Offensive Line Thread

[Henges24]

:Eichenberg and Kraemer both end up committing to O$U by February. Thread comes crashing to the ground. OP comes back to eat crow. :

 

[Luckylucci]

Lets get another OL guy drafted highly in the next year (Stanley will certainly qualify next year), then I say let the ego flow. On the other hand, if our crop of TEs doesn't explode in the next year we may lose the "TE U" tag. The last few years have been somewhat lackluster.

Few meaning 3? Last I remember we had Eifert in 2012 and Niklas in 2013. Both were productive and drafted in the first 2 rounds. I wouldn't call that lackluster. The only dry spell we've had at TE recently was this past year 2014.

 

[irishfan]

Yep. Too early for this right now. 2 OL drafted in the last 4 (about to be 5) years. 3 guys drafted 3rd Round or higher since 2004.

Stanley and Martin will make 4 OL in 3 years in 2016. Not bad. Elmer should make #5 in 2017 assuming the Spring reports on his improvement are true. Then maybe we can start talking OL U.

 

[Luckylucci]

The most impressive part will be if McGlinchey can get to the 1st rd level. Has the attributes to be able to do that. If so, that will be 3 1st rd draft picks over 4 years.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'll take Iowa and Wisconsin as O-line U please


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[ulukinatme]

Few meaning 3? Last I remember we had Eifert in 2012 and Niklas in 2013. Both were productive and drafted in the first 2 rounds. I wouldn't call that lackluster. The only dry spell we've had at TE recently was this past year 2014.

Niklas certainly wasn't the most impressive TE we've had. Feels like we've been trending downward in the TE category the last two years. Eifert was probably the ceiling, although Alize may very well change things. Smythe probably shows the most promise among the guys on campus now, but at this point he's just Koyack potential.

 

[Circa]

I'll take Iowa and Wisconsin as O-line U please


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Hey now; all complaints go straight to http://notredamefootball.org/

 

[Old Man Mike]

Nobody should think that we ARE OLine U but the spirit of the moment looking at Nelson, Bars, Mustifer, Hoge, and the two new verbals [with, one bets, at least one more to come] feels like we will have a right to brag a bit about that soon.

Notre Dame [alongside USC and Michigan] used to be OLine U for many years. Our pipeline to the pros was legend. Our graduates were never worried about because it was always "just reload". Nothing says that if Kelly and Hiestand stay here for awhile that this current trend can't get us there again.

Saying "OLine U", whether it's already earned or not, IS NOT A BAD THING. Young Mr. Kraemer seems to get that better than some of us here on IE.

 

[NDinL.A.]

WAY too premature. Do it on the field first, then talk. Anything "U" needs to last over years if not decades; right now we've had a nice moment.

And high school rankings mean squat, ESPECIALLY on the offensive line.

We have the talent, but now we need to see it out together on the field.

 

[zelezo vlk]

O Line Recruiting U?

 

[Luckylucci]

Niklas certainly wasn't the most impressive TE we've had.[/B] Feels like we've been trending downward in the TE category the last two years. Eifert was probably the ceiling, although Alize may very well change things. Smythe probably shows the most promise among the guys on campus now, but at this point he's just Koyack potential.

Nobody said that he was, I have no idea where you're getting that from. However, if you look at his stats he was one of the more productive TE's in the country that year and was drafted in the 2nd rd. Absolutely nothing wrong with that and definitely held down the TE U tradition. In reality we've only had 1 year down year at TE with Koyack last season. Lastly, thats kind of stating the obvious as he's the best TE in school HISTORY, thats why he holds all the records. To expect a guy like that every year is absolutely insane and not realistic at all.

 

[ulukinatme]

Nobody said that he was, I have no idea where you're getting that from. However, if you look at his stats he was one of the more productive TE's in the country that year and was drafted in the 2nd rd. Absolutely nothing wrong with that and definitely held down the TE U tradition. In reality we've only had 1 year down year at TE with Koyack last season. Lastly, thats kind of stating the obvious as he's the best TE in school HISTORY, thats why he holds all the records. To expect a guy like that every year is absolutely insane and not realistic at all.

No, I don't expect an Eifert every year, but I honestly don't think Niklas was worth a 2nd round. Maybe if he came back the next year, but he got lucky with timing imo. Maybe Smythe or Luatua emerge as a phenomenal TEs this year, but as it stands neither was able to unseat Koyack last year for the starting spot and that's not promising.

In any case, I'm not saying we're still not "TE U" here, I'm just saying things have been trending downward for the first time probably since Weis' first year. A lot of that could change this year with Alize coming in, or maybe a guy like Smythe knocks it out of the park after playing behind Koyack, so we'll see.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

No, I don't expect an Eifert every year, but I honestly don't think Niklas was worth a 2nd round. Maybe if he came back the next year, but he got lucky with timing imo. Maybe Smythe or Luatua emerge as a phenomenal TEs this year, but as it stands neither was able to unseat Koyack last year for the starting spot and that's not promising.

In any case, I'm not saying we're still not "TE U" here, I'm just saying things have been trending downward for the first time probably since Weis' first year. A lot of that could change this year with Alize coming in, or maybe a guy like Smythe knocks it out of the park after playing behind Koyack, so we'll see.

It's impossible to trend upwards all of the time. Eventually we have to come back down to reality and "only" have a 2nd day TE on the roster.

Lucky for us we have a bunch who can contribute: Smythe, Luatua, Weishar, Alize

All four of those could get drafted if they continue to develop. Weishar may be the one on the outside looking in but he can get some playing time in two TE sets in the future.

 

[IrishDevil]

I can't help but think this linemen haul is going to cause some GREAT trickle down recruiting ! It has to help when you can walk into a kids living room and point out the O- Line recruits that are already on board .

 

[DillonHall]

No, I don't expect an Eifert every year, but I honestly don't think Niklas was worth a 2nd round. Maybe if he came back the next year, but he got lucky with timing imo. Maybe Smythe or Luatua emerge as a phenomenal TEs this year, but as it stands neither was able to unseat Koyack last year for the starting spot and that's not promising.

In any case, I'm not saying we're still not "TE U" here, I'm just saying things have been trending downward for the first time probably since Weis' first year. A lot of that could change this year with Alize coming in, or maybe a guy like Smythe knocks it out of the park after playing behind Koyack, so we'll see.

Honestly, Rudolph wasn't all that productive either at ND.

 

[johnnycando]

Honestly, Rudolph wasn't all that productive either at ND.

Stats:

Career at Notre Dame 90 receptions, 1032 yds, 11.5 yds/catch avg, 8 Touchdowns

Including a huge reception against Michigan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M2UBEBcOnw

I was in attendance for that one, which ended tragically with a DR scramble to seal the Michigan win with just a few seconds remaining.

He was a great tightend.

 

[ThePiombino]

lol I can't believe we're claiming OlineU. Little early for that IMO.

 

[greyhammer90]

Silly thread is silly. We haven't come close to earning a title like that.

Question though for those in the know, is there ANY indication that Harry would leave ND for the pros or another college job?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Honestly, Rudolph wasn't all that productive either at ND.

His numbers weren't that high, but only because he declared as a Junior and was injured for 3 games his sophomore year and 7 games as a junior. He was stellar when he was on the field. Had he been healthy through college he easily would have been a 1st round pick.

 

[BobbyMac]

Too all the boo birds... You know how I know I'm right? Because Whiskey didn't show up with a spreadsheet breaking down any quantitative disadvantages the Irish have compared to any other program out there. Actually he rep'd me. Crusader 1, Boo birds 0.

.

 

[DillonHall]

His numbers weren't that high, but only because he declared as a Junior and was injured for 3 games his sophomore year and 7 games as a junior. He was stellar when he was on the field. Had he been healthy through college he easily would have been a 1st round pick.

Yeah, I'm aware and completely agree with you.

If you look at the context of my comment, I was just saying that production isn't the only thing that NFL teams look at when drafting a player. I think, despite Niklas' lack of production at ND, his potential was enough to merit his draft position.

 

[Irish Man3]

Silly thread is silly. We haven't come close to earning a title like that.

Question though for those in the know, is there ANY indication that Harry would leave ND for the pros or another college job?

Highly unlikely. I'd be shocked if this wasn't his last job. Brian Kelly and HH have a great relationship and a mutual respect. I feel safe saying that there isn't another collegiate job he'd leave ND for. HH is a Chicago guy and obviously he has no NFL curiosity.

He retires after his time at ND.

 

[L-cart ND-ana]

Pass blocking U

 

[ThePiombino]

Too all the boo birds... You know how I know I'm right? Because Whiskey didn't show up with a spreadsheet breaking down any quantitative disadvantages the Irish have compared to any other program out there. Actually he rep'd me. Crusader 1, Boo birds 0.

.

I think you're confusing boo birds with not drinking the Kool Aid just yet. Sorry, but I would prefer some sustained success at the position(s) before I dub ND OLineU.

 

[Cogs]

We won't see an O-line as good as the 2011 squad's for awhile. Only 17 sacks allowed that season with a slow QB.. They gave Tommy time to throw with his accuracy and the offense was pretty tough in 2011 too. Don't know how that team dropped 5 games, all were close. With 2012's defense that could have easily been a BCS bowl team. Jonas gray and Ciere wood had great YPC averages that year too. Very please with the OL recruiting this year as well.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Whiskey (I believe) will be the first to point out that the "lack" of dominance on a consistent level from the OL as a group could be due to blocking scheme and play calling. ND does, however, recruit really well and that size and talent has translated well into the NFL with nine or ten former players in the League along the OL (not sure if that number is up-to-date and accurate). Anyways, my point is that the unit doesn't have to dominate in college to be considered OL-U. Recruit well, develop the talent, get the guys signed to a Sunday team and the label will take care of itself.

 

[ulukinatme]

Too all the boo birds... You know how I know I'm right? Because Whiskey didn't show up with a spreadsheet breaking down any quantitative disadvantages the Irish have compared to any other program out there. Actually he rep'd me. Crusader 1, Boo birds 0.

.

And Reesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the lord Whiskey to the test.’”

 

[Irish#1]

I think you're confusing boo birds with not drinking the Kool Aid just yet. Sorry, but I would prefer some sustained success at the position(s) before I dub ND OLineU.

I agree. The foundation for success is certainly there now and I believe it will come, but I'm more of a wait and see guy. Let's see a proven track record like the TE's in the NFL.

 

[greyhammer90]

I agree. The foundation for success is certainly there now and I believe it will come, but I'm more of a wait and see guy. Let's see a proven track record like the TE's in the NFL.

Also there's the fact that Alabama and Wisconsin exist. They've been fielding a lot more dominant smash mouth OLs over the last decade than we have.

 

[ThePiombino]

I agree. The foundation for success is certainly there now and I believe it will come, but I'm more of a wait and see guy. Let's see a proven track record like the TE's in the NFL.

Also there's the fact that Alabama and Wisconsin exist. They've been fielding a lot more dominant smash mouth OLs over the last decade than we have.

Agreed and agreed. ND is certainly on the right track, but it doesn't mean we've arrived just yet. I do love the course we're on though, so please don't get me wrong.