Rockne's Roundtable

Then play Costas

I really don't know the ins and outs of the recruiting game, but it seems to me that programs like Notre Dame can be pretty selective about their early offers. They saw something they liked, they got in early with an offer, and scored an early commitment. Seems like smart business to me. Is it a risk? Well, how many sure-things are there, in this game? If this staff starts producing a low batting average with its 3- and 4-star recruits, then the knocks can come in a retrospective when we know what we have. In the meanwhile, there's little use questioning every single offer, especially with 15 and 16 year olds who have ample room for development.

Hate to put a damper on all the infighting, but WELCOME TO ND GREER MARTINI!!! Seems like we may have forgotten how difficult and great it is to get a '14 commit this far in advance. Seriously, how often have we had the chance to quibble over two overlapping classes at one time? I trust our coaches and their ability to identify talent before most of the ranking organizations. Players are ranked because somebody sees them in action and says they're good. Our staff saw him in action. They said he was good. That makes him a ranked player in my book. We aren't desperate, and we don't offer sophomores that aren't talented . . . the ranking services will catch up eventually. And then we'll be happy to have strong ILB committed 18 months in advance.

To me this says another thing about where ND stands in the grand scheme of things. We have an amazing history and tradition with so much to offer it makes your head spin. Have you noticed that high school athletes are starting to notice that again? It comes with being headed in the right direction to the point where everybody, even the ND haters (yes, there are one or two of them around), are starting to take notice. It's been a while, eh?

And, yes, the ignore button is an awesome feature!

Welcome young man

A great gift to me on our nation's birthday. Welcome Mr. Martini to the Irish. Great get for the staff this early.

BTW, I thought the article said first team Maryland, not Virginia. Either way I don't care, this early in the process you only offer kids you really want and who fit into our system.

How do you do this?

Toledo and bdnally, thank you for bringing some proper perspective to this thread. A +1 to you both and a happy fourth of July to everyone!

Why should I trust the coaching staff? The same staff that lost to Tulsa and USF at home? Sorry, Brian Kelly is not my God. I don't believe any coach is beyond question.

I don't have any credentials...but other coaches do have credentials (some much better than your deity) and they know how to evaluate talent as well.

yep, BK's my god. I pray to him every night. As for Martini, he already has D1 offers as a rising junior, which is very impressive, and the coaching staff saw him in person. Like I said before, if they have offered a '14 kid already, they must really like him for a reason. Also, I think someone said that he was all state as a soph. I have no problem with people doubting BK, but its the excessive distrust that really irks me, let him do him his job