Duval Kamara

[IrishAddiction]

What happened to him this year? He had an amazing record setting freshman season, then seemed to really drop off in his performance this season. He is by far our most physically imposing reciever. Out of high school he was ranked nearly as high as Floyd, and showed all the gifts to one of the next great recievers at ND. Im looking for him to have a great junior campaign next season, and to reclaim his statis among the ND recievers. Any thoughts? did he get injured or something this season?

 

[ARALOU]

I dont know what happened to him. I dont know what happened to any of them. The season started and ended with a thud. I hope the bowl game is a spring board for next year.

 

[phork]

Kumara fell into a slump the likes of which he never really recovered from. That and the fact that Floyd is a stud.

 

[IrishAddiction]

I know what you mean.....i dont know what happened to most of them either. Very few consistent players all year. Maybe tate, smith when not injured, floyd, and our safetys. that was really it though, i dont think i can say anyone on the offensive line was consistent. most of the team just fell apart. with duval it seemed like it was like that starting from the first game though.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sophomore slump...it happens.

 

[TDHeysus]

Kamarawas never on all year. in the beginning of the year, it was his chest that clausen's passes kept bouncing off of and getting picked off. plus, he dropped/didnt make the effort on alot of passes too. this guy disappointed me this year.

 

[BeatSC]

Kamarawas never on all year. in the beginning of the year, it was his chest that clausen's passes kept bouncing off of and getting picked off. plus, he dropped/didnt make the effort on alot of passes too. this guy disappointed me this year.

Sad but totally true. Stovall went through the same slump and CW had him lose 15 pounds and he came back as a stud. Let's hope the same can happen to Kamara. I like Grimes but we have better talent waiting to play.

 

[mooneytostle]

I imagine he will have a career much like Maurice Stovall. Did some great things early on and then disappeared for 2 years...Kamara will figure it out and be productive. He does not have the luxury that Stovall had which is lack of depth. If he doesn't step up soon he will get buried behind Walker, Goodman, and Evans.

 

[NDMontana]

I know what you mean.....i dont know what happened to most of them either. Very few consistent players all year. Maybe tate, smith when not injured, floyd, and our safetys. that was really it though, i dont think i can say anyone on the offensive line was consistent. most of the team just fell apart. with duval it seemed like it was like that starting from the first game though.

I saw more consistency that what you listed:

-The O-line was consistently awful
-Harrison Smith was consistently bone headed

 

[chyrspchuck]

I think Duval should have to wear a shirt all 2009 that says, "Floyd Happens."

 

[NDFan537]

I think Duval should have to wear a shirt all 2009 that says, "Floyd Happens."

Maybe that would help him catch passes down the middle of the field. He had his chance when Floyd went down and everytime we needed a big catch he droped the ball. IE: Syracuse two times on the final drive.

 

[chyrspchuck]

It's not all his fault, sometimes the fans were throwing snowballs....that's distracting.

 

[NDFan537]

It's not all his fault, sometimes the fans were throwing snowballs....that's distracting.

True, but he missed those too. Fact of the matter unless we have some decommits or some transfers he will be lost in the mix. Golden didn't miss, he caught both.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Shaq, Golden, Floyd. I don't see Deion Walker beating him out but it's possible. I'm sure Goodman won't beat him out.

 

[Junkhead]

I like Grimes but we have better talent waiting to play.

Isn't Grimes done after this season?

 

[Flyin_Irish]

Michael Floyd happened. And so did Golden Tate. Kamara could be a great possession/red zone receiver. If he could consistently catch the ball. He may need consistent playing time, like Stovall got, in order to get over the hump, though. With Floyd, Tate and others, there might be a lot of playing time to spread around.

 

[Irish Rogue]

Shaq, Golden, Floyd. I don't see Deion Walker beating him out but it's possible. I'm sure Goodman won't beat him out.

I will say Goodman shows alot of athletic ability from the practice video's. Hopefully he develops the speed to be a decent wideout.

 

[ARALOU]

I think all the competition between the skill players is good. However, I am not all that displeased with the skill players on the field now. They have to have time to execute. Something that we lack is execution. I think they need some competition and focus in the trenches. There is something lacking on the o-line for sure. But, we have beat this horse to death. I would like to see EXECUTION. Yes, execute the o-line if they cant get it done. What do you lose by using the depth chart and playing the 2nd and 3rd teamers? The first teamers are not getting it done.

I still say the line is the problem.

 

[Junkhead]

I will say Goodman shows alot of athletic ability from the practice video's. Hopefully he develops the speed to be a decent wideout.

I don't think you need to worry about Goodman's speed. From most accounts.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I think Duval should have to wear a shirt all 2009 that says, "Floyd Happens."

Ouch. freegin lol

 

[bernbabybern820]

Not having a lot of speed is fine. But if you don't have speed and don't run good routes you are going to have trouble getting open. That is what i see from Duval.

 

[fightinirish68]

kamara hurt his ankle in the 1st game. why they stopped him from playin well the rest of the year i have no clue but he left in either the 1st or 2nd game with an ankle injury. they need to take him back to the basics of a wr and teach him to use his hands and not his body to catch

 

[bernbabybern820]

kamara hurt his ankle in the 1st game. why they stopped him from playin well the rest of the year i have no clue but he left in either the 1st or 2nd game with an ankle injury. they need to take him back to the basics of a wr and teach him to use his hands and not his body to catch

Well lets face it, when he was out there he was not producing at all. I have to give him props for his blocking though.

 

[mooneytostle]

I don't think you need to worry about Goodman's speed. From most accounts.

exactly. goodman is the fastest wide receiver on the team i believe.

 

[tko]

I think all the competition between the skill players is good. However, I am not all that displeased with the skill players on the field now. They have to have time to execute. Something that we lack is execution. I think they need some competition and focus in the trenches. There is something lacking on the o-line for sure. But, we have beat this horse to death. I would like to see EXECUTION. Yes, execute the o-line if they cant get it done. What do you lose by using the depth chart and playing the 2nd and 3rd teamers? The first teamers are not getting it done.

I still say the line is the problem.

Lou had no problem pulling the first string to prove a point. i'd like to see the current coaches do the same. play the kids that are hungry and are getting the job done, period.

 

[IrishChris209]

Lou had no problem pulling the first string to prove a point. i'd like to see the current coaches do the same. play the kids that are hungry and are getting the job done, period.

Very well spoken . Let's see how pumped up and hungry on the 24 ...

 

[Junkhead]

exactly. goodman is the fastest wide receiver on the team i believe.

I would think it would have been Tate, but Goodman is by no means slow.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

]kamara hurt his ankle in the 1st game[/B]. why they stopped him from playin well the rest of the year...

I did not know that, but if that is true that could say a whole lot. I remember him making some near miraculous catches last year. I also read something that indicated he is being coached at times with negative reinforcement, which I absolutely don't believe in ("you messed up, you suck, you will be punished" vs. "here's how we are going to do things". I prefer positive, "live by example" approach.)

(Of course my post is completely worthless since I have no facts, but it sure was fun to type with my hooves. Good warmup for today's practice flight.)

Kamara will come around. He's a stud. Kinda reminds me of Stovall.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

... play the kids that are hungry and are getting the job done, period.

Great point. Next year they will have a better chance to do that. I think CW is playing the hungriest, but no impact 2nd teamer this year could fill in for injured hungry man. Just not deep enough yet.

ND is still 2 years away from greatness. These guys are laying the groundwork. Long rebuilding process. This current team bunch of young pup warriors. Their day will come.

 

[phgreek]

Great point. Next year they will have a better chance to do that. I think CW is playing the hungriest, but no impact 2nd teamer this year could fill in for injured hungry man. Just not deep enough yet.

ND is still 2 years away from greatness. These guys are laying the groundwork. Long rebuilding process. This current team bunch of young pup warriors. Their day will come.

Ah the bright future...Makes me all warm inside...no wait that was that shot of Turkey...

Started keeping a 1/5th in my office to watch games...it really is hard to tell if that feeling in your gut is from the game or the Turkey when your 4-5 shots in...

But I digress...

I kinda agree with your post...I worry about the O-line. I've said it before..IMHO it is the one part of the team that puts the most pressure on the rest of the team...I have my doubts about any sort of sustained/consistent resurgence so long as we "Zone Block" aka "stand-up-wait-&-wiff Block", aka, "Look-out Block", etc.

Hoping to see something on the 24th that either changes my mind about the blocking scheme, or the scheme changes...we shall see.