tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post3694230880318331969..comments2024-01-10T13:13:28.243-06:00Comments on We Are Notre Dame: 2009 Recruiting RoundupJimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03901172802515710288noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post-30428519172187914922009-02-24T07:22:00.000-06:002009-02-24T07:22:00.000-06:00That's one reason I wasn't terribly upset that Swa...That's one reason I wasn't terribly upset that Swarbrick decided to retain Weis. If it doesn't work out with Charlie, he's going to leave the program in pretty good shape, talent-wise, for his successor. You've got to believe that will make the job more attractive to potential hires. <BR/><BR/>I'm not sure how much defense Wood has played in his career. I know SC thought he could play DB, so that's good enough for me. But seems like he would need to spend quite a bit of time in the weightroom to make himself into a safety. <BR/><BR/>My guess is that RB recruiting will tail off a bit, at least numbers-wise, the next few years. Probably only one in 2010.Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03565787827731693750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post-30215857464993366932009-02-23T21:42:00.000-06:002009-02-23T21:42:00.000-06:00I am really interested to see what happens at the ...I am really interested to see what happens at the RB position over the next couple years. We have a lot of depth, but a lot of these guys have been mild disappointments thus far. I can't believe James Aldridge is already a senior this year, and now Hughes and Armando are suddenly juniors. It is time for those guys to step it up or make way for younger players. If we can't get consistent production out of the veterans, it might be time to look at these younger guys.<BR/><BR/>Cierre Wood seems like a good fit in the spread one back offense that Weis prefers (even if Weis claims to like other types of offenses), but I also wouldn't be opposed to exploring the idea of Cierre Wood becoming a free safety. I don't know, maybe he's the next Rickey Watters, but those tall guys don't always work out at running back. We have so many WRs and RBs, and we are really desperate for a gamebreaking safety. If he is really THAT good, then by all means use him in the Percy Harvin role and get him the ball. But if it's mainly hype and he would be a better fit at safety, then do it early and get him ready to start in 2010 back there or earlier. I'm not advocating one way or the other, but he is the kind of guy who usually ends up moving to safety at the truly elite programs like USC and Florida. You gotta do what is best for the team, and he has the body type and speed to be a stud safety. He could be the guy who pushes us to be a championship level defense. Can we say the same about him on offense?? I also agree that he's going to be a factor on special teams. <BR/><BR/>I can't remember ND having this many highly-touted linebackers in years. Four more coming in again this year. In a few years, I could see Motta, Te'o, and maybe even Calabrese or Fox getting major playing time. Plus, we have Filer, Fleming, McDonald, and Posluzny from the year before. A lot of bodies there. The only thing that concerns me about the LBs are that there are a lot of "finished product" types in that mix, and that always makes me a little nervous. <BR/><BR/>While I think we got some high end guys on defense, it's still a little disappointing that only six bodies are coming in on the defensive side of the ball. 1 DL and 1 DB?? Did we really need to take all those specialty guys plus 2 TEs?? Call me crazy, but I would have probably made more of an effort to bring in a few more guys on defense. I don't think you can ever have enough guys who can contribute on your defense. <BR/><BR/>I'm not particularly worried about QB. We don't have great depth, but we have QUALITY depth. That's all that matters to me. If we are down to the 3rd string QB, we have big problems anyway. I'd rather save the scholarship and bring in a great QB in 2010. <BR/><BR/>Agree about all the areas of need in 2010. O-line, d-line, and safety are critical, and I would say cornerback as well. <BR/><BR/>I'm also interested in seeing how the running back recruiting goes this year. If you were a big time running back, wouldn't you be leery of committing to ND right about now?? I think I would. We have four and five stars all over the roster, but we haven't run the ball well at all under Weis. I really hope we can run the football this year for so many reasons. Recruiting, wins, toughness, etc. The pass-happy stuff can only get you so far, and it folds up like a tent against the good teams. <BR/><BR/>Stockton is the guy I want to see on the field next year. We have pretty good DT depth for a 4-3 defense. Now we just need to see who can play. <BR/><BR/>Overall, this class is pretty good. Stockton, Watt, Te'o, Evans, and Wood all look like potential stars, and there are a number of other guys who will get playing time out of this group. That's about all you can ask for. <BR/><BR/>Weis is a really really good recruiter. He's organized, he works like crazy at it, he knows how to sell it, and he has a good staff of recruiters. It's too early to tell how his early classes will turn out on the field, but I think it's pretty safe to say that we won't have to worry about having talented players on the roster as long as he's here.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749996801204575270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post-81466658146480693632009-02-23T19:18:00.000-06:002009-02-23T19:18:00.000-06:00Good call Craig. I knew that didn't look right wh...Good call Craig. I knew that didn't look right when I was typing it.Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03565787827731693750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post-84459591795697287272009-02-23T17:52:00.000-06:002009-02-23T17:52:00.000-06:00Note that Geoff Price graduated last spring. The ...Note that Geoff Price graduated last spring. The punter in '08 was Eric Maust, and he had a decidedly mixed season.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18230182384316801468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19884649.post-55499617199933576502009-02-23T11:54:00.000-06:002009-02-23T11:54:00.000-06:00What are this Board's thoughts on working Tate out...What are this Board's thoughts on working Tate out of the slot a little more in 3 or 4 receiver sets? It probably sounds ludicrous given his demonstrated ability to out-fight cornerbacks for jump balls. But in a 3/4 receiver set, wouldn't Tate be ideal for a quick slant if the LB or Safety blitz. He's shown more of a propensity to break tackles than even our running backs. If the middle is cleared out by blitz or otherwise, Tate's the most likely to break one tackle and take it to the house. <BR/><BR/>I know it's not typical to move the receivers around, but how big of an adjustment would this really be. Give him 3 routes in the slot that he can master and let him go to work. Kumara and Parris seem more suited for the outside anyway. If nothing else, I love the idea of Tate running the "Larry Fitzgerald" route where he is lined up slightly closer to the hash, the slot guy lines up tight and takes the safety on a deep out, and Tate gets the ball and blows by the safeties up the middle of the field. Just a thought, obviously in 2 receiver sets, Tate would still be outside with Jimmy hitting him on go routes with 1 on 1 coverage.kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11053417615126720552noreply@blogger.com