Miami DB pulls a Forrest Gump and gets shot in the buttocks. Interesting part of the story is the end when it's casually mentioned that his roommate returned fire. Hmmm...and they said Miami cleaned house. Watch out tOSU, the 'Canes are back and ready to take back their throne of thuggery.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/ne...tory? id=2526104
MNIrish | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 1:18 pm | #

Richie Rich? Seriously? I've seen some terrible names (and I currently work in a child support office) but that is quite possibly the dumbest, and I've even seen a kid named Tyrannosaurus Rex for a first name. Awful.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 1:18 pm | #

Richie Rich?
MNIrish | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 1:31 pm | #

Redshirt frosh at North Carolina (come on and raise up!) in case anyone was wondering.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 1:34 pm | #

My hope is that our offense will do as much to take these guys out of the game (by scoring early and often) as our defense. Of course, once that happens, we're back to discussing our pass defense.

43 days!
Tom | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 2:10 pm | #

Great synopsis.

But, I have to respectfully disagree on some of the rankings and conclusions. First, this appears to be a lackluster group overall. Basically, if the featured back at ND was any one of the backs from UNC, UCLA, Purdue, GT, AF, Stanford, Army, Navy -- or even, arguably, USC -- I would be very concerned about our offense. I would of course take Ringer, Hunt, or Hart on an ND team and believe that we were solid on the RB position.

Second, you noted correctly that many of the backs are the "bruiser" type. I think that's fantastic for us. It seems like whenever we've played against the bruiser type backs, we don't get bruised. We don't even get a slap, pinch, or an Indian Sunburn from them. For example, Bush (lightning) killed us last year, but White (thunder) was lousy. Plus, if our opponents intend to pound it on the ground for 3 yards per carry, I'm not too concerned -- it's the 50+ yard shots through the gap that concern me the most.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 2:41 pm | #

Michigan State's 3rd string RB is AJ Jimmerson, not Jimmermans - minor detail in an otherwise outstanding entry.

I really enjoy the blog; keep up the good work.
MSUfan | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 2:46 pm | #

Thanks for the correction. I'm probably good for at least one mangled name per preview.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 2:51 pm | #

With no clue who the starting 3 at LB will be for ND, I will be watching intently to see how ND's run defense performs.

Hart plus a couple others do have me leary of what is ND's unproven link in the defense.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 3:03 pm | #

I don't know if I would agree that these backs are sub-par, but merely inexperienced. Especially at the bigger schools we play, you never know how some of these guys could play. A few of them didn't have many yards, but had excellent ypr averages, which could lead to big years.

I'd definitely agree with Andrew that the thought of big bruising RBs makes me feel much more comfortable. Even with an inexperienced LB core, if some team wants to pound the ball up the middle on us 30 times a game, I say "thank God". It's teams with faster backs, and more importantly teams that spread the ball all over the field that scare me. When our D is spread out all over the field, it seems to me to be easier to take advantage of our speed issues. Then again, all three of the tOSU plays we've seen so far have been out of our base formation, so what the hell do I know?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 3:25 pm | #

On a side note, does anyone know what date spring practice starts?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 3:36 pm | #

Is there going to be a preview on our opponents OLs? I know it may be harder to do than the skilled positions but I think it may prove as or even more important than the other previews. And great blog. Can't say that enough.
MNIrish | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 3:40 pm | #

Ideally I'm going to hit every main position. We'll see how much time is left as I started this a bit later than last year's version.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 3:53 pm | #

I believe practice starts August 7.

I'll say one thing about our LB's. On paper, based solely on recruiting cohort (i.e., "the other schools that recruited them"), there are very few schools that have LB "talent" that we have in Maurice Crum (Tennessee, others), Vernaglia (USC), Mitchell Thomas (Alabama, other SEC), and Toryan Smith (everyone). If you gave many schools those LB's, no one would have any concern about our LB's being able to have productive years and steady improvement.

For some reason, we have concerns. If the rumors are true, we may be turning to Travis Thomas at LB. Apparently, none of our linebackers except Crum have been taught to actually play linebacker.

I will remind you that our linebackers coach is Rick Minter.

I'll continue to hold out hope in our vast talent until we have one of those "bruiser" backs run over us 20 times.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 4:00 pm | #

Gotta ove Irish fans. No fans anywehre else are equally overly optimistic and overly pessimistic
MNIrish | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 4:03 pm | #

Andrew - Don't forget that Corey Mays turned in a pretty good year at MLB in his first year as a starter. Also, Brian Polian has switched from assistant DB coach to assistant LB coach, so Minter isn't the only one running drills. In fact, during the spring, I think Polian was focusing on the LBs while Minter worked with Weis to work on the defense as a whole.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 4:10 pm | #

Has Polian ever coached linebackers before?

Now I'm even more worried. Our special teams only improved marginally under his tutelage last year.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 5:37 pm | #

Polian was an all-conference linebacker in college and coached the strongside linebackers at Baylor as a grad assistant.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 6:12 pm | #

Great article. What position are you doing next?
Sean | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 6:29 pm | #

If any of our opponents game plan is to pound the ball up the middle with a big back, I'm not worried. That strategy takes time to wear down the DL and LB's, and by that point our offense should be up so far that they'll have to change tactics to stay in the game.

And to add the pessimistic part, if our offense does sputter against a team using that attack, our DL doesn't have the depth to contain it for a whole game. Which leads to Zibby and Ndukwe playing closer to the line. Which leads to play action passes over their heads.....
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 6:47 pm | #

OK, for everyone who is worried about ND's linebacker core, ask yourself this question and truly think about it...

When was the last time ND did NOT have good linebackers?

Last year, not the greatest in the world, but damn good in my opinion.

Before that, Goolsby, Watson, Curry...

Keep going back...
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 10:50 pm | #

...because I don't have the ability at this time, but I might in the morning.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 10:51 pm | #

To the extent you care, Michigan's starting fullback is most likely going to be Obi Oluigbo.

http://www.mgoblue.com/bio.cfm?b...el=3& season=955
masked avenger | Email | Homepage | 07.21.06 - 11:28 pm | #

I think we had success against the "bruiser" backs because we had "bruiser" LB's, particularly Mays to stop their momentum. With smaller, less experienced linebackers, it might regularly take a team effort to get the tackles.

However, I will agree that a big back is better (for us) than a smaller quick one. If the large one breaks loose, he tacks on another 6 yards. If the quick one breaks loose, he might take it to the house.
CS | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 4:19 am | #

Thanks masked avenger.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 10:37 am | #

Pat,
Karlos Whittaker was dismissed from the Navy team this past spring, and won't be availible in '06. Shun White and GT transfer Zerb Singlton will be the backup SBs.
Mr. A | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 11:53 am | #

I am glad you are doing the work of these summaries for the rest of us. Thanks. But after I read your reviews, I get the feeling that nearly every team we play will run (or for QB , throw and run)all over us. Not sure how you could fix that. Perhaps a last sentence or two after your reviews about the probability of the other teams' skill players actually doing amazing things against us? It is always true that any college player "might" have a big game, but is it likely against us this year?
thanks
gibby | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 1:51 pm | #

I believe Mays and Hoyte are the reason no one fears these larger backs anymore. They were primarily run stoppers, and did that very well. I, for one, did not think they were very versatile linebackers, but to get recognition at the spot requires that you stop the run. They were not very opportunistic, but they were our most consistant line. With that being said, I would like to see a mix of consistancy and big plays by the backers this year.
Pat (number 2) | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 4:00 pm | #

Part IV, PArt IV, aprtIV, PArt vi, PArt IV
yago | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 4:34 pm | #

yago...are you drunk?! kickoffs not for 41 days! pace yourself
chris | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 4:58 pm | #

Thanks Mr. A. If anyone else has things I get wrong or just wants to add more background on the guys listed, please feel free. The more info in these previews, the better as far as I'm concerned. Especially as I get into the lineman, who get far less press than the skill guys.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 6:08 pm | #

Gibby,

Take note that BGS makes sure to point out that the reviews of the positions has nothing to do with the impact that coaches, teamates, or match-ups will have on their effectiveness. It's just a generic, as-best-as-can-be general view. Match-ups can be argued incesantly, and one can always saw "Bush was only good cause his line opened huge holes" and the like. I think the only main point of the pieces is to get and objective view of the basic talent level we should expect, as fans, from the teams we play, positionally.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 07.22.06 - 11:33 pm | #

I did a little study before if recruiting rankings were a good judge of how teams will perform and found them to be fairly accurate:

http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/ ...836#post9610836

Here's a more general talent breakdown of the Irish schedule. I compiled the four year recruiting performance of every div1A team according to their rankings on rivals and scouts. Then I averaged out their four year rankings (03-07). The schedule looks like this (number stands for rank in talent):

50 Georgia Tech
26 Penn State
5 Michigan
45 Michigan State
34 Purdue
43 Stanford
21 UCLA
116 Navy
23 North Carolina
114 Air Force
110 Army
1 Southern Cal

Notre Dame is ranked as the 15th most talented team btw. This obviously doesn't take into account transfers, suspensions, NFL defections, etc. But like I said previously, it's been shown that the avg rankings are a decent indicator of how successful a team will be.

I also did a breakdown of strength of schedules for every team based on the talent rankings and ranked them based on the avg talent of the teams played. ND ended up having the 33rd toughest schedule in the country (USC had the toughest - their inexperience combined with their tough schedule is going to nip them big time this year IMO.)
suave andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.23.06 - 9:23 am | #

btw I thought I'd add that since we're on the topic of evaluating talent.
suave andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.23.06 - 9:24 am | #

Well Suave Andrew, that certainly sheds more light on why I fear Michigan as an upset game this year.

Yes, USC will be tough by the end of the year, but Michigan . . . Well, I'm just hoping LLLLoyd comes through as usual.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 07.23.06 - 11:17 am | #

Suave,
Both Rivals and Scout Inc. rank the Academies at the very bottom because AFA, Army, and Navy don't release their commits until June. Thus the lists the recruiting services have only contain about 8-12 players, so naturally it looks like a "horrible" class.

In the case of Navy it has become chik to say that it's the system and not the talent, you will find a number of players in that Highly Touted (and I’m going by Phil Steele's ratings) category.

More on Navy’s running backs

Full Navy commit list for 2006

BTW, just wanted to let you ND guys know I went up to the University on Friday, and I must say it is one of the most amazing places I've ever been!
Mr. A | Email | Homepage | 07.23.06 - 1:15 pm | #

They don't rank the players because only a few who are actually on the radar go to the academies, Mr.A. I know they don't release a list, but recruiting services can still easily find out where players are going through articles and from the players and their coaches.

They generally get the same talent a div 1-AA team gets (who you occasionally see nab a 2 star prospect). It's not hard to understand why - the commitment to service afterwards, the difficulty of balancing the lifestyle, practicing football, and attending an ivy-league quality college are things certain individuals cannot handle.

Even though Navy's scheduling isn't that difficult usually (this year it's ranked 86th toughest by the talent ratings), they're almost always still playing a team with superior talent even when they're going up against the Dukes of the world. It's a testament to Paul Johnson's coaching that they've been as successful as they have.
suave andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.23.06 - 3:41 pm | #

Glad you liked the campus Mr. A. You'll surely get agreement from all the alums here. Thanks for all the info on Navy.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.24.06 - 12:10 am | #

all of this info is well and good, but how about a write up for tOSU RBs?!?








You know, for the rematch out in AZ. ;)
IrishHoffy | Email | Homepage | 07.24.06 - 3:14 pm | #