Kelly limited what the defense could do. It was a very vanilla D with no blitzing, limited stunts, and very basic coverages. The purpose of this was to not show much of our D and to also make the game more entertaining to the fans.
2010 Blue & Gold Game
- Thread starter BGIF
- Start date
Kelly limited what the defense could do. It was a very vanilla D with no blitzing, limited stunts, and very basic coverages. The purpose of this was to not show much of our D and to also make the game more entertaining to the fans.
I'm surpised you didn't run up the white flag by halftime.
The 744 yds are combined for two teams. And probably about average for a college game. Neither team broke 400 yds. kak304 is on the mark with the plain vanilla defense.
Allen, Gray, and Wood all made some nifty moves at RB but Coughlin's 80 yds, 7.3 ypc rushing should be a tipoff as well. Both sides were liberally interspersed with walkon scrubs.
Irish Eyes Freebie
Irish Eyes Freebie
Scout.com: Offense Reigns
by Tim O'Malley
2/24
...
...
More at the LINK
Irish Eyes Freebie
Scout.com: Offense Reigns
by Tim O'Malley
2/24
...
...
More at the LINK
Smitty's Take on B&G Game ISD Freebie
Smitty's Take on B&G Game ISD Freebie
Notre Dame Football - Spring Game Overview
By Brian Smith
4/23
Interesting observation about Crist using his upper body and it impacting his accuracy. He wants him to use his legs more. (I wonder if the knee surgery is the guilty party there or if Crist does indeed have that flaw). He notes Montana throws late too often. Reggie Brooks was all over that during the game. (What I didn't here anyone mention that with the plain vanilla defense and lack of a pass rush should not have presented a problem making the calls. I thought Nate was overthinking his passes and would have been sacked a bunch of times had this been a regular game).
smitty's concerned about ND's centers. He notes Cave can handle the reach block and Wenger was mediocre.
He was impressed with Calabrese and McDonald against the pass. He likes the backers I think as much as the RB and Receiving Corps.
A lot more detail at the Link
Smitty's Take on B&G Game ISD Freebie
Notre Dame Football - Spring Game Overview
By Brian Smith
4/23
Interesting observation about Crist using his upper body and it impacting his accuracy. He wants him to use his legs more. (I wonder if the knee surgery is the guilty party there or if Crist does indeed have that flaw). He notes Montana throws late too often. Reggie Brooks was all over that during the game. (What I didn't here anyone mention that with the plain vanilla defense and lack of a pass rush should not have presented a problem making the calls. I thought Nate was overthinking his passes and would have been sacked a bunch of times had this been a regular game).
smitty's concerned about ND's centers. He notes Cave can handle the reach block and Wenger was mediocre.
He was impressed with Calabrese and McDonald against the pass. He likes the backers I think as much as the RB and Receiving Corps.
A lot more detail at the Link
NBC Sports - College Football - Inside the Irish
Keith Arnold NBC
4/24
1) The quarterback situation isn't that dire.
2) There's little reason to worry about the running game.
3) This defense actually has play-makers.
4) Tai-ler Jones will be the first freshman to make an impact.
Jones, who enrolled early and is still only 17-years-old, looks like he'll contribute early and often in Brian Kelly's new spread attack
5) It is truly a new era at Notre Dame.
More at the LINK
Keith Arnold NBC
4/24
1) The quarterback situation isn't that dire.
2) There's little reason to worry about the running game.
3) This defense actually has play-makers.
4) Tai-ler Jones will be the first freshman to make an impact.
Jones, who enrolled early and is still only 17-years-old, looks like he'll contribute early and often in Brian Kelly's new spread attack
5) It is truly a new era at Notre Dame.
More at the LINK
Riddickulous
"That" Guy
- Messages
- 16,866
- Reaction score
- 8,325
My brain rarely, if ever, works properly.
chyrspchuck
Internet Bad Ass
- Messages
- 1,278
- Reaction score
- 65
I loved seeing Nate's performance even though he threw late several times. When I heard he went to Pasadena and didn't complete but 10 passes or whatever I thought he would never come back. Good for him and even if he isn't ever used at Notre Dame, I'm happy he is on the team.
irishtrain
Well-known member
- Messages
- 2,359
- Reaction score
- 157
First off I wasnt at the game but from all I could see 2 of my 3 guys that I think have to do well for this team to excell did that. I have said that Filer, H Smith, and Hughes are key guys not so much because of their position but what they could bring to the table. Good to see what they did and I understand Hughes will have a completly different role but before the season is over my $$$$ says he plays a big role somewhere sometime. By all accounts there are ready to be a good football team. It will be different with no real star type players but I see wins baby and then the media people can pick and choose who they tout. This coach was a great fit for Notre Dame and when this team comes out of the tunnel they will be what we have wanted to see, college guys playing for their school with a chip on their shoulder. The train is way off in the distance right now but I think I hear it coming.
DirtySecret
Banned
- Messages
- 1,420
- Reaction score
- 47
Far, far, far distance..
NeuteredDoomer
RIP - You are missed
- Messages
- 6,714
- Reaction score
- 434
"Far distance." Kinda redundant. Is there such a thing as "close distance?" But I digress already... As an ND fan I have to agree that the recent beatdown of the past few years can shake down the nerve, but never the thunder of hope.
I caught some of the game and a bit of a video highlight posted on here.
From that tiny evidence, I would agree with the BigIF's posted Keith Arnold NBC analysis.
My first thought from what little I saw was that Crist's knee is not healed and was so heavily protected by bracing that he is still not able to push off correctly on the throw, much less juke and take it for a run. It is a serious concern for me. I have a similar injury and am still learning to walk 5 months later. Montana's effort was fantastic and quite a relief, but I haven't seen the other QB's' highlights up to this point.
O line was fantastic. Charged forward and found a nutsack to smash. Backs were confident. Receivers were having a blast.
First time in a while LBs were allowed to play, rather than told where to blitz. Nice pursuit angles and drop back to zones on pass. Thus interceptions and recipients of tip drills. BINGO
Teo's calves and shins look equal to thighs. Almost scary. Almost too scary equal a calve-to- ankle ratio, but it could be the resolution on my comp. Entire team's calves looked huge. (I have a thing for calves and other farm animals...)
Athletes look thick.
Noticed the weird Gold on Gold swirly design on the back of some of the pants. WTF?
Just a small observation. Doesn't mean shit, but game was fun to watch.
Last edited:
Last edited:
I only recall Rees in for 2 or 3 plays. He looked smaller than I expected. The weight room will fix that. He looked ery comfortable with the offense. His demeanor appeared calm under pressure, perhaps it was confidence, perhaps experience with the spread. I thought he looked like he belonged there.
I liked a couple of plays that Montana made. The roll left and throw sure brought back visions of Joe. On the other hand he seemed to have a case of paralysis by analysis taking to much time to think through the play and take action. He won't have that kind of time in real action with blitzes and hidden coverages. I think he's better than Dillingham but not Sharpley.
I don't think we have a #2 QB more like a couple of guys fighting it out for #3.
Crist's knee better get healthy and stay that way.
TerryTate
The Pain Train
- Messages
- 5,437
- Reaction score
- 443
Irish defense must improve its act - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN
ESPN Article on ND's Defense.
ESPN Article on ND's Defense.
NeuteredDoomer
RIP - You are missed
- Messages
- 6,714
- Reaction score
- 434
I get a kick out of talk about the "vaunted" 3-4 vs. the "vaunted" 4-3 vs. the ""vaunted" 5-2 vs. the "vaunted" whatever. Crap changes on the spot anyway. Just get some athletes and create chaos. Make sure the field is covered. Make sure the fence surrounds. Etc...
Maybe that's why all college teams rejected me as internet DC, but... just saying...
Maybe that's why all college teams rejected me as internet DC, but... just saying...
Last edited:
tko
I am Legend
- Messages
- 8,516
- Reaction score
- 1,710
and make sure harrison smith isn't confused this season!
Riddickulous
"That" Guy
- Messages
- 16,866
- Reaction score
- 8,325
Rees threw three passes, but was on the field for more than two or three plays. He actually led two or three series at the end of the game.
Nate Montana. Quite impressive, for the most part. However, he is simply not an upper echelon Division 1 quarterback. He has a fairly weak arm and holds the football way too long.
It was good to see so many contributors offensively. We have a solid backfield of fast running backs. Wood with 110 yards, Gray with 54, and Allen with 33 (would have been about 40 if Filer had not blown up a play for a seven or eight yard loss). Hughes also contributed, but he is simply not fast enough to see a lot of action in the Kelly offense. If the offensive line holds up, we may finally have a solid running game that can aid our passing attack.
Michael Floyd, our best offensive weapon, did not see as much action as some of the other receivers. Notable plays: showing great power on a reverse for 13 yards, being the recipient of a forced Crist throw that resulted in him getting lit up by the Hawaiian Hammer, and a great catch and powerful run on a 33 yard strike from Crist. Tai-ler Jones looked great and had a great catch on a perfect Crist throw for a touchdown. Shaq Evans looked great, as well. Theo Riddick also impressed with a great catch for a touchdown from Montana.
Tight ends are sick. Rudolph seems to be Crist's favorite target. Ragone was open early and often.
Defensive standouts to me: Manti Te'o was all over the field and involved in a ton of tackles, Steve Filer was outstanding, Ethan Johnson made some nice plays (did not know that his number is now 90), and Carlo Calabrese looked great, too. Loved Robert Blanton's Ivory Covington-esque play when he forced big Kyle Rudolph out of bounds at the one.
NeuteredDoomer
RIP - You are missed
- Messages
- 6,714
- Reaction score
- 434
I would bet that if he threw three passes, he was on the field for at least 3 plays.
I'm a gambler that way.
I'm so sexy.
Thought it was pretty interesting that some of the walk ons got more plays than the scholarship players. Pat Coughlin (sp) must have ran the ball a good 5 times while and the QB (#15 I think) ran a few plays as well. I'm not saying they didn't deserve it as the bust their a**es with the rest of the team. I just wasn't expecting to see them play at all during the game. Does this happen every year? Was my first Blue-Gold game.
TDHeysus
FLOOR(RAND()*(N-D+1))+D;
- Messages
- 3,315
- Reaction score
- 355
Coughlin has been a topic of conversation with some local ND fans I speak with. He seems to have caught the attention of a few ppl.
irishandy
Well-known member
- Messages
- 4,340
- Reaction score
- 1,962
I thought the team looked good at the B&G game. I do like the spread offense and I think the offense can accomplish it w/ the type of players we have. Defense will be the big question because if our offense scores quickly, the defense will be on the field longer.
Here are my top 5 players:
1) Cierre Wood, 110 yards on 10 carries. I think Amando Allen could lose some playing time if Cierre gets even better during the summer.
2) Shaq Evans, stats weren't that big, but it was good to see him out there making catches. Everyone is talking about TJ Jones and I agree Jones had a great game. Which is better stealing a recruit from USC or Stanford...I hope to see Shaq on the field this year.
3) Carlo Calabrese, it would've been nice to see him get some playing time last year, but to much competition. If I remember he had 9 tackles along w/ 1 interception. Would be nice to see him playing next to Te'o this year.
4) The Tide Ends- I think every TE on the roster had a catch. I remember Weis saying he was going to use a 2-TE system (I don't remember him ever doing so). With the spread offense that 2-TE system just might come in handy.
5) Brian Kelly- good to see a college football guy running out with the team, brought in a nice group of recruits, and ended the weekend w/ 3 commitments.
Here are my top 5 players:
1) Cierre Wood, 110 yards on 10 carries. I think Amando Allen could lose some playing time if Cierre gets even better during the summer.
2) Shaq Evans, stats weren't that big, but it was good to see him out there making catches. Everyone is talking about TJ Jones and I agree Jones had a great game. Which is better stealing a recruit from USC or Stanford...I hope to see Shaq on the field this year.
3) Carlo Calabrese, it would've been nice to see him get some playing time last year, but to much competition. If I remember he had 9 tackles along w/ 1 interception. Would be nice to see him playing next to Te'o this year.
4) The Tide Ends- I think every TE on the roster had a catch. I remember Weis saying he was going to use a 2-TE system (I don't remember him ever doing so). With the spread offense that 2-TE system just might come in handy.
5) Brian Kelly- good to see a college football guy running out with the team, brought in a nice group of recruits, and ended the weekend w/ 3 commitments.
kmoose
Banned
- Messages
- 10,298
- Reaction score
- 1,181
andy, the whole purpose of the spread offense is to spread the defense out, basically, from sideline to sideline. It's kind of hard to do that, with 2 TEs in the formation. I would look more for the TEs to platoon. I hope that Kelly comes up with some way to get them all involved. TE seems to be a pretty deep position for us, this year.
2 TE sets were a staple of Weis's offense. I recall a number of plays with 3 TEs. A player on the field for every snap would have about 320 -330 minutes per season. In '05 Fasano had 314 minutes of PT and Carlson had a 155 for a total between the two of them of 469 minutes. Fasano played almost all the minutes available while Carlson played about 1/2 of the offenses total minutes. In '09 Rudolph missed 2 complete games and part of a third and still played 276 minutes. Ragone added 159 minutes. The third TE Burger had 53 minutes and Eifert 3. Because of Rudolph's and Eifert injuries Romine and some other OLs also lined up at TE. Rudolph's and Ragone's combined PT was 425 minutes and with Burger's 54 they totalled 488 surpassing Fasano and Carlson in '05.
The PT demonstrates that Weis used a lot of multiple TE sets.
However due to the chronic struggles of the OLine under Weis the TEs were often needed to stay in as blockers and so weren't as effective as a passing catching weapon as they could have been. Some times they just dug in next to an OT, frequently they were sent in motion to chip block on the inside or for the opposing tackle. In '06 Carlson caught 47 passes for 634 yds in '07 with no Quinn, Walker, a pair of 1000 yd WRs, and 3 OLs, Carlson caught 40 ball but for only 379 yds. Carlson's productivity dropped about 4 ypc. IIt wasn't increased coverage so much as less time for the QB to find a reciever downfield. Go back and look at '07 film and you'll see Carlson in pass protection more than in '06 and running shorter routes.
One of the shortcoming in the use of those TEs TD production particularly in the redzone. Fasano and Carlson scored 8 career TDs each. Rudolph has 5 to date.
Weis liked to go to WRs down near the goal line and had a poor running game. I never understood pulling 6-6, 250 pound guys with hands for a 6-1 or 6-3 WR where there was no deep field to stretch. Put in the beef, pound the running plays, and slide a TE or two out on a delay. Doesn't matter who's covering them they're giving up a bunch of inches and have to get around all that girth. Meanwhile you get rid of the finesse blocking at the goal line which Weis/Latina employed.
We joked around the other day about running a 5 wide TE offense. It's not as silly as it sounds when you consider the caliber of ND's TEs. Yes the purpose of the Spread is to stretch out the field horizonately. Would you like to cover Rudolph, Ragone, Eifert, Burger, and Welch with 5-9, 180 pound corners or have a backer try to go step for step with Rudolph, Ragone, and Eifert in the open field?
It's not your conventional spread but think about defensive backs running with their tongues hanging out keeping up with Floyd, Kamara, Jones, Evans, Walker, and Goodman as they march down the field. Now inside the 20 instead of the fleeted footed ones Kelly throws out over 3 tons of muscule averaging over 6-5 for them to cover. Send them downfield and while they're trying to figure out who covers who, Crist runs a QB draw. The next time he pulls up ala Tebow and he'll have a couple of guys wide open. Or those 5 big bodies block down on their men and Crist strolls around the end untouched. I love the possibilities.
