Update your resume Van Gorder....

[perseverare]

http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/offensive-stats

time of possession stats

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

I will never buy the recruiting excuse. Why? Because you cannot find me 20 other schools who have done a better job in that department. You can criticize our supposed lack of talent until you start comparing our situation with other schools and realize that most programs would kill to have the guys we pull in year after year.

Temple (outside of the strange game last week) has fielded a stronger defense this season. You mean to tell me they are more talented and deep than us? Gimme a break.

I'll agree with you that BVG hasn't gotten the absolute most out of his players compared to a team like Temple. I was very impressed with Temple's defense when ND played them. However, I still think had Kelly had not missed out on some key recruits in the past, then we'd probably have a top 20 defense. I also don't think the defense is as bad as everyone says it is. In a word they are inconsistent. I do see improvement from this year compared to last year and last I checked they are in the top 15 for third down defense and red zone TD allowed. I anticipate that ND can continue to improve into next year, especially if we get J. Smith back, a more mature Morgan, Coney, Tillery, a healthy J. Jones, and a Redfield that finally blossoms. If ND can land some of the top recruits such as Gary, Beitku, Burton, Hayes, Hamlin, Kelly, then the future is bright. I know everybody wants a top 10 stonebreaking defense now, but the fact is due to recruiting misses and a change of scheme, it's gonna take some time. Look at how long it's taken Kelly to finally have a strong offense with minimal errors.

 

[perseverare]

Hayes is looking more like Clark or Izzy from last year; a bit blown about by every wind.
He and family spent the weekend being woo'd by Urban and possible reports are they now own 4 used cars!

 

[echowaker]

So you are saying your scouting abilities are superior to that of the experts in the field? Of course it is not 100% accurate but there is a general correlation of recruiting rankings to performance. Just look at the champions over the years and see how they have done.

I think a composite of all the sites is the BEST way to go. Is it perfect? No. But I trust their *paid* opinions over my own or some poster on Rivals. If players do no look talented, that must be a flaw in player development or talent recognition. Most programs would kill to recruit like us so to say that Notre Dame does not have the pieces to field a solid defense is just being a BVG apologist. Do you think Diaco had better parts to work with?

Also, I mentioned experience as being a key factor in performance. 10/11 starters are upperclassman. I see no logical reason the defense should not be good.

first and foremost I would take my scouting abilities over any of those so called "experts". that's a crock. you don't even know how they operate. you really think they are watching film of every high school player ? i'll take ANY collegiate coaching staffs ratings over any recruiting service. those sites talk to local high school coaches when they compile their lists. we get calls all the time from all of them. they rarely if ever "scout" at all. tom lemming got kicked out of our building because he was pestering one of our players. recruiting sites are about one thing, taking suckers money.

 

[SiberianKnightmare]

I bet most Big12 schools would LOOOVE to have our defense.

 

[deadmanramsey]

first and foremost I would take my scouting abilities over any of those so called "experts". that's a crock. you don't even know how they operate. you really think they are watching film of every high school player ? i'll take ANY collegiate coaching staffs ratings over any recruiting service. those sites talk to local high school coaches when they compile their lists. we get calls all the time from all of them. they rarely if ever "scout" at all. tom lemming got kicked out of our building because he was pestering one of our players. recruiting sites are about one thing, taking suckers money.

Sure. Excuse me if I am a little skeptical and don't share the same confidence in your scouting abilities as you have. I look at the composite rankings based on what all the best in the biz have to say. They aren't perfect but they are pretty spot on.

If not the scouting sites, at least judge by the offers a kid has. Talent is not an issue, and if it was, then experience should make up for that. Defense isn't bad but they have been a pretty big disappointment and I just don't see it getting better with Van Gorder. Michigan's DC is in year 1 and they are arguably a top 5 defense.

 

[Pennick4]

BVG isn't going anywhere.

 

[deadmanramsey]

BVG isn't going anywhere.

You are probably right, but just have concerns moving forward. Anyway, don't need to beat a dead horse...happy our team is getting better overall.

 

[echowaker]

Sure. Excuse me if I am a little skeptical and don't share the same confidence in your scouting abilities as you have. I look at the composite rankings based on what all the best in the biz have to say. They aren't perfect but they are pretty spot on.

If not the scouting sites, at least judge by the offers a kid has. Talent is not an issue, and if it was, then experience should make up for that. Defense isn't bad but they have been a pretty big disappointment and I just don't see it getting better with Van Gorder. Michigan's DC is in year 1 and they are arguably a top 5 defense.

get over it. they aren't the "best in the biz ". who determines that ? I agree that offers are the best way to determine players potential. you prove my point. these recruiting sites don't scout or evaluate players. they basically make their lists from schools actions and in discussions with high school coaches...like me. they call and ask about players in my area and what do we think of them. they do not go out and watch games or ask for film. while nd's defense isn't highly rated across the board they are top ten in what might be other than points allowed the most important statistic in my opinion, third down conversion percentage. they were 6th going into the pitt game. convert on third down and stop your opponent on third down on a consistent basis and you will be very successful.