2011 v. 2006: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Great Expectations

[Whiskeyjack]

Latest post by Keith Arnold on InsidetheIrish.

Highlights some interesting points about our defense in 2006 and how opposing defenses adapted to Weis' scheme.

 

[Rocket89]

I honestly believe most of the 2006 front seven, with a couple exceptions like Laws, would have struggled starting at a place like Akron or San Jose State.

The defensive line has always been the black sheep in the past, but I've always said our linebackers back then were so much worse. Does Crum, Jr. even see the two-deep at ND right now? And he was our "star" linebacker? Yeesh!!

I agree, teams adapted to us that season and we didn't. I think we also played (what turned out to be) a pretty easy schedule, but had the unfortunate task of finishing the season against two of the best teams from the entire decade too.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

This year's team possesses a defense and quality coaching. Those two things alone will make this team better. Now sprinkle in the fact that it's year two under BK's system, there are more playmakers on offense, Coach Longo has had another year to create his monsters, and the playbook will no longer be held back to the estimated 30% that some suggested last season, and you have yourself a recipe for potential success. I'm not one to buy into hype anymore, but anyone who underestimates this year's team will be sorry. This is a different ND team than year's past...and for once, it's because we have a defense and a reliable coaching staff.

 

[Riddickulous]

I honestly believe most of the 2006 front seven, with a couple exceptions like Laws, would have struggled starting at a place like Akron or San Jose State.

The defensive line has always been the black sheep in the past, but I've always said our linebackers back then were so much worse. Does Crum, Jr. even see the two-deep at ND right now? And he was our "star" linebacker? Yeesh!!

I agree, teams adapted to us that season and we didn't. I think we also played (what turned out to be) a pretty easy schedule, but had the unfortunate task of finishing the season against two of the best teams from the entire decade too.

The defensive line was actually pretty decent. With proper development, they could have been great. Victor Abiamiri was a great player, and Derrek Landri was no slouch either.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

If we're going to compare expectations of recent ND teams, why don't we look back to 2009? Early season top 25, and go 6-6. Our losses by a combined 28 points. The expectations were even higher after pummeling Nevada. The glaring holes - no defense whatsoever, 4th qtr collapses, terrible coaching (ie. clock management, etc), no depth. We had one of the best offenses in the country but couldn't stop anyone. This year - potential top 25 defense, better endurance/strength/conditioning, reliable coaching, loaded with quality depth.

 

[Rocket89]

The defensive line was actually pretty decent. With proper development, they could have been great. Victor Abiamiri was a great player, and Derrek Landri was no slouch either.

Right, the D-line was actually okay. Nothing better than okay, but okay nonetheless.

But the linebackers???

It's been our weakest position probably on the entire team (prior to now) for at least ten years. The "Fantasy Draft" that the Irish blogs did a while ago only solidified this thought.

20 linebackers total were taken in the draft.

Of those 20, the total of players who played their entire careers in the 2000-2010 decade is 7.

Those seven are: Te'o, Courtney Watson, Brandon Hoyte, Darius Fleming, Carlo Calabrese, Mike Goolsby, and Maurice Crum, Jr.

That's one outstanding linebacker (Te'o), one really good one (Watson), one pretty good one (Fleming), and 4 very pedestrian players for an All-Decade team.

That's bordering on damn pathetic, and I'm glad we're finally starting to rectify that position.

 

[alohagoirish]

The defensive line in 2006 was OK only in the most generous terms---

Yes we had three very good players in Victor/Trevor/ Derek

But Frome was a weak link at DE---and my god there was about as much depth as you find in the KiDDY POOL.---There was Tally who didn;t seem to even want to play--there was no rotation of any decent kind at all.

Even though three guys had NFL potential---a two deep in a 4-3 needs eight players---we had three thats it---nothing good after the three.---they wore down--they could not get a pass rush---the LBs were not very good---Travis thomas/brokington--it was a mess of a front seven

The 2011 team is like NIGHT & DAY in comparison--the front seven the strength of the team now.

Don't underestimate the 2011 linebackers---youth blended with experience--one AA--another NFL potential player in flemming---lots of potential in SHEMBO/SPOND/ISHAQ/CARLO/ plus a bunch.

The 2011 defense looks freakin terrific!

The offense has question marks----QB is just hanging there---with little proven at that position

One great similarity to 2006 is the MICHIGAN game---

I still can see that pass tipping off Carlsons hand and starting one of the WORST beating i have ever seen an Irish team take.---A harbinger of LSU and the sugar bowl.

Michigan EXPOSED the 2006 team---

Michigan will be the KEY in 2011---beat michigan we go to the BCS---Lose that tough game in Ann Arbor and the year will be GOOD but not that GOOD---

If there is a similarity in two so very different teams as the 2006 irish and the 2011 irish, it is that---the IMPORTANCE of that michigan game!

 

[Rocket89]

^ We agree!

 

[rikkitikki08]

Lets all be honest here, the defense in 2006 was average at best

 

[ACamp1900]

Being a Notre Dame fan is truely becoming an endless cycle... every year we talk about how and why this season is different from all the other seasons the collective fan base drinks the kool aide only to get sick off of it. This season will be like all the others until it isn't.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Being a Notre Dame fan is truely becoming an endless cycle... every year we talk about how and why this season is different from all the other seasons the collective fan base drinks the kool aide only to get sick off of it. This season will be like all the others until it isn't.

Agreed, this is one of the first seasons in my life in which im going to just keep my mouth shut and hopefully let the team do the talking for me.

 

[BGIF]

Agreed, this is one of the first seasons in my life in which im going to just keep my mouth shut and hopefully let the team do the talking for me.

ShaqEvanisagod says that every year right up to the first three and out.

 

[BGIF]

Latest post by Keith Arnold on InsidetheIrish.

Highlights some interesting points about our defense in 2006 and how opposing defenses adapted to Weis' scheme.

Interesting article. Willingham's recruiting drought was felt in depth (and starters), the coaching weaknesses were felt, and Charlie's schematic advantage ended with the '05 season. I kept expecting him to add more variation to the offense.

As for 2011 there is NO "Travis Thomas is on the cover". Manti plays like Stonebreaker and Bolcar. There are some candidates for the Zorich, Stans, and Lyght roles but they're candidates. Manti doesn't have a championship defense around him on paper. But what's there is a substantial improvement with the '06 team.

The irony of the article is that if Travis Thomas was still eligible he be converting from LB to RB and we'd be pleased to have him. His presence would mean Atkinson, Riddick, and the player to be named later could all focus on their primary roles. Unlike the '06 Offense, the '11 O will put up bigger numbers than the year before them did.

 

[ACamp1900]

Agreed, this is one of the first seasons in my life in which im going to just keep my mouth shut and hopefully let the team do the talking for me.

lol, that post earned me my first negative rep in a long while... lesson learned... never kill a kool aide buzz.

 

[Riddickulous]

Riddickulous says that every year right up to the first three and out.

After the first three and out, it's usually: "OH MY GOD, THE SEASON'S OVER! WE MIGHT AS WELL LIE DOWN AND QUIT."

 

[phork]

I didn't jump on the Nevada bandwagon because I saw the glaring hole, we couldn't stop the run. As happy as I was at the 35-0 beat down it wasnt as much a beat down as we would have liked, statistically speaking. UM upped the ante the next week with 190 yards rushing.

I am taking giant slugs of koolaid and have been since Kelly was hired. My spirit is not tempered at all this year and I predict, and have no fear doing it, that we'll be atleast 10-2. While Kelly is an offensive mastermind, he knows his bread is buttered with defense. Our DL looks to be one of the tops in the nation, and we have some solid LBs after that. The key is how fast we can get to the QB this year.

Have no fear gents, this is going to a great year. Not a Weis great year either. Where go 10-2 and get slaughtered in a BCS game.

Kool-aid is on me!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Kool-aid is on me!

 

[IrishInFl]

Stole it for ma av

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Stole it for ma av

I provide you with a sweet new avatar, and don't even get repped for it!?