BeatSC
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I thought I would throw something else out there to change the depressing subjects.
I will eval positions and name a few names:
Offensive line:
This group might be decent in a different system but Kelly is being stubborn and making out players fit his systema as opposed to adapting to his players strengths. Compared to most of the teams I see playing week in and week out they are not special and would be rated as below average based on the results. They still don't look to be quick or muscular. They are just big which might work in a standard Big 10 offense. Need overhaul or serious training.
WR's:
With the exception of Floyd the weakest in recent memory. If Floyd leaves after the season we are in deep trouble. The rest of them do not block that well either. Well below average without Floyd. Less than acceptable hands.
TE:
After Rudolph below average. We may get better but Eifert is soft and Ragone has hard hands.
RB:
Armando Allen is a good all around back but get's banged up way too easily. At this level There are probably 30-40 teams with a better RB. Wood has moments but overall he is subpar when compared to other top 25 teams. Gray and Hughes don't get enough chances to prove themselves and are not a great fit for Kelly's system. Feel bad for both of them.
Overall ND should be able to get a RB on the level of Oregon or some of these other speedy backs. We just look way to frigg'n slow! One run over 40 yards with this group in 4 years. That is a joke.
QB:
Dayne might be average to above average in the Weis system but in the spread he is been below average despite some decent numbers. He is not wired for this system. Reese played admirably today but this is not a good litmus test playing a lousy Tulsa pass defense at home. Montana was a joke last year as a backup for a JC and I can't believe we wasted a scholarship on him. Don't know about the rest of the kids but can only hope someone will emerge next season/
Overall when compare to so many teams in CFB in DII etc we are below average.
Defense:
D-line:
These guys are good against the run between the tackles and that is about the extent of it. We look slow and without any moves. These guys aren't making our OLB's look very good.
We have some depth but that is about all the positives I can say about these guys. After the Navy game I can't say too much. I see other D lineman looking so much quicker off the ball. Overall below average.
ILB's:
Teo and Calabrese give us some hope. They hit hard and play hard. Calabrese is a bit slow but has good FB instincts. Teo is a bit wild but will be All-American nect year. They would look better if we had a better D-line.
OLB's:
I'm ready for Neal and Smith to move on. They have not really improved in the last 2-3 years. They are just taking away playing time from Fleming, Filer and Shembo. They have depth but still do not seem to measure up to some of the athleticism of many other teams I have seen play. We look slow.
CB's:
Good tacklers, and have been decent at keeping the players in front of them but often play too soft of coverage. They also can't make the big plays (Int's and strips). This group has been slightly above average especially Gray.
Safety's:
Slaughter has decent speed and tackling skills but he makes Harrison Smith look smart. HE blew on 3rd and 26 today. Motta is still learning and he and smith are little LB's back there. Overall this trio has hurt us more than helped us. They don't make plays.
Below average and the future back there doesn't look any better.
Pk
Awesome so far but the extra point today cost us the game. Trajectory looked OK but having a little walk on long snapper who can't plug up the hole is questionable at this level of CFB. Tausch was also very good until he lost his job.
Punting
One good punt a game is not good enough for a scholarship punter at ND. That short low punt was a key contributor in the return today for a TD.
Special Teams
Not special except for Ruffer so far. The punt coverage has been good primarily due to 30 yard high punts. He has not been a weapon but more of a waste. Kickoff coverage today was for ****. The kick returns except for about 3 this year have been slow and boring and overall inneffective. Overall below average.
Playcalling and Coaching
Overall inconsistent and below average
This can't be too harsh since we are 4-5 and have beaten nobody and only been beaten by one real somebody (Stanford).
Players who have played well and to their potential under the circumstances:
Teo, Floyd, Allen, Gray, Ruffer, Riddick and Toma.
I will eval positions and name a few names:
Offensive line:
This group might be decent in a different system but Kelly is being stubborn and making out players fit his systema as opposed to adapting to his players strengths. Compared to most of the teams I see playing week in and week out they are not special and would be rated as below average based on the results. They still don't look to be quick or muscular. They are just big which might work in a standard Big 10 offense. Need overhaul or serious training.
WR's:
With the exception of Floyd the weakest in recent memory. If Floyd leaves after the season we are in deep trouble. The rest of them do not block that well either. Well below average without Floyd. Less than acceptable hands.
TE:
After Rudolph below average. We may get better but Eifert is soft and Ragone has hard hands.
RB:
Armando Allen is a good all around back but get's banged up way too easily. At this level There are probably 30-40 teams with a better RB. Wood has moments but overall he is subpar when compared to other top 25 teams. Gray and Hughes don't get enough chances to prove themselves and are not a great fit for Kelly's system. Feel bad for both of them.
Overall ND should be able to get a RB on the level of Oregon or some of these other speedy backs. We just look way to frigg'n slow! One run over 40 yards with this group in 4 years. That is a joke.
QB:
Dayne might be average to above average in the Weis system but in the spread he is been below average despite some decent numbers. He is not wired for this system. Reese played admirably today but this is not a good litmus test playing a lousy Tulsa pass defense at home. Montana was a joke last year as a backup for a JC and I can't believe we wasted a scholarship on him. Don't know about the rest of the kids but can only hope someone will emerge next season/
Overall when compare to so many teams in CFB in DII etc we are below average.
Defense:
D-line:
These guys are good against the run between the tackles and that is about the extent of it. We look slow and without any moves. These guys aren't making our OLB's look very good.
We have some depth but that is about all the positives I can say about these guys. After the Navy game I can't say too much. I see other D lineman looking so much quicker off the ball. Overall below average.
ILB's:
Teo and Calabrese give us some hope. They hit hard and play hard. Calabrese is a bit slow but has good FB instincts. Teo is a bit wild but will be All-American nect year. They would look better if we had a better D-line.
OLB's:
I'm ready for Neal and Smith to move on. They have not really improved in the last 2-3 years. They are just taking away playing time from Fleming, Filer and Shembo. They have depth but still do not seem to measure up to some of the athleticism of many other teams I have seen play. We look slow.
CB's:
Good tacklers, and have been decent at keeping the players in front of them but often play too soft of coverage. They also can't make the big plays (Int's and strips). This group has been slightly above average especially Gray.
Safety's:
Slaughter has decent speed and tackling skills but he makes Harrison Smith look smart. HE blew on 3rd and 26 today. Motta is still learning and he and smith are little LB's back there. Overall this trio has hurt us more than helped us. They don't make plays.
Below average and the future back there doesn't look any better.
Pk
Awesome so far but the extra point today cost us the game. Trajectory looked OK but having a little walk on long snapper who can't plug up the hole is questionable at this level of CFB. Tausch was also very good until he lost his job.
Punting
One good punt a game is not good enough for a scholarship punter at ND. That short low punt was a key contributor in the return today for a TD.
Special Teams
Not special except for Ruffer so far. The punt coverage has been good primarily due to 30 yard high punts. He has not been a weapon but more of a waste. Kickoff coverage today was for ****. The kick returns except for about 3 this year have been slow and boring and overall inneffective. Overall below average.
Playcalling and Coaching
Overall inconsistent and below average
This can't be too harsh since we are 4-5 and have beaten nobody and only been beaten by one real somebody (Stanford).
Players who have played well and to their potential under the circumstances:
Teo, Floyd, Allen, Gray, Ruffer, Riddick and Toma.