'21 MI OL Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[irishu]

Not surprised. I assumed both Coogan and Spindler would transfer. Pendleton transferring may keep one of them here, but certainly not both

 

[irishu]

Wasn't everyone here saying how deep our oline is. We lose only a couple and now it's a problem?

Tyler Horka boutta be in his bag

 

[FU BK]

Not surprised. I assumed both Coogan and Spindler would transfer. Pendleton transferring may keep one of them here, but certainly not both

Need to pay Coogan just for his pre game speeches. Love that dude

 

[greyhammer90]

Wasn't everyone here saying how deep our oline is. We lose only a couple and now it's a problem?

Depth is not a "problem" but we've just seen how a 16 game season can cause issues with even good rooms if you get unlucky. At the very least Rocco would've been the next man in for an OG spot. It's pretty common for those spots to have at least one guy go down due to the nature of the position.

 

[CoachB]

Loved Rocco this year. Will be a big loss.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Jagusah going to be the best guard since Q. Spots are limited. Best move for the kid and I wish him luck. Was a warrior for us this year.

 

[NDPhilly]

Jagusah can be a top 10 pick at OT. You have to move Knapp inside, which is the best position for him in the NFL anyway.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I wish him well but this is good for both parties. Rocco should start for someone but he struggled against the better competition. Love what we have and I hope he finds a good spot.

 

[stpeteirish]

Spindler got beat out in August so I’m not totally surprised by this . Stepped in after the injuries hit and did ok but not great.
Many here have been lauding the youngsters who haven’t played yet(lambert, absher, black etc). Staff must be high on them or they would have sweetened the pot for Spindler
Knapp or Jagusah to guard likely

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Jagusah can be a top 10 pick at OT. You have to move Knapp inside, which is the best position for him in the NFL anyway.

Agreed.

Honestly, it's a good problem to have to try and figure out, but this is my initial stance on it as a spectator.

 

[peadeam]

If you look at the roster, unfortunately there just isn’t room for these guys. I’m willing to bet they weren’t offered a 5th year

 

[benneboy]

If you look at the roster, unfortunately there just isn’t room for these guys. I’m willing to bet they weren’t offered a 5th year

No shot this is the case. 0

 

[NDPhilly]

We’ve recruited OL well enough that I believe Lambert, Black, Otting, Abscher, Jones, etc… should be good enough depth along the OL. Just a reality in the portal world.

Staff would have put up a bigger fight to keep them IMO if there were real concerns.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Rocco Spindler leaving for me is a loss to the team. I know that he MIGHT not get a starting spot next year, and that he wasn't the most mobile guy we have, but my-oh-my could he plow guys under. There were plays where he massacred the D-Lineman assigned to him, caving in the whole area (Jagusah also does that.) I felt that, if the staff could "get it right", having two brutal powerhouses on the line (maybe three or four if Schrauth takes one more step up, and so does Knapp, and maybe Lambert is as much of a monster as he looks walking out there), we might just be able to run it down everyone's throat whether they stacked the box or not.

Powerhouses like Spindler are the kind of linemen who might not grade quite as high as some others, but there are situations when that sort of player gashes the line of scrimmage --- think: everyone up close trying to stuff a third or fourth and short, and all of a sudden our RB is 30,40,50 yards away in the end zone on a simple dive.

Well, as I said earlier in the site about our O-Line --- we're destined to lose a few of them. We just need to keep at least 8. More is better, but high functioning 8 is usually enough.

 

[IrishTusker]

Driskell saying he was told he is going to start, but doesn't trust the coaches to keep that promise.

 

[Dale]

I find it extremely unlikely they told him he will start

Told him he would have a shot at starting? Sure

 

[NDPhilly]

Driskell saying he was told he is going to start, but doesn't trust the coaches to keep that promise.

He wasnt good enough this year to be guaranteed a spot. Regardless, he just can't risk not starting. Can still be a mid to late round draft pick.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Probably old school and outdated, but guaranteeing a starting job or even reps is pussy. I mean, if you evaluate and you're 100% certain to tell a player that, so be it. I just don't think it does anyone any good in terms of culture and building trust.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

He’s got one more year to build his stock and there’s a chance he’s not a starter here. Kid played his ass off and I wish him the best at his next stop.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Wasn't everyone here saying how deep our oline is. We lose only a couple and now it's a problem?

And good OL are tough to get in the portal relative to other positions. Spindler will be a hot commodity.

 

[irish4ever]

Wasn't everyone here saying how deep our oline is. We lose only a couple and now it's a problem?

Maybe they think that Guerby Lambert and incoming 5* Will Black will possibly give them more competition for playing time than they want going into their final year!?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Jagusah+Schrauth+Wagner+Knapp+Craig+Lambert+[Abshur+Otting+Jones+Black]= not a problem. But you keep every good BIG that you can.

And I like the potential of more than just Black in the incomers.

 

[peadeam]

No shot this is the case. 0

You don’t keep second string Olineman around eating up scholarships or you risk losing more talented underclassman. These guys only played this year because of injuries. 5th year second team players are rare

 

[Old Man Mike]

5th year back-up veteran OLinemen are in fact common. They just are in the top eight, or they are still getting the degree (not every school pushes you through in four.) What we're looking at here are players with NFL ambitions --- different situation.

 

[irishff1014]

Driskell saying he was told he is going to start, but doesn't trust the coaches to keep that promise.

I would say this is BS. Doesn’t trust the coaches??? I don’t believe this.

 

[peadeam]

5th year back-up veteran OLinemen are in fact common. They just are in the top eight, or they are still getting the degree (not every school pushes you through in four.) What we're looking at here are players with NFL ambitions --- different situation.

Let me be clear tho, I’m not saying the coaches are actively saying to these guys they need to leave but when they tell them they are not promised a starting spot it’s basically the same thing

 

[Jeffwantpoppers]

5th year back-up veteran OLinemen are in fact common. They just are in the top eight, or they are still getting the degree (not every school pushes you through in four.) What we're looking at here are players with NFL ambitions --- different situation.

Plus this is a different era. A decade ago these guys stick around.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well, yes, mostly. Matt Hegarty though was an ND example, going to Oregon to start and captain that team, when he knew that our other center was going to start. Guys want to play and show what they can do.

 

[laughingirish92]

question for me is does Lambert stick around if he isn't told he can compete for right tackle spot this spring after already having to sit on bench for first season on team

 

[Me2SouthBend]

question for me is does Lambert stick around if he isn't told he can compete for right tackle spot this spring after already having to sit on bench for first season on team

He can compete for either tackle spot. I’m sure Charles could kick inside if the staff felt it was best. That would be one massive left side of the line.