http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=2109

 

Blue and Gold article which says our D will get chewed up by the run. If TT starts I think our first 3 opponents will be be running straight at him.

I'll trust Charlie and his coaching staff!

He makes some good points about TT not being able to get off a 300-pound lineman, but in all reality, at OLB, he's not going to always be dealing with 300-pound linemen (if the DEs do their jobs). I think he'll do fine

i think blue and gold is just being negative, pound for pound hes one tough kid, and they hear speed and think now we will be weak, well u know what you have to pick your poison, and ill take TT playing hard and hitting people over some slow guy who can shed a 300 pound lineman

Yeah, I don't know about that, really hope noone's getting in TT's head w/ this stuff...still some work to be done before GT. Personally I find it hard to imagine TT having problems w/ that motor he has...he reminded me of Watters a couple times last year, just pumped after crossing that goalline. If he can get close to that same intensity on the other side he will be fine. Haven't seen much video of him in action, though....

Notre Dame defenses don't usually have a problem stopping the run. I'm not concerned.

 

Yeah Z needs to learn to stay back, but he is naturally very strong against the run.

I'll trust Charlie and his coaching staff!

 

nuff said

I'll trust Charlie and his coaching staff!

 

nuff said

 

yup i was just about to say that.

I think we will see situational substitutions at that position. Just because TT is named the starter, does not mean he wil be in on all downs and situations. I think on most obvious running plays, we may see a larger body playing that spot.

You're definitely right rocket. Hopefully we can get a young guy like Toryan in there...241 lbs.

Travis is going to turn out to be a stud on defense!!! Charlie is helping him get to the next level!

 

Remeber Chuck is the master of getting players in the right situation to succeed.

 

He learned from the best out there in New England - Belichek!

I know every one is freaking out about the size of our LB, here is my respone:

 

1) There has been all kinds of talk about the Will becoming a hybred safety... I think that is what we are seeing. The days of four huge DL and three big (often slow) LBs is over at ND. Speed is the name of the game, and that is not a bad thing.

2) Case and point- Auburn's Defense. I think they have been one of the top defenses in the country the last few years. Their starting LB weigh 221#, 213# and 223#. Their second string is 220#, 220# and 210#. Looking at our starting four on the roster (not sure if those are updated weights or older weights) are starters are Crum at 220#, Travis Thomas at 215#, Mitchell Thomas at 232# and Vernaglia at 230#.

3) Given the style of play of our opponents is no longer the power running game, I would put only Michigan in that category, I think that a smaller faster player is better at defensing the spread option.

anyone see the hit he put on schawp during practice... yeah hes huge

anyone see the hit he put on schawp during practice... yeah hes huge

no i didn't, tell us about it.

It was a textbook tackle, and he really layed him out......it was a really great hit.

and nobody wants to try to tackle schwapp hes a freaking brick wall

Reggie Ball. Thats the reason we need a speedy LB out there this week.

 

Surely nobody has forgotten what Troy Smith did on many 3rd and long situations last year

reggie ball is the most overated player ever

 

he will never make the nfl, he is an interception machine

Isn't Ball only a junior?? He will be a nice test to see if the added speed with Thomas can stop a mobile QB.

he is a senior

11 TD and 12 INT last year

 

16 and 18 the year before

 

10 and 11 the year before that

 

that is horrible, if you throw more int's than td's you cannot be considered good