Defensive front seven recruiting should be Priority 1 and Priority 2.

[scooper]

Our offense never got into it. Why? Their line and backers controlled the line of scrimmage and disrupted the entire game. Look across college football. Teams that do that are the nine times out of ten the teams that win.

Yes, we need improved corner and safety play. Yes, more speed at the offensive skill position would help. But nothing turns a game quicker than a defense that dominates the line. A front that disrupts and dictates.

I'm thrilled about the cornerback recruiting. The depth and ability of the D backfield is definately going to improve over the next couple years. But that means nothing without the guys up front to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Guys like Donald, Wilson, Martin, Barksdale, Blackwell. Those are the types of guys we need to land in order to take that next step. It has never been more apparent.

Scheming is important. But not quite as important in college as it is in the pros. The difference in talent in the pros from team to team is miniscule. That's the way the league's set up, so scheme and gameplan can make a huge impact.

None of that means anything in college if the horses aren't there. Now, I'm not dogging the guys that are here. Our starters are more talented across the board than probably 95% of the teams out there. But that next step is to overtake the top 5%. That's where speed and dominance in the front seven comes into play.

This is not a "sky is falling" thread. I like the way things can shape up in this aspect of recruiting. I like the guys that are on board already and the guys who are still out there considering the Irish. But a big close is going to be really important.

 

[scooper]

Svo, I didn't mean to put this thread in the profiles. It was supposed to be under the regular recruiting forum. Can you move it?

 

[Irish Envy]

Done.

 

[scooper]

Thanks.

 

[IRISHMAN]

Scheming is important. But not quite as important in college as it is in the pros. The difference in talent in the pros from team to team is miniscule. That's the way the league's set up, so scheme and gameplan can make a huge impact.

i agree, in the '90s nebraska and FSU both had outstanding DL play and between them they won six NC in a ten year span. more times than not the game is either won or lost in the trenches and right now ND is lagging in that department.

 

[jiggafini19]

Wait until Weis/Ianello talent gets into this system.

Next year, there will be nothing but sophomores and freshmen cluttering the field.

 

[IRISHMAN]

Wait until Weis/Ianello talent gets into this system.

Next year, there will be nothing but sophomores and freshmen cluttering the field.

thats why i feel 2009 will be our year JC will be a junior and the current freshmen will be seniors. by 2009 all the talent from CW recruiting classes will have filtered through the program and ND will indeed be back and here to stay.

 

[jiggafini19]

08 and 09 could rival the recent SC run. No joke.

Even this season: they can still run the table to SC.

The talent coming in will be playing because they have no choice. These next three classes are going to be stocked numbers and talent wise.

 

[BGIF]

Our offense never got into it. Why?

5 turnovers, dropped passes, an inability to protect the QB, and an inability to run were factors.

Their line and backers controlled the line of scrimmage and disrupted the entire game.

A factor that contributed to most of the 5 turnovers, the inability to protect the QB, and the inability to run. But the OLine has had the same lack of cohesion in the GT and PSU games, didn't they? The rushing game hasn't surfaced yet this year, has it? And ND didn't turn the ball over 5 times against OSU last year who had a better defense.

ND lacks depth a many positions. Right now, QB, CB, TE, FB and maybe Safety are the only positions stocked (with the current announcements). There still is no game breaker apparent in the backfield or in the receiving corps, is there? Yes, Gallup and Prince have speed. How many yards have they gained? How many touches have they gotten? How many passes have been thrown to them? I know it's early. But if we had game breaking speed it'd be utilized at least in situations. If we had an Ismail, he be getting the ball or at least be a downfield decoy.

Clausen, Frazer, Jones, and Sharpley (alphabetical) will all be running for their lives if we don't find another starting tackle. The list of OLs left for ND are nice but they aren't the dominating 5% you mention are they? Who's the other Sam Young? Or other 4 Sam Young's?

Yes, ND needs DLs and backers, but ND needs 16 more guys like the first 9 commitments at more than half a dozen positions.

 

[jiggafini19]

I think Ryan Miller has to take an awful long look at Notre Dame. He's going to start at CU next year, but he could just as easily start at ND as well.

He'll need to bulk up, but he's as good as they come.

 

[scooper]

I think Ryan Miller has to take an awful long look at Notre Dame. He's going to start at CU next year, but he could just as easily start at ND as well.

He'll need to bulk up, but he's as good as they come.

Seen any film on Chris Little? I wonder what his chances would be. He looks like the prototypical RT road grader.

 

[jiggafini19]

I forgot all about him. You know, they might just take Harrison Smith or Zo Edwards, Nwankwo goes to OG, Nuss to DT and Little is the 5th O lineman.

I think Little will need some time with Professor Mendoza.

 

[revolver]

I agree with everything you said Scooper. That's why I said in another thread that our ENTIRE defense was small and slow, not just the db's. A mich back or receiver catches a little screen or short slant on third and 8 and a fla. st. backer drills him for a 5 yard gain. He cuts through our olb and cb/s before they can even converge on him and has to be dragged down by another s for a 15 yard gain. I'm sure you saw this play as did I several times. And you're right, it's not just our skill positions on offense. Our line, particular the interior line, has very little mobility and are getting blown up or whiffing alot. I now know why Charlie wants 5 more o-lineman this year even after last years haul. Eventually our lines will be monsters but sometimes its hard to be patient. Sure would be nice to have a powerback or true fullback with some speed as well.

 

[irishfan81]

I think that Our #1 Priority right now in recruiting is the Defensive Tackles I think both Barksdale and Blackwell are gonna commit with Barksdale being the earliest I think he's 90-10 Irish. Both will start as freshmen. We simply need to take 9 DL especially studs like Martin, Iwankano, Wilson who says he likes OLB but once Professor Mendoza gets hold of him he'll be 6-5 260 by his freshman year I think he'll start at DE next year if we land him. Next year we will be starting a lot of freshmen and sophomores. The Offensive line has to be addressed we still need 4 and 5 star there with Little, Miller and others. Both lines need 4 and 5 star players. The DBs have to be addressed with Gray right now who will be the #3 CB next year the #1 will be Walls and #2 will be McNeil. All 3 are very talented and fast. We simply need talent on both sides of the ball Michigan exposed a lot of weaknesses I think the loss helps in recruiting with Benn, Barksdale and others seeing look we can start immediately. I'm worried about the defensive side of the ball.