The running game

[Patulski]

I think the running game misses Ed Warriner, who was a pretty good run game coordinator in 2011. It just doesn't seem well coordinated right now.

Personally, I wish Kelly would line up and run the ball and establish the running game with no trickery. Instead, he's got Eifert trapping a 320 pound tackle. No gain. He brings Atkinson in and runs that misdirection play that worked against MSU, only he hadn't exploited one side of the line of scrimmage in the running game that makes the misdirection possible. Michigan's back side linebacker sees Atkinson come into the game, keys on him and is right there to make the play.

People are focusing on the QB, but we need a consistent running game to help them. Let's hope the running game gets some sense of identity in the next two weeks so that it can be consistently relied on.

 

[NDinFL]

Some pitch plays, and sweeps would have worked wonders against Michigans DLine....

Seeing as how they crowded the middle and shot the gaps so well.

Anyhow, just glad we won

 

[irishff1014]

We can't run the ball haven't you watched anygame other then navy? We are flat out getting no push on the line thats why we have to run a few misdirections. Plus against agressive defenses it makes them think about how agressive they will be. I don't understand the prostyle running they have gone to this year. Last year i can remember spreading the defense out and running the ball right at them this way. Other then the Navy game we don't have the size difference and it is showing.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Let's just say it's a good time for a bye week.

 

[NDinFL]

Well, hopefully we can get things sorted out on the Oline, because we desperately need to run the ball

 

[Patulski]

Some pitch plays, and sweeps would have worked wonders against Michigans DLine....

Seeing as how they crowded the middle and shot the gaps so well.

Anyhow, just glad we won

Glad we won also and our defense will keep us in every game.

However, here's another example: We are relying a lot of two tight end sets, which continues to struggle. One example is the wide receiver screen, which is a staple of Kelly's offense. In a two TE set, that play requires Koyack to handle the linebacker in space, instead of having a receiver blocking a nickel back in a spread formation. Koyack lost that battle last night.

Maybe the two TE offense just needs more reps. We'll see what Kelly decides. I think a lot of it depends on how much he foresees the young receivers developing, and how Golson develops. If Rees becomes the QB by Stanford, which I think is a possibility, I think we'll see more of a spread offense like last year, which will force teams into nickel defenses and open up more space for the offensive line. A lot of that depends on how Golson plays, and if Kelly believes Rees has developed to the point where he will not turn the ball over.

 

[NDinFL]

I noticed that Koyack has been losing more than a few blocking battles out there...

 

[irishff1014]

I noticed that Koyack has been losing more than a few blocking battles out there...

Yeah hs has been a disappointment when given the chance to play.

 

[BGIF]

I noticed that Koyack has been losing more than a few blocking battles out there...

... but he has potential.

 

[NDinFL]

... but he has potential.

And there it is.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

I said it last night. Defenses have no respect for the pass. They double Eifert force the QB to follow his progressions and pin their ears back. Kelly doesn't seem to help because when we have a lead at half he seems to get real conservative in his play calling. I could care less as we're 4-0 so it's working. I'm just hoping the kinks can get worked out on O so the D doesn't start to get discouraged.

 

[A2forND]

Thoughts on why we didn't see more of C. Wood last night, particularly in the second half??

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Running backs can only be as good as the big guys in front of them.

 

[NDinFL]

Running backs can only be as good as the big guys in front of them.

True.

I'm only an armchair quarterback, but if they are able to get through our Oline like this, why not loft a screen pass or two over their heads....

 

[OCIrish]

... but he has potential.

If I could ban you for a day, I would......

 

[PJWhitfield]

I'd like to see Notre Dame find someone like the 1980s Chicago Bears' William "Refrigerator" Perry. Send 350 pounds straight up the middle. Now that was fun to watch. The Fridge

 

[tommyIRISH23]

We cant run because we are not a threat to throw the ball. For some reason we don't use slants/outs/crossing patters with our TE's and WR's, maybe because throwing across the middle is risky and BK is worried about Golson ability to read whats going on?

I think BK (maybe overanalyzing some) decided that we have significant issues that he did not anticipate or thought were less impactful. I think he made a bold decision to stay conservative to run the gauntlet and do the minimal amount needed to win without taking unnecessary risk which is probably as result of the turnover derby we won last season.

Regardless, the buy week is HUGE, hopefully we can get some of these problems fixed. Like BK said, its a time to self scout and carefully analyze what we have and what works/doesn't.

I believe when we take the field against Miami we will see a sharper offense thats developing an identity otherwise we will be in some trouble.

A dysfunctional offense is not a trait of Brian Kelly, and I will be shocked our issues are not resolved post-buy.

 

[NYIrish14]

Line has definitely been under performing but you have the remember the opposing teams are loading the box. Not much you can do with that.

 

[irish1958]

I'd like to see Notre Dame find someone like the 1980s Chicago Bears' William "Refrigerator" Perry. Send 350 pounds straight up the middle. Now that was fun to watch. The Fridge

I agree; we need a jumbo package:: Nix at FB, Tuitt at left HB, Day at right HB, Eifert at QB. TIGHT "T" go at set!!!

 

[Riddickulous]

Here's my take:

1. Nobody respects our passing attack.

2. We are trying to run a pro style, smashmouth rushing attack. We don't have the personnel on the OL to simply power over people. It's not what our scheme is geared to do.

3. MAYBE Hiestand is a downgrade from Warrinner.

 

[NDinFL]

Here's my take:

1. Nobody respects our passing attack.

2. We are trying to run a pro style, smashmouth rushing attack. We don't have the personnel on the OL to simply power over people. It's not what our scheme is geared to do.

3. MAYBE Hiestand is a downgrade from Warrinner.

They only thing I would say is that Hiestand's guys have only had 4 games.

Give them some time to sort this out and fix it.

 

[Riddickulous]

They only thing I would say is that Hiestand's guys have only had 4 games.

Give them some time to sort this out and fix it.

Yes.

If we can get a passing attack going, I think the running lanes will open.

 

[NDinFL]

Yes.

If we can get a passing attack going, I think the running lanes will open.

And vice-versa, really....

I truly believe we need to start taking advantage of our backs quickness and run more to the outside, rather than up the gut.

Run from the spread formation (as another posted stated) spread the defense out, and try to beat them with quickness, rather than strength.

That, in turn, could lead to a softer defense to throw against

 

[NDPhilly]

Honestly we should have been able to run all over Michigan.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I'd like to see Notre Dame find someone like the 1980s Chicago Bears' William "Refrigerator" Perry. Send 350 pounds straight up the middle. Now that was fun to watch. The Fridge

I think Tuitt would fit that bill nicely. We already know he is quick!

 

[irishtrain]

They were running the ball against mich to protect the defense and eat clock. I would think he opens it up more from here on out. Those running plays were very generic and I dont think Kelly is that unimaginative.

 

[irishff1014]

Here's my take:

1. Nobody respects our passing attack.

2. We are trying to run a pro style, smashmouth rushing attack. We don't have the personnel on the OL to simply power over people. It's not what our scheme is geared to do.

3. MAYBE Hiestand is a downgrade from Warrinner.

Thank you. I don't know why all of a sudden we have gone to this style. It isn't working. We don't have Jonas anymore. Nor do we have a full back. Last year we were effective spreading the defense out and running the ball. I still don't understand kellying pulling wood out he was still doing ok for what help he was getting. It also doesn't help the playing calling has been average at best.

 

[PANDFAN]

I noticed that Koyack has been losing more than a few blocking battles out there...

Yeah hs has been a disappointment when given the chance to play.

i brought this up last week because he is getting man handled out there and f'ing up...and it countinued for another game


the running game has been pedestrian at best, should fall onto the o line and play calling...we are trying to run when there are 8 in the box...not enough people to block them...the passing game is going vertical but not consistent....we arn't doing enough intermediate throws to get the qb going...we arn't having sustainable drives which is what allows the running game to get going...i am kind of at a loss to understand how HH is the reason our running game isn't going...he isn't the one doing the blocking out there...i understand fully it's responsibility to teach them and coach them up...however his coaching has nothing to do w/ our guys getting pushed around...they are not working as a unit...it just happens to be 2 weak links that creates this problem...they have shown they are not capable right now against our opponents...Lombard/Golic....there is your seat on the bench.

 

[Irish#1]

Line has definitely been under performing but you have the remember the opposing teams are loading the box. Not much you can do with that.

What was supposed to be our biggest asset this year has been disappointing so far. I understand teams are filling the box. but it seems we get stalemated way too many times. UM's d-line has been pourous so far yet they went toe to toe. Since they are self scouting during the bye week, hopefully this will give them time to analyze and decide what needs to be done.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I agree; we need a jumbo package:: Nix at FB, Tuitt at left HB, Day at right HB, Eifert at QB. TIGHT "T" go at set!!!

Months back I called it the "Haka Package."

Teo, Kona, Utupo, and Toma in the backfield. Power I.