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| The Bulls will have to face two experienced corners including senior Robert Blanton. |
The 2011 USF Bulls have a solid secondary and have great duo at corner in Washington and Webster, but the Irish have a solid pair in the secondary as well and will be working hard to shut down the USF passing game and try to make like tough for B.J. Daniels.
The Irish, working in the 3-4 defense, need their corners to play well to stop the USF receivers. The Bulls have a lot of weapons on the corner, both in size (Landi) and speed (Mitchell) so it should be an interesting battle between the corners and receivers. [keep reading]
Starters
Robert Blanton - 6-1 196-pounds - Senior
Blanton has in 37 games during his career at ND, starting in 13 games for the Irish. He had 52 tackles in 2010, including 7 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 5 pass break ups, and intercepted 2 passes. He can play the run well if needed and has great footwork in the secondary to help cover primary receivers.
Reserve
Lo Wood - 5-10 - 182-pounds - Sophomore
Wood played in 11 games last season, although not starting in a game. He is recorded 3 tackles last season in limited time, but the coaches are high on him and will give him a shot on the field.
Starter
Gary Gray - 5-11 - 195-pounds - Senior (5th year)
Gray is a very experienced player. He has played in 33 games in his career, including 20 starts (started all 13 games last season for the Irish). He had 66 tackles last season, including 5 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 7 pass break ups and intercepted one ball. He plays the ball well and is very physical with opposing receivers, making it hard to get the passing game going.
Reserve
Bennett Jackson - 6-0 - 181-pounds - Sophomore
Jackson was recruited to ND as a receiver, but moved to defensive back and has played primarily on special teams. In 13 games last, he recorded 10 tackles and will work hard to get onto the field this season as a key reserve.
So what can we take from the ND corners? They are experienced, with two senior leaders on the edge, but the experience behind them is not that deep and has not played much (sounds like USF just a bit). They will do a solid job, but fatigue during the game as they try to keep up with the speed of the USF skill players could be hard for them.
I'd like to see McFarland up against one of these guys. They need to put him on the field for the ND game. Size mismatch city on a 5'10" corner.
ReplyDeleteExactly. McFarland, Shields, and Landi all have size advantage here. They are solid corners, but the most elite in the world and a bit undersized, big time mismatch if Daniels can find them.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed the O-line gives BJ enough time to do it!
ReplyDeleteThey have the ability to do it. I just worry about the looks the 3-4 ND defense can bring, especially Manti Te'o, that guy is a wrecking ball in the middle of the field.
ReplyDeleteYou'd have to hope they've been prepping #7 hard for that.
ReplyDeleteReading some of the comments from Brian Kelly, they understand his ability to move the pocket, create with his legs, etc. They are a very aggressive defense and will bring heat vs. Daniels, but if the O-line gives him time and he can locate all of his targets, the Bulls can move the ball. Also, give Scott a chance to run right at them.
ReplyDelete