FWIW, an update on Rees, Hendrix, and Zaire: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20131021/SPORTS0302/310219963/1008/SPORTS
This is the worst Air Force team we've played in a very long time. I hope Tommy is 100% at game time and that we can roll on offense in the first half and then pull him from the game. From the results of the USC game it's very clear that Andrew Hendrix needs to play in some games and we need to see if what we saw on Sat night was what we're going to get or was it just a fluke that he looked that bad. Everybody says that in the practices that they have seen that he looks OK, but if what we saw Sat night is what we'll get then before the end of the year we need to play Zaire and get him ready to be the backup in 2014 as there is no reason to bring Hendrix back for a 5th year if after 4 years he can't do anything but hand the ball off. My biggest concern in playing an academy is their blocking techniques, they put our DL's at risk for lower leg injuries. And as bad as Air Force has been this year, it will be the first triple option that we have seen this year, and we all know that it takes a lot of discipline from the defense or they get away from you quickly. Jaylon Smith if he stays disciplined should eat it up, Carlo should have the FB dive play and I don't know how good our safety's will be in run support on the pitch.
BTW all the word was that the weekend was a big success for recruiting. No commitments though. Tyler Latua a TE from the coast was the most likely to commit but supposedly wants to go to Alabama before he makes up his mind, but most of the recruiting Guru's think he's join the Irish when it's all said and done. Damian Mamma supposedly had a very good time and we are now a player for him. Overall all I read were good reports. If you were a defensive player and watched the defense in the 2nd half you had to be impressed and able to see yourself playing in Blue/Gold. If you were an offensive player you had to think, man I hope they have a QB by the time I get there.
I have the greates respect for the cadets of the AFA but their fullback is going to take a beating from Carlo and Jaylon Smith should have a huge game running down the pitch man. I would be giving Zaire lots of practice reps and would play him this week no matter what when the opportunity presents itself.
Reading the article, I don't understand how Rees has been a starter since his freshman year. Hendrix has been there 4 years and still doesn't get enough quality snaps that it throws off the snap count?!? These are high school problems.
ND <r>Some more recent video on McKenzie:<br/> <br/> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//<URL url="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bWBkZR-wkqA?feature=player_detailpage"><LINK_TEXT text="www.youtube.com/embed/bWBkZR-wkqA?featu ... detailpage">www.youtube.com/embed/bWBkZR-wkqA?feature=player_detailpage</LINK_TEXT></URL>" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/> <br/> <br/> Like I said, I like this one a lot.</r>
Everybody is very high on this kid, say he's got the speed and athleticism we haven't seen at ND since the Rocket. I hope so, he's has been waiting on Test Scores to commit, but has been very much a kid just waiting till he could give his commitment to ND. I'm not sure exactly why he's not rated higher by the services, I've read some explanations but doesn't matter in the end either he'll be great or not. But welcome to ND.
Read that Ju Ju Smith had a great time and we've moved up with him. I wonder when the last time we had a Long Beach Poly kid interested in ND?
ND <r>O.K moderators Terry, Tom or Bill, Please feel free to re-size the avatar I'm using unless you want to tell me how cause I'm just not that computer savvy enough to figure it out myself. <E></E></r>
I meant to mention, Tim, that I like the avatar. That guy holding Tuitt and #75 were our best friends in the 2nd half. :lol:
ND <r>Sid,<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> Yeah, that had no answer for him in the second half except to HOLD. He just wasn't gonna be stopped.</r>
:idea: SoCal recruits: 1. Damien Mama OL- St. John Bosco HS This is the best player in California and Bosco is the second best team in the state behind Concord De La Salle. This 370lb guard is a road grader who has a chance to start as a freshman for most college teams. I've seen him play. 2. Juju Smith WR, S - Long Beach Poly HS This is Poly's best player and he goes both ways. USC and UCLA have made a living over the decades recruiting Poly players. They have produced more NFL players than any other high school in the nation and Juju is their latest example. He will play at higher levels. I've seen him play and he's a good one. 3. Brandon Dawkins QB - Oaks Christian HS The same school that produced Jimmy Clausen and many others. Dawkins is currently committed to Arizona, but I sure wish we could flip that kid. He's a good one.
We have a QB in this class, Deshone Kizer from Ohio who is a 4* ranked #8 in Dual Threat QB's and Brandon Dawkins is a 3* ranked #15 in the same category. So he not getting an offer from ND. We need ILB in this class and a NG. The Elam kid from Kentucky is a NG type of kid but everybody says he's also a tub of goo who will be a project. It really hurt losing Eddie the Liar to UCLA he's already playing and looking good for UCLA.
That's good news. If Tommy is 100% then I expect that we can get off to a good start vs Air Force and maybe, just maybe have a big lead at half time and let Hendrix take over mid 3rd Qtr and finish the game.
ND <t>Terry,<br/> <br/> Exactly. As a matter of fact the last time I remember Hendrix getting many real snaps at all was in a game against Air Force. I'm still hopping to see Folston get some serious playing time the next couple if games too.</t>