Thoughts of Blue and Gold Part Deux

Defense



D-Line


It isn't much of a stretch to say that the Irish will be missing the services of their recently graduated defensive linemen. The optimistic approach for ND fans is that Pat Kuntz will return in the fall and play as well as he did last year, and one or two of the incoming freshman will be able to contribute. However, a more conservative approach that includes one or two unforeseen injuries combined with an average freshman class leads to an Irish front 3 (or 4) that will struggle to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Because of this, it is especially important for the current defensive linemen on the team to take advantage of the extra reps they're getting now so that the unit can have some depth heading into next season. I'm going to be paying attention to rising junior Maurice Richardson who has been spending less time at linebacker and more time as a DL in a 4-3 scheme; any flexibility ND can get from moving a backer to a contributor in the trenches will improve the depth heading into fall.

LB


'Hole Fillers!' 'Runningback Killers!' Those were the phrases the linebackers on my high school team used to get each other jacked up, and that's exactly what we should have this season. A talented and experienced Mo Crum will lead a group of young exciting players in an attempt to maximize the effectiveness of Tenuta's blitz packages. An aggressive and hard nosed junior in Toryan Smith will look to stuff the run and playmaking sophomores Kerry Neal and Brian Smith will hope to use their speed and playmaking ability to contain the outside and rack up a few sacks. I mentioned before that the O-Line should be able to get a decent push up front, but the more interesting development will be seeing how the O-Line will be able to handle this group of backers in the spring game. The player to watch is without question rising junior John Ryan. After a rough season in 2007, Ryan should feel the heat of the underclassmen challenging for his playing time; Saturday will give fans a chance to see if he is up for keeping his starting spot.


DB


Returning Blue/Gold defensive MVP David Bruton will quarterback the secondary which looks to improve under their second season working with Corwin Brown. With the addition of sophomore Gary Gray (who missed last year with an injury) and plenty of help on the way with the safety/CB hybrids in the incoming freshman class, it looks like Notre Dame will have some quality depth in the secondary for the first time in a few years. Kyle McCarthy will be the player to watch; can he beat out Sergio Brown and Jashaad Gaines to earn the starting safety spot opposite Bruton?
MVP Predictions


As listed in the OC Domer spring preview, the MVPs of the the spring game usually go on to have a pretty good (if not great) season/career at Notre Dame. Last season, the Irish felt the loss of McKnight and Shark at WR, and I think that this spring, David Grimes will be able to take over the leadership role at that position and take home the offensive MVP honors. On the defensive side of the ball, I like Maurice Crum setting some fear into future opponents eyes by making some big plays and earning the remaining MVP award.
That's it for my spring ball preview. All that's left to do is to pray for safe travels and good weather Saturday.

Go Blue! Go Gold! Go Irish!