Irish Insights: Analyzing the depth chart

We know we promised a quick analysis of what the depth chart means -- so here goes, by position.

Quarterback: We aren't going to touch it. Read all the hyperbole you want, but the quarterbacks know who the guy is by now -- explicitly from Charlie Weis. Demetrius Jones is the athlete. Jimmy Clausen has the best pedigree and skill and Evan Sharpley has the know-how and honestly, we're impressed with him. That said, everything we've been led to believe points to Jones.

Running back: No surprise that Travis Thomas is at the top of the depth chart. The fact that James Aldridge, Junior Jabbie and Armando Allen are all listed as "ORs" as No. 2 on the depth chart leads us to believe they could all be situational backs (i.e. one is a short-yardage back, one is a third down back, one is maybe a goal-line back like Greg Jones on Jacksonville). It'd be a way to get all four in the game and our guess would be Aldridge is the goal-line, Allen is third-down and Jabbie is short yardage. But again, who knows what the rotation will be.

Fullback: Asaph Schwapp is a bruiser and a good blocker. He's the guy you want there with the talent at running back.

Wide receiver: Our bet is that George West and D.J. Hord are 1 and 1A at the receiver slot opposite David Grimes. Look for some shifting as the season progresses there, as we bet a bunch of guys get their shot (most likely Robby Parris, Barry Gallup Jr. and Duval Kamara, in that order). We bet Grimes becomes a star by season's end.

Tight end: The most interesting question could be this -- if Will Yeatman becomes the No. 1 tight end when John Carlson leaves, would he consider giving up lacrosse? So far, Yeatman has said he wants to play both. But being a full-time starter could change his mind -- or he could become one of the best two-sport athletes in Notre Dame history (he'll likely be a lacrosse All-American as early as next year and considering the pedigree of tight ends, one would think whoever replaces Carlson has a shot at it, too, by the time their career ends). This is the question for the current No. 2.

Offensive line: Not really too many surprises. Dan Wenger emerged early in camp and held the right guard spot the whole way. Matt Carufel will get some time, though. He's too good not to. Plus, Weis is excited about the depth. It is surprising that both freshmen -- Matt Romine and Taylor Dever -- placed ahead of sophomore Bartley Webb. And with Chris Stewart not on the depth chart, how much did moving to defense in the spring hurt him on offense?

Defensive end: Trevor Laws isn't going anywhere. On the other side, Justin Brown will be the starter but we think it'll rotate between Brown and Stephenson as far as who is on the field when. Don't be surprised if there is a Chris Frome/Ronald Talley type of rotation there.

Nose tackle: With Derrell Hand back -- but not on the depth chart currently and he's suspended for three weeks -- it gives more depth to Notre Dame's thinnest position. Pat Kuntz is the starter, but we wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being a 50-50 or 60-40 split with Ian Williams in a few weeks.

Outside linebacker: John Ryan never moved from the one spot. Neither has Anthony Vernaglia. We think Vernaglia is going to have a big year this year and hold off both freshmen -- Brian Smith and Kerry Neal -- vying for time if he falters.

Inside linebacker: They will end up having a three-to-four man rotation here. Maurice Crum and Joe Brockington will start, but Toryan Smith will play a lot. He even indicated at the rotation during training camp, as did Weis. Don't be surprised to see Scott Smith in there, but probably not as many plays as the other three.

Cornerback: We misspoke a little bit earlier. Yes, Ambrose Wooden is fast, but so is Darrin Walls. It is more of the secondary likely needing a change. That said, we wouldn't be surprised to see Wooden in a nickel back type of role. He has too much experience to not be on the field somewhere and like a commenter said, he is fast and can run people down. But Walls is the starter now -- and likely a position he won't give up until he graduates or leaves for the NFL. As for the other side, Terrail Lambert has the potential to be a playmaker this year, but Raeshon McNeil will play, too -- although it could also be in a nickel/dime capacity.

Safeties: Tom Zbikowski is the stalwart. David Bruton might be the key to the whole defense with his range and his speed. If Bruton plays well, he can cover up mistakes from the front seven fast. No surprises on Ray Herring as the backup to Bruton, either, even though he missed part of camp.

Kicker: Weis said today it is a two-man job with freshman Brandon Walker and sophomore Nate Whitaker. He even went as far to say as where the ball is on the field might determine who the kicker is. To us, that says length -- although it could also mean hash-marks, too. Either way, we wouldn't be surprised to see both kickers boot field goal tries in the first game.

Punter: Geoff Price. Nothing else needs to be said.

Punt return: Zbikowski. Same as Price.

Kick returner: Weis is starting two freshmen there -- Allen and Golden Tate. Both possess great speed and a dimension Notre Dame hasn't had that before. Travis Thomas eluded it to it today, that both of them have the "speed to take it to the house any time they touch the ball." It is tough, though, because freshmen can be inconsistent -- something Weis alluded to in his press conference.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette