'23 MO CB Christian Gray (Notre Dame Signee)

[KMac151993]

Did he get hurt? I may be missing a post here.

He has had to leave both games thus far with injuries. It seemed his shoulder was really bothering him last game to the point that "may be" why his "attempt" at tackling was so poor.

 

[BeatSC]

He does NOT turn his hips well, and has poor recovery speed. I think he has to be very mentally fragile as well, he's gotten smoked now 3 games in a row.

You couple his issues with the poor technique that Tengwall shows in his video, and you have a corner that is playing bad.

To me, i get the sense Gray WANTS to make big plays vs just doing his job. Add to that his terrible penalties as well, he's an issue.

Yes he is constantly holding WRs all game.

 

[BeatSC]

I'd get the surgery now, he saves a year of eligibility. Lets face it Gray being able to play isn't going to make or break us this year. It will allow us to develop more depth for next year.

But will we miss him against USC?!

 

[IRISHDODGER]

He was seen wearing a shoulder harness in the Miami game so clearly it’s aggravated.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This guy has been down before but he's never out. He responded well after his previous rough patch.

I'm all in as a fan. Completely have his back and know he's going to be back to making plays.

 

[PutuporShutup]

This guy has been down before but he's never out. He responded well after his previous rough patch.

I'm all in as a fan. Completely have his back and know he's going to be back to making plays.

Curious, do you think he's really good, or expect something to be fixed? He's had 3 bad games in a row, that's a trend.

Now, we get 2 weeks of much less talented WRs, that will help the entire secondary (it better!).

 

[ulukinatme]

If he's hurt, then get the surgery done. Better to have a healthy guy in there and get them reps, especially over the new few weeks before USC.

 

[Dale]

 

[pumpdog20]

Who plays corner if Gray is at Nickel?

 

[Dale]

1 - 1 swap of Gray/Hobbs wouldn’t shock me though I would wanna hear the thought process. If it’s Hobbs is getting benched for Zackey, we probably can close the book on Hobbs.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

It’s been confirmed that he wears a shoulder harness so there’s got to be some issue he’s dealing w/ physically. Could they look at moving him to the slot to avoid taking a hit off the line in press coverage? I mean if WR knows a cover corner has a bum shoulder, why not hit him there every play at the snap before taking off into route? IIRC, the WR can engage in shoulder-to-shoulder contact while releasing off the line or can just initiate any contact w/in 5 yds of LOS as long as it’s not holding, grabbing or pushing off.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think the third time was the curse with nickel transfers.

We hit the jackpot with Harper and Clark. Both were excellent nickels and remained, for the most part, healthy.

Smith meanwhile has been hobbled and it's forced us to play Hobbs, and he's clearly nowhere close to being ready.

I think nickel may be the biggest problem position right now on defense. It's such a crucial swiss army knife position in this defense, and we've had subpar play in the two most important games against two very good receivers.

 

[2013Irish]

I think the third time was the curse with nickel transfers.

We hit the jackpot with Harper and Clark. Both were excellent nickels and remained, for the most part, healthy.

Smith meanwhile has been hobbled and it's forced us to play Hobbs, and he's clearly nowhere close to being ready.

I think nickel may be the biggest problem position right now on defense. It's such a crucial swiss army knife position in this defense, and we've had subpar play in the two most important games against two very good receivers.

He was out for one game. Curse seems hyperbolic.

 

[LifelongFan]

1 - 1 swap of Gray/Hobbs wouldn’t shock me though I would wanna hear the thought process. If it’s Hobbs is getting benched for Zackey, we probably can close the book on Hobbs.

The fact that they are trying to make a move at nickel now means that book is way closed

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I think the third time was the curse with nickel transfers.

We hit the jackpot with Harper and Clark. Both were excellent nickels and remained, for the most part, healthy.

Smith meanwhile has been hobbled and it's forced us to play Hobbs, and he's clearly nowhere close to being ready.

I think nickel may be the biggest problem position right now on defense. It's such a crucial swiss army knife position in this defense, and we've had subpar play in the two most important games against two very good receivers.

You may be right regarding the position of need right now. I think Flammang said it best. I’m paraphrasing…”picking up an experienced transfer nickel is great b/c they get their injuries & learning curve out of the way at their previous school”. That’s what happened w/ Harper & Clark. Jury is still out on Smith b/c he hasn’t been healthy enough to evaluate. Flammang used Tariq Bracy as an example of going w/ a homegrown nickel. He was great his final season but you had to live w/ the growing pains in prior season. It’s a really tough position to just step into from high school .

 

[stpeteirish]

I'm wondering if it wouldn't make more sense to play Ausberry as a third LB instead of Hobbs. Going back to the old rover position. Seems like we're grasping at the nickel and don't have an answer.

But I don't even know if we installed that defense this year.

 

[Dale]

I'm wondering if it wouldn't make more sense to play Ausberry as a third LB instead of Hobbs. Going back to the old rover position. Seems like we're grasping at the nickel and don't have an answer.

But I don't even know if we installed that defense this year.

Against A&M and Miami, basically impossible. Against some of the schedule be it Ausberry or Sneed I think definitely in play.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I'm wondering if it wouldn't make more sense to play Ausberry as a third LB instead of Hobbs. Going back to the old rover position. Seems like we're grasping at the nickel and don't have an answer.

But I don't even know if we installed that defense this year.

Ausberry was said to be good in coverage could work against teams not as good

 

[rtrn2glory]

I hated Hobbs's body language Saturday. Constantly looked confused and exaggerating pre snap like he was lost. He's not ready for the big time and cannot be out there. He's beat before the ball is even snapped

 

[SportsingHard]

If he's hurt, then get the surgery done. Better to have a healthy guy in there and get them reps, especially over the new few weeks before USC.

After two football games, all starters are hurting. While Gray is likely hurt more than most, that doesn't necessarily mean surgery is necessary or appropriate. If he does have to sit out for any reason, I will be terrified given the current quality of the backups.

 

[SportsingHard]

I don't love the idea of Gray moving closer to the box as long as he's physically unable to tackle people.

 

[SportsingHard]

Who plays corner if Gray is at Nickel?

Mark Zackery, unfortunately. I love his long-term potential, but he looks very much like a true freshman so far.

 

[SportsingHard]

From PFF via Reddit. Concerns about Gray's current state/play are legitimate as far as I'm concerned, but a lot of the complaints of terrible coverage are overblown.

 

[stlnd01]

Against A&M and Miami, basically impossible. Against some of the schedule be it Ausberry or Sneed I think definitely in play.

I guess I'd rather get good players onto the the field instead of running a defense for which we do not have the personnel. If we have rovers but not nickels, don't run so much nickel.

 

[Dale]

I guess I'd rather get good players onto the the field instead of running a defense for which we do not have the personnel. If we have rovers but not nickels, don't run so much nickel.

I don’t think you’re setting up Ausberry to look like a good player having him cover Craver or Toney. Of course unless you play zone but they apparently posses zero ability on the team to do so.

 

[Dale]

From PFF via Reddit. Concerns about Gray's current state/play are legitimate as far as I'm concerned, but a lot of the complaints of terrible coverage are overblown.

View attachment 3060122

He got beat on deep balls multiple times, Reed just has the accuracy of a 7th grader. It’s mainly a go ball thing. He’s definitely still the second best corner on the team by far.

 

[ulukinatme]

From PFF via Reddit. Concerns about Gray's current state/play are legitimate as far as I'm concerned, but a lot of the complaints of terrible coverage are overblown.

View attachment 3060122

I'd like to see a breakdown of each game since USC, including DPI penalties.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

The unnecessary hold on 3rd and 16 on the last drive…

 

[PutuporShutup]

From PFF via Reddit. Concerns about Gray's current state/play are legitimate as far as I'm concerned, but a lot of the complaints of terrible coverage are overblown.

View attachment 3060122

He got smoked 2-3 times by 5+ yards that were poor throws.

Couple that with his poor effort tackling, his 2 brutal penalties. He had an awful game.

 

[slick7410]

He got beat on deep balls multiple times, Reed just has the accuracy of a 7th grader. It’s mainly a go ball thing. He’s definitely still the second best corner on the team by far.

We got to the game early and sit in the end zone where A&M warmed up. Reed's throws against air were some of the worst warm-up I've seen from a QB.

45% completion was best case scenario - 360 yds is mind-boggling, still.