phgreek
New member
- Messages
- 6,956
- Reaction score
- 433
OMG...that was funny
I'm reading along catching the typical vascilating wave from optimism to pessimism...and bam...one less penis...still laughing...nice work
What are your honest expectations for the rest of the season?
- Thread starter North Buffalo Irish
- Start date
OMG...that was funny
I'm reading along catching the typical vascilating wave from optimism to pessimism...and bam...one less penis...still laughing...nice work
irish mike59
Banned
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 14
11-2 somebody must be dreaming this team is not well prepared it commits to many penaltys and makes to many turnovers. teams that are prepared well do not give games away turning the ball over week after week. 7 turnovers in 2 games is to many. coach kelly has done a poor job preapring these kids the penaltys alone tell that maybe 7-4
Old Man Mike
Fast as Lightning!
- Messages
- 8,959
- Reaction score
- 6,451
Expectations on offense:
A). the O-Line will continue to be anywhere between good and great. They and a certain WR are the offensive strength and the best thing about this year's team generally. They ARE, however, much thinner than first expected, and we must pray for either more production from a few subs or, especially, no injuries.
B). because of the above and the talent of Wood and Gray, the running backs will continue to amass >100 yards rushing per game easily. We will outrush most if not all our opponents, as we have already done.
C). Michael Floyd will continue with All-American type production.
D). Tommy Rees will continue to produce very solid play and amass large yardage within the system. He'll still get picked once in a while, but will not personally have multiple poor plays in a row, which stop drives.
E). The other receivers will hopefully wake up and begin to better understand the subtleties of the route-running [particularly when to alter a route and "sit down"]. Rees understands that sort of nuance, trusts the system, and throws the ball according to time and route alteration. The receivers do not understand it that well. We probably could have used a special unofficial "getting to know me" QB/Receiver camp this summer.
F). Ruffer will now awake fully and be Ruffer of last year, and Kelly will call him more.
G). Hopefully Coach will sub in Toma more. Robbie is one of the few really tough-minded players in the skill positions, that we have. Daniels will ultimately play.
Bottomline offensively: this team will continue to rack up lots of yards and what should be sufficient points against almost anyone. The line will carry us as long as they can hold up physically. We, barring offensive boneheads, will be the superior offense on the field in every game with the possible exceptions of USC and Stanford.
A). the O-Line will continue to be anywhere between good and great. They and a certain WR are the offensive strength and the best thing about this year's team generally. They ARE, however, much thinner than first expected, and we must pray for either more production from a few subs or, especially, no injuries.
B). because of the above and the talent of Wood and Gray, the running backs will continue to amass >100 yards rushing per game easily. We will outrush most if not all our opponents, as we have already done.
C). Michael Floyd will continue with All-American type production.
D). Tommy Rees will continue to produce very solid play and amass large yardage within the system. He'll still get picked once in a while, but will not personally have multiple poor plays in a row, which stop drives.
E). The other receivers will hopefully wake up and begin to better understand the subtleties of the route-running [particularly when to alter a route and "sit down"]. Rees understands that sort of nuance, trusts the system, and throws the ball according to time and route alteration. The receivers do not understand it that well. We probably could have used a special unofficial "getting to know me" QB/Receiver camp this summer.
F). Ruffer will now awake fully and be Ruffer of last year, and Kelly will call him more.
G). Hopefully Coach will sub in Toma more. Robbie is one of the few really tough-minded players in the skill positions, that we have. Daniels will ultimately play.
Bottomline offensively: this team will continue to rack up lots of yards and what should be sufficient points against almost anyone. The line will carry us as long as they can hold up physically. We, barring offensive boneheads, will be the superior offense on the field in every game with the possible exceptions of USC and Stanford.
Old Man Mike
Fast as Lightning!
- Messages
- 8,959
- Reaction score
- 6,451
Expectations on defense:
A). "The fourth quarter will be ours": this was supposed to be true this season and a hidden part of the extreme optimism of the year. Although one could, barely, defend that for USFs game, the UofM game obliterated the idea. The concept was based upon three concepts: 1]. Longo Beach {we were to be better conditioned}...well maybe; 2]. greater depth {we were to be fresher}...nope, Diaco chickened out on playing time for the so-called depth; 3]. systematic advantage {the offensive pace was to wear the opposing defense down}...nope, Kelly can't quicken the pace yet, as many of the skill players seem not yet ready for that crispness. Result: the 4th quarter is not automatically ours and likely won't be anytime soon. This should gradually get better though as we go. Diaco MUST man up and play more of the depth.
B). D-Line is more competent at changing the line of scrimmage than last year. They disrupt most running plays. They DO NOT get to the passer in any reasonable time. Much of the extreme negativism about Gary Gray owes itself to plays where he was asked to cover WAY too long. KLM was particularly disruptive from the line-of-scrimmage to about two yards deep, and Louis Nix was All-American in that range. But without Lynch and Tuitt and Schwenke, no pass-rush there. Again, Diaco must man up and play the young guns more.
C). linebackers were mediocre to poor. Outside linebackers made almost no plays [one tackle each for Fleming and Shembo]. NO closing on plays at all. Situation is just terrible. I have no idea how we will solve it. Maybe Niklas and Councell can gradually get some time and show closing speed. Frankly, I'd move Shembo to Cat and give the two young guns and Spond the Dog; let Shembo rush the passer and hope the youngsters will close in space. I do not believe that will happen. Middle linebackers weren't much better, even Manti. Calabreese had one tackle. I believe that Diaco is designing very conservative defenses, which "work" for most everything but long-developing passing plays. He has got to re-think this a little.
D). I stand alone in thinking that our D-Backs have played well, giving what Diaco has asked of them. He has asked too much out of Gary that's for sure. He has abandoned, largely, the successful concept of Harrison playing real big-play-stopping safety as he did last year, and asking him to charge up on way too many plays --- taking him out of help, and hoping that he stops the running QB. This D-back group is pretty darn good, IF Diaco gives them some safety help, and the up-front rushes the passer. Maybe now that BJDaniels and DRobinson are out of our lives, Harrison can drop back to being the superb centerfielder that he is.
E). The defense even with the awkward changes and poor pass rush, still, in the main, "works". But it has room to grow significantly. Diaco HAS to call plays and player packages which confuse the opponent and create pressure. He's been WAY too conservative.
F). The talent seems to be there. Linebacking must improve all over the position. Even Manti had only five tackles against UofM. This should be a top-20 D. It's only top-60 now.
A). "The fourth quarter will be ours": this was supposed to be true this season and a hidden part of the extreme optimism of the year. Although one could, barely, defend that for USFs game, the UofM game obliterated the idea. The concept was based upon three concepts: 1]. Longo Beach {we were to be better conditioned}...well maybe; 2]. greater depth {we were to be fresher}...nope, Diaco chickened out on playing time for the so-called depth; 3]. systematic advantage {the offensive pace was to wear the opposing defense down}...nope, Kelly can't quicken the pace yet, as many of the skill players seem not yet ready for that crispness. Result: the 4th quarter is not automatically ours and likely won't be anytime soon. This should gradually get better though as we go. Diaco MUST man up and play more of the depth.
B). D-Line is more competent at changing the line of scrimmage than last year. They disrupt most running plays. They DO NOT get to the passer in any reasonable time. Much of the extreme negativism about Gary Gray owes itself to plays where he was asked to cover WAY too long. KLM was particularly disruptive from the line-of-scrimmage to about two yards deep, and Louis Nix was All-American in that range. But without Lynch and Tuitt and Schwenke, no pass-rush there. Again, Diaco must man up and play the young guns more.
C). linebackers were mediocre to poor. Outside linebackers made almost no plays [one tackle each for Fleming and Shembo]. NO closing on plays at all. Situation is just terrible. I have no idea how we will solve it. Maybe Niklas and Councell can gradually get some time and show closing speed. Frankly, I'd move Shembo to Cat and give the two young guns and Spond the Dog; let Shembo rush the passer and hope the youngsters will close in space. I do not believe that will happen. Middle linebackers weren't much better, even Manti. Calabreese had one tackle. I believe that Diaco is designing very conservative defenses, which "work" for most everything but long-developing passing plays. He has got to re-think this a little.
D). I stand alone in thinking that our D-Backs have played well, giving what Diaco has asked of them. He has asked too much out of Gary that's for sure. He has abandoned, largely, the successful concept of Harrison playing real big-play-stopping safety as he did last year, and asking him to charge up on way too many plays --- taking him out of help, and hoping that he stops the running QB. This D-back group is pretty darn good, IF Diaco gives them some safety help, and the up-front rushes the passer. Maybe now that BJDaniels and DRobinson are out of our lives, Harrison can drop back to being the superb centerfielder that he is.
E). The defense even with the awkward changes and poor pass rush, still, in the main, "works". But it has room to grow significantly. Diaco HAS to call plays and player packages which confuse the opponent and create pressure. He's been WAY too conservative.
F). The talent seems to be there. Linebacking must improve all over the position. Even Manti had only five tackles against UofM. This should be a top-20 D. It's only top-60 now.
Terry Hanratty ruled!
New member
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
9-3
Old Man Mike
Fast as Lightning!
- Messages
- 8,959
- Reaction score
- 6,451
Expectations otherwise:
A). Kickoff returning will breakout, maybe even big-time. We look to be right on the edge now. I believe that the blockers are about to gel. Sooner or later those guys are going to get it right. We DO have a LOT of athletes to throw into such situations, and that should produce pay-offs. Riddick will be the main threat. I believe that Collingsworth should be his sidekick---good hands, fast enough and smart, and tough enough to throw a block.
B). field goals should now be fine. Ruffer's first game miss should have focussed him.
C). Kick-offs will continue to be fine. Brindza can do the leg part and our pursuers are good at it, especially Collingsworth. We should have good coverage.
D). Punting is pretty horrendous, and it doesn't seem related to rush pressure. Who knows if Turk can fix his head or not. It is obvious that Kelly looks upon Brindza as just a desperation back-up, so we'll have to pray Turk becomes functional. This has been BAD. Way worse than last year.
E). Punt returning looks like it will not be solved, other than to get a guy in there [Goodman] who will at least catch the ball. My thought is why, if Robbie Toma is one of Kelly's acknowledged three "good hands" guys, he is not given a chance to return. He's a tough little character who knows how to run. I assume we'll be vanilla-boring on this all season, and maybe that's good enough.
F). Crazy crap. I've never watched a season begin with more crazy crap going on, and all against my team. I could almost believe that I'm living inside a Monad where a diabolical entity is testing me somehow. Since that hypothesis can't be true, I've got to assume that the crap will gradually be spread around statistically, and something will go our way once in a while.
Total bottomline: this team is very talented and can play... and in most ways is already playing. The main Achilles here [other than crazy crap] is the disappointment in play [against pass plays] of the defensive front seven. Unless linebacker play improves, and unless defensive scheme improves, the nation's good/dangerous QBs are going to mess us up. If Diaco cures at least some of that, then, barring a continuance of crazy crap, we will win most of our remaining games [and possibly all of them]. If Diaco does not improve that, we may lose most of our remaining games resulting in a season of infamy.
A). Kickoff returning will breakout, maybe even big-time. We look to be right on the edge now. I believe that the blockers are about to gel. Sooner or later those guys are going to get it right. We DO have a LOT of athletes to throw into such situations, and that should produce pay-offs. Riddick will be the main threat. I believe that Collingsworth should be his sidekick---good hands, fast enough and smart, and tough enough to throw a block.
B). field goals should now be fine. Ruffer's first game miss should have focussed him.
C). Kick-offs will continue to be fine. Brindza can do the leg part and our pursuers are good at it, especially Collingsworth. We should have good coverage.
D). Punting is pretty horrendous, and it doesn't seem related to rush pressure. Who knows if Turk can fix his head or not. It is obvious that Kelly looks upon Brindza as just a desperation back-up, so we'll have to pray Turk becomes functional. This has been BAD. Way worse than last year.
E). Punt returning looks like it will not be solved, other than to get a guy in there [Goodman] who will at least catch the ball. My thought is why, if Robbie Toma is one of Kelly's acknowledged three "good hands" guys, he is not given a chance to return. He's a tough little character who knows how to run. I assume we'll be vanilla-boring on this all season, and maybe that's good enough.
F). Crazy crap. I've never watched a season begin with more crazy crap going on, and all against my team. I could almost believe that I'm living inside a Monad where a diabolical entity is testing me somehow. Since that hypothesis can't be true, I've got to assume that the crap will gradually be spread around statistically, and something will go our way once in a while.
Total bottomline: this team is very talented and can play... and in most ways is already playing. The main Achilles here [other than crazy crap] is the disappointment in play [against pass plays] of the defensive front seven. Unless linebacker play improves, and unless defensive scheme improves, the nation's good/dangerous QBs are going to mess us up. If Diaco cures at least some of that, then, barring a continuance of crazy crap, we will win most of our remaining games [and possibly all of them]. If Diaco does not improve that, we may lose most of our remaining games resulting in a season of infamy.
Last edited:
NDFANnSouthWest
We are ND!
- Messages
- 4,806
- Reaction score
- 199
We need to put a complete game together. And I am not ONLY talking about rushing, throwing yards or D Stops-- i am talking about *mistake free football.
NO personal fouls
NO turnovers
*mistake - does not include great plays made by the opposition. Inherently football is a game of well executed plays that results in positive outcome.
NO personal fouls
NO turnovers
*mistake - does not include great plays made by the opposition. Inherently football is a game of well executed plays that results in positive outcome.
Sherm Sticky
The Prophet
- Messages
- 19,321
- Reaction score
- 1,638
Damn that's a hot pic.
Sherm Sticky
The Prophet
- Messages
- 19,321
- Reaction score
- 1,638
honestly probably 4-8...
Quarterback play is too inconsistent for us to finish much better than 7 and 5 this year.
Michigan State - Big Loss (by at least 20 points)
@ Pitt - Win
@ Purdue - Win
Air Force - Win
Bye
USC - Loss
Navy - Win (Maybe?)
@ Wake - Win
@ Maryland - Win
BC - Win
Stanford - Loss
We should reconsider the decision to not recruit a quarterback this year. Worst case scenario, Crist is not given a fifth year. Golson or Hendrix transfers. This leaves us with two quarterbacks for next season, one an untested redshirt freshman and the other a mediocre passer who can be expected to look great one play and throw a game-losing interception on the next. Rees, at best, is a stop gap. If he starts an entire season he'll throw 15-20 interceptions, and we've already proven we aren't good enough to overcome multiple turnovers.
Get the young quarterbacks some experience, and continue recruiting until we have consistency at the position.
Michigan State - Big Loss (by at least 20 points)
@ Pitt - Win
@ Purdue - Win
Air Force - Win
Bye
USC - Loss
Navy - Win (Maybe?)
@ Wake - Win
@ Maryland - Win
BC - Win
Stanford - Loss
We should reconsider the decision to not recruit a quarterback this year. Worst case scenario, Crist is not given a fifth year. Golson or Hendrix transfers. This leaves us with two quarterbacks for next season, one an untested redshirt freshman and the other a mediocre passer who can be expected to look great one play and throw a game-losing interception on the next. Rees, at best, is a stop gap. If he starts an entire season he'll throw 15-20 interceptions, and we've already proven we aren't good enough to overcome multiple turnovers.
Get the young quarterbacks some experience, and continue recruiting until we have consistency at the position.
G
Grahambo
Guest
Not sure why so many pick USC to beat ND. USC barely beat Minnesota and just squeaked by Utah. They are 98th in rushing and I think ND has difficulties against a rushing QB but will do great against the pocket passers.
Veer option
Anti sarcasm font
- Messages
- 3,338
- Reaction score
- 208
I predicted 9-4 at the beginning of the season and I am sticking to it.
DuffHouse12
New member
- Messages
- 233
- Reaction score
- 5
sometimes a win v. a loss means more than the score.
- Messages
- 16,041
- Reaction score
- 5,491
My first thoughts too. lol
irishgiles82
New member
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey everyone,
This is my first post and I probably still need to take a big deep breath after "absolutely snapping" the last couple Saturdays watching us beat ourselves but I still believe in the team. One thing was certain against South Florida and Michigan... nobody could stop Michael Floyd but we predictably went to him on a few occasions when we could have looked elsewhere for a play to keep their defenses guessing. Cierre has looked pretty decent except for the fumble and they should have been running it as much as possible when they were in the red zone specifically from 10 yards in.
From what I have seen, I feel that they can win every game if they protect the ball and play disciplined football from start to finish. This is probably a big IF but we still need to support them and remember that they flipped a switch last year so there is no reason they can't do it again now.
Just my two cents..
PS-Did anyone else notice on that pass interference call in the endzone when they said the ball would be spotted at the 2 and they spotted it at the 7 the other night?
This is my first post and I probably still need to take a big deep breath after "absolutely snapping" the last couple Saturdays watching us beat ourselves but I still believe in the team. One thing was certain against South Florida and Michigan... nobody could stop Michael Floyd but we predictably went to him on a few occasions when we could have looked elsewhere for a play to keep their defenses guessing. Cierre has looked pretty decent except for the fumble and they should have been running it as much as possible when they were in the red zone specifically from 10 yards in.
From what I have seen, I feel that they can win every game if they protect the ball and play disciplined football from start to finish. This is probably a big IF but we still need to support them and remember that they flipped a switch last year so there is no reason they can't do it again now.
Just my two cents..
PS-Did anyone else notice on that pass interference call in the endzone when they said the ball would be spotted at the 2 and they spotted it at the 7 the other night?
ACamp1900
Counting my ‘bet against ND’ winnings
- Messages
- 48,944
- Reaction score
- 11,225
I am frustrated like crazy because this team was clearly better than both USF and UM imo... and even more frustrated that we have now lost three straight to UM teams we should have no buisness losing to...
BUT, those who care to remember know I thought 0-2 was a eral possiblity... as well as 0-3....
So regardless my expectations have not changed... 8 wins.
BUT, those who care to remember know I thought 0-2 was a eral possiblity... as well as 0-3....
So regardless my expectations have not changed... 8 wins.
phork
Raining On Your Parade
- Messages
- 9,863
- Reaction score
- 1,019
I still expect a BCS game, with one caveat. Those mental mistakes don't haunt us the rest of the way. I am sure we can beat anyone if we play like we did in the first 3 quarters against UM.
Realistically Champs Sports is our destination at 9-3 all the way to 6-6.
Realistically Champs Sports is our destination at 9-3 all the way to 6-6.
The college football rule is 15 yds. The ball was snapped from the 22 yd line. Assess the 15 penalty (see rule below) and the line of scrimmage becomes the 7. The ref apparently misspoke, realized his error, and spotted the ball correctly. Herbstreit commented that the 2 yd line would have been a 20 yd foul. But apparently neither he nor Mussberger knew the rule to explain it.
Rule 7-3, Article 8, Section C Defensive Pass Interference, 3. 3. When a Team B player legally contacts an opponent before the pass is thrown
PENALTY—Team A’s ball at the spot of the foul, first down, if the foul occurs fewer than 15 yards beyond the previous spot. If the foul occurs 15 or more yards beyond the previous spot, Team A’s ball, first down, 15 yards from the previous spot [S33].
When the ball is snapped on or inside the Team B 17-yard line and outside the Team B two-yard line, and the spot of the foul is on or inside the two-yard line, the penalty from the previous spot shall place the ball at the two-yard line, first down
Sherm Sticky
The Prophet
- Messages
- 19,321
- Reaction score
- 1,638
I'm saying the NCAA needs to change that rule to a spot foul. Floyd would have had a TD on that drive if the DB didn't grab him. Instead of being a spot foul of 30 yards +, it was only a 15 yard penatly.
irishgiles82
New member
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Thank you for the clarification of the rule BGIF... I didn't clue into that at all the other night!!
phork
Raining On Your Parade
- Messages
- 9,863
- Reaction score
- 1,019
Pass interference should never be a spot foul unless its within the 15 yards. That is one reason why college is better than the NFL.
You can make all the excuses about the refs, or whatever you want. The fact of the matter is that this game was NDs to lose, and they did just that. 24-7 in the 4th quarter. THEY GAINED ABOUT 100 YARDS IN 3 QUARTERS. In 15 minutes something happened that I am still trying to figure out, something other than Gary Gray.
You can make all the excuses about the refs, or whatever you want. The fact of the matter is that this game was NDs to lose, and they did just that. 24-7 in the 4th quarter. THEY GAINED ABOUT 100 YARDS IN 3 QUARTERS. In 15 minutes something happened that I am still trying to figure out, something other than Gary Gray.
RDU Irish
Catholics vs. Cousins
- Messages
- 8,618
- Reaction score
- 2,716
My initial season prediction was 9-3 with a 2-2 start. I was completely undecided on which of the first four games would be losses but just felt we are two young and unproven to be strong enough out of the gates. Now I see we are better than expected but mental errors are destroying us. I expect the stupidity to subside and stick by my initial 9-3. I am inclined to think we beat USC and Stanford and the loss comes somewhere less expected.
GO IRISH!!!
Nashville Livin'!
- Messages
- 3,695
- Reaction score
- 428
My honest expectations? Drinking. Lots and lots of drinking.
irish4ever
Well-known member
- Messages
- 3,792
- Reaction score
- 896
Doubtful! Very little IF any chance of beating Standford in Cali. and I'm certain that we haven't seen the last of the Irish turnover prone games (there is bound to be another one or two of those). My honest GUESS would be 8-4 at best, but probably 7-5.
Neither Rockne, Leahy, Parshegian, Devine, or Holtz ever achieved mistake free football at ND. I agree excellence is an objective but in over 100 years of ND football (1184 games) I believe it's only been done once and incredibly that was under bumbling Bob Davie.
Your "*mistake" is a major point frequently overlooked by partisan fans, especially after a loss. The other team do have talent and are supposed to execute plays too. Sometimes they do it better. ND has dominated in 70 - 80% of both of these games. The few times the other team did execute plus the ND turnovers, penalties, and gaffes resulted in major gains.
Contrary to the gist of about 1000 posts since the UM game, ND doesn't need to fire Kelly, start Golson, bench Gray, go to a power offense, or other radical change. ND simply needs to make one or two less turnovers a game on offense. Make one or two less gaffes on defense. Hopefully the fortuitous bounces the football has taken taken on interceptions and fumbles will even out on it's own.
nlroma1o
Well-known member
- Messages
- 2,077
- Reaction score
- 95
We are talking about honest expectations? Or predictions? Some of these posts sound like predictions to be honest...
I expect this team to compete and play at the high level we all know they are capable of. I expect this team to fight to the end of every single down of football. I expect this team to turn this season around and win out. I expect this team to prove everyone in this entire country who doesnt beleive in them wrong. Thats what I expect. Im just as pissed and tired of seeing this team loose as everyone else. My heart has been ripped out and stepped on for years now just like all of you. But i still beleive in them! Dont give up on them already DAMMMMMIT!!! Sick of people saying our season is over. Trust me losing to scUM on saturday was the hardest f'n pill ive had to swallow in a long time! I have to listen to my girlfriend gloat and bask in her victory for another f'n year. I still love this team. And i still think they can prove people wrong this year.
And all of you doubting Kelly Im calling you out! Stfu or get out! 2 games where YOUNG players made mistakes does NOT mean we need to f'n give up! The time is comming. We will be back on top.
Go Irish!!!
And F all u non beleivers!!
I expect this team to compete and play at the high level we all know they are capable of. I expect this team to fight to the end of every single down of football. I expect this team to turn this season around and win out. I expect this team to prove everyone in this entire country who doesnt beleive in them wrong. Thats what I expect. Im just as pissed and tired of seeing this team loose as everyone else. My heart has been ripped out and stepped on for years now just like all of you. But i still beleive in them! Dont give up on them already DAMMMMMIT!!! Sick of people saying our season is over. Trust me losing to scUM on saturday was the hardest f'n pill ive had to swallow in a long time! I have to listen to my girlfriend gloat and bask in her victory for another f'n year. I still love this team. And i still think they can prove people wrong this year.
And all of you doubting Kelly Im calling you out! Stfu or get out! 2 games where YOUNG players made mistakes does NOT mean we need to f'n give up! The time is comming. We will be back on top.
Go Irish!!!
And F all u non beleivers!!
Sherm Sticky
The Prophet
- Messages
- 19,321
- Reaction score
- 1,638
I'm not making excuses about the refs or what not. I think the refs had a pretty good game on Saturday night.
But, I completely disagree with you. I think the NFL pass interference is better and makes more sense than the college rule.