2015 Spring Practice Thread

[Booslum31]

I think that you are spot on with the ordering. There is always "something" over the summer that hits our numbers. Are we even certain that EG won't jump if he's not confident in his starting role? I hope Grace and Chase get their shot to be on the roster...they've both worked pretty hard for a spot.

 

[woolybug25]

Good post! I might swap Carlisle and Grace if Grace is all the way back.

From BK's praise of Amir's spring and the fact that he's slotted in as a starter, I would be quite shocked if they swapped him for Grace.

 

[GoIrish41]

From BK's praise of Amir's spring and the fact that he's slotted in as a starter, I would be quite shocked if they swapped him for Grace.

Maybe but I have a hard time seeing how Kelly could watch as this kid works to get back from that terrible injury only to reject him after spring ball. Kelly seems fond of Grace and that seems pretty cold blooded.

 

[woolybug25]

Maybe but I have a hard time seeing how Kelly could watch as this kid works to get back from that terrible injury only to reject him after spring ball. Kelly seems fond of Grace and that seems pretty cold blooded.

Yeah. I don't see it that way. Grace will have his degree, he could pursue his 5th year elsewhere and Notre Dame doesn't owe him anything. His comeback is admirable and representative of a Notre Dame Man. But that doesn't mean that BK is going to pull a starter's scholarship in order to keep a non-starter coming off of a devastating injury, simply because he "tried hard".

The University fulfilled their side of the bargain. They gave him a world class education and hopefully helped him become a better person in the process. If he isn't able to compete on a high enough level to earn a starting role, then BK shouldn't be looked down at for not extending a sympathy scholarship over a starter who has earned their spot. A player, I must say, sounds to be performing on a really high level right now.

 

[GoIrish41]

Yeah. I don't see it that way. Grace will have his degree, he could pursue his 5th year elsewhere and Notre Dame doesn't owe him anything. His comeback is admirable and representative of a Notre Dame Man. But that doesn't mean that BK is going to pull a starter's scholarship in order to keep a non-starter coming off of a devastating injury, simply because he "tried hard".

The University fulfilled their side of the bargain. They gave him a world class education and hopefully helped him become a better person in the process. If he isn't able to compete on a high enough level to earn a starting role, then BK shouldn't be looked down at for not extending a sympathy scholarship over a starter who has earned their spot. A player, I must say, sounds to be performing on a really high level right now.

IF Grace s all the way back I would be willing to bet he is on the roster this season. If he is not he probably will not. I guess we will know soon enough.

 

[eNDzone]

Let's go through and try to determine where we'll be this fall.

Our incoming freshman class has 24 players. None are expected defections.
24 players added to our roster

We have 22 sophomores after the late-season loss of Nile Sykes.
24 + 22 = 46 players on the roster

We have 22 juniors after loss of Vanderdoes and Kinlaw. We have one more possible defection in Heuerman*.
68 players or 67* players on our roster

We have 12 seniors but we need to keep an eye on Baratti** with that shoulder.
80 players at most, or 79* w/out one of Heuerman/Baratti or 78** without Heuerman or Baratti.

We add in Avery Sebastian, so we have 4-6 positions to fill from our list of 5th years. In order of need, as a best guess right now:

• 1. Golson - likely starting QB or at least big time contributor, nuff said
• 2. Martin - starting center, nuff said.
• 3. Farley - I expect he'll be back for the nickel position which he performed admirably last year. Being short on secondary makes him more important than those listed below.
• 4. Schmidt - returning starting LB to a team that needs some senior leadership. His importance is hard to deny given the nose dive we made after he was out.
• 5. Carlisle - Kelly's glowing praise makes me believe Carlisle has already made the cut. Probably starting slot

Next in line would have to be:

• 6. Grace - sounds like he's returning to form and will be a contributor
• 7. Hounshell - would love to see Hounshell go out on a high note but he seems like a player without a positional need.

So it looks like we need one of Heuerman or Baratti or an unexpected to no longer be on the roster to get our top 5. This cold calculation isn't meant to be disparaging of the young men. We are looking at the ND football team as a business, one whose main directive is to win. If we lose two more players, we can fit Grace on the roster.

Would anyone argue the ordering? Did I miss anything in the calculations?

This does not consider Williams as a returner. Is there a chance that he will take another year off or will he be out of eligibility?

 

[woolybug25]

IF Grace s all the way back I would be willing to bet he is on the roster this season. If he is not he probably will not. I guess we will know soon enough.

He very well may be, but he isn't taking Amir's spot. Not sure how that would end up working number wise, but I would bet anything that BK isn't going to essentially cut a starter that has been performing really well in spring, for a guy that IF he made it back, would be a backup. Sorry... just don't see it, dude.

 

[NDohio]

Let's go through and try to determine where we'll be this fall.

Our incoming freshman class has 24 players. None are expected defections.
24 players added to our roster

We have 22 sophomores after the late-season loss of Nile Sykes.
24 + 22 = 46 players on the roster

We have 22 juniors after loss of Vanderdoes and Kinlaw. We have one more possible defection in Heuerman*.
68 players or 67* players on our roster

We have 12 seniors but we need to keep an eye on Baratti** with that shoulder.
80 players at most, or 79* w/out one of Heuerman/Baratti or 78** without Heuerman or Baratti.

We add in Avery Sebastian, so we have 4-6 positions to fill from our list of 5th years. In order of need, as a best guess right now:

• 1. Golson - likely starting QB or at least big time contributor, nuff said
• 2. Martin - starting center, nuff said.
• 3. Farley - I expect he'll be back for the nickel position which he performed admirably last year. Being short on secondary makes him more important than those listed below.
• 4. Schmidt - returning starting LB to a team that needs some senior leadership. His importance is hard to deny given the nose dive we made after he was out.
• 5. Carlisle - Kelly's glowing praise makes me believe Carlisle has already made the cut. Probably starting slot

Next in line would have to be:

• 6. Grace - sounds like he's returning to form and will be a contributor
• 7. Hounshell - would love to see Hounshell go out on a high note but he seems like a player without a positional need.

So it looks like we need one of Heuerman or Baratti or an unexpected to no longer be on the roster to get our top 5. This cold calculation isn't meant to be disparaging of the young men. We are looking at the ND football team as a business, one whose main directive is to win. If we lose two more players, we can fit Grace on the roster.

Would anyone argue the ordering? Did I miss anything in the calculations?

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Aren't we fairly confident that Heuerman is gone. I may be dreaming, but I though I saw that somewhere.

And, I don't think there is any way possible Carlisle is not on the team next year. By all accounts, he has had a tremendous spring.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Aren't we fairly confident that Heuerman is gone. I may be dreaming, but I though I saw that somewhere.

And, I don't think there is any way possible Carlisle is not on the team next year. By all accounts, he has had a tremendous spring.

I may be way off base here...but isn't this the same thing as what SEC teams do? How can we speculate that a player like Heuerman could be gone? Injuries?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Do those numbers count Montgomery Van Gorder?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

This does not consider Williams as a returner. Is there a chance that he will take another year off or will he be out of eligibility?

I simply don't see how Williams will join the team...and neither does Kelly judging his pressers. I think Kelly will let the team bang around to see if we have any attrition before considering Ishaq. I don't think we'd shuffle the first 5 for him. I think he'd be a late addition if we dropped below 85.

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Aren't we fairly confident that Heuerman is gone. I may be dreaming, but I though I saw that somewhere.

And, I don't think there is any way possible Carlisle is not on the team next year. By all accounts, he has had a tremendous spring.

I think this was started because some reporters or observers didn't see Heuerman at practice but that was recanted. So as of now, he's still on the team. He may be told where he stands going into the summer but he couldn't be better than 5th once Alize gets here.

I may be way off base here...but isn't this the same thing as what SEC teams do? How can we speculate that a player like Heuerman could be gone? Injuries?

See above. I'm not wanting to push anyone out. It's reasonable to give the player options or be up front about their positioning but we shouldn't threaten medical scholllies like Urbie and co.

 

[NDohio]

I may be way off base here...but isn't this the same thing as what SEC teams do? How can we speculate that a player like Heuerman could be gone? Injuries?

What my poor memory seems to recall is that the Heuerman situation seemed to be a his choice, not a ND choice.

 

[PANDFAN]

I may be way off base here...but isn't this the same thing as what SEC teams do? How can we speculate that a player like Heuerman could be gone? Injuries?

Nothing has been said anywhere...although he hasn't been mentioned by staff at any point we are just assuming he is talking a medical

Do those numbers count Montgomery Van Gorder?

He is NOT on a scholly this year

 

[woolybug25]

I may be way off base here...but isn't this the same thing as what SEC teams do? How can we speculate that a player like Heuerman could be gone? Injuries?

I wouldn't go there. We aren't talking about cutting ineffective players, not honoring scholarships, etc.

What we are saying is that 5th year decisions will have to be made. That's not cutting a guy, a 5th year is not guaranteed for anyone.

Regarding Heuerman, I wont go into it as i'm not informed enough to speculate, but it sounds like a bigger issue than the injuries he's faced. Sounds like there is legit reasoning to believe that his desire to play, or go to school for that matter, may be in question. I'll let someone else with more first hand knowledge of the situation elaborate if they choose. But I will say that i'm sure the staff isn't pushing him out the door. His situation seems to be self inflicted.

 

[Domina Nostra]

His situation seems to be self inflicted.

Heuerman is a talented receiver, and a better athlete than he appears. I was wondering if he was going to work his way on thei field as a jumbo receiver.

 

[Luckylucci]

Heuerman is a talented receiver, and a better athlete than he appears. I was wondering if he was going to work his way on thei field as a jumbo receiver.

Actually I don't think he's a very talented WR. I like the kid but what does he provide that another player doesn't? Is he going to be better split out wide than A. Jones.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

PREVIEW - Onward Notre Dame: New Beginnings: https://youtu.be/0xqxOcfSMFU

Malik has huge legs.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Actually I don't think he's a very talented WR. I like the kid but what does he provide that another player doesn't? Is he going to be better split out wide than A. Jones.

Nope. My point is that he really is a good football player. He's just a tweener. Too small for a TE, and touch too slow for a WR. If he were a little bigger, he would defintily have the talent to be playing.

 

[Luckylucci]

Nope. My point is that he really is a good football player. He's just a tweener. Too small for a TE, and touch too slow for a WR. If he were a little bigger, he would defintily have the talent to be playing.

Yea kind of a bummer. In fact, I think he's be an interesting LB if he would've ever wanted to do that. I'd really liked him coming out because he seemed like a grinder and a guy that had a lot of "want to".

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Spring Practice vid from Today

Did anyone else catch Onwualu practicing with the safeties? Or was that some hybrid/dime safety/LB ball skills drill?

Tillery = beast

Our safeties need to step up this year if we want to be special.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Who follows the ND tweeters? I want to know what is going on with the scrimmage.

Nevermind. The scrimmage starts in 3 minutes, we should see stuff trickle in over the next 2 hrs.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jay Hayes is savoring his rise up the depth chart ... and just about everything else too. <a href="http://t.co/RFFwp6mESw">http://t.co/RFFwp6mESw</a> <a href="http://t.co/kCYkAwzFpd">pic.twitter.com/kCYkAwzFpd</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/586863334026162177">April 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[rtrn2glory]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

 

[GoldenDomer]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

This is depressing

 

[Rocknes Ghost]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

Faster than the "quickest guy on the planet?"

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

You think the difference between kelly and urban is drastic?

Now compare Urbans practices to Charlie's old practices.... That's even more embarrassing.

 

[Cali_domer]

You think the difference between kelly and urban is drastic?

Now compare Urbans practices to Charlie's old practices.... That's even more embarrassing.

So maybe our next coach will practice like Meyer. Lol.

 

[NCND]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

+1. Please step up ND.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

i know everyone is on the hating urban band wagon, but if you get a chance to get on youtube and check out their spring practice highlight reels they put ND's to absolute shame....pretty embarrassing actually.

they still look faster than shit and practices seem sooo much more uptempo and physical....granted maybe they allow more access to their practice with the film guys.

a lot of good drill work that i wish i had more access to, to learn a bit more

Watched couple, its just completely diff video capturing/editing styles. OSU is nothing but play after play, ND is slo mo,talk, couple guys holding eachother, then a couple catches. Also osu camera guys right in on action

 

[Grahambo]

LOL @ getting upset at spring practice videos.