2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

[Luckylucci]

BK singles out Weishar, St. Brown, Coleman and Crawford as guys that stood out this week. Bodes well that so many young guys are coming out of the gate strong. Also confirms what we've already been seeing in the practice vids (save for Weishar who I haven't seen do much).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX1Yg9qmYiI

So I just now watched it, said ESB has elite speed. 6'5 and elite speed, that doesn't suck

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quote of yesterday :

"It's time to flip the switch," Day says of the moment when practice becomes a game, or at least a reasonable facsimile of one. "Like coach (Brian) Kelly preaches to us all the time. When it's time to go, put your hand down (in the dirt) and be ready to go to war. Marcus Luttrell said that too the other day -- flip the switch."

We have not had this kind of leadership on a Notre Dame team since . . . I know it would be popular to say since '12. But I think this is better than '12! Why?

In '12 there was Manti, and Kappy on defense. It wasn't even a strong connect with the staff that built them into the leaders they were.

In fact, it was apparent there was a disconnect with the then defensive coaching staff. So it isn't too much of a stretch to say that the great leadership of '12 occurred in spite of the coaching staff.

This year it is more plentiful, more hard nosed, better supported by the staff, with built-in accountability. This year it seems to have a focused purpose and intensity. But it also seems to have a sense of humor, and an inclusive camaraderie. It is more complete, mature, and prevalent. Good signs all around!

Chris Brown : This kid seems by all accounts to be giving his all. The best thing I have heard about him, is that "it would be great if you could infuse what Will Fuller can do with his body after the catch."

Will Fuller : Coach Kelly refers to Fullers versatility, which is right on the money. But one thing that may contribute to that versatility is his "sense of body," and his balance.

By sense of body, I mean his ability to always know where he and all the defenders are in space.

On top of that, he has the ability to make adjustments while moving (fast) to put him in a situation to have the best position to beat a defender to the goal line. His day six highlight catch is a perfect example; he was covered like a glove and made the catch. As soon as he secured the ball, he changed direction.

The defender, sensing this tried to hook his leg and tangle him. 90% of receivers would have been tripped up. Instead, at the same time he eluded the leg sweep, he cut back giving him a quick path to the end zone; with his speed, an insurmountable lead for a defender to make up.

By comparison, and I am not taking anything away from Chris Brown's incredible leaping catch, (or Malik Zaire's incredible throw, fitting the ball between two defenders!!), and Chris did get popped, but it was all Chris could do to hold the ball.

I wish we could infuse Will's sense of body and ability to make "mid-air" corrections to his balance. Then we would have an incredibly elite receiver corps, nearly unstoppable!

Slot : From everything I have heard watch out for CJ Saunders. In no aspect of the game does he play like a freshman. None.

In no aspect does he run like a smaller guy, other than the fact that he is a blur on the field. And he already knows how to be patient for his blocking. So watch this kid! Jet sweep express, LOL!

Corey Robinson's speed is better. And from what I have heard no one can even believe Equanimeous St. Brown's speed!

He is another true freshman they are going to have to find a role for, from the get-go! A) He is too good, (what a waste at Servite); B) We need to send the St. Brown family a signal - a green light! I now really want the other two brothers, badly!

 

[longliveautrydenson]

So I just now watched it, said ESB has elite speed. 6'5 and elite speed, that doesn't suck

From a purely physical perspective, ESB reminds me of Randy Moss. Moss was about 6'4" and rail thin throughout his career, but had Olympic sprinter speed. I doubt ESB's speed is on par with Randy's, and it remains to be seen whether he possesses Moss' hands/instincts, but with his speed and body type the sky is the limit. The fact that one recruiting service had him as a 3 star may look utterly ridiculous in a few years.

 

[dublinirish]

https://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791922

Notre Dame Has A Fuller Plate

Talk about it in Rockne's Roundtable
The so-called "sophomore jinx" is when a standout freshman in athletics becomes a marked man in his second year and then does not quite perform up to expectations.

For Notre Dame junior wideout Will Fuller, an under-the-radar freshman campaign (six catches, 160 yards, one score) was followed by the greatest sophomore year ever by a Fighting Irish wideout (76 catches, 1,094 yards and a school season tying 15 touchdowns). He might not post similar numbers as a junior, but Fuller plans to be better all around under receivers coach and associate head coach Mike Denbrock.

"Be more physical, gain a little more weight and just be more consistent," the six-foot, 184-pound Fuller replied to what he wants to achieve for an encore. "I added some weight, about eight pounds, feel a lot stronger and put up better numbers in the weight room. … It doesn't matter whether I have six catches or 76, they're going to coach me the same."


According to Brian Kelly, Fuller's versatility is what enables him to be so productive.


The only other time a Notre Dame receiver snared 1,000 yards worth of receptions as a sophomore was Golden Tate in 2008 with 1,080 on 58 catches, 10 of them scores. Tate followed with the Biletnikoff Award as a junior.

One of 48 players on this year's Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Fuller knows he will be a marked man for opposing defenses. The good news is Notre Dame has plenty of other options. Last year's Fighting Irish team was the first to have at least five receivers catch at least 20 passes. All five return (although C.J. Prosise is now a full-time running back), which is why Athlon Sports College Football Preview ranked the Irish receiving corps the eighth-best in the country.

"I just stay focused on what Coach Denbrock wants me to do," said Fuller on whether he aspired to match or eclipse the data he produced last year. "Whatever [the opposing defense is] going to do, I know we're going to have something for them.

"I never think of certain numbers. If my name gets called, I try my best to do what is best for the team, maybe score, get a catch, make anything happen."

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is one who believes that despite Fuller becoming more of a marked man, and maybe because the Irish might emphasize the run more with new quarterback Malik Zaire, the junior wideout is plenty capable of matching his 2014 numbers because of his versatility to play wide, in the boundary or even in the slot.

"He's a deep-ball-threat player, but can also catch the short, quick slant, and the screen game," Kelly said. "Any time you accumulate that many catches, you have to have versatility at that position.

"Conversely, Corey Robinson is a down-the-field player, not a great screen guy, not somebody that is naturally working in and out on screen game. So I think you're going to see volume [from Fuller] still, but I think you're going to see Chris Brown, Torii Hunter, Amir Carlisle … you're going to see a lot of catches around them as well. But I don't know that you'll see any drop off in Will Fuller in terms of catches because he has such great versatility."

Where Fuller especially wants to see an upgrade is a consistency on his concentration catching the football. After going through the entire game tapes of the 2014 season, Blue & Gold Illustrated's Bryan Driskell counted 11 drops by Fuller, most of which were simple opportunities. Fuller blamed it on "a lack of focus, trying to make a move before I catch the ball.

"That's really embarrassing as a player, just getting drops that are wide open. ... when I see a drop, it will remind me of it. But you have to get drops out of your head so you can stay with the system."

The system will feature a new man getting him the ball in Zaire, whose reputation so far has been more with his feet than his left arm, whereas predecessor Everett Golson (now starting at Florida State) was heralded for his live arm and ability to make all the throws into a tight window. That's one of the reasons why Fuller's receiving numbers are projected to drop, although the wideout disagrees.

"Malik can do anything any other quarterback can do," said Fuller, who caught a 68-yard rocket from Zaire that went for a score in this spring's Blue-Gold Game. "He has a great arm, real smart. I believe with more reps he'll get a lot better with controlling the offense.

"He's a real emotional guy. I think he's doing a great job of leading the team. It impacts us because he knows he can get the ball wherever he needs to go. His confidence is real good for our offense. I believe he's a lot more vocal than Ev, talks a lot more. I think he's a better leader than Ev."

Now it's a matter of harnessing his skills to the fullest, or at least to Fuller.

 

[BGIF]

https://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1791922

We're gonna need more footballs!

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would make our players react like this? Find out at 10PM <a href="https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h">https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/631805429639704577">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BGIF]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would make our players react like this? Find out at 10PM <a href="https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h">https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/631805429639704577">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What? Parietals stricken from du Lac.

 

[PANDFAN]

according to a poster on 247 that has seen them.....all green and the best ones yet...tifwiw

 

[GoIrish41]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would make our players react like this? Find out at 10PM <a href="https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h">https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/631805429639704577">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Naming of captains? Just a guess.

 

[dublinirish]

new SS uniforms

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shamrock Series uniforms will be revealed today. Expect them to be bold green (jersey and pants) with leprechaun logos on the helmet.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/631807139573465088">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would make our players react like this? Find out at 10PM <a href="https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h">https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/631805429639704577">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball">@NDFootball</a> Guessing the video of me wrestling Hulk Hogan back in the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash">#GoIrish</a></p>— Harry Hiestand (@FakeBigHarry) <a href="https://twitter.com/FakeBigHarry/status/631806308417605632">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[johnnycando]

according to a poster on 247 that has seen them.....all green and the best ones yet...tifwiw

Nice...

 

[Irish YJ]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What would make our players react like this? Find out at 10PM <a href="https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h">https://t.co/JDOcPFIA5h</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/631805429639704577">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hopefully Ishaq getting cleared

 

[dublinirish]

Hopefully Ishaq getting cleared

lol. It's Greg Bryant rejoining the team

 

[BGIF]

lol. It's Greg Bryant rejoining the team

Who?

 

[dales5050]

new SS uniforms

This.

 

[GoIrish41]

new SS uniforms

I have lost my ability to think like a 19-year old, lol. Flashy uniforms! This is a much better answer than mine.

 

[#1rish]

The leprechaun logos on the helmets are going to look amazing.

 

[Luckylucci]

Quote of yesterday :



We have not had this kind of leadership on a Notre Dame team since . . . I know it would be popular to say since '12. But I think this is better than '12! Why?

In '12 there was Manti, and Kappy on defense. It wasn't even a strong connect with the staff that built them into the leaders they were.

In fact, it was apparent there was a disconnect with the then defensive coaching staff. So it isn't too much of a stretch to say that the great leadership of '12 occurred in spite of the coaching staff.

This year it is more plentiful, more hard nosed, better supported by the staff, with built-in accountability. This year it seems to have a focused purpose and intensity. But it also seems to have a sense of humor, and an inclusive camaraderie. It is more complete, mature, and prevalent. Good signs all around!

Chris Brown : This kid seems by all accounts to be giving his all. The best thing I have heard about him, is that "it would be great if you could infuse what Will Fuller can do with his body after the catch."

Will Fuller : Coach Kelly refers to Fullers versatility, which is right on the money. But one thing that may contribute to that versatility is his "sense of body," and his balance.

By sense of body, I mean his ability to always know where he and all the defenders are in space.

On top of that, he has the ability to make adjustments while moving (fast) to put him in a situation to have the best position to beat a defender to the goal line. His day six highlight catch is a perfect example; he was covered like a glove and made the catch. As soon as he secured the ball, he changed direction.

The defender, sensing this tried to hook his leg and tangle him. 90% of receivers would have been tripped up. Instead, at the same time he eluded the leg sweep, he cut back giving him a quick path to the end zone; with his speed, an insurmountable lead for a defender to make up.

By comparison, and I am not taking anything away from Chris Brown's incredible leaping catch, (or Malik Zaire's incredible throw, fitting the ball between two defenders!!), and Chris did get popped, but it was all Chris could do to hold the ball.

I wish we could infuse Will's sense of body and ability to make "mid-air" corrections to his balance. Then we would have an incredibly elite receiver corps, nearly unstoppable!

Slot : From everything I have heard watch out for CJ Saunders. In no aspect of the game does he play like a freshman. None.

In no aspect does he run like a smaller guy, other than the fact that he is a blur on the field. And he already knows how to be patient for his blocking. So watch this kid! Jet sweep express, LOL!

Corey Robinson's speed is better. And from what I have heard no one can even believe Equanimeous St. Brown's speed!

He is another true freshman they are going to have to find a role for, from the get-go! A) He is too good, (what a waste at Servite); B) We need to send the St. Brown family a signal - a green light! I now really want the other two brothers, badly!

Considering this team hasn't taken the field and we're comparing them the best ND football team of the last 2 decades seems a little unrealistic at this time. Could they be? Absolutely, but we've seen 7 practices.

 

[PANDFAN]

Considering this team hasn't taken the field and we're comparing them the best ND football team of the last 2 decades seems a little unrealistic at this time. Could they be? Absolutely, but we've seen 7 practices.

 

[Irish YJ]

Considering this team hasn't taken the field and we're comparing them the best ND football team of the last 2 decades seems a little unrealistic at this time. Could they be? Absolutely, but we've seen 7 practices.

They had me at hello

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Why are they even playing the season out?! Just hand us the championship please.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Considering this team hasn't taken the field and we're comparing them the best ND football team of the last 2 decades seems a little unrealistic at this time. Could they be? Absolutely, but we've seen 7 practices.

Man, I used to argue against these types of things all the time. People just don't get it. I remember being vilified before the 2013 season when a member posted that ND had 8 elite defensive linemen (OLB's like Shembo were included), and I disagreed. Guys like Ishaq, Springman, and Schwenke were all considered "elite" by many on this board, and I was a jerk for arguing vehemently against that line of thinking lol. Another time a member got PISSED at me bc I disagreed that ND was the clear leader for a kid who ended up at Auburn (as I predicted). I mean, everywhere there were signs that ND wasn't even in his top 5 really, but because he told a ND reporter that he really liked ND, that meant we were his leader lol. There's all kinds of examples.

I've learned to let it roll now (except for NDSean...but he's a special case). It's great to be positive, but the problem is when you argue against it in the manner that I do (blunt...and not the NDOM 'blunt'), people get extremely defensive and personal, and the actual topic gets lost in the debate. Better for me just to let the overly exuberant be overly exuberant.

 

[ulukinatme]

Man, I used to argue against these types of things all the time. People just don't get it. I remember being vilified before the 2013 season when a member posted that ND had 8 elite defensive linemen (OLB's like Shembo were included), and I disagreed. Guys like Ishaq, Springman, and Schwenke were all considered "elite" by many on this board, and I was a jerk for arguing vehemently against that line of thinking lol. Another time a member got PISSED at me bc I disagreed that ND was the clear leader for a kid who ended up at Auburn (as I predicted). I mean, everywhere there were signs that ND wasn't even in his top 5 really, but because he told a ND reporter that he really liked ND, that meant we were his leader lol. There's all kinds of examples.

I've learned to let it roll now (except for NDSean...but he's a special case). It's great to be positive, but the problem is when you argue against it in the manner that I do (blunt...and not the NDOM 'blunt'), people get extremely defensive and personal, and the actual topic gets lost in the debate. Better for me just to let the overly exuberant be overly exuberant.

How dare you not drink the Kool-Aid!

Yeah, some of the posters can be brutal if you try to be realistic about their favorites.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Considering this team hasn't taken the field and we're comparing them the best ND football team of the last 2 decades seems a little unrealistic at this time. Could they be? Absolutely, but we've seen 7 practices.

Thanks for the reality check Lucky, I've started my kool-aid IV and I need to remember that we're still a giant question mark. We'll know more in 23 days...

 

[Cali_domer]

delete

 

[ACamp1900]

I've learned to let it roll now (except for NDSean...but he's a special case). It's great to be positive, but the problem is when you argue against it in the manner that I do (blunt...and not the NDOM 'blunt'), people get extremely defensive and personal, and the actual topic gets lost in the debate. Better for me just to let the overly exuberant be overly exuberant.

I'm with ya,... when talking preseason predictions and expectations I have just learned to show myself out for the most part... why people get so pissed off if you're not on the Natty or bust train is beyond me.

 

[NCND]

Happens every year.. hype, "everyone is looking great", "CR making great catches", Freshman will make an impact ".. blah, blah. It's exciting man but we should all remember this team lost to NW. I get it there were injuries but this team lost to freakin Northwestern.

 

[Luckylucci]

Man, I used to argue against these types of things all the time. People just don't get it. I remember being vilified before the 2013 season when a member posted that ND had 8 elite defensive linemen (OLB's like Shembo were included), and I disagreed. Guys like Ishaq, Springman, and Schwenke were all considered "elite" by many on this board, and I was a jerk for arguing vehemently against that line of thinking lol. Another time a member got PISSED at me bc I disagreed that ND was the clear leader for a kid who ended up at Auburn (as I predicted). I mean, everywhere there were signs that ND wasn't even in his top 5 really, but because he told a ND reporter that he really liked ND, that meant we were his leader lol. There's all kinds of examples.

I've learned to let it roll now (except for NDSean...but he's a special case). It's great to be positive, but the problem is when you argue against it in the manner that I do (blunt...and not the NDOM 'blunt'), people get extremely defensive and personal, and the actual topic gets lost in the debate. Better for me just to let the overly exuberant be overly exuberant.

Thats fair, I guess I just think if we temper enthusiasm a bit, a 10 win regular season still feels good.