Yes. Their 2012 line had 2 first rounders, a second rounder, a fourth rounder who won the Outland the year before AND the Rimington that year, and an undrafted guy who was second team all SEC the following year. 4 of the five starters were all-americans, two of whom were Unanimous All Americans. That was one of the best OLines ever. They had three backups get drafted as well.
Do you really believe Joe Rudolph and the rest of the staff simply let Coogan and Spindler walk? Everything I’ve read or heard indicates it was more of a situation where they were told they would have to compete for their respective starting positions and that wasn’t what the two players wanted to hear so they explored free agency to see if they could get a better deal elsewhere. Keep in mind that at the time it was expected Craig and Jagusah would also be competing for starting positions. I agree with you that both of them (especially Coogan) would be extremely valuable now but I don’t believe that Joe Rudolph just let them walk.
This has been discussed ad nauseam by the ND beat writers. And the dead horse will be revived & beaten again now w/ Craig out w/ back-to-back season ending injuries. They stated that ND wanted those OL back but they weren’t going to stay at ND for less money than they could get elsewhere. I’d love to have at least kept Coogan but he had his ND degree & he wasn’t promised a starting role going into this season. He may get the last laugh if IU keeps rolling.
They tried very hard to retain Spindler FWIW but there was no path to promise a full time starting gig with Jagusah healthy at the time.
Did they get pushed out the door? Or was it a case of them seeing what was up and coming and figured the best way to assured snaps is to move to another team? I’m guessing the latter. Can’t imagine Coach Free told Rocco and Coogs to leave.
Interesting if true. I wouldn’t have thought that.
Riley is a dumbass. Illinois has 170 yards rushing on 35 carries, 4.9 YPC. We averaged 7.0 and it wasn't because Love and Price were breaking tons of tackles.
If you think we looked soft this game, you should have seen us last week.
Feels like we could have ran for 400 on them.
Said it before, and I'll say it again.
He tried a few times, unfortunately he was bailed out with a mix of good luck and a catch of the year in game 1.
I think this is mostly teams selling out against the run against us which has led to huge chunk plays over the top all year (at least once Carr got into his groove).
They are playing with three interior OL backups, and are scheming themselves into stacked boxes. But, you do you.
ND is down 3 starting OL and has 1 functional tight end. Their performance in the short run game has been embarrassing. I'd love to see them do what an opponent in high school did versus everyone.
Chip Kelly at Oregon style.
