Some love for Harrison Smith

[Junkhead]

Second on the team in tackles behind Manti, and thanks to todays game, 7 picks on the season. I'd vote him for most improved, and I look forward to seeing him back next year. Where are the haters now?

 

[ryno 24]

I am suprised and impressed really matured this year and worked real hard

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

His improvement has been one of the best stories of this ND season. I still think Ian Williams was better than him, but 3rd best on what turned out to be a very good defense is no insult at all. I feel like the defense next year starring Te'o, EJ, Hayseed, Shembo, and Gray will be just fantastic.

 

[Riddickulous]

Hell yeah, Hayseed. Such improvement. All hail Chuck Martin.

Don't get all excited about our defense. They'll be pretty good, but certainly not elite.

 

[chyrspchuck]

His improvement has been one of the best stories of this ND season. I still think Ian Williams was better than him, but 3rd best on what turned out to be a very good defense is no insult at all. I feel like the defense next year starring Te'o, EJ, Hayseed, Shembo, and Gray will be just fantastic.

don't forget Blanton

 

[irish1958]

What a difference a day (coaching) makes!

 

[dannwo]

I used to be a Harrison Smith hater (once given the name "Harrison Ford" by our beloved Tom Hammond); especially during his sophomore and junior seasons. I didn't think he was playing up to his level; probably b/c of his position he played on that team. This season was completely different.
Now, he's a totally different player and I hope he will be one of the 5th year guys coming back.
Go Irish!

 

[Junkhead]

Don't get all excited about our defense. They'll be pretty good, but certainly not elite.

D won't be elite unless the defensive line play steps up a notch or two.

 

[NDOM]

Second on the team in tackles behind Manti, and thanks to todays game, 7 picks on the season. I'd vote him for most improved, and I look forward to seeing him back next year. Where are the haters now?

Okay. So he DOES have another year of eligability? I was pondering that up until now. Good to know.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

You know I am going to kill two birds with one stone here:

As impressive as an athlete as it is clear Harrison always was, you can just as clearly see how he was absolutely fuched around by "the five different defensive" coordinators in seven years, that victimized any defensive talent that we had. I mean you know he has to have talent because he survived playing outside linebacker at 205 lbs; at that level of major college football, that is incredible!

So the first dead bird is that it was obvious that Harrison had it, and was being squandered. The second dead bird is that most of his coaches were idiots. And that goes all the way to the top. I have heard more bellyaching about Charlie going to Florida. Let me ask you this: With what Charlie ostensibly did with Kansas City this year, why would they let him go? Hint. I would start to look at it from the fact that football is played by a team. There is no room for the kind of personal drama, and cult of personality issues, that we have all followed.

Look at it Charlie’s swansong is playing out with the careers of a couple of his players who vaulted to the NFL on his advice, (when they weren’t ready) and we are still uncovering major talent that was squandered while he was here.

I say blessings to Florida. They are going to need it, just to survive the ordeal. In the meantime, I propose that we lobby for at least two All Americans of defense next year! Here’s to you Harrison!

 

[delt1147]

I was a big Smith basher earlier in the season. He has really improved. He has been on of the keys to our defense becoming top notch this year. I look forward to next season!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Title2012
His improvement has been one of the best stories of this ND season. I still think Ian Williams was better than him, but 3rd best on what turned out to be a very good defense is no insult at all. I feel like the defense next year starring Te'o, EJ, Hayseed, Shembo, and Gray will be just fantastic.

don't forget Blanton

Also, EJ is gone. Nobody talked about Zeke or Jamoris. We are going to have a halo of spine crushing safeties next year! Big, fast, oppressive in coverage and hit like linebackers.

 

[IrishandColts]

Coming for a 5th year I read months ago when everyone was hating.

Going to Grad school

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

He's really developed well as the season progressed.
I'm excited to see the finished 5th year product!

I'm all aboard the hype train!
BCS or Bust!

 

[Irish Man3]

If our defense played all year like it did these last 3-4 games, we'd be 10-3 in a worst case scenario. We don't need an ELITE defense although it would be nice. If Diaco could do this with sub-par talent, I'm anxious to see what he can do with this incoming class. You add speed and athletes across the field (Counsell, Tuitt, Ishaq, Atkinson, Hardy) and you will see a huge step in our defense. Look at the impact just one athlete had for us this year (Shembo). You scatter a bunch of athletes like that across the field with this coaching staff and we will be stout.

As for this years defense, Hayseed has to be the most improved. He wasn't the best player on defense but when you look at the steps he made from last year, it's like a totally different player. When you look at Blanton, Hayseed, Slaughter, and Gray returning in the defensive backfield, I like the corner we are turning on defense.

 

[charlyp123]

Big props to Harrison. He's been a stud all year. So excited to see what he does next year! Congrats to the Irish on a great finish!

 

[lookingdeadred]

I was not impressed with HSmith prior to this year, does that make me a hater?

I was not impressed with HSmith prior to this year, does that make me a hater?

Truth is he did struggle his first couple of years. Granted the LB experiment hurt his development as a safety, but the criticism of him prior to this season was justified, his play was at best erratic. He had a very good season this year, and here's hoping he returns.

Second on the team in tackles behind Manti, and thanks to todays game, 7 picks on the season. I'd vote him for most improved, and I look forward to seeing him back next year. Where are the haters now?

 

[lookingdeadred]

Agreed

Agreed

they will become elite as soon as they start getting good pressure

D won't be elite unless the defensive line play steps up a notch or two.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Have to step in with my two cents of praise for who is my favorite defensive guy. Thank you, Harrison!! What a whole lot of people didn't give our DBs credit for all year is that they were holding up awfully well under conditions where no pass-rush pressure was applied. We asked WAY too much of them. Our guys were all great back there. When no one else would lead [It is not {yet} Manti's personality to do so, but I think he'll get there], Harrison stepped up, and was recognized by Kelly as our on-field leader. It wasn't only because of the three INTs that Kelly asked him to come out with Floyd for the post-game presscon. Harrison is both brains and brawn back there. Man, it's good to see him and most of his posse coming back next year.

 

[PapaIrish37]

Congrats to Hayseed who really has been the leader of this unit all year. As OMM says, before Manti matured as far as leadership (he was clearly the best player out there but hadn't become the voice of the unit yet) it was Hayseed that was the guy. At the same time he was playing every single play banged up or not. And yes, they were asking way too much of the secondary.

He has truly shown the mettle it takes to be a true ND man the last several years. No matter who was the DC, Hayseed did what was asked to the best of his ability and always left it all on the field for the Irish. And at this level to be asked to flip flop back and forth between positions so many times would stunt anybody's development. Congrats and a tip of the cap to Coach Diaco and Martin as well for his development this year.

I am so glad for him. I think his recruitment to a fifth year is almost as important to next year's success as any of the recruiting that is still in progress.

The thing I like best about watching him play now is how much he obviously enjoys playing football - not unlike Junior Griffey in his prime in baseball or heaven forbid Brett Farve during his years in Green Bay.

Congrats Hayseed - you surely were a big reason why my New Year is off to a great start!

 

[irishtrain]

Second on the team in tackles behind Manti, and thanks to todays game, 7 picks on the season. I'd vote him for most improved, and I look forward to seeing him back next year. Where are the haters now?

Yes sir Buddy, I thought Harrison/Hughes/Filer would be important this year. Now to get Filer going. Glad to see Hayseed and Hughes finish strong. Great stuff.

 

[Junkhead]

The haircut made all the difference.

 

[Dizzyphil]

The haircut made all the difference.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Also, EJ is gone. Nobody talked about Zeke or Jamoris. We are going to have a halo of spine crushing safeties next year! Big, fast, oppressive in coverage and hit like linebackers.

he meant ethan johnson......

 

[devolg]

I'll gladly chew on my shoe on this one. Couldn't stand Smith last year. Huge turn around. Playing lights out.

 

[mpkennedy3]

I'll gladly chew on my shoe on this one. Couldn't stand Smith last year. Huge turn around. Playing lights out.

I agree, last year I wanted him to never see the field. This year when they said that him moving to safety and playing only there would help I laughed. I thought he was beyond help, I was wrong. Great year and I look forward to next year.

 

[tko]

Harrison Smith

Harrison Smith

I agree, last year I wanted him to never see the field. This year when they said that him moving to safety and playing only there would help I laughed. I thought he was beyond help, I was wrong. Great year and I look forward to next year.

and i am also eating shoes, but i'm so glad to see a kid with talent get good coaching and excel instead of falling into the abyss. it just goes to show what a disaster we had on our hands under weis.

 

[PANDFAN]

made ESPN'S all bowl team 1st string S
ESPN.com's 2010 All-Bowl Team - ESPN

 

[tankjeep]

I used to be a Harrison Smith hater (once given the name "Harrison Ford" by our beloved Tom Hammond); especially during his sophomore and junior seasons. I didn't think he was playing up to his level; probably b/c of his position he played on that team. This season was completely different.
Now, he's a totally different player and I hope he will be one of the 5th year guys coming back.
Go Irish!

i 2nd that. i was a hater there for a while.

 

[tankjeep]

and i am also eating shoes, but i'm so glad to see a kid with talent get good coaching and excel instead of falling into the abyss. it just goes to show what a disaster we had on our hands under weis.

exactly. at least on the defensive side of the coaching fence.