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

[rtrn2glory]

Question...did we flip out when Golden declared after 3yrs? I wasn't around so I'm not entirely sure but I can't imagine there was that much uproar. Now, I know Golden was a Biletnikoff winner, but I felt he wasn't anywhere near ready to leave when he did. He had a few holes in his game and really could've used another year, which ultimately improved his draft stock. I'm not sure many of you remember that there was serious noise that he may be cut early in his career due to these holes in his game and it wasn't until this year that he seemingly has put it all together...Let's hold off one whether this was a smart/dumb decision for Troy for a few years..

i think we all knew he was gone with a new coaching staff coming in...at least that was my reaction

 

[PANDFAN]

i think we all knew he was gone with a new coaching staff coming in...at least that was my reaction

concur...his qb and head coach left

With the year I had this year, it was kind of hard to stay. To be honest, I don't think I can do much better next year or any year, so I think the time is right," Tate said at a news conference.

tate wasn't ever lacking confidence

 

[Ironman8]

Plus Golden had just won the Biletnikloff award. Nowhere for his stock to go but down.

 

[phgreek]

Question...did we flip out when Golden declared after 3yrs? I wasn't around so I'm not entirely sure but I can't imagine there was that much uproar. Now, I know Golden was a Biletnikoff winner, but I felt he wasn't anywhere near ready to leave when he did. He had a few holes in his game and really could've used another year, which ultimately improved his draft stock. I'm not sure many of you remember that there was serious noise that he may be cut early in his career due to these holes in his game and it wasn't until this year that he seemingly has put it all together...Let's hold off one whether this was a smart/dumb decision for Troy for a few years..

I look at tate and his was thought through (seemingly) a bit more. At the close of the previous year he and chuck had a meeting, and Golden asked what he needed to do to make the cut for the NFL...and chuck told him about improvements, and production goals. The guy made the technical improvements and was uncoverable, and uncorallable after the catch, blocked his but off, and his production surpassed what Chuck identified.

Even if Chuck stays, I believe Tate was gone.

The bar for tight ends is certainly different...

Niklas...while I do not know if Kelly had similar goal setting meetings, I do not see a player with the growth and production of tate relatively speaking. He is not yet so capable at his position that he changed games and game planning from the opposition...I see a guy who has improved his blocking, his routes a bit, and his hands are solid...but he is still pretty stiff with his hips in all facets...He is a guy with a high ceiling, but middle of the road current value...IMHO. His current value has me thinking round 3 late. His upside might lift him into round 2....but I doubt it. He may be one of those guys at the combine that simply cannot be ignored...but heady organizations won't bite too early...IMHO.

 

[SaltyND24]

Huge difference was that Golden Tate went pro after his coach was fired. I wouldn't want to stick around for the first year of a new regime either, after winning the Biletnikoff.

No doubt Golden still had room to improve when he came out, but he had been electrifying that year. Seriously probably the most exciting player I've ever seen. He wasn't going to improve his draft stock.

I get that. I guess what I'm asking is are we upset because we genuinely care that he is passing up on a chance to improve? or by him doing so, we now have yet another question mark heading into 2014? I feel like it's 70-30 the latter vs. the former... I just get a sense of, GAIII: "Well, good fucking riddance you'll never make it in the NFL and couldn't give two shits because you weren't going to play a role next year! LMFAO!" and with Troy, it is, "Wtf, you're so stupid...you had a chance to come back and improve your draft stock" (translation-You would've been the man and now you're fucking with our potential to win games next year and I don't like it)

I never want to become like other football factories where academics fall in favor of football results, but let's be honest with ourselves. Troy leaving doesn't mean he doesn't care about education. Tuitt leaving doesn't mean he never cared about education. Leaving early to pursue a dream doesn't mean you don't/never did care about what it is you left behind. I care about our grad rates as much as the next person here, but with success on the field, you'd have to assume that there are going to be some guys that make an early jump. I still don't feel we are going to have many 3 and out guys unless they are absolute studs...we may have guys that'll leave with a year of eligibility though

 

[Wild Bill]

Troy will be remembered fondly for all his accomplishments on the field. His 30 some catches and 400 plus yards that were rarely meaningful.

Sarcasm yes, Troy will be best known as the guy who did the absolute least of any player that has left early . Beyond a few seam routes and a few nice blocks Troy is really best known for his size then his play.

I think the second round evaluation is an absolute joke.

I root for all our ND kids in the draft and beyond but I have to admit in this case I think his leaving was ill advised. I expect TROY to go no sooner then the fourth round and just as likely the 5th round and I won't be very sad for him if that happens. Its a poor precedent to have players leaving on potential rather then achievement.

The kid is unselfish and played his ass off. Nobody, with the exception of Martin, dominated his opponent week in and week out like Troy this year. Re-watch the games and focus on him. The only other player that comes close, IMO, is TJ.

NFL teams will give as much of a fuck about Troy's stat lines as they did about Ziggy Ansah's stats when they drafted him fifth overall.

 

[IrishLion]

Maybe we should ask BK to stop going after the recruits with NFL potential so they'll stick around as long as possible.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but I don't know how anyone could be upset about this. BK recruited studs, and now they're gone early to the NFL. Welcome to the big leagues.

 

[SaltyND24]

I look at tate and his was thought through (seemingly) a bit more. At the close of the previous year he and chuck had a meeting, and Golden asked what he needed to do to make the cut for the NFL...and chuck told him about improvements, and production goals. The guy made the technical improvements and was uncoverable, and uncorallable after the catch, blocked his but off, and his production surpassed what Chuck identified.

Even if Chuck stays, I believe Tate was gone.

The bar for tight ends is certainly different...

Niklas...while I do not know if Kelly had similar goal setting meetings, I do not see a player with the growth and production of tate relatively speaking. He is not yet so capable at his position that he changed games and game planning from the opposition...I see a guy who has improved his blocking, his routes a bit, and his hands are solid...but he is still pretty stiff with his hips in all facets...He is a guy with a high ceiling, but middle of the road current value...IMHO. His current value has me thinking round 3 late. His upside might lift him into round 2....but I doubt it. He may be one of those guys at the combine that simply cannot be ignored...but heady organizations won't bite too early...IMHO.

But that may work out well in him going to a good team and then being able to learn without the pressure of immediately having to produce....that would be best for him

 

[phgreek]

But that may work out well in him going to a good team and then being able to learn without the pressure of immediately having to produce....that would be best for him

I am far from questioning his decision on anything other than the fact that it seemed knee jerk from the outside looking in, as compared to tate, and his raw readiness seems comparatively less than tate's....

...the wildcard...I do not know who approached him and what information he was given, so on that point...I believe there must be something compelling...and he and his folks made the best decision for Troy...

...if a team approached him and said hey, we'll give you a nice place to finish your development...sheesh, he'd be a fool not to go...so I'm not claiming any knowledge of the decision factors...just looking at draft readiness on its face, and the comparison to tate...

 

[CHIDomer9]

Maybe we should ask BK to stop going after the recruits with NFL potential so they'll stick around as long as possible.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but I don't know how anyone could be upset about this. BK recruited studs, and now they're gone early to the NFL. Welcome to the big leagues.

^This

Great senior players are the exception, not the rule. For every Manti there are 10 Tyler Stocktons.

 

[alohagoirish]

Its not talent that's driving this exodus fella's--its the new labor agreement that requires a couple of years in the league before the big money busting contracts are offered.

Over 100 players leaving early--that's a record that has nothing to do with abundant talent. Most all these players got evaluations of high rounds from somebody. Of course the draft is too crowded to see that happen for them all. It all smacks of a conspiracy of agents that has taken off , especially with the parents of players.

Troy IMO will be part of the lead story of this draft after we talk about the high profile first rounders, that story will about how many players got misled or bad advice and how many went much lower then expected or not at all.

Its a disturbing trend for the overall health of college football in my view. 100 players , 3 and a half rounds of players, leaving early is way too much!

 

[ThePiombino]

Maybe we should ask BK to stop going after the recruits with NFL potential so they'll stick around as long as possible.

I'm not trying to be a dick, but I don't know how anyone could be upset about this. BK recruited studs, and now they're gone early to the NFL. Welcome to the big leagues.

This making us more likely to come up short on 85 scholarships is one reason, off the top of my head.

 

[CHIDomer9]

This making us more likely to come up short on 85 scholarships is one reason, off the top of my head.

Jalen Brown has been on scholarship the last 3 years. I think Deion Walker was on scholarship from the time the POTUS was a state senator through his first term in the WH. ND comes up short because of academics, and that's OK.

There are always going to be guys that either
a) decide against ND because the academics to get in and stay in are too hard, or
b) transfer away from ND because, in their mind, why should I work this hard academically when I'm not going to see the field?

 

[Praytorian]

Good luck, and thank you Mr. Niklas.

All of us need to remember that these kids want to play in the NFL probably a little more than getting an ND degree. He's been at the school 3 years not and it probably isn't as special for him to be going out on the field as we see it from our homes.
Let the kid take a chance and fulfill his dream. It is his life to lead not ours.

 

[stlnd01]

Its not talent that's driving this exodus fella's--its the new labor agreement that requires a couple of years in the league before the big money busting contracts are offered.

Over 100 players leaving early--that's a record that has nothing to do with abundant talent. Most all these players got evaluations of high rounds from somebody. Of course the draft is too crowded to see that happen for them all. It all smacks of a conspiracy of agents that has taken off , especially with the parents of players.

Troy IMO will be part of the lead story of this draft after we talk about the high profile first rounders, that story will about how many players got misled or bad advice and how many went much lower then expected or not at all.

Its a disturbing trend for the overall health of college football in my view. 100 players , 3 and a half rounds of players, leaving early is way too much!

I agree the new labor deal is a factor. I've also got to think the increasing awareness of concussions and the toll the game takes on your body is, too. A guy only gets so many hits to the head. I can see someone coming to the conclusion that he ought to get paid for more of them. Troy's had a couple of concussions already, IIRC. And all he's got to do is look at John Carlson, whose once-promising career is all but over before he's 30 and who's never going to collect most of his big free-agent contract, and figure he should get paid while he can.
It sucks for college ball, but it doesn't make sense to hurt yourself for free on Saturdays when you can get paid for it on Sundays.

 

[BGIF]

Greg Gabriel Review - "Potential to become Pro Bowler"

Greg Gabriel Review - "Potential to become Pro Bowler"

NFL prospect focus: Saturday 3-pack | National Football Post

Niklas is a huge tight end. He will measure in the neighborhood of 6064 – 265 at the Combine. He is very athletic for a big guy. He has speed, very good change of direction and body control. I would estimate that Niklas will run somewhere in the 4.67 to 4.72 area. In addition to his big size, Niklas is very strong. He is probably the best blocking tight end in this year’s draft. While watching tape, you can see him consistently knock opponents four and five yards off the ball. He is explosive and nasty as a blocker and consistently looks to finish. He shows good pass blocking ability, but gets beat at times only because he still lacks top pass blocking technique.

Niklas has just begun to scratch the surface of his receiving talent. In 2012, you couldn’t trust that he was going to make the catch because he struggled a bit adjusting to the ball while it was in the air. However, Niklas showed great improvement in that area this year and made some very difficult catches. As a route runner he is still raw, but he has good initial quickness and can get in and out of his cuts quickly. He catches the ball well and really knows how to use his body to shield a defender. He is very good with seam routes and corner routes and when in the red zone, Niklas is a nightmare to defend because of his size.

Overall, there is not a tight end in this draft who can block as well as Niklas. He will only get better as a receiver with experience. The team that drafts the Notre Dame tight end will do so because of his high ceiling as a receiver. As a rookie, he will be a regular in two tight end sets and could really help in the running game, but it may take him a year to become a top receiver. In saying that, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him taken as the second tight end in this draft. I see him going in the later part of the first or early in the second round. Once developed, he has to the potential to become a Pro Bowler

.

 

[autry_denson]

NFL prospect focus: Saturday 3-pack | National Football Post


.

Agree with every word of this report. I think Niklas has, by far, the highest ceiling of any tight end ND has put in the NFL since Bavaro. Someone's going to pick him early and be rewarded in a few years.

 

[DillonHall]

Agree with every word of this report. I think Niklas has, by far, the highest ceiling of any tight end ND has put in the NFL since Bavaro. Someone's going to pick him early and be rewarded in a few years.

No way, he doesn't even come close to Eifert's pass-catching ability

 

[Irish2155]

Agree with every word of this report. I think Niklas has, by far, the highest ceiling of any tight end ND has put in the NFL since Bavaro. Someone's going to pick him early and be rewarded in a few years.

The earlier the better, cause he is a unique talent. He's a monster with hands.

 

[Irish2155]

No way, he doesn't even come close to Eifert's pass-catching ability

I don't know about that. Unless you're just talking college.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

If somehow Troy, Nix, Tuitt, and Martin all went first round that would look really good for Notre Dame.

 

[phork]

I don't know about that. Unless you're just talking college.

Lolwut?

 

[irishff1014]

If somehow Troy, Nix, Tuitt, and Martin all went first round that would look really good for Notre Dame.

That's NOT going to happen.

 

[rtrn2glory]

No way, he doesn't even come close to Eifert's pass-catching ability

catching the ball across the middle i agree, but just throwing up a fade to him on the sideline and letting him go get it.....i don't see that one in troy's skills set. could be/hope i'm wrong, but either way i see a solid NFL player that will be drafted in the 2nd-3rd round imo unless he blows the 40 away at the combine/pro day

 

[sportallyr]

NFL prospect focus: Saturday 3-pack | National Football Post


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Reading this, it makes sense that he decided to come out. While I truly believe that he could have had a great season next year and probably doubled his receiving stats, if he is the best blocking TE in the draft, I am not sure that he would have improved upon a potential late first / early second rd pick. Good luck to him and I will certainly be rooting for him.

It's Koyack Time!!!

 

[Irish2155]

Lolwut?

I'm telling you, Niklas is a rare talent. He'll be catching passes a lot in the NFL.

 

[IrishLax]

If you believe the late first, early second talk then yeah... it totally makes sense for him to come out. I don't buy it and think there is a lot of risk coming out in a loaded TE draft versus the #1 guy next year. We'll see what happens, I really hope it works out for him and he dominates in the league.

 

[STLDomer]

No way, he doesn't even come close to Eifert's pass-catching ability

And Eifert can't block like Niklas

 

[Irish2155]

If you believe the late first, early second talk then yeah... it totally makes sense for him to come out. I don't buy it and think there is a lot of risk coming out in a loaded TE draft versus the #1 guy next year. We'll see what happens, I really hope it works out for him and he dominates in the league.

Uh yeah!!! Why would he or anybody wait?

I know the class is loaded at TE. But an argument can be made Troy is the best.

 

[Ironman8]

And Eifert can't block like Niklas

Not even close. There are very, very few TEs that have the blocking potential of Troy Niklas.