ND Heading Into 2014

[NDFANnSouthWest]

My biggest question mark is at ILB...who is going to emerge as the leader...

 

[Irish#1]

With EG under center I don't think we'll see delay of games and reckless use of TO's because the play clock is running down. Most of that has been TR trying to make too many adjustments after D's adjust to his audible.

It was obvious that Martin wasn't calling the plays today. I hope we use EG under center more next year. Last year when he was under center our run game was much better. Anyone else notice how well we ran the ball today when TR was under center?

I think we'll be a very good team next year.

 

[Riddickulous]

My biggest question mark is at ILB...who is going to emerge as the leader...

Grace, Schmidt, and Moore are the only returning ILBs with any experience, so my money's on one of those three.

With EG under center I don't think we'll see delay of games and reckless use of TO's because the play clock is running down. Most of that has been TR trying to make too many adjustments after D's adjust to his audible.

It was obvious that Martin wasn't calling the plays today. I hope we use EG under center more next year. Last year when he was under center our run game was much better. Anyone else notice how well we ran the ball today when TR was under center?

I think we'll be a very good team next year.

We still burned TOs last year with Golson.

 

[philipm31]

Mirko Jurkovic, Luke petitgout also.

Faine was nasty but not as gifted as Martin.

If you want to survive in the NFL on the OL, then you NEED to be nasty, so I think that saying that Faine was not as good as Martin remains to be seen.

I agree that Mirko and Luke were better.

Honestly, I think the entire OL unit was better under Lou and Moore was better than anything we have had, maybe ever, at ND.

 

[STLDomer]

I REALLY want to see us run mostly a 4-3 next year with something like:

DE: Williams
DT: Tuitt
DT: Day
DE: Okwara

LB: Smith
LB: Grace
LB: Councell

CB: Russell
S: Refield
S: Shumate
CB: Luke

Don't know how likely that is but it's beautiful to me on paper

 

[philipm31]

Grace, Schmidt, and Moore are the only returning ILBs with any experience, so my money's on one of those three.



We still burned TOs last year with Golson.

I think he meant the idea that TR tried to outsmart the D too often and it led to uselessly burning TOs, something that should be anathema to a Senior QB.

 

[Wild Bill]

My biggest question mark is at ILB...who is going to emerge as the leader...

Dude named nyles if everything goes as planned.

 

[Brooklyn]

I REALLY want to see us run mostly a 4-3 next year with something like:

DE: Williams
DT: Tuitt
DT: Day
DE: Okwara

LB: Smith
LB: Grace
LB: Councell

CB: Russell
S: Refield
S: Shumate
CB: Luke

Don't know how likely that is but it's beautiful to me on paper

Tuitt is a DE in a 4-3 and a 3-4. Can't see him moving inside.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Do you really expect Tuitt back? I don't. After Kap and Nix, the injury issue is too big IMO.

Grace and Councell--will they be ready? Will they lose speed that they can't afford. This is extremely problematic to me.

No true NG like Nix is a huge issue. HUGE. And Tony coming back from a major knee issue. Jarron isn't a true NG IMO.

romeo and williams? Will they get pass rush? I don't know, don't think so. I'd rather have Isaac there.

We have major issues in 3 areas. Left Tackle, Martin was special. NG Nix was special and we don't have anybody who is even close to as good. And ILB. If we can fix each one of those we will be just fine. I think we have a guy for LT. But NG and ILB are scary. ILB is we can get Morgan maybe. So, NG scares me.

The good news. Our CB 's are good! Flat out Good. And S we have 3 that can play good or close to good. Shumate/Max and Collingsworth.

We are in fine shape, but by no means a top 5 Team IMO. With our Dline with no NG type player or iffy pass rushers. We are a top 15 team, but with our schedule and defensive loses are a lot to overcome. But, still top 15.

 

[Rudy89]

I think tuitt is gone and that will cost us big. I think we will have a similar year next season but with the schedule we have 8 or 9 wins would be awesome and our bowl options get a bit better next year so if we don't meals the playoffs we don't dumpster dive for a good bowl bid.

 

[KPENN]

I think tuitt is gone and that will cost us big. I think we will have a similar year next season but with the schedule we have 8 or 9 wins would be awesome and our bowl options get a bit better next year so if we don't meals the playoffs we don't dumpster dive for a good bowl bid.

I still think he comes back.

 

[philipm31]

And honestly, if ND is not in the playoff, they will have a tough time finding a dance partner, because the ACC really does not have that many more attractive offers out there, other than the Sugar and Chick Fil A, which would not be interested in a 8-win/9-win team.

 

[chubler]

If you ask me, it's all on Golson, regardless of Tuitt coming back. The Offense needs to win games for us for the first time under Kelly, and that starts under center. He plays well, 10-2 +. He plays average or worse, we bottom out at 7-6.

 

[Buster Bluth]

QB: Golson (Sr)
RB: Folston (SO) | Greg Bryant (Fr) | McDaniel (Sr)
WR: Daniels (Sr) | Robinson (SO) | Brent (FR) | James Onuwalu (SO)
WR: Fuller (SO) | Brown (JR) | Corey Holmes (FR)
SR: Hunter (Fr) | Carlisle (Jr) | Prosise (Jr) | Nelson (FR)*
TE: Niklas (Sr) | Koyack (Sr)

That's just ridiculously talented. With that OL, that alone gives the Irish a chance to win each of their games.

 

[We_Are_ND]

The only thing I'm worried about which doesn't show up on any depth chart is the lack of a true vocal/spiritual leader. Some teams need one, others do fine on talent alone. Maybe there is someone on that team that we don't know about? Maybe someone unexpected will emerge? Plenty of time to wait and see.