K
koonja
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That's what his celebration was. He'd 'bowl' a strike after a big play.
On Malik: I'm done questioning the speed of his release. Both him and Golson looked filthy in those reps.
2014 Spring Practice Thread
- Thread starter NDPhilly
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That's what his celebration was. He'd 'bowl' a strike after a big play.
On Malik: I'm done questioning the speed of his release. Both him and Golson looked filthy in those reps.
woolybug25
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A few things on Malik:
1) On a lot of the pass plays for Golson, you can see Malik acting out either the fakes or the progressions behind him. That shows a lot of maturity to still be practicing, when someone else is taking the snap.
2) Malik has nice arm strength and throws a nice ball.
3) Malik sure looks the part. With all of the talk of Golson's bulk up, looks like Malik did so himself.
I'm quite happy with our QB situation. We have to be realistic, Golson is going to miss time, even if it is just random plays during games. Every QB does. Malik looks ready and I think we will be in capable hands with either of them. Obviously... Golson will most likely be the starter, but we will see Malik play this year. I'm excited for that.
Dare I say.... Jojo may have been on to something?
Henges24
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I don't believe that's what he was intending to do.
This is what I think he was doing.
Best Of NBA & NFL Ballers Doing The Terio Dance, Vol. 2 - YouTube
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koonja
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FIFY.
woolybug25
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Oh Koon.... always has balls on his brain...
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koonja
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I've never seen that before. If that's what he's doing, he's skipping half of the celebration, lol. You're probably right, bowling is pretty lame so IDK why he'd be doing that.
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Coaches love when kids take mental reps. If all players would take mental reps on all practice plays, I think it'd be amazing how much improvement a team would see.
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koonja
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I'm 27, just really, really lame
.Is that the kid who 'likes to do hoodrat thangs with his friends'? If so, he's kind of my idol and I am going to get in on this dance.
woolybug25
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Henges24
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I'm 27, just really, really lame
Is that the kid who 'likes to do hoodrat thangs with his friends'? If so, he's kind of my idol and I am going to get in on this dance.
It is not. This kid, Terio, got famous because of the app Vine. Him and his cousin make Vines of him doing stupid stuff and people laugh cause, I mean, what's not to laugh at a funny fat kid?
But that was so 2013. Over him.
Henges24
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Whoa whoa whoa... let's back this up a bit!
Not exactly.
Not many people above 30 have Vine or Twitter. Unless of course, they use it for work. Writers, business owners, etc.
zelezo vlk
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I'm pretty young and still don't use that crap.
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I was a big critic of Amir and those who thought he could transition easily to the slot over guys who already had experience there... starting to look like I was way wrong.
As long as he continues to build up confidence and doesn't get down and develop those hands of stone we often saw last season, he could be a nice compliment to an offense that is going to open up the field.
As long as he continues to build up confidence and doesn't get down and develop those hands of stone we often saw last season, he could be a nice compliment to an offense that is going to open up the field.
Veritate Duce Progredi
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My unsolicited breakdown:
- Golson makes a mistake - late read, if he threw it over the top and dropped into his receivers lap, he could've still completed the pass (unless there was a deep secondary member)
- Eilar Hardy looks pretty good - he was around the play quite a few times and had good closing speed
- Malik Zaire can throw the ball - I haven't given him enough respect. He's going to be a real player for us, this year. He can really move.
- Golson and Zaire can really run
- All of our running backs look very capable - I'm not a McDaniel apologist, I'm in the camp that wants to see the greater percentage of carries in the hands of our sophomores but he is consistent.
- Deeb looked good - before getting stonewalled by McDaniel (Deeb might really make a move this spring/summer)
- Look at Harrell throwing Eilar Hardy at the end of the nice McDaniel run. I'm a fan of the OLine being nasty, especially someone as soft spoken as Harrell
- Trumbetti straight cracked the center on the second to last play. The center's knees buckled and it looked like he was going to go down. Love seeing that aggression.
- Our secondary looked to be in good position on almost 100% of those plays. We may be surprised by VanGorder's ability to get this defense ready.
woolybug25
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I was kidding with it, but you're dead wrong on the above. People in the 30-40 age group are the people that created facebook, twitter and vine. I am 32 and don't know very many people my age that don't use 2 out of the three.
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koonja
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Twitter Use Rises Across US Age Groups - eMarketer
18-29 year olds make up the largest demographic at 30%. 30-49 age group is second, at 17%.
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PANDFAN
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I'm 27, just really, really lame
Is that the kid who 'likes to do hoodrat thangs with his friends'? If so, he's kind of my idol and I am going to get in on this dance.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Manti Te'o had seven interceptions playing a shallow centerfield for Irish in 2012. Jaylon Smith's athleticism could be really fun to watch.</p>— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnold) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithArnold/statuses/446333544013385732">March 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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koonja
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On a second thought, I'm pretty sure that kid is 'bowling a strike', so if Jaylon's doing the kid's dance, then I was right all along! Lol.
Henges24
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That could be very true.
I guess I didn't do my research on what he is trying to portray in every single move of the dance. I just knew it was from that dance.
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OTRE DAME, Ind. – Things are up and running again for the Notre Dame football team. After taking two weeks off due to spring break, the Fighting Irish cranked back into practice Wednesday morning inside the indoor Loftus Center.
The Irish were in full pads Wednesday in their first practice since March 5. The break in the spring practice schedule came with just a week of practice, so there was rust to shake off after the layoff.
“It’s one of those things that we’ll spend most of the day now correcting a lot of things that went on out there today,” head coach Brian Kelly said after the morning session. “But, (we are) getting exactly what we want from our guys. (There are) a lot of new roles for players.”
Probably the most significant player trying new roles this spring is Matthias Farley. The senior to be started at safety for the better part of the last two years, but he is moving to cornerback and also working at nickel back this spring.
“We’ve talked about finding a position for him,” Kelly said of Farley. “He’s a pretty good athlete. He’s got some size and he’s got some experience playing at the highest level. Quite frankly, I think we’re still really early in that process for a lot of guys.”
James Onwualu, who saw time as a true freshman wide receiver last season, is transitioning to safety this spring, but Kelly isn’t ruling out a full plate of duties for the gifted youngster.
“He might be a guy that can probably handle both roles on offense and defense in a limited capacity,” said Kelly. “He’s a really good football player (who) if we’re smart with I think he can do some different jobs for us and possibly on both sides of the ball.”
Another player getting a new shot at a new position this spring is John Turner. Little used as a safety for his first two seasons, Turner is now at outside linebacker and seeing consistent second team reps. Kelly and his staff loved the skill sets they saw in Turner during his recruitment out of Indianapolis-Cathedral High School, but those skills never translated into much playing time in 2012 and 2013.
“We think that with the position that we’re looking at him right now, it seems to be clicking a little bit for John,” said Kelly. “(Defensive coordinator Brian) VanGorder really likes what he’s doing right now. For whatever reason, sometimes a change does a guy good, right? He may be the beneficiary of that change.”
Turner did not play as a true freshman in 2012, but he saw a large amount of special teams time last fall. Turner’s length, Kelly believes, gives him the versatility to both cover a No. 2 wide receiver on third down as well as bring pressure off the edge.
Feeling Special
Kelly has acknowledged Notre Dame’s special teams deficiencies in his four seasons as head coach. Kelly believes most of the team’s problems are due to the wrong players in the wrong special teams roles, but multiple players are auditioning for roles this spring.
“We’re working on those fundamentals so they can carry those fundamentals into the summer and then work on those fundamentals,” Kelly said. “Then when we get here in August it’s not the first time that they’re working on those fundamentals.”
The Irish have had three practices so far this spring. Kelly says this is the first spring in his career that he has had his team devoted a segment at each practice to special teams.
Sub Packages
A great deal of Wednesday’s practice was devoted to third down substitution packages. At least the last 30 minutes or so of the practice had VanGorder’s defense covering third and long situations. Farley and Cole Luke were the No. 1 and No. 2 nickel backs, respectively. The team’s super freshman from 2013, Jaylon Smith, also lined up at inside linebacker a few times.
“We’re overloading him, quite frankly, with a number of different looks,” Kelly said of Smith. “We don’t want offenses to know where he is. We’re going to play him in a number of different positions. He could be inside (or) outside, but we’re moving him all over the place.”
Smith was Notre Dame’s third-leading tackler (67 tackles) as a true freshman last season. With Dan Fox (95) and Carlo Calabrese (93) both gone, Smith is the team’s top returning tackler.
New Faces in Many Places
This spring’s roster has new players seemingly all over the field auditioning for new roles. Golson is back at quarterback and Steve Elmer and Ronnie Stanley, both of whom played last season, have moved to the left side of the offensive line now that Chris Watt and Zack Martin are gone.
Receiver DaVaris Daniels is suspended for the spring, leaving opportunities for a host of young receivers. Finding new leaders this spring may seem like a short term priority, but Kelly believes there are more pressing concerns right now.
“What’s most important is that we get our handle on our personnel and really develop those guys at their positions right now,” Kelly said. “Then we’ll spend some time in June, now that we have some time with our guys, we’ll spend June really as that opportunity to develop that leadership with our guys.”
“This spring is really going to be individually about gaining some consistency at those positions and who those guys are. I think that’s how the spring needs to go for us and then we’ll work on leadership and things of that nature in June.”
Smith, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and safety Austin Collinsworth are virtually the only returning defensive players who will have the same roles heading into next season.
Familiar Faces
A handful of former Fighting Irish players were on hand to watch Wednesday morning’s practice. Tommy Rees, Zack Martin and Chris Watt, who all played for the Irish this past season, as well as Mike Golic, Jr. all watched the practice in street clothes. Those four are among the former ND players who will participate in Thursday’s Pro Day inside the Loftus Center.
Also on hand Wednesday was 2014 commit Jhonny Williams. The outside linebacker signed with the Irish last month. He is from nearby Benton Harbor, Mich.
The Irish were in full pads Wednesday in their first practice since March 5. The break in the spring practice schedule came with just a week of practice, so there was rust to shake off after the layoff.
“It’s one of those things that we’ll spend most of the day now correcting a lot of things that went on out there today,” head coach Brian Kelly said after the morning session. “But, (we are) getting exactly what we want from our guys. (There are) a lot of new roles for players.”
Probably the most significant player trying new roles this spring is Matthias Farley. The senior to be started at safety for the better part of the last two years, but he is moving to cornerback and also working at nickel back this spring.
“We’ve talked about finding a position for him,” Kelly said of Farley. “He’s a pretty good athlete. He’s got some size and he’s got some experience playing at the highest level. Quite frankly, I think we’re still really early in that process for a lot of guys.”
James Onwualu, who saw time as a true freshman wide receiver last season, is transitioning to safety this spring, but Kelly isn’t ruling out a full plate of duties for the gifted youngster.
“He might be a guy that can probably handle both roles on offense and defense in a limited capacity,” said Kelly. “He’s a really good football player (who) if we’re smart with I think he can do some different jobs for us and possibly on both sides of the ball.”
Another player getting a new shot at a new position this spring is John Turner. Little used as a safety for his first two seasons, Turner is now at outside linebacker and seeing consistent second team reps. Kelly and his staff loved the skill sets they saw in Turner during his recruitment out of Indianapolis-Cathedral High School, but those skills never translated into much playing time in 2012 and 2013.
“We think that with the position that we’re looking at him right now, it seems to be clicking a little bit for John,” said Kelly. “(Defensive coordinator Brian) VanGorder really likes what he’s doing right now. For whatever reason, sometimes a change does a guy good, right? He may be the beneficiary of that change.”
Turner did not play as a true freshman in 2012, but he saw a large amount of special teams time last fall. Turner’s length, Kelly believes, gives him the versatility to both cover a No. 2 wide receiver on third down as well as bring pressure off the edge.
Feeling Special
Kelly has acknowledged Notre Dame’s special teams deficiencies in his four seasons as head coach. Kelly believes most of the team’s problems are due to the wrong players in the wrong special teams roles, but multiple players are auditioning for roles this spring.
“We’re working on those fundamentals so they can carry those fundamentals into the summer and then work on those fundamentals,” Kelly said. “Then when we get here in August it’s not the first time that they’re working on those fundamentals.”
The Irish have had three practices so far this spring. Kelly says this is the first spring in his career that he has had his team devoted a segment at each practice to special teams.
Sub Packages
A great deal of Wednesday’s practice was devoted to third down substitution packages. At least the last 30 minutes or so of the practice had VanGorder’s defense covering third and long situations. Farley and Cole Luke were the No. 1 and No. 2 nickel backs, respectively. The team’s super freshman from 2013, Jaylon Smith, also lined up at inside linebacker a few times.
“We’re overloading him, quite frankly, with a number of different looks,” Kelly said of Smith. “We don’t want offenses to know where he is. We’re going to play him in a number of different positions. He could be inside (or) outside, but we’re moving him all over the place.”
Smith was Notre Dame’s third-leading tackler (67 tackles) as a true freshman last season. With Dan Fox (95) and Carlo Calabrese (93) both gone, Smith is the team’s top returning tackler.
New Faces in Many Places
This spring’s roster has new players seemingly all over the field auditioning for new roles. Golson is back at quarterback and Steve Elmer and Ronnie Stanley, both of whom played last season, have moved to the left side of the offensive line now that Chris Watt and Zack Martin are gone.
Receiver DaVaris Daniels is suspended for the spring, leaving opportunities for a host of young receivers. Finding new leaders this spring may seem like a short term priority, but Kelly believes there are more pressing concerns right now.
“What’s most important is that we get our handle on our personnel and really develop those guys at their positions right now,” Kelly said. “Then we’ll spend some time in June, now that we have some time with our guys, we’ll spend June really as that opportunity to develop that leadership with our guys.”
“This spring is really going to be individually about gaining some consistency at those positions and who those guys are. I think that’s how the spring needs to go for us and then we’ll work on leadership and things of that nature in June.”
Smith, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and safety Austin Collinsworth are virtually the only returning defensive players who will have the same roles heading into next season.
Familiar Faces
A handful of former Fighting Irish players were on hand to watch Wednesday morning’s practice. Tommy Rees, Zack Martin and Chris Watt, who all played for the Irish this past season, as well as Mike Golic, Jr. all watched the practice in street clothes. Those four are among the former ND players who will participate in Thursday’s Pro Day inside the Loftus Center.
Also on hand Wednesday was 2014 commit Jhonny Williams. The outside linebacker signed with the Irish last month. He is from nearby Benton Harbor, Mich.
PANDFAN
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Notre Dame's back from spring break, but the weather still doesn't want to play nice, so the Irish were back inside Wednesday, March 19.
Reporters were given a rare glimpse of the last half hour of practice (instead of the usual first half hour), so we got to see a lot of 5-on-5 passing drills, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. Heavy emphasis on third down defense and four-man fronts Wednesday.
First team offense
QB: Everett Goslon
OL: (L to R) Ronnie Stanley, Steve Elmer, Matt Hegarty, Conor Hanratty, Mike McGlinchey.
RB: Tarean Folston.
WR: Corey Robinson, Chris Brown, CJ Prosise.
TE: Ben Koyack.
First team defense
DL: Romeo Okwara, Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones, Ishaq Williams.
LB: Kendall Moore, Jaylon Smith, Joe Schmidt.
CB: KeiVarae Russell, Cole Luke.
S: Max Redfield, Austin Collinsworth.
Not much of a shake-up on either side of the ball, though Hanratty subbed in for Christian Lombard toward the end of practice. Head coach Brian Kelly said Lombard sprained his wrist during practice.
It's also worth noting that in the sub package, safety-turned-cornerback Matthias Farley rotated in as a nickel back while linebacker Jaylon Smith — who spent his freshman year on the outside — worked with Schmidt inside.
After practice, Kelly said that coaches planned on using Smith in different roles so offenses would never know where he will be. He made a similar comment about James Onwualu, who played receiver as a freshman but flipped to safety in the spring.
"He's a really good football player that, if we're smart with him, can do some jobs on both side of the ball," Kelly said of Onwualu.
Other tidbits from practice:
Amir Carlisle was very active in the slot following a disappointing fall outing. Not only did Carlisle look better and more consistent at catching the ball, but he was also called upon for handoffs, as well. At one point, he burned Farley, who was lined up at nickel. Kelly said Carlisle's role diminished in 2013 following Folston's breakout, but the senior "looks pretty confident now."
Since he's trained himself to throw with the laces, Golson throws nothing but line drives. Just watching the zip he puts on the ball hurts my hands.
In a receiving corps that has no superstars, Kelly said tight end Ben Koyack is the "most settled" target on the roster.
For as impressive as the Golson-Carlisle tandem looked out of the gate, Golson followed up a pretty pass to Carlisle with a pick-six in the hands of Schmidt.
Folston took first-team reps, but senior Cam McDaniel and sophomore Greg Bryant also got plenty of touches.
The pass rush — namely Schmidt, Farley and Sheldon Day — reached Golson and Zaire a number of times, forcing the quarterbacks to throw the ball away.
Reporters were given a rare glimpse of the last half hour of practice (instead of the usual first half hour), so we got to see a lot of 5-on-5 passing drills, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. Heavy emphasis on third down defense and four-man fronts Wednesday.
First team offense
QB: Everett Goslon
OL: (L to R) Ronnie Stanley, Steve Elmer, Matt Hegarty, Conor Hanratty, Mike McGlinchey.
RB: Tarean Folston.
WR: Corey Robinson, Chris Brown, CJ Prosise.
TE: Ben Koyack.
First team defense
DL: Romeo Okwara, Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones, Ishaq Williams.
LB: Kendall Moore, Jaylon Smith, Joe Schmidt.
CB: KeiVarae Russell, Cole Luke.
S: Max Redfield, Austin Collinsworth.
Not much of a shake-up on either side of the ball, though Hanratty subbed in for Christian Lombard toward the end of practice. Head coach Brian Kelly said Lombard sprained his wrist during practice.
It's also worth noting that in the sub package, safety-turned-cornerback Matthias Farley rotated in as a nickel back while linebacker Jaylon Smith — who spent his freshman year on the outside — worked with Schmidt inside.
After practice, Kelly said that coaches planned on using Smith in different roles so offenses would never know where he will be. He made a similar comment about James Onwualu, who played receiver as a freshman but flipped to safety in the spring.
"He's a really good football player that, if we're smart with him, can do some jobs on both side of the ball," Kelly said of Onwualu.
Other tidbits from practice:
Amir Carlisle was very active in the slot following a disappointing fall outing. Not only did Carlisle look better and more consistent at catching the ball, but he was also called upon for handoffs, as well. At one point, he burned Farley, who was lined up at nickel. Kelly said Carlisle's role diminished in 2013 following Folston's breakout, but the senior "looks pretty confident now."
Since he's trained himself to throw with the laces, Golson throws nothing but line drives. Just watching the zip he puts on the ball hurts my hands.
In a receiving corps that has no superstars, Kelly said tight end Ben Koyack is the "most settled" target on the roster.
For as impressive as the Golson-Carlisle tandem looked out of the gate, Golson followed up a pretty pass to Carlisle with a pick-six in the hands of Schmidt.
Folston took first-team reps, but senior Cam McDaniel and sophomore Greg Bryant also got plenty of touches.
The pass rush — namely Schmidt, Farley and Sheldon Day — reached Golson and Zaire a number of times, forcing the quarterbacks to throw the ball away.
TheRealLynch51
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Pretty sure a 7 or 8 year old wouldn't know how to "bowl a strike" dance wise. Haha He probably just made it up himself.
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First, let’s get to some of BK’s comments after practice.
Kelly talked about Notre Dame’s mediocre screen game, which was really good to hear after listening to hundreds of you bemoan the lack of creativity or productivity from that aspect of the offense. But with young offensive linemen learning their roles, it’s still very much a work in progress.
Kelly jokingly got off a pretty good dig on Steve Elmer, who is working at left guard next to Ronnie Stanley right now. The sophomore is doing a great job understanding his role at guard, but will use the spring to refine his game with offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
“I think that’s obviously a tandem that is working well together on a day-to-day basis,” Kelly said of Stanley and Elmer. “We like what we see there. Steve is still learning the little. He knows big picture the offense very well. I think what Harry (Hiestand) is really trying to drill down with Steve is what he wants.
“Screens, for example, remember how lousy we were on screens? He’s worse. Things like that. He’s really trying to figure out some of the little nuances in the game. That’s the next step for him. Ronnie has done very well at that position. I think now for Elmer, really picking up the nuances.”
Before anybody thinks Kelly is calling out a player, he was joking first of all and secondly he’s also taking a shot at his own offense and it’s inability to capitalize on high percentage pass plays like screen passes. If that’s a focal point of this offensive transition under Mike Denbrock then that’s great news.
***
Staying on the offensive side of the ball, Kelly talked about one of last year’s spring heroes, C.J. Prosise. While that didn’t translate into a lot of success last season, Prosise is a really intriguing athlete, especially considering he weighs 220 pounds.
“C.J. Prosise is an outstanding athlete. I don’t like to call any guys out, but he can give us even more,” Kelly said. I think if there’s a ceiling there, I think we can get more out of C.J.
“He doesn’t have a typical body type for that position, he’s a big kid. But he’s an extraordinary athlete. I think there’s more there and we’re seeing it. He’s got speed. He can catch the football, and we think he can be a really good blocker as an inside guy for us. He’s kind of a unique player at that position. You usually don’t get them big. I think he’s got a high ceiling as well.”
Prosise started in the secondary for the Irish, an obvious place for a 220 pound thumper who can run. But with the Irish shifting away from two tight end sets, Prosise could be a beneficiary in this offense.
Also receiving glowing reviews from Kelly was rising sophomore Will Fuller. After putting up a ridiculous 26.7 yards per catch average last year, Kelly all but said the sky was the limit for the Philadelphia native.
“Will Fuller, that kid is just a matter of how far he wants to take his talents,” Kelly said. “Weight room is going to be huge. Getting stronger. Attention to detail, all things that great players need to do. He’s a pretty good one.”
Some bozo last week said Fuller had the chance to be a 1,000 yard receiver this season. I’m feeling better about that prediction after hearing Kelly talk about Fuller.
***
It may be a surprise, but Jaylon Smith spent time at inside linebacker when the Irish went into a nickel package. Playing next to him was Joe Schmidt, while transitioning wide receiver James Onwualu also took some snaps there as well in the nickel set.
For Smith, it’s part of the transition to being the leading man of this defense. After playing primarily the dog outside linebacker spot last season, getting Smith into the middle of the action is just one part of utilizing the team’s best defensive playmaker.
“We’re finding that out right now as to what he can do,” Kelly said. “We’re overloading him quite frankly with a number of different looks.
“We don’t want offenses to know where he is. We’re going to play him in a number of different positions. He can be inside, outside, we’re moving him all over the place.”
Last year, the Irish passing defense really struggled on underneath routes, especially with Jarrett Grace, Carlo Calabrese and Dan Fox in coverage. In 2012, Manti Te’o made seven interceptions playing a glorified shallow center field for the Irish. Consider what Smith can do with his freakish speed and athleticism?
The move of Smith inside is likely as much a part of getting him in the center of the defense as it is about solidifying a clear weakness. A savvy and smart move that shows this staff did their homework during the offseason.
Kelly talked about Notre Dame’s mediocre screen game, which was really good to hear after listening to hundreds of you bemoan the lack of creativity or productivity from that aspect of the offense. But with young offensive linemen learning their roles, it’s still very much a work in progress.
Kelly jokingly got off a pretty good dig on Steve Elmer, who is working at left guard next to Ronnie Stanley right now. The sophomore is doing a great job understanding his role at guard, but will use the spring to refine his game with offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
“I think that’s obviously a tandem that is working well together on a day-to-day basis,” Kelly said of Stanley and Elmer. “We like what we see there. Steve is still learning the little. He knows big picture the offense very well. I think what Harry (Hiestand) is really trying to drill down with Steve is what he wants.
“Screens, for example, remember how lousy we were on screens? He’s worse. Things like that. He’s really trying to figure out some of the little nuances in the game. That’s the next step for him. Ronnie has done very well at that position. I think now for Elmer, really picking up the nuances.”
Before anybody thinks Kelly is calling out a player, he was joking first of all and secondly he’s also taking a shot at his own offense and it’s inability to capitalize on high percentage pass plays like screen passes. If that’s a focal point of this offensive transition under Mike Denbrock then that’s great news.
***
Staying on the offensive side of the ball, Kelly talked about one of last year’s spring heroes, C.J. Prosise. While that didn’t translate into a lot of success last season, Prosise is a really intriguing athlete, especially considering he weighs 220 pounds.
“C.J. Prosise is an outstanding athlete. I don’t like to call any guys out, but he can give us even more,” Kelly said. I think if there’s a ceiling there, I think we can get more out of C.J.
“He doesn’t have a typical body type for that position, he’s a big kid. But he’s an extraordinary athlete. I think there’s more there and we’re seeing it. He’s got speed. He can catch the football, and we think he can be a really good blocker as an inside guy for us. He’s kind of a unique player at that position. You usually don’t get them big. I think he’s got a high ceiling as well.”
Prosise started in the secondary for the Irish, an obvious place for a 220 pound thumper who can run. But with the Irish shifting away from two tight end sets, Prosise could be a beneficiary in this offense.
Also receiving glowing reviews from Kelly was rising sophomore Will Fuller. After putting up a ridiculous 26.7 yards per catch average last year, Kelly all but said the sky was the limit for the Philadelphia native.
“Will Fuller, that kid is just a matter of how far he wants to take his talents,” Kelly said. “Weight room is going to be huge. Getting stronger. Attention to detail, all things that great players need to do. He’s a pretty good one.”
Some bozo last week said Fuller had the chance to be a 1,000 yard receiver this season. I’m feeling better about that prediction after hearing Kelly talk about Fuller.
***
It may be a surprise, but Jaylon Smith spent time at inside linebacker when the Irish went into a nickel package. Playing next to him was Joe Schmidt, while transitioning wide receiver James Onwualu also took some snaps there as well in the nickel set.
For Smith, it’s part of the transition to being the leading man of this defense. After playing primarily the dog outside linebacker spot last season, getting Smith into the middle of the action is just one part of utilizing the team’s best defensive playmaker.
“We’re finding that out right now as to what he can do,” Kelly said. “We’re overloading him quite frankly with a number of different looks.
“We don’t want offenses to know where he is. We’re going to play him in a number of different positions. He can be inside, outside, we’re moving him all over the place.”
Last year, the Irish passing defense really struggled on underneath routes, especially with Jarrett Grace, Carlo Calabrese and Dan Fox in coverage. In 2012, Manti Te’o made seven interceptions playing a glorified shallow center field for the Irish. Consider what Smith can do with his freakish speed and athleticism?
The move of Smith inside is likely as much a part of getting him in the center of the defense as it is about solidifying a clear weakness. A savvy and smart move that shows this staff did their homework during the offseason.
woolybug25
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Craps. Single throw dice roll. This is important stuff, man.
Oh, and Zaire looks good.