spring depth chart thoughts

The depth chart handed out to the media is posted on Rothstein's Irish Insights blog. Some changes that I noticed (on a depth chart that will likely not really resemble what we see on the field).

Golic is already listed at RG instead of C.

Bobby Burger at FB. He's a transfer from Dayton where he played defensive end. He's already the biggest FB on the roster at 6'3" 242. His dad played for ND back in the day. Maybe he will actually see some time.

Lane Clelland is now listed as a RT. Not much depth at LT. Sentreal Henderson, come on down please.

KLM already listed over Mo Richardson at DE. That didn't take long.

Emeka Nwankwo is listed as 2nd team DE behind John Ryan at 295 pounds. In 2008 he only got in as an interior guy on goalline defenses. Are we really supposed to believe he's a DE?

Anthony McDonald is listed as a WILL linebacker when it really seemed like he was a future MLB in the making. Hopefully he's not one of those guys who battles injuries his entire career.

Sergio Brown is listed as the backup SS behind McCarthy rather than backup FS behind Harrison Smith.

For now, Darrin Walls is listed behind Blanton. I'm really interested to see which two of the Walls/Blanton/McNeil trio wind up starting. What a nice problem to have.

From Charlie's big and celebrated first real recruiting class, only 4 or 5 of them will likely be starters as seniors. The sophomore class could have 5 or 6.

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090320/BLOGS02/903209927

locked

268 views

When we play pass heavy teams, it gives us a great option. The real battle this year will be for the nickel back position; I think it's going to come down to Sergio Brown and Raeshon McNeil. Blanton has been more impressive as a corner than McNeil, as well as showing some good tackling skills, such as in the Purdue game where he stopped the TE in his tracks. Walls is still going to be our best cover corner and a future NFL star. McNeil started in this D as a nickel back, and there were rumors he was going to add weight and move to FS early on. The loss of Walls meant that he had to play CB.

The real dark horse this year will be Gary Gray. He was supposed to be an excellent player, but early injuries somewhat derailed him. It will be interesting to see if he can contend for some playing time outside the Dime or Quarter package. There's a lot standing in his way, though. We are stacked in terms of CB talent.

locked

258 views

the majority of reps. I'd imagine the starters will be Walls, and McNiel. I do think Blanton will play just as much as those two.

locked

234 views

I just don't see anything out of him on the field that makes him a better choice than Blanton. Sure, Blanton takes risks, but more often than not he makes a big play because of them. He has been a consistently better performer than McNeil, and would have won the UNC game with a great play had the fumble he caused been reviewed.

While I think we'll see all three quite a bit, I think the official starter, and the one playing more snaps, will be Blanton.

locked

220 views

I tend to agree with you.

locked

234 views

Walls and Blanton at CB, Hayseed and McCarthy at Safety, and Sergio as the nickel.

I think McNeil, Gray, and Slaughter get a lot of reps though (Slaughter is my dark horse for nickel back). God it's great to have a 3rd and 4th corner that are worthy of starting.

locked

237 views

he showed a lot of toughness last year. I think Allen is the better fit for what Weis wants to do and that Hughes is a better fit as a "big" TB (because you can throw to him, Aldridge has caught very few passes). But I like Aldridge and want to see him on the field.

locked

275 views

I really liked what I saw from Jonas Grey last year, except for the penchant for fumbling at bad times. I think he's a better RB at this point than Aldridge, and would eventually pass him up on the depth chart. Aldridge moving to FB can give Weis a good runner at FB as well as the option of another good runner at HB. For the first time since early 05, teams might have to account for our FB on run and pass plays. This is good.

I like the changes Weis is making, but I've been here before. I want to see it on the field before I start rethinking where I stand on Weis; namely, I'm very skeptical he will succeed as HC at Notre Dame. I wish it wasn't so, and I really want him to succeed both for ND and for his family, but it is.

locked

237 views

Nwankwo - although to be fair I wouldn't have any idea where he ends up on the DL - his body would suggest a DT... Is our DE depth that thin?

Clelland - I imagine it's because he needs more time to gain weight (seeing as he came in as a wrestler, ie underweight). Since Young sees the lionshare of timeat RT he may just come in situationally.

KLM - Glad he seems to be impressing - if he can have the impact that EJ did last year he will be a success. We may need him to be.

Aldridge - I've been harping on how Gray snuck in under the radar - and I think the fact that James may be looking at a move is a testament to Jonas' development. AA as our speed/spread guy, Hughes as our bus, and Jonas as the balanced back.

Ryan/Neal - I'm really hoping that Neal is just listed as a third string because of the limited-time thing. Otherwise my head may explode by the end of Nevada.

FB - Frankly despite his smaller stature I hope Paskorz wins the battle here. Even if he doesn't have the bulk of Asaph, he sure played well with the time he got on the field.

McDonald - He was injured? Also any thoughts from y'all gurus as to how our starting LB situation shakes out? I would have to think that Te'o , Brian Smith, and Filer see a lot of time... beyond that I don't know. Think we will have Motta in a legit role as this years Hayseed?

Sergio - Maybe that is a speed thing? I mean I wouldn't see him starting over either player, so I guess it makes sense (if he doesn't have the wheels for FS) to move to SS.

Walls/Blanton/McNeil - I completely agree - what could this team have been in 2005 with a problem like this? My early money is on Walls/Blanton, though I think all 3 will get a decent amount of face time.

I think one great thing about this spring (as mention by Charlie) is that most positions have legit depth, and it will be a spring about competition instead of 'oh no who can we plug this hole with?'. Even at positions with a lot of turnover we will still be looking good. Ah, hope springs eternal...

locked

250 views

the Polo Grounds

I expect a lot of Nickel.

I think it's a mistake to think that only 2 cb's will get

When it comes to McNeil..

down the stretch we rotated three DBs quite liberally

I see the nickel being...

I really like the thought of Aldridge at FB in some sets --

I like the options it gives us in the run game.

Nothing too shocking I guess