Is Notre Dame Football is destine for Elite status soon?

[Bogtrotter07]

Here are two quotes I came across today that got me thinking about how much more is going on with program development than meets the eye:

“Notre Dame has 23, I repeat, 23 players returning in 2011 that started multiple games during the 2010 season. That list does not count Robert Blanton, nor does it include Ben Turk, David Ruffer, or Jordan Cowart. Notre Dame returns their leading passer, leading rusher, top three leading receivers, top seven tacklers, top three leaders in sacks, leader in interceptions, and four starting offensive linemen.”

Impressive, huh?

“Consider the draft eligible players Notre Dame had in 2011. Kyle Rudolph was a tremendous talent at tight end but was also a player with a significant injury history. He was taken in the second round. Ian Williams was a very good football player for Notre Dame in 2010 and I am surprised he was not drafted. Darrin Walls was also a productive player at Notre Dame, starting for three years. I am surprised he was not drafted. Armando Allen is a 5-foot-8 running back who had surgery on his hip during the fall and was never healthy for a full season at Notre Dame. Robert Hughes was Notre Dame’s third string running back for all but three games during the 2010 season. Duval Kamara got beat out by a 185 pound freshman (TJ Jones) and was suspended for the bowl game. Chris Stewart was a great young man at Notre Dame but an average offensive guard. Brian Smith was a backup for all but four games of the 2010 season. Kerry Neal was a solid player but made only 42 tackles in 2010 and ran a 5.1 at his pro day.”

I love every one of these guys. But, from a football standpoint, everybody but Ian Williams and Darrin Walls had more than their share of baggage. We should look at these guys as having given it their all, with a mountain of restrictions weighing them down. Add to that the health problems we had at certain positions like quarterback, safety, cornerback, running back, and slot receiver and you can see how impressive an eight win schedule was under those circumstances.

All this speaks to the status of how many holes we had to fill last year. Now we have speed, skill, and power stepping up. What I can't get over is that we had no one ready to play last year coming off the edge faster than a 5.1 forty!

This year we have a new crop of super freshmen coming in, of which some project up to sixteen starters by next season; we have all those who have developed for a year, including surprises (to some) out of BK’s first year of recruits like Shembo, Spond, and Moore; and, we have 23 (four game or more) returning starters! Why shouldn't we be able to win to be counted among the elite?

 

[johnnykillz]

Nice work Bog.

Build it, and they will come.

Rockne's gotta be getting excited.

I am.

Here they come, the Irish baby!

 

[Riddickulous]

I'm remaining skeptical until I see it happen.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

The stars are aligning, no doubt.

Now, lets just sit back and see if Kelly is as good as I believe he is.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Here are two quotes I came across today that got me thinking about how much more is going on with program development than meets the eye:



Impressive, huh?



I love every one of these guys. But, from a football standpoint, everybody but Ian Williams and Darrin Walls had more than their share of baggage. We should look at these guys as having given it their all, with a mountain of restrictions weighing them down. Add to that the health problems we had at certain positions like quarterback, safety, cornerback, running back, and slot receiver and you can see how impressive an eight win schedule was under those circumstances.

All this speaks to the status of how many holes we had to fill last year. Now we have speed, skill, and power stepping up. What I can't get over is that we had no one ready to play last year coming off the edge faster than a 5.1 forty!
This year we have a new crop of super freshmen coming in, of which some project up to sixteen starters by next season; we have all those who have developed for a year, including surprises (to some) out of BK’s first year of recruits like Shembo, Spond, and Moore; and, we have 23 (four game or more) returning starters! Why shouldn't we be able to win to be counted among the elite?

First of all Kerry Neal his faster than 5.1. During his proday he strained calf muscle, before he ran the 40. He gutted his way through his proday on one leg! It was his only opportunity to show off his skills to scouts. Realistically he probably runs a 4.85. Neal Guts Out Injury At Pro Day
Secondly he plays the DOG OLB spot, which is the drop LB spot. Neal was a veteran and had a better understanding of the scheme than anyone else at that spot.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What I can't get over is that we had no one ready to play last year coming off the edge faster than a 5.1 forty!

Darius Fleming was our starting CAT LB in 2010, no? Surely he's faster than a 5.1 forty.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Darius Fleming was our starting CAT LB in 2010, no? Surely he's faster than a 5.1 forty.

I agree with you. 100% positive he is...Bet he runs in the 4.7 range. Plus that's the rush edge position also!

 

[phgreek]

Here are two quotes I came across today that got me thinking about how much more is going on with program development than meets the eye:



Impressive, huh?



I love every one of these guys. But, from a football standpoint, everybody but Ian Williams and Darrin Walls had more than their share of baggage. We should look at these guys as having given it their all, with a mountain of restrictions weighing them down. Add to that the health problems we had at certain positions like quarterback, safety, cornerback, running back, and slot receiver and you can see how impressive an eight win schedule was under those circumstances.

All this speaks to the status of how many holes we had to fill last year. Now we have speed, skill, and power stepping up. What I can't get over is that we had no one ready to play last year coming off the edge faster than a 5.1 forty!

This year we have a new crop of super freshmen coming in, of which some project up to sixteen starters by next season; we have all those who have developed for a year, including surprises (to some) out of BK’s first year of recruits like Shembo, Spond, and Moore; and, we have 23 (four game or more) returning starters! Why shouldn't we be able to win to be counted among the elite?

We seem to have some nice experience and some nice talent...elite status only after we spank an SEC team? That seems to be the measuring stick we acknowledged as a program...I think if we blow through our schedule, and hang a beating on the state of Michigan, beat SC and Stanford, folks definately start thinking of us that way.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack
Darius Fleming was our starting CAT LB in 2010, no? Surely he's faster than a 5.1 forty.

I agree with you. 100% positive he is...Bet he runs in the 4.7 range. Plus that's the rush edge position also!

The fastest 40 time I could find for Kerry Neal anywhere was still above 5 flat. Two years ago with Torian Smith showing his best time at 5.03 seconds for the forty, you have two linbackers that I could have outrun in my heyday! That is sick, and I am old enough that it means not good! I agree that Darius Flemming is faster than that. I think his first 40 referred to at Notre Dame was clocked at a 4.6 something under 4.7. I am sure it has improved some. And he is the CAT backer. But my point is Neal was the DOG backer. He had contain and pass coverages, etc.! Anyone venture on how quick Shembo, and Spond are. Let alone the (relative) blinding speed of Councell? Remember these new linebackers from Rasaba (6'3") to Councell (6'5") to Williams (maybe 6'6") are much bigger and faster.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

First of all Kerry Neal his faster than 5.1. During his proday he strained calf muscle, before he ran the 40. He gutted his way through his proday on one leg! It was his only opportunity to show off his skills to scouts. Realistically he probably runs a 4.85. Neal Guts Out Injury At Pro Day

Secondly he plays the DOG OLB spot, which is the drop LB spot. Neal was a veteran and had a better understanding of the scheme than anyone else at that spot.

We are in agreement. Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against Neal. I am sure he gave his best. (He played in the last four games where the defense was awesome!)

The point is we were thin enought that the veteran player was used with less than ideal speed. This would never happen with an elite team, or most SEC teams. Do you see it happening at any position this year with the IRISH?

The point is, between the four linebackers we were putting a starter on the field at that speed. Remember, how Brian Smith kept getting moved in and out of the DOG position?

And realistically football is a sport where you get banged up, it slows you down, as do other players, bodies on the field etc. . . .

That is why the extra speed helps.

 

[GreatGolson]

I'm remaining skeptical until I see it happen.

I feel the same, as usual i shall predict 12-0, defend that statement ferociously with very little facts and, by week 7 concede that maybe it wasnt our year, but that we shall go 12-0 the next season.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I dont think we win a national title this season but its starting to look that way. If we win 10 games this season the preseason rankings next season will be mind blowing. Mark my words

 

[BeauBenken]

All this speaks to the status of how many holes we had to fill last year. Now we have speed, skill, and power stepping up. What I can't get over is that we had no one ready to play last year coming off the edge faster than a 5.1 forty!

Now call me crazy, but from what I know personally, Kerry Neal was a stud. I think at his best he could get in the 4.5s.

I do agree though, it really appears that we might be headed to bigger and better things.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Kerry Neal's 40-time was listed at 4.7 as a recruit.

We've read repeatedly that ND's defense over the past several seasons has been lacking in athleticism and speed on the edges, and Neal is often mentioned as a chief example of that.

I don't know if it was attributable to injury, lack of proper development, the constant shifting of defensive philosophy/ coordinators under Weis, etc.

But the consensus seems to be that our defense will be much better off with Shembo and Spond at the DOG next season than we were with Neal in 2010.

It's a shame; yet another stud recruit who never reached his potential. Makes you wonder what could have been.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Now call me crazy, but from what I know personally, Kerry Neal was a stud. I think at his best he could get in the 4.5s.

I do not doubt you at all, Neal is a stud. But if Neal could get to 4.5s in the 40, he would be on a bit of a diet, because he would have a future in the NFL as a strong safety.

Kerry Neal's 40-time was listed at 4.7 as a recruit.

Which brings up the next point; high school measurables are all over the place. Not like there is any payoff to hyperbolize. Case in point: A good buddy of mine was All-state in baseball and football at Valley Forge HS in Greater Cleveland. “Stud at a stud school, in a stud league.” So he goes down to Columbus, to tOSU camp and gets laser timed in the forty. They are all excited. They tell him that he has registered the second fastest time they ever recorded behind Chris Carter. (At that time, a long time ago!) I don't remember the exact time of his forty, but you wouldn't really be impressed hearing it. (Now this same friend a few years ago, thirty plus, two packs a day, drunk, on a bet warmed up and got timed in a forty, coaches stop watch, at 4.61 seconds. I always wondered why he ran the young studs into the ground . . .

And the last point for this post: Beating an SEC team has nothing to do with achieving elite status. Beating an SEC team only solidifies the outside world’s acknowledgement of what the team already knows. Quote me.

 

[Riddickulous]

I feel the same, as usual i shall predict 12-0, defend that statement ferociously with very little facts and, by week 7 concede that maybe it wasnt our year, but that we shall go 12-0 the next season.

The way the talent pool is looking for 2013 or 2014, if we aren't in a BCS bowl, the current staff needs to go.