4thand1

It would truly be a shame if he misses the game due to grades because he should have a good handle on his academics by now. He could be replaced as far as a pass catcher goes. However, he is an excellent run blocker and his replacement won't be near as good in that dept. Just so happens that running the ball right at Miami's quick defense looks to be the game plan at least initially.

When given a choice I think most people prefer to be optimistic. Its makes life much better for you and those around you. I think this topic can be put to rest till the young man comes out and says more.

I want Tuitt to stay but as far as I'm concerned if the staff is told he is visiting then they continue to recruit DE's. If they get one they like they have every right to pull Tuitt's schollie if they want whether he commits to Auburn or not. Don't think that would happen but it would be fair. Also, the OLB's are the stars of the 3-4 not the DE's. Although Tuitt seems like a perfect 3-4 DE I wouldn't worry about him too much. Don't confuse what is happening in recruiting now with what will be happening when the team is in BCS contention next year.

Shembo is an OLB. Besides pass rushing that position requires some coverage of TE's and backs. Not sure Ray is fast enough for that? Hope so.

I like Ray's stats but I just don't see him going from 225 to 285 if the staff intends for him to play DE. Also, he doesn't seem fast enough to play OLB if the usual sites have accurate speed measurements. I am kind of hoping for Scarlett instead at this point purely based on fit for the 3-4.

Good to hear about the visitors. I would have thought the prospects already verballed would wait to visit during the football banquet?? Does this mean ND will have fewer visits for that event?

Great info. This is why I love this site. I have paid for premium memberships on other sites and recv'd less info. Thank you.

It sounds like ND's bowl game is going to be in Orlando. That can only help the situation.

just cause some jacka$$ kid says its so doesn't mean it is. this topic concerning the staff's stability doesn't deserve the time taken to type this thread.

Coach Kelly is absolutely safe with his job. I don't know where Hayes gets his info from but unless B.K. quits I don't see him going anywhere.

wouldn't fans have said that Quinn and Clausen weren't salvagable after a similar amount of games? How are the Texas and Florida first year QB's doing? I think you don't need to be happy about the results but maybe backoff condemning a player after a handfull of starts.

Both guys did a great job! I was glad to see them play more of a 4-3 look last Sat. With Ian out it just makes sense. As much as I love Cynwar's heart and dedication he seems too light for a 3-4 NT against any kind of running oppenent. IMO.

Wait, you mean he isn't transferring? LoL! Great kid and great leader. Jury still out on how he will progress as a QB. Everyone thought he would miss spring ball this year but he didn't. Neither Clausen or Quinn looked good their 1st year behind center so be patient.

Shembo is exactly what a 3-4 linebacker should be. Team him with Manti and Carlo with one more TBD and look out!

Great job today! Utah is a good team, not great but def. good. The Irish have lost to much worse. The defense has been no where near as bad as advertised.

Golson for certain. Doesn't he have something like 47 tds with 3 ints? And he is fast!!

Wow, I guess its been like 3 days that this topic has been on the board and yet still no news of a supposed transfer. I guess it could happen but why do people seem to thrive on negativity. Not to mention the Kelly yelling topic. F'ing insane. There probably wasn't one fan that didn't think he was a good choice for ND as well as almost every so called expert thinking it was a great move. Now that he is struggling through his 1st season people (FANS) literally find any and every reason to tear him down?? He was the same yelling guy the last 2 years when he took Cinci to BCS games. Some of you need to get a clue. He is going through a transition period will come out of it shining. Give the dude a break.

not even a hint of this news on rivals?? i really don't see any harm in posting a possible rumor but for some people to then begin discussing why he'd be better off elsewhere is going way too far. sure hope the young man or his family doesn't read this site because i would be pissed if i was him. let the rumor materialize or fizzle before offering such comments. sure hope nobody posts a rumor that the sky is falling. i would hate to see people lock themselves in the basement for a week! or maybe i wouldn't!

no offense to the idea but if ND was playin a 4-3 this year everyone would be saying switch to a 3-4. its just a matter of the players becoming comfortable with the system the way the current coaches are running it. it will get better when the thinking is removed and replaced with reacting. i will say i am not necessarily comfortable with some of the lineup decisions the staff is making but i have to trust their eyes since they see them at practice.

any time a Steelers game is on TV it is always mentioned that Aaron Smith DE is probably their most valuable defensive player despite the fact that he is by far not the most glamorous guy stat wise on the defense. To me, a perfect college 3-4 DE would be Mike Martin on Michigan. I would say find guys like that. There are plenty of guys in the 290 range that still have quickness.

I think someone actually said Lynch is tailor made for a 3-4 DE?? I am not sure what he or she is using as a reference but I would beg to differ. There are not many college 3-4 defenses to reference. Typically, you want your 3-4 DE to be around 285 or 290 lbs with quickness that is better than your average NT or DT. They are in no way meant to be the show ponies or glory stats guys of the 3-4 defense. However, that by no means diminishes their value. Lynch is a little light for the position coming in but doesn't mean he couldn't do it. In the end he doesn't think it's the situation for him?? Watch NE or the Steelers D to get an idea of what makes a good 3-4 DE. It's not a glory ESPN position but absolutely vital to the overall success of a 3-4 defense. In the end, if you don't have the heart and overall desire to do it, the team is better off without you.....

My 2 cents. First of all I would like Burton to stick with his verbal commitment to the Irish. However, if he doesn't truly want to be here then ultimately Coach Kelly doesn't want him. So the team is 4-4 and lost to Navy. Down but not out. If commits (verbal) jump off the wagon because of that, what does that say about them?? I don't want guys like that. Lets say in the upcoming years those kids are on the team and they are losing a game to a team they should beat. I am guessing those aren't the kind of kids that say enough is enough, anchor down and proceed to kick the other teams a$$. Those would be the kids that quit at that point because they run away when the going gets tough. I would say to the recruits and fans for that matter, if you love the school/ team then stand strong while things get better. Be part of the solution if you supposedly love what the school stands for! Otherwise, go to your front runner where things are easier and proceed to take the easy way out for the rest of your life!! I wish I could get this message through to some of these kids.

Anyone on this board that thinks Kelly and his staff didn't prepare the team enough to beat Navy is absolutely crazy. This coming from a guy that wanted to keep Weis. Yep, Kelly said what he said to the press after the game. Then / or before he ripped his team a new one. Just like he should have. Because for ND today, effort and desire should have been enough to get the win even short handed. That said, Kelly knows the team is young and inexperienced at many critical spots so he will put the a$$ chewing in the rear view mirror next week and focus on the future.

no, we can not admit he is garbage. thanks for asking though

Not so sure its a dishonest approach if you actually give the recruit a shot at his desired position and switch after he is obviously buried on the depth chart.