Martin and Nix to return

[Chamellion]

Per BK's press conference

@NDatRivals

#NotreDame OT Zack Martin and NG Louis Nix will return next season, Brian Kelly announces.

 

[chicago51]

Per BK's press conference

What does that do for ya? Does that blow your mind? THAT JUST HAPPENED!!

 

[Chamellion]

Additionally, Cierre is going to get a grade from the draft board, and base his decision on that.

 

[irishmarine]

Great news!!!

 

[yankeeND]

Great day! 2 huge pieces to the puzzle!

 

[chicago51]

If Martin's back I assume Watt is going to be back? Was much less of a threat to leave any than Martin anyway.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Glorious.

 

[bobbyok1]

BOOM!! This is huge!

 

[Mr. Larson]

WOOOOOOO!

 

[irishpat183]

NICE!!!!! (but I figured this would happen)


Let's see if Cierre stays on board now!

 

[ohara831]

Two huge pieces of the puzzle for next year are in place! Great news!

 

[Rocky2820]

Fabulous news! Just saw it on the front page of ESPN, calling it an early Christmas present.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Hard to imagine Wood coming back. It'd be interesting to see what his draft grade is.

 

[ThePiombino]

If Martin's back I assume Watt is going to be back? Was much less of a threat to leave any than Martin anyway.

I think these two IN COMBINATION are bigger than anyone else coming back for a 5th year. Could be an epic offense next year with these two guys anchoring the line.

 

[tko]

Absolutely spectacular news.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Only losing 2 starters on the line will be huge, and then we will only lose 2 the year after most likely. That will keep our offense clicking for years.

 

[chicago51]

Only losing 2 starters on the line will be huge, and then we will only lose 2 the year after most likely. That will keep our offense clicking for years.

Yes 2/3 seems to be the magic number. It seems that teams that lose 3 or more startes on the OL always have major setbacks. Teams that lose 2 or less seem to regroup quite nicely.

 

[ThePiombino]

Only losing 2 starters on the line will be huge, and then we will only lose 2 the year after most likely. That will keep our offense clicking for years.

This cannot be overstated.

 

[irishff1014]

This is fantastic news.

 

[Old Man Mike]

The offensive line "conveyor belt" issue has been, basically, concerned with getting us past next year, since we've had such bad recruiting luck and injuries/leavings in these three years until the 2013 class. If we pass through 2013 with excellence on the field, the next year the 5 mountains will be sophomores and ready to play whenever needed. Plus Kelly/Hiestand will not let small numbers happen again. We'll be very good next year if there are no bad things happening. Then we're like the old Notre Dame: a continuous stream of O-Linemen passing through school and into the pros.

As to Big Lou: sigh.... nobody like him. But by the 2014 season, Coach will have built defenses two-deep with phenomenal athletes everywhere. Maybe the opponents will never get nine yards on the first two downs and we won't need the big man there to send them to the bench on third and short.

 

[johnnykillz]

Any word on Watt?

 

[aubeirish]

Any word on Watt?

This^^. The other big piece of the puzzle IMO.

 

[Ironman8]

Any word on Watt?

Kelly said he was coming back as well, but underhandedly so. I don't think Watt was ever in real danger of going.

 

[aubeirish]

Fantastic news. Thanks guys.

 

[AFisch86]

I only caught a little but of the press conference. Did he mention the status of any other seniors with eligibility? Fox? Calabrese?

 

[Irish#1]

Great day! 2 huge pieces to the puzzle!

I wouldn't call it a puzzle, more like two components already part of a well oiled machine. Took it in for a 12 game checkup and said those parts are good to go another season.

 

[Redbar]

That is awesome news. That gives us a tremendous leg up going into next season. I wouldn't be surprised to see the C on both of their jerseys, Martin being a two timer.

 

[TCramer]

Martin and Watt coming back has too be a positive for Cierre and whether or not he'll be rejoining the squad also...I still don't think he will, but this definitely helps

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Martin and Watt coming back has too be a positive for Cierre and whether or not he'll be rejoining the squad also...I still don't think he will, but this definitely helps

I'd bet it has no impact at all on his decision.

 

[chicago51]

I'd bet it has no impact at all on his decision.

I think it does have some impact. It seems to about money (mostly for his family more so than himself) in Cierre's case. Say he gets low draft grade. So the question becomes how much could he improve his stock coming back. The chances of him putting up better numbers are better with Watt and Martin returning on the OL, maybe that sways him. The draft grade is the biggest thing for him I think. While those 2 coming back alone may not mean much when gets his draft grade and factors in what will happen next season I think it has a small impact.