2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview

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142 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW OWENS I t took an incredible rookie season, but now most of the NFL knows what Notre Dame fans realized years ago: Zack Martin is really good. The Dallas Cowboys selected the former Irish offensive tackle with the 16th overall pick after Martin slipped a bit on draft day. He wasn't among the first 10 se- lections because his "measurables" do not resemble those of a prototype NFL tackle, which he admitted motivated him. Drama surrounded the Cowboys dur- ing the lead-up to their first-round choice. Texas A&M quarterback and Lone Star State native Johnny Manziel was available, and some in the organization — led by owner Jerry Jones — wanted to select the quarterback despite the Cowboys already having Tony Romo. Dallas ultimately went with the safe — and less sexy — pick in Martin, and reaped the benefits. Although Martin started 52 straight games at tackle for the Irish, the Cowboys opted to put him at guard to begin his pro career. Under the tutelage of offensive co- ordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan and assistant offensive line coach Frank Pollack, Martin made a seamless transition. "Coach Callahan and Coach Pollack and these guys have helped me out a ton," Mar- tin told reporters. "I think the great thing was from day one when I got in here, that's where they told me I was going to be. I was able to focus on that right when I got down here and really focus on getting better on those things you need to do there." Behind Martin and the rest of the offen- sive line, running back DeMarco Murray set an NFL record with seven consecutive games with 100-plus rushing yards to begin the season. That total grew to eight and eventually 10 of 11 to help the Cowboys clinch a playoff berth. Murray ended up leading the NFL with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns, and the Cowboys ranked sec- ond in the league with an average of 147.1 yards rushing per contest. "Martin has been beyond any expectation that I or anyone else had," Jones told The Dallas Morning News following the regular season. "There are a lot of people thinking that he might be the best draft pick that they've seen, certainly in this past draft." Martin was named a Pro Bowler and As- sociated Press first-team All-Pro. He became the first Cowboys rookie in 45 years to be a first-team All-Pro and just the third ever, joining wide receiver Bob Hayes and run- ning back Calvin Hill. He was also the first NFL rookie offensive lineman to earn a spot on the NFL All-Pro team since Dick Huff- man of the Los Angeles Rams did it in 1947. "It's a great honor," Martin said. "It's re- ally a testament to the offensive line and to the offense as a team. It's just been a great atmosphere to come down into and play with these guys." Callahan, who has worked with a lot of linemen during his 14-year NFL coaching career, said he was amazed by how quickly Martin adapted and excelled. "I've never seen anything like it,'' Cal- lahan told FOXSports.com. "To his credit, he's really done a terrific job, and the play- ers around him have really helped him. But he's embraced the role, being a left tackle in college, being put inside and then flipping inside from left to right. "There are some things with muscle memory that are a little bit different when you change your side. "Playing on the right side, going inside and then playing against the type of players he has played and enduring all the different types of injuries that he's had and played through, to his credit, he's done a remark- able job," Callahan continued. "I haven't seen a guy step into this league that I've had personally and accomplish what he's done in such a short period of time. "It just speaks volumes for everything about him. His character, his tenacity, his toughness. You name it — he's got it all." ✦ A STEADY FORCE Zack Martin rewards Cowboys with stellar rookie campaign TOP IRISH MATCHUPS Sept. 13, 4 p.m., Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers Two playoff hopefuls square off in week one with plenty of Notre Dame talent set to compete against one another. Wide receiver Golden Tate re- turns for his second season with the Lions after a very productive 2014 along with former Irish teammate Theo Riddick. Now that Detroit has released Reggie Bush, this matchup should show just how much Riddick's role will grow in his third NFL season. For the Chargers, linebacker Manti Te'o hopes to put together his first full professional season without time lost due to injury, while Chris Watt has asserted himself as an important piece on the offensive line. Sept. 27, 1 p.m., San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota has become known for its Notre Dame alumni in recent sea- sons, and in this matchup offensive lineman John Sullivan will be charged with leading the Vikings' offensive line against a Chargers defense manned in the middle by Te'o. Former Irish wide receiver DaVaris Daniels signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent. It isn't out of the question that he holds one of the 53 roster spots when the Vikings host San Diego. Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m., Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals Minnesota and Arizona consistently boast the most former Irish players, making this matchup an intriguing one for Notre Dame fans. The Vikings' secondary tandem of Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton will seek to slow down former Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd, who is expected to emerge as one of the league's top talents in year four. TOP FIVE SINGLE-GAME PERFORMANCES 1. Jonas Gray, RB, New England Patriots — Gray enjoyed a breakout performance on Sunday Night Football in a 42-20 triumph over Indianapolis Nov. 16. He rushed 37 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns, an effort that earned him a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Gray bounced around the league for two years before settling in with the Patriots in 2014. 2. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings — Smith helped the Vikings romp the St. Louis Rams 34-6 Sept. 7, with two tackles and an interception that he returned 81 yards for a touchdown. 3. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions — Tate consistently performed for the Lions last season, but his top effort came in a 24-23 victory over the New Orleans Saints Oct. 19. He caught 10 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown to help Detroit record one of its several narrow victories in 2014. His 73-yard score in the fourth quarter helped key a 13-point comeback. 4. Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions — Riddick's success began in London against the Atlanta Falcons in week eight when he caught eight passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the team's 22-21, comeback victory Oct. 26. Riddick's October performance helped the Lions realize it had a cheaper option that was arguably just as productive as Reggie Bush, leading to the organization cutting the former USC running back this offseason. 5. Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals — Floyd ended the season on a high note, catching eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 loss at San Francisco Dec. 28. It is a performance that showcased the playmaking ability the team hopes to see more consistently in 2015.

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