2014 Spring Practice Thread

[CanadalovesND]

It's definitely true that light doesn't equal athletic, but a lot of programs have shown that athleticism trumps weight. Miami at their peak was built around lighter, more athletic LBs. In the 30 for 30 about them, they talked about how almost all their LBs played safety, and that's one of the reasons I was high on Tranquil from the first reports of his camp performance. LSU and Georgia have also had a lot of success taking that approach.

I think the guys we've brought in are much more of the Miami, LSU, and Georgia profile than just then undersized-LB type. Morgan is athletic, Sykes played safety until his senior year, Tranquil played safety, Randolph's coach talked about him and Martini covering receivers 40 yards downfield, Jaylon is a freak athlete, Turner was a safety, etc. I think we have the athletes now and going forward to play at a lighter average weight and a higher performance level.

Agree with you on all points, but Sykes played defensive end before moving to linebacker for his senior season.

 

[Irish#1]

Do you think that this transformation is something that Kelly would have furthered also if Golson hadn't been suspended or is this rate of progress unique to Whitfield's abilities? I'm curious what you guys think.

Possibly, but probably not to the degree we've seen already. Just think of all of the individualized time he got with Whitfield on an almost daily basis. I don't think he would be getting that while on the team. Remember they can only work with the players on a limited number of hours each week.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Good points. I guess I'm more concerned with the DL than the LBs.

Ishaq and Okwara being every down DE's worries me, but hopefully they prove me wrong.

Why?

 

[TheTurningPoint]

As far as the topic of being "light" on the Dline and Okwara/Williams as the ends. A few years ago when Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq/Nix/Councell/etc came in I had heard ND wanted to go for a hybrid defense kind of like Green Bay. I think that is something you may see, not only bc of BVG experience, but solely bc it fits the personal. ND may sacrifices some size, but its also college football, not NFL. Speed is the name of the game in college. Packers in the past has essentially played 2 bigger guys as DTs, then have 5-6 LBs on the field. Aka Okwara plays a position similiar to Clay Matthews. It utilizes his length to hold the edge, while he has a good grasp on gap control with a LB behind him.

Overall, you can say the cliche' thing of the team looked healthy and fast. Seeing Golson back is great. Sounds like they did have a injury (cant say who, Ill let Kelly announce that) but judging from BKs comments and others in attendance they got a lot of good work in and it was a step forward.

 

[Rizzophil]

As far as the topic of being "light" on the Dline and Okwara/Williams as the ends. A few years ago when Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq/Nix/Councell/etc came in I had heard ND wanted to go for a hybrid defense kind of like Green Bay. I think that is something you may see, not only bc of BVG experience, but solely bc it fits the personal. ND may sacrifices some size, but its also college football, not NFL. Speed is the name of the game in college. Packers in the past has essentially played 2 bigger guys as DTs, then have 5-6 LBs on the field. Aka Okwara plays a position similiar to Clay Matthews. It utilizes his length to hold the edge, while he has a good grasp on gap control with a LB behind him.

Overall, you can say the cliche' thing of the team looked healthy and fast. Seeing Golson back is great. Sounds like they did have a injury (cant say who, Ill let Kelly announce that) but judging from BKs comments and others in attendance they got a lot of good work in and it was a step forward.

Thank you for posting....And for the teaser

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Good points. I guess I'm more concerned with the DL than the LBs.

Ishaq and Okwara being every down DE's worries me, but hopefully they prove me wrong.

On the opposite side, im extremely ecstatic about this. DE in a 4-3 isn't near as complicated as in a 3-4. Finally, our D can stop thinking so much and just be playmakers. I get the feeling that next years D is going to force a lot of turnovers, but may give up a good amount of points if they cant get turnovers. Im stoked to see a D that attacks rather than reacts.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Agree with you on all points, but Sykes played defensive end before moving to linebacker for his senior season.

You're right. I had him mixed up with Yeargin who spent some time at safety.

Still think we have the athleticism to show some potent defensive versatility.

 

[ryno 24]

That is absolutely correct, we will be a much more active defense and gamble with blitzes, but I can see getting burnt deep frequently. I am also worried about our ground defense. It will be more fun to watch, but will give up point.

 

[ResLife Hero]

That is absolutely correct, we will be a much more active defense and gamble with blitzes, but I can see getting burnt deep frequently. I am also worried about our ground defense. It will be more fun to watch, but will give up point.

I'm sure we won't go the season without getting burned, but our DB play should see a real improvement so hopefully that will help negate the big play.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

I'm sure we won't go the season without getting burned, but our DB play should see a real improvement so hopefully that will help negate the big play.

And to reiterate why im excited, I feel REALLY good about one corner in one on one coverage (Kei!). I feel Luke can get the job done a good amount of the time as well. Also interested to see Farley at corner.

 

[Booslum31]

Wish Nyles was an EE. Really want to see what he can do.

edit: brainfart, forgot he didn't even commit till the AA game.

I hear you though...he is my favorite in this class.

 

[Wild Bill]

Good points. I guess I'm more concerned with the DL than the LBs.

Ishaq and Okwara being every down DE's worries me, but hopefully they prove me wrong.

Ishaq is 6'5'' 270ish (I think that's what I read) - he's plenty big to play DE. He just needs to learn the defense and play with intensity.

 

[pkt77242]

Ishaq is 6'5'' 270ish (I think that's what I read) - he's plenty big to play DE. He just needs to learn the defense and play with intensity.

He is plenty big for a 4-3 DE but probably not big enough for a 3-4 DE.

 

[Wild Bill]

He is plenty big for a 4-3 DE but probably not big enough for a 3-4 DE.

Agreed.

 

[stlnd01]

I'm sure we won't go the season without getting burned, but our DB play should see a real improvement so hopefully that will help negate the big play.

Yeah. Assuming Redfield starts we're upgrading athletically at two DB positions. Three if Shumate beats out Collinsworth. And the fourth is K Russell, who's our best defensive back to begin with. My bigger concerns are middle linebacker and depth up front.

 

[NDWorld247]

Awesome seeing ND players practicing again. I've watched all of the posted videos from today and I really only have one major takeaway...JUSTIN BRENT!!! He could be special.

The other takeaways...1) Our offense is going to be fast, 2) Our offense is going to score a ridiculous amount of points, 3) Our defense is going to be fast, 4) Our defense is going to create a lot of turnovers, 5) We are probably going to win the National Championship.

Okay, I'm ready for the next 3-minute practice video...

 

[Domina Nostra]

Ishaq is 6'5'' 270ish (I think that's what I read) - he's plenty big to play DE. He just needs to learn the defense and play with intensity.

Plenty big as a WDE.

It seems to me that the real difference between the 3-4 and 4-3 as far as Kelly is concerned are the LBs, more than the DTs. In other words, no more giant OLBs (CATs) who are expected to cover and rush and set the edge, but end up doing none of those very well. Instead you'll switch between WDEs and faster OLBs depending on true down and distance. Second no more playing with two bruising ILBs. One of them has to play faster (ie a 4-3 Will).

 

[TheTurningPoint]

That is absolutely correct, we will be a much more active defense and gamble with blitzes, but I can see getting burnt deep frequently. I am also worried about our ground defense. It will be more fun to watch, but will give up point.

Its footballl. You are going to give up big plays, its just making sure you have more big plays than the other team. Simple. haha.

 

[woolybug25]

That is absolutely correct, we will be a much more active defense and gamble with blitzes, but I can see getting burnt deep frequently. I am also worried about our ground defense. It will be more fun to watch, but will give up point.

I see a different defense taking play. One where we play more nickel (Riggs) and protect the "big play". Since we will hopefully have a real spread offense, I see our defense taking chances with creative blitzes and protecting the back half of the field. Teams will probably be able to effectively run on us, but that won't matter if we are scoring like a true spread team is suppose to.

 

[dublinirish]

the defense should be setup like Peyton Manning's Colts, the O will score at will and the defense will always be protecting a lead so can be smaller and more mobile and can pin their ears back and pass rush like hell

 

[woolybug25]

the defense should be setup like Peyton Manning's Colts, the O will score at will and the defense will always be protecting a lead so can be smaller and more mobile and can pin their ears back and pass rush like hell

Exactly!

If a team wants to rush for 250 on us… good. We'll win 52-14.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I have really been impressed with a lot in the last week or so. Some of it is tangible, and others have said that better; from Brent to some of the returners who seem locked and cocked. But the biggest thing that has impressed me is Everett Golson. The kid was kind of a giggly little boy last year. He came back almost a Yoda. I mean, all kidding aside. He used to blush in pressers. He still is a bit shy, but he handles reporters. Decisively! And he is so much more refined and purposeful. This can't help but spill over on the field and lift the whole team.

Exactly!

If a team wants to rush for 250 on us… good. We'll win 52-14.

Perfect post.

Let me describe a little more. The defense will smother most. Check out the Jets last year. Similar I bet. And BVG and the defensive staff will develop someone "out of the shadows" this year. Those that we can't smother we can out distance or out pace.

I cannot help but feel after only watching Everett for a day that he has the tools of a Clausen (if not more), with a little more foot speed, as good an eye for the field and the maturity that has been lacking to go with it. I think the offense will reach "critical mass" this year. That means there will be a shift in point production. It will score quickly. We saw just short glimpses of that last year. Whether ND puts the whole thing together, I have no idea. But the pieces are there.

Further, I think the offense and the defense both befuddle teams enough that we get two wins by being on the plus side of coaching tactics this year. Again last year, we were a couple of key skill players short of that on offense, and a strategy short of that, (strategy with injuries, not having the horses we needed) on defense. I am saying that our defense would have been a lot better if we had a healthy year, or, in other words our strategy with our injuries made our defense much worse than if we had the same injuries with a different strategy, or no injuries.

The other really important thing that Everett Golson said yesterday, in addition to praising his receiver corps, (significant because it was without DD as well as the top three other producers while he played last, was that he singled out the offensive line. It also was a completely different group than he has ever had. And remember, they don't even have the guys plugged in. I think he sees how high their ceiling is, and how mobile they are. Just what the doctor ordered!

 

[greyhammer90]

the defense should be setup like Peyton Manning's Colts, the O will score at will and the defense will always be protecting a lead so can be smaller and more mobile and can pin their ears back and pass rush like hell

I really need to see us "score at will" to believe we can.

 

[koonja]

Like I said, I really hope you guys are all right and I eat crow. But we're essentially adding Jarron Jones in for Nix and Ishaq/Okwara for Tuitt/Shembo.

Tuitt was disappointing in pass rush in 2013, but teams still didn't want to run at his edge, or at least they'd be forced to double team him on edge rush plays.

I can pretty much guarantee teams this year will have no problem game planning to run at either Okwara or Ishaq, opening up more of the field for their offense. You guys know I love Ishaq so I'm not hating on him by any means, I just think we're losing a ton of rush defense and in order to get to passing downs where we can use speed rushers and blitzes, it starts in 1st and 2nd down by stuffing the run, which is something we've been really good at the last 2 years.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Like I said, I really hope you guys are all right and I eat crow. But we're essentially adding Jarron Jones in for Nix and Ishaq/Okwara for Tuitt/Shembo.

Tuitt was disappointing in pass rush in 2013, but teams still didn't want to run at his edge, or at least they'd be forced to double team him on edge rush plays.

I can pretty much guarantee teams this year will have no problem game planning to run at either Okwara or Ishaq, opening up more of the field for their offense. You guys know I love Ishaq so I'm not hating on him by any means, I just think we're losing a ton of rush defense and in order to get to passing downs where we can use speed rushers and blitzes, it starts in 1st and 2nd down by stuffing the run, which is something we've been really good at the last 2 years.

That would make BVG's job really easy!

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Like I said, I really hope you guys are all right and I eat crow. But we're essentially adding Jarron Jones in for Nix and Ishaq/Okwara for Tuitt/Shembo.

Tuitt was disappointing in pass rush in 2013, but teams still didn't want to run at his edge, or at least they'd be forced to double team him on edge rush plays.

I can pretty much guarantee teams this year will have no problem game planning to run at either Okwara or Ishaq, opening up more of the field for their offense. You guys know I love Ishaq so I'm not hating on him by any means, I just think we're losing a ton of rush defense and in order to get to passing downs where we can use speed rushers and blitzes, it starts in 1st and 2nd down by stuffing the run, which is something we've been really good at the last 2 years.

That's a net loss for sure, but I think an unleashed Jaylon could equalize it.

 

[Rizzophil]

Like I said, I really hope you guys are all right and I eat crow. But we're essentially adding Jarron Jones in for Nix and Ishaq/Okwara for Tuitt/Shembo.

Tuitt was disappointing in pass rush in 2013, but teams still didn't want to run at his edge, or at least they'd be forced to double team him on edge rush plays.

I can pretty much guarantee teams this year will have no problem game planning to run at either Okwara or Ishaq, opening up more of the field for their offense. You guys know I love Ishaq so I'm not hating on him by any means, I just think we're losing a ton of rush defense and in order to get to passing downs where we can use speed rushers and blitzes, it starts in 1st and 2nd down by stuffing the run, which is something we've been really good at the last 2 years.

I hear you. That's college football though. Keeps the games fun and we get to see young guys step up.

 

[koonja]

That would make BVG's job really easy!

I don't see how. Explain?

That's a net loss for sure, but I think an unleashed Jaylon could equalize it.

Hope so. I see Jaylon as an elite coverage LB and potentially elite blitzing LB. He's a good rush LB so far, nothing more IMO. That will come with age/size.

Random tangent of the day, how weird is the phrase 'eat crow'? I don't even know what it means. I'm going to start using something more hip. Not sure what yet, stay tuned!

 

[irishfan]

I'm in agreement with what some others have posted. I have no problem with us using a "lighter" defense out there that is potentially more suited for stopping the spread than the power run game. College football is obviously a spread game nowadays. For every Stanford, there are about 10 Oregons. Even MSU was pretty shotgun-heavy towards the end of the end of last year once they had their QB position sorted out.

 

[woolybug25]

Like I said, I really hope you guys are all right and I eat crow. But we're essentially adding Jarron Jones in for Nix and Ishaq/Okwara for Tuitt/Shembo.

Tuitt was disappointing in pass rush in 2013, but teams still didn't want to run at his edge, or at least they'd be forced to double team him on edge rush plays.

I can pretty much guarantee teams this year will have no problem game planning to run at either Okwara or Ishaq, opening up more of the field for their offense. You guys know I love Ishaq so I'm not hating on him by any means, I just think we're losing a ton of rush defense and in order to get to passing downs where we can use speed rushers and blitzes, it starts in 1st and 2nd down by stuffing the run, which is something we've been really good at the last 2 years.

You keep saying this, but refusing to acknowledge that we are going to be using a different (albeit slightly) scheme. It's not as simple as substituting A player for B player. Ishaq has shown that he can be a very good pass rusher as well. You are assuming that we are running the same scheme and substituting for lessor players. Newsflash… even if that was the case, Nix and Tuitt weren't that effective last year and both were hurt most of the time. Jaylon will be even better and we are considerably upgraded in the secondary.

I'm excited for this defense. I think it will be fast, opportunistic and focused on turnovers. The exact style of play a team with an effective spread offense should have. Stopping the run is absolutely useless if you can score at will. You want to force the other team to run, while trying to force a turnover, when you have a high scoring offense. If the other team can't stop our offense, then running the ball only puts them in a bigger hole. There is only so much time on the clock and if it takes too long to score, it is to the advantage of the spread team.