There could be a bright spot in all of this....

[Oviedo]

It's the front 4. Anyone who is familiar with ND's defense from a year ago knows they were awful and undersized. They did a complete 180 in the trenches.

Not trying to discredit T'eo but he plays on a very good D who keeps him clean... PITT wasn't that good this year but Graham is an NFL talent and T'eo couldn't do anything with him.

PITT should have won that game.... horrible, and I mean HORRIBLE pass int call and a missed chip shot by the kicker is the reason they survived that game.

The Notre Dame NT Louis Nix gets lots of credit for that. He is a beast. Too bad he has already said he will be back at ND in '13.

[Oviedo]

I'm at a loss why McClendon isn't getting more time. Every time he gets in he makes something happen or gets good penetration. Then he gets sent to the bench.. makes me wonder if getting in the backfield isn't his assignment.

That is the $50,000 question. Everyone sees what you see. I really hope it isn't a "knowing the defense and LeBeau is more comfortable with Hampton." However this is the same type of staying with the guy who knows the system stuff we keep seeing from LeBeau.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I'm beginning to think that Casey has some pictures of LeBeau or Tomlin doing porn or something...

[BigRob]

Players I would take in the 2nd instead of Te'o in the first at pick 10 or 11:

Arthur Brown, ILB K-State
Kevin Minter, ILB LSU
Kyle Van Noy, LB BYU
CJ Mosley, ILB Alabama

[Dee Dub]

Players I would take in the 2nd instead of Te'o in the first at pick 10 or 11:

Arthur Brown, ILB K-State
Kevin Minter, ILB LSU
Kyle Van Noy, LB BYU
CJ Mosley, ILB Alabama

Not me. I'd take T'eo in a heartbeat. He is a rare breed of ILB. One that can excel at all aspects of the position.

If T'eo wasn't available in round one I would love Kevin Minter in round two.

Arthur Brown is better suited to play in a 4-3.

[lloydroid]

That is the $50,000 question. Everyone sees what you see. I really hope it isn't a "knowing the defense and LeBeau is more comfortable with Hampton." However this is the same type of staying with the guy who knows the system stuff we keep seeing from LeBeau.

This is the problem with older people in major positions: They tend to do what they are comfortable with, even if it's obvious to others that a new person or policy is the way to go. Dan Rooney had this same problem: always wanted to stay with status quo even when it became obvious that a change was needed. I fear Dick is in this same mode; if you look at how long he takes to add new players to the mix, it becomes obvious.

[hawaiiansteel]

Not me. I'd take T'eo in a heartbeat.

me too, Te'o is a beast...

[BigRob]

Not me. I'd take T'eo in a heartbeat. He is a rare breed of ILB. One that can excel at all aspects of the position.

If T'eo wasn't available in round one I would love Kevin Minter in round two.

Arthur Brown is better suited to play in a 4-3.

ILB isn't the money position anymore. In fact, most teams are only leaving one linebacker on the field due to spread passing offenses.

A Third or 4th cornerback is becoming much more valuable. Timmons is already our best coverage LB. A pass rusher, corner, or LT is a much bigger need and value in the 1st.

Don't sell yourself short of Arthur Brown. He can play in any system.

A 2nd Rd ILB or Safety is the ticket.

[BigRob]

me too, Te'o is a beast...

In the 15 to 20 range yes, at 10 or 11 no.

[hawaiiansteel]

In the 15 to 20 range yes, at 10 or 11 no.

unless we turn things around quickly and go on a heckuva run, the 15-20 range is where we most likely will be picking.