Past players who would excel in Kelly's offense

[Riddickulous]

Since we have only recruiting and summer workout rumors to keep us going for three weeks, I thought we could have a fun little thread like this one.

Notre Dame has had its share of stars over the years. The question is: Which stars from years past would have excelled in our current offensive scheme? Who do you think?

So, name...

- 1 QB
- 1 RB
- 2 outside WRs
- 1 slot WR
- 1 TE

...who would be deadly in our current offense. Try to explain your reasoning. I'll start.

QB - Joe Theismann - He set a school record for single season passing yardage when he threw for 2,429 yards in 1970, but did you know that he also ran for 406 yards that year? He was a great blend of passing skills and mobility, what Kelly is looking for in his spread.

RB - Allen Pinkett - Pinkett was an explosive runner and also a capable threat catching passes out of the backfield (he lead the team in receptions in 1983, his sophomore year). I think he'd be a great fit in this offense.

Outside WR #1 - Tim Brown - Explosive, explosive player who could stretch the field and make big plays after the catch. Also a threat on reverses and on returns.

Outside WR #2 - Jack Snow - Another explosive player who could stretch the field.

Slot WR - Rocket Ismail - Imagine if Theo Riddick was the son of Zeus and could topple nations by blinking. Ismail would be ungodly in this offense.

TE - Ken MacAfee - The ultimate pass-catching tight end. Kelly would love a player like him on the field.

Have fun.

 

[GBdomer]

Golden Tate would of put up stupid numbers

 

[Mihalko35]

Kevin McDougal. Imagine him running the zone read!

 

[ND101]

qb jackson rb walker wr tate would be a dream in this offense

 

[GBdomer]

Jarious Jackson? never

 

[NDbrbkny]

Jarious Jackson? never

Jarious Jackson Would produce more picks then TD'S

 

[GBdomer]

could not agree more

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Jarious Jackson? never

Jarious Jackson Would produce more picks then TD'S

Noooo.. Guys he obviously means Jackson Tan.

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[military_irish]

in more recent memory

QB- Arnaz Battle was actually a good QB imagine him in the spread before his injury

RB-Julius Jones

WR-
Outside- Bobby Brown
Outside- Going to have to go with Tim Brown also.
Slot- Joey Getherall

TE- Irv Smith (just can not get the image out of my head of him dragging defenders to the endzone)

I tried to use lesser known players because the more known players will be used for certain, so I did not want to duplicate them.

 

[GBdomer]

I think Jimmy Clausen would of slung it all over the field under Kelly too.

 

[Mihalko35]

OK, here are mine. I've only listed players who've played since I started following ND FB in '91:

QB: Kevin McDougal
Outside WRs: Derrick Mayes & Jeff Smardzija
Slot receiver: Golden Tate
RB: Ricky Watters (say what you will about the fumbling. The Kelly O requires instant acceleration and pass-catching ability from the RB position.)
TE: Oscar McBride

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Hmm..

QB - Tough to say any of the real old players like Lujack or Hornung but maybe Carlyle Holiday would have had a better career.

HB - Autrey Denson, because he ran for 4000+

WR
Out - Raghib Ismail
Slot - Golden Tate
Out - Tim Brown

TE - MacAfee, he was ahead of his time. Would love to have seen Leon Hart too though.

 

[DaBLKIrishman]

QB- Kevin McDougal very underrated passer that didn't make very many mistakes and can run when needed.
RB- Reggie Brooks closest thing that we've had to Barry could excelerate like no other.
WR Derrick Mayes Best hands I ever seen! Didn't have great speed but always found a way to get open.
WR Lake Dawson another guy who could get open with great hands.
Slot Rocket Ismail You already know!
TE John Carlson Great size and could stretch the field. I could honestly see him being better than Rudy in the spread.

 

[BleedBlue&Gold]

I think Jimmy Clausen would of slung it all over the field under Kelly too.

yeah, agree with you 100%. boy Reggie Brooks if i could bring back a player from the past .

 

[Grahambo]

I think Brady Quinn would have put up some solid numbers. He obviously could fling it but also had a decent pair of wheels on him too.

The Shark as a deep threat.

To be honest, I think Armando Allen could have put up some serious numbers had he been 100% through his career.

John Carlson as the TE.

Rocket as an outside threat as well.

 

[BurningRiver]

Golden Tate would've been a heisman finalist if he'd played in this offense with a solid quarterback

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Some of my picks are sentimental, but others might have a bit of merit.

QB - Ron Powlus - he put up pretty stupid numbers as it was. I think he could have done even more with this offense.

RB - Mark Edwards - I think he is one of the best blocking backs we have had, but he also was a really potent offensive threat as well.

Outside WR's - I thought a little outside the box on this one. The first one would be Golden Tate. Golden is a safe pick and would have been explosive. My other pick would be Tony Rice. Triple threat. Running, receiving, and able to fall back in to the 'cat. With Kelly's tendency to put the best player on the field somewhere, I couldn't leave Tony out off the list. One of the best pure athletes we have ever had, in my opinion.

Slot WR - Rocket. No question.

TE - I am really torn on this one because we have had so many great TE's. I was leaning towards Derek Brown or Pete Chryplewicz, but I think my final pick would be Anthony Fasano. There are so many great ones to choose especially if you are willing to go way back.

Fun thread for a Saturday morning coffee!

 

[BeauBenken]

Too. Many. Possible. Great. Wide receivers.
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[IrishJayhawk]

Love the thread. Nice work.

- 1 QB - Tony Rice. Athlete. Fast, smart, could throw enough to keep the defense from completely stacking the option game. Would have been fun to see the dual-threat action with him.

- 1 RB - Ricky Watters - Another athlete. He would have been great out of the backfield as well.

- 2 outside WRs -
1. Golden Tate (although he put up absurd numbers in Weis' offense).
2. Tim Brown - maybe a little obvious, but he was great in space (see kick returning game).

- 1 slot WR - Rocket. Oh...my...goodness...

- 1 TE - I have to go with Rudy. If he had avoided injury and stuck around, I think he would have put up gaudy numbers.

 

[TDHeysus]

‪Kevin Mcdougal‬‏ - YouTube


Kevin McDoual in BK's offense would have been very interesting to see. I keep thinking of McDougal's long run against Michigan, that would setup nice plays all game long in BK's offense.

McDougal was an elusive runner, and elusive in the pocket, he made the passes when needed and killed them with his feet; taylor-made for BK's offense. Watch the Kevin McDougal video and think Everett Golson. I think Golson can be a better McDougal, i think Golson is elusive like McDougal is in this video, but I think Golson has better passing skills.

NOTE: the last play of the video is the long against Michigan. I remember that run watching it live, it was one of those make-me-jump-out-of-my-seat-in-exhiliration-then-out-of-breath-from-getting-worked-up-over-that-run moment.

 

[Praytorian]

Aww come on now!!!!!
Last year through the stretch who carried the team on O? QB?-NO
Skinny TB?- No
Kick arse tough arse RB? YUPPERZ!!!!
The Bus would rock, and if the BUS is rockin don't come a knockin!

 

[GreatGolson]

Just stick Gipp in the backfield with Lujack in the gun and watch the magic

 

[EddytoNow]

Carlyle Holiday would have been awesome in BK's offense. His career was destroyed with the hiring of Tyrone Willingham and his west coast offense. Holiday was a victim of Willingham's poor recruiting and inability to utilize the skill set of the players he had. As the quarterback Carlyle took the blame.

Carlyle was also one of the original RKG's. My son attended a basketball camp at ND and was gathering autographs from both football players and basketball players he met on campus. Carlyle was headed into the stadium when my son approached him for an autograph. He not only stopped to give my son the autograph, but chatted with him for a few minutes before heading into the stadium.

A great young man!

 

[Rack Em]

QB-Pat Dillingham




I kid

 

[military_irish]

QB-Pat Dillingham




I kid

Wheeeew, I hope so considering he basically handed the ball off to a BC player to ruin a perfect season. lol

 

[Riddickulous]

Wheeeew, I hope so considering he basically handed the ball off to a BC player to ruin a perfect season. lol

It was a terrible play, but there were about a trillion fumbles during that game, as well. And the offense as a whole was worthless.

 

[military_irish]

It was a terrible play, but there were about a trillion fumbles during that game, as well. And the offense as a whole was worthless.

Yeah I know, I believe, if I remember correctly, there was something like 8 fumbles in the game and 4 or 5 lost. Some attributed it to the jersey's, but who knows. I think if Carlyle was healthy it may have been a different season. But hey that was 9 years ago, even though it feels like yesterday. Maybe my way of blocking out the down years.

 

[ND101]

Rip Jackson all you want but he was a good qb for the Irish who led them to a couple of bowl games and got a cup of coffee in the pros. He was a much better thrower than carlyle (who was a dynamic athlete indeed). I just think he fits the two way qb this offense needs and is looking for. Just an opinion.

 

[GoIrish41]

QB Tony Rice

RB Reggie Brooks

WR Tim Brown
WR Shark
(Golden Tate could easily fill in for either of the above two)

SLOT Rocket

TE un-injured Kyle Rudolph

 

[DuffHouse12]

tony rice
ricky waters
rocket, tim, golden, derek mays
rudolph