2014 Spring Practice Thread

[Luckylucci]

Crob looks great. These are only clips but man he looks good. Getting off press coverage and catching the ball away from his body. It looks easy. He's going to be good.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Hahaha Golson can't run it either. Ohio State offense and skill players are light years ahead of NDs.

I don't agree with this at all.

247 Composite:

OSU RBs:
Curtis Samuel 0.9695 #59 overall #8 Ath Class of 2014
Noah Brown 0.9187 #196 overall #15 Ath Class of 2014
Zeke Elliott 0.9693 #69 overl #5 APB Class of 2013
Dontre Wilson 0.9685 #70 overall #6 APB Class of 2013
Warren Ball 0.9143 #230 overall #14 RB Class of 2012
Bri'onte Dunn 0.9537 #96 overall #8 RB Class of 2012
Rod Smith 0.9753 #43 overall #2 RB Class of 2010

ND RBs:
Greg Bryant 0.9764 #45 overall #6 RB Class of 2013
Tarean Folston 0.9497 #104 overall #10 RB Class of 2013
Amir Carlisle 0.9589 #81 #5 APB Class of 2011
Cam McDaniel 0.8544 #676 overall #42 RB Class of 2011

OSU RB avg: 0.9528
ND RB avg: 0.9349

OSU WRs:
Terry McLaurin 0.9051 #241 overall #34 WR Class of 2014
Parris Campbell 0.9359 #139 overall #22 WR Class of 2014
Johnnie Dixon 0.9639 #76 overall #9 WR Class of 2014
James Clark 0.9104 #225 overall #32 WR Class of 2013
Jalin Marshall 0.9830 #35 overall #4 WR Class of 2013
Frank Epiropoulos 0.8782 #461 overall #56 WR Class of 2012
Evan Spencer 0.9225 #165 overall #22 WR Class of 2011
Jeff Greene 0.8389 #941 overall #108 WR Class of 2011
Michael Thomas 0.8100 #1303 overall #156 WR

ND WRs:
Corey Holmes 0.9233 #179 overall #27 WR Class of 2014
Justin Brent 0.9537 #94 overall #13 WR Class of 2014
Will Fuller 0.9005 #276 overall #41 WR Class of 2013
Corey Robinson 0.8822 #368 overall #54 WR Class of 2013
Torii Hunter Jr. 0.9156 #205 overall #28 WR Class of 2013
Chris Brown 0.8787 #454 overall #33 Ath Class of 2012
CJ Prosise 0.8887 #364 overall #23 S Class of 2012
Will Mahone 0.9113 #239 overall #15 RB Class of 2012

OSU WRs: 0.9053
ND WRs: 0.90675

OSU TEs:
Marcus Baugh 0.9597 #85 overall #4 TE Class of 2013
Blake Thomas 0.8736 #523 overall #20 TE Class of 2012
Jeff Heuerman 0.8697 #444 overall #22 TE Class of 2011
Nick Vannett 0.9116 #198 overall #11 TE Class of 2011
JT Moore 0.8769 #343 overall #24 TE Class of 2011

ND TEs:
Nic Weishar 0.9037 #247 overall #7 TE Class of 2014
Tyler Luatua 0.8946 #284 overall #9 TE Class of 2014
Mike Heuerman 0.9040 #256 overall #9 TE Class of 2013
Durham Smythe 0.9056 #250 overall #8 TE Class of 2013
Ben Koyack 0.9752 #43 overall #2 TE Class of 2011

OSU TEs: 0.8983
ND TEs: 0.9166


ND gets the nod at two positions going by 247 composite rankings. But, yeah, sure, light years, dude

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Good Lord.

1. I stated Zaire is a better passer than Miller. Aka That means he can throw the football to a wide receiver/running back/tight end running a route better than braxton miller can throw the football to a wide receiver/running back/tight end.

2. I never stated he was a better QB. He has never played a snap in his life and I have only seen 5 practices with Malik at Notre Dame.

3. I have been to 2 ohio st practices, and living in Columbus, I have watched every game of Braxtons career. He is not a good passer. Denard is a better passer than Braxton and we all know Denard was average at throwing the football.

4. Thats my opinion after watching Malik this year, last year and watching Braxton in person. Braxton doesnt see the field, or go through any type of progressions. His ability to run the ball hurts his progressions. Braxton is an electric player, but its on the ground. He misses countless open players and misses on guys that have literally no one around him. Ask any osu fan and they will tell you samething, that hes a great player, but a horrible passer.

5. Everyone is obviously entitled to have their own opinions, but I think Braxton is a great player and not a great passer. Thats the point I was making. I wasnt saying Zaire was a better qb. Its really not that hard to be a better passer than Braxton. Its his legs that are his strength.

6. If you cant tell Golson can spin the rock.....then Im not sure you should be trying to argue a point. You can have Miller but I will gladly take Golson everyday of the week.

<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/89751789?color=ffcc12" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/89751789">Robinson on young wide receiver group</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/irishillustrated">Irish Illustrated</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

45sec mark. You think hes excited to have Golson back?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Good Lord.

1. I stated Zaire is a better passer than Miller. Aka That means he can throw the football to a wide receiver/running back/tight end running a route better than braxton miller can throw the football to a wide receiver/running back/tight end.

2. I never stated he was a better QB. He has never played a snap in his life and I have only seen 5 practices with Malik at Notre Dame.

3. I have been to 2 ohio st practices, and living in Columbus, I have watched every game of Braxtons career. He is not a good passer. Denard is a better passer than Braxton and we all know Denard was average at throwing the football.

4. Thats my opinion after watching Malik this year, last year and watching Braxton in person. Braxton doesnt see the field, or go through any type of progressions. His ability to run the ball hurts his progressions. Braxton is an electric player, but its on the ground. He misses countless open players and misses on guys that have literally no one around him. Ask any osu fan and they will tell you samething, that hes a great player, but a horrible passer.

5. Everyone is obviously entitled to have their own opinions, but I think Braxton is a great player and not a great passer. Thats the point I was making. I wasnt saying Zaire was a better qb. Its really not that hard to be a better passer than Braxton. Its his legs that are his strength.

6. If you cant tell Golson can spin the rock.....then Im not sure you should be trying to argue a point. You can have Miller but I will gladly take Golson everyday of the week.

<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/89751789?color=ffcc12" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/89751789">Robinson on young wide receiver group</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/irishillustrated">Irish Illustrated</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

45sec mark. You think hes excited to have Golson back?

Cory Robinson has absolutely massive hands. That is all.

 

[KPENN]

Sorry, gotta disagree. OSU lost one game. We lost to a team they beat, and then proceeded to lose to an extremely mediocre Pitt team. We barely beat Navy, looked pedestrian against a bad Temple team, and we barely beat Purdue, a team OSU embarrassed. And we had a total of 4 losses. You matter how you slice it, we were a decent team last year, who played great a couple of times and REALLY bad a few more times. No way were we a BCS team, even in the Big 10.

Just stop manny you are making sense

Not really saying I agree or disagree, but look at their schedule.
2013 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Schedule

I mean, OSU played 4 gimmie games at the start of the season. Don't you think ND would be a different team basically having 4 byes to start the season and played Michigan at the end of it? Compared to OSU, Notre Dame played their "soft" part of the schedule beaten and banged up.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

I agree with you however this part is flawed. Golson was a RSFr while Miller was a Jr ... Stats aren't much different when you look at Millers first year

Well you can't really compare Miller's first year to Golson either than since Miller was actually a true freshman. Imagine starting at the most important position the year after high school. His stats got a lot better his second year. I think if you want to compare this is the year you would do so since they both have experience

 

[Irish#1]

Wake up this morning and find I missed a good old fashion pissing match! So who won or is this yet to be concluded?


P.S. Fuck Michigan!

 

[Irish Insanity]

There always seems to be a lot of pissing in the wind when these matches get going....

 

[NDohio]

Wake up this morning and find I missed a good old fashion pissing match! So who won or is this yet to be concluded?


P.S. Fuck Michigan!

We all lost for having to read it.

CRob has me super excited about our passing game this year. Thanks for posting that video.

 

[rtrn2glory]

agreed...we really need a guy like him to step up.

i keep forgetting about DD not being here this spring and i really hope it doesn't end up hurting us in the long run losing out on this valuable practice time after such a long lay off from throwing with EG.

Golson being on the field though should allow guys like Chris Brown and Will Fuller to put there abilities more on display due to the fact that we have a QB who can push the ball down field vertically.

 

[NDdomer2]

agreed...we really need a guy like him to step up.

i keep forgetting about DD not being here this spring and i really hope it doesn't end up hurting us in the long run losing out on this valuable practice time after such a long lay off from throwing with EG.

Golson being on the field though should allow guys like Chris Brown and Will Fuller to put there abilities more on display due to the fact that we have a QB who can push the ball down field vertically.

DD should be back this summer right? Plenty of time for them to get together and develop some timing. If Golson has been staying in Chicago on breaks as well that is a stones throw from DD.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Not only that, but he does have a rapport with Golson from '12. I honestly think that if there was one receivers who could miss the spring practices and still be okay, it'd be DD. Plus, like you all said, these are important reps for everybody else. Man, this WR corps has me excited.

 

[IrishLax]

That convo is funny to read back... can't say anything about Zaire, because the most I've ever seen of his was the spring game last year.

But Miller and Marshall absolutely suck throwing the football. There is a reason Miller... even with all of his absurd athleticism and great numbers... didn't come out this year and isn't projected as a top pick. He's a Tebow-esque awesome college QB with no pro future. Guitton is a far superior thrower of the football.

So who knows how "advanced" Zaire is relative to those two were heading into their second seasons... but it's not like either of those guys are setting the bar high in terms of their ability to throw from the pocket.

 

[Cackalacky]

I just hope Zaire is ready to play. There is no doubt in my mind that if Golson starts making mistakes and there is a viable back-up ready to go, Kelly will put in Zaire.

 

[Ironman8]

GB, please debate your side of the topic while allowing others to clarify remarks / opinions without immaturely spewing "HAHAs" or other nonsense that clearly shows you didn't read the clarified remarks. Your original point was valid, and you backed it up with a couple facts from Miller's 3rd year comparing to Everett's first year. Continue to expand your arguement next time, and listen to the individuals when they clarify.

I also gave you an infraction for your inappropriate outburst at Kuehnja. You know you can't post like that. Be better. Also, if you think that was him trolling, you clearly don't know what trolling means. I thought everything he posted and the way he posted it (with one exception which I will address with him) was reasonable and rational and in no way trolling. If anyone was being intentionally cantankerous, it was you.

It's a good debate with both sides having merit. Please just be mature enough to debate the topic and get personal.

 

[IrishLion]

You all are spending too much time on IE. You're all beginning to go through your menstrual cycles at the same time.

 

[ulukinatme]

Wake up this morning and find I missed a good old fashion pissing match! So who won or is this yet to be concluded?


P.S. Fuck Michigan!

All the bunnies are stabbing each other! It seems like some of the most heated debates/rivalries get started in the off season, usually around Spring Ball time. Maybe people just want to get an early start on 2014 Biggest Rivalry Award?

That said, I wouldn't trade Golson or Zaire for anyone. Theres probably a few QBs in college football that are better. Maybe they're better in one or two facets, but I like the guys we have. I got to see Braxton Miller in OSU's Spring Game in Cinci last year. I think he's a better passer than he gets credit for, but he's certainly no Peyton Manning. It didn't help that OSU's defense was a bit porous, I knew even then that the 2013 OSU defense was not a typical OSU defense. The OSU offense basically scored at will, as oppose to our Spring Game where the only offensive TD came from Zaire against the 3rd stringers. We probably could have salvaged a decent season last year if our defense had remained healthy, but they didn't, so them's the breaks.

 

[NDohio]

Not only that, but he does have a rapport with Golson from '12. I honestly think that if there was one receivers who could miss the spring practices and still be okay, it'd be DD. Plus, like you all said, these are important reps for everybody else. Man, this WR corps has me excited.

I really hope they are able to pick-up where they left off. EG to DD was really starting to click the second half of '12. Throw in the young receivers - this could be fun to watch.

 

[Cackalacky]

 

[PANDFAN]

Matt Cashore
Two games into last season, it appeared Amir Carlisle had emerged as the leader among the running backs. Against both Temple and Michigan, the junior led Notre Dame in rushing yards, gaining 68 on seven carries against the Owls and 64 on 12 carries in Ann Arbor.

But then Carlisle’s momentum came to an abrupt stop against Purdue thanks to one fourth-quarter carry as Carlisle fumbled away an Irish possession that could have sealed the game. The USC-transfer’s opportunities dwindled from there until they were nearly non-existent.

Carlisle carried just 17 times for 63 yards in the season’s final 10 games.

“It was what it was. I didn’t have the best game (at Purdue),” Carlisle said. “I kept high spirits throughout that, worked hard at practice. For me, I was the same guy throughout, and worked hard each and every day.

“Whenever my number was called, I ran out onto the field.”

Carlisle had played running back since he was 10 years old, but following his tumbling down the depth chart behind Cam McDaniel, Tarean Folston and George Atkinson, the Irish coaches asked him about a switch to slot receiver, specifically the Z-position.

Carlisle did not hesitate during his February meeting with newly-named offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.

“I actually was all for it,” Carlisle said. “A new change, new scenery. I’m always willing to help the team out in any way possible. I was all for it.”

Though the change may seem odd considering Carlisle’s difficulties catching the ball last season, no other positions were considered to fit his skill set. He made seven catches for 30 yards in the first three games last season and didn’t catch another ball the rest of the year.

In retrospect, Irish head coach Brian Kelly shoulders some of the onus for that distinct disparity.

“To look back on some of the things, we never gave him a great opportunity in the passing game, per se,” Kelly said. “He had a couple tough go routes out of the backfield. I don’t know that I would say he lost his confidence in that sense.”

Rather than a loss of confidence, Carlisle points to an unfamiliarity with the position after a decade in the backfield.

“I wouldn’t say I lost my confidence, I just had to deal with adversity,” Carlisle said. “It was my first year being out wide, playing in the slot as a wide receiver. There were going to be some growing pains with that.”

Now that he knows he will solely be in the slot, Carlisle has directed all his attention to the intricacies of being a receiver. He no longer worries about reading a hole at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he studies route trees and how different coverages affect them.

His studies have paid off thus far. In Saturday morning’s practice, Carlisle highlighted one of the latter periods by pulling in a quick slant pass from sophomore quarterback Malik Zaire despite heavy traffic across the middle. The 14-yard gain would have doubled his longest reception last season. At this point, Kelly sees Carlisle and junior C.J. Prosise as the front-runners for the slot position.

“The more I’m out there, the more I’m running routes, the more I’m catching passes, the more comfortable I am, especially with the more minute details of the game - releases, knowing how to run a zone versus man route,” Carlisle said. “It’s still new to me, but it’s definitely becoming more comfortable.”

 

[IrishLax]

Also, fun fact, Tim Tebow completed roughly 66%+ of his passes with absurd 5.5-to-1 TD:INT ratio in college. Vanilla college stats have ZERO bearing on one's aptitude as a pocket passer.

Again, I don't know a thing about Zaire. Braxton Miller is a GREAT college QB and playmaker. Probably a top 5 and definitely top 10 overall player at the position. But there are probably 40+ college QBs who are more advanced and capable pocket passers than him, including many backups (like his own), so I don't get why the original premise drew forth such a strong reaction.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W-KLPxbLl6E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

From now on we pull out the Holy Hand grenade!

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Crob looks great. These are only clips but man he looks good. Getting off press coverage and catching the ball away from his body. It looks easy. He's going to be good.

Do you think he needs to put on weight?

 

[gkIrish]

Also, fun fact, Tim Tebow completed roughly 66%+ of his passes with absurd 5.5-to-1 TD:INT ratio in college. Vanilla college stats have ZERO bearing on one's aptitude as a pocket passer.

Again, I don't know a thing about Zaire. Braxton Miller is a GREAT college QB and playmaker. Probably a top 5 and definitely top 10 overall player at the position. But there are probably 40+ college QBs who are more advanced and capable pocket passers than him, including many backups (like his own), so I don't get why the original premise drew forth such a strong reaction.

Probably because no one has seen Zaire throw a pass in a game but we are comparing his practice video to Miller's game tape. Other than TP who has seen 2 practices, I might be the only other person to see Miller throw in practice. IMO, Miller looks a lot better throwing in practice than he does in games, which is logical. So everyone else comparing Miller to Zaire should wait until either:

A) Zaire plays in a real game or
B) They watch Miller practice.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Do you think he needs to put on weight?

He needs a at least 10-15lbs. He doesnt look a lot bigger than he did last year. He has almost zero explosive when he accelerates. He has figured out how to get beat off press coverage, but I wouldnt say he does it consistently. He fell a few times over air so his legs do need to get stronger as well.

Good player just a lot of room to improve, which isnt a bad or uncommon thing for a freshman. Itll be interesting to see what his work ethic is like over the next few years.

 

[zelezo vlk]

The kid was crazy skinny coming in too, let's not forget. We knew the physical development would take some time.

 

[mriguy]

I was fortunate to watch both practices this weekend and thought Zaire looked as good if not better than Golson. I did notice on the read option drill Friday Zaire dropped a few balls.
I think Golson will be the starter but Zaire will push him to be the best he can be. Zaire has a confidence about him that I like.

I am going to tell you something everyone knows, Jaylon Smith is a FREAK!!!!!!

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

He needs a at least 10-15lbs. He doesnt look a lot bigger than he did last year. He has almost zero explosive when he accelerates. He has figured out how to get beat off press coverage, but I wouldnt say he does it consistently. He fell a few times over air so his legs do need to get stronger as well.

Good player just a lot of room to improve, which isnt a bad or uncommon thing for a freshman. Itll be interesting to see what his work ethic is like over the next few years.

Thanks TP. Makes sense. Kid has the whole package it seems, especially intangibles. Would love to see him pack some pounds and be more of a force through the air and after the catch.

 

[Luckylucci]

I was fortunate to watch both practices this weekend and thought Zaire looked as good if not better than Golson. I did notice on the read option drill Friday Zaire dropped a few balls.
I think Golson will be the starter but Zaire will push him to be the best he can be. Zaire has a confidence about him that I like.

I am going to tell you something everyone knows, Jaylon Smith is a FREAK!!!!!!

The guys at II have been raving about Jaylon. I agree that its kind of stating the obvious but they think he'll be a national player people talk about if we have a good season. And as a sophomore that would be pretty impressive.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

The guys at II have been raving about Jaylon. I agree that its kind of stating the obvious but they think he'll be a national player people talk about if we have a good season. And as a sophomore that would be pretty impressive.

Just no heisman campaign and I will be happy.