2011 Starting Defensive 11

[TerryTate]

---------KLM--------Nix---------EJ----------
Shembo-----Carlo-----Teo-----Flemming
Blanton-----Smith-----Slaughter-----Gray

Significant PT: Schwenke Filer Motta Lo Wood Hardy Lynch Tuitt Cwynar Ishaq McDonald Moore

Discuss.

 

[Irish Man3]

No Kendall Moore? I think this guy will make the two deep behind Carlo and push for some serious playing time. Very athletic kid with great size.

 

[IrishandColts]

KLM is on Special teams only so I heard

 

[Irish Man3]

KLM is on Special teams only so I heard

What? Heard from who? Clearly someone that doesnt know much about Notre Dame football. He's a starting DE with tons of experiance.

 

[TerryTate]

Added Moore. Forgot about him.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

What? Heard from who? Clearly someone that doesnt know much about Notre Dame football. He's a starting DE with tons of experiance.

Pretty sure that was sarcasm, at least I HOPE SO....

 

[TerryTate]

I think maybe he said KLM but he was referring to Kendall Moore

 

[Anchorman]

As much as I love the new defensive recruits, I don't see them all getting a lot of PT. Whole new level of competition. Some might get some, but I don't see all three.

 

[IrishandColts]

Yea I meant Kendall

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

---------KLM--------Nix---------EJ----------
Shembo-----Carlo-----Teo-----Flemming
Blanton-----Smith-----Slaughter-----Gray

Significant PT: Filer Motta Lo Wood Hardy Lynch Tuitt Cwynar Ishaq McDonald Moore

Discuss.

Thats the starting defense and the best run stopping unit availible, BUT 3rd down and passing situations should be this IMO..

---------KLM--------Tuitt(I know he's not a DT...)---------Lynch----------
Shembo-----Moore-----Teo-----Flemming/Filer
Blanton-----Smith-----Motta/Hardy?-----Gray

 

[IrishLax]

Hard to argue... maybe disagree on Shembo... maybe Carlo. I think Filer gets the starting nod over there because he got the reps last season whereas Shembo was the understudy to Fleming. I just haven't seen Shembo do anything but rush the passer (but he was awesome at rushing the passer).

I think Carlo will be in an absolute dogfight for his job. Brian Smith clearly played better then him at that position later in the year and I wouldn't be shocked to see a guy come out of nowhere and win that job. Maybe Kendall Moore? Maybe Shembo making a position change?

 

[Irish Man3]

All in all I think this is a very solid prediction. It's nice to see a realistic fan that doesn't have Tuitt and Lynch starting as freshman. The depth is something that this class just upgraded big time. Grace and Councell are two linebacker prospects that I think will "redshirt" this year and spend some serious time with Longo.

The best chance for early playing time in my opinion will take place in the defensive backfield. Im not sure who will emerge out of Brown, Atkinson, Hardy, and Farely but someone will have a chance at some early playing time.

Out of the predicted starting 11, I look for Blanton and Shembo to have very big years. Good job Terry.

 

[phgreek]

---------KLM--------Nix---------EJ----------
Shembo-----Carlo-----Teo-----Flemming
Blanton-----Smith-----Slaughter-----Gray

Significant PT: Filer Motta Lo Wood Hardy Lynch Tuitt Cwynar Ishaq McDonald Moore

Discuss.

whats to discuss...I don't see it differently...

I will say, if folks are surprised to see Shembo over some of the '11 gets...ya'll need to remember this kid has already done it on the field...and he'll have another year of Longo...I am really excited for this kid...

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

All in all I think this is a very solid prediction. It's nice to see a realistic fan that doesn't have Tuitt and Lynch starting as freshman. The depth is something that this class just upgraded big time. Grace and Councell are two linebacker prospects that I think will "redshirt" this year and spend some serious time with Longo.

The best chance for early playing time in my opinion will take place in the defensive backfield. Im not sure who will emerge out of Brown, Atkinson, Hardy, and Farely but someone will have a chance at some early playing time.

Out of the predicted starting 11, I look for Blanton and Shembo to have very big years. Good job Terry.

While I agree Lynch and Tuitt prolly wont start, they will certainly see signifigant PT unless they get hurt. Lynch's speed off the end is already good enough to hurt collegiate level tackles, and Tuitt is a bull rushers wet dream. Tuitt may not have the full skills yet for the run stopping (although he's prolly not that far behind with his strength), but he should easily find a spot in the rotation somewhere, maybe even DT, in passing situations.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

I think Carlo will be in an absolute dogfight for his job. Brian Smith clearly played better then him at that position later in the year and I wouldn't be shocked to see a guy come out of nowhere and win that job. Maybe Kendall Moore? Maybe Shembo making a position change?

I agree. Carlo is a mauler, but he lacks the directional speed needed to play in the 3-4 format IMO. I love him against a Navy run option, or a Pittsburgh north/south attack, but a Denard Robison will cut him up.... Just my opinion...

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Hard to argue... maybe disagree on Shembo... maybe Carlo. I think Filer gets the starting nod over there because he got the reps last season whereas Shembo was the understudy to Fleming. I just haven't seen Shembo do anything but rush the passer (but he was awesome at rushing the passer).

I think Carlo will be in an absolute dogfight for his job. Brian Smith clearly played better then him at that position later in the year and I wouldn't be shocked to see a guy come out of nowhere and win that job. Maybe Kendall Moore? Maybe Shembo making a position change?

I would say Shembo only on passing downs at least for another year with possibly Filer starting. I agree that the other MLB is going to be a dog fight. Remember that was Mcdonalds job until he got injured. Carlo is an ox against the run but lacks the coverage ability. I really think it will be Moore though in the end. BK is very high on himand he is more of an every down backer IMO.

 

[DaBLKIrishman]

---------KLM--------Nix---------EJ----------
Shembo-----Carlo-----Teo-----Flemming
Blanton-----Smith-----Slaughter-----Gray

Significant PT: Filer Motta Lo Wood Hardy Lynch Tuitt Cwynar Ishaq McDonald Moore

Discuss.

I think that Kendall Moore really challenges Carlo for the Will and possibly Shembo since I don't see him starting at the dog because of his lack of coverage skills and with Flemming and Ishaq at the cat he may be the odd man out. I would like to see Filer starting at the Dog. Secondary is right on as well as the D-Line but don't count Cwynar out though. Tough, gritty kid that isn't gonna ever stop fighting. Hopefully Stockton can stay healthy would like to see him get a lot of PT.

 

[Riddickulous]

Dan Fox will get PT. He's one of the players that has drawn praise before.

 

[Rocket89]

I bet Councell gets solid minutes. The Dog linebacker spot doesn't really have a returning starter and he long and athletic with great speed. You want a guy like that in coverage.

 

[Irish Man3]

I bet Councell gets solid minutes. The Dog linebacker spot doesn't really have a returning starter and he long and athletic with great speed. You want a guy like that in coverage.

Just my opinion but I think Councell sits a year. He needs a lower body strength upgrade according to many on ISD. I think he spends a year in Longo's program before he sees the field. We have some athletes with experiance in front of him.

 

[Rocket89]

Just my opinion but I think Councell sits a year. He needs a lower body strength upgrade according to many on ISD. I think he spends a year in Longo's program before he sees the field. We have some athletes with experiance in front of him.

There really isn't a lot of experience in that Dog position though. Filer didn't play a ton last year. Shembo was purely a 3rd down rusher more in the mold of a Cat linebacker.

Who else is there at Dog? You could say maybe Utupo or Fox maybe. But zero and very little PT there too.

Ishaq profiles to a Cat, as does Rabasa (although Rabasa may move somewhere else), either way Councell isn't very far away from playing time. He has eight months to get stronger and he's a perfect fit to play at Dog.

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm digging it and agreeing TT. I've got nothing to discuss other than the be-headings between the tackles next season. Poor running backs...

 

[Irish Man3]

There really isn't a lot of experience in that Dog position though. Filer didn't play a ton last year. Shembo was purely a 3rd down rusher more in the mold of a Cat linebacker.

Who else is there at Dog? You could say maybe Utupo or Fox maybe. But zero and very little PT there too.

Ishaq profiles to a Cat, as does Rabasa (although Rabasa may move somewhere else), either way Councell isn't very far away from playing time. He has eight months to get stronger and he's a perfect fit to play at Dog.

Filer is a great athlete and really needs to fill in this year. I agree with some of what your saying but I dont know where you get eight months from. He doesnt get on campus until this summer. He'll have about two full months in Longo's program. Im not saying he can't come in and crack the two deep, I'm just going off what others that have seen him play in person are saying. He needs a significant lower body strength upgrade. If he comes in and goes at it hard from the very begining, no telling how high on the depth chart he could end up.

 

[IrishinSyria]

The only two I'd question are Shembo and Nix. Hafis and Cwynar did a great job filling in for Ian, it's going to be a tough job to steal. Shembo, as others have pointed out, was an exclusive pass rusher this year. Not sure if Kelly sees him as an every down OLB.

 

[gmnysdad]

I think that Shembo will still be mostly a 3rd and long guy. Do not be surprised if Uttopo sees PT at dog. I really think Moore will lockdown the will. Wait until 2012 with the line and LB's. Will be down right scary

 

[Rocket89]

Filer is a great athlete and really needs to fill in this year. I agree with some of what your saying but I dont know where you get eight months from. He doesnt get on campus until this summer. He'll have about two full months in Longo's program. Im not saying he can't come in and crack the two deep, I'm just going off what others that have seen him play in person are saying. He needs a significant lower body strength upgrade. If he comes in and goes at it hard from the very begining, no telling how high on the depth chart he could end up.

Yeah I was just saying 8 months from now until the first game. He'll probably be on campus in May or June, so that's three months of good strength training. And he's two inches taller and only ~15 pounds lighter than Filer as of right now. If he was playing Cat I'd be less apt to say he'll play, but he's not going to be taking on guards and tackles as much as he will be chasing around tight ends and slot receivers.

I'm not saying he's on the two deep, but by mid-season I can see him getting in there every once in a while. I don't think he'll redshirt.

 

[mgriff]

Forgive me, on my phone while I'm on leave in Gardner, KS, home of Bubba. Tried to flip him on signing day with no luck.

In any event, Kona got some pt this year, so I think he should be on the list.

 

[TerryTate]

Very true

 

[irishff1014]

The problem with all of this we really don't know what will happen this spring and summer. If Lynch and Tuitt and Williams are the best at their positions how do you not play them. I mean really Kelly's job is to win with good academics. So if you get beat out for your spot by an under classman you didn't work hard enough.

 

[nsisk157]

Inside LBs

Inside LBs

As a Jersey guy, I like seeing Carlo play but their are some glaring deficiencies in his game. I think Teo's partner position will be the most interesting to watch in spring and fall camps.

On a side note, I am new to this forum and am still trying to figure out the little quirks and what not. How do you add multiple avatars to your User ID? If anyone can help me out, that would be great.