Move Young back to RT and Romine to LT

[Axl Rose]

Sam Young doesn't have the athleticism for LT, hes more of a big run you over type. I also hear Weis plans on having him at 330 next year, that won't be good when hes facing big speed rushers.

Matt Romine really needs to be LT, hes the most athletic lineman on the team. Just looking at his high light film, you can see how well he protects the QB's blind side. I remember reading the reports from the army all American game about how he was the most fundamentally sound linemen there, they actually moved him to guard so he could face the east teams best D-linemen Marvin Austin. I remember that game he really held Austin in check.

 

[piyachi]

Perhaps you are right but what is a move like that going to do for an o-line that is trying to gel?

Do we need another rookie starter leaving Clausens blindside open? No matter how good he was in high school there is going to be a learning curve and we don't need another 50 sack season....

 

[johnnd05]

It could happen, though I think I've read some things indicating that Weis and the staff feel that Young is really well-suited to play on the left side. Piyachi's also right about the worries about putting another newbie at such a crucial position.

Don't forget about Chris Stewart, either - he took a lot of minutes away from Duncan near the end of the year. He and Romine will definitely get significant p/t next year, whether they're starting or not.

 

[SoCalDomer]

let's put all our OL out there. we need the protection.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
I have not been happy with how Sam has progressed, but let's see if things change when we make a coach change. I am assuming that CW will make a change here. Further, the OL is really starting to get there stuff together. It is amazing how they looked the last few games. Isn't it nice that we even have options for next season. We will have an actual two deep that will not have the same person at multiple positions. We will have LT - Young, Romine LG - Turk, Bemenderfer, Nuss C - Wenger, Cave LG - Olsen, Stew, Nwanko LT - Duncan, Dever. Wow, real live high level talent two deep across the board. How long has this been coming. I will give CW kudo's on this!! I am sure some of these pieces will move around, but just showing how we will have real live depth across the board.

 

[Fishin'_Irish]

Stewart plays tackle, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[jonesman]

He has played both tackle and guard. He still looks a little slow for tackle. I will take his size and passion where ever he lands.

 

[Junkhead]

Young has been slow at times against the outside speed rushers. When CW said they wanted him at 330lbs, I was confused.

 

[piyachi]

If Latina is headed out for all the recruiting trips I don't think it bodes well for those who want him to be fired in the offseason - just saying don't be hasty jonesman.

Also with that kind of depth I think we will see some mean, hard-hitting practices come springtime. Finally we have what looks like at least a reliable amount of depth at each position and players that can hold down their starting position or at least fight for it.

So as is our lineup looks like?

LT - Young, Romine
LG - Turkovich, Bermenderfer, Nuss
C - Wenger, Cave
RG - Olsen, Stewart, Golic
RT - Duncan, Dever, Clelland

Nwankwo was listed as a DE this year.... is he moving back to offense? If so, where would he fit in because he is still in the 280 range as of the end of this season.

 

[jonesman]

Nwanko is moving back to OL. He is already listed back there. I would see him at a guard position. He would be in front of Golic. Golic and Clelland are both guys who will need a couple years to put on that college beef. That is Ok now that we have real depth and can start going back to the days of let freshman just grow and get used to college life.

 

[daytonirish]

Yes it will be nice to be able to let the incoming FR. a couple of yrs. to grow and learn the system. Just have to keep bringing in 3-4 every yr.

 

[Axl Rose]

If Latina is headed out for all the recruiting trips I don't think it bodes well for those who want him to be fired in the offseason - just saying don't be hasty jonesman.

Also with that kind of depth I think we will see some mean, hard-hitting practices come springtime. Finally we have what looks like at least a reliable amount of depth at each position and players that can hold down their starting position or at least fight for it.

So as is our lineup looks like?

LT - Young, Romine
LG - Turkovich, Bermenderfer, Nuss
C - Wenger, Cave
RG - Olsen, Stewart, Golic
RT - Duncan, Dever, Clelland

Nwankwo was listed as a DE this year.... is he moving back to offense? If so, where would he fit in because he is still in the 280 range as of the end of this season.

I think Cave is moved to guard cause hes o powerful and athletic. Nwankwo would be a perfect center at his size.

 

[piyachi]

I think Cave is moved to guard cause hes o powerful and athletic. Nwankwo would be a perfect center at his size.

I am asking this out of ignorance - Doesn't the center position require more strength than guard?

Also I am glad to hear Emeka is going back to the O-Line. He is almost going to be put in a freshman situation though from lost experience and weight gaining.

 

[Moostache]

(Coaching Mistake #1356 from 2007 for Charlie Weis = NOT moving Sam Young to LT IMMEDIATELY AFTER 2006 ended....)

Young at LT did not seem to me to be too slow...he seemed to be techincally and fundementally flawed and confused at times. The technique and fundamentals problems caused him to get beat quite a few times by players who he should have owned; and the confusion and learning a new position mid-season caused him to look slower than he really is. Sam Yougn remains a player with ALL the tools to be a great one at ND, he just needs to be sure to bring it all together starting now and carrying through the Spring and into next Fall...

Sam made some very nice blocks at times and was dominant for brief stretches, but he was woefully inconsistent and needs to really shore up on technique more than physique this off-season...sure adding more strength is needed, but just as important for Sam is an understanding of what it means to BE a dominant LT (the protector of a righty QB's blindside and the traditional anchor of a 'right-handed offense').

Sam Young just may be the most important player on Notre Dame's roster next fall - he is expected to be a dominant LT, a force of nature that befits his recruiting status as the nation's top O-lineman in the freshman class of 2006. He needs to improve greatly and we will know by the end of the first quarter against Michigan if 2008 is going to be a bereakthrough year for Young and the Irish O or if it is going to be another year full of beakdowns...

If I see Sam Young controlling the outside edge against Michigan, 2008 is going to be a special year....his development would make Clausen and the RBs and the WRs all instantly look at least 25% better. Provided those players mature and grow on their own as well, the ND offense could be primed for a 2005-esque turnaround again!

If I see Sam Young get owned by Michigan players again, then I will know that there is a) no other good option at LT, b) the younger guys like Clelland and Nuss and even Romine, who have little to no experience would likely look just as inconsistent as SY did in 2007 and the ND offense will be doomed to long periods of futility and confusion again in 2008...

 

[Moostache]

Or, look at it another way....

2005 LT = Ryan Harris (Jr.) returning starter and experienced player
2005 Irish Offense = OUTSTANDING

2006 LT = Ryan Harris (Sr.) returning starter and more experienced player
2006 Irish Offense = A fll off from 2005 but STILL WAY better than 2007 in every way possible!

2007 LT = Sam Young (eventually, no experience in college at LT, did NOT start the year there and did NOT have training camp at the position....OTJ training in every sense)
2007 ND offense = gawd-awful!!!!

2008 LT = Sam Young (Jr.) returning starter and experienced player
2008 ND Offense = ??????????????????

 

[SoCalDomer]

Or, look at it another way....

2005 LT = Ryan Harris (Jr.) returning starter and experienced player
2005 Irish Offense = OUTSTANDING

2006 LT = Ryan Harris (Sr.) returning starter and more experienced player
2006 Irish Offense = A fll off from 2005 but STILL WAY better than 2007 in every way possible!

2007 LT = Sam Young (eventually, no experience in college at LT, did NOT start the year there and did NOT have training camp at the position....OTJ training in every sense)
2007 ND offense = gawd-awful!!!!

2008 LT = Sam Young (Jr.) returning starter and experienced player
2008 ND Offense = ??????????????????

So what you're saying is, if our left tackle has an "a" and an "n" in his name, we should do well. grin: Sweet. I never would have spotted that.

 

[Newc]

Sweet!! I have an "a" and a "n" in my name...and they are right next to each other. I think I should be in South Bend.

 

[Fishin'_Irish]

So what you're saying is, if our left tackle has an "a" and an "n" in his name, we should do well. grin: Sweet. I never would have spotted that.

Matt Patchan and Alan Page should come play LT here.

 

[OCIrish]

Matt Patchan and Alan Page should come play LT here.

Just wondering? Isn't Alan Page retired? I could be wrong on this one, could we get some help here?