2014 Spring Practice Thread

[Luckylucci]

My humble opinions after 90 seconds of practice footage:

• Greg Bryant is going to explode on the scene. This might be the most complete backfield we've had in some time. With my very biased opinion, I hope we see a split like: 40% GB/40% T. Folston/20% McDaniel. You don't want to exhaust the horses and you don't want them increasing likelihood of injury but that split would allow them significant carries per game to get into the groove and also keep them rested through a difficult season.
• William Fuller, barring any injuries, should have at least 6 TD catches this year. And I really don't know how you scheme to take away all of the weapons and account for the QB.
• Farley is still learning but he shouldn't even be slated on the nickel right now. Maybe if we play some dime. With Riggs transferring in, Luke, Russell, Butler and Watkins (who is supposed to have very good training and athletic ability), it's hard for me to believe Farley can crack the starting group, even if we have 3-4 corners on the field at once. I hope he continues to get better because I really like Farley in his interviews. He's a team first guy, I'll keep my fingers crossed that he elevates his game.
• Ishaq looks better, I hope that trajectory continues. I've been waiting for him to arrive, like every other ND fan. I'm starting to believe his senior year will force it out of him.
• Corey Robinson, barring any injuries, should have double digit TDs and at least 800 yds receiving. Pair him with DD, or Fuller and whoever wins out at slot and you have a dynamic group of receivers. I'm really excited by what this offense is capable of.
• Sheldon Day put the work on Christian Lombard
• Chase Hounshell had a a nice spin move and he looks powerful, I hope he stays healthy
• Amir Carlisle has so much to prove, I hope he can lock down his mental game because he has the tools
• Romeo Okwara is looking ready to have a big year for us. We didn't see much linebacker action but our DEs in this new 4-3 should be fun to watch.
• Rochelle looks like he's ready to contribute. He handily beat Colin McGovern on one highlight
• Anthony Rabasa beating Ronnie Stanley and getting the touch sack on Golson is a very good sign. Rabasa is the forgotten man in my mind but I hope he can provide quality minutes this year. He just beat one of our best OL in a small practice video.

I had to do a double take on that clip. I think your absolutely right. If Rabasa can give us minutes on the dline that would really help depth. Now I'm going to hold out on declaring this a victory until I see more but its something to follow for sure.

 

[Luckylucci]

Also, having Fuller and Robinson for 3 years together could be special. I'm not forgetting about the other guys like Torii but those two have shown more at this point.

 

[Cackalacky]

Also, having Fuller and Robinson for 3 years together could be special. I'm not forgetting about the other guys like Torii but those two have shown more at this point.

Yep. CRob looks like he can stretch a defense with his size and Fuller can stretch it with his speed. Very complementary to each other on the outside and work some slot receivers.

 

[WestCoast]

My opinions after the latest 90 second clip:

wait, they installed new turf in the practice center? did they get lost on the way to the stadium? 2-for-1 installation deal? MOAR TERF

 

[Luckylucci]

Yep. CRob looks like he can stretch a defense with his size and Fuller can stretch it with his speed. Very complementary to each other on the outside and work some slot receivers.

Ill add that they both have tremendous ball skills. They seem to make tough catches look easy. That over the shoulder catch from Fuller has a difficulty rating of 10, especially when you include a defender being all over him.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

My opinions after the latest 90 second clip:

wait, they installed new turf in the practice center? did they get lost on the way to the stadium? 2-for-1 installation deal? MOAR TERF

Trying out new turf to see how it works?
Prepping players for the new type of turf they will be playing on?
Hmmm.

 

[Cpnd1]

@TomLoy247: What I'm Hearing: Spring Practice At #NotreDame. Nuggets, scoop and notes regarding some players in South Bend. The latest on Notre Dame's spring football practice (VIP)

 

[Luckylucci]

Loy just did a What I'm hearing piece on BGI where he had very positive things to say about Golson, Bryant, CRob, Trumbetti, Brent, and BVG. Basically these are guys that are doing much better than expected. Those close to the program expect CRob to have a huge season with Golson throwing him the ball. Golson more of a leader in the locker room than before. Also more humble and focused than before. Same goes for Bryant. Trumbetti is better than they expected and they expected to get a really good player. He could be "special" before he leaves ND. BVG's early interaction with players and staff has been very good. It is to be expected to a certain degree that there would be excitement surrounding a new DC and scheme. Brents work ethic and passion for being great is already rubbing off on players in the locker room. I feel like I just free based the ND kool aid, haha.

 

[woolybug25]

Loy just did a What I'm hearing piece on BGI where he had very positive things to say about Golson, Bryant, CRob, Trumbetti, Brent, and BVG. Basically these are guys that are doing much better than expected.

a coach is doing better than expected?

 

[koonja]

a coach is doing better than expected?

Yeah, that sounds weird. I'm guessing what he's saying is that the players talk very highly of him and are excited about playing for him, and the message was scrambled somewhere along the lines.

 

[yankeeND]

a coach is doing better than expected?

Haha I thought that looked kinda weird too. I bet it is that the players have transitioned to his style and personality much more smoothly than expected. Remember, the players loved Diaco.

 

[Luckylucci]

The better than expected part should have been limited to the players not BVG.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

i dont think Heuerman will ever line up in-line, he's gonna be more a flex/h-back guy, i am not really concerned if he dosent gain much extra weight as long as he can get seperation and catch the ball and get some YAC.

Yes. I keep telling people this, but no one seems to get it. Mike will never ever be an inline TE. Mike will always be used split out in an H-Back role.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

a coach is doing better than expected?

He came in a little overweight, and there were questions about his hair. But he's done some good work in the film room, and the players are really coming around to his majestic mustachios. Arrow pointing up.

 

[Irish#1]

Inhale.

Exhale.

You are seeing about 60secs of clips from a 120 minute session.

So true.

Have to love the passion of our IE brothers and their excitement.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Things I want to take the time to observe:

Dynamics of the wide receiver corps.

Players here to for in the shadows, or buried on the depth chart, emerging and contributing.

Freshmen and redshirts stepping into starting positions because of the speed, or skills they offer, moving the position skill forward.

Freshman and sophomores leading by example, and seeing their work ethic "rub off in the locker room."

BVG's sick influence on the defense.

 

[zelezo vlk]

The mustache must be working more miracles than they thought it would.

 

[jmurphy75]

We get it:

Farley sucks.

Farley's flat on his ass again.

Yeah, kid might not start again for ND.

He still wears the Gold helmet and sacrifices for the team . . .

I'm all for constructive criticism, but the whining/ridiculing is embarrassing shit.

This x 1000 plus transitioning to corner is one of the hardest positions to move to. You are Never in man coverage as a safety, and for christ's sake it's his 2nd practice at the position

 

[pkt77242]

This x 1000 plus transitioning to corner is one of the hardest positions to move to. You are Never in man coverage as a safety, and for christ's sake it's his 2nd practice at the position

While I agree with most of your post the bolded part is pure fiction. Many times on blitzes safeties get left in man to man coverage, to say that he was never in man coverage as a safety is pure fiction.

 

[jmurphy75]

While I agree with most of your post the bolded part is pure fiction. Many times on blitzes safeties get left in man to man coverage, to say that he was never in man coverage as a safety is pure fiction.

You are correct, I should've said very rarely in man coverage in our old scheme. From what I hear of BVG's style our safety's will see more of that this year.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Things I want to take the time to observe:

Dynamics of the wide receiver corps.

Players here to for in the shadows, or buried on the depth chart, emerging and contributing.

Freshmen and redshirts stepping into starting positions because of the speed, or skills they offer, moving the position skill forward.

Freshman and sophomores leading by example, and seeing their work ethic "rub off in the locker room."

BVG's sick influence on the defense.

If I'm on the team (which I'm not which is good news for all Irish fans), I don't want anything rubbing off on me in the locker room.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Heuerman will be fine. Some body types just dont hold weight and you dont want him adding bad weight just to get weight. Id venture to say most college TEs are 225-240 anyway. ND has just been spoiled with freaks of nature recently and Heuerman gets that held over his head. He is tenacious blocking, and is quicker than Niklas/Eifert. He will excel in space and against a LB/Safety bc of his speed and athleticism in my opinion. BK, like all great coaches play to their personnel, and this year he is able to go to an offense that is more 4wr than 2te. They can get Heuerman in the slot and still create mismatches. I like him blocking a corner/safety, and i like him running routes vs LBs and Safeties. Just bc he isnt 250 doesnt mean he isnt seeing the field. 6'4 230 is plenty big enough to do what ND needs him to do. Koyack is more than capable of handling the blocking in the trenches and they just need Smythe to progress and you have 3 TEs that have different styles. Add in Weishar and Luatua....pretty nice compliment pieces.

But dont get confused. This is a team that is speed driven. Davaris, CB, Fuller, and Hunter on the field with Golson/Folston or Bryant......good luck to the defense.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Heuerman will be fine. Some body types just dont hold weight and you dont want him adding bad weight just to get weight. Id venture to say most college TEs are 225-240 anyway. ND has just been spoiled with freaks of nature recently and Heuerman gets that held over his head. He is tenacious blocking, and is quicker than Niklas/Eifert. He will excel in space and against a LB/Safety bc of his speed and athleticism in my opinion. BK, like all great coaches play to their personnel, and this year he is able to go to an offense that is more 4wr than 2te. They can get Heuerman in the slot and still create mismatches. I like him blocking a corner/safety, and i like him running routes vs LBs and Safeties. Just bc he isnt 250 doesnt mean he isnt seeing the field. 6'4 230 is plenty big enough to do what ND needs him to do. Koyack is more than capable of handling the blocking in the trenches and they just need Smythe to progress and you have 3 TEs that have different styles. Add in Weishar and Luatua....pretty nice compliment pieces.

But dont get confused. This is a team that is speed driven. Davaris, CB, Fuller, and Hunter on the field with Golson/Folston or Bryant......good luck to the defense.

Thank you!

 

[koonja]

No knock on Heurman, but if he's 6'4", I'm Miles Davis. I'd guess 6'2" at best.

 

[#1rish]

Photos: Notre Dame spring practice - Photos - South Bend Tribune

 

[arrowryan]

No knock on Heurman, but if he's 6'4", I'm Miles Davis. I'd guess 6'2" at best.

Have you seen him in person!? I'm 6'1" (ish) and he has a few inches on me. He's all of 6'4", about the same height as Matuska actually

 

[koonja]

Have you seen him in person!? I'm 6'1" (ish) and he has a few inches on me. He's all of 6'4", about the same height as Matuska actually

Were you drunk?

 

[arrowryan]

Were you drunk?

Nah. Saw him at Chipotle

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

No knock on Heurman, but if he's 6'4", I'm Miles Davis. I'd guess 6'2" at best.

Here is him standing beside AllGator, who is listed as 6'3''. He looks 6'4'' to me.

 

[RDU Irish]

Heuerman will be fine. Some body types just dont hold weight and you dont want him adding bad weight just to get weight. Id venture to say most college TEs are 225-240 anyway. ND has just been spoiled with freaks of nature recently and Heuerman gets that held over his head. He is tenacious blocking, and is quicker than Niklas/Eifert. He will excel in space and against a LB/Safety bc of his speed and athleticism in my opinion. BK, like all great coaches play to their personnel, and this year he is able to go to an offense that is more 4wr than 2te. They can get Heuerman in the slot and still create mismatches. I like him blocking a corner/safety, and i like him running routes vs LBs and Safeties. Just bc he isnt 250 doesnt mean he isnt seeing the field. 6'4 230 is plenty big enough to do what ND needs him to do. Koyack is more than capable of handling the blocking in the trenches and they just need Smythe to progress and you have 3 TEs that have different styles. Add in Weishar and Luatua....pretty nice compliment pieces.

But dont get confused. This is a team that is speed driven. Davaris, CB, Fuller, and Hunter on the field with Golson/Folston or Bryant......good luck to the defense.

Sounds like a glorified WR to me. Part of the beauty of the TE position is size mismatch downfield and play calling flexibility to keep a blocker in or send another receiver down field. His lack of size concerns me on these fronts.

I do agree we have been spoiled rotten with Carlson/Rudolph/Eifert/Niklas/etc.