2015 PRE SEASON CAMP THREAD

[dublinirish]

Nyles is a Mike backer. I think its better he just plays Mike and then next year will be an easy transition for him

 

[PANDFAN]

Question: Why can't Morgan play SAM?

I've got nothing against Onwualu at all (aside from the fact that he should be a safety, but that's not on him), but he was one of those guys whose name you didn't hear hardly at all last year. I understand the defense is almost primarily a base nickle, and so his reps were limited, but even in the time he got, we didn't hear/see much. He had a couple bone-crushing tackles, but that's all I really remember.

Why can't Nyles play SAM in those situations? He's got speed like Onwualu, and he'd be playing alongside Joe/Jaylon, so he wouldn't need to worry about over-thinking things.

Maybe he's still too young and out-of-control when he's flying around? I remember that clip of CJ Sander's amazing run... Morgan came flying through the hole and should have had a huge tackle for loss, but he whiffed big time instead, and that kind of seems like carryover from last year a bit.

from all reports...Onwualu has put on some good mass and has had a real good camp

 

[rocket66]

Eh, BK is trying to give the nod to Schmidt/Grace because of their leadership abilities and because they worked hard to get back after injuries. I'll bet Morgan is starting by week 5 after the staff realizes they can't keep Morgan's athleticism off the field. At least we have our "Cam McDaniel" complaint position this year now at Mike Linebacker. Haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wizards8507]

If you watch the presser, BK says he had 10 legitimate captain candidates, whittled it down to seven, again to six, and finally to five.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I really like Nyles and his athleticism but I never saw him play "great" last year. I did see him make very poor reads or crash into the pulling linemen only to open a monster lane for a RB to gash us.

I'm pretty sure he did that a couple times against LSU. If Grace is ahead of Nyles, it's because he still hasn't figured out how to make the reads. I'm pulling for Nyles to step it up and force his way in by having a mental breakthrough.

He would certainly provide the most athletic option but that means d1ck when he athletically hits the wrong hole and blows his assignment.

Just like Schmidt always seemed to be in the right place, Nyles always seemed to be in the wrong place. Not unforgivable for a true freshman, but at Mike more than perhaps any position on the field, having good instincts are crucial. Good news is we have a lot of experienced bodies at the linebacker spot for the first time in a long time. Considering Jaylon basically isn't leaving the field, all these guys are 1.5 spots as far as playing time is concerned with the amount of nickle we'll be playing. I'm confident it'll shake out to having the best players on the field.

 

[wizards8507]

Reading between the lines of the press conference, I'm really not sure Joe Schmidt is going to play a lot of football this year.

 

[arrowryan]

Reading between the lines of the press conference, I'm really not sure Joe Schmidt is going to play a lot of football this year.

A captain and former defensive MVP won't play a lot of football this year? Hmm

 

[Luckylucci]

Reading between the lines of the press conference, I'm really not sure Joe Schmidt is going to play a lot of football this year.

I took his comments to mean Joe isn't quite there yet but they expect him to be. Joe's been taking a lion share of the 1's reps through camp this far, I doubt they see those reps as that invaluable they'd waist them is he wasn't going to be ready.

 

[wizards8507]

A captain and former defensive MVP won't play a lot of football this year? Hmm

Brian Kelly was quick to point out that he's not up to the caliber of football he was playing last season. Yes, he'll play a good amount, but I don't think he'll be a clear #1.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Okay, my takeaways :

Linebacker

• Kelly called Grace the best linebacker in 13.
• He was the leading tackler, until his injury.
• That was with being screwed over by Diaco in the first two games as well.
• We have only seen Jarrett play in a 3-4; many have postulated he would be a better 4-3 Mike. (it is almost a completely different position.)
• Kelly stated that Grace's level of play was above his best previous level, whatever that means.
• Onwualu and Kelly have both alluded to the fact that it took most of the season for James to get used to the position (had not played any linebacker since freshman year in high school), let alone be familiar with new BVG defense.
• Kelly called Onwualu one of the team's best all-around athletes.
• Anyone that doesn't see Martini as an exceptional athlete with more speed than most guys his size, (yes, he isn't quicker or faster than Jaylon, but he is two inches taller), needs to re-watch his film from last year.
• Morgan made first team Freshman All-American, obviously based upon off the chart athleticism and physicality.
• Morgan could really be both, a great athlete and without a clue; That would be a perfect candidate for starting Mike, next year!
• Kelly said that Joe was within a step of last year, so the way I read that is pre-season, after a nearly catastrophic injury, and a lost spring, he was within a step of his peak last season! I carefully think that was coach-speak to camouflage the truth.
• Joe is bigger, and considerably stronger than last year. From Kelly and everyone else's reports.
• Most people felt that Joe's only shortcoming last year was that he got knocked off the ball, and or blindsided too easily; in that case, I may be interested in a guy that was a half-a-step behind, at this point!
• Grace gives the Irish the thumper in the middle that ND needs against the GT's and Navy's of the world. SC will supposedly have a really good o-line, and a whole passel of good power running backs.
• Grace is beyond his biggest, strongest, and fastest.
• Grace and Martini are really big boys.
• Coney must be beyond a beast for where he stands at this point on the depth chart, and that is backed up by everything observers, and video have reflected.
• Kelly inferred it and just you watch, they have some special roles for Morgan this year. Some kind of point and click things that he can go into his hyper-beast mode.

Cornerbacks and offensive line
Crickets. (Crickets are good luck!)

Running backs

• Josh Adams is ahead, as a freshman of any running back entering ND in the last fifteen years. No one earned Kelly's praise in picking up protections as a freshman. Folston was close, but if you go back, Kelly's position was that the only thing that kept him from more playing time was his pass blocking, (understanding more than ability.)
• What happened to Justin Brent?
• What will happen to Josh Anderson throughout the season?

Safeties

• Kelly feels comfortable with the number of bodies this year.
• I think yesterday at the presser was a patented Kelly challenge; can anyone think of why Kelly would go out of his way to point it out to an opponent with just over a week until game time if he thought it was that bad?

P.S. Defensive line

• Pressure will not be created from traditional points of defensive end play.
• Everyone is coming along. They can count on 6 to 8.
• No one is "elite" until they prove it.
• Day and Rochell for that matter can play inside and out.
• Day is healthy going into the season for the first time since he has been here, (paired with Nick Martin.)
• Cage does look entirely different. I bet it gives them the chance to move Cage in at "1", Tillery to "3" and Day outside. Just got the feeling.
• As I got the feeling that Cage earned Kelly's respect over the summer and in camp this year.

 

[Wild Bill]

Brian Kelly was quick to point out that he's not up to the caliber of football he was playing last season. Yes, he'll play a good amount, but I don't think he'll be a clear #1.

Hope you're wrong. I think Joe shakes off the rust after the Texas game and plays to his potential. I think Schmidt's ability to stay on the field will be important to Tillery's development over the season. A leader at mike can really elevate the play of a young DT.

Going into camp, I thought the interior of the defense would be strong with Day, Jones and Schmidt. Grace and Tillery are a huge step down.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One additional item on Ishaq Williams. The NCAA made the decision that he couldn’t practice with the program, not Notre Dame.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/637263227362115585">August 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[wizards8507]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One additional item on Ishaq Williams. The NCAA made the decision that he couldn’t practice with the program, not Notre Dame.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/637263227362115585">August 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Not sure if mentioned earlier, but his scholarship still counts against our total.

 

[#1rish]

Yeesh, that's a little excessive, especially coming from the NCAA. They've given slaps on the wrist for worse things.

 

[dublinirish]

Not sure if mentioned earlier, but his scholarship still counts against our total.

would you rather ishaq keeps the scholly or a senior walk-on?

 

[Huntr]

Not sure if mentioned earlier, but his scholarship still counts against our total.

False.

 

[PANDFAN]

Not sure if mentioned earlier, but his scholarship still counts against our total.

incorrect

False.

truth....i asked sampson and he said he doesn't

 

[wizards8507]

False.

incorrect

truth....i asked sampson and he said he doesn't

Good for Sampson, he's wrong.

Coach Kelly said, and I quote, "It is considered countable aid."

<script height="381px" width="672px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=5e83fc845d86487e88b6953600eaff54&ec=BwOW44dzoIDz0aZg3d_AbYyRCcQrCzy1"></script>

13:05

It's not that hard of a concept. Once a counter, always a counter.

 

[Luckylucci]

Of note: Cage is down to 307 lbs. Apparently moving a lot better. Really good to here as we're going to need him to be more than what he was last year.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I am VERY worried about our D line.

 

[koonja]

Can someone explain to me the difference between the 2 DT's in our 4-3?

I expected Jay Hayes to fill in as starter when Jarron went down, but sounds like he's specifically only backing up the other DT.

Sounds like it's Tillery, Cage at one spot, then Day and Hayes at the other, and they're not interchangeable.

 

[dublinirish]

Can someone explain to me the difference between the 2 DT's in our 4-3?

I expected Jay Hayes to fill in as starter when Jarron went down, but sounds like he's specifically only backing up the other DT.

Sounds like it's Tillery, Cage at one spot, then Day and Hayes at the other, and they're not interchangeable.

Nose and 3 Tech?

Nose:The 0-technique plays head-up over the center, and is responsible for defending both A-gaps (between the guards and the center). His job is to control the center, often draw a double team from a guard, and still be able to prevent the run from going right up the gut.

3 Tech: Probably the most well known of the defensive techniques, the 3-technique lines up shaded to the guard’s outside shoulder, ready to shoot the B-gap on his side of the formation. Various line shifts and defensive schemes have been developed with the express purpose of getting the 3-technique the most beneficial situation possible, which is why guys like Warren Sapp, John Randle, Keith Millard and now Ndamukong Suh have been able to rack-up sack numbers.

Basically
Nose = Fat Guy (Vince Wilfork)
3Tech = Fast Guy (Warren Sapp)

 

[koonja]

I am VERY worried about our D line.

Nose and 3 Tech?

Same. I don't like the depth in the middle now, or the lack of DEs. Romeo is supposedly looking better, but he better be markedly better.

And yes - I don't understand the difference. I just see to big dudes in the middle trying to cause chaos.

 

[Luckylucci]

I am VERY worried about our D line.

I think that the way it currently sits saying very is a overstatement. If they play solid then we should be fine provided Jaylon is as advertised and the Secondary is as well. The only way I don't see them being solid is with more injuries, which could occur but hasn't yet. To win the whole thing, we'll need them to be more than solid. However, thats not my expectation at this point.

 

[dublinirish]

Same. I don't like the depth in the middle now, or the lack of DEs. Romeo is supposedly looking better, but he better be markedly better.

And yes - I don't understand the difference. I just see to big dudes in the middle trying to cause chaos.

weren't you all state brah? I would have presumed mixing it up in the trenches was your bread and butter!

 

[ACamp1900]

I am VERY worried about our D line.

This would be on my list of top five worries as well...

 

[wizards8507]

Nose and 3 Tech?

Basically
Nose = Fat Guy (Vince Wilfork)
3Tech = Fast Guy (Warren Sapp)

But Vince played in a 3-4. I think Koon's confusion is that a 4-3 base usually doesn't have a true nose that lines up over the center.

 

[dublinirish]

But Vince played in a 3-4. I think Koon's confusion is that a 4-3 base usually doesn't have a true nose that lines up over the center.

You can still have a DT play as a nose or 0 tech in a 4-3 if your base is an under/over front. Teams that have an even base 4-3 will have a two interchangable 1 tech's

 

[ACamp1900]

4-3 allows for much more variation... think NY Giants during their super bowl runs, or at least the ability to vary the line according to strengths ... in a 3-4 you NEED that big body in the middle.

 

[wizards8507]

4-3 allows for much more variation... think NY Giants during their super bowl runs, or at least the ability to vary the line according to strengths ... in a 3-4 you NEED that big body in the middle.

In terms of flexibility, I think a lot depends on what Romeo Okwara is able to do. I love Rob Ninkovich type guys who can flip your defense from a 4-3 look to a 3-4 look in an instant based on how you line up.