Comments on: Eight Irish seniors get invite to NFL Scouting Combine

By: rheffero

rheffero — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:30:19 +0000

Another interesting conversation is the pipeline ND is building.

2 other players that could have been on that invitee list if they did not decide to come back (Nix and Martin).

While Martin sounded like a 3rd -4throunder, Nix would have been in that end of 1st-high 2nd round area.

Next year, ND’s defense could be the headliners (Nix; Tuitt; Shembo; Jackson) to go with Martin.
Then depending on their year, Fox, Calabrese, Spond, Lombard could get an invite.

Then many defensive NFL prospects, that is something ND has not seen in awhile.

By: oldcat157

oldcat157 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:01:39 +0000

Manti reminds me of a Lofa in Seattle. Can play tough but his body is going to break down in a few years. He blew up other teams with high school players but got romped by Alabama with real NFL talent. Don’t expect much past his rookie contract.

By: fighting69th

fighting69th — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:51:36 +0000

I think Motta will be a solid starter. He was the only one who could bring anyone down in the NC game. I think he will be a steal for who ever gets him. Notre Dame always has solid Safeties.

By: andy44teg

andy44teg — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:45:07 +0000

You keep saying that..but you are aware that ND beat them last year, right???

By: fnc111

fnc111 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 08:22:42 +0000

To sum it up, two first rounders and a bunch of undrafted PFA’s.

Too many question marks at RB next season. Kelly will be on the hot seat after another loss to scUM.

By: papadec

papadec — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:23:57 +0000

uget – no problem for me – no NFL team in Hawaii for Manti to go to. The way the Giants are cleaning house & salary, maybe some of these guys end up in NY/NJ.

By: irish4006

irish4006 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:35:58 +0000

Cierre is fun to watch when he is running well, typically north south. Looking at him though, it seems that he has something missing from his arsenal, not quite sure what it is. He had a few amazing games, esp. when he split his carries with another capable back; but there were times when it seemed the spark was not quite there. I am not an expert but I would have to think it was mental, if I had to take a guess.

Another year would probably have helped a lot considering there will be a host of other potential stars at the RB position. I hope he gets drafted and lights things up in the next level. Good Luck, CW!

By: idratherbeinsouthbend

idratherbeinsouthbend — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:02:25 +0000

I look at this list and my immediate focus shifts to Cierre Wood, Manti, and Eif.

With Eifert, I think Keith might have UNDERSTATED the elite speed comment. If Eifert runs a great 40 time (for a TE), I think he’ll go closer to the top half of round 1. There are 10 teams in the first 15 picks that could use an elite tight end. Tight Ends are the new black…they’re highly fashionable. His blocking ability is well documented. His pass catching is well documented. So, if his speed can split a seam in the NFL..he’ll be way up there.

I don’t see Manti as the next Urlacher or Ray Ray, but more of a London Fletcher/Keith Brooking type…just 15 years of dependable play. A guy that the defense can count on every day, every year.

With Cierre, I wouldn’t dare to have a clearer view of his future than he does, but his decision to leave ND always felt like more of a decision to get out of ND than it did to get into the NFL….if that makes sense.

By: jerseyirish10

jerseyirish10 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:26:52 +0000

Let’s hope Manti goes to the combine and just blows them away. He’s had a rough month, so seeing him put up monster numbers, have great interviews and show NFL front office people that they will be getting a fantastic player and person, would be a good way to close that door and open a new one. For the others, I also hope they go and also put on a good show…always nice to hear an ND name on Sundays.

By: ajw21

ajw21 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:18:54 +0000

Darius was a commentar for college football on fx this year. He could also be in radio but he was on tv as well. In hindsight him staying probably wouldn’t of helped his stock. His sen yr was the BAD year and not sure if he would of put up good stats. He would of been the whole offense and we had no line. Only time I have seen a player leave early(not counting ppl who get kicked off the team) and not get drafted.
Go Irish!

By: ugetwutuask4

ugetwutuask4 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:45:35 +0000

All that being said I think Eifert would make the best pick and fills a position of desperate need in the passing and running game for Da Bears. Sorry bout all Da Bear talk fellas!!

By: jimbag1983

jimbag1983 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:45:10 +0000

I completely agree. While I think that he would have benefited from another year at Notre Dame, I understand that he has a son and family responsibilities and he is doing what he thinks he needs to do. It reminds me of Darius Walker – I thought that he could have had an outstanding senior season as the featured back on a team that could have really used him, but he went out for the draft, languished in the NFL for a few years, and is now thankfully I think in radio – although I am not sure if he finished his degree or not.

By: ugetwutuask4

ugetwutuask4 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:23:32 +0000

ESPN’s Kiper projecting Daaa Bears will draft DJ Fluker O lineman from Bama and McShay projecting them to draft Manti Te’o with the 20th pick. I feel they need an O lineman but wouldn’t mind seeing Te’o in a Bears uniform while Urlacher shows him the ropes. However Kiper projects TB Bucs to draft Te’o at 13th pick.

By: ugetwutuask4

ugetwutuask4 — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:20:33 +0000

By: tedlinko

tedlinko — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:30:47 +0000

Cierre, of all this group, is the one I worry may have shortchanged himself a bit by not coming back for a 4th year. With a full season, and a more experienced QB to start the year, it could have been a chance for him to really elevate his stock. That said, I wish him well.

One thing it did was open up a slot for one of those blue-chippers we just signed, plus opens up carries for our inexperienced, but talent rich, stable of RBs.

By: 808raiderinparadise

808raiderinparadise — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:24:05 +0000

Well for one I could only hope Te’o gets a fair evaluation and gets the right team to take him. He has an extremely high foobtall IQ and can sniff out plays and make tackles. Don;t think his athleticism will blow any teams away, but his motor will.

Eifert to me is best suited for a great NFL career, the TE in the NFL is a weapon, even a teams 2nd TE option racks in catches every game. Tyler will be great no matter where he goes.

As for the rest? Heck Motta can be a special teamer, Wood can make a roster a back-up ….

Nothing crazy.

What about Toma? To me Toma can suceed if Welker, Woodhead and Edelman do with Patriots ….He is the same mold to me.

By: bostonjan

bostonjan — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:19:41 +0000

I’m happy for each individual mentioned; and I’ll continue to root for each of these young men as they pursue their professionals careers.

Perhaps of equal interest to this ND fan is the message potentially communicated to future Irish recruits regarding the level of player development achieved by each player at the respective football positions: OL, DL, LB, DB, RB, TE, with WR well represented last year.

Message: Come to ND and earn an education for a life of success; and receive development of football skills that will prepare you for “the next level” if you possess the God given abilities to make it in the NFL.

Maybe not unique; but clearly a compelling message.