2014 Spring Practice Thread

[irishfan]

People are jumping on kuehnja for hyping up a 4-star who redshirted cause of injuries. Sounds like what pretty much everyone is doing with Bryant as well.

 

[tko]

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.

Anyone notice Hanratty? He w/b a lock the entire year, mark it.

 

[dublinirish]

People are jumping on kuehnja for hyping up a 4-star who redshirted cause of injuries. Sounds like what pretty much everyone is doing with Bryant as well.

the most popular players at ND are always the guys who haven't played

 

[IrishLion]

People are jumping on kuehnja for hyping up a 4-star who redshirted cause of injuries. Sounds like what pretty much everyone is doing with Bryant as well.

Not jumping on him at all, just discussing the idea of comparing a player with no experience to one with decent experience.

I would have argued the same point if you substitute "Bryant" in place of "Hunter."

 

[koonja]

the most popular players at ND are always the guys who haven't played

And the ones with really, really ripped abs.

 

[NDWorld247]

I'm most excited to see how the IrishMob13 has developed, especially the guys we haven't really seen.

Every position group battle is impacted by the IrishMob13.

QB - Zaire likely won't beat out Golson, but he'll give us a better glimpse of what to expect should Golson miss time next fall.

RB - All eyes are on Bryant. Folston should be considered the #1 RB heading into the spring. Can Bryant overtake him or ascend to the #2 spot?

WR - All four (Robinson, Fuller, Onwaulu, Hunter Jr.) will compete for starting positions and / or playing time. Who develops the best chemistry with Golson?

TE - Smythe & Heuerman - One of these guys will be the #2 TE next season. Who will it be?

OL - Elmer, McGlinchey and Bivin will compete for starting spots. What about the other two - Montelus and McGovern? We haven't seen them at all.

DL - Rochell should start spring with the first team. Where's Matuska?

LB - To me, the most interesting aspect of Jaylon's development will be his leadership. Deeb and Randolph will compete for starting positions. Neither saw the field last season.

DB - Cole Luke, Devin Butler and Max Redfield figure to be among the top 5-6 DBs on the roster right now. What about the most intriguing prospect in the class, Kinlaw? Where's he at?

ST - A few names in the mix for KR / PR...Bryant, Kinlaw, Luke, etc.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

In addition to all the defensive personnel and issues brought up, I want to see how some players on offense step up, particularly those that may step out of the shadows.

I think the O-line has been discussed well. I think there are going to be eight guys, maybe nine for five positions. I hate to keep it up, but I am really interested to see if a personnel configuration is inserted to get all three (super) tackle prospects on the field.

In addition I am looking for guys like CJ Prosise, and Will Mahone to step up and push things forward. And James Onwualu, what if any limitations dose he have? Many of these guys can block, and run, and play as wide receivers. Between CJ, James, and Justin Brent, little defenders may have big problems. Will we get an inkling this spring?

And what about Andrew? (Trumbetti.) I am hearing he is powerful monstrous? Monstrous, enough to get some play time with the big boys!

I agree this is the most interesting spring since Kelly came, or since Clausen did, whichever you perceive as bigger.

 

[dublinirish]

somebody correct me if i am wrong but wasn't Hounshell running with the 1's last year before he got hurt?

Im hoping he can contribute this year

 

[Bogtrotter07]

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)

Isaac Rochell – Like Jones, Rochell suffered an ankle injury against Pitt but was back out on the practice field and it sounds like he should be set for the weekend.

My understanding was that his ankle was never the same after Pitt. So I don't think we got much of a look at Rochell's development progression, toward the end of the year.

I expect him to be a lot better this year.

And did anyone notice Montelus is up to 340 lbs? He is apparently healthy and can move. One of those guys in the shadows. With Bivin, too.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

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.

Couple good points :

As far as Stanley gaining bad weight, that would put Elmer left and McGlinchey right and Stanley with a decision to make.

Chief among the reasons this O-line may not miss a beat is Harry H (and his coaching). I believe he will have them seeing this as an opportunity to take a step forward.

Not jumping on him at all, just discussing the idea of comparing a player with no experience to one with decent experience.

I would have argued the same point if you substitute "Bryant" in place of "Hunter."

In my mind the conversation should be; "how much more speed and athleticism makes up for experience?"

 

[ND NYC]

-- Will we see Kellys up tempo-"spread"-offense (finally) in Year 5? Or will we be watching golson staring to the sidelines as the play clock ticks....ticks....ticks...ticks. BK--call the play and call it quick for chrissakes. Tempo more important than most realize IMO.

--Ishaq. Time to represent the NYC. Now or never kid.

--Folson will lock down RB1 IMO

--getting healthy seems to be the most important thing this team needs to do betwee now and fall camp. sooo many injuries at key spots.

--VanGorder: unleash the hounds!

 

[Irish#1]

In comparing Hunter to Bryant. We got a few early tidbits of what Bryant can do. Not so with Hunter. I will say that I am definitely interested to see what he shows during spring practice. That should give us an idea of what to expect in the fall.

 

[eNDzone]

-- Will we see Kellys up tempo-"spread"-offense (finally) in Year 5? Or will we be watching golson staring to the sidelines as the play clock ticks....ticks....ticks...ticks. BK--call the play and call it quick for chrissakes. Tempo more important than most realize IMO.

This^ Tempo this year.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Personally, I'm pretty excited to see if we really start switching to a 4-3 instead of a 3-4. I feel like our defensive line depth fits better in a 4-3. For example, I like the thought of Sheldon Day on the inside in a 4-3. Lets let the boys on the interior go and make plays in a 4-3 instead of being block absorbing sponges in a 3-4. As previously mentioned, Ishaq and Okwara are near the true 4-3 DE frame, and if Ishaqs only jobs are outside contain and to rush the quarterback, he can just play and not think (Personally, I feel like he hasnt lived up to expectations due to thinking too much on the field). Also feel good about Jarron Jones inside as well. But, if we continue to run a 3-4, all my thoughts are null and void..

 

[irishog77]

Will Heggie finally emerge as the All-American punt returner we've been desiring.

 

[dublinirish]

Will Heggie finally emerge as the All-American punt returner we've been desiring.

at Ball State, tbh he probably will get a shot back there to go along with his QB duties

 

[zelezo vlk]

I think Day would thrive in the 4-3, but I also want to see them keep a 3-4 look for a bit of the game at least. Maybe The Stache can cook up a hybrid scheme to utilize everybody. Boy that'd be great.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think Day would thrive in the 4-3, but I also want to see them keep a 3-4 look for a bit of the game at least. Maybe The Stache can cook up a hybrid scheme to utilize everybody. Boy that'd be great.

Well, before we picked up a few DTs and Morgan, I already came up with the "Cat Attack" defense based on how the roster was shaping up

----SS----------------FS--
--------CAT---CAT--------
----CAT----------DOG-----
--CB--------CAT------CB--
--------DE-------DE--------


It was something like that

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm most excited to see how the IrishMob13 has developed, especially the guys we haven't really seen.

Every position group battle is impacted by the IrishMob13.

QB - Zaire likely won't beat out Golson, but he'll give us a better glimpse of what to expect should Golson miss time next fall.

RB - All eyes are on Bryant. Folston should be considered the #1 RB heading into the spring. Can Bryant overtake him or ascend to the #2 spot?

WR - All four (Robinson, Fuller, Onwaulu, Hunter Jr.) will compete for starting positions and / or playing time. Who develops the best chemistry with Golson?
TE - Smythe & Heuerman - One of these guys will be the #2 TE next season. Who will it be?

OL - Elmer, McGlinchey and Bivin will compete for starting spots. What about the other two - Montelus and McGovern? We haven't seen them at all.

DL - Rochell should start spring with the first team. Where's Matuska?

LB - To me, the most interesting aspect of Jaylon's development will be his leadership. Deeb and Randolph will compete for starting positions. Neither saw the field last season.

DB - Cole Luke, Devin Butler and Max Redfield figure to be among the top 5-6 DBs on the roster right now. What about the most intriguing prospect in the class, Kinlaw? Where's he at?

ST - A few names in the mix for KR / PR...Bryant, Kinlaw, Luke, etc.

this is crazy. shows how important it is to have good depth in every class and the ability to develop it quickly. Mike enrolled early, no?

Did he take advantage of that extra time?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am thinking that Smythe in the weight room with progress is the winner.

Regardless, Kelly will play him. Everything I have heard from everyone. Hunter is locked and cocked, and Smythe may have the ball skills of anyone on the team that hasn't played.

 

[GBdomer]

Nothing better then dissecting those three minute clips...

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Finally someone else says it. I mean its nice to see the guys running around out there but some posters bank the whole spring by what they see on these videos.

Much more stock put into what the coaches say and what the mods inspect when they are able to watch practice.

but really

IMO
McGlinchey should play LT because hes a top 10 talent there
Can they trust Zaire?
Will Jarron Jones be interested
Can Ishaq please just come out
Are they waiting on Nyles Morgan
Can Will Fuller become a number 1? Because he honestly reminds me a lot of Odell Beckham
Greg Bryant hype just won't stop even though his body is put together like mine
Are there any leaders on this squad?
Jaylon and Russell captains?
Let the young guys play and start and learn from there mistakes. (Redfield, Bryant, Morgan, Brent, McGlinchey, Watkins) Just to much talent to see guys like Kendall Moore, Austin Collinsworth and Joe Schmidt out there. No disrespect
How long until the rust wears off with Golson. Because honestly has he completed a pass to anyone on this roster besides Chris Brown?

By the way Brian Kelly it's year 5 now and I know you have shown that you can have a dominating offense. So it's time this year and there are no more excuses on why this team can't drop 30 a game.


There are way to many questions but it's good that football is back....almost

 

[ulukinatme]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Finally someone else says it. I mean its nice to see the guys running around out there but some posters bank the whole spring by what they see on these videos.

Much more stock put into what the coaches say and what the mods inspect when they are able to watch practice.

I think it's been mentioned in the past about our need to dissect 3 minute practice highlights Of course...if we didn't do it....what else would we do in the off season?

 

[GBdomer]

I think it's been mentioned in the past about our need to dissect 3 minute practice highlights Of course...if we didn't do it....what else would we do in the off season?

I just love how much stock is put into them by some posters. Like you can really tell who is having a great spring and who isn't by watching those videos. I love watching them but I can't understand how people put stock into them.

 

[ulukinatme]

I just love how much stock is put into them by some posters. Like you can really tell who is having a great spring and who isn't by watching those videos. I love watching them but I can't understand how people put stock into them.

2013: Hendrix completes one and only one pass among all highlight videos shown for spring practices.

IE: Hendrix has turned the corner!

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

How long until the rust wears off with Golson. Because honestly has he completed a pass to anyone on this roster besides Chris Brown?

I assume this is hyperbole but in the interest of clarity: Daniels had 31 receptions in 2012 and Koyack had 3. Some of those may have been from Tommy but Daniels was third in receptions with Golson at QB and against Alabama he had 6 receptions for 115 yards.

 

[GBdomer]

I assume this is hyperbole but in the interest of clarity: Daniels had 31 receptions in 2012 and Koyack had 3. Some of those may have been from Tommy but Daniels was third in receptions with Golson at QB and against Alabama he had 6 receptions for 115 yards.

I meant for like the spring, Daniels isn't here. I should have been more specific

 

[ulukinatme]

I hope he looks better in the Spring game than last year

 

[Irishman77]

Top 5 I can't wait to see that will have their first opportunity to be a big contributer:

1. Springman -one of the most underrated guys on the roster. If healthy we won't miss a beat over center.

2. Fuller- any play over 20 yds was absent with Rees. Fuller and Brown have the opportunity to make 2-3 catches a game and avg 40yds every time.

3. Bryant- it's all been said here, now it's time to give the kid the football 10+ times every damn Saturday.

4. Okwara- he has now had 2 years to learn the game. What everyone thought ishaq was going to do last year ...Romeo will do this year .

5. Redfield - IMHO will start every game and grow into a AA

 

[ulukinatme]

Top 5 I can't wait to see that will have their first opportunity to be a big contributer:

1. Springman -one of the most underrated guys on the roster. If healthy we won't miss a beat over center.
Jarron is better, imo. Not that we've seen much of either guy, but Jarron did a pretty good job taking over for Nix at the end of the year.

2. Fuller- any play over 20 yds was absent with Rees. Fuller and Brown have the opportunity to make 2-3 catches a game and avg 40yds every time.
I agree, Fuller could be a big time weapon. DD and Brown will probably start on the outside though, with Robinson and Fuller spelling them and in certain packages.

3. Bryant- it's all been said here, now it's time to give the kid the football 10+ times every damn Saturday.
Disagree. Bryant hasn't shown anything yet except that he can turn Kuehnja on. He either needs to completely blow away the guys in front of him while in practice, or he should have to earn his carries like Folston did as the #3 guy. Cam and Folston should be splitting the carries at the start of fall

4. Okwara- he has now had 2 years to learn the game. What everyone thought ishaq was going to do last year ...Romeo will do this year .
I think Ishaq will turn it on this year with Shembo out of the way. I think Okwara will do very well too. In any case, between those guys and the other recruits, theres lots of good things at CAT (Or whatever BVG is going to call it).

5. Redfield - IMHO will start every game and grow into a AA
Hope so. I thought Farley should have had a great year last year with all the experience he got in 2012, but man...seemed like he took a step back. Hopefully we see a lot of Shumate and Redfield, I thought he looked pretty decent for a freshman in the bowl game. Hopefully Baratti gets in there too, unless he's moving to LB

Replies in red

 

[greyhammer90]

Greg Bryant hype just won't stop even though his body is put together like mine

I know you're probably just making a joke but what do you mean by this? Joke or are you talking about his injury?

Also I agree with you on BK. If our offense doesn't kick ass this year it probably never will and I will just barely start to be worried about him.