Gucci Mane

August 30th, 2018 at 3:17 PM ^

Well if he was gonna get injured glad it happened now and not next week. according to some of the posters on here only Michigan suffers camp injuries to do a dumb schedule. Lmao

Joined: 02/10/2014

MGoPoints: -99957423

stephenrjking

August 30th, 2018 at 3:18 PM ^

That's too bad. If he was just competing for the starting "nickel" spot, it's not the hugest blow to the team, but it sounds like he has battled injuries his whole career. 

Terrible blow. I can only imagine what a guy who has spent his whole life competing in a sport, has gone to a major university to compete at the highest level, who has real hopes of being good enough for the NFL, feels like when he gets hurt, and then how awful it must be to get hurt yet again.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144019

stephenrjking

August 30th, 2018 at 3:43 PM ^

He was on my mind when I typed it. 

I mostly feel free to editorialize about this reading that he's just competing for a nickel spot, because it leaves me mentally free not to worry that I'm overcompensating for the knowledge that I shouldn't care about the football prospects of this. 

I hope that Tarik can get healthy and play this season. He's got to be nervous about it. 

But it's tough when your body is what you base your life around in that fashion and it breaks down. I suffered a pretty awful multiple-site broken ankle a number of years back (similar to Troy Woolfolk's, for those who remember) and it was tough. Months of recovery, permanent scars, took two years to get to where I didn't notice it anymore. But my career/future isn't based upon my ankle the way a college football player's is. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144019

WolvinLA2

August 30th, 2018 at 3:36 PM ^

No, not a huge blow but he's a good player with a decent amount of experience and would have not only provided decent depth (if not a starter) but likely would have been a major contributor on special teams as well.  I don't expect this to have a major impact in the game, but it's certainly not a good thing for ND, especially as the year goes on.  

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

LKLIII

August 30th, 2018 at 4:02 PM ^

Actually some of the ND guys on Reddit say that their defense plays in the nickel package pretty frequently.  So in that respect, he was a quasi-starter since all the ND guys are saying he was the hands-down starter at nickel.

The ND guys are also saying he was in the mix for special teams return duty too since he's so athletic.  They've got one other CB dude who is serviceable but not great, but then after that it's a huge drop-off & a bunch of freshmen types who are super raw.

The best analog I could think of on our team would be if Ambry Thomas went down with an ACL.  In terms of his relative talent level, his role on the team, and what it means for depth going forward.

Totally sucks for the kid.

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 8927

tjking82

August 30th, 2018 at 4:53 PM ^

It's not insignificant.  My lurking of ND message boards over the last month indicate that he was originally in competition for the CB2 slot, but now was basically locked as the starting nickel.  He's also their best defensive playmaker when healthy (he's been injured a lot) and was also likely to be one of their kick returners.

Joined: 07/14/2008

MGoPoints: 178

ChiCityWolverine

August 30th, 2018 at 3:27 PM ^

Sad news for a guy who's had a lot of injuries. Good news for Grant Perry I'd say. From what I've read, he's their nickel and depth after the starters (Love/Pride) and him is nonexistant.

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 3757

LKLIII

August 30th, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^

Good point.  Factor in:

  • Stories about how Perrry & Patterson were bonding a lot in the off season (playing golf together, etc.); and
  • Perry is one of our more reliable receivers (route running; getting open; good hands); and
  • Slot position is often the safety/dump off option in the offense we are more likely to run with Patterson to get the ball out quickly under pressure.

And Perry could end up having a huge game.

The nickel & CB position has such little depth (maybe one more Watson type guy then the rest are all freshmen), the ND guys are talking about possibly sliding over one of the more expeirenced safeties (a group with some depth but not a lot of talent) to cover Perry.

So at this point it looks like for the back 5 (ND runs the nickel a lot I believe), it will be kind of a pick your poison situation.  Give Patterson/Perry that much more of a mismatch, or possibly soften one of the softest position groups on the team (safety).

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 8927

1VaBlue1

August 30th, 2018 at 3:42 PM ^

This sucks.  I want ND to die in a firestorm, but not because of injury.  I feel bad for the kid and hope he can keep his chin up through another recovery.

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 127444

TheTruth41

August 30th, 2018 at 3:47 PM ^

Feel bad for the guy.  I've had both ACLs replaced as well.  Not a fun process.  Luckily have yet to tear again in 7 years (after tearing both in a span of two years).  Here's hoping he's on the same track.

As an aside, perhaps this will make the low-level ND fans think twice about wishing injury upon their opponents as read in their hate thread earlier today.

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 3180

Brian2Bolivia

August 30th, 2018 at 3:53 PM ^

Awful news. You never want to see a kid work so hard to get hurt right before the opener. Wish him a speedy recovery, and successful future. 

Joined: 07/30/2018

MGoPoints: 52

socrking

August 30th, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^

All injuries suck, but these preseason injuries just days before the first game even more so. The kid’s been preparing for Saturday for 8 months. 

Joined: 11/03/2012

MGoPoints: 1736

Ty Butterfield

August 30th, 2018 at 4:14 PM ^

That is awful. Anyone know if their starting RB is actually playing? Some reports that he is suspended other reports he is actually playing.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: -81685