Position Battles (so far)

[jason_h537]

Been a sad weekend but hopefully we get some good news this afternoon. In the meantime why not discuss some of the potential position battles that seem to be taking place.

WR
A big one in Kelly's offense. We all know who #1 is but we are loaded with potential for the other 2 or 3 spots. Kamara, Shaq, Walker, and Goodman all will likely see PT but who will step up as a legit #2?

C
Many assumed Wenger would step right in but it appears Cave is stepping up big time. Who gets the job?

OT
completely wide open. This is anyone's guess but with Chris Watt's apparent potential could T-Rob possibly move over? The shotgun does ease some of the pressure of playing LT

LB
Te'o and Smith seem to have their jobs safe based on coaches interviews but who will play the other MLB and OLB spots? Fleming has experience and Fler has the potential, especially with Neal's injury. McDonald also appears to be winning over the new staff (Cali in the house!!!!)

S
The staff seems really high on all 4 safeties. Motta, McCarthy, Slaughter, and Hayseed all have so much upside. Who wins out?

 

[Riddickulous]

WR
A big one in Kelly's offense. We all know who #1 is but we are loaded with potential for the other 2 or 3 spots. Kamara, Shaq, Walker, and Goodman all will likely see PT but who will step up as a legit #2?

Don't forget Tai-ler Jones at wide receiver, bro.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Sorry if this has been answered, I know Neal supposedly left on crutches, we have any details on his injury?

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Definitely think Evans or Walker emerge as the solid #2, but there are so many intriguing possibilities out there for solid contributors at WR. Toma, Riddick, Jones, Goodman...all could be big factors.

 

[jason_h537]

Don't forget Tai-ler Jones at wide receiver, bro.

I am a big fan of TJ and cant wait to see how his career ends up but the other guys were just as highly rated, if not more so, and have more experience. Not everyone is Michael Floyd out of HS. Look at Shaq, great kid from the great state of CA but probably would have been better suited sitting out last year.

 

[jason_h537]

Sorry if this has been answered, I know Neal supposedly left on crutches, we have any details on his injury?

From what i have read he will be ok but will likely be limited in Spring which hurts PT with a new staff

 

[irishandy]

I think that Shaq & Goodman battle it out for #2- I would like to see Shaq be our #2. I think that Walker & Jones battle it out for #3 and either could pull out the #3 wide receiver. Too bad about Walker, highly recruited and hasn't seen much playing time.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think we could see a rotation of wide receivers in certain situations, as well.

Some players, obviously, will be on the field at all times (Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph). But perhaps we could see some of the taller receivers, such as Duval Kamara and John Goodman (also, don't forget hometown frosh-to-be Daniel Smith) who could come in during red zone situations. And maybe the faster, more explosive players (Shaq, Deion Walker, Roby Toma, Tai-ler Jones, Theo Riddick, even Goodman with his blazing speed) coming in when the field is more wide open and there's more space.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Goodman will be the number 2 receiver. Bet on it.

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

i hope who ever wins out at safety we see some heads getting knoked off with a bunch of int's (hopefully we can generate a good pass rush)

 

[faithfulfan]

I am hoping for Shaq to play a major role. The little that we saw from him last year impressed me.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I really hope Toma continues to impress. I have always liked the small, speedy receivers we have had. Getherall, Grimes, Shelton - all have played huge rolls for the Irish in recent years. I can see Toma being the similar type of player. I would love to see a player many viewed as an afterthought emerge in to a significant contributor.

 

[ryno 24]

I want filer to make a huge impression and get a lot of playing time the kid is a straight up athlete is like Fleming Those two are just downright nasty and can play

 

[TerryTate]

Notre Dame Football - McDonald Running With The Ones

“There’s no clear starters right now,” McDonald explained. “We’re rotating like every four plays. So whenever I get a chance to go out there, I go balls out and try to kill some people.”

Grunt. I've been craving a mean defense for years. I like how our defense is shaping up. Interested to see Slaughter at safety as well.

 

[jason_h537]

I know that starters have not been named but more and more it appears McDonald is taking over inside. Te'o and AMac with Smith and Fleming on the outside sounds good to me

 

[Riddickulous]

I know that starters have not been named but more and more it appears McDonald is taking over inside. Te'o and AMac with Smith and Fleming on the outside sounds good to me

McDonald's name has come up a lot this spring. I also like this lineup.

 

[NDinL.A.]

WR
A big one in Kelly's offense. We all know who #1 is but we are loaded with potential for the other 2 or 3 spots. Kamara, Shaq, Walker, and Goodman all will likely see PT but who will step up as a legit #2?

Duval Kamara is in the best shape of his life right now, and has looked GREAT at practice per reports. He seems to have put a lockdown on the #2 spot.

And that is shocking for me because I have never been a fan - esp after he came to camp out of shape his soph year and he had all those dropped passes. But the way he's putting in work, he might just turn into the player everyone thought he'd be. I'll be rooting for him...

 

[phork]

I'd always root for kids who put the work in and don't have a sense of entitlement.

 

[ryno 24]

no matter who has the number two spot all the recievers are going to get a lot of playing time They play three to four recievers at a time sometimes five but probably unlikely because rudolph will propably always stay on the field

But I wonder who is going to be the number two running back Because they are going to get a decent amount of playing time

 

[faithfulfan]

I know that starters have not been named but more and more it appears McDonald is taking over inside. Te'o and AMac with Smith and Fleming on the outside sounds good to me

Agreed, but I would still like to see Filer get a lot of reps on the outside also.

 

[ryno 24]

Agreed, but I would still like to see Filer get a lot of reps on the outside also.

This is so true Filer is an absolute beast

 

[jason_h537]

Filer is very raw. He could have gained alot by sitting for a year. Hopefully he gets some significant PT this year

 

[jason_h537]

So Lane Clelland is back at OT. Also this is the 2nd week that TRob has practiced at RT, Watt has also worked with the 1st team for a 2nd week at Gaurd

 

[faithfulfan]

So Lane Clelland is back at OT. Also this is the 2nd week that TRob has practiced at RT, Watt has also worked with the 1st team for a 2nd week at Gaurd

So what is our first team O-Line looking like right now?

 

[mat33]

So what is our first team O-Line looking like right now?

From what I've gathered it's: Martin-Stewart-Cave-Nuss-Robinson

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

does any one think with the weight flyod lost he could have a crabtree like season in this O i do

 

[kmoose]

does any one think with the weight flyod lost he could have a crabtree like season in this O i do

I think he is more likely to have a Floyd-like season. As I understand it, almost all of the weight that he has lost is weight that he gained since the end of the season. I'm pretty sure that someone pointed out that his current weight is only 4 pounds less than he played at, last year?

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

he just looks leaner and more deffined to me

 

[BGIF]

does any one think with the weight flyod lost he could have a crabtree like season in this O i do

His weight isn't an issue. It wasn't last year. His injury was the problem, and Rudolph's and Allen's, and Clausen's.

Lou Somogyi, BGI, had a recent article pointing out all the records that were set and broken by receivers during Weis's Era year after year.

Kelly's attack should be as profilic or hopefully even more so BUT don't expect a Crabtree year or even a Tate or Shark year. There are too many targets and Kelly will use them. Crist unlike Quinn and Clausen will not lock on a favorite. He won't be allowed to. The ball will be spread around. Allen will set a career record for receptions by a back. I don't think any WR will set a record this year. Best shot for a season record would be Rudolph challenging the TE record but only because of the number of games.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think position battles are fun... My wife and I fight over standing on normal doggie all the time...