'11 CA LB Joe Schmidt (Scholarship Earned)

[gkIrish]

Agreed. Is there a hybrid solution where Morgan, Grace, or Martini starts getting some reps at MIKE though? Where you don't play Schmidt for the same quantity of snaps but still start him?

That's what I would do. I really don't understand how Morgan isn't ready yet. He cannot possibly that dumb. If he is then shame on us for recruiting him.

 

[Luckylucci]

Agreed. Is there a hybrid solution where Morgan, Grace, or Martini starts getting some reps at MIKE though? Where you don't play Schmidt for the same quantity of snaps but still start him?

I sure hope so.

What keeps getting lost in some of these discussions is everyone wants to see Morgan, what about Martini. Apparently he's an intelligent player. Lets get him PT at Mike.

 

[koonja]

I sure hope so.

What keeps getting lost in some of these discussions is everyone wants to see Morgan, what about Martini. Apparently he's an intelligent player. Lets get him PT at Mike.

Exactly. I want Morgan because he's the next biggest freak on D besides Jaylon, but I'd take a shot with Martini over Joe without even thinking about it too. Which leads me to believe the 'BK/Joe marriage' theory above.

 

[ThePiombino]

I sure hope so.

What keeps getting lost in some of these discussions is everyone wants to see Morgan, what about Martini. Apparently he's an intelligent player. Lets get him PT at Mike.

Agreed. I can't imagine there isn't a better solution at the position, even if just situationally.

Any chance we can petition to have BK require BVG to have a psychological examination before welcoming him back next year?

 

[Luckylucci]

Agreed. I can't imagine there isn't a better solution at the position, even if just situationally.

Any chance we can petition to have BK require BVG to have a psychological examination before welcoming him back next year?

Lol, this should've been part of the hiring process.

Good news is we won't have this problem next year

 

[IrishLion]

Martini is gonna be a freak some day. I'm starting to think that maybe Morgan should prepare to play SAM, Martini should preparet to play MIKE, and of course Coney is the heir apparent at WILL.

If you need the brains in the middle of the defense, Martini can do that, and he brings all of the size/athleticism you need for a sideline-to-sideline guy as well (at least I think). I still don't see why Morgan needs to be locked in as a MIKE... would it not be possible for him to play SAM? Use his athleticism and size to take on blocks and run with TE's? If Onwualu can play SAM, I refuse to believe that Morgan couldn't do it.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I sure hope so.

What keeps getting lost in some of these discussions is everyone wants to see Morgan, what about Martini. Apparently he's an intelligent player. Lets get him PT at Mike.

I love Martini. but he had a huge SP missed tackle on Saturday.

 

[bkess8]

Does anyone think that the staff feels obligated to give Joe playing time?

I hope that is not the case, we need to get Morgan ready for the future and if not him then the next guy in line.

 

[tussin]

It's frustrating that our guys are described as being not "smart" enough to play LB. The coaches are failing if the position is so complicated that the players literally don't have the intelligence to succeed.

 

[koonja]

It's frustrating that our guys are described as being not "smart" enough to play LB. The coaches are failing if the position is so complicated that the players literally don't have the intelligence to succeed.

Times 100000.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

He could have easily sacked Watson on the first play of the game when he broke for 40 plus yards but he wasn't quick enough to get there.

 

[dublinirish]

It's frustrating that our guys are described as being not "smart" enough to play LB. The coaches are failing if the position is so complicated that the players literally don't have the intelligence to succeed.

perhaps if we had a pair of safeties who could line up the defense then we might not need Joe @ MLB?

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

perhaps if we had a pair of safeties who could line up the defense then we might not need Joe @ MLB?

I think it goes for the entire defense. Why is the Defense so insanely complicated across the board? it doesn't need to be whatsoever

 

[connor_in]

It's frustrating that our guys are described as being not "smart" enough to play LB. The coaches are failing if the position is so complicated that the players literally don't have the intelligence to succeed.

Have not seen this out in the world

 

[tussin]

Have not seen this out in the world

It's pretty well accepted that Joe is out there because he simply understands the defense better than any of the other MIKES and that he is the only person that can adequately line up the defense on every play.

Perhaps saying "smart" was incorrect, but the point stands.

 

[dublinirish]

I think it goes for the entire defense. Why is the Defense so insanely complicated across the board? it doesn't need to be whatsoever

the more you blitz the more adjustments have to be made to fill the zones/coverages the blizers leave behind I would say. I would imagine in a vanilla 4-3 zone scheme Joe would not be required.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Have not seen this out in the world

Over the last few years Kelly has slade comments several times about defensive players 'getting the system' down before they start or play more. He said is multiple times about Max in particular. And about some offensive players. We recruit athletes for a reason. Let them play. Some players are just gamers. Like Zaire. Not phenomenal in practice day in and day out. But when he hits the field and the lights are on, it's a whole different story.

 

[kmoose]

For someone who "really doesn't know", you have an awful lot to say about Morgan or - more specifically - why he isn't playing.

Actually, I have never claimed to know anything about why Morgan isn't playing. I've simply offered possible alternatives to the somewhat prevalent and annoying "The coaches are incompetent because they know he is better, but they still aren't playing him" line.

 

[kmoose]

Over the last few years Kelly has slade comments several times about defensive players 'getting the system' down before they start or play more. He said is multiple times about Max in particular. And about some offensive players. We recruit athletes for a reason. Let them play. Some players are just gamers. Like Zaire. Not phenomenal in practice day in and day out. But when he hits the field and the lights are on, it's a whole different story.

Players don't win National Championships in football............. teams do.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Players don't win National Championships in football............. teams do.

Obviously not ours.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

the more you blitz the more adjustments have to be made to fill the zones/coverages the blizers leave behind I would say. I would imagine in a vanilla 4-3 zone scheme Joe would not be required.

Yeah, that's what i'm saying. We need to chill out and play more Vanilla so Morgan can get in the game and safety's can make the proper adjustments.

We basically blitz every single play. We aren't successful at it so to speak. Joe is limited physically but we have a scheme and a coach that insist on doing something that doesn't work even somewhat consistently. Its infuriating. I think Joe has a role, but to be the 'man' at Mike? I don't think so. Special Teams and maybe short yardage packages/goaline. that Joe's forte. Covering running backs and WR? He doesn't have any business doing that

 

[koonja]

We do blitz a lot. How many times has Schmidt gotten to the QB/redirected the QB when there's been any attempt at blocking him, whether it be a RB, OL, or TE? I literally don't think I've seen one time.

I don't understand why we leave him in there to blitz. It doesn't have to be Morgan (although it should IMO), but Martini/Grace, give them a chance to at least come in to blitz. Joe can't even always pressure the QB when he's unblocked and there's film to show that.

 

[gkIrish]

We do blitz a lot. How many times has Schmidt gotten to the QB/redirected the QB when there's been any attempt at blocking him, whether it be a RB, OL, or TE? I literally don't think I've seen one time.

I don't understand why we leave him in there to blitz. It doesn't have to be Morgan (although it should IMO), but Martini/Grace, give them a chance to at least come in to blitz. Joe can't even always pressure the QB when he's unblocked and there's film to show that.

I can't remember if the pass was completed but he did get to the QB once during the Clemson game.

 

[koonja]

I can't remember if the pass was completed but he did get to the QB once during the Clemson game.

IDK the play, but I'd bet anything he was unblocked if so. I've never seen him get any pressure/shred a block when he's actually blocked when rushing.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

We do blitz a lot. How many times has Schmidt gotten to the QB/redirected the QB when there's been any attempt at blocking him, whether it be a RB, OL, or TE? I literally don't think I've seen one time.

I don't understand why we leave him in there to blitz. It doesn't have to be Morgan (although it should IMO), but Martini/Grace, give them a chance to at least come in to blitz. Joe can't even always pressure the QB when he's unblocked and there's film to show that.

Wouldn't the personnel change tip off the offense a blitz is coming? Bottom line: we need somebody in the middle to run the defense and produce, not one or the other, both.

 

[koonja]

Wouldn't the personnel change tip off the offense a blitz is coming? Bottom line: we need somebody in the middle to run the defense and produce, not one or the other, both.

Probably, but we blitz him on obvious pass down mostly, so it's not like it's unexpected. I'd rather them know we're blitzing a person who can make a play than likely know we're blitzing a guy they might not even have to bother blocking, and if they do, he'll be 100% a non factor.

 

[GBdomer]

I know some might not agree but I wouldn't mind it one bit seeing Grace or Martini start at Mike on Saturday

 

[JD Irish]

I know some might not agree but I wouldn't mind it one bit seeing Grace or Martini start at Mike on Saturday

Completely agree.

 

[irishff1014]

Grace's injury effected his play and he hasn't bounced back. Martini or Morgan. I like Joe he seems like an awesome person but the talent just isn't there.

 

[irish4ever]

He definitely plays with a lot of heart and passion, but he seems to be a little slow on getting to a lot of the plays.