'13 OH QB Malik Zaire (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[woolybug25]

This article is in the ND Insider magazine, and not online, which is stated in OFD. Some of these quotes were out there already as teasers, but many were not. Some of the more interesting remarks (being happy post-game USC or saying he was looked down upon by players of the team) were not posted on this site yet.

It's the same basic story. The quotes about the staff, himself and a title are the topics that people are commenting most on. I don't think anyone until your post, even cared what Malik felt his teammates thought. Those aren't the flashy quotes. Just because there are a couple additional comments listed, doesn't mean that this story is new. This interview took place a while ago and we have all discussed the basic points of emphasis already.

I'm not bashing OFD, i'm just saying that we had this "Should Malik be saying this??? OMG" conversation multiple times on this site regarding this interview.

 

[irishfan]

It's the same basic story. The quotes about the staff, himself and a title are the topics that people are commenting most on. I don't think anyone until your post, even cared what Malik felt his teammates thought. Those aren't the flashy quotes. Just because there are a couple additional comments listed, doesn't mean that this story is new. This interview took place a while ago and we have all discussed the basic points of emphasis already.

I'm not bashing OFD, i'm just saying that we had this "Should Malik be saying this??? OMG" conversation multiple times on this site regarding this interview.

I'm not really in the crowd that cares too much what he says, but this is more proof for those who thinks he needs to pump the breaks a bit. It wasn't all bad quotes in there. He had plenty of good things to say as well...but he's our starting QB and it's the off-season so I would expect just about every quote of his to end up here at some point.

 

[ulukinatme]

The stuff about the coaching staff was a little cringe-worthy, but otherwise I like what he's saying. Malik really sounds like he's stepping up like a leader, and this team needs a leader. They need a guy they can rally around and feed off of for inspiration and emotion, Manti was a guy like that. Brady was a leader like that. We need more vocal leaders and guys that other players gravitate to. While it was only one game, it certainly looked like the team responded to Malik's leadership in the LSU game. That was a big game and a big win, and Malik was the MVP, so he certainly showed he can talk the talk and walk the walk. I'd love to run the table this year like he says, but I'm realistic expecting there could be some growing pains for him this year. I think we can win at least 10 games though with this offense and a more experienced (And hopefully healthier) defense.

 

[kmoose]

Because it is a Monday morning, and dshans is probably sleeping off his wild weekend at Hef's place:

It's "pump the brakes"!!!

this message has been brought to you by the letter B, and the National Alliance of Women Who Have Taken a Punch From a Seminole Football Player Without Getting Knocked Down.

 

[NDdomer2]

<a href="https://imgflip.com/i/o5bmq"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/o5bmq.jpg" title="made at imgflip.com"/></a>

 

[IrishLax]

Classic case of a player not being media savvy and not measuring his words enough. I feel like the audio would play much different than how those quotes read in text.

I blame ND Insider more than anything for not using better discretion. That article doesn't really help anybody. I thought OFD did a good job of "reality checking" a lot of the statements.

 

[gkIrish]

Those quotes make him seem like a spoiled brat. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt in terms of context but it's time he shuts his mouth.

 

[wizards8507]

I like that he feels this way. I don't like that he said it out loud.

 

[IrishLion]

I like that he feels this way. I don't like that he said it out loud.

That's exactly where I'm at.

Even if he's pissed at how his reps/development were handled to this point, and pissed at how he was "belittled" by the coaches, you can't put it out there and throw anyone from your program under the bus.

Keep it locked up tight in your head, and use it as motivation every day. Don't air it out to the world.

 

[SoDakDomer]

Sounded like a sound bite from a jojoblack post on IE. (at least I think that was his username on this site)

 

[ACamp1900]

dat usc quote tho...

 

[gkIrish]

dat usc quote tho...

That's the one that particularly bothered me. I don't even like that he was thinking that, let alone told it to a reporter.

 

[wizards8507]

That's the one that particularly bothered me. I don't even like that he was thinking that, let alone told it to a reporter.

Really? I rode the bench on the basketball team in high school and honestly didn't care much when we lost. I would have been much more excited to play some minutes and do well than I would be upset that we lost a blowout game.

 

[NDdomer2]

#teamplayer

 

[irishfan]

Really? I rode the bench on the basketball team in high school and honestly didn't care much when we lost. I would have been much more excited to play some minutes and do well than I would be upset that we lost a blowout game.

This. Was lucky enough to be getting solid PT most seasons in sports, but had a full season of football where I was only playing special teams and I enjoyed blowout losses and playing time over close wins. It's hard to be a team player when you think you should be getting playing time and you aren't....probably extremely hard when you're Malik and have NFL aspirations and the QB in front of you spent games turning the ball over like his life depended on it. I probably wouldn't have said that if I were Malik (although he's 20 and I would probably suck at interviews at age 20), but I don't blame him at all for feeling that way.

All of these quotes do stem from one interview as well, so a lot of this stuff could be things that are said once and then never again....hopefully someone has told him he should button it up a bit with the media going forward.

 

[gkIrish]

Really? I rode the bench on the basketball team in high school and honestly didn't care much when we lost. I would have been much more excited to play some minutes and do well than I would be upset that we lost a blowout game.

I would argue you weren't a good teammate. You're allowed to want more playing time but this really isn't any different than rooting for the guy ahead of you to get hurt. Malik sounds like he wanted EG and the team to fail so that he could get his chance. That's shitty.

 

[gkIrish]

This. Was lucky enough to be getting solid PT most seasons in sports, but had a full season of football where I was only playing special teams and I enjoyed blowout losses and playing time over close wins. It's hard to be a team player when you think you should be getting playing time and you aren't. I probably wouldn't have said that if I were Malik (although he's 20 and I would probably suck at interviews at age 20), but I don't blame him at all for feeling that way.

All of these quotes do stem from one interview as well, so a lot of this stuff could be things that are said once and then never again....hopefully someone has told him he should button it up a bit with the media going forward.

I'm confused. Are you and wizards arguing that it's okay to root for your team to get blown out? I totally disagree if that's what you're saying.

 

[wizards8507]

I'm confused. Are you and wizards arguing that it's okay to root for your team to get blown out? I totally disagree if that's what you're saying.

That's not what I'm saying. The blowout was a fait accompli by the time MZ entered the game. It's not better to be blown out than win (obviously), but once it is a blowout, I have no problem with a kid being happy that he got some PT and performed well. But again, keep it to yourself.

ETA: A good analogy would be... Tom Brady wasn't hoping for Mo Lewis to knock Drew Bledsoe into next Tuesday. But once that event came to pass, he took his opportunity and was happy at it.

 

[irishfan]

I'm confused. Are you and wizards arguing that it's okay to root for your team to get blown out? I totally disagree if that's what you're saying.

Not saying root for a blowout. But for me (and it sounds like for Malik), if we won and I had nothing to do with it, I would pretty much feel nothing after the game. It's like you're a fan as opposed to a player. If we lost and I actually got some playing time late and did well, I'd personally feel better and feel like I had proven myself going forward. I can guarantee Malik was happier after that USC game than he was after the Navy game. It's hard to put himself in your shoes as a fan, but I guess if he thought he could be doing a better job than EG, than most games were probably hard for him to sit through...especially the losses.

 

[wizards8507]

Not saying root for a blowout. But for me (and it sounds like for Malik), if we won and I had nothing to do with it, I would pretty much feel nothing after the game. It's like you're a fan as opposed to a player. If we lost and I actually got some playing time late and did well, I'd personally feel better and feel like I had proven myself going forward. I can guarantee Malik was happier after that USC game than he was after the Navy game.

And happiest after the LSU game.

 

[NDdomer2]

That's not what I'm saying. The blowout was a fait accompli by the time MZ entered the game. It's not better to be blown out than win (obviously), but once it is a blowout, I have no problem with a kid being happy that he got some PT and performed well. But again, keep it to yourself.

ETA: A good analogy would be... Tom Brady wasn't hoping for Mo Lewis to knock Drew Bledsoe into next Tuesday. But once that event came to pass, he took his opportunity and was happy at it.

This is much more clear. I don't think anyone wants MZ to be pissed off he finally got in. But maybe the locker room after the game isnt the best place to have a smile on your face because you got in the game (and played alright).

Call your mom/family when you get home to get your back pats.

 

[NDdomer2]

Not saying root for a blowout. But for me (and it sounds like for Malik), if we won and I had nothing to do with it, I would pretty much feel nothing after the game. It's like you're a fan as opposed to a player. If we lost and I actually got some playing time late and did well, I'd personally feel better and feel like I had proven myself going forward. I can guarantee Malik was happier after that USC game than he was after the Navy game. It's hard to put himself in your shoes as a fan, but I guess if he thought he could be doing a better job than EG, than most games were probably hard for him to sit through...especially the losses.

Did you not work hard during the week to try and help the team or earn your spot. The year I sat the bench and the team won, I was still pretty jacked.

 

[IrishLion]

I sat the bench in baseball, and I was pretty confident that I should have been starting at third base.

When I didn't play at all and we won, I was still excited, but the frustration was always lurking. When we lost, I had a huge chip on my shoulder.

There were games that we lost that I got to play in, and I was happy just to get some reps playing a game I loved. So I know exactly where Malik is coming from.

 

[gkIrish]

Not saying root for a blowout. But for me (and it sounds like for Malik), if we won and I had nothing to do with it, I would pretty much feel nothing after the game. It's like you're a fan as opposed to a player. If we lost and I actually got some playing time late and did well, I'd personally feel better and feel like I had proven myself going forward. I can guarantee Malik was happier after that USC game than he was after the Navy game. It's hard to put himself in your shoes as a fan, but I guess if he thought he could be doing a better job than EG, than most games were probably hard for him to sit through...especially the losses.

That's not what I'm saying. The blowout was a fait accompli by the time MZ entered the game. It's not better to be blown out than win (obviously), but once it is a blowout, I have no problem with a kid being happy that he got some PT and performed well. But again, keep it to yourself.

ETA: A good analogy would be... Tom Brady wasn't hoping for Mo Lewis to knock Drew Bledsoe into next Tuesday. But once that event came to pass, he took his opportunity and was happy at it.

Ok that makes more sense. I still think I'd root for my team to try and get back into it rather than being blown out but understandable.

 

[ACamp1900]

Some of us sat the bench in high school, others, like Malik and myself, balled out and took the head cheerleader to Denny's the morning after prom...

 

[wizards8507]

Some of us sat the bench in high school, others, like Malik and myself, balled out and took the head cheerleader to Denny's the morning after prom...

Hey, I was All State my senior year (in volleyball).

 

[GCND]

I sat the bench in baseball, and I was pretty confident that I should have been starting at third base.

When I didn't play at all and we won, I was still excited, but the frustration was always lurking. When we lost, I had a huge chip on my shoulder.

There were games that we lost that I got to play in, and I was happy just to get some reps playing a game I loved. So I know exactly where Malik is coming from.

This is how I interpreted the spirit of Malik's words.

Besides, sulking on the sidelines does not make the loss any better.

Malik was simply making the most of an opportunity in a negative situation.

Sounds good to me.

 

[ACamp1900]

Hey, I was All State my senior year (in women's volleyball).

I have no doubt...

 

[ulukinatme]

Some of us sat the bench in high school, others, like Malik and myself, balled out and took the head cheerleader to Denny's the morning after prom...

That's sweet, did he pay or did you?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Sounded like a sound bite from a jojoblack post on IE. (at least I think that was his username on this site)

#FreeJoJoBlack