'16 FL WR Kevin Stepherson (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

He might be available this week but not on the depth chart because he needs to work his way back. He could get mop up time then start getting real time next week. I hope this is the case at least.

I hope not. I hope he's shown more focus as the end of his suspension neared and he earns reps out of the gate.

 

[Free Manera]

I hope not. I hope he's shown more focus as the end of his suspension neared and he earns reps out of the gate.

You know Kelly isn't going to just hand him the spot back. The Kelly doghouse is like the pit in the Dark Knight Rises.

 

[NDohio]

You know Kelly isn't going to just hand him the spot back. The Kelly doghouse is like the pit in the Dark Knight Rises.

But do we know he was in the Kelly doghouse? Or was he in a different doghouse?

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

I'm not really concerned with him not being on the depth chart. If he is back, what motivation does Kelly have for putting him on it right away. He can use it to get Stepherson to practice hard if thats an issue, he doesn't risk pissing off the recievers that Stepherson would jump, he doesn't tip off Miami that our #2 reciever could be playing, and it would make the whole suspension thing even more obvious. I'd say lets see what our current offense can do, and if they can handle Miami let Stepherson get some late reps to get back in game speed and then really use him next week for UNC.

 

[dad4aa]

Some you guys on here run way too much with rumors. KJ is not in the doghouse. No need to speculate on why he isn't playing. Hopefully his time comes soon.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

But do we know he was in the Kelly doghouse? Or was he in a different doghouse?

I've already mentioned this...Kelly has been "saying" that Kevin needs to step-up on/off field...SOUNDS like he's in the doghouse, but might just be a forced suspension, and Kelly might actually be ecstatic to have him back (Tommy, Floyd, etc).

 

[Free Manera]

I've already mentioned this...Kelly has been "saying" that Kevin needs to step-up on/off field...SOUNDS like he's in the doghouse, but might just be a forced suspension, and Kelly might actually be ecstatic to have him back (Tommy, Floyd, etc).

I don't know bros, until proven otherwise I believe this is Stepherson

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/1386200BdhrAHK" width="480" height="211" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/film-batman-total-1386200BdhrAHK">via GIPHY</a></p>

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Don't see how he doesn't get some reps in this week we will need him for USC in 4 weeks

 

[BGIF]

Some you guys on here run way too much with rumors. KJ is not in the doghouse. No need to speculate on why he isn't playing. Hopefully his time comes soon.

^

 

[Redbar]

Had a dream Stephenson took a long pass to the house...just saying!

 

[KPENN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly says WR Kevin Stepherson will play but will be limited in action. Proud of progress he has made.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/913526570744246272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly lauds Kevin Stepherson’s grit. “He knew Notre Dame was a place that could change his life."</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/913526848751128576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[irishog77]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly says WR Kevin Stepherson will play but will be limited in action. Proud of progress he has made.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/913526570744246272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly lauds Kevin Stepherson’s grit. “He knew Notre Dame was a place that could change his life."</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/913526848751128576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What's the running tab on Kelly using the term, "grit" to describe a player or team this season? 90, 100?

 

[BGIF]

Proud of progress he has made.

Yet the "enquiring minds want to know" crowd are still convinced he was in Kelly's doghouse.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yet the "enquiring minds want to know" crowd are still convinced he was in Kelly's doghouse.

I thought he was as well but I also know Kelly likes to win and recognizes no one on the roster can replace what KS can do for the team. I'm guessing at least 5 targets against Miami. He'll only line-up for probably 15 plays but it'll still be worth it to let him give his double move a couple times then hit the jets.

 

[koonja]

If he playa 6 snaps you guys think that proves he's not in Kelly's dog house?

Players coming off of a suspension start day 1 all of the time.

 

[NDVirginia19]

If he playa 6 snaps you guys think that proves he's not in Kelly's dog house?

Players coming off of a suspension start day 1 all of the time.

Maybe the plan is to slowly bring him out so USC doesn't get a lot of film on him?

 

[koonja]

Maybe the plan is to slowly bring him out so USC doesn't get a lot of film on him?

I don't think not playing him much would be more beneficial for ND than actually letting him get reps and develop chemistry with BW, who he's never caught a game pass from.

 

[IrishLax]

I think he'll get 10-15 snaps tomorrow. Against UNC, I expect him to get 30+

 

[dad4aa]

I don't think not playing him much would be more beneficial for ND than actually letting him get reps and develop chemistry with BW, who he's never caught a game pass from.

This only makes sense if he runs his routes different in the games than he does in practice. Otherwise, the chemistry will be fine. It is developed over weeks and months of practice...not over 5 games

 

[koonja]

This only makes sense if he runs his routes different in the games than he does in practice. Otherwise, the chemistry will be fine. It is developed over weeks and months of practice...not over 5 games

You mean the practice reps he hasn't been getting?

Point is, were not saving him to surprise USC. They wouldn't be surprised, and the chemistry with WB is more important than the element of surprise.

 

[dad4aa]

You mean the practice reps he hasn't been getting?

Point is, were not saving him to surprise USC. They wouldn't be surprised, and the chemistry with WB is more important than the element of surprise.

Who said he hasn't been getting any reps? He worked with the ones and twos last week and this week.

 

[fightingirish26]

I think he'll get 10-15 snaps tomorrow. Against UNC, I expect him to get 30+

You had me thinking it was Friday all of a sudden lmao

 

[NDinBoston]

No one is perfect including KS. ESB has great "potential" but KS is the most productive "receiver" on the team IMHO. I think that will become clear in the next few weeks. It's the difference between an Athlete and a Receiver.

Claypool has to contribute or is a waste on offense (b/c of his potential on D). Therefore he needs reps to continue to reach his potential.

Cam Smith is a great blocker and experienced. His snaps will directly correlate to the "completeness" of the other WRs (blocking, route running, etc). Ideally, the younger WRs will step up and they won't need many reps from him.

Finke's floor is higher than most but his ceiling is not as high. Unfortunate but he may need to concede reps to KS and CC and become an occasional "must have play" guy.

I think this group of WRs will improve as much or more than any position group as the season progresses and be a significant strength by the final 3rd of the season. I think ESB and CC will benefit from the presence of KS.

Looking forward to hearing more about the effectiveness of Coach Alexander.

 

[KPENN]

If he playa 6 snaps you guys think that proves he's not in Kelly's dog house?

Players coming off of a suspension start day 1 all of the time.

No they don't. Lol. It's week 5, he hasn't played a game in about 10 months. He needs to build up conditioning. Not many coaches in this scenario would throw a player out there and expect them to play a full game.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think he'll get 10-15 snaps tomorrow. Against UNC, I expect him to get 30+

Yep. That's what I expect as well. I think his "attention to detail and traits" will continue to improve because his suspension is up and he can now earn more reps. Kelly will be glad to have him for the remainder of the schedule.

You don't hide speed, you let it run free.

 

[Luckylucci]

No one is perfect including KS. ESB has great "potential" but KS is the most productive "receiver" on the team IMHO. I think that will become clear in the next few weeks. It's the difference between an Athlete and a Receiver.
Claypool has to contribute or is a waste on offense (b/c of his potential on D). Therefore he needs reps to continue to reach his potential.

Cam Smith is a great blocker and experienced. His snaps will directly correlate to the "completeness" of the other WRs (blocking, route running, etc). Ideally, the younger WRs will step up and they won't need many reps from him.

Finke's floor is higher than most but his ceiling is not as high. Unfortunate but he may need to concede reps to KS and CC and become an occasional "must have play" guy.

I think this group of WRs will improve as much or more than any position group as the season progresses and be a significant strength by the final 3rd of the season. I think ESB and CC will benefit from the presence of KS.

Looking forward to hearing more about the effectiveness of Coach Alexander.

Sorry, but this is just factually not true. It's not even an opinion, ESB's (1,129 yds. 10 Td's) production is more than twice than that of KS's (462 yds. 5 td's). So you could say he has more potential, and that is an opinion, but saying he's more productive, is just ignoring reality.

Second part, the reason KS doesn't play more is because he's not a better Receiver. He is routinely dropping balls, running the wrong routes, lining up in the wrong spots, or doing things that a good Receiver does not do. Again, you could say that I believe he'll end up being better, or he has the potential to be better but none of what you said is currently happening.

 

[BGIF]

Sorry, but this is just factually not true. It's not even an opinion, ESB's (1,129 yds. 10 Td's) production is more than twice than that of KS's (462 yds. 5 td's). So you could say he has more potential, and that is an opinion, but saying he's more productive, is just ignoring reality.

Second part, the reason KS doesn't play more is because he's not a better Receiver. He is routinely dropping balls, running the wrong routes, lining up in the wrong spots, or doing things that a good Receiver does not do. Again, you could say that I believe he'll end up being better, or he has the potential to be better but none of what you said is currently happening.

Actually it is "factually" true.

NDinBoston wrote:

KS is the most productive "receiver" on the team IMHO.

You changed his operative word "productive" to "production" there is a difference.

The numbers you posted for ESB, 1129 yd/10TD, are actually over 3 seasons.

KS has 25 catches, 462 yds, 5 TDs in one season.

Throwing ESB's freshman year when he had 1 catch, 8 yds, 0 TDs gives him 70 catches
for 1121 yds and 10 TDs.


On a comparative basis,

ESB averages 16.0 y/catch and a TD every 7 catches.

KS averages 18.5 ypc and a TD every 5 catches.

Stepherson is more productive.

 

[Luckylucci]

Actually it is "factually" true.

NDinBoston wrote:


You changed his operative word "productive" to "production" there is a difference.

The numbers you posted for ESB, 1129 yd/10TD, are actually over 3 seasons.

KS has 25 catches, 462 yds, 5 TDs in one season.

Throwing ESB's freshman year when he had 1 catch, 8 yds, 0 TDs gives him 70 catches
for 1121 yds and 10 TDs.


On a comparative basis,

ESB averages 16.0 y/catch and a TD every 7 catches.

KS averages 18.5 ypc and a TD every 5 catches.

Stepherson is more productive.

I don't really care to get into this, but that is by far one of the more ridiculous things I've heard on this board. So, in 2013 Will Fuller was more "productive" than TJ Jones, because he recorded less rec., less yards, less td's, but averaged more YPC and had more TD's per catch? Haha, really. You can't possibly believe this?

 

[dwshade]

All I know is EQ is without question our #1 receiver and it's not even close. Hopefully KS can get it back together to become the #2 receiver that we very much need.

 

[NDinBoston]

I said IMHO because it's just that. I certainly would defer to those that know more about this than me.

BGIF was correct in my intentional use of the word productive vs production. Stepherson was a true freshman and only started 3 games last year. I don't have data to back it up but I think he was targeted a lot less than ESB. If I'm right, my point was that he appeared more productive IMHO based on the opportunities - and as a true freshman.

I've read the stuff about him dropping balls (and seen a few) and bad route running, which is why I commented about Coach Alexander. I just find it hard to believe you can't correct those errors which might just be freshman errors and lack of good HS coaching. Hopefully they're not simply focus issues that cannot be coached out of him.

Fuller dropped a lot of passes but speed is deadly. I think 25 catches for 462 yards and 5 TDs as a true freshman is pretty good.

I'm not trying to state facts - and didn't include any stats/facts in my first post - just my opinion. I think ESB will benefit from him being on the field as well. I think he probably did last year but that's just a guess. If KS cannot clean that stuff up this is all a moot point as he won't play much. But if he does and plays I think he adds a different dimension that could help BW, ESB, and the passing game a great deal. We'll see soon enough.