'11 IL WR DaVaris Daniels (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[FightingIrishLover7]

But really, is the depth that bad that we need DaVaris to play a significant?

We have:
Floyd
Jones
Riddick
Goodman
Toma
Dan Smith
Massa

not to mention with ND's TEs they could always split out too.

I think DaVaris will learn the most being on the field, so maybe this will end up being a blessing in disguise and he'll pick up the offense more quickly being forced on the field.

Just my two cents.

 

[IrishLax]

But really, is the depth that bad that we need DaVaris to play a significant?

We have:
Floyd - All-American player
Jones - Upside but unproven, size a liability running the ball
Riddick - Should be good, limited to slot
Goodman - Experienced but talent limited (drops)
Toma - Solid, limited to slot
Dan Smith - Untested
Massa - Converted QB, untested

not to mention with ND's TEs they could always split out too. - the big wild card, I would love to see 2/3 TE sets this year.

When you look at it that way we have only 1 proven outside WR + 2 WRs with limited game experience. NFL rosters typically carry 5 to 6 guys... so with Floyd, Jones, Goodman, Riddick and Toma that's 5... DaVaris, Smith, Farley or Massa would be that last guy. So yeah, depth is a real concern, but it doesn't become a huge until we start losing people to injury.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

When you look at it that way we have only 1 proven outside WR + 2 WRs with limited game experience. NFL rosters typically carry 5 to 6 guys... so with Floyd, Jones, Goodman, Riddick and Toma that's 5... DaVaris, Smith, Farley or Massa would be that last guy. So yeah, depth is a real concern, but it doesn't become a huge until we start losing people to injury.

Injuries could definitely make a big change, but the people I listed was refering to knowledge of play book.

A Guy like Massa may not be as athletic as DvD, but maybe he knows the playbook better.

I also think both Eifert and Koyack could split out. Welch and Ragone are more on the line blocker types.

We could always use those two as WRs, if needed.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think he meant forced as in Daniels is so good he has no choice but to play him.

I said before Williams and Lynch jumped on that DD was the guy from this class... honestly it comes as no suprise to me whatsoever that there is talk of him playing right away... I expected that due to our quality of depth and his skill set.

 

[Riddickulous]

Kelly said yesterday that Daniels will contribute, but he admitted it was due to depth. He's not ready.

 

[ACamp1900]

None of that suprises me... DD is going to be real good though

 

[Irish2155]

Hopefully DD has the same Frosh impact as Floyd did. I was at the SDSU game, Floyd's first...and right off the bat, TD bomb to the Frosh...you could tell he was going to be a great receiver for ND.

 

[jonesman]

I would love to talk to BK and understand what is missing with Deion Walker!!! Here we are talking about playing a freshman ahead of a senior WR who came in so widely regarded. SAD!!!!!!! Deion, what is going on with you????

 

[Buster Bluth]

I would love to talk to BK and understand what is missing with Deion Walker!!! Here we are talking about playing a freshman ahead of a senior WR who came in so widely regarded. SAD!!!!!!! Deion, what is going on with you????

Welcome to the club..

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Riddick - Should be good, limited to slot

Riddick will play as a boundary receiver in our heavy sets.

Goodman - Experienced but talent limited (drops)

Goodman's supposed to have some of the best hands on the team.

 

[Riddickulous]

Hopefully DD has the same Frosh impact as Floyd did. I was at the SDSU game, Floyd's first...and right off the bat, TD bomb to the Frosh...you could tell he was going to be a great receiver for ND.

He won't. The two situations are completely different.

Michael Floyd was 6'3", 215 as a freshman. He was better than everyone the moment he stepped on campus, except Golden Tate.

DaVaris Daniels is 6'1", 185 and is simply not ready to play. He will play, but a Floyd-like frosh impact is out of the question. No way he gets 700+ yards, unless all of the receivers are injured.

I would love to talk to BK and understand what is missing with Deion Walker!!! Here we are talking about playing a freshman ahead of a senior WR who came in so widely regarded. SAD!!!!!!! Deion, what is going on with you????

Supposedly he's been very lazy throughout his career. The staff has questioned his commitment to the football team.

 

[IrishLax]

Goodman's supposed to have some of the best hands on the team.

Do they keep stats on drops anywhere? Either way he has shown a tendency (a la Robby Paris) to drop key passes time and time again. Maybe my perception of his drops is great than the reality... but the catch Goodman made in the spring game was his best grab ever. And that is saying something.

As for Riddick... I don't know where you read that. Can you link for me? That's quite interesting. I know him and TJ have been cross-training between slot and outside but I was sure that was precautionary more than "Riddick will play outside in sets XYZ."

 

[Old Man Mike]

On Daniels: Kelly either thinks that Davaris does not yet know how to properly run routes [our only spectacular Kelly/Daniels bit recently has been coach chewing him out for just that], or he is laying down some pretty clever incentive to get Davaris to concentrate more.

On Goodman: when Kelly is asked about "The Good Hands" people, he says: we know who they are --- Goodman, Toma, and Harrison Smith. Any failure of "hands" by Goodman cannot be innate with him, so I doubt that he is considered as having "bad hands". Plus, Goodman and Tomas are always rapidly mentioned by Kelly on the two deep with a lot of hesitation thereafter. I have to believe that it's the third back-up that Kelly sees as nearly "empty" at the moment.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Or is Kelly playing possum on the DD comment...if any of you think he is 100% honest in these reports you are wrong. He uses the media to report what he wants the perception to be....

food for thought.

 

[IrishLax]

Or is Kelly playing possum on the DD comment...if any of you think he is 100% honest in these reports you are wrong. He uses the media to report what he wants the perception to be....

food for thought.

Very good point.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I think it is possible that BK told DD that he would play early as a freshman in order to snare his commitment. His father has stated that he wants to play with his son in the NFL. I believe Phillip's time may be running out. Might just be playing on the fast track.

 

[IrishLax]

I think it is possible that BK told DD that he would play early as a freshman in order to snare his commitment. His father has stated that he wants to play with his son in the NFL. I believe Phillip's time may be running out. Might just be playing on the fast track.

Phillip has played for 15 years and is now off of the Skins. I think that ship has sailed. I can't see him playing for 18 years at a position in the trenches.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Phillip has played for 15 years and is now off of the Skins. I think that ship has sailed. I can't see him playing for 18 years at a position in the trenches.

I didn't know that he wasn't on the team still. Thanks.

 

[koonja]

Vernon Hills' Daniels in mix at Notre Dame, ready or not - chicagotribune.com

Enjoy.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

If we are nominating freshman punt returners, my vote is for this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/60XBUfgktSs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Rhode Irish]

That is definitely awesome, although you have to wonder about the coverage team there. The best part is the reaction of his team on the sideline as he is running by. You can see all of their helmets bouncing up and down.

 

[AvesEvo]

Maybe even a little more important is find a punting team that can 1) punt and 2) cover them... err... maybe it is kicks where the opposing team makes it to the 40 or 50 far too often. Either way, I think you understand what I mean.

 

[Riddickulous]

All this talk of a new punt returner is meaningless. There is never any room to run. Our blocking sucks. We need a sure-handed guy and our best bet is still John Goodman.

 

[BeauBenken]

All this talk of a new punt returner is meaningless. There is never any room to run. Our blocking sucks. We need a sure-handed guy and our best bet is still John Goodman.

About time someone said it. You can't expect a good return when there are 4 guys surrounding our return man before he touches the ball.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

All this talk of a new punt returner is meaningless. There is never any room to run. Our blocking sucks. We need a sure-handed guy and our best bet is still John Goodman.

This is true, but I wouldn't mind seeing Toma shagging a few balls.

 

[Irish Fam]

Yea there is absolutely no blocking going on for our punt returns. The two muffed punts we have had have been while our returner was surrounded by 3 or 4 guys. Not an excuse for muffing them, just saying there's no blocking

 

[enrico514]

sadly their punter looks better than ours...

 

[buirish]

sadly their punter looks better than ours...

Exactly, my first thought... heck the punter on my sons middle school team is averaging close to 40 yards a punt!!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

“@PhilDaniels93: For all those asking me about Davaris.....He will redshirt!!!!!!”

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I'd rather he redshirt and contribute for four entire seasons than get only a little time and use up a year of eligibility.