We have always pointed to 2015 as The Year. Well, I'm still pointing to it more so than ever. Here are some of the reasons, many are obvious.

 

1. Defensive talent returning and surging~~Have you ever seen so many defensive starters returning? Injuries crippled us this year but that should pay big dividends next year. Guys like Blankenship, Trumbetti, Hill, Cage and Hayes all saw the field as true freshmen. Can you imagine the competition in the weight room?

 

a.) Jarret Grace returns. He is going to be part of the mix of a crowded and experienced linebacking core. He has two years of eligibility.

 

b.) Schmidt returns. We know what it cost us when he was injured.

 

c.) Morgan will be seasoned. What a great opportunity for him as he was thrust into the fire. The learning curve was so steep but now we reap the rewards.

 

d.) Jaylon will start to peak and dominate. Best linebacking group in America????

 

e.) Onawaulu was undersized and lacked strength. Not next year.

 

2. Now you can throw in a bulked up Jhonny Williams and Bonner. Heard very good things about these guys. Williams will be putting some pressure on the quarterback and these guys have 4 years of eligibility.

 

3. Quarterback situation will be tremendously enhanced. Malik will be the stabilizing force and he will get plenty of reps in the bowl game and spring practice. Personally I think he starts, but if he doesn't Kelly will not hesitate to put him in when Golson falters. Quarterbacking becomes a strength instead of the Achilles heal.

 

4. Offensive line will improve. To me it is all about McGlinchey taking over and dominating at tackle. Hopefully it is right tackle and we don't lose Stanley, but this kid is a future NFL first rounder.

 

5. Greg Bryant~~His time has arrived.

 

6. Receiving core~~If you think it was good this year, just give these guys another year and add a seasoned Torri Hunter. Dang these guys are going to be good.

 

7. Tight end takes a step up~~Purely more talent and better blocking with Smythe and Luatua. Looking forward to seeing Weishar too. Remember this is tight end U. We didn't show it this year but that was because Niklas left early. Back to the norm.

 

8. Longo~~I just see so many kids that will step up. Our defense was undersized with all the true freshmen. That will change and 2015 will be drastically bigger and stronger along the defensive front.

 

Coaching~~Sure some of you are down on Kelly and I have been too. But he has put everything in place to make a serious run in 2015. I am so confident I will be at the Texas game to kick off "THE RUN''.

You lost me at 1d

You lost me at 1d

 

Me too... Two hobbled linebackers in the mix (one who sustained a likely career ending injury) do not make for the best linebacking corps in America. Someone dipped in the the Christmas Eve Punch a few days too early...

Repost this the week before the season starts.

Excellent post Okie. Don't forget that 2 of the frozen 5 are coming back. Williams and Russell who I both expect to have monster years. Counter that with Incoming frosh Nick Watkins and hopefully an improved Redfield and Shumate and 2015 should be the year. This next year is a big year in my eyes for BK.

Seriously though, I need whatever meds you guys are on. This team is a train wreck.

Me too... Two hobbled linebackers in the mix (one who sustained a likely career ending injury) do not make for the best linebacking corps in America. Someone dipped in the the Christmas Eve Punch a few days too early...

 

Seriously though, I need whatever meds you guys are on. This team is a train wreck.

 

We're officially the Chicago Cubs:hurt:

Seriously though, I need whatever meds you guys are on. This team is a train wreck.

 

2015 is a completely different story. Of course the current team is a train wreck. It is depleted, worn out, under aged and has a quarterback problem. This same team, however, was one bad call from beating Florida State before all the injuries and Golson's melt down.

 

What I look at is problem solving and we have the personell and the numbers much greater than any year Kelly has been here and that certainly includes 2012.

 

How can you not be high on next year's linebacking??? We had no experience and depth this year when Schmidt went out. But boy does that create depth for next year. Schmidt is back. Did we not play well with him in there??? Morgan is more talented but had a huge learning curve. Not next year. Suddenly that position is well stocked. Grace is reportedly back to full strength. Three seriously good freshmen come in that won't have to play next year like they would have this year. This situation has completely turned around. Not hard to see for someone that studies the roster.

2015 is a completely different story. Of course the current team is a train wreck. It is depleted, worn out, under aged and has a quarterback problem. This same team, however, was one bad call from beating Florida State before all the injuries and Golson's melt down.

 

What I look at is problem solving and we have the personell and the numbers much greater than any year Kelly has been here and that certainly includes 2012.

 

How can you not be high on next year's linebacking??? We had no experience and depth this year when Schmidt went out. But boy does that create depth for next year. Schmidt is back. Did we not play well with him in there??? Morgan is more talented but had a huge learning curve. Not next year. Suddenly that position is well stocked. Grace is reportedly back to full strength. Three seriously good freshmen come in that won't have to play next year like they would have this year. This situation has completely turned around. Not hard to see for someone that studies the roster.

Deleted.. No need for me to be so negative.

 

Merry Christmas and may God Bless us all.

Edited December 22, 201410 yr by cali_domer

Deleted.. No need for me to be so negative.

 

Merry Christmas and may God Bless us all.

 

Thank You Cali!!! Merry Christmas......

Thank You Cali!!! Merry Christmas......

Hope you're correct and we have a good 2015. Go Irish!

How can you not be high on next year's linebacking???

I don't know about getting overly excited about Grace (just not sure he can stay healthy but sure hope so), but I don't know how any fan wouldn't get excited about incoming frosh of Barajas, Coney, and Bilal. Getting Schmidt back healthy will do wonders for this defense. Kid was severely underrated going into last season and provided outstanding heart and leadership. A true ND man/player in every sense of the word.

Seriously though, I need whatever meds you guys are on. This team is a train wreck.

 

Haha, agreed. We will be 9-3 at best and hoping for 8-4. Freshman playing or not, we just really aren't that good.

The defense is going to give up points due to lack of depth and the offense will have days when the chunk plays don't happen. I expect 3 losses.

We have always pointed to 2015 as The Year. Well, I'm still pointing to it more so than ever. Here are some of the reasons, many are obvious.

 

1. Defensive talent returning and surging~~Have you ever seen so many defensive starters returning? Injuries crippled us this year but that should pay big dividends next year. Guys like Blankenship, Trumbetti, Hill, Cage and Hayes all saw the field as true freshmen. Can you imagine the competition in the weight room?

 

a.) Jarret Grace returns. He is going to be part of the mix of a crowded and experienced linebacking core. He has two years of eligibility.

 

b.) Schmidt returns. We know what it cost us when he was injured.

 

c.) Morgan will be seasoned. What a great opportunity for him as he was thrust into the fire. The learning curve was so steep but now we reap the rewards.

 

d.) Jaylon will start to peak and dominate. Best linebacking group in America????

 

e.) Onawaulu was undersized and lacked strength. Not next year.

 

2. Now you can throw in a bulked up Jhonny Williams and Bonner. Heard very good things about these guys. Williams will be putting some pressure on the quarterback and these guys have 4 years of eligibility.

 

3. Quarterback situation will be tremendously enhanced. Malik will be the stabilizing force and he will get plenty of reps in the bowl game and spring practice. Personally I think he starts, but if he doesn't Kelly will not hesitate to put him in when Golson falters. Quarterbacking becomes a strength instead of the Achilles heal.

 

4. Offensive line will improve. To me it is all about McGlinchey taking over and dominating at tackle. Hopefully it is right tackle and we don't lose Stanley, but this kid is a future NFL first rounder.

 

5. Greg Bryant~~His time has arrived.

 

6. Receiving core~~If you think it was good this year, just give these guys another year and add a seasoned Torri Hunter. Dang these guys are going to be good.

 

7. Tight end takes a step up~~Purely more talent and better blocking with Smythe and Luatua. Looking forward to seeing Weishar too. Remember this is tight end U. We didn't show it this year but that was because Niklas left early. Back to the norm.

 

8. Longo~~I just see so many kids that will step up. Our defense was undersized with all the true freshmen. That will change and 2015 will be drastically bigger and stronger along the defensive front.

 

Coaching~~Sure some of you are down on Kelly and I have been too. But he has put everything in place to make a serious run in 2015. I am so confident I will be at the Texas game to kick off "THE RUN''.

 

Heck I'm always confident, so count me in.

 

We gotta get back to running that rock. In the other thread I discuss the importance of BALANCE 200 passing, 200 rushing. Balance and proficiency. A more seasoned line, McGlinchey's getting to be a mauler, watched him pin his guy a lot in the second half of USC. As Nelson steps up at Guard and hoge takes over at center or Mustipher or whoever, we gotta find our new Braxton Cave.

 

More physical front should improve our run game, if our run game gets better our defense spends less snaps on the field. Our defense would play better if we did not run it out their every 10 seconds.

 

I'm starting to see why SABAN DISIKES SPEEDBALL as he now calls it. Slow it down, get it right, pick your spots to throw a quick play in there.

Haha, agreed. We will be 9-3 at best and hoping for 8-4. Freshman playing or not, we just really aren't that good.

 

And wasn't this year supposed to be the year? And wasn't the year before supposed to be the year? It's always next year.

 

Tired of talk. Show me.

Seriously though, I need whatever meds you guys are on. This team is a train wreck.

 

+1. "Next Year" should be ND's official motto.

I don't know about getting overly excited about Grace (just not sure he can stay healthy but sure hope so), but I don't know how any fan wouldn't get excited about incoming frosh of Barajas, Coney, and Bilal. Getting Schmidt back healthy will do wonders for this defense. Kid was severely underrated going into last season and provided outstanding heart and leadership. A true ND man/player in every sense of the word.

 

I never get excited about ANY recruit until they get to campus for camp...we're in for a rocky next few months unless BK comes out and says he's staying put...

I never get excited about ANY recruit until they get to campus for camp...we're in for a rocky next few months unless BK comes out and says he's staying put...

 

i 100 percent agree on the recruits thing

 

although I only think we will hear something out of BK if he is leaving.

 

not sure every coach needs to come out and say they are staying every year just because of rumors or rumblings (and who knows where they come from).

All hell breaks loose as soon as we hear the word interview...it'll be worse than North Korea...

We have always pointed to 2015 as The Year. Well, I'm still pointing to it more so than ever. Here are some of the reasons, many are obvious.

 

1. Defensive talent returning and surging~~Have you ever seen so many defensive starters returning? Injuries crippled us this year but that should pay big dividends next year. Guys like Blankenship, Trumbetti, Hill, Cage and Hayes all saw the field as true freshmen. Can you imagine the competition in the weight room?

 

a.) Jarret Grace returns. He is going to be part of the mix of a crowded and experienced linebacking core. He has two years of eligibility.

 

b.) Schmidt returns. We know what it cost us when he was injured.

 

c.) Morgan will be seasoned. What a great opportunity for him as he was thrust into the fire. The learning curve was so steep but now we reap the rewards.

 

d.) Jaylon will start to peak and dominate. Best linebacking group in America????

 

e.) Onawaulu was undersized and lacked strength. Not next year.

 

2. Now you can throw in a bulked up Jhonny Williams and Bonner. Heard very good things about these guys. Williams will be putting some pressure on the quarterback and these guys have 4 years of eligibility.

 

3. Quarterback situation will be tremendously enhanced. Malik will be the stabilizing force and he will get plenty of reps in the bowl game and spring practice. Personally I think he starts, but if he doesn't Kelly will not hesitate to put him in when Golson falters. Quarterbacking becomes a strength instead of the Achilles heal.

 

4. Offensive line will improve. To me it is all about McGlinchey taking over and dominating at tackle. Hopefully it is right tackle and we don't lose Stanley, but this kid is a future NFL first rounder.

 

5. Greg Bryant~~His time has arrived.

 

6. Receiving core~~If you think it was good this year, just give these guys another year and add a seasoned Torri Hunter. Dang these guys are going to be good.

 

7. Tight end takes a step up~~Purely more talent and better blocking with Smythe and Luatua. Looking forward to seeing Weishar too. Remember this is tight end U. We didn't show it this year but that was because Niklas left early. Back to the norm.

 

8. Longo~~I just see so many kids that will step up. Our defense was undersized with all the true freshmen. That will change and 2015 will be drastically bigger and stronger along the defensive front.

 

Coaching~~Sure some of you are down on Kelly and I have been too. But he has put everything in place to make a serious run in 2015. I am so confident I will be at the Texas game to kick off "THE RUN''.

 

This should be posted in the positive news thread, Oklahoma. Did you consult with Hawaii before penning this opus?