'12 MD ATH Ronald Darby (Florida State Signee)

[Irishman77]

Tee and Greenberry are secured now. We HAVE to close Darby. After Saturday we should have the "Fab 5" locked up!

 

[NDdomer2]

Tee and Greenberry are secured now. We HAVE to close Darby. After Saturday we should have the "Fab 5" locked up!

Did you just use a Michigan term for our football program?

 

[Irish2015]

I think he's reffering to a fab 5 secondary that we could bring in this year.

 

[tadman95]

I think he's reffering to a fab 5 secondary that we could bring in this year.

Yea but the "fab 5"? Heresy! Bet the NSA picked that up and it's being analyzed as we speak. (or type)

 

[Irish Insanity]

Did you just use a Michigan term for our football program?

Since Webber got paid and they lost the banners, does that mean that name goes too?

 

[NDdomer2]

Since Webber got paid and they lost the banners, does that mean that name goes too?

I don't know they just had a documentary on them. I would say the name stays.

 

[General Colon Bowel]

From the Rivals.com chat transcript on the UA All American Game:

Comment From ND
How does Ronald Darby look?

Chris Nee: ND- Exceptional speed and active. Gets to the ball real well. Neglects technique at time knowing he can make up for mistakes with his quickness.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

From the Rivals.com chat transcript on the UA All American Game:

Comment From ND
How does Ronald Darby look?

Chris Nee: ND- Exceptional speed and active. Gets to the ball real well. Neglects technique at time knowing he can make up for mistakes with his quickness.

I'm going to get shot for saying this, but he has to be careful doing at the next level. Then again technique is easy to learn, speed isn't so much.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

I'm going to get shot for saying this, but he has to be careful doing at the next level. Then again technique is easy to learn, speed isn't so much.

it's going to be interesting to see if these DB recruits will be taught anything.. I know Gray and Blanton aren't on the talent level of these guys we have coming in, but at times this year it looked like they were completely clueless.. time will tell if that was just bad CB play or bad coaching.. but I am very interested

 

[buirish]

From the Rivals.com chat transcript on the UA All American Game:

Comment From ND
How does Ronald Darby look?

Chris Nee: ND- Exceptional speed and active. Gets to the ball real well. Neglects technique at time knowing he can make up for mistakes with his quickness.

I like the "gets to the ball real well" comment!! could've used that against UM and FSU, just sayin. But hay this is 2012 and all positive... so let's just get Darby to sign his LOI and look forward to next season!!!
Go Irish

 

[Sherm Sticky]

it's going to be interesting to see if these DB recruits will be taught anything.. I know Gray and Blanton aren't on the talent level of these guys we have coming in, but at times this year it looked like they were completely clueless.. time will tell if that was just bad CB play or bad coaching.. but I am very interested

People fail to remember that Gary Gray was highly regarded Corner coming out of high school. He was a high 4*.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

People fail to remember that Gary Gray was highly regarded Corner coming out of high school. He was a high 4*.

he never lived up to that, that's for sure lol

 

[Whiskeyjack]

People fail to remember that Gary Gray was highly regarded Corner coming out of high school. He was a high 4*.

he never lived up to that, that's for sure lol

If he doesn't end up a late round pick, he'll definitely get signed as a free agent. Aside from a rough beginning to this season, he's been very productive for us over his career. We'd be very fortunate for one CB recruit to turn out as well as Gray has in every class.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

If he doesn't end up a late round pick, he'll definitely get signed as a free agent. Aside from a rough beginning to this season, he's been very productive for us over his career. We'd be very fortunate for one CB recruit to turn out as well as Gray has in every class.

if Darby, Tee and (Yuri/Poole's) ceiling is Gary Gray, I will be EXTREMELY disappointed lol.. I can remember yelling at my TV saying "F*uck you Gary Gray" 100 more times than I ever said "Nice play gray".. he just didn't make too many of them.. I have higher expectations from Darby and Tee than to just be late round picks to undrafted.. I think these guys can possibly be 2nd-3rd round picks if not first rounders.. let's only pray they're better than Gary freaking Gray

 

[Rhode Irish]

I feel like any time the opposing team completes a pass down the field we react by saying that our corners are clueless and terrible. I am the first to admit that I was frustrated on a few plays by Gary Gray this year where it seemed like all he had to do was turn his head to find the ball and he could have made a play on it. But, too often we fail to recognize that the other teams have good players and well designed plays, too.

Our subjectivity and overly demanding expectations lead to misevaluations of our own players and coaches. Obviously there are a lot of things we have to do better as a football team to take the next step, but I do feel like we lack perspective sometimes.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

I feel like any time the opposing team completes a pass down the field we react by saying that our corners are clueless and terrible. I am the first to admit that I was frustrated on a few plays by Gary Gray this year where it seemed like all he had to do was turn his head to find the ball and he could have made a play on it. But, too often we fail to recognize that the other teams have good players and well designed plays, too.

Our subjectivity and overly demanding expectations lead to misevaluations of our own players and coaches. Obviously there are a lot of things we have to do better as a football team to take the next step, but I do feel like we lack perspective sometimes.

I agree with this last statement, but it works both ways.. a lot of people say Gray is a good CB and a lot of people say he's terrible (me).. he probably falls somewhere in between average and below average.. I can say this about a lot of our players where I see some people acting like they're pro bowlers when they're kind of scrubs.. I agree with your statement that we lack perspective, but it goes both ways (that's what she said)

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I feel like any time the opposing team completes a pass down the field we react by saying that our corners are clueless and terrible. I am the first to admit that I was frustrated on a few plays by Gary Gray this year where it seemed like all he had to do was turn his head to find the ball and he could have made a play on it. But, too often we fail to recognize that the other teams have good players and well designed plays, too.

Our subjectivity and overly demanding expectations lead to misevaluations of our own players and coaches. Obviously there are a lot of things we have to do better as a football team to take the next step, but I do feel like we lack perspective sometimes.

In Gary's case I think part of the problem was the very high expecations (possible AA status) people had for him this year. He was fantastic last year, and people expected by natural progression he would take another step forward. Instead he took two steps back, which overall was still decent if not for being worked like a rented mule against UM. It also did not help that he had a rough final game in a game that ended up same result and similar to the UM game with him being one of the big scapegoats.

I do feel though that Tee and Darby have floors that are not far off from what RJ and Gray's ceilings were. Sky is the limit for these kids.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Under Armour Day 4 Recap - ISD

Under Armour Day 4 Recap - ISD

Under Armour Day 4 Recap

Notre Dame commit Ronald Darby (Oxon Hill, Md./Potomac) continued to impress from an athletic standpoint. His foot speed is outstanding and his quickness is elite. Darby showed some improvement with his off-coverage and cornerback instincts. Earlier in the week Darby did not seem as comfortable playing off as he did in press coverage. Today he was far more comfortable reading routes and getting a break on the football. Darby even baited the quarterback on two throws and broke up the pass on both plays.

During the special teams period Darby really showed off his speed during the kick return repetitions. When he gets any room to run he can absolutely fly. There was no difference on the field between him and world-class sprinter Marvin Bracy.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I agree with this last statement, but it works both ways.. a lot of people say Gray is a good CB and a lot of people say he's terrible (me).. he probably falls somewhere in between average and below average.. I can say this about a lot of our players where I see some people acting like they're pro bowlers when they're kind of scrubs.. I agree with your statement that we lack perspective, but it goes both ways (that's what she said)

Tommy Rees...

 

[IrishMoore1]

Gary Gray was such a GOOD player last year. He was a lock-down corner, and by far our best db. This year he was a HUGE disappointment. It's like he forgot how to be a cornerback. He never really had a stellar game this season and actually struggled for most of it.

Darby should def stay committed to Notre Dame because he's going to be starting the moment he steps on campus.

 

[irishff1014]

Gary was ok at tackling he couldn't play the ball in the air. Just go look how Denard schooled him. He would not be starting on any of the top 5 defense glad to see him graduate.

 

[Grahambo]

I believe Gray is above average, like a 5th round pick type of above average. The one guy who I was glad to never see suit up again was Darrin Walls.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

Tommy Rees...

yeah and theo riddick, KLM, carlo, fox..

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

yeah and theo riddick, KLM, carlo, fox..

KLM is a very good 3-4 DE. The others I will agree with you on.

 

[koonja]

With all the praise that Tee and Darby are getting, my prediction that at least one freshman DB will be starting the first game next year doesn't sound so crazy now, does it? Let's make some v-buck bets.

 

[Ironman8]

With all the praise that Tee and Darby are getting, my prediction that at least one freshman DB will be starting the first game next year doesn't sound so crazy now, does it? Let's make some v-buck bets.

I think Bennett starts with Jalen Brown, with Atkinson playing as well, and Tee being initially worked in as a nickel and third/fourth corner. By the end of the year he could be, but I don't think he starts vs Navy.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Darrin Walls and Gary Gray are both good corners. They are not first day picks, and they both made some big mistakes (as corners do), but they are good players. The hyperbole is tiring.

 

[koonja]

I think Bennett starts with Jalen Brown, with Atkinson playing as well, and Tee being initially worked in as a nickel and third/fourth corner. By the end of the year he could be, but I don't think he starts vs Navy.

Has Jalen even seen the field though? I know he was one of, if not the fastest guy on the team in the spring, but besides a thank you from MF for making him better, what do we know about him? Since Jalen is a big corner (6'1" I believe), maybe he just always matched up with Floyd in practice and that's where Floyd's praise came from? Or maybe he was really playing well on scout team. Who knows, all I know is Tee and Darby are eating people's dinner against other elite competition and I can see one of them starting the year out when we lose 3 starters in the defensive backfield.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Darrin Walls and Gary Gray are both good corners. They are not first day picks, and they both made some big mistakes (as corners do), but they are good players. The hyperbole is tiring.

THIS.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Has Jalen even seen the field though? I know he was one of, if not the fastest guy on the team in the spring, but besides a thank you from MF for making him better, what do we know about him? Since Jalen is a big corner (6'1" I believe), maybe he just always matched up with Floyd in practice and that's where Floyd's praise came from? Or maybe he was really playing well on scout team. Who knows, all I know is Tee and Darby are eating people's dinner against other elite competition and I can see one of them starting the year out when we lose 3 starters in the defensive backfield.

Perhaps, but Barkley and Luck aren't sitting back there slinging it at these AA games. I'm sure you noticed this year from watching ND that ordinary corners can make great receivers look ordinary when an average or below average QB is in charge of the offense. I love these guys, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.