2015 starting lineup prediction

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think what may play a big factor into who wins the starting job, between Robinson and Brown, might not be what they catch, but what they don't drop. Robinson had a LOT of drops(and/or balls that he just should have caught, but didn't) this year.

He had like 2, couple others where he had a shot but was sideways jumping for balls and landing on ground lol. He easily has the best hands, when all fingers are usable.

 

[koonja]

I think Robinson does have great hands, but his particular drops couldn't have been more frustrating. The ASU one, and the one on the fade against LSU early on really were upsetting. He seemed to have more towards the end of the year. For the first half of the year, I thought he was the adult version of Hot Hands Hanon.

 

[kmoose]

He had like 2, couple others where he had a shot but was sideways jumping for balls and landing on ground lol. He easily has the best hands, when all fingers are usable.

I'm not sure what games you watched. Robinson made some absolutely circus catches, but he also had one or two balls, every game, that went through his hands. Mostly on crossing routes. They weren't jump balls that he couldn't make a great play on. They were "routine, every day" routes where he just missed the catch, or where the ball was thrown slightly off, but you expect the receiver to still make that catch.

 

[bkess8]

I think Robinson does have great hands, but his particular drops couldn't have been more frustrating. The ASU one, and the one on the fade against LSU early on really were upsetting. He seemed to have more towards the end of the year. For the first half of the year, I thought he was the adult version of Hot Hands Hanon.

It is easier to have fun relax and play football when your winning. The late season drops and loss of focus by Robinson and others I think should be contributed to the up and down season we had.

 

[texbender]

yes, barring defections/suspensions/convictions...next year's team will be solid on both sides of the ball. but history has proven before that what looked good sometimes doesn't pan out.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Drue was violent and active at lb. Putting him at safety was puzzling. Onwuala never really seemed around plays at lb like drue was

I think he is a better LB prospect too, but I think we need him more at Safety. I think he is a smart/sound football player, and those kids tend to start for Kelly (like it or not).

It is easier to have fun relax and play football when your winning. The late season drops and loss of focus by Robinson and others I think should be contributed to the up and down season we had.

Exactly, and a few of his drops were the kind where few other kids would have ever gotten themselves in a position to catch.

 

[Domina Nostra]

...

 

[NDinL.A.]

Brown started 9 more games then Robinson. Caught 1 less ball and 4 less tds. The fact fuller did what he did with no real threat on opposite side, speaks to his awesomeness. Next year should be scary good, if Malik works on the deep ball.

Starts mean nothing. C'mon. Cam started more games than Folston. What does that tell you?

Again, at the end of the year, who was playing better? Brown. So said you basically were going to lose your shit if Brown starts over Robinson. Why? It's not like Corey was outplaying Brown. Quite the opposite. And your complaint was Brown not getting off the LOS, which exactly what he had to do against the press coverage of the LSU corners, and he did it with success.

I love Corey. But what I'm saying is that when comparing the two, it's the not the bloodbath you think it is. CB can play, and finally proved it at the end of the season.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I do agree with him, I just also have an ability to recognize hyperbole.

I really liked Drue early in the season when he was near the line. He was nasty as a blitzer. I'm not sure it resulted in any sacks, but he got pressure. I like him there as a blitzer/fake blitzer who can jump back as a LB in sliding coverage. I think he'd be great in that role and own the shallow-middle of the field.

And I have an ability to smell shit when it's there. And it's there, in spades.

I liked him there too, but again, he was a true freshman. To write him off so prematurely and completely dismiss his ability to play safety at the D1 level is ridiculous. It's no surprise that you agree with him...it's your M.O. Take the opposite side, no matter how ridiculous. Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[koonja]

And I have an ability to smell shit when it's there. And it's there, in spades.

I liked him there too, but again, he was a true freshman. To write him off so prematurely and completely dismiss his ability to play safety at the D1 level is ridiculous. It's no surprise that you agree with him...it's your M.O. Take the opposite side, no matter how ridiculous. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Why? It's not like we're waiting for him to learn the position. Our point is based on his athleticism, and he's not going to get much faster, if at all. I think he can play D1 safety, albeit not very well against the extremely talented schedule we face.

It's not my M.O. at all. And there's no opposite side to take. I happen to agree with OneWhoKnocks on this discussion. You realize if I took your side, I'd still be taking someone's opposite side, right?

I say what I believe. I was parading Drue as a LB and not a safety long before you came on last night to bless us with your opinion.

 

[Domina Nostra]

And I have an ability to smell shit when it's there. And it's there, in spades.

I liked him there too, but again, he was a true freshman. To write him off so prematurely and completely dismiss his ability to play safety at the D1 level is ridiculous. It's no surprise that you agree with him...it's your M.O. Take the opposite side, no matter how ridiculous. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Also, didn't Tranquill train as a LB, and work out to play at over 220? He'll be much different with a Spring and Fall under his belt and playing at 210.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Why? It's not like we're waiting for him to learn the position. Our point is based on his athleticism, and he's not going to get much faster, if at all. I think he can play D1 safety, albeit not very well against the extremely talented schedule we face.

It's not my M.O. at all. And there's no opposite side to take. I happen to agree with OneWhoKnocks on this discussion. You realize if I took your side, I'd still be taking someone's opposite side, right?

I say what I believe. I was parading Drue as a LB and not a safety long before you came on last night to bless us with your opinion.

You keep saying you agree with him 100%, and then in the next breath you disagree lol. Dru can play D1 safety. The OP said he couldn't play safety even for schools like Army and Central Michigan. That's ridiculous. I fully expect you for the 3rd time to say it's not ridiculous, and then say that Dru could play for lower-level schools lol, so I'll just leave it at that.

As for dropping a guy for a spot after his freshman season, have at it. I'll let the coaches who see him every day decide what position he'll play the next 3 years. I'm just no willing to write him off as a safety yet, until I see him where he's not swimming in the play book and he's allowed to play fast and free, which he couldn't do last year,

 

[pkt77242]

Why? It's not like we're waiting for him to learn the position. Our point is based on his athleticism, and he's not going to get much faster, if at all. I think he can play D1 safety, albeit not very well against the extremely talented schedule we face.

It's not my M.O. at all. And there's no opposite side to take. I happen to agree with OneWhoKnocks on this discussion. You realize if I took your side, I'd still be taking someone's opposite side, right?

I say what I believe. I was parading Drue as a LB and not a safety long before you came on last night to bless us with your opinion.

Drue has enough speed to play Safety for us but it is yet to be determined if he has the lateral quickness and agility to do it.

 

[koonja]

You keep saying you agree with him 100%, and then in the next breath you disagree lol. Dru can play D1 safety. The OP said he couldn't play safety even for schools like Army and Central Michigan. That's ridiculous. I fully expect you for the 3rd time to say it's not ridiculous, and then say that Dru could play for lower-level schools lol, so I'll just leave it at that.

As for dropping a guy for a spot after his freshman season, have at it. I'll let the coaches who see him every day decide what position he'll play the next 3 years. I'm just no willing to write him off as a safety yet, until I see him where he's not swimming in the play book and he's allowed to play fast and free, which he couldn't do last year,

My comment on recognizing hyperbole must have flown over your head like Chris Brown over a defender in practice. OneWhoKnocks was exaggerating (definition of hyperbole) when he said Drue cannot play D1 safety. His point is, he cannot play it well at a school like ND. Could he play safety well at Central Michigan? Definitely. But I recognize that what he's getting at have mad skills, and yes, I agree with him.

It's a message board, so thank you, I will.

What position the coaches decide he plays is somewhat irrelevant. We desperately need safeties compared to linebackers, so even if he ends up there it doesn't mean it's his best position. I simply hope the roster shakes out in a way that lets him play LB over safety, because that's where he is most effective IMO. Verbatim from my first post: "I hope he winds up at LB somehow."

 

[NDinL.A.]

My comment on recognizing hyperbole must have flown over your head like Chris Brown over a defender in practice. OneWhoKnocks was exaggerating (definition of hyperbole) when he said Drue cannot play D1 safety. His point is, he cannot play it well at a school like ND. Could he play safety well at Central Michigan? Definitely. But I recognize that what he's getting at have mad skills, and yes, I agree with him.

It's a message board, so thank you, I will.

What position the coaches decide he plays is somewhat irrelevant. We desperately need safeties compared to linebackers, so even if he ends up there it doesn't mean it's his best position. I simply hope the roster shakes out in a way that lets him play LB over safety, because that's where he is most effective IMO. Verbatim from my first post: "I hope he winds up at LB somehow."

OneWhoKnocks wasn't the one who said that, so there's that little nugget you're wrong on. The poster who did say it is prone to saying outlandish things that he absolutely means. You're predicting hyperbole when you know shit about what he meant. And I'm just going off his exact words, which in the past have been exactly what he has meant. Keep trying though.

 

[koonja]

OneWhoKnocks wasn't the one who said that, so there's that little nugget you're wrong on. The poster who did say it is prone to saying outlandish things that he absolutely means. You're predicting hyperbole when you know shit about what he meant. And I'm just going off his exact words, which in the past have been exactly what he has meant. Keep trying though.

Lol, it was irishff1014. That changes everything!!

Have a good one dude.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Lol, it was irishff1014. That changes everything!!

Have a good one dude.

It actually does, but I knew you wouldn't get it. Who posts what makes a difference. For example, when you post, most posters just brush it off because they figure it's been 90 seconds since your last post and you were getting an itchy finger to start posting again.

But if Whiskey or someone of his ilk were to post in that same thread, more posters would listen. With irishff, I've known his posting style for several years, and while you blindly assumed hyperbole (and bragged about being able to recognize it lol...good job by you!), I know his posting history and I chose to take him at his word.

You too.

 

[kmoose]

He said safety, and at safety I completely agree with him. I hope he winds up at LB somehow. When he was closer to the ball and blitzing, he made plays.

He's not fast enough for safety. He's not, NOT D1 safety material, but he's not scaring anyone back there. Yes, he was a freshman, but it's not like he's going to miraculously get faster, especially after an ACL tear. If he stays at safety, we're going to be complaining about him getting beat a lot, IMO.

I don't understand..... on one hand you say that "when he was closer to the ball and blitzing, he made plays.", but then you say he's not fast enough for safety? He was fast enough to make plays when they moved him up in run support, in the 4-2-5 defense that Van Gorder ran in one third of the season. He's not a cover guy, probably. But, in the 4-2-5, you usually have one safety assigned to run support anyway. It would appear that he did well in that role, so why try to change his position? Utilize him where he is most effective.

 

[koonja]

I don't understand..... on one hand you say that "when he was closer to the ball and blitzing, he made plays.", but then you say he's not fast enough for safety? He was fast enough to make plays when they moved him up in run support, in the 4-2-5 defense that Van Gorder ran in one third of the season. He's not a cover guy, probably. But, in the 4-2-5, you usually have one safety assigned to run support anyway. It would appear that he did well in that role, so why try to change his position? Utilize him where he is most effective.

He's plenty athletic to play near the line as a LB and excel. IMO, he's not athletic enough to be a good safety at a top program. IDK how to make it more clear than that.

 

[kmoose]

He's plenty athletic to play near the line as a LB and excel. IMO, he's not athletic enough to be a good safety at a top program. IDK how to make it more clear than that.

He's never played LB. I think the disconnect is that you don't understand that he has been playing safety all along. If the difference is where they line him up; then the answer is to line him up in the spot where he is most successful, not make him learn a new position.

 

[koonja]

He's never played LB. I think the disconnect is that you don't understand that he has been playing safety all along. If the difference is where they line him up; then the answer is to line him up in the spot where he is most successful, not make him learn a new position.

He's technically been a safety. But in the beginning of the year, he was playing a hybrid spot closer to the name (not in deep coverage) much more like a traditional LB than a safety.

You two can be as literal as you'd like and pick my posts apart if you want, but I've got stuff to do. I think you know what I'm saying and if not, oh well, lol.

 

[kmoose]

He's technically been a safety. But in the beginning of the year, he was playing a hybrid spot closer to the name (not in deep coverage) much more like a traditional LB than a safety.

You two can be as literal as you'd like and pick my posts apart if you want, but I've got stuff to do. I think you know what I'm saying and if not, oh well, lol.

He was playing safety in a 4-2-5 defense. That's not being literal or picking apart anything. Malik Zaire did a really good job running the ball......... we should move him to tailback!!

 

[NDinL.A.]

He's technically been a safety. But in the beginning of the year, he was playing a hybrid spot closer to the name (not in deep coverage) much more like a traditional LB than a safety.

You two can be as literal as you'd like and pick my posts apart if you want, but I've got stuff to do. I think you know what I'm saying and if not, oh well, lol.

Don't put it on us that we're being too 'literal'. It's a message board...you post, people respond. It's really simple. How else are we supposed to take your words other than literally? You should be thanking kmoose for correcting you on Drue's position.

Congrats on having something to do though. That's pretty bad-ass.

 

[irishff1014]

Dru will make you eat those words. He was a true freshman and was thrown into the fire, and you're writing him off already? Harrison Smith is laughing right now.

It's all good big guy. I am glad your opinion is different then mine. IMO he isn't a good level at safety and would be better off closer to the line. If you are playing Navy or Gt and want to play him at safety (Technically) but play him as a 4th LB to get to the run or to fill a gap i am ok with that.

 

[irishff1014]

It actually does, but I knew you wouldn't get it. Who posts what makes a difference. For example, when you post, most posters just brush it off because they figure it's been 90 seconds since your last past and you were getting an itchy finger to start posting again.

But if Whiskey or someone of his ilk were to post in that same thread, more posters would listen. With irishff, I've known his posting style for several years, and while you blindly assumed hyperbole (and bragged about being able to recognize it lol...good job by you!), I know his posting history and I chose to take him at his word.

You too.

How in the world did my post start a bash me talk? Like i said everyone has their own opinion.

 

[House16]

QB - Zaire
RB1 - Folston
RB2 - Bryant
WR1 - Fuller
WR2 - Robinson
Slot- Prosise
TE - Smythe
LT - Stanley
LG - Elmer
C - Martin
RG - Nelson
RT - McGlinchey

DE - Williams/Okwara
DT - Day/Rochell
DT - Jones/Cage
DE - Trumbetti/Blankenship
OLB - Smith
MLB - Schmidt
OLB - Morgan
CB - Russell
FS - Redfield
SS - Shumate
CB - Luke
Nickel - Farley

My two cents. Only positions I can really anticipate any kind of problems at, barring inevitable offseason BS, are safety and DE. We seem to be pretty set at every other position. Random thought- is it possible Stanley could be moved back to RT if Zaire wins the QB job so he protects the blindside?

Anyways, shaping up to be a good year with more quality starters and backups than maybe any other time in the Kelly era

 

[NDinL.A.]

It's all good big guy. I am glad your opinion is different then mine. IMO he isn't a good level at safety and would be better off closer to the line. If you are playing Navy or Gt and want to play him at safety (Technically) but play him as a 4th LB to get to the run or to fill a gap i am ok with that.

All fair points.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

So far I have three questions :

Who can predict anything on the defensive front, (except the fact that Day and Smith will start for sure!) with the flux with injuries, returners, etc?

Why is nobody mentioning Kaizer? He got pretty good reviews all season. If Golson leaves, (academically would ND let him in to grad school?), and Kelly wants to bust other teams ability to game plan, why wouldn't he play two quarterbacks?

Why do people think Drue Tranquil is too slow to play safety? (All season long Kelly made it clear that Tranquil had to be told what to do on every play, his big problem looked to me to be understanding the defense, not getting there! [From my perspective.])

 

[Nick Setta]

Dru will make you eat those words. He was a true freshman and was thrown into the fire, and you're writing him off already? Harrison Smith is laughing right now.

Harrison Smith didn't tear his ACL. I like Drue but won't be as good as Shumate next year. Drue might be a stud though in 2 or 3 years.

 

[Crazy Balki]

So far I have three questions :

Who can predict anything on the defensive front, (except the fact that Day and Smith will start for sure!) with the flux with injuries, returners, etc?

Sad but true. Wouldn't be surprised, and frankly it can happen at any moment. I thought we were in the clear when fall camp finally rolled around and then...sh*t

Why is nobody mentioning Kaizer? He got pretty good reviews all season. If Golson leaves, (academically would ND let him in to grad school?), and Kelly wants to bust other teams ability to game plan, why wouldn't he play two quarterbacks?

This. I remember some people arguing that Golson would have a hard time getting the credits to transfer over to a GS at another college, but honestly, he'd have a harder time applying for ND's GS, given his academic history.

Why do people think Drue Tranquil is too slow to play safety? (All season long Kelly made it clear that Tranquil had to be told what to do on every play, his big problem looked to me to be understanding the defense, not getting there! [From my perspective.])

I think it's because he, like the other safeties, were getting burned a lot in the back half of the season. However, that A) wasn't only Drue and B) Wasn't due to lack of speed. Physically at least. Drue, like the other guys were mentally slow, because they had to think and react, instead of playing it naturally. If we cannot get that safety issue figured out this year, then coaches need to go. I'm hoping McCarthy can be that guy who gets the position under control.