Post Game Observations...

[kmoose]

1. It's starting to feel like last year, all over again. A great opener that inspires hope and confidence, and a heartbreaking week 2 loss, in a very close game, to Michigan. I'm still holding on to the hope that we will turn a corner, though, this season.

2. We have NO depth at QB.

3. The defense is still pretty average: able to make a few stops, here and there, but still not able to get it done when the game is on the line. Denard Robinson ran for 258, and threw for 244.

4. Kelly got greedy, in not kicking the FG at the end of the half. It came back to bite us in the ass. On the last series, instead of needing a FG to win it, we needed a TD. That last Hail Mary (and an ugly one it was) would instead have been a long FG attempt. It would have been a much higher percentage play.

5. Carlo Calabrese looks like he knows the LB position. He seems to always be in a good position to make a play, and makes the play more often than not.

6. Our blitzes are much more effective, this year. I'm at a loss about how to explain this. I don't believe that it was all Tenuta. The guy has been a great defensive coach, everywhere he has been. But it certainly seems like we put pressure on the QB, this year, when we blitz.

7. Our Safeties are pretty average. Not bad, but simply average. They don't make a lot of plays in "centerfield", and they seem to be unable to get to the outside on time, in Cover 2.

8. The O-line struggled pretty mightily, in the first half. They played much better in the second half.

9. People need to STFU about Kelly being a bad coach. He's going to make mistakes. It's ok to point those mistakes out, but quit bitching about what an idiot he is, just because he made a mistake.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I just can't see how this feels like last year at all.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I agree on some points...h owever this year and last year....not close in my eyes.

 

[NDOM]

1. It's starting to feel like last year, all over again. A great opener that inspires hope and confidence, and a heartbreaking week 2 loss, in a very close game, to Michigan. I'm still holding on to the hope that we will turn a corner, though, this season.

2. We have NO depth at QB.

3. The defense is still pretty average: able to make a few stops, here and there, but still not able to get it done when the game is on the line. Denard Robinson ran for 258, and threw for 244.

4. Kelly got greedy, in not kicking the FG at the end of the half. It came back to bite us in the ass. On the last series, instead of needing a FG to win it, we needed a TD. That last Hail Mary (and an ugly one it was) would instead have been a long FG attempt. It would have been a much higher percentage play.

5. Carlo Calabrese looks like he knows the LB position. He seems to always be in a good position to make a play, and makes the play more often than not.

6. Our blitzes are much more effective, this year. I'm at a loss about how to explain this. I don't believe that it was all Tenuta. The guy has been a great defensive coach, everywhere he has been. But it certainly seems like we put pressure on the QB, this year, when we blitz.

7. Our Safeties are pretty average. Not bad, but simply average. They don't make a lot of plays in "centerfield", and they seem to be unable to get to the outside on time, in Cover 2.

8. The O-line struggled pretty mightily, in the first half. They played much better in the second half.

9. People need to STFU about Kelly being a bad coach. He's going to make mistakes. It's ok to point those mistakes out, but quit bitching about what an idiot he is, just because he made a mistake.

I concur with that. Notice how NDOM didnt or has NOT said anything negative from the loss? I'm a new man now. Wanna be friends again kmoose? LOL

 

[phork]

So far from last year....

 

[kmoose]

I concur with that. Notice how NDOM didnt or has NOT said anything negative from the loss? I'm a new man now. Wanna be friends again kmoose? LOL

That doesn't change the fact that you openly posted about rooting AGAINST ND, during the game, last year....... But it's a start. Keep it up and you might crack the two-deep.

 

[DirtySecret]

Red zone offensive playing is still ify..

 

[Junkhead]

I concur with that. Notice how NDOM didnt or has NOT said anything negative from the loss? I'm a new man now. Wanna be friends again kmoose? LOL

The new NDOM light is much better.

 

[NDOM]

That doesn't change the fact that you openly posted about rooting AGAINST ND, during the game, last year....... But it's a start. Keep it up and you might crack the two-deep.

I know but I think alot of people were just so we could get rid of that terrible terrible coach we had. I guess I will try harder to get the starter roll.

 

[kmoose]

Red zone offensive playing is still ify..

We don't run the ball WELL. We CAN run, but we don't seem to be able to impose our will on teams yet. Once the coaches get that figured out, the defenses, in the red zone, will be much more predictable. When that happens, I expect that ND will be a red zone TD machine.

 

[DirtySecret]

Look on the positive side.. Facebook comment

DaVaris Daniels T.J. did his thing too

 

[Riddickulous]

1. Dayne Crist is the single most important player on this team. He's not yet an elite QB, but he is fairly good and remarkably important to this football team. His accuracy downfield is still garbage. He has a great arm and is an outstanding leader.

2. Armando Allen ran hard. Good game from him.

3. Cierre Wood had no room to run.

4. Jonas? Good game. He made two good plays on both plays he saw the field.

5. Michael Floyd was a huge disappointment. I may be coming down too hard on him, but he did not show up to play today. Two drops and only two grabs up until that last drive where he had 200 yard cushions.

6. Theo Riddick is not a receiver, right now. He's a disappointment. He needs a year. Put Jones in the slot and get Kamara on the field.

7. Jones was lucky to get away with what he did. Aside from that, he turned out a pretty good performance.

8. Kyle Rudolph is the best tight end in the country. There were complaints about his speed last week. That went out the window.

9. The offensive line looked good in pass protection. Run blocking could have been much better, especially in the first half where we were stuffed on every damn play.

10. Too many holes from the defensive line.

11. Carlo Calabrese is a damn good football player. Kid is an animal.

12. Speaking of animals, Manti is awesome.

13. Okay game from the linebackers.

14. Darrin Walls gave way too large of a cushion on most plays. Bad day.

15. Did not hear Gray's name called. That must mean he had a good day.

16. Safeties were decent.

17. Our backups are terrible. Montana was a walk-on for a reason. That interception he forced to Floyd was AWFUL. Rees is a freshman and looked like it.

18. How about Eifert on the snag over the middle?

 

[Dizzyphil]

I just can't see how this feels like last year at all.

Nor do I.

Read if you will, blast if you must.....

Should we have taken the field goal at the end of the first half, many opinions -- mine; yes.

Crist gets hurt and we put the ball in the hands of a true freshman, can't drink a beer, but put in the position to produce in probably THE most hostile football environment of all college football - in front of millions of eyes, attitudes, and opinions.

Who, be truthful, thought the pedigree of Montana would take us further? He didn't, so we lack a solid back-up until Kelly and the coaches can find one. Finding one in practice as opposed to an in-game situation will be very tough.

Do we automatically expect someone to be perfect because they play for ND as a freshman??? Last week some were blasting Manti for not wrapping up and making tackles.... today he played like a true champion.

-Our defense: complete 180 from last year
-Our special teams: won the battle vs theirs
-Our offense: completely new and actually does much better than that of last year

We have many young players and a lot of folks expected an 8-4/9-3 year with a solid bowl bid....

Michigan, Pittsburgh, and USC were all expected to be very tough and good games 3 to 5 weeks ago...(I expect to win every game as a fan, as a realistic fan - I take the loss as a fan as well and don't cry about it.... at least after the first 5 minutes of the games end )

I hate the loss, I see progress, I see a bunch of kids learning Kelly's programming and ways, along with solid coaching.

Michigan did not beat us bad, they have a huge threat at QB and he will be the front runner for the Heisman this year without a doubt if he stays healthy. Geez, look at his 2 game stats.

Overall, I'm happy about the progress, saddened by the loss, grateful that everyone left somewhat healthy.

Diz

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

DizzyPhil....IS NOT dizzy. Agree buddy...

 

[Junkhead]

His accuracy downfield is still garbage. He has a great arm

Which one is it?

 

[IrishinSyria]

Question on the flea-flicker.

I don't mind the call. But why the hell have the throw be a mid-distance crossing route???? I get the idea...freshman qb in, hand it off like we have no faith in his arm and then BOOM! Flea-flicker. But for that to work you've got to have him throw it DEEP. Run a crossing route and all the flea flicker does is force him to focus on getting the ball back instead of reading the field.

 

[Dizzyphil]

p.s....... If the recruits today at the game have any inclination of where Kelly is going to take this team in the future... We will have some great guys coming in....

p.s.s.... Thanks NDFANnSouthWest

 

[Dizzyphil]

Question on the flea-flicker.

I don't mind the call. But why the hell have the throw be a mid-distance crossing route???? I get the idea...freshman qb in, hand it off like we have no faith in his arm and then BOOM! Flea-flicker. But for that to work you've got to have him throw it DEEP. Run a crossing route and all the flea flicker does is force him to focus on getting the ball back instead of reading the field.

Same thought my friend but, If he makes a good toss and gain - great trick play??!!!??!!

But..hindsight wins everytime.....

 

[Riddickulous]

Which one is it?

You can still have a great arm and overthrow the football. He has great zip.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

What i dont understand...you put in a 18 yo...do a flee flicker...and have him throw a crossing route. A very very precise rout that takes time to develop timing....if you look at it (the play)- was not off by much. Tough place to but a youngster....

 

[phgreek]

1. It's starting to feel like last year, all over again. A great opener that inspires hope and confidence, and a heartbreaking week 2 loss, in a very close game, to Michigan. I'm still holding on to the hope that we will turn a corner, though, this season. .

I can see the comparison by way of outcome, and similarity in some things (down to AA slipping out of bounds on a breakaway)...but the feel to me is way different...a team finding their identity Vs a team underachieving is my characerization

2. We have NO depth at QB.

Yea....that one actually frustrates me alot...I expected more from our 2s...that was pretty far from next man in...thats gotta get better...

3. The defense is still pretty average: able to make a few stops, here and there, but still not able to get it done when the game is on the line. Denard Robinson ran for 258, and threw for 244.

Tough one...gave up alot of yards, but spent a ton of time on the field in bad situations...to give up 28 in this scenario...pretty tough

4. Kelly got greedy, in not kicking the FG at the end of the half. It came back to bite us in the ass. On the last series, instead of needing a FG to win it, we needed a TD. That last Hail Mary (and an ugly one it was) would instead have been a long FG attempt. It would have been a much higher percentage play..

Man...I gotta disagree...say he does. Does the game play out as it did in the second half...does Kelly call the same play from his own endzone being down 1? Does DC attempt that throw being down only 1? I don't know partner thats a huge leap in logic. If that happens the series before the hail mary to the freaking band...I'm with you.

5. Carlo Calabrese looks like he knows the LB position. He seems to always be in a good position to make a play, and makes the play more often than not.

...agree...I think he keeps getting better as the year goes on...

6. Our blitzes are much more effective, this year. I'm at a loss about how to explain this. I don't believe that it was all Tenuta. The guy has been a great defensive coach, everywhere he has been. But it certainly seems like we put pressure on the QB, this year, when we blitz.

Agree...did pretty well...comfortable with the scheme...

7. Our Safeties are pretty average. Not bad, but simply average. They don't make a lot of plays in "centerfield", and they seem to be unable to get to the outside on time, in Cover 2.

agree...would down grade to below average...I don't think Robinson is a great passer...he missed some opportunities others will not...our safeties are good in run support, but they can't cover.

8. The O-line struggled pretty mightily, in the first half. They played much better in the second half.

yea...but the entire offense struggled...whatever that was I don't want to see it again...for sure

9. People need to STFU about Kelly being a bad coach. He's going to make mistakes. It's ok to point those mistakes out, but quit bitching about what an idiot he is, just because he made a mistake.

I don't know what mistake the guy made...put it this way...we win if our "go to" guys...Floyd, Rudolph, Teo, DC, AA make all the plays they had opportunities to make. We had pollenty of chances to win with the plays that were called...our boys did not execute as they should have (yes they all played well most of the game...but when we had a chance to take Mo...we gave it back..and it was lost at the hands of our "go to" guys).

As always Moose I like your analysis...always thoughtful and thought provoking...

 

[ACamp1900]

I'll just say this... last year everyone was saying (when we were 4-2) that this team is so much more this and that than the previous year when we started 4-2 and feel apart and that "no way that happens again"

well, guess what... two straight 6-6 teams is what we got... we are no better than 1-1 at this point... no better and no worse... we could go 11-1 we could go 1-11... 6-6 is most likely by ALL logic... and yes I do see the improvement...

 

[Brown]

What i dont understand...you put in a 18 yo...do a flee flicker...and have him throw a crossing route. A very very precise rout that takes time to develop timing....if you look at it (the play)- was not off by much. Tough place to but a youngster....

This is a good point and touches on what I believe to be Kelly's biggest mistake today:

You make the decision to go with Rees, and give him only a couple of series before yanking him for Montana. That just shows a lack of preparation/conviction. The coaching staff had all off season to determine who the 2nd QB would be. And you would think they would have more confidence in their decision and give Rees more than a couple of tries to move the offense.

Other than that, I don't really put much else on the coaching staff. I thought the game was called relatively well, and I thought the players were prepared. The coaching staff can only do so much, the rest is up to the players to execute.

 

[Junkhead]

You can still have a great arm and overthrow the football. He has great zip.

I was just bustin' his balls.

 

[Kak7304]

Plain and simple, if Crist doesn't get hurt we win. He was rolling through that first drive. The interception thrown by Rees set up a score and the lack of O forced our D to be on the field too long in the first half. Yes, I'm disappointed by the loss, but with the lack of QB depth right now, there's not much else that could have been expected. And I believe Kelly went for the TD at the end of the 1st half because he had no idea Crist would be back. It was the only offense we produced we Rees/Montana so he was trying to capitalize on that. I think if Crist were healthy or coming back for sure, Kelly would take the FG.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Crist played like its his second game at times. 3 series he tried to do WAY to much. The look on Kelly's face when he tried to force some throws said a lot. He had rudolph/allen a few times if he wouldve checked down. Floyd had a terrible game, he killed a few drives.

They were in a position to win, and the defense failed. We have 3 or 4 guys who can play at an elite level, the others are to slow. Luckily we aren't going to see a qb like that again

 

[Kak7304]

You make the decision to go with Rees, and give him only a couple of series before yanking him for Montana. That just shows a lack of preparation/conviction. The coaching staff had all off season to determine who the 2nd QB would be. And you would think they would have more confidence in their decision and give Rees more than a couple of tries to move the offense.

Rees was the best in practice. You just can't simulate that feeling of playing in front of 80,000 fans in practice. He is a freshmen and was just a bit overwhelmed. I also think he tried too hard to do too much and forced it a bit.

 

[jason_h537]

1) We dont have a back up QB
2) Dever had a pretty bad game
3) No Depth at D Line
4) Robinson is really good
5) Turnovers are gonna kill us PROTECT THE BALL
6) Dayne is not there yet, he can be great but he had some bad throws

Overall i feel bad for the D, they played well and kept us in the game alot, still have holes but they are clearly better coached. Need depth cuz they were tired in the 4th

 

[GreatGolson]

Yes i would like the "Blame it on Brian Kelly" thread closed, its one freaking game guys, he was gunna lose at some point, hes not God, we all know that, i still believe he is the guy, and you should too, i think next week we can go in to East Lansing and show some people who we really are, time to wipe off the tears, brush of the dirt, and move on to the next test.

 

[Pohaku]

It was a great game and once again I had to follow it via this game day board while at work. Thanks for the quick responses even though I had to read through the emotional ones hehe.

Obviously Dayne was the difference in this game. Disappointed that he got hurt so early but selfishness aside I'm glad he is ok. I look forward to how good the offense can be as Dayne gets experience but I'm worried how we struggle without him. Don't know whats wrong with Floyd but man is Kyle a beast. You just have a good feeling when he is out there.

The defense was great and I love it that we are seeing a lot of the kids making plays and not relying on just a few. Carlo and Manti are going to be special together. Did you see the player chat on UND when Carlo said Manti was his best friend? I think these two guys will compliment eachother on the field. Manti plays in space more I assume because of his speed but Carlo is pretty darn quick getting to the ball also. I enjoyed seeing Robinson seek out Te'o to give him props after the game.

Tough loss but I'm impressed by the improvements especially on defense. I never expected 2010 to be "THE" year but instead a development process. My excitement is really for 2011 because I truly believe that is the year this team will become complete on both sides of the ball.

Go Irish!