'13 OH QB Malik Zaire (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[T Town Tommy]

UF named Luke del Rio the starter. Zaire hasn't played since UM game in week 1

Zaire made the mistake of going to UF to begin with. He does not have the skill set Jim Mc wants in a QB. It was puzzling to me when Zaire announced he was going there. Wish him well but he should have went somewhere to showcase his run first skillset.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Zaire made the mistake of going to UF to begin with. He does not have the skill set Jim Mc wants in a QB. It was puzzling to me when Zaire announced he was going there. Wish him well but he should have went somewhere to showcase his run first skillset.

I wish he would've tried to go to Georgia Tech.

 

[dublinirish]

I wish he would've tried to go to Georgia Tech.

you need to be humble to be a triple option QB, Zaire is not that dude.

 

[Luckylucci]

As I said a couple/few weeks ago, there is clearly a significant difference in what type of player Malik really is, and what his camp believes he is. Not just with talented he is, but what type of player as well.

 

[stlnd01]

Regardless of system (because he can fling it, too), feels like he would have been far better off going someplace where he could've done spring ball. Walking in to fall camp is tough and you're competing with guys who've spent years learning to offense and their teammates.

 

[pumpdog20]

He would have been better off as the back up here, with a shot at the playoffs.

 

[GATTACA!]

He would have been better off as the back up here, with a shot at the playoffs.

 

[BobbyMac]

He took a chance on a team that IF he won the job, he'd be in a position to be challenged by NFL caliber players in practice, to go up against a schedule that NFL scouts would appreciate and to get prepared for a shot at the league.

He wasn't going to get that at ND, he wasn't going to get that being the run first, dual threat qb that everyone knows he is at ______ University. He wanted a chance to go to a good school, in a good conference and try to replicate the Malik that played against Texas in '15.

He took a shot. He'll always have that ND degree right? He took care of the important stuff first and then went and chased his dream.

 

[ulukinatme]

As I said a couple/few weeks ago, there is clearly a significant difference in what type of player Malik really is, and what his camp believes he is. Not just with talented he is, but what type of player as well.

He must have fooled a lot of people then, because he was obviously playing well enough at one point to unseat a rattled Golson at the end of 2014, played well in that bowl game, won the job outright in 2015 and got off to a great start, had the injury, but by all accounts was playing well enough in Camp to split time with Kizer going into 2016. Come game time a lot of things changed and he didn't appear to have that confidence he once had. We also had a weak running game last year that didn't really compliment his playing style. It is what it is though, and even if Florida wasn't the best fit he had to take a chance somewhere because his time at ND was clearly done.

 

[NDdomer2]

Dudes career is golsonesque

 

[STLDomer]

Regardless of system (because he can fling it, too), feels like he would have been far better off going someplace where he could've done spring ball. Walking in to fall camp is tough and you're competing with guys who've spent years learning to offense and their teammates.

Agreed Zaire made huge mistake not being able to play spring ball by choosing UF.

Franks is young. Zaire is the newcomer in a different way. Was easy decision to go back to Del Rio, the safe decision.

 

[IrishLion]

He took a chance on a team that IF he won the job, he'd be in a position to be challenged by NFL caliber players in practice, to go up against a schedule that NFL scouts would appreciate and to get prepared for a shot at the league.

He wasn't going to get that at ND, he wasn't going to get that being the run first, dual threat qb that everyone knows he is at ______ University. He wanted a chance to go to a good school, in a good conference and try to replicate the Malik that played against Texas in '15.

He took a shot. He'll always have that ND degree right? He took care of the important stuff first and then went and chased his dream.

That's the problem right there. He might have been better served if someone told him, "go somewhere that will allow you to do what you do best: make defenders look silly with your legs, and then throw the ball over their heads once they're sufficiently worried about your ground game."

I understand he wanted a shot at chasing his dream via a pro-style offense in a good conference, but there's an argument to be made that having a shot at his dream would have been better served by going somewhere where he would start for a full season and be able to keep his full skill set on display.

Playing a full season as the guaranteed, bona fide starter at a MAC or AAC school, even if they used him as "run first," would have been better for his NFL chances IMO.

There were way too many potentially negative factors associated with taking a chance on Florida. The "Risk VS Reward" wasn't calculated very well.

 

[NDRock]

That's the problem right there. He might have been better served if someone told him, "go somewhere that will allow you to do what you do best: make defenders look silly with your legs, and then throw the ball over their heads once they're sufficiently worried about your ground game."

I understand he wanted a shot at chasing his dream via a pro-style offense in a good conference, but there's an argument to be made that having a shot at his dream would have been better served by going somewhere where he would start for a full season and be able to keep his full skill set on display.

Playing a full season as the guaranteed, bona fide starter at a MAC or AAC school, even if they used him as "run first," would have been better for his NFL chances IMO.

There were way too many potentially negative factors associated with taking a chance on Florida. The "Risk VS Reward" wasn't calculated very well.

Exactly. If Malik really wanted to have a chance in the NFL, he needed to go somewhere where he could get the reps. He has had very little game experience. All around, just a baffling decision.

 

[Irish#1]

That's the problem right there. He might have been better served if someone told him, "go somewhere that will allow you to do what you do best: make defenders look silly with your legs, and then throw the ball over their heads once they're sufficiently worried about your ground game."

I understand he wanted a shot at chasing his dream via a pro-style offense in a good conference, but there's an argument to be made that having a shot at his dream would have been better served by going somewhere where he would start for a full season and be able to keep his full skill set on display.

Playing a full season as the guaranteed, bona fide starter at a MAC or AAC school, even if they used him as "run first," would have been better for his NFL chances IMO.

There were way too many potentially negative factors associated with taking a chance on Florida. The "Risk VS Reward" wasn't calculated very well.

Exactly. If Malik really wanted to have a chance in the NFL, he needed to go somewhere where he could get the reps. He has had very little game experience. All around, just a baffling decision.

Agree. If you can play in the NFL, the scouts will find you.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Damn, Zaire's the third string qb now at Florida? Sucks, was hoping he'd do better.

 

[Onemanwolfpack]

Damn, Zaire's the third string qb now at Florida? Sucks, was hoping he'd do better.

Just having the same thought, since Florida's QB talent is weak at best. Del Rio gets hurt and he still is on the bench. Sucks for him, but also makes me wonder how the heck he was platooned with Kizer to start last year. Hopefully, he can work his way into more time and play well.

 

[stlnd01]

Damn, Zaire's the third string qb now at Florida? Sucks, was hoping he'd do better.

Yeah. Watching the Florida game. Del Rio's hurt. Franks had a rough series on the first possession of the second half and came up limping after getting tackled on third down. Thought we might see MZ when they got the ball back. But nope.
Also, they ran Wildcat with a running back who turned and threw a bubble screen pass into the dirt. You like to think MZ couldve at least executed that one.

 

[RECON Daddy]

Del Rio is done for the year - shoulder.

 

[phgreek]

He took a chance on a team that IF he won the job, he'd be in a position to be challenged by NFL caliber players in practice, to go up against a schedule that NFL scouts would appreciate and to get prepared for a shot at the league.

He wasn't going to get that at ND, he wasn't going to get that being the run first, dual threat qb that everyone knows he is at ______ University. He wanted a chance to go to a good school, in a good conference and try to replicate the Malik that played against Texas in '15.

He took a shot. He'll always have that ND degree right? He took care of the important stuff first and then went and chased his dream.

YUP...

A few years ago, when everyone else was wooing him with things like fake academic expectations, money, hookers...whatever, he made the 40 year decision, and chose ND. By all accounts he embraced what that entailed. He proceeded to secure his future, and then...and I stress...AND THEN, go chase his dream the only way circumstances would allow. I have a ton of respect for MZ...always will. He faced challenges head on...was apparently honest in his evaluation of what he needed to do to make an NFL RADAR, and did not shrink from it...He may ultimately fail to become an NFL quarterback...but he left no doubt by choosing a big time football factory to test his football skills...when he walks away, he'll know for sure. Mature, wise dude...

 

[stlnd01]

YUP...

A few years ago, when everyone else was wooing him with things like fake academic expectations, money, hookers...whatever, he made the 40 year decision, and chose ND. By all accounts he embraced what that entailed. He proceeded to secure his future, and then...and I stress...AND THEN, go chase his dream the only way circumstances would allow. I have a ton of respect for MZ...always will. He faced challenges head on...was apparently honest in his evaluation of what he needed to do to make an NFL RADAR, and did not shrink from it...He may ultimately fail to become an NFL quarterback...but he left no doubt by choosing a big time football factory to test his football skills...when he walks away, he'll know for sure. Mature, wise dude...

All true. The only thing I don't understand is why he didn't go somewhere he could do spring ball, learn the offense, and establish himself a little.
And you don't have to play in the SEC to make it on the NFL radar, especially with his resume. You think if MZ were tearing it up in the MAC, the scouts wouldn't notice?

 

[ab2cmiller]

Malik with the classy tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Smh! What. A. Shame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnlyLordKnows?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnlyLordKnows</a></p>— Malik Zaire (@MalikZaire8) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalikZaire8/status/916836136701526016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also liked this tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tired of it...can't even tell you how many talented offensive players I have seen come through UF during my time...not a personnel issue.</p>— Bryan Cox Jr (@BEECoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/BEECoxx/status/916809962805977088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I get that Malik is frustrated, but not a good look.

 

[Luckylucci]

Good news for Florida fans, he doesn't have the locker room clout to properly divide this team as he did last years.

 

[phgreek]

All true. The only thing I don't understand is why he didn't go somewhere he could do spring ball, learn the offense, and establish himself a little.
And you don't have to play in the SEC to make it on the NFL radar, especially with his resume. You think if MZ were tearing it up in the MAC, the scouts wouldn't notice?

I think some part of his decision was to face a level of talent every day in practice to inform himself where he was...Going to Florida, he was going to rip the band aid off...and not linger on an indecisive status...at least thats how I took it all...had he put it together in Florida, he would for sure get a look, and for sure know he was ready.

But yea missing the time he did did not help him...and yea QBs can get noticed in the MAC...for sure. Maybe he would have...but again I'm not sure he was wanting any uncertainty.

 

[dublinirish]

Malik with the classy tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Smh! What. A. Shame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnlyLordKnows?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnlyLordKnows</a></p>— Malik Zaire (@MalikZaire8) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalikZaire8/status/916836136701526016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also liked this tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tired of it...can't even tell you how many talented offensive players I have seen come through UF during my time...not a personnel issue.</p>— Bryan Cox Jr (@BEECoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/BEECoxx/status/916809962805977088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I get that Malik is frustrated, but not a good look.

this is unfortunately very typical of him. he's never been a leader.

 

[Blaise]

this is unfortunately very typical of him. he's never been a leader.

Tell that to Koon

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Tell that to Koon

That's a low blow. It's obvious Coach Kelly and Coach McElwain (and their slew of assistant coaches) don't have the eye that Koon has. Koon has his finger on the pulse of winning and just because two coaches fail to pick up on the subtle nuances of what makes a winner, doesn't mean koon is wrong.

Throw the numbers out because they defeat the argument, watch him play and lead on the sideline and tell me how you feel...

 

[NDdomer2]

but we were told during elite 11 he was a leader!!!

 

[dublinirish]

but we were told during elite 11 he was a leader!!!

trent dilfer loved him like a son!

 

[ND4LIFE]

trent dilfer loved him like a son!

I think it was because he has that deep, raspy voice! Errbody in the know knows that Dilfer and Koon hit from both sides of the plate. I mean "The Bod Squad", come on!

 

[NDohio]

Malik with the classy tweet

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Smh! What. A. Shame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnlyLordKnows?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnlyLordKnows</a></p>— Malik Zaire (@MalikZaire8) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalikZaire8/status/916836136701526016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

.

I think some part of his decision was to face a level of talent every day in practice to inform himself where he was...Going to Florida, he was going to rip the band aid off...and not linger on an indecisive status...at least thats how I took it all...had he put it together in Florida, he would for sure get a look, and for sure know he was ready.

But yea missing the time he did did not help him...and yea QBs can get noticed in the MAC...for sure. Maybe he would have...but again I'm not sure he was wanting any uncertainty.

Except he has a hard time accepting the reality of where he is...