Favorite Players

[Riddickulous]

Who are your favorite players and why?

Offense: Golden Tate. Who DOESN'T love this guy? He's been my favorite after his performance against Purdue back in 2007. Just so fun to watch.

Defense: Robert Blanton. Besides being a future cornerback beast, his interviews are hilarious.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Offense....I gotta say Floyd. Just so exciting to watch. Always get the feeling he is always gonna come down with the ball. I knew the kid had talent but his worth ethic and demeanor has impressed me the most. Future 1st round lock. JC is close behind. If he gets time, watch out.

Defense....Brian Smith. I just love his tenacity and the energy he brings to this Defense. Where's his heart on his sleeve. Harrison Smith is also so fun to watch. What an incredible athlete. Switching to FS so easily from Backer...Not a lot of humans can do that...I think he will make A LOT of big plays this season......

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Offense: T-Rob! I love his motor, size, and effort. He can play both guard and tackle (even a little TE) when asked. And he is one of the only players last year that stood up for his QB when a hit was a little too late. I saw him go after a guy and get right in his grill after JC got hit a little after the play on a few different instances. I think he is going to bring back a bit of the nastiness of what an O lineman should be - like the days of Jeff Faine and Aaron Taylor.

Defense: Sergio Brown. Again mostly because of his motor and effort. Like the way he flies all over the field. I also like Blanton too. Both guys bring a swagger and bravado back that I like to see. I like guys who talk smack, but can back it up.

 

[Brown]

Mike Floyd is easily my current favorite. He's a future NFL 1st round draft pick, and, seemingly, a very humble dude.

On defense, Harrison Smith is a lot of fun to watch.

Personally, I think Brian Smith is a bit overrated.

 

[nd1988]

offense-Kyle Rudolph

defense-Blanton

 

[fitz_bu47]

On offense mine is Golden, I just can't remember seeing another receiver his height elevate as high as he does for jump balls. I also love Hughes, love the tradition of the big back (The Bus), but Hughes needs to bounce back this year.
On defense I like B-Smith's attitude and swagger, I like Blanton's chip he plays w/ and his future looks super bright, like Sergio too.

 

[adsnorri]

On offense I like Tate, his attitude along with floyds is impeccable, these are how true leaders act. Tate has a hint of showboat but i love it... when the opponent is physically gettin beat up, beat em up emotionally as well. Did anyone see the video of floyd? When asked what he has or would like to work on lately, his answer was to help the younger guys... A freshmen/sophmore helping younger players. He's a natural leader and will be special at the next level.

On defense I like Blanton, he is a little chirpy but is very smart and humble off of the field. Honestly, i think the chirping distracts his opposing receiver... sometimes to the point that they run bad routes.

 

[mjbirish]

offnese-floyd
defense-ethan johnson just because he is gping to be a beast this year.

 

[Bubba]

Floyd
Harrison Smith

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I definetly agree that Johnson is going to have a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge impact if he is starting at end. The kid will get after the QB...no question. He has elite skills.

 

[TDHeysus]

I like both number 9's. Ethan Johnson, and Kyle Rudolph - both are studs, both come to play, both still have something to prove, I expect great things from both of them this year.

As much as I like G Tate, I think Floyd is just undeniably great, the sky is the limit with Floyd. With all due respect to Tim Brown, who was/is truly a legendary, hall of fame WR, I think Floyd will end up being the greatest WR in ND history

 

[Riddickulous]

Mike Floyd is easily my current favorite. He's a future NFL 1st round draft pick, and, seemingly, a very humble dude.

On defense, Harrison Smith is a lot of fun to watch.

Personally, I think Brian Smith is a bit overrated.

Brian Smith overrated? He plays with more heart and emotion than the entire front seven combined. He's always around the ball, and if a big play is made, Brian Smith is usually making the play.

Note that I would take Michael Floyd over Julio Jones anyday.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Offense: Omar Hun.... damn sorry WWB. Floyd is pretty sweet.
Defense: Oma.. nevermind. Harrison Smith.. Beast.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Offense: That's like choosing who your favorite kid is. Clausen, Rudolph, Floyd or G-Money? I've defended Clausen so much on this board I feel like he's the son w/ the Harvard potential but who gets in trouble so much you keep on having to make excuses for him. Hard to go against him. Put a gun to my head and I'll say Floyd, by a whisker over JC and G-Tate.

Defense: Manti Te'o yo!!!!!!! Oh, already on campus? Darren Walls, followed closely by B Smith. I have a feeling we're all going to be saying Z Motta in a couple of years though...

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Offense: That's like choosing who your favorite kid is. Clausen, Rudolph, Floyd or G-Money? I've defended Clausen so much on this board I feel like he's the son w/ the Harvard potential but who gets in trouble so much you keep on having to make excuses for him. Hard to go against him. Put a gun to my head and I'll say Floyd, by a whisker over JC and G-Tate.

Defense: Manti Te'o yo!!!!!!! Oh, already on campus? Darren Walls, followed closely by B Smith. I have a feeling we're all going to be saying Z Motta in a couple of years though...

NDinLA...Nice.

 

[NDFan537]

Offense: Jimmy Clausen......I love Floyd and Tate and big James too but Jimmy is my fav., and by Nov. of '09 you all will see why. I remember the '07 campaign was terrible, and then '08 was better but not where we want him to be. He will get there I am sure of that. I was on the phone with a buddy of mine during the GT game when Jimmy took his first snap and I remember staring in awe and commenting about the confidence in his eye. He stood there 18 yrs old in Notre Dame Stadium and knew he belonged without question. Some may call that arrogant, I call it special.............

Defense: Brain "The Animal" Smith........There is many reasons why the main being he is an absolute beast and without him I am not sure where our defense would be. He plays with more heart than anyone I have seen in many years, and he is from just around the corner from me.

 

[Riddickulous]

Correction, Jimmy was 19 when he took his first snap at Notre Dame Stadium.

Clausen's success hinges mostly on the offensive line. Verducci will have them much better than last season, so he should do better.

In other news:

Honorable Mention: Offense Michael Floyd, Armando Allen's high school tape, Michael Floyd (no typo here)

Honorable Mention: Defense Darrin Walls, Hayseed, Ethan Johnson

 

[NDFan537]

Correction, Jimmy was 19 when he took his first snap at Notre Dame Stadium.

Clausen's success hinges mostly on the offensive line. Verducci will have them much better than last season, so he should do better.

In other news:

Honorable Mention: Offense Michael Floyd, Armando Allen's high school tape, Michael Floyd (no typo here)

Honorable Mention: Defense Darrin Walls, Hayseed, Ethan Johnson

Correct, but how old are you now? Do you think at any age you would have that kind of poise? Did Even Sharply or that other guy who transferred? That was my point, but thank you for the correction I guess him being a year older explains it all. Not to mention that he was just a few days shy of 20 anyways.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Lots of love for both Tate and Blanton on this thread. Check out this exchange from practice today, per Blueandgold.com:

Eric Maust and Golden Tate had the day off from baseball, and it didn’t take Tate long to make his presence known.

“Your worst nightmare is back,” No. 23 shouted over to the defensive backs during stretch.

Robert Blanton isn’t one to back down, so he fired back at the offense in their usual banter.

“No (punks) allowed over here,” he said. “We don’t get red jerseys!”

Laugh out loud funny. Both those guys have tons of confidence and won't back down from anyone. Love it. We're starting to get the athletes that can hang w/ the USC's and the FL's of the world. Need more of them, and we need to coach them up. But the future looks sooooo bright...

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Offense- Michael Freakin' Floyd. Loves me some Tate, but M.F. has got it all-possession receiver, deep threat, jump ball guy.

Defense- Waiting for someone to stand up and take it. I like Hayseed, and I like B-Smith. But there is no one that has put their stamp on this defense yet. Lots of potential...

 

[GOLDENISTHYTATE]

I'm the only one who can love Tate guys. It's a written rule that everyone should know. Go look at Dulac again, it's in there!

 

[Riddickulous]

Lots of love for both Tate and Blanton on this thread. Check out this exchange from practice today, per Blueandgold.com:



Laugh out loud funny. Both those guys have tons of confidence and won't back down from anyone. Love it. We're starting to get the athletes that can hang w/ the USC's and the FL's of the world. Need more of them, and we need to coach them up. But the future looks sooooo bright...

How ironic. Those are my two favorite players.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

How ironic. Those are my two favorite players.

Not so much irony as coincidence.

 

[Bubba]

Not so much irony as coincidence.

Irony..isn't that when you make your shirt flat so it looks good when you go to work...or wherever it is that you go, I guess.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Startch.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Startch.

...and Hutsky???

 

[irishandy]

Fav. player on offense- Clausen. Close behind are Floyd, Tate, and Rudolph. Fav. player on defense- Brian Smith, he has so much energy.

 

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Offence: Golden Tate - Got his jersey and Golden is an awesome name.

Defense: Harrison Smith - Got to meet him his senior year of high school and threw a football with him. Very nice kid.

 

[goldandblue]

offense - Floyd

Defense - Harrison Smith - This seems to be an unusual pick for the most part looking at all the others who have posted here but this pick is more for the anticipation of what he is going to do at his natural position of Free Safety this coming season.

 

[IrishRamMan10]

Brian Smith is my favorite playing of past 5 years. just needs to show up every week and not disapear