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

[IrishBroker]

That being said...his comments are borderline psychotic

 

[DONTH8]

Anyone else instantly flashback to when coach kelly told zaire's parents that this was still his team when he broke his ankle last year when he said a coach was lying? A lot of us on here agreed that was probably not the smartest move he made, and might come back to bite him. Not criticizing him because in a way Zaire is very much still a leader of this team, but could definitely have been misinterpreted by many and can cause problems like we're seeing now.

 

[SoIll]

Anyone else instantly flashback to when coach kelly told zaire's parents that this was still his team when he broke his ankle last year when he said a coach was lying? A lot of us on here agreed that was probably not the smartest move he made, and might come back to bite him. Not criticizing him because in a way Zaire is very much still a leader of this team, but could definitely have been misinterpreted by many and can cause problems like we're seeing now.

He had no idea that DK would be this good. Cant blame BK. At that time, it was Malik's team

 

[BobbyMac]

I graduated high school and was fighting my own battles when I was 16 and I didn't have a full ride scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Priorities, dad. I would give my left nut to have a degree from Notre Dame thirty something years ago but (Conjecture), it sounds as though he's worried more about his son's depth chart status than his education. I don't mean to deride the young man but it's not as though he has a pro future as a quarterback.

You might be a Bears fan being from Michiana... remember Henry Burris in '02? The undrafted QB out of Temple? He spent '01 with the Packers and '02 with the Bears... Do you know how many millions Henry Burris has made playing football?
A pro football career is not just being the next Cam Newton or Tom Brady. It's also getting paid enough to build a nest egg and put off the corporate grind for ALAP. That includes a 2nd/3rd string QB in the league, playing in Canada, even NFL practice squad players get $120k for 17 weeks of work.

There's 130+ QB's getting paid life changing amounts of money. Why wouldn't he have the chance to be a Henry Burris, Zach Collaros or why should he not set a goal to be the next Tyrod Taylor?

 

[RDU Irish]

$120k/year is not life changing money. $1.5 million over 3 years for Collaros as the highest paid CFL QB ever... well pretty good money but not life changing.

NFL Salary Rankings | Spotrac

About 60 are making $1 million or more per year. A.J. McCarron making $600k riding pine is a pretty good living and yes you can parlay that into lifetime security IF YOU ARE SMART and save at least half of your net paycheck every year AND stick in the league for an extended period of time.

$500k net of taxes will be about $300,000 or $25,000 per month. Save half of that for five years and you put away $750,000 - enough to live on for the rest of your life if you are OK living off of about $3000/month.

We all know hardly any of these guys are banking much - they go out and buy $1 million houses they will never afford once they get cut and go bankrupt en mass within 3 years of losing their jobs. What percentage do you think even have an investment portfolio (not including interests in every buddy's bar or restaurant that will flop).

That is the reality of "life changing money" for a vast majority of NFL/CFL players. One hell of a jumpstart in life for sure but the assumption that making a practice squad in the league as life changing money is ludicrous.

 

[IrishBroker]

$120k/year is not life changing money. $1.5 million over 3 years for Collaros as the highest paid CFL QB ever... well pretty good money but not life changing.

NFL Salary Rankings | Spotrac

About 60 are making $1 million or more per year. A.J. McCarron making $600k riding pine is a pretty good living and yes you can parlay that into lifetime security IF YOU ARE SMART and save at least half of your net paycheck every year AND stick in the league for an extended period of time.

$500k net of taxes will be about $300,000 or $25,000 per month. Save half of that for five years and you put away $750,000 - enough to live on for the rest of your life if you are OK living off of about $3000/month.

We all know hardly any of these guys are banking much - they go out and buy $1 million houses they will never afford once they get cut and go bankrupt en mass within 3 years of losing their jobs. What percentage do you think even have an investment portfolio (not including interests in every buddy's bar or restaurant that will flop).

That is the reality of "life changing money" for a vast majority of NFL/CFL players. One hell of a jumpstart in life for sure but the assumption that making a practice squad in the league as life changing money is ludicrous.

This.

Also, remember they get about 10 different benefits if they hang around for an extended period. 401k (second career plan), Pension at 55, Health reimbursements, royalties from NFLPA, even a lump severance when he retires/is cut...

I mean, if a guy rides pine for 10 yrs as a backup QB (which isn't crazy) he's gonna have a very comfortable life even if he doesn't save a ton.

 

[NDohio]

$120k/year is not life changing money. $1.5 million over 3 years for Collaros as the highest paid CFL QB ever... well pretty good money but not life changing.

NFL Salary Rankings | Spotrac

About 60 are making $1 million or more per year. A.J. McCarron making $600k riding pine is a pretty good living and yes you can parlay that into lifetime security IF YOU ARE SMART and save at least half of your net paycheck every year AND stick in the league for an extended period of time.

$500k net of taxes will be about $300,000 or $25,000 per month. Save half of that for five years and you put away $750,000 - enough to live on for the rest of your life if you are OK living off of about $3000/month.

We all know hardly any of these guys are banking much - they go out and buy $1 million houses they will never afford once they get cut and go bankrupt en mass within 3 years of losing their jobs. What percentage do you think even have an investment portfolio (not including interests in every buddy's bar or restaurant that will flop).

That is the reality of "life changing money" for a vast majority of NFL/CFL players. One hell of a jumpstart in life for sure but the assumption that making a practice squad in the league as life changing money is ludicrous.

That depends on where you are coming from. That is life changing for some people. Maybe not life sustaining, but it can definitely flip the script for someone and change their life's direction.

 

[RDU Irish]

This.

Also, remember they get about 10 different benefits if they hang around for an extended period. 401k (second career plan), Pension at 55, Health reimbursements, royalties from NFLPA, even a lump severance when he retires/is cut...

I mean, if a guy rides pine for 10 yrs as a backup QB (which isn't crazy) he's gonna have a very comfortable life even if he doesn't save a ton.

30 teams = 30 backups, lets say they are all 10 year vets. Well in the meantime we have 130 colleges kicking out probably 60 graduating starting QBs per year for 600 people competing for those 30 spots. VAST majority will NOT see 10 years of paychecks, but IF they do, I agree, they should do well for themselves with even a remedial level of planning and preparation.

 

[IrishBroker]

30 teams = 30 backups, lets say they are all 10 year vets. Well in the meantime we have 130 colleges kicking out probably 60 graduating starting QBs per year for 600 people competing for those 30 spots. VAST majority will NOT see 10 years of paychecks, but IF they do, I agree, they should do well for themselves with even a remedial level of planning and preparation.

Even 5 yrs, they get benefits.

At 1 yr, you are eligible for the pension.

I was pointing to your example of AJ McCarron when I said 10 yrs. I should've clarified. I believe he'll hang around 10yrs. Mostly a backup, but will flirt with starting.

 

[military_irish]

That depends on where you are coming from. That is life changing for some people. Maybe not life sustaining, but it can definitely flip the script for someone and change their life's direction.

A degree of The University of Notre Dame and the large networking possibilities throughout the world is also life changing. Without ever having to step foot on a field again.

Playing in the NFL or CFL for 2-5 years (which is about average for the average player) can do two things. Provide a sufficient amount of money to change a persons life and set them up for a great future or provide them a sufficient amount of money, they blow through it, and then get cut. Having to start from ground zero.

 

[BobbyMac]

$120k/year is not life changing money. $1.5 million over 3 years for Collaros as the highest paid CFL QB ever... well pretty good money but not life changing.

NFL Salary Rankings | Spotrac

About 60 are making $1 million or more per year. A.J. McCarron making $600k riding pine is a pretty good living and yes you can parlay that into lifetime security IF YOU ARE SMART and save at least half of your net paycheck every year AND stick in the league for an extended period of time.

$500k net of taxes will be about $300,000 or $25,000 per month. Save half of that for five years and you put away $750,000 - enough to live on for the rest of your life if you are OK living off of about $3000/month.

We all know hardly any of these guys are banking much - they go out and buy $1 million houses they will never afford once they get cut and go bankrupt en mass within 3 years of losing their jobs. What percentage do you think even have an investment portfolio (not including interests in every buddy's bar or restaurant that will flop).

That is the reality of "life changing money" for a vast majority of NFL/CFL players. One hell of a jumpstart in life for sure but the assumption that making a practice squad in the league as life changing money is ludicrous.

Oh it's a "hell of a jump start" but not life-changing money... considering EVERY one of these QB's come out of college with, $0, the money their parents give them or if they're lucky they had a bagman.

It's a $120k for 17 weeks of football. Last time I checked, there were still 52 weeks in a year.

And FYI, $120k in 4 months is DEFINITELY life changing money for most people.

You rich, red state, white dudes are so out of touch with the struggle.

 

[RDU Irish]

Even 5 yrs, they get benefits.

At 1 yr, you are eligible for the pension.

I was pointing to your example of AJ McCarron when I said 10 yrs. I should've clarified. I believe he'll hang around 10yrs. Mostly a backup, but will flirt with starting.

Gotta wait to 55 to collect on that pension though. Only a 30 year wait!

Career Savings Plan (I.e. 401k) - Match up to $28k or something per year. Great! After 4 years you have over $200k in there, now what? Take it out before 59.5 and you are facing 10% penalty on top of income tax on proceeds (some exclusions apply).

Multi-year starting QB at Alabama should be a 10 year bench warmer, even Jimmy Clausen and Brady Quinn managed to warm benches long enough to earn some good money. Yeah, that is the level of play that rides pine and squeezes out the other 95%+ of D1 quarterbacks.

 

[IrishBroker]

Gotta wait to 55 to collect on that pension though. Only a 30 year wait!

Career Savings Plan (I.e. 401k) - Match up to $28k or something per year. Great! After 4 years you have over $200k in there, now what? Take it out before 59.5 and you are facing 10% penalty on top of income tax on proceeds (some exclusions apply).

Multi-year starting QB at Alabama should be a 10 year bench warmer, even Jimmy Clausen and Brady Quinn managed to warm benches long enough to earn some good money. Yeah, that is the level of play that rides pine and squeezes out the other 95%+ of D1 quarterbacks.

Can activate pension at 35....don't know the deets or tax implications of that, though. Will most likely be at a reduced rate.

And yes, there are ramifications of accessing qualified funds early. I'm in the financial industry, have been for over a decade.

I was just pointing out that in addition to the money, there are some other really good benefits down the road if you stick around long enough.

 

[military_irish]

Oh it's a "hell of a jump start" but not life-changing money... considering EVERY one of these QB's come out of college with, $0, the money their parents give them or if they're lucky they had a bagman.

It's a $120k for 17 weeks of football. Last time I checked, there were still 52 weeks in a year.

And FYI, $120k in 4 months is DEFINITELY life changing money for most people.

You rich, red state, white dudes are so out of touch with the struggle.

If he only spends 17 weeks on football then 1 year is all he'll do in the NFL. To be good enough to have an extended stay in the pros, he'll definitely have to put in more work than 17 weeks. I'd say minimum at least 34 weeks.

120k for 34 weeks is still a nice chunk of change but it's not as easy as it sounds to be in the NFL.

 

[BobbyMac]

If he only spends 17 weeks on football then 1 year is all he'll do in the NFL. To be good enough to have an extended stay in the pros, he'll definitely have to put in more work than 17 weeks. I'd say minimum at least 34 weeks.

120k for 34 weeks is still a nice chunk of change but it's not as easy as it sounds to be in the NFL.

???

He'll "put in" everyday, season or off-season. That's a given. Work out in the am, go to "off season" job, work out in evening, sleep, repeat.

 

[irishff1014]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly asked about Malik Zaire handling being No. 2. “Ask me Thursday.” Less than an endorsement.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/780808676055580672">September 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BoredIrish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly asked about Malik Zaire handling being No. 2. “Ask me Thursday.” Less than an endorsement.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/780808676055580672">September 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Malik really needs to suck it up.

These first world problems about having "two good QB's" are ancient history. This team has real issues... and if Malik cant be part of the cure, he really needs to make sure he isnt part of the disease.

 

[BeauBenken]

I fear that people in Malik's party have sort of poisoned his mind, made him more upset about his situation than he may have been originally, and this has hurt his ability to be a leader and a teammate.

The fact of the matter is that if Malik wants to play either here, or somewhere else after all this, he needs to be a leader by example and vocally. He needs to show he can be a great teammate and leader despite how much or how little time he gets on the field. This team still NEEDS him, and he needs to realize that. If he thought it was hard to lead from the sidelines last year, now he is perfectly healthy and still needs to do the same, and he needs to be completely ready to run the show at a moments notice.

If he doesn't, he won't ever find the field again.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I still believe in him as a player, but you just can't sit Kizer. There's a place for him somewhere, and he'll likely be successful, but not at ND.

 

[PANDFAN]

I fear that people in Malik's party have sort of poisoned his mind, made him more upset about his situation than he may have been originally, and this has hurt his ability to be a leader and a teammate.

The fact of the matter is that if Malik wants to play either here, or somewhere else after all this, he needs to be a leader by example and vocally. He needs to show he can be a great teammate and leader despite how much or how little time he gets on the field. This team still NEEDS him, and he needs to realize that. If he thought it was hard to lead from the sidelines last year, now he is perfectly healthy and still needs to do the same, and he needs to be completely ready to run the show at a moments notice.

If he doesn't, he won't ever find the field again.

damn JoJo

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I really like Malik. I feel bad for him and I truly hope he is successful in football and life. It is sad the way things turned out with the injury last year and the Texas game this season too. However, it is clear that Kizer is the guy to QB this team. I hope that Malik is able to persevere through this adversity and display the leadership skills he demonstrated in the past whether on the field or the sidelines. His body language after his 4 yard rush last week looked like he has not yet been able to move past the disappointment, hopefully that changes soon because we certainly need some positive leadership. It may end up being best for both Malik and ND for him to move on following the season and it may not be the heroic redemption Malik hoped for but hopefully he can leave on a somewhat positive note.

 

[irisheyes]

Im still not sure malik isnt better than kizer. And before everyone jumps down my throat, im not saying kizer isnt a great qb. But he's not God's gift to football and the best QB to ever step foot on earth like you might get the idea from around here. He's talented but i really like what i saw from Malik. i just think the ball didnt bounce his way so to speak in the texas game. And now an outstanding player is riding the bench. BK wouldnt of waited till the second half of texas to make a qb pick if he didnt think Malik was right there with Kizer skill wise.

 

[koonja]

I do wonder how lifeless this team would look with Malik at the helm.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Im still not sure malik isnt better than kizer. And before everyone jumps down my throat, im not saying kizer isnt a great qb. But he's not God's gift to football and the best QB to ever step foot on earth like you might get the idea from around here. He's talented but i really like what i saw from Malik. i just think the ball didnt bounce his way so to speak in the texas game. And now an outstanding player is riding the bench. BK wouldnt of waited till the second half of texas to make a qb pick if he didnt think Malik was right there with Kizer skill wise.

What basis do you have for thinking that the Malik we saw against LSU and UT '15 was the real deal, while the Malik we saw against UVA and UT '16 was just a victim of bad luck? Kelly and Sanford have seen a helluva lot more of him than you have, and they clearly disagree.

 

[Blaise]

He pouted when he lost the job to EG and he is pouting now.. all off season I heard how great of a leader he is.. apparently only when times are good.. otherwise he is a whiner... I hope he transfers next year.. I was the BW era to start sooner than later

 

[ulukinatme]

I still think Malik is a victim of circumstance. Our running game blows this year, it's clearly a step back. Adams is averaging over 2 yards less a carry than last year. Folston doesn't appear to have the same spring in his step, he's averaging under 4 yards a carry. Dexter has had the highest average among the backs, but he also has few carries and isn't as complete as the other two. The running game isn't necessarily sufferring because of the backs though, a lot of this is on the OL.

The running game is such a big part of Malik's strength, but right now our running game sucks. To compound the issue, I'm not sure why we continued to run into the teeth of the defense with Malik in at QB against Texas. If the defense didn't respect his arm, why didn't we have him come out and throw it? It's not like Zaire is completely inept at throwing the ball, he's more than serviceable. People have also said "If Kizer can change the play at the line, why can't Malik?" Sure, that's fair, but again...why were ever calling repeated running plays in the first place after it became painfully obvious Texas was lining up to stop the run while Malik was in? Poor play calling, or maybe they were setting him up to fail to ensure a smooth transition for Kizer? /tinfoilhat

 

[irisheyes]

What basis do you have for thinking that the Malik we saw against LSU and UT '15 was the real deal, while the Malik we saw against UVA and UT '16 was just a victim of bad luck? Kelly and Sanford have seen a helluva lot more of him than you have, and they clearly disagree.

Do they? If they did why wasnt Kizer the starter right out of the gate? Obviously BK didnt want to have a 2 qb system, no one does. He had to make a choice on who would lead the team and he picked who was doing best in the texas game at the time. And to say Kelly has seen a helluva lot more than me means nothing to me at this point. Kelly also worked with BVG everyday and claimed he wasnt worried about our defense and that he was happy with it.

 

[SoDakDomer]

What's the QB situation looking like at Ohio State? JT is a junior right and should be around another year?

 

[NDdomer2]

Do they?.

If they didn't, What would be their reason to continue to play kizer over Malik then?

Lose on purpose?!?

Come on man.

 

[NorthDakota]

He pouted when he lost the job to EG and he is pouting now.. all off season I heard how great of a leader he is.. apparently only when times are good.. otherwise he is a whiner... I hope he transfers next year.. I was the BW era to start sooner than later

TBH I don't think the competition against EG was actually a thing. Kelly going to not go with the kid who went 12-1??