'14 TN OT Alex Bars (Notre Dame Signee)

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

i hate when BK makes those lofty quotes...they have NEVER turned into positive play for those players...gary gray will be an all american....

I think Kelly has a penchant for going overboard when 1) a player takes one for the team and switches positions (Will Mahone) or 2) a player is in their final year of eligibility (Gray, Darius Fleming). In these cases, there are obvious reasons for Kelly to pump up a player.

With someone like Bars, there's no real reason to be anything but forthcoming.

 

[GoldenDome]

Interestingly enough, Wiltfong actually thinks Bars beats out McGlinchey. Apparently, people inside the Gug think Bars has incredible potential. FWIW, I don't think he does (beat out McGlinchey) and I assume he'll be next man in when Stanley leaves next year.

Kelly stated a while back that Bars is going to take someone's spot next year and guys have been put on notice. He has been very impressive in practice and someone on the Oline is going to be replaced by him.

 

[Irish#1]

Interestingly enough, Wiltfong actually thinks Bars beats out McGlinchey. Apparently, people inside the Gug think Bars has incredible potential. FWIW, I don't think he does (beat out McGlinchey) and I assume he'll be next man in when Stanley leaves next year.

But we're not at practice so you never know. The key here is that we now have guys pushing each other for starting spots, not just guys waiting their turn. I like!

 

[Luckylucci]

Kelly stated a while back that Bars is going to take someone's spot next year and guys have been put on notice. He has been very impressive in practice and someone on the Oline is going to be replaced by him.

He also said (to Pandfan's point) that Gary Gray was going to be an All American CB, and that was that extremely inaccurate. If you've been following ND football during Kelly's tenure he has a tendency to make outlandish statements about players. Its not a bad thing, just something we should realize and not take everything as gospel. Its probably just as much to motivate McGlinchey than it is to tell the world how good Bars is.

So has McGlinchey, they've called him one of the most athletic OL they've coached. Saying he's athletic and agile enough to play TE. McGlinchey has just as much upside as Bars does. I hope the best man wins but until Bars takes that spot from McGlinchey I'll be skeptical.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

He also said (to Pandfan's point) that Gary Gray was going to be an All American CB, and that was that extremely inaccurate. If you've been following ND football during Kelly's tenure he has a tendency to make outlandish statements about players. Its not a bad thing, just something we should realize and not take everything as gospel. Its probably just as much to motivate McGlinchey than it is to tell the world how good Bars is.

So has McGlinchey, they've called him one of the most athletic OL they've coached. Saying he's athletic and agile enough to play TE. McGlinchey has just as much upside as Bars does. I hope the best man wins but until Bars takes that spot from McGlinchey I'll be skeptical.

Just imagine the possibilities if Bars does win the battle at RT...

 

[BobbyMac]

Instantly broke into a sweat when I saw this thread was bumped. I was asked just yesterday who is the last player I would want to leave / get injured that's not a current starter and I immediately answered Alex Bars.

.

 

[arrowryan]

Instantly broke into a sweat when I saw this thread was bumped. I was asked just yesterday who is the last player I would want to leave / get injured that's not a current starter and I immediately answered Alex Bars.

.

The loser of the Golson/Zaire battle?

 

[Wild Bill]

BK does throw out a random quote like this about a player or two each year it seems. I think there is some truth behind these comments but I've always felt it was his way of building confidence (just a guess). Most of his recruits are overly confident (all FBS recruits, not just at ND) and have to be brought back to reality once they're on campus. There are some exceptions that aren't as confident, and I think Kelly makes some bold predictions or statements to build confidence in players who may not realize their own potential. Either way, I hope Bars kills it.

 

[BobbyMac]

The loser of the Golson/Zaire battle?

They've both been starters.

.

 

[Rack Em]

Remember when Jalen Brown was giving Floyd a run for his money in practice? Me too. I'm still waiting for that to translate on the field.

Probably not going to believe BK until one of his outlandish statements becomes at least partially true.

 

[ThePiombino]

Interestingly enough, Wiltfong actually thinks Bars beats out McGlinchey. Apparently, people inside the Gug think Bars has incredible potential. FWIW, I don't think he does (beat out McGlinchey) and I assume he'll be next man in when Stanley leaves next year.

Nelson?

 

[BobbyMac]

Just imagine the possibilities if Bars does win the battle at RT...

I hope McGlinchey hangs on to the RT spot as long as he's at ND. He has been watching MZ's blind side on the second team since they started taking snaps. MZ gets the start against LSU, McGlinchey starts too.

Perfect world, Bars is the #2 LT this year and starts in '16 and '17 (if the NFL doesn't call after his junior year). McGlinchey remains MZ's blind side body guard at RT as long as they are in South Bend.

.

 

[Rocket89]

Remember when Jalen Brown was giving Floyd a run for his money in practice? Me too. I'm still waiting for that to translate on the field.

Probably not going to believe BK until one of his outlandish statements becomes at least partially true.

 

[IRISHMAN]

very pumped up to see what bars and nelson are able to do this year.

 

[Luckylucci]

Nelson?

With Bars and McGlinchey on the roster it seems Nelson is destined for OG. He's so scarily similar to Zack Martin. Best position long term (NFL) will be OG but he's so good (athletic) he could play OT.

 

[Nick Setta]

With Bars and McGlinchey on the roster it seems Nelson is destined for OG. He's so scarily similar to Nick Martin. Best position long term (NFL) will be OG but he's so good (athletic) he could play OT.

You mean Zach?

 

[Rack Em]

Refresh my memory...

 

[BeauBenken]

You mean Zach?

You mean Zack?

 

[BobbyMac]

Yes, he means Zach only Nelson was more advanced than Zach was coming out of high school.

.

 

[Luckylucci]

Yes, that is what I meant. Typing to fast.

 

[Rack Em]

Yes, that is what I meant. Typing to fast.

You mean "too"?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

With Bars and McGlinchey on the roster it seems Nelson is destined for OG. He's so scarily similar to Nick Martin. Best position long term (NFL) will be OG but he's so good (athletic) he could play OT.

IMO Nelson could be as good a tackle as anybody on the roster, and could probably play any position on the line. The reason he moves to guard is IMO is that (based on what tape we have) Nelson is OUTRAGEOUSLY athletic and blocks incredibly well in space/on the second level. I'm thinking David DeCastro more than either of the Martins.

Our O-Line has scary potential.

 

[ResLife Hero]

With Bars and McGlinchey on the roster it seems Nelson is destined for OG. He's so scarily similar to Zack Martin. Best position long term (NFL) will be OG but he's so good (athletic) he could play OT.

If Nelson ends up at OG, I imagine that would be because we had top-flight tackles on each end. Nelson isn't just athletic, but he has that ideal length that keeps edge rushers at bay, and he seemed to have some pretty polished technique.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

If Nelson ends up at OG, I imagine that would be because we had top-flight tackles on each end. Nelson isn't just athletic, but he has that ideal length that keeps edge rushers at bay, and he seemed to have some pretty polished technique.

In 2016 the team is going to have big Mike at one tackle spot and Bars at the other. Two pretty damn good options at Tackle.

Just an FYI ESPN had Nelson as a Guard.

 

[Nick Setta]

You mean Zack?

You win.

 

[BobbyMac]

In 2016 the team is going to have big Mike at one tackle spot and Bars at the other. Two pretty damn good options at Tackle.

Just an FYI ESPN had Nelson as a Guard.

2016 O Line, could be the same for 2017 too unless some guys don't use their 4th / 5th years:

LT - Bars
LG - Elmer
C - Montelus
RG - Nelson
RT - McGlinchey

.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

2016 O Line, could be the same for 2017 too unless some guys don't use their 4th / 5th years:

LT - Bars
LG - Elmer
C - Montelus
RG - Nelson
RT - McGlinchey

.

I'm thinking in 2016 and 2017 Montelus would be the first Guard in off the bench. Bivin first OT off the bench. Thus, the starting Center could be Hoge.

 

[Luckylucci]

If Nelson ends up at OG, I imagine that would be because we had top-flight tackles on each end. Nelson isn't just athletic, but he has that ideal length that keeps edge rushers at bay, and he seemed to have some pretty polished technique.

6'4 1/2 is not ideal length for a top flight OT. Now can he be athletic enough to play there and be pretty darn good, absolutely. We just watch Zack Martin do it. However, if he's as good as we think he is, he'll be playing Sundays but it won't be at OT.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Nelson does not have ideal length that is why his long term position is OG. 6'41/2 is not ideal length for a top flight OT. Now can he be athletic enough to play there and been pretty darn good, absolutely. We just watch Zack Martin do it. However, that doesn't mean its his best long term position. If he's as good as we think he is, he'll be playing sundays but it won't be at OT.

I'm going to have to agree to disagree with the length argument. Height and length are 2 different things, and this is from the weigh in at the AA game:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Quenton Nelson measured 6-4 1/2, 321 lbs with a event record 6-10 wingspan.</p>— Shannon B. Terry (@sbterry247) <a href="https://twitter.com/sbterry247/statuses/417392637700616192">December 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm going to have to agree to disagree with the length argument. Height and length are 2 different things, and this is from the weigh in at the AA game:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Quenton Nelson measured 6-4 1/2, 321 lbs with a event record 6-10 wingspan.</p>— Shannon B. Terry (@sbterry247) <a href="https://twitter.com/sbterry247/statuses/417392637700616192">December 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'll be you any amount of Vbucks you want that he doesn't play OT for ND or in the NFL.