How much did the injuries really hurt us??

[Irish Grandeur]

We were fortunate Stanford was missing 260 lb FB Daniel Marx. He is a tremendous talent and it stalled McCaffrey.

That may be true but, I'd venture to say, Stanford was lucky ND had some injuries as well.

As for Zaire, I see him as a power back more so than a FB similar to a Brian Mitchell-type back that played for the Redskins back in the 90's who happened to be a converted QB out of Louisiana- Lafayette.

 

[cgvr]

That may be true but, I'd venture to say, Stanford was lucky ND had some injuries as well.

As for Zaire, I see him as a power back more so than a FB similar to a Brian Mitchell-type back that played for the Redskins back in the 90's who happened to be a converted QB out of Louisiana- Lafayette.

Agreed. What we overcame this year reminded me of the late '70's Scully, Weston, Golic, Hunter....tons of others going down and we reloaded... We had a lot more scholarships then too...

Good call on Zaire....multi talented....

This southern cal stanford match up is going to be an interesting watch. If Marx is still out southern cal can do damage. They're surging...plus, with their new HC hired they should be flying high. Kessler is due for a classic. Stanford may have a let down. They burned a lot of emotion on that last FG.

I think we put the kibosh on McCaffrey's Heisman hopes. Hard to believe he's a SO.

PS Pelt me with empties, but I think we have to find a way to get Wimbush on the field. Wildcat? Slot? WR? Seeing him on the sideline waiting his turn for years will be a waste imo. He's a play maker.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

PS Pelt me with empties, but I think we have to find a way to get Wimbush on the field. Wildcat? Slot? WR? Seeing him on the sideline waiting his turn for years will be a waste imo. He's a play maker.

I see BW staying as nr. 2 as a QB and like the Wildcat scenario you suggest. It could get him 5+ plays a game next year. I posted in another thread the embarrassment of talent ND brings back next year on the offensive side of the ball. Whether BW remains on the roster after '16 is anyone's guess but I see DK coming back as the clear nr. 1, MZ moving into the backfield, and BW/MZ in waiting on the QB depth chart.

 

[football1irish]

That's what is so intriguing about Coach Kelly - best talent in the country ? nope - 2 plays from # 1 in the country? yup . A tremendous compliment to Kelly and Staff esp given 10 major injuries . Well done Irish !!

So we should make a play for David Shaw then as he out coached the amazing Brian Kelly with half the talent even with the injuries.

Also several plays from being 3 or 4 losses if you include Temple, Virginia and others.

Can't pick and choose your statistics even if you do wear Kelly knee pads.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

So we should make a play for David Shaw then as he out coached the amazing Brian Kelly with half the talent even with the injuries.

Also several plays from being 3 or 4 losses if you include Temple, Virginia and others.

Can't pick and choose your statistics even if you do wear Kelly knee pads.

Even I can tell your post is kinda weird.

 

[cgvr]

I see BW staying as nr. 2 as a QB and like the Wildcat scenario you suggest. It could get him 5+ plays a game next year. I posted in another thread the embarrassment of talent ND brings back next year on the offensive side of the ball. Whether BW remains on the roster after '16 is anyone's guess but I see DK coming back as the clear nr. 1, MZ moving into the backfield, and BW/MZ in waiting on the QB depth chart.

One of the issues is that after the MZ injury, on film, kelly told him that he was still number one and that the job was his when he returned.... He may have put his foot in his mouth with that.... Kizer took the helm with fearless abandon. Holy crap, did he step up.

imo Wimbush has to be assured he'll see action... or he may become a "flight risk".
There are worse problems to have...
"As a senior for St. Peter's Prep, Wimbush put up mind-boggling numbers, throwing for 3,187 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 723 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns. Wimbush's stellar 2014 campaign was capped with a Non-Public,Group 4 state championship, the Marauders first since 2005. "

 

[Pennick4]

One of the issues is that after the MZ injury, on film, kelly told him that he was still number one and that the job was his when he returned.... He may have put his foot in his mouth with that.... Kizer took the helm with fearless abandon. Holy crap, did he step up.

imo Wimbush has to be assured he'll see action... or he may become a "flight risk".
There are worse problems to have...
"As a senior for St. Peter's Prep, Wimbush put up mind-boggling numbers, throwing for 3,187 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 723 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns. Wimbush's stellar 2014 campaign was capped with a Non-Public,Group 4 state championship, the Marauders first since 2005. "

Let Wimbush go if he wants to. You don't assure action to anyone. If he doesn't learn from what Kizer did, then see you later. You wait your turn and take advantage of the opportunity when it arrives.

 

[cgvr]

Let Wimbush go if he wants to. You don't assure action to anyone. If he doesn't learn from what Kizer did, then see you later. You wait your turn and take advantage of the opportunity when it arrives.

I think he can play an effective change of pace QB role or another position as he waits his turn. imo He has too much talent to be on the bench. We need some depth chart engineering with him...

"You don't assure action to anyone."

Why did kelly assure Zaire and his parents that the starting ND QB job was still his? I will await your genius.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

One of the issues is that after the MZ injury, on film, kelly told him that he was still number one and that the job was his when he returned.... He may have put his foot in his mouth with that.... Kizer took the helm with fearless abandon. Holy crap, did he step up.

imo Wimbush has to be assured he'll see action... or he may become a "flight risk".
There are worse problems to have...
"As a senior for St. Peter's Prep, Wimbush put up mind-boggling numbers, throwing for 3,187 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 723 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns. Wimbush's stellar 2014 campaign was capped with a Non-Public,Group 4 state championship, the Marauders first since 2005. "

No way DK is not the starter heading into next year, IMO. I do not see BK sitting Kizer with 11 starts for Zaire who had three. BW is another story - and I know BK is high on him - but he will have to wait his turn. Whether BW sits around or not is not an issue - that's why you take a QB every single year.

 

[Java65]

Great discussion and, IMO, this is the two-headed monster you get with Kelly.

First, he did a fantastic job preparing other players and overcoming injuries. If he doesn't do such a good job of preparing underclassmen we probably lose by more to Clemson and Stanford and possibly drop another game or 2 along the way.

On the flip side of that coin the great job he did Mon-Fri of preparing kids for Sat. were negated by terrible decisions during the games and his inability to fix the RZ offense after 6 years.

So he did a fantastic job even putting us in a position to beat Clemson and Stanford but terrible coaching errors cost us those games.

 

[cgvr]

No way DK is not the starter heading into next year, IMO. I do not see BK sitting Kizer with 11 starts for Zaire who had three. BW is another story - and I know BK is high on him - but he will have to wait his turn. Whether BW sits around or not is not an issue - that's why you take a QB every single year.

Hey, I am not disagreeing with that projection, but kelly got over his skis, as he sometimes does, and promised Zaire the job.

I know it's heat of the moment stuff, but based on Kizer's performance kelly potentially opened an unnecessary "can of worms" with his promise.

 

[Pennick4]

I think he can play an effective change of pace QB role or another position as he waits his turn. imo He has too much talent to be on the bench. We need some depth chart engineering with him...

"You don't assure action to anyone."

Why did kelly assure Zaire and his parents that the starting ND QB job was still his? I will await your genius.

It may well be Zaire's job if he earns it by outplaying Kizer.
You have assessed Wimbush's talent based on his 3 minutes of mop up play? Awesome.
We would love to have you stick around BW. You may earn the role but if you don't want to wait that is quite alright.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Hey, I am not disagreeing with that projection, but kelly got over his skis, as he sometimes does, and promised Zaire the job.

I know it's heat of the moment stuff, but based on Kizer's performance kelly potentially opened an unnecessary "can of worms" with his promise.

I am not aware of that promise like you are. I am just going with my gut - Kizer earned the starting spot going into next year. What BK and staff do from here on out is not my decision. Maybe MZ goes into spring as the starter...not my call. I am just projecting what I would do and that would be to keep DK as the starter and have a talk with MZ.

 

[Pennick4]

I am not aware of that promise like you are. I am just going with my gut - Kizer earned the starting spot going into next year. What BK and staff do from here on out is not my decision. Maybe MZ goes into spring as the starter...not my call. I am just projecting what I would do and that would be to keep DK as the starter and have a talk with MZ.

I believe Kelly said something to the effect that this is still your team.

 

[cgvr]

It may well be Zaire's job if he earns it by outplaying Kizer.
You have assessed Wimbush's talent based on his 3 minutes of mop up play? Awesome.
We would love to have you stick around BW. You may earn the role but if you don't want to wait that is quite alright.

Yep, that's all I've seen of him.... You are stupid and darn good at it.

 

[cgvr]

I am not aware of that promise like you are. I am just going with my gut - Kizer earned the starting spot going into next year. What BK and staff do from here on out is not my decision. Maybe MZ goes into spring as the starter...not my call. I am just projecting what I would do and that would be to keep DK as the starter and have a talk with MZ.

No worries, Kelly was very compassionate and reassuring that the job was still his. It actually was a good and encouraging moment. Then Kizer rocked the apple cart. It's amazing that we have the guns we do. I haven't felt this good about 2 QBs since Lisch/Montana...

 

[Pennick4]

Yep, that's all I've seen of him.... You are stupid and darn good at it.

Yep, that's all I've seen of him.... You are stupid and darn good at it.

I hope the 4th string wide receiver is assured of some playing time next year. Would hate to see him leave. You should become a coach after you get done cleaning the jocks.

 

[greengael]

One thing that probably should be considered when it comes to the injury situation is the disruption in team chemistry. The timing of the offense and the disparate skill and experience level of the defensive substitutes all have an impact on team cohesion. I think the staff and players did a remarkable job considering the level of disruption that occurred.