Tag: Stephon Tuitt

ND 31 MSU 13

ND Editor September 20, 2011 Football Tagged Chris Brown, George Atkinson, Harrison Smith, Ishaq Williams, Michael Floyd, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Robert Blanton, Stephon Tuitt, Steve Elmers, Troy Niklas

Finally the first win–although errors persistently continue.
This was a very good win but major concerns still exist and we kept MSU in the game for too long.

Go back and replay the game and you will see a marked difference between the halves. Still not playing 4 quarters of solid football–but I’ll take the win, it’s a start

Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton were outstanding.

Teo was Teo and Michael Floyd is the best WR in college football.

Here come the freshman: George Atkinson took a kickoff to the house.
Tuitt, Niklas and Williams showed flashes but tentative which is understandable.
Aaron Lynch is a phenom–he simply could not be blocked. Star rising faster than Teo’s.

The OL finally played some real smash-mouth for the most part–can’t put my finger on it but 1 of the 5 is not playing up to snuff.

Re-play the game and ask yourself “where would we be without Michael Floyd?”

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2012 recruit # Number 15 commit WR Chris Brown 6’2″ 200 lbs.from South
Carolina.

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1st commit for 2013 OT Steve Elmers 6’6″ 300 lbs from Michigan–yes!!!!!

ND VS. MSU

ND Editor September 16, 2011 Football Tagged Aaron Lynch, Ethan Johnson, Kirk Cousins, Manti Teo, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Stephon Tuitt

ND–must win this game or Brian Kelly will be escorted off the field in a straight jacket.

Ok– he comes up the coaching chain–wins everywhere and lands at ND with more talent than he has ever had. Must be thinking this is a joke, compared with Cinn. I can win a national championship easy with these guys and my system.

Then reality sets in. As opposed to Cinn. everybody is gunning for ND–they can lose every game but if they take a ND SCALP, their season is a success.

Now to the present. ND must win this game–they beat themselves 2x–it has to end sometime–the turnovers etc. so it ends against MSU–ABSOLUTELY HAS TO.

Few thoughts:

Manti Teo– right now he is an average linebacker, not really playing any better than Calabrese or Fox. Somehow the OC’s have figured a way to handle him.

The OLB’s have been horrible–they still have big problems with an option attack. Thankfully, State has a more conventional offense.

The keys to winning this game, once again rests on the Line play on both Offense and Defense. Pass Rush against Quarterback Cousins is critical if Notre Dame is to prevail. I look for a breakout game by freshman Aaron Lynch–he has to play a lot and could take that starting position from Ethan Johnson. Stephon Tuitt also shows his stuff.

I believe Notre Dame rolls Michigan State:

Notre Dame 45 Michigan State 28

What Now

ND Editor September 12, 2011 Football Tagged Aaron Lynch, Carlo Calabrese, Ishaq Williams, Jonas Gray, Manti Teo, Notre Dame, Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas

Let’s treat 1st 2 games as exhibition games with next 10 our regular season.

Really have to get all the DB’s heads screwed on right. Gray, in particular–but after re-playing the game–no real pressure on the QB in passing situations and that makes it very difficult to maintain coverage. 2 games and I can’t recall 1 sack or good pressure on either QB.

The strength of this team was supposed to be the front 7 which in turn would help the DB’s with pics–isn’t happening.

So what do you do–well last 30 seconds, knowing they have to pass why not get the best line athlete on field with one job only–get the QB. Aaron Lynch should have been the guy.

He is every bit as good as Teo was as a freshman–get him on the field starting right now.

Get Tuitt much more involved. Niklas and Williams need more playing time also.

All of these guys would be starting elsewhere.

Run defense was very good but changes have to be made in obvious passing downs.

Somehow we need to get Teo freed up. Too often he is shielded out of the play.

Speaking of LB’s Calabrese was really hammering anyone he came in contact with while Fox showed good speed and range.

Nix again was a force but Johnson and Moore really have to step it up.

Next up more conventional teams–we simply have to play guys that can rush the passer. OLB’s real disappointment at this stage.

We can run the table if we just play the right guys on D.

If anything, you can bet that the D as a whole will be fully re-evaluated this week.

Let’s hope so.

ND VS. USF

ND Editor September 2, 2011 Football Tagged Aaron Lynch, Ishaq Williams, Lou Holtz, Louis Nix, Notre Dame, South Florida, Stephon Tuitt, Troy Niklas, USF

What bothers me most about this game is the prediction of a USF win by Lou Holtz. I know–what did you expect him to say. It’s the way he said it that bothers me. He didn’t say he hoped USF would win or that he would cheer them on–he said USF would win this game.

He’s been to practices at both schools and has keener insight than reporters covering ND–maybe he saw something that prompted him to say what he said.

We will soon find out. I think this will be closer than I would feel comfortable with–I want a blowout, I want to see all these freshman on the field at the same time –Williams, Tuitt, Nix, Lynch and Niklas.

If ND can’t take the 1st possession and score a TD we are in trouble. If we can’t run the ball we could easily lose.

Once again the OL holds the key to the game. I hope I’m wrong but I really don’t want this game decided in the 4th quarter–we can’t let them hang around like last year–nearly every game.

So here is my hopeful prediction:

ND 31 USF 24

August Doldrums

ND Editor August 10, 2011 Football Tagged Aaron Lynch, Braxston Cave, Brian Kelly, fall camp, fall practice, Louis Nix, Notre Dame, Stephon Tuitt

Disappointed that we haven’t landed a quality RB by now–hopefully, something will pop soon.

The usual coming out of fall camp so far–bigger, faster and stronger. But we hear that every year.

Believe this is day 5 and that should mean 1st day in full pads. I’ll be watching out for hamstring injuries. While I fully understand why Kelly wants closed practices– I would really like to see the Linemen go one on one–like to see Cave vs Nix and the other OL’s against Lynch and Tuitt. Get the same deal going with the LB’S .

Like to see the offense ag defense just running the ball–that wouldn’t tip off anything about full offense but would be interesting.

Day 1 Fall Camp

ND Editor August 7, 2011 Football Tagged Aaron Lynch, Andrew Nuss, Carlo Calabrese, Dayne Crist, fall camp, fall practice, Fox, MacDonald, Manti Teo, Notre Dame, Stephon Tuitt, Williams

S. Tuitt is one big dude
Andrew Nuss running with 1st team as LG.
ILB–looks like most competitive with Calabrese, Fox and MacDonald fighting for the spot opposite Teo. Whoever complements Teo the best will start–I like Carlo.

QB–think it’s Crist barring injury or mental breakdown.

No doubt that freshman Williams, Tuitt and Lynch will play as will redshirt Nix. Also no doubt barring injury and if they live up to hype all four will go early to NFL draft. So we have 3 seasons out of them. So enjoy while you can and hope Teo stays for senior season.