ND searching for QB's
Although Brian Kelly has far more talent at ND in his first year then RR the situation is not good at QB. I will be curious to see just how effective BK is with the current personell.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/139190-notre-dame-may-mo…
December 30th, 2009 at 6:31 PM ^
Dayne Crist and Evan Sharpley > Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet
Period.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:45 PM ^
Game, set, match!
December 30th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^
Sharpley was a 5th year senior this year so he has graduated
December 30th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
"C(h)rist, the Savior of Notre Dame Football!" Not that I agree with that, but I'd like to copyright the phrase before ESPN gets their greedy paws on it.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:41 PM ^
Totally different systems amphibious. Not saying that either would have prevailed in a pro style offense, but the spread option suited Sherithreet poorly.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
The spread option suited Sherithreet like Crystal Pepsi suited human consumption. But if you aren't accurate as a passer, you won't succeed in any system. I like Sherithreet as people and as an awesome QB conjuction word, but not as starting QBs.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:59 PM ^
I'm with yuh amphibious.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:57 PM ^
for the Crystal Pepsi reference
December 30th, 2009 at 6:49 PM ^
It would be great if Kelly could snakeoil Taylor Graham, the lone QB commit of the Buckeyes. I don't think Graham had interest in ND, but would love to see the nuts live and die by Pryor's athletic ability.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:01 PM ^
Graham isn't a bad prospect, but even if Kelly did decide to go after him for some reason Welch would probably jump the OSU in his place
January 1st, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
I think that's a trade most ND fans would take.
January 1st, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
No I doubt it, like most UM fans they're "star minded" and 4 has to be better than 3 =)
I am actually really excited about Rees, especially with him being an EE. If your going to compete for PT you have to be there in January
January 1st, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
You said that if Notre Dame got Graham, [Alex] Welch would probably jump to OSU.
So ND would be getting a 4-star QB in place of a 4-star TE. There's no difference in stars, and most people would rather get a good QB than a good TE.
Am I missing something?
January 1st, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
haha no you're not missing anything I made a pretty dumb mistake lol. "Welch" should have been "Hendrix" (4 star QB).
I was trying to say, if Kelly offered Graham for some reason and he made the switch to ND it would probably make Hendrix jump to OSU (from ND).
December 30th, 2009 at 8:17 PM ^
I think Graham's dad played for the Sucknuts so I don't see that happening even if Kelly goes after him.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^
Regardless of depth Kelly is still coming in with a former 5 star QB in waiting. I know he's coming off a knee injury but he's still better than what RR started with. And having michael Floyd to throw to only helps. If Shaquelle Evans can develop into the other WR they will be fine.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:02 PM ^
When RR was hired Mallett was still here and a former 5 star QB in waiting. Never mind of course that Mallett is a headcase and had one foot out the door when RR came in, but still we did have talent at QB when RR started here.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:24 PM ^
When you say we had talent when RR was hired are you referring to Mallett, or Threet/Sheridan? I assume the former.
I would like to "nevermind of course" that he "is a headcase and had one foot out the door" but that is a reality that must be factored in. Mallett wasn't going to play under RR and we were left with Threet/Mallett, no offensive line and a thin defense.
Personally I believe we would have been much better with Mallet and RR may well have found a way to work with his undeniable abilities, but that didn't happen. My understanding is he was practically gone before RR landed.
Now we are rebuilding and I believe that by this time next year things will be looking much different, and much, much better.
Go Blue and Go Rich Rodriguez!
December 31st, 2009 at 9:55 AM ^
I just was correcting the previous poster's notions that we didnt have any 5 star talent when RichRod came in. I then stated the other stuff to show how quickly things can change. It does seem true though that Mallett was headed out the door no matter who was hired. I think that first year might have been a bit better with Mallett, but as its been reported, he seems to be quite an ass so you wonder how much he might have helped long term. As you say, we are now rebuilding, and without Mallett this rebuilding cycle may move a bit quicker. We now are getting many players into the program who have bought in from the beginning and whose skills fit the system far better. It'll be interesting to see where Tate, Devin Gardner, and the rest takes Michigan over the next few years. Is it too early to predict next year's record? Put me down for somewheres between 7-5 to 9-3 with an obvious eye towards 2011 as we'll end on a high note.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Crist fits into Kelly's system more than Mallett fit into Rodriguez's.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:55 PM ^
I am more curious how the O-line that was recruited for blast and plow now is required to make reach blocks on linebackers and active/moving pass blocks. I agree that BK will have more talent all around on both offense and defense but none the less from the playbook to the tactics ND is in for drastic change and not what these kids signed up for.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:36 PM ^
Pass Blocking is what your worried about? Thats all the line could do effectively until this past season. Kelly is bringing a pass first spread, Weis ran a pass first offense yes there will be key differences but ND is not in for the same type of change UM is going through.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:15 PM ^
It is a different technique but this isn't that uncommon. NFL teams make these kinds of transitions in blocking schemes/techniques all the time. The real problem Michigan had was a lack of talent and experience. Molk is a high-level player and you saw what happened when he went out. If ND has good, experienced lineman they will play well in a different system. If not they will suffer.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
Hail 2 victors, could you explain the different techniques that you speak of. Like reach blocks, and everything. (serious quesion)
December 30th, 2009 at 8:01 PM ^
HOP- Not trying to evade your sincere question but you could learn so much more through researching on your own. This is the simplest source i have found but the bottom line...smaller/faster linemen required to make blocks at a distance and on the move compared to larger plodding blockers that hold blocks longer in less space. Much better explanations online. Google Blocking Spread Offense
http://www.spreadoffense.com/ssp/spread_run_vs_blitz
December 30th, 2009 at 7:58 PM ^
It's going to be interesting to see how BK will handle the change from pro style offense to spread offense. Will he work around the talent available, or will he run a spread without the proper personnel?
December 30th, 2009 at 8:07 PM ^
Eh, the Colts and Pats run basically a spread offense. I'm sure ND talent could be used to spread and throw, it worked against UM pretty well.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:48 AM ^
I wouldn't necessarily call the Colts' offense a spread.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:27 PM ^
He has said he will adapt his system to the players available, the same way that he adjusted his offense at UC depending on the QB.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:43 PM ^
I'm pretty sure RR said the same thing - just easier said than done. I think the Irish are going to have a tough year (many players are going to be learning a new system - even if its modified and should perform much like freshman), but I expect big things from M as we approach year 3.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:08 PM ^
I'm pretty sure Rodriguez did the complete opposite. Brian Kelly isn't a "system coach," which is obvious to anyone who watched them with Collaros and then with Pike, he'll do just fine with all of that talent on offense. He can field a servicable defense, he did it at Cincinatti after losing everyone.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
Rodriguez most definitely said that he would adjust his offense to the personnel.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:15 PM ^
Did RR say that? All I have ever heard was basically the first year would be a marginal year until RR got "his players" it was always "wait till he gets his players, just wait, its coming".
Which is basically the opposite of anything Kelly has said so far
December 30th, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
"If you want to know our system or philosophy, if you've watched us over the years, that's what you'll see. We're going to do what we've done. That's the only thing we know. I know we have the ability to adapt our schemes to our personnel" (emphasis added).
-At his introductory press conference (Dec. 17, 2007)
I didn't check the transcript, but here's a link from the Michigan Daily where I got the quote: https://www.michigandaily.com/content/2008-12-01/rich-rod-notable-quota…
December 30th, 2009 at 10:20 PM ^
I guess actions will speak louder than anything Kelly can say right now. Thanks for the quote
December 30th, 2009 at 8:19 PM ^
ND's schedule next year:
http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112105aaa.html
Not overly difficult, but not a cake walk either.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:28 PM ^
Its front end loaded thats for sure,
December 30th, 2009 at 8:36 PM ^
It's really too early to tell, but what kind of record do you think the Irish fans would be satisfied with? I'm guessing 7-5 is a fairly reasonable expectation.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:21 PM ^
Irish fans are never satisfied, never, 12-0 or it means nothing. Kelly said he is at ND to win championships very little else will be tolerated by the fans
December 30th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
Didn't Charlie say something similar about being here to win championships and being 6-5 wasn't good enough? I think he did.
(You'll probably be good under Kelly, time to get the shots in now)
December 30th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
I don't know didn't pay much attention to ND at the time tbh, I just remember some line like "your going to have a professional, hard hitting something or other football team" he might have said something in there :)
December 31st, 2009 at 2:57 PM ^
So was Charlie Weis... I'm here all week-tip your waitresses.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^
He actually was recruited by Notre Dame, played there 2 years but realized their offense did not suit him and transferred to OSU. He only played there 1 year. So its certainly feasible for him to look at ND. Plus he is listed on Scouts as being a school of interest but Charlie didn't offer him.
Tressel sure does go to extremes on his QB's doesn't he?
January 1st, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
ND would have offered Graham had Rees gone OSU's way. It was regular battles between ND and OSU this year for QBs
Montana -eventually goes UW after it being basically ND and OSU for 4 months
Hendrix -goes ND after 3 weeks
Rees -goes ND after 2 weeks
Graham -goes OSU after Rees commits to ND