Couple of Things.....week 2 edition

[TheTurningPoint]

Feel free to move this to another thread if it pertains mods...

But here's a few things to ponder bc i see a LOT of mixed emotions on this board as well as others.


1. I'll start off with the mistakes. They are all CORRECTABLE.. Missed tackles hurt, and we can't have too many of them. But, Purdue's big plays were all under 30 yards. Russell is still fine tuning/learning tackling, technique, schemes, pretty much everything so there are going to be simple mistakes, but he has the speed to make up for it. He caught the Navy WR after slipping, got a sack, and broke up a couple passes yesterday. I mean ND was rolling with Russell/Jalen, Jackson, Motta, and Farley in the secondary for a HUGE part of the game, and we got the W. Russell, Jalen, Farley all are seeing their first games, and 2 of them are completely new to their positions, and they didnt get flustered or a play that cost ND the game. Golsons fumble, correctable, and it was more from exhaustion more than anything I feel. Kid has not played football in over a year like that, much less against that talent/speed/focus/mentally.

2. QB - The kid is starting to go through progressions, and gain his pocket presence. He already has avoided more sacks in 2 games than Rees did all of 2011. He's run for more first downs on broken/covered plays than Rees. We are in good shape at QB. I admit I had a WTF moment when I saw Rees come out the last drive. But he made the plays to get the W and thats what I care about. Now he didnt play himself into a position to start/win Kelly over/etc, but he locked down that backup job, and Ive said from Day 1 I do feel comfortable with him as a backup. Cant put a price on experience. Granted, we cant throw 8 plays of all streaks outside and out routes with the slot if he comes in again, but if it means Rees comes in games to execute the 2min drill in situations then so be it. But, just a hunch Mr. Golson will be ready for that.

3. Defensive line is very good. They play assignment football, and they are aggressive. The only play i saw where they struggled was the 4th and 1 but it was such a BS play lol. Ishaq let him outside, but I guarentee you next time a team tries to draw them offsides and then snap the ball he will be ready for it. They can get a little bit more pressure on the QB, but Nix tipping balls is a lost art. They got kids with elite talent, and elite motors that just go for 4 quarters.

4. Oline...communication is correctable. Sure, they struggled as a whole yesterday, but that was one of the better Dlines we gonna face combined with good CBs. It may be a blessing in disguise that it happened vs purdue. My only concern right now is Golic. I kinda get the vibe with him as I do with Rees. He would be a hell of a mid level D1 lineman, but Im not 100% sold if can handle the elite competition that ND faces. Im sure this week communication is going to be stressed with a night game on the road coming up, and hopefully they can all get on the same page.

5. I love this team. They are a team, and that was demonstrated yesterday. 2 captains, 5th year safety, best WR, all injured and they found a way to win. Like I said earlier, we were rocking 3 guys that have 2 games of experience in the secondary and they made enough plays to win. In past posts, Ive said they know how to win now and thats what Kelly is building. Can you not say that after Purdue? I mean Kelly said himself in his post game talk. They got the talent and now its just about getting that experience, and making sure techniques/communication is there.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v6KKu9lknGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[stlnd01]

Well put, TP.

A good point that Golson hasn't played meaningful football in quite some time. Still he looked decidedly better play-in, play-out than Rees did after season and a half. Also, what most struck me: He appeared to be having fun out there. I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a Notre Dame quarterback enjoying himself.

And on Golic, I think you're right. He's decent but that's it, and against tougher d-lines he's going to be a problem. You saw it last year when Cave went down and pressure came flying up the middle. You saw it again yesterday. When's Tate Nichols back?

 

[arrowryan]

The play where Purdue had 2 guys come off the edge on defense untouched and Golson ran passed them and ran out of the pocket finding Niklas for a 30 yard gain was the best play I have seen from a Notre Dame quarterback in a long time. Wow!

 

[Walter White]

TP,

Do you have any insight as to why they didn't play Councell? Kelly's response to this question seemed strange and not quite right during the press conference. If he is listed as the starting DOG, what would be the benefit of him watching from the sidelines in his first game and playing an out of position Fox there instead???

I could see if they didn't think he was ready and going with a rotation or something, but he didn't play at all.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Is the coach allowed to walk on the field like Kelly did on the last play of the game??

ummm does anyone else notice he doesn't mention Golson as injured...

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Councell played

 

[Buster Bluth]

Is the coach allowed to walk on the field like Kelly did on the last play of the game??

ummm does anyone else notice he doesn't mention Golson as injured...

No. But you will never see it called.

Kelly was, on more than one occasion, out on the numbers talking to players mid-drive. After Rees spiked the ball he was practically in the damn huddle yelling at Rees to get the guys to line up immediately after he ran to the middle of the field to take a knee.

 

[tko]

Any insight on Calabrese? As several have stated the obvious, he is great at stopping the run but simply cannot keep up in coverage. I thought Grace was ready? Also, Chris Brown?

 

[DillonHall]

I understand what you're saying about 'correctable' mistakes, but there seemed to be a lot of those last year that never got corrected. Do you think things will be different this year (and why?) Thanks

 

[ulukinatme]

Was I the only one that was surprised that Vince Vaughn is a Notre Dame fan? Or that he was in Rudy? Never knew that all these years. (18 second mark of the video)

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Was I the only one that was surprised that Vince Vaughn is a Notre Dame fan? Or that he was in Rudy? Never knew that all these years. (18 second mark of the video)

Yes.

Pretty much common knowledge.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Was I the only one that was surprised that Vince Vaughn is a Notre Dame fan? Or that he was in Rudy? Never knew that all these years. (18 second mark of the video)

Can it Jaime! He's just doin' his job..

 

[mick2]

good post op, great topic of interest! jk.

really glad we got the win, I've always been in the mindset of do whatever it takes to win the game, but i think everyone did a double take when rees was warming up on the sidelines, either way that call takes guts and I'm glad we got a coach with enough guts to make that kind of call.

we needed to win that game then and there, overtime would have been dangerous and i think we lose if we go into ot. so hats off to kelly.

heres to hoping the boys get healthy and ready for a tough road game!!

Go Irish!!!!

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have a half-baked theory that the reason that Golic plays is that he is smart about the system. If NMart was as smart about the system, then he would play. "Little" Mike seems just not quite strong enough to stay with the blocks on the power DTs, although when pulling he seems to do alright. I like Mike,Jr but I think that we need a more beastmode guard there for the pass blocking.

I also agree that Coach is genuinely proud of his team. And I think that they know it. The family is sound. Coach knows that this team is flawed, and most of that is just being VERY young at MANY positions. To get the two wins, even if the world sort of expected them, was a source of pride about a job well done.

One thing that we forget about this game is that we never trailed. Whatever hand-waving one wants to do about that, that is the fact. Another thing that people forget is that there is no reason to think that we wouldn't win the game in OT anyway if it came to that. As it was, the storybook ending for Tommy just made it all extraspecial.

 

[polishjuice4]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

 

[DSully1995]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

Purdue is gameplanning for a runs most likely while were dropping all our guys

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

I noticed that also. He seems a little sluggish at times when he runs. He doesn't seem to be able to turn the corner very often.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

I think it's you. Golson is not slow. He's not Denard or anything like that, but he is not slow, plus he's pretty shifty. Thing is, he scramble to buy time to throw, not to run. You're gonna see some huge passing plays throughout his career because of this trait...

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Golson isnt slow, I think that too many people have a Denard/Vick thing in their head. Im not saying its wrong, but to be honest its most likely a stereotype and Montana even was guilty of that. Denard and Vick have no where the arm Golson does, and the vision Golson possess. Now, obviously Golson still isnt there with his progressions, but its evident when he has gone through his progressions he is seeing the field well. Like stated above, we are inside our 10, purdue brings a overload with the olb/cb coming off the right edge, he steps back and gets to the outside and hits Niklas on the run for 30. Thats something Rees/Hendrix can't do. That what he brings to the table. Purdues QBs got their yards on 3rd and 10s when we had dropped into coverage and left the middle open to a run. Its one those things you are gonna have to give up on a 3rd and long. But Golson is a pass first, scramble and look to pass, and then run kinda guy. I do agree that I'd like to see him tuck it sooner or throw it away, but in time that will pay off bc once he gets comfortable in his pre snap, and in the pocket those plays will turn into big plays.


The correctable mistakes from last year have been corrected in my opinion. Last year through 2 games ND had 10 turnovers. Through 2 games this year we have 2. The fumble came at a bad time but with a redshirt frosh you are goin to have some turnovers. The more impressive things is he threw it 31xs with pressure and good coverage and he didnt throw a pick and only 1 was close to being a pick. As reported by Eric Hanson....Golson is a ridiculous 69.6% on 3rd down conversions. Sure Navy was bad, but in two games with question marks about the QB, WR coming into the year that is a hell of stat, while the team is 62%. The Defense at 38% holding Navy and Purdue to 10/26 on 3rd down. So we are getting the ball back and keeping it.

That inexperienced secondary held Purdue under 200 yards passing, and as a unit held them under a 100 rushing. This defense is playing very WELL with the injuries and lack of experience. Things aren't bad as they seem sometimes...just remember this team is 2-0 and last year 0-2 and we all had the feeling of damn this team is a good. This year we are talking about a 2-0 team that is getting their 2nd best offensive player back this week.




ps. you know mackensie is watching that dline every saturday.

 

[koonja]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

I actually thought Golson did a good job of throwing the ball away and not forcing it. Not a lot of 2nd start QBs will do that. A lot of the sacks were 'in your face' (for lack of better term) sacks, where the protection was sound and then it just blew up in his face with no time to throw it away, imo.

 

[arrowryan]

I notice two things about Golson, he has to throw the ball away, I think some of those sacks he can not take. Is it me or is he really slow. I mean I see him try to run and he gets a yard or two and then Purdue's QB runs for 10 and he is a pocket passer. Is he hurt? But, besides that I'm excited.

Slow?? No, Tommy Rees is slow. Golson isn't Denard Robinson but he is quick. Golson's job isn't to run, his job is to throw. NDinLA is right, Golson is going to make some huge passing plays when he scrmbles out of the pocket, it will be exciting to watch

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm not saying Golson is Vick or Denard. But, he doesn't have the wheels of RG III, McNabb or even Steve Young. I'd expect him to run like Steve Young, but he still looks sluggish to me.

Obviously he is a pass first QB, but Young and McNabb were also.

 

[DillonHall]

I'm not saying Golson is Vick or Denard. But, he doesn't have the wheels of RG III, McNabb or even Steve Young. I'd expect him to run like Steve Young, but he still looks sluggish to me.

Obviously he is a pass first QB, but Young and McNabb were also.

He has good feet and is very athletic, but I don't think he has great straight-line speed (not that I want to even pretend that I'm a scout). Didn't he run a 4.7 40 recently during practice?

 

[TheTurningPoint]

i guess golson needs to apologize for not being Steve Young or McNabb?

If you notice when he breaks the pocket his eyes are down the field still so you arent going to sprint while looking somewhere else. Kid just played a hell of a ball game in his second start and showed the difference between Rees/Hendrix and he is now considered sluggish?

41 second mark...this is not what you call vision/keeping his eyes down the field. Denard would have taken off at that point, and Golson could have probably got a good 10 yards if he sprinted as soon as he broke contain. But by him being 'sluggish' he got about 25 more yards than he would have if he tucked it. THAT is exciting to me at least. We have a qb who in his second start isnt overwhelmed by a blitz, has the patience to not freak out and get the sack, but use his mobility to gain time and set himself up for a positive run or a big pass play.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J7MCEtBxoDk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[autry_denson]

we just watched a redshirt freshman make these two ridiculous plays with his feet and there are complaints that he's not fast enough?

1) :41 second mark as TP pointed out - one of the best plays i've seen an irish qb make in years

2) 1:09 mark

 

[Irish#1]

It's very simple. Last year we would have lost this game. Progress is being made all the way around.

 

[tadman95]

TP, great post. One disagreement, Vick's arm is huge.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Everyone knew this was a possible trap game. I'm just happy the team grinded out a W. Like mentioned before, take a moment to realize how many starters were suspended or injured before/during this game and ND still got the victory. That should speak volumes.

Onward to Sparty.

 

[irishpat183]

Golson needs to work on his clock management and decision making when pressured (like others have mentioned, throwing the ball away). Other than that, he shows incredible ablity to escape the pocket and make a play. And that will get better with reps.

On the other hand, our Oline isn't as good as advertised and Golic is just plain bad. We're not terrible, but just not as excited about them as I was after Navy....we shouldn't be man handled like that against Purdue. Golic needs to man up or we need to get him help. Cause teams are gonna go after him.

Linebackers....not impressed. Of course #5 isn't who I'm talking about. Fox and Carlo are just not good enough. They just aren't. They're slow and miss too many tackles. And the "well, they're there to play the run" isn't gonna cut it with our schedule. Sorry. We play teams that are too fast and are gonna throw the ball. I'm happy with our recent LB recruiting, as we're getting more versatile guys...but watching Carlo dive at guys and get smoked constantly is just sad.

Secondary played pretty good. I'm actually pleased. Motta was much better than he was against Navy. Schumate is a stud in the making. And Jackson/Russell held their own. I really don't have many complaints. Which suprised the hell outta me after the god awful Navy game.

And we need to eliminate stupid penalties. And that includes Teo and Martin. Team leaders don't do that kinda crap.

 

[Patulski]

I will be surprised if Rees doesn't relieve Golson before, or after halftime this week. Why? I think it is quite possible that Kelly will have a similar, pass heavy game plan. MSU will confuse Golson with many defensive looks and run and pass blitzes. We will struggle offensively, and Kelly will turn to Rees who reads defenses and coverages better.