Depth chart for Syracuse released
Patterson is obviously out, Kraemer is still out as well.
We have both starting safeties ready to play (Crawford was a bit banged up on his arm, Hamilton was disqualified during the last game).
The only real surprise is that Clarence Lewis is listed as the starter at CB, and that Bracy is the backup.
Link: https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Depth-Chart-Syracuse-at-No-2-Notre-Dame-155697059/?fbclid=IwAR0xeOChNJ7yVrjYeRUo0s35ujLDIm5M_K9MCOcWXOvjXJpfv9_5eG2UQeA
Replies to: Depth chart for Syracuse released
Why is this a surprise? Lewis was listed as the starter vs BC as well.
Lewis has been in the mix since camp.
I think in addition to BC, he's been listed as co-starter at least of couple of times. "Tariq Bracy or Clarence Lewis." If I remember correctly.
Link: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/ahead-of-his-time-freshman-cb-clarence-lewis-is-on-the-rise-for-notre-dame/article_be1e518d-f8ce-5d4e-ae26-bc110a1e7519.html
Bracy has earned his benching.
Hopefully this serves as motivation for him.
If coaches were concerned, Crawford would be at CB and Griffith would start at safety.
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He isn’t “benched”. He will play.
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Quite true
We play a lot of nickel defense ( 5 defensive backs), so I'm sure that both he and Houston Griffith are going to see a lot of snaps, especially in this day and age of pass-happy offenses.
Come on! He didn't "earn a benching".
Lewis earned the start. Bracy has played pretty well and has been in position to make plays. He has been picked on, and there have been some big catches against him - but usually, they have been great plays on the part of the WR or QB.
Remember that they will always target somebody, and that person will have a higher chance of being beaten on occasion.
Regardless, I feel that this is more a case of Lewis being excellent than Bracy being bad, and I am happy that we have Tariq Bracy.
This is the way I see it....
We should all be happy to have them both in there fighting for PT and getting better.
This ^^^^^
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I don't really get the criticism of Bracy.
And I doubt Lewis starting is a "message" to him or anything. They probably want to get Lewis meaningful PT, which is a good idea. Bracy gets too much grief for two plays against UNC: 1) The first TD, where he was in really good position and just lost the battle for the ball to the UNC WR, and 2) the long-gain pass play setting up UNC's second TD, where Crawford made the wrong read and left Bracy without deep safety help. I actually think Bracy and McCloud have been improving week-to-week for the most part, which increases my confidence in what was already a really D. ND getting the pass rush going is a big help too, of course. I think Bracy will be fine. Like that Lewis is coming along as a true frosh.
We're the best at CB as we've been since early 90's.
I've done my fair share of bitching about CB play in my day, but I haven't been doing much lately.
I am not ragging on him, but he's underperformed lately.
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