2014 Spring Practice Thread

[Fbolt]

- what role does Bryant play in the return game?
- does Hunter look as good as BK insinuated?
- does Deeb grab a starting ILB role?
- are we much faster on D (one could argue that Nix, Tuitt and KLM are all being replaced by faster players)?
- what changes does BVG bring to the defensive scheme?

The biggest things I'm looking forward to in the spring:

1- Zaire actually pushing Golson for the QB spot.
2- Bryant showing he is capable of being the breakout back.
3- Which WR takes the #1 by the balls.
4- If Koyack does indeed have potential enough to be the next ND tight end to make a splash
5- BVG and his new look on defense (which I'm fairly sure we wont actually see until game 1)
6- Who takes the MLB spots? Will Morgan come in and start as a freshman?
7- Is Luke the opposite man?
8- Who takes the reigns as the return man? And will it even matter?

So many questions!!!

pretty much covers it for me

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Shameless Plug: 5 Things to Watch | Irish Turning Point

But to add to the IE list

1. Ill be really interested to see who steps up and takes the leadership roles. You cant point to 1 kid and say 'hes the guy". Last year, I think that is 80% of the downfall of the team.

2. How do they get the 5 best OL on the field? Who are the 5 best OL? Experience says Stanley, Elmer, Martin, Lombard, Hanratty. But Hegarty balled vs Stanford. Does that move Martin to LG? Does Elmer move to LG and McGlinchey get the RT tackle spot? Does Hanratty start over Lombard? Is a Bivin ready to make a move?

3. How do they get through the spring with no injuries? Martin is coming off an injury. 2 QBs on scholarship, cant afford to have either get a bruise. Both need tons of reps and will get tons of reps, but if one sprains an ankle...that gets very interesting on how to get quality reps in.

4. Kendall Moore is taking football seriously for the first time in his career. Too little too late? Dont know bc that position is so inexperienced, and such a wild card. Randolph has potential through the sky, but has never truly played a MLB role. Deeb may still be a year away. Grace is out. I have said forever Id love to see Councell in there, but I dont think he will be ready for Spring. Then the freshman dont arrive till June. Someone can easily make a move in the spring and solidify that position going into game 1.

5. Booker will be put to the test, how will he react? He has had the luxury of having some talented kids and a situation of time to develop his guys at TE. Its urgent that they get a 2nd TE ready to fill a role. Im not too worried about the 2TE sets, bc of the depth at WR, and the teams strength will be 4wide and spreading the field. Can Kelly trust him enough to run SpTeams by himself? Kelly did run kickoff at some points last year, and some of them were the longer returns. I do not have a huge problem with Special Teams bc they arent costing ND games. Can they be improved by a lot? Absolutely. But its not at a point that its determining games.

 

[Cpnd1]

Nothing better then dissecting those three minute clips...

 

[chicago51]

I can't even fathom spring practice starting so soon even though I realize it is.

It is freezing cold still! My mind has a hard time thinking football when most of the grass is covered with snow.

 

[rocket66]

Nothing better then dissecting those three minute clips...

Ha, yup

 

[Wild Bill]

Shameless Plug: 5 Things to Watch | Irish Turning Point

But to add to the IE list

1. Ill be really interested to see who steps up and takes the leadership roles. You cant point to 1 kid and say 'hes the guy". Last year, I think that is 80% of the downfall of the team.

I think they have one guy - Jaylon. I realize he's young but he's clearly "the guy" with respect to being the best at his position. I was only able to make it to one game last year, the ASU game, and he impressed me. His ability is obvious even on television, but I got to see the way he interacted with his teammates better in person, and that's what impressed me the most. He is a natural leader, it's obvious just the way he carries himself. He played like a mad man and the defense fed off of him. I expect him to take on the leadership role.

 

[Ironman8]

I could see the captains being Lombard, Day and Brindza, with other candidates / possibilities being Russell, Collinsworth, McDaniel, Koyack and Nick Martin.

 

[gkIrish]

I could see the captains being Lombard, Day and Brindza, with other candidates / possibilities being Russell, Collinsworth, McDaniel, Koyack and Nick Martin.

I will honestly be stunned if Brindza is not a captain.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Is there a consensus on this board that we are staying with the 3-4? I think we are going to be seeing a ton of 4-3 looks.

Some guesses:
1) We are going to beef up Okwara and Ishaq to be more like WDEs.
2) Randolph can stay on the outside, he could be an excellent Will behind Councell.
3) We have a lot of bodies in the middle, but no one proven (assuming Grace is not ready). Why can't Morgan play really early?

Some other issues...
4) Is Zaire consistently good?
5) Are the WRs ready for big time?
6) Is Kelly going to come up with a crazy running game? He like cutting edge. I think we are going to see elements of the Auburn offense.
7) Are the WRs ready for prime time. The talent is there, but the experience is lacking...

The positions that don't worry me: OL, TE (not very important, and Smythe will surprise) , Safety, CB, and RB.

Captains: Farley, Russell, and on offense... Koyack, Lombard, . . . Golson?

 

[Luckylucci]

Is there a consensus on this board that we are staying with the 3-4? I think we are going to be seeing a ton of 4-3 looks.

Some guesses:
1) We are going to beef up Okwara and Ishaq to be more like WDEs.
2) Randolph can stay on the outside, he could be an excellent Will behind Councell.
3) We have a lot of bodies in the middle, but no one proven (assuming Grace is not ready). Why can't Morgan play really early?

Some other issues...
4) Is Zaire consistently good?
5) Are the WRs ready for big time?
6) Is Kelly going to come up with a crazy running game? He like cutting edge. I think we are going to see elements of the Auburn offense.
7) Are the WRs ready for prime time. The talent is there, but the experience is lacking...

The positions that don't worry me: OL, TE (not very important, and Smythe will surprise) , Safety, CB, and RB.

Captains: Farley, Russell, and on offense... Koyack, Lombard, . . . Golson?

Okwara and Ishaq are already at WDE size, that's essentially what the CAT LB is.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I could see the captains being Lombard, Day and Brindza, with other candidates / possibilities being Russell, Collinsworth, McDaniel, Koyack and Nick Martin.

IIRC, some seniors during fall camp were saying how much of a vocal leader KeiVarae already was, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if he is a captain come Aug 30.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I will honestly be stunned if Brindza is not a captain.

I can see the reaction now:

"Heh, ND doesn't have much in the size department. Look at that LB, #27 over there."

"...That's the kicker."

"...oh sh*t."

 

[WestCoast]

I want to see how Golson looks coming back. Reesus was such a gunslinger out there last year, I want to see if Golson can even come close.

You said gunslinger but all I could do was picture Barney Fife.

 

[WestCoast]

So how many schollys do we need to pull by the end of Spring ball this year to get under the limit???


...

wait, wrong program...

It's time to sell your soul to the darkside ... all the kids are doing it.

 

[dublinirish]

4. Kendall Moore is taking football seriously for the first time in his career.

TP can you elaborate on this? what has been the deal with Moore? Is he just not a hard worker or not smart enough to know the playbook inside out like a Mike backer should?

 

[tko]

I just want to fear the stache, period.

 

[Grahambo]

Defense, defense, defense.

I am very interested in seeing what it will look like with BVG. He will also be on the field this season instead of the box. What will his play calling look like? Where does he think guys should be in terms of position?

 

[koonja]

I'm extremely concerned about our DL. Not so much about our secondary (afterall, we have Farley back!), and we kind of know what we're getting at LB, besides ILB.

But DL?

- Sheldon Day will be good.
- Jarron Jones hasn't shown anything consistently.
- Springman is a solid back up who will probably be starting and he's coming off of a major knee injury.
- Chase Houncel hasn't been healthy yet or played (maybe a few snaps) so I don't expect much from him.
- Isaac Rochell - besides being a DE from Georgia which comes with high expectations (whether deserved or not), hasn't done anything yet or showen he's ready to be a serious player at this level.

Extremely young, injured, and inexperienced.

I think our 2ndary will be a strength, but we won't be stopping the run nearly as well as we have in the past. It could be a really bad rush defense IMO.

We're going to have to score a lot to win the big games this year.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm extremely concerned about our DL. Not so much about our secondary (afterall, we have Farley back!), and we kind of know what we're getting at LB, besides ILB.

But DL?

- Sheldon Day will be good.
- Jarron Jones hasn't shown anything consistently.
- Springman is a solid back up who will probably be starting and he's coming off of a major knee injury.
- Chase Houncel hasn't been healthy yet or played (maybe a few snaps) so I don't expect much from him.
- Isaac Rochell - besides being a DE from Georgia which comes with high expectations (whether deserved or not), hasn't done anything yet or showen he's ready to be a serious player at this level.

Extremely young, injured, and inexperienced.

I think our 2ndary will be a strength, but we won't be stopping the run nearly as well as we have in the past. It could be a really bad rush defense IMO.

We're going to have to score a lot to win games this year.

Somebody posted that last year Jarron had only 7 less tackles than Nix. He also had 2 blocked kicks and a couple tipped passes. I would argue that in his limited time last season, he showed that he can play at a high level. I'm really looking forward to Jarron being a stud this year.

Also, Rochelle showed that even as a frosh, he could hang with the best of them. I am expecting him to grow as a player as well.

So while they are young, I would argue that we have seen more from the new DL faces than we have of some of he LB we will see this fall (ie Deeb, Morgan, etc).

 

[koonja]

Somebody posted that last year Jarron had only 7 less tackles than Nix. He also had 2 blocked kicks and a couple tipped passes. I would argue that in his limited time last season, he showed that he can play at a high level. I'm really looking forward to Jarron being a stud this year.

Also, Rochelle showed that even as a frosh, he could hang with the best of them. I am expecting him to grow as a player as well.

So while they are young, I would argue that we have seen more from the new DL faces than we have of some of he LB we will see this fall (ie Deeb, Morgan, etc).

I feel like Jarron is the type of player who when you're not counting on (last year, relying on Nix/Tuitt for every-down plays), he's such a physical freak that he'll stand out once in a while when you're not looking for it, like the examples you mentioned. But this year he's going to be expected to get penetration everydown. We'll be watching and depending on him constantly, rather than just be glad he made a play once in a while while Nix/Tuitt handled the grunt of the work. I hope you're right, but I'm still very skeptical of him.

Physically, I just didn't see Rochelle as being ready. As a true frosh, that's expected. But I can't remember a time where he showed a sign of being physically ready - blowing by his guy with speed, bull rushing/over powering. Again, expected, and he'll be really good in time, but IDK if that time was now (hopefully he's had a killer off season, With Longo's program, I have no doubt).

 

[Luckylucci]

Somebody posted that last year Jarron had only 7 less tackles than Nix. He also had 2 blocked kicks and a couple tipped passes. I would argue that in his limited time last season, he showed that he can play at a high level. I'm really looking forward to Jarron being a stud this year.

Also, Rochelle showed that even as a frosh, he could hang with the best of them. I am expecting him to grow as a player as well.

So while they are young, I would argue that we have seen more from the new DL faces than we have of some of he LB we will see this fall (ie Deeb, Morgan, etc).

I agree, both Rochelle and Jones showed that they can play at a high level. Can they do it consistently is the question but that's what the spring is for, getting better and improving work volume. If we don't think these kids can get better then we should just just give up now.

 

[Irishman77]

Tuitt and nix were hurt all last year. Our DL will be much improved in 14

 

[Luckylucci]

I feel like Jarron is the type of player who when you're not counting on (last year, relying on Nix/Tuitt for every-down plays), he's such a physical freak that he'll stand out once in a while when you're not looking for it, like the examples you mentioned. But this year he's going to be expected to get penetration everydown. We'll be watching and depending on him constantly, rather than just be glad he made a play once in a while while Nix/Tuitt handled the grunt of the work. I hope you're right, but I'm still very skeptical of him.

Physically, I just didn't see Rochelle as being ready. As a true frosh, that's expected. But I can't remember a time where he showed a sign of being physically ready - blowing by his guy with speed, bull rushing/over powering. Again, expected, and he'll be really good in time, but IDK if that time was now (hopefully he's had a killer off season, With Longo's program, I have no doubt).

Rochelle was heralded as one of the strongest guys in the 2013 class and most ready to play now. His 225 bench numbers were really good. I don't know them off the top of my head , maybe somebody can help me out but I know they were substantially better then your giving them credit for.

 

[koonja]

Rochelle was heralded as one of the strongest guys in the 2013 class and most ready to play now. His 225 bench numbers were really good. I don't know them off the top of my head , maybe somebody can help me out but I know they were substantially better then your giving them credit for.

That's great that he's strong, but I just didn't see a strength advantage for him against BCS OL last year.

It was a small sample size, but maybe you saw something I didn't. I saw him as a good backup, definately not a starter, which isn't a knock on him since he's a true freshman.

 

[Luckylucci]

Tuitt and nix were hurt all last year. Our DL will be much improved in 14

Good post and this needs to be taken into consideration. We lost the names but how much production from last year do we really lose?

 

[koonja]

Good post and this needs to be taken into consideration. We lost the names but how much production from last year do we really lose?

I honstly don't think we'll miss 2013 Tuitt a ton. But IMO, Nix was making every play even if he wasn't. When single teamed, he'd push through and misdirect the RB, when double teamed, well, he was double teamed.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Good post and this needs to be taken into consideration. We lost the names but how much production from last year do we really lose?

With a healthy DL, the LB corp should flourish in BVG's defense. The Irish may not see dominating DL play under his defensive strategy, but by simply holding their ground, it should allow BVG to get more creative in his schemes.

 

[Luckylucci]

That's great that he's strong, but I just didn't see a strength advantage for him against BCS OL last year.

It was a small sample size, but maybe you saw something I didn't. I saw him as a good backup, definately not a starter, which isn't a knock on him since he's a true freshman.

Exactly, and that's what the spring is about. Getting better, getting stronger, learning nuances of the game. Remember this is his first spring camp. There is a lot to work with and we have months to mold that clay. Just keep in mind the spring isn't about a finished product. It's the beginning of this new team and enjoy the process of them getting better. Not to come down on you, but you seemed so overly negative in your first post and we're not playing for anything right now.

 

[irishfan]

That's great that he's strong, but I just didn't see a strength advantage for him against BCS OL last year.

It was a small sample size, but maybe you saw something I didn't. I saw him as a good backup, definately not a starter, which isn't a knock on him since he's a true freshman.

I honestly don't remember him doing anything of note over the last 4-5 games of the season. Thought he pretty much disappeared. I hope I'm wrong but I don't see him being anything more than a solid backup this year (and there's nothing wrong with that)

 

[koonja]

Exactly, and that's what the spring is about. Getting better, getting stronger, learning nuances of the game. Remember this is his first spring camp. There is a lot to work with and we have months to mold that clay. Just keep in mind the spring isn't about a finished product. It's the beginning of this new team and enjoy the process of them getting better. Not to come down on you, but you seemed so overly negative in your first post and we're not playing for anything right now.

Did you miss my praise of the 2ndary? Lol.

I'd feel a lot better about the DL if Jim Mora wasn't a cheating serpent.