I definitely think ND will be better than expected this year, but I can't help but wonder how far Lou could take this team. With a dual threat QB in Jones and a stable of RBs, it would be fun to watch. That's what makes Weis' comments about "not wanting to grab bag" at any position (RB), in order to find an "identity" particularly frustrating. Why can't our identity be having a core of RBs who are all dynamic yet different?

Think about it. We are thin at WR and have 4-5 very capable backs. Imagine the power back combo of Aldridge/Thomas in the middle, flanked by the speed back combo of Prince/Allen. The defense wouldn't know whether we were going inside or outside. And we wouldn't necessarily have to run in that formation as it appears that Prince/Allen can catch out of the backfield, or even line up in the slot.

Weis has always said that he would form the offense around our team's strengths. We've seen that in the past w/ multiple TE/WR sets. Why he wont do that w/ the RB position is beyond me. It is clearly our strength on offense this year. Many teams in the NFL use two-back sets effectively. Weis should do the same.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 1:00 pm | #

Matt,

How do you know CW won't do that with the offense?

If anything, I seem to get the feeling that Weis will call a lot more run plays this year.

Last year, it was 60/40 pass to run. I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers flipflopped this year. I even remember someone saying that this happened with the Patriots when Corey Dillon arrived(, or was it when the Giants or Jets got a new RB (Curtis Martin?), I can't remember)?

Regardless, what you have suggested really isn't that far out of the Weis realm of possibilities.

Its just that ND will also have a QB that will recognize 8 or 9 in the box and audible out of the run to hit DJ Hord/Robbie Parris or Richard Jackson for 35 yards in a deep route across the middle.

I'm really looking forward to see what these new kids behind the block can do.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 2:20 pm | #

I agree. Watching the other powers in CFB regularly do crazy things you'd never see in the pros makes me feel that ND is the best place for a future NFL QB or receiver to learn his craft, but a place that may not be taking full advantage of the relative vulnerability of college football teams to strange looks and, for example, the scrambling QB.

To me, pro offenses are all about thin margins of error and flawless execution. if the QB makes the correct read and the target makes the correct adjustment, if all assignments are picked up, if the throw is on target, you will move the chains. Can you run this kind of offense in college where guys are younger, less experienced and more prone to basic mistakes? Time will tell. Certainly Charlie has demonstrated that he can attract and develop many of the players it takes to run a canonical NFL offense - esp. at the most important position. With a little more efficiency from our defense, we may not need to be perfect when we have the ball. My feeling is if it's possible to win a championship with this approach, there's no better guy to do it, and the fact that he is who he is just makes me too happy to be an ND fan, win or lose. At the end of the day, Chuck Weis is just too cool.
indy | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 2:35 pm | #

In Charlie I trust.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 3:24 pm | #

The reason I know Charlie won't put Aldridge/Thomas and Prince/Allen in the same backfield is b/c he said so. "There's always going to be a lead running back." Now, just b/c we having a starting RB doesnt mean Weis can't implement a 2 back package, but we have never seen it at ND thus far, nor do I ever recall seeing Faulk/Dillon in the same backfield at NE.

But my point isnt that we should run a 2 back set just for the sake of it. My point is that we are WOEFULLY thin at WR and our strength on offense in 07 will be our RBs/TEs. No one can argue we have more depth/talent at WR than we do at RB.

Look at it from a Weis perspective. After you count the line and QB, there are 5 open spots left on offense. Throw in Grimes, Carlson and one of Reuland/Yeatman or a legitimate #2 WR (which we don't have by the way) and that leaves 2 spots left. The fact of the matter is we have more RBs than WRs, so put your best 11 on the field. Weis should follow his own advice and play to this team's strengths. Unfortunately, I dont think he will.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 4:26 pm | #

One last thing. I'm not saying EVERY formation has to have 2 RBs in it either, only that Weis should include it in our already formidable arsenal. The question to ask is not will he do it, but why wouldn't he? ND is LOADED at RB and is quickly becoming tailback U.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 4:44 pm | #

Jay,
It must have been real tough deciphering a racing form and race from Woodbine in Canada while handicapping at Hollywood Park or Santa Anita.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 5:43 pm | #

why is everyone picking on our WRs? guys like parris, gallup, and west didn't really get playing time last year because the starting X and Y were named Jeff Samardjiza and Rhema McKnight.

these guys are talented, trust me. they might not be making the circus catches we've seen '05 and '06, but
"efficiency" will be the key word for our passing game this year.
imposs1ble | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 5:58 pm | #

Completely unrelated, and please don't attack me for bringing it up. I was surprised at the quote attributed to DJ in one article.

“Who don’t want to start,” Jones said. "Who don’t want to be the guy come season-time.”

As an ND grad, I winced at the grammar of a current student...
Anon | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 6:01 pm | #

No wonder I never won anything at the track.

(Actually, I used that link because it was the best facsimile of an actual racing form I could find on short notice. To be clear, I've never been to Woodbine. Nor have I ever bet on a horse named "Little Hussy".)
Jay | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 6:18 pm | #

I don't think Weis has ever said he won't use a two back set, just that there would be a lead RB. Charlie's history suggests that he is a big believer in having someone that is the clear starter. That only means that someone (probably TT) is going to get the majority of the carries and PT. If, given the inexperience of the OL, WR's, and QB's, he does switch to more of a 60/40 run/pass ratio, there will be plenty of opportunities for someone other than the starter to get touches. I figure we're going to see a lot more 2-TE sets, formations with Schwapp or Schmidt as lead blockers, and possibly a "thunder & lightning" type formation with an inside/outside runner combination in the backfield. The only thing with the "lead RB" is that instead of, say Allen/Prince, it's more likely to be TT (assuming he wins the starting role) and a faster runner like Prince.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 10:48 am | #

Seriously, people need to be less worried about this. Bush/White only shared the backfield on occasion, and they were still VERY effective. Just making the defense prepare for both and have to adjust to them both is an awesome thing. You can do that and have a number 1 guy. It just means he goes out first. You're gonna run different plays with different guys, and the situation is going to dictate what play you want to run. Simple as that. The best guy for a given play will be in, and the guy who's the best at the most plays, will be #1. I don't have inside information, but from what I know of CW's philosophy, that's probably close to what's going on.
Kyle | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 2:13 am | #