Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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spring drills because of health ailments, including a reported concussion, thus prompting rumors that his football career might be in jeopardy. However, he was cleared to work out with the team this summer, according to head coach Brian Kelly. The reason Niklas was moved to tight going to control the edge and the line of scrimmage," Kelly emphasized. "We've clearly defined their role … if you can catch it, that's fine. You better in-line block and you better control the edge of this defense. That's the guy that will be the next one in." and a touchdown in the Blue-Gold Game, and Welch also grabbed a 13-yard pass. However, their value won't necessarily be measured by receptions. "The battle at [No. 2] tight end is who's tight ends, more than we have in the past, then you better have multiple bodies," said first-year Irish offensive coordinator Chuck Martin on why somebody such as Niklas was moved to the position. "Say you're going to play two tight ends — you better have at least three guys for 13 games, because with one injury you're down to two for two spots, and then tiple, athletic tight ends and 2) question marks at wideout might make two- and three-tight-end sets a regular staple of this year's offense. "When you're looking to use multiple Notre Dame's combination of 1) mul- MULTIPLE PACKAGES end was to bring a physical presence on the inside to complement Eifert's play- making skills as a receiver. Koyack caught four passes for 38 yards you're limited in what you're trying to do on offense. "If you play multiple tight ends, you have to have at least four guys you feel can play at a high level." A template that Notre Dame might fol- low is what Stanford did in 2011 when three different Cardinal tight ends — Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo — caught at least 25 passes apiece and combined for a remarkable 20 touch- down receptions. (In the Blue-Gold Game, Eifert, Koyack and Welch combined for seven catches, 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns.) Stanford maximized its strength at tight tight end, what's uncertain is if there will be a clearly defined No. 2 — and if Notre Dame would be comfortable lining up three tights end at once. Martin also is cautious about touting tight end as the team strength. "There's a chance that with the depth at tight end it could be one of the stron- ger units," Martin said. "That's yet to be determined because Eifert's the only one who's really played in a game with any high-level success. The others still have to prove it. "I don't think it's been quite determined end while camouflaging its shortage at wideout, particularly after an injury to speedster Chris Owusu. While Eifert is easily the standout at where our greatest strength is. It could be running back. We're hoping offensive line can be a strength, because that can help the running backs even more. "Once guys prove themselves in games they can do it, we're going to rely heavily on them." ✦ AUGUST 2012 51