2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

[NCND]

Please for the love of gawd tell me none of you kids compared Malik to Teabow?? .... I know he's a joke as a pro but he's one of the greatest CFB players of all time, like top 25 ever, easy... and we are comparing MZ to Him?!? Really?

Simmer dafaq down Irish nation, let the kid get a few snaps first.

THANKS.

 

[ACamp1900]

Fairly unanimous that Redfield is a different player now so he's a given at FS.

Redfield is my guy, I've fought for and defended him... But the above statement is based on what exactly?

 

[Cackalacky]

The full-on starting job in 2013 was brutal for Matthias. There's a reason he's the situational nickel guy. Does occasionally make a play though.

Farley led the team in Ints last year and has been in the top 5-6 tacklers the last two years. He also played and entire season with dead arm. Time to give him a bit of respect IMO.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Redfield is my guy, I've fought for and defended him... But the above statement is based on what exactly?

I don't think its based on too much, but I remember one of the tweets that ISD had today said that on a passing play that the D got a coverage sack, Redfield was covering a guy and kept yelling "Not open Malik! Not open Malik!" Having that sort of swagger while defending (meaning he's thinking to talk shit instead of having to worry about his assignment since he's got it down) shows he may have a grasp of the mental aspect. Again, a ridiculously small sample size, but I've like what I've heard about Redfield in the spring and fall. He's been mentioned a few times by people as someone who has stood out in practice.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

The guy put up great passing stats, finishing 2nd, 4th and 1st in passing efficiency rating his three years as a starter. I think we would all be happy if Zaire can duplicate that.

No one arguing that. But the fact is Zaire has a better throwing motion, more velocity on his throws, and has a pretty ball that Tebow ever had. Which in those categories means very little because watching Tebow throw made Denard Robinson look like Aaron Rogers. D/M, has two rings.

 

[calvegas04]

wasn't aware Jones and Smythe are injured

 

[Irish Insanity]

yesss

I thought that shit only happened in SEC country.

No one arguing that. But the fact is Zaire has a better throwing motion, more velocity on his throws, and has a pretty ball that Tebow ever had. Which in those categories means very little because watching Tebow throw made Denard Robinson look like Aaron Rogers. D/M, has two rings.

Exactly. What happened to 'the eye test'.

 

[Irish YJ]

wasn't aware Jones and Smythe are injured

Neck and hammie

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page

Notre Dame was down a couple tight ends on Thursday, which opened the door for one of training camps big movers to state his case for time. Nic Weishar grabbed a bullhorn.


Alize Jones watched Thursday’s practice with a towel wrapped around his injured neck. Durham Smythe stood at attention to the side, his bum hamstring shelving Notre Dame’s starting tight end.

Those minor maladies opened a door for sophomore Nic Weishar, who accepted his invitation into the first team without a second thought. The Chicagoland product worked over Avery Sebastian and Drue Tranquill for touchdowns during one-on-one reps. He posted up Nyles Morgan over the middle for a contested catch.

Those reps backed up Brian Kelly’s claim before camp that Weishar ranked among the programs biggest off-season risers. Now listed at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, the sophomore looks like he’s made the kind of physical jump that could earn him reps come fall, even when Smythe and Jones return to health this weekend.

“We knew his ability to catch the football was there,” Kelly said. “It was his in-line blocking that was going to be a question and whether he was going to be able to put on the weight necessary to compete right away.

“He had a terrific off-season putting on the weight and getting stronger, still got a ways to go, but … he’s put himself right in the mix there to play a lot for us.”

When Smythe returns the starting tight end job should still be his. But Weishar has at least put heat on Jones, the five-star recruit out of Las Vegas who had been assumed to have a lock on reps this season. Weishar muted that hype Thursday.

Regardless of who plays and how much in Notre Dame’s offense, it appears two tight ends will see the field regularly. That’s an approach the Irish employed two years ago with Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack. Kelly used it during the BCS National Championship Game season too with Niklas and first-round pick Tyler Eifert.

This season seems less of a lock for two tight ends considering the skills of Amir Carlisle and Torii Hunter Jr. in camp. Even freshman C.J. Sanders, the third-team slot, has impressed. But that third receiver could give way to a second tight end if trends continue.

On top of Smythe, Weishar and Jones, Notre Dame has Tyler Luatua and Chase Hounshell in block-first roles, although the converted defensive tackle made a downfield catch on Thursday.

“We know their strengths and we’ve got some roles for each of them,” Kelly said. “Your pass catchers are Durham, Alize and Nic. So we’ve got three really good pass catchers that are guys that also have the size to block. I think we’ve got some pretty good versatility there.”

Weishar will be a big part of that.

The four-star recruit committed to Notre Dame during the spring of his junior year at Marist High School on the south side of Chicago. That meant joining a jumbled depth chart that included Smythe, Luatua and Mike Heuerman, long before Jones came on board.

Weishar gave Kelly a hint that he might be ready during bowl prep, the end of his red-shirt season. His training camp performance has been more like screaming into a bullhorn.

“We saw a little bit at the tail end of last year on scout team that he had grit and toughness,” Kelly said. “He was just a little bit light and he got thrown around and rag dolled a little bit if you will. So it was still a matter of him being able to put on the size.

“He’s been outstanding for us and he’s going to offer some more depth at the position that we didn’t think we’d have. We’ll really be able to do a lot of things with him in the offense.”

 

[NDinL.A.]

Redfield is my guy, I've fought for and defended him... But the above statement is based on what exactly?

It's all conjecture at this point, as he hasn't shown it on the field consistently yet.

But he had an outstanding game against LSU. Best game of his career (the TE running wide-open for that long-gainer was on Shumate, not Redfield, even though Redfield was chasing him), and I believe he had 14 tackles. And then it carried over to the spring, where he garnered rave reviews from both reporters and staff, which hasn't happened in the past. And finally, through 8 practices so far, the favorable reviews have continued.

So while I get anyone's skepticism on Redfield, I personally think he'll break out this year. Or at the very least, be much more solid. The pressure will definitely be on him.

 

[Luckylucci]

Redfield is my guy, I've fought for and defended him... But the above statement is based on what exactly?

247, ISD, and BGI, have only seen 2 practices but all 3 (so 6 different times) have had him playing at a much higher level than they've seen in the past. Not sure how much I put in 247 football analysis but Mike Frank and Coach D have had very good things to say.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I'm fairly confident in saying the first team o-line is the best o-line our d-line will see all season. I will cut them some slack if they have trouble getting a pass rush with just the 4 man front

Jac Collinsworth does incredible player interviews, he is on top of his game right now.

Meant as in a comparison of a running qb with less than great arm

Why do you feel the need to say this stuff

All repworthy posts gentlemen!

I really believe we have position groups that are really competing at "higher levels" for Power 5 football. And I am amazed, because I find myself wondering if they wouldn't even look massively better save their opposite position group looks so stout. This is what I keep coming back to when Kelly harps on leadership and competition.

This is the same problem I had yesterday. The op was just talking in general about the two quarterbacks, in that they both had the reputation of being run first quarterbacks, with a less than satisfactory throwing arm. Help me if I am spitballing, but I think the whole point of his analogy, (I won't call it a comparison), was that if Florida can win a National Championship with a Tebow, why can't Notre Dame with a Zaire? I think this would be a wonderful topic for discussion.

But what happened? Right away any similarity to the point the original poster was making disappeared! By the third post, the original poster was allegedly comparing the arm of the two quarterbacks. I love most of you like brothers, but I have to say I read, and reread the original post, and from the time the responder to the OP twisted things, not one comment made was based upon what the OP said!

I am sure some of you find that process fulfilling and necessary, even ego-gratifying, but frankly, in a general overarching sense I am getting tired of those that revel in this process, wasting my time. In the final analysis, instead of it coming off as intelligent and informative, it comes off to me (and quite a few others, I would wager) as a boorish, overstepping of healthy boundaries and a huge waste of time. Some of us can only visit occasionally, for short periods; I know many have this constraint, which is why quick hits was such a big hit. Hopefully, we can get back to ND football not a comparison of penises by guys that have the nagging feeling of being undersized.

And I will take responsibility for occasionally talking out of my ass, which is also a waste of time. But I think there are enough examples of when I have been called on my mistakes that I fess up, and offer thanks, publically, and with reps. There are others here that do it even better than me, (a source of my inspiration.) And there are yet others who just don't make mistakes. So I really am down the list, but am trying to be the best I can, and genuinely me.

Also, Jac Collinsworth's interview of KeiVarae Russell is one of the finest college player football interviews I have ever seen! I cannot decide whether It is KeiVarae's intelligence, passion, or clear spoken communication, or Jac's way of "sitting on the same side of the table," (ability to relate to and communicate with) athletes, and his ability to focus on what his interviewee is saying to continue to put carefully delivered, pertinent questions over the plate, from start to finish! I think that interview was a special thing, though!

As far as Jac's look goes; I really don't pay much attention to that. In general, in life if I did that, I would bee much poorer, as I wouldn't have the rich collection of friends and acquaintances that make almost every day a keeper! (In spite of myself!) I always wondered if that kind of critical process about something so superficial isn't why people become "old before their time!"

Based on what? 95 yards throwing against LSU?

Interesting point, Malik's first start was against LSU. After ND lit them up LSU still finished as the number nine defense, third against the pass. They were the number one defensive team in the SEC during the regular season if I am not mistaken, and only Mississippi State and Auburn scored more points against them than Notre Dame. In fact, Notre Dame scored more points against them than did Alabama, Texas A&M and Arkansas.

If ND hadn't had the defensive injuries and played competent defense, with the offensive performance they turned in, the Irish would have dominated LSU with the best of them!

So I think with his first start, coupled with what he has shown in practice and spring games, (especially with Malik's past reputation for not being a practice player) we can make some general assumptions about what Malik will do for the Irish offense.

Because remember, he was bustin' every chance he got! His early season running touchdown was the longest running play from scrimmage for how long? And how manageable was the situation against USC when he was dropped in? And how well did he do playing mistake free?

 

[theclassickiller]

It's all conjecture at this point, as he hasn't shown it on the field consistently yet.

But he had an outstanding game against LSU. Best game of his career (the TE running wide-open for that long-gainer was on Shumate, not Redfield, even though Redfield was chasing him), and I believe he had 14 tackles. And then it carried over to the spring, where he garnered rave reviews from both reporters and staff, which hasn't happened in the past. And finally, through 8 practices so far, the favorable reviews have continued.

So while I get anyone's skepticism on Redfield, I personally think he'll break out this year. Or at the very least, be much more solid. The pressure will definitely be on him.

I don't know if I agree with that. Two tight ends went long, Shumate covered one and Redfield bit on the play action fake leaving the other one open. If you watch the highlight, as soon as Shumate comes back into the picture there is a tight end next to him. IMO Redfield blew that one as he was about the only guy on the play not covering anyone.

 

[NDRock]

I don't know if I agree with that. Two tight ends went long, Shumate covered one and Redfield bit on the play action fake leaving the other one open. If you watch the highlight, as soon as Shumate comes back into the picture there is a tight end next to him. IMO Redfield blew that one as he was about the only guy on the play not covering anyone.

IIRC, both Mike Frank and Coach D alluded to it being Shumate's fault. Part of the reason for that is after the play the coaches were yelling at Shumate and not Redfield. Believe it was a communication problem.

 

[Old Man Mike]

On our safeties: what I've been reading from all the sources is that Max is solidly our number one safety and it seems that no one else is close to having the position solidly "down." The possible exception to this is Sebastian Avery who has proven that he's a solid safety elsewhere in a different scheme. This has led one observer to say that he's good but might require being in a zone scheme. Sebastian seems to have good football "mentality" so if he could adjust to NDs way, he'd not have Shumate's and Tranquill's mind farts which expose us to touchdowns.

Matthais Farley has had a surprisingly mediocre camp so far as the comments out there seem to indicate. I'm assuming that most of this is trying to give him some of his old Safety-like responsibilities rather than his last-year's-outstanding nickel responsibilities --- but even there it's ominous that we're seeing other folks taking over the nickel spot in the packages, including Keivaree.

I'm betting that they try Shumate next to Redfield initially, and when he continues to screw up [and i DON'T want this], they bring in Avery, and things settle down for the rest of the season. That would give us all intelligent DBacks for the first time in three or so years. THAT plus Schmidt and Grace means we're at least lined up right every play pre-snap. ... a BIG relief.

 

[theclassickiller]

IIRC, both Mike Frank and Coach D alluded to it being Shumate's fault. Part of the reason for that is after the play the coaches were yelling at Shumate and not Redfield. Believe it was a communication problem.

Interesting, I hadn't heard that. I'm certainly no coach, it was just what my eyeballs thought.

 

[wizards8507]

I've been trying to keep up on my reading but I still can't wrap my head around what the linebacker rotation will look like. You obviously don't take Jaylon off the field... ever. The way Schmidt is talked about, it doesn't sound like he'll spend much time on the sidelines either. That doesn't leave a lot of snaps for the other guys. It's not like defensive line where guys are constantly banged up and a two-deep rotation is quite as important.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Tebow is #3 all-time in career NCAA passer efficiency rating. All three of his starting seasons rank in the top 72 (#27, #28 and #72) for best single season passer efficiency rating since 1956. The Tim Tebow hate is strong with you.

Does Malik have a stronger arm? I think so. He can probably throw it faster and longer than Tebow. Does that make him a better "thrower"? Long way to go to prove that.

Ah, the offseason...I'm a little surprised people didn't go straight to calling him the next Steve Young.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

At least no one is saying he is the next Demetrius Jones...

 

[EuropeanDomer22]

It's all conjecture at this point, as he hasn't shown it on the field consistently yet.

But he had an outstanding game against LSU. Best game of his career (the TE running wide-open for that long-gainer was on Shumate, not Redfield, even though Redfield was chasing him), and I believe he had 14 tackles. And then it carried over to the spring, where he garnered rave reviews from both reporters and staff, which hasn't happened in the past. And finally, through 8 practices so far, the favorable reviews have continued.

So while I get anyone's skepticism on Redfield, I personally think he'll break out this year. Or at the very least, be much more solid. The pressure will definitely be on him.

Not really sure if it was on Shumate (although he did not read the play well), he was over the top to protect Onwualu who was man to man. LSU player caught the ball on Redfield's spot. Max and Morgan were badly fooled. Anyway is hard to know without All-22 video footage. But 100% sure Fournette's 90 yard run TD was on Redfield.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

On our safeties: what I've been reading from all the sources is that Max is solidly our number one safety and it seems that no one else is close to having the position solidly "down." The possible exception to this is Sebastian Avery who has proven that he's a solid safety elsewhere in a different scheme. This has led one observer to say that he's good but might require being in a zone scheme. Sebastian seems to have good football "mentality" so if he could adjust to NDs way, he'd not have Shumate's and Tranquill's mind farts which expose us to touchdowns.

Matthais Farley has had a surprisingly mediocre camp so far as the comments out there seem to indicate. I'm assuming that most of this is trying to give him some of his old Safety-like responsibilities rather than his last-year's-outstanding nickel responsibilities --- but even there it's ominous that we're seeing other folks taking over the nickel spot in the packages, including Keivaree.

I'm betting that they try Shumate next to Redfield initially, and when he continues to screw up [and i DON'T want this], they bring in Avery, and things settle down for the rest of the season. That would give us all intelligent DBacks for the first time in three or so years. THAT plus Schmidt and Grace means we're at least lined up right every play pre-snap. ... a BIG relief.

Your posts typically have this much pure speculation.

 

[EuropeanDomer22]

On our safeties: what I've been reading from all the sources is that Max is solidly our number one safety and it seems that no one else is close to having the position solidly "down." The possible exception to this is Sebastian Avery who has proven that he's a solid safety elsewhere in a different scheme. This has led one observer to say that he's good but might require being in a zone scheme. Sebastian seems to have good football "mentality" so if he could adjust to NDs way, he'd not have Shumate's and Tranquill's mind farts which expose us to touchdowns.

Matthais Farley has had a surprisingly mediocre camp so far as the comments out there seem to indicate. I'm assuming that most of this is trying to give him some of his old Safety-like responsibilities rather than his last-year's-outstanding nickel responsibilities --- but even there it's ominous that we're seeing other folks taking over the nickel spot in the packages, including Keivaree.

I'm betting that they try Shumate next to Redfield initially, and when he continues to screw up [and i DON'T want this], they bring in Avery, and things settle down for the rest of the season. That would give us all intelligent DBacks for the first time in three or so years. THAT plus Schmidt and Grace means we're at least lined up right every play pre-snap. ... a BIG relief.

I am very curious about Sebastian. I think ND does not have a Safety who can make plays against the run on a consistent basis since Slaughter or Motta and he looks like he can be a force in that regard, hope he can be a good two down player for us, i guess he will not see the field on third downs.

 

[IrishLion]

Yeah, who's got info on the linebacker spot?

I love Onwualu, but I'd like to see Nyles get a shot at his spot just to get him on the field. I also think Martini needs plenty or reps. He was VERY impressive to me with how fast he seemed to play when he got reps last year.

And then there's Grace in the middle who has been getting decent praise.

It's also kind of a weird situation though, because OLB is actually pretty thin and reliant on young guys after Jaylon, Onwualu and Martini. So unless the freshmen really impress, maybe they really will need to see if Nyles or Grace can work on the outside.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Not really sure if it was on Shumate (although he did not read the play well), he was over the top to protect Onwualu who was man to man. LSU player caught the ball on Redfield's spot. Max and Morgan were badly fooled. Anyway is hard to know without All-22 video footage. But 100% sure Fournette's 90 yard run TD was on Redfield.

Shumate made the wrong call and Redfield was trying to make up for his mistake.

 

[wizards8507]

Yeah, who's got info on the linebacker spot?

I love Onwualu, but I'd like to see Nyles get a shot at his spot just to get him on the field. I also think Martini needs plenty or reps. He was VERY impressive to me with how fast he seemed to play when he got reps last year.

And then there's Grace in the middle who has been getting decent praise.

It's also kind of a weird situation though, because OLB is actually pretty thin and reliant on young guys after Jaylon, Onwualu and Martini. So unless the freshmen really impress, maybe they really will need to see if Nyles or Grace can work on the outside.

Maybe Jaylon can step up can run the defense to get Schmidt off the field for 20 snaps a game or something like that.

 

[IrishLion]

Maybe Jaylon can step up can run the defense to get Schmidt off the field for 20 snaps a game or something like that.

I like your idea, but maybe ND could also win every game by 35+ and get young guys all of the reps.

 

[wizards8507]

I like your idea, but maybe ND could also win every game by 35+ and get young guys all of the reps.

Yeah, I'll set the over/under for 35+ point victories at 1.5.

 

[IrishLion]

Yeah, I'll set the over/under for 35+ point victories at 1.5.

And it will be a weird game, probably not even the UMass game. They'll beat UMass 35-17, and then beat Clemson 49-14, and then squeak out the ugliest of all wins against Navy (like usual).

 

[woolybug25]

I like your idea, but maybe ND could also win every game by 35+ and get young guys all of the reps.

It will be interesting how that plays out. Would they use the fact that Jaylon/Schmidt are talented as a way to utilize experienced guys at that third LB spot? Knowing that while they might not be big time play makers, they won't make many mistakes? Or will they trust that any mistakes the young guys (like Barajas) make will be mitigated by having Jaylon/Schmidt cleaning up for them, and their big time plays will outweigh the mistakes?

An interesting scenario for sure.

 

[Luckylucci]

Yeah, who's got info on the linebacker spot?

I love Onwualu, but I'd like to see Nyles get a shot at his spot just to get him on the field. I also think Martini needs plenty or reps. He was VERY impressive to me with how fast he seemed to play when he got reps last year.

And then there's Grace in the middle who has been getting decent praise.

It's also kind of a weird situation though, because OLB is actually pretty thin and reliant on young guys after Jaylon, Onwualu and Martini. So unless the freshmen really impress, maybe they really will need to see if Nyles or Grace can work on the outside.

As of yesterday, it sounds like it's Schmidt and Jaylon once again in the 4-2 Nickel and Onuwalu at Sam in the traditional 4-3 as the 1's. From what I've read there isn't a lot of 1st team reps, going to other guys at those spots. Obviously, we play so much Nickel that Onuwalu isn't always out there and we've seen KVR, Farley, and Coleman take some of those reps but no other LB. The staff hasn't done a lot of mixing and matching yet, probably because it's early. Coach D thinks that as camp goes on they might give Morgan a shot with the ones and move Schmidt over to Will/Jaylon at Sam. I'd be surprised if they didn't at least give that some time as Jaylon should be at Sam for some snaps this season. However, he made a good point saying that with Onuwalu up to 230+ they can interchange Jaylon/Sam and Onuwalu/Will without having to substitute. They did this versus LSU.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Let's leave the DL out of it and assume we are always running a 4 man front (which is speculative).

Now, try to list the 7 other players for 4-3, 4-2-5 (nickel) and dime packages. The difficulty herein is comparing strength of one position group vs. another. Can Smith take one of the DB spots in a dime? Leaving room for 2 other linebackers on the field? Presenting itself like a 4-3?

4-3 defense:

MLB - Joe Schmidt
OLB - Jaylon Smith
OLB - James Onwualu
CB - K. Russell
FS - Redfield
SS - Shumate
CB - Cole Luke


4-2-5 defense:

LB1 - Joe Schmidt
LB2 - Jaylon Smith
CB1 - K. Russell
CB2 - C. Luke
CB3(nickle) - Watkins
FS - Redfield
SS - Shumate

or we could have:

CB1 - Cole Luke
CB2 - Watkins
nickel - Russell
FS - Redfield
SS - Shumate

or:

CB1: Russell
CB2: Cole Luke
CB3(nickel): Farley
FS: Redfield
SS: Shumate

I don't know if we'll ever fall into a dime package since we have Jaylon, his ability to stay in the hip of most receivers gives BVG a monster advantage but for the sake of the exercise:

LB: Jaylon
CB1: Russell
CB2: Cole Luke
CB3: Watkins
CB4: Farley? or is it Crawford?
FS: Redfield
SS: Shumate

And if any of you would like some more reading on the 4-2-5, I just found this site and it has a TON of information:

Click this link to read more on the 4-2-5 defense