My Observations from South Bend today!!

[jonesman]

Was in South Bend area today on business, so stopped by the practice facility. Timing was perfect. The team was just preparing to go to practice. Here are my own personal tidbits.

Anthony McDonald looked pretty gimpy. I am going to be surprised if he is back in one week. He was wrapped and on crutches.

Ian Williams was in just shorts, but he shows no signs of any issues with his toe.

Kyle Rudolph was in shorts. Must be still taken it easy on that hammy. By the way, he is one well put together machine. He is a freakin stud!

Tyler Effiert is another Rudolph TE. He looks the part. In speaking with some media who have been watching practice, he appears to have Rudolph type skills and maybe more. Let's hope that back issue never returns.

Theo Riddick. I asked some questions regarding him and the media guys rave about his skills.

Dayne Crist looked like a big TE. He is physical looking QB. If his knee is 100%, some DB's are going to get run over when he takes off running. He is going to shed some DE's trying to sack him.

Kona Schwenke does not look like a freshman. He is solid dude.

I was curious about a couple dudes we thought we might see on the field. I asked about Deion Walker. This is a guy who I would love to see on the field. It appears that he is just not getting it done on the field.

It was pretty wild being right there watching all these guys. As everyone is chatting, Ara shows up. Immediately, it was like a silent reverence. He brings such a respect out in everyone.

I asked several guys about how they like dealing with Kelly vs Weis. In short, they all said it is night and day. Plus, several said you can see the respect and joy these kids get being around Kelly.

It was an AWESOME afternoon. Go IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[phork]

Nice summary, thanks!

 

[Rocket89]

Very cool.

Kelly said everyone should be healthy by next week so let's hope McDonald heals quickly.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Excellent work....some day I will get to South Bend....when my boys are a little older and can savor being Irish thru and thru.....

 

[tonyroberts4life]

Thanks for the outlook and for reassuring me that Rudolph is as big as everyone is saying. It seems as though this team has really been producing college footballs best T.E.'s the past 5 or 6 years.

 

[GreatGolson]

wow perfect timing AND the day ARA comes to practice, some guys have all the luck..

 

[Riddickulous]

Thanks for the outlook and for reassuring me that Rudolph is as big as everyone is saying. It seems as though this team has really been producing college footballs best T.E.'s the past 5 or 6 years.

I can see it in five or six years, the Pantheon of Irish tight ends:

Anthony Fasano
John Carlson
Kyle Rudolph
Tyler Eifert

Doesn't Eifert have four years of eligibility left? Wow, think about that for a moment.


Theo Riddick is going to be an explosive player. People will know his name.

 

[military_irish]

I can already see Riddick being the explosive player on this teams, I'm just glad he will be here for the next 2-3 years.

 

[KPENN]

I can see it in five or six years, the Pantheon of Irish tight ends:

Anthony Fasano
John Carlson
Kyle Rudolph
Tyler Eifert

Doesn't Eifert have four years of eligibility left? Wow, think about that for a moment.


Theo Riddick is going to be an explosive player. People will know his name.

Don't forget about Koyack

 

[Riddickulous]

Don't forget about Koyack

I didn't. He has not signed his LOI, so I'd rather not jinx him by declaring him one of the next great Notre Dame tight ends.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Thanx for the post!

I was curious about a couple dudes we thought we might see on the field. I asked about Deion Walker. This is a guy who I would love to see on the field. It appears that he is just not getting it done on the field.

I completely agree I wish Walker would live upto the hype he came in here from high school.

 

[Irish.Ca]

It'll be interesting to see Rudolph out of the wildcat, wonder if Eifert will get some of the same looks (at least at practise) as Kyle due to their similarities. Not heard much on Goodman, anyone else?

 

[FWIRISH]

Great post Jones. I bet you had one heck of a day!!!

 

[Big23Head]

Here's an update from Scout too. Note the Riddick and Walker observations, they fall in line with comments above:

Scout.com: August 19 Practice Report

 

[mick2]

dont forget Ragone! he is a freak! just been injury riddled i bet he plays a bigger role on the offense this year.

 

[jonesman]

I have always been one of Ragone's biggest supporters, but it appears he may be falling down the depth chart a little. I think his summer issue put him in the doghouse with Kelly a bit. Might take some effort to get out. This seemed to be the consensus with a couple folks I asked yesterday.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

One thing I always liked about Weis's first season was his use of 3 TE sets. We probably won't do that under Kelly, but it was one of the few times I thought ND had a "schematic advantage". Ironic that this year would probably be better for it.

 

[Big23Head]

Welch will be a solid TE too. We have plenty of talent there, just keep it coming.

 

[woolybug25]

I would have loved to see the battles between Lo Wood and Collinsworth (see scout article) in the blocking drill. From the sounds of the author, they were battling. Good to hear from the young guys.

Speaking of that drill. Whats up with Deion Walker? I thought that kid was going to become the next great ND reciever, but instead, he is getting used by anyone he faces in all of the drills?

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I'm worried about Deion....something must be up in his personal life...I hope shift gears here real soon...I think Kelly will motivate...

 

[irishtrain]

ARA

ARA

Nice touch with him attending practice-reverence-great word. Feels similar to 1964 to me. It really seems the players enjoy what there are doing.

 

[Irish_Angst]

I can see it in five or six years, the Pantheon of Irish tight ends:

Anthony Fasano
John Carlson
Kyle Rudolph
Tyler Eifert

Yes sir, good additions to the Irish legacy of excellent Tight Ends:

Ken MacAfee
Mark Bavaro
Dave Casper
Andy Heck
Irv Smith
Pete Holohan
Tony Hunter
Dan O'Leary
Monty Stickles
(I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of others)

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Nice post Jonesman! Take any pics while you were there?

 

[FWIRISH]

I have always been one of Ragone's biggest supporters, but it appears he may be falling down the depth chart a little. I think his summer issue put him in the doghouse with Kelly a bit. Might take some effort to get out. This seemed to be the consensus with a couple folks I asked yesterday.

I think you are correct here Jones. I remember looking on the chart before Ragone had his heat issue, and he was running with the 3's.
Mike is a fighter and I know he will step it up. We need he and Rudy healthy. As big a fan as I am of Eifert, I want these two on the field this year. A two tight end set with Rudy and either of the other 2 will be a very tough thing to deal with. especially when you have Floyd and Kamara heading out on patterns.

 

[Rocket89]

I think you are correct here Jones. I remember looking on the chart before Ragone had his heat issue, and he was running with the 3's.
Mike is a fighter and I know he will step it up. We need he and Rudy healthy. As big a fan as I am of Eifert, I want these two on the field this year. A two tight end set with Rudy and either of the other 2 will be a very tough thing to deal with. especially when you have Floyd and Kamara heading out on patterns.

I got the sense that Ragone was going to be suspended for the first game (I have no idea if this is true) but I thought that might explain why he was rolling with the three's in practice.

I still think Ragone will play a big part in the offense. We would have so many options out there with him at tight end and kicking Rudolph out wide. But you have to be excited about the praise Kelly is heaping on Eifert too...man that's crazy.

 

[Riddickulous]

dont forget Ragone! he is a freak! just been injury riddled i bet he plays a bigger role on the offense this year.

He's in the doghouse and the heat illness will definitely slow down his development.

From wide receiver vs. defensive back blocking drill:

"Theo Riddick dominates Barry Gallup (shoves him out of bounds)"

 

[FWIRISH]

I got the sense that Ragone was going to be suspended for the first game (I have no idea if this is true) but I thought that might explain why he was rolling with the three's in practice.

I still think Ragone will play a big part in the offense. We would have so many options out there with him at tight end and kicking Rudolph out wide. But you have to be excited about the praise Kelly is heaping on Eifert too...man that's crazy.

Agreed Rocket. Ragone is an animal on the field and plays with tremendous heart. Very strong runner as well. I am very excited about the things being said about Eifert. He has been working his ass off to gain the strength he needs to excell. Much more difficult to do when you are not allowed to do squats!
The talk is legit. Just before the season last year, CW and staff were going through evaluations deciding on who to save a year of playing time for. They quickly came to the conclusion there was no way they could keep him off the field.

 

[SoCalIrish]

Thanks for the update. Exciting stuff.

 

[Junkhead]

Ragone was a beast in the BG game, I'm sure there are plans for him, he has to pay his dues for getting in trouble at least.

 

[BGIF]

Yes sir, good additions to the Irish legacy of excellent Tight Ends:

Ken MacAfee
Mark Bavaro
Dave Casper
Andy Heck
Irv Smith
Pete Holohan
Tony Hunter
Dan O'Leary
Monty Stickles
(I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of others)

I'd start with Leon Hart. They didn't call him a TE in 1949 but at 6-4 245 he was big enough to be Heisman Winner today. Three year consensus All-American. ND was 36-02 when he stepped on the field.

Derek Brown was the top TE of the 80's. He and Dean Mastek each caught 60 balls in their careers and 900 yds. Mastek played opposite Pete Holohan who at 6-5 could have played TE but was used as FL. I'd also take Jabari Holloway over Dan O'Leary. Dan was good but Jabari better.

And there were other guys like Oscar McBride that were buried in the depth chart in a running offense but were selected in the NFL Draft.