A Letter to Brian Kelly

[phork]

Dear Brian Kelly.

Warmest regards from the Great White North. It is evident to me that there is an issue with your players hands, and holding on to the ball. Please accept my idea of bringing back the tried and true method of using Stickum. Here is a picture for reference:

 

[McMeanass]

Think about this. Kelly's total record at ND 8-7 including a bowl game against Miami. He has tons of players returning and we are at 0-2. Is that acceptable? How do we look back at CW fired as head coach? Why was CW fired? his records at ND set him fired. It was not okay for CW. Okay for Kelly? I know the big difference between Kelly and CW is the defense.

Kelly's 8-7 record tells me it's not worth to fire CW. CW could get us about the same or maybe better. Kelly needs to clean up real fast or it will hurt the recruiting class next year. We have to win the rest of the season to send a strong message. He said we could go for a national championship this year, because he felt Notre Dame was much better than last year and ready to have an undefeated season then now we are at 0-2. Now Kelly is saying we are in the right direction and we will get better. Do we really trust his talk? I rather he don't talk about the team until he show the results first. If he wins this weekend and the next several games then he can say, "We are heading in a right direction. We will be a good football team". Then we will believe him. You can't say that if you are at 0-2 until you start winning first.

Brian Kelly is 8-7 largely with players that aren't his. Charlie didn't leave the cupboard completely bare, but he didn't do BK too many favors either.

We gave Charlie what, 5 years? And our repayment was the indignity of losing to Navy for the first time since 1963. Alum or not, Charlie was arrogant and cared far more about himself and his public perception than he did about the kids he was coaching. A pissing contest with Pete Carroll? Really, that's how low we've sunk? Charlie was fired for a lot of reasons and his record as a Notre Dame HFC was only one of them.

Do I trust his talk? I most certainly do. Look at the guy on the sideline. He genuinely cares about this football team, and more importantly, these kids. He gets as frustrated and angry as I do when they fail and as exultant as I do when they succeed (sorry shortsighted Irish fans - winning is only a part of that formula, and if BK gets a fair shake, we're going to do a lot of it). I want a passionate, proven head coach who knows how to build a "culture of winning" and Brian Kelly is all of those things.

As for "cleaning it up in a hurry" we're a year and 2 games into his tenure. Yeah, we're a tick above .500 in that time period. And you have to have an incredible lack of football sense to not be able to look at this team and see it's the best one we've fielded in years. We've already got several 5 star commits for next year and we landed a stellar recruiting class this year. And he's recruiting defense.

Take a shot off the inhaler. Come down off the cliff. This team passes the eye test, and they're going to get a lot better before it's all said and done.

 

[Kak7304]

I think Weis cared for his players as well. He was good at a lot of things but his downfall was his inability to run a complete program (I have always thought his disconnect with the strength and conditioning program was one of his biggest flaws.)

The largest problems with ND haven't been recruiting or schemes, but attitudes and doing the little things right. Kelly recognizes this and understands how to run a complete program rather than merely coaching a team. If it were simply X's and O's, ND would be fixed right now. The philosophical changes Kelly is trying to instill, however, will take some time.

 

[Rocket89]

Think about this. Kelly's total record at ND 8-7 including a bowl game against Miami. He has tons of players returning and we are at 0-2. Is that acceptable? How do we look back at CW fired as head coach? Why was CW fired? his records at ND set him fired. It was not okay for CW. Okay for Kelly? I know the big difference between Kelly and CW is the defense.

Kelly's 8-7 record tells me it's not worth to fire CW. CW could get us about the same or maybe better. Kelly needs to clean up real fast or it will hurt the recruiting class next year. We have to win the rest of the season to send a strong message. He said we could go for a national championship this year, because he felt Notre Dame was much better than last year and ready to have an undefeated season then now we are at 0-2. Now Kelly is saying we are in the right direction and we will get better. Do we really trust his talk? I rather he don't talk about the team until he show the results first. If he wins this weekend and the next several games then he can say, "We are heading in a right direction. We will be a good football team". Then we will believe him. You can't say that if you are at 0-2 until you start winning first.

This is a strange opinion.

1. We're so much stronger on both lines right now compared to the Weis years. This is a huge upward and long-term positive that will pay dividends under Kelly and never did under Weis.

2. This defense had one bad quarter (really just the pass defense and one player actually) but this will be the best D at Notre Dame in a very long time. Again, another very positive trend.

3. We're moving the ball as well as the Weis' teams ever did.

4. We're recruiting better and adding more pieces to help the defense.

5. Our running game was always below-average or worse with Weis. Suddenly, now Notre Dame has the best ground game its ever had in almost 10 years.

6. We haven't been absolutely molly-wopped, completely dominated, and destroyed by an opponent like Weis second year team was.

Should I go on?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

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I wasn't sure which thread to put this in, but I felt like doing some comparing. Granted, these are UC highlights, thus all the plays on the clip are exciting. However, two things I took from watching this is that we need more speed and more playmakers on both sides of the ball. I think the staff is doing a great job recruiting the kind of players we need to be successful within this system. Second, I caught myself saying over and over, "Tommy can't make that throw. Tommy can't scramble like that. We can't run that play with Tommy." I'm excited to get Golson on the field and see how much it changes this offense.

Edit: Theo should be studying Mardy Gilyard's play. Is there any reason Theo couldn't match that? I think BK had a plan in mind that included Theo being as involved in this offense/ST as Gilyard was. I hope Theo can break out this week.

 

[DCirishfan]

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I wasn't sure which thread to put this in, but I felt like doing some comparing. Granted, these are UC highlights, thus all the plays on the clip are exciting. However, two things I took from watching this is that we need more speed and more playmakers on both sides of the ball. I think the staff is doing a great job recruiting the kind of players we need to be successful within this system. Second, I caught myself saying over and over, "Tommy can't make that throw. Tommy can't scramble like that. We can't run that play with Tommy." I'm excited to get Golson on the field and see how much it changes this offense.

Edit: Theo should be studying Mardy Gilyard's play. Is there any reason Theo couldn't match that? I think BK had a plan in mind that included Theo being as involved in this offense/ST as Gilyard was. I hope Theo can break out this week.

Granted, these are UC highlights,

 

[DCirishfan]

This is a strange opinion.

1. We're so much stronger on both lines right now compared to the Weis years. This is a huge upward and long-term positive that will pay dividends under Kelly and never did under Weis.

2. This defense had one bad quarter (really just the pass defense and one player actually) but this will be the best D at Notre Dame in a very long time. Again, another very positive trend.

3. We're moving the ball as well as the Weis' teams ever did.

4. We're recruiting better and adding more pieces to help the defense.

5. Our running game was always below-average or worse with Weis. Suddenly, now Notre Dame has the best ground game its ever had in almost 10 years.

6. We haven't been absolutely molly-wopped, completely dominated, and destroyed by an opponent like Weis second year team was.

Should I go on?

Before I read some of the previous pages please someone please tell me that someone was not comparing us under BK to how woefully we played under CW? Please tell me that I am wrong PLEASE!

 

[ulukinatme]

I feel good about this team right now. Going into last year we were losing a good QB and WR, had a suspect defense, and a lot of question marks. This season we have an offense that can move the ball on anyone thusfar, a defense that has been fairly good aside from a head scratcher of a 4th in Ann Arbor, and a lot of phenominal defensive recruits rolling in for the first time in awhile. On top of that, we are noticeably better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, dominating even. As a result of controlling the line of scrimmage we are actually running the ball effectively (As oppose to our backs making their first cut in their own backfield), and we're shutting down the run well. Are we where we want to be right now? No, not at 1-2, but if this team continues to believe I think we have a good future with BK. At this point I think we need to stick with it and see how things shake out, it's just year 2.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

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I wasn't sure which thread to put this in, but I felt like doing some comparing. Granted, these are UC highlights, thus all the plays on the clip are exciting. However, two things I took from watching this is that we need more speed and more playmakers on both sides of the ball. I think the staff is doing a great job recruiting the kind of players we need to be successful within this system. Second, I caught myself saying over and over, "Tommy can't make that throw. Tommy can't scramble like that. We can't run that play with Tommy." I'm excited to get Golson on the field and see how much it changes this offense.

Edit: Theo should be studying Mardy Gilyard's play. Is there any reason Theo couldn't match that? I think BK had a plan in mind that included Theo being as involved in this offense/ST as Gilyard was. I hope Theo can break out this week.

Which throw couldnt Tommy make??

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Maybe I exaggerated when I said "over and over," but 3:37 for example. Tommy can't scramble/roll out of the pocket and make a throw of that distance, w/ that velocity. His arm strength has always been a concern. That throw had Everett Golson highlight video written all over it.

Also at 2:13 (eventhough it's not a pass) there's no way Tommy can run that play. I believe Dayne did against MSU w/ success. Tommy just doesn't have the wheels. Perhaps I've missed it, but has BK called that play even once since Tommy took over last year?

I'm not trying to hate on Tommy. I just think he holds back the offense too much. My honest opinion really doesn't mean much. It's just my opinion. I just know that UC had a very prolific offense under BK and I'm looking forward to seeing what Golson brings to the table in the future.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Maybe I exaggerated when I said "over and over," but 3:37 for example. Tommy can't scramble/roll out of the pocket and make a throw of that distance, w/ that velocity. His arm strength has always been a concern. That throw had Everett Golson highlight video written all over it.

It's true that Rees doesn't have Collaros' wheels are arm strength. But the wheels are secondary in BK's offense; the best QB he had at Cinci (Pike) was just as immobile as Rees. Also, Collaros' completion was 225/383 for 58.7% last year. Once Tommy cleans up the TOs, I'll take an immobile QB who throws 70% over a mobile QB who throws 58.7% any day.

Also at 2:13 (eventhough it's not a pass) there's no way Tommy can run that play. I believe Dayne did against MSU w/ success. Tommy just doesn't have the wheels. Perhaps I've missed it, but has BK called that play even once since Tommy took over last year?

That's a Zone Read. It's basically just an Outside Zone with the threat of a QB run attached. The QB read definitely makes it more effective, but it's not as if we're having trouble moving the ball on the ground. We run Outside Zone frequently and with great success.

 

[phork]

I firmly believe that the reason Dayne was listed as starter at the start of the year was the ability to run was greater than Rees. Now we know that the ability to see the field and audible at the line is greater than the ability to scramble. Rees is our guy.

Weis was fired for the same reason RR was fired, no defense. There hasn't been much wrong with our offense for years. And if you don't think Weis would still be here had he actually had a defense, then you are wrong. I hold no ill will to Weis, but for an offensive genius he was fired for his lack of defense.

Kelly said he needed to recruit defense because he can manufacture offense. That was certainly something that needed to be done.

 

[bigedefense]

Maybe I exaggerated when I said "over and over," but 3:37 for example. Tommy can't scramble/roll out of the pocket and make a throw of that distance, w/ that velocity. His arm strength has always been a concern. That throw had Everett Golson highlight video written all over it.

Also at 2:13 (eventhough it's not a pass) there's no way Tommy can run that play. I believe Dayne did against MSU w/ success. Tommy just doesn't have the wheels. Perhaps I've missed it, but has BK called that play even once since Tommy took over last year?

I'm not trying to hate on Tommy. I just think he holds back the offense too much. My honest opinion really doesn't mean much. It's just my opinion. I just know that UC had a very prolific offense under BK and I'm looking forward to seeing what Golson brings to the table in the future.

Really? Tommy is 5 and 1 as a starter. How much is he holding us back? There was no internet when Montana played, but I am going to say that there were people like you who were sayng that he was holding us back. He turned out to do OK as our QB, I think he even did ok after college in his career.

Tommy has that "it" factor that can't be measured. He has made some mistakes, but his mistakes are correctable. I do not see him holding our offense back at all. I see him leading the offense and making good decisions, for the most part. He is still early in his career, so that is to be expected. I am sure that Golson will be electrifying when he gets out there, but he has to be the leader on the field, not the load bearer, if we are to have sustained success. IMO.

 

[Old Man Mike]

The comparison between Pike and the Potential-Tommy is an apt one and we should relax a bit on ragging Tommy as to whether he can evolve into a star Kelly QB. His skill set is plenty good enough for the amazing Kelly system to thrive.

On the other hand, the understandable comment about preferring the really high percentage "immobile" passer to the lower percentage but highly mobile passer should have an asterisk beside it when it comes to Zach Collaros. He is an "It Guy" when it comes to ball. I'd be hard pressed to name many QBs in the whole country that I'd want running a college-level offense than Collaros.

 

[PANDFAN]

in looking at Tommy's stats this year i found something very incredible and think we have played decent teams thus far and not div 1aa teams like some others...he is throwing for close to 70% accuracy (#18)--ahead of Luck,Barkley he has thrown for more yards(#21) than cousins, kellen moore and has a better qb rating (#43) which he is ahead of Laundry jones, ej manuel(only listed him because they played 2 extremely cupcake games prior to OU)...when is the kid going to get some respect! yes he has turned the ball over which has been very costly!!!!! however he has only started 7 games!!! dare to compare his stats to anyone of the top QB's in the nation at their first 7 starts

 

[IrishLax]

Jimmy Clausen = 17 interceptions his second full year as a starter. That's ignoring the Year of the Sack.
Brady Quinn = 9 TDs to 15 INTs in his first year, 17 TDs to 10 INTs in his second year.

Yes, Tommy needs to cut down on the turnovers. He absolutely cannot keep turning the ball over 2 to 3 times a game. But for some reason it feels like he's been playing for so much longer than ~6 games. I don't think people should cut him slack, but I do think they should have measured expectations.

 

[IrishBoy]

When did he say we would be going undefeated? I must have missed the memo.

I made a mistake. I thought he said we would go for undefeated, but recently I found the article and he said it's possible Notre Dame go for national title this year. Just wanted to clarify.

See the link.

Kelly says national title 'absolutely' a possibility this season

 

[anarin]

We go in believing we can win every game. We know it's going to be difficult but I have never set my goals any lower than let's win of all our games.

yeeeaaaahhhh... thats just a coach setting the bar high.

 

[theclassickiller]

Yep. Guess who lost the game tonight...



Hint: it wasn't a player. Or Van Gorder.

 

[theclassickiller]

Hate to bring up a zombie thread, but this one hurts.


At this point is his career, with this much talent around him...

There's no excuse for Kelly to single-handedly lose games.

Night all...

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Hate to bring up a zombie thread, but this one hurts.


At this point is his career, with this much talent around him...

There's no excuse for Kelly to single-handedly lose games.

Night all...

Did he drop Crobs passes? Strip Chris Browns fumble at the 2 yd line? Whiff all the tackles??

He went for two and it should have been caught.. Stop with the "he list the game" crap.

There's a bunch of reasons we lost the game..

 

[Junkhead]

Yep. Guess who lost the game tonight...



Hint: it wasn't a player. Or Van Gorder.

Yeah, Kelly fumbled repeatedly. This thread now sucks.

 

[yankeeND]

All I can think of when I look at this thread is...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ujwm8YrEgI4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If you don't feel this way, you aren't 32 years old and don't remember how bad it's been since 1993, lol.

 

[JughedJones]

This old chestnut huh?

Good Grief. The team fought. That's due to coaching just as much as anything else.

Put this stupid thread to sleep.

 

[JughedJones]

Hate to bring up a zombie thread, but this one hurts.


At this point is his career, with this much talent around him...

There's no excuse for Kelly to single-handedly lose games.

Night all...

::Farts on thread::