Irish Chocolate's post-surgery interview with Coach Kelly: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CqUtFGgrNPo" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Tommy Rees cleared for participation in offseason workouts. I hope he gets his case settled, I have no doubt that he's a good kid who did something dumb. Although I have been told by younger people that when there is a party that gets out of hand and the cops show up a lot of kids run if they can. Carlo also cleared to participate.
New Commit <r>ND's latest commit: Danny Mattingly, a 4star OLB from Spokane Washinton. <br/> <br/> Go Irish! <E></E></r>
Wow, now if we can get that Analzone kid onboard..linebacker will look great. Although the Mattingly kid can also play TE and Stoops was recruiting him as a TE.
From a June 26 article by Brian Hamilton in the Chicago Tribune: A friend who originally is from southern Indiana remembers his dad, same first name, Don's older brother, who is a big guy and who was an outstanding high school QB. My friend says that in his memory all the Mattinglys (I didn't ask how many) were HS QBs and were outstanding all-around athletes.
Michael Deeb from Fla a LB just committed to ND. If you are a fan of linebacker play it's hard not to like Deeb on film. He's almost a throwback type in his rugged and relentless style. Possesses great overall size although he looks a bit shorter than his listed height; lacks some length to his frame that he will need to shed bigger blockers at the next level. Has great overall body strength. Flashes better short-range burst than sideline-to-sideline range. Very instinctive between the tackles making decisive downhill reads and very few false steps. Quick off the spot to fill and beat the cutoff block. Shows powerful take-on skills staying square with leverage, jolting back blockers while keeping gap integrity. Slips blockers with quickness when needed as well. Quick lateral pursuer who can clear through traffic and keep proper leverage on ball carrier. Will make stops with inside-out angles showing his good burst to the football. Will turn and chase with a high motor and solid chase speed but do feel like his range and athleticism will be more suited to making plays between the hashes in college. Strong, punishing tackler who makes very solid contact showing his good short-area power -- but would like to see him wrap up more securely. Can show difficulty at times breaking down sharply in space. Displays some hip tightness opening hips to crossover in coverage but closes on the pass with good anticipation and closing speed. Shows good awareness and ball skills as well. We like his physicality jamming and rerouting smaller slots and backs. Overall Deeb lacks ideal long speed and change-of-direction skill and is at his best pursuing downhill with square shoulder pads. Physically ready to make the jump and could contribute early on special teams and potential as a run situational linebacker.
Only thing that bothers me is that everybody seems to compare him to Carlo. Now nothing against Carlo, even forgiving him for the inappropriate personal foul at the worst possible time, but he's a guy with a big heart and all but not a top Div1 player..more of a roll player.
Carlo gets no respect. 97 tackles in his short career. More pass breakups than the fellow who replaced him as starter. More tackles for loss too. So he's not Teo. Nobody else is either. Our soft corners put unbelievable pressure on 250 lb. LBs to play coverage on slot receivers who run 4.4s.
As far as I'm concerned, if he's compared to Carlo it's a good thing. Terry, I don't know who the "everybody" is that you are citing, but if they think the comparison is negative, I would find a new "everybody" to listen to. As far as Carlo, his inability to stay step-for-step with receivers is not his fault. It's the coaches' fault for the defensive schemes that put him on that island. If you want a more fleet-footed MLB who weighs 30 lbs. less than a Carlo or Teo, go for it and watch the opponent's runnning game crush your MLBs. If not, then revise your schemes. It's not rocket science. My only concern with Carlo is what the consigliere will recommend as punishment for his recent stupidity.
I like Michael Deeb a lot...physical, physical, physical... <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4AhFhPpvaU?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4AhFhPpvaU?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object> More Deeb. He's a real middle LB. <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NvcHIvRsh_Q?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NvcHIvRsh_Q?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
What little info is out there about Danny Mattingly tells me that he's more of a TE than a LB. Don't be surprised if the Irish take a 4th LB in this class, which would allow Mattingly to move to TE ala Troy Niklas. <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCc5kUnM-R0?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TCc5kUnM-R0?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
Carlo is here in NJ right now. His dad pushing for a sit down. I will probably meet with them in Lavalette at the house they rent on the beach. Expect a scene similar to this in tenor.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=ZbKkHQlsKQk&NR=1
Consigliere George, I hope you can stifle your temptation to laugh as Carlo Sr. is ripping Junior a new one.
George, Make sure he doesn't get involved with the jersey shore cast a couple miles south. Send him to my dads garage where several Carlo pictures hang in his garage-cave in Pt. Beach