2013 Spring Practice Thread

Irish YJ · Mar 21, 2013

GoldenIsThyFame said:
God we are so desperate for football. We spent the last 20+ posts analyzing a two minute practice video.

2 minutes of heaven my friend.
Is September here yet.

KyfightingIrish36 · Mar 21, 2013

Is this the practice video from yesterday? Or was there one today?

UmphreakDomer · Mar 21, 2013

KyfightingIrish36 said:
Is this the practice video from yesterday? Or was there one today?

i dont think they are everyday.

Luckylucci · Mar 21, 2013

They don't practice everyday and the media isn't aloud at every practice. That's why we don't get a lot of footage but I believe it's next week the media gets to be at practice the whole time. That should make for some very good footage and analysis.

Just checked and was way off on that. The all day media viewing isn't until April 13th, my bad

pkt77242 · Mar 21, 2013

Luckylucci said:
They don't practice everyday and the media isn't aloud at every practice. That's why we don't get a lot of footage but I believe it's next week the media gets to be at practice the whole time. That should make for some very good footage and analysis

Somewhere Dshan's is shaking his head and cursing.

GoldenIsThyFame · Mar 21, 2013

These practice updates are done by the ND film crew, not the media. Typically they release a video everyday there is spring practice but it is not always clips from just that day.

BobD · Mar 21, 2013

Amir has amazing potential. If he's healthy......man oh man!

Buster Bluth · Mar 21, 2013

Irish YJ said:
2 minutes of heaven my friend.
Is September here yet.

"Two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven."

Buster Bluth · Mar 21, 2013

tadman95 said:
Kelly, get your Irish Envy on!

Kelly should really do an AMA on here some time. That would be unreal.

UmphreakDomer · Mar 21, 2013

Buster Bluth said:
"Two minutes in heaven is better than one minute in heaven."

two minutes?
show off. what? were you drinking?

BleedBlueGold · Mar 22, 2013

Thank God for practice videos!

Amir - gonna help bring this offense to the next level
Chris Brown - may be one of my favorite WRs on the team
GA3 - he's got BRICK (na na na na)...hands...they're mighty mighty...

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 22, 2013

GoldenIsThyFame said:
These practice updates are done by the ND film crew, not the media. Typically they release a video everyday there is spring practice but it is not always clips from just that day.

To add to what GITF is saying, whenever you see that UND logo on the film clip that was done by the ND crew. At interviews and at other times, like two days ago when you saw film from the terrace in the Loftus center, that was other media filming durring the open practice.

The spring game is a month (four weeks actually) from tomorrow. Wednesday and today, as well as over the weekend there is practice. In all there are either fifteen or sixteen practices culminating in the spring game. The practice schedule has been published, so it is available for all who feel the need to know the days of practice.

There now on to a totally different thing.

As far as analysis. There won't be a lot of good analysis this spring. There never really is. Remember last year? The average analysis was that if Kelly didn't pull a miracle out of his as$ he would be fired. A miracle was defined as 9 and 4, though many placed us at 7-6. So this years broad enthusiasm is the same mindless musings. Nothing counts till the rubber meets the road, so to speak.

I will tell you this: This team is there; where Kelly was building them to be. Three seasons ago some of us posted that it was all about having a number of players ready to contribute at the level Kelly wanted them to perform. The first season was around 30, year two was closer to 45; last year was in the low 50's but injuries lowered the effective number. I talked about having over 60 players ready being the critical mass. This team has 60 (plus) players that can make unique contributions. If it is over 70, Kelly will succeed with special teams.

ALL the players games are coming along. This is a team who has advanced their expectations through a numbing NC loss, and just about everybody, (now) is in it. The average player is way ahead of last year. The numbers are better at every position, (even quarterback). I will stop the controversy in that last statement before it starts. Going in to last year we had zero [quarterbacks] that could play; that was a huge part of everyones frustration. Nobody was ready. Kelly deserved the coach of the year awards for building a quarterback out of nothing.

It was total media delight (contrived - bull shiit) that there was a quarterback competition. Kelly went into last year praying he would find someone who could play for him. This year since January, Everett has smoothed off a whole lot of edges. Use Everett as a barometer. You will see this kind of dramatic improvement out of many key players. So offensive flow should be a whole lot better. And if you don't think ND has skill players that can be lethal, I hope you are an opponent . . .

Fbolt · Mar 22, 2013

I'm concerned.

These practices are too dang short. 90 second practices don't seem to be cutting it IMO. Kelly and staff need to pick it up and get these kids moving and at least breaking a sweat! What's up with that?

Irish YJ · Mar 22, 2013

Bogtrotter07 said:
I will tell you this: This team is there; where Kelly was building them to be. Three seasons ago some of us posted that it was all about having a number of players ready to contribute at the level Kelly wanted them to perform. The first season was around 30, year two was closer to 45; last year was in the low 50's but injuries lowered the effective number. I talked about having over 60 players ready being the critical mass. This team has 60 (plus) players that can make unique contributions. If it is over 70, Kelly will succeed with special teams. .

BK better succeed with special teams. No where to go but up that past few years. You are spot on about depth. We have that now. I don't know if the mystical number is 70, but we do have depth now in so many areas critical to STs (like DBs). I think this year, and next, BK will be able to play more talented kids than ever before. And with a few studs coming in, we'll be able to push a few more into the line up early season. BK won't be able to redshirt IMO talented guys like Cole and Max. Inserting those guys directly into STs, or into the rotation gives you talented options either way in STs. The other two DBs are stud athelets as well.

All that said, I think we'll need to see a coaching change (STs) if we don't see improvement this year. We should have seen a little improvement last year... ugh

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 22, 2013

Fbolt said:
I'm concerned.

These practices are too dang short. 90 second practices don't seem to be cutting it IMO. Kelly and staff need to pick it up and get these kids moving and at least breaking a sweat! What's up with that?

Reps! I wish there were more. This post is priceless!

Irish YJ said:
BK better succeed with special teams. No where to go but up that past few years. You are spot on about depth. We have that now. I don't know if the mystical number is 70, but we do have depth now in so many areas critical to STs (like DBs). I think this year, and next, BK will be able to play more talented kids than ever before. And with a few studs coming in, we'll be able to push a few more into the line up early season. BK won't be able to redshirt IMO talented guys like Cole and Max. Inserting those guys directly into STs, or into the rotation gives you talented options either way in STs. The other two DBs are stud athelets as well.

All that said, I think we'll need to see a coaching change (STs) if we don't see improvement this year. We should have seen a little improvement last year... ugh

I don't know either. But I think that there are some positions, like linebacker, d-line, cornerback [for dime, etc.,] where you want a good two or even three man rotation and this is where you need to be.

With the number of kids ready to play, and the good freshmen coming in, conditioned and tip top talent, special teams improvement is a logical end product. What if the biggest impediment to improved special teams is duplicate jersey numbers?

NDBoiler · Mar 22, 2013

Irish YJ said:
BK better succeed with special teams. No where to go but up that past few years. You are spot on about depth. We have that now. I don't know if the mystical number is 70, but we do have depth now in so many areas critical to STs (like DBs). I think this year, and next, BK will be able to play more talented kids than ever before. And with a few studs coming in, we'll be able to push a few more into the line up early season. BK won't be able to redshirt IMO talented guys like Cole and Max. Inserting those guys directly into STs, or into the rotation gives you talented options either way in STs. The other two DBs are stud athelets as well.

All that said, I think we'll need to see a coaching change (STs) if we don't see improvement this year. We should have seen a little improvement last year... ugh

Is it as much about ST coaching as it is about BK's unwillingness to take a chance though? IIRC, BK's strategy on punt returns (the bane of ND ST) has been stated as he more or less just doesn't want a turnover. I don't see how much ST coaching could change that if they are basically forced into "fair catch mode". In the other phases of ST, I wasn't seeing that much of an issue unless my memory fails me, so correct me if you recall otherwise.

EDIT: I do now recall the "double number" incidents. Minor details...

Emcee77 · Mar 22, 2013

NDBoiler said:
Is it as much about ST coaching as it is about BK's unwillingness to take a chance though? IIRC, BK's strategy on punt returns (the bane of ND ST) has been stated as he more or less just doesn't want a turnover. I don't see how much ST coaching could change that if they are basically forced into "fair catch mode". In the other phases of ST, I wasn't seeing that much of an issue unless my memory fails me, so correct me if you recall otherwise.

EDIT: I do now recall the "double number" incidents. Minor details...

This year will tell the story. I don't think there's any question that our special teams ineptitude has had a lot to do with BK's decision to play it conservative ... he doesn't want to turn the ball over by muffing a punt or give up a fake. Additionally, he was reluctant to use the guys he wanted to use on ST due to depth concerns. But we've been so bad that it's hard for me to believe that that's the whole story. This year, we have plenty of depth. If our ST are no better, I'll be in favor of hiring a special teams coach or at least dedicating one of our current coaches to ST full-time.

UmphreakDomer · Mar 22, 2013

Emcee77 said:
This year will tell the story. I don't think there's any question that our special teams ineptitude has had a lot to do with BK's decision to play it conservative ... he doesn't want to turn the ball over by muffing a punt or give up a fake. Additionally, he was reluctant to use the guys he wanted to use on ST due to depth concerns. But we've been so bad that it's hard for me to believe that that's the whole story. This year, we have plenty of depth. If our ST are no better, I'll be in favor of hiring a special teams coach or at least dedicating one of our current coaches to ST full-time.

and yet, even by being almost exclusively in punt safe (except for the little bit Floyd did it at the end of the year and the bowl game 2 years ago), we've STILL seen muffed, bad decisions as far as downed or pinned deep, and at least the 1 MSU fake (i dont recall being faked on a punt).

GoldenIsThyFame · Mar 22, 2013

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bob Diaco being Bob Diaco this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> DC on new personnel (multiple tweets coming):</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112333787688960">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"You're making a cake — a sweet vanilla cake — but you run out of vanilla and you decide to put chili powder in there. ..."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112609978392576">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>" ... It's a completely different cake. Do you understand? It tastes nothing like you expect it to. In fact, you might not even like it."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112723409158144">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

koonja · Mar 22, 2013

GoldenIsThyFame said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"You're making a cake — a sweet vanilla cake — but you run out of vanilla and you decide to put chili powder in there. ..."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112609978392576">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"You're making a cake — a sweet vanilla cake — but you run out of vanilla and you decide to put chili powder in there. ..."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112609978392576">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>" ... It's a completely different cake. Do you understand? It tastes nothing like you expect it to. In fact, you might not even like it."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112723409158144">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What does this mean?

Cali_domer · Mar 22, 2013

kuehnja said:
What does this mean?

Chili powder makes cake taste like crap? Is he on the Food Network right now?

AdmiralBackhand · Mar 22, 2013

We need less vanilla and more spice. Eat up.

IrishFaninTX · Mar 22, 2013

UmphreakDomer said:
and yet, even by being almost exclusively in punt safe (except for the little bit Floyd did it at the end of the year and the bowl game 2 years ago), we've STILL seen muffed, bad decisions as far as downed or pinned deep, and at least the 1 MSU fake (i dont recall being faked on a punt).

The MSU fake and the muffs and fumbles in the USF game are most likely the reason Kelly is playing it safe on ST right now. There were a lot of things that went wrong in the season opener in 2011 but 2 fumbled PR were definitely part of the reason we lost that game. The FG fake is why we lost to MSU. I agree that there needs to be better ST but I can understand Kelly not wanting to ruin a season on a ST disaster. I would rather get zero yards on a PR than a fumble or lost yardage. I think once ND gets to the point where we are blowing most teams out and do not have to worry about games being close every week, then he can focus more on getting positive yardage on PR. I think that time will come very soon. Everything else is on the upswing so ST should be a priority in the years to come. And as others have mentioned, depth will play a part, too. You don't want to risk injury to your key starters when you do not have decent depth behind them with very little drop-off.

Emcee77 · Mar 22, 2013

kuehnja said:
What does this mean?

That's Diaco explaining how the defense will have a different character because of key personnel changes

UmphreakDomer · Mar 22, 2013

IrishFaninTX said:
The MSU fake and the muffs and fumbles in the USF game are most likely the reason Kelly is playing it safe on ST right now. There were a lot of things that went wrong in the season opener in 2011 but 2 fumbled PR were definitely part of the reason we lost that game. The FG fake is why we lost to MSU. I agree that there needs to be better ST but I can understand Kelly not wanting to ruin a season on a ST disaster. I would rather get zero yards on a PR than a fumble or lost yardage. I think once ND gets to the point where we are blowing most teams out and do not have to worry about games being close every week, then he can focus more on getting positive yardage on PR. I think that time will come very soon. Everything else is on the upswing so ST should be a priority in the years to come. And as others have mentioned, depth will play a part, too. You don't want to risk injury to your key starters when you do not have decent depth behind them with very little drop-off.

we had a muff and deep pin in the bama game.

phgreek · Mar 22, 2013

kuehnja said:
What does this mean?

I don't know...but the more pressing issue...Does Fortuna know his twitter pic looks like Herbie in a Zoot suit???

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 22, 2013

Holy, shiit! He could have at least drawn and set the analogy, (Fortuna). And as far as Diaco, someone should tell him that using a non-baking ingredient is going to have someone looking through the roster to find out who the odd man out is, who he really doesn't like! LOL! I need to find me some chili powder!

My prediction "Chili powder cake" and "sweet vanilla cake" become this years buzz phrases to mean bad thing and great things.

GoldenIsThyFame · Mar 22, 2013

GoldenIsThyFame said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bob Diaco being Bob Diaco this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> DC on new personnel (multiple tweets coming):</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112333787688960">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"You're making a cake — a sweet vanilla cake — but you run out of vanilla and you decide to put chili powder in there. ..."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112609978392576">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>" ... It's a completely different cake. Do you understand? It tastes nothing like you expect it to. In fact, you might not even like it."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/315112723409158144">March 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sorry, I originally copied the same tweet twice. Corrected it above.

More context, Baking with Bob Diaco: Recipe for a new defense | Notre Dame Notebook

NDdomer2 · Mar 22, 2013

I took that as our defense last year was really good but it was plain and simple. (sweet vanilla)

This year it's going to have some fire power. (chilli powder)

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 22, 2013

NDdomer2 said:
I took that as our defense last year was really good but it was plain and simple. (sweet vanilla)

This year it's going to have some fire power. (chilli powder)

That's what I like an oracle with some chili powder, to stand above the rest and interpret the sage!

2013 Spring Practice Thread

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