When I was fourteen, like any kid that age, I become
obsessed with muscle cars... I'd hit car shows and
see the 500...600...700 horsepower monsters!
I was completely overwhelmed by the mechanics
of how it all worked...That if one tiny component
was not firing...the whole engine failed
to perform...
It wasn't until a friends dad broke down a V8
engine and laid it out in the yard, explaining
every piece and what it's role was, that
I could understand the machine...
The dilemma we suffered with last season wasn't the
"performance" of our engine...We had
a 4 cylinder back up QB trying to fit
under the hood with V8 parts!
Now we move on to the 2014 campaign..
OFFENSE:
This offense will be predicated upon the
"Golden" arm of Everette Golson...
This will be by far the fastest offense Notre Dame has
had in 30 years...and I mean "Big Boy"
speed..not "Big Ten" speed...
Let's Break down the unit from a talent perspective!
Everett Golson:
Last time Notre Dame entered the season with
a schedule that most thought was "Horrifying"
and impossible to navigate through without six
or seven losses....He was a freshmen first year
starter....
Now we are dealing with a kid that has not
only been mentored by Brian Kelly, but by
one of the best QB Gurus in the country.
Whitfield called Golson "The best young
QB he had worked with in years!"
Golson is a kid that doesn't have the ability
to be rattled in my opinion...
As a freshmen he:
Beat OU at OU
4 losses in 14 years at home
Beat USC at USC!
Went UNDEFEATED in the
regular season vs a top 25 SOS!
All this with LESS talent around him
than he has today!
ENGINE BLOCK= CHECK!
Now that the core of the engine is strong..
we can support the performance..
What type of units are we dealing with?
BACKFIELD:
Terean Folston:
As a freshmen, by seasons end he had established
himself as the most explosive running back in
the garage!
With only seeing action, due to minor injury,
in 5 games (game with double digit touches) he
was able to average over 5.6 yards per carry
and make himself a threat that D-coordinators
had to account for...
Greg Bryant:
This former 5 star, top 5 running back talent, was
sidelined freshmen year due to medical issues
but is back and running like a man possessed!
"He runs VIOLENT!" was one
of my favorite observations by some of
the coaches in attendance at the weeks
prior ND Coaching Clinic.
Every person I've talked to has mentioned the
downhill running style and pure package build
of young Bryant!
"He's gonna be a household name by seasons end."
-Former soon to be 1st round D lineman
Bryant is not a back that can be taken down
by just one defender....speed/power/anger..
He's gonna be very fun to watch!
Cam McDaniel:
Cam finds him self on the outside looking in,
but it's a role I think from the time I've spent speaking
with his father he embraces and prefers!
This is Southbend's version of Toby Gerhart left
in the dryer too long!
He's consistent...he's reliable..and what he may
lack in flash...He makes up for in determination!
The former Player of the year in Texas is all day
tough and refuses to allow young talent to take
his spot in the engine!
I think you'll see Cam in MANY different roles this
season...he blocks well..has great hands and
from what we've seen he NEVER gives up!
FUEL INJECTION=CHECK!
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Later this season when someone asks you "Hey what's
the story with that stud wide receiver that runs like
a 4.4 and has great hands for ND?"
Your answer will be..."WHICH ONE?"
Michael Floyd WAS a V8 ENGINE!
Golden Tate WAS a TURBO!
Now we have components that embody bits and
pieces of both... We don't know if we have
ONE AMAZING WR....Yet!
But what we do know is, part for part...piece for piece..
This is the best group of young wide receivers we may have
EVER had at ND at one time!...
Chris Brown:
My pick for breakout performer of the year in this
group... The light came on for him last season and
Rutger's corner backs are still having nightmares!
He's a legit 4.3 to 4.4, he's long...has great hands,
towards the end of last year, and ALL spring
has perfected the art of route running!
C.J. Prosise:
Built like a linebacker runs like a gazelle and
has hands like venus fly trap!
Another 4.4 kid that can line up in the slot,
I'm so looking forward to Linebackers
attempting to cover him across the middle!
Amir Carisle:
When I see Amir running routes and making
plays I hear the theme to Welcome Back Carter!
This is who we thought you were gonna be!
Fast...dangerous and determined!
My gut is Amir might have a senior year that
may remind us of Theo Riddick's, only not
lining up at RB due to the workhorses in that stable!
Slot/wildcat/reverse/kickoff/punt return
Expect to see Amir A LOT!
Corey Robinson:
The Admiral's son may be the biggest surprise to
everyone in the country besides Brian Kelly!
When I saw the offer go out I was like..OH NO!
Another celebrity's kid?
But this is the exception to a rule!
He is a rare talent... at 6'5 and over 210lbs
he controls his body like he's Stovall senior season!
He has pin pointing the ball ability that takes years
for most wide outs to achieve..and he works hard!
This may be the best diamond in the rough we've landed
in decades!
Oh...and don't forget Will Fuller!!!
Tori Hunter!!...etc...etc... Talent on top of talent!
TURBO=CHECK!
TIGHT END:
Ben Koyack:
The next in a line of great Tight Ends at Tight End U!
Anthony Fasano/John Carlson/Kyle Rudolf
Tyler Eifert/Troy Niklas
Koyack flashed greatness last season...but this is the
first season he's been at ND without a name like
Eifert or Niklas on the roster!
I think he understands the young studs behind him and
what Mike Heuerman and Smythe would like to say
about this position!
I expect Koyack to average a TOUCHDOWN A GAME
this season....He's a NFL Tight End waiting to happen!
CARBURETOR-=CHECK
O-LINE:
Since Notre Dame showed Ed Warriner the
door and hired Harry Hiestand...the O-line play
has done nothing but trend upwards HARD!
There is so much talent in this group it's almost impossible
to highlight just one!
Ronnie Stanley-
Matt Hegarty-
Nick Martin-
Connor Hanratty-
Christian Lombard-
Steve Elmer-
Hunter Biven-
It's almost ridiculous the talent in one place!
This is the frame that holds this car engine and
allows it the ability to perform!
Next week I'll review the D and the battle we will be facing
to replace our 1st round draft picks leaving...
But for now realize this....The D protected the O, while
we recruited and reloaded!
This season the balance will be in place!
The components have arrived and more performance
arrives in June...
We have the only 2 time Home Depot Coach
(mechanic) of the year building our engine!
And in my opinion...it's gonna blow people off the feild!
GO IRISH & GOD BLESS!
Remember....SPEED KILLS!
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