2014 Spring Practice Thread

[koonja]

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)

That's exactly how I feel. I mean, I wasn't watching for him and I don't re watch film, but I never noticed him do anything.

 

[Luckylucci]

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.

I do think we'll miss that about Nix but one thing that I believe will overshadow that will be more guys making plays. Nix commanding a double team is only good if the other guys take advantage of that. I can see us being much more aggressive and opportunistic.

 

[Luckylucci]

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.

Fair point, I did wake up this morning with a killer migraine but a love for the Irish.

 

[Ironman8]

What did Tuitt show you in 2011 that pointed to a monster 2012 campaign? Tuitt was not the touted FS showing massive upside in '11 - that was Lynch.

Tuitt showed flashes of talent that needed to be honed by strength development and coaching. I think Rochelle can make a jump as well between his freshman and sophomore season. Not to the level Tuitt was at, but even if he gives us half that I love where our D can be with the improved LB and secondary talent along with an improved Jones, Day, etc.

 

[IrishLion]

I'm excited to see the WR rotation.

With DD out, I'm thinking it's going to be Fuller the Burner on one side of the field with Robinson the Monster on the other. Speed killing on one side, size on the other. If those two guys can progress, I think the WR position will be just fine (especially when DD gets back).

The question then is slot receiver... I'm hoping Hunter is everything that Kelly has hinted at, and I still believe Prosise could make some noise, especially with Golson back and (hopefully) more opportunities to around in the passing game.

I'm also curious as to how quickly Brent can get settled in and start making plays, and to see what happens with Chris Brown. I'm assuming CBreezy will be working on the outside with Fuller/Robinson, but could he be a mainstay at one of the inside receiver spots if BK calls for more 4WR formations?

In the spring, I would love to see:


Fuller - Hunter OT - OG - C - OG - OT Breezy - Robinson

Breezy - Prosise OT - OG - C - OG - OT Onwualu - Brent

 

[koonja]

I'm excited to see the WR rotation.

With DD out, I'm thinking it's going to be Fuller the Burner on one side of the field with Robinson the Monster on the other. Speed killing on one side, size on the other. If those two guys can progress, I think the WR position will be just fine (especially when DD gets back).

The question then is slot receiver... I'm hoping Hunter is everything that Kelly has hinted at, and I still believe Prosise could make some noise, especially with Golson back and (hopefully) more opportunities to around in the passing game.

I'm also curious as to how quickly Brent can get settled in and start making plays, and to see what happens with Chris Brown. I'm assuming CBreezy will be working on the outside with Fuller/Robinson, but could he be a mainstay at one of the inside receiver spots if BK calls for more 4WR formations?

In the spring, I would love to see:


Fuller - Hunter OT - OG - C - OG - OT Breezy - Robinson

Chris Brown had a disappointing year, but I put a ton of that on Tommy. IDK why (because Chris is around 6'1" so he's not short), but Tommy nearly got him killed about 10 times this year on the deep out, over throwing him and Chris making an honest effort on the ball, exposed his body to getting murdered.

I think Chris could have a good year with an improved QB.

 

[woolybug25]

Chris Brown had a disappointing year, but I put a ton of that on Tommy. IDK why (because Chris is around 6'1" so he's not short), but Tommy nearly got him killed about 10 times this year on the deep out, over throwing him and Chris making an honest effort on the ball, exposed his body to getting murdered.

I think Chris could have a good year with an improved QB.

I just hope Golson can actually hit him on the post route now.

 

[NDohio]

- Really excited about seeing what the defensive scheme looks like. BVG will bring a new attitude to the defense.
- I can't wait to see Jaylon's improvement. To see how much better he got during the season was awesome. Now I want to see him dominate. I think back to the ASU game and what that every week.
- T Hunter. Is he the type of player BK keeps telling us he is? Will he be a leader(even though he is young)? I can't wait to see he is athleticism.
- QB. It's going to be fun to see athletes in that position.

 

[koonja]

- Really excited about seeing what the defensive scheme looks like. BVG will bring a new attitude to the defense.
- I can't wait to see Jaylon's improvement. To see how much better he got during the season was awesome. Now I want to see him dominate. I think back to the ASU game and what that every week.
- T Hunter. Is he the type of player BK keeps telling us he is? Will he be a leader(even though he is young)? I can't wait to see he is athleticism.
- QB. It's going to be fun to see athletes in that position.

I hope he's a total character and stays on the field. I'm talking pushups on the sidelines, clapping, screaming, high fives that hurt, the kind of coaches that gets his players fired up and jumping around.

I'm all in on Tori Hunter, and have been since he signed. Thought he was a steal of a recruit.

 

[koonja]

Fair point, I did wake up this morning with a killer migraine but a love for the Irish.

This is why I get such a bad rap on here as being negative, and often reconsider if this board is for me, lol.

I call it like I expect it, not like I hope it will be. I love our 2ndary, LB I'm OK with, but our DL youth and experience scares the hell out of me.

Not singling you out, just some coffee/discussion induced reflection haha. Back to practice!

 

[IrishLion]

I'm just excited to see the "true" spread offense again in general.

First, we've got a QB that can run the whole system, and not just because he's mobile and can run options/reads. He has the arm strength to make the deep ball a viable option on any given play. Rees usually needed a good play-action setup to effectively get the ball deep, whereas Golson will be able to chuck it down field to the speed/size in the WR corps whenever called upon. Four Verts FTW.

Second, the TE position is a (relative) question mark. Koyack should be okay, but can he be a dominant threat like Eifert and Niklas? Who will be number two? Will it be a committee of whichever young TE is a better blocker/receiver, depending on situation?

The longer the TE situation is up in the air, the more the offense will operate with 4WRs, and that's a good thing IMO considering the play style of ALL of the QBs on the roster and the depth at WR.

 

[Ironman8]

The players I am most excited to see are:

Jarron Jones - Does he build off of late season success and come locked in and focused to 'be the man' in the middle in '14?

Kendall Moore - Reports are he is finally taking football seriously (about time). Can he step up with the severe lack of MLB depth and cement himself as a starter and veteran leader going into the summer? If so, it really helps us handle potential recovery or growing pains problems with Grace, Deeb, Morgan, Randolph, etc.

Torii Hunter - Can he take over for TJ as the jack of all trades yet still dynamic WR and become Golson's best friend?

Greg Bryant -Run baby, run.

Chris Brown - Does he use all the absences to step up into a leadership role of the WRs, or is he content to stay more of a role player?

Steve Elmer / Mike McGlinchey - Does the staff move Elmer to tackle, or keep him at Guard (probably tied to how good McGlinchey is right now). I think Elmer could be the best OL at ND as soon as this upcoming season.

Malik Zaire - Can he really push Golson? And in doing so, improve the quality and production of both QBs? I sincerely hope so.

Max Redfield - Does he use the Pinstripe Bowl start to seize the reigns at FS and never look back? Or does a muddle safety depth chart stay muddled? Looking at Shumate to finally step up as well. Our best defense is with Shu and Max back deep IMO.

Jaylon Smith - Does his inevitable ND captaincy start as a true sophomore? Logic and reason have to lead you to say no, but lack of veteran stars / leaders could lend itself to an extremely rare honor.

K. Russell - Does he back up the talk of going into the year with the goal of being one of the best in the nation? If so, it should show early in spring with reports of his leadership, dedication to craft, etc. Hoping to hear a lot of that, and Russell being named Captain with Sheldon Day.

 

[ulukinatme]

Statistically speaking? Because I think Fuller is the #1 WR on the roster at the moment.

I think Fuller is the best deep threat we have at the moment, but I'm hoping that Golson also develops a rhythm with Robinson. That big guy could help end some of our redzone woes.

I think Riggs is going to make it tough for Luke to start even if he gets the spring reps.

Do we know anything about Riggs making it for spring practices yet? I would hope he'd be able to get here for practices, it's not like Florida is going to work him out if he's still enrolled at the time.

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

Definitely Russell. The guy is MVP on defense among the upperclassmen right now. This defense is going to be young it looks like, I can only think of a few Seniors that will be likely starting. On offense I would say Lombard or McDaniel, hopefully it's Cam because I could see him as a leader the way he's carried himself.

 

[dublinirish]

anyone reckon the run game might struggle and the offense becomes a very heavy pass first offense?

 

[koonja]

anyone reckon the run game might struggle and the offense becomes a very heavy pass first offense?

No way, how could it? We bring back every back that was good (the only one I think GAIII is better than is Amir. And I think Amir can be better than GAIII).

I think our run game will be lethal. I expect GB/Folston/Cam/Amir to be a top 5 'depth' backfield, and Golson will force the safeties to play deeper than when Tommy was QB. I think our offense could be electric if Golson develops a go-to guy or two, and Koyac continues his progression.

 

[Grahambo]

One name I don't remember seeing yet is Corey Robinson. Curious to see his next step in development.

 

[Ironman8]

anyone reckon the run game might struggle and the offense becomes a very heavy pass first offense?

It could early, as we are losing our best two run blocking OL, but I think as Everett settles in and forces the defense to account for his arm and his legs it will open up big lanes for our talented backs to run through. Lanes would definitely be a little better with Martin and Watt, but such is life and losses in CFB. Reload.

I want to see balance and consistency - specifically being able to dictate terms on offense, rather than try and go all throw or all run based on what he think the D will try and do to us.

 

[Grahambo]

It could early, as we are losing our best two run blocking OL, but I think as Everett settles in and forces the defense to account for his arm and his legs it will open up big lanes for our talented backs to run through. Lanes would definitely be a little better with Martin and Watt, but such is life and losses in CFB. Reload.

Despite losing two of the best OL in recent memory, I don't think the OL is as big of a question as it might appear on the surface. Stanley returns along with Martin and Lombard. Assuming the latter two are 100%, that's a terrific balance of returning starters. Add in the experience that Elmer and Hanratty ended up receiving and it's not so bleak.

Does Stanley move over to the blindside?

 

[koonja]

anyone reckon the run game might struggle and the offense becomes a very heavy pass first offense?

I think we'll miss Hercules more than the graduating OL. Simply because the two OL that will likely start got so much PT, and I don't remember Koyac being much of a blocker.

 

[dublinirish]

My feelings being 2/5 new starters on OL, plus Koyack being an unproven in-line blocker and the other TE's being unknowns at this point.

 

[Ironman8]

Despite losing two of the best OL in recent memory, I don't think the OL is as big of a question as it might appear on the surface. Stanley returns along with Martin and Lombard. Assuming the latter two are 100%, that's a terrific balance of returning starters. Add in the experience that Elmer and Hanratty ended up receiving and it's not so bleak.

Does Stanley move over to the blindside?

Oh I don't think it is bleak at all - I actually think our OL could be better going forward than at any point in recent history. I just think to assume it will just be great off the bat after losing two draft picks, one being the best OL ND has produced in some time, is naive and wishful thinking.

I don't know if we will struggle early so much as not be as good as we hope / expect. As for Stanley, there are rumors he has gained a good amount of bad weight since the end of the season. If true, that kind of step back definitely doesn't lend me to have confidence in moving him to LT.

I would love to see Elmer at LT and Stanley stay at RT, but I think we truly have like 8-9 OL that I would be comfortable starting, which is more than I could say in the past. Anyway it breaks out, you have to be encouraged, because the competition will bring out the best and the best 5 of a group of 8-9 good ones will play.

 

[ulukinatme]

No way. I think our run game will be lethal. I expect GB/Folston/Cam/Amir to be a top 5 'depth' backfield, and Golson will force the safeties to play deeper than when Tommy was QB. I think our offense could be electric if Golson develops a go-to guy or two, and Koyac continues his progression.

By all accounts, Martin was the one pushing to throw the ball 30+ times a game when Tommy was the QB. I do think our run game will be lethal, it needs to be. If you look at 2012, other than the MSU game, Golson seemed to perform best when he was only asked to throw 20-25 times a game. Once he's getting into the 30-40 attempts range, we struggled. A lethal running game is key. Not only does it take pressure off the QB, but it sets up the pass and keeps the defense honest. It's no wonder teams were dropping so many into coverage against Tommy, we were a limited threat running the ball most times, especially at the QB position.

 

[GoIrish41]

One name I don't remember seeing yet is Corey Robinson. Curious to see his next step in development.

This. He had some big moments last year, and I think that the confidence that he gained there could propel him to more of a regular, consistent contributor. Sky is the limit for this kid, IMO. Tall, athletic, fluid, good hands and fast enough to be effective.

I also want to see Bryant live up to the hype he got coming in and last year as he worked through his injury. If he does, I think the 1-2 punch at RB along with the mobility of Golson is going to be something to behold.

I really want to see the ILB position battles. Will Deeb's work ethic, attitude and toughness translate into on-field performance? Will Morgan step on the field as our best option on Day 1? With a new defensive system, that evens the playing field significantly from an experience perspective.

I want to see the young talent on the DL come together and show that solid teamwork up front can overcome the loss of star power. Will we have enough depth to rotate fresh bodies in and out of games, or will we be leaning too heavily on a few players that will wear down by the 4th quarter of games. Who will step up at nose? Will the young guys play a significant role in providing competition or even break the 2 deep?

I want to see Malik push Golson to places he hasn't been. I want there to be open competition at the QB position that makes them both better. Let the chips fall where they may, and if neither becomes a undisputed star of the team, it just makes next year's prized recruit all the more important.

I suspect the OL will gel and the starting five will be a solid unit. Who will step into the reserve critical roles that were filled by Elmer and Hanratty last year? I agree with Ironman that a mobile QB (be it Golson or Malik) will open some holes that were not there last year, but how will our pass blocking be this year? We lost a first round talent at LT, and I wonder who will step up to fill that critical spot?

 

[dublinirish]

Looking forward to tons of oklahoma/big cat drill footage. i dont hold much hopes though it seems like the insight the video department have been uploading every year has gotten shorter and poorer in quality

 

[TheTurningPoint]

I'm all in on Tori Hunter, and have been since he signed. Thought he was a steal of a recruit.

Hold up lol. Not trying to troll or start anything, but you are very critical of Rochell who proved he can more than handle playing at a high BCS level last yr. You might not have seen him make plays, but he didnt give up any either. Teams didnt run directly at him like Lynch, and he did get pressure. But you are all in on a kid who is coming off an injury, hasnt taken contact, or seen the field at a D1 level. Doesnt make sense haha.

 

[koonja]

Hold up lol. Not trying to troll or start anything, but you are very critical of Rochell who proved he can more than handle playing at a high BCS level last yr. You might not have seen him make plays, but he didnt give up any either. Teams didnt run directly at him like Lynch, and he did get pressure. But you are all in on a kid who is coming off an injury, hasnt taken contact, or seen the field at a D1 level. Doesnt make sense haha.

Personally, I wasn't as impressed with Rochell's HS film as much as everyone else, and like I said, didn't see anything from him last year other than a really young guy who was a decent back up.

Tori's HS film was amazing, IMO, and ~ 4-starish receiver can make an immediate impact much more than a ~ 4-starish DL/OL, because those guys simply need 1-3 years in the weight room to become serious players.

If you're fast, can run a route, and know the play book, you can play early at WR. OL/DL, no matter how talented you are as a freshman (unless you're an elite recruit like EV), you simply have to catch up because size and strength is so important in the trenches. WR? Not so much.

 

[IrishLion]

So you're putting more stock into Hunter's high school film, where he was a star, than Rochelle's Notre Dame film, where he held his own against actual DI competition?

 

[koonja]

So you're putting more stock into Hunter's high school film, where he was a star, than Rochelle's Notre Dame film, where he held his own against actual DI competition?

Yeah. It's not that crazy to feel option 1 will be better than 2, even though you've seen 1 but not 2. If you've had a local pizza place for 10 years, and it's pretty decent but nothing to write home about, it's not crazy to think the new pizza place being built won't be better, even though you haven't tried it (this is a bad analogy - too much coffee).

I don't want to argue about semantics, but I didn't see Rochell holding his own last year. Based on what little film I saw of him, I think Tori can be a better player this year (down the road, who knows.... DL/OL develop later on).

 

[IrishLion]

Yeah. I don't want to argue about semantics, but I didn't see Rochell holding his own last year. Based on what little film I saw of him, I think Tori can be a better player this year (down the road, who knows.... DL/OL develop later on).

I understand what you're saying, but I thought Rochelle at the very least did a serviceable job of holding his responsibilities when he got playing time. I just think it's unfair to question his experience when comparing him to a player with NO experience.

And of course, if Hunter is even serviceable as a WR, he's going to have a more visible impact than what Rochelle will have. Rochelle might control the LOS and have anywhere from 4-8 sacks on the season, but people will remember Hunter first if he has ~300 yards and 4 TDs on the year.

 

[koonja]

I understand what you're saying, but I thought Rochelle at the very least did a serviceable job of holding his responsibilities when he got playing time. I just think it's unfair to question his experience when comparing him to a player with NO experience.

And of course, if Hunter is even serviceable as a WR, he's going to have a more visible impact than what Rochelle will have. Rochelle might control the LOS and have anywhere from 4-8 sacks on the season, but people will remember Hunter first if he has ~300 yards and 4 TDs on the year.[/QUOTE]



That's fair. I guess I'm not worried so much about Rochell holding his own, or Jarron and Springman for that matter. But we lack a player who can actually make plays on the DL, unlike the past (Nix, Tuitt, Lynch was a freak for one year, even KLM his 4th and 5th year).

Sheldon is very good, but it's just him this year. No one else on our DL will scare offenses.

Having a bunch of guys that hold their own but don't create penetration puts a ton of pressure on LBs and is a recipe for a very average rushing defense.