'15 OH CB Shaun Crawford (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[BobbyMac]

Someone cue some Swing Out Sister.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shaun Crawford says '16 will be his second freshman season. <br><br>Story via <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens">@BGI_AndrewOwens</a>: <a href="https://t.co/uVZVRHg2E0">https://t.co/uVZVRHg2E0</a> <a href="https://t.co/1EMFTZWZST">pic.twitter.com/1EMFTZWZST</a></p>— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews/status/719605777070170113">April 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Irish Man3]

So excited for this kid this year. I think he starts opposite Luke regardless of Watkins and his injury.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

So excited for this kid this year. I think he starts opposite Luke regardless of Watkins and his injury.

Why? I would rather him be the full time nickel.

 

[koonja]

Since we're talking 2ndary, two takeaways I've had from the ~6 minutes of spring practice we've seen, is Cole Luke getting burnt a lot, and Nick Coleman being right on the hip and in position to make a play.

There's your over analysis for the spring.

 

[Irish Man3]

Why? I would rather him be the full time nickel.

Rather than full time boundary corner? Why?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Rather than full time boundary corner? Why?

His size and skill set are perfect for the nickel. Plus the nickel DB is basically a starter this day in age. Also, if Crawford doesn't play nickel, then who will. No one else in the roster is really suited to play there.

 

[Irish Man3]

His size and skill set are perfect for the nickel. Plus the nickel DB is basically a starter this day in age. Also, if Crawford doesn't play nickel, then who will. No one else in the roster is really suited to play there.

Fair. Listening to the guys over on ISD, Crawford was by far the best corner at the practice this weekend. Granted it's one practice but they make it sound like it wasn't close.

Hopefully some of the young guys coming in can help.

 

[dad4aa]

Since we're talking 2ndary, two takeaways I've had from the ~6 minutes of spring practice we've seen, is Cole Luke getting burnt a lot, and Nick Coleman being right on the hip and in position to make a play.

There's your over analysis for the spring.

From what I have seen and heard, was one of only a couple good plays and it made the highlights. Definitely not indicative of how he has been practicing...although I think he will become a very good CB.

 

[woolybug25]

His size and skill set are perfect for the nickel. Plus the nickel DB is basically a starter this day in age. Also, if Crawford doesn't play nickel, then who will. No one else in the roster is really suited to play there.

They played around with Cole Luke at nickel.

Anybody but Butler.

 

[GoIrish41]

Fair. Listening to the guys over on ISD, Crawford was by far the best corner at the practice this weekend. Granted it's one practice but they make it sound like it wasn't close.

Hopefully some of the young guys coming in can help.

I am anxious to see Pride. I think he is going to be a stud.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

They played around with Cole Luke at nickel.



Anybody but Butler.

I don't buy it. I don't see Luke at nickel...maybe one of the freshman can play there.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I am anxious to see Pride. I think he is going to be a stud.

My understanding is Pride is still very raw and will likely RS.

 

[woolybug25]

I don't buy it. I don't see Luke at nickel...maybe one of the freshman can play there.

You don't buy that he can or buy that they will do it?

Because he played nickel as a freshman under Diaco and has been practicing there sporadically during spring.

Luke Ready To Step Up - Irish Sports Daily

 

[Sherm Sticky]

You don't buy that he can or buy that they will do it?



Because he played nickel as a freshman under Diaco and has been practicing there sporadically during spring.



Luke Ready To Step Up - Irish Sports Daily

I don't buy that the staff will put him in the nickel and a 3rd corner outside in game situations.

 

[woolybug25]

I don't buy that the staff will put him in the nickel and a 3rd corner outside in game situations.

They already have. He played in games, at nickel, during his freshman season. He has experience playing nickel in games at Notre Dame.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

They already have. He played in games, at nickel, during his freshman season. He has experience playing nickel in games at Notre Dame.

So you would move your best corner to nickel and put in your 3rd or 4th best corner on the outside, because Luke played some nickel three years ago? Ok.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

My understanding is Pride is still very raw and will likely RS.

My understanding was the opposite. I thought his athleticism has many thinking he could be a Crawford-type player in his ability to compete from the start. Where did you see Pride is a "raw" prospect?

 

[woolybug25]

So you would move your best corner to nickel and put in your 3rd or 4th best corner on the outside, because Luke played some nickel three years ago? Ok.

No reason to get snarky. You said the staff wouldn't do it, and I simply told you that they already have.

Reports from practice have been really high on Coleman and Crawford. It wouldn't be crazy to think that the staff could use both Crawford and Luke at nickel in different scenarios, matchups, etc.

You asked "if not Crawford, then who". Well... Cole Luke.

 

[koonja]

I doubt Luke plays slot. That's a position traditionally dominated by younger players for whatever reason, and Luke played there as a true frosh in a different defensive system with a different coach. You don't move your only established corner from cornee, plus Luke isn't the best tackler and slot needs to tackle.

I'm hoping either Coleman or Watkins lock down 2nd corner so Crawford and one of Love/Elliot can play slot.

 

[woolybug25]

I doubt Luke plays slot. That's a position traditionally dominated by younger players for whatever reason, and Luke played there as a true frosh in a different defensive system with a different coach. You don't move your only established corner from cornee, plus Luke isn't the best tackler and slot needs to tackle.

I'm hoping either Coleman or Watkins lock down 2nd corner so Crawford and one of Love/Elliot can play slot.

So what reasoning do you have for the staff having him practice there this spring?

As I said, I don't see him as THE nickel guy, but the staff clearly see him as an option. As they have been putting him there during practice and commented on it directly. So there's that.

 

[koonja]

So what reasoning do you have for the staff having him practice there this spring?

As I said, I don't see him as THE nickel guy, but the staff clearly see him as an option. As they have been putting him there during practice and commented on it directly. So there's that.

Maybe the want to get him used go motioning in case he has to cover Adoree Jackson out of the backfield because no one else can? IDK why they put him there, or if it was for 2 plays or an entire practice. I just highly doubt he spends much if any time there in actual games.

 

[koonja]

Two analysts on ISD said from what they've seen, Crawford is our best corner, Luke included. Maybe he will be skipping slot and playing corner?

 

[woolybug25]

I doubt Luke plays slot. That's a position traditionally dominated by younger players for whatever reason, and Luke played there as a true frosh in a different defensive system with a different coach. You don't move your only established corner from cornee, plus Luke isn't the best tackler and slot needs to tackle.

I'm hoping either Coleman or Watkins lock down 2nd corner so Crawford and one of Love/Elliot can play slot.

Maybe the want to get him used go motioning in case he has to cover Adoree Jackson out of the backfield because no one else can? IDK why they put him there, or if it was for 2 plays or an entire practice. I just highly doubt he spends much if any time there in actual games.

Two analysts on ISD said from what they've seen, Crawford is our best corner, Luke included. Maybe he will be skipping slot and playing corner?

 

[koonja]

Crawford playing corner doesn't have anything to do with Luke playing slot. Even if Crawford starts at 2nd corner (doubt it), Luke won't be playing slot, so I don't understand where you're confused.

 

[woolybug25]

Crawford playing corner doesn't have anything to do with Luke playing slot. Even if Crawford starts at 2nd corner, Luke won't be playing slot, so I don't understand where you're confused.

Then indulge me... who would?

What... put Butler there and leave Coleman on the bench?

 

[koonja]

Then indulge me... who would?

What... put Butler there and leave Coleman on the bench?

No, put Cole Luke in the slot and let Butler take corner. Even better.

Like I've said and history has shown, nickel is part of a sub package much easier mastered than full time corner. That's probably why traditionally, young players can come play there immediately (Shummate started there in 2012, Luke as a true freshman).

So likely Crawford then probably a younger player (Love/Elliot). Cole Luke will be starting at corner.

 

[woolybug25]

No, put Cole Luke in the slot and let Butler take corner. Even better.

Like I've said and history has shown, nickel is part of a sub package much easier mastered than full time corner. That's probably why traditionally, young players can come play there immediately (Shummate started there in 2012, Luke as a true freshman).

So likely Crawford then probably a younger player (Love/Elliot). Cole Luke will be starting at corner.

I disagree, but whatevs.

It seems silly to me to put in a true freshman when you could simply slide Coleman into one of the corner spots and slide either Luke or Crawford into the slot. Keeping our three best corners on the field. That's also what you have been seeing the staff do at practice. Why would they practice that in spring and then just completely ignore it later?

 

[koonja]

I disagree, but whatevs.

It seems silly to me to put in a true freshman when you could simply slide Coleman into one of the corner spots and slide either Luke or Crawford into the slot. Keeping our three best corners on the field. That's also what you have been seeing the staff do at practice. Why would they practice that in spring and then just completely ignore it later?

The true freshman would be a backup to a sub package in this case (Luke, Watkins/Coleman at corner, Crawford at nickel). So basically never play unless Crawford were injured or have to move to corner for some reason.

We went to the NC with one of our best defenses ever with a true freshman starting at nickel. In this scenario we'd be relying on a true freshman to be back up nickel.

For whatever reason, nickel seems like an easy transition from HS to immediate playing time. Plus Luke tackles like a sissy, which you cannot do when playing nickel.

 

[IrishLion]

So, Luke and Crawford are both gonna be on the field at all times. In nickel and dime situations, one of them slides inside and Watkins/Butler/Coleman/freshman comes on to play outside?