Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 17, 2020 51 IRISH IN THE PROS The rest of the offensive line fills out quite well with Nick Martin as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019 and McGlinchey starting at right tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. The hope for this unit is that it's so dominant that it masks the team's deficiencies at quarterback and run- ning back. DEFENSE SECONDARY Field Corner: Troy Pride Jr., Caro- lina Panthers Free Safety: Julian Love, New York Giants Strong Safety: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings Boundary Corner: Bennett Jack- son, New York Jets Reserve Defensive Backs: Jalen Elliott, Detroit Lions; Matthias Farley, New York Jets; Alohi Gilman, Los Angeles Chargers; Cole Luke, Wash- ington Football Team; and Donte Vaughn, Los Angeles Chargers This group is strong at safety with Love and perennial Pro Bowl regular Smith manning the back end, but the corners would likely struggle given that Pride is still a rookie learning the ropes and Jackson is more of a safety at the NFL level. LINEBACKER Mike: Jaylon Smith, Dallas Cow- boys Buck: Asmar Bilal, Los Angeles Chargers Rover: Drue Tranquill, Los Angeles Chargers Reserves: — The linebacking corps possesses NFL starters Smith — a Pro Bowler in 2019 but struggling some in 2020 — and Tranquill, who is excellent in pass coverage and a quality tackler. Bilal has played only one special teams snap this season but made the team as a rookie free agent. Would the athleticism and instincts of the other two starters help mask Bilal's lack of experience? The other issue is there is zero depth at this position, which is trou- bling due to the fact that in real life both Tranquill and Bilal are already on injured reserve. DEFENSIVE LINE Weak-Side Defensive End: Romeo Okwara, Detroit Lions Nose Tackle: Sheldon Day, India- napolis Colts Defensive Tackle: Jerry Tillery, Los Angeles Chargers Strong-Side End: Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh Steelers Reserve Ends: Khalid Kareem, Cincinnati Bengals; Julian Okwara, Detroit Lions; and Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers Reserve Tackles: — The line should be the strength of the All-Notre Dame defense, espe- cially with depth. The stud is defensive end Tuitt, who in three games already has two sacks and eight quarterback hits. Day isn't anywhere near as dominant, but did start in the Super Bowl for the 49ers last season. The wild card of this unit is Tillery, who has shown significant improve- ment early in his second year. Romeo Okwara is a solid NFL pass rusher. ✦ NOTRE DAME IN THE NFL: Week Four Highlights • Will Fuller V (Played at Notre Dame from 2013-15), WR, Houston Texans: Snagged six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 31-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … Has 18 catches for 274 yards and two touch- downs this season. • Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions: Started for the first time this season and finished with three tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits in the Lions' 35-29 loss to the New Orleans Saints … Through four games, he has 10 tackles (three for loss), two sacks and four quarterback hits. Call 877-630-8768 to advertise in Blue & Gold Illustrated! Want a prayer published? Call 800-421-7751 MEMORABILIA MEMORABILIA Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One-of-a-Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectibles in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 ST. JUDE NOVENA - May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hope- less, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day for nine days. Thank you St. Jude. G.L. PERSONALS M A R K E T P L A C E Defensive end Stephon Tuitt recorded two sacks and eight quarterback hits in the Pittsburgh Steelers' first three games this season. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS