Guys,
I believe the thing that excites me the most about this upcoming season is that we will see players play with a passion, intensity and urgency that none of us has witnessed since the days of LOU. Why do I say this?? Look at the first two teams that Charlie coached at ND, they were laden with 2-3 year starters who knew they had the position to themselves with really nobody to push them.
Look at a few positions in particular. OL, Charlie started Sam Young because we did not have another scholarship player at tackle. At RB, it was Darius and Darius. We had to move Travis Thomas to LB because we did not have a body to put there.
In 2008 things have come full circle and almost every position will be two to three deep with hungry and talented players. Let's take a look at what I am talking about.
QB: Yes we all know that it is Jimmy's job, but he also knows that Evan is capable of running the O and is a fan favorite, so CW will not hesitate to make a switch if Jimmy goes into the monster slump or becomes a head case. I do not expect JC to do either, but there is quality back-up to push him and a 5* recruit coming this fall.
RB: What needs to be said here. Armando, James and Robert will push each other to new heights. I expect passion in all three.
FB: The one area does not have the high competition due to Luke playing TE, but I believe that Asaph has heard all the grumblings about how dissapointed the fans are with his play.
WR: This position will intensely battled. Kamara is about the only player who has any separation in the competition. Parris struggled late season, Grimes had great catches and bad drops late, West is serviceable. Jackson and Hord will be pushing hard this spring to make spot for themselves before Floyd and company arrive. Expect guys to go for every ball and run like there life depended on it. My call is Jackson will suprise this year.
OT: Young has the RT and Duncan LT, but we now have quality behind them. Dever and Romine are big, talented and hungry. Add in Stewart who can play tackle and you can see how Duncan in particular, but Young too will be increasing their intensity. No longer do we have to settle for servicable at Tackle.
OG: Olsen, Turk and Stewart will be clawing and scratching all spring to see who locks down the two spots. They cannot forget that Big Trev would love to get in on the action and with his size, he might. Also, Nuss has put on #'s and got stronger.
OC: Wenger has this position, but if he thinks that Bemenderfer is not hungry to play in his final season, your crazy. Throw Cave monster in the mix this fall and you have three beasts.
TE: Ragone has it for now, but Luke is dying to get on the field. Further, if you think Yeatman is not coming back in fall boyz, look over to the sidelines. Then add in to giant freshman and it is claw and scratch. Luke is gonna suprise here.
OFFENSE OVERVIEW: We have depth and quality at all positions. Bring on the competition.
NT: Ian has it locked, but I am sure Paddy would like a shot. His real competition comes this fall in the form of Hafis and Newman. Ian will remember that he got on the field last season, so what is stopping them from taking his spot as freshmen.
DE: Brown is locked as will Kuntz, but I believe Nwanko will make big waves. Further, Richardson and Ryan want to play. Add in some monster freshman like Cwynar and Ethan which will raise the intensity this fall.
OLB: Smith and Neal have the positions, but Scott Smith and Wade will push them hard. Wade is a player I expect to see breakout this season. His frame was not built for big weight. He is perfect running down QB's.
ILB: Crum is the leader, but beyond him the door is wide open. Toryan will need to go hard to fight off Paskorz and Quinn. Further, once McDonald and Filer arrive the battle will intensify.
Safety: Bruton will raise the game again to increase his draft status. At the other safey, expect passionate play because the depth is insane. Brown, McCarthy, Gaines, Smith. You have guys with serious talent and speed. This does not even include the freshmen.
CB: Walls and Lambert are starting, but they need not look far for competition. Gray and McNeil could start at many schools. Do not be shocked to see Gray or McNeil play serious minutes this year. This is before reinforcements arrive in fall.
DEFENSE OVERVIEW: If you are on the D side of the ball for ND this year, better bring your A game every day because there is someone waiting to steal your job.
This type of talented depth is necessary to help player development and create intensity in practice. Do not be shocked to hear of some practice brawls. Nobody comes to ND wants to ride the pine. These guys are gonna get after it.
I believe the thing that excites me the most about this upcoming season is that we will see players play with a passion, intensity and urgency that none of us has witnessed since the days of LOU. Why do I say this?? Look at the first two teams that Charlie coached at ND, they were laden with 2-3 year starters who knew they had the position to themselves with really nobody to push them.
Look at a few positions in particular. OL, Charlie started Sam Young because we did not have another scholarship player at tackle. At RB, it was Darius and Darius. We had to move Travis Thomas to LB because we did not have a body to put there.
In 2008 things have come full circle and almost every position will be two to three deep with hungry and talented players. Let's take a look at what I am talking about.
QB: Yes we all know that it is Jimmy's job, but he also knows that Evan is capable of running the O and is a fan favorite, so CW will not hesitate to make a switch if Jimmy goes into the monster slump or becomes a head case. I do not expect JC to do either, but there is quality back-up to push him and a 5* recruit coming this fall.
RB: What needs to be said here. Armando, James and Robert will push each other to new heights. I expect passion in all three.
FB: The one area does not have the high competition due to Luke playing TE, but I believe that Asaph has heard all the grumblings about how dissapointed the fans are with his play.
WR: This position will intensely battled. Kamara is about the only player who has any separation in the competition. Parris struggled late season, Grimes had great catches and bad drops late, West is serviceable. Jackson and Hord will be pushing hard this spring to make spot for themselves before Floyd and company arrive. Expect guys to go for every ball and run like there life depended on it. My call is Jackson will suprise this year.
OT: Young has the RT and Duncan LT, but we now have quality behind them. Dever and Romine are big, talented and hungry. Add in Stewart who can play tackle and you can see how Duncan in particular, but Young too will be increasing their intensity. No longer do we have to settle for servicable at Tackle.
OG: Olsen, Turk and Stewart will be clawing and scratching all spring to see who locks down the two spots. They cannot forget that Big Trev would love to get in on the action and with his size, he might. Also, Nuss has put on #'s and got stronger.
OC: Wenger has this position, but if he thinks that Bemenderfer is not hungry to play in his final season, your crazy. Throw Cave monster in the mix this fall and you have three beasts.
TE: Ragone has it for now, but Luke is dying to get on the field. Further, if you think Yeatman is not coming back in fall boyz, look over to the sidelines. Then add in to giant freshman and it is claw and scratch. Luke is gonna suprise here.
OFFENSE OVERVIEW: We have depth and quality at all positions. Bring on the competition.
NT: Ian has it locked, but I am sure Paddy would like a shot. His real competition comes this fall in the form of Hafis and Newman. Ian will remember that he got on the field last season, so what is stopping them from taking his spot as freshmen.
DE: Brown is locked as will Kuntz, but I believe Nwanko will make big waves. Further, Richardson and Ryan want to play. Add in some monster freshman like Cwynar and Ethan which will raise the intensity this fall.
OLB: Smith and Neal have the positions, but Scott Smith and Wade will push them hard. Wade is a player I expect to see breakout this season. His frame was not built for big weight. He is perfect running down QB's.
ILB: Crum is the leader, but beyond him the door is wide open. Toryan will need to go hard to fight off Paskorz and Quinn. Further, once McDonald and Filer arrive the battle will intensify.
Safety: Bruton will raise the game again to increase his draft status. At the other safey, expect passionate play because the depth is insane. Brown, McCarthy, Gaines, Smith. You have guys with serious talent and speed. This does not even include the freshmen.
CB: Walls and Lambert are starting, but they need not look far for competition. Gray and McNeil could start at many schools. Do not be shocked to see Gray or McNeil play serious minutes this year. This is before reinforcements arrive in fall.
DEFENSE OVERVIEW: If you are on the D side of the ball for ND this year, better bring your A game every day because there is someone waiting to steal your job.
This type of talented depth is necessary to help player development and create intensity in practice. Do not be shocked to hear of some practice brawls. Nobody comes to ND wants to ride the pine. These guys are gonna get after it.
Lets go Irish!