ND success not hinging on Zaire

[Buguit]

While everyone has been drinking the Kool-Aid .... I think people are not being realistic about Zaire

He looks exciting as a runner .... but if he has to throw it to win .... we are in trouble .... fortunately he is dangerous enough as a runner he will not have to rely on throwing as much .... but as one sports writer pointed out ... Zaire has improved as a passer (which is fair) .... but some throws are downright scary (bad) .... this is what we've seen from him from the onset .... some posts seem to insinuate he is totally cured as a passer .... I don't think so .... While it is commonly mentioned that he was MVP against LSU .... Golson did most of the passing and Zaire was not asked to pass when we really needed to. Is he still the MVP if Golson's passing doesn't get us inside the 20?

I expect Zaire to be good ... but I think fans realistically should temper their expectations ..... fact is .... running QB's are much sexier to fans .... I have a hard time seeing ND getting the most out of it's very good WR unit with Zaire in there .... expect some exciting running and some punting after some very bad throws to open WR's ... there should be more good throws then bad and his ability to run should help open up is throwing lanes .... if we have to go the length of the field in 2 min offense to win a game .... we are in trouble

Point: This team will go as far as their defense can carry them .... the offense should put up some big numbers this year but if the football playoff is the goal ... we need the defense to be the best .... I don't expect Zaire to carry them

By the way .... had to say the Tranquill is a bada$$ .... that dude reminds me of Zbikowski .... thought he was unbelievable as a frosh last year

 

[continually35forever]

While everyone has been drinking the Kool-Aid .... I think people are not being realistic about Zaire

He looks exciting as a runner .... but if he has to throw it to win .... we are in trouble .... fortunately he is dangerous enough as a runner he will not have to rely on throwing as much .... but as one sports writer pointed out ... Zaire has improved as a passer (which is fair) .... but some throws are downright scary (bad) .... this is what we've seen from him from the onset .... some posts seem to insinuate he is totally cured as a passer .... I don't think so .... While it is commonly mentioned that he was MVP against LSU .... Golson did most of the passing and Zaire was not asked to pass when we really needed to. Is he still the MVP if Golson's passing doesn't get us inside the 20?

I expect Zaire to be good ... but I think fans realistically should temper their expectations ..... fact is .... running QB's are much sexier to fans .... I have a hard time seeing ND getting the most out of it's very good WR unit with Zaire in there .... expect some exciting running and some punting after some very bad throws to open WR's ... there should be more good throws then bad and his ability to run should help open up is throwing lanes .... if we have to go the length of the field in 2 min offense to win a game .... we are in trouble

Point: This team will go as far as their defense can carry them .... the offense should put up some big numbers this year but if the football playoff is the goal ... we need the defense to be the best .... I don't expect Zaire to carry them

By the way .... had to say the Tranquill is a bada$$ .... that dude reminds me of Zbikowski .... thought he was unbelievable as a frosh last year

He was 12-15 vs LSU -- Kelly will script plays that Zaire can execute . He was rated by analysts at camps he participated in HS as being better than Barnett . if he couldn;t throw the ball effectively there never would have been a competiton between he and Golson . If he is a bust however it sounds like Kizer is more than capable of running the offense . I have played QB I don't see Zaire as a bad passer - he wouldn't be in the position he is in @ ND if he couldn't throw the football effectively - and if he turns the ball over too much Kizer will play .

 

[Toby Smart]

Let's put this way. Without MZ, the Irish would struggle big time to even make a decent bowl, let alone the play-offs. He's that important and even more so now that EG left.

 

[HDK]

My major concern is that Kelly seems to squeeze the very life out of his quarterbacks within a very short time period. I have said many times it seems like it takes him five years to develop a quarterback with only four years of eligibility. I think much hinges on Zaire, and his ability to survive under Kelly's pressure. And if he he gets hurt and misses some games, we are going to see some losses we may not be expecting.

And I know I shouldn't complain about the wealth of wide receivers we have, but I sometimes wonder why we have so many. We have about eight guys who can start, and I just wonder if they will live up to their potential if they don't get the reps they need in practice and in games. You don't like to see a QB focus on just one receiver, but I think it is easier to become more comfortable working with a couple of guys than seven or eight.

 

[Buguit]

I'm not calling Zaire a bust at all ... just saying that the jury is still out on wether or not he can throw .... when I see 12-15 I'm asking myself .... what was his avg yd per completion .... are these all screens and dumpoffs .... a complete QB has to be a threat deep to keep the D honest ... and by threat deep I mean can he be accurate and not just throw a deep jump ball ... can he throw the deep crossing route over the LB's and under the safetys

I expect Zaire to be exciting ... but mostly as a runner and not a passer

And of course every good team needs a QB .... without him they would only have Kizer .... Kelly has had only one to zero QB's he can use every year which should not be the case at this point in his ND career .... sad ..... Zaire gives them a chance but our real chances will hinge on the D while we count on Zaire to do just enough

 

[Buguit]

HDK
I think your point is valid .... I like the depth though ... I just wish Kelly would redshirt players more often

 

[IRISHJD98]

I kinda like the way Kelly said it. Zaire's gonna be a first time starter, I just hope he finishes the season that way.

He's gonna make mistakes, but so far it seems like he has the confidence to overcome them.

 

[Toby Smart]

MZ doesn't have to be Andrew Luck. Good passer that will keep 'em guessing. Good passer that will keep things spread out. Will Fuller will make any QB look great. MZ will be fine.

 

[ZORO50]

I agree. Kelly had a safe game plan for his throwing vs LSU. He didn't let him throw much over the middle.
That was a good plan.
Teams will load the box and will bracket Will Fuller.
This team should kill that defense. We will be so multiple hopefully playing POWER football and not playing a chess match. Doing what we want to do.
This year. You will be able to use 3 tight end sets. You can even use Folston and motion Procise out of the backfield.
Jet sweeps and pitch outs to CJ Sanders from the slot.
Throw deep balls to Corey Robinson.
Read Option.
Use my boy Tyler Luatua as the H back battering ram and play POWER football.
Did you see that 70 bomb.Zaire threw in the spring game?
Every game they should start the game with some simple bootleg passes and quick screens to slow Zaire's heart rate down. Zaire gets jacked up. Have him run to start the game. Get him moving so he's not so jacked up.
Once he settles in and does what he will do. I will pour myself a nice IPA or red wine and watch this guy rip it up.

 

[IRISHJD98]

MZ doesn't have to be Andrew Luck. Good passer that will keep 'em guessing. Good passer that will keep things spread out. Will Fuller will make any QB look great. MZ will be fine.

After he shows he can go over the top when the safeties creep up a couple of times. he'll be in pretty good shape.

 

[Bodizephax]

I think if Malik can keep it under 30 turnovers I will be happy. (better than Golson or Rees)

Golson was a better passer than Malik if you include all the throws Golson made to the opposing team and the prayers (like the wounded duck he threw against LSU that Will Fuller bailed him out).

Malik is a better runner than Golson. And Malik is a better passer than Golson (he doesn't throw up ducks) and Malik doesn't fumble.
Malik can also lead and read defense better than Golson. Golson was just a wild scrambler with a gunslingers mentality) with a bad case of fumbilitis.

 

[NDCap]

zoro you are on point. MZ has been in the program for 3 years now so he really not a rookie. He has to temper his emotions and expect mistakes . Every team makes them. What I am expecting is a great ball handler from the spread, a much much better running QB and an improved running game. If I see 5 wides running hitches and MZ has to check down I will blow up my TV. Harry says run the ball.... run the ball with authority. That is how you break the will of your opponent for 4 quarters . A good day IMO for MZ is in the 20-25 passes per game range. More the that and ND cannot run the ball. Folston 20 carries, MZ 10, Procise 10, and 5 from others. Average 250 yards per game on the ground and ND is going to the playoffs.

 

[perseverare]

While everyone has been drinking the Kool-Aid .... I think people are not being realistic about Zaire

He looks exciting as a runner .... but if he has to throw it to win .... we are in trouble .... fortunately he is dangerous enough as a runner he will not have to rely on throwing as much .... but as one sports writer pointed out ... Zaire has improved as a passer (which is fair) .... but some throws are downright scary (bad) .... this is what we've seen from him from the onset .... some posts seem to insinuate he is totally cured as a passer .... I don't think so .... While it is commonly mentioned that he was MVP against LSU .... Golson did most of the passing and Zaire was not asked to pass when we really needed to. Is he still the MVP if Golson's passing doesn't get us inside the 20?

I expect Zaire to be good ... but I think fans realistically should temper their expectations ..... fact is .... running QB's are much sexier to fans .... I have a hard time seeing ND getting the most out of it's very good WR unit with Zaire in there .... expect some exciting running and some punting after some very bad throws to open WR's ... there should be more good throws then bad and his ability to run should help open up is throwing lanes .... if we have to go the length of the field in 2 min offense to win a game .... we are in trouble

Point: This team will go as far as their defense can carry them .... the offense should put up some big numbers this year but if the football playoff is the goal ... we need the defense to be the best .... I don't expect Zaire to carry them

By the way .... had to say the Tranquill is a bada$$ .... that dude reminds me of Zbikowski .... thought he was unbelievable as a frosh last year

MZ is a v good player. But this offense is talented and deep at skill positions. ND does not have to rely on a single player. There is enough talent. If Kizer had to play, I think he would get the job done - and as he got experience, he would be a guy who could keep the offensive machinery performing at high speed.

Years ago, UCLA brought in Lou Alcinder in a talented Fr. clas. Fr were not allowed to play. Wooden held a game between the 1st team and the Fr team. The Fr. won. Now football classes cannot field such complete team, but this offensive rookie class will contribute!

 

[ZORO50]

That's exactly my thoughts NdCap
20-25 throws for Zaire.
I want execution on 3rd and short with POWER. I really want to see Luatua leading Folston or Procise to the hole.
3rd and 2, 3rd and 3.
I want this team to use motion- bring an extra tight end in a ram it down people's throats.
If you watch the LSU game on YouTube. Watch the first drive and watch Luatua #13. It's the POWER game we have been dying to see.
Good teams dictate what they want to do. If teams load the box and we run with power we should see long TD runs not the QB checking into 3 different plays getting delay of game penalties.

 

[perseverare]

Zorro

past years we called for ^ that; ND lacked the athletes to really play all out assault football.
ND can do both Power and Air Sanford this year; and that will be the problem for opponents!

 

[Buguit]

I think if Malik can keep it under 30 turnovers I will be happy. (better than Golson or Rees)

Golson was a better passer than Malik if you include all the throws Golson made to the opposing team and the prayers (like the wounded duck he threw against LSU that Will Fuller bailed him out).

Malik is a better runner than Golson. And Malik is a better passer than Golson (he doesn't throw up ducks) and Malik doesn't fumble.
Malik can also lead and read defense better than Golson. Golson was just a wild scrambler with a gunslingers mentality) with a bad case of fumbilitis.

I do think Golson is a much better passer than Malik .... my opinion is relative since I don't think Zaire is a very good passer ... we'll see how he does ..... certainly I would hope Malik can hold on to the ball better than Golson

I don't know what happened to Golson with the fumblitis ... there were a share of ints that were not his fault .... some were .... Kelly "kind of" screwed him like almost every other QB not names Rees by having run an offense not built for his skills

The one shining point for Zaire is we finally have a true option read QB

 

[africanzulu1]

You guys that say he can't throw.. That's just stupid talk if he couldn't throw he wouldn't be at a d1 school dummies he will be better than most and I am not talking about just running

 

[perseverare]

^ is there any other kind?

 

[BGI User 348]

It will take MALIK executing the offense with few turnovers and a greatly improved DEFENSE for ND to make PLAYOFFS. Just WIN Baby!!!

 

[perseverare]

It will take MALIK executing the offense with few turnovers and a greatly improved DEFENSE for ND to make PLAYOFFS. Just WIN Baby!!!

All MZ needs to do is utilize all that talent around him. He can run very well and he passes well enough to not be ignored. He does not have to do it alone.

 

[Howard Hall 74]

While everyone has been drinking the Kool-Aid .... I think people are not being realistic about Zaire

He looks exciting as a runner .... but if he has to throw it to win .... we are in trouble .... fortunately he is dangerous enough as a runner he will not have to rely on throwing as much .... but as one sports writer pointed out ... Zaire has improved as a passer (which is fair) .... but some throws are downright scary (bad) .... this is what we've seen from him from the onset .... some posts seem to insinuate he is totally cured as a passer .... I don't think so .... While it is commonly mentioned that he was MVP against LSU .... Golson did most of the passing and Zaire was not asked to pass when we really needed to. Is he still the MVP if Golson's passing doesn't get us inside the 20?

I expect Zaire to be good ... but I think fans realistically should temper their expectations ..... fact is .... running QB's are much sexier to fans .... I have a hard time seeing ND getting the most out of it's very good WR unit with Zaire in there .... expect some exciting running and some punting after some very bad throws to open WR's ... there should be more good throws then bad and his ability to run should help open up is throwing lanes .... if we have to go the length of the field in 2 min offense to win a game .... we are in trouble

Point: This team will go as far as their defense can carry them .... the offense should put up some big numbers this year but if the football playoff is the goal ... we need the defense to be the best .... I don't expect Zaire to carry them

By the way .... had to say the Tranquill is a bada$$ .... that dude reminds me of Zbikowski .... thought he was unbelievable as a frosh last year

As I've said since he signed, Kizer is the QB of the future. Best overall skill sets. (If Kelly doesn't ruin him)

 

[schadenfreude]

Only 35 attempts in all of 2014. Completed 60% with a TD and no interceptions. Very good runner. So far, so good.

But 1.5 worth of games is not much of a resume to extrapolate a full year's results.

 

[Bodizephax]

As I've said since he signed, Kizer is the QB of the future. Best overall skill sets. (If Kelly doesn't ruin him)

I agree.I think Kizer is overlooked by many. Too me he looks like a natural at QB.

 

[Duo]

The back up QB is always the fan fav............until he becomes the starter.

 

[cgvr]

I agree.I think Kizer is overlooked by many. Too me he looks like a natural at QB.

That's an astute observation for a guy with no career stats.....

FRESHMAN SEASON (2014): Did not see game action during the season ... served as Notre Dame's third string quarterback ... split time between the Irish regulars and the offensive scout team during game preparation.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2014-2015/histcarr.html#KIZER__DeShone

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/deshone_kizer_913594.html

 

[Invincible Lucky Green]

I think if Malik can keep it under 30 turnovers I will be happy. (better than Golson or Rees)

Golson was a better passer than Malik if you include all the throws Golson made to the opposing team and the prayers (like the wounded duck he threw against LSU that Will Fuller bailed him out).

Malik is a better runner than Golson. And Malik is a better passer than Golson (he doesn't throw up ducks) and Malik doesn't fumble.
Malik can also lead and read defense better than Golson. Golson was just a wild scrambler with a gunslingers mentality) with a bad case of fumbilitis.

So if MZ has 29 TO's you will be happy? Put down the pipe. And no, at this point, MZ is not a better passer than Golson. Not saying he can't be better. Not enough data at this point.

 

[Pennick4]

As I've said since he signed, Kizer is the QB of the future. Best overall skill sets. (If Kelly doesn't ruin him)

I disagree. Think that if Malik was to get injured and miss extended time that Winbush would take over. I think they would like to keep him out this year but it depends upon the health of MZ.

 

[Telx1]

Don't agree with the OP, in that the QB is the most important position in football, with rare exceptions. I do agree with the sentiments that Malik does not have to carry this team, but that's not saying the success of the team does not hinge on his play. As others have stated, he needs to execute the offense and minimize mental errors and turnovers. If he is a turnover machine like Golson was last year, we will be lucky to win 8 games. I personally think he will prove to be an outstanding dual threat QB with off the chart leadership qualities.

 

[Buguit]

Don't agree with the OP, in that the QB is the most important position in football, with rare exceptions. I do agree with the sentiments that Malik does not have to carry this team, but that's not saying the success of the team does not hinge on his play. As others have stated, he needs to execute the offense and minimize mental errors and turnovers. If he is a turnover machine like Golson was last year, we will be lucky to win 8 games. I personally think he will prove to be an outstanding dual threat QB with off the chart leadership qualities.

I think that it is only in rare instances that the QB is not "singularly" the most important position .... what position could possibly be singularly more important? .... having said that the Qb position is not more important the play of the defense as a unit ..... defense wins championships

Of course the success of the team does in part hinge on his play but it hinges on a number of things .... many .... play of the D being #1

I think Malik has a chance to be really good .... he is a run 1st QB who throws ok .... not great

 

[justacollegefan]

I think if Malik can keep it under 30 turnovers I will be happy. (better than Golson or Rees)

Golson was a better passer than Malik if you include all the throws Golson made to the opposing team and the prayers (like the wounded duck he threw against LSU that Will Fuller bailed him out).

Malik is a better runner than Golson. And Malik is a better passer than Golson (he doesn't throw up ducks) and Malik doesn't fumble.
Malik can also lead and read defense better than Golson. Golson was just a wild scrambler with a gunslingers mentality) with a bad case of fumbilitis.

Seriously how can you be a ND fan and write stuff like this? It is something I would expect to see from a sarcastic USC fan to be honest, but maybe you have a magic ball.

 

[BGI User 348]

All MZ needs to do is utilize all that talent around him. He can run very well and he passes well enough to not be ignored. He does not have to do it alone.

Pers 110% agree...but most of our playmakers are WR's which will require MZ to be an effective passer. My guess is defenses will stack to stop MZ, CJP & TF in the run and test his arm. I expect MZ to SHRED texas early and often.

BEAT the texicans!!!