Ragone out for season

[TC_57]

Man, forget Rueland. I am not going to lament over a kid who didn't want to be here. One thing I know about life is that you never know what tomorrow brings. If he would have stuck it out, he would probably be the starting TE right now with Yeatman's suspension and Ragone's injury. With that being said, lets go to battle with the guys who want to be here. Get Well Big Mike!

 

[Golden Domer93]

I am happy with who we have, you are exactly correct.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
I hate losing anybody, but we cannot let this ruin your season. The fact is that almost every single program will lose someone to a season ending injury by the end of fall camp. Check UF, USC, OSU, PSU and many many others. Here are the things to consider.
1. We played with a upperclassmen and freshman most of the time last season. We will do the same this year in Yeatman and Rudolph.
2. We have a player in Schmidt who has great hands and definitely knows how to run well. He will be a big suprise this season.
3. The two freshmen are must more physically prepared than Ragone was last year, so we are ahead of last season.
4. Shame on Rueland. This is exactly why those kids who transfer just because one guy on at depth chart passes you are sometimes foolish. College football is filled with injuries and look how good a position Rueland would be in now. Starting TE with Yeatman most likely.
4. FINALLY, get over the injury. It is over now and Ragone will be back next season better than ever. Good Luck Mike.
ND is a team, not one player at any position.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Injuries are very much a part of the game so let's not over-dramatize the situation, M-Kay???

I am well aware injuries are very much a part of the game as I have had both knees surgically repaired due to sports injuries. I was merely stating that at least a moment should be taken to wish a young man best of luck through what will no doubt be a very difficult time for him as he is being removed from competition for the next year. Unless you have ever been through a similar experience, you shouldn't say I am over-dramatizing the situation. Unless expressing genuine concern for a young man's well being is "over-dramatizing".

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I am well aware injuries are very much a part of the game as I have had both knees surgically repaired due to sports injuries. I was merely stating that at least a moment should be taken to wish a young man best of luck through what will no doubt be a very difficult time for him as he is being removed from competition for the next year. Unless you have ever been through a similar experience, you shouldn't say I am over-dramatizing the situation. Unless expressing genuine concern for a young man's well being is "over-dramatizing".

You made it sound like we were idiots for being worried about the depth chart. Sure, we all want the best for the kid, but the team comes first here.

 

[Junkhead]

Guys,

1. We played with a upperclassmen and freshman most of the time last season.

And last season is one we want to forget. Bad example.

 

[Irishtat]

i think the first part of what Acamp said was mocking the common response fans have when a player transfers. i didn't look at the archives here, but i imagine many a poster said Reuland wasn't really needed and were ok with him transfering.

Exactly. Well put. Big ol weight just jumped on Yeatman and Rudolph to perform sooner than expected. Ragone had clearly seperated himself from the pack...

 

[Irishtat]

Man, forget Rueland. I am not going to lament over a kid who didn't want to be here. One thing I know about life is that you never know what tomorrow brings. If he would have stuck it out, he would probably be the starting TE right now with Yeatman's suspension and Ragone's injury. With that being said, lets go to battle with the guys who want to be here. Get Well Big Mike!

Agree completely

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

"Notre Dame is a place where people care about you."

Best wishes to Mike and those who have to step in for him.

 

[aaronb]

exactly

exactly

i don't know why everyone keeps saying this. Yeatman (very little playing time, none as a starter), Schmidt (zero playing time at this new position), Rudolph (freshman), Fauria (freshman).

That depth flat out sucks. Injuries to Ragone and Reuland's transfer destroyed the depth that could have been there.

WR and S have by far and away the best depth. TE is crippled by this loss of Ragone. Especially when considering how ofter the Irish run multiple TE sets. Hopefully Luke Schmidt can make the transition and provide some offense out there. Other than Jimmy Clausen going down, this is the worst possible loss.

 

[aaronb]

Reuland will also be missed.

Should we set up the candle light vigils for Konrad Rueland as well?

 

[Brown]

WR and S have by far and away the best depth. TE is crippled by this loss of Ragone. Especially when considering how ofter the Irish run multiple TE sets. Hopefully Luke Schmidt can make the transition and provide some offense out there. Other than Jimmy Clausen going down, this is the worst possible loss.

I don't agree.

Yeatmen is a 260lb. Blocking Specialist who is said to have soft hands. He was going to get a lot of reps this season at TE whether Ragone was here or not. According to Irish Eyes, Rudolph was already looking good enough to be a major factor at the position this season. Add in another blackhorse/talented FR. TE like Fauria, a well regarded Schmidt, and even Schwapp, and there's enough talent there to help absorb the loss of Ragone.

I think it's ridiculous to compare the loss of Ragone to the hypothetical loss of Clausen. Clausen has a ceiling higher than just about any other player in the nation; Sharpley is serviceable as a #2, and Crist has a lot of potential, but I'd rather have a Rookie high upside TE that is forced into playing time, than a Rookie QB.

 

[Golden Domer93]

well said Brown, welcome aboard to irish envy.

 

[tko]

I don't agree.

Yeatmen is a 260lb. Blocking Specialist who is said to have soft hands. He was going to get a lot of reps this season at TE whether Ragone was here or not. According to Irish Eyes, Rudolph was already looking good enough to be a major factor at the position this season. Add in another blackhorse/talented FR. TE like Fauria, a well regarded Schmidt, and even Schwapp, and there's enough talent there to help absorb the loss of Ragone.

I think it's ridiculous to compare the loss of Ragone to the hypothetical loss of Clausen. Clausen has a ceiling higher than just about any other player in the nation; Sharpley is serviceable as a #2, and Crist has a lot of potential, but I'd rather have a Rookie high upside TE that is forced into playing time, than a Rookie QB.

why's the horse gotta be black?

 

[aaronb]

What I said

What I said

I don't agree.

Yeatmen is a 260lb. Blocking Specialist who is said to have soft hands. He was going to get a lot of reps this season at TE whether Ragone was here or not. According to Irish Eyes, Rudolph was already looking good enough to be a major factor at the position this season. Add in another blackhorse/talented FR. TE like Fauria, a well regarded Schmidt, and even Schwapp, and there's enough talent there to help absorb the loss of Ragone.

I think it's ridiculous to compare the loss of Ragone to the hypothetical loss of Clausen. Clausen has a ceiling higher than just about any other player in the nation; Sharpley is serviceable as a #2, and Crist has a lot of potential, but I'd rather have a Rookie high upside TE that is forced into playing time, than a Rookie QB.

I agree. That is why I said other than losing Clausen. Ragone is the NEXT worse guy to lose. The reason is the ND plays 2 and 3 TE sets at almost all times. We had 10 scholarship WR's up until last week. We have 3 Scholarship TE's as of today. And 2 of them are Freshmen. So we are looking at either.

1. Limiting our playbook to not include the 3 TE sets

2. Playing 2 True Freshmen when we go to 3 TE sets.

So yes. I do think it was a big loss.

 

[Brown]

When ND goes into their 3 TE sets they don't use all true TEs. They usually use 2 TEs and an hback--in motion plays. When they are in their full 3 TE sets in short yardage situations, they use a 3RD tackle.

If Ragone remained healthy, he and Rudolph would've likely split long down situations, with Yeatmen in on 1st/2nd downs.

With Ragone out, Rudolph gets more of those 3rd down/long situation reps, and is still strong enough to block in 3 TE/goal line sets.

This injury doesn't force Weis/Haywood into doing anything differently, offensively. We lose a very athletic TE with a year of experience, but replace him with another one, who will go into 2009 with more experience had he not received this opportunity.

Given the unlikelihood of ND competing for a NC this season, it really isn't going to hurt the team as much as it would at another position.

 

[Golden Domer93]

who currently leads for the #3 spot Luke Schmidt or Justin Fauria?

 

[Brown]

Luke Schmidt is more of a hback/fullback, while Fauria is more of a true TE. I doubt Fauria sees the field beyond garbage time/subbing in for a fatigued/injured Yeatmen or Rudolph. Then the question rises: Is that worth burning a year of eligibility on?

Anyway, on a standard depth chart, Fauria is likely listed as the #3 TE at this point.

 

[Golden Domer93]

I figured Fauria would not play this season as #4 but now as #3 I bet he sees the field in the opener vs SDSU.