Positional Previews #2 - Cornerbacks

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.

Positional Previews #3 - Wide Receivers

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 #3 - Wide Receivers

Depth Chart - Here is a look at the depth chart. Note that the X is the Flanker (WR off the line of scrimmage) while the Z is the Split End (on the line) in a standard 2 WR set. 3WRs will be on the field a good bit in a Weis offense.

Talent - Possibly, likely the greatest WR combination in Notre Dame history will be suiting up for the Irish the next two seasons. Other national media agree with me, as Rivals ranked ND's Golden Tate and Michael Floyd the #1 WR combo in the country this year. The only reason WRs are #3 and not #1 in this position confidence countdown is simple - can we find someone who can step up if either Floyd or Tate goes down with injury? Last year, with Michael Floyd out the final few games, the Irish lost 4 of 5 as defenses double teamed Golden Tate. The offense dragged and experienced its worst games of the year. Unlike last year, we have a promising freshman that may be able to play opposite either Golden or Michael, should either go down. Shaquelle Evans has gotten rave reviews in camp, and should be the next Irish WR star - but he is a freshman and is unproven. Thus, the WRs are #3 on the countdown. Shaquelle was a high 4 star on Rivals, being heavily recruited by USC as well (he's from Inglewood, CA). Golden Tate, Duval Kamara, and Deion Walker were all similarly ranked 4 star recruits, while John Goodman, Robby Parris, and George West were 3 star guys. And Michael Floyd was a 5 star top 25 overall player in 2008 - as advertised after his freshman year in 2008.

Changes - The addition of Shaquelle Evans is the major change. Shaq has "burner" speed, much like Golden Tate, and appears physically ready to play. Sophomores John Goodman and Deion Walker look ready to contribute as well after a redshirt freshman year for each, and both could see playing time as the 4th and sometimes 3rd WR. A California summer trip hosted by Jimmy Clausen, where he, Floyd, Tate, and TE Kyle Rudolph worked on their passing for a week shouldn't hurt the passing game. With 2 of the most most dynamic WRs in recent ND history back for another two seasons, minimal change is good.

Depth - Improving. If Shaq Evans can be the 3rd WR we need, his prescence will work wonders for the offense. John Goodman and Deion Walker are also solid, talented, but unproven players that seem to be ready to contribute. George West and Robby Parris played more in 2007 than in 2008 (George West was the starting WR in 2007 at the beginning of the season! We've come a long way talent wise since then); my gut feeling is that the coaches will have a hard time playing Parris or West over developing Shaq, Walker, or Goodman, barring injuries or the young guys struggling. Recruiting wise, ND needs to get an elite WR every year to keep this cupboard stocked to an ideal level for a Weis offense. So far we have two solid 3 star guys committed, but need that gamebreaker. Likely next year will be a big recruiting year at WR, with Golden Tate and Michael Floyd that much older and closer to exiting the depth chart (more playing time to sell).

Goals - Big goals for this unit. In 2008, the ND passing offense ranked 34th in the country. This year, the goal is top 20. Golden Tate and Michael Floyd combined for 106 catches and 17 TDs last year (Floyd missed final 3 regular season games and played sparingly in the bowl game). Goal for the combo this year - 150 catches and 25 TDs. That is a very lofty goal; however, it would be almost identical to greatest WR duo in ND history, Jeff Samardzija and Maurice Stovall in 2005 - a duo that produced 146 catches for 26 TDs. TE Kyle Rudolph and the 3rd WR, hopefully Shaquelle Evans, are going to have to capitalize on the attention defenses will be giving Tate and Floyd. In 2008, non-Floyd/Tate receivers (including TE and RBs) accounted for 8 of the 25 passing TDs. This year, those guys need to get 15/35 total TDs thrown through the air. Obviously, we're predicting that the Irish WRs are in for a big year.

Final Analysis - This position is all about answering two questions: who can replace Floyd/Tate if an injury occurs? And who can play 3rd WR? The answer to both of those questions will be Shaquelle Evans. His youth and lack of experience held us back from putting the Irish WRs at the top of this positional confidence list. Maybe by year end, they'll prove us wrong.

Positional Previews #4 - Linebackers

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 #4 - Linebackers

Depth Chart - Here is the crowded depth chart for the Irish base 4-3 defense. The Nickel formation uses 2 and sometimes 3 linebackers - shown here also is the basic 2 LB Nickel defense (our best guess at least).

Talent - Plentiful. Of the 10 players in the depth chart above, 4 are 3 star (Calabrese, T.Smith, S.Smith), 5 are 4 star (B. Smith, Fox, McDonald, Fleming, Filer), and 1 is a 5 star (Manti Te'o) per Rivals, as high school seniors. That makes the linebacker corp as deep and almost as talent filled as any other position on the team (the LBs being #4, I say there are 3 positions better). Also remember that sophomore stud DT Ethan Johnson and freshman 5 star Manti Te'o aren't the only players on the Irish defense that narrowed their choices down to USC or Notre Dame. SAM starter Darius Fleming (pictured right) did as well, and he has had the best training camp possibly of any defensive player.

Changes - Jon Tenuta will continue to coach the linebackers, despite his new role as the de facto Defensive Coordinator. His aggressive style could mean even more blitzes for the linebackers, although there were plenty last year. Chicago area product Darius Fleming also moved from defensive rush end to the strongside (SAM) linebacker position, where he has made huge strides during the summer and August camp. Brian Smith played MIKE LB position last year, but has moved back outside to let Toryan Smith man that position. Things could get interesting though, as Tenuta wants to get his best 3 LBs on the field at once. Look for Manti Te'o to essentially take over Toryan Smith on the depth chart, bumping Brian Smith back to starting Mike and Te'o to Will, alongside Darius Fleming at Sam.

Depth - Solid in talent, but lacking in experience. There are 5 to 6 "game ready" linebackers - which Weis defines as guys that he has confidence to put on the field in any situation. In addition to the starters, Te'o and Scott Smith are the additional 2 guys forming the "game ready" crew. Steve Filer is likely a game ready player - if he can overcome his struggles with the playbook and in particular defending in space. Filer has as much athleticism as any linebacker on the squad - and is easily the best past rusher of all the linebackers. Filer and Fleming are the true wild cards of the linebacker position - if they blossom then this position is in great shape for a few years. True freshman and former safety Dan Fox has a bright future ahead of him at the Will spot, but he'll hopefully red shirt this year to get acclimated and physically ready. McDonald and Calabrese will provide solid depth in the future.

Goals - Better pass defense, less blitzing. The Irish linebackers blitz often as a tool to rush the QB and defend the run. Ideally they would get the same pressure with less blitzing. When the LBs were forced to play pass defense coverage, the Irish linebackers were average at best last year. The LB position must improve upon zero interceptions in 2008 - I think 4 interceptions is a huge step but a reasonable goal. The athleticism on the field with Te'o (pictured), Brian Smith, and Darius Fleming in particular should be a huge upgrade over prior years. With improvement on the defensive line, hopefully the Irish LBs will not have to blitz quite as often, perhaps resulting in more interceptions. Last year, the Irish linebackers accounted for 46% of sacks - a stout number but one that ideally would decrease to a healthier balance with the defensive line. 65% / 35% might be an ideal sack breakdown between defensive lineman and linebackers, respectively - assuming the sack total is respectable (in the 30s).

Final Analysis - The Irish linebacker corp is much more dynamic when Manti Te'o shocked the recruiting world with his commitment to the Irish over USC. Brian Smith, Fleming, and Te'o have all the talent the Irish will need to compete at the highest level. The Irish aren't completely in the same room talent wise on defense as USC - but they are knocking on the door when 2 starters were both recruited heavily by USC (Te'o & Fleming) and the 3rd starter is the best linebacker on your team (Brian Smith). It's normal to assume that Darius Fleming will struggle in some coverage and assignment aspects of his new position. Manti Te'o (pictured above) may as well . . . but he feels like the Tim Tebow of our defense. Its a stretch comparison, but this kid is special, mature, and a nasty competitor. ND's talent will be on display for the country this year - and I think the linebackers are the one that can really turn some heads.

Positional Previews #5 - Special Teams

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 #5 - Special Teams

Depth Chart - Here is the updated depth chart at the key kicking game and return man positions in special teams:

Talent - Nick Tausch - as a true freshman (pictured) - has beaten out senior and returning starter Brandon Walker for the field goal job. Walker was inconsistent early last year, but finished making 13 of his final 17 field goals in 2008. The Freshman Tausch also has beaten out Ryan Burkhart for the kickoff job - and Burkhart was the kickoff guy that kicked for the#1 ranked kickoff coverage unit in the nation in 2008. Freshman that see the field as a starter on day 1 are typically pretty good, so I would say talent is solid in the place kicking department. Eric Maust is a solid returning starter at punter, leading the Irish to a top 30 finish in 2008 for punt coverage. Net punting was only 59th in the country though, clearly putting our strength more so on the coverage side than the punting side - which means Maust has room for improvement in punting. Golden Tate and Armando Allen have the speed and dynamic playmaking ability that every team needs in the return game - and if you need any further justification, check out here and here.

Changes - After a solid year in punt defense and a fantastic year in kickoff defense, the Irish have a new kickoff guy in Tausch and a returning punter in Eric Maust. Again, it cannot be stressed enough how impressive Tausch must have been to unseat Ryan Burkhart. The word is that Tausch's kicks have incredible hangtime, although being similar in distance to Burkhart's. Kickoff and punt returns should look familiar from the end of last season, where Golden Tate and Armando Allen shared duties. There are numerous freshman that could see some action in the kickoff return games - guys like Shaquille Evans, Roby Toma, or Cierre Wood. All in all, the only major change was the insertion of Tausch.

Depth - Easily the best depth the Irish have had at Kicker, Punter, and return men since Weis has arrived. Freshman punter Ben Turk actually almost won the job over returning starter Eric Maust, meaning there is promise waiting in the wings at punter. Turk has become somewhat of an internet legend, since it was reported that all 5 foot 11 inches and 193 pounds of him can bench press "225" an amazing 26 times (to put that into perspective - thats more than top ranked linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis did at the NFL combine last year. Turk's nickname is "225"). Solid backup options with experience or promise at the 3 kicking duty spots, with numerous freshman options at kickoff and punt return spots behind the talented Golden Tate and Armando Allen. I suspect we will see plenty of freshman action in the kickoff return game, as the season goes on. No need to risk injury to our starting RB and WR when (hopefully) there are plenty of freshman up for the task. I suspect punt returns will remain mostly the job of Tate, however.

Goals - A top 25 finish in both kickoff and punt coverage is the goal coverage wise. After finishing #1 in the former and #30 in the latter, maintaining the progress is the key for the coverage units. Field Goal kicking wise, Tausch needs to be automatic inside of 40 yards (like any kicker). Making just 58% of his kicks (Brandon Walker's % from 2008) won't cut it - Tausch needs to make 70% of his kicks as a goal. In the return game, there has only been 1 kickoff return for a TD in the Weis era (Hawaii bowl clip above of Armando Allen). There hasn't been a punt returned for a TD since Tom Zbikowski days. A goal of 3 total kickoff or punt returns for TDs is not unreasonable given the talent in Golden Tate and Armando Allen. Yardage wise, the return games also need to get into the top 25 nationally. In 2008, the kickoff and punt return units finished 53rd and 60th nationally, meaning we need to improve.

Final Analysis - I am excited about this unit. Tausch has some moxy to unseat a senior returning starter at both kicking spots, while our coverage units had banner years in 2008. Our return game looks poised to really do some damage with Golden Tate and Armando Allen. Punting needs to improve a bit, more so on the punting side than coverage side. The Irish should be able to maintain their coverage success of 2008, while adding some big plays in the return game and a higher % success rate in field goals attempted. My only drawback is that the kicker is a freshman - albeit one that beat out our incumbent kicker for a starting role.

Positional Previews #6 - Safeties

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 #6 - Safety

Depth Chart - Hot off the press of Charlie's press conference on Monday, here is the updated depth chart. The Irish are experienced at Safety but are in serious need of bodies in the current recruiting class.

Talent - The Irish are plenty talented at Safety - enough to be extremely competitive. Neither of the starters Smith or McCarthy (pictured right) is a sure fire day 1 NFL prospect, but both most certainly will be NFL players. Harrison Smith is only entering his 2nd year of playing, and he has the size, speed, and playmaking ability to become a first day NFL draft pick. McCarthy led the team in tackles in 2008, compiling 110 of them from the strong safety spot. Sure tackling and heady play are his calling cards. Harrison Smith, Zeke Motta, and Dan McCarthy (younger brother of starter Kyle McCarthy) were all 4 star recruits, while Sergio Brown, Ray Herring, and Kyle McCarthy were 3 star. Ray Herring and Sergio Brown bring experience and depth to the position; Brown will be used as starting Nickelback likely, while Ray Herring would be the first safety to replace either Harrison or McCarthy should they go down with injury.

Changes - The biggest change is the move of Harrison Smith (pictured right) from Nickel outside linebacker to starting free safety. Harrison Smith was too athletic to keep off the field as a sophomore last year, but has always been a safety in ability. The departure of the extremely athletic David Bruton (Denver Broncos 4th rd draft pick) will definitely be felt, but Harrison brings some skills to the table that are better than Bruton. Harrison will likely be a better pass rusher and run defender than Bruton, who's best skill was covering massive amounts of real estate as a roaming free safety. Harrison has much more of the intangible "playmaker" ability about him as well - he has a nose for the football, as they say. Many feel good about the move and think there will be little if any drop off from Bruton to Smith. On the coaching side, Corwin Brown is now spending more time with the defensive backs as DB Coach and Associate Head Coach, instead of defensive coordinator (now Jon Tenuta).

Depth - Solid, for this year. With experienced seniors behind the starters, as well as some promising youngsters in early enrollee Zeke Motta and sophomore Dan McCarthy, this unit is in good shape this season. I would say the talent at safety lacks just 1 player - an elite, 5 star, Major Wright / Eric Berry type guy. Those type of safeties only appear about once or twice per recruiting class nationally though. The talent assembled at Safety is plenty good to accomplish Notre Dame's goals of a BCS game and 10-2. The problem is next year - with the departure of half the depth chart due to graduation, the Irish need some big time safeties in this recruiting class after 2 big signing day misses to USC last year.

Goals - Two major goals for this position: fewer tackles and more interceptions. Fewer tackles from the safety spot means that more tackles are being made by linebackers and lineman - which typically means less yards given up. If McCarthy and Harrison Smith combine for 207 again this year (like Bruton and McCarthy last year, the top 2 tacklers on the Irish defense) - 207 tackles representing 25% of total defensive tackles last season - then the Irish are much more likely to have a record worse than 9-3 than on it. Would be nice to get those safety tackles % down to 20% or maybe 15%. Secondly, these 2 need to improve upon 6 interceptions from safeties last year - 10 would be fantastic but 8 would be a very good job for the position.

Final Analysis - This position is solid, deep (for this year), but just not terribly sexy. People fail to realize that "not sexy" could be a huge asset, as our guys are team first, sure fire tacklers that make intelligent plays within their defensive roles. The "playmaker" label of Harrison Smith will have a chance to stick - and that potential is what makes this position slightly intriguing. Can these smart, sure fire tacklers make a few more plays? And more importantly, will the Irish front 7 step up so they don't have to? I predict the Safeties will impress and reach reach both goals noted above - only 20% of total team tackles, and at least 8 interceptions. Largely because of the instincts and playmaking ability of Tennessee's own, Harrison Smith.