Spring Position Battles

[Riddickulous]

I completely agree that Rees locks on to one receiver. He almost relied completely on Floyd during the Miami game. He did make the throws and showed composure in the pocket. A pocket that was pretty damn secure due to a MAJORLY improved offensive line. Thanks Ed. I just don't see him holding on to the job with upsides like Crist and Hendrix developing behind him. With that said, I believe Crist has limited time to show that upside before Hendrix or Rees are given the reigns. Massa is a wild card that nobody expects to rise on the depth chart but weirder things have happened. At best I see him as a capable back-up. The wrench in the whole QB conundrum to me is Everett Golson. After watching his highlight reel I was stunned by how strong and accurate this kids arm is. The kicker is that he also has the legs to REALLY run the spread.. the way it's meant to be run.. The unstoppable, multi-faceted way. It may not happen the first year but as long as he develops and understands the offense there is NO WAY he doesn't become the starter. It can be a great issue to have (multiple talented QB's), but it can also be a distraction. BK's done it before at Cincy so I have faith he'll get it right. GO IRISH! BEAT USF

I agree.

Tommy threw to Michael Floyd 80% of the time. The other 20% of the throws were to Eifert.

But Crist wasn't much better. His target was usually Rudolph, then Riddick after Rudolph was hurt.

As far as QB goes, I think we will see some of Kelly's 2 QB system, and expect Hendrix to be a part of it. The coaches haven't stopped raving about him all year.

I don't see Rees being involved a lot next year because besides the fact that he managed games well, I don't think he ever showed signs of great improvement in his arm strength or accuracy. Also as some people said he was locked on Floyd and Eifert all game and Floyd was making him look better than he was playing. However, I will cut the kid a little slack being a true frosh.

I LOVE Golson's upside, and I think that if he develops well (both arm and legs) then he could be REALLY dangerous.

Anyway this goes, if we get solid QB play, the Irish will be a scary team next year!

No way. It will be one or the other.

All we've heard about Hendrix is that he has an incredible arm and that he gets the ball out quickly. No word on his accuracy, decision-making, grasp of the offense, etc.

 

[NDTH91]

All i have read is they like him. That is hardly Raving

Ok, but I probably heard that they like him 4 or 5 different times this season... they might not be salivating, but I get the impression that they like him a lot. I apologize if I spoke incorrectly.

And here you go. A post from Domer Domain where Kelly uses the word "rave."

Brian Kelly won't wait until spring practice to get a preview of Andrew Hendrix.

The Irish head coach hasn't spent much time with the scout team quarterback this fall, but what Kelly hears around the football offices piques his interest.

"When the defensive coaches rave about somebody, and they don't do that very often, you know you've got somebody that has to be really good," Kelly said. "Ball comes out of his hand like probably one other guy I've ever coached. It comes out that quick, that fast. He's got escapability, maneuverability, he's got all the pieces. It's now just going to be about getting into the offense and seeing how he picks things up from a spread quarterback's standpoint. The tools are pretty impressive."

Sorry, when I saw that, I had to post it =]

All we've heard about Hendrix is that he has an incredible arm and that he gets the ball out quickly. No word on his accuracy, decision-making, grasp of the offense, etc.

As far as decision making and and grasp of the offense, I would imagine it's hard to tell just how well these things are going just from practice. You can get an idea, but you're not gonna know for sure until he gets some reps in a game. As far as accuracy goes, if you watch his tape, he seems pretty accurate. And if the coaches continue to say that they like him, he can't be terribly inaccurate.

No way. It will be one or the other.

I thought this for a while too, but seeing what Kelly did at Cincinnati, I don't think it's a stretch to say he at least plays with the idea next year. I would expect to see a pure passer (who knows who that will be), and then someone with legs being thrown in there every once in a while (Golson could be ideal for this, and I get the impression that Hendrix has a decent set of wheels too).

 

[IrishandColts]

OL-Taylor Dever, most likely Andrew Nuss and Matt Romine

 

[Irish Man3]

Quarterback:

I can see Hendrix getting a strong look this year especially if Crist does not recover fully before spring. From what everyone has said about his surgery, the recovery time will not be nearly as fast as it was last year. Rees is a solid game manager but really limits Brian Kelly's offense. I think ND fans are confused as to what Brian Kelly's offense is built to do because we haven't seen it yet. Crist (with his knee) and Rees (with his inability to run) did not let us see the finished product of Brian Kelly's system. As this team settles into the system, and we get a BK style qb behind center, we will see this offense really take off. My prediction barring a miraculous Dayne Crist early recovery is Andrew Hendrix.

Runningback:

I think Cierre Wood took some giant steps towards the end of this season when Armando went down. Another off-season with Molnar should help him as well. I think people forget how young he is and how inexperianced he was. I also look for Jonas Gray (who looked good against Utah before getting hurt) and Cameron Roberson to push for some carries. As for in-coming freshman, keep an eye wide open for a speedy game changer who national recruiting analysts raved about all week, Amir Carlisle.

 

[Old Man Mike]

On the O-line probably Martin, Cave, and Robinson are untouchable. At left guard, Watt and Lombard should have a battle. At right tackle Dever will have to defend his spot. Not only will Romine and Nuss [if given a fifth year---consequent on how many new superstuds want to sign] want that time, but I'll bet that Nichols and maybe Hegarty will get serious shots too [though Hegarty not till summer]. This coming year our O-line should be very good and deep. By the time Hegarty's a junior we'll be thin at the Junior/Senior level unless we get more now.

 

[CanadianIrish]

Most of those position battles really aren't going to make a big difference at all. Whether it's Watt or Lombard at guard, both are going to see a lot of playing time and it's not going to fundamentally change the way the team plays. Same with Safety and OLB.

QB, on the other hand, is a completely different situation. This team will be a totally different animal depending on which QB steps up, and I think it's way too early at this point to make a prediction because we don't know what the off season will bring for the contenders.

Tommy wins if: If continues to grow, puts on some serious muscle, and continues to have a better grasp of the offense.

Dayne wins if: He is healthy, starts to understand the offense better, reads the field better, and develops more touch.

Andrew wins if: Neither of the above occurs, Andrew continues to develop and BK is comfortable with him running the offense.

Everett wins if: None of the above occurs, Everett grasps the offense quickly and he gets lucky (injuries, amazing performances, developing great chemistry with Floyd, something else unexpected).

 

[Old Man Mike]

To Canadian: agreed. There is a miniature similar situation which could occur at running back too if Wood doesn't become more consistent. Gray, Roberson et al could challenge in a way which markedly affects the play [though, as you say, nothing is in the league of the importance of QB play].

 

[kmoose]

Rees is a solid game manager but really limits Brian Kelly's offense.

If 4-0 is a limitation, then I say limit away!!

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I've seen a lot of chatter on the internet regarding a package for Everett ala Tim Tebow his frosh year. Gus Hansen, in a online chat, eluded to it being a definite possibility.

At first I didn't think it was going to happen with Dayne, Rees, and Hendrix all having the ability to lead this team but a fair point was made that got me thinking. One article read that if the kid can help ND win early, he will. ND seems primed to shake up college football next season, and has the potential to be very dangerous, especially with the schedule compared to 2012's.

Also, my feeling is that none of our quarterbacks are overly mobile. If ND wants to make a run at a BCS bowl, or NC for that matter, an extra wrinkle in the offense that gives opposing defenses 2 styles to prepare for may help get this team over the edge.

Personally, I would not be shocked either way. What do you guys think?

 

[rtrn2glory]

I think we got to give Rees and Crist a little bit more credit here. Let's put a little blame maybe on BK, who learned from his mistakes. When Crist went down it was said he really needs to simplify things for Rees so he doesn't overwhelm him. What was stopping him from doing the same thing for Crist earlier in the year. Yes, he made Rees reads very simple, looking for Floyd the majority of the time. Maybe we learned that we should have been doing the same thing all along, which would have really helped out Dayne.

Let's hope Coach Kelly learns from this experience and takes it into consideration during the offseason.

Bottom line is Rees is 4-0 as stated above. He's definitely not flashy, but he gets the job done and it's gonna be really hard to take the job away from him he continues to develop physically and mentally. Eitherway I think the competition does nothing else, but make us a better team and offense.

 

[irish1958]

I think that to be a real power nationally, against really good teams, the offense must be powered by a QB who is able to get three or four first downs a game by running
on third and long when everybody is covered.
I can't see either Rees or Crist doing this.
In the past ten years, the NC team has almost always had this type of QB, as have many if not most top ten teams.
This means that, for Kelly's offense to work, either Golson or Hendricks must be the QB if we are to win against top teams. (And assuming that the defense continues to develop.)

 

[rtrn2glory]

I think that to be a real power nationally, against really good teams, the offense must be powered by a QB who is able to get three or four first downs a game by running
on third and long when everybody is covered.
I can't see either Rees or Crist doing this.
In the past ten years, the NC team has almost always had this type of QB, as have many if not most top ten teams.
This means that, for Kelly's offense to work, either Golson or Hendricks must be the QB if we are to win against top teams. (And assuming that the defense continues to develop.)

I'd say Dayne definitely fits this formula...as you recall he was injured scampering for a first down where he gained 20+ yards.

I'm telling ya don't sleep on Crist, when healthy he's as good if not better than anybody we have in the program.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I've seen a lot of chatter on the internet regarding a package for Everett ala Tim Tebow his frosh year. Gus Hansen, in a online chat, eluded to it being a definite possibility.

At first I didn't think it was going to happen with Dayne, Rees, and Hendrix all having the ability to lead this team but a fair point was made that got me thinking. One article read that if the kid can help ND win early, he will. ND seems primed to shake up college football next season, and has the potential to be very dangerous, especially with the schedule compared to 2012's.

Also, my feeling is that none of our quarterbacks are overly mobile. If ND wants to make a run at a BCS bowl, or NC for that matter, an extra wrinkle in the offense that gives opposing defenses 2 styles to prepare for may help get this team over the edge.

Personally, I would not be shocked either way. What do you guys think?

Long term, I ‘betcha’ Kelly platoons two quarterbacks; he has done the likes of which before. After I get my crystal ball out, I see Hendrix and Golson filling those positions.

Don’t kid yourself. Both these guys are quick beyond description. They not only have foot-speed, and reaction time, but they both have an incredibly quick release. Hendrix has more arm strength and is quite a bruiser. Man he can lay out the pads, but Golson has such incredible arm speed he can wing the ball just as far. He seems to be very durable. I see Massa coming in from the bench as a roll player. What I have not seen discussed is that Kelly’s offense routinely requires two to five quarterbacks a year.

Next: safety. I say that Harrison Smith is captain, deserves AA status, and anchors the defensive backfield. Then Motta and Slaughter rotate at the other safety. Both of them will smooth out quite nicely by next year with Chuck Martin’s tutelage. That will give us Wide receiver hell with three massive, fast and hard-hitting safeties able to play zone or man coverage. And I mean they all are fast and if you watched the last four games, they can stick!

 

[Riddickulous]

Long term, I ‘betcha’ Kelly platoons two quarterbacks; he has done the likes of which before. After I get my crystal ball out, I see Hendrix and Golson filling those positions.

Don’t kid yourself. Both these guys are quick beyond description. They not only have foot-speed, and reaction time, but they both have an incredibly quick release. Hendrix has more arm strength and is quite a bruiser. Man he can lay out the pads, but Golson has such incredible arm speed he can wing the ball just as far. He seems to be very durable. I see Massa coming in from the bench as a roll player. What I have not seen discussed is that Kelly’s offense routinely requires tow to five quarterbacks a year.

Next: safety. I say that Harrison Smith is captain, deserves AA status, and anchors the defensive backfield. Then Motta and Slaughter rotate at the other safety. Both of them will smooth out quite nicely by next year with Chuck Martin’s tutelage. That will give us Wide receiver hell with three massive, fast and hard-hitting safeties able to play zone or man coverage. And I mean they all are fast and if you watched the last four games, they can stick!

Harrison Smith is above average. He is good, but a far cry from an All-American safety. Such a drastic change in skill, from a trainwreck in 2009 to a decent safety in 2010, can have that effect on perceptions of a player.

Now with that second part, Slaughter and Motta have potential. Both showed flashes this year. It's really difficult to gauge their progress, as Slaughter was injured on and off all season long and Motta had to play every down early on due to incredibly thin safety depth.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I don't believe that Harrison will achieve All-American status because of hangover prejudice against him for being a late-bloomer, even though I believe that students of football [like Brian Kelly] will appreciate his whole game and leadership, and think he [Kelly] does have an AA safety whether anyone else does or not.

Harrison is smart [i.e. Kelly gives him the on-field scheme-massaging pre-snap duties], can hit you and knock the slobber out of you, can jump over you and pick the ball off [and was doing so regularly at the end---hopefully everyone saw that head-on shot of him vs USC "mile-high-and-rising" with the interception in his mid-section]. What else we can ask, I'm not sure. ..... signed, OMM, recording secretary, Harrison Smith Fan Club. [ President: Brian Kelly].

 

[Riddickulous]

If 4-0 is a limitation, then I say limit away!!

He needs the arm to go downfield or that aspect of our offense disappears. And by downfield, I don't mean the deep ball, I mean those 15-20 yard routes that need to be thrown with some zip.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Right now the only AA we got on defense is te'o. with that said there's potential to put a lot of playmakers on the field and hopefully increase the turnover margin next year, which was a huge reason for our success at the end of the year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Harrison is smart [i.e. Kelly gives him the on-field scheme-massaging pre-snap duties], can hit you and knock the slobber out of you, can jump over you and pick the ball off [and was doing so regularly at the end---hopefully everyone saw that head-on shot of him vs USC "mile-high-and-rising" with the interception in his mid-section]. What else we can ask, I'm not sure. ..... signed, OMM, recording secretary, Harrison Smith Fan Club. [ President: Brian Kelly].

Peanut gallery: Bogtrotter07.

 

[rtrn2glory]

He needs the arm to go downfield or that aspect of our offense disappears. And by downfield, I don't mean the deep ball, I mean those 15-20 yard routes that need to be thrown with some zip.

you may be right about the arm strength, but Coach Kelly is going to put the most accurate, intelligent qb on the field. He's said it numerous times that he needs the guy to be able to run his system, which leads me to believe that the only two who have a chance to start are Rees or Crist. Their experience on the field is going to trump any talent coming in. Had Hendrix been working with the two deep all year than their probably would not be a discussion, but he will be behind rees and crist, which makes spring ball all the more important.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Runningback:

I think Cierre Wood took some giant steps towards the end of this season when Armando went down. Another off-season with Molnar should help him as well. I think people forget how young he is and how inexperianced he was. I also look for Jonas Gray (who looked good against Utah before getting hurt) and Cameron Roberson to push for some carries. As for in-coming freshman, keep an eye wide open for a speedy game changer who national recruiting analysts raved about all week, Amir Carlisle.

I don't think Carlisle would see the field this year unless we have injury problems at the RB position. He needs a year to get his body ready for the college game. I think Wood is a lock at starter and right now I would say a toss up between Gray and Roberson for the number 2 spot.

 

[Rack Em]

I was told by a player after the Sun Bowl that Dayne is the best quarterback on the roster. Period. However Hendrix was described to me as "The Truth." If Crist is healthy in August, he will start. If not, look for Hendrix even though Rees is the incumbent starter.

Take this one to the bank.

 

[lookingdeadred]

Carlisle has a lot to learn before being ready to contribute

Carlisle has a lot to learn before being ready to contribute

All high schoolers have a big adjustment, but Carlisle has a bigger adjustment than most. He played against very low level competition in high school, smallest schools. He will need to get stronger and adjust to the speed and skills of the college game. I don't see him playing next year unless it is returning kicks.

I don't think Carlisle would see the field this year unless we have injury problems at the RB position. He needs a year to get his body ready for the college game. I think Wood is a lock at starter and right now I would say a toss up between Gray and Roberson for the number 2 spot.

 

[BeatSC]

Look at the numbers

Look at the numbers

In basically 7 games with some injuries wo some key players Crist put up some very good numbers. 15 TD's, 4 Ints, 4 rushing TD's. I think the team played their best Def when he wasn't starting and the O-line also played it's best the last 4 games of the season. The absolute lack of any threat to run from Reese just flat out rules him out IMO. His TD TO ratio is not good enough and I think that number would be much higher with more pressure. Reese also benefited greatly from a better ground game. He was asked to manage the game and not to win it. I think Reese has great FB QB IQ but there are about 100 better QB's out there in DI CFB and this is ND and our QB should be in the discussion for the Heisman every year. This was the case 4 out of the last 5 years with Quinn and Clausen and should be the case with Crist. ND jst needs to win and play good all around football. IF we lose the USC game it's on the 4 TO's from Reese. I can't put any of our losses this year on Crist.

 

[Irish Man3]

All high schoolers have a big adjustment, but Carlisle has a bigger adjustment than most. He played against very low level competition in high school, smallest schools. He will need to get stronger and adjust to the speed and skills of the college game. I don't see him playing next year unless it is returning kicks.

He was described as the most dynamic player at the UA All-American bowl by national recruiting analysts. All week long he got behind the best safeties in the country. He stood out to everyone against elite talent and the biggest selling point was his speed so I'll have to disagree with your entire post, respectfully of course.

As far as people talking about Rees:

He limits this offense tremendously. He has zero ability to run and can not throw a solid out route. He has been very inaccurate at times. The kid is a winner and I'm not taking anything away from him, but he was a fill in quarterback. He earned the number two spot over freshman. Hendrix may have only worked with the pracitce squad but thats a start. He is a solid quarterback who has a year in this system. Rees has a very weak arm and no ability to run. I say he falls off the two deep this year with Crist and Hendrix holding down those spots.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

He was described as the most dynamic player at the UA All-American bowl by national recruiting analysts. All week long he got behind the best safeties in the country. He stood out to everyone against elite talent and the biggest selling point was his speed so I'll have to disagree with your entire post, respectfully of course.

He might have gotten behind the safeties all week but most of those same safeties will be sitting a year as well. We don't need him playing year one in the slot or at RB, and the same goes for Cam McDaniel. We have plenty of guys that can get the job done.

I do agree with you on the QB situation however.

 

[Irish Man3]

He might have gotten behind the safeties all week but most of those same safeties will be sitting a year as well. We don't need him playing year one in the slot or at RB, and the same goes for Cam McDaniel. We have plenty of guys that can get the job done.

I do agree with you on the QB situation however.

Plenty of guys like who? Im not being a jerk, I'm just asking? Cierre Wood really showed a lot of improvement over this year but what about after that? We have seen very little of Jonas Gray and he has been injury prone. We haven't seen any of Cam Roberson so we know nothing about him. All I'm saying is that we are not very deep at RB. Losing Hughes and Armando will leave some carries on the field. Someone has to take them and there is a lot of question marks in the backfield.

 

[Riddickulous]

Bump.

Spring practice begins Wednesday. Get pumped.

 

[Rizzophil]

Can't wait for Wednesday. The boards are dead and we need some action.

 

[choo choo]

dear god im soooooooooooooooooooooooo ready

 

[BGIF]

Can't wait for Wednesday. The boards are dead and we need some action.

Sometimes you get what you wish for and wish you didn't.