Oct 6 | Miami

[yankeeND]

Well, gentlemen, I just reviewed our first four games [a lot of fun when you already know we won], and despite a few flaws like the O-Line not being able to get enough push on rushing plays, and the TEs not being able to effectively block, the only thing really wrong with our team is.... yep, quarterback. Everett REALLY stunk vs Michigan. We are lucky Tommy is around to conservatively manage our putrid offensive business and scrape out wins [not to forget Bobby-the-D's guys].

Everett just MUST get it together. We all know what Tommy brings, and it's just not quite enough. And we all sit there nervously hoping that 2011Tommy will not show up [which he hasn't so far, except the good part of that Tommy]. I'm hoping for Everett to "see the light" this game. If not, I think that Tommy is plenty good enough to score a lot of points against Miami, and we still win. Time's a'wastin' though. Everett must "get it" soon.

By the way: it is my unpopular opinion that our receiving corps [much maligned by most] is at the edge of flat-out terrific. We just have to get them the ball. And "them" includes TJ, Robbie, Davaris, CBrown, Johnny-be-Good, and the TEs. Mystifies me why anyone dismisses the quality of winners that TJ and Robbie are. I at least am going to miss Robbie a lot next season.

I agree with this times 10! It takes time to develop as a young QB but our schedule really hasn't allowed for Golson to progress. Either he starts catching on quick or you gotta go with the upperclassman. This doesn't mean Golson isn't the guy it may just be that he's not the guy right now. I hope he is though because you can see he has all the physical ability to make the spectacular throws look easy!

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Well, gentlemen, I just reviewed our first four games [a lot of fun when you already know we won], and despite a few flaws like the O-Line not being able to get enough push on rushing plays, and the TEs not being able to effectively block, the only thing really wrong with our team is.... yep, quarterback. Everett REALLY stunk vs Michigan. We are lucky Tommy is around to conservatively manage our putrid offensive business and scrape out wins [not to forget Bobby-the-D's guys].

Everett just MUST get it together. We all know what Tommy brings, and it's just not quite enough. And we all sit there nervously hoping that 2011Tommy will not show up [which he hasn't so far, except the good part of that Tommy]. I'm hoping for Everett to "see the light" this game. If not, I think that Tommy is plenty good enough to score a lot of points against Miami, and we still win. Time's a'wastin' though. Everett must "get it" soon.

By the way: it is my unpopular opinion that our receiving corps [much maligned by most] is at the edge of flat-out terrific. We just have to get them the ball. And "them" includes TJ, Robbie, Davaris, CBrown, Johnny-be-Good, and the TEs. Mystifies me why anyone dismisses the quality of winners that TJ and Robbie are. I at least am going to miss Robbie a lot next season.

I agree that golson lookedlike crap aainst michigan but we also have to remeber hes a redshirt freshman we knew he was gnna have an off game ad if we come away with a win on his off game thenill take it. Hes only gonna get better every game.

 

[Rack Em]

Everett just MUST get it together. We all know what Tommy brings, and it's just not quite enough. And we all sit there nervously hoping that 2011Tommy will not show up [which he hasn't so far, except the good part of that Tommy]. I'm hoping for Everett to "see the light" this game. If not, I think that Tommy is plenty good enough to score a lot of points against Miami, and we still win. Time's a'wastin' though. Everett must "get it" soon.

Golson really needs to get it together before this game. Miami is going to stack the box to stop the run (because they suck at stopping it and it'll be a long game for them if they don't...Golden knows this). This will also allow them to disguise blitzes and send either 8 or drop 8 pretty easily. He HAS to pick up on this, call for a hot route or two, get into his 3 step drop, and get the pass out.

 

[irishfootball23]

Tommy Rees should be the starter after his performance against Michigan. He deserves the start and Golson has been struggling as of late.

 

[koonja]

Tommy Rees should be the starter after his performance against Michigan. He deserves the start and Golson has been struggling as of late.

Al Golden? Is that you?

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Al Golden? Is that you?

And is Toma out of eligibility after this year?

 

[BurningRiver]

Tommy Rees should be the starter after his performance against Michigan. He deserves the start and Golson has been struggling as of late.

I could not disagree with this more. Rees has a ceiling, a low one that we've all seen. Golson (allegedly) has a much higher ceiling. If this season is to truly be the special one it looks like it could turn into, Rees cannot be the quarterback. Only Golson, providing he matures quickly, can lead us to BCS bowls and beyond. Golson is the only one on the roster (other than probably Kiel, but he's too young) who can take this offense to the level it needs to be in order for ND to be in the top 15 and BCS discussion.

Rees is an excellent backup quarterback, I would argue the best one in the country, but that's exactly what he should be--a backup. If he starts a single game this season then something will have gone terribly wrong.

 

[IrishLax]

Game is starting to remind me of last year's USC game... coming off a bye, double digit favorite over a team with an explosive offense and questionable defense... and we got run. There is no denying that this is BY FAR the best passing team we will have played so far this year and that they have the "talent" on defense to stop us if our OL doesn't show up or we make execution mistakes.

My confidence level is pretty low... but we still should win this game. 97% chance of victory though? Really, really doubt it.

EDIT: Also, what I'm expecting to see is us play really soft coverage and Miami correspondingly run a bunch of bubble screens and short plays... you know, taking what the defense gives you... where the make or break thing will be tackling from our young CBs and not-very-young LBs. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get beat deep a couple times but more likely than not we're going to force Miami to methodically move the ball down the field... which, according to the Miami posters, is something Morris is not good at.

 

[tdbaum1]

....I'd say you guys will most likely win the game, but it could be huge trouble if they players overlook us in any way. Whoever wins the trenches will win the game, and your defense is certainly a lot stronger than ours. It's mostly made up of freshman and sophomore players who tend to have mental lapses. Especially in zone coverage...

I'll take this any week.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Game is starting to remind me of last year's USC game... coming off a bye, double digit favorite over a team with an explosive offense and questionable defense... and we got run. There is no denying that this is BY FAR the best passing team we will have played so far this year and that they have the "talent" on defense to stop us if our OL doesn't show up or we make execution mistakes.

My confidence level is pretty low... but we still should win this game. 97% chance of victory though? Really, really doubt it.

EDIT: Also, what I'm expecting to see is us play really soft coverage and Miami correspondingly run a bunch of bubble screens and short plays... you know, taking what the defense gives you... where the make or break thing will be tackling from our young CBs and not-very-young LBs. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get beat deep a couple times but more likely than not we're going to force Miami to methodically move the ball down the field... which, according to the Miami posters, is something Morris is not good at.

Different leadership on this team. Don't think the guys in the locker room will buy into all of the hype. BK has been clear to sell the process...I think this team buys that.

 

[Grimm]

Well, gentlemen, I just reviewed our first four games [a lot of fun when you already know we won], and despite a few flaws like the O-Line not being able to get enough push on rushing plays, and the TEs not being able to effectively block, the only thing really wrong with our team is.... yep, quarterback. Everett REALLY stunk vs Michigan. We are lucky Tommy is around to conservatively manage our putrid offensive business and scrape out wins [not to forget Bobby-the-D's guys].

Everett just MUST get it together. We all know what Tommy brings, and it's just not quite enough. And we all sit there nervously hoping that 2011Tommy will not show up [which he hasn't so far, except the good part of that Tommy]. I'm hoping for Everett to "see the light" this game. If not, I think that Tommy is plenty good enough to score a lot of points against Miami, and we still win. Time's a'wastin' though. Everett must "get it" soon.

By the way: it is my unpopular opinion that our receiving corps [much maligned by most] is at the edge of flat-out terrific. We just have to get them the ball. And "them" includes TJ, Robbie, Davaris, CBrown, Johnny-be-Good, and the TEs. Mystifies me why anyone dismisses the quality of winners that TJ and Robbie are. I at least am going to miss Robbie a lot next season.

Not sure what you think, but Golson didn't have a good game against MSU either in my opinion. Missed a ton of passes. I think he could easily had a couple pics in that game. And even his best pass had a jump ball feel to it and he missed a wide open Toma in the other end of the endzone. Really surprised how inaccurate he has been. Getting nervous that he may need another spring and summer to get it together because much of his problem seems to be mechanical (footwork, etc.). Wonder how much of that can be fixed during the season. Guess we will find out in Miami given he has two weeks to calm down and fix things.

Inability of TEs to block has also been perplexing. Welch's loss has had a much bigger impact then I would have thought. Thought Troy would be blowing people up. And 88 ... geez. And receiver blocking also hasn't been great. But agree that reciever core is exciting. Toma has been great (much higher upside then I would have guessed) and TJ looks like a potential NFL caliber player. On TJ, he has had couple catches and a couple moves after catching the ball that were "holy sh##" quality plays.

Oline is just confusing. Dont know what is going on and how in Q4, with game on the line, they pushed MSU and Mich off the ball, but the rest of the game they looked pedestrian, at best. This is the biggest "mystery" to me (to quote something I think you said a couple weeks ago).

 

[CarrollVermin]

Not sure what you think, but Golson didn't have a good game against MSU either in my opinion. Missed a ton of passes. I think he could easily had a couple pics in that game. And even his best pass had a jump ball feel to it and he missed a wide open Toma in the other end of the endzone. Really surprised how inaccurate he has been. Getting nervous that he may need another spring and summer to get it together because much of his problem seems to be mechanical (footwork, etc.). Wonder how much of that can be fixed during the season. Guess we will find out in Miami given he has two weeks to calm down and fix things.

Inability of TEs to block has also been perplexing. Welch's loss has had a much bigger impact then I would have thought. Thought Troy would be blowing people up. And 88 ... geez. And receiver blocking also hasn't been great. But agree that reciever core is exciting. Toma has been great (much higher upside then I would have guessed) and TJ looks like a potential NFL caliber player. On TJ, he has had couple catches and a couple moves after catching the ball that were "holy sh##" quality plays.

Oline is just confusing. Dont know what is going on and how in Q4, with game on the line, they pushed MSU and Mich off the ball, but the rest of the game they looked pedestrian, at best. This is the biggest "mystery" to me (to quote something I think you said a couple weeks ago).

I think that if you look back at the formations that we were in for some of those runs in the second half you may find that we were in more of a typical spread. We seem to run the ball much more effectively out of the shotgun with multiple wide outs than we do from under center with two tight ends.

 

[NDdomer2]

Golson needs more than one more spring or summer he needs two or three. But he needs that many real games too.

Coach Kelly isn't just playing him for now he is playing him for 2015.

Prefect example is Geno Smith. I don't know how many of you watched him all four years but he was almost embarrassing at times as a freshman and sophomore. Look at him now.

 

[Kak7304]

I'd say it's also a result of being better conditioned than the other team.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Game is starting to remind me of last year's USC game... coming off a bye, double digit favorite over a team with an explosive offense and questionable defense... and we got run. There is no denying that this is BY FAR the best passing team we will have played so far this year and that they have the "talent" on defense to stop us if our OL doesn't show up or we make execution mistakes.

My confidence level is pretty low... but we still should win this game. 97% chance of victory though? Really, really doubt it.

EDIT: Also, what I'm expecting to see is us play really soft coverage and Miami correspondingly run a bunch of bubble screens and short plays... you know, taking what the defense gives you... where the make or break thing will be tackling from our young CBs and not-very-young LBs. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get beat deep a couple times but more likely than not we're going to force Miami to methodically move the ball down the field... which, according to the Miami posters, is something Morris is not good at.

Yeah, my confidence level is much lower than most ND fans on this one. I think we win, but I'd take the points in a heartbeat. I said the same thing before the USC game last year...but I actually felt stronger about the points b/c Rees was starting against a very fast defense that I knew would give him fits. (But I still thought we'd win a squeaker.)

The thing that scares me is that we can't keep putting so much pressure on the defense. Eventually, teams will score. I mean, that's just the way it is...nobody is perfect (unless you are talking Bama and LSU last year!). So the offense has to pick it up. Miami's defense sucks, so this is a perfect time to do it! Gotta get the running game going, especially mister Cierre Wood. He gets going, we are a different offense. And let Golson keep the ball on a zone-read!

Now, if the weather gets as cold as I think it will be, my confidence will be higher. I just hope we are not overlooking Miami. This is a HUGE game! Win this game, 5-0 with Stanford coming in, just wow, how awesome would that be. But we gotta get this one. Show the nation that we can beat teams other than the Big10; that we can handle athletic teams as well.

Damn...getting pumped!!!

 

[ACamp1900]

Agree totally with ND and Lax... I think we'll win but if the offense plays like they have the past three weeks and the defense give a little... then Miami win, make no mistake.

I would like to see us spread things out and give EG more options underneath,(rather than having every primary receiver run a go every play) and play Cierre more with the same spread look and let him make some plays in space.

either way, yeah, I doubt they hold them to 9 or less points and if the offense can't move the ball this may be the game the haters are waiting for. I'm actually expecting the offense to come out though, too much talent for Eifert, Wood and others to be basic non-factors as they have been.

 

[koonja]

How sweet is 3 straight weeks of primetime games though.

 

[ACamp1900]

How sweet is 3 straight weeks of primetime games though.

hate it... I like the early games personally.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

This has to be posted here...originally posted by Cogs in another thread.

Note: There is no doubt that Miami fans are the stupidest in the country.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_uAc50LABg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[DSully1995]

This has to be posted here...originally posted by Cogs in another thread.

Note: There is no doubt that Miami fans are the stupidest in the country.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_uAc50LABg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Everypoint he makes moking ND can be said about Miami. Relevance? Miami aint relevant they cant even convince theyre fans that!

 

[NDdomer2]

His arms are so heavy that he can't keep them up very long.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I believe he also sad Arthur Lynch...smh

 

[NDdomer2]

Did he say arthur lynch? Haha sherm

 

[NDdomer2]

Bet he is upstairs at his grandmas

 

[NDinL.A.]

hate it... I like the early games personally.

Shoot, try waiting until 8:10 in the friggin' night waiting for a game!!! I used to hate having to wait until 5 o'clock out in SoCal, but these night games are KILLING me!

I do like night games because of the exposure and just the excitement of playing in primetime (went to Corby's for the MSU game and that was fun), but the wait for the eastern time zone is friggin' tough to deal with personally.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Shoot, try waiting until 8:10 in the friggin' night waiting for a game!!! I used to hate having to wait until 5 o'clock out in SoCal, but these night games are KILLING me!

I do like night games because of the exposure and just the excitement of playing in primetime (went to Corby's for the MSU game and that was fun), but the wait for the eastern time zone is friggin' tough to deal with personally.

Welcome to my entire life...hahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[ACamp1900]

I have thought many times how the hell sports writers from the east coast are supposed to vote on UCLA and Oregon when many of their games start at or past 10 o clock at night eastern... seriously I watch these games late over here and always wonder if ANYONE from the east coast is paying attention... love those games though, great night caps.

different lifestyle I guess...

 

[IrishLax]

HAHAHAHAHA

That was straight up hilarious. Especially the part when he was talking about ND girls... while fat as f*ck and clearly not able to get any. Oh the irony....

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Did he say arthur lynch? Haha sherm

Yep he said Arthur...moron

Someone needs to show that video to Manti! He will tear peoples heads off after seeing that!

 

[ndfi78]

I could not disagree with this more. Rees has a ceiling, a low one that we've all seen. Golson (allegedly) has a much higher ceiling. If this season is to truly be the special one it looks like it could turn into, Rees cannot be the quarterback. Only Golson, providing he matures quickly, can lead us to BCS bowls and beyond. Golson is the only one on the roster (other than probably Kiel, but he's too young) who can take this offense to the level it needs to be in order for ND to be in the top 15 and BCS discussion.

Rees is an excellent backup quarterback, I would argue the best one in the country, but that's exactly what he should be--a backup. If he starts a single game this season then something will have gone terribly wrong.

One name, Greg McElroy. You think he did anything except manage the games in 2009?