http://www.goldhelmet.com/ Syndication of Fighting Irish news and headlines. en Wed, 22 May 2013 06:31:13 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.goldhelmet.com/images/misc/rss.png http://www.goldhelmet.com/ http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71750-Irish-Sports-Daily-Jagielo-Named-Big-East-Player-of-the-Year-(-)&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 00:30:03 GMT Image: http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/images/stories/2013_Baseball/Mancini_Hi.jpg Notre Dame cleaned-up on its final trip to Clearwater, Fla heading... Notre Dame cleaned-up on its final trip to Clearwater, Fla heading into the 2013 Big East Tournament. Fighting Irish third baseman Eric Jagielo was named Big East Player of the Year by a vote of the league's coaches, while teammates Trey Mancini (1B) and Adam Norton (RHP) join Jagielo on the first team. Closer Dan Slania was named to the second team and outfielder Ryan Bull earned third team honors.
Jagielo leads the Big East in slugging percentage (.643) and on-base percentage (.500) and ranks second in batting average (.390) and is tied for second with nine home runs. He is the fourth player in school history and the first since Craig Cooper in 2006 to be named Big East Player of the Year. Steve Stanley took the honor in 2001 and 2002. Brant Ust became the first Irish player to win the award in 1998.
Mancini leads the conference with a .396 average as well as 130 total bases. His 84 hits and seven triples are tied for first. He ranks second in slugging percentage (.613), tied for third in RBIs (52) and is tied for sixth with six home runs. He takes a 22-game hitting streak into the Big East Tournament.
Norton's 105.0 innings are the second-most by a Big East pitcher this season. Those innings rank seventh in the nation entering the week. He is 9-4 with a 2.31 ERA. His nine wins are tied for 25th nationally. They are also the most for an Irish pitcher since former Minnesota Twin Jeff Manship went 9-2 in 2006.


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71750-Irish-Sports-Daily-Jagielo-Named-Big-East-Player-of-the-Year-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71740-Irish-Sports-Daily-Curtis-Strives-To-Be-The-Best-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 22:14:08 GMT Image: http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/images/stories/2014_Recruits/NatrellCurtisDB.jpg Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, Ariz,) defensive tackle *Natrell... Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, Ariz,) defensive tackle Natrell Curtis has made a habit of creating chaos on the gridiron and becoming a quarterback’s worst nightmare, but he's quick to admit he wasn't always this way and even had the opportunity to feel what it was like to be on the other side of the ball.


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71740-Irish-Sports-Daily-Curtis-Strives-To-Be-The-Best-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71738-ESPN-Video-Eddie-Vanderdoes-to-leave-Irish&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 22:14:08 GMT Image: http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://espn.go.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/15476/video-eddie-vanderdoes-to-leave-irish... Tom Luginbill calls into “College Football Live” to discuss reports that Eddie Vanderdoes, No. 10 overall in the 2013 recruiting class, will ask for his release from Notre Dame.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71738-ESPN-Video-Eddie-Vanderdoes-to-leave-Irish http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71737-Irish-Sports-Daily-In-The-Film-Room-Noah-Brown-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 21:40:51 GMT *Image: http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/images/stories/2014_Recruits/noahbrownA.jpg Noah Brown... Noah Brown is a 2014 prospect who wears many hats. The Sparta, N.J. native is considered a running back by some and a wide receiver by others. Brown has also been given the ‘athlete’ label by several of the recruiting services and it certainly fits his versatility as a player. Notre Dame, who offered him a scholarship less than a month ago, is after him as a wide receiver and he’s talented enough to play out wide or in the slot. I have to admit though, with his running back skills, he’s another possible candidate to fill the Theo Riddick role the former Irish standout so aptly maintained.

Brown has seen a spike in interest over the past few weeks from schools hoping to secure his services and now holds 17 offers from schools like Michigan State, Ohio State, Nebraska, and West Virginia. He likes the Irish and envisions a visit to South Bend sometime in the near future.

FRAME/GROWTH POTENTIAL

The Pope Paul XXIII High School star is a thick, solid looking player on film. He stands 6-foot-2 and weighs nearly 215 pounds. His size enables him to play with power, but doesn’t affect him athletically in the least bit. Even as a junior in high school he’s one of bigger players on the field regardless of position and on top of that, he’s obviously the best athlete.

Brown’s growth potential is tricky – he’s already bigger than many college wide receivers and in order to keep his speed I would think 10 pounds would be most weight he’d want to gain moving forward. If he was to play a dual role for the Irish as Riddick did then the extra weight will allow him to continue to run with a physical style. That way he could get some reps at running back, but also be athletic and fast enough to play receiver. I just wouldn’t want to see him weigh himself out of the possibility of playing in the slot because he was too heavy. I believe he can be really effective in both spots.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Brown has solid speed and is consistently timed in the 40-yard dash in the upper 4.5’s. I would say he’s a notch below elite speed, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him carry the football. There’s really nobody he’s playing against who can keep up with him and even those defenders who have an angle on him don’t have a chance. He also has a very smooth and rhythmic running style.

I’ve watched a lot of film and it’s normal with an offensive or defensive lineman to notice their strength right away. However, it’s unusual to looks at a skilled player and immediately think, ‘Man, is he strong’, but with Brown that caught my eye right away. He’s a powerful runner after the catch (or handoff) and can rumble his was way through arm tackles or carry defenders for several yards after they make initial contact. He’ll lower his shoulder and fight through defenders while keeping his legs churning until he either gets pushed out of bounds or reaches the end zone.

He has pretty good elusiveness in tight spaces, but where he really makes his mark is when he cuts. When he plants his foot and heads back toward the opposite direction it’s fast, powerful, and with purpose. What he may lack in head fakes and shoulder shimmies, he makes up for with strong and decisive cuts back against the grain of a defense.

That being said, Brown can still make people miss in closed quarters. He’s light on his feet and knows when he has room to shake someone. He also knows when it’s time to get north-south and create some space on his own, which is one of his best assets.

SKILLS/TECHNIQUE

I talked about his strength already, but it’s hard to notice that aspect of his game without recognizing how hard he plays. This is a kid who will fight tooth and nail for the extra yards and at times looks like he just refuses to go down. He is not someone who shies away from contact by any means and from the looks of him on film he leaves it all on the field.

Brown’s receiver skills are very good. He runs precise routes and has excellent hands. He also has the size and strength to go up and fight a defensive back for the ball. After making a catch he puts all his athletic ability and running back skills to work to help him get up field hard and find extra yardage. From what I saw of him he can be an effective quick game receiver as well as a guy who can stretch the field and challenge the safeties. He can also be someone who helps a team’s screen game, as he seems to have a knack for making the first person miss.

He’s an excellent kick returner as well and I believe a major reason he’s so successful (four returns for touchdowns in 2012) is he only allows himself to run straight ahead with the occasional cut in either direction. He’s not getting the ball and dancing around from one closed up crease to the next. He gets the ball and hits his spot and if it’s there, it’s there, if it’s not, at least he hit the wall going full speed.

OVERALL

I believe Brown is a player who can be utilized in several ways by the Irish offense. He can be a part time running back as well as a part time receiver and he has the skills to perform both with great success. His running back skills shouldn’t be overlooked by any means. He runs hard and with great forward lean. He’s fast, light on his feet, and plays the game with an intense physical style. As a receiver his runs good routes and catches everything thrown in his direction. He’s also able to make things happen after the catch. Even though Notre Dame was a little late in the game on offering him and he’s not very well know at this time, I believe he’d be a tremendous addition who would fill dual purposes.

GRADES

Size: 85 (solidly built)

Strength: 85 (an asset, plays with power)
Speed: 85 (mid 4.5’s is plenty)
Athletic Skills: 80 (tremendous cutter, fairly elusive)
Technique: 85 (has really mastered two positions)

Versatility: 90 (can play running back, receiver and returner on the next level)
Upside: 4 (his ability to do many things should get him on the field early)
Overall Grade: 4

GRADE KEY

90-100 – Elite/Exceptional: Skill set is rare and gives prospect ability to dominate
80-89 – Very Good/Outstanding: Skill set is a significant strength
70-79 – Average: Skill set is solid, not a significant weakness
60-69 – Below Average: Skill set is not a strength for this player and could become a liability
50-59 – Very Poor: Prospect does not possess this trait and it is a definite liability

OVERALL/UPSIDE GRADE KEY

5 – Elite: Player is one of the best players at his position nationally, potentially dominant
4 – Very Good/Outstanding: Player is a potential standout and starter, could also play early
3 – Solid: Player is a potential contributor, could eventually start down the road
2 – Below Average: Player does not possess the talent to be a significant contributor
1 – Poor: Let’s be honest, Notre Dame is not going to bring in anyone with a one!


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71737-Irish-Sports-Daily-In-The-Film-Room-Noah-Brown-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71735-NBC-Irish-Rumors-fly-about-Vanderdoes-commitment&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:21 GMT More... (http://irish.nbcsports.com/2013/05/21/rumors-fly-about-vanderdoes-commitment-to-irish/related/) More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71735-NBC-Irish-Rumors-fly-about-Vanderdoes-commitment http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71734-NBC-CFT-Mike-Golic-s-son-transferring-from-ND&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:21 GMT More... (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/21/mike-golics-son-transferring-from-notre-dame-to-cincinnati/related/) More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71734-NBC-CFT-Mike-Golic-s-son-transferring-from-ND http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71733-NBC-Under-scrutiny-to-under-the-radar&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:21 GMT Image: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/College Football/Notre Dame Central/Photos/130521_Davaris Daniels_16x9.thumb.jpg ... Lingering questions were answered emphatically by the 2012 team, but 2013 is an all-new season that brings all-new question marks. Brian Kelly feels fairly confident his offense is in a great position to take a step forward, but to do that, they’ll need the services of some under-the-radar players.



More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71733-NBC-Under-scrutiny-to-under-the-radar http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71728-ESPN-Irish-games-drawing-hefty-prices&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:21 GMT Image: http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://espn.go.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/15462/irish-games-drawing-big-prices ... Want to know how popular Notre Dame is? Take a look at ticket prices for some of this fall's games.OK, not the top price. That has been paid for by folks traveling to College Station, Texas, on Sept. 14 to see if the reigning Heisman Trophy winner can once again take down the defending national champions.But how about second?And third?And fourth?And seventh?Coachingsearch.com's Chris Vannini compiled a list of the 10 highest-priced college football games for this fall, using the cheapest available ticket on StubHub as a measure.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71728-ESPN-Irish-games-drawing-hefty-prices http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71725-BlueandGold-Two-lead-for-Starks-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 19:11:37 GMT Nathan Starks talks about where he might finish his high school career and his top two college choices More...... Nathan Starks talks about where he might finish his high school career and his top two college choices

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71725-BlueandGold-Two-lead-for-Starks-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71724-IrishIllustrated-His-life-s-work-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 19:11:37 GMT As Ara Parseghian turns 90 on Tuesday the two-time national champion coach continues his work toward a bigger goal. More...... As Ara Parseghian turns 90 on Tuesday the two-time national champion coach continues his work toward a bigger goal.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71724-IrishIllustrated-His-life-s-work-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71720-ESPN-Jake-Golic-heading-to-Cincinnati&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:40:07 GMT Image: http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://espn.go.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/15475/jake-golic-heading-to-cincinnati ... Former Notre Dame tight end Jake Golic is heading to Cincinnati to play his fifth year of college ball, his father, Mike, announced Tuesday morning on his radio show, "Mike & Mike in the Morning."Jake Golic has an industrial design degree from Notre Dame and will be eligible to play for the Bearcats right away. The West Hartford, Conn., native appeared in five games during his Irish career. His brother, Mike Jr., was the team's starting right guard this past fall.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71720-ESPN-Jake-Golic-heading-to-Cincinnati http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71719-Irish-Sports-Daily-Mele-s-Big-Board-Nose-Guard-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:20 GMT Image: http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/images/stories/2014_Recruits/NatrellCurtis1.jpg There has to be a sense of urgency with the Notre Dame... There has to be a sense of urgency with the Notre Dame coaching staff to figure out who’s going to replace current Fighting Irish nose-guard Louis Nix III after his probable exit to the NFL after the 2013 season. Any team that runs a 3-4 defensive scheme had better have some bulk over the opposition’s center and guards to draw double-teams and protect the two inside linebackers. All four of these prospects can be two-down players who are heavily involved in stopping the run, which is what you need first and foremost out of a nose-guard. Whether or not they can stay on the field on third down and rush the passer is secondary, but having that ability is an added bonus.


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71719-Irish-Sports-Daily-Mele-s-Big-Board-Nose-Guard-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71718-BlueandGold-The-latest-on-Vanderdoes-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:20 GMT BlueandGold.com reporters Lou Symogyi, Dan Murphy and Tom Loy have been covering the Eddie Vanderdoes situation since early Monday. Here are the full... BlueandGold.com reporters Lou Symogyi, Dan Murphy and Tom Loy have been covering the Eddie Vanderdoes situation since early Monday. Here are the full details of the situation.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71718-BlueandGold-The-latest-on-Vanderdoes-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71717-IrishEyes-With-or-Without-Him-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:20 GMT Incoming five-star defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes would lend invaluable depth to Notre Dame's defensive front in 2013. His expected presence as a second-year player and potential starter in 2014, however, is far more important.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71717-IrishEyes-With-or-Without-Him-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71716-IrishIllustrated-Dixon-hears-from-national-powers-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:20 GMT Notre Dame joins other national powers giving chase to four-star wide receiver Johnnie Dixon this spring. More...... Notre Dame joins other national powers giving chase to four-star wide receiver Johnnie Dixon this spring.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71716-IrishIllustrated-Dixon-hears-from-national-powers-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71711-BlueandGold-Ara-Parseghian-At-90-Part-I-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 17:11:12 GMT We give our annual salute to Notre Dame icon Ara Parseghian, born May 21, 1923 and celebrating his 90th birthday. More...... We give our annual salute to Notre Dame icon Ara Parseghian, born May 21, 1923 and celebrating his 90th birthday.


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71711-BlueandGold-Ara-Parseghian-At-90-Part-I-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71710-IrishIllustrated-Kirk-gets-long-awaited-offer-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 17:11:12 GMT Arizona rising junior Christian Kirk hoped Notre Dame would offer. His wait ended on Monday thanks to Chuck Martin. More...... Arizona rising junior Christian Kirk hoped Notre Dame would offer. His wait ended on Monday thanks to Chuck Martin.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71710-IrishIllustrated-Kirk-gets-long-awaited-offer-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71708-BlueandGold-Norton-Leads-ND-Into-League-Tourney-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:32:08 GMT The Fighting Irish take on Seton Hall Wednesday in the Big East Tournament in Florida. More...... The Fighting Irish take on Seton Hall Wednesday in the Big East Tournament in Florida.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71708-BlueandGold-Norton-Leads-ND-Into-League-Tourney-(-) http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71704-ESPN-Irish-lunch-links&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:32:08 GMT Image: http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http://espn.go.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/15470/irish-lunch-links-405 ... Thoughts and prayers to all affected in Oklahoma. Colleague Ted Miller says that college football spring prognosticators turn into fun fodder. Colleague Joe Schad reports that former Oklahoma State quarterback Wes Lunt at one point considered transferring to Notre Dame, but that is unlikely now. The gang at Stats & Info shows how quarterbacks are the story in college football this fall. Not since 1982 has each of the top six teams in the AP poll returned their No.

More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71704-ESPN-Irish-lunch-links http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71698-Irish-Sports-Daily-Irish-Offer-2015-AZ-ATH-(-)&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 15:12:43 GMT Image: http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/images/stories/2015Recruits/ChristianKirk1.jpg Notre Dame has already invested a good deal of time evaluating... Notre Dame has already invested a good deal of time evaluating Christian Kirk and on Monday, the Irish extended an offer to the 2015 Arizona athlete.
“I talked to Coach (Bob) Elliott on the phone,” Saguaro High School head coach Jason Mohns said. “He recruits this part of the country and has been here several times.”
The Irish sent offensive coordinator Chuck Martin out to Scottsdale to see Kirk last week and on Monday, Notre Dame got back to Mohns saying it was ready to offer the 5-fooot-11, 190-pounder.


More... ]]> Svoboda http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?71698-Irish-Sports-Daily-Irish-Offer-2015-AZ-ATH-(-)