We are continuing the Notre Dame Football 2009 Positional Previews by counting down 10 positions. You can read about the 10 positions and an explanation of the rankings here. In short, #10 is the position that I am least confident/most worried about heading into the season, while #1 is the position I am most confident/least worried about. Ability, depth, and intangibles all factor in.
Today we hit up #2 - Cornerbacks
Depth Chart - The Irish are healthier at this position arguably than any other. I put CB at #2, and I will explain in this post and the #1 positional preview tomorrow.
Talent - Elite. 4 star players on this depth chart - Blanton, McNeil, Gray (the entire 3 deep at LCB), as well as Walls (pictured right) and Slaughter at the RCB position. EJ Banks and Mike Anello were 3 star and not ranked (walk on), respectively. You may have heard about Anello in the Wall Street Journal and other news articles, as he has a cult following, going from former walk on to starting "Gunner" on special teams. His production at Gunner and his current scholarship separate him from Rudy, however. Darrin Walls was a top 50 player in the country in 2006, but missed the 2008 season due to personal reasons. Blanton had a strong freshman year, and has overtaken 2 year starter Raeshon McNeil for one starting CB spot. Make no doubts about it - Walls, Blanton, and McNeil are 3 top flight corners that put the Irish in great shape to continue to improve the passing defense (43rd nationally in 2008). Blanton is a very physical and instinctive corner, whereas Walls is the more pure "cover corner" and McNeil is somewhere in between.
Changes - Darrin Walls' return is huge. He was the top CB on the team in 2007 and returns to join 2 experienced CBs in Blanton (pictured right) and McNeil. Gary Gray and Jamoris Slaughter have done well in camp - particularly Slaughter, who did not play a down in 2008 as a true freshman. Former Defensive Coordinator and now Asst Head Coach / DB Coach Corwin Brown hopefully will send even more focused time with the defensive backs. His NFL and college experience have been huge in improving the Irish secondary from a major weakness in Weis's first few years, to a strength on the current team.
Depth - 3 very solid corners with 2 four star players behind them is pretty darn good. The future is also bright, as ND will only lose McNeil (pictured below) this offseason to graduation (assuming no NFL departure by Walls). Gray and Blanton will have 2 years of eligibility remaining after this season, while Slaughter will have 3. Darrin Walls has another year of eligibility for next season. ND still needs to add an elite corner every year in recruiting, and so far this recruiting year, we have added 2 three star CBs.
Goals - More interceptions. The Irish pass defense was respectable but needs improvement from its 43rd overall in the country finish. Top 30 in pass defense is a respectable goal, assuming the defense creates more turnovers. The Irish had 14 interceptions in 2008 - but only 6 by the Cornerbacks. If the defense shoots for 20 interceptions in 2009 (a lofty goal considering the weakness in rush defense), the Cornerbacks will need to contribute 8 interceptions or more. Hopefully the Irish offense will put opposing offenses in catch up mode - meaning more passing and more opportunities for INTs.
Final Analysis - Without improvement in turnovers, particularly interceptions by Cornerbacks, the Irish will struggle to improve drastically in the wins and losses. 14 interceptions by our defense, against 17 thrown by our quarterback just won't cut it. Rush defense and the offensive production by the Irish will be huge factors into the interception numbers - but the passing yardage allowed will likely tell a much more accurate story of the Irish CB performance this year. Undoubtedly this unit will be at least above average, being the most talented and experienced unit of the Irish defense. However, with a weak defensive line, the Corners will be leaned upon with some tough coverage assignments. Whether or not this group of Cornerbacks can improve and perform under this pressure, may be the difference between 8 wins and a BCS bid for the Irish.
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