Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Bars saw limited practice reps at left tackle because of the cast, but once it came off near the end of October, his skills came to the forefront. He espe- cially emerged as a standout once he took the reps at No. 2 right tackle during bowl preparation when fifth-year senior Christian Lombard could no longer play because of back problems. Bars admits Kelly's huge praise last December caught him off guard because he didn't realize he was playing so well. "I just knew the pressure was on," he said of the compliment, with a laugh. "I had no idea. I really appreciated his comments." Adjusting to guard this spring came naturally to him as well, even though he had never played the position. "It wasn't too bad," he said. "You just need a little more body control in the open field. … There's definitely a little comfort knowing you have help on the right or help on the left." One way or another in the future, both Nelson and Bars will be on the field at the same time, and Kelly insisted at the end of spring that both will be in the ro- tation this season. That's why they don't see themselves as rivals for the same po- sition, but rather mainstays of the future, if not the present. "They actually root for each other," Hiestand noted. "Alex is out there pass- blocking and Quenton is yelling, 'He's wide, he's wide!'" "It's great competition," Bars said. "I want to be the best I can be and I want him to be the best he can be and he wants me to be the best I can be, so it's a really healthy relationship, and we're just doing our best to compete with each other and be the best offensive linemen." That is why guarded optimism re- mains at the most inexperienced single position on the team. ✦