Rockne's Roundtable

Wojo,
This was reported a way's back. He won't play this year. Kelley and Co. have elected to let him recover fully.
Smart move IMO. With Riddick done after this year, it will give ND a backfield of Amir and Cierre Wood next year, and I believe while Wood will exhaust his eligibility next year, Amir will also be available in 2014 as well.....

Some have theorized that the limited carriers by Cierre Wood this year will all but guarantee his return next year. Don't know if I agree but we'll see.

Personally, I have NO idea and no feel for Cierre leaving. All I can add is that Amir has 3 years left. Never seen much of him, but I do hope he can be a durable, ball securing every down back.

Wood posted on his Facebook that he can't believe he's playing his last game at Notre Dame stadium next weekend and that time flies. He's gone, unfortunately.

Welcome aboard, Wojo!

I like Cierre Wood a lot but I would suggest he have a talk with Darius Walker. I can't see Wood being a high draft pick and another year at ND can only help him.

Thanks Jas..

I'd like to see Wood have a good game against Wake and then break one (or more) against USC.

I see him as a key player against the Trojans, as we will need some quick score capability should they get cranked up and start puncturing our defense. If any team is going to do that this year, it's USC.

Wood had two important runs in the victory against the Trojans two years ago, even though it was Robert Hughes who got the accolades for his runs on that final drive.

I think we will also need a good game against the Trojans from GAIII. Like Wood, he is from California and both their adrenaline levels should be high.

Just looked at some film of Carlisle.

I was amazed at how much he reminds me of Greg Bell. Lanky, not beefy at all, high center of gravity, and he has Bell's same gliding upright running style, with that slight hunch forward when he's shifting gears.

DO NOT see him as an every down back, but rather the change of pace guy who needs creases and lanes into which he can accelerate. Definintely not a tough, short-yardage guy.

Another guy he reminds me of a little is Jim Stone who had that great year in 80 (?) subbing for an injured Phil Carter (now there was a grinder!).

If Wood leaves, don't be surprised if, among guys who have played to date, that McDaniels is not the cowbell back.

Don't see either GAIII or Carlisle as guys who can run as well between the tackles as McDaniel can.

I have yet to take a look at Mahone, so I can't speak to his capabilities.

Risk

I agree with your first post. We will need Cierre to be a gamebreaker in LA. No question.

Your second post is discouraging. Its a good breakdown, but I had higher hopes.

Man, how many of you guys got a good look this year at Dennis Lacy from Bama? What a load. Get a gold helmet on him in 2013 and we wouldnt lose.

Risk

I checked out a few minutes. Well, your assessment seems right on, to me at least. I too do not see him as the every down back we crave. I wonder if next year we will be looking around the country at some close calls like Keith Marshall or Savon Huggins. Hopefully not.

To me, the right kind of RB combo we could use is a shifty type that has enough power to lean forward. Amp Lee, Chris Johnson, Keith Marshall, or Theo Riddick if you will. Even Cierre. But, I do love Lacy from Bama, the dude is just a load to bring down.

Assuming Cierre does not come back, we might very well miss him next year.