2013 Spring Practice Thread

[Me2SouthBend]

If NMart is "only" as good as Cave, he'll be in the top ten centers in the country [Braxton was number five rated draftable center this year]. I have never heard anything but good things about NMart.

ZMart, reflecting on his brother's progress, said that he has been happily surprised at how "naturally" Nick has taken to the Center position. He thinks that Nick has no anxieties about it at all. Of course big brother will take some of the burden off him by calling the defensive sets.

ZMart also said that Lombard is getting noticeably better, as he is stronger and "understands that he has to finish every play to the whistle". That sounds like Lombard either wasn't in as good physical shape as he could have been last season, or that he didn't have enough "killer instinct" {maybe too nice a guy}. ZMart, of course did not go into these specifics.

If our great LT is correct, then four of the five-fingered fist are in place. That leaves RG and Hanratty [or whomever]. I'm still a bit concerned about that [speed, nimbleness, power].... Fingers, all five for the fist, crossed for success at that spot.

Good stuff OMM. If ZMart indeed becomes responsible for calling the D sets, wouldn't it be inherently more difficult to communicate that from a Left Tackle position rather than from the Center position? Could the RG and RT hear what the LT is calling out? I have zero clue what verbiage is required, so I'm admittedly asking out of ignorance here.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Depends on the quality of ZMart's voice [seems silly, but that's about it]. The linemen have a "moment" before the QB takes over where someone makes an OLine call; they are zero'd in on the caller --- sometimes you can see them tilt their heads. Zach's voice is obviously plenty loud or he couldn't do this especially in away loud games, but since he did it for Golic some, it's obvious that the voice is up to it. The other thing that you need is, of course, game savvy. ZMart is loaded with smarts.

 

[dublinirish]

pretty sure Barrett Jones made line calls from LT. Dont see it being an issue for Z-Mart

 

[Cackalacky]

pretty sure Barrett Jones made line calls from LT. Dont see it being an issue for Z-Mart

Yes. From what i have read, he single handed got linemen to the 2nd level during the NCG because he knew what ND defense was doing. I would love for our center and EG to connect like that.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r-96Af6FQ10" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Everett is so, so gifted.

 

[Damion704]

Has "it". Whatever "it" is..

 

[Irish8248]

Notre Dame Football Spring Game 2013: Date, Time, Practice Schedule and TV Info | Bleacher Report

whoa now, thats a BR link, not acceptable

 

[PANDFAN]

Out for the spring game: Dan Fox, Nicky Baratti, Bennett Jackson, Amir Carlisle, Corey Robinson (hyper-extended elbow).

Irish Illustrated ‏@NDatRivals 3m
Brian Kelly has arrived for his post-practice press conference, says Irish worked the fullhouse backfield with Nix, Tuitt and Stockton.

 

[PANDFAN]

Irish Illustrated ‏@NDatRivals 11s
Blue-Gold Game scoring format will be Offense (White) vs. Defense (Blue). No live special teams.

 

[PANDFAN]

On game format:

-- Similar to last year with a scoring system. Just don't have the numbers to split the squads up into a true Blue-Gold scrimmage.

-- Defense in blue and offense in white.

-- No live special teams, but Kyle Brindza will punt it, including no live field goal and extra point.

-- Every player will be on the same sideline.

-- Want the team to go through pre-game and in through the tunnel for a game-like atmosphere.

-- Clock will likely stop in the first half and run in the second, but will play by ear.

 

[PANDFAN]

On what BK hopes to see:

-- Looking for a flow. Really want to see a clean game from an offensive perspective. And get to take a look at guys that haven't had a ton of time yet like Jarrett Grace, Ben Koyack and others to see how much progression has been made and how they execute.

 

[PANDFAN]

On holding back due to broadcast:

-- Obviously not going to show the Temple game plan, but will see the team work on and run its plays.

"We're going to run what we're going to run."

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Out for Saturday: Hounshell, Fox, Baratti, Jackson, Carlisle, Corey Robinson and Tyler Plantz. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23ND">#ND</a></p>— Bob Wieneke (@BobWienekeNDI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobWienekeNDI/status/324526774895656960">April 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PANDFAN]

On Corey Robinson:

-- He's someone who can help the team win football games in a role. Similar to Chris Brown last year. He's not a finished product yet because he has to get bigger and stronger, but he catches anything near him.

 

[PANDFAN]

On Prince Shembo:

-- Adds a factor off the edge in passing situation but is also getting better covering in space.

 

[dublinirish]

no Corey in Spring Game? Dang thats a pity

 

[PANDFAN]

Kelly says the goal for tempo is to be able to play fast a whole game. "We're close to doing that."

On tempo:

-- The goal is to play fast the whole game. That's got to be part of the tool box and it wasn't last year. Couldn't go in and change the game as needed, but closer to being able to do that now.

 

[PANDFAN]

On contact this spring:

-- This team required it more this year in comparison to last year because the previous group was more established. Wanted to put the new guys into position battles and the emphasis on practicing contact situations will improve the overall production of the team and working through it.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Irish Illustrated ‏@NDatRivals 3m
Brian Kelly has arrived for his post-practice press conference, says Irish worked the fullhouse backfield with Nix, Tuitt and Stockton.

YES YES YES YES YES

 

[PANDFAN]

On players that have shown improvement:

-- Eilar Hardy has had a good spring. Tyler Stockton has improved. Conor Hanratty and Alex Welch stood out as guys that were already in the program and could go out and contribute right away.

 

[PANDFAN]

On Steve Elmer:

-- He plays 11-on-11 pretty good. Generally guys his size early on look the part but aren't playing the game right yet. With Elmer, he's pretty accomplished in the run game and he has surprised the staff how sound he is in the scheme in addition to his physical abilities.

 

[PANDFAN]

On the offensive line:

-- The coaching staff was very conscience at first with Ronnie Stanley and how involved to get him in contact, but he's been going the last few days. During that time the coaching staff experimented with shuffling guys around on the line.

 

[PANDFAN]

Kelly says giving up play calling can improve his focus on "winning the game" and looking at the big picture on game day.

 

[PANDFAN]

On game-day role with Chuck Martin calling the plays:

-- Kelly will still manage the game in a similar fashion and it will allow him to focus on winning the game vs play calling. It's about being able to look at the big picture and what is the best way to win.

Martin was doing a lot of that last year, anyway, so not envisioning much of a change there.

Feels this will help the team improve and win.

 

[PANDFAN]

On using front-line players for special teams:

-- Think all of those guys will have a significant role. Worked on that all spring. But also bringing in a number of first-year players that have size and talent to help in that area as well.

"Deeb, Randolph, Smith, Redfield, Butler, Kinlaw..."

 

[koonja]

About that fullhouse backfield. Does that mean what I think it does??? Offense?

 

[PANDFAN]

On Bob Diaco:

-- He's a very good communicator, so the kids know exactly where they stand. There's a clarity in his voice in regards of what is expected of the players and how to do their jobs. And he's got a personality that players see it's about them - not his own personal gains.

On Ernest Jones:

-- Strong impact on the players, specifically their community service work. It delivers the message that we're here to help them. The goal is to make sure the players are provided with things to help them in their professional careers and life in general outside of football as well.

On team leaders:

-- Offensively, the offensive line has been leading the pack - individually Zack Martin. But the group as a whole is a "no nonsense" group and it trickles down to the other guys.

Everett Golson has also upped his leadership.

-- Defensively, not one guy in particular -- but Prince Shembo and Matthias Farley have upped their abilities to lead the group.

 

[PANDFAN]

About that fullhouse backfield. Does that mean what I think it does??? Offense?

 

[PANDFAN]

Kelly presser complete.

 

[koonja]

Thanks PANDAFAN!