Next year will be exciting

[Clausen2Kamara]

Yea, we will be rebuilding but it will be fun to see all of the heralded recruits from the Weis era coming in and and contribute on the field. In contributing I mean actually playing during meaningful minutes. I definetly see Toryan Smith starting in the middle next year with Crum and Brockington on the outside. Looking at TT's numbers, I think he is better suited for RB. The RB position is pretty stacked already thought with D-Walk and Mr. Aldridge(can u tell I love this kid?) I also see Paddy Mullen contributing meaningful minutes at DT, maybe even Blackwell. Kuntz has a high motor but I'm not sold on him yet. The o-line will be revamped with the only returning starter being Sam Young(who is a future 1st round lock in my opinion). My guess is LT Young LG Carufel C Wenger RG Stewart RT Nuss??? no way, I know there is somebody else... I also see Duval Kamara getting PT at WR. I think by the end of the year he will be Jones/Clausen's #1 target. We may not get as many W's next year but it will be interesting to see who wins all of these battles. The competition of these guys facing off with eachother will make them better faster in my opinion. I expect penalties and some mental mistakes but I also expect some exciting glimpses of the future from these talented kids that Weis and Co. has brought in. This will also be a very big positive on the recruiting front when all these recruits see how many Freshman and Sophmores will be getting legit playing time.

 

[irish24notredame]

I cannot wait to see all of the recruits out on the field to see what they can do.

 

[claynd105]

Toryan Smith has look really physically intimidating in his limited action this year. He is going to be a good one.

 

[FleaFlicker]

Sometimes it is great to know all of the players you love are coming back. And sometimes it is exciting to see what your new players can do.

You can guess which year next year will be. It will be fun though. We just can't get too hard on them. I just looked at the recruiting classes the two years before Weis got there again.

Holy crap, talk about leaving the cupboard bare. Those classes rank right up there with the likes of North Dakota State. Each year only had two 4-star guys, and no 5-star's...

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

It's kind of cool to think about all the new names we will get used to...all the guys who we have not seen. There will be some disappointments, but in general we will see some wonderfully raw talent improving as the year goes on.

It will be exciting for sure. I alwys LOVE how college ball refreshes itself completely every 5 years.

 

[Irish93]

There will be a lot of mistakes though with Freshman and Sophmores playing a lot.

 

[IrishSanDiego]

i cant wait to see olsen at guard, love his tenacity. I think he beats out stewart, chris just has too much to learn in terms of pass blocking technique.

 

[gboroirish]

im more excited about 2008. that will be sweet after all that potential turns into production.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

There will be a lot of mistakes though with Freshman and Sophmores playing a lot.

Honestly, if Weis only took back a few 5th years, I would love to see them play with the Freshman and Sophmores and that's it... (I think only 6 or so Juniors and Seniors are good enough to play anyway)

There would be something so promising in watching all that young talent get 100% development time. Can you imagine the juggernaut they would be in 2 years?

 

[Irish93]

I agree. The 5th years may be the key. I've heard that Zibby may come back. Mixed in with some others, the experience will help with the young guys.

 

[jiggafini19]

They will lose a QB, both starting WR, and at least 3 OL, maybe 4.

That being said, the passing game is going to go through some trial and error. Carlson might want to consider going pro because of this.

Hopefully, TT moves back to RB and Weis goes nuts with running backs. D Walk, TT, Aldridge and Prince with a nice blend of Schwapp and Schmidt at fullback.

 

[mizzouirish]

I gotta say that I am real excited about the defense next year, in particular, Ray Herring. I think this guy can knock the hell out of receivers and has a real knack for being wherever the ball is. Toryan will be fun to watch and I really like the development of Brockington. Hopefully Morrice Richardson will get some significant PT as well.

 

[Irish93]

They will lose a QB, both starting WR, and at least 3 OL, maybe 4.

That being said, the passing game is going to go through some trial and error. Carlson might want to consider going pro because of this.

Hopefully, TT moves back to RB and Weis goes nuts with running backs. D Walk, TT, Aldridge and Prince with a nice blend of Schwapp and Schmidt at fullback.

If we get Hughes and AA, I don't see TT going back to RB.

Plus, I'd see to see T. Smith get a shot at ILB.

 

[Irish93]

I gotta say that I am real excited about the defense next year, in particular, Ray Herring. I think this guy can knock the hell out of receivers and has a real knack for being wherever the ball is. Toryan will be fun to watch and I really like the development of Brockington. Hopefully Morrice Richardson will get some significant PT as well.

With all of these athletic LBs, I'm sensing a switch to the 3-4. We need to get a big NG though.

 

[Mattmags]

has anyone seen our 2008 schedule? it's a good looking schedule for a team that will have all of Charlie's recruits. Next year will have it's up's and down's, but they will learn from their mistakes and earn valuable experience.

Let's just hope some of these opponents have a decent year also. Big Ten teams should have winning records, as well as USC, BC, and Pitt.

2008 Notre Dame Football Schedule
Sept. 6 SAN DIEGO STATE
Sept. 13 MICHIGAN
Sept. 20 at Michigan State
Sept. 27 PURDUE
Oct. 4 STANFORD
Oct. 11 at North Carolina
Oct. 18 Open Date
Oct. 25 at Washington
Nov. 1 PITTSBURGH
Nov. 8 at Boston College
Nov. 15 at Navy (Baltimore)
Nov. 22 SYRACUSE
Nov. 29 at USC

 

[Irish93]

Let's not be writing off 2007 too quickly. It will be exciting to see the young talent.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Let's not be writing off 2007 too quickly. It will be exciting to see the young talent.

I don't think anyone is writing it off...most agree that we need to set reasonable expectations...that's all. If expectations are exceeded...that's even better!

 

[mlcspinner]

I think next year will be the year of the running back. Let the new QB ( who ever he is ) and his receivers have a year knowing that they don't always have to be the ones to win the game like it was this year.

 

[bigbon4]

It will be exciting to see the players that will lead us to a national championship develop right in front of our eyes.

 

[wrigley1]

Yeah that 2008 schedule looks nice, but things change quickly in college football these days. I mean, it was only a couple of years ago when Rutgers was a doormat.

 

[bigbon4]

IF, and that is a big if because we already have some talented quarterbacks, but if Jimmy does start, how quickly will he pick up the offense? There were some talented quarterbacks in last year's class at other schools that struggled to adjust. Hopefully Jimmy is a different breed, just like everyone says.

 

[jiggafini19]

If we get Hughes and AA, I don't see TT going back to RB.

Plus, I'd see to see T. Smith get a shot at ILB.

You're forgetting the incoming linebackers. Smith to the middle, Crum back to the outside and Brockington possibly getting a fifth year.

Allen and Hughes will most likely not get reps as true freshmen. Allen is coming off an injury.

Thomas would have one year left, plus Walker, Aldridge and Prince. The running game needs to get mixed up a bit. Walker is a threat as a pass catcher and not much else. Screens and draws are becoming predictable. Thomas and Aldridge attack between the tackles and go at linebackers and safeties.

 

[IrishCPA]

You're forgetting the incoming linebackers. Smith to the middle, Crum back to the outside and Brockington possibly getting a fifth year.

Allen and Hughes will most likely not get reps as true freshmen. Allen is coming off an injury.

Thomas would have one year left, plus Walker, Aldridge and Prince. The running game needs to get mixed up a bit. Walker is a threat as a pass catcher and not much else. Screens and draws are becoming predictable. Thomas and Aldridge attack between the tackles and go at linebackers and safeties.

Schwapp will also be back which will take some pressure off the fullback.

 

[Bellcon]

I think a lot more freshman get playing time next year. Allen will see the field

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I gotta say that I am real excited about the defense next year, in particular, Ray Herring. I think this guy can knock the hell out of receivers and has a real knack for being wherever the ball is. Toryan will be fun to watch and I really like the development of Brockington. Hopefully Morrice Richardson will get some significant PT as well.

I totally agree Mizz, Herring looks real impressive. I saw him in some mop up duty and he looks physically ready to be a big time player. I'm sure he is learning a lot from Zibby and believe he will be a bit more of a natural safety who can cover and make the big hit. T Smith will definetly start next year. Crum has amazed me on how well he made the transition inside. That is not an easy thing to do. I think he is the best tackler on the team, I honestly never seen him miss a tackle. Mo Rich will definetly play next year, its just a matter of how much based on if he can be an effective at stopping the run, we know he can rush the passer already. I think other than the QB situation, it will be interesting to see the WR battle. Grimes for sure but I see him more as a slot type. I'm curious to find out who will step up; Hord, Jackson, Parris, Gallup, Little, or Kamara? With my biased opinion, I say Kamara of course with Parris not far behind....plz be the next Shark Robby! I'm not asking for too much lol!

 

[irishX25]

i love bq

 

[michigandomer]

Next Year

Next Year

I can see allen being a third down back next year and defiantly helping us out in the return game. As for hughes i see him and aldridge splitting time on short yardage situation. i dont believe we willl be able to continously rely on the quaterback to pick up those yards on the sneak. These guys will come in and add the power we have been missing.

 

[ND81]

Next year should be an interesting year. Maybe not as many W's as we have come to expect, but I think the potential and productivity we will see from Charlie's guys will help stem the hurt of a few defeats. I'll do all I can to see them at Stanford and UCLA next year.

 

[seniorle]

I know JA is only a freshman, but his 4th and 1 run during the USC game was very scary. He barely made it by an inch but i'm sure he'll get better with another year under his belt

 

[bbrennan]

The lines will be key next year. Can the O-line protect and open up holes. The QB next year might a little more to read the defense and be comfortable in the offense than BQ needed this year. The D-line will still need to protect a weak LB crew. The defense as a whole will need to play an even bigger role.