Manti Wants to Become the Goalline Back

[Whiskeyjack]

Basic risk/ benefit analysis is decidedly against this. He's one of a handful of irreplaceables on the team; an injury to him would be a huge blow to our BCS aspirations.

So we're going to increase his risk of injury... for what? Manti isn't an offensive game-changer for us. We have plenty of guys who can lead block or rumble for short yardage as well as he can.

 

[Veer option]

Elaborate, please? lol

Here are a few of reasons why its a terrible idea.

1. If the Irish are in such a desperate need for a thumperback, they should have given Bobby Burger a fifth year.

2. Having our best defensive player running plays with the offense, makes as much sense as Floyd playing safety or as a nickel back.

3. Short yardage/goalline are the most brutal plays in football. Having our star linebacker take a helmet to the knee or cracking his ankle on a short yardage play would be a complete waste.

4. I can name 5 other players which are better suited to run as a fullback/Thumperback. Ragone, Carlo, Kona, Lynch and Moore.

5.The Irish have an abundance of tight ends and defensive ends, they should be given a chance to run short yardage. Not the best defensive player the Irish have had since Justin Tuck.

I have a man crush on Manti as much as the next Irish fan, but putting unnecessary wear and tear on his body is just a dumb idea. This season much like last, he will have every OC the Irish play making sure someone has a helmet on him every play. I just don't see how putting the teams best defensive player in a vulnerable position where there is the potential for a severe injury to benefit the team as a whole. Especially when there are other less valuable (non starters) players who could fill the role.

 

[condoms SUCk]

I can see using him in a few misdirection plays and maybe giving him the ball once or twice, but having him as our full time short yardage back, he!! NO. Who knows BK could use it as a reward type thing with Manti. Set some goals for him, i.e. an(x) amount of TFL, have a no miss tackle game, stuff like that. If he obtains one of those goals he gets the ball. I could also see how this would be a HUGE team building tool as well, not just an X’s and O’s deal.

 

[irishtrain]

Although you could get hurt in any way playing football injuries on these short yard carries are very uncommon. Not much speed or tourque built up on a 4 yard run. I'm all for it if Kelly approves-after all thats the last word. Put 300 plus in front of him and let it rip.

 

[irish1958]

Good point. Certain plays have a higher probability of injury (i. e. kickoffs) and some have a low probably (short yardage on a sloppy field). Using Manti for offense would be ok if the injury probabilities were low.
I would really like to see a real JUMBO package, especially against Navy.

 

[TDHeysus]

I think putting Manti at FB/HB makes about as much sense as putting Jonas Gray at LB.

 

[BGIF]

I think putting Manti at FB/HB makes about as much sense as putting Jonas Gray at LB.

Well look how well Travis Thomas worked out!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Well look how well Travis Thomas worked out!

Quote of the night.

 

[BGIF]

... I would really like to see a real JUMBO package, especially against Navy.

ND's problems with Navy hasn't been the size of the ND backfield. If the ND OLine PLAYED like they outweigh the middies by 50 pounds a man the Leprechaun would run for 250 yards.

 

[Veer option]

Although you could get hurt in any way playing football injuries on these short yard carries are very uncommon. Not much speed or torque built up on a 4 yard run.

Good point. Certain plays have a higher probability of injury (i. e. kickoffs) and some have a low probably (short yardage on a sloppy field).

Crist couldn't see out of one eye after a goal line play in the Michigan game.

 

[irish1958]

True; but how many QB sneaks have occurred with no injury? I think, aside from the knell down, this must be the safest play in football.
Nick Eddy injured his ankle getting off the train against Mich St. and couldn't play, probably costing us the game. Does that mean that football players should never take the train?
As an interesting aside, that was the last time the ND football team took the train to a game.

 

[Rocket89]

Here are a few of reasons why its a terrible idea.

1. If the Irish are in such a desperate need for a thumperback, they should have given Bobby Burger a fifth year.

2. Having our best defensive player running plays with the offense, makes as much sense as Floyd playing safety or as a nickel back.

3. Short yardage/goalline are the most brutal plays in football. Having our star linebacker take a helmet to the knee or cracking his ankle on a short yardage play would be a complete waste.

4. I can name 5 other players which are better suited to run as a fullback/Thumperback. Ragone, Carlo, Kona, Lynch and Moore.

5.The Irish have an abundance of tight ends and defensive ends, they should be given a chance to run short yardage. Not the best defensive player the Irish have had since Justin Tuck.

I have a man crush on Manti as much as the next Irish fan, but putting unnecessary wear and tear on his body is just a dumb idea. This season much like last, he will have every OC the Irish play making sure someone has a helmet on him every play. I just don't see how putting the teams best defensive player in a vulnerable position where there is the potential for a severe injury to benefit the team as a whole. Especially when there are other less valuable (non starters) players who could fill the role.

I'll challenge these points....just cause. Not that I really think putting Te'o at goal line fullback is a super idea.

1. I don't think anyone here or within the program has said the Irish are in desperate need of a thumperback. Bring back Burger? I'd still rather have Te'o carry the ball near the goal line than him.

2. Not exactly. I think a more apt comparison would be putting Floyd back deep in coverage when an opponent is trying a Hail Mary at the end of the half or game. I don't think having Te'o run straight forward with the ball for a couple yards is the same as Floyd having to learn to play every down defense.

3. Eh, it's football. Te'o is a better player than Marecic, but Marecic went both ways and was tough enough to do it. I think Te'o would be too.

4. I'd rather have Te'o running the ball than all 5 guys you mentioned.

5. I still think it'd be more entertaining from a physical domination stand point to see Te'o plow through some people at the goal line, then watch one of our tight ends or defensive ends try and lumber through.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

In goal line situations maybe 4th and 1 to keep a drive going I could see it.
Am I the only one that remembers that the Patriots had a goal line set for Vrabel as tight end and it worked dang near every time. Or the fridge as lead blocker for the bears.
Sometimes you just need to play smash mouth football.

 

[jonesman]

Sorry guys, but I absolutely disagree with putting our BEST defensive player in on offense to carry the ball. This is just freaking stupid!! The risk of injury vs the upside of him running the ball or being blocking back are not worth it.

I would NEVER give our opponents a chance to get some free shots at our All-American LB. I can telll you that there are many teams that would love to get a chance to tackle him and do a little extra.

Sorry guys, but don't include me as a supporter of this. NO WAY!!

 

[Veer option]

Onlyreplying because I had a little free time.

1. I don't think anyone here or within the program has said the Irish are in desperate need of a thumperback. Bring back Burger? I'd still rather have Te'o carry the ball near the goal line than him.

Why not? Burger the last time I checked was the last full back the Irish have had.

2. Not exactly. I think a more apt comparison would be putting Floyd back deep in coverage when an opponent is trying a Hail Mary at the end of the half or game. I don't think having Te'o run straight forward with the ball for a couple yards is the same as Floyd having to learn to play every down defense.

Perhaps I overstated my example.

3. Eh, it's football. Te'o is a better player than Marecic, but Marecic went both ways and was tough enough to do it. I think Te'o would be too.

The problem likes Marecic, wasn't the best player on offense or defense for Stanford. He just happened to have the size and ability to play both ways. Manti is far and away the teams best player on defense.

4. I'd rather have Te'o running the ball than all 5 guys you mentioned.

Why not? All the players I named have roughly the same size as Teo, and Ragone for example actually has game experience carrying the ball.

5. I still think it'd be more entertaining from a physical domination stand point to see Te'o plow through some people at the goal line, then watch one of our tight ends or defensive ends try and lumber through.

If entertaining physical domination is what you crave, Louis Nix would be a perfect goal line intimidation back.

 

[Riddickulous]

ESPN's Andre Ware pronounced his name "Mon-tee Tee-oh" today on CFB Live.

 

[Old Man Mike]

If Manti carries the ball, it will be because Kelly thinks that he's accomplishing something other than just getting a hammershot at the opponents with that. It will be because:

a). Kelly completely trusts Manti to be able to do that like a regular goal-line back, and simply with low straightaway power, and thereby very little "exposure" or thought process involved;

b). or he's rewarding Manti late in the season, maybe even in the bowl game;

c). or he thinks that the team is getting a little stale and rare gimmicks like this are exciting to them as the practices in the fall go on.

If Manti rams one in the endzone, Kelly might give somebody else a chance, or, like Ditka and Perry, see if Te'o can catch the ball. Such experiments might happen against some team like Wake in the last quarter if it's for "keeping it interesting" purposes.

Actually, if Te'o carried the ball a lot in high school, he probably knows how to penetrate the line well enough to not get hurt at all.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

ESPN's Andre Ware pronounced his name "Mon-tee Tee-oh" today on CFB Live.

That should be immediate disqualification for speaking about CFB on television.

 

[TDHeysus]

Here are a few of reasons why its a terrible idea.

1. If the Irish are in such a desperate need for a thumperback, they should have given Bobby Burger a fifth year.

2. Having our best defensive player running plays with the offense, makes as much sense as Floyd playing safety or as a nickel back.

3. Short yardage/goalline are the most brutal plays in football. Having our star linebacker take a helmet to the knee or cracking his ankle on a short yardage play would be a complete waste.

4. I can name 5 other players which are better suited to run as a fullback/Thumperback. Ragone, Carlo, Kona, Lynch and Moore.

5.The Irish have an abundance of tight ends and defensive ends, they should be given a chance to run short yardage. Not the best defensive player the Irish have had since Justin Tuck.

I have a man crush on Manti as much as the next Irish fan, but putting unnecessary wear and tear on his body is just a dumb idea. This season much like last, he will have every OC the Irish play making sure someone has a helmet on him every play. I just don't see how putting the teams best defensive player in a vulnerable position where there is the potential for a severe injury to benefit the team as a whole. Especially when there are other less valuable (non starters) players who could fill the role.

Nice post....there are multiple, legitimate reasons for Manti to NOT run the ball. I havent seen a compelling argument that makes me think running Manti is a good idea. As I originally said in this thread, ND has players on the roster for this very reason.

Travis Thomas played LB for a simple reason, ND was short on personnel. That is no longer the case, ND has the ppl to play, why not play them?

If I were Senior Jonas Gray, I would be upset at the fact that a Junior LB, even if that Junior is the Alpha-Dog, is taking my snaps 'just because he had a few runs in high school.' Ultimately, I think its disrepectful towards the hard work that other players have been putting in, especially a senior. If ND did not have capable players to fill the role of a short yardage back, I could maybe see giving Manti some runs at the goal line. But ND has the players on the roster, this isnt 2006 anymore.

 

[phork]

Until we are blowing teams out 49-0 then I say negative. The last thing you want is your defensive star with a torn up knee on a stupid offensive play.

 

[irish1958]

Nice post....there are multiple, legitimate reasons for Manti to NOT run the ball. I havent seen a compelling argument that makes me think running Manti is a good idea. As I originally said in this thread, ND has players on the roster for this very reason.

Travis Thomas played LB for a simple reason, ND was short on personnel. That is no longer the case, ND has the ppl to play, why not play them?

If I were Senior Jonas Gray, I would be upset at the fact that a Junior LB, even if that Junior is the Alpha-Dog, is taking my snaps 'just because he had a few runs in high school.' Ultimately, I think its disrepectful towards the hard work that other players have been putting in, especially a senior. If ND did not have capable players to fill the role of a short yardage back, I could maybe see giving Manti some runs at the goal line. But ND has the players on the roster, this isnt 2006 anymore.

Jonah gray has the skill and athletic ability to be the short yardage player. it is up to him to do it.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Or Hendrix.