Other Wide outs

[JDAtlanta]

I like the options Kelly has at the receiver position. We are loaded with guys with great potential. Floyd will obviously be the number 1 guy. I think Kelly will run the ball more this year than he did last year at UC. The main reason is because of Crist's lack of experience. Kelly seems like a very controlling coach (not a bad thing). Once Kelly gets Crist more reps, he will start to open it up more.

It all depends on the OL. If they can give Crist the time to throw, the offense will be very good.

I am surprised that there are not more WR recruits trying to get into this offense. The exposure that ND gets on a weekly basis, I would think the kids would be clamoring to play at ND. Maybe they are waiting to see how the new system works at ND.

I think the talent is there for a big year on offense.

As far as who will step up this year, I see Evans, Jones and Toma having big years. The slot receivers will have the opportunity to shine. The opposing defense will try to take away Floyd. The other guys will have to step up and succeed. If they do, everyone will have big years. I also think Kelly will play a lot of guys.

The potential is there to go into the Utah game at 8 - 0. Pitt and Michigan State will be very tough games.
Needless to say I am probably overly optimistic.

I am really looking forward to this year.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Toma could still see alot of balls his way, Charlie believed in him over most of his peers.

Duval has got to be good this year. Last report on him that I read was that his weight was down and muscle was up thanks to Longo. Its his time to shine.

 

[IrishTimer]

Floyd
TJ Jones
Evans
Kamara
Goodman

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

My prediction: Toma will have one game this year where he puts up a huge total yardage number (170+) AND catches the game winning touchdown.

 

[GoingGreen]

Floyd
Evans
Kamara
Walker
Goodman
And Jones

 

[BGIF]

Keep in mind that even in two TE formations, ND effectively has a pair of wideouts in Rudolph and Ragone, especially is Ragone can show that speed that ran down that safety from behind.

 

[rocket31]

just as i said, BK just announced that bennett jackson has a great chance to see the field this year

 

[TerryTate]

Bennett has blazing speed. It's going to be fun to watch him on go routes

 

[Sherm Sticky]

What are the chances Jackson will see the field as a DB this year not a WR?

 

[TerryTate]

Posted this in another thread:

Anyone have any ideas who might be the 1 or 2 players asked to step in at corner/safety? Daniels? Collinsworth? Jackson?

I'm reading a summary of the PC on Rivals, and I thought someone said that there were 1 or two guys from that they were going to ask to add some depth at DB. I thought Daniels, Collinsworth, and Jackson would fit the bill.

 

[BGIF]

just as i said, BK just announced that bennett jackson has a great chance to see the field this year

Actually I believe Kelly said, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bennett and Collinsworth in the mix to get on the bus.

I read that as they are outside the top 60 but could practice their way into making the traveling squad.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Posted this in another thread:



I'm reading a summary of the PC on Rivals, and I thought someone said that there were 1 or two guys from that they were going to ask to add some depth at DB. I thought Daniels, Collinsworth, and Jackson would fit the bill.

What about Walker, Big & Fast...not on the 2 deep

 

[Irish_Angst]

I suspect with Kelly's fast paced offense and frequent 4+ receiver sets, at least 6 if not 8 WRs will get plenty of opportunity to put up decent numbers (especially those who can get good YAC). I'm guessing ND will average around 10-12 add'l plays per game than we saw last season, which should help.

There will be a lot of rotation to keep players fresh and I suspect Kelly will emphasize to the QBs to get rid of the ball quickly, so look for 10-15 yard routes.

I'm sure BK will have opposing DCs picking their poison with frequent 'trips' formations on one side & 'Count' Floyd (apologies to "Monster Chiller Horror Theater" fans) on the other side. Do they double-team Floyd and leave someone open on the one side or do they risk their best corner being taken advantage of?

 

[BGIF]

I suspect with Kelly's fast paced offense and frequent 4+ receiver sets, at least 6 if not 8 WRs will get plenty of opportunity to put up decent numbers (especially those who can get good YAC). I'm guessing ND will average around 10-12 add'l plays per game than we saw last season, which should help.

There will be a lot of rotation to keep players fresh and I suspect Kelly will emphasize to the QBs to get rid of the ball quickly, so look for 10-15 yard routes.

I'm sure BK will have opposing DCs picking their poison with frequent 'trips' formations on one side & 'Count' Floyd (apologies to "Monster Chiller Horror Theater" fans) on the other side. Do they double-team Floyd and leave someone open on the one side or do they risk their best corner being taken advantage of?

The only problem with all those 4+ WR sets is why would you want to take Rudolph, or Allen, off the field? Kelly's trying to get Wood, Riddick, Ragone, et al out there. Rudolph and Ragone are like having two more WRs on the field but at the same time you can use them as effective blockers running the ball. There are a lot of permutations and mismatches with NDs TE and RBs this year.

AND in the 4th Q, there are going to be lots of fresh legs at every position, well at 10 of 11 anyway.

 

[Riddickulous]

'Count' Floyd

One!...two!...TWO TOUCHDOWNS! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Irish Man3]

I think judging by what Shaq and Theo have had to say about practice, our wide recievers are going to be in much better shape. I see Floyd and Rudolph putting up the biggest numbers. Not really going out on a limb there, but after those two the possibilities are endless. I look for multiple recievers to step up.

Kamara- Is why to physically talented to not produce. Reminds me a little of Maurice Stovall. Has all the physical tools but has been lazy in the past. I think that changes this year and he has productive season.

Goodman- Very athletic WR and one of the fastest players on the team if not the fastest. Is a deep threat as he showed in last years victory over WSU. Can certainly stretch the field and open up the short slants and the middle seam.

Jones- I think Jones has a very solid freshman year with around 30 receptions. I would hesitate on expecting a breakout season only because of the number of weapons in front of him and Kelly's rotation.

Evans- I expect steady improvement from Shaq more so on the physical side than the production side. Has deceptive speed and the ability to make people miss.

Riddick- Great decision IMO to move Riddick to WR. We have plenty of depth at RB and instead of sitting an athlete like Theo, we attacked needs. I think Theo will be in much better shape then when he entered camp, and we will see the results.

Ragone- To me Ragone is a terrific threat more so in the red zone. With Floyd and Kamara on the outside and Ragone and Rudolph attacking the middle, defenses will find it more than difficult to find favorable match-ups.

Walker- I dont expect a whole lot out of Walker yet again. I just dont think he is motivated enough which is sad with his talented upside. I look for another disapointing season.

IMO WR is one position where we are not hurting at least for this season. I have faith in a solid O-line to give Crist time to find the open man. I just see to much speed and size for teams on our schedule to compete with.

 

[BGIF]

...
Walker- I dont expect a whole lot out of Walker yet again. I just dont think he is motivated enough which is sad with his talented upside. I look for another disapointing season. ...

And your basis for the motivation comment is ...



You know something that hasn't been reported?

 

[GoingGreen]

We have a lot of talent and depth at Wide Reciever, and you could pretty much throw any of our WR's out there and they'll do well. Obvouisly Floyd is the #1 guy, but #2 and all other spots are up for grabs. Even Daniel Smith may see playing time.

Of course, it also helps when you have the best Tight End in the country.

 

[Irish Man3]

I said previously that he doesnt seem motivated. Last year it was brought up that he was lazy. He has nearly every physical skill that an all around consistent WR needs. I think most would agree that we havent seen that on the field.
He also wasnt even listed on the two deep depth chart. I understand that Kelly's offense goes deeper than that, but even beyond the depth chart his name has not come up all that often. It seems that his lack of motivation has him lost in the incoming and pre existing talent.
I also dont think I stand alone when I say that I expected more than I've seen from Walker on the field. Coming in I think we were all told about his tremendous upside and it just hasnt shown up yet. I hope that it does but as I previously stated, its going to be very hard for any player in the passing game to have a breakout season. All players will play a tremendous role in that aspect of our success. So when I speak IMO of disapointing, I speak along the lines of him having a similar season to his last.

 

[Freeman Ara]

I don't think I have ever seen anything about Walker being lazy. I know he was thin as a twig when he got here two years ago and that kept him off the field as a frosh.I don't know where is reps were going to coming from last year behind 1 super soph and 3 upper classman so I don't think we have had any real evidence as far as what he can or can't do.

I also like how you write Walker off for being lazy or unmotivated yet expect DK to some how drop that attitude when he has proven OVER AND OVER again that he doesn't have A) his head screwed on straight or B) the motivation to do what's necessary to be a great football player. Seriously, he's a senior in his last season and he can't get his paperwork straight to get on the field day one?

Besides your opinion what evidence do you have that Walker is lazy?

 

[Irish_Angst]

The only problem with all those 4+ WR sets is why would you want to take Rudolph, or Allen, off the field? Kelly's trying to get Wood, Riddick, Ragone, et al out there. Rudolph and Ragone are like having two more WRs on the field but at the same time you can use them as effective blockers running the ball. There are a lot of permutations and mismatches with NDs TE and RBs this year.

AND in the 4th Q, there are going to be lots of fresh legs at every position, well at 10 of 11 anyway.

Agreed. Although I was under the impression in Kelly's offense the "H-back" position was versatile in that it can be the TE, Slot receiver, Fullback or lineman. If I remember correctly, I read about 4 WR formations w/ an H-back in the backfield which could conceivably be a TE.

Also, Kelly has been known to use an empty backfield "Quad" formation where there are 4 WR on one side (sometimes 3WR + RB or TE) and a single WR on the other side (which is what I was referring to earlier, but forgot the name... sorry 'bout that).

Anyway, it should be interesting this season!

 

[Irish_Angst]

Kamara- Is why to physically talented to not produce. Reminds me a little of Maurice Stovall. Has all the physical tools but has been lazy in the past. I think that changes this year and he has productive season.

I really, really want Kamara to do well this year. He has all the physical tools to be a great receiver... however, it was very disappointing to read that he had to miss out on a couple practices because he didn't have his paperwork squared away.

This isn't his first rodeo... he had all summer to get everything together. Hopefully those extra laps I'm sure he'll have to do will improve his stamina in the fall.

 

[Irish Man3]

Thats why I think that he will turn things around. Sometimes athletes that have everything going for them physically dont stay motivated mentally. I think Kamara is a prime example of that. I expect him to turn it around because A) He now realizes that Brian Kelly is not Charlie Weis and will hold these kids accountable as student athletes and B) Sometimes it takes a young immature kid the length of college to smarten up. If he steps back and realizes that this is his last shot to make an impact, then he may take the challenge head on. Thats what I hope for.
As far as Walker is concerned, IMO we are deeper at wide reciever this year then we were last year. I know we lost Golden Tate, Robbie, and a few others but aside from GT I think we have upgraded the position depth wise. There was an article last year that stated that Walker wasn't mentally into his practice sessions. If I can find that I will be sure to post.