'18 FL WR Kevin Austin (Notre Dame Signee)

[Irish#1]

Not sure I get your point? Tua was 22-34 for 295 yds. and 2 TD’s. With 8.7 yds/att. Not sure how much more offense was on the field than that.

1,000 yards of offense doesn't mean squat if you can't cross the goal line. There's validity to both points but to put this one completely on the O-line or Book is being short-sighted.

 

[NDohio]

I don't think Book's long ball will improve with faster receivers. A majority of his long ball misses were short of the receiver and they had to try to come back to the ball. Faster receivers will not improve that. I think Book starts at the beginning of the season, but I don't expect his long ball to get any better.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Will it be a concerned in 2019 when Kyle Hamilton our Stud Safety has a better long ball than our Starting QB?

 

[koonja]

A lot of offense left on the field with clean pockets and WR’s with separation, that’s all.

I just read the ISD piece Lucci is referring to. Yes, Book missed too many 1:1 opportunities down field when our WRs had their guy beat. We're talking touchdowns in at least 2 cases, and big plays for the others.

 

[NDIrish88]

I just read the ISD piece Lucci is referring to. Yes, Book missed too many 1:1 opportunities down field when our WRs had their guy beat. We're talking touchdowns in at least 2 cases, and big plays for the others.

Link?

 

[koonja]

Link?

https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/8425/film-dont-lie-almost-doesnt-count/1

 

[NDdomer2]

To anybody that thinks this is true, I’d suggest trying to watch an All-22. Or just read ISD’s breakdown where they highlight some of it.

links my man? or is it all premium content?

 

[ulukinatme]

I wouldn't worry about getting speed at WR while we're having troubles with pass protection. Not sure if it's just Quinn or some say it's Book's awareness, but we have to shore up the pass blocking if you want to hit long passes to speedy WRs. Kizer had all day back in the day to allow Fuller to get down the field, but now we need a quick passing attack to negate the pass rush.

 

[NDVirginia19]

links my man? or is it all premium content?

it's premium

 

[lcaps20]

I just read the ISD piece Lucci is referring to. Yes, Book missed too many 1:1 opportunities down field when our WRs had their guy beat. We're talking touchdowns in at least 2 cases, and big plays for the others.

Without getting to far into it and stepping on any premium content I thought this article did a fantastic job of backing up what a lot of ND players and coaches were saying. The team didn't feel like they were overmatched or didn't belong on the field (2012), but that they missed a few opportunities to truly put the pressure on Clemson and make this a game. Really really good breakdown from Jamie.

 

[Irish#1]

I wouldn't worry about getting speed at WR while we're having troubles with pass protection. Not sure if it's just Quinn or some say it's Book's awareness, but we have to shore up the pass blocking if you want to hit long passes to speedy WRs. Kizer had all day back in the day to allow Fuller to get down the field, but now we need a quick passing attack to negate the pass rush.

It's a combination of Book and the O-line. This year Book didn't have time to go deep very often, but that's not his strength anyway. Give him time and speedy receivers, his arm still isn't strong enough to go deep with speed on the ball. His ball is losing some steam giving DB's the opportunity to close. Another year in S&C will help that some, but not much. This was his first year. He's now seen some disguised defenses that he never saw before. I do expect his play to improve considerably next year. Just don't expect him to go deep with authority.

 

[Irish YJ]

It's a combination of Book and the O-line. This year Book didn't have time to go deep very often, but that's not his strength anyway. Give him time and speedy receivers, his arm still isn't strong enough to go deep with speed on the ball. His ball is losing some steam giving DB's the opportunity to close. Another year in S&C will help that some, but not much. This was his first year. He's now seen some disguised defenses that he never saw before. I do expect his play to improve considerably next year. Just don't expect him to go deep with authority.

Yup.

I don't expect him to become "Long Ball Ian", but I do expect him to improve a decent amount.

Here's my line of thinking.

1. Book didn't get 1st team reps till he was inserted game 4.
2. BW lived on running and 50/50 balls.
3. WR at the time were their to maximize #2. Safe and sure handed, but slow.
4. The speed that we did have, was primarily in the freshman class, or moved to RB.
5. OL was (and is) subpar.
6. Offensive production (lack of) due to 2, 3, and 5 were the reasons the change to Book was made.
7. Book inherited 3 and 5. O scheme became dink/dunk because of it.
8. Book was likely coached to run if read 1 (ISD said this too), or maybe 1-2 weren't available at a good portion of times. The long ball was likely read 3, which was de-prioritized due to the run coaching.

In short, Book had very little time to build chemistry, and what time he did have, was with slower WRs. When speed was inserted (Austin/Young), we saw good things. Austin couldn't keep out of the dog house, and not sure why Young didn't get more time (likely for the safer and more experienced Claypool).

It's like asking a green second string surgeon who has only worked with semi sharp blades to deliver laser-like surgery performance with the same blades. Not going to happen. Book needs to trust the OL more, but the OL needs to inspire trust at the same time. Book doesn't have to have a rocket arm to improve at longer throws if the OL is holding and he has guys getting more separation. It's simply a matter of timing and chemistry. This is not a case of BW trying to learn to be accurate like last year.

At the end of the day, we shall see come next year. I wouldn't be shocked if Book improves a bunch, and I wouldn't be shocked if PJ becomes the man. Either way, if the OL sucks again, neither will be great at the long ball. Regardless, we should have WRs that can at least get more separation assuming the younger guys step up and are given a chance by BK.

 

[Irish#1]

Yup.

I don't expect him to become "Long Ball Ian", but I do expect him to improve a decent amount.

Here's my line of thinking.

1. Book didn't get 1st team reps till he was inserted game 4.
2. BW lived on running and 50/50 balls.
3. WR at the time were their to maximize #2. Safe and sure handed, but slow.
4. The speed that we did have, was primarily in the freshman class, or moved to RB.
5. OL was (and is) subpar.
6. Offensive production (lack of) due to 2, 3, and 5 were the reasons the change to Book was made.
7. Book inherited 3 and 5. O scheme became dink/dunk because of it.
8. Book was likely coached to run if read 1 (ISD said this too), or maybe 1-2 weren't available at a good portion of times. The long ball was likely read 3, which was de-prioritized due to the run coaching.

In short, Book had very little time to build chemistry, and what time he did have, was with slower WRs. When speed was inserted (Austin/Young), we saw good things. Austin couldn't keep out of the dog house, and not sure why Young didn't get more time (likely for the safer and more experienced Claypool).

It's like asking a green second string surgeon who has only worked with semi sharp blades to deliver laser-like surgery performance with the same blades. Not going to happen. Book needs to trust the OL more, but the OL needs to inspire trust at the same time. Book doesn't have to have a rocket arm to improve at longer throws if the OL is holding and he has guys getting more separation. It's simply a matter of timing and chemistry. This is not a case of BW trying to learn to be accurate like last year.

At the end of the day, we shall see come next year. I wouldn't be shocked if Book improves a bunch, and I wouldn't be shocked if PJ becomes the man. Either way, if the OL sucks again, neither will be great at the long ball. Regardless, we should have WRs that can at least get more separation assuming the younger guys step up and are given a chance by BK.

As far as the young receivers, it may just be a maturity thing they have to learn. I'm not saying they are bad kids, but more from learning how to practice hard day in and day out. Especially when learning how to block or working on the details. Things that are not exciting.

 

[stlnd01]

One thing we really didn't see much of this year, but that Book seems made for, is the quick short pass that gives a fast guy room to run in space. A five yard pass that can become a 50 yard gain.
Guessing because our best receivers weren't built for that. But hopefully we can work that more into next year's arsenal with Lenzy/Keys/Young.

 

[Luckylucci]

Well, the slow WR’s had separation versus Clemson and the bad OL gave him clean pockets and he didn’t make the throws. It’s pretty simple. We can explain away his shortcomings all we want but it doesn’t change them.

 

[benneboy]

Well, the slow WR’s had separation versus Clemson and the bad OL gave him clean pockets and he didn’t make the throws. It’s pretty simple. We can explain away his shortcomings all we want but it doesn’t change them.

Clean pockets? Lol. Get the fuck outta here. He was under duress the whole game regardless of how many Brian Driskel articles you read. It's the same reason Tua looked pedestrian to put it gently against Clemson. And his line was a lot better then ours.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Well, the slow WR’s had separation versus Clemson and the bad OL gave him clean pockets and he didn’t make the throws. It’s pretty simple. We can explain away his shortcomings all we want but it doesn’t change them.

I agree with this. Yes at times Book was under pressure, but not as often as most make it out to be.

 

[Luckylucci]

I agree with this. Yes at times Book was under pressure, but not as often as most make it out to be.

He also was the cause of "pressure" on occasion. Also 3 or 4 of the 6 sacks were protection related. Meaning on TE, RB, or unblocked. That could be scheme related (ex. leaving a DE unblocked for a reason) or it could've been missed protection calls. FWIW, Book has the ability to change protection calls based on what he sees. Either way, can't put all the sacks and pressures on the OL.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Why do you guys assume that Ian can make the throws, even with a clean pocket? His 5'11'' vision hasn't proven much (on downfield reads) all season.

 

[Irish#1]

The discussion on Book has worn out its welcome.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

On a serious note,

Are we sure that Del Alexander is the right guy for the job? If there's one position coach that hasn't impressed me with production or recruiting...

 

[Me2SouthBend]

The discussion on Book has worn out its welcome.

Weird, I was sure I clicked on the Kevin Austin thread. I'll need to go to website problems thread to discuss.

 

[NDVirginia19]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chip Long on Kevin Austin: "How you live life off the field is how you're going to play on it. He's figuring that out now. That's the main thing that held him back.”<br><br>Interesting to see how the off-season unfolds here. Remember Claypool was a huge question last spring..</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1103685702032732160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chip Long on Kevin Austin: "How you live life off the field is how you're going to play on it. He's figuring that out now. That's the main thing that held him back.”<br><br>Interesting to see how the off-season unfolds here. Remember Claypool was a huge question last spring..</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1103685702032732160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

coach speak: stop smoking weed?

 

[CHIDomer9]

coach speak: stop smoking weed?

Coachspeak for: I don't expect a follow up question so I'm just gonna speak in semi code and leave it there.

 

[IrishLax]

Red pill, blue pill situation. Let's hope he chooses the one that has him ascend from the doghouse like Dexter Williams and not the one that has him spectacularly flame out like Stepherson.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

With Braden Lenzy reportedly on the rise this Spring, I wonder how much that may or may not motivate Austin to right this ship, whatever the hell he did. Still holding out hope to see both of them ball out with five star Phil at the Spring Game.

Looking forward to a time when the "Vacancy" bulb lights up on BK's dog house.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chip Long on Kevin Austin: "How you live life off the field is how you're going to play on it. He's figuring that out now. That's the main thing that held him back.”<br><br>Interesting to see how the off-season unfolds here. Remember Claypool was a huge question last spring..</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1103685702032732160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

coach speak for "Get your shit together because we could really use you"

 

[Irish YJ]

really hope he gets his shit together. wasted talent is the biggest gut punch.

 

[DONTH8]

really hope he gets his shit together. wasted talent is the biggest gut punch.

"The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."