Looking to 2019

[StPaul_Irish]

Really hard to say at this point, I think we'll know a lot more once Spring practice starts up. But I think you're going to have to have one of Bauer or Jones at Mike. They're the only ones that have taken reps there.

I also think there is a good chance there is more situational work with the LB's this year. Maybe 3 guys stand out above the rest and take a large majority of the reps. But I don't see it right now. I could see using quite a few guys for different roles.

For example, JOK seems like a twitchy athlete that if healthy should have a role on Saturdays. Every down Rover, maybe not but a role.

That is the hard thing right now.... We only have so much film on JGH/ Simon/Bauer/Jones, and it is a small enough sample size to give pause.
But based on that, I am a little leery of a couple of true Soph's manning the middle. We may not have a choice.... I think it would be ideal for Bilal to move inside.... but where does that leave Simon/Bauer/JGH....
I hope JGH steps up huge and really becomes a player. He has always been more of a down hill guy, but with his safety background, he should have some ability to cover.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

That is the hard thing right now.... We only have so much film on JGH/ Simon/Bauer/Jones, and it is a small enough sample size to give pause.
But based on that, I am a little leery of a couple of true Soph's manning the middle. We may not have a choice.... I think it would be ideal for Bilal to move inside.... but where does that leave Simon/Bauer/JGH....
I hope JGH steps up huge and really becomes a player. He has always been more of a down hill guy, but with his safety background, he should have some ability to cover.

I think we'll see a huge regression if Bilal is in the middle. He seems to get swallowed up in traffic, has a difficult time shedding blockers. Either he needs to make a huge leap in his physicality and recognition or he needs to stay where he is.

And ideally, we see all of our young LBs pushing for time. I'd love to see JOK lock down a position since the staff was so impressed with his athleticism but there are many athletic players trying to earn a role.

 

[BobbyMac]

40:1 = ND's odds to win the NC in '19

They've got UM at 20:1. Yeah right.

Clemson 2:1 Bama 5:2

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Odds to win next season's College Football Playoff are now available on EVERY SINGLE FBS TEAM <a href="https://twitter.com/CaesarsPalace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaesarsPalace</a>! <a href="https://t.co/G0Ix9NnOhH">pic.twitter.com/G0Ix9NnOhH</a></p>— Matt Lindeman (@lindetrain) <a href="https://twitter.com/lindetrain/status/1090378004407013377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Valpodoc85]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/commen...ng_production_ranked/?st=JRKPVCLA&sh=5c5df6b7

Sbnation article on retention. They think we will have a lean year 2019.

 

[stlnd01]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/commen...ng_production_ranked/?st=JRKPVCLA&sh=5c5df6b7

Sbnation article on retention. They think we will have a lean year 2019.

Well, we certainly do lose a lot of productive football players, on both sides of the ball. Question is whether we have new guys ready to step in.

 

[Irish YJ]

https://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/commen...ng_production_ranked/?st=JRKPVCLA&sh=5c5df6b7

Sbnation article on retention. They think we will have a lean year 2019.

Awesome, UT is gonna win the SEC

 

[Old Man Mike]

1. The Oline will get fixed just fine --- we have loads of talent and a returning mass of brutality.
2. Book will be good+one year=really good.
3. If new RB coach gets two guys from his overfull RB room who can hit a gap on time plus block where the blitz is coming, then: The whole offense will be "methodical but very good." Back to Kelly's six scores per game.
4. The DBacks get one year better --- there is never a way to "replace" greatness, but even without Love we are talented and growing.
5. Praying for werewolf linebackers --- utter fog in crystal ball.
6. Even without Tillery, I believe Dline will be great. If MTA is healthy --- I know nothing about status --- I see a major wrecking ball coming there.

This team, given a little early grace, will be kicka$$ good. Looking for double-digit wins.

 

[condoms SUCk]

1. The Oline will get fixed just fine --- we have loads of talent and a returning mass of brutality.
2. Book will be good+one year=really good.
3. If new RB coach gets two guys from his overfull RB room who can hit a gap on time plus block where the blitz is coming, then: The whole offense will be "methodical but very good." Back to Kelly's six scores per game.
4. The DBacks get one year better --- there is never a way to "replace" greatness, but even without Love we are talented and growing.
5. Praying for werewolf linebackers --- utter fog in crystal ball.
6. Even without Tillery, I believe Dline will be great. If MTA is healthy --- I know nothing about status --- I see a major wrecking ball coming there.

This team, given a little early grace, will be kicka$$ good. Looking for double-digit wins.

Agreed, I'm not too overly concerned about CB play since we have good S play and a solid to very good DL can help mask CB sort falls.
I am with you regarding LB's, that is where my concern with the defense will be.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

There are a few things that give me pause about this roster (EDIT: No particular order )

1. The RB situation. Our assumed day one starter as of now is a converted WR in Armstrong, who played pretty damn good in his first year, but got banged up, and we won't have a returning HR threat like we've had in the past. TJ Jr. is who he is, a solid, do it all back. Change of pace with tough, one cut running. Good hands, solid understanding of blocking assignments, etc. He is good, not great. Is Kyren Williams the real deal and can he contribute as a freshman? C'bo or Jahmir Smith going to take a big step this season? Lot of unknowns here.

2. LBs. well documented on this site, I won't beat a dead horse. TON of production gone.

3. Replacing Love. Cannot understate this. Donte Vaughn got shredded against Clemson. Decent position or not, he didn't make the plays and it happened time and time again. Can he improve enough? Are Bracy or Boykin ready to step in here? There are two teams off of the top of my head who have an embarrassment of riches at WR: scUM and fUSC. Last year we were sound enough (with Love) to keep most passing attacks at bay, but I'm worried there might be an exploitable match-up opposite Pride, a-la the Cotton Bowl.

Finally, 4.: ST. I don't know if it's being talked about enough that we are replacing our two kicking specialists. Yoon and Newsome will be missed; if Doerer is our guy in 2019 I don't think I'm the only one here who will be extremely worried after watching him last year. He's got some issues between the ears to sort out. I'm assuming it'll be Harrison Leonard as a freshman taking over place kicking. We've had some really good freshman in the past (especially Yoon), but I'll have to change my shorts if we are down by 3 with 0:01 on the clock from the 30 yard line to tie it. The Bramblett situation is less worrisome, but Newsome was pretty darn good at what he did.

If we hit on 2 of the first 3, I can see a double digit win season. Very favorable home schedule coming up this year, but some tough road games. @UGA, @scUM, and @Stanford.

 

[Irish YJ]

Finally, 4.: ST. I don't know if it's being talked about enough that we are replacing our two kicking specialists. Yoon and Newsome will be missed; if Doerer is our guy in 2019 I don't think I'm the only one here who will be extremely worried after watching him last year. He's got some issues between the ears to sort out. I'm assuming it'll be Harrison Leonard as a freshman taking over place kicking. We've had some really good freshman in the past (especially Yoon), but I'll have to change my shorts if we are down by 3 with 0:01 on the clock from the 30 yard line to tie it. The Bramblett situation is less worrisome, but Newsome was pretty darn good at what he did.
.

I'm going to predict Leonard starts day one doing KOs, and might even start for FGs.

5 star rating (for a kicker) and was 7th nationally. PWO'd to ND when he had full ride offers from other P5s.

RKK.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I'm going to predict Leonard starts day one doing KOs, and might even start for FGs.

5 star rating (for a kicker) and was 7th nationally. PWO'd to ND when he had full ride offers from other P5s.

RKK.

Agree 100% here.

Did he early enroll? Hope we can get a glimpse of him at the Spring Game.