Regarding Z WR and DOLB

[Axl Rose]

Anyone think Jaylon can beat out Spond for the starting spot? I think Spond was pretty average last season and Jaylon has the talent to start right away. I would also like to see Councell move to the Inside and take Fox's spot next year when he graduates.

As for slot I have no idea who starts or who is even considered a slot. Is it possible Brown can play slot? Are Carlisle and Folston considered slots?

 

[Emcee77]

Yikes, average? I thought Spond was better than that. If you are asking whether Jaylon will be an every-down player, I don't think he will have the size and strength to do that next year. I think Spond starts and plays the majority of snaps, but Jaylon works in regularly.

In the spring it looked like there would be a lot of TE at slot. Koyack lined up there a lot. So did C.J. Prosise. I imagine Carlisle and Folston will line up there too (to the extent that Folston comes into camp ready to play right away). I think we'll see all those guys play some. There won't be an every-down slot or anything like that.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Spond was much better than average. He'd be making all-conference teams if Notre Dame were in a conference.

 

[NDWorld247]

The title should say "The slot and DOG position".

Jaylon won't beat him out for the starting spot.

 

[RuntheBall]

As far as the "cat' position you are refering to.. you mean DOG right? Last I heard people think Jaylon will eventually be a better CAT, but is a DOG as of now (which is what Spond is now). Actually I think the D will trend away from the two roles with Jaylon and have two guys who can play both DOG and CAT to keep the offense guessing.

As far as the slot goes I wouldn't be surprised to see Onwaulu (that's not spelled right at all) get some time, but I think CJ Prosise will get the bulk of PT in the traditional slot position. But I wouldn't be surprised if don't play a slot reciever most of the time. Instead I can see having TJ, DaVaris and another WR with a TE split out wide or something similar.

 

[Axl Rose]

Spond was much better than average. He'd be making all-conference teams if Notre Dame were in a conference.

39 tackles, 1 int, 1 tfl for a starter is pretty average to me.

 

[IrishLax]

Slot will be an adventure all year. I think you will see some Carlisle (maybe some Folston) and a mix of WRs/TEs there.

DOG you'll likely have Spond remain the starter... but it's far from a guarantee. He's very good, especially in coverage, but if Jaylon catches on quick you'll almost surely see him stealing more and more reps as the year goes on. Why? Because Spond can't rush the passer. Jaylon can. So he's a lot more dangerous in that role.

And don't count out Ben Councell who is a guy that will be very hard to keep off the field. Our OLB positions with Shembo/Ishaq and Spond/Councell/Smith look pretty darn awesome for this year... and is a major reason why Randolph is starting off at ILB.

 

[STLDomer]

I wouldn't count out Councell and just move him to LB that easily. He was by all accounts very impressive in the spring and I think definitely as a higher cieling than Spond and IMO is more a threat to Spond this year than Jaylon.

Slot IMO will be Prosise/Carlisle/Koyack depending on situation.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Slot will be an adventure all year. I think you will see some Carlisle (maybe some Folston) and a mix of WRs/TEs there.

DOG you'll likely have Spond remain the starter... but it's far from a guarantee. He's very good, especially in coverage, but if Jaylon catches on quick you'll almost surely see him stealing more and more reps as the year goes on. Why? Because Spond can't rush the passer. Jaylon can. So he's a lot more dangerous in that role.

And don't count out Ben Councell who is a guy that will be very hard to keep off the field. Our OLB positions with Shembo/Ishaq and Spond/Councell/Smith look pretty darn awesome for this year... and is a major reason why Randolph is starting off at ILB.

always is with how BK et all handle match up situations. however, their sort of go to 3+1+1 look, i think, will feature CJ there mostly this year.

as far as LB's. i think there is a lot of time to get that situated. i think spond starts and jaylon pushes hard, given perfect scenario.

 

[Anchorman]

Spond has an outstanding year when you consider it was his first year starting and for much of the preseason and beginning of the year, he didn't know if he'd ever play again. Given a year of health in the offseason, there's no reason he shouldn't improve.

Jaylon will be a stud, but I don't think he's going to unseat Spond. He'll need to adjust just like everyone else, and while he may get time I don't think he starts/takes significant time away from Spond.

If Councell continues to develop and Ishaq continues to be inconsistent, wouldn't be shocked to see Jaylon compete at Cat in 2014 and Councell at Dog.

 

[koonja]

Yikes, average? I thought Spond was better than that. If you are asking whether Jaylon will be an every-down player, I don't think he will have the size and strength to do that next year. I think Spond starts and plays the majority of snaps, but Jaylon works in regularly.

In the spring it looked like there would be a lot of TE at slot. Koyack lined up there a lot. So did C.J. Prosise. I imagine Carlisle and Folston will line up there too (to the extent that Folston comes into camp ready to play right away). I think we'll see all those guys play some. There won't be an every-down slot or anything like that.

You do know that Longo is about to get a hold of him, right?

 

[GowerND11]

39 tackles, 1 int, 1 tfl for a starter is pretty average to me.

Didn't he miss 4 games or so with migraines though?

 

[GoldenDomer87]

Spond is a system player. He played well and understands where to be. Jaylon is much more athletic, lets just hope he gets close to where Spond is understanding the system. Jaylon plays in obvious passing downs, that's it.

 

[BGIF]

Didn't he miss 4 games or so with migraines though?

Spond didn't play against Navy and Purdue to start the season. Played in all the other 11 games.

 

[GowerND11]

Spond didn't play against Navy and Purdue to start the season. Played in all the other 11 games.

Thanks!

 

[woolybug25]

Spond didn't play against Navy and Purdue to start the season. Played in all the other 11 games.

Those are two games he probably would have put big numbers up in too.

39 tackles, 1 int, 1 tfl for a starter is pretty average to me.

He also played next to a guy that had 113 tackles, 7 int and 5.5 tfl. Not a lot of room for the other LB's to pad their stats.

 

[koonja]

Those are two games he probably would have put big numbers up in too.




He also played next to a guy that had 113 tackles, 7 int and 5.5 tfl. Not a lot of room for the other LB's to pad their stats.

How are you holding up after Gunner left?

 

[woolybug25]

How are you holding up after Gunner left?

The crying and compulsive shaking has stopped.... but i'll never that special year we were together....

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[phillyirish]

Spond was a quality starter all year but I'll never forget that stiff arm he suffered in the national championship game. Absolutely humiliating.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J978oN_O5R4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[TheTurningPoint]

1, Jaylon was born to play DOG. His coverage skills, and pass rushing skills are perfect for what ND does with the position. It allows to him to make plays. CAT is more of a pass rushing role in NDs scheme, and that kind of restricts Jaylons strengths of playing in space.

2. Spond didnt have mind blowing stats, but him setting and holding the edge was great in every game but Bama. I think Jaylon and Councell have better physical builds than Spond, but neither as of now are as strong as Spond. Spond is limited a little bit athletically compared to Councell and Jaylon, but is more athletic than typical OLBs.

 

[Buster Bluth]

39 tackles, 1 int, 1 tfl for a starter is pretty average to me.

Using stats to judge a defensive player tells me all I need to know about your opinion.

Spond is a very good DOLB. The DOLB is responsible for coverage, so you'd have to realize if he's doing his job the quarterback won't even give him a chance to make a tackle! Watch the games, focus on his assignments, and then tell me his average.

 

[Irishman77]

Spond blew my mind how he covered the #2 wr so often due to us not being able to run nickel. Love Spond!

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Jaylon can definitely be a player at CAT, as I see him as a future Von Miller level pass rusher. His coverage ability however makes him more suited for DOG IMO, and having elite pass rushers at both CAT and DOG will create a downright frightening scenario for opposing offenses.

It seems to me that it's more coverage ability that makes a DOG prospect than pass rush ability makes a prospect at CAT, and it looks like Jaylon could play corner if he wanted to. Either way he'd be a monster at either position.

 

[koonja]

If Jaylon's not yet big/strong enough for LB this year, I'd like to see him play the role Slaughter was ready to play last year. He's certainly fast enough.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Jaylon would be a big upgrade in coverage over our current ROLBs, and a big upgrade in pass rushing over our current DOLBs. Since our ROLBs also happen to be among our best pass rushers, they're not getting subbed out on passing downs, though I do expect Spond/ Councell to make way for Jaylon as a situational pass rusher.

Regardless of Rush or Drop, all of our OLBs must have the strength and endurance to set the edge and stop the run. That's always the front 7s first priority. For all his freak athleticism, it's almost inconceivable that Jaylon could develop the strength, endurance and technique necessary to challenge for starter's minutes.

If anyone is going to unseat Spond, it's Councell. Though, as others have mentioned, he was a first year starter last year. If he continues to improve, he's a safe bet to remain the starter.

 

[Axl Rose]

Using stats to judge a defensive player tells me all I need to know about your opinion.

Spond is a very good DOLB. The DOLB is responsible for coverage, so you'd have to realize if he's doing his job the quarterback won't even give him a chance to make a tackle! Watch the games, focus on his assignments, and then tell me his average.

That tells me all I need to know about your opinion.

 

[Buster Bluth]

That tells me all I need to know about your opinion.

 

[BobD]

Spond was a quality starter all year but I'll never forget that stiff arm he suffered in the national championship game. Absolutely humiliating.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J978oN_O5R4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Our entire team got a big stiff something.

 

[Fbolt]

Using stats to judge a defensive player tells me all I need to know about your opinion.

That was a BS comment.

 

[Old Man Mike]

In my always debatable opinion, Spond shows outstanding DOG pass coverage ability, and will have such a good opinion by the pro scouts that he will be draftable. Councell may have even greater potential, as well as JSmith --- both are fantastic athletes --- but Danny stays at the starting DOG.