Can't believe we wasted a year of eligibility on this guy to fair catch punts. Why couldn't Theo have been back there or GA3?

I would have liked to see Davonte get more touches on offense, but I think this is all about learning with him. I think a year of learning and sitting back, watching will do him good. I expect him to win the slot receiver job and be a huge threat for us next year. The punt return game will improve as we add more depth and I really think Neal will be a household name.

Can't believe we wasted a year of eligibility on this guy to fair catch punts. Why couldn't Goodman have been back there?

 

Since it didn't change anything.....

 

 

My thoughts: BK is EXTREMELY nervous about ST, especially game changing breakdowns, and wanted Neal to have a full years of catching it under any/all situations before doing anything fancy

 

Guess we'll see next season if i'm right, but yeah, ST is so mediocre i would be surprised if no imporovements were made

 

GA3 needs to run fearless on Kick offs or give that to Neal as well, with Mac as backup

Well, he didn't JUST return punts.

 

Did he play in the slot a lot? No, but he did play there some. Remember, he is more or less the only option there next year. Any experience he got there this year is going to carry over into next year.

 

So was it a waste? I don't think so. He got some experience returning punts, and some experience playing slot. That will all help him next year as he moves into a starting role.

 

Would it be great if he could possibly come back for a 5th year? Sure. But I'd rather him not be stepping onto the field for the very first time as a starter vs. Temple if he doesn't have to be.

Didn't he drop the ball the few times he could have had a return??

Meh, we "wasted" a red shirt year for GAIII letting him return kicks last year, so Kelly was probably hoping for a similar scenario where Neal would make a couple big plays as well. If he truly turns out to be the dynamic player he was in high school, it would be very doubtful he stayed for a fifth year anyway if he had a red shirted this year.

Didn't he drop the ball the few times he could have had a return??

 

that's what happens when you don't look the ball in to your hands...

 

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4765/davontenealdiscoverbcsn.jpg

Posted this a while back:

 

http://irish.nbcsports.com/2010/11/06/how-we-got-here-redshirts/

 

 

Basically, you redshirt "power" , not "skill" positions

 

Power positions need more time to develop and grow, skill usually leave after 4 years, sometimes 3 anyway

Didn't he drop the ball the few times he could have had a return??

 

The Pitt one took a couple years off my life. I completely understand that he wanted to put in a big return, but my God, that almost sealed the game for Pitt.

Can't believe we wasted a year of eligibility on this guy to fair catch punts. Why couldn't Theo have been back there or GA3?

 

I guess it really was a waste since you didn't even learn how to spell his name...Davonte.

 

After Theo's performance against USF in 2011 I'm surprised anyone would ever ask for him on the punt team again.

Edited January 14, 201311 yr by Rocket's Revenge

that's what happens when you don't look the ball in to your hands...

 

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4765/davontenealdiscoverbcsn.jpg

 

Rocket, where do you get your pics? They are awesome.....

Rocket, where do you get your pics? They are awesome.....

 

I have access to the associated press archive.

There is significant mental development during road trips and focusing on preparing... He could be next year's slot/rb guy and his offseason learning the play book, getting in the weight room and be ready to excel when given a chance.

 

Had he spent the season waiting to see the field, there is no telling how involved and competitively focused he would have been, and the potential regression could have set him back. Many of these decisions are made taking this in mind.

 

And his return skills on the "hoof" are better than that of John Goodman, who beat out theo and GA3 a season ago...so if he was the best player to fill the position and the team went undefeated, it's hard to question if he was ready or his playing time not being earned. Which is all any player would ask for...

First his name is

Davonte Neal ( sorry but that bothered me)( sorry type o Rofl ) ( Was not trying to be rude just prefer to see it correct)

 

Secondly give the freshman some credit. He has solid hands and rarely dropped many fair catches.

Yes we all would have preferred a few returns for TD's or sheer yards but I'll take a fair catch over fumbles within the redzone anyday.

 

The kid has all the intangibles. Give him a year and we all will be glad he is Irish!

Edited January 14, 201311 yr by Jptheone

First his name is

Devonte' Neal ( sorry but that bothered me)

 

 

I'm more bothered by you...

It's Davonte' Neal

First his name is

Devonte' Neal ( sorry but that bothered me)

 

Actually, it's Davonte'. Not Davante. Not Devonte. Not De'Vonte. Not Dovantay.

 

Just Davonte'.

I have access to the associated press archive.

 

Ok thanks......

Actually, it's Davonte'. Not Davante. Not Devonte. Not De'Vonte. Not Dovantay.

 

Just Davonte'.

 

I hate when ND fans can't spell the names of our players. It makes them look uneducated......

I hate when ND fans can't spell the names of our players. It makes them look uneducated......

 

I try not to fuss about it too much, but it's downright silly when people say Cierre Woods or Austin Collingsworth.

I try not to fuss about it too much, but it's downright silly when people say Cierre Woods or Austin Collingsworth.

 

Yeah I agree...it bothers me when people pull an S out of nowheres.

Since it didn't change anything.....

 

 

My thoughts: BK is EXTREMELY nervous about ST, especially game changing breakdowns, and wanted Neal to have a full years of catching it under any/all situations before doing anything fancy

 

Guess we'll see next season if i'm right, but yeah, ST is so mediocre i would be surprised if no imporovements were made

 

GA3 needs to run fearless on Kick offs or give that to Neal as well, with Mac as backup

 

Even after a full year back there, he stunk it up at the NC game.