General team info

[Luckylucci]

Per ISD, sounds like Parker will stay with the Packers and that puts Mike Mickens and Cory Sanders as leading candidates. Both young coaches with good short term results.

 

[IrishLion]

Mike Mickens lets goooooooo

 

[zelezo vlk]

Kinda would love Sanders, seeing as he just developed an Paris Ford into an elite safety.

 

[NDdomer2]

Mike Mickens Bio: https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-mickens/1595

Cory Sanders Bio: https://pittsburghpanthers.com/staff-directory/cory-sanders/1483

Both guys have some history in the state of Indiana and midwest.

 

[hungryhippo]

I read their bios but don't know much else about either. Is there reason to believe either could/would be a home run hire?

 

[ThePiombino]

Anyone know why Burris isn't a candidate anymore?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[IrishSportsDaily]

John Brice caught up with the Indianapolis Colts OC Nick Sirianni to get his thoughts on Tommy Rees' promotion.

https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/11666/colts-oc-saw-rees-rise-years-ago/1

 

[IrishLion]

I read their bios but don't know much else about either. Is there reason to believe either could/would be a home run hire?

Mickens is a great recruiter, and has developed one of the best G5 CB groups over the last two seasons. Cincy goes 5-deep with legit CB options. This year was highlighted by freshman Ahmad Gardner, who was one of PFF’s highest graded CB’s in all of college football.

Good talent identification AND development.

Was a good player for UC back in the day, too. Played under BK for two years and is the school’s career INT leader.

 

[Luckylucci]

If it’s Mickens, when people find out he played for BK, they are going to lose their shit. Quality coach with good short term results but a fanbase that is reaching for reasons to lambast the HC’s hiring decisions.

Edit to say, I think Mickens would be a good hire.

 

[ulukinatme]

John Brice caught up with the Indianapolis Colts OC Nick Sirianni to get his thoughts on Tommy Rees' promotion.

https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/11666/colts-oc-saw-rees-rise-years-ago/1

Good article. All the people boo-hooing the Rees hiring should give it a read, but they probably won't because they have some axe to grind still.

 

[NDdomer2]

Good article. All the people boo-hooing the Rees hiring should give it a read, but they probably won't because they have some axe to grind still.

or they will say "what does playing a dummy CB in practice have to do with being an OC at ND."

Regardless of the haters, I'm excited to see Tommy's hard work in action.

 

[hungryhippo]

Mickens is a great recruiter, and has developed one of the best G5 CB groups over the last two seasons. Cincy goes 5-deep with legit CB options. This year was highlighted by freshman Ahmad Gardner, who was one of PFF’s highest graded CB’s in all of college football.

Good talent identification AND development.

Was a good player for UC back in the day, too. Played under BK for two years and is the school’s career INT leader.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like he'd be a good get.

 

[Luckylucci]

Now Loy is saying he believes Christian Parker is going to be the guy. Can’t make this stuff up.

 

[arrowryan]

Elite goal keeper and US U17 soccer member is coming to Notre Dame for soccer and could be playing football as well.

https://247sports.com/college/notre...-Notre-Dame-for-the-Fighting-Irish-143277558/

 

[BGIF]

Elite goal keeper and US U17 soccer member is coming to Notre Dame for soccer and could be playing football as well.

https://247sports.com/college/notre...-Notre-Dame-for-the-Fighting-Irish-143277558/

As a K/P not Shane Walton 2.0 but still a great story.

Fans need to keep in mind that with an athletic scholarship (soccer) IF he plays football as a walk-on he automatically becomes a Counter under the 85 Rule per the NCAA.

 

[CHIDomer9]

As a K/P not Shane Walton 2.0 but still a great story.

Fans need to keep in mind that with an athletic scholarship (soccer) IF he plays football as a walk-on he automatically becomes a Counter under the 85 Rule per the NCAA.

Can someone with some soccer chops offer their take on what it means to be an elite goalie at the age of 17? Most of all I am looking for stability at the PK position, so a kid who has a really bright future in another sport wouldn't really provide that. If the choice is to be a professional soccer player or a professional PK, have to imagine that soccer would always take priority. And the kid wouldn't need to look any further the all-time leading scorer at ND, Justin Yoon, never cashing an NFL check.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Can someone with some soccer chops offer their take on what it means to be an elite goalie at the age of 17? Most of all I am looking for stability at the PK position, so a kid who has a really bright future in another sport wouldn't really provide that. If the choice is to be a professional soccer player or a professional PK, have to imagine that soccer would always take priority. And the kid wouldn't need to look any further the all-time leading scorer at ND, Justin Yoon, never cashing an NFL check.

My daughter is a goalkeeper and I can say that elite goalkeepers at 17 should focus on that position because it takes a lot of work and he'll make far more money than he will as a kicker in the NFL. But there is a higher risk of injury, too It's a position that not just anyone who is good at soccer can play. They all aren't Hope Solo who was a striker until she was asked to play goalkeeper in college because their keeper got hurt and she was tall and athletic.

I think it would be hard for him to play on the football team because soccer and football are in the same season. It was probably easy to do in high school because soccer is in the spring in HS, at least it is in Texas. But if they were not, then I think it would be a good thing for him. Keepers tend to have better kicks than anyone else on the field because they punt and most of them take their own goal kicks.

 

[stpeteirish]

Can someone with some soccer chops offer their take on what it means to be an elite goalie at the age of 17? Most of all I am looking for stability at the PK position, so a kid who has a really bright future in another sport wouldn't really provide that. If the choice is to be a professional soccer player or a professional PK, have to imagine that soccer would always take priority. And the kid wouldn't need to look any further the all-time leading scorer at ND, Justin Yoon, never cashing an NFL check.

Yeah but Yoon couldn't handle KO duties, at least not full time. An NFL kicker has to be able to do both KO and FG's or else KO and P in rare cases.

Pro soccer vs NFL would be tricky. A top tier Goalie can make a bunch of money in Europe and the added benefit for the best 2-3 American guys is you are selected for the national team which is different from anything the NFL can offer. MLS doesn't pay much.

Biggest factor is longevity. Soccer goalies have long careers (if they're good, obviously). So do NFL kickers but if they miss two field goals they're unemployed.

 

[notredomer23]

He seems more interested in football than he is in soccer. For the sake of his career, he'd be smarter to stick with soccer. He could make a cool $80K/year as a backup keeper in MLS, over $200K as a starter, or explore European options and make similar amounts or more if he's good enough. As a kicker, your only real option is the NFL.

 

[NDohio]

Can someone with some soccer chops offer their take on what it means to be an elite goalie at the age of 17? Most of all I am looking for stability at the PK position, so a kid who has a really bright future in another sport wouldn't really provide that. If the choice is to be a professional soccer player or a professional PK, have to imagine that soccer would always take priority. And the kid wouldn't need to look any further the all-time leading scorer at ND, Justin Yoon, never cashing an NFL check.

When the article makes the distinction that he is the No. 1 keeper going to college, that is an important distinction. There are better HS keepers out there but the soccer model is changing a lot. If you are a high ranked teenage soccer player then college is not you best option for your future in the sport. The keepers that are rated above him are signing professional soccer contracts.

My daughter is a goalkeeper and I can say that elite goalkeepers at 17 should focus on that position because it takes a lot of work and he'll make far more money than he will as a kicker in the NFL. But there is a higher risk of injury, too It's a position that not just anyone who is good at soccer can play. They all aren't Hope Solo who was a striker until she was asked to play goalkeeper in college because their keeper got hurt and she was tall and athletic.

I think it would be hard for him to play on the football team because soccer and football are in the same season. It was probably easy to do in high school because soccer is in the spring in HS, at least it is in Texas. But if they were not, then I think it would be a good thing for him. Keepers tend to have better kicks than anyone else on the field because they punt and most of them take their own goal kicks.

He is in Illinois, HS soccer is played in the fall there so that part won't be any different. There are a ton of HS football teams in the North that have kickers that also play soccer during the same season.

Interesting story though. Seems like he is pretty athletic but it will be a bit of a challenge for him if he hasn't had any football kicking lessons.

 

[BGIF]

Can someone with some soccer chops offer their take on what it means to be an elite goalie at the age of 17? Most of all I am looking for stability at the PK position, so a kid who has a really bright future in another sport wouldn't really provide that. If the choice is to be a professional soccer player or a professional PK, have to imagine that soccer would always take priority. And the kid wouldn't need to look any further the all-time leading scorer at ND, Justin Yoon, never cashing an NFL check.

FWIW, I'm have no soccer chops. I followed Shane Walton's saga. He was an elite soccer player at 17, came to ND on Soccer Scholarship and after playing a season walked on in football. He became a Unanimous AA DB, drafted in the 5th round and played a season in the NFL. I don't know if his choice of sport was for $$$ or love of a sport. Today, he's got a full time job, also coaches at his HS, has a foundation for under privileged kids, and plays adult soccer.

Keep in mind that elite at 17 in soccer may be similar to being a 5 Star HS football player. No guarantee of success in college much less at the pro level.

Also keep in mind that if his development as a K continues to be elite, NFL K salaries run from $450 K to almost $5 mill.

Top world class soccer players make as much as $100 mill but the top goalies make at best make 1/10 to 1/20 of that. And those are the elites ... of the world. In American soccer MSL goalies make in the $50-60K range. Something most new ND graduates make.

No, Yoon didn't make a team. Brindza only played in 4 games in his career going 6/12 on FGs and 6/9 PATs. Jon Carney on the other hand played for 23 seasons and was still kicking as a 46 year old. Football was good for him.

Right not Doerer has a better career FG%, 85.7, than any of the ND greats and he still has 2 seasons of eligibility. Bramlett at punter, has 3 years to play and punts just short of 40 ypk.

Bryan Dowd isn't needed as K or P for the next 2 years barring injury but he does provide insurance while he decides which sport to pursue as he develops in college. Like Ruffer, he could play Interhall Football to hone his skills. Dowd could be the man or could be a bridge to the next full time football kicker so ND would not have urgency to sign a K near term.

I like the flexibility and wish the young man well whichever path he chooses and trust his ND education will allow him to pursue his dreams.

 

[GowerND11]

Yeah but Yoon couldn't handle KO duties, at least not full time. An NFL kicker has to be able to do both KO and FG's or else KO and P in rare cases.

Pro soccer vs NFL would be tricky. A top tier Goalie can make a bunch of money in Europe and the added benefit for the best 2-3 American guys is you are selected for the national team which is different from anything the NFL can offer. MLS doesn't pay much.

Biggest factor is longevity. Soccer goalies have long careers (if they're good, obviously). So do NFL kickers but if they miss two field goals they're unemployed.

Actually many teams are having their punters perform kick offs these days in the NFL in order to save their kickers' legs.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame will send nine players to the NFL Combine this month in Indianapolis: Claypool, Elliott, Finke, Gilman, Jones, Kareem, Kmet, Okwara and Pride<br><br>For reference:<br><br>LSU: 16<br>Alabama: 10<br>Clemson: 7<br>Ohio State: 11</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1225875476478124033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Basically everyone except Bilal and Jamir Jones.

Combine 2021 could host as many as 14:
5th years - Book, McKinley, Skowronek, Kraemer, Eichenberg, Ogundeji, Hayes, Crawford
Seniors - Wright, Hainsey, MTA, Hinish, JOK, Doerer

Not including guys I think are more likely to return - Pryor, Banks, Armstrong, White, Austin, and Tremble.

 

[T-Boone]

Bit surprised Asmar Bilal not amongst them. He would potentially make a strong impression.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Bit surprised Asmar Bilal not amongst them. He would potentially make a strong impression.

Same, Finke over Asmar? Asmar may be undersized but he is athletic. And he had a really underrated season after all of the negativity he endured to begin the year.

 

[ThePiombino]

Same, Finke over Asmar? Asmar may be undersized but he is athletic. And he had a really underrated season after all of the negativity he endured to begin the year.

I think it's pretty simple -- teams just don't think Bilal's attributes translate to the NFL. At least not worth a draft pick. And it's really not fair to compare him to Finke. Besides the obvious (different positions), it's not a zero sum game. If the NFL scouts thought Bilal was worth their time, he would have received an invite. It's not as if it was he or Finke.

 

[ulukinatme]

Can't coach speed.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I think it's pretty simple -- teams just don't think Bilal's attributes translate to the NFL. At least not worth a draft pick. And it's really not fair to compare him to Finke. Besides the obvious (different positions), it's not a zero sum game. If the NFL scouts thought Bilal was worth their time, he would have received an invite. It's not as if it was he or Finke.

Right, I wasn't implying that Finke was "selected" ahead of Bilal or anything. Bad wording on my part.

I guess I'm just shocked at the notion that scouts think Finke would have a better shot at WR than Bilal would at OLB.

Wasn't really a knock on Finke, I think he had a fine ND career. But his intangibles don't seem to project IMO.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Right, I wasn't implying that Finke was "selected" ahead of Bilal or anything. Bad wording on my part.

I guess I'm just shocked at the notion that scouts think Finke would have a better shot at WR than Bilal would at OLB.

Wasn't really a knock on Finke, I think he had a fine ND career. But his intangibles don't seem to project IMO.

Pretty sure I know what happened.
A scout from New England thought he needed a look

 

[ulukinatme]

Right, I wasn't implying that Finke was "selected" ahead of Bilal or anything. Bad wording on my part.

I guess I'm just shocked at the notion that scouts think Finke would have a better shot at WR than Bilal would at OLB.

Wasn't really a knock on Finke, I think he had a fine ND career. But his intangibles don't seem to project IMO.

You're on thin ice now! Attacking Finke is what gave Tom Haverford the boot!