2014 Spring Practice Thread

[TheSunIsRising]

Couple of things.

1. I am not sure how one can make a judgement and say that Rochelle hasnt made plays or has shown nothing. ND has shown about 3mins of actual practice in the videos from 6 hours of actual practice and they werent in pads for 4 of those hours. Second point, Rochelle played as a freshman, and you didnt notice him, which is a good thing...aka USC 2011 where they ran down Lynch's throat the entire game. Just bc someone isnt making the play on the ball doesnt mean they arent making the play on the field, and that is most definitely the case in a scheme such as the one Diaco ran. Rochelle getting PT from Game 1 shows that he is talented, bc there was a lot of talent on the Dline from last year. (before the injuries happened)

2. Hounshell isnt physically imposing? I am not sure what you think football players actually look like or are supposed to look like. He also played as a true frosh and did quite well. His shoulder is def a concern, but there is plenty of talent and athleticism there.

3. I agree with you Koon when you say the offense will have to carry the team but I also think the defense will be a lot better than last year. They do have a lot of inexperience on the field, but each guy brings something different to the table. All the pieces fit into the puzzle and compliment each other. ND is going to play mind games on the defensive line and attack. I dont think there will be much straight up the field stuff like Diaco, but tons of stunts/etc. I will guarantee you that ND is better against the run this year than any year under Diaco.

4. Someone mentioned something about Onwualu andTurner, I wouldnt put much stock in that with the roster in turnover right now.

5. Im torn on Trumbetti. He is talented and had a great week at the UnderArmour game, but can he play the run? I see Chase Gardner/AJ Tarpley in him. But that is one thing I will be watching today is his strength. We all know he lives in the weight room, but Im not sure he has the strength needed yet to hold the point of attack.

6. I think the biggest thing here is that this is college football, its not the NFL. Size and speed are somewhat overrated in college. Talent wins the majority of the time in college. Obviously scheme and kids executing that is huge, but having a DEs that arent 300lbs arent a must. 2012 ND was more talented than every team other than Bama and it showed. If it was about how kids look getting off the bus or the roster on paper, ND beats Bama.

Bold #1: Do you mean statistically? The 2012 run defense was something like 10th ranked in run defense, and gave up something less than 3.5/carry. They also did a good job keeping teams out of the endzone. That may be tough to beat statistically.

Bold #2: If it was about the players spelling 'bus', ND beats Bama too! (Sorry T-Town Tommy)

 

[Emcee77]

If we were going to have anyone miss spring on the OL, Christian is the guy we could afford to sit out most. Sucks he is going to miss it, but it will give the younger guys a chance to really improve / battle, and he isn't really missing anything he hasn't seen / been through many times before.

Will be interesting to see if Hegarty, Hanratty or a RS Frosh steps up onto the spring first team. Have to assume Hanratty will get first shot, but it could be a big opportunity for Hegarty, Montelus, etc.

Hanratty's gotta be on track to graduate with the record for spring reps (or he would be if such stats were kept). Considering what an important practice player he has been, I really hope for his sake that all the reps pay off and he wins a starting role, this year or next.

 

[NCND]

Couple of things.

1. I am not sure how one can make a judgement and say that Rochelle hasnt made plays or has shown nothing. ND has shown about 3mins of actual practice in the videos from 6 hours of actual practice and they werent in pads for 4 of those hours. Second point, Rochelle played as a freshman, and you didnt notice him, which is a good thing...aka USC 2011 where they ran down Lynch's throat the entire game. Just bc someone isnt making the play on the ball doesnt mean they arent making the play on the field, and that is most definitely the case in a scheme such as the one Diaco ran. Rochelle getting PT from Game 1 shows that he is talented, bc there was a lot of talent on the Dline from last year. (before the injuries happened)

2. Hounshell isnt physically imposing? I am not sure what you think football players actually look like or are supposed to look like. He also played as a true frosh and did quite well. His shoulder is def a concern, but there is plenty of talent and athleticism there.

3. I agree with you Koon when you say the offense will have to carry the team but I also think the defense will be a lot better than last year. They do have a lot of inexperience on the field, but each guy brings something different to the table. All the pieces fit into the puzzle and compliment each other. ND is going to play mind games on the defensive line and attack. I dont think there will be much straight up the field stuff like Diaco, but tons of stunts/etc. I will guarantee you that ND is better against the run this year than any year under Diaco.

4. Someone mentioned something about Onwualu andTurner, I wouldnt put much stock in that with the roster in turnover right now.

5. Im torn on Trumbetti. He is talented and had a great week at the UnderArmour game, but can he play the run? I see Chase Gardner/AJ Tarpley in him. But that is one thing I will be watching today is his strength. We all know he lives in the weight room, but Im not sure he has the strength needed yet to hold the point of attack.

6. I think the biggest thing here is that this is college football, its not the NFL. Size and speed are somewhat overrated in college. Talent wins the majority of the time in college. Obviously scheme and kids executing that is huge, but having a DEs that arent 300lbs arent a must. 2012 ND was more talented than every team other than Bama and it showed. If it was about how kids look getting off the bus or the roster on paper, ND beats Bama.

ND would have beat Bama "off the bus"? You joking right?

 

[rtrn2glory]

ND would have beat Bama "off the bus"? You joking right?

yea take a look at this video, particularly adrian hubbard #42 toward the end

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4WViU3hSAzA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ulukinatme]

yea take a look at this video, particularly adrian hubbard #42 toward the end

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4WViU3hSAzA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yeah, our guys look smaller in comparison. I don't think you can say we had a size advantage or look better coming off the bus.

 

[gkIrish]

I will probably get some shit for this but I haven't really seen anything out of Chris Brown that makes me think he can be "special." He's been a pretty one-dimensional threat up until now and until I see him do some more versatile things in games I don't think I will feel any differently based on practice.

Edit: He did have a nice game against Rutgers. That was the one bright spot besides his big catch against Oklahoma.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Not at all. But I'm not convinced they'll be great this year, and to have a solid DL, they're going to have to be players this year.

No offense, but I didn't read further once you used DL numbers to compare Jarron to Tuitt. Just my opinion, but numbers on the DL don't mean anything. Nix had what, 27 tackles this year and 1 sack? He's a first rounder. On the DL, it's less about your numbers and more about how much of a pain in the ass you are for the offense.

It's not about the numbers, correct, but Tuitt had a very tough time his freshman year holding blocks and really looking like the 5 star he was rated on some services. I certainly did not think he was going to turn into an AA his sophomore season and challenge Justin Tuck's sack record. He had the talent but didn't seem to have put it all together so I figured at the very least it would be his junior year before we saw that kind of production. But I do compare Jones to Nix because they were both red shirted their freshman years and both did not set the world on fire their sophomore years. Nix was in severe danger of losing his starting job to Kona in the spring after his sophomore year. Kelly and Nix both said he didn't have the work ethic and wasn't giving it his all while Kona who was less talented was giving 110% every snap. So I didn't expect him to be as dominating as he was in 2012. I watched a few games from 2011 not too long ago and then watched some from 2013 and I honestly think Jones looked better in 13 than Nix in 11. So if Jones can have the kind of leap to his junior year that Nix did, or even 3/4 as good then he will be in the NFL in another year or 2. He was rated fairly high, like Nix, so it's not like I am comparing a 3 star to a 5 star or anything. I'm excited about both Jones and Rochell. I feel both guys have a great shot at being great for us this year. I'm worried about depth to an extent but those guys are IMO reasons to be excited.

 

[BGIF]

Notre Dame's Christian Lombard, Will Mahone out for rest of spring practice after surgeries - ESPN

By Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
March 21, 2014, 11:15 AM ET

Notre Dame offensive lineman Christian Lombard and wide receiver Will Mahone will miss the rest of spring practice, Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly announced Friday.

Lombard, a redshirt senior who started the last two seasons at right tackle and right guard, respectively, underwent surgery Thursday on a dislocated right wrist that he suffered during the Irish's third spring practice on Wednesday.

Mahone, a redshirt sophomore, had surgery Thursday on a right foot fracture.

Conor Hanratty figures to receive the majority of reps with the first-team offensive line in Lombard's place.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I will probably get some shit for this but I haven't really seen anything out of Chris Brown that makes me think he can be "special." He's been a pretty one-dimensional threat up until now and until I see him do some more versatile things in games I don't think I will feel any differently based on practice.

Edit: He did have a nice game against Rutgers. That was the one bright spot besides his big catch against Oklahoma.

He is a speed demon, and he had a QB that couldn't get him the ball deep last year. And when he was open, either he and Rees were on the wrong page, or Rees overthrew him (on the shorter routes). I think the Rutgers game was a sign of things to come, and he certainly played really well today. That comeback that TP was talking about was a FILTHY route; he stuttered and then took off like he was going deep, getting Russell's hips to turn, and then stopped on a dime and came back to get the ball. Every reporter around me did an "ooooh". It was sick, and it was against who I think will be a dynamic corner this year.

Now, I agree in that he has to show it in games, but I think you'll see a different Chris Brown this year...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Were the participants not allowed to take video of practice? I haven't seen anything release or posted yet? WHAT IS GOING ON?!? I NEED MOAR VIDS!!!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Were the participants not allowed to take video of practice? I haven't seen anything release or posted yet? WHAT IS GOING ON?!? I NEED MOAR VIDS!!!

If you even took your phone out of your pocket, they were all over you. No photos, no videos; you couldn't even text.

Reporters were there, but they had to pay to be a part of the coaching clinic in order to get in, and they were forbidden to post ANY information about today's practice.

There were ND people taking video, but that's it. Tomorrow it's open to the media and that's when you'll get more stuff...

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I will probably get some shit for this but I haven't really seen anything out of Chris Brown that makes me think he can be "special." He's been a pretty one-dimensional threat up until now and until I see him do some more versatile things in games I don't think I will feel any differently based on practice.

Edit: He did have a nice game against Rutgers. That was the one bright spot besides his big catch against Oklahoma.

I just saw your edit because I was going to comment and say he was one of the best receivers against Rutgers. Since it was his last game played, I would like to believe that the few weeks of training before the bowl helped and he will continue to improve.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

If you even took your phone out of your pocket, they were all over you. No photos, no videos; you couldn't even text.

Reporters were there, but they had to pay to be a part of the coaching clinic in order to get in, and they were forbidden to post ANY information about today's practice.

There were ND people taking video, but that's it. Tomorrow it's open to the media and that's when you'll get more stuff...

 

[gkIrish]

I just saw your edit because I was going to comment and say he was one of the best receivers against Rutgers. Since it was his last game played, I would like to believe that the few weeks of training before the bowl helped and he will continue to improve.

You also have to take into account how pathetic Rutgers secondary was. One of the worst in the country IIRC.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

You also have to take into account how pathetic Rutgers secondary was. One of the worst in the country IIRC.

That is a good point but we played some poor secondaries earlier in the year and he didn't get that much PT or play particularly well when he did. But if he can beat Russell in practices, I have confidence he can beat most DB's we will face next year.

 

[IRISHbluehen]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BZGX9_Rem60?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Malik and Jaylon are both incredibly impressive for freshmen.

 

[Luckylucci]

After doing player interviews today Sampson posted that we've basically become a 4-3. According to Ishaq we 're mostly playing 4-3 defenses. Jaylon smith saying that the LB's are reading and reacting more and the Dline is attacking more versus 2gap tech's before.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

After doing player interviews today Sampson posted that we've basically become a 4-3. According to Ishaq we 're mostly playing 4-3 defenses. Jaylon smith saying that the LB's are reading and reacting more and the Dline is attacking more versus 2gap tech's before.

I just want to make myself a target and pat myself on the back for calling this earlier in this thread! haha

 

[IrishLax]

I just want to make myself a target and pat myself on the back for calling this earlier in this thread! haha

Heh, with all due respect people have been calling this before the ink was even dry on BVG hire. Personnel dictated that this would happen, as much as some people refused to accept it.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Heh, with all due respect people have been calling this before the ink was even dry on BVG hire. Personnel dictated that this would happen, as much as some people refused to accept it.

You think you're so cool with your dream crushing...

 

[IrishLax]

You think you're so cool with your dream crushing...

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Maybe this?

 

[ulukinatme]

I just want to make myself a target and pat myself on the back for calling this earlier in this thread! haha

Heh, with all due respect people have been calling this before the ink was even dry on BVG hire. Personnel dictated that this would happen, as much as some people refused to accept it.

This. Hell, some of us were even talking about a departure from the 3-4 before the season started, and certainly before Diaco was gone. It all comes down to personnel. Some of us stressed that you cannot run a successful 3-4 without the right kind of guys up front, especially NT, and we have absolutely struck out on just about every true NT we've gone after since Big Lou. Despite what some people claimed, NT is the important key to the 3-4, and it doesn't help that we struggled with the other important position, ILB.

There were those that thought it was nonsense, that our current stock of DTs would work fine in a 3-4 scheme. They were quick to point out that BK was partial to the 3-4 and didn't want to change, and yet so far this spring we've seen almost exclusively 4-3 fronts in practice videos. Woe to the non-believers! The 3-4 is all but dead. I'd be surprised to see many 3 man fronts this year outside of some passing downs, and we'll be looking at Nickel in those situations.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I hate to be "that guy" but when can we expect videos, reports, tweets to begin surfacing from today's practice? Does anyone know the schedule for the practice and coach's clinic?

 

[koonja]

I hate to be "that guy" but when can we expect videos, reports, tweets to begin surfacing from today's practice? Does anyone know the schedule for the practice and coach's clinic?

What does your username mean?

 

[RyCo1983]

What does your username mean?

Let Me Google That For You

 

[koonja]

Let Me Google That For You

Hey now, there's a method for my madness. I assumed I wasn't the only one who didn't know the meaning, so if he posted it, it'd solve that mystery for others as well, maybe even give us the story behind it!

So it means 'University of Arkansas'?

 

[JTLA]

So it means 'University of Arkansas'?

Yep.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Hey now, there's a method for my madness. I assumed I wasn't the only one who didn't know the meaning, so if he posted it, it'd solve that mystery for others as well, maybe even give us the story behind it!

So it means 'University of Arkansas'?

Yep.

Lol, sometimes I can't tell if you are serious. The interwebz can be a strange place.

It means "advancing with Truth" or "advancing through Truth" or "advancing with Truth as the leader"

 

[koonja]

Lol, sometimes I can't tell if you are serious. The interwebz can be a strange place.

It means "advancing with Truth" or "advancing through Truth" or "advancing with Truth as the leader"

How do I know you're telling the truth?