'12 TX ATH Nick Baratti (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[koonja]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Based on what? Seriously, please explain why you liken him to either of those guys but especially Zeke Motta.

If anything, he is very similar to Zibby as a prospect.

Because if he puts on about 15 pounds he'll be at ~230. ND has had trouble with LBs in coverage, and with the DB haul ND is getting this year, why not move an over sized safety to LB? That's one way to close the gap on the lack of speed. Take big safety prospects that can be converted to LBs.


Pretty thick for being a safety: Tabbed Playlists

 

[NDinL.A.]

It's been mentioned casually but I believe it bears MUCH more discussion - you guys are comparing LB's size in a 4-3 vs. our guys in a 3-4. That is a HUGE difference. Teams like LSU and USC play a 4-3, and they can get away with it, esp when you get the amount of quality D-linemen they are able to obtain (I laugh when people say we should go a 4-3; do you realize how hard it is to get quality/quantity at the D-line spot for ND??? We are lucky right now, but the past 15 years have no been kind to us).

Baratti projects to a safety IN THIS DEFENSE, just as Hayseed did (and starred, btw). If the staff felt that Hayseed fit the mold for safety best, why would they move Baratti to LB? I just don't see that happening, not the way this staff likes to use their LBs. And I'm perfectly good with that, because I really believe this staff can coach some defense. We are MILES better than we have been in quite some time...

 

[koonja]

It's been mentioned casually but I believe it bears MUCH more discussion - you guys are comparing LB's size in a 4-3 vs. our guys in a 3-4. That is a HUGE difference. Teams like LSU and USC play a 4-3, and they can get away with it, esp when you get the amount of quality D-linemen they are able to obtain (I laugh when people say we should go a 4-3; do you realize how hard it is to get quality/quantity at the D-line spot for ND??? We are lucky right now, but the past 15 years have no been kind to us).

Baratti projects to a safety IN THIS DEFENSE, just as Hayseed did (and starred, btw). If the staff felt that Hayseed fit the mold for safety best, why would they move Baratti to LB? I just don't see that happening, not the way this staff likes to use their LBs. And I'm perfectly good with that, because I really believe this staff can coach some defense. We are MILES better than we have been in quite some time...

I get that in a 3-4 you need bigger LBs because you're forfeiting size on the line, but we run a 4-3 quite a bit and when Sheldon Day/Jarron Jones get here, I'd guess ND will run the 4-3 even more. That being said, there's more PT for a smaller, faster LB.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

We go to a four man front in our 3-4 defense. Not the same thing as a 4-3.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

It's been mentioned casually but I believe it bears MUCH more discussion - you guys are comparing LB's size in a 4-3 vs. our guys in a 3-4. That is a HUGE difference. Teams like LSU and USC play a 4-3, and they can get away with it, esp when you get the amount of quality D-linemen they are able to obtain (I laugh when people say we should go a 4-3; do you realize how hard it is to get quality/quantity at the D-line spot for ND??? We are lucky right now, but the past 15 years have no been kind to us).

Baratti projects to a safety IN THIS DEFENSE, just as Hayseed did (and starred, btw). If the staff felt that Hayseed fit the mold for safety best, why would they move Baratti to LB? I just don't see that happening, not the way this staff likes to use their LBs. And I'm perfectly good with that, because I really believe this staff can coach some defense. We are MILES better than we have been in quite some time...

I was just signing in to this thread to comment on how I can't wait to see how Baratti develops (in hopes he becomes the next Harrison). In the back of my mind I remembered all the earlier talk about Nicky "growing into a linebacker." I was surprised to see this talk still continuing. I agree 100% with your post. One of the first things BK did was move Harrison back to S and out of the LB position where he was just too small. There's no way they move Baratti to the LB spot in this scheme. He'd be at a huge disadvantage.

Based on his Rivals listed size of 6'2" 215 lb, "growing into a LB" would require him to grow about 2 inches and gain 40 pounds of good weight without losing speed. While that is possible, it's unlikely.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Nick Baratti: 6'2"/ 215 ... cannot grow into ND OLB.

David Perkins: 6'1"/ 209 ... projected by ND as OLB.

?????? Could we maybe admit that we might not quite know what we're talking about here, simply on the SIZE issues??

 

[ab2cmiller]

Nick Baratti: 6'2"/ 215 ... cannot grow into ND OLB.

David Perkins: 6'1"/ 209 ... projected by ND as OLB.

?????? Could we maybe admit that we might not quite know what we're talking about here, simply on the SIZE issues??

LOL .... good catch OMM

 

[irishog77]

Nick Baratti: 6'2"/ 215 ... cannot grow into ND OLB.

David Perkins: 6'1"/ 209 ... projected by ND as OLB.

?????? Could we maybe admit that we might not quite know what we're talking about here, simply on the SIZE issues??

Haha-- good post OMM!!

Once again, for those out there, all we've been saying is Baratti COULD be a candidate for OLB. Not that he WILL BE a LB. I'm happy to have him at S...or wherever the staff places him.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Good catch, but I believe Perkins was a huge exception. Ask Joe Bolden how the staff feels about LB size in their system...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Good catch, but I believe Perkins was a huge exception. Ask Joe Bolden how the staff feels about LB size in their system...

Good point, but I don't think we can draw direct comparisons between run-stuffing ILBs (like Bolden) and Dog OLBs, who basically have to DBs more often than not.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Good point, but I don't think we can draw direct comparisons between run-stuffing ILBs (like Bolden) and Dog OLBs, who basically have to DBs more often than not.

This is true and I did say that it's not impossible for him to grow into the position. I just don't see it happening. We won't know until it happens though so it's all speculation/food for thought/internet chatter until then.

 

[koonja]

BGI_JasonSapp Jason Sapp
#NotreDame safety commit RT @NickyBaratti: 1st team all district tight end lol


Forget LB/safety. Dudes clearly a TE.

 

[rtrn2glory]

didn't he play QB??? unless he got moved to Tight End after his injury.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

didn't he play QB??? unless he got moved to Tight End after his injury.

My sources tell me that BK told Nick he would play QB for the Irish and that's why they're not recruiting Gunner that hard. TIFWIW

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Baratti's currently playing all sorts of positions for his team (other than QB).

I bet the all-district team had a spot open at TE and jack-of-all-trades Baratti couldn't be left off, so they stuck him there.

 

[BeauBenken]

Yea, Baratti didn't play QB this season. He was playing WR. I guess since he is such a big WR they figured they could put him at TE?

 

[TheTurningPoint]

5 Questions with Nicky Baratti.

theturningpoint2011 | ♣**This is a page where ND fans can interact with the past, present, and future Notre Dame Football Classes and with each other**♣

 

[Rhode Irish]

Nice work, TP. Thanks.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Quote from Nicky on the bang bang FB page:

Nicky Baratti I will be playing sort of what jamoris played in the dime and I'll be #4

 

[NDPhilly]

Quote from Nicky on the bang bang FB page:

That is a good fit for him. He's bigger and according to his 40 time more athletic than Jamoris.

Wasn't Bennet supposed to be changing to #4?

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Yea having Jamoris in that spot on 1st and 2nd downs proved to be much more successful than Shembo. No disrespect to Prince because I think he's one hell of a rush from the edge on 3rd.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

BARATTI to DOG OLB!? Nobody saw this coming!

 

[BeauBenken]

He's doing overhang, broseph.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He's doing overhang, broseph.

Slaughter's role in the Nickel is what OMM and I have been advocating for full-time DOLB all season.

 

[BeauBenken]

Slaughter's role in the Nickel is what OMM and I have been advocating for full-time DOLB all season.

Well my apologies then. haha Whatever it is...I like it.

 

[Irish Fam]

Shumate could also be a good fit for moving down into the box on 3rd and medium range or against a running QB.

 

[Sweetness34]

Slaughter's role in the Nickel is what OMM and I have been advocating for full-time DOLB all season.

It's the same as what Ohio State calls their STAR safety in their 4-3 scheme.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Thank God for Diaco. I knew he was sensing the value of this to increase the space coverage. I just didn't know if he could shake off the old LB imagery that infects backward-looking football coaches and fans. Man, I just breathed a big sigh of relief about our linebacking corps. I know now that Bobby the D is going to get the crew in ship-shape. Go, Nicky!! You seem just about ideal for that sort of thing to me.

 

[NDinFL]

It's the same as what Ohio State calls their STAR safety in their 4-3 scheme.

**** ohio state.....

Sorry, just needed to be said

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'm as guilty as anybody for forgetting about the guys like nick who have been committed for so long, we forget how lucky we are to have him. glad he's aboard and can't wait to see him in blue and gold.

p.s. 40 times don't necessarily equate to more athletic. just saying. personally i think jamoris is pretty athletic and i hope we get a similar breed in nick.