How many underclassmen started in 2007 but are now potentially backups to younger more talented players even though they are older themselves? West, Neal, Wenger? Anyone else?
PJC | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 11:46 am | #

I think people are mis-interpreting the Olsen to center comment.

I think ND would consider that rotation in an effort to build depth. The #2 center behind Wenger is M Golic or Braxton Cave, both of which may be less qualified for PT than having Olsen slide over to center while bringing Robinson into a guard spot.

To me this just sounds like Weis preparing the OL by training players for multiple positions.

And then again, sometimes I think Hansen is just writing up insane speculation.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 12:40 pm | #

that's a good point. who knows if eric hansen is just winging it. even if he's not, there is a lot of practice between now and nevada to see who pulls out ahead for the starting 5. is wenger that bad though? hard to say after the last two years where the entire o-line was conspicuously absent for large chunks of the seasons.
if there's one group of the team that needs to step up and lead, and lead hard, it's these guys. without them, it all falls apart. uggh.
oakvilleIrish | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:02 pm | #

It definitely sounds like Olsen would be the starter, which is about more than creating depth at center.

The interesting thing about the Olsen/Wenger at center topic is that it popped up on a few ND message boards a day or so before Hansen's article came out.

So either he's just grabbing at ideas from message boards, which I sort of doubt, or people are hearing that such a position switch experiment is being considered. I guess we'll all find out in August.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:05 pm | #

Weis made some not so thinly veiled comments to Ivan Maisel in the spring about Wenger's performance/committment. This may also be a motivational ploy designed to get Wenger to work harder during the summer.

Or they just feel that Duncan, Stewart, Olsen, Robinson, and Young are the five best linemen on the team.
PJC | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:36 pm | #

When is the last time we had depth like we do now? Its been a long time, I can't wait till the start of camp. ND is BCS bound. U$C will go down in southbend and this is the year we turn heads. GO IRISH GO
IN WEIS WE TRUST!!!!
StadiumDudeNamedChip | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:41 pm | #

StadiumDudeNamedChip

aka Charlie Weis.
oakvilleIrish | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:53 pm | #

I hope we don't go too light on the defensive front against UM. Rich Rod likes to run first out of the spread and pass second. For him, the use of the spread is to create gaps in the front seven for running. For UM, I think you need to stay with the beef, especially with a new freshman QB predicted to start for UM.
DW | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 1:58 pm | #

First of all, Verducci does not seem like the kind of character to just hand out starting spots. Considering he has yet to see Rboinson play in his presence for even one second, I highly doubt the speculation behind this move. Second, Are you telling me in a base nickel defense we are looking at Flemming, Filer, Johnson, and KLM up front? What is that like 20 mins. of experienced PT (exaggeration)? Not going to happen under Tenuta, I could see a front four of Johnson, KLM, Mo Richardson, and Neal starting the year off. Maybe toward the end of the year a lineup like that could emerge, but I would say in the beginning I would have to believe that experienced ends would have a much better shot at locking down spots. However, fall camp has not even begun so I would have to assume that Hansen is basically making educated guesses not based on much of anything.
Biiggs | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 4:44 pm | #

very well put Biigs, was about to post the same thing. I will believe it when I see it and I HIGHLY doubt we do unless it is vs. Stanford or 2010.
Craig, Lincoln NE | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 5:33 pm | #

Biiggs - As far as experience goes, Mo Richardson has played 116 minutes so far in his 3 seasons at ND. Fleming played 92 last season as a freshman. Fleming already has more career tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss.

I think it's safe to say that Darius Fleming is going to play an awful lot in 2009. He and Ethan Johnson already started in the nickel defense against Hawaii. Filer is the question mark, which is why I brought it up and wondered what will happen with Neal.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 5:47 pm | #

I'm pretty sure Olsen and Wenger are best friends at ND. That would make it kinda awkward if this actually happened
Greg | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 9:40 pm | #

so what happens to Ian W and Hafis W? or Scott and Toryan Smith? BGI talks them up. No mention here.
MayoGalway | Email | Homepage | 06.22.09 - 11:01 pm | #

If Verducci assesses Robinson and Stewart as our two best guards, that leaves the question of what to do with Olsen. Second string, or position shift?

One key is whether Olsen gets consistently better push in short yardage than Wenger. That should be visible on last season's tape. There are also questions about leadership, attitude, and judgment.

If Verducci decides that Robinson-Olsen-Stewart can best control the line of scrimmage, then it comes down to whether Olsen can handle center.

If... if... if... But Latina's personnel decisions should not be engraved in stone. If Verducci thinks he has a better idea - that's what he was hired for.
lyle | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 5:20 am | #

No offense to Crist, I'm glad that Sharpley is coming back. Clausen still can't get hurt but it puts us in a better position if he does take a bad hit.

As far as moving Olsen to center, I think it is being used a a push for the OL to get better.
NOEL | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 7:19 am | #

I wouldn't take the Hansen comment too seriously. I really think he was just kinda winging it. I think its more likely that Robinson will continue to spell Mr. Plow occassionally to keep him fresh.

Also, I think it's more like in a nickel position to see KLM and Ethan Johnson inside, with either Mo Richardson or Kerry Neal at one end spot, and Fleming or Filer at the other. I think Filer will work their a bit, but I really think the main ends in the nickel package are going to be Neal and Fleming, with Mo spelling them to continually keep fresh legs on the field.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 8:48 am | #

Im sure Verducci is gonna figure something out. Thats why we hired him right?

On the front 4 for the nickel
I think it would be Jonhson--KML--Ian---Hafis-- or Neal.
Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 8:49 am | #

After reading this,
http://bleacherreport.com/articl...nships-nd-in- 09

I am fired up and slurpin the kool-aid
keepin the faith | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 9:02 am | #

In terms of these specific defensive formations, I think a lot will be discerned against Nevada. I have no doubt our secondary can contain their passing game, especially with their top WR now gone. The key to that game, on defense, will be whether our front seven is speedy and atheletic enough to keep the pistol running game in check. If that happens and we can set the outside edge while also containing holes in the middle we should win that game comfortably. If not we'll need to win in a shoot-out.
bgr | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 10:45 am | #

I agree with NOEL- I'm happy Sharpley is coming back.

Let's say If ND is going along undefeated and playing USC- Clausen goes down late in the game, the game is close- you put in Sharpley.
PTINDY | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 11:12 am | #

MayoGalway - The discussion in the post was more about the nickel defense. The Williams's (Ian and Hafis) and Scott's (Toryan and Scott) are more likely to play in the base defense.

Although I can see Ian and Hafis getting into the nickel if the ultra-light line mentioned in the post isn't working out.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 1:55 pm | #

If Neal is healthy he will play plenty. He battled injuries last year and was still pretty solid. Overall, I think the plan is going to involve a lot of rotation in the front 7 to keep guys fresh (which generally also cuts down on injuries) regardless of the situational packages.

Robinson has a ton of upside, but I don't see him as some kind of uber OL right now. He will be a beast, but had his share of bad moments last year and Stewart seems to be developing into a solid guard, even getting out nicely on some screens in Hawaii. Olsen will do the job when healthy. All this center-swap stuff is speculation and just maybe (to the extent it is based in non-fantasy) a little motivational game being played by Verducci.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 5:08 pm | #

I'm glad Anello is coming back.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 5:39 pm | #

Thanks Pat. Yup, it sure is gonna be
interesting to see if the D is gonna come together like we hope.
Is Zeke a 'Hayseed' clone?
MayoGalway | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 7:58 pm | #

Whoa?!
Teo is pushing 240?! As a true freshman?!
This guy's going to be a beast!!!
DieselKnight | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 8:37 pm | #

Pat, do you use Google analytics?
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 8:38 pm | #

We don't indy. It's neat stuff, but more geared towards sites with ads and marketing objectives.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.23.09 - 11:51 pm | #

Im glad Anello is coming back too.

Also Zeke is kinda a clone too Hayseed.
Only that Zeke seems to be more of a OLB.
Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 06.24.09 - 12:16 am | #

Chris Martin is taking official visits elsewhere. Can anyone comment on the validity of this rumor? Where is he going and why?
ColoradoIrish | Email | Homepage | 06.25.09 - 12:45 pm | #