him as a first round talent. NFL teams pick TE's in the first round when they're major receiving threats, particularly in the end zone. Eifert went in the mid first round because his incredible hands, ability to fight off defenders, and high point the ball. Eiftert is a solid receiver but you don't see him fully utilize his frame to catch balls. Not too much of a knock on him, he's still absolutely one of the better receiving TE's and his blocking has really come along. I do believe he'll be a solid NFL starter for many years, but I just can't see him as a 1st rounder.

 

[TheChosen1]

Brian Hamilton‏@BrianHamiltonSI

BREAKING: #NotreDame TE Troy Niklas will bypass senior season and enter NFL Draft, his father tells @SINow. Story: Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas declares for 2014 NFL draft - College Football - Brian Hamilton - SI.com …

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Huge loss.

 

[Ironman8]

What?

 

[irishff1014]

Are you serious???

What in the dickens is going on around this place.

 

[Cpnd1]

...this day can't get any worse

 

[IrishLax]

Are you fucking kidding? Didn't he just announce he was coming back

 

[MPClinton22]

Remember when we all rejoiced at 2013 coming to an end?

Yeah, 2014 is not much better.

 

[IrishLax]

How the fuck is Hamilton getting these scoops? And why is he still covering ND?

 

[tko]

IE after 10 pm is a fkn death zone. Wtf is happening?

 

[jmurphy75]

fuck i hate ND off seasons

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This is the right choice for him. He's a top 3 TE prospect and will destroy the Combine.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Lol

 

[jerboski]

wow, this day is quickly becoming one of the worst for ND

 

[jmurphy75]

Dalton Schultz....come on down

 

[TheChosen1]

What a day. Can someone redo the depth chart.

 

[Ironman8]

This is the right choice for him. He's a top 3 TE prospect and will destroy the Combine.

He is not a top 3 TE in this draft.

 

[pkt77242]

Brian Hamilton‏@BrianHamiltonSI