Guess Who's Back?

[TexasDomer]

Stovall was told he was a step slow and needed to lose 15 pounds, and look at what he did this year.

If Kates has the physical tools, but needs to be in better condition for Div 1A football, I think it will happen.

 

[Irish Envy]

I go by where they are listed with each team. Kates, to the best of my knowledge, is being recruited by ND primarily as a DT.

Based on what Rick Minter's defensive scheme supposedly is, defensive tackles are can occupy the offensive linemen would be of need for ND. This then opens up gaps for the linebackers.

I like the idea of rotating defensive linemen. Several teams do this. But you need depth. Landri and Laws have to be on the field because there really isn't anyone else. I could take Kates as a short yardage run stuffer.

But I still think he's quicker than we assume.

All good points. I think we're on the same page on this subject.

We're not going after these DTs to be pass rushers... we need space eaters in our scheme. By having some really big space eating DTs in there clogging up the running lanes or commanding a double, oposing centers and fullbacks will not be able to peel off and pick up people on the second line.

This means our backers and safeties will have better shots at stopping the play and keeping gains minimal. I also love the idea of rotating those boys in and out, which will keep them fresh. I watched Texas do this with great success in several games this year.

 

[jiggafini19]

Again, not sure if I agree with this philosophy, but apparently this is what they are coached to do. I don't think I would have wanted McCoy simply to occupy a blocker, but here it is:

Trevor Laws and Derek Landri haven't grabbed many headlines this season.

That's by design, whether the veteran defensive tackles like it or not.

In defensive coordinator Rick Minter's scheme, one that's produced 30 sacks and helped an inexperienced secondary grow into a capable unit, defensive tackles are there to hold the point of attack. It's everybody else that gets to deliver the blow.

"Our defense isn't really built to showcase the interior guys," Laws said. "We're there to move blockers around and make the linebackers be able to have holes and get through. It's frustrating, but if it helps us win, we're right there."

Considering Notre Dame is headed to the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State following a 9-2 regular season, Minter's system has helped the Irish win plenty. But considering the sacrifices the system asks from its defensive tackles, maybe it's no wonder it took half the season for the Irish line to round into form. After generating an unremarkable pass rush in the season's opening weeks, the line, despite rotating three players at the end spot opposite Victor Abiamiri, has fallen in step as of late.

"We have a better understanding of staying true to what we're supposed to do," Landri said.

Landri admitted that early in the season the line would sometimes try to make plays that were designed for the Irish linebackers. For example, Landri might see a gap open next to him and rush into it to try to make a play. But by moving off his assignment, Landri would clog a rush lane for a linebacker and spring a leak in Notre Dame's front seven.

 

[BigIrish]

well...this conversation has taken an interesting turn. what is it about kates that has fans and coaches campaigning so ardently both for and against him?

personally, i'd like to see him get (and accept) an offer. i think there are some of us that want to see this class rounded out with a proven blue chipper that will propel us into the mythical recruiting championship. but i think we've reigned in one helluva class and if there was a year to take a chance on a kid that might be a project and might be a stud, this is the year.

i'm certain that two years ago, we would never be having a debate like this over a kid with the accolades that kates has. some measured perspective may be in order here. kates might not be as much of a sure-fire bet as some of the kids in this class, but at the same time, you can't say he's a liability either.

i think we should give him a chance to prove himself. he'd be surrounded by a talented and motivated recruiting class, and at ND, he'd be given the tools to succeed.

 

[jiggafini19]

Jarrod Shaw(***) of Louisiana has a 3.94 GPA and 22 ACT.
6-4 344, benches 340 and squats 435. 22 inch vertical.
Only has offers from UCLA and Tennessee. What is wrong with this guy?

D'Anthony Smith(**) of Louisiana is 6-3 311 and runs a 4.9 forty. Has offers from Tulane, La Tech, La Lafayette and La Monroe. No grade info listed.

Smith is a lower tier kid, but this Shaw guy seems to fit the bill unless he's taking coloring and nap time classes in HS. The grades, the size, the strength.

 

[BGIF]

Jarrod Shaw(***) of Louisiana has a 3.94 GPA and 22 ACT. 6-4 344, benches 340 and squats 435. 22 inch vertical.
Only has offers from UCLA and Tennessee. What is wrong with this guy?

D'Anthony Smith(**) of Louisiana is 6-3 311 and runs a 4.9 forty. Has offers from Tulane, La Tech, La Lafayette and La Monroe. No grade info listed.

Smith is a lower tier kid, but this Shaw guy seems to fit the bill unless he's taking coloring and nap time classes in HS. The grades, the size, the strength.

"What is wrong with this guy?"

From the print reports the only negative appears to be his time, 5.49 which is slow for an OL much less a DL. Smith has a great reported time but from the quality of offers would be a suspect rather than a prospect.

8/22<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Jarrad Shaw 6-4, 344 attended the NIKE camp in Oxford where he ran the 40-yard in 5.49, ran the shuttle in 4.97, did 27 reps on the bench press and posted a 23-inch vertical jump. "Right now UTN and UCLA have offered, but that's it. ND UM and UF send me mail just about everyday. I get some letters and stuff from LSU, but most other schools are recruiting me harder." "I want to major in businessand UCLA has one of the best business schools out there. Coach Bienemy came in during the spring and told me that they needed some good defensive players to win a national championship. Coach Washington from UTN came down in the spring and we talked and the next week I got an offer in the mail." Rivals.com

His UCLA connection is gone. Bienemy's left for the NFL.

 

[jiggafini19]

These forty times all vary depending on who is doing the writing and where they're getting the information from.

As has been my experience with linemen, they are usually blessed with size and have to work to improve their speed or lackthereof. I believe in Coach Mendoza to the point that weight, large or small, doesn't scare me too much with recruits. I think he could have done wonders for Terrence Austin and will do David Grimes well in the future.

I think Svoboda and I are wishfully thinking here, but this guy seems to have the goods that Notre Dame looks for in their student athletes. It's a shame there won't be any DTs taken in this class from the looks of things.