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

[pkt77242]

I don't care about the reported statistic. It's the principle that bugs me. We complain about football factories but then try to rationalize when we do the same thing on a lesser scale. "Everything is okay because we're not as bad as Bama and this doesn't hurt the numbers they report on ESPN." It shouldn't be that way. If student athletes are student athletes, then that's the expectation we should have, not just "our student athletes are more studenty than yours!"

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What? So you never want to get any good players? When you sign good players there is a risk that they are going to leave early, not always but there is always that chance. I am sorry this doesn't lower my opinion of ND's academics and I can't wrap my mind around how you can even see it that way.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

We don't know that right now do we? If the "information" Troy is referring to is a coaching change, then it would indeed be Kelly's fault. (All reckless speculation)

Right. Fair enough.

Also, Troy put out a quote. I'm still butthurt, but he's class.

2014 NFL draft -- Troy Niklas of Notre Dame Fighting Irish forgoing final year of eligibility - ESPN

"I have made the very difficult decision to pursue my childhood dream and will enter the 2014 NFL Draft," Niklas said in a statement. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my Notre Dame experience and want to thank the University, Coach Kelly, my teammates, the football staff, administration, and my teachers, as well as all of my friends and the entire Notre Dame community for providing this Southern California native with the experience of a lifetime. While I will miss being part of the team next year, I will always be part of the Notre Dame family and look forward to returning to earn my degree from the greatest university in the country. Go Irish."

 

[Ironman8]

Just one member?!

Seriously, I love you guys, but don't make me whip out the guitar and play some Third Eye Blind.

I'd prefer some Semisonic 'Closing Time' right after the 'Bittersweet Symphony' before I step off the ledge.

 

[BeauBenken]

I don't care about the reported statistic. It's the principle that bugs me. We complain about football factories but then try to rationalize when we do the same thing on a lesser scale. "Everything is okay because we're not as bad as Bama and this doesn't hurt the numbers they report on ESPN." It shouldn't be that way. If student athletes are student athletes, then that's the expectation we should have, not just "our student athletes are more studenty than yours!"

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They can still graduate and go to school if they want. Chances are they will too. It simply doesn't reflect poorly on the football. You should chill out and take a nap.

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

Damnit. Good luck, Troy. Let's go, Koyack, Smythe, Heuerman, Weishar and Luatua.

THIS. chill we are still a good team

 

[Ironman8]

You are telling me this guy isn't meant for LA? UCLA has a great film program:

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Welcome to the big time boys. Bama just had 3 players declare early, who will all be first rounders. They have dealt with this for a half decade.

Only here could we be in a full blown fucking meltdown after after losing a TE and high school recruit.

Buck up fellas. Isn't this what we wanted all along? NFL caliber recruits?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Honestly though, this likely just means more one TE sets with a true slot WR (come on Hunter!) We ran more 2 TEs this past year bc Rees couldn't move and we didn't have a legit option in the slot. With Golson back, he will keep the D honest and Harry will figure out the Oline.... But damn Troy could have had a big year.

 

[wizards8507]

Uhh how do you feel about students dropping out when they are offered a good job or leave to start a company.

I love it. Free market my friend. The difference is, those students paid their own way and were admitted to the University based on much more stringent criteria. If you get a free ride to a place you probably wouldn't have even applied to if not for your athletic ability, finish what you started.

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[gkIrish]

How about our Starting O-Line? Day, and Hel even J. Jones is probably more important due to depth.

I don't think any single member of the O-line is more valuable. You could definitely argue Day and Jones are more important depth-wise but I was thinking more along the lines of pure talent/production.

 

[KPENN]

Maybe Nick O'Leary coming back bumped him up some teams draft boards?

 

[Ignats]

Saw him at a bar. Wasn't very scary. Completely wasted and pissing in the sink though. Lol.

I think it was the whole almost drunkenly knocking his drink over and then him staring at me that got me. But that sounds about right haha

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>YES. Or just use 3rd OT. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/fbgchase">@fbgchase</a>: at the end of the day, it's a whole lot easier to find a great blocking TE than a great receiving TE.</p>— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/statuses/421499312439566336">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[phork]

Welcome to the big time boys. Bama just had 3 players declare early, who will all be first rounders. They have dealt with this for a half decade.

Only here could we be in a full blown fucking meltdown after after losing a TE and high school recruit.

Buck up fellas. Isn't this what we wanted all along? NFL caliber recruits?

Err except Alabama has 5 ready to play and next in line.

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

I love that our TE who could possibly go in the 2ND ROUND (which is pretty damn good for any TE) enters the draft and automatically people assume that some sinister plot is afoot behind the scenes at ND. Borderline insane.

THIS

 

[Classic Irish]

Maybe a little perspective on this spate of bad news.

1. Daniels being ineligible for Spring ball is disappointing but not a tragedy. He said he would be back to play in the fall.

2. Tuitt going to the NFL is disappointing but wasn't really unexpected. I think most expected him to leave.

3. Atkinson leaving is, in my view, not a huge loss. He was being passed on the depth chart and was in BK's doghouse apparently.

4. Dickerson flipping to UCLA is a result of family health issues that seem legitimate and have been reported elsewhere. Yes, disappointing, but certainly not the result of some horrible plot going on behind the scenes in the Gug.

5. Niklas leaving is perhaps the most surprising and the most disappointing. But when you consider that BK asked for an NFL eval of Niklas, I suppose that the idea of him leaving early had been considered at some point.

We got Morgan's verbal last weekend and McKenzie's situation is looking promising.

In short: yes, some disappointing news, but the sky is far from falling. Just my two cents.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I love it. Free market my friend. The difference is, those students paid their own way and were admitted to the University based on much more stringent criteria. If you get a free ride to a place you probably wouldn't have even applied to if not for your athletic ability, finish what you started.

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Well a free market guy should realize that nothing is free in life.

The school got something in return for letting average students into their school....

 

[Brooklyn]

THIS. chill we are still a good team

We are a good team still, no one is saying otherwise, but you need star players to be a great team. Niklas and Tuitt wouldve been two of the best players on our team next year. Without guys like Niklas and Tuitt coming back for their senior years (in addition to Zach Martin, TJ Jones and Nix graduating) we go from a potentially great team to a good team with an outside chance of greatness. Thats just too many good players to replace.

 

[Ironman8]

Maybe a little perspective on this spate of bad news.

1. Daniels being ineligible for Spring ball is disappointing but not a tragedy. He said he would be back to play in the fall.

2. Tuitt going to the NFL is disappointing but wasn't really unexpected. I think most expected him to leave.

3. Atkinson leaving is, in my view, not a huge loss. He was being passed on the depth chart and was in BK's doghouse apparently.

4. Dickerson flipping to UCLA is a result of family health issues that seem legitimate and have been reported elsewhere. Yes, disappointing, but certainly not the result of some horrible plot going on behind the scenes in the Gug.

5. Niklas leaving is perhaps the most surprising and the most disappointing. But when you consider that BK asked for an NFL eval of Niklas, I suppose that the idea of him leaving early had been considered at some point.

We got Morgan's verbal last weekend and McKenzie's situation is looking promising.

In short: yes, some disappointing news, but the sky is far from falling. Just my two cents.

This is a rational-free zone right now. Please come back later.


But seriously, great post. Reps.

 

[wizards8507]

Well a free market guy should realize that nothing is free in life.

The school got something in return for letting average students into their school....

I'm not saying it shouldn't be allowed, I just don't LIKE it.

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[KPENN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Welcome to the Big Leagues, <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a> fans. Alabama just celebrated their juniors leaving early. That's the ultimate goal. Play on Sunday.</p>— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnold) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithArnold/statuses/421498864827244544">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishHokie22]

Just wouldn't be a Notre Dame off-season without bad news on top of more bad news on top of more bad news.

 

[wizards8507]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Welcome to the Big Leagues, <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a> fans. Alabama just celebrated their juniors leaving early. That's the ultimate goal. Play on Sunday.</p>— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnold) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithArnold/statuses/421498864827244544">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That pretty much sums it up, eh? If playing on Sundays is the ultimate goal, so be it.

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[IRISHbluehen]

Maybe a little perspective on this spate of bad news.

1. Daniels being ineligible for Spring ball is disappointing but not a tragedy. He said he would be back to play in the fall.

2. Tuitt going to the NFL is disappointing but wasn't really unexpected. I think most expected him to leave.

3. Atkinson leaving is, in my view, not a huge loss. He was being passed on the depth chart and was in BK's doghouse apparently.

4. Dickerson flipping to UCLA is a result of family health issues that seem legitimate and have been reported elsewhere. Yes, disappointing, but certainly not the result of some horrible plot going on behind the scenes in the Gug.

5. Niklas leaving is perhaps the most surprising and the most disappointing. But when you consider that BK asked for an NFL eval of Niklas, I suppose that the idea of him leaving early had been considered at some point.

We got Morgan's verbal last weekend and McKenzie's situation is looking promising.

In short: yes, some disappointing news, but the sky is far from falling. Just my two cents.

Don't you dare bring logic and reason in here my friend. We will not have it.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

So we're freaking out and blaming Kelly for taking a 3 star line backer and turning him into someone who has played TE all of two years, that received a mid round draft grade with another year of eligibility remaining?
Is that what we're doing tonight?
I fail to see how this is Kelly's fault.
But when in Rome
Screw Kelly he sucks. It's all his fault.
Am I doing it right?

 

[gkIrish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Welcome to the Big Leagues, <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a> fans. Alabama just celebrated their juniors leaving early. That's the ultimate goal. Play on Sunday.</p>— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnold) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithArnold/statuses/421498864827244544">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dumb tweet. Players leaving early at Bama have a much smaller impact than when it happens at ND.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

So we're freaking out and blaming Kelly for taking a 3 star line backer and turning him into someone who has played TE all of two years, that recieved a mid round draft grade with another year of eligibility remaining?
Is that what we're doing tonight?
I fail to see how this is Kelly's fault.
But when in Rome
Screw Kelly he sucks. It's all his fault.
Am I doing it right?

No let me show you....

 

[wizards8507]

Maybe a little perspective on this spate of bad news.

1. Daniels being ineligible for Spring ball is disappointing but not a tragedy. He said he would be back to play in the fall.

2. Tuitt going to the NFL is disappointing but wasn't really unexpected. I think most expected him to leave.

3. Atkinson leaving is, in my view, not a huge loss. He was being passed on the depth chart and was in BK's doghouse apparently.

4. Dickerson flipping to UCLA is a result of family health issues that seem legitimate and have been reported elsewhere. Yes, disappointing, but certainly not the result of some horrible plot going on behind the scenes in the Gug.

5. Niklas leaving is perhaps the most surprising and the most disappointing. But when you consider that BK asked for an NFL eval of Niklas, I suppose that the idea of him leaving early had been considered at some point.

We got Morgan's verbal last weekend and McKenzie's situation is looking promising.

In short: yes, some disappointing news, but the sky is far from falling. Just my two cents.

Each point is easily explained, I agree. The problem is a "death by 1,000 paper cuts" situation.

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[Cali_domer]

No let me show you....

This

 

[stlnd01]

Maybe a little perspective on this spate of bad news.

1. Daniels being ineligible for Spring ball is disappointing but not a tragedy. He said he would be back to play in the fall.

2. Tuitt going to the NFL is disappointing but wasn't really unexpected. I think most expected him to leave.

3. Atkinson leaving is, in my view, not a huge loss. He was being passed on the depth chart and was in BK's doghouse apparently.

4. Dickerson flipping to UCLA is a result of family health issues that seem legitimate and have been reported elsewhere. Yes, disappointing, but certainly not the result of some horrible plot going on behind the scenes in the Gug.

5. Niklas leaving is perhaps the most surprising and the most disappointing. But when you consider that BK asked for an NFL eval of Niklas, I suppose that the idea of him leaving early had been considered at some point.

We got Morgan's verbal last weekend and McKenzie's situation is looking promising.

In short: yes, some disappointing news, but the sky is far from falling. Just my two cents.

Thank you. Classic.

Also, while I was really looking forward to watching Niklas last year I suspect that with Koyack, Smythe, Huerman, etc., we'll be OK at tight end for the foreseeable future.

It would be muy helpful if we indeed don't lose Daniels for good, though.