2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

[RDU Irish]

And it will be a weird game, probably not even the UMass game. They'll beat UMass 35-17, and then beat Clemson 49-14, and then squeak out the ugliest of all wins against Navy (like usual).

Met a Middie last night, he made a comment about how ND/Navy is a great tradition even if ND always wins. I asked if he was in a coma for the last six years.

 

[dublinirish]

Met a Middie last night, he made a comment about how ND/Navy is a great tradition even if ND always wins. I asked if he was in a coma for the last six years.

My cousin is a Middie (served on the Reuben James in Iraq War) and he loves the game every year no matter what the score. Seems that he gets more excited about the Army game though despite being from a diehard ND household.

 

[NDWorld247]

Yeah, who's got info on the linebacker spot?

I love Onwualu, but I'd like to see Nyles get a shot at his spot just to get him on the field. I also think Martini needs plenty or reps. He was VERY impressive to me with how fast he seemed to play when he got reps last year.

And then there's Grace in the middle who has been getting decent praise.

It's also kind of a weird situation though, because OLB is actually pretty thin and reliant on young guys after Jaylon, Onwualu and Martini. So unless the freshmen really impress, maybe they really will need to see if Nyles or Grace can work on the outside.

I heard recently that Schmidt and Grace took Martini under their wing this offseason to the extent that Martini moved into their apartment, I believe, at the beginning of the spring semester. If true, and I have no reason to believe it's not, the number of LBs we have that fully understand the defense has grown from one (Schmidt) last season to at least four (Schmidt, Grace, Smith and Martini) and probably five with Onwualu who it seems we never hear much about.

But I think BK answered the LB question in his opening presser. Jaylon won't come off the field unless he has to, and the other spots will be determined by the game situation and style of offenses we face. I think Morgan and maybe Coney will also be in the mix.

To your last point and Lucky's post, I think the better collective understanding of the defense this season makes the parts (LBs) more interchangeable. It's just a matter of if/when the coaches want to do it.

Also, has there been any info published this offseason on the % of plays ND ran in the base defense vs sub packages last fall? As a Patriots fan, something that's always intrigued me is the amount of time they spend in sub packages (~65%) vs their base defense, yet most of the offseason discussion centers on the base defensive personnel.

 

[dublinirish]

i remember Grace saying last year he knew the defense but obviously couldnt suit up. he went to all the meetings and took mental reps at every practice.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Base (without lineman)

WILL - Jaylon Smith
MIKE - Joe Schmidt
SAM - James Onwualu
CB - KeiVarae Russell
CB - Cole Luke
FS - Max Redfield
SS - Elijah Shumate

First-Team Nickel

LB - Schmidt
LB - Smith
NB - Russell
CB - Nick Coleman
CB - Luke
FS - Redfield
SS - Avery Sebastian

Coleman did a lot of good things yesterday and you can see why they are testing him to see how effective and ready he is. Russell is an upgrade in the Nickel over Farley in the pass game, but can he handle taking on the run 20 times a game? Russell has a physical mentality and isn't afraid to hit, but it's totally different taking that contact every play over an entire game.

However, it does give Notre Dame flexibility if they can sub on 3rd and long to get Farley off the field. I think it will be Farley in the nickel and Russell back at CB for the most part on 1st and 2nd down situations. The package they were running yesterday simply gives them more flexibility when you know the other team is passing.

 

[arrowryan]

Base (without lineman)

WILL - Jaylon Smith
MIKE - Joe Schmidt
SAM - James Onwualu
CB - KeiVarae Russell
CB - Cole Luke
FS - Max Redfield
SS - Elijah Shumate

First-Team Nickel

LB - Schmidt
LB - Smith
NB - Russell
CB - Nick Coleman
CB - Luke
FS - Redfield
SS - Avery Sebastian

Coleman did a lot of good things yesterday and you can see why they are testing him to see how effective and ready he is. Russell is an upgrade in the Nickel over Farley in the pass game, but can he handle taking on the run 20 times a game? Russell has a physical mentality and isn't afraid to hit, but it's totally different taking that contact every play over an entire game.

However, it does give Notre Dame flexibility if they can sub on 3rd and long to get Farley off the field. I think it will be Farley in the nickel and Russell back at CB for the most part on 1st and 2nd down situations. The package they were running yesterday simply gives them more flexibility when you know the other team is passing.

Biggest surprise in Fall Camp so far for me. I thought if any of the freshman DBs played in the Nickel package it would've been Crawford. But good for Nick; a lot of people thought we got a good one in Nick and he was a diamond in the rough. So far those people are spot on

 

[theclassickiller]

Not really sure if it was on Shumate (although he did not read the play well), he was over the top to protect Onwualu who was man to man. LSU player caught the ball on Redfield's spot. Max and Morgan were badly fooled. Anyway is hard to know without All-22 video footage. But 100% sure Fournette's 90 yard run TD was on Redfield.

That I agree with. I don't know what he was doing on that play. It looked like the old NCAA football games where your tackler just gets magnetically drawn to the nearest blocker and is cooked. He managed to run into all 11 LSU players on the same play. Well 10, he definitely didn't run into Fournette.

 

[BobbyMac]

Base (without lineman)

WILL - Jaylon Smith
MIKE - Joe Schmidt
SAM - James Onwualu
CB - KeiVarae Russell
CB - Cole Luke
FS - Max Redfield
SS - Elijah Shumate

First-Team Nickel

LB - Schmidt
LB - Smith
NB - Russell
CB - Nick Coleman
CB - Luke
FS - Redfield
SS - Avery Sebastian

Coleman did a lot of good things yesterday and you can see why they are testing him to see how effective and ready he is.

TP,

Is this your opinion on who is currently the best nickel package or... is this your guess at who you think the staff currently thinks is the best package... or is this based off one day where they were working Coleman at CB when Russell slid in to NB? Just curious.

 

[Old Man Mike]

TP: I'm interested in your response to my opinions about the safeties above. I collected a lot of comments about these guys and thought that I wasn't wasting anyone's time with stuff just dreamed up, but apparently I was. Your clarifications of these errors will help determine whether my "method" of gathering information is too flawed to contribute to the board on these matters. I'm serious about this.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Unless onwuala has improved dramatically, he has no business getting a lot of pt certainly not starting. I really don't know why they are making drew play safety. He was thrown into lb position and was always around the play.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Unless onwuala has improved dramatically, he has no business getting a lot of pt certainly not starting. I really don't know why they are making drew play safety. He was thrown into lb position and was always around the play.

There's been reports from various sites that he looks drastically improved.

 

[woolybug25]

There's been reports from various sites that he looks drastically improved.

Mike Frank also said:

I’m not sold on Drue Tranquill as a safety. I think he’s a SAM in a “small” look type of backer. He struggles in coverage and keeping up with the quickness of many Irish receivers. Certainly a 100 percent effort kid, but I see him as a liability as a cover guy.

While i'm not the biggest Mike Frank fan, he has been covering ND for over 20 years. He's also not the only guy saying these types of comments.

 

[Luckylucci]

There's been reports from various sites that he looks drastically improved.

He's also much bigger and stronger which, IMO, was his biggest problem last year. He just had trouble in traffic holding ground, shedding blocks, and making plays. He's up to 232 now.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Base (without lineman)

WILL - Jaylon Smith
MIKE - Joe Schmidt
SAM - James Onwualu
CB - KeiVarae Russell
CB - Cole Luke
FS - Max Redfield
SS - Elijah Shumate

First-Team Nickel

LB - Schmidt
LB - Smith
NB - Russell
CB - Nick Coleman
CB - Luke
FS - Redfield
SS - Avery Sebastian

Coleman did a lot of good things yesterday and you can see why they are testing him to see how effective and ready he is. Russell is an upgrade in the Nickel over Farley in the pass game, but can he handle taking on the run 20 times a game? Russell has a physical mentality and isn't afraid to hit, but it's totally different taking that contact every play over an entire game.

However, it does give Notre Dame flexibility if they can sub on 3rd and long to get Farley off the field. I think it will be Farley in the nickel and Russell back at CB for the most part on 1st and 2nd down situations. The package they were running yesterday simply gives them more flexibility when you know the other team is passing.

Nick Coleman ahead of Watkins already? I thought Watkins has had an impressive camp.

 

[Wild Bill]

Unless onwuala has improved dramatically, he has no business getting a lot of pt certainly not starting. I really don't know why they are making drew play safety. He was thrown into lb position and was always around the play.

Drue would have to take reps away from Martini. I'm not sure that would happen. Martini may be the fourth best LBer we have on the roster and I wouldn't be shocked if he takes Onwualu's position at some point this season. He impressed the hell out of me last year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

There's been reports from various sites that he looks drastically improved.

Point right on! Onwualu is one of the strongest players (functionally), and best athletes we have at the position. He has enough speed for wide receiver. He stated in his interview that he was getting used to linebacker, and a new scheme with BVG last year. He actually stated that at times it was all he could to figure where he was going!

This year he has it down and is apparently able to think a lot through. But this kid is substantial 232 with his speed and strength, and long arms for 6'1".

(Remember in the old days a few years ago at how everyone wanted SEC like linebackers?) ND fans, meet James Onwualu!

Drue would have to take reps away from Martini. I'm not sure that would happen. Martini may be the fourth best LBer we have on the roster and I wouldn't be shocked if he takes Onwualu's position at some point this season. He impressed the hell out of me last year.

Interesting exercise! I am not even sure with the complexities of BVG's system they would play in the same down and distance situation. And I have no idea who would win out in a competition between them!

But how good both are (as I believe numbers three and four) is I believe masked by how good numbers 1 and 2 are!

 

[Luckylucci]

Nick Coleman ahead of Watkins already? I thought Watkins has had an impressive camp.

This is my personal opinion, I think they're are trying to find out now, versus later in the year, what they have with some of the freshman. I don't mean this as Coleman isn't playing well, its the opposite, he's shown himself well early and earning reps. However, if today was Texas and we needed a 3rd outside CB to go in the game, I bet it'd be Watkins.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

This is my personal opinion, I think they're are trying to find out now, versus later in the year, what they have with some of the freshman. I don't mean this as Coleman isn't playing well, its the opposite, he's shown himself well early and earning reps. However, if today was Texas and we needed a 3rd outside CB to go in the game, I bet it'd be Watkins.

On another note, what is our backup plan if Redfield gets injured? All the media outlets have suggested Butler should move to FS, but it looks like he's been working at CB all camp. Are we repping Coleman and Crawford a ton so we feel comfortable moving Butler to the back of the defense, or are we just going to let him to go to waste as a 3rd string CB?

 

[Luckylucci]

On another note, what is our backup plan if Redfield gets injured? All the media outlets have suggested Butler should move to FS, but it looks like he's been working at CB all camp. Are we repping Coleman and Crawford a ton so we feel comfortable moving Butler to the back of the defense, or are we just going to let him to go to waste as a 3rd string CB?

Can't say I've read or seen too much on Butler. I agree that he should be moved to FS as I doubt, with this influx of talent, it gets any better for him at CB. On the FS question, Redfield is taking a majority of the reps but BGI's depth chart has Farley as the back up. With Barratti and M. Williams behind him.

 

[EuropeanDomer22]

Onwualu is a curious case, he only had 24 total tackles last season despite having a lot of playing time but it looks like Kelly likes him a lot. He only averaged one (solo) tackle per game. I am not sure if he is good enough to be ahead of guys like Morgan, Martini or the Freshmans..

 

[Wild Bill]

On another note, what is our backup plan if Redfield gets injured? All the media outlets have suggested Butler should move to FS, but it looks like he's been working at CB all camp. Are we repping Coleman and Crawford a ton so we feel comfortable moving Butler to the back of the defense, or are we just going to let him to go to waste as a 3rd string CB?

I would assume Farley or Baratti (depending on health) would move in and compete for some of those reps.

 

[arrowryan]

Onwualu is a curious case, he only had 24 total tackles last season despite having a lot of playing time but it looks like Kelly likes him a lot. He only averaged one (solo) tackle per game. I am not sure if he is good enough to be ahead of guys like Morgan, Martini or the Freshmans..

James and Nyles play two different linebacker positions; James is at SAM and Nyles is at MIKE. Its also been said that the staff will start James at SAM against teams that use the spread and they will use a guy like Greer against teams like Stanford and Navy

 

[BeauBenken]

James and Nyles play two different linebacker positions; James is at SAM and Nyles is at MIKE. Its also been said that the staff will start James at SAM against teams that use the spread and they will use a guy like Greer against teams like Stanford and Navy

Probably referencing how Kelly has said he thinks that Morgan can play all 3 spots.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Can't say I've read or seen too much on Butler. I agree that he should be moved to FS as I doubt, with this influx of talent, it gets any better for him at CB. On the FS question, Redfield is taking a majority of the reps but BGI's depth chart has Farley as the back up. With Barratti and M. Williams behind him.

That's not very comforting. I don't think Farley has the speed to be an effective FS, Barratti's shoulder can't be trusted, and Mykelti's name hasn't been mentioned once in anything I've read about fall camp. I don't like the fact that we're putting so much faith in Redfield staying healthy, especially when he have a potentially adequate backup languishing on the bench as a 3rd string CB.

 

[Ndaccountant]

That's not very comforting. I don't think Farley has the speed to be an effective FS, Barratti's shoulder can't be trusted, and Mykelti's name hasn't been mentioned once in anything I've read about fall camp. I don't like the fact that we're putting so much faith in Redfield staying healthy, especially when he have a potentially adequate backup languishing on the bench as a 3rd string CB.

Not that this would ease your discomfort, but don't forget about Drue.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Not that this would ease your discomfort, but don't forget about Drue.

Drue is a force of nature when he's not being asked to cover a WR or TE deep downfield. I'd love to see him get a lot of PT this year, just not at the free safety position.

 

[Luckylucci]

That's not very comforting. I don't think Farley has the speed to be an effective FS, Barratti's shoulder can't be trusted, and Mykelti's name hasn't been mentioned once in anything I've read about fall camp. I don't like the fact that we're putting so much faith in Redfield staying healthy, especially when he have a potentially adequate backup languishing on the bench as a 3rd string CB.

Yea, I get that same feeling but to play the other side of it. Farley was very underrated playing FS in 2012 and I think had the right ideas in 2013 was just injured. If Redfield were to go down and Farley was moved back there I think BVG would have to change things up. Would he do that? I'm not sure but I wouldn't go completely off the rails. Also, I can't remember which site, read a lot this time of year, said that M. Williams was actually playing quite well yesterday. Not that I'd want him to be the starter but slightly reassuring that some are seeing flashes from him. All in all, you're we have a lot riding on Redfield's health and success.

 

[Luckylucci]

Just going through some different notes from yesterdays practice and here are a couple of nuggets I found interesting.

Okwara was almost exclusively working as the 1st team WDE.

KVR at Nickel working at Nickel might have a lot to do with them bringing him on blitzes as that was a popular play call when he was lined up there. Makes sense considering he is a fairly physical and fast player.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

WatchND is falling off today...no videos of practice? No ND Football tweets? Were they supposed to go cold before media viewing tomorrow?

 

[longliveautrydenson]

WatchND is falling off today...no videos of practice? No ND Football tweets? Were they supposed to go cold before media viewing tomorrow?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFSAUUzSaP4

Someone at WatchND must've read your complaint. Top Plays from Day 7. The AV department has really fallen in love with slow motion. It would be nice to see a few plays from start to finish in real time, but I'll take what I can get.

Edit: Weird, they removed the video for some reason.

Double Edit: And its back.