Is it just me or does it seem like the "Nasty" team that coach wies promised us disappeared since the Michigan game?
I was thinking that we haven't been nearly as physical on offense or defense the past couple of weeks. I know there were some hits in the Navy game, but overall it seems like we haven't made it a point to just beat up on a team with some hard hitting and flying to the football.
Even our running game is predicated on draws and delays, which is why I get excited when TT or JA come into the game. (Please don't get me wrong, I still am a DW supporter)
I would love to see us come out tomorrow with a chip on the old shoulder and blow up some of these Air Force players...Nothing sets the tone of the game like hammering your opponent.
I have to agree with Svo and Marv. What games were you watching?
If you watched Charlie's Press Conferences or read the transcripts you would know that the draws and delays are part of the game plan which Charlie called playing "softball". He noted that sometimes he plays "hardball" and sometimes he plays "softball". So lining up and pounding them isn't going to happen if the OC isn't calling those type of plays.
There was one game where you could hear Weis yell at Quinn, "Another methodical drive!" Again the game plan - short passes, move the ball around. It's more finesse than nasty. The OLs don't get to smash defenders on pass play like they do on a Student Body Left (which ND doesn't run).
Keep in mind the offense has essentially played the season without a FB. You don't play smashmouth without a FB. Four and Five Wideouts don't make for a "nasty" offense. OLs are reactive rather than proactive on pass plays, screens, and draws which is a large part of Charlie's offensive plan.
On defense, there have been a lot of bodies flying. Wooden, Zib, Thomas, Vernaglia, and others didn't get hurt avoiding contact. They got injured slamming people. Marv makes a good point about trying to slam people rather than tackle them. We've whiffed on a number of tackles trying to light up or strip a ball carrier or receiver (Lymon) instead of wrapping him up.
Victor's been tossing people like rag dolls despite double teams. Laws and Landri have been creating havoc up the middle. Talley quite mid-season so we're playing underclassmen in his slot.
On defense remember many games through the first half of the season were played mostly as a 4-2-5 because ND doesn't have Wes Pritchett types at LB and because ND faced passing attacks.
ND returned one starting LB who changed positions and who had BACK SURGERY and missed Spring Ball and a lot of contact in the Summer. Brockington also had surgery and missed the Spring and most of the Summer. The other LB was a RB until summer camp started. This group is still developoing as a unit.
On the OLine Harris was also kept out of summer camp contact til a few days before the first game and a true freshman (lacking the muscle and experience of 22 years olds) is at the other tackle. Through midseason the RG, TE, and WR were frequently ASSIGNED to help him out. Carlson isn't the blocker that Fasano was - yet.
Against Navy, Zibby made 3 of the first 5 tackles and something like 5 of the first 9. He was flying all over the field and slamming people. He looked like a one man defensive unit for a while. He was handling the pitchman on both sides of the field. ND later brought up Nedu and changed the assignments in the alley that shutdown the Navy attack.
You want to see nasty, replay Lambert's TD in the MSU game watch the devastating blow Travis Thomas throws to spring Terrail for the score.
In the last post game press conference Weis commented on the strong play by Harris - second game in a row he's been mentioned. Same for Brockington.
Preseason the defense was considered suspect with a glaring hole for a Linebacking Corps. The Team has played around that.
We're you expecting the '88 Defense? There is no Bolcar, Prichett, Golic, Crable, or Stonebreaker on the team like there used to be. We used to have several at one time, now we don't have one. Perhaps Smith in time, maybe one or more of the incoming freshman but for now as Svo noted, ND is getting as much nasty as you can out of the material and depth that's there.
This Team has come a long way in the past 21 games and will continue to develop.
A win against Air Force gives ND back to back 9 win seasons for the first time since '92-'93!
Enjoy the wins!
I think Herring has a nasty streak as well, he seems like he posseses a headhunter mentality.
