'23 MO CB Christian Gray (Notre Dame Signee)

[PutuporShutup]

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.

I would bet over 200 of that is YAC, and that is where the really poor D scheme comes into play. It's one thing to give up completions, it's another to give up wide open crossers with no one nearby over and over.

 

[SportsingHard]

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.

For all we know, it took a heroic effort just to set foot on the field in his condition, so I'm not going to bitch about effort.

 

[NDBoiler]

For all we know, it took a heroic effort just to set foot on the field in his condition, so I'm not going to bitch about effort.

I have no idea what the post you quoted said since I have that dude on ignore, but
the issue with the scenario you described is that if he was in that much discomfort and lacked mobility, then surely someone else one the roster who was healthy would’ve been better suited to be playing. That’s a coaching error to play someone that injured. If he was still the best option in that scenario, then that’s a whole other roster issue, which still points to coaching for not having at least playable depth.

 

[SportsingHard]

I have no idea what the post you quoted said since I have that dude on ignore, but
the issue with the scenario you described is that if he was in that much discomfort and lacked mobility, then surely someone else one the roster who was healthy would’ve been better suited to be playing. That’s a coaching error to play someone that injured. If he was still the best option in that scenario, then that’s a whole other roster issue, which still points to coaching for not having at least playable depth.

I dig where you're coming from, but my understanding is true freshman Mark Zackery is Gray's best possible replacement, and early results suggest to me that a banged up Gray is better than a healthy Zackery at this point.

 

[Crazy Balki]

He was out for one game. Curse seems hyperbolic.

The "curse" was that our 3rd nickel spot so far has not worked out so far.

I mean that as a play on the phrase "third time's the charm".

 

[irishandy]

Last year on a play he got beat on, he responeded with a bigger & more impactful play.

Hopefully he can gain some confidence vs Purdue and start to make those bigger & impactful plays.

 

[stlnd01]

I would bet over 200 of that is YAC, and that is where the really poor D scheme comes into play. It's one thing to give up completions, it's another to give up wide open crossers with no one nearby over and over.

Like the 86 yard touchdown where 75 yards of it was YAC b/c Stroman way overpursued in coverage and then Gray whiffed on a tackle. That was a quarter of Reed's passing yards right there.

 

[stlnd01]

I dig where you're coming from, but my understanding is true freshman Mark Zackery is Gray's best possible replacement, and early results suggest to me that a banged up Gray is better than a healthy Zackery at this point.

Yeah. Zackery has been smoked every time he's been on the field (Gray only gets smoked occasionally). I'm sure he'll get there but he isn't yet.
I'm not entirely sure how cornerback depth got so thin, but it's a real problem.

 

[irishff1014]

I pay for 2 sites and they aren’t saying anything but what is really going on here?

It’s been a long time since I have seen a player regress the way Gray has.

 

[Old Man Mike]

People only notice when something goes wrong. Many many plays go right.

 

[stlnd01]

People only notice when something goes wrong. Many many plays go right.

I agree. That’s the life of a cornerback. Gray’s not Moore or BenMo but he is pretty good.

 

[SDIrishFan]

To me he’s CLEARLY got a shoulder issue. He’s playing through it and doing his job in coverage, but he’s avoiding contact to tackle.

I applaud him for playing through his injury because we need him to as we’re paper thin at CB.

 

[irishff1014]

I agree. That’s the life of a cornerback. Gray’s not Moore or BenMo but he is pretty good.

He is not good. Had a gimme int that he didn’t catch. He got beat against much lesser talent more than once.

 

[NDPhilly]

If he doesn’t make some serious strides in the second half of the season, he’s gonna have a real battle with Zackery (and potentially Golden if they want him out there) to start as a senior.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I only really saw one play Saturday that was pretty bad.. Should've had a pick in the first half and then got beat on a 3rd down play late in the game.

Otherwise he seemed pretty invisible which is a good thing for a corner

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

If he doesn’t make some serious strides in the second half of the season, he’s gonna have a real battle with Zackery (and potentially Golden if they want him out there) to start as a senior.

Gray is more likely to be drafted than losing his position to an underclassman.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

To me he’s CLEARLY got a shoulder issue. He’s playing through it and doing his job in coverage, but he’s avoiding contact to tackle.

I applaud him for playing through his injury because we need him to as we’re paper thin at CB.

Consider with Moore having been injured, he has probably been getting all of the treatment possible in order to be out there.

There's and toughness and grit there most people can comprehend.

 

[TheProspector]

Consider with Moore having been injured, he has probably been getting all of the treatment possible in order to be out there.

There's and toughness and grit there most people can comprehend.

People do not appreciate how many of these guys are playing hurt throughout the year. I had a former leaguer note that midway through the season, 90%+ of guys are dealing with something that fans know nothing about. I assume it’s similar in college football.

For the record, I have no idea if Gray is hurt or not but it wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[IrishSpartan]

did he get his shoulder cleaned up in the offseason?

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

He looked hobbled in the 4th quarter last night. A couple picked up on it in the game thread. Anybody have any details?

 

[FOTY977]

Will never understand the hate. Guys like him are the bedrock of the program. The USC product is what you get when you take sizzle over the steak that is toughness, commitment, perseverance, and development.

 

[stlnd01]

I'm here for the entire rollercoaster with this one.

 

[irishff1014]

His interception was big. His looks to be playing timid and with little confidence. He is holding the receivers and slow to recognize the routes.

I like Gray when he came up. I still do, but he is a liability most of the game. I am not sure it can get fixed.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

When your db's get put on an island 80% of the game, there are going to be completions against the better teams. Especially when the pass rush isn't getting home quickly. People expect prime BeMo or Moore out of everyone, but they are the exceptions.

Gray is above average and is giving his all, let's please keep the disparaging remarks in the game thread where emotions run high.

 

[Jeffwantpoppers]

Gray is a good college corner and has delivered against USC two years in a row. Love him for that.

 

[irishu]

When your db's get put on an island 80% of the game, there are going to be completions against the better teams. Especially when the pass rush isn't getting home quickly. People expect prime BeMo or Moore out of everyone, but they are the exceptions.

Gray is above average and is giving his all, let's please keep the disparaging remarks in the game thread where emotions run high.

Not to mention, he’s playing a very different position than Morrison and Moore. A lot more field to cover by himself

 

[PutuporShutup]

When your db's get put on an island 80% of the game, there are going to be completions against the better teams. Especially when the pass rush isn't getting home quickly. People expect prime BeMo or Moore out of everyone, but they are the exceptions.

Gray is above average and is giving his all, let's please keep the disparaging remarks in the game thread where emotions run high.

What did you do see last night that makes you think he’s giving his all? The film doesn’t lie. He gave no effort trying to catch up to WRs that smoked him or to make plays on the ball. The td then 2 point conversion effort was as bad as I’ve seen. He should have been pulled immediately. He only had a pick because the ball was thrown 3 yards behind wr.

I think it’s disrespectful to say he’s giving his all when he’s not, and Moore, golden, tae, adon are clearly playing their butt off.

Everyone played really well on D last night except gray. They could have dominated them last night if it wasn’t for him. After re watching he was responsible for about 200 of their passing yards and 3 additional PIs.

It’s as bad as a game at corner that I’ve seen in a long time. Didn’t think he could be worse than last year vs usc but he was.

His effort and mental state absolutely need questioned by the staff.

 

[Domer Dude]

Gray is much better than people giving credit for. As others have noted, he is being put on an island. Props to him.

 

[MacIrish75]

What did you do see last night that makes you think he’s giving his all? The film doesn’t lie. He gave no effort trying to catch up to WRs that smoked him or to make plays on the ball. The td then 2 point conversion effort was as bad as I’ve seen. He should have been pulled immediately. He only had a pick because the ball was thrown 3 yards behind wr.

I think it’s disrespectful to say he’s giving his all when he’s not, and Moore, golden, tae, adon are clearly playing their butt off.

Everyone played really well on D last night except gray. They could have dominated them last night if it wasn’t for him. After re watching he was responsible for about 200 of their passing yards and 3 additional PIs.

It’s as bad as a game at corner that I’ve seen in a long time. Didn’t think he could be worse than last year vs usc but he was.

His effort and mental state absolutely need questioned by the staff.

I’m going to assume you don’t know ball to some degree. There were 3-4 legitimate plays where he got “beat” where all he did was pass off the receiver to the safety. It was zone. If you had said, “Gray struggles in zone coverage,” I might be inclined to agree with that.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think Gray was exhausted on the long bomb because he was playing man on motioning and streaking WRs all night with very few snaps off. Riley may be a bad HC but he's a great OC. He was doing to Gray what he did last year. Making him run 50 yard sprints following motions and horizontal routes and then dialing up a go route.

Saying that Gray wasn't putting forth effort is a complete trash take.