Matt Barkley

[DirtySecret]

From what I heard John Morton really wants Matt to be the starter. If anything John Morton might be the guy to convince Pete to play Barkley.

 

[Riddickulous]

I hope so. Matt Barkley is ridiculously overrated and I would love to see how a freshman handles Tenuta's blitz packages. I hope he gets blasted by Brian Smith and company.

Plus, our secondary is ridiculous. Freshmen tend to force things...

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

I think Barkley will become the starter at some point this season.

USC will still be pretty good this year despite their qb situation. That game will be a battle no matter who is playing for them. And at this point I would say that USC is still the favorite. Notre Dame has a lot to prove, especially in these big games.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I hope so. Matt Barkley is ridiculously overrated and I would love to see how a freshman handles Tenuta's blitz packages. I hope he gets blasted by Brian Smith and company.

Plus, our secondary is ridiculous. Freshmen tend to force things...

I just don't see that argument. He came in to arguably the most successful program in the nation as a high school senior, and beat out a former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system (and one-time H.S. POY), and damn near beat out another former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system. Everyone raves about him, including his coaches and scouts that have seen him play for USC. The dude's built like a pro QB already, and he has an absolute hose. And even high schol recruits, including our #1 QB target in Nick Montana, raved about him after the spring game. So far he's absolutely lived up to the hype, regardless of not playing a game. Now, if he plays and he sucks as a JR., then yeah, you have a point.

But to say he's 'ridiculously overrated' doesn't make sense. It makes us sound like myopic fans, unable to separate fact from fiction. The truth is that he started all 4 years at one of the top talent-producing h.s. programs in the nation, was the National POY as a jr, and after a horrible start to his h.s. year, he lit up some of the top comp in the state. And now you have coaches, scouts, writers and players alike all raving about him. I'll take the words of those people over guys like you and I who simply can't stand USC.

Your name is 'ClausentoFloyd'. The same 'ridiculously overhyped' tag can and has been placed on our boy Clausen as well. I defend him vehemently because the numbers and the eyeball test point to him just completely balling this year. And I think, even as a ND fan, I have to back this kid up.

Now, I too would like him to start against us this year, because you're right, the blitzes would confuse the crap out of him, as it would any true freshman. Hell, just ask Jimmy about that.

Now excuse me while I go take a shower and wash the USC dirt off myself...

 

[notredomer23]

I just don't see that argument. He came in to arguably the most successful program in the nation as a high school senior, and beat out a former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system (and one-time H.S. POY), and damn near beat out another former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system. Everyone raves about him, including his coaches and scouts that have seen him play for USC. The dude's built like a pro QB already, and he has an absolute hose. And even high schol recruits, including our #1 QB target in Nick Montana, raved about him after the spring game. So far he's absolutely lived up to the hype, regardless of not playing a game. Now, if he plays and he sucks as a JR., then yeah, you have a point.

But to say he's 'ridiculously overrated' doesn't make sense. It makes us sound like myopic fans, unable to separate fact from fiction. The truth is that he started all 4 years at one of the top talent-producing h.s. programs in the nation, was the National POY as a jr, and after a horrible start to his h.s. year, he lit up some of the top comp in the state. And now you have coaches, scouts, writers and players alike all raving about him. I'll take the words of those people over guys like you and I who simply can't stand USC.

You're name is 'ClausentoFloyd'. The same 'ridiculously overhyped' tag can and has been placed on our boy Clausen as well. I defend him vehemently because the numbers and the eyeball test point to him just completely balling this year. And I think, even as a ND fan, I have to back this kid up.

Now, I too would like him to start against us this year, because you're right, the blitzes would confuse the crap out of him, as it would any true freshman. Hell, just ask Jimmy about that.

Now excuse me while I go take a shower and wash the USC dirt off myself...

I look at his stats and he threw 22 touchdowns and 18 INT's his senior year.

2005 (Fr.) 13 14 -71 -5.1 - 220 126 57.0 1,685 10 9
2006 (So.) 11 22 -8 - - 156 89 57.0 1,349 11 5
2007 (Jr.) 11 15 3 0.2 1 340 213 62.0 3,560 35 9
2008 (Sr.) - - - - - 325 177 - 2,877 22 18

His junior year he was ballin...senior year not so much.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I look at his stats and he threw 22 touchdowns and 18 INT's his senior year.

2005 (Fr.) 13 14 -71 -5.1 - 220 126 57.0 1,685 10 9
2006 (So.) 11 22 -8 - - 156 89 57.0 1,349 11 5
2007 (Jr.) 11 15 3 0.2 1 340 213 62.0 3,560 35 9
2008 (Sr.) - - - - - 325 177 - 2,877 22 18

His junior year he was ballin...senior year not so much.

Take that with a grain of salt though. Like I said, he was AWFUL his first half, as he was pressing and the whole team wasn't clicking. Then he just killed it the 2nd half, against arguably the toughest league in Socal. he also had a god-awful playoff game which killed his stats. But in ClausentoFloyd's defense, ALL games count, not just the ones he balled in. But take into account all the other things I said above, and it's clear, IMHO, that he's not 'ridiculously overrated'. Of course, for ND's sake, i hope I'm wrong...

 

[WabashFalcon]

I remember watching Barkley's season opener last year on ESPN. He threw five picks in that game and still won it in overtime.

 

[IrishAddiction]

I remember watching Barkley's season opener last year on ESPN. He threw five picks in that game and still won it in overtime.

damn wish we had that luck when jimmy threw 4 vs. BC...... why the hell would you knock tate out of bounds if hes on your team!!! ugh, sorry just bringing up bad memories.

 

[Riddickulous]

I just don't see that argument. He came in to arguably the most successful program in the nation as a high school senior, and beat out a former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system (and one-time H.S. POY), and damn near beat out another former 5 star QB who has had 2 years in the system. Everyone raves about him, including his coaches and scouts that have seen him play for USC. The dude's built like a pro QB already, and he has an absolute hose. And even high schol recruits, including our #1 QB target in Nick Montana, raved about him after the spring game. So far he's absolutely lived up to the hype, regardless of not playing a game. Now, if he plays and he sucks as a JR., then yeah, you have a point.

But to say he's 'ridiculously overrated' doesn't make sense. It makes us sound like myopic fans, unable to separate fact from fiction. The truth is that he started all 4 years at one of the top talent-producing h.s. programs in the nation, was the National POY as a jr, and after a horrible start to his h.s. year, he lit up some of the top comp in the state. And now you have coaches, scouts, writers and players alike all raving about him. I'll take the words of those people over guys like you and I who simply can't stand USC.

You're name is 'ClausentoFloyd'. The same 'ridiculously overhyped' tag can and has been placed on our boy Clausen as well. I defend him vehemently because the numbers and the eyeball test point to him just completely balling this year. And I think, even as a ND fan, I have to back this kid up.

Now, I too would like him to start against us this year, because you're right, the blitzes would confuse the crap out of him, as it would any true freshman. Hell, just ask Jimmy about that.

Now excuse me while I go take a shower and wash the USC dirt off myself...

"Our boy Clausen" also looked good in high school. As soon as he hit the field his freshman season, he got "bust" stamped all over him, albeit unfairly. No matter what he does these next two years, he's still going to be called overrated because he had waaaaaay too much hype.

Now, back to Barkley. Maybe saying he was "ridiculously" overrated was a bit harsh, but 18 picks is a whole damn lot for a high schooler, regardless of the competition. The first video I watched of Barkley, every completion was to a wiiiiiide open receiver (some of them ten or fifteen yards away from anyone else on the field). As Clausen has proved, no matter how good you look, you have to prove it on the field.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Try to keep in mind that Barkley should look way better than Clausen did his freshman year. Barkley is taking over a team that by almost all accounts has much more talent than we did 2 years ago. Good all around teams have a way of making QB's look better than they really are. The same way a bad team (and a tough schedule) can make Clausen look bad his freshman year. A ggod O-line can make average QB's look good and make good QB's look great. Barkley will have that advantage his freshman year. As for him being overrated.....only time will tell.

 

[03euroSVT]

I am going to agree with no.1IrishFan, Barkley will at least look better than Clausen did his freshman year but that is only if he plays. Most believe he will but let's wait and see.

If Clausen had more experience around him, he probably would have looked a lot better. To me Clausen can and should be a great college and pro QB. I hope Clausen proves he wasn't over rated this year and next.

 

[TDHeysus]

he doesnt see the light of day this year....Mitch Mustain is a good qb (arguably the starter), and as long as he doesnt get hurt, he will be in there before Barkley. thats if Corp goes down (corp is Petes guy, much like Leinart was Petes guy)

He might get some run late in the season during garbage time of their UCLA blowout, but I can't see him getting any PT in the first 10 games, and I dont think he will see any legitimate action.

 

[irishfan]

he doesnt see the light of day this year....Mitch Mustain is a good qb (arguably the starter), and as long as he doesnt get hurt, he will be in there before Barkley.

Barkley was named the #2 QB after the Spring. Mustain is #3.

 

[IrishInFl]

I hope Barkley starts. I always like our chances better against a team with a true frosh at QB (including Michigan).

 

[jason_h537]

If we can blitz effectively, it wont matter who they start

 

[NDinL.A.]

"Our boy Clausen" also looked good in high school. As soon as he hit the field his freshman season, he got "bust" stamped all over him, albeit unfairly. No matter what he does these next two years, he's still going to be called overrated because he had waaaaaay too much hype.

Now, back to Barkley. Maybe saying he was "ridiculously" overrated was a bit harsh, but 18 picks is a whole damn lot for a high schooler, regardless of the competition. The first video I watched of Barkley, every completion was to a wiiiiiide open receiver (some of them ten or fifteen yards away from anyone else on the field). As Clausen has proved, no matter how good you look, you have to prove it on the field.

Good points. Time will tell.

I'll say this about Clausen in high school: He was basically playing flag football. Never got touched, had all day to throw, with a D1 RB behind an awesome line, playing against horrible competition. Having said that, he' still the best h.s. QB I've ever seen live, slightly better than Barkley.

Try to keep in mind that Barkley should look way better than Clausen did his freshman year. Barkley is taking over a team that by almost all accounts has much more talent than we did 2 years ago. Good all around teams have a way of making QB's look better than they really are.

Also, Clausen had a bad elbow that required surgery. He had nowhere near the zip he had on the ball as a soph. With a bum elbow, behind the worst line in ND history, surrounded by non-athletic upperclassmen and many youngsters, with a coach still learning how to coach college players, Clausen was set up to fail his freshman year...

 

[fightinirish68]

mustain should start. simple as that

 

[jason_h537]

mustain should start. simple as that

I would love for him to start against the Irish. That would be a fun game to watch

 

[WabashFalcon]

Here's the thing... I'm not a huge fan of the blitz. Blitzing creates holes. Holes create passing lanes. Passing lanes mean open field. Open field means hot route adjustments and mid to high yardage gains.

To me, two ends, two good DTs, and the quailties of the pass rush are so much better than blitzing. Look at the Colts. They blitz about as many times Carlos Mancia has come out with an original joke. Yet, they win because they pressure with their front four. With our secondary, we could cover the field for 5-8 seconds. In that time, the quarterback should be torn into pieces. A good pash rush allows for zone drops. Zone drops cover fields. Covered fields mean picks, passes defended and changes of ball possession.

F#$@ the blitz. Rock out with our cock out.

 

[WabashFalcon]

mustain should start. simple as that

Mustain is not a good quarterback. Look at the college film. Shoulda gone to Bowling Green, not U$C.

 

[TDHeysus]

Mustain is not a good quarterback. Look at the college film. Shoulda gone to Bowling Green, not U$C.

I think mustain is a servicable QB, good enough to win in college, but not a game breaker. He should have gone to Oregon. OU had a good team and only faltered when their stud QB was injured, they needed a QB. Pete snatched him up so Oregon wouldnt get him. Then he named him the #2 starter (to get him happy - listening M Barkley?) Then thru the course of the season(s) he dropped to 3 or 4, then go back 2(so other qb's can feel happy at #2 for awhile). Pete does this at mutliple positions to try to keep everyone happy so they dont bolt and xfer.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I think mustain is a servicable QB, good enough to win in college, but not a game breaker. He should have gone to Oregon. OU had a good team and only faltered when their stud QB was injured, they needed a QB. Pete snatched him up so Oregon wouldnt get him. Then he named him the #2 starter (to get him happy - listening M Barkley?) Then thru the course of the season(s) he dropped to 3 or 4, then go back 2(so other qb's can feel happy at #2 for awhile). Pete does this at mutliple positions to try to keep everyone happy so they dont bolt and xfer.

Oregon runs the spread, and Mustain is NOT a spread QB in the least. That would have been a horrible choice for him as far as styles go. Yeah, their QB got injured, but he tranferred thinking he was going to be a starter, and at the time USC looked like a good fit in his mind (boy was he wrong, and manh people told him he was stupid at the time).

Originally Posted by fightinirish68 View Post
mustain should start. simple as that

WHY??? He had a horrible spring, in which he threw pick after pick after pick. He's not even 2nd on the depth chart!

et, they win because they pressure with their front four. With our secondary, we could cover the field for 5-8 seconds. In that time, the quarterback should be torn into pieces. A good pash rush allows for zone drops.

Wabash, have you seen our D-Line play the last few years? They couldn't pressure a drunk, horny virgin on prom night. Pathetic. You sot back, with those 4 guys 'pressuring the QB, and you're just asking to get killed. Now, the play is improving, and with Johnson and KLM in there, it'll get much better.

Now, I agree with you that blitzing leaves holes in your defense, SImple math tells you that. But think of it this way: The LB's now know the system, and I truly believe the blitz will be much better this year. Also, we have some of the best corners in CFB, and with pressure, you're asking them to blanket their receivers for just a short period of time. If Walls, Blanton, McNeil, and Gray are as good as advertised, then they'll do that. Our defense should be soooo much better this year...

 

[TDHeysus]

Blitzing is good when it is done strategically. When you blitz just to get pressure on the QB and to cover your weaknesses, all of sudden blitzing is not such a good idea. Blitzing also puts alot of pressure on your secondary, better have shutdown DB's if you blitz alot. But even if you do, its puts undo pressure on your secondary.

I think blitzing, because your Dline isnt getting the pressure, is a recipe for disaster. Your playing roulette, your betting on getting to the QB before he can make the proper read. Because when you blitz all the time, a good qb more often then not, will tear you apart. Part of the reason a blitz works is the element of surprise. You lose that when you blitz all the time.

Unless the QB is JaMarcus Russell, then all he does is look for the first WR, if he is covered, he looks at the TE (regardless of the WR progression), if he is covered, your in a world of hurt. JaMarcus Russell - 30million guaranteed, cant even read a defense.

 

[TDHeysus]

Oregon runs the spread, and Mustain is NOT a spread QB in the least. That would have been a horrible choice for him as far as styles go. Yeah, their QB got injured, but he tranferred thinking he was going to be a starter, and at the time USC looked like a good fit in his mind (boy was he wrong, and manh people told him he was stupid at the time).

Pete did Mustain wrong, Mitch never really had a shot at starting USC. HE would have stepped into Oregon and been the starter. Mitch is not a 'Pete Guy', like Leinart/Barkley. He would have had instant playing time, a good match or not, Oregon wanted him. Instead, after he left Arkansas he never saw the field with significant playing time again.

this move was a throw back to the times before they had scholarship limits (is it 85 now?) back in the day, large schools (USC, ND, Mich, etc, etc) could recruit tons on athletes and have more than 85 scholarships. this was a way to keep other recruits from going to rival schools. The unlimited number of scholarships was unfair to the 'little guy university', now I think the limit is 85.

Even USC circles say that Mitch was done wrong......

 

[Riddickulous]

Mustain made a horrible decision. It turned out very badly for him and now he's getting blasted on forums all over the country.

 

[jason_h537]

Mustain probably wouldn't be starting at Oregon either. He should have kept his mouth shut and realized i am a true freshman playing with 2 of the best backs in all of college football, no wonderwe run so much. If he stayed at arkansas he would have been much better off.

As for blitzing. we are not blitzing because we are covering our weaknesses. We are blitzing because Tenuta is our defensive coordinator and that is his style. He uses the blitz to rattle the QB and stop the run. So get used to it because even if we had an elite d-line, Tenuta would still blitz 60-70% of the time.

 

[BGIF]

Try to keep in mind that Barkley should look way better than Clausen did his freshman year. Barkley is taking over a team that by almost all accounts has much more talent than we did 2 years ago. Good all around teams have a way of making QB's look better than they really are. The same way a bad team (and a tough schedule) can make Clausen look bad his freshman year. A ggod O-line can make average QB's look good and make good QB's look great. Barkley will have that advantage his freshman year. As for him being overrated.....only time will tell.

Even without 58 sacks, give Barkley a couple of freshman RBs, less experienced WRs, and oh yeah, elbow surgery. Then we'd be getting to apples and apples.

 

[BGIF]

Here's the thing... I'm not a huge fan of the blitz. Blitzing creates holes. Holes create passing lanes. Passing lanes mean open field. Open field means hot route adjustments and mid to high yardage gains.

Yes it does if you've got an experienced QB, TB, WRs, and OLine. As I recall that recipe lead to a disaster in Atlanta on opening day in '07. How soon we forget.

Care to check the rosters of the 12 teams on ND's schedule? How many experienced QBs are there? Nevada, UW, and maybe USC (talented anyway).

To me, two ends, two good DTs, and the quailties of the pass rush are so much better than blitzing. Look at the Colts. They blitz about as many times Carlos Mancia has come out with an original joke. Yet, they win because they pressure with their front four. With our secondary, we could cover the field for 5-8 seconds. In that time, the quarterback should be torn into pieces. A good pash rush allows for zone drops. Zone drops cover fields. Covered fields mean picks, passes defended and changes of ball possession.

Is it too late for Charlie to return to the good old days? Can Charlie admit his mistake and get Rick Minter back to run your kind of defense? The Read and Get Run Over!

Why does Mencia need new material if he can take the old stuff and keep brining it from a different angle each night?

Hey, if our secondary can hold the field for 8 seconds our DLine has a shot. Don't ND DLs take a mandatory 8 Mississippi count before engaging anyway? Hasn't that been the M.O. since Mattison stressed the grab and lock up?

Frequent blitzing from a different spot with a threat on every play, even the illusion of a blitz, forces the Offense to adjust blocking schemes on the fly, WRs and/OR QBs to misread defenses, forces QBs to hurry. 11 guys having to think, AND think alike, under pressure creates errors which creates turnovers.[/quote]

F#$@ the blitz. Rock out with our cock out.

Forget the blitz and get Knocked out with your cock in your hand.

 

[TDHeysus]

Forget the blitz and get Knocked out with your cock in your hand.

ROFL

 

[jason_h537]

Is it too late for Charlie to return to the good old days? Can Charlie admit his mistake and get Rick Minter back to run your kind of defense? The Read and Get Run Over!

i guess those were the good ol days? lol