Rivals Safety Category Rankings

[irishunclebill]

The latest free review by the Rivals "experts" where they rank the Top 5 Safeties in 4 different categories, fastest, best ball skills, best coverage skills, hardest hitter. Slaughter was ranked #2 in the best ball skills category, and Blanton was #1 in best coverage skills.Rahim Moore was ranked #1 in two of the four categories and Moore and Dee Finley were both listed in 3 different categories. Nick Moody from my HS Alma Mater, RCHS in Philadelphia, was ranked the #1 hard hitter. In Philly you learn early to hit hard.

Link to complete story:

Rivals Safety Category Rankings (http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=696035)

[irishziggy]

my buddy graduated from RC in '05.

[YoungIrish]

Blanton the Blanket...I like it..

[untitledproject]

Err, Slaughter should be on the hitters list.

[IrishKnight1023]

Err, Slaughter should be on the hitters list.

------I agree, Good God did they watch the same videos I did? But I can't complain because I know the type of player we got.

[IrishCalves]

Err, Slaughter should be on the hitters list.

They say that he's usually good for about 1 monster hit per game, but that he also doesn't "bring the lumber" on a consistent basis. Just enough to put up a spectacular looking highlight reel, but the big hits vault supposedly doesn't run too deep. Hence, scout has "toughness" as an issue for him, so both services have made note of it to some degree.

To me, showing flashes is good enough. Its a trick in your bag that you've either got or you don't. After seeing some of those hits, it's clear that he's got it - must be a matter of learning how to use it play in and play out.

Part of why Zbikowski redshirted was because he wasn't being assertive/tough enough as a freshman. In retrospect that sounds crazy, but its something the coaches made note of. Needless to say, he came out of his shell, and developed a style of game that is certainly physical enough - you don't get AA accolades at safety by being soft and timid. Then there's the boxing career, but thats another story.

So, I think the truth is somewhere in between with Jamoris. I don't think he's the uber man-beast that ND fans all think he is, since its only 5-10 minutes of his highlights that we're privy to, but I certainly wouldn't go so far as to agree with scout in that his toughness is a negative.

[eric_navy]

"Crabtree's take: I also thought Dan McCarthy should have been in this category, because he's got some really special ball skills..."

[DiegoIrish]

As i said before about the Rivals Top ____ articles...they are lame regurgitated opinions that were thrown together to make a list. I dont take those too seriously unless they say good things about ND guys.

[HoffVir]

"Crabtree's take: I also thought Dan McCarthy should have been in this category, because he's got some really special ball skills..."

Watch his highlight tape and you'll see why. An option QB playing safety ... Zibby is that you?!

[YoungIrish]

McCarthy looks special...Ive seen his clips..and the kid just has great vision..he makes great cuts..I could see him running back some punts..He has some wheels and will be able to play some good safety..I feel good with him and Harrison Smith back there...

[Fishin'_Irish]

DMac is great with the ball in his hands. Watching his tape, that was one thing that really jumped out at me.

[YoungIrish]

I might go check out the game btw McCarthys team Cardinal Mooney..and Gateway Shayne Hales team...You know the guy who was at ND who commited..lol jk..I think McCarthy will be running circles around Hale...

[Troy's Enterprise Pride]

thatd be a great game to watch... and to blog. it'd be a great read on the boards, YI

[5th Horseman]

McCarthy, Harrison Smith, Gary Gray, Blanton, Slaughter....etc. The secondary should be outstanding in 2-3 years!

[NDgrandson]

McCarthy, Harrison Smith, Gary Gray, Blanton, Slaughter....etc. The secondary should be outstanding in 2-3 years!

The secondary should be outstanding THIS year. Walls, McNeil and Herring are studs and they are not even starting.