ndomer4 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 This long and painful offseason is really getting to me so I decided to go back and watch some film of last year. It made me realize even more how important a player Louis Nix is. I always knew he was the glue to our defense but it's even more of an issue with the lack of a true 3-4 nose tackle behind him. We saw it when Kona started the game vs Pitt and we started getting gashed for huge runs. The 3-4 really needs a huge space eater who has a motor on him, BJ Raji and Louis Nix look like prototypical 3-4 tackles to me. The key to our success in run defense was Nix taking up numerous linemen or blowing up plays in the backfield. So I'd like to see your opinions on who's the most important player on the team or who we can't do without. I think Nix is indispensable and arguably the best defensive tackle in the country. IMO I think he's not only the best player on our team but his position also lacks the most depth so this is an obvious choice. I also think he had the best game of anyone on the defense vs that Bama offense. If we somehow lose him to an injury it might cost us a couple games so let's hope he stays healthy throughout the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pregame Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I also think Louis Nix is the most important player on our team. As long as he can control the middle of the LOS, our defense should have another stellar year. Since you picked Big Lou, I'm going to go with either Bennett Jackson or Keivarae Russell. If our CBs can lock down the other teams WRs it should give Tuitt, Shembo, Day, etc. the time to get some sacks, force some turnovers and help us win the field position game. Getting short fields for our offense will help us a ton this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawaiiirish Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I agree with everything you say NDOMER--but unfortunately your only partly correct.--- Louis is the BEST player on the team Louis is the heart of the defense and of the team since manti is now gone Louis is likely the #1 or #2 DT in the country All that is true my friend---and to say he is the most important player is certainly fair--- But FOOTBALL 101 tells us that sharing that moniker on this seasons team has to be Tommy Rees---he is not one of the best players and will never get drafted but in 2013 he is as important as BIG LOU. How Rees goes will determine wins & losses ---its a scary situation but it is what it is--- Here's hoping Tommy can be inspired by NIX to be all he can be! aloha's go irish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndomer4 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 I agree with everything you say NDOMER--but unfortunately your only partly correct.--- Louis is the BEST player on the team Louis is the heart of the defense and of the team since manti is now gone Louis is likely the #1 or #2 DT in the country All that is true my friend---and to say he is the most important player is certainly fair--- But FOOTBALL 101 tells us that sharing that moniker on this seasons team has to be Tommy Rees---he is not one of the best players and will never get drafted but in 2013 he is as important as BIG LOU. How Rees goes will determine wins & losses ---its a scary situation but it is what it is--- Here's hoping Tommy can be inspired by NIX to be all he can be! aloha's go irish! Yeah your right Tommy's play is a huge part to how this season will go. Thankfully we have a a good oline, we have good receivers and I'm expecting us to have a good running game. We've set up Tommy about as good as we can for success so I'm praying he can pull through. From watching the BYU game again it's obvious his limitations hurt us. To combat his fairly weak arm he needs to read defenses and get the ball out really quick, his timing needs to be perfect especially on a deep out route or it's six the other way. Everett can make that throw late because of his cannon. So Rees really needs that mental part of his game to shadow his physical limitations, if he does he puts us in a position to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtl_irish03 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I'm going Zach Martin. Keeps Rees alive and is the lynchpin for the run gane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyirishdad Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Tommy, without a doubt. I would also like to add Brindza. It may be that kind of a season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OklahomaIrish Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I was going to echo Hawaii and say Tommy. Quarterbacks just have so much control over the game, but I also want to say, it is possible, just possible, that Malik Zaire can become the most important player for us as the season progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishrb Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I hate to say it but I have to go with Tommy too. He must be solid for the offense to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ND FANATIC Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Tommy Rees....and its not even close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roarcity269 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I was going to echo Hawaii and say Tommy. Quarterbacks just have so much control over the game, but I also want to say, it is possible, just possible, that Malik Zaire can become the most important player for us as the season progresses. How can it be possible that any string in here somehow comes back to Malik... I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here. He will not play this year. If he does CBK is not as smart as we thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corysold Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 You are only as good as your weakest player. On offense, that is Tommy. On defense, that is probably going to be Jarrett Grace. If those two play very well, ND can be very good. If they are both average, ND will be slightly above average. You hate to pin a whole season on one or two guys, but I think that is where ND is going to be this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishFan33 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Offensive line and defensive line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domer Dude Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Offensive line and defensive line Heggie!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedsterX Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 How can it be possible that any string in here somehow comes back to Malik... I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here. He will not play this year. If he does CBK is not as smart as we thought. You're right that Malik is a whole different thread BUT Malik MUST see some time this year. Saying he "will not play" imo is wrong. Gunner is gone, it's 50/50 that Everett can/will come back, Hendricks will most likely drop football for pre-med and Tommy out of eligibility. What now? You have a new freshman and a red shirt both with absolutely NO experience. Malik MUST get some time this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echo88 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 You're right that Malik is a whole different thread BUT Malik MUST see some time this year. Saying he "will not play" imo is wrong. Gunner is gone, it's 50/50 that Everett can/will come back, Hendricks will most likely drop football for pre-med and Tommy out of eligibility. What now? You have a new freshman and a red shirt both with absolutely NO experience. Malik MUST get some time this year! Was Malik our drag queen bet or was it someone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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