Last night when Schmidt went out we basically were not able to call plays from the linebacker position. We sat in one basic defense and it showed. Now we have a multiple offense with a running quarterback to contend with and this could spell disaster. We have a week to get ready. Morgan is a superior athlete. Jaylon must take over and make the calls. Is he ready????

Niles Morgan/Greer Martini are going to have to play

 

Jaylon has got to take the lead as you said

 

offense is gonna hafta stay in the high 30's-50's

 

BVG is gonna swing and miss sometimes now.

 

Is that a bad thing? Not really in my view

 

If Kelly's safety blankets are there sometimes good talent is on the bench.

 

Whether its Rees, Cam, Schmidt, Collinsworth, Kelly will always favor the veteran who knows what he's doing.

 

Collinsworth's injury made Shumate a starter.

 

Now 3 quarters of the way into the season we get to see what we have right now in Niles Morgan. Joe can coach him.

 

It might cost us a win but we have to develop players. Schmidt was having trouble at FSU and UNC.

 

We needed some growing pains. Shame for Joe. Quick recovery to him.

I am okay with Morgan in there, a young guy will struggle a little with the mental part since that's huge part to the position. That play where he flashed in and hit Reynolds for a loss is a play Schmidt will never make. I thought the backers were absolutely terrible yesterday and Scmidt is included.

 

Personally I never want to see Martini again, he reminds me of a less physical slower Calabrese. He got roasted yesterday and looked out of place.

Personally I never want to see Martini again, he reminds me of a less physical slower Calabrese. He got roasted yesterday and looked out of place.

 

Martini is still very young, calm down.

I am okay with Morgan in there, a young guy will struggle a little with the mental part since that's huge part to the position. That play where he flashed in and hit Reynolds for a loss is a play Schmidt will never make. I thought the backers were absolutely terrible yesterday and Scmidt is included.

 

Personally I never want to see Martini again, he reminds me of a less physical slower Calabrese. He got roasted yesterday and looked out of place.

 

Really, the kids just saw extensive playing time for the first time and you're calling him out? Man, I've seen some bad fair-weather fans, but you take the cake. Rather than degrade an ND player, go find another team to root for.

Martini is still very young, calm down.

 

I can't imagine having to go against the triple option on your very first extended assignment. I for one have high hopes for Martini simply because I thought he looked quicker than I expected and I have heard he is very smart. Time will tell.

 

As far as Morgan, I think this bodes very well for the future. Faith thinks he might cost us a game and indeed it might, but I don't think so right now. You can't judge a player that spends most his time on the bench. We now get to see what Morgan is all about. I certainly liked what I saw Saturday night. He runs so much better than Schmidt. We are going to need that speed against ASU. I wasn't impressed with Kelly and ASU last night. I think he showed some rust. I really like our chances.

 

If we win next Saturday is there any reason to believe we won't finish 11-1?????

Really, the kids just saw extensive playing time for the first time and you're calling him out? Man, I've seen some bad fair-weather fans, but you take the cake. Rather than degrade an ND player, go find another team to root for.

 

How is that a fair weather fan? I've never stopped rooting for the irish since I started watching them and have watched every minute of every game and yes even in 2007. I wouldn't miss a minute if they went winless. Use some rationale.

 

I'm merely stating a fact, I don't care if he's young or an ND player he's slow and that's a statement you can prove watching film. He can do some speed work in the offseason but I think teams will target him if he continues to play.

I just learned that it was Morgan's responsibility to cover the fullback on that two point conversion. That is something we can clean up immediately. I also learned that Morgan was well known for his film study in high school. I think he is going to come on pretty fast.

 

As far as Greer, I am going to have to watch this game again. When I remember seeing him I thought he looked pretty quick. At first I didn't even realize he was in there, but he lead the team in tackles with 9. That's a pretty healthy stat. He must have done something right.

 

BVG wants speed everywhere. With the addition of Morgan we are faster than ever. With the three linebackers coming in next year I see the speed only improving. Maybe in the future guys like Deeb and Martini would not get an offer. I love the trajectory of this defense long term.

The secondary was also concerned with Russell and Collinsworth out for the season...they've done ok...

 

Jaylon doesn't strike me as a vocal on field guy... Onwualu and Morgan appear to be next in line, but with everyone playing in the system for the same amount of time, everyone should know the calls and where to line-up... The challenge is recognizing formation and tendencies and checking in or out of certain packages. Believe it or not, many young players (albeit elite young players) can make the pre-snap reads with some consistency... So giving Morgan a chance to do this before declaring it a problem is a bit of a rush to judgement.

 

Also, don't be surprised if Farley sees more time on the field in the event Morgan stumbles...

Without a doubt, this hurts the defense. Just like losing a center, the MLB is a big deal and layering on BVG's defense which is more sophisticated than the average defense, there's no getting around the fact that losing Schmidt is a loss that we can't fully compensate for.

 

HOWEVER, Morgan is truly special. Physically, he can do things that Schmidt just will never be capable of. Putting him next to Jaylon, our LB corps has a lot more horsepower for BVG to work with. My hope is that he can do what Schmidt was less capable of and destroy a drive or two simply by blowing up a 1st or 2nd down play. If we get that out of him, we can live with the inevitable mistakes that are going to come from trotting out a true freshman.

 

I will say, this sets us up beautifully for next year, presuming Schmidt can recover in time for next season (which shouldn't be a problem). Also, hot dawg!!! I knew Morgan was a beast, I just didn't realize how much of a beast he was. I'm really looking forward to watching him the rest of the year.

The D will definitely miss Joe's leadership. There is no way around that. But I truly don't expect a significant drop in production. Morgan is without a doubt, a better athlete than Joe. He'll be out of position sometimes, but he can make up for hit with his speed. He looks like a high emotion player and that will only help. The key is to get past asu with him. Give him the week to gain confidence and feel comfortable and it's all moving forward from there on out.

As for Martini, I am surprised to see he had that many tackles. Personally, I thought he looked rather slow but I didn't zero in on him either.

Edited November 3, 201410 yr by irishrb

I know it sounds weird but I look to Farley to pick up a lot of the slack when it comes to QBing the defense. He has a lot of experience, he played well Saturday and he understands how to play secondary and linebacker. He could really improve his stock here.

 

Did he ever shave that grizzly beard? I was starting to think ND had recruited a homeless guy.

I just learned that it was Morgan's responsibility to cover the fullback on that two point conversion. That is something we can clean up immediately. I also learned that Morgan was well known for his film study in high school. I think he is going to come on pretty fast.

 

As far as Greer, I am going to have to watch this game again. When I remember seeing him I thought he looked pretty quick. At first I didn't even realize he was in there, but he lead the team in tackles with 9. That's a pretty healthy stat. He must have done something right.

 

BVG wants speed everywhere. With the addition of Morgan we are faster than ever. With the three linebackers coming in next year I see the speed only improving. Maybe in the future guys like Deeb and Martini would not get an offer. I love the trajectory of this defense long term.

 

I think it might have been the last TD when the player went in motion and was wide open, caught a pass in the EZ, it was Morgan`s man.

I think it might have been the last TD when the player went in motion and was wide open, caught a pass in the EZ, it was Morgan`s man.

 

I believe Kelly mentioned that Morgan had the fullback on the two point conversion.

 

Can 2015 look any better??? Suddenly we will have an experienced Morgan to go along with Smith, Onawaulu and virtually every other defensive player. I'm certain Day and Jones will come back.

 

Actually this year we have been rather fortunate on the injury front. Collinsworth goes down but I actually think it made us better. Shumate has come on, Redfield matures and suddenly Tranquill is a potential super star.

The offense hasn't really taken any big hits. It just keeps getting better as the offensive line develops and Golson gets more reps.

 

Is there any doubt we start out the year ranked in the top 4 next year???

I believe Kelly mentioned that Morgan had the fullback on the two point conversion.

 

Can 2015 look any better??? Suddenly we will have an experienced Morgan to go along with Smith, Onawaulu and virtually every other defensive player. I'm certain Day and Jones will come back.

 

Actually this year we have been rather fortunate on the injury front. Collinsworth goes down but I actually think it made us better. Shumate has come on, Redfield matures and suddenly Tranquill is a potential super star.

The offense hasn't really taken any big hits. It just keeps getting better as the offensive line develops and Golson gets more reps.

 

Is there any doubt we start out the year ranked in the top 4 next year???

 

The schedule next year means we need to go undefeated. We will get no sympathy for losing to any team on that list.

I really don't think you can look at a schedule in advance and get any conclusion after the last few years. In 2012 and this year ND had supposedly one of the hardest in the country and it turned out not so. On years the schedule looks weak some of the teams turn out way better than expected. Eveybody uses the previous season to determine how good a team will be. No way of telling until a season goes along. I'm sure nobody looked at ND on their 2012 schedule or this year and thought that would be a really tough game.

I really don't think you can look at a schedule in advance and get any conclusion after the last few years. In 2012 and this year ND had supposedly one of the hardest in the country and it turned out not so. On years the schedule looks weak some of the teams turn out way better than expected. Eveybody uses the previous season to determine how good a team will be. No way of telling until a season goes along. I'm sure nobody looked at ND on their 2012 schedule or this year and thought that would be a really tough game.

 

 

Absolutely. I look for Texas to take a huge step up. Charlie Strong built a monster defense at Louisville and he is doing it at Texas. Offense will improve with maturity.

 

 

FARLEY?? Indeed he may be the one to take over leadership responsibilities. He has been around forever and is playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Good call Eddie.

I really don't think you can look at a schedule in advance and get any conclusion after the last few years. In 2012 and this year ND had supposedly one of the hardest in the country and it turned out not so. On years the schedule looks weak some of the teams turn out way better than expected. Eveybody uses the previous season to determine how good a team will be. No way of telling until a season goes along. I'm sure nobody looked at ND on their 2012 schedule or this year and thought that would be a really tough game.

 

This is true but the schedule took a big hit from when it was pencilled in with Texas falling off a cliff so dramatically. They are flat out bad and we will start 14+ favourites at home to them.

 

Clemson, USC and Stanford are the only other decent teams on the schedule and they are all not going to challenge the top 10 most likely so we will need to run the board.

This is true but the schedule took a big hit from when it was pencilled in with Texas falling off a cliff so dramatically. They are flat out bad and we will start 14+ favourites at home to them.

 

Clemson, USC and Stanford are the only other decent teams on the schedule and they are all not going to challenge the top 10 most likely so we will need to run the board.

 

Please don't underestimate Texas. They are building for the future. They will have a formidable defense next season and a better offense.

Please don't underestimate Texas. They are building for the future. They will have a formidable defense next season and a better offense.

 

Texas are not good and probably won't go to a bowl game this year. Their last 2 recruiting classes were #20 and #21 on rivals so the cavalry is not coming to help like it used to or should at Texas.

 

 

If we lose that game then we don't deserve to be in contention for anything.

 

 

This is before Strong weeds out even more malcontents from the roster before the season starts next year. He is changing their culture big time and it won't happen overnight or more importantly, before the beginning of next season.

The first couple games of a season always are toss ups and full of upsets . Teams have no film to go off of and upsets happen every year. Virginia beat Louisville this year and almost beat UCLA. Virginia Tech beat OSU but if they played now would get destroyed . The toughest games all year can be the first few. Those two against Texas and Virginia will be tougher than you think. We will not be14 point favorites.