MSU Game Depth Chart

[The Polish Irishman]

BlueandGold.com // Irish Two-Deep Depth Chart: Michigan State Game

Slaughter starting

 

[dales5050]

BlueandGold.com // Irish Two-Deep Depth Chart: Michigan State Game

Slaughter starting

Would like to see Kamara on the outside and Jones in the slot. I think Riddick still has a ways to go.....

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Would like to see Kamara on the outside and Jones in the slot. I think Riddick still has a ways to go.....

I was just thinking the same thing!

 

[nd1]

slaughter being back will help out alot. i look for a great game this weekend out of dayne because i think he got going at the end of michigan game.

 

[mgriff]

Would like to see Kamara on the outside and Jones in the slot. I think Riddick still has a ways to go.....

Everybody has got to be thinking this right now, myself included. Floyd and Riddick are almost non-existent, and when they do show up, it's for dropping balls. While I remember Riddick making one nice play this year, the catch versus Michigan, I remember his drops more. The same goes for Floyd. I would never advocate benching Floyd, but I think Jones in the slot with Kamara on the other side is worth a shot at least.

 

[BestBIrish47]

Floyd makes plays when they move him in the Slot. I think we should look at replacing him with Kamara and have Floyd play Riddick's slot position until Theo gets more comforatble.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Give Goodman and Toma a few plays---how can it hurt to give them some game action and the starters some rest and "sideline analysis" time? Also, some people turn out to be "gamers" beyond what's seeable in practice---give them a look. Not talking about a revolution here, just a try-it-and-see-for-a-series-or-two experiment. And, horrors of horrors, we could even give Jackson some practice reps, and see what he can do.

 

[chadder20]

Everybody has got to be thinking this right now, myself included. Floyd and Riddick are almost non-existent, and when they do show up, it's for dropping balls. While I remember Riddick making one nice play this year, the catch versus Michigan, I remember his drops more. The same goes for Floyd. I would never advocate benching Floyd, but I think Jones in the slot with Kamara on the other side is worth a shot at least.

Floyd playing a big team role right now and is a huge distraction because he is drawing the defense all on his side and his run blocking is like no other receiver in the country right now. He is changing the game without even touching the ball. His time will come this year, but Crist is not accurate enough in his passing to hit the tight holes given to him of Floyd since the coverage is so heavy. In order to hit Floyd, he would have to have perfect timing with him and hit the quick flash that might come open to him. That simply is not there

I have more of a concern that Floyd would begin to shut down and get an attitude such as T.O. if he continues to not get open to get the ball. Remember last year the real threat was Tate, not Floyd in the open field so he was open on a more regular basis when not hurt of course...

 

[nd1]

i think they should put tj on outside and floyd in slot. then have karma on the other side.
give goodman and toma some reps because it really could not hurt anything to try it out.

 

[mgriff]

Floyd playing a big team role right now and is a huge distraction because he is drawing the defense all on his side and his run blocking is like no other receiver in the country right now. He is changing the game without even touching the ball. His time will come this year, but Crist is not accurate enough in his passing to hit the tight holes given to him of Floyd since the coverage is so heavy. In order to hit Floyd, he would have to have perfect timing with him and hit the quick flash that might come open to him. That simply is not there

I have more of a concern that Floyd would begin to shut down and get an attitude such as T.O. if he continues to not get open to get the ball. Remember last year the real threat was Tate, not Floyd in the open field so he was open on a more regular basis when not hurt of course...

Alright, maybe non-existent should not have been the term to use when describing Floyd. He is blocking tremendously, freeing up Rudy, and catching a few balls, but his drops are more memorable than his catches at this point. Did Crist miss him plenty of times and give him some bad balls? Absolutely. This is even more reason to catch all the balls that come his way. Sure they are rolling coverage and doubling him, everyone knew they were going to. He is still dropping balls which makes it even more crucial that he catch them all since his opportunities will be limited because of the attention he receives. His effort can't be understated, he's blocking like a beast, but he needs to catch everything that comes his way. I'm not saying to bench him, just that I've been slightly disappointed with his pass catching. What he does for the offense is valuable, taking two players, but he needs to perform better IMO.

 

[IrishandColts]

Great to see Nate as #2, but I would like to see them work on the freshman QBs a little bit more. I think Andrew could get in the mix if they gave him a little more attention.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Kamara has been given four years and 2 different coaching staffs. I don't see what the love is with him. He had a pretty good freshman year, but hasn't done much of anything since except for get in the dog house of coaches.

I'm willing to give Theo more time. By all accounts he has been dynamic in practices, and I'm not ready to give up on him starting after just 2 sub-par games. We absolutely need playmakers in this offense, and he has the ability to be one. If he continues to struggle I'll concede. And anyways, why move TJ when he is tearing it up outside? The slot is a different position, and why would you want to give a true freshman even more to think about by moving him to a new position? Next year, maybe, but right now...why? He's balling right where he is!

I'll agree with you guys though, that I'd like to see more receivers get time in the game. I thought we'd spread the ball around more. I know the QB situation in the Mich game didn't help, but still, I thought we'd see more guys in the rotation. AA has been running the ball really well though, so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Great to see Nate as #2, but I would like to see them work on the freshman QBs a little bit more. I think Andrew could get in the mix if they gave him a little more attention.

You can forget it. BK has already said that Massa and Hendrix will not play this year.

 

[dales5050]

Everybody has got to be thinking this right now, myself included. Floyd and Riddick are almost non-existent, and when they do show up, it's for dropping balls. While I remember Riddick making one nice play this year, the catch versus Michigan, I remember his drops more. The same goes for Floyd. I would never advocate benching Floyd, but I think Jones in the slot with Kamara on the other side is worth a shot at least.

Honestly, I think the challenge in the drop balls falls on Crist.

That kid has a cannon and has yet to find his touch. That is one thing that JC was great with. He could drop that shit in a bucket 50yards down the field.

I think as the season goes on and Crist gets more comfortable, he will calm down and find his touch.

 

[mgriff]

BlueandGold.com // Irish Two-Deep Depth Chart: Michigan State Game

Slaughter starting

Watching the presser and Kelly said that he won't know about Slaughter until Wednesday.

 

[mgriff]

I just used Kamara because he's who we've seen the most of out of the big three. Some change would be beneficial I think. Good point on TJ, but he just seems like the best slot fit of the other wideouts. Maybe give Goody a shot on the outside because he can take the top off with his speed. It's just TJ and Rudy at this point, and a lot of that deals with Floyd getting doubled, but he still dropped passes. I'm not arguing that Crist is putting up perfect balls, but Floyd has dropped enough which should have been catches.

 

[military_irish]

i wouldn't look down on Floyd for the fact thats its only two games, one while it was raining. All WR's even the best drop passes, and at the end of the Michigan game he was the only reason that they had a chance because he caught both passes and had the late hit on him, which put ND on the 27 i believe. so he is still the best WR on the team by far, not even a comparison.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I don't think he can put TJ in the slot because of his speed. He stretches the defense and safeties can't cover him. He also uses his body to shield the defender like in the Purdue game. He is going to be a great one.

 

[mgriff]

i wouldn't look down on Floyd for the fact thats its only two games, one while it was raining. All WR's even the best drop passes, and at the end of the Michigan game he was the only reason that they had a chance because he caught both passes and had the late hit on him, which put ND on the 27 i believe. so he is still the best WR on the team by far, not even a comparison.

I would never be foolish enough to say that he isn't the best wideout on the team. He shouldn't be taken off the field even if he drops every pass thrown to him. It is, however, a fact that he has dropped some passes he should have caught. While I'm not worried about it, I still think he needs to make those plays, since he is getting fewer balls thrown to him because of the coverage. He is allowed some drops, he's human, but he's capable of catching those, and there's really no excuse for dropping them.

He caught those because Michigan was playing incredibly deep so they didn't give up the big play. While it's great he caught them when he needed to, it wasn't like they were phenomenal catches.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I would never be foolish enough to say that he isn't the best wideout on the team. He shouldn't be taken off the field even if he drops every pass thrown to him. It is, however, a fact that he has dropped some passes he should have caught. While I'm not worried about it, I still think he needs to make those plays, since he is getting fewer balls thrown to him because of the coverage. He is allowed some drops, he's human, but he's capable of catching those, and there's really no excuse for dropping them.

He caught those because Michigan was playing incredibly deep so they didn't give up the big play. While it's great he caught them when he needed to, it wasn't like they were phenomenal catches.

I was wondering to myself if he was suffering from the "change-up effect." Crist throws missiles. He freaking knocked down Rudolph with one. Rees and Montana, not so much. A few balls that Floyd dropped looked like they just got their earlier than he expected. Not an excuse, but it would be tough to catch a rocket from Crist.

 

[Irish Man3]

It's not at all that I dont like Kamara but he has been here for four years and not produced much after a promising freshman year. I still think he deserves to play the field but Im looking to see John Goodman. I just would really like to see more of a mixture at WR until we find an exact rotation. As of right now our most consistent WR has been a freshman. While thats encouraging in some ways, its scary in other ways considering the talent above him.
One other thing Im looking for is to see Prince Shembo and Danny Spond in the LB rotation. Im excited about our young talent and would just like to see some production or opportunity to produce.

 

[Butchie]

Frankly I've had it with Kamara. He's and injury sub only. I would, however, rotate Goody and Riddick in that slot. I think Goddy is a great possession type guy, and Riddick can push you with his speed. Tough to defend the two different styles. T. Jones is a young Tate. He goes nowhere but where he is at this year. One job at a time for the youngster. Floyd has got to hang in there and realize that Crist does not fully understand his arm on the college level. He looks a few more games out, but the mistakes coupled with the loss could be a good growing lesson for him. The dropped balls are all on Crist. JC was the best the University ever seen for pin point accuracy and touch (and everything else too). Crist has got to get a feel for how strong his arm is.

 

[Irish Man3]

Frankly I've had it with Kamara. He's and injury sub only. I would, however, rotate Goody and Riddick in that slot. I think Goddy is a great possession type guy, and Riddick can push you with his speed. Tough to defend the two different styles. T. Jones is a young Tate. He goes nowhere but where he is at this year. One job at a time for the youngster. Floyd has got to hang in there and realize that Crist does not fully understand his arm on the college level. He looks a few more games out, but the mistakes coupled with the loss could be a good growing lesson for him. The dropped balls are all on Crist. JC was the best the University ever seen for pin point accuracy and touch (and everything else too). Crist has got to get a feel for how strong his arm is.

I disagree with you on certain points. Yea Crist has to learn his arm strengths and work on his accuracy but it is not all on Dayne. The out route he threw TJ went right through his hands. The pass over the middle to Floyd was dropped because he didnt use his hands. He let the ball get to close to his body and it bounced off his shoulder pad. All-American WRs need to make that catch.
To say that TJ is a young Tate after two games is a bit of a stretch. Golden Tate was the best WR in America last year and TJ is going into his third game as a freshman.
Duvall's lack of progression does not rest fully on his shoulders. He has not been pushed and really he was over-shadowed the last two years. BK said that Duvall was not in good shape this spring and Im sure he changed that. It's not fair to give up on a senior WR who has been here through the worst times. Kamara is a great blocking WR and will serve a purpose to this team one way or another.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I would not completely disagree with the Jones and Tate comparison. Tate was a lot stronger, but did not do much his freshman year. Jones runs good routes and laid out a couple of people last Saturday. Do yourselves a favor and on the Crist TD run that got called back watch TJ block. He crushed someone. He has got "it" I saw a ton of highlights of him last year on the news down here. He almost broke every state record. I think he was 1 reception and 1 yard away.

 

[Irish Man3]

Im not saying anything about TJ's talent or potential. I think he has all the tools to be an amazing contributor to this team. However, we are still talking about the nations best WR. It wasn't just the blocking or what he did as a freshman. Dude was an absolute monster his junior and senior year and Im sorry but TJ is not on that level yet. Soon maybe..... but thats a little overboard after game 2.

 

[BestBIrish47]

So far, other than Rudolph, TJ has been a go to guy so he deserves a lot of credit as a freshman. TJ JONES -2 TDS, Rudolph 1 TD rest of the WRs-0 TDs

 

[mgriff]

So far, other than Rudolph, TJ has been a go to guy so he deserves a lot of credit as a freshman. TJ JONES -2 TDS, Rudolph 1 TD rest of the WRs-0 TDs

Touche. He's run great routes and caught the ball. It can't be understated, that he is also the benefactor of increased attention to Rudy and Floyd. I'm not trying to take away from the kid, he's performed great, and someone needed to this early. He's stepped up and made plays, but I think it's a bit silly not to point out the fact that he's in a receiving corps with arguably the best tight end and wide receiver in the country. He's done everything he's been asked, and I'm sold on his potential, I would just like to see him make more moves in the open field. I think he's going to be good.

 

[jason_h537]

Slaughter is still questionable for Saturday.

I think TJ Jones can play the slot. Also give Goodman a shot WTF? It's cuz he's white.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I think Floyd is an amazing player...however he has not done much this year- granted he is double covered- however he has dropped the ball- and great players have to find a way to get open...he needs to prove it on the field. I am all for Goodie getting in...he is big and fast...and he deserves a shot. And maybe that is what Floyd needs...

Remember last year when Floyd was out..? Well when he was slated to come back I thought to myself...he is going to dominate...well he didn’t...Golden was the go to WR.

I have heard folks on here say...best WR in the nation...well...he has to prove it...and IMHO he has not proven it...is this week the week he says..."I am the best WR in the nation and I will silence all doubters..." I sure the hell hope so.....

his stats...he is better than this...

Michael Floyd #3 WR

2010 STATS
RECEPTIONS YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
10 148 0

 

[CristIsOurSavior]

I would love to see Filer playing, Smith takes bad angles and is slower than both Teo and Calabrese.