Rockne's Roundtable

I'd like to see shembo get moved inside to take that will spot. I think he's fast enough to play coverage in the middle but not outside. Plus he likes contact, and he's got the body for inside anyway. If Manti leaves, I think our best replacement is Moore, and I'm hoping Grace will be able to back him up. Then with the outside guys, we need way more speed. I think this position alone, is why we struggle playing the 3-4 so much. I think Ishaq could be athletic enough to start next year at the cat, that is if he doesn't get moved to DE. Niklas is a stud, but may also be more suited for the DE position. I like Rabasa a lot from watching his high school tape, it will be interesting to see if he ends up at cat or will. I think Spond should probably stick with inside unless he's fast enough to play the edge. The main spot I see giving us the most trouble is at the dog position. I don't know if we have a single player on the team right now that can be a force here to get in the back field and play good coverage. I'm really hoping Councel has the speed, as advertised to play here. This is the main reason why Odenigbo is probably one of my favorite targets this year because the kid's made for this position. He runs a 4.44 as an outside linebacker, and his highlight film is RIDICULOUS.

Putting the cart before the horse, as always.................................

I will answer this when his decision is made known. Not before.

I like that I can ignore posts by Merlin, but I wish I could ignore entire threads started by Merlin.

Theres a lot that goes into deciding whether or not to forego your senior year.

Did he accomplish what he set out to at ND?

Is he satisfied with what he's done?

How important is the degree?

Where will he be graded for the draft?

Most mock drafts have him any where from 17 to 24 in the first. With that in mind Rudolph was ranked right around there and was bumped to the 2nd rd. which could happen here. Will he be satisfied by that?

He has to deal with the likes of
Kuechly- Boston College * rated higher
Hightower- Alabama
Burfict- Arizona St.

Looking at 2 of those 3 depending how the team finishes could lead to #5 slipping i can see a late push for Hightower and Burfict to pass him on Bowl hype alone for the simple fact of exposure.

If theres one thing that will be on our side it will be the story of #3 and how coming back helped his draft status regardless of non-football incidents he's shown week in and week out that he's an all round better receiver then any other in college football.

#5 IMO still has a way to go to be considered the best all round ILB, if he would come back and improve on vital areas to the position such as.

Tackling- some games it's very suspect

Pass coverage- we all know he's awesome running down hill, tends to get lost in passing.

Impact plays- the best of the best make big time plays not just big hits. int's, forced fumbles, tackles for loss, pass deflections. He needs to demand attention on every play and be a force in the middle basically shutting it down.

It would benefit both the team(obviously) but also himself to stay his senior year. All around its good for college football for big time athletes to complete there college experience.