Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Awards and Best of list.
So here it is… Our gift to you, Talking Irish’s Awards and
Best of list.
MVP – Really? Anyone other than Manti Te’o?
Pleasant Surprise of
the Year – Theo Riddick. Although we expected Theo to play well, I believe
he far surpassed expectations, which will propel him to the next level.
Best Feeling of theYear
– Watching Rick Reilly eat crow.
Best gift we have to
wait until next year to open (the
redshirt we are expecting great things from) – Amir Carlisle. This kid has the potential to be a big time
player in South Bend.
Best gift to exchange
– Gunner Kiel. I would love to keep him,
but doing so burns his eligibility while using a scholarship spot. This won’t benefit
the Irish or this super talented young man.
Best gift to return
– Tate Nichols. At 6’8” 320 lbs. and
zero meaningful snaps in three years, it has not worked.
Best gift we want to
get again next year – Tie. Tyler
Eifert and Cierre Wood
Heart-Stopping Play
of the Year – The Pittsburgh missed filled goal during the second overtime.
Play of the Year –
Fourth down goal line stop against Stanford.
Experience of the
Year (maybe of a lifetime) – Watching
the Irish play in Ireland.
Unfulfilled
Expectation of the Year – No kick returns for a score. After George Atkinson ran two kickoffs back
for touchdowns last year, and watching Davonte’ Neal highlight film, we
expected at least some impressive returns.
We may be due on January 7th.
Most Popular Player
– Louis Nix, who is as lovable as he is big. With a nickname Irish Chocolate,
his YouTube videos and tweets, how could he not be the most popular?
Top Offensive
Newcomer – Everett Golson, and there should be no surprise here. His development has been and should continue
to be amazing.
Top Defensive
Newcomer – KeiVarae Russell, who was supposed to be a running back and got
the news at the end of summer that he would be a defensive back.
Offensive Lineman of the
Year – Braxton Cave, a very strong fifth year senor who lead this line and
guided Golson to maturity and confidence.
Defensive Lineman of the
Year – Louis Nix took double teams on almost every play this season,
helping make Manti All World.
Offensive Leader of
the Year – Zack Martin, and All-American talent, who has started every game
since his sophomore year.
Defensive Leader of
the Year (not named Manti) –
Kapron Lewis-Moore, who up until this season has not had the career he was
hoping for because of injuries and other setbacks. He has practiced, played and led like a
champion this year.
Best Entertainment
– Trick Shot Mondays. We loved how these
young men were able loosen up once a week under huge pressure and share it with
their fans.
Game of the Year –
Oklahoma - this game solidified Notre Dame’s spot on the national college
football landscape.
Moment of the Year
– The fourth down incomplete pass at the goal line stand at the end of the USC
game to put the Irish in the National Championship Game.
Story of the Year
– Manti Te’o, coming back for his senior year, having seven interception this season
despite having none in his first three seasons; overcoming adversity, staying true
to his faith and earning truckloads of awards.
Under the Radar
Defensive Player of the Year – Danny Spond, who after an early season of
battling migraines, has had a solid season at the position of linebacker on a
team with names like Manti Te’o and Prince Shembo.
Under the Radar
Offensive Player of the Year – Robby Toma, who came in from Hawaii and played
in the shadow of Manti’s play, carving his own spot for the Irish this year as
a very solid slot receiver.
Coach of the Year
– Tie between Co-Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach Kerry Cooks and Safeties
Coach Bob Elliot, who took this ragtag group of players and got them to
contribute on the best defense in the country.
Blossoming Player of
the Year – Cam McDaniel - it could have been any number of receivers, but
we loved is toughness.
Next Big Thing Award
– Tie Tight End Troy Niklas and Wide Receiver T.J. Jones, both of whom are
developing into their positions at the big time college football level.
Best Notre Dame
Player but you never hear of, but will Award – Will Mahone - The 5’ 10” 211
lb. redshirt running back from Ohio will
make an impact from the backfield sooner than later.
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