'11 NY OLB Ishaq Williams (Signed ND LOI-EE)

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I hate when we have him out in coverage on third and medium to long though. It's extremely frustrating to see a player who is not comfortable in space out there trying to cover when he would be best suited to be getting after the QB.

I meant it as if he would be rushing the passer. I recall several occasion on 3rd down where Tuitt moves inside with Day or Lou/Kona and Shembo and Ishaq come off the edges. I don't want him in space either.

 

[PANDFAN]

Schwenke put on 60 pounds from the time he got on campus through the end of his freshman season, didn't he? Probably wasn't the best weight to pack on but 20-25 pounds in 9 months isn't impossible now a days.

in terms of lbs no it isn't impossible...but majority of that would not be muscle w/ out the use of as someone mentioned aas. im a seasoned body builder and it isn't happening....now he has low body fat so him bulking up isn't going to hurt him unless it is compromising his speed to the extent is the risk isn't worth more than the reward...i always thought he looked very lean and athletic more like a small forward in basketball.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I believe that it's two things:

a]. the Chase Hounshell Syndrome [or Ben Councell]: Kelly praised Hounshell as a good player but said "When your behind a player like Stephon Tuitt there aren't many snaps". Ishaq will get on the field regularly, if ever, when The Prince graduates.

b]. he doesn't seem to be to be in any spontaneous flow comfort zone. He seemed to feel it [and coaches seemed to see it] in the spring, I believe, as sometime way back there was some claim for some real positive energy coming from him. That for some reason seems to have stopped. He still looks to me like a man without a country out there --- not as bad as Niklas' non-fit but just not "right" somehow.

I'm hoping for a major upturn for Ishaq like everyone else. He looks best to me when he and The Prince are rush ends with two bigs at DT. But he better watch out for Okwara if they're going to try Romeo at CAT instead of DE. Romeo to me is The Prince bigger/ stronger. And here comes Randolph. The INTERNAL Irish Train will leave the station on you too, if you don't hustle to catch it.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Personally, I just think his head hasn't caught up with his abilities yet. He is not playing instinctually or at full speed yet.

 

[Walter White]

He moves better than Shembo in the open field already. If he puts in some hard work this off-season, I think he starts to split snaps 50-50 with Shembo.

He has the athleticism to be a great cover LB as well. With Jaylon coming in, I can see our defense being more versatile in that the CAT and DOG roles become interchangeable. Both can drop/cover and get after the QB. Okwara has been praised for his ability to cover as well.

If our defense can become more flexible, Diaco will feel more comfortable calling up pressure and being more aggressive.

 

[TheChosen1]

IMO I would love this move. I honestly think he's too big to be a linebacker. Would be a bigger factor as a defensive end.

 

[ND NYC]

love him, but i still dont think things have "clicked" for him out there on the field just yet. ton of upside here.

 

[Ironman8]

I meant it as if he would be rushing the passer. I recall several occasion on 3rd down where Tuitt moves inside with Day or Lou/Kona and Shembo and Ishaq come off the edges. I don't want him in space either.

Yup then we are definitely on the same page. Okwara should be in this mix as well next year hopefully.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Yup then we are definitely on the same page. Okwara should be in this mix as well next year hopefully.

That kid can move!

 

[Emcee77]

He moves better than Shembo in the open field already. If he puts in some hard work this off-season, I think he starts to split snaps 50-50 with Shembo.

He has the athleticism to be a great cover LB as well. With Jaylon coming in, I can see our defense being more versatile in that the CAT and DOG roles become interchangeable. Both can drop/cover and get after the QB. Okwara has been praised for his ability to cover as well.

If our defense can become more flexible, Diaco will feel more comfortable calling up pressure and being more aggressive.

This. People have said on this board that the coaches have said they want to get to the point where the CAT and DOG are interchangeable. You can see them moving that direction with Ishaq and Councell ... Councell is faster, Ishaq is stronger, but both have basically the same body type as tall, long, high school DEs who can run. It looks like that's the prototype OLB for us, and Ishaq will be perfect for us as long as he keeps improving in space.

 

[levicarvalho]

2013 is the year for him to boom or bust..

 

[peoriairish]

2013 is the year for him to boom or bust..

I was going to post a gif as a response, but you're sig does it for me.

Solid bump, bro.

 

[Walter White]

I have a gut feeling it will be a huge BOOM. He showed some amazing flashes this year. I think he starts to overtake Shembo at the CAT position.

 

[IrishLion]

I have a gut feeling it will be a huge BOOM. He showed some amazing flashes this year. I think he starts to overtake Shembo at the CAT position.

No way, Shembo is too much. I think Ishaq will explode as a pass rusher in the 4-man front on 3rd down, but I don't see him passing Shembo at CAT.

 

[Walter White]

No way, Shembo is too much. I think Ishaq will explode as a pass rusher in the 4-man front on 3rd down, but I don't see him passing Shembo at CAT.

The reason I say that is because Shembo is close to his ceiling. Ishaq offers more versatility in dropping into coverage (if he can muster the dedication to grasp his potential).

 

[koonja]

I could see Ishaq taking the majority of the reps over Shembo.

 

[IrishLion]

The reason I say that is because Shembo is close to his ceiling. Ishaq offers more versatility in dropping into coverage (if he can muster the dedication to grasp his potential).

That's a good point, one I didn't consider. Ishaq certainly offers more athletic ability.

Maybe you're right, Ishaq takes over at CAT and Shembo plays at DE in passing situations. However, it will take more than a "Boom" for Ishaq to show capable pass coverage skills.

 

[IrishLion]

But I still think someone needs to clone Jaylon, then you have perfect and balanced OLBs on both sides, no more of this CAT and DOG nonsense.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

But I still think someone needs to clone Jaylon, then you have perfect and balanced OLBs on both sides, no more of this CAT and DOG nonsense.

Just ROLB and DOLB? I'd take at least 7 Jaylon clones. Put him at every position aside from DL.

 

[Emcee77]

Per BGI, Kelly said today that Ishaq will cross-train at DE, since Hounshell is out for the year.

 

[irishff1014]

Per BGI, Kelly said today that Ishaq will cross-train at DE, with Hounshell unavailable.

You scared me bud.

 

[Cali_domer]

****, don't do that

 

[tadman95]

I personally like him better at DE. He never looked comfortable at LB.

 

[Old Man Mike]

sigh of relief that he's finally going to the position where he [yes, in my flawed opinion] belongs. Ishaq BADLY needs to feel comfortable to feel the joy of the hunt and just let it flow.

 

[PLACforever]

Seriously, scared me

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I really like this move.

Kelly said he can play at his current wait, so taking Kelly's word, we'll be getting an excellent speed rusher.

It's a matter of getting off blocks that concerns me with Ishaq.

Ishaq and Prince on the field together makes me one happy guy.

 

[dublinirish]

BK promised him a visor if he plays well in spring ball

 

[clashmore_mike]

BK promised him a visor if he plays well in spring ball

Is this real? I hope so.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Is this real? I hope so.

it was mentioned in the presser. BK had a snarky coy smile as he said it.

 

[clashmore_mike]

it was mentioned in the presser. BK had a snarky coy smile as he said it.

ah ok I'm watching presser now. He had a similar deal with Golson. Ishaq with dreads, a Tuck mask, and a visor? Yes please.