'11 NY OLB Ishaq Williams (Signed ND LOI-EE)

[Domina Nostra]

lolwut? Te'o was the most decorated defensive player in CFB history, but he was nowhere close the GOAT.



Martin is the best C we have. Hegarty, who only made the starting line-up because Martin injured his hand and couldn't snap effectively, was our worst OL by a pretty significant margin last year.

I agree on Martin, and then disagree on Hegarty. He had his ups and downs, and his downs were terrible, but he was generally solid and his ups were significant.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I agree on Martin, and then disagree on Hegarty. He had his ups and downs, and his downs were terrible, but he was generally solid and his ups were significant.

Your assessment doesn't really contradict mine. I didn't say he was objectively terrible, just that he was very clearly the weakest link on our OL. And I'll stand by that. He was a freaking turn-style against several teams we faced in 2014. Elmer (our 2nd weakest link) struggled at times with his assignments, but he wasn't getting physically whipped on a regular basis.

 

[MartyIrish]

lolwut? Te'o was the most decorated defensive player in CFB history, but he was nowhere close the GOAT.



Martin is the best C we have. Hegarty, who only made the starting line-up because Martin injured his hand and couldn't snap effectively, was our worst OL by a pretty significant margin last year.

Arguably...One of the greatest defensive seasons of all time, along with Heisman consideration, gets you in the convo.

If you are "most decorated" you are obviously doing something right.

 

[ulukinatme]

Schmidt was team MVP. How does he not get a ride?

I'd absolutely love to give him another full ride, but when asked about it in the presser yesterday Kelly said the walk-on scholarships are 1 year by default and not necessarily a lock for renewal. The fact that discussion even came up likely means Joe may not be a lock for another full ride next year. If we have a spot, absolutely, Joe should be a 5th year and would love to have him. I'd take him before Grace probably, although I think Grace can still be a good player for us if he is healthy at fall (And Kelly was high on him yesterday). If we do lose a few players to transfers after the Spring it'll make the 5th year situation much easier to control...but it all depends on how many we lose, and at which positions. If we remain at 5 spots it may be hard to 100% guarantee Joe a spot when we've got Martin, Farley, and Golson as likely locks for 5th year spots (If Golson doesn't transfer). That leaves 2 spots currently for Joe, the possible transfer(s), and other 5th years. Better hope some weak links transfer out.

^This.
Also how come Hegarty never gets any love during the 5th year conversation?

Hegarty started 11 games for us last season. I would take him over Carlisle.

We're so deep at OL, if we have to pass on someone it's probably going to be OL.

Wait so other than me there are other posters who never liked Diaco? Some of you just thought he was the second coming of Dic Labeau

Nope, was never a big Diaco fan. He certainly had some good games for us, but he struggled at times like with Michigan in '11 and '13 and probably '10 (Although that was more an offensive fluke as we didn't have a backup QB that was ready). The first year against Navy was ridiculous too, especially the comments about halftime adjustments and what not. Diaco also did a piss poor job recruiting the two most important cogs in the 3-4: NT and MLB. Obviously Nix was awesome, but Alford is the one that locked him up. Te'o was already here, so Bob had nothing to do with that one. By the time Diaco left we were weakest on the interior DL and MLB...the writing was on the wall. If he didn't leave after '13 he would have been unlikely to find a decent job with the roster (or lack thereof) that he put together.

 

[pkt77242]

I'd absolutely love to give him another full ride, but when asked about it in the presser yesterday Kelly said the walk-on scholarships are 1 year by default and not necessarily a lock for renewal. The fact that discussion even came up likely means Joe may not be a lock for another full ride next year. If we have a spot, absolutely, Joe should be a 5th year and would love to have him. I'd take him before Grace probably, although I think Grace can still be a good player for us if he is healthy at fall (And Kelly was high on him yesterday). If we do lose a few players to transfers after the Spring it'll make the 5th year situation much easier to control...but it all depends on how many we lose, and at which positions. If we remain at 5 spots it may be hard to 100% guarantee Joe a spot when we've got Martin, Farley, and Golson as likely locks for 5th year spots (If Golson doesn't transfer). That leaves 2 spots currently for Joe, the possible transfer(s), and other 5th years. Better hope some weak links transfer out.



We're so deep at OL, if we have to pass on someone it's probably going to be OL.



Nope, was never a big Diaco fan. He certainly had some good games for us, but he struggled at times like with Michigan in '11 and '13 and probably '10 (Although that was more an offensive fluke as we didn't have a backup QB that was ready). The first year against Navy was ridiculous too, especially the comments about halftime adjustments and what not. Diaco also did a piss poor job recruiting the two most important cogs in the 3-4: NT and MLB. Obviously Nix was awesome, but Alford is the one that locked him up. Te'o was already here, so Bob had nothing to do with that one. By the time Diaco left we were weakest on the interior DL and MLB...the writing was on the wall. If he didn't leave after '13 he would have been unlikely to find a decent job with the roster (or lack thereof) that he put together.

I thought the question of walk-on scholarships was about little VG not Schmidt.

 

[ulukinatme]

I thought the question of walk-on scholarships was about little VG not Schmidt.

Kelly wasn't specific on any particular players, but he said in general all the walk on scholarships were 1 year only without the guarantee for another year. I certainly hope Joe gets another scholarship, but if things are tight they may ask him to pay his way for a 5th. Hopefully Golson leaves or we get a few other transfers, that would help clear up the situation and make it an easy decision. I'd imagine Joe would be the fourth or fifth likely guy (84th and 85th roster spots respectively) to get a 5th year, but those possible transfers coming in would complicate that pecking order.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Kelly wasn't specific on any particular players, but he said in general all the walk on scholarships were 1 year only without the guarantee for another year. I certainly hope Joe gets another scholarship, but if things are tight they may ask him to pay his way for a 5th. Hopefully Golson leaves or we get a few other transfers, that would help clear up the situation and make it an easy decision. I'd imagine Joe would be the fourth or fifth likely guy (84th and 85th roster spots respectively) to get a 5th year, but those possible transfers coming in would complicate that pecking order.

I'd be embarrassed of my alma mater were that to happen. Schmidt has done more to earn his scholarship than arguably anyone else on the team. He's a 5Y lock, imo, and unless his parents offer to give up the scholarship to help the team, it shouldn't even be discussed.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'd be embarrassed of my alma mater were that to happen. Schmidt has done more to earn his scholarship than arguably anyone else on the team. He's a 5Y lock, imo, and unless his parents offer to give up the scholarship to help the team, it shouldn't even be discussed.

I should point out that I think Joe Schmidt is awesome and he's one of my favorite players on defense, but it's a numbers game here and not a personal preference thing. In all likelihood we'll lose a few players to transfer, which will make the 5th year situation easier. As it stands right now though we have 5 spots available for 5th years and transfers coming in. Martin is likely a lock, Farley is likely a lock because of his play making ability and the fact he can play some safety which we're weak at, and Golson is likely a lock unless he leaves after Spring. That leaves 2 spots as it stands today. Schmidt would get the 4th spot I think, but Kelly is discussing transfer(s) coming in. Unless we only take one new guy, or someone is paying their way, Joe's scholarship may not be renewed. I hope that doesn't happen, but I can't imagine how else this scenario plays out unless we have that likely attrition.

 

[ShakeDown]

I'd be embarrassed of my alma mater were that to happen. Schmidt has done more to earn his scholarship than arguably anyone else on the team. He's a 5Y lock, imo, and unless his parents offer to give up the scholarship to help the team, it shouldn't even be discussed.

Agree 100%

What kind of message would we be sending if we asked him back under those conditions? We are just starting to really build our PWO base, this would undermine a huge selling point to those kids.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Agree 100%

What kind of message would we be sending if we asked him back under those conditions? We are just starting to really build our PWO base, this would undermine a huge selling point to those kids.

At least we can all agree that YouLookinAtMe is a terrible person for even floating such an idea.

 

[Luckylucci]

At least we can all agree that YouLookinAtMe is a terrible person for even floating such an idea.

Can't rep you but this one got me. LOL.

 

[koonja]

At least we can all agree that YouLookinAtMe is a terrible person for even floating such an idea.

sign me up in the terrible Person category. Schmidt is coming off of a crippling injury, and there are 2, now 3 promising MLB behind him, who started to at least look better towards the end of the year. If we can bring in a legit safety and legit 5th year DL, I would be ok with schmidt not coming back On scholarship.

I love schmidt and hope he can recover, I like him a hell.of a lot more than grace.

 

[ShakeDown]

At least we can all agree that YouLookinAtMe is a terrible person for even floating such an idea.

Agreed.

You know I heart you YouLookin

 

[ShakeDown]

sign me up in the terrible Person category. Schmidt is coming off of a crippling injury, and there are 2, now 3 promising MLB behind him, who started to at least look better towards the end of the year. If we can bring in a legit safety and legit 5th year DL, I would be ok with schmidt not coming back On scholarship.

I love schmidt and hope he can recover, I like him a hell.of a lot more than grace.

*Sees Koon enter with usual MO... Slowly backs out of thread...

 

[koonja]

*Sees Koon enter with usual MO... Slowly backs out of thread...

MO? Im basing it on whats and whats best for the team and not backing out of anything.

Schmidt came in as a walk on and we might not renew his contract. OSU has guys that come in on scholarship that are getting forced out. We already do it the right way, we don't have to force ourselves to suffer in every possible.scenario. if It was unfair or unethical To not.renew a walk on scholarship once one is given for.the prior year, why is this ND's policy?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Arguably...One of the greatest defensive seasons of all time, along with Heisman consideration, gets you in the convo.

If you are "most decorated" you are obviously doing something right.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The 2012 defense was great, but wouldn't even be in the top 10 all time CFB defenses. And while I won't denigrate the season Teo had, when I think of all time great years for defensive players, when you compare the year he had to, say, Ndamukong Suh's last year at Nebraska, there is no comparison.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

sign me up in the terrible Person category. Schmidt is coming off of a crippling injury, and there are 2, now 3 promising MLB behind him, who started to at least look better towards the end of the year. If we can bring in a legit safety and legit 5th year DL, I would be ok with schmidt not coming back On scholarship.

1. Schmidt's season-ending ankle injury was hardly "crippling". He's recovered well and is expected to be 100% by spring.
2. As of today, I'd much rather see Schmidt starting at MLB against Texas than Grace, Morgan or Coney.
3. Do you recall what happened to our defense after Schmidt got injured? No one was more important to the 2014 team than him.

I love schmidt and hope he can recover, I like him a hell.of a lot more than grace.

Fortunately for us, it looks like they're both returning next year. We scraped the bottom of the barrel last year when it came to MLB depth. I've got no desire to see the 2015 season similarly derailed. The recruiting hype of Morgan and Coney doesn't exempt us from needing 4 healthy competitive scholarship players at MLB.

 

[Irish Insanity]

sign me up in the terrible Person category. Schmidt is coming off of a crippling injury, and there are 2, now 3 promising MLB behind him, who started to at least look better towards the end of the year. If we can bring in a legit safety and legit 5th year DL, I would be ok with schmidt not coming back On scholarship.

I love schmidt and hope he can recover, I like him a hell.of a lot more than grace.

How short it your memory. Do you not remember the black and white difference with and without him last year.

 

[koonja]

1. Schmidt's season-ending ankle injury was hardly "crippling". He's recovered well and is expected to be 100% by spring.
2. As of today, I'd much rather see Schmidt starting at MLB against Texas than Grace, Morgan or Coney.
3. Do you recall what happened to our defense after Schmidt got injured? No one was more important to the 2014 team than him.

Fortunately for us, it looks like they're both returning next year. We scraped the bottom of the barrel last year when it came to MLB depth. I've got no desire to see the 2015 season similarly derailed. The recruiting hype of Morgan and Coney doesn't exempt us from needing 4 healthy competitive scholarship players at MLB.

Morgan at beginning of fall 2015 will be 》》》》》 Morgan thrown in in middle of freshman year. Same.for martini.

I don't know that schmidt starts or plays a lot considering Morgan and martini have now been in for a year and schmidt is in a boot.

 

[koonja]

How short it your memory. Do you not remember the black and white difference with and without him last year.

Definitely. but Morgan will be.much improved, as will martini With a years experience. And schmidt will have a tough time being who he was when healthy.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Schmidt is not going anywhere. I firmly believe that. The defense was totally lost without him after his injury, and the coaches alluded to that in many press conferences. He will have another well deserved year with Notre Dame covering his cost.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Morgan at beginning of fall 2015 will be 》》》》》 Morgan thrown in in middle of freshman year. Same.for martini.

I don't know that schmidt starts or plays a lot considering Morgan and martini have now been in for a year and schmidt is in a boot.

Schmidt has been out of the boot for almost a month per Kelly.

 

[Riddickulous]

Didn't Kelly guarantee a fifth year for Joe after he was injured?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Definitely. but Morgan will be.much improved, as will martini With a years experience.

That's an assumption on your part. And what if they get injured?

And schmidt will have a tough time being who he was when healthy.

What makes you think that? I haven't read anything indicating that Schmidt might not bounce back quickly and completely.

Even if you're right, and Schmidt gets passed in fall camp by Morgan, his leadership on ST, the sidelines and in the film room makes him a no-brainer to return. It seems like you're comparing Schmidt's 5Y to the prospect of getting another Riggs-type super-productive transferee. Don't count it. Those are extremely rare.

And this will all be moot once the annual off-season attrition starts to hit.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Martini played as a stud and only made a few mistakes. I can't believe more people didn't see his great play in the middle (with more speed than anyone could have predicted.)

I think when Kelly answered the question it was about walk-on's, wasn't it? It would be hard for anyone to keep things straight, I couldn't, but I have noticed regularly that the way Kelly answers questions is affected by the much different way he looks at things. I would have to believe Kelly didn't include Joe Schmidt "preferred walk-on" in the same list as the one year walk-on's to scholarship. The proof to me is that Joe has used two years of scholarship, '13, and '14, hasn't he?

 

[koonja]

Schmidt has been out of the boot for almost a month per Kelly.

Didn't Kelly guarantee a fifth year for Joe after he was injured?

That's an assumption on your part. And what if they get injured?


What makes you think that? I haven't read anything indicating that Schmidt might not bounce back quickly and completely.

Even if you're right, and Schmidt gets passed in fall camp by Morgan, his leadership on ST, the sidelines and in the film room makes him a no-brainer to return. It seems like you're comparing Schmidt's 5Y to the prospect of getting another Riggs-type super-productive transferee. Don't count it. Those are extremely rare.

And this will all be moot once the annual off-season attrition starts to hit.

didn't know that.

Yes, which I personally thought was a bold move considering.

It is an assumption, but not a lofty one. Morgan is a stud and a student of the game. He was swimming when schmidt went down, but I personally think he's about to Break out.

As to injury, sure, anything could happen. I like martini too though.

And I think schmidt will be back. I just don't think it's smart for it to be predetermined before we see who signs and transfers in.

What if wayne Lyons wanted to Come Play FS for us? I like schmidt and if I ever were to deviate From my beliefs on this, it'd be for him. and like I said I think he'll be back, I just think it should be more of a debate than an absolute.

 

[ulukinatme]

If Kelly personally guaranteed Schmidt a 5th year, then I'm sure he'll get the 5th year. Either we'll have attrition at other positions that will open up spots for 5th years, or we'll only bring one person in as a transfer. I wasn't aware Kelly promised that, so forget anything I said previously.

I do like Joe, and I would start him against Texas tomorrow if he's healthy. I was strictly basing my theory that he would get passed over today based on a numbers game and Kelly's comments about walk-on scholarships not automatically extending past 1 year.

 

[GoldenDome]

If Kelly personally guaranteed Schmidt a 5th year, then I'm sure he'll get the 5th year. Either we'll have attrition at other positions that will open up spots for 5th years, or we'll only bring one person in as a transfer. I wasn't aware Kelly promised that, so forget anything I said previously.

I do like Joe, and I would start him against Texas tomorrow if he's healthy. I was strictly basing my theory that he would get passed over today based on a numbers game and Kelly's comments about walk-on scholarships not automatically extending past 1 year.

So your theory implies that you take an incoming freshman over Joe Schmidt, the team MVP and leading tackler, the QB of the defense.

Nice theory.

 

[PANDFAN]

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110214aab.html

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110214aab.html

Q. And the last one from me, kind of a two parter, Jarrett Grace, I assume he's just too far away to be able to help you this year? And can we assume that Joe Schmidt will be back next year?
COACH KELLY: Yeah, you can make that assumption on both.

 

[ulukinatme]

So your theory implies that you take an incoming freshman over Joe Schmidt, the team MVP and leading tackler, the QB of the defense.

Nice theory.

Are you going to deny an incoming freshman a 4 year scholarship when it's already been promised to them? Or, are you going to deny a walk on scholarship player an extension of a 1 year scholarship (As mentioned I wasn't aware Kelly has supposedly already promised Joe a scholarship for his 5th year)? Again, I think Joe is awesome, and the whole thing is moot as we'll likely have attrition after Spring that will open more spots, but it's unlikely they're going to bump Martin, Farley, or Golson before Schmidt in that scenario. If the choice came down to me, Schmidt would bump Golson as I think Golson is quite possibly a gamble at this point in a talented QB group...and I might even take Schmidt before Martin and Farley.

Also, Joe was #4 in tackles.