The young man wrote a pretty impressive letter stating his reasons. Good luck to him in his future endeavors.
http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021616aae.html
http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021616aae.html
Steve Elmer forgoing 2016 season
- Thread starter NDSMC78
- Start date
Really proud of Steve for chasing a dream and a great opportunity. Wish him nothing but the best. On the flip side, however, this isn't the worst thing. Yes Notre Dame will now have to replace 3/5 of their O-line, but Elmer was by far the weakest player in the group the majority of the time. 2016 isn't going to be a national championship type team anyways, IMO. I've been saying it for a while that 2017 will be the year the Irish jump back into playoff contention. This allows whoever his replacement ends up being to have a full year to develop in the offense as the starter and in order to be ready for what look like potentially really strong years in 2017 and 2018... Silver lining.
It doesn't matter, next man in. These are the type of men that Notre Dame recruits and sells the 40 year decision. Elmer made his 40 year decision and I respect the hell out of him for graduating and walking away if his passion is somewhere else.
Amazing letter and amazing Notre Dame man right there.
On the football side, Elmer's play declined last year. He was the lowest rated lineman starter and was going to face intense pressure this year to maintain a starting spot, as such there should not be a large drop off from his guard spot, and it may even be an improvement. Center and Left Tackle are the big question marks that have to be answered, but ND has an amazing Oline coach that has been stock piling bluechips. This is going to be a year of transition on the Oline but the level of play will not decline as much as some believe. Coach H has all spring to sort this out and the competition will keep a lot of guys previously buried on the depth chart hungry to make an impact. Lots of talent, they just need to come together.
On the football side, Elmer's play declined last year. He was the lowest rated lineman starter and was going to face intense pressure this year to maintain a starting spot, as such there should not be a large drop off from his guard spot, and it may even be an improvement. Center and Left Tackle are the big question marks that have to be answered, but ND has an amazing Oline coach that has been stock piling bluechips. This is going to be a year of transition on the Oline but the level of play will not decline as much as some believe. Coach H has all spring to sort this out and the competition will keep a lot of guys previously buried on the depth chart hungry to make an impact. Lots of talent, they just need to come together.
ND is different....always has been, always will be....this will happen from time to time...thanks for the 3 years and good luck!! Just strengthens our message, this is a 40 year decision. You can get hurt. You might not be able to be the 1% that make an NFL roster. You can see other, much more important endeavors after football. ND is the right choice.
I might add that it seems like ND is becoming even more different. I was really impressed by the quality of the kids when I watched that Showtime series this year.
Uhhh I would say Good Luck.....but from a football Fan perspective I have to think that Elmer was simply unwilling to COMMIT to being a NC-caliber lineman. Many times we saw his lack of strength and desire & toughness while he was getting knocked on his butt. We NEED BETTER linemen than that.....so again NEXT MAN IN!!!
Congratulations Steve.
He got the most out of his Notre Dame experience. Thats what college is SUPPOSED to be.
He got the most out of his Notre Dame experience. Thats what college is SUPPOSED to be.
I think you are selling them too short.
The question mark was and remains on defense.
Kizer, Zaire...tons of skill position talent...we are going to score. But can we stop anyone again?
Moreover...the Notre Dame offense can be called based on quick passing much of which happens anyways. Shotgun snap...release..plays done.
The O line is far less a question than the defense. Sadly...the reoccurring theme.
Over-simplification. You have no idea of his commitment during the previous 3 seasons.
88ND,
I think ND fans want to believe every year could be the year, but this ND squad simply lost too much to turnover and be outstanding right away in 2016 and battle for the playoffs.
Offense
Notre Dame lost it's 3 top receivers in Fuller, Brown and Carlisle. They have plenty of talent back, but you don't replace an entire group in a single year, without any drop off. Doesn't happen. Same goes for offensive line. ND loses 3 starters, including a top 10 NFL draft pick at left tackle, and one of the nation's top centers. Seriously ask yourself this question. Will Hunter Bivin be Ronnie Stanley game 1? No. Will Sam Mustipher be Nick Nartin game 1? No. Will Alex Bars be Steve Elmer game 1? That one I could see being much closer than the other two. The net will be a loss. The line will still be just fine under Hiestand, but they'll take a step back before being very good and experienced again in 2017.
Defense
The defense stunk this year and that was before it lost all world linebacker Jaylon Smith and the heart-and-soul of the defense, Sheldon Day, both of whom are going to be fine NFL'ers. There isn't another Jaylon Smith on the roster at linebacker and as much I think Jerry Tillery could be outstanding, to think he's going to be Sheldon Day good in 2016 is a pipe dream. Someday. But not in 2016. Jarron and Isaac will play well and hopefully Trumbetti is able to replace Okwara's production at WDE. Rome had a fine season and it's a shame he's not eligible to come back. The secondary scares the hell out of me. If they don't move Butler to safety and start Watkins at corner, here are your options opposite Max Redfield (who seems constantly lost in BVG's system). At SS you'll have a 5'9, 6th year Avery Sebastien, who is made of glass. Possibly Drue Tranquil, coming off two ACL's and more-than-likely moving to LB. Nicky Barrati may reinjure his shoulder in the stretching line. Poor kid has had terrible luck. And finally, Mikelti Williams, a redshirt freshman or Devin Studstill, the true freshman, early enrollee, who ways about 180lbs drenched... Both those kids are going to be players down the road, but in 2016, I'm expecting their care share of mistakes. And when safeties make mistakes, bad things happen.
The offense will be fine, although less consistent than last year. The defense has me saying my rosaries. Thankfully the schedule is much softer than last year, but I would consider a 9-3 year to be a success and 10-2 to be overachieving. Even at 10-2, ND's average SOS will not see them in the race for the playoffs, but will set them up for 2017 when the offense should return 9+ starters and the defense should return 7 starters and more importantly, the future of the unit (Hayes, Kareem, Tillery, Coney, Barajas, Bilal, Studstill, Williams. Watkins, Crawford, etc, etc) will be much more mature.
I think ND fans want to believe every year could be the year, but this ND squad simply lost too much to turnover and be outstanding right away in 2016 and battle for the playoffs.
Offense
Notre Dame lost it's 3 top receivers in Fuller, Brown and Carlisle. They have plenty of talent back, but you don't replace an entire group in a single year, without any drop off. Doesn't happen. Same goes for offensive line. ND loses 3 starters, including a top 10 NFL draft pick at left tackle, and one of the nation's top centers. Seriously ask yourself this question. Will Hunter Bivin be Ronnie Stanley game 1? No. Will Sam Mustipher be Nick Nartin game 1? No. Will Alex Bars be Steve Elmer game 1? That one I could see being much closer than the other two. The net will be a loss. The line will still be just fine under Hiestand, but they'll take a step back before being very good and experienced again in 2017.
Defense
The defense stunk this year and that was before it lost all world linebacker Jaylon Smith and the heart-and-soul of the defense, Sheldon Day, both of whom are going to be fine NFL'ers. There isn't another Jaylon Smith on the roster at linebacker and as much I think Jerry Tillery could be outstanding, to think he's going to be Sheldon Day good in 2016 is a pipe dream. Someday. But not in 2016. Jarron and Isaac will play well and hopefully Trumbetti is able to replace Okwara's production at WDE. Rome had a fine season and it's a shame he's not eligible to come back. The secondary scares the hell out of me. If they don't move Butler to safety and start Watkins at corner, here are your options opposite Max Redfield (who seems constantly lost in BVG's system). At SS you'll have a 5'9, 6th year Avery Sebastien, who is made of glass. Possibly Drue Tranquil, coming off two ACL's and more-than-likely moving to LB. Nicky Barrati may reinjure his shoulder in the stretching line. Poor kid has had terrible luck. And finally, Mikelti Williams, a redshirt freshman or Devin Studstill, the true freshman, early enrollee, who ways about 180lbs drenched... Both those kids are going to be players down the road, but in 2016, I'm expecting their care share of mistakes. And when safeties make mistakes, bad things happen.
The offense will be fine, although less consistent than last year. The defense has me saying my rosaries. Thankfully the schedule is much softer than last year, but I would consider a 9-3 year to be a success and 10-2 to be overachieving. Even at 10-2, ND's average SOS will not see them in the race for the playoffs, but will set them up for 2017 when the offense should return 9+ starters and the defense should return 7 starters and more importantly, the future of the unit (Hayes, Kareem, Tillery, Coney, Barajas, Bilal, Studstill, Williams. Watkins, Crawford, etc, etc) will be much more mature.
while i agree that stanley is a generational talent i feel the other two spots you cite will be improved by the replacements on hand. more talented albeit lacking experience. the center position automatically becomes more physical with hoge or mustipher. elmer was so inconsistent that i'm confident whoever takes that spot will be no worse. harry will have them ready. no worries at all from me.
Echo,
There is no disagreement on my part that the two likely replacement for Martin and Elmer, who I believe are Mustipher and Bars, will be upgrades down the road. Replacing a Ronnie Stanley is extremely tough, but as you and I both know, an offensive line is about the sum of its parts. Mike McGlinchey graded out as well as, if not higher than Ronnie this year. So in theory, a lot like when Ronnie replaced Zack Martin, you don't have a drop off from your "#1 Guy". The problem is the snowball affect through 2-7... While Mustipher is going to be really good if he can overcome his height (he's only about 6'3 in cleats), I doubt he's better than Martin right away. Bars is going to be an adequate replacement for Elmer, IMO, and whether it's Bivin or McGovern (sliding Bars to tackle), that's going to be a drop off, IMO...
The two most likely lines, IMO...
LT: Mike McGlinchey
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
RG: Colin McGovern
RT: Alex Bars
or
LT: Hunter Bivin
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
LG: Alex Bars
RT: Mike McGlinchey
I'm very happy with either setup. I simply don't think it will be entirely cohesive and ready to go until 2017.
BTW, in 2017, the line could be awesome when you throw a Tristen Hoge (Jr.) and Tommy Kraemer (Soph) into the mix.
My "ideal" line would be...
LT: Tommy Kraemer
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
RG: Alex Bars
RT: Mike McGlinchey
LT/RT: Hunter Bivin
C/G: Tristen Hoge
There is no disagreement on my part that the two likely replacement for Martin and Elmer, who I believe are Mustipher and Bars, will be upgrades down the road. Replacing a Ronnie Stanley is extremely tough, but as you and I both know, an offensive line is about the sum of its parts. Mike McGlinchey graded out as well as, if not higher than Ronnie this year. So in theory, a lot like when Ronnie replaced Zack Martin, you don't have a drop off from your "#1 Guy". The problem is the snowball affect through 2-7... While Mustipher is going to be really good if he can overcome his height (he's only about 6'3 in cleats), I doubt he's better than Martin right away. Bars is going to be an adequate replacement for Elmer, IMO, and whether it's Bivin or McGovern (sliding Bars to tackle), that's going to be a drop off, IMO...
The two most likely lines, IMO...
LT: Mike McGlinchey
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
RG: Colin McGovern
RT: Alex Bars
or
LT: Hunter Bivin
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
LG: Alex Bars
RT: Mike McGlinchey
I'm very happy with either setup. I simply don't think it will be entirely cohesive and ready to go until 2017.
BTW, in 2017, the line could be awesome when you throw a Tristen Hoge (Jr.) and Tommy Kraemer (Soph) into the mix.
My "ideal" line would be...
LT: Tommy Kraemer
LG: Quenton Nelson
C: Sam Mustipher
RG: Alex Bars
RT: Mike McGlinchey
LT/RT: Hunter Bivin
C/G: Tristen Hoge
i would move kraemer inside right now and watch him be an all american in 2 years. he'll be an interior player in the nfl anyway if he remains healthy. i didn't think they were very cohesive last year. martin was often physically overwhelmed and elmer was so inconsistent that you never knew what you were getting. the whole interior struggled all year in my opinion. the tackles were solid. nelson when healthy was really improving.
