Cierre Wood

[tommyIRISH23]

A few weeks ago a lot of people had some doubts whether or not he could be a number 1 back, I found this highlight reel of him, and yeah, once he gets a tad more polished...he'll be very dangerous. His quickness and balance are unreal.

YouTube - Cierre Wood 2010 Highlights (Can't Be Touched)

One thing I think he needs to work on, which I think he did a lot before Miami, is when he is in open field he still runs straight up. He ran a little more lowered against Miami in open, and looked faster. I know that standing straight up makes the runner shiftier, less deliberate in his cuts, and gives no sense of direction too the tackler. Reggie Bush would slash and gash defense standing up, but when he got into open field he would lean forward and take off.

 

[Zibby32]

Once he starts holding on to the football!

almost blew the SC game for us! TEIFERT!!!

 

[Rocket89]

He's going to be a star.

It's likely he'll never get into the 1,200 to 1,400 yard range in a season, but I'm going to stay adament that he'll be the first running back to average 6 YPC in a loooong time for Notre Dame.

How long until we have to endure some "I don't know if he can be a number one back," or "he doesn't run tough enough" posts?

 

[IrishLax]

It's a simple case of player development. Cierre has all of the physical ability necessary to be an EDB and touch the ball 15-20 times a game..... but right now he still needs to improve his vision, how he protects the ball, hitting the hole hard, read and following his blocks, etc.

He showed lots of improvement as the season went on and I think he will have a very good career before his time is up. The sky is the limit.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

He's going to be a star.

It's likely he'll never get into the 1,200 to 1,400 yard range in a season, but I'm going to stay adament that he'll be the first running back to average 6 YPC in a loooong time for Notre Dame.

How long until we have to endure some "I don't know if he can be a number one back," or "he doesn't run tough enough" posts?

lol until South Florida if:

A. He doesn't tear the blue and gold game a part

or

B. Another back has a coming out party at the blue and gold game.

 

[Riddickulous]

If Brian Kelly can turn two-star Isaiah Pead into a stud, he can certainly turn five-star Cierre Wood into one. I have my faith in him.

I think he'll break 800 yards next year.

 

[johnnykillz]

1000 yd season will happen this year for Cierre Wood, barring some sort of injury. If the man stays healthy, he'll make the mark...

 

[rocket66]

1000 yd season will happen this year for Cierre Wood, barring some sort of injury. If the man stays healthy, he'll make the mark...

Agreed!

 

[Veer option]

The hook and lateral play vs Tulsa always makes me

 

[Riddickulous]

1000 yd season will happen this year for Cierre Wood, barring some sort of injury. If the man stays healthy, he'll make the mark...

With their combined 13 starts, Allen (Purdue, Mich, MSU, Stanford, BC, Pitt, Navy) and Wood (WMU, Tulsa, Utah, Army, USC, Miami) combined for 995 yards. I think Wood brings the wood and gets it, as well.

 

[phgreek]

A few weeks ago a lot of people had some doubts whether or not he could be a number 1 back, I found this highlight reel of him, and yeah, once he gets a tad more polished...he'll be very dangerous. His quickness and balance are unreal.

YouTube - Cierre Wood 2010 Highlights (Can't Be Touched)

One thing I think he needs to work on, which I think he did a lot before Miami, is when he is in open field he still runs straight up. He ran a little more lowered against Miami in open, and looked faster. I know that standing straight up makes the runner shiftier, less deliberate in his cuts, and gives no sense of direction too the tackler. Reggie Bush would slash and gash defense standing up, but when he got into open field he would lean forward and take off.

...that makes sense...he did appear to have another gear against Miami.

The one thing I noticed about him early on is he missed alot of flat cuts after the first level...where he could have turned 4 yarders into 15. This is real common with kids who are grasping a new offense, and just trying to get through plays...

I thought Kelly did something really cool....rather intentional or not...He started running that crazy delay counter or sprint draw or whatever it was and forced wood to flow wide(r)...then it was like the light went on that there is a place to run over there...then he appeared to me to start looking for the flat cut after the first level...then hammering forward if it wasn't there...

if I compare he and AA, his vision is a year ahead of AA's...that can only be good. Now if he puts on the AA leg strength and more confidence next year...Watch out. He is already a nice running back, and fairly elusive...he could be great.

 

[Riddickulous]

Of course all of this discussion is assuming Cierre Wood gets the bulk of the carries.

I'm half expecting to see Wood and Gray/Roberson each carry the football 12-15 times a game.

 

[johnnykillz]

With their combined 13 starts, Allen (Purdue, Mich, MSU, Stanford, BC, Pitt, Navy) and Wood (WMU, Tulsa, Utah, Army, USC, Miami) combined for 995 yards. I think Wood brings the wood and gets it, as well.

I recall the multi-back scheme, although this year will be different IMHO. Cierre will be in until rest is needed. If he gets held under 100 for three games, he'll make it up in a couple of showings of 150+, and have at least 7 games 100+yds.

That's my fearless prediction.

Cierre has the speed to break away. He's got that next gear. This year his strength, vision, and speed will have been honed an extra off season. He's the next 1000 yard RB from ND.

 

[Riddickulous]

I recall the multi-back scheme, although this year will be different IMHO. Cierre will be in until rest is needed. If he gets held under 100 for three games, he'll make it up in a couple of showings of 150+, and have at least 7 games 100+yds.

That's my fearless prediction.

Cierre has the speed to break away. He's got that next gear. This year his strength, vision, and speed will have been honed an extra off season. He's the next 1000 yard RB from ND.

That would be quite the feat.

I think Cierre will break 100 on opening day. USF has a depleted front seven.

 

[johnnykillz]

Of course if he rips off 200, then it'll have me feeling a lot better about my prediction.

Then he'll be 800 yds away.

Which run defenses, do you think, will present a tough challenge?

 

[Riddickulous]

Of course if he rips off 200, then it'll have me feeling a lot better about my prediction.

Then he'll be 800 yds away.

Which run defenses, do you think, will present a tough challenge?

Boston College is one that comes to mind. They have a good unit of young linebackers.

 

[johnnykillz]

Good point. Michigan State can stop the run well. Did they lose their stud LB? Maybe USC.

But I think we run well against other teams. Primarily pass first, but Cierre will find daylight. If we balance things as we did in the Sun Bowl, opposing teams are in trouble.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

Good point. Michigan State can stop the run well. Did they lose their stud LB?

They lost both (Greg Jones and Ben Gordon).

 

[johnnykillz]

They lost both (Greg Jones and Ben Gordon).

Sweet baby Jesus!

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I am not sure about the multi-back 12-15 carry per game scenario. I think if CW performs well throughout the off-season learning the system, and continuously improving...he'll get the lions share of carries a game (20-25). If his God given tools line up with his understanding of the system he will be a force. And, if he is tearing defense a part during games, why would Kelly take him out?

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

That video was great! I am going to miss Armando Allen, but I truly believe CW will be just fine for us. I think he also did a great job catching the ball when thrown to.

 

[Veer option]

Which run defenses, do you think, will present a tough challenge?

BC, USC, and MSU perhaps Maryland as well.

 

[irishfan]

I'm really against the idea of potentially moving Riddick back to RB. Wood is the man. He'll be a stud. Riddick in the backfield on occasion is nice, but I think its a bad idea not to have those two on the field at the same time.

 

[Rocket89]

They lost both (Greg Jones and Ben Gordon).

Yeah, it's not really being talked about a whole lot, but MSU has a good chance of sucking (or at least not being very good) on defense next year. You don't lose someone like Greg Jones (and Gordon), plus Rucker and a couple other starters and maintain a high level of play at MSU. It just doesn't happen.

But, their offense is going to be really, really good. But I think it will be offset by a rather average defense.

I don't think BC can handle our spread, particularly if we're playing with a mobile QB.

There's not a whole lot of defenses to fear next season.

 

[irish1958]

The number one thing he needs to work on is ball security.
He needs to get the ball high and tight, even in the open field or the trailing DBs will strip him as they did in the USC game. Every single well coached DB is going to try to strip him. The defenses watch game films also and he has this glaring error. If it weren't for this, I think he would be (will be) a great back. I assume the coaches will get this straightened out by next fall.
Hughes does this also (and he was stripped from behind in the Miami game); I wonder if this was the reason he didn't play a lot. We never know what goes on in practice.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Thank God Charlie didn't use him his Freshman year, I'm glad we have 3 years left with him.

 

[phgreek]

The number one thing he needs to work on is ball security.
He needs to get the ball high and tight, even in the open field or the trailing DBs will strip him as they did in the USC game. Every single well coached DB is going to try to strip him. The defenses watch game films also and he has this glaring error. If it weren't for this, I think he would be (will be) a great back. I assume the coaches will get this straightened out by next fall.
Hughes does this also (and he was stripped from behind in the Miami game); I wonder if this was the reason he didn't play a lot. We never know what goes on in practice.

...good point, although I recall Jonas had the dropsies too at some point...My guess is Kelly and co. will have the opportunity to focus on that kind of stuff this year...I hope so!

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I love Cierre! Dude's a really good back who can really blossom this year with the additional carries.

 

[Veer option]

Thank God Charlie didn't use him his Freshman year, I'm glad we have 3 years left with him.

Not to be a Daryle Downer, but if he really blossoms like we all expect him to he wont play 5 years.

 

[johnnykillz]

Not to be a Daryle Downer, but if he really blossoms like we all expect him to he wont play 5 years.

And then the next back, the big premier we pick up next year, steps in and produces quickly.