Tenative 2012 depth chart

[Who'saWildManNow]

Is it just speculation or did someone read somewhere that Eifert and Manti are leaving, that really worries me if they are.

It's just speculation.

There's really nothing to be worried about. There is plenty of depth at TE and the coaching staff is putting together an impressive defensive roster.

If Manti stays it would be great but you move on if he goes. Next man in!

 

[Riddickulous]

It's just speculation.

There's really nothing too be worried about. There is plenty of depth at TE and the coaching staff is putting together an impressive defensive roster.

If Manti stays it would be great but you move on if he goes. Next man in!

Te'o would be a massive loss. Even worse than Floyd.

And I'll state again that Kendall Moore is not a Will. I can't remember when he said it (I believe it was around fall practice), but Kelly said this. He'll start only if Manti Te'o leaves.

 

[jason_h537]

QB- Hendrix/Golsen- Rees
RB-Wood- Riddick
WR- Daniels- Greenberry
WR Jones- ???
WR- Toma- ???
TE- Eifert- Koyack/Welch
LT- Martin-
LG- Martin- Golic
C- Cave- Golic
RG- Watt- Hegarty
RT- Lombard-
DE-KLM-Lynch
DT- Nix- Cwyner
DE Tuitt-Lynch
CAT- Ishaq- Shembo
MLB Te'o (if he leaves Calabrese)- Moore/Rabasa
MLB- Calabrese/Grace/Fox
DOG- Councell/Niklas
CB Wood- Atkinson
CB Shepard/Jackson
FS-Slaughter-Hardy
SS Motta-Collinsworth

WR will be interesting depending on how the recruiting turns out Goodman may come back, if he does not, it is because Agholar is on board. Darboh and Payton are also posibilities.

I think Tuitt starts over Lynch but Lynch may as well be a starter with how much PT he will split

Te'o leaving will hurt, Calabrese could step over to play his position, the WILL will still be a tossup. Shembo moves to CAT but can't overtake Ishaq. Niklas and Councell will both shine at DOG next year.

Corners will be an issue but they will improve with the season.

 

[BurningRiver]

I just threw up a little looking at that WR corps. no disrespect to those guys, but none of them are game-breaking receivers at all.

i also don't see Te'o back, and I think either Shepherd/Darby starts at CB

 

[Old Man Mike]

Thank the Great Maker for Terry! Gives us something reasonable to focus on.

Offense: QB [Hendrix, then Golson];
RB [Wood, then Mahone, then GAIII];
WR [Daniels, then Brown];
WR [TJ, then Ferguson or Greenberry];
SLOT [Toma, then McDaniel; maybe Farley too];
TE [Eifert; then Koyack; Welch will play];
LT [ZMartin, then NMartin];
LG [Watt, then Hanratty];
C [Cave, then Hegarty];
RG [Lombard, then Carrico, but maybe really Hegarty doing double service];
RT [Prestwood, then Nichols].

Defense: DE [ Tuitt, then KLM, but Jones will play];
NT [Nix, then Day, but Schwenke or Springmann will play];
DE [Lynch, then Hounshell];
CAT [Niklas, then Williams; some Shembo or Moore];
MIKE [Te'o, then Grace];
WILL [ @#%*#@# ] [ OK, wildness+: Shembo, then Rabasa, with some possibility of Fox or Moore; Slaughter in gimmick defenses to play without WILL];
DOG [Councell, then who-the-heck knows? Can Spond step up? Where's the speed and pass coverage coming from? Baratti? Badger? Damm Perkins; recommit!];
CB [Wood, then Darby or Brown];
CB [Shepard, then Atkinson or Brown];
S [Slaughter, then Hardy];
S [Motta, then Coillinsworth].

Punt returns, if any: McDaniel, then Toma.

Kickoff returns: GAIII and Collinsworth; some tries with Darby.


This post designed to create enough flabbergast to settle board down as we move towards the bowl game. Hey! It's my list!
[Do I realize I've left some persons out? .... hmmmm.]

 

[jason_h537]

Why do people think Shembo can play MLB?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Why not? RIVALS rated him the #7 inside linebacker in the country coming out of HS.

 

[jason_h537]

Why not? RIVALS rated him the #7 inside linebacker in the country coming out of HS.

Ok but he played d-line in high school.

 

[jason_h537]

Why is everyone forgetting about Roberson at RB? He and Wood will be the 1-2 (Wood being the obvious #1). Mahone and HOPEFULLY another (speed) back at 3-4. This will give GAIII a chance to earn some time at the slot, as well as keep Riddick there (I think he has invested too much time on the WR playbook to expect him to step into a RB role next year and be overly effective). Let's also not forget McDaniels with another year to bulk up as the #5 RB.

Roberson's injury is really bad. Small chance he may never play again, high chance he will never return to 100%

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Gonna resurrect this now that recruiting is slowing down and the season is over.

QB-Golson/Hendrix
RB-Wood/G. Atkinson
WR-Daniels/Smith
WR-Jones/Greenberry
WR-Riddick/Toma
TE-Eifert/Koyack
LT-Z. Martin/N. Martin
LG-Watt/Hegarty
C-Cave/Heggie
RG-Lombard/Hanratty
RT-Nichols/Prestwood

DE-KLM/Tuitt
NT-Nix/Cwynar
DE-Lynch/Schwenke
OLB-I. Williams/Niklas
ILB-Te'o/Utupo
ILB-Moore/Calabrese
OLB-Shembo/Councell
CB-Shepard/Jackson
CB-Wood/Brown
FS-Slaughter/Hardy
SS-Motta/Collinsworth

K-Tausch/Brindza
P-Turk/Brindza
KR-G. Atkinson/Collinsworth
PR-Riddick/Toma

 

[irishbird]

Gonna resurrect this now that recruiting is slowing down and the season is over.

QB-Golson/Hendrix
RB-Wood/G. Atkinson
WR-Daniels/Smith
WR-Jones/Greenberry
WR-Riddick/Toma
TE-Eifert/Koyack
LT-Z. Martin/N. Martin
LG-Watt/Hegarty
C-Cave/Heggie
RG-Lombard/Hanratty
RT-Nichols/Prestwood

DE-KLM/Tuitt
NT-Nix/Cwynar
DE-Lynch/Schwenke
OLB-I. Williams/Niklas
ILB-Te'o/Utupo
ILB-Moore/Calabrese
OLB-Shembo/Councell
CB-Shepard/Jackson
CB-Wood/Brown
FS-Slaughter/Hardy
SS-Motta/Collinsworth

K-Tausch/Brindza
P-Turk/Brindza
KR-G. Atkinson/Collinsworth
PR-Riddick/Toma

Lo Wood ????????/ no way

 

[irishroo]

My thoughts on how we will START the 2012 season:

QB: (1) Hendrix (2) Rees
RB: (1) Wood (2) GAIII
TE: (1) Eifert (2) Welch
LT: (1) Z. Martin (2) Lombard
LG: (1) Watt (2) Hanratty
C: (1) Cave (2) Hegarty
RG: (1) N. Martin (2) Hanratty (yes I know he's on here twice)
RT: (1) Nichols (2) Prestwood
WRX: (1) Toma (2) Riddick
WRY: (1) Jones (2) Ferguson
WRZ: (1) Daniels (2) Smith

DE: (1) Lynch (2) Hounshell
NT: (1) Nix (2) Springmann??
DE: (1) KLM (2) Tuitt
CAT: (1) Williams (2) Shembo
MIKE: (1) Te'o (2) Moore
WILL: (1) Fox (2) GRace
DOG: (1) Niklas (2) Spond
CB: (1) Brown (2) Wood
FS: (1) Slaughter (2) Hardy
SS: (1) Motta (2) Collinsworth
CB: (1) Jackson (2) Atkinson

PK: Tausch
P: Turk
LS: Cowart
KICKOFF: Brindza

 

[Crazy Balki]

Offense:

QB: Golson - Hendrix
HB: Wood - Mahone/Roberson (if he's back) - GAIII/Riddick (one goes to the slot)
WR: Jones - Ferguson
WR: Daniels - Greenberry
Slot: GAIII/Riddick - Toma
TE: Eifert - Koyack
LT - Z. Martin - N. Martin
LG - Watt - Hanratty
C - Cave- Hegarty
RG - Lombard - Hanratty
RT - Nichols - Decker/Prestwood

DE - Tuitt - KLM/J.Jones
NT - Nix - Cwynar/Day
DE - Lynch - Hounshell/Schwenke
CAT - I. Williams - Shembo
MIKE - Te'o - Moore
WILL - Fox - Grace
DOG - Niklas - Councell/Spond
CB - Jackson - Brown/(Hopefully Yuri Wright)
CB - Shepard - L. Wood
FS - Slaughter - Hardy/Prosise
SS - Collinsworth - Shumate

PK: Tausch
P: Turk
LS: Cowart
Kickoff: Brindza

I don't really know who will win the QB battle. I just know it will be either Golson or Hendrix. Golson seems to be the better fit to run the offense at a faster pace.

I don't know where to put Atkinson on the field, but he has to be on the field. He's probably ND's biggest offensive threat. I think he'll be used as a Harvin-back.

If KLM returns, I don't know how he beats out Lynch or Tuitt for the starting position. I know he's a 5th year, but Tuitt and Lynch were absolutely dominant up front. Ishaq seems like a lock. It's a good thing Kelly/Diaco decided to RS him, so he could refine his raw skills and learn the ins and outs of the CAT position. While very similar to a 4-3 DE, it comes with different responsibilities in coverage. Shembo didn't seem very comfortable at the DOG. He doesn't have the pass protection skills to lock down that area.

I think a lot of Irish fans our selling our current CB's a tad short. I think they have the makings of an at least tolerable unit. Bennett Jackson will probably lock down one position. He has great speed, and his tackling ability makes him like a faster Blanton. But like Ishaq, he has to take spring and refine his coverage skills and learn the advances of the position.

With Shepard enrolling early, he has a very good chance at locking down the other corner. Shepard has good speed, and very good cutting ability. He's not the best tackler, but has very good cover skills. He's a natural CB.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not seeing Motta win the position battle at SS. He's not good at covering at all. Collinsworth is very similar to Jackson. Not as fast, but has good cover skills. I also expect Elijah Shumate to zero in on the position as he goes along and eventually claim the starting spot in the middle of the season. I'm hoping Yuri Wright joins his teammate, or that Darby recommits. Both are very possible.

 

[sportallyr]

While I do agree with most of your points, I absolutely do not believe that Tuitt starts over a healthy KLM. Tuitt will play a lot, but KLM starts. Also, Ishaq did not redshirt this past year. He played in quite a few games.

 

[IrishMoore1]

FYI Ishaq did not RS. He played in a couple of games...

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

FYI Ishaq did not RS. He played in a couple of games...

He played in a lot of games.. Sparingly, but played none the less...

But, Ishaq is my sleeper for next year. He had to learn of the hardest positions on the team. He'll be ready next year.

 

[irishbird]

He played in a lot of games.. Sparingly, but played none the less...

But, Ishaq is my sleeper for next year. He had to learn of the hardest positions on the team. He'll be ready next year.

They need him to step up this season.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Methinks Ishaq was promised playing time freshman year.
Otherwise they never would've burned a year on someone that clearly wasn't ready.
Hopefully, the taste speeds up the development process because he could be a Ware type of player for our defense!

 

[notredomer23]

QB-Golson, Henrdix
RB- Wood, Riddick, Atkinson(will get carries though, 3rd down back)
WR- Daniels, Greenberry
WR- Jones, Smith
WR- Toma, Riddick
TE-Eifert, Koyack
OT- Martin, Martin
OG- Watt, Hanratty
OC- Cave, Golic
OG- Hegarty, Carrico
OT- Lombard, Prestwood.



DE/ KLM, Tuitt
NT- Nix, cwynar
DT(when in 4 man fronts)- Tuitt, Day
DE- Lynch, Shwenke
OLB- Ishaq, Councell
ILB- Te'o, Grace
ILB- Calabrese, Fox
OLB- Shembo, Niklas
CB- Jalen Brown, Shepard
SS- Motta, Badger
FS- Slaughter, Collinsworth
CB- Jackson, Wood


Just a few notes
1. I really struggled with OLB. I wanted to put Niklas ahead of Shembo, but I think he wins it out.
2. Yeah I put Badger as our back up safety. He will be back soon and I know he has been out of the game for a while but I think he will contribute.
3. If jalen brown plays how Floyd says he will and just another CB can play good(doesn't have to be lockdown or great), we will have a top 15 defense.
4. If riddick plays at WR how he did his soph year, if jones progresses, or if someone else steps up, we are going to be in good shape on offense with eifert taking some pressure off the WRs


There are 3 questions that need to be answered this year that will be the difference between 7-5 and 10-2
1. QB. Golson needs to live up to the hype or hendrix needs to play lights out
2 . WR. We just need one to be our big play guy and the others be able to get open. Eifert will receive double and triple teams hopefully from safeties which will leave the deep ball with one on one situations.
3. CB. Like mentioned before, we just need our guys to be good. They don't need to be great.

This is not a 6-6 football team, no matter how tough the schedule

 

[georgia irish]

I want to see Moore beside Teo and our defense rush more than 3 people. Did you see Ala. or LSU rush 3 no they sent the house from different directions the whole game. Our secondary will look a lot better if you bump receivers at the line and pass rush more than 3.

 

[Rizzophil]

I think Tate Nicholas (sp?) is going to work himself into playing time.

 

[notredomer23]

I forgot kendall Moore and nichols in my depth chart. I expect both to play a fair amount. Nichols is huge!

 

[GoldenDomer87]

My thoughts:

I think the offense will see a revamp next year. Hendrix or Golson start because it is obvious ND can't win the big game with Rees. Finally some RB depth with Wood, Riddick, Atkinson, and Mahone. TE is pretty obvious. I think Daniels and Greenberry play significant roles at wide out. O-line Martin, Watt, Cave, Martin, Lombard. The second Martin is just a hunch, heard good things about him.

With Te'o staying, this is a fierce front seven. Moore, Nix, Tuitt/Lynch up front. Shembo/Ishaq, Te'o, Fox, Niklas/Councell behind that front. I think Shembo has to move over to the cat because he doesn't have the range to play the dog (which is why Slaughter was dropped in a lot of times). Shembo and Ishaq rotate pretty evenly. If Spond can stay healthy he might be able to hold off the young guys, but my hunch is they bring too much to the table and Spond gets buried. Slaughter and Motta at S. I think Jackson and Atkinson will start, but Brown and Shepard see plenty of time. Wood is so up and down and not physical enough, I think he gets passed up as well.

 

[STLDomer]

QB Golson Hendrix Rees
RB Wood Riddick GA3/Mahone
Wildcat Shumate
WR1 Daniels Smith
WR2 Jones Greenberry
Slot Toma Farley/Russell/McDaniel/(Neal)
TE Eifert Koyack Welch
LT Martin Prestwood/Dever
LG Watt Hanratty
C Cave Hegarty Harrell/Heggie
RG Hegarty Nichols
RT Lombard Stanley/Martin

DE1 KLM Tuitt Jones
DE2 (Armstead) Lynch Hounshell Shwenke
NT Nix Cwynar Day
DOG Williams Barratti
MLB Te'o Moore
WILL Shembo Fox
CAT Niklas Councell
CB1 Brown Jackson/Wright
CB2 Shepard Wood/Atkinson
Nickel-type/CB3 Jackson/Shumate Wright
FS Slaughter Hardy/Prosise
SS Motta Collinsworth/Shumate

1. Riddick is used in almost all 3rd downs, if roberson is back he is the power back and mahone is redshirted
2. Greenberry is the 4th reciever and starter if there is any injury
3. Barratti I believe is underrated and will help in pass coverage
4. Shembo was originally a MLB and we need him on the field
5. Jackson plays how slaughter played last year
6. lo wood has no elite future, to small, to slow etc.

 

[BobD]

Sorry Sir but Teo will not be around in 2012!

I've gotta ask.....what the hell are you talking about?

 

[cape cod]

depth chart engineering 2012

depth chart engineering 2012

1. DOG LB- Slaughter to move full time with either FROSH Shumate/Prosese/or Baratti to also learn that position-especially against Spread & option teams Councell/Spond will play CAT against running teams but behind Slaughter

2 Irish to play 4-3 almost as much as a 3-4. Shembo and I Williams are DE/CAT-sometimes both playing DE at same time in 4-3

3 Niklas used a hybrid (just like he was at end of season). Sometimes at DE in 4-3, sometimes at CAT, and sometimes a 'standing DT' rushing up the middle as he did late in the year(does the position actually have a name?)-never playing DOG again though

4 Lynch used both inside and outside in the 4-3; Tuitt and KLM both DT in 4-3

5 Riddick at both RB and Slot. Riddick and C Woods on the field together when Riddick is slot

6 Eifert to split wide from time to time with Koyack at TE. In other words Eifert will be in the rotation as one of ND's top 4/5 wideouts moving over from TE from time to time

7 Prestwood starts at RT

8 Hegarty starts at RG but may also be the primary backup at Center

9 Fox will improve at WLB this year (he can run) & will be an OLB in a 4-3. Calabrese will backup at WLB in 3-4 but doesn't play OLB in 4-3 (can't cover as much ground). OLB backing up Fox (and opposite Slaughter) in 4-3 will be Spond/Councell

10 Shepard will win starting CB job by the end of spring opposite Jackson-Brown at Nickel IF he comes back in shape (was in the coaches 'Dog House' most of the year after showing up in poor shape last fall).

11 Hardy and Collinsworth battle for S opposite Motta with Slaughter at CAT

12 ILB walk-on Schmidt receives a scholarship before Kelly brings back either Goodman or M. Golic if recruiting #s 'fall short' & allow for that option

13 Golson/Hendrick battle for starter at QB & may go all the way to Fall practice without a clear winner

 

[Irish Fam]

I think we will use alot of 2 tight end sets. maybe with one on the line and another split outside for a mismatch.

Too much talent at that position to only play one at a time.

 

[QuarrelsomeIrishAmerican]

IMO, here are guys making a leap next year:

TJ Jones: really talented, but a bit a a head case. I'm hoping he takes a page from Jonas and dedicates himself to playing up to his full potential next year. I'll say 800+ receiving yards.

Atkinson/Bennet/Brown/Shepard: make for darn good 2-deep by the end of next year

Riddick: makes big impact as 1b option at RB

Tuitt: becomes top DL on team

Spond: earns solid PT at LB

 

[stlnd01]

I think we will use alot of 2 tight end sets. maybe with one on the line and another split outside for a mismatch.

Too much talent at that position to only play one at a time.

Yep. If watching two years of Brian Kelly's offense has taught anything, it's that (perhaps QBs aside) he'll find ways to get the most talented guys involved. So I'd expect Eifert and Koyack to both get moved around a lot, in two TE sets or lined up in the slot. Also Riddick and Atkinson will be hybrid RB/slot guys.

I think TJ Jones has to step up or risk losing his job, and one of the big WRs has to become a big-time player. I'd guess Daniels gets the first shot at it but I hope Greenberry and/or Ferguson push him for playing time.

On defense I hope they find a way to get Kendall Moore more PT, maybe as a weak-side backer? What little I've seen has looked quite good. I don't think Calabrese has much of a future beyond run-stuffing. I'll admit I thought Shembo was going to be more of a factor this year. Will be interesting to watch how him, Ishaq and Niklas shake out. All three are great athletes.

It's hard to tell what Jalen Brown really is but I think Bennett Jackson may be our best bet at corner in the short run. Guy's fast, tall and he makes plays on special teams. Hopefully Tee can walk the walk, and soon, and we reel in either Darby or Wright. I also wonder about the wisdom of moving Slaughter up like we have been when we have so little experience in the defensive backfield, but I feel better with him on the field no matter where. I don't feel that way about Zeke Motta.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I would suspect the OL will look like this to begin the season.

LT - Martin
LG - Watt
C - Cave
RG - Golic
Rt - Lombard

Nichols, Hegarty, and Hanratty will get reps, but I think we'll start off with the experienced Golic at RG.