Open Practice

[Riddickulous]

I've been reading the reports on today's open practice and this is what I've discovered...

- The defense DOMINATED. And when I say DOMINATED, I mean DOMINATED. Clausen and company were pummeled by the defense, mainly because Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, and Deion Walker all missed out on the offense vs. defense drills.

- Clausen and Rudolph are locks at their respective positions.

- Ragone is struggling. Fauria could pass him for the #2 TE spot.

- Hafis Williams is a beast.

- Ethan Johnson needs to play end.

- Tyler Stockton struggled.

- Steve Filer was in beast mode.

- The line can't block.

- Clausen needs Floyd and Tate.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

- Clausen and Rudolph are locks at their respective positions.

SO much for Crist "pushing" Clausen.

How sure of this info are we?

 

[Mjrosko]

Deion Walker played, George West didn't.

 

[Junkhead]

- The line can't block.

Ouch. Pretty sad against our young, inexperienced DL. It's early, but if they can't get the OL working this year, Weis needs to give up his offense, or find a new job.

 

[NDsuperfan09]

Some guy posted info from someone at the practice on the rivals mainboard. He said the DL, and DB's looked very good. He said Rudolph was outstanding, and that the OL looked okay which doesn't make sense with how well the defense performed. In regards to the QB's he said there is no competition. He said it was plain to see why Weis hasn't opened up the QB competition. Clausen is just much better than every QB on our roster right now. Crist still looks kinda raw but his potential is massive.

 

[Echo Insanity]

the line was not allowed to cut, and the offense was missing its top three recievers. evaluating the offense under these conditions is impossible.

 

[Junkhead]

the line was not allowed to cut

Thank God, haven't they done enough of that crap the past few years?

 

[hamiljar]

I thought I heard an interview with one of the players
and they said the offense has had their days, but this
day the defense played really well. So its kind of hard to judge if we improved
on offense from only one 20 minute period. I think with how verducci
talks our oline is going to be fine. With him getting a full spring and summer
to work these guys. Just trying to be optimistic.

GO Irish

 

[TexasNDFan]

I think we need to hold our jugdement of the OL until the season starts. The way I see it the line is still in learning mode and once they start doing instead of thinking they will get better. The defense usually has the upper hand in the spring, besides we've seen what Tenutas' defenses can do to even the most experienced of OL's.

 

[We_Are_ND]

Have you guys seen the EFFING video?! Man it was AWFUL on the offensive side. I understand that some WRs were out, but MANNN! Just watch the video.....Same 'ol, Same 'ol.

NOTRE DAME OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Athletics

Click on Scrimmage highlights

 

[quiksilver253]

I dont think the offense's lack of production was a reflection of the line's ability to block, but rather the lack of weapons and the strength of the defense. DB is clearly going to be a position of strength on this team as it is a veteran-laden position. This performance can be more attributed to a combination of them and the lack of our offensive play-makers on the field. Top 3 recievers missing can cause some problems you know.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Relax guys, we're 6 friggin practices into the SPRING session. Give Verducci some time to do his thing. CHANGE IS A PROCESS. It isn't an 'instant'. It takes time. Remember, judging from what we've seen in the past from this O-Line and from what Verducci has said, these guys basically haven't been coached in the last 1-3 years. (I'm exagerrating....kind of.) So Verducci is starting from scratch with many of these guys. Give him some time, and I think we'll be fine.

Oh, and Brian Smith was interviewed, and he said the offense has gotten the better of the defense plenty of times this spring, but on this day the defense had their way...

 

[notredomer23]

take a step away from the ledge haha. The reason why the line looked only decent is because the sad part is, they are learning something COMPLETELY NEW. Latina taught them next to nothing. I heard a report from a practice a few days ago that Clausen couldnt miss so thats a very good sign

 

[phork]

I hate to temper your enthusiasm and criticisms all at the same time, but as someone already said, its 6 practices into SPRING practice. I really don't care who is doing what and how good they are doing it. Results will be the only thing that counts in the FALL.
After last year I am not holding my breath.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Jesus... listen. There are days at practice when you just destory the scout team or even your fellow number ones. Then there are days when you can't block, can't catch, can't hit the seam, can't hold onto the ball...

Regardless, there are good and bad days. The better days end with a pumped up coach and oline. The bad days, however, end with a ton of running. And some screaming... but more running.

One practice means nothing... this snap decision shit our generation is getting more and more used to is really starting to piss me off. Hell... how do I know? I only played four years of college football...

 

[Junkhead]

I over-reacted, but damn if we aren't all sick of the same problem every year. Come fall, they HAVE to be better.

 

[IrishInFl]

I thought that Jonas Gray had a good practice. I'm not sure of any other offensive players who had a good practice. Blanton was good too.

 

[NDFan537]

Have you guys seen the EFFING video?! Man it was AWFUL on the offensive side. I understand that some WRs were out, but MANNN! Just watch the video.....Same 'ol, Same 'ol.

NOTRE DAME OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Athletics

Click on Scrimmage highlights

I am not sure if you all watched the video. You say the line can't block. Third play.....Watch again.......Fucking hole is enormous. Brian Smith just was in the hole and drilled Allen, it was a great Defensive play. On more than on occasion this occurs. Later at about the 4:30 mark another hole opens up and B. Smith is not there and Big James the Tank runs for 15-20. Don't blame the line for LB hits. Protect the QB, open holes for RB, Block LB if they blitz or Charlie designs that in the play. That is the job of the o-line nothing more.........

Jimmy looked great and the receivers were being guarded by one of the better secondary you will see this season. Not to mention none of the drops were by the guys we will actually have on the field this season.

I agree we all need to hold praise and reprimand until later on but at first glance the Line looks much better and I think some of you just want to bag on the boys. Come on save that shit for later they may need it, but for now, how bout a little loyalty!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NDFan537]

Also biggest problem I saw on that video is Allen should not be the primary back imo. He is not explosive enough and can't break tackles. He is not Reggie Bush no matter what # Charlies straps on his back!

 

[IrishInFl]

Also biggest problem I saw on that video is Allen should not be the primary back imo. He is not explosive enough and can't break tackles. He is not Reggie Bush no matter what # Charlies straps on his back!

Which is why I think that Gray should get plenty of playing time, if not be the starter. I may be the only one who thinks this, but I believe that Gray is our best RB.

 

[NDinL.A.]

South Bend Tribune has an article on yesterday's scrimmage.

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame defense impresses in scrimmage

The defense got the best of the 'o' yesterday, but as I was saying in an earlier post, the offense has had their days as well. One quote was telling, from Ethan Johnson, who owned Sam Young on 2 out of 3 one-on-ones (but was pushed back on the other one 7 yards):

“It doesn’t usually go that way,” Johnson said. “I just had a really good day.”

Like I said, it was just one day, but it just happened to be the day that media got to watch. The offense will be fine. I'm more excited that the defense, forever our weakness, is finally starting to ball, and finally starting to show some athleticism and depth. B. Smith is going to be a monster this year. And Manti hasn't even shown up yet...

 

[NDFan537]

NDinLA I agree completely with you, both O and D will have their day. I was just stating that I do not believe the O-line played that poorly from the video.

 

[Irishlew]

Which is why I think that Gray should get plenty of playing time, if not be the starter. I may be the only one who thinks this, but I believe that Gray is our best RB.

yes you may be the only person, but then again everyone always loves the back up.

 

[Riddickulous]

yes you may be the only person, but then again everyone always loves the back up.

Allen should be the back-up.

 

[nd1988]

defense looks good.....?...GREAT!!!!!...............OR....Our offense is that bad...Either way, it's good to hear our defense making strides....

 

[Riddickulous]

The offense would've done much better if Tate and Floyd had been involved.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Fuck. We're going 2-10.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Allen should be the back-up.

Disagree. There really is no starter anyways but I feel AA is our best RB and has the tools to make more plays than Hughes. Hughes could be that guy if he decides to wake up and build on his success of his Fresh year. AA is becoming a more complete back.

 

[Riddickulous]

Disagree. There really is no starter anyways but I feel AA is our best RB and has the tools to make more plays than Hughes. Hughes could be that guy if he decides to wake up and build on his success of his Fresh year. AA is becoming a more complete back.

Allen needs space to run. A lot of space. Allen can run a 4.4, but he needs time and room to accelerate.

 

[Freeman Ara]

Here is the thing that bothers me most about the scrimmage video. Clausen still seems to be throwing to the covered man no matter what. Sergio Brown is coming on the Blitz and he throws it in his chest, like he never saw him. Threw one that was almost picked off twice, believe it was Goodman who was completely covered on the play, no reason to throw the ball there. Walker was completely covered by Blanton on a short slant and he tries to thread the needle. Still seems that he is having problems actually going through his progressions.