Are we worried about Crist?

[Pachuco]

Clausen is playing at a high level, while we have seen very little on-the-field action from Crist. If Clausen decides it's in his best interest to enter the draft, are we worried about Crist and his ability to lead the team? Can someone recall Crist's scout report? I wouldn't exactly compare Crist to McDougal, but from what I can recall, no one thought McDougal would really lead the Irish the way that he did after Mirer moved on to the NFL. He proved everyone wrong. If we were to compare and contrast Crist and Jimmy, how well do they match up? What are Crist's strengths that could potential benefit the team in a positive way next year (assuming Jimmy leaves)?

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I'm not worried about Crist personally. He was highly touted out of high school in 08. Was probably a top 3 QB in the class I'd say. I think he will be ok he has good size and a pretty good arm. I think he will be a good QB. I'm not worried what so ever. Rivals had him ranked 3rd amongst QB's in the 08 class behind Pryor and Gabbert of Missouri.

 

[Brown]

Why would anybody be worried? He's a 5 star stud (rivals 6.1 rating), and will have had a full 2 years under the system in which to prepare. He will be loaded with veteran weapons at WR, RB, and TE, and the defense should be much improved next year (every single player on defense is returning next season).

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

(every single player on defense is returning next season).

Not true. The best defensive player is graduating.

 

[Pachuco]

Jimmy has proven his leadership abilities this year. Now everyone is whispering that Jimmy is gone. While this is all very premature talk, I personally think Crist has the potential to lead ND to where we need to go. Given his ability to run the ball, his level of attack will be multi-dimensional. As opposed to looking at the negatives of potentially losing Clausen, I see Notre Dame gaining Crist, and we might be pleasantly surprised if he's up on his homework when the occasion for him to lead arises.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Remember that Tennessee won the national championship the year AFTER Peyton Manning left. It's a team sport. Clausen is the best QB we have had in decades, but Crist is a fine quarterback and this team will still have Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph, Armando Allen, Shaq Evans, etc.

 

[Brown]

Nice catch...but I don't agree that McCarthy is the best defensive player. He's as much a liability against the pass as Harrison Smith has been this season. He's excellent vs the run, is a sure tackler (although, in his case, it comes packaged with limited range), and has all the intangibles in the world.

But if I wanted to rank (in order) our best defensive players -- McCarthy would probably stack up somewhere in the middle.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Nice catch...but I don't agree that McCarthy is the best defensive player. He's as much a liability against the pass as Harrison Smith has been this season. He's excellent vs the run, is a sure tackler (although, in his case, it comes packaged with limited range), and has all the intangibles in the world.

But if I wanted to rank (in order) our best defensive players -- McCarthy would probably stack up somewhere in the middle.

Thank you very much for this post. I'm not the only one that thinks McCarthy is a liability. Thats the reason we give up big plays on Third down because they know they can throw the ball over the middle and our safety's are now where to be found. McCarthy is good around the line. Sure Tackler for sure. Now we could make up for his lack of coverage skills if we had another safety that was worth a shit that could roam the middle by himself, but we don't have that.

 

[BGIF]

Are we worried about Crist?

No

 

[tko]

No

No as well. when he took his first snap at Purdue and ran around the end for a huge gain that pumped me up. he didn't throw great in his few opportunities b/c he was so jacked up to be in there. if/when jimmy leaves, dc will settle in and be solid for us. hell, he's a dangerous runner and that will open things up for his passing. i love jc but dc will shine when it's his time.

 

[phork]

I would say no as well.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

No worries here. Another off season will progress him physically and mentally with Charlie. Also, remember what CW said in his presser this week? Reporters asked him about the 08 recruiting class playing the AAA Bowl in the Alamodome.

He said that group became even tighter down there with all the crap they were taking being committed to ND. CW also said Crist was the leader of that pack and kept everyone together that week. His leadership skills might be better than Clausen's and we know he's got physical talents.

 

[JefMaj]

After watching him play in the 2nd Q against Purdue -I'm ready for the 2nd coming of Crist.

 

[IrishInFl]

If Crist starts next season, he should have an easy time with a horrible schedule.

 

[tko]

If Crist starts next season, he should have an easy time with a horrible schedule.

true, but if our secondary doesn't firm up, that horrible schedule becomes tough. i want jimmy & co. to return and lay mad beatdowns on everyone in their path, however, if he goes then in dayne we trust.

 

[Senoj13]

I think we will know after today. Crist will play at least the entire 4th quarter tonight and if what Charlie has said in the past holds true, he will allow him to get some work in and throw the ball.

 

[bert2834]

We should definitely see Crist throwing the ball around tonight!

And to some of the younger receivers like Toma and Walker and Evans hopefully.

 

[devolg]

No he will be fine.

That being said we're all currently spoiled on Jimmy. Moving forward we need to keep in mind that he won't be like Jimmy & it would be insanity to expect that. Not saying he couldn't just saying we need to be realistic & keep things in perspective.

 

[Riddickulous]

I'm not worried about Crist.

I personally think the Crist era at Notre Dame will be a lot like the Brady Quinn era: not the most accurate quarterback in the country (I'm going to have loads of trouble adjusting to Crist's throwing motion and accuracy compared to Clausen's) but can get the ball there and can lead his team to the win, and look good doing it.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

No

 

[Merlin]

I haven't seen enough of Crist to really form a educated opinion on him, however, I trust Charlie and the staff to get him gameday ready when his time comes.

 

[kmoose]

I worry about everything, so yes, I'm worried about Crist. Might be irrational, but I haven't seen him play enough to not worry.

 

[OCIrish]

Why are we even worried about this now, hell, this season isn't even close to being over yet and we're talking bout Crist? WTF....

 

[jboxer562]

Why are we even worried about this now, hell, this season isn't even close to being over yet and we're talking bout Crist? WTF....

dude wtf? seriously!?
hes asking a question about the future of our team, and a question which I deem very important.
too many damn cliche posters on here!!!!!!!!!!

 

[irishfan]

Not true. The best defensive player is graduating.

I think Te'o is only a frosh this year....

I love McCarthy and he actually seems like he is the only guy in the secondary who seems like he knows what hes doing when hes playing the ball in the air, but I honestly think Te'o is the best player on the D already.

 

[jason_h537]

No. Great arm, good mobility and has a reputations for being the type of leader a QB should be. Plus he has talent all aroound him and will have 2 years in the offense. We will be fine

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Why worry about a 5 star player that we haven't seen? Obviously every school in the country liked him coming out of high school, and he looked good against Purdue in his short time. We are still in the middle of 2009. Don't worry about 2010 or 2011.

 

[Pachuco]

Haha at those questioning my question!

Haha at those questioning my question!

No worries here. I can accept the criticism for asking a question about the future of the program when we still have plenty of season left. However, I thought that by raising a few questions about Crist, it might encourage those who are feeling pessimistic about the possibility of losing Clausen next year. This is Jimmy's first solid season. Heisman is in the air. First round draft pick is buzzing around. And if the dice happen to roll in favor of Clausen leaving, I am excited about Dayne taking over.

With this said, I think we should enjoy the rest of the season and let Jimmy continue to work for his accolades. The doomsday articles about how ND should wave goodbye to Clausen are blown out of proportion. If Jimmy leaves, then it's definitely not the end of the road for ND next year.

Hope Dayne gets out there quite a bit today. Go Irish!

 

[We_Are_ND]

I thought he handled himself quite well in the Purdue game in a hostile environment. Not really worried.

 

[jason_h537]

YES!!!!!

i hope he is ok because we need him to back up Jimmy.

This is why we took 2 QB's this year.

He was shakey to start but threw a strike to Goodman. I llok foreward to seeng that in the future many times