Is Chris Badger the leader ND has been waiting for?

[tommyIRISH23]

^Me too, I guess. If the question is, will Chris Badger be the next Harrison Smith, a leader, captain and every-down starter who keeps the ND defense organized, then I think it's a good question. Badger is a high-character guy who seems to have a lot of talent. If the question is, will Chris Badger be the next ND legend (and this is what, standing alone, "leader we've been waiting for" seems to imply), then I agree that the question is premature at best.

I never said anything about being a legend. All I asked was he going to become that leader for both sides of the ball. The guy who pushes other players in practice, and doesn't accept mediocrity. The kid has dedicated his life to service. And, I could be wrong, but he seems like someone who doesn't have the flare for dramatics, and does everything he says he is going to do. He also, by the nature of the work he's done, see's the big picture and knows he needs more then himself to accomplish any feat. When someone like him says "my mission is to win a NC at ND" then I believe he is going to go above and beyond whats asked of him as a individual. I can't see him using the statement like "God has sent me here to ND, and my next mission... " just bc he his excited. I don't think he throws around the words "mission" and "God" like most do. This isn't the same as Jimmy Clausen saying he's going to win 4 NC's at ND.

 

[woolybug25]

I never said anything about being a legend. All I asked was he going to become that leader for both sides of the ball. The guy who pushes other players in practice, and doesn't accept mediocrity. The kid has dedicated his life to service. And, I could be wrong, but he seems like someone who doesn't have the flare for dramatics, and does everything he says he is going to do. He also, by the nature of the work he's done, see's the big picture and knows he needs more then himself to accomplish any feat. When someone like him says "my mission is to win a NC at ND" then I believe he is going to go above and beyond whats asked of him as a individual. I can't see him using the statement like "God has sent me here to ND, and my next mission... " just bc he his excited. I don't think he throws around the words "mission" and "God" like most do. This isn't the same as Jimmy Clausen saying he's going to win 4 NC's at ND.

I think that those types of statements are indeed thrown around a lot by Badger. I would think that a mormon kid would throw around "god" statements quite frequently. I'm not sure what you mean by this.

 

[DillonHall]

The only way Badger becomes the leader that you think he might is if he gets on the field and plays great. Nobody's going to listen to a mediocre player ragging on others to be better.

 

[irishpat183]

The only way Badger becomes the leader that you think he might is if he gets on the field and plays great. Nobody's going to listen to a mediocre player ragging on others to be better.

True that.

 

[Old Man Mike]

To Rhode: regarding offensive unit leadership--- I agree that it's unlikely that we will get the "strong QB" style leadership that most well-functioning teams have, this year. You'd have to say that all four of them have various things going against them to pull that off. However, just to hold out a slight hope: the offense is pretty irrational when it comes to throwing in behind their quarterback. IF some youngster comes out in a blaze of competence which translates into a Kelly offensive juggernaut, then all he will have to do is find it in his personality to be able to gel the troops and exhort them to big efforts --- like, "This is it!! This is what we've trained for!!! This play is the game!!! Let's ram it right down their throats!!!!". Cave and Martin then break the huddle with blood in their eyes and steam coming out of their ears, and the first down is assured.

Of course, it is unlikely that we'll have that guy this year. SO.... it will HAVE to be Cave and Watt and Martin revving up the line [and the TE], and some hidden Jonas Gray or Armando Allen [Armando was the only senior that I saw doing this two seasons ago] getting the WRs to block and the RB to smash in there. That's an imperfect situation for O-Leadership as it cannot take place right in the huddle.

 

[notredomer23]

Personally, I think that leader is going to be EJ Banks

 

[Patulski]

I never said anything about being a legend. All I asked was he going to become that leader for both sides of the ball. The guy who pushes other players in practice, and doesn't accept mediocrity.

What I've been "waiting for" is for Notre Dame to win the National Championship. So, what I'd like is the college football equivalent of Michael Jordan. So no, I don't think Chris Badger is what I've been waiting for.

 

[Patulski]

When did "getting in the faces of linemen" become a leadership trait of QB's?

Arguably the best "leader" at QB in the modern era ay Notre Dame was Joe Montana. The players followed him, and worked their butts off, because they knew that they were never out of the game as long as Joe was their QB.

When you don't have a QB that can/will get in the faces of the linemen and the skill players, you probably need compartmentalized leadership - an OL leading the other OLs, a skill player leading the other skill players. Seem right to you?

 

[woolybug25]

What I've been "waiting for" is for Notre Dame to win the National Championship. So, what I'd like is the college football equivalent of Michael Jordan. So no, I don't think Chris Badger is what I've been waiting for.

That's exactly what I think. We haven't "been waiting for" a backup player that pushes other players. We have "been waiting for" a star player that makes his teammates play up to his level. Very good point, dude.

By the way, could "been waiting for" be the new IE statement? You know;

- "Do they have potential?"
- "They are at the top of my list"
- "Are they the player that we have been waiting for?"

I think so.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

That's exactly what I think. We haven't "been waiting for" a backup player that pushes other players. We have "been waiting for" a star player that makes his teammates play up to his level. Very good point, dude.

By the way, could "been waiting for" be the new IE statement? You know;

- "Do they have potential?"
- "They are at the top of my list"
- "Are they the player that we have been waiting for?"

I think so.

don't forget "He Gone"

 

[woolybug25]

don't forget "He Gone"

How could I forget. Silly me.

Updated
- "Do they have potential?"
- "They are at the top of my list"
- "Are they the player that we have been waiting for?"
- "He Gone"

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

No, Tee Shepard is.

 

[woolybug25]

No, Tee Shepard is.

ouch...

 

[irishog77]

How could I forget. Silly me.

Updated
- "Do they have potential?"
- "They are at the top of my list"
- "Are they the player that we have been waiting for?"
- "He Gone"

"Is he a RKG?"

No excuse me while I go throw up for letting that phrase pass through my fingertips!