Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Players I am most excited to see on Saturday. (Not that all of them will actually see the field)
As a parent you are supposed to say the “you love all your
children equally,” but let’s be realistic, folks. The opening game is often compared to
Christmas and like on Christmas morning, ripping through new presents is more
exciting than playing with your old toys, so that is why there are so many
first time players on this list. Players
like Nix, Tuitt, Calabrese and Fox are like Woody in Toy Story. We love them and they are great, but let’s see
what Buzz Lightyear can do. So in no
particular order, let’s go.
Corey Robinson: The
word potential is interchangeable with his name heading into South Bend. His height, rave reviews from his coaches and
his athletic DNA should have every Irish fan looking for him running routes
into the corner of the end zone.
Nick Martin: His
first time starting a football game at center, this will be his opportunity to form
his own legacy and set himself apart from his stud offensive lineman brother, Zack. Filling the shoes of three-year center
Braxton Cave is no easy task.
Ronnie Stanley: At
nearly 6’6” and 320 lbs., it should be at the very least interesting to see how
this young mountain of a man handles himself at right tackle.
Steve Elmer: A true
freshman that Head Coach Brian Kelly says is already playing at a high college
level and could play anywhere on the O-line should be a sight to see.
Amir Carlisle: Traditionally, a junior who has appeared in
eight games (as a freshman at USC) would not be considered a new comer to the college
football scene, but Amir has not had the traditional career. It’s time for him to put aside the injuries
and show everyone what he can do.
Jaylon Smith: When
was the last time a true freshman started at linebacker in a season
opener? The Great Manti? Nope. It was Korey Minor in 1995. Smith is slated to start on Saturday and we
will get to see what this five-star can do right off the bat.
Jarron Jones: The
Irish need solid depth at the defensive end position since the loss of
Springman and Hounshell. Measuring 6’5.5”
and 300 lbs. (give or take), he should have learned enough during his redshirt
freshman year to put that size to use.
Max Redfield: With
most people (including the Irish coaching staff) saying he may be too talented
to keep off the field this season as a freshman even though he does not
currently show up on the two-deep Notre Dame depth chart, I want to see how
good he really is.
Woody (aka Tommy Rees) may have plenty of game and starting
experience, but it is a little different this time around. For the first time in four years Rees is the
starting quarterback at the start of the season with no ifs, ands or buts…at
least until his first snap.
Honorable mentions:
Hunter Bivin, Troy Niklas, James Onwualu, Isaac Rochell, Jarrett Grace.
And T.J. Jones returning punts.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
To whom much is given…
No truer works have ever been uttered; To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked [Luke 12:48] from the Parable of the Faithful Servant (or Parable of the Door Keeper). Even former United States President John F. Kennedy put his own spin on the sentiment “To those whom much is given, much is expected.”
No place is this more true
than on the Campus of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana. Brian Kelly by virtue of his position has
agreed to take on huge expectations. Bob
Diacco won the Broyles Award which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach
last season making him a very high profile name among college coaches.
Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix
have their names all over all kinds of preseason award watch lists as well as
preseason All American Teams. Have
accolades like these and playing for Notre Dame you had better deliver. If you don’t fans will let you know and Irish
haters will yell even louder.
Sheldon day has received
very high praise from all of his coaches about his play this fall especially
his motor. Kelly says he wouldn't trade Day "for anybody on this football
team." Living up to those accolades
is one thing, filling the space left vacant by Kapron Lewis Moore may be even
more of a challenge.
Tommy Rees now has the keys
to the car. Being the quarterback at
Notre Dame is tough enough. Through into
the mix Rees’s in then out carousel ride over the past three seasons and the
fact he has to replace a quarterback that beat him out last season and it can
be a lot to handle. Even after all of
that it doesn’t matter, when you sign that letter of intent to play quarterback
in South Bend you get more praise than deserved and more pressure than most can
handle.
When Jarrett Grace came to
South Bend in 2011 from Cincinnati Ohio he wanted to play linebacker, inside
linebacker well in 2013 he will have his chance. You want it you got it, that’s the bright
side; he will be filling the shoes of All World Irish great Manti Te’o. No one expects Grace to have the season Manti
had in 2012 but he does need to play well especially having Nix in front of
him.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
What keeps me up at night?
Someone asked me about my concerns for the upcoming season. On the surface there should not be a lot to
worry about for a team that went undefeated during the regular season with the
great returning starters they have.
However, my response was “everything” because I am critical of every
team the Irish field each year. For
better or worse, here are some from the top of my list.
Stephon Tuitt’s
weight. At 6’6.5” 322 lbs., he
is not obese. I think the fans and the
media may be blowing this out of proportion a bit. I also think that Tuitt has responded
appropriately by not making a big deal of it.
What everyone needs to remember is this is a young man who is still
growing and his metabolism is that of a very active young man. He’ll be fine.
Tommy Rees’s
mobility (or lack thereof).
It’s not like Rees has never rushed for a touchdown, thrown on the run
or eluded a tackler. It’s not his strength and greatest talent. Tommy is a smart and experienced quarterback
who can use his head as opposed to his feet to keep him out of trouble. Don’t get me wrong, he will be hurried and
sacked where other QB’s (namely Golson) would have used their athletic talents
to not only get out of trouble but gain positive yardage. With Rees offering a lower threat of running,
defenses will be able to stay home and be true to their assignments and
coverages when facing the Irish this fall.
A standout
receiver. T.J. Jones may not
have the stat sheet of Michael Floyd or Tyler Eifert, but he has proven to be a
solid receiver for the Irish. This is an
Irish team that may not have one super dominant receiver, but many competent
receivers can contribute at any given time, and they already have the nickname
of Rees’s Pieces.
Starter at Running
Back. Much like the receiver
position, there is not one proven super back but many options with skill and
potential. George Atkinson III appears
to be the favorite to start at this time.
Each back brings something different to the table with the style they
offer.
Injuries. Danny Spond showed us this week that anything
can happen at any time to change the landscape of a team. Not every injury is going to be season or
career ending, but even the loss of a pivotal player for one big game could
cost a team a shot at a National Title.
Please note what is Not on my list this year; who is going
to start at quarterback.
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