2014 Fall Camp Thread

[STLDomer]

Wow, I think most of us were hoping for 4-5 contributors from the freshman class. So far we've heard: Cage, Hayes, Trumbetti, Nyles Morgan, Tranquil, Watkins, Weishar, Quenton Nelson all have a legitimate chance at playing time this year. Now, I hope Quenton can preserve a year but that is a lot of contributors for a freshman class. Did I miss anyone?

If we knock it out of the park with d-line recruiting, I wonder if Jhonny Williams would get a look at TE?

I still wish Matuska was a TE. Don't think he'll ever contribute much on the DL. Could be beast of a blocker at TE compared to the rest of our roster.

 

[TheChosen1]

Wow, I think most of us were hoping for 4-5 contributors from the freshman class. So far we've heard: Cage, Hayes, Trumbetti, Nyles Morgan, Tranquil, Watkins, Weishar, Quenton Nelson all have a legitimate chance at playing time this year. Now, I hope Quenton can preserve a year but that is a lot of contributors for a freshman class. Did I miss anyone?

If we knock it out of the park with d-line recruiting, I wonder if Jhonny Williams would get a look at TE?

From everything I've heard and read on here Q might be one of the best lineman on the team so redshirting him will be hard to do.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

From everything I've heard and read on here Q might be one of the best lineman on the team so redshirting him will be hard to do.

I'm afraid/excited it may be true. He seems to have major athleticism to go along with his big size. If he can challenge with that depth, then he deserves it and I shouldn't be so selfish, ha ha.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Yeah, but having question marks at DB >>> having questions on DL. Good DL play covers up for poor DB play moreso than than the other way around.

Not so sure about that. Good coverage will give poorer pass rushers time to get to the qb just as much as quick pressure will make for poor choices. Either way they can help eachother.

 

[irish#underground]

Not so sure about that. Good coverage will give poorer pass rushers time to get to the qb just as much as quick pressure will make for poor choices. Either way they can help eachother.

There isnt a secondary that could hold a receiving corps forever my friend.

 

[D-BOE34]

I only skimmed but personally I think our defense could go from mediocre to elite if JJ and Ishaq come alive. They have so much potential that has yet to be used. If they can BOTH explode this year, we are having a different conversation come OCT 4th.

Again, just my opinion but if they don't I think we live and die by the execution of our scheme.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

BOOM! even though the berrien/cass county line literally runs right through my parents living room!

I was born in St. Joe!!!! Watup!!!!!

 

[Fbolt]

278 posts and practice hasn't even started yet. WTF are people guessing at?

 

[arrowryan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This week's ISD Intel is completely dedicated to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> fall camp. Check it out. <a href="http://t.co/Dza1DyR0Uu">http://t.co/Dza1DyR0Uu</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/statuses/495040856840470528">August 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[arrowryan]

O'Malley says that if we see Elmer rotating at guard/tackle during camp, that probably means McGlinchey hasn't won the staff over at RT

 

[Irishbounty28]

There isnt a secondary that could hold a receiving corps forever my friend.

I wasn't saying that they needed to hold any receiving corps "forever", but Nebraska 2011 could be a good example of otherwise. They had Alfonso Dennard and Prince Amukamara at the two cb positions, and no one on their defensive line. This was the year after Suh left. The defensive line still stacked up quite a few sacks that year because the corners could hold coverage for just a second longer.

The difference between a coverage sack and a regular sack isn't "forever" as you would put it, but in reality it is only a matter of a second or less.

With that my point still stands that with better corners and defensive backs they can provide just enough time for our defensive line to get to the house.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I wasn't saying that they needed to hold any receiving corps "forever", but Nebraska 2011 could be a good example of otherwise. They had Alfonso Dennard and Prince Amukamara at the two cb positions, and no one on their defensive line. This was the year after Suh left. The defensive line still stacked up quite a few sacks that year because the corners could hold coverage for just a second longer.

The difference between a coverage sack and a regular sack isn't "forever" as you would put it, but in reality it is only a matter of a second or less.

With that my point still stands that with better corners and defensive backs they can provide just enough time for our defensive line to get to the house.

I don't think we have that level of talent right now. At least not as it stands. I think Russell could be really good this year but he hasn't proven anything besides holding a Rutgers receiver in check. That's it. Rutgers.

The other corner position will be better than we are used to but it's far from us claiming two future NFL talents. Cole Luke looks like he can do it, Devin Butler was a steal and Riggs has experience but we still have a question mark.

Not to mention, we aren't used to seeing our corners give up huge passing plays and that will happen this year.

I hope we perform as well as everyone predicts but a different system and new players makes this a toss-up.

 

[Rizzophil]

Who was Bennett Jackson drafted by?

 

[ndfi78]

Who was Bennett Jackson drafted by?

Giants, 6th round

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>We dropped a massive <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> training camp edition of ISD Intel last night. (Premium) <a href="http://t.co/Dza1DyR0Uu">http://t.co/Dza1DyR0Uu</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/statuses/495195227733651456">August 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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bueller .....

 

[woolybug25]

 

[PANDFAN]

https://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1664697

https://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1664697

Today will be more about the questions than the answers.

As much as Brian Kelly can begin to outline Notre Dame's season today when he meets with the media at noon, his first preseason press conference is more about setting expectations than making predictions.

There will be some clarity about off-season workouts, player health and that trip to Culver Military Academy. As for the quarterback competition, defensive backfield rotation and improving the red zone offense, it may take all of camp to get answers there. In fact, for better or worse, it might take all season.

What are the biggest questions facing Kelly?

Irish Illustrated picks our five with training camp set to open on Monday.

WHO'S THE QUARTERBACK?

Hard to believe this won't be the first question. But should we expect Kelly to answer? Everett Golson is only Notre Dame's presumed starting quarterback entering camp unless he had a breakthrough summer behind the scenes. If that didn't happen, Malik Zaire will arrive at Culver with every intention of winning the job. Kelly is likely to stoke that competition today. However, Golson is on the interview list for Monday and Zaire is not.

What Kelly can answer is the competition format. When Dayne Crist beat out Tommy Rees three years ago, he took the starting job on Aug. 23, a full 11 days before the debacle against South Florida. A year later Golson beat out Rees on the same date, but that was just nine days before the Navy game in Ireland. Tough to imagine there will be another Aug. 23 decision considering that's a week before Rice. If it goes that long this time, it likely means Zaire gave a more serious run at the job than many outside the program expected.

CAN THE IRISH GET FRESH HELP?

Last week Irish Illustrated broke down freshman impacts over the last decade at the offensive skill, offensive power and defensive positions. One spot that's played more than most would except is tight end, where the Irish add Nic Weishar and Tyler Luatua. Behind the scenes the buzz on Weishar has been strong, enough to think he'll play somewhere and might challenge Mike Heuerman for the third slot behind Ben Koyack and Durham Smythe, another summer player rising. Meanwhile, Heuerman is out for the opening portion of camp following hernia surgery.

Quenton Nelson could tempt the staff as a potential guard should Steve Elmer kick out to right tackle. That seems to be under consideration from the Irish staff and almost happened during spring practice. While Matt Hegarty and Conor Hanratty have college starts under their belts, Nelson appears to be an exception to the offensive line rule that freshman sit. Middle linebacker Nyles Morgan will get eyes at the opening practice, but outside backer Drue Tranquill deserves a look too. Early enrollees Andrew Trumbetti and Justin Brent should factor, particularly the defensive end in pass rushing sets.

WHO ANSWERS THE CAPTAINS' CALL?

Notre Dame lost one of the program's greats in Zack Martin, a two-time captain and the school's all-time record holder in starts. Not only must the Irish replace a first-round pick, they have to find a new example along the line for younger players to follow. Nick Martin would be a great place to start, not just for the line, but for the entire offense. He got the nod from Golson during spring when the quarterback revealed Martin had emerged as one of the team's new leaders, doing so despite the limitations of a knee injury.

On defense the Irish don't have the firepower of last season, but they should benefit from better leadership from their best players. It's no secret Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix struggled to get others to follow. KeiVarae Russell, Jaylon Smith and Sheldon Day should not. The captaincy for Smith feels like too much, too soon for a sophomore, but Day and Russell have ample experience to fill the role. This won't be the commanding combo of Manti Te'o and Kapron Lewis-Moore, but it should be an improvement over last season.

ISHAQ WILLIAMS, FINALLY?

After waiting three seasons and seven semesters for Ishaq Williams to arrive, Notre Dame needs him now more than ever. Forget the recruiting ranking that had the Brooklyn standout ahead of Tuitt and Aaron Lynch in his class. The Irish just need a reliable defensive end. Williams has the frame and ability to be a disruptive force. The question has always been the drive and the motor. It still is.

Kelly hinted before spring practice that Notre Dame would get a new Williams based on his winter conditioning. But the senior's spring practice felt quiet throughout. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and defensive line coach Mike Elston both questioned the pass rush. Those questions will continue through camp, but an awakening from Williams could go a long way toward solving the biggest issue dogging this defense. The Irish don't need double-digit sacks from Williams, but a replay of his one-sack junior year won't cut it.

ALL ABOUT SCHMIDT?

By the end of spring practice Kelly admitted to surprise reality within his defense: He can't take Joe Schmidt off the field. In less than a year the former walk-on has developed from an emergency stopgap to an indispensible man in the middle of Notre Dame's defense. He'd grasped Brian VanGorder's system by the end of spring ball. His positional competition is limited to Jarrett Grace, Michael Deeb and Morgan. Grace's status is cloudy, although the staff is hopeful he can play. Deeb was inconsistent during spring. Morgan hasn't logged his first college practice.

That means Schmidt enters training camp as a heavy favorite to keep the mike linebacker position into the season. Can he hold up physically to that pounding? That's a legitimate question, although Notre Dame believes he can. If Schmidt can continue is shocking rise, the Irish defense will have a respected voice in the middle.

 

[ryno 24]

So I just rewatched the 1988 Miami Notre Dame game. God I am ready for some football

 

[Wild Bill]

I don't think we have that level of talent right now. At least not as it stands. I think Russell could be really good this year but he hasn't proven anything besides holding a Rutgers receiver in check. That's it. Rutgers.

The other corner position will be better than we are used to but it's far from us claiming two future NFL talents. Cole Luke looks like he can do it, Devin Butler was a steal and Riggs has experience but we still have a question mark.

Not to mention, we aren't used to seeing our corners give up huge passing plays and that will happen this year.

I hope we perform as well as everyone predicts but a different system and new players makes this a toss-up.

He played pretty damn good against USC in 2012 against the Biletnikoff winner.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

He played pretty damn good against USC in 2012 against the Biletnikoff winner.

And he played pretty bad against Amari Cooper and Jeremy Gallon. Had ups and downs. I think he is very good but he is not a proven star yet.

 

[PANDFAN]

And he played pretty bad against Amari Cooper and Jeremy Gallon. Had ups and downs. I think he is very good but he is not a proven star yet.

FRESHMAN year and it's been said 1000x's before that those gallon plays were not all on him...and if you watch the gifs of all of them, you will see

 

[irishog77]

I'm a bit more optimistic than you are. We've had serious question marks surrounding at least one defensive unit in each of Kelly's last four seasons. Our DBs seemed like a major liability in 2012, and look how that turned out.

2014's defensive backfield projects to be the best (by a significant margin) that we've fielded in many many years. Our pass rush is likely to get a huge boost from the schematic changes alone. Our strength at DB and a wealth of highly athletic hybrid LB/S types will allow us to match up against spread teams much better than we have in the past. The only area where we're likely to take a step back is in basic run defense; but outside of Stanford (who we struggled with mightily, even when we were built explicitly to stop that style of offense), how many power rushing teams do we face this year?

Picking up this discussion, post press conference.

-Kelly seemed very optimistic about Councell, like he is all the way back. This great news.
-Kelly seemed optimistic about Grace. It seems like he is close, but not all the way back yet. So this is good, and could potentially be great, news.

So I'm already feeling better about LB. Councell is looking like a go for Rice and Grace is looking at least like a decent possibility for Rice. If not, I'd guess he would be recuperated very soon after. With Councell and Grace looking like starters (or maybe 1A in Grace's situtation), then I like the way the starters and depth for this season look for Mike and Sam. Jaylon is obviously the Will, but who's his backup? Barring an injury, I guess his backup doesn't matter that much-- he's not going to be coming off the field hardly ever anyway.

-Losing Springman is big. First, he had the potential to be a 1A to Jones and perhaps even back up Day a bit too. Second though, is that losing him means Cage or Mokwuah will not only probably have to play, but be counted on some in big situations. Hounshell and/or Matuska, and perhaps Rochelle too, will have to be counted on as back up DT's.
-Kelly was asked about Williams specifically, and it was more or less the same talk we've heard for several years-- physically gifted, potential, blah blah. He didn't have anything glowing to say about him...but didn't really knock him either. As of now, I'd expect what we've seen from IW for this coming season-- decent, but not spectacular play. I really don't know about him-- I could see IW being a decent starter, being passed up and then being a solid back up, or finally putting it all together and being a terror. I think all points on the scale, both good and bad, are attainable for IW this year and am too scared and uncertain to bet on him finishing anywhere specific on the scale.

So I'm feeling a little worse about DL because of the Springman retirement and the domino effect that has. BK talked a little about the freshmen edge guys, but I'd be surprised if any of those guys are, individually, big contributors this season. Well, at least through the first several games. Who knows after maybe some injuries set in and then each one has had months playing and practicing as opposed to simply weeks. I can envision 2 or 3 of them playing and contributing, and as a whole, the 2 or 3 of them making a combined impact (like maybe in the 5th game it's Trumbetti who steps in and has 1 1/2 sacks, game 6 we don't really hear from him...but Bonner steps in and has 2 or 3 impact-full QB hurries, etc).

 

[Riddickulous]

Does anyone think we have a legitimate QB competition or is this a psychological ploy to get Golson to push himself?

 

[PANDFAN]

Picking up this discussion, post press conference.

-Kelly seemed very optimistic about Councell, like he is all the way back. This great news.
-Kelly seemed optimistic about Grace. It seems like he is close, but not all the way back yet. So this is good, and could potentially be great, news.

So I'm already feeling better about LB. Councell is looking like a go for Rice and Grace is looking at least like a decent possibility for Rice. If not, I'd guess he would be recuperated very soon after. With Councell and Grace looking like starters (or maybe 1A in Grace's situtation), then I like the way the starters and depth for this season look for Mike and Sam. Jaylon is obviously the Will, but who's his backup? Barring an injury, I guess his backup doesn't matter that much-- he's not going to be coming off the field hardly ever anyway.

-Losing Springman is big. First, he had the potential to be a 1A to Jones and perhaps even back up Day a bit too. Second though, is that losing him means Cage or Mokwuah will not only probably have to play, but be counted on some in big situations. Hounshell and/or Matuska, and perhaps Rochelle too, will have to be counted on as back up DT's.
-Kelly was asked about Williams specifically, and it was more or less the same talk we've heard for several years-- physically gifted, potential, blah blah. He didn't have anything glowing to say about him...but didn't really knock him either. As of now, I'd expect what we've seen from IW for this coming season-- decent, but not spectacular play. I really don't know about him-- I could see IW being a decent starter, being passed up and then being a solid back up, or finally putting it all together and being a terror. I think all points on the scale, both good and bad, are attainable for IW this year and am too scared and uncertain to bet on him finishing anywhere specific on the scale.

So I'm feeling a little worse about DL because of the Springman retirement and the domino effect that has. BK talked a little about the freshmen edge guys, but I'd be surprised if any of those guys are, individually, big contributors this season. Well, at least through the first several games. Who knows after maybe some injuries set in and then each one has had months playing and practicing as opposed to simply weeks. I can envision 2 or 3 of them playing and contributing, and as a whole, the 2 or 3 of them making a combined impact (like maybe in the 5th game it's Trumbetti who steps in and has 1 1/2 sacks, game 6 we don't really hear from him...but Bonner steps in and has 2 or 3 impact-full QB hurries, etc).

it's really tough though to say anything w/ out full pads

 

[Luckylucci]

Does anyone think we have a legitimate QB competition or is this a psychological ploy to get Golson to push himself?

Not sure how the word this best but I don't think the chances of Zaire starting are very good. However, I think the race is close.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

So I'm already feeling better about LB.

Absolutely. If our 1st team LBs are Smith, Grace and Councell, then our starting front seven should hold up fine against the run. That was the only unit-level question mark I was concerned about, so I'm much more optimistic now.

Losing Springman is big.

Yup. That, combined with his comments on Ishaq, do not bode well for the DL. Hopefully the scheme change and getting forced into a leadership role will finally provide IW with the spark he needs to realize his potential. I'm not expecting an AA season from him, but I could definitely see him being a solid SDE for us.

Thank God we stocked up on DL last cycle. Gonna be lots of freshman in the 2-deep.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Absolutely. If our 1st team LBs are Smith, Grace and Councell, then our starting front seven should hold up fine against the run. That was the only unit-level question mark I was concerned about, so I'm much more optimistic now.



Yup. That, combined with his comments on Ishaq, do not bode well for the DL. Hopefully the scheme change and getting forced into a leadership role will finally provide IW with the spark he needs to realize his potential. I'm not expecting an AA season from him, but I could definitely see him being a solid SDE for us.

Thank God we stocked up on DL last cycle. Gonna be lots of freshman in the 2-deep.

Councell will thrive. He is very well suited for covering TEs and holding the strong-side.

The freshman DE/OLB look like a bunch of big, athletic boys. I think one of the strategies will simply be to constantly send in fresh legs to rush the passer, at least against rushing teams.

The key is Ishaq. If he can get his act together, or at least play SDE, we should be fine.

 

[Domina Nostra]

O'Malley says that if we see Elmer rotating at guard/tackle during camp, that probably means McGlinchey hasn't won the staff over at RT

My guess is a little unorthodox:

LT: Stanley
LG: ELmer
C: Martin
RG: Heggarty
RT: Lombard

THey need to just lock-down the left side of the line for unity sake. Lombard can play tackle at a high level. If McGlinchy outplays him, Lombard to RG.

Hanratty and Nelson and the rotation OGs.
McGlinchy is the back-up T.

 

[Luckylucci]

Councell will thrive. He is very well suited for covering TEs and holding the strong-side.

The freshman DE/OLB look like a bunch of big, athletic boys. I think one of the strategies will simply be to constantly send in fresh legs to rush the passer, at least against rushing teams.

The key is Ishaq. If he can get his act together, or at least play SDE, we should be fine.

Yea, if any one individual doesn't separate themselves from the group then I think that is the best way to approach it.

If Ishaq doesn't provide some sort of pass rush or pressure, I could see Rochelle getting more snaps at SDE because he'd at least be better against the run.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yea, if any one individual doesn't separate themselves from the group then I think that is the best way to approach it.

If Ishaq doesn't provide some sort of pass rush or pressure, I could see Rochelle getting more snaps at SDE because he'd at least be better against the run.

We've got a lot of athletic "bigs" who could be plugged in at WDE to rush the passer. At SDE? Not so much. If Ishaq can hold down the starting role there, with Rochelle keeping him fresh, our DL as a whole will be much more productive. But if Ishaq continues to be a one-dimensional pass-rusher who can't produce inside, what does SDE look like? Rochelle starting, and backed up by... Matuska? Hounshell? Utupo? Not good.