The Official Theo Riddick Thread

[Riddickulous]

I think it's a fairly huge understatement that Theo Riddick responds well to criticism. There were a ton of non-believers, including myself, that were questioning whether Theo needed another year to develop before we threw him to the wolves.

He killed it last night. 10 catches, 128 yards, 1 TD. Huge performance and a coming out party for Mr. Riddick.

Which brings me to my next point: Theo Riddick is going to be straight up deadly once he fully learns the wide receiver position. He probably has less than a 50% grasp of the position. He gives me confidence in a Floyd-less future (Oh, what a terrible thought that is). If somebody can step to take Floyd's place in either 2011 or 2012 (John Goodman, Daniel Smith) the offense would barely miss a beat with junior/senior Riddick in the slot and sophomore/junior TJ Jones on the outside.

Keep up the good work, Theo and Go Irish.

 

[military_irish]

Theo was definitely in full beast mode last night, all he needed was a game to give him confidence, and that happened.

the arrow can only point up from here

 

[IrishBlood81]

Yeah...Theo is my new homey! lol
Hes just awesome...really what we need. I kind of saw him as the new Tate and he seemed to have that raw talent, intuition that makes him a winner...


btw I can't believe you didn't name this thread
The Chronicles Of Riddick !lol




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[ryno 24]

moving him helped him out and Cierre Wood both are amazing players that need to be on the field

 

[IrishBlood81]

moving him helped him out and Cierre Wood both are amazing players that need to be on the field

Yeah Wood has been amazing..but I was disappointed with his involvement (or lack of) in yesterdays game. He didn't return kicks...John Goodman did (anyone know why?) and he didn't run...seems interesting. Wonder if something happened off field maybe?


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[military_irish]

Yeah Wood has been amazing..but I was disappointed with his involvement (or lack of) in yesterdays game. He didn't return kicks...John Goodman did (anyone know why?) and he didn't run...seems interesting. Wonder if something happened off field maybe?


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Wood returned kicks, Goodman returned punt. if memory serves me correct.

 

[Riddickulous]

Wood lacks the tackle-breaking ability that Allen has. He can't make plays without a ton of room to work with.

 

[kmoose]

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. How about we wait more than ONE good game, to crown the guy some kind of great receiver?

THIS is the kind of thinking that leads to unrealistic expectations, and the incredible disappointment over every loss.

 

[military_irish]

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. How about we wait more than ONE good game, to crown the guy some kind of great receiver?

THIS is the kind of thinking that leads to unrealistic expectations, and the incredible disappointment over every loss.

its more of just pointing out a positive in the game, rather than half the other people who want to give up on the season already

 

[kmoose]

its more of just pointing out a positive in the game, rather than half the other people who want to give up on the season already

When people start talking about how they feel comfortable that Riddick will take Michael Floyd's place, when he leaves, it is no longer "pointing out a positive". That's all I'm saying. The kid had a great game. But it's not a break out game if he all but disappears, the rest of the year. I'm not saying that will happen, but I don't know that it WON'T happen, either.

 

[military_irish]

When people start talking about how they feel comfortable that Riddick will take Michael Floyd's place, when he leaves, it is no longer "pointing out a positive". That's all I'm saying. The kid had a great game. But it's not a break out game if he all but disappears, the rest of the year. I'm not saying that will happen, but I don't know that it WON'T happen, either.

let's say ND plays the #1 team in America in week one and win in a blowout, so automatically all the fans will feel that ND will have a great year.

same goes for Riddick, he has a great game, so that automatically puts the mindset that he will only get better given the fact that he still doesn't have the full grasp of the WR position yet.

just trying to look up

 

[IrishBlood81]

Wood returned kicks, Goodman returned punt. if memory serves me correct.

yeah your right my bad



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[TinyT]

After giving this last performance some thought, it seemed to me that Crist was looking, specifically, to feed Riddick the ball. He was targeted even more than his stat line reveals. I believe his jump in production was the direct result of Crist being told to look at Riddick. It may have been a tactical move by Coach Kelly to give Harbaugh and his defense something else to think about, but I really believe we cannot expect the same performance again.

I am hoping for a balanced attack by the offense this coming week, led by a dominating performance by Floyd and Rudolph with some good misdirection runs by Allen. I think we should stick with our money makers in this coming game, and allow Riddick ,and Jones for that matter, to continue to mature, into what I hope is a very strong and dominating wide receiver duo for the future.

I don't mean this to be condescending to Riddick as he is far more gifted than myself, I just have more faith in the aforementioned trio...and I really would like to watch a win this weekend.

 

[IrishGiant]

I must say I am very impressed with Riddick. He's been our most dependable wide receiver thus far IMO

 

[TinyT]

I must say I am very impressed with Riddick. He's been our most dependable receiver thus far IMO

Respectfully, I must disagree. I believe Rudolph has been Notre Dame's most dependable pass catcher, Riddick showed up big in the MSU game but he was not a big impact in the Purdue or UM games. After Rudolph I would say that Allen out of the backfield would be next in line, given the current body of work.

 

[TerryTate]

Respectfully, I must disagree. I believe Rudolph has been Notre Dame's most dependable pass catcher, Riddick showed up big in the MSU game but he was not a big impact in the Purdue or UM games. After Rudolph I would say that Allen out of the backfield would be next in line, given the current body of work.

^ This.

Riddick had his coming out party last game, but before that, he was nonexistent. I think he is going to develop into a very solid receiver. He is still adapting to his new role, and he will improve. Consistency will take time.

 

[IrishGiant]

Respectfully, I must disagree. I believe Rudolph has been Notre Dame's most dependable pass catcher, Riddick showed up big in the MSU game but he was not a big impact in the Purdue or UM games. After Rudolph I would say that Allen out of the backfield would be next in line, given the current body of work.

Notice is said Receiver, not pass-catcher. Obviously Rudolph has the best hands on the team without a doubt. In a tight spot I'd hate to say it, but given his troubles holding onto the ball lately I'd rather Riddick get the pass rather than Floyd. It's early though, and things have a way of evening out over the year.

 

[PANDFAN]

Riddick had a great game but still dropped a few that were spot on ....he did make 1 hell of a catch! but i would wait to see him in a few more games...i think this is what he needed to get his confidence up, but crowning him the 2nd coming is a bit pre-mature

 

[IrishGiant]

Riddick had a great game but still dropped a few that were spot on ....he did make 1 hell of a catch! but i would wait to see him in a few more games...i think this is what he needed to get his confidence up, but crowning him the 2nd coming is a bit pre-mature

I don't think anyone is crowning him a second coming. Lets face it Tim Brown and Golden Tate dont grow on trees. We are simply recognizing the accomplishments to date of an obvious talent. Its not easy to switch positions, and to do so with relative ease is commendable. Riddick has good hands, and isnt afraid to go over the middle, or catch in obviously prone positions. Talent wise he may not even be the second best WR on the team (TJ Jones and Floyd), but he possesses good instincts, and is seemingly fearless. Two perfect qualities that may help him develop into a solid possession type. I understand its only 3 games in but I think he can only get better.

 

[PANDFAN]

I don't think anyone is crowning him a second coming. Lets face it Tim Brown and Golden Tate dont grow on trees. We are simply recognizing the accomplishments to date of an obvious talent. Its not easy to switch positions, and to do so with relative ease is commendable. Riddick has good hands, and isnt afraid to go over the middle, or catch in obviously prone positions. Talent wise he may not even be the second best WR on the team (TJ Jones and Floyd), but he possesses good instincts, and is seemingly fearless. Two perfect qualities that may help him develop into a solid possession type. I understand its only 3 games in but I think he can only get better.

maybe the 2nd coming was an overstatement but everyone is saying that was his coming out/ breakout game etc...he has dropped a lot! of passes this year...i understand this is a new position blah blah blah....i think in time he will be great, but i wouldn't expect those kinds of numbers often...i hope so because i love to see hard work get rewarded...just how i see it

 

[IrishGiant]

maybe the 2nd coming was an overstatement but everyone is saying that was his coming out/ breakout game etc...he has dropped a lot! of passes this year...i understand this is a new position blah blah blah....i think in time he will be great, but i wouldn't expect those kinds of numbers often...i hope so because i love to see hard work get rewarded...just how i see it

I can respect that.

 

[TinyT]

Notice is said Receiver, not pass-catcher. Obviously Rudolph has the best hands on the team without a doubt. In a tight spot I'd hate to say it, but given his troubles holding onto the ball lately I'd rather Riddick get the pass rather than Floyd. It's early though, and things have a way of evening out over the year.

I carefully chose the words pass-catcher just to avoid people pointing out to me that Rudolph was a TE. I know the receiver was said, but more often than not Rudolph is lining up off the line of scrimmage as a receiver. It doesn't seem too often that he has his hand down like a pro-style TE. I just felt that Rudy was being used as a giant wide receiver now, after all he does lead the team in receptions and yardage I believe.

I just wanted to cool some of the expectations running wild about Riddick. He has had one good game out of three and it took being called out and targeted specifically by his head coach and quarterback, respectively, to achieve it. He has great potential to be a solid contributor this year, and could develop into a great wide receiver in in the coming years.

 

[Irish Man3]

With Riddicks emergence last week against MSU, teams will be forced to pay him more attention. As the game progressed you saw more and more single coverage on guys like Floyd and Rudolph. When Crist learns to lead Floyd down the field instead of making him stop and try and out jump the defender, we will be very efficient. Example: In the MSU game, Theo Riddick was lined up in the slot opposite Michael Floyd. Riddick was able to pull the safety away from Floyd causing single coverage. Crist reckognized the match-up but under threw Floyd. Had he led Michael ten yards further down the field, it may have been six.
My point is, while Theo continues to progress and adapt to this new position, the best thing we may get out of it is not necessarily going to reflect through his numbers. He may not have another game numbers wise like he did against MSU. However, because of that game teams will be forced to pull the safety or devote more than one linebacker to stop him. That should give Floyd single coverage and open the middle of the field for Rudolph.

 

[lookingdeadred]

Exactly

Exactly

Saying Riddick had a great game and could turn out to be a quality receiver is hardly being over the top. Certainly no more over the top than those who see no change in this year's team from last year's.

its more of just pointing out a positive in the game, rather than half the other people who want to give up on the season already

 

[lookingdeadred]

Agreed

Agreed

Saying Riddick has been the team's best receiver is absurd. Rudolph has been a beast.

Respectfully, I must disagree. I believe Rudolph has been Notre Dame's most dependable pass catcher, Riddick showed up big in the MSU game but he was not a big impact in the Purdue or UM games. After Rudolph I would say that Allen out of the backfield would be next in line, given the current body of work.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The play where R caught the ball, was immediatley greeted by a defender and shook him out of his jock with a spin move was telling; Riddick has it in him. By the way, isn't Floyd is an X, Tate a Y and Riddick is a Z?

 

[lookingdeadred]

most dependable receiver so far is ...

most dependable receiver so far is ...

Kyle Rudolph without question.

I must say I am very impressed with Riddick. He's been our most dependable receiver thus far IMO

 

[lookingdeadred]

If we are going to nitpick

If we are going to nitpick

TEs are receivers, too.

Notice is said Receiver, not pass-catcher. Obviously Rudolph has the best hands on the team without a doubt. In a tight spot I'd hate to say it, but given his troubles holding onto the ball lately I'd rather Riddick get the pass rather than Floyd. It's early though, and things have a way of evening out over the year.

 

[IrishGiant]

TEs are receivers, too.

Ok to clarify for those who are having trouble Receiver meaning the position of Receiver. If Wide Receiver is more to your liking then there you have it. Last I checked Rudolph is a Tight End not a Wide Receiver. Obviously most people understood what I was saying, but why not pile on after the fact with semantics? I already stated Rudolph has the best hands on the team.

 

[IrishGiant]

Saying Riddick has been the team's best receiver is absurd. Rudolph has been a beast.

almost as absurd as saying Rudolph is a wide receiver and not a tight end.