The Biggest Offensive Surprise during 2010?

[Riddickulous]

But I thought you wanted to see less fade routes...

It's only a once a game situation.

This isn't Charlie. We aren't running a dive and then throwing two fades every time we reach the red zone.

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm down with the Tate fades man. Great memories...

 

[Riddickulous]

I'm down with the Tate fades man. Great memories...

The fades I'd like to forget are the countless failed lobs to the corner of the endzone for Parris, Kamara, Floyd, and Tate.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Goodman will breakout and finish 3rd on the team in receiving.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Zach Martin...we need a solid tackle

 

[BGIF]

Zach Martin...we need a solid tackle

AMEN!

 

[tko]

i doubt we'll see the bootleg into the short side of the field with toss into the stands. that wasn't too effective.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I've been thinking....

Theo Riddick could potentially have a break out season also.
Kelly obviously has a plan for him, and Theo has a good amount of Playing Time (mostly on returns).

I think that if Theo gets into a gap in the defense he can be the type of guy that'll make people miss, once he catches the ball he'll basically treat the possession like a kick return.

I'm just ready for September 4th that way we can see some of our questions answered.

 

[IrishLax]

I agree Theo could be dynamic in Kelly's offense. Gilyard was a 2 star RB that he turned into an AA WR. And I see so many similarities between them in their physical tools.

Kelly has said numerous times that he has been disappointed by a lack of speed in some key positions... which to me translates into: Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick and Shaq Evans should all be in line to get more looks/touches than they were last year.

 

[Riddickulous]

Zach Martin...we need a solid tackle

We tend to forget about the offensive line when talking about the skill position players. Martin could be a solid three year starter at tackle and provide a great anchor for the line in years to come. Great choice.

I've been thinking....

Theo Riddick could potentially have a break out season also.
Kelly obviously has a plan for him, and Theo has a good amount of Playing Time (mostly on returns).

I think that if Theo gets into a gap in the defense he can be the type of guy that'll make people miss, once he catches the ball he'll basically treat the possession like a kick return.

I'm just ready for September 4th that way we can see some of our questions answered.

There is too much depth, at the moment. There are more experienced receivers in front of him that have a better grasp of route running, getting off the press, etc.

I personally believe Theo will have his "breakout year" at receiver in 2011. Floyd, Kamara, Evans, Jones, Goodman, Walker? That's some tough competition. Once Kamara (and possibly Floyd) leave after this season, that's when Theo makes his impact. It's looking like the starting three will be Floyd, Kamara, and Jones. Theo will make it in the rotation, but I don't think we'll see the production everyone is predicting until 2011, when Theo has more opportunities and a year of receiver experience.

 

[snapshot5hole]

I think Braxton Cave may be one of the bright suprises in 2010. A strong Center who can hold down his assignment is a really stabilizing force for the whole offense. He can give Stewart the support he needs to go ahead and lead the charge on running plays and make sure plays aren't blown up right at the snap.

That helps the QB, WR's and RB's because they have more opportunities to finish a play.

So I'm going to say Braxton Cave will be a strength.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think Braxton Cave may be one of the bright suprises in 2010. A strong Center who can hold down his assignment is a really stabilizing force for the whole offense. He can give Stewart the support he needs to go ahead and lead the charge on running plays and make sure plays aren't blown up right at the snap.

That helps the QB, WR's and RB's because they have more opportunities to finish a play.

So I'm going to say Braxton Cave will be a strength.

He struggled to hold his blocks in the spring game. He has some great potential, though. Could be a solid center in time.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

We tend to forget about the offensive line when talking about the skill position players. Martin could be a solid three year starter at tackle and provide a great anchor for the line in years to come. Great choice.



There is too much depth, at the moment. There are more experienced receivers in front of him that have a better grasp of route running, getting off the press, etc.

I personally believe Theo will have his "breakout year" at receiver in 2011. Floyd, Kamara, Evans, Jones, Goodman, Walker? That's some tough competition. Once Kamara (and possibly Floyd) leave after this season, that's when Theo makes his impact. It's looking like the starting three will be Floyd, Kamara, and Jones. Theo will make it in the rotation, but I don't think we'll see the production everyone is predicting until 2011, when Theo has more opportunities and a year of receiver experience.

I completely understand your concern about the depth at the WR position, but I believe Theo will get a good amount of playing time... I feel like for some reason he'll get more PT than Goodman and Walker...

I love Goodman as much as anyone, but I feel like Kelly wants to put extreme athletes on the field (like Theo). And Walker just suffers from lack of playing time.

Who knows what Kelly really thinks? And who knows what players will really show up this fall?

All I know for sure is that ND has one the deepest depth charts in the country for WRs and RBs.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

With the regular season over, just wanted to bump this thread up and let you guys see our predictions.

I think the surprise offensive player of 2010 is Tommy Rees.

I know he had no amazing stats, but no one expected him to play. But he went on to win all three of his starts to finish the season.

Tommy is one cool cat in the pocket.

What do you guys think?

 

[CanadianIrish]

If surprising means unexpected, anyone who answers anything other than Tommy now has got to be kidding themselves.

Other suprises would be Eifert, how disappointing Floyd's stats were (which is obviously tied to the fact that the first two surprises are backups playing decent) and how well Wood played.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Tommy for sure but another guy I would also say was a nice surprise was Toma. He really came in and has made some nice catches.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Tommy

Robby Toma

Tyler Eifert

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Tommy

Robby Toma

Tyler Eifert

yup..., same thought here

 

[KPENN]

I can't understand how Tommy is the surprise player. He was average.

Mine are

Eiffert- Gonna be a stud

Riddick- Before he was hurt he was looking like a really good WR

 

[Sherm Sticky]

How about Taylor Dever...he played a lot better then I could ever have imagined.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Tommy being "average" was HUGE in us winning the last three games...He is undoubtedly the most pleasant suprise, in my opinion. Eifert, Toma, and Martin/Dever were nice too.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Zach Martin. You guys love looking at the ball. [I give Tommy all the credit for saving the sinking ship, but if we're talking solidity at critical positions {remember he had to suddenly shift to RT for a while when Dever went down}, I've got to give this honor to the big guy].

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I can't understand how Tommy is the surprise player. He was average.

Mine are

Eiffert- Gonna be a stud

Riddick- Before he was hurt he was looking like a really good WR

The team came together under Rees, and finally grew up. He is one of the greatest average QB's to wear a ND jersey. His presence did a lot for this team, and the program. I dunno, he may not be a great player, but seems to be a great leader. He never gets rattled, and I think the team fed off that. Dayne, while a great player, would get rattled, and it showed.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Zach Martin. You guys love looking at the ball. [I give Tommy all the credit for saving the sinking ship, but if we're talking solidity at critical positions {remember he had to suddenly shift to RT for a while when Dever went down}, I've got to give this honor to the big guy].

I agree with you that it needs to go to the O-line, but I was expecting Martin to have a decent/good year. Dever had been a bench player for his whole career and I wasn't expecting much from him. So Dever exceeded my expectations.

 

[GoIrish41]

My big surprise was how pedestrian Crist looked before he got hurt. I expected way more from him. His performance will lead to a huge QB competition in the spring.

Pleasantly surprised by Martin. He had a nice freshman year and will only get better.

 

[Riddickulous]

Zach Martin. You guys love looking at the ball. [I give Tommy all the credit for saving the sinking ship, but if we're talking solidity at critical positions {remember he had to suddenly shift to RT for a while when Dever went down}, I've got to give this honor to the big guy].

This.

For a sophomore with no game experience, he was a noticeable improvement over Sam Young, who was still mediocre despite 50 starts.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

This.

For a sophomore with no game experience, he was a noticeable improvement over Sam Young, who was still mediocre despite 50 starts.

Just goes to show how valuable a coach is that knows how develop players. I feel bad for Sam Young. He should have been great

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Dever and Martin did great this season.

Still have to tip my hat to Tommy though. Something changed when he was making the calls.

 

[Epitome]

Eifert

 

[jason_h537]

Tommy easily.

I don't think Toma has 200 yards on the season, let alone 100, that is a giant leap based on PT that came by due to injuries