Blanton To See More Playing Time?
Freshman Robert Blanton was on the field for almost the entire overtime on Saturday in place of 3 year starter Terrail Lambert and the move could become more permanent from the sounds of Charlie Weis’s Sunday presser.
He did a fairly decent job in covering most of the day. A couple tackles he would have liked to have done better. But he’s not afraid to be out there. He’s one of the guys we were talking about where you could see Blanton playing more. I could definitely see Blanton playing more.
Lambert has not had a strong season so far while junior Raeshon McNeil recorded two picks against Pitt and has been very strong in coverage all season. Blanton has been impressive at times but has been tentative at times making tackles in the open field. There’s been a few times he’s waited for the ball carrier to get to him as opposed to him attacking the ball carrier. That is something that will come as he plays more and more though. What has been impressive are his coverage skills for a freshman.
Lambert might not be the only starter on notice this week either. According to Weis, a number of starters will be challenged this week in practice.
I think there will be some players, frontline players, that will definitely be being challenged this week. Not getting into particulars. They’ll know who they are tomorrow. If they don’t know right now, which they should, they will certainly know tomorrow.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
I wouldnt count out Blanton competing for a starting spot next year. Or at least being able to rotate in with the starters early to keep our corners fresh late in the game.
Can’t argue with more PT for any freshman. Still think overall Lambert is the better option. Ultimately looking foward to McNeil and Walls locking down WR’s next year and 2010 hopefully. Ultimately more experience for Blanton will equal more competition and thus a better secondary.
I’m torn with this news. On the one hand, I’m still mad at him for his crucial missed tackles that were pretty significant in the game. On the other hand, I feel bad for him because he’s been a very good corner. Wasn’t he the one that got two interceptions in the 2006 Michigan State game?
That would be great. I say let the young talent on defense flow onto the field. Assuming we can edge BC or NAVY (which after watching our offense in OT, i am a bit shaky on) i would like to see alot of young players get valuable time against syracuse. Get them in early in situations where the game is still not decided yet.
Look for Steve Filer to see some more playing time in the next couple of weeks too. I think he will get worked into the game plan more and more so that he has experience under his belt for next year.
Another note, i believe the younger players bring more energy and emotion to your defense. They arent inspirational leaders yet, but they keep your team pumped up.
I like to see the coaching staff start to shake things up. With the exception to your standouts, no ones job should be safe week-to-week. If a player like Blanton is giving your more, absolutely put him in.
There is only upside in the blanton move. Either he will develop faster, or you will shift back to Lambert who will be hungry to prove himself. The only cost would be a bit more safety help over the top.
I especially like this move because blanton getting more time this year will improve him in future years.