'13 HI LB Isaac Savaiinaea (UCLA Signed NLI)

[Buster Bluth]

either way what I think this D continues to show is that they need way better athletes at MLB so I think they need to take this kid if they can get him no matter what. Then I guess they wouldn't bring back Fox or Calabrese.

Anzalone or Randolph can play there and are 10000x better in space than Carlo.

 

[beryirish]

either way what I think this D continues to show is that they need way better athletes at MLB so I think they need to take this kid if they can get him no matter what. Then I guess they wouldn't bring back Fox or Calabrese.

I hope you are excluding Manti from this statement

 

[elboricua]

I hope you are excluding Manti from this statement

Of course. Although I will say that I think ND can get better athletes than Teo for the MLB position. I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are more explosive athletes and/or who are better in coverage. They won't be better overall but they could be a little faster, a little better lateral agility, etc. But mostly, of course I am saying they need better athletes in the middle than Fox and Calabrese. It is happening but I think this Hawaiian kid is also better athletically. I would hold off on Randolph though, we will see if he can move inside or if he's better outside. I also think Deeb is basically Calabrese but a little bit more athletic and a natural leader of the D. I'd be surprised if he isn't the one making the calls on D.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Of course. Although I will say that I think ND can get better athletes than Teo for the MLB position. I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are more explosive athletes and/or who are better in coverage. They won't be better overall but they could be a little faster, a little better lateral agility, etc. But mostly, of course I am saying they need better athletes in the middle than Fox and Calabrese. It is happening but I think this Hawaiian kid is also better athletically. I would hold off on Randolph though, we will see if he can move inside or if he's better outside. I also think Deeb is basically Calabrese but a little bit more athletic and a natural leader of the D. I'd be surprised if he isn't the one making the calls on D.

 

[NDhoosier]

Although I will say that I think ND can get better athletes than Teo for the MLB position.

right, because Te'o isnt considered the best LB (let alone MLB) in the entire nation...

I didnt even bother reading the rest of your post after you made that statement. There is no LB better than Manti Te'o in college football.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

Of course. Although I will say that I think ND can get better athletes than Teo for the MLB position. I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are more explosive athletes and/or who are better in coverage. They won't be better overall but they could be a little faster, a little better lateral agility, etc. But mostly, of course I am saying they need better athletes in the middle than Fox and Calabrese. It is happening but I think this Hawaiian kid is also better athletically. I would hold off on Randolph though, we will see if he can move inside or if he's better outside. I also think Deeb is basically Calabrese but a little bit more athletic and a natural leader of the D. I'd be surprised if he isn't the one making the calls on D.

I'm not one to typically negative rep people for their opinions, because people are entitled to their own (Except for a couple people out there who think they know everything; You know who you are), but this sort of comment in my sports world is considered crazy talk. Even the sports writers that hate ND, know Teo is the best MLB in college football, and even the unbiased reporters, know he is the Best. This is not an ND fan tooting our own horn, it's an undeniable FACT that he is the best athlete/LB at his position.

 

[elboricua]

right, because Te'o isnt considered the best LB (let alone MLB) in the entire nation...

I didnt even bother reading the rest of your post after you made that statement. There is no LB better than Manti Te'o in college football.

Holy crap, how did you people graduate from a university? Seriously, people, it's called reading comprehension. It's not hard. I am constantly amazed by people, especially fans of Notre Dame, who lack this fundamental ability. I guess it's not taught well in school or really required in many jobs. I don't know another explanation. I went back and read my statement just to make sure I wrote it correctly and that you all read it incorrectly. That's what happened. I specifically said that they likely could not get a better player than Teo at the position.

What I said was "I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are better pure athletes and/or who are better in coverage." Being a great athlete and being a great football player are not necessarily the same thing. Why do you think that Teo has struggled in coverage at times despite his incredible instincts, hard work, size, toughness, and and motor? It's because there are some areas where he's not elite as a pure athlete. That's why he likely would have drifted down to the bottom of the 1st round or high 2nd round in the draft last year because the NFL is a passing league and Teo is not an elite pass defender yet. And there are better athletes at the linebacker position out there than Teo and there will be prospects who are better pure athletes in the future if ND continues to recruit extremely well. ND could have had a guy named Luke Kuechly if they had offered, a perfect example of a player who is more athletic than Teo and was also(not coincidentally) a better player in coverage. There are other players who are not nearly as good as Teo but who are his equal or better as pure athletes. There are not many of them, but they most definitely exist.

So not to be too harsh, but please read critically because it gets annoying when people are rude or dismissive because they didn't comprehend what they read.

 

[PraetorianND]

Holy crap, how did you people graduate from a university? Seriously, people, it's called reading comprehension. It's not hard. I am constantly amazed by people, especially fans of Notre Dame, who lack this fundamental ability. I guess it's not taught well in school or really required in many jobs. I don't know another explanation. I went back and read my statement just to make sure I wrote it correctly and that you all read it incorrectly. That's what happened. I specifically said that they likely could not get a better player than Teo at the position.

What I said was "I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are better pure athletes and/or who are better in coverage." Being a great athlete and being a great football player are not necessarily the same thing. Why do you think that Teo has struggled in coverage at times despite his incredible instincts, hard work, size, toughness, and and motor? It's because there are some areas where he's not elite as a pure athlete. That's why he likely would have drifted down to the bottom of the 1st round or high 2nd round in the draft last year because the NFL is a passing league and Teo is not an elite pass defender yet. And there are better athletes at the linebacker position out there than Teo and there will be prospects who are better pure athletes in the future if ND continues to recruit extremely well. ND could have had a guy named Luke Kuechly if they had offered, a perfect example of a player who is more athletic than Teo and was also(not coincidentally) a better player in coverage. There are other players who are not nearly as good as Teo but who are his equal or better as pure athletes. There are not many of them, but they most definitely exist.

So not to be too harsh, but please read critically because it gets annoying when people are rude or dismissive because they didn't comprehend what they read.

Seems pretty harsh.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

If not ND, hopefully he backs off Stanford and chooses UCLA. I love the Hawaiian badasses.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Of course. Although I will say that I think ND can get better athletes than Teo for the MLB position. I don't think they will get better players but I could definitely foresee them getting guys who are more explosive athletes and/or who are better in coverage. They won't be better overall but they could be a little faster, a little better lateral agility, etc. But mostly, of course I am saying they need better athletes in the middle than Fox and Calabrese. It is happening but I think this Hawaiian kid is also better athletically. I would hold off on Randolph though, we will see if he can move inside or if he's better outside. I also think Deeb is basically Calabrese but a little bit more athletic and a natural leader of the D. I'd be surprised if he isn't the one making the calls on D.

Manti is a very explosive player....ask the guy(s) below.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KUZtwUxF3vk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[elboricua]

Manti is a very explosive player....ask the guy(s) below.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KUZtwUxF3vk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You are correct. All I said was that I could foresee the possibility of a more explosive player than him, not that I thought it was likely or that he wasn't explosive. Again, see my previous post on reading critically. But you just made your point and weren't a dick about it, so please note I am definitely not trying to be a dick back, just pointing out what I wrote.

 

[jason_h537]

So how about Isaac. Is there still room for him. Agree with Buster, I think Anzalone and Randoplh are both inside backers at the next level.

 

[elboricua]

So how about Isaac. Is there still room for him. Agree with Buster, I think Anzalone and Randoplh are both inside backers at the next level.

what I was trying to say before was that I think they need to make room for him and take him. You just do that if he wants to come and then you don't bring back either ILB. I thought previously that they should bring back Fox especially if he improves a lot in coverage but I don't see it happening. If he picks it up a lot though, then maybe they want to bring him back as a senior leader. I think you got to take the Hawaiian though, also to try and build more of a connection to the island and the school.

 

[peoriairish]

.

 

[ALLGATOR]

He would a top 3 probably top 2 player in ND class. I would take him.

 

[Irishbounty28]

what I was trying to say before was that I think they need to make room for him and take him. You just do that if he wants to come and then you don't bring back either ILB. I thought previously that they should bring back Fox especially if he improves a lot in coverage but I don't see it happening. If he picks it up a lot though, then maybe they want to bring him back as a senior leader. I think you got to take the Hawaiian though, also to try and build more of a connection to the island and the school.

First of all, I would take this kid in a heartbeat because I feel we have some big-skill guys in this class that could make noise elsewhere on the field. What I do not agree with is getting rid of both Fox and Calabrese. In my opinion, you have to keep one of them. Senior leadership is not something that can be taken for granted, and either of these two would provide excellent experience that cannot be taught. If both Fox and Calabrese leave, that will leave us little experience at the linebacker position, which is similar to our woes at defensive back now.

 

[Irishnuke]

He would a top 3 probably top 2 player in ND class. I would take him.

No he wouldn't. No disrespect to him, but he wouldn't be one our top 2 or 3 recruits.

 

[Buster Bluth]

what I was trying to say before was that I think they need to make room for him and take him. You just do that if he wants to come and then you don't bring back either ILB. I thought previously that they should bring back Fox especially if he improves a lot in coverage but I don't see it happening. If he picks it up a lot though, then maybe they want to bring him back as a senior leader. I think you got to take the Hawaiian though, also to try and build more of a connection to the island and the school.

You're delusional if you don't think they're bringing back Fox.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

You're delusional if you don't think they're bringing back Fox.

How do you know we aren't going to ship him off to Kansas for his fifth year? lol

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The decision of who we keep won't be made until long after the season. For example, if he had another year of eligibility, we would have kept Jonas Gray in a heartbeat, but who would have guessed that by the second game?

Randolph projects as an ILB, however he may develop into a defensive end. He does some pretty incredible things in the vein of Fleming, Shembo, Tuitt and Day.

 

[elboricua]

You're delusional if you don't think they're bringing back Fox.

Really? A little extreme I think. I would have agreed that they would bring back Fox previously. I thought they would definitely do it. But it will depend on who they can get and if Fox improves. If Fox shows he's likely the best coverage guy they have, then I agree they will likely bring him back. But if he doesn't show a lot of improvement, I don't think they should. Of course, they don't care what I think so they likely will. But if you could get this kid, I think you have to take take him and get other players that at positions of need, and not bring back Fox. There's just not enough numbers elsewhere to bring him back if you bring in another MLB.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Really? A little extreme I think. I would have agreed that they would bring back Fox previously. I thought they would definitely do it. But it will depend on who they can get and if Fox improves. If Fox shows he's likely the best coverage guy they have, then I agree they will likely bring him back. But if he doesn't show a lot of improvement, I don't think they should. Of course, they don't care what I think so they likely will. But if you could get this kid, I think you have to take take him and get other players that at positions of need, and not bring back Fox. There's just not enough numbers elsewhere to bring him back if you bring in another MLB.

This was Fox's first game at OLB. DOG no less. What do you want? And why would you think they keep Fox at DOG with Spond coming back?

If the let a fifth year LB go, why wouldn't it be Carlo? And why would they need to let one go anyway?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I may be wrong, but I don't think ND ran a 3-4 this past weekend. I'm pretty sure they lined up in a 4-3 most of the game. Thus, Fox wasn't technically playing DOG.

 

[elboricua]

This was Fox's first game at OLB. DOG no less. What do you want? And why would you think they keep Fox at DOG with Spond coming back?

If the let a fifth year LB go, why wouldn't it be Carlo? And why would they need to let one go anyway?

Where, in what I wrote, did you get that I thought he played terribly in the first game? More interestingly, where did you get that I thought they would keep Fox at DOG? Where did you get that I was saying that they would only let 1 5th year ILB go no matter what? I was saying that if they took Isaac they might need to bring NONE back.

As to your last question, I think they need to because they have too many needs and so they need to bring back only a few 5th years. I think they will bring back Martin and Watt. Eifert will go pro. Wood is a tossup and it will largely depend on what happens the rest of the year. Does he really come on in the middle and end of the year? If so, I think he goes. But they don't have many more spots and they badly need a legit pass rushing CAT, several guys who could play corner/WR, probably another slot/rb, and hopefully another DE/NT. That's a lot of guys and they don't have many more spots. If you could get Isaac, that would lessen the need to bring back another ILB.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

No he wouldn't. No disrespect to him, but he wouldn't be one our top 2 or 3 recruits.

Actually on 247 he has the same rating (95) as Anzalone and Bivin, our #2 and #3 "best" recruits. I think we all know ALLGATOR's thoughts on Alex by now. To your point though, Rivals does rate Isaac much much lower.

 

[GBdomer]

Watching Fox play the Dog made me want to stick needles in my eyes. Than watching Carlo in coverage. If those are two best options. No doubt Carlo can play the run but it just shows we are weak there. So if Isaac wants to come and he is the best available player I am not sure why we don't take him. You can't be 5-7 deep at that position and play championship football in the 3-4. And currently that's what we are at. So if Isaac is best available and he wants to come I hope we do take him. Linebacker needs upgrade and for those who don't think we do watch the Purdue game or how teams will start spreading us out this year.

 

[NDhoosier]

You're delusional if you don't think they're bringing back Fox.

i think it is a little early to say that with absolutely certainty. I will agree that it is likely he will be asked back, but you made it sound like it was a done deal... it is far to early to say that with such confidence.

 

[ALLGATOR]

Actually on 247 he has the same rating (95) as Anzalone and Bivin, our #2 and #3 "best" recruits. I think we all know ALLGATOR's thoughts on Alex by now. To your point though, Rivals does rate Isaac much much lower.

I will take Montelus over Bivin. I also like Rochell. Isaac> Alex

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I will take Montelus over Bivin. I also like Rochell. Isaac> Alex

Wrong Bivin over Montelus.

 

[NDPhilly]

Elmer>Montelus>Bivin IMO. All three are very good.