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Dispatch From South Bend:
It is clear for all to see that Corwin Brown is an excellent choice for Defensive Coordinator (hopefully, he will get Messrs. Oliver and Lewis to show some comeuppence that they lacked last year).
There is a lot of beef and a fair amount of speed in Notre Dame's defensive crop, but very little experience and concerns about talent in many positions.
Observing the defensive backfielders, I must say that Tom Zbikowski looks and acts like he expects to play at a high level of proficiency--something we did not see last year.
I'm not sure about Ambrose Wooden, and I don't think coaches Brown and Lewis are either. Ray Herring shows a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and he has a lot of folks rooting for him, as does Raeshon McNeil. Too damn bad about the injury to Gary Gray; he was a real comer, now through for the year, methinks. It will be hard not to put TLambert in a corner; not sure about DBruton. There seems to be questions about Darrin Walls, but I get the impression that he will answer them positively before the spring ends. I do know that the coaches are high on incoming frosh Harrison Smith. Hoping for the best but must accept for now: A shaky secondary.
Anthony Vernaglia, that lanky condidate for a starting OLB position, is doing more than California dreaming, he really is going after that spot with a vengeance. We shall see. I like the kid, but he has never lived up to his high school newsclips, and here he is, a fifth-year wannabe. You can say the same thing about Dwight Stephenson, Jr., but I am convinced as CB appears to be: This kid is gonna make it after all (on the DL). No question about John Ryan--he is going to be among the best in the country before he graduates. Mo Richardson has excellent moves and technique. Maurice Crum, Jr., will have some fine LB-mates, but they may not show as well as they will in the future.....like, when he's gone.
I continue to scratch my head about where Kallen Wade, a fine looking specimen, will play:
OLB or DE. He'll contribute wherever. It's still early.
Nose Tackle? Come on: Chris Stewart with Pat Kuntz challenging hard (there's also good vibes for Ian Williams, who will be aboard for fall practice.
Trevor Laws has a lock on one DE, and I believe, as certainly do the coaches, that he will have a great year in this new defense scheme. God, he looks like a monster.
Not much is being said about Paddy Mullen. Hell, he didn't show up on either the first or second units the other day. But, I've got news for you: He will be in there at DE, just ahead of Stephenson, or right behind him. He is big and mean and has the moves for the 3-4.
Derrell Hand should be getting some quality playing time as well.
I believe that, at the end of the day, the three-man line will be the strength of the defense.
But over-all, the defense remains suspect--in need of a lot of practices...and, possibly prayers!
--Chicago Sean
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TheIrishBrogue?a=x01lmVU7
Link To Original Article
It is clear for all to see that Corwin Brown is an excellent choice for Defensive Coordinator (hopefully, he will get Messrs. Oliver and Lewis to show some comeuppence that they lacked last year).
There is a lot of beef and a fair amount of speed in Notre Dame's defensive crop, but very little experience and concerns about talent in many positions.
Observing the defensive backfielders, I must say that Tom Zbikowski looks and acts like he expects to play at a high level of proficiency--something we did not see last year.
I'm not sure about Ambrose Wooden, and I don't think coaches Brown and Lewis are either. Ray Herring shows a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and he has a lot of folks rooting for him, as does Raeshon McNeil. Too damn bad about the injury to Gary Gray; he was a real comer, now through for the year, methinks. It will be hard not to put TLambert in a corner; not sure about DBruton. There seems to be questions about Darrin Walls, but I get the impression that he will answer them positively before the spring ends. I do know that the coaches are high on incoming frosh Harrison Smith. Hoping for the best but must accept for now: A shaky secondary.
Anthony Vernaglia, that lanky condidate for a starting OLB position, is doing more than California dreaming, he really is going after that spot with a vengeance. We shall see. I like the kid, but he has never lived up to his high school newsclips, and here he is, a fifth-year wannabe. You can say the same thing about Dwight Stephenson, Jr., but I am convinced as CB appears to be: This kid is gonna make it after all (on the DL). No question about John Ryan--he is going to be among the best in the country before he graduates. Mo Richardson has excellent moves and technique. Maurice Crum, Jr., will have some fine LB-mates, but they may not show as well as they will in the future.....like, when he's gone.
I continue to scratch my head about where Kallen Wade, a fine looking specimen, will play:
OLB or DE. He'll contribute wherever. It's still early.
Nose Tackle? Come on: Chris Stewart with Pat Kuntz challenging hard (there's also good vibes for Ian Williams, who will be aboard for fall practice.
Trevor Laws has a lock on one DE, and I believe, as certainly do the coaches, that he will have a great year in this new defense scheme. God, he looks like a monster.
Not much is being said about Paddy Mullen. Hell, he didn't show up on either the first or second units the other day. But, I've got news for you: He will be in there at DE, just ahead of Stephenson, or right behind him. He is big and mean and has the moves for the 3-4.
Derrell Hand should be getting some quality playing time as well.
I believe that, at the end of the day, the three-man line will be the strength of the defense.
But over-all, the defense remains suspect--in need of a lot of practices...and, possibly prayers!
--Chicago Sean
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/TheIrishBrogue?a=x01lmVU7
Link To Original Article