Spring Practice Thread 2012

[Bogtrotter07]

Aaron Lynch's athleticism is just disgusting.

That is almost an oxymoron. The only truth to be found in that is if you are an oponent of the domer, homer. The rest has nothing to do with you Doc.

Instead of anything posting anything negative, I am just going to post this picture. This picture adequately represents the way I feel about some of these negative discussions based upon personal inadequacies, not facts in evidence. All these downer comments are more about the posters personal issues than the state of ND football. So I will post my picture and be happy with my stooges . . .

 

[Emcee77]

Aaron Lynch's athleticism is just disgusting.

That is almost an oxymoron. The only truth to be found in that is if you are an oponent of the domer, homer. The rest has nothing to do with you Doc.

Instead of anything posting anything negative, I am just going to post this picture. This picture adequately represents the way I feel about some of these negative discussions based upon personal inadequacies, not facts in evidence. All these downer comments are more about the posters personal issues than the state of ND football. So I will post my picture and be happy with my stooges . . .

Lol, the communication process has broken down. Greyhammer's comment was a compliment. The sense is that Aaron Lynch is extraordinarily athletic.

 

[JughedJones]

That is almost an oxymoron. The only truth to be found in that is if you are an oponent of the domer, homer. The rest has nothing to do with you Doc.

Instead of anything posting anything negative, I am just going to post this picture. This picture adequately represents the way I feel about some of these negative discussions based upon personal inadequacies, not facts in evidence. All these downer comments are more about the posters personal issues than the state of ND football. So I will post my picture and be happy with my stooges . . .

Mind = Blown.

 

[koonja]

Our secondary is going to be below average at best. Anybody that thinks differently is kidding themselves.

This.

I know it sounds good having Motta, Slaughter, and Collinsworth as safeties, but it's not as good as it sounds. Slaughter finished playing a hybrid position, not true safety (if I remember correctly). He was damn good, though. Other then that, Collinsworth has never started a game and Motta is not a good safety. Have you ever seen him take an angle? Couple that with young, inexperienced cornerbacks and it could be shaky.

Thank god we have a GREAT d-line and solid LBs. But our secondary is going to have to learn on the fly, and with our schedule, that's playing with fire.

Speaking of safeties, any chance Shummate sees time?

Edit: If I'm hating on Motta too much, let me know. I honestly think he's a bad, below average safety.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The communication process has broken down. Greyhammer's comment was a compliment. The sense is that Aaron Lynch is extraordinarily athletic.

No it hasn't, I was being facetious.

(fa·ce·tious [ fə seeshəss ] supposed to be funny: intended to be humorous but often silly or inappropriate)

Then I made it clear I was no longer talking about the hammer; I call him Doc, which has a bit of an Eduardian ring to it. Don't you agree?

The rest I meant seriously about the others that drag these kids through crap, over the honest effort they are making.

 

[Irish Fam]

This.

I know it sounds good having Motta, Slaughter, and Collinsworth as safeties, but it's not as good as it sounds. Slaughter finished playing a hybrid position, not true safety (if I remember correctly). He was damn good, though. Other then that, Collinsworth has never started a game and Motta is not a good safety. Have you ever seen him take an angle? Couple that with young, inexperienced cornerbacks and it could be shaky.

Thank god we have a GREAT d-line and solid LBs. But our secondary is going to have to learn on the fly, and with our schedule, that's playing with fire.

Speaking of safeties, any chance Shummate sees time?

While i do partially agree with this, I think the set up of our schedule could be a huge advantage to an inexperienced secondary. We have probably our easiest two games at the beginning of our schedule, so hopefully our young secondary can get the jitters out in those games. And our third opponent, Michigan State, will have a new qb, and i believe will also be replacing its top 3 pass catchers.

 

[woolybug25]

This.

I know it sounds good having Motta, Slaughter, and Collinsworth as safeties, but it's not as good as it sounds. Slaughter finished playing a hybrid position, not true safety (if I remember correctly). He was damn good, though. Other then that, Collinsworth has never started a game and Motta is not a good safety. Have you ever seen him take an angle? Couple that with young, inexperienced cornerbacks and it could be shaky.

Thank god we have a GREAT d-line and solid LBs. But our secondary is going to have to learn on the fly, and with our schedule, that's playing with fire.

Speaking of safeties, any chance Shummate sees time?

Edit: If I'm hating on Motta too much, let me know. I honestly think he's a bad, below average safety.

I think Shumate will play early and often.

I don't think that you are bagging on Motta too much. Earlier when someone said, "at least we don't have to worry about them making mental mistakes", I immediately thought about the terrible pursuit decisions Motta makes. Hopefully he improves and becomes a better player, but to say that he has been anything but below average so far is innacurate.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

This.

I know it sounds good having Motta, Slaughter, and Collinsworth as safeties, but it's not as good as it sounds. Slaughter finished playing a hybrid position, not true safety (if I remember correctly). He was damn good, though. Other then that, Collinsworth has never started a game and Motta is not a good safety. Have you ever seen him take an angle? Couple that with young, inexperienced cornerbacks and it could be shaky.

Thank god we have a GREAT d-line and solid LBs. But our secondary is going to have to learn on the fly, and with our schedule, that's playing with fire.

Speaking of safeties, any chance Shummate sees time?

Edit: If I'm hating on Motta too much, let me know. I honestly think he's a bad, below average safety.

This is an example of a good post inviting discussion, not getting too personal (in my opinion.)

The Big K takes responsibility for his feelings toward Motta. This is a lot different than what I was talking about!

To address you Big K, my super special antennae tell me that Mr. Elliot is addressing that as we speak. Motta is huge, not slow, quick, he just needed more coaching up than he got. Now is the perfect time with the introduction of a new coach, and for a fact Bobby and Harry are better technical coaches than almost anyone in the nation. (My two cents.)

 

[BeauBenken]

What I expect from our DBs is kinda what you saw from Tommy last year. Look decent until playing the big boys.

I hope they can prove me wrong though. I really do like what's been said about Bennett.

 

[Grahambo]

I think it's to early to tell with the secondary. I'm not ready to write off the secondary just yet, sorry.

 

[anarin]

Well its a good thing the defense plays more of a "Bend dont break" style, which naturally will help the backend of the defense.

 

[koonja]

Well its a good thing the defense plays more of a "Bend dont break" style, which naturally will help the backend of the defense.

It's interesting because Michigan had a LOT of roster questions last year, and they pulled out a miracle season (For the record, IMO they didn't deserve to win at least 2 of their games that were wins).

How do you guys compare this year's ND team to last year's Michigan team? Or is this way off, lol.

 

[BeauBenken]

It's interesting because Michigan had a LOT of roster questions last year, and they pulled out a miracle season (For the record, IMO they didn't deserve to win at least 2 of their games that were wins).

How do you guys compare this year's ND team to last year's Michigan team? Or is this way off, lol.

I mean, I'd love a miracle season like that to happen. haha

 

[IrishInFl]

I mean, I'd love a miracle season like that to happen. haha

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QTev5pSuYLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[returnofthemack]

It's interesting because Michigan had a LOT of roster questions last year, and they pulled out a miracle season (For the record, IMO they didn't deserve to win at least 2 of their games that were wins).

How do you guys compare this year's ND team to last year's Michigan team? Or is this way off, lol.

They had good talent, they were just playing in an atrocious scheme for Greg Robinson. Having Greg Mattison as your DC will definitely help. Our CBs aren't near as talented as their's were. As for their safeties, they had Kovacs and another solid kid. Not uber-talented, but definitely better than Zeke Motta. I would be pleasantly surprised if our defense is in the Top 50 for passing stats at the end of the season - that would be a fine job by the coaches. I'm not worried about run defense with Manti, Slaughter, and the D-line.

 

[50milesSE ND]

Lol, the communication process has broken down. Greyhammer's comment was a compliment. The sense is that Aaron Lynch is extraordinarily athletic.

ouch someone didn't think it through lol.

 

[Emcee77]

Lol, the communication process has broken down. Greyhammer's comment was a compliment. The sense is that Aaron Lynch is extraordinarily athletic.

No it hasn't, I was being facetious.

(fa·ce·tious [ fə seeshəss ] supposed to be funny: intended to be humorous but often silly or inappropriate)

Then I made it clear I was no longer talking about the hammer; I call him Doc, which has a bit of an Eduardian ring to it. Don't you agree?

The rest I meant seriously about the others that drag these kids through crap, over the honest effort they are making.

Lol, well no, I wouldn't say it was totally clear in the first instance, but I see now what you meant. Seems the communication breakdown started with me. My bad. Did not mean to seem snarky; was just trying to clear up what I thought was a misunderstanding.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

They had good talent, they were just playing in an atrocious scheme for Greg Robinson. Having Greg Mattison as your DC will definitely help. Our CBs aren't near as talented as their's were. As for their safeties, they had Kovacs and another solid kid. Not uber-talented, but definitely better than Zeke Motta. I would be pleasantly surprised if our defense is in the Top 50 for passing stats at the end of the season - that would be a fine job by the coaches. I'm not worried about run defense with Manti, Slaughter, and the D-line.

I don't see how you can say their safeties are more talented than Zeke Motta. Motta is a solid player and players on the team think he will end up a better player than Harrison Smith.

 

[woolybug25]

I don't see how you can say their safeties are more talented than Zeke Motta. Motta is a solid player and players on the team think he will end up a better player than Harrison Smith.

Zeke Motta has not been a solid player on this defense. His pursuits last year were horrendous. He was a liability when he was in the game. Who knows how good he will end up, but he is very far away from being in Harrison Smith's league.

Where is everyone getting this from? Turn on the tape.

PS - I like Zeke's ability and hope that he turns out to be an awesome player, but I also can look at the tape on him and clearly say that last year he just wasn't very good.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Zeke Motta has not been a solid player on this defense. His pursuits last year were horrendous. He was a liability when he was in the game. Who knows how good he will end up, but he is very far away from being in Harrison Smith's league.

Where is everyone getting this from? Turn on the tape.

PS - I like Zeke's ability and hope that he turns out to be an awesome player, but I also can look at the tape on him and clearly say that last year he just wasn't very good.

So you are agreeing with the original poster that the two Michigan safaties who started last year, one being a walk on, are more talented than Motta?

I completely disagree with that...Motta has more talent, may not have reached it yet, than both of them combined.

Edit: BTW Motta was most definitely liability last year when a scored a TD against FSU. I mean if he is such a liability why didn't the coaching staff have Collinsworth takes his snaps?

 

[DillonHall]

How can there be any argument that Zeke was one of our worst starters last year?

 

[Ironman8]

Zeke Motta has not been a solid player on this defense. His pursuits last year were horrendous. He was a liability when he was in the game. Who knows how good he will end up, but he is very far away from being in Harrison Smith's league.

Where is everyone getting this from? Turn on the tape.

PS - I like Zeke's ability and hope that he turns out to be an awesome player, but I also can look at the tape on him and clearly say that last year he just wasn't very good.

One of the great things about college players is the propensity for players to develop quickly and improve drastically even in the span of one year. Surely you remember when almost everyone on here was talking about Harrison Smith in the very same manner they are about Zeke right now?

I agree with you that his coverage and angles were not great last year, but the thing is those are areas that he can easily improve upon with coaching and familiarity with the position and what is being asked of him. We have seen cases both ways - where players and coaches talk kids up in the spring and they either do explode or they continue to 'underperform'.

Of course debating this is fun for fans and is what keeps us engaged during the spring, but Sherm and I just have a different fundamental view than you and some others. I would much rather acknowledge the past and have optimism for the future based on the talent I see and the words of coaches and players then be pessimistic about it. I don't believe either of us have the right or wrong way of looking at it, and it just shows we both care and just go about rooting for the team in slightly different ways.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

How can there be any argument that Zeke was one of our worst starters last year?

Because for the most part he wasn't a starter...And the argument has nothing to do about him being a starter last yer. the argument is about how the two starting safeties at Michigan last year were more talented than Motta.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

One of the great things about college players is the propensity for players to develop quickly and improve drastically even in the span of one year. Surely you remember when almost everyone on here was talking about Harrison Smith in the very same manner they are about Zeke right now?

I agree with you that his coverage and angles were not great last year, but the thing is those are areas that he can easily improve upon with coaching and familiarity with the position and what is being asked of him. We have seen cases both ways - where players and coaches talk kids up in the spring and they either do explode or they continue to 'underperform'.

Of course debating this is fun for fans and is what keeps us engaged during the spring, but Sherm and I just have a different fundamental view than you and some others. I would much rather acknowledge the past and have optimism for the future based on the talent I see and the words of coaches and players then be pessimistic about it. I don't believe either of us have the right or wrong way of looking at it, and it just shows we both care and just go about rooting for the team in slightly different ways.

Word. I mean this is the first year Motta will actually be getting practice reps with the first team.

 

[woolybug25]

So you are agreeing with the original poster that the two Michigan safaties who started last year, one being a walk on, are more talented than Motta?

I completely disagree with that...Motta has more talent, may not have reached it yet, than both of them combined.

Edit: BTW Motta was most definitely liability last year when a scored a TD against FSU. I mean if he is such a liability why didn't Collinsworth takes his snaps?

I will hit this point by point. Yes, Kovacs is better, by a lot. The dude will probably play in the NFL. Watch the tape. While you are watching that, maybe you noticed Gordan's 9 tackles (2 for loss) or saw Robinson get 5 solo tackles and a pass break up against us.

Collinsworth didn't take Motta's snaps because he was just as raw as Motta, just with less physical ability. That's why he wasn't taking any snaps.

Motta's one play in a game we lost doesn't make up for all of the mistakes he made throughout the year.

NOTICE - I like the potential of both of these guys, so I hope no one takes this as me bashing our guys. I think Motta and Collinsworth can become very good players, but that doesn't mean that I am going to act like they were good last year when they most certainly were not.

 

[woolybug25]

One of the great things about college players is the propensity for players to develop quickly and improve drastically even in the span of one year. Surely you remember when almost everyone on here was talking about Harrison Smith in the very same manner they are about Zeke right now?

I agree with you that his coverage and angles were not great last year, but the thing is those are areas that he can easily improve upon with coaching and familiarity with the position and what is being asked of him. We have seen cases both ways - where players and coaches talk kids up in the spring and they either do explode or they continue to 'underperform'.

Of course debating this is fun for fans and is what keeps us engaged during the spring, but Sherm and I just have a different fundamental view than you and some others. I would much rather acknowledge the past and have optimism for the future based on the talent I see and the words of coaches and players then be pessimistic about it. I don't believe either of us have the right or wrong way of looking at it, and it just shows we both care and just go about rooting for the team in slightly different ways.

I totally agree and hope that Motta and Collinsworth show that improvement. They certainly have the attitude to do so.

That being said, I am not going to say that they were good players for us LAST SEASON. That's my whole point, not that I feel they cant be good for us in the future. But anyone that says that either of them have been consistent starting material so far in their careers is looking through green kool-aid glasses. It simply isn't true.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Lol, well no, I wouldn't say it was totally clear in the first instance, but I see now what you meant. Seems the communication breakdown started with me. My bad. Did not mean to seem snarky; was just trying to clear up what I thought was a misunderstanding.

No it didn't the communication breakdown actually started with the Negative Neds. (My kids said I should use this kind of terminology, but they were laughing when they said it.)

Seriously, people get all negative and down on others, one after another, then everyone becomes snarley and **** like this happens. It is a waste of time.

And for the record I like to be dramatic, confrontational, and obtuse. It was really my fault. Though I was not baiting you personally. I was offering it all to any takers. So it was really my fault!

I have always thought you a great guy MC. You are one of the many I consider friends on this site and whose opinions I value.

 

[woolybug25]

Bogtrotter and Emcee = BFF

 

[Emcee77]

LOL.

And thanks Trotter. Backatcha.

Wooly, you know you want in this wolfpack.

We're the three best friends that anybody could have - YouTube

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QTev5pSuYLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mike Eruzione played for, who else? The Toledo Goal Diggers, not as famous as their sister franchise in baseball, the Mudhens, but very lethal. Maybe one of the best minor league teams ever. So you can imagine the chear that went up among us the old Goal Digger fans when that happened. We tore the town down!

So I do believe in miracles!