ND <t>I've said it before but there is a much different feeling about this year's spring ball than anything we've seen at SB in a long time. Much greater since of urgency and competition, much more enthusiasm, definitely more structured and a MUCH faster pace. Should turn out to pay big dividends this fall. <br/> <br/> Terry,<br/> <br/> What do you think of the new kicker that just verballed? I don't normally get too excited about kickers but we haven't had one who could kick the ball out of the end zone on kickoffs in a long time and this kid is booming them!<br/> <br/> also, I know we don't have numbers in this recruiting class yet but there is a lot of interest from a lot of quality recruits already that should turn into verbals latter on. Looking good.</t>
Seems like everybody who runs a spread is stepping up the pace, I read that the Tech kids are talking about how much faster they are running things with their spread, faster than when Leach was there. I've read that even at UC the kids are saying things are faster. I do fear that the defenses are catching up with the spread and the counter is to speed things up. But back to Kelly, he does seem to have what it takes in college. He's working hard at recruiting and every thing I've read says that he and his staff are on the same page, something that Weis had a problem with and probably is what doomed him. The only thing that may hurt the next class is that after the last 10 year or so, we might find a lot of the top players wanting to see Kelly do it (again) on the field and go with the schools like Texas/UF/OU/Bama/USC where the success is seemingly more certain. If Kelly can do well on the field then he should have a good class in Feb 2011 and if he struggles on the field then he might struggle recruiting as well.
I was listening to a radio show today talking about the draft and they were mentioning how many teams in the pros were running the 3-4 defense. All of a sudden, recruiting for that type of defense might not be a liability at all. I still can't help but think that Longo might be the most important new coach. Too often the 4th quarter was a nightmare last year.
Certainly the best defenses have tended to be 3-4...ie, NE, Balt, Pittsburgh, any place Dom Capers is the DCoord (currently Green Bay). But the majority still play the 4-3, although maybe that is changing.
Speaking of Defense. ...this supposedly from the lips of Ethan Johnson... :roll: :roll: :roll: Young wasn't even that good at holding!!
Interesting. It's one thing to hear criticism of the way things were from writers and media people. It's quite another to hear it from the mouths of players. Johnson's comments explain a lot. Yet another reason to be optimistic that some very fundamental changes for the good are taking place. Oops! There I go using that word again.........optimistic. Oh well, as they say, I guess it's in my DNA. :roll:
Tim!! Looks like Farley is going to be Irish soon!! He loved his visit and says if he still feels as good about ND next week as he does now he's going to pull the trigger!! Some are thinking that Connor Hanratty could pull the trigger at the Spring Game as well. Things are heating up!!
No problem. If Brian spots him, he will have Tony's attention. Brian's reputation even from 20 years ago is still strong in the football program. Although only a walk-on, he was the first in school history to suit up for ND. I know I'm his dad and hardly unbiased, but I've been told that by others.
Farley committed to the Irish!!! Kid has speed and athleticism. Excellent pickup for Kelly and staff.
ND <t>Saw the Farley commit on ISD. Looks like a good athlete in a area of need(DB). <br/> <br/> Also see that Crist is playing in the Blue?Gold Game Sat. Great news! <br/> <br/> Looks like the Irish will be ready at the QB position after all come fall! Bring on Purdue!!!<br/> <br/> Go Irish!!!</t>
Yeah can't wait for Sept 4th. Purdue is supposed to be one of the better teams in the B10 this year, I read one article predicting that if they get by the Irish they could run out to 6-0. I'm very encouraged with what I have read about the teams progress this spring. Defense finally has a staff that is all on the same page and not a war like last year between Tenuata and Brown. That alone should make us better, not great, but better. Brian Smith seems to have gotten the message that talk is cheap and he needs to buckle down and play and Anthony McDonald is healthy and happy next to Te'o at LB. Maybe even Harrison Smith will light up some people, my man Zeke Motta is also looking good. On offense we should be outstanding with our current WR's and TE's, Armando has apparently seperated himself from the RB's and Cierre Wood is showing the reason he was a highly rated recruit in So.Cal. Of course the whole thing comes back to how will the OL sort out. I see that Robinson is flipping between tackle and guard, Stewart is poised for a great Sr. year and there is a heated battle at Center between Wenger and Cave...competition is good. Crist is clearly #1 at QB, Rees is showing that he's just left HS and Nate Montana is good kid but will never be a player. I'll bet that either Massa or Hendrix end up as the #2 guy after fall camp. The thing about Crist is that he really seems to have taken control of the job and the leadership of the offense. If he's 100% Sept 4th he could have a special year in this offense.
ND <r>Terry,<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> If purdue is going to be one of the better teams in the B10 this coming season then the B10 is going to be lousy! From what I'm seeing they have lots more questions than answers starting with the QB position. Personally the thought of them starting a former miami QB just makes me happy as can be. Not only the chance to beat purdue but beat them with a um reject.......God this game can't get here fast enough!</r>
I don't want to get you wound up on Purdue again. But Marve was an outstanding HS QB but injuries and some off the field issues punched his ticket out of Coral Gables. If he's 100% and has his daemons under control he could be an excellent college QB, but they have another kid who shined in the Spring and they have some excellent WR's. Their RB's are injured so they won't know what they have there till the fall. But I expect Purdue to be a good team this fall. You know they will be up for the game in South Bend after losing in the last second at West Lafayette last fall.
ND <r>Terry,<br/> <br/> No, I'm not getting wound up yet but Marve or whoever their QB is, is no match for Crist and neither their WRs nor RBs stack up to ND's either. I don't worry near as much about them at SB as I do at their house. If they couldn't beat the Irish with their black out night game with ex-coach Wilfred Brimley leading a pep rally in the stadium at half time and the worst defense ND has had in years last year, they ain't gonna beat ND at home this year. Bank on it. <br/> <br/> I'll get really wound up later. <E></E></r>