Notre Dame Football: "Next Man In" More Than a Motto for Irish
When a new coaching staff takes control of a team there are a few things that can happen:
- The team can buy into the new philosophies and drive on, which is what happened at Notre Dame with Brian Kelley at the helm.
- If the team is split on the new philosophy, you have a situation similar to what happened with Rich Rodriguez and the University of Michigan.
- The third thing that can happen is possibly the most dangerous, some of the team buys in and some doesn't, causing friction in the locker room as well as on the field.
Coach Kelly's "Next Man In" motto became a way of life with the 2010 team, even being printed up on shirts. Here is a look at some of the players that stepped up and grabbed onto the "Next Man In" mantra either because of injury, graduation or other circumstances.
Michael Floyd
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The 2010 season was Michael Floyd's first season as the primary receiver. With the departure of Golden Tate to the NFL, Floyd stepped into the role better than expected.
To the casual fan looking at his total numbers they would see 35 more receptions, 230 more receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns with fewer yards averaged per catch. What the box scores don't show is the number of crucial blocks that Floyd threw this season or the way that his being double-teamed set up other receivers.
Floyd was game captain for six games in 2010 and has been named co-captain of the 2011 squad along with Harrison Smith. Floyd took on a new role in 2010 and he prospered, for this he is a "Next Man In."
Tommy Rees
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When Tommy Rees took over for an injured Dayne Crist early in the Michigan contest, he was 0-for-2 with an interception before being pulled. Many Irish fans felt that he was rushed into a playing situation, that he had the "deer in the headlights" look. The next time we saw Rees he was 6-for-7 for 79 yards at the end of the Navy game.
Crist went down again, this time for good early in the loss to Tulsa. Rees came on to go 33-of-54 with four touchdowns and three interceptions; the last pick burned into our memories. Tommy Rees never looked back after that game.
Rees went on to run the table, finishing the season with 1,106 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the inaugural winner of the "Next Man In" award at the Notre Dame football banquet. Not bad for a freshman that looked unsure of himself in his first appearance.
Sean Cwynar
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When Ian Williams went down during the Navy game, Sean Cwynar stepped in to fill the huge hole left by Williams. Williams would return for the bowl game with Miami but in the meantime, Cwynar would make some big contributions on defense.
Used as an interior lineman and defensive end in 2009, Cwynar stepped into the nose guard position after the Navy game and added 33 tackles, with three tackles for loss. Filling the shoes of Ian Williams is no easy task but Cwynar did an outstanding job, he is a "Next Man In."
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Bennett Jackson
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When Coach Kelly became frustrated with the lack of production of the kickoff return team, he turned to freshman Bennett Jackson to return kicks. Jackson responded by returning 29 kicks for 645 yards, an average of 22.2 yards a return with a 43-yard long.
Jackson, a receiver out of Hazlet, New Jersey also stepped up on the kickoff team. He went on to be named Special Teams Player of the Year at the Notre Dame awards banquet.
By stepping up when called upon, Bennett Jackson proved that he is a "Next Man In."
Tyler Eifert
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When Kyle Rudolph was lost for the season with a torn hamstring, Irish fans were left wondering if the tight end position that looked so deep at the beginning of the season had suddenly been taken out of the equation.
Without missing a beat Tyler Eifert came to play in the win over Western Michigan and never looked back. Eifert accounted for 27 catches, 352 yards and two touchdowns in 2010. He averaged 13 yards a catch, almost two yards a catch better that Rudolph, with a long of 39.
At 6'6" and 242 pounds, Eifert should provide great leadership to Alex Welch and incoming freshman Ben Koyack.
T.J. Jones
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As a true freshman in 2010, T.J. Jones gave Irish fans a glimpse into the future early in the season. With six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games, Notre Dame fans had high expectations. Although his pace simmered over the course of the year Jones finished with 23 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns. He did not play in the final three games leading up to the Sun Bowl against the University of Miami.
Jones, who came in as an early enrollee, seemed to pick up on Brian Kelly's offensive scheme early, earning him the start in the season opener versus Purdue.
Stepping in to start from the opening game as a freshman makes T.J. Jones a "Next Man In."
Prince Shembo
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Freshman Prince Shembo came to Notre Dame as the seventh-ranked inside linebacker in the nation. It didn't take him long to make an impression in South Bend. Moving to outside linebacker, Shembo was a key contributor in 2010. Playing in all 13 games he recorded 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and added an astonishing 4.5 sacks for a net loss of 39 yards. Astonishing because Shembo didn't make a start in 2010 but filled in when needed.
Producing in a big way when called upon makes Prince Shembo a "Next Man In."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
