If we're gonna talk Defense....let's be real... The almighty D has been missing for minute!... Well for a couple of decades actually!... But now....it's laboratory time!... It's...go to the cupboard and see what we got time...and what we can make of it!...
When I think about Coach Kelly in defensive meetings...I can't help but think of Dr. Frankenstein....only instead of looting dead bodies...He gets to go out and hand pick his corpses!... I mean PLEASE..Look at what we've got stock piled and waiting...Waiting to be stitched together....juiced up (electric...get your heads outta the gutters!..LOL) and the MONSTER he is able to invision with the ingredients in his cupboard!...
It's a 4 HEADED MONSTER as I see it!...
1. Developing talent through quality asst. coaching!
This is Coach Martin....or as I like to call him...Mr. Sunshine!... I've had the pleasure of talking with Coach Martin on a few occasions...This picture is from the Spring Game last season...Now mind you...this is not a professional picture...I TOOK THIS...He was that intense in a Thursday afternoon walk though for a SPRING GAME...what do you think the fellas get on a daily basis during the season?...
We are VERY fortunate to have Coach Martin...I guarantee his phone rings for D1 Head Coaching jobs SEVRAL times a season... He is a Kelly Man! You don't leave an established program...were you are winning National Championships to come to any old college and become the secondary coach!... Unless it's Notre Dame...and Coach Kelly... Coach Martin is as good as it gets in college football...
Diaco is a legit up and coming D-coord with NO EGO!...
Coach Cooks brings the "players coach" to light through his "been there done that" approach!
etc..
2. LEGIT POSITION BATTLES!....
I mean when was the last time we didn't have to force young players into a line up?... When have we had ANYWHERE close to this type of quality depth at the defensive skill positions!.... When for GOD's sake have you been truly excited to see THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH D-LINE in action?... Since Seinfield was in its first few seasons?...
Don't get me wrong...We've had a few players here and there but that was just it....Here and there!... Not ACROSS THE BOARD!...
From what I'm hearing...people are pushing....clawing....scraping....they want on that bus!....and it's go time!
3. ROTATION!....
This season's Defense is gonna be all about rotation...rotation....and more rotation....NO MORE BLOWING LEADS!...
Fresh Legs constantly!...
Cwynar out....Nix in... Ethan out.....Kona in.... KLM out....Lynch in..... Shembo out....Spond in...
And so on....and so on... Do you realize what having 3 deep and sometimes 4 quality defensive playmakers can do to an opposing offense?... WEAR THEM THE F#@K out!... We are gonna be CLOSERS this season....We are going to get stronger...and stronger as the clock ticks towards the 3rd and 4th quarters because we can rotate our talent....
and last but not least...and maybe the most exciting!....
4. SPECIAL SITUATIONAL PLAYERS!
Trained....highly skilled....NUKE BEAST MISSILS that Diaco can dial up for certain situations!....
I really can't wait to see the first 3rd and 6....obvious passing down... Fleming coming off one corner....Shembo coming off the other....Lynch on one end....Ethan on the other....NIX BLOWING UP THE MIDDLE!...Manti laying back to protect the dump or draw!..... ARMAGEDDON BABY!...
We have these kids....We have packages for these kids....now we just need to UNLEASH these kids...
See ball?....GO GET BALL!... You don't have to be in a system for 2 seasons to understand BRUTE FORCE!...to understand...GO GET THE QUARTERBACK!....We know he has to pass!....
These type of situational players will lead to:
These type of situational players will lead to:
1. More pressure...
2. More sacks...
3. More tackels for loss...
4. More fumbles...
5. More 3 and outs...
6. More picks!....
MORE DAMEFAN BEING HAPPY!....
If you could bottle up this defense the way I'm seeing it...You'd have to put a surgeon general warning on it..
BEWARE....DO NOT OPEN...unless you have no disregard for human safety!...
In closing my friends...I will quote one of my childhood heros....
Apollo Creed..."GET YER CAMERAS READY!"....
GO IRISH!....
Great start! but you need an Editor.
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