'09 CA CB Marlon Pollard (UCLA Verbal)

[Freeman Ara]

it's charlie. until he learns how to put his ego aside and let coaches do what they do this won't change. i realize pollard was first committed to the bruins but charlie's lack of coaching the 2nd half of the season is the reason for marlon jumping ship. uncertainty is a recipe for disaster and now we have to hope we hold on to everyone else. the only solution to this issue is winning. when we consistently win again, the recruits will stay, period.

Yeah because going to back-to-back BCS games kept kids like Trattou,Benn, G.Little, and C. Little from jumping ship. Some kids are going to change their mind, it happens everywhere. Now did the TEAM help matters by folding down the stretch? No. But this is recruiting, there isn't much CW can do if a kid decides to leave and go somewhere else. That's what happens when you depend on the word of an 18 kid.

 

[jonesman]

NDBCS,
Thanks for putting some sanity in these people who are losing their minds over one commit changing his mind. Besindes, this kid was not a Reggie Bush, Rocket, or Percy Harvin type kid. He was a good DB, that is it. Charlie has many flaws, but his ability to recruit is not one. We have once again loaded the cupboard and CW works tirelessly on getting kids.

 

[tko]

Yeah because going to back-to-back BCS games kept kids like Trattou,Benn, G.Little, and C. Little from jumping ship. Some kids are going to change their mind, it happens everywhere. Now did the TEAM help matters by folding down the stretch? No. But this is recruiting, there isn't much CW can do if a kid decides to leave and go somewhere else. That's what happens when you depend on the word of an 18 kid.

i agree about recruiting 100%. there are a lot of shady tactics that take place and sometimes kids get caught up in the moment etc. the one thing that i struggle with is how charlie's team folded the tent in the 2nd half of the season. i understand that the kids play the game and the mistakes are made on the field but the deer-in-headlights look from charlie time and time again is unbelievable. he got outcoached by team after team after team and then we're in the predicament of weis about to potentially get bought out. i sure hope jack swarbrick laid down the law at the end of the season and let charlie know what is and isn't acceptable at ND. certainly the bowl game was a bright way to end a dark second half.

 

[tko]

NDBCS,
Thanks for putting some sanity in these people who are losing their minds over one commit changing his mind. Besindes, this kid was not a Reggie Bush, Rocket, or Percy Harvin type kid. He was a good DB, that is it. Charlie has many flaws, but his ability to recruit is not one. We have once again loaded the cupboard and CW works tirelessly on getting kids.

jonesman, serenity now, serenity now.

 

[irishfan]

So can Wesley Tate play corner or are there any other corners on our radar or anything?

 

[NDinL.A.]

it's charlie. until he learns how to put his ego aside and let coaches do what they do this won't change. i realize pollard was first committed to the bruins but charlie's lack of coaching the 2nd half of the season is the reason for marlon jumping ship. uncertainty is a recipe for disaster and now we have to hope we hold on to everyone else. the only solution to this issue is winning. when we consistently win again, the recruits will stay, period.

Ummm, I love UCLA after ND. Did you see them this year. THEY WERE HORRIBLE!!! Have been for 5 years plus. Rick lost last year badly, but he got Pollard to commit. Pollars is a SoCal boy who originally committed to UCLA, then CW and ND snaked him, and then he got snaked back. How is that Charlie's fault?

Bag on CW's coaching all you want, but to bag on his recruiting is wrong. Nobody was complaining 2 years ago when he put together a top 5 class. Nobody was complaining about him closing last year when he had the number one class in the nation. Nobody was complaining when Cierre Wood, Shaw Evans, Stockton, Banks, etc committed. But we lose ONE kid to his local school who was waffling in the first place and now it's more CW bashing. He can't win with you guys. Again, yes, bash him for his coaching all you want, but his recruiting? C'mon, name 5 coaches who have done better with less than CW in the past 3 years. I mean, he had the worst season in ND history and STILL got the #1 class in the country! And you say he can't close recruits??? And don't give me this "we're ND, we should get anyone we want based on our name alone" crap. This isn't the 70's anymore. Only 85 scholarships nowadays, and yes, restrictions KILL.

Pollard, I hope you kick ass at UCLA, and I hope you don't transfer after you don't play your freshman year. I think you made a mistake personally, but I hope you stand by your choice and are happy with it. God bless...

 

[sportallyr]

Ummm, I love UCLA after ND. Did you see them this year. THEY WERE HORRIBLE!!! Have been for 5 years plus. Rick lost last year badly, but he got Pollard to commit. Pollars is a SoCal boy who originally committed to UCLA, then CW and ND snaked him, and then he got snaked back. How is that Charlie's fault?

Bag on CW's coaching all you want, but to bag on his recruiting is wrong. Nobody was complaining 2 years ago when he put together a top 5 class. Nobody was complaining about him closing last year when he had the number one class in the nation. Nobody was complaining when Cierre Wood, Shaw Evans, Stockton, Banks, etc committed. But we lose ONE kid to his local school who was waffling in the first place and now it's more CW bashing. He can't win with you guys. Again, yes, bash him for his coaching all you want, but his recruiting? C'mon, name 5 coaches who have done better with less than CW in the past 3 years. I mean, he had the worst season in ND history and STILL got the #1 class in the country! And you say he can't close recruits??? And don't give me this "we're ND, we should get anyone we want based on our name alone" crap. This isn't the 70's anymore. Only 85 scholarships nowadays, and yes, restrictions KILL.

Pollard, I hope you kick ass at UCLA, and I hope you don't transfer after you don't play your freshman year. I think you made a mistake personally, but I hope you stand by your choice and are happy with it. God bless...

Well put NDinLA. The only thing I disagree with is that I believe that Pollard will probably play right away. I would be willing to bet that this is what changed his mind. He saw the writing on the wall with Walls back in school and Blanton and McNeil coming back next year. I think that this decision coincided with all of the recent hype surrounding Walls back in school. I bet that Rick, over dinner, promised him playing time next year, which is something he would not have gotten at ND. As I said earlier, this just means that next year, Charlie must get at least 1 CB that can play immediately (I'd love to see a 5 star CB in next year's class) and another good one for depth. I wouldn't mind Charlie sending out a few late offers this year now to some ND guys (maybe Wesley Tate?).

Also, to all of those people dogging Charlie and Co for losing another committed recruit, remember that we stole Brian Smith a few years back from Iowa and Brandon Walker from Louisville. Where would we be today without Brian Smith? He's probably our biggest playmaker on defense.

 

[NDOM]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH! We can have the #1 recruiting class every year for the next 5 years and we still wont amount to shit with fat chuck as the coach. Yeah he may be a good recruiter blah blah blah but as far as I'm concerned, if he cant show it on the field then is he really that good?

 

[NDinL.A.]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH! We can have the #1 recruiting class every year for the next 5 years and we still wont amount to shit with fat chuck as the coach. Yeah he may be a good recruiter blah blah blah but as far as I'm concerned, if he cant show it on the field then is he really that good?

Nothing to do with each other in this conversation. One can be a good recruiter and be a horrible coach (Ron Crook, er, Zook), and one can be a great coach but a bad recruiter (Zags from BC, who hated recruiting). People are saying that CW can't close as a recruiter, which is bullshit, and then tying it into his coaching. Yes, he's proven to be a bad coach the past 2 years, but there are a million threads on that already. That has nothing to do with his recruiting. (And I agree, all the recruits in the world mean jackshit with a bad coach/)

Michael Floyd, Golden Tate, Jimmy Clausen, Brian Smith, Cierre Wood, Shaq Evans, Tyler Stockton, Robert Blanton, Ethan Johnson, Allen, Trevor Robinson, etc, all guys CW recruited and all guys who we love or will love. How does that make him a bad recruiter? Call him a bad coach all you want, but he's done one helluva job recruiting...

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Nothing to do with each other in this conversation. One can be a good recruiter and be a horrible coach (Ron Crook, er, Zook), and one can be a great coach buy a bad recruiter (Zags from BC, who hated recruiting). People are saying that CW can't close as a recruiter, which is bullshit, and then tying it into his coaching. Yes, he's proven to be a bad coach the past 2 years, but there are a million threads on that already. That has nothing to do with his recruiting.

Michael Floyd, Golden Tate, Jimmy Clausen, Brian Smith, Cierre Wood, Shaq Evans, Tyler Stockton, Robert Blanton, Ethan Johnson, Allen, Trevor Robinson, etc, all guys CW recruited and all guys who we love or will love. How does that make him a bad recruiter? Call him a bad coach all you want, but he's done one helluva job recruiting...

I agree. CW has his flaws as a coach but as a recruiter, he is second 2 none....including Pete Carroll. This is a guy who got a #1 class last year going 3-9...How many HC's can do that? I believe we will see his true stripes next year. If he wins less than 9 he'll be out...he should win at least 9 and he knows that. So save your harsh words for him then. This team could have easily won 9 games last year. It wasn't his fault JC totally lost his confidence the second half of the season.

 

[goldandblue]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH! We can have the #1 recruiting class every year for the next 5 years and we still wont amount to shit with fat chuck as the coach. Yeah he may be a good recruiter blah blah blah but as far as I'm concerned, if he cant show it on the field then is he really that good?

NDOM I typically enjoy you as a poster very much but I'm tired of hearing this shit. Charlie is the coach for at least the next year deal with it and support him. We all should get behind our team and our current coach and back them the best we can. We all know that If Charlie doesn't perform this year then he is out. Is it that hard for you to stand behind Weis for one more year???

 

[IrishAddiction]

I agree. CW has his flaws as a coach but as a recruiter, he is second 2 none....including Pete Carroll. This is a guy who got a #1 class last year going 3-9...How many HC's can do that? I believe we will see his true stripes next year. If he wins less than 9 he'll be out...he should win at least 9 and he knows that. So save your harsh words for him then. This team could have easily won 9 games last year. It wasn't his fault JC totally lost his confidence the second half of the season.

CW is a great recruiter, i agree, but he has consistently shown that he cannot close the deal on many recruits and with this last season, in games. I want people who show they can finish the deal, not just start it strong. This season showed the inability to close also. I would actually have to say pete is the better recruiter just because he closes strong and they have a top 5 class every year. I know, i know, he has more options around his location, but he gets guys from michigan, jersey, louisiana, arizona, etc etc. we should be kicking ass on the field and recruiting, hopefully we will big time next season.

Im pissed right now, and im sure many of you are too. Hopefully Charlie will end the year strong and we can all forget this pollard mess. It just stings a little right now because we just lost Gray possible too.

 

[goldandblue]

Gray will be back.

 

[IrishAddiction]

Gray will be back.

thats great news if confirmed, i have heard that from two posters today..... next season or 2010? and do you happen to have a link by chance?

 

[Irishlew]

of all the recruits to lose, I'm glad it was him...i think we'll be alright without a 160 lb corner who runs a 4.6 40yd. as long as Stockton, Evans, Wood, Motta, Calabrese all sign on the dotted line I'll be happy.

 

[roto-stud]

So then what happens when we lose Stockton to Ucla too? I mean its only a matter of time before that happens. Recruiting this year is PA FUCKING THETIC! I know rankings dont mean a whole lot but they do. Ummmm people we have 3 2 star recruits and at least 3 3 star recruits. FUCK that shit. Go after 4 and 5 stars only. Recruiting this year is going to make us suck again in 2-3 years from now then the cycle will begin all over again. This is a godDAMN JOKE! Do we have to throw 50 billion dollars to Urban Meyer or Pete Carol so we can sign 8 5 star recruits every year? FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! Charlie Weis has proven over and over and over again he cant close on recruits and he cant close on games. LOSER!

What a fool you are... all three two star players are speciality players... kickers and the one long snapper... this post reminds me of an immature little kid.

 

[IrishAddiction]

of all the recruits to lose, I'm glad it was him...i think we'll be alright without a 160 lb corner who runs a 4.6 40yd. as long as Stockton, Evans, Wood, Motta, Calabrese all sign on the dotted line I'll be happy.

dude, a 4.6 is pretty fast, one of the fastest times at the combine he ran it at, some scout combine i believe. not blazing but speed can be replaced with good instincts. and he now weighs in at 170, and will probably reach 190-200 pounds in college if he applies himself and the college has a good weight program. It sucks losing a recruit no matter what, but if they dont want ND then ND doesnt want them IMO.

 

[Irishlew]

dude, a 4.6 is pretty fast, one of the fastest times at the combine he ran it at, some scout combine i believe. not blazing but speed can be replaced with good instincts. and he now weighs in at 170, and will probably reach 190-200 pounds in college if he applies himself and the college has a good weight program. It sucks losing a recruit no matter what, but if they dont want ND then ND doesnt want them IMO.

4.6 is pretty fast for a LB NOT a CB. I ran a 4.6 in HS i played WR and CB, my speed wasn't sufficient enough to play CB or WR at a D1 school. And as far as the statement in bold, that's pathetic if true. We had at least 8 guys (on my HS team) that ran sub 4.6 40's. two of which ran 4.3. I definitely agree on your last statement though.

 

[fightinirish68]

yeah man 4.6 is weaksauce in d-1 football for a cb. theres 6'6 230 wr running that. i expect cbs to run 4.3-4.4 nothin less. 200 lbs for a cb???? i mean man this isnt rhonde barber here. that kid will not get more than 185 in his entire time in college. safetys get that big bc they are naturally bigger athletes but cbs shouldnt get that big

 

[big daddy]

Good Luck to the young man and I hope to see him give the Poodle headaches in a few years.

 

[phork]

Lame. Also according to rivals, we are #19 in recruiting. Man how the times have changed.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Lame. Also according to rivals, we are #19 in recruiting. Man how the times have changed.

Have they?

You never know until the closing is done...

 

[JeremyND07]

Lame. Also according to rivals, we are #19 in recruiting. Man how the times have changed.

I agree VERY lame! I think Gaffney is the only one we still have a shot at too. #19 is not good when we have spots that need filled in our secondary and DL!!!! We need depth everywhere!!! I agree there are WAY too many 3 star recruits in this class. If we do not sign Jenkins and/or Teo (which is unlikely) I would say this class is CW worst so far and a bust!

 

[fitz_bu47]

Good lord, fellas we are spoiled. Top 20 classes aren't busts, everybody has there up and down years, if I recall LSU had a lower than expected haul last year and a down year this year, and they are ranked number 1 right now. Besides none of this crap means anything unless these kids, and these coaches can continue the progress and get ND back to where it should be. (Sorry for rambling, tired today)

 

[NDinL.A.]

I agree VERY lame! I think Gaffney is the only one we still have a shot at too. #19 is not good when we have spots that need filled in our secondary and DL!!!! We need depth everywhere!!! I agree there are WAY too many 3 star recruits in this class. If we do not sign Jenkins and/or Teo (which is unlikely) I would say this class is CW worst so far and a bust!

All of a sudden one guy defects and everyone is banging on CW and this year's haul. JUST ONE GUY (who was waffling the entire time)! Where was this earlier when we had Pollard? IS he really THAT much of a difference maker that he ruins our class?

Jeremy, you say we have to many 3 stars, but then I go to Wesley Tate's thread and you have people (not you) banging on ND and CW for not offering this kid, and he's a 2 star! WTF? We have too many 3 stars, so let's offer a 2 star. Hmmmm. (Again, not bagging on you Jeremy.)

USC last year did not have a top 5 class (or even a top 10 class I believe), because they went for need. Another poster mentioned LSU not having a top 10 class last year. You don't ALWAYS get the top classes, but of course you want to. We got some quality guys this year, and a ton the past 2 years. The question we should be asking is, "Will this staff coach them up and get them to the next level?"

CW bashers will say no. He's our coach next year, so I'm hoping it's a yes. Hoping...

 

[goldandblue]

I think you we will see a great class come in next year if Charlie has a good year. What do you expect?? We underperformed this year and it might have taken a little bite out of our recruiting class. Not to mention that everyone in the country knows that Charlie is on the hot seat next year so recruits have to be looking at that also in their decision making. Do I want to go to ND where Charlie may or may not be my coach the rest of my collegiate career?

I know some of you will argue that Charlie pulled in his best class so far after the 3-9 debacle so it doesn't have that much to do with winning. The reason we pulled in such a great class that year is becuase we had something to sell these incoming freshman. PLAYING TIME. Now the incoming freshman know that playing time may not be as easy to come by this year so they look to the next most important reasons why they would play football for a particular school such as winning, BCS games, National Championship possibilities, TV contracts, and probably last for most athletes that are D1 caliber, education.

Unfortunately ND has not shown that they can be consistent in those top 3 reasons of "why I'm playing football at this particular school".

If we can finish our recruiting class in the top 15 while bringing in the special team guys than Kudos to Charlie and the rest of the staff. I don't see 15 as an impossible target with one late commitment we can easily land in the top 15 possibly top 10 depending on the commitment.

 

[JeremyND07]

All of a sudden one guy defects and everyone is banging on CW and this year's haul. JUST ONE GUY (who was waffling the entire time)! Where was this earlier when we had Pollard? IS he really THAT much of a difference maker that he ruins our class?

Jeremy, you say we have to many 3 stars, but then I go to Wesley Tate's thread and you have people (not you) banging on ND and CW for not offering this kid, and he's a 2 star! WTF? We have too many 3 stars, so let's offer a 2 star. Hmmmm. (Again, not bagging on you Jeremy.)

USC last year did not have a top 5 class (or even a top 10 class I believe), because they went for need. Another poster mentioned LSU not having a top 10 class last year. You don't ALWAYS get the top classes, but of course you want to. We got some quality guys this year, and a ton the past 2 years. The question we should be asking is, "Will this staff coach them up and get them to the next level?"

CW bashers will say no. He's our coach next year, so I'm hoping it's a yes. Hoping...

I never said this was a good class with or without Pollard. It is just another top notch defensive player that we "almost" had at ND. I do not care if we fill up the class with 2/3 star recruits but some of these guys have been on board for a long time. There is NO reason for ND not to have at least a top 20 class every year. If we do not sign Jenkins or Teo we will easily slip out of the top 20. We are not good enough to have a class like this yet. LSU/USC can afford to have a down year because they are winning national chamionships. We have a LONG way to go and yet are not bringing in big name defensive talent.

As for Tate he is a 2 star but he has speed which we need. The current stock of 2-3 stars (besides Banks who I think has potential) will be special teams players at best.

 

[JeremyND07]

Can Theo Riddick play DB?

 

[sportallyr]

Can Theo Riddick play DB?

Here's what ESPN says about that...

"Will come up and lay the wood at defensive back with great closing speed. Strong tackler and is explosive on contact. Shows good range on run support: wastes little motion pursuing the football and covers a lot of ground quickly. Anticipates the throw well versus the pass and shows a great break getting over the ball on deep throws. Lacks ideal size for a safety though and the coverage skills to project well as a corner. With that said, Riddick shows some great athleticism and instincts as an overall football player, and should be productive at the next level once he polishes his skills on one side of the ball."

Also, after watching video of EJ Banks defensively, I think he could end up being an absolute stud CB. He seems to have great closing speed and hits like a freight truck. I'm as excited about him as I was about Pollard (maybe more). This class will end up being fine, no matter where the experts have us ranked.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

So then what happens when we lose Stockton to Ucla too? I mean its only a matter of time before that happens. Recruiting this year is PA FUCKING THETIC! I know rankings dont mean a whole lot but they do. Ummmm people we have 3 2 star recruits and at least 3 3 star recruits. FUCK that shit. Go after 4 and 5 stars only. Recruiting this year is going to make us suck again in 2-3 years from now then the cycle will begin all over again. This is a godDAMN JOKE! Do we have to throw 50 billion dollars to Urban Meyer or Pete Carol so we can sign 8 5 star recruits every year? FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! Charlie Weis has proven over and over and over again he cant close on recruits and he cant close on games. LOSER!

Yea that was pretty bad man. I usually like your rants but this was awful. Plus Stockton is not leaving considering he is enrolling early.