UM fan is very surprised at the ND bashing

[ArrowheadBlue]

I had ND as one of the top 4 teams. One less fumble and ND beats Clemson at Clemson; 15 seconds less and ND beats Stanford at Stanford -- all with second string QB and a third string RB. ND lost to an inspired OSU which finally played good football (and the UM fanbase understands that). I think OSU has 5 first round potential picks in this year's draft -- 5! Only Bama comes close to that in talent. So all of ND's losses came to top 5 teams. Can you name another program?

I thought it was Kelly's best job of coaching since his arrival in S. Bend. ND is not afraid to bench its best players with its strong academic approach and honor system. Does Mississippi do the same? Yeah, right. There are so many half full cuppers around this board it's depressing.

Face it. OSU had incredible talent this season and only a poor coaching job vs. Mich. State prevented OSU from playing for the national championship again.

good job Irish.

 

[zonairish]

arrowhead for a change i agree

 

[irish4life888]

I had ND as one of the top 4 teams. One less fumble and ND beats Clemson at Clemson; 15 seconds less and ND beats Stanford at Stanford -- all with second string QB and a third string RB. ND lost to an inspired OSU which finally played good football (and the UM fanbase understands that). I think OSU has 5 first round potential picks in this year's draft -- 5! Only Bama comes close to that in talent. So all of ND's losses came to top 5 teams. Can you name another program?

I thought it was Kelly's best job of coaching since his arrival in S. Bend. ND is not afraid to bench its best players with its strong academic approach and honor system. Does Mississippi do the same? Yeah, right. There are so many half full cuppers around this board it's depressing.

Face it. OSU had incredible talent this season and only a poor coaching job vs. Mich. State prevented OSU from playing for the national championship again.

good job Irish.

Yes, OSU is no doubt one of the best, if not the best, in the country. Also, not to make excuses but our defense was not the same one they played against Clemson. Eleven starters out on defense. The next man in only works for so long. But thanks for the good words and nice work on Florida. They were talking some serious smack before your bowl game and you shut them the hell up!

 

[napy2121]

Hey nice post op. Mostly agree with your overall point but there are those that see injuries as excuses.

 

[TimTerrific]

Discussing injuries and suspensions as part of the Notre Dame season is not an excuse it is the reality of the situation.

When dumping all over Kelly, how many ND haters and the geniuses here, would have thought ND would have had only three losses, all to top five teams, while missing over half of the team that started the season?

Exactly, none! Now, learn something about football or don't come back!

 

[kellys heroes 35]

Hey nice post op. Mostly agree with your overall point but there are those that see injuries as excuses.

Only a nit wit who has never competed see's an injury as an excuse .

 

[irish4life888]

Hey nice post op. Mostly agree with your overall point but there are those that see injuries as excuses.

There no excuses, it's fact. If you had followed ND football this year you would know that. This list provided by FightingIrish98

[DB] 08/27/2015 - Shaun Crawford out for season ( Knee )
(!)[RB] 09/06/2015 - Tarean Folston out for season ( Knee )
[DB] 09/21/2015 - Drue Tranquill out for season ( ACL )
[RB] 08/13/2015 - Greg Bryant out for season ( Eligibility )
[DL] 08/28/2015 - Ishaq Williams out for season ( Eligibility )
[DL] 12/26/2015 - Jarron Jones is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Ohio State ( Knee )
[TE] 12/26/2015 - Durham Smythe is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Ohio State ( Knee )
[DL] 01/01/2016 - Sheldon Day probable Friday vs. Ohio State ( Foot )
[LB] 01/01/2016 - Jaylon Smith injured 1st half, doubtful to return ( Leg )
[DL] 01/01/2016 - Jerry Tillery expected to miss Friday vs. Ohio State ( Suspension )
[CB] 12/30/2015 - Devin Butler expected to miss Friday vs. Ohio State ( Foot )
12/30/2015 - Max Redfield expected to miss Friday vs. Ohio State ( Suspension )
(!)[RB] 12/30/2015 - C.J. Prosise is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Ohio State ( Ankle )
(!)[QB] 09/13/2015 - Malik Zaire out for season ( Ankle )
[OL] 10/18/2015 - Alex Bars out for season ( Ankle )
[WR] 11/13/2015 - Equanimeous St. Brown out indefinitely ( Shoulder )
[CB] 11/23/2015 - KeiVarae Russell expected to miss Friday vs. Ohio State ( Tibia )
[LB] 12/08/2015 - James Onwualu is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Ohio State ( Knee )

 

[irish4life888]

Only a nit wit who has never competed see's an injury as an excuse .

I'm willing to wager you've never played competitive sports then because I don't care what team sport, or what level, HS, college or pro, injuries impact your team. Any nit wit knows that!

 

[napy2121]

To remove any confusion, I don't view them as excuses. I'm proud of this team these kids showed a ton of resiliency I hope follows into next year. I also hope for better health next year too.

 

[irish4life888]

Discussing injuries and suspensions as part of the Notre Dame season is not an excuse it is the reality of the situation.

When dumping all over Kelly, how many ND haters and the geniuses here, would have thought ND would have had only three losses, all to top five teams, while missing over half of the team that started the season?

Exactly, none! Now, learn something about football or don't come back!

It's amazing all the illogical emotional posters that just come and say "fire them all". Do they even realize how much worse that would be. We would lose two recruiting classes and be struggling to get in a bowl for five years. They think 10 win seasons suck. How short the memory of the Willingham/Weis days are.

 

[Walruzz]

I'm willing to wager you've never played competitive sports then because I don't what team sport, or what level, HS, college or pro, injuries impact your team. Any nit wit knows that!

I think you two are on the same page...

Regardless, that is a ton of talent sitting on the sidelines.

 

[irish4life888]

I think you two are on the same page...

Regardless, that is a ton of talent sitting on the sidelines.

Perhaps I misunderstood, but it looks like he is saying using injuries for our performance is just an excuse.

 

[Walruzz]

Perhaps I misunderstood, but it looks like he is saying using injuries for our performance is just an excuse.

I think he is saying that only a nitwit would say it is an "excuse" and not a impactful event.... But I'm sure he'll be back to post a response, so...... How bout them Bears?

 

[kellys heroes 35]

I'm willing to wager you've never played competitive sports then because I don't care what team sport, or what level, HS, college or pro, injuries impact your team. Any nit wit knows that!

I dont see injuries as an excuse -- injuries are season killers

Injuries are facts not excuses and enough of them destroy a team -- hope that clarifies -

 

[irish4life888]

I dont see injuries as an excuse -- injuries are season killers

Injuries are facts not excuses and enough of them destroy a team -- hope that clarifies -

I see, thanks for clearing that up and apologize for this misunderstanding. We are on the same page then.

 

[kellys heroes 35]

I see, thanks for clearing that up and apologize for this misunderstanding. We are on the same page then.

Correct -- for the record I was a catcher for 12 years ,pitched a no hitter the year I pitched, played semi pro tennis and shoot in the high 70's in golf -- currently have an elbow injury that is making playing golf a fantasy. Played QB in HS . re injuries i have had 7 surgeries all sports related

Nit wits who discount the impact of injuries are not worthy of discussion -- be like talking foreign affairs with a 3 yr old

 

[greengael]

To remove any confusion, I don't view them as excuses. I'm proud of this team these kids showed a ton of resiliency I hope follows into next year. I also hope for better health next year too.

Good of you to clarify, thanks

 

[irish4life888]

Correct -- for the record I was a catcher for 12 years ,pitched a no hitter the year I pitched, played semi pro tennis and shoot in the high 70's in golf -- currently have an elbow injury that is making playing golf a fantasy. Played QB in HS . re injuries i have had 7 surgeries all sports related

Nit wits who discount the impact of injuries are not worthy of discussion -- be like talking foreign affairs with a 3 yr old

Just saw this reply, actually I'm a tennis player also, never semi pro, but college (div2). I actually taught LaPonso Ellis how to play tennis. He loved/loves it as much as basketball. Funny, or not so funny I should say, I was just sidelined with tennis elbow for the first time in my life (and I'm getting old). What a nasty injury to add to the list, just nagging and irritating. But yes, I have had knee, shoulder, neck, and now elbow. I'll catch up with you soon Kelly!

 

[Mihalko35]

Tennis player thread! I was nationally ranked as a junior but didn't get any scholarship offers. I tried to walk onto the ND team and made the final four. That said the lowest ranked scholarship player on the team would've spanked me 6-0 6-0

 

[irish4life888]

Tennis player thread! I was nationally ranked as a junior but didn't get any scholarship offers. I tried to walk onto the ND team and made the final four. That said the lowest ranked scholarship player on the team would've spanked me 6-0 6-0

Ya, I understand my limitations. In HS I played a ND scholarship player. In two sets I got two games off... her! Jay was (is?) a good coach for ND though.

 

[Mihalko35]

Irish4life, I bet we were there at the same time. I was there '91 - '96

 

[Irish_inPSU]

This is the second year in a row that injuries derailed a very promising season. One has to wonder what in the world is going on. Is ND just snake bitten? Or is there something else at play? Its football, its a rough, violent sport. Injuries will happen in a season. But holy smokes that a lot to incur in one year, especially on one side of the ball.

 

[IrishBlooded]

I had ND as one of the top 4 teams. One less fumble and ND beats Clemson at Clemson; 15 seconds less and ND beats Stanford at Stanford -- all with second string QB and a third string RB. ND lost to an inspired OSU which finally played good football (and the UM fanbase understands that). I think OSU has 5 first round potential picks in this year's draft -- 5! Only Bama comes close to that in talent. So all of ND's losses came to top 5 teams. Can you name another program?

I thought it was Kelly's best job of coaching since his arrival in S. Bend. ND is not afraid to bench its best players with its strong academic approach and honor system. Does Mississippi do the same? Yeah, right. There are so many half full cuppers around this board it's depressing.

Face it. OSU had incredible talent this season and only a poor coaching job vs. Mich. State prevented OSU from playing for the national championship again.

good job Irish.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

Mass injuries will occur again next year and the year after that until a new S&C coordinator is hired. This isn't freak stuff going on. It's been like this since Kelly got here with Longo.

 

[NDSMC78]

Mass injuries will occur again next year and the year after that until a new S&C coordinator is hired. This isn't freak stuff going on. It's been like this since Kelly got here with Longo.

Another asinine post by the board dolt.

 

[twalsh]

Reporter: Coach, did you think the loss of so many starters to injury had an effect on the outcome?

Coach Smith: Injuries are part of the game, the next guy just needs to step up and do the job.

Reporter: But surely losing that many first team players to injury has to have an impact?

Coach Smith: We cannot control injuries, so we don't dwell on them or use them as excuses. We have enough quality depth in our program to put 11 quality players on the field.

Reporter: The defense gave up 150 more yards in this game than the average over the season. Would you attribute that to missing so many starters?

Coach Smith: Missing starters certainly doesn't help the situation, but they were a quality opponent who also gives out scholarships, so give them some credit for playing well and executing well.

Article Headline: COACH SMITH BLAMES POOR DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE ON INJURIES

 

[Ginski]

Great post, ArrowHead Blue. I thought we had a wonderful team this year.....in spite of many breaks going against them! And you're so right about ND not hesitating about carrying out their academic standards rather than "sweeping them under the rug" as most other teams would have done. Can you imagine FSU ever suspending a first-stringer for anything short of a felony? No way! BTW.....your Wolverines made some giant advances this year, and I was pulling for them in their game against the Buckeyes! I would love to renew our series with them again sometime in the future.

 

[mmboys07]

Correct -- for the record I was a catcher for 12 years ,pitched a no hitter the year I pitched, played semi pro tennis and shoot in the high 70's in golf -- currently have an elbow injury that is making playing golf a fantasy. Played QB in HS . re injuries i have had 7 surgeries all sports related

Nit wits who discount the impact of injuries are not worthy of discussion -- be like talking foreign affairs with a 3 yr old

OK. The point about the impact of injuries is well taken. However, explain me this: Why does ND play so poorly in the first quarter of so many big games? Down 14-0 in all three of our big games this year in the first quarter, and early in the first at that. I don't think this problem has any thing to do with injuries. NDs opponents are coached ready to attack ND and succeed, while ND is out there floundering around. Please explain.

 

[Telx1]

Mmboy...others will have different opinions about this. My take is Kizer plays better as the game goes on, and I think he happens to be the kind of player who thrives under pressure. As the QB goes, so goes offensive momentum and it's contagious. On the defensive side, seems obvious to me that the top teams see a pattern with our defense and exploits this initially. We seem to make adjustments at halftime and play better defense thereafter.