SBT: Spring Game Overview/Recap

[SoCalDomer]

By JEFF CARROLL
Tribune Staff Writer


SOUTH BEND — How improved Notre Dame will be in the fall remains to be seen.

But if Saturday was any indication, the Irish plan to be feisty if nothing else.

Penalty flags littered the field after a touchdown in the Blue-Gold spring game, the result of a spontaneous skirmish between players from the first-team offense and defense. Sophomore safety Harrison Smith, who has been shuffling between linebacker and safety this spring, returned quarterback Jimmy Clausen's interception for 15 yards, entering the end zone with a forward flip

More:
ND Puts the Fight Back in the BG Game

[Steve]

anyone who watched. how did the offense look. better than last year? still alot of work to do? inquiring minds want to know.

[IrishRamMan10]

i watched the highlights on UND.com.... WAY EARLY but watch out Notre Dame might have an offense...

[SoCalDomer]

i think it's gonna be slow going. the same way they got better by the end of last year, i think it's going to take the whole season for them to progress and get better.

i think it's safe to say they're building a good foundation with fundamentals this spring.

[ndirishfan]

I am happy to hear the offense and defense did so well. We now have something to build on for the 08 season. Now they hav to carry that hard work into the summer and fall.

[teamalaska]

Offense looked solid with a consistent running game similar to what we saw towards the end of last year. The defense was even better than last year and with the offense actually holding it's own, I think it has a chance to be dominant...not kidding. The only question mark is the D-line, which go blown up a lot up front, but the depth and speed of the LB's and secondary was amazing. I can't tell you the number of times in the BG game that a back or receiver met a defender and just stopped. Hughes and Aldridge laid the wood a couple of times, but for the most part tackling was far improved from any year in the last few I've seen. Even in the two-deeps at those positions, we looked very solid...Harrison Smith is a gamer, which you could tell even before his big play. Kyle McCarthy is a stud supporting the run. There were a couple of plays on obvious pass-run downs where the edge rushers looked like they had literally been shot out of a cannon....one in particular was Neal I believe we blew past Sam Young so quickly it was like he was playing at a different level...very encouraging for next year. I think many people will be surprised. If I had to predict, I'd say our defense will be dominant and our offense will do what it needs to win games. I don't think we'll blow anyone out or have the firepower that the Brady Quinn offense had it's last two years, but certainly enough to keep teams honest. Grimes is the real deal and Aldridge is a hell of a blocker (pancaked McCarthy on a blitz). Hughes will start because of his superior vision--think Darius Walker with size--and Allen will serve as a complement to Hughes with Aldridge filling a niche role in the backfield. He looked much better than I've seen him since he's been here, but still doesn't quite seem to have the intangibles Hughes has. With the freshmen coming in and the young guys on the field, I couldn't help but shake my head in amazement at what's to come. I'd be surprised if we lost more than 2 games this year (USC and maybe one surprise team). Everyone else I think we'll overwhelm with speed and talent. Just my $.02.

[Junkhead]

Originally Posted by teamalaska

Offense looked solid with a consistent running game similar to what we saw towards the end of last year. The defense was even better than last year and with the offense actually holding it's own, I think it has a chance to be dominant...not kidding. The only question mark is the D-line, which go blown up a lot up front, but the depth and speed of the LB's and secondary was amazing. I can't tell you the number of times in the BG game that a back or receiver met a defender and just stopped. Hughes and Aldridge laid the wood a couple of times, but for the most part tackling was far improved from any year in the last few I've seen. Even in the two-deeps at those positions, we looked very solid...Harrison Smith is a gamer, which you could tell even before his big play. Kyle McCarthy is a stud supporting the run. There were a couple of plays on obvious pass-run downs where the edge rushers looked like they had literally been shot out of a cannon....one in particular was Neal I believe we blew past Sam Young so quickly it was like he was playing at a different level...very encouraging for next year. I think many people will be surprised. If I had to predict, I'd say our defense will be dominant and our offense will do what it needs to win games. I don't think we'll blow anyone out or have the firepower that the Brady Quinn offense had it's last two years, but certainly enough to keep teams honest. Grimes is the real deal and Aldridge is a hell of a blocker (pancaked McCarthy on a blitz). Hughes will start because of his superior vision--think Darius Walker with size--and Allen will serve as a complement to Hughes with Aldridge filling a niche role in the backfield. He looked much better than I've seen him since he's been here, but still doesn't quite seem to have the intangibles Hughes has. With the freshmen coming in and the young guys on the field, I couldn't help but shake my head in amazement at what's to come. I'd be surprised if we lost more than 2 games this year (USC and maybe one surprise team). Everyone else I think we'll overwhelm with speed and talent. Just my $.02.

Good analysis. I'm not overly confident, but after watching the BG game last season, the team looked MUCH better at the same point this season. Was Haywood calling the plays also? H. Smith is too good to keep on the bench, and will find his way on the field some how.