2016 Blue-Gold Spring Game

[Graybeard52]

my single biggest takeaway is that Stepherson could be special

I think the best thing about Stepherson is, at least initially, the game at this level doesn't seem to be too big for him. It probably helps that he was considered a somewhat lower ranked recruit and flew under the radar until practice started.

Still, the reaction when he dropped that one catchable pass was almost universal(Including myself). Whoa, Stepherson dropped it?

Young man needs to add some weight regardless though, he makes Will Fuller look like Calvin Johnson.

 

[dublinirish]

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[Irish Insanity]

My son also got a pic with Joe on Saturday. I will say he knew exactly what to do pre snap of the camera. Got himself and my son lined up perfectly, even had a great wrap up when he picked him up. However, he also got one with Morgan. No wrap up at all, just stood next to him with an arm on his 3 foot shorter shoulder. It's clear now why Joe was the starter.

 

[Domina Nostra]

My son also got a pic with Joe on Saturday. I will say he knew exactly what to do pre snap of the camera. Got himself and my son lined up perfectly, even had a great wrap up when he picked him up. However, he also got one with Morgan. No wrap up at all, just stood next to him with an arm on his 3 foot shorter shoulder. It's clear now why Joe was the starter.

It's the little things...

 

[IrishLion]

To me, Stepherson looks like a more-polished TJ Jones (Freshman version), with a bit more ability to separate (or else our DB's are slow).

He only got a couple of opportunities, but he also showed flashes that he might be pretty crafty after the catch.

BK and Denbrock: WR whisperers.

 

[greyhammer90]

Koon good breakdown of the practice. There is literally nothing you can gain from this game. It was so vanilla and boring, QBs played how I expected. Kizer makes some throws that first round QBs do and then he does some things that make you realize he's only played in twelve games. Best thing from yesterday is no one is injured.

Really my only problem with Kizer right now. I'm hoping the team on the whole plays more consistently this year. If there's one thing that I think has killed this team recently, it's the lack of consistency from one play to another. Don't blow assignments, don't get dumb false start penalties that kill drives, don't panic when you get to the redzone, etc. The thing is, if we had only seen the Texas game, I would say to give Zaire a shot at the starting spot because that was the most focused, consistent football team I've seen at ND in awhile. The issue is that Zaire was in for the first 3 quarters of the Virginia game too, so I don't think he's necessarily the solution.

 

[Irish YJ]

Really my only problem with Kizer right now. I'm hoping the team on the whole plays more consistently this year. If there's one thing that I think has killed this team recently, it's the lack of consistency from one play to another. Don't blow assignments, don't get dumb false start penalties that kill drives, don't panic when you get to the redzone, etc. The thing is, if we had only seen the Texas game, I would say to give Zaire a shot at the starting spot because that was the most focused, consistent football team I've seen at ND in awhile. The issue is that Zaire was in for the first 3 quarters of the Virginia game too, so I don't think he's necessarily the solution.

Agree. I'd also say that all of us are still guessing right now. We've only seen 2 quarters of us against us with vanilla plays. It also felt that MZ got a lot more pressure than DK. I'll trust BK here as he has, and will have a larger body of work to study and make a decision with.

From what I saw last year, both played very, very well for first year starters. From the small sample I saw over the weekend, DK looked to have more time, and used that time to go through progressions and distribute. Had good command of the total offense. MZ seemed to get more pressure, started cold, but came on strong later in the half. Ran the ball better than DK.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

At this point, I'm full-go with Kizer. Not just because of the spring game. But mainly because Kizer seems to have the highest ceiling. His command of the offense looks great. He had some fantastic throws. A great audible. He checks down when he needs to. He has way more in-game experience (and was very successful). I mean, I don't see how he loses his job. I like Malik. I think he can contribute not just as a backup, but as a Tim Tebow type. Come in if the offense is sputtering. Rally the troops. Have a red zone package if Kizer can't get things going. Etc. Bottom line, It's Kizer (1A) and Malik (1B) for me and I'm expecting both to play.

 

[IrishLion]

I just hope whoever doesn't win the job is all-in on being prepared as next man in, and doesn't try to jet out immediately in a fit of rage/disappointment.

Because they will be needed.

 

[ThePiombino]

To me, Stepherson looks like a more-polished TJ Jones (Freshman version), with a bit more ability to separate (or else our DB's are slow).

He only got a couple of opportunities, but he also showed flashes that he might be pretty crafty after the catch.

BK and Denbrock: WR whisperers.

Call me crazy, but I saw a little Golden Tate in his YAC.

 

[IrishLion]

Call me crazy, but I saw a little Golden Tate in his YAC.

That would be nifty.

It was always amazing to me that Golden could get dragged to the sidelines by three or four defenders, have his legs wrapped up by two of them while the other tries to take him down, and he would STILL be the only guy standing at the end up the play, with his hands on his hips, looking down at defenders with what is almost disappointment.

 

[Domina Nostra]

That would be nifty.

It was always amazing to me that Golden could get dragged to the sidelines by three or four defenders, have his legs wrapped up by two of them while the other tries to take him down, and he would STILL be the only guy standing at the end up the play, with his hands on his hips, looking down at defenders with what is almost disappointment.

That's what really separated: functional strength and balance like no other!

Stepherson seems more like a Tori Hunter type.

 

[ulukinatme]

Really my only problem with Kizer right now. I'm hoping the team on the whole plays more consistently this year. If there's one thing that I think has killed this team recently, it's the lack of consistency from one play to another. Don't blow assignments, don't get dumb false start penalties that kill drives, don't panic when you get to the redzone, etc. The thing is, if we had only seen the Texas game, I would say to give Zaire a shot at the starting spot because that was the most focused, consistent football team I've seen at ND in awhile. The issue is that Zaire was in for the first 3 quarters of the Virginia game too, so I don't think he's necessarily the solution.

It's hard to pin the first 3 quarters of Virginia on just Zaire. We struggled offensively as a team in that game. The different blitz packages that ol' Tenuta put together were pretty good, we were well stymied. We came out after halftime and started playing better, Zaire picking up one TD and then leading another drive before going down (CJ finished that one off with a big run I think). I think as a team we have to find a way to make adjustments sooner than halftime. It seems like a few teams come out like gangbusters in the 1st half, we sit on our hands, and then make adjustments at the half and things are peachy. Virginia comes to mind, as does Clemson.

 

[greyhammer90]

It's hard to pin the first 3 quarters of Virginia on just Zaire. We struggled offensively as a team in that game, the different blitz packages that ol' Tenuta put together were pretty good, we were well stymied. We came out after halftime and started playing better, Zaire picking up one TD and then leading another drive before going down (CJ finished that one off with a big run I think). I think as a team we have to find a way to make adjustments sooner than halftime. It seems like a few teams come out like gangbusters in the 1st half, we sit on our hands, and then make adjustments at the half and things are peachy. Virginia comes to mind, as does Clemson.

I wasn't saying Virginia was Zaire's fault. I was saying that I would have given him credit for Texas that maybe he was the kind of leader to bring the focus this team needs, if not for the Virginia game. The Virginia game showed that focus would have still been an issue under Zaire throughout the season, and that he wasn't a "cure". It's a team problem though.

 

[CrystalHead]

Don't think it was touched on but if it was I apologize I took my 3 boys to the game and stumbled on Brian Kelly walking out of the stadium and into the tent were all the recruits were. I got to hear Coach Kelly's recruiting pitch. Gave a lot on his coaching background. How he came from Division 2 and relied on player development. How he recruited nothing but kids who had not rated after their names. Spoke about how player development hasn't changed at ND except the recruits now have 4 and 5 stars after their names. Talked about how unique ND is and if your looking for a big campus with a large student body, then ND isn't the place for you. It really confirmed what we all speculated and how we all feel about ND the school and ND the football program. It was really cool to actually hear it first hand.

 

[bkess8]

I really liked DKs play during the spring game, IMO he has really matured as a QB. The big plus that I see from him is when his first or second read is not there he will throw to his check down and it usually results in a positive play. The drawback from MZ is that he goes for broke to often, gives up on a play a little early imo and relies on the deep ball to much. I like how DK can see the whole field and has a little better understanding of the whole offense.

I also would like to see Justin Brent used a little more. He is a physical beast and would be good in short yardage or maybe the coaches can find a couple of packages to utilize him in.

 

[koonja]

Malik's wind up is considerably longer than Kizer's. And I feel like unless it's a bomb, that's why Malik seems like he's forcing it into tighter areas all of the time.

 

[greyhammer90]

Malik's wind up is considerably longer than Kizer's. And I feel like unless it's a bomb, that's why Malik seems like he's forcing it into tighter areas all of the time.

Hadn't thought of this. Good eye.

 

[ulukinatme]

I really liked DKs play during the spring game, IMO he has really matured as a QB. The big plus that I see from him is when his first or second read is not there he will throw to his check down and it usually results in a positive play. The drawback from MZ is that he goes for broke to often, gives up on a play a little early imo and relies on the deep ball to much. I like how DK can see the whole field and has a little better understanding of the whole offense.

I also would like to see Justin Brent used a little more. He is a physical beast and would be good in short yardage or maybe the coaches can find a couple of packages to utilize him in.

It's funny that you mentioned the progressions, because a lot of us mentioned how Zaire seemed to go through his progressions in the LSU game and in 2015 much better than Golson ever did. Golson often looked to his primary read, occasionally a second guy, and then he was gone if nothing was there. If Zaire failed to go through is progressions, I'm sure some of that would be rust and/or working with new receivers. Coverage was decent at times on Saturday too. I also wouldn't say Kizer necessarily has a better understanding of the offense either. He has more game experience, but Zaire has been in the program much longer. BK did mention that they changed the offense up a little to better suit Kizer when Malik was injured, so maybe he's more familiar with THAT offense, but I would say Malik still is more familiar with Kelly's system.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Does anybody else see a Wes Welker/ Darren Sproles type player when they see Brent?

 

[BobbyMac]

Does anybody else see a Wes Welker/ Darren Sproles type player when they see Brent?

Yes, when Brent is on his knees. You could fit both of them in Brent.

Now as far as a player... I see CJP 2.0.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

It's funny that you mentioned the progressions, because a lot of us mentioned how Zaire seemed to go through his progressions in the LSU game and in 2015 much better than Golson ever did. Golson often looked to his primary read, occasionally a second guy, and then he was gone if nothing was there. If Zaire failed to go through is progressions, I'm sure some of that would be rust and/or working with new receivers. Coverage was decent at times on Saturday too. I also wouldn't say Kizer necessarily has a better understanding of the offense either. He has more game experience, but Zaire has been in the program much longer. BK did mention that they changed the offense up a little to better suit Kizer when Malik was injured, so maybe he's more familiar with THAT offense, but I would say Malik still is more familiar with Kelly's system.

Kizer made better read progressions in the spring game than ever before. They couldn't trap him by sliding an extra safety over. He found the most positive matchups. Much better than ever before.

I still don't know what the fuck Golson did.

Where I don't get what you are saying, I think the misunderstanding is based upon semantics. I think ND has one offense, and two similar quarterbacks. In the post game PR, Kelly made it clear he thought that Kizer and Zaire had the same skill sets :

The only time I had that kind of scenario was when I had two quarterbacks at Cincinnati that were both proven winners. But they were so different. These two guys are so very similar in their skill-set.

But I've never had in my entire career two quarterbacks that you could run the same system of offense with. Like I said, at Cincinnati, I had two different quarterbacks. I had a 6-6 quarterback that was a pocket passer and then I had a 5-10 quarterback who was more of a perimeter-run player. These two guys can do the same kind of things and run the same offense.

(I was surprised.)

So when Kelly says :

Yeah, I thought what I saw was Malik develop more of an understanding of what we did offensively last year. He kind of had that, you know -- look, the offense developed under Kizer during the year, not Malik. So he was at a bit of a disadvantage coming into the spring, and I thought he caught up.

I have to assume this is 'a' to 'A,' instead of 'a' to 'b.' That the offense went further under Kizer.

With that, I am believing Kelly sophisticated the operation of the offense, after Zaire was injured, so by the end of the year, Kizer was more advanced in his knowledge and abilities that Zaire was. That seemed to make sense after watching the game on Saturday.

 

[ulukinatme]

Where I don't get what you are saying, I think the misunderstanding is based upon semantics. I think ND has one offense, and two similar quarterbacks. In the post game PR, Kelly made it clear he thought that Kizer and Zaire had the same skill sets :

Kelly made a quote last week, or maybe it was further back (Maybe someone remembers) saying that we altered the offense when Kizer took over last year. He said that evolution of the offense was something that Kizer was familiar with since he ran it much of last year, but Zaire didn't have the benefit. That's what I was referencing anyway. So, while Kizer is more familiar with that scheme or wrinkle, Zaire has been in Kelly's offensive system longer and is likely as proficient or more so than Kizer in that regard.

 

[BobbyMac]

Kelly made a quote last week, or maybe it was further back (Maybe someone remembers) saying that we altered the offense when Kizer took over last year. He said that evolution of the offense was something that Kizer was familiar with since he ran it much of last year, but Zaire didn't have the benefit. That's what I was referencing anyway. So, while Kizer is more familiar with that scheme or wrinkle, Zaire has been in Kelly's offensive system longer and is likely as proficient or more so than Kizer in that regard.

Perfectly explained.... OR I misunderstood CBK in the exact same manner.

 

[woolybug25]

Kelly made a quote last week, or maybe it was further back (Maybe someone remembers) saying that we altered the offense when Kizer took over last year. He said that evolution of the offense was something that Kizer was familiar with since he ran it much of last year, but Zaire didn't have the benefit. That's what I was referencing anyway. So, while Kizer is more familiar with that scheme or wrinkle, Zaire has been in Kelly's offensive system longer and is likely as proficient or more so than Kizer in that regard.

Here's something I wonder about... There were all kinds of reports of how Malik continued to go to the QB meetings, went to practice and stayed active with helping Kizer on game day. So how did he miss all of the evolution of the offense? He was there, he was part of the discussions. I get being rusty physically from the injury, but I don't buy that the mental deficiencies can be 100% blamed on him not running the offense last season. He should have a good grasp of this offense. He should know the reads, progressions, etc.

 

[bkess8]

Here's something I wonder about... There were all kinds of reports of how Malik continued to go to the QB meetings, went to practice and stayed active with helping Kizer on game day. So how did he miss all of the evolution of the offense? He was there, he was part of the discussions. I get being rusty physically from the injury, but I don't buy that the mental deficiencies can be 100% blamed on him not running the offense last season. He should have a good grasp of this offense. He should know the reads, progressions, etc.

Completely agree with you here. As far as the mental aspect of the playbook and offense MZ should be sharp as a tack. I just don't like to see him for the deep throws when he has check downs that will be easy completions and go for 4 to who knows how many yards, they will also keep the offense moving in the right direction and build the confidence of the young receivers and backs that we have.

 

[koonja]

Why wasn't Yoon kicking all of the FGs?

 

[BobbyMac]

Here's something I wonder about... There were all kinds of reports of how Malik continued to go to the QB meetings, went to practice and stayed active with helping Kizer on game day. So how did he miss all of the evolution of the offense? He was there, he was part of the discussions. I get being rusty physically from the injury, but I don't buy that the mental deficiencies can be 100% blamed on him not running the offense last season. He should have a good grasp of this offense. He should know the reads, progressions, etc.

Without knowing the actual level of change the O went through one can't answer the question accurately but...

I do know doing it for the first time live with a bunch of new guys, when it matters vs. looking at it on a chalk board and practicing it semi-live are not the same.

 

[ulukinatme]

Here's something I wonder about... There were all kinds of reports of how Malik continued to go to the QB meetings, went to practice and stayed active with helping Kizer on game day. So how did he miss all of the evolution of the offense? He was there, he was part of the discussions. I get being rusty physically from the injury, but I don't buy that the mental deficiencies can be 100% blamed on him not running the offense last season. He should have a good grasp of this offense. He should know the reads, progressions, etc.

Without knowing the actual level of change the O went through one can't answer the question accurately but...

I do know doing it for the first time live with a bunch of new guys, when it matters vs. looking at it on a chalk board and practicing it semi-live are not the same.

This. I'm always more familiar with something after having done it multiple times rather than having it just explained to me.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Why wasn't Yoon kicking all of the FGs?

My son also got a pic with Yoon. Nobody really seemed to give him much attention with the bigger names around so we had to show him some love.