2016 Spring Practice Thread

[Crazy Balki]

Wasn't Hayes purposefully held out because they wanted to redshirt him? He was supposed to in '14, but with all the injuries they threw him in in the last two games, and then he got hurt in the USC game.

I think they were considering it early on, and the whole twitter debacle pretty much sealed that decision.

 

[Crazy Balki]

No but that'd be sweet. I don't remember Trumbetti being seriously injured last year. He just couldn't get reps from Romeo even though IMO he should have. We all thought he was going to break out last year and clearly he didn't.

IIRC, he was out for the entire spring. That's a big factor when you're competing for a starting spot with a seasoned veteran, which Kelly has shown to favor from time to time.

 

[koonja]

IIRC, he was out for the entire spring. That's a big factor when you're competing for a starting spot with a seasoned veteran, which Kelly has shown to favor from time to time.

Thanks.

I thought Hayes showed signs of being disruptive as a true freshman. He wasn't Louis Nix, but he showed fire and the skill of being tough to block. Tack on 2 years and an alleged fire, count me as interested to see him in the spring.

No clue on Blankership. I want to believe but I'd have to see it.

 

[Luckylucci]

A few things.

Trumbetti was the most athletic DL we had last year. He's productive in almost all games he gets snaps. In fact, BGi did a series where they looked at snap counts and based on production to snaps, he was the most productive DE we had over the last 1 1/2 seasons (It was done before Okwara went on his streak) when it comes to QB hurries and was pretty darn close on TFL. Now, QB hurries don't get people all that excited, I get it. But QB hurries are significant especially in the era of spread offenses.

Hayes was intentionally RS last year. The depth needed when Jones went down was at NT and Cage/Tillery were able to fill that gap. Plus, Sheldon and Rochell weren't coming off the field. I'ts going to be interesting to see if Tillery gets more snaps at 3T with a healthy Jarron and no Day. Is Hayes able to get his snaps in too. I've always been high on Hayes physically and still am, it just seems like he hasn't been able to put it all together yet. Some guys it takes a few years, no harm in that, yet

On the defense as a whole. A lot is going to be on the shoulders of the LB's, IMO. BGI did a piece where they highlighted some plays from 2014 of Morgan and Jarron Jones so readers could understand what they could bring to the table in 2016. No doubt about, Morgan could be an absolute stud if he can figure out the defense. He can do things that Schmidt couldn't so if we get that play or get BVG to run a scheme those players can handle, I can see this D being quite good, the talent and athleticism is there. With that said, I don't expect BVG to change much and I'm nervous we are in store for a 2014 like defense.

I have normal worries about the offense. Where does the production come from at WR? Do the new OL click right away? etc. However, in general I think that there is so much talent there, that I can't see it faltering and I truly think that the offensive staff is in a sweet spot with Kelly, Denbrock, and Sanford. Don't see those guys missing next year. Wish I felt the same about the D.

 

[nsisk157]

Blankenship.. what ultimately happened?

He wanted out, (all but transferred) and then had a change of heart?

I missed his whole situation.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Blankenship.. what ultimately happened?

He wanted out, (all but transferred) and then had a change of heart?

I missed his whole situation.

He's still a kid. Maybe he realized he'll be in position to get a ton of playing time this year or maybe everything just clicked for him and he realizes that he wants to be at ND.

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[koonja]

I heard that Hayes and Blankenship have dialed it up. Anybody else hear that?

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Where'd you hear this?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Where'd you hear this?

Some posters on ISD shared it.

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[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Linebackers - <a href="https://t.co/C4lxDE9Yph">https://t.co/C4lxDE9Yph</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDTalk?src=hash">#NDTalk</a></p>— Notre Dame Talk (@CSN_NotreDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSN_NotreDame/status/707995282097750016">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Wide receivers | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Tight ends | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Offensive line | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Defensive line | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Running backs | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring practice depth chart preview: Quarterbacks | CSN Chicago

 

[IrishLax]

A few things.

Trumbetti was the most athletic DL we had last year. He's productive in almost all games he gets snaps. In fact, BGi did a series where they looked at snap counts and based on production to snaps, he was the most productive DE we had over the last 1 1/2 seasons (It was done before Okwara went on his streak) when it comes to QB hurries and was pretty darn close on TFL. Now, QB hurries don't get people all that excited, I get it. But QB hurries are significant especially in the era of spread offenses.

OK but this is a bunch of BS, because that "production" he gets is largely because of the snaps where he got reps. They only ask him to rush the passer, because he has been awful against the run.

Hayes was intentionally RS last year. The depth needed when Jones went down was at NT and Cage/Tillery were able to fill that gap. Plus, Sheldon and Rochell weren't coming off the field. I'ts going to be interesting to see if Tillery gets more snaps at 3T with a healthy Jarron and no Day. Is Hayes able to get his snaps in too. I've always been high on Hayes physically and still am, it just seems like he hasn't been able to put it all together yet. Some guys it takes a few years, no harm in that, yet

On the defense as a whole. A lot is going to be on the shoulders of the LB's, IMO. BGI did a piece where they highlighted some plays from 2014 of Morgan and Jarron Jones so readers could understand what they could bring to the table in 2016. No doubt about, Morgan could be an absolute stud if he can figure out the defense. He can do things that Schmidt couldn't so if we get that play or get BVG to run a scheme those players can handle, I can see this D being quite good, the talent and athleticism is there. With that said, I don't expect BVG to change much and I'm nervous we are in store for a 2014 like defense.

I just don't see how the defense is possibly better unless they bite the bullet and play Martini+Coney in combo at MIKE/WILL. I know that Martini isn't a prototypical MIKE, but his football IQ seems to surpass every other LB on the roster we've seen get reps.

Any other combo besides those two I think will be a disaster. I also think it's unlikely the secondary is any better unless BVG changes his coverage responsibilities or moves Redfield to SS. And the DL seems very sketchy on paper, although they could be quite formidable against the run is they get someone to play well at WDE.

In general, the defense looks atrocious on paper unless they stay perfectly healthy (lol) and there are schematic adjustments to emphasize the strengths of certain players.

I have normal worries about the offense. Where does the production come from at WR? Do the new OL click right away? etc. However, in general I think that there is so much talent there, that I can't see it faltering and I truly think that the offensive staff is in a sweet spot with Kelly, Denbrock, and Sanford. Don't see those guys missing next year. Wish I felt the same about the D.

I think it's under-estimated the potential adverse affect that this QB competition could have on the offense. Instead of spending spring/fall forging ahead we're going to spend at least the spring trying to figure out who should be the guy, and then whoever gets picked is going to be looking over their shoulder the entire year.

 

[koonja]

Some posters on ISD shared it.

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Thanks. I'm just glad both are staying for depth. If they actually play a factor, that's a bonus to me.

 

[Luckylucci]

OK but this is a bunch of BS, because that "production" he gets is largely because of the snaps where he got reps. They only ask him to rush the passer, because he has been awful against the run.



I just don't see how the defense is possibly better unless they bite the bullet and play Martini+Coney in combo at MIKE/WILL. I know that Martini isn't a prototypical MIKE, but his football IQ seems to surpass every other LB on the roster we've seen get reps.

Any other combo besides those two I think will be a disaster. I also think it's unlikely the secondary is any better unless BVG changes his coverage responsibilities or moves Redfield to SS. And the DL seems very sketchy on paper, although they could be quite formidable against the run is they get someone to play well at WDE.

In general, the defense looks atrocious on paper unless they stay perfectly healthy (lol) and there are schematic adjustments to emphasize the strengths of certain players.



I think it's under-estimated the potential adverse affect that this QB competition could have on the offense. Instead of spending spring/fall forging ahead we're going to spend at least the spring trying to figure out who should be the guy, and then whoever gets picked is going to be looking over their shoulder the entire year.

Fair point, the intention of my post and that stat wasn't to illustrate that Trumbetti should be playing over Okwara, though I do believe he earned more snaps than what he received. It was illustrate that he was far from how DublinIrish was portraying him and I think that most of the fanbase gave up on him to some degree. Which they shouldn't because he is productive when given snaps.

Trumbetti was the best athlete at DE last year. The expectation that we should get good production out of that player shouldn't be a stretch or unlikely even. I'll disagree that he was terrible against the run. I think he was terrible against the zone read. That's more opinion that fact as I have no numbers to support that.

On the LB's, I'm not saying its likely but the talent is there. Morgan has the talent to be an AA LB, and if we can get that out of him, which a good coach should be able to, then this D could be good. Again I'm not saying its likely that this D balls out but they have the talent to do so. A front 7 of Rochell, Trumbetti, Tillery, Jones (Cage/Hayes backups) and Martini, Coney, Morgan at LB, has quite a bit of talent and stars, now its up to coach to get them to perform. So, we may be talking two different things. You say its not likely, which I agree with. I'm just explaining that I can see how its possible.

On paper, I'm not sure how you can say that. These guys are almost all rivals/247 top 250 guys. On paper they look like they are stacked. The entire front 4 will all be 250 guys. Between Martini, Coney, and Morgan, that gives you 2 out of 3 that played in AA games their Senior years. There is plenty of talent. However with what were are now calling schematic disadvantage with BVG, I realize some think its very unlikely. A good coach can get that team to play well and maybe he does.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Linebackers - <a href="https://t.co/C4lxDE9Yph">https://t.co/C4lxDE9Yph</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDTalk?src=hash">#NDTalk</a></p>— Notre Dame Talk (@CSN_NotreDame) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSN_NotreDame/status/707995282097750016">March 10, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Wide receivers | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Tight ends | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Offensive line | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Defensive line | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring depth chart preview: Running backs | CSN Chicago
Notre Dame spring practice depth chart preview: Quarterbacks | CSN Chicago

No mention of Brent at either RB or WR. I guess he is either off the team or playing in the secondary.


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[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame 2016 Spring Practice: Readying New Blood for Depth <a href="https://t.co/pkx4nrjsbT">https://t.co/pkx4nrjsbT</a> <a href="https://t.co/7lKZRVtzM5">pic.twitter.com/7lKZRVtzM5</a></p>— One Foot Down (@OneFootDown) <a href="https://twitter.com/OneFootDown/status/708268761745399808">March 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GrangerIrish24]

No mention of Brent at either RB or WR. I guess he is either off the team or playing in the secondary.

I frequently see Brent at one the gyms in town and he is every bit of 6' 4" 230-240. He looks like an OLB.

 

[tko]

I frequently see Brent at one the gyms in town and he is every bit of 6' 4" 230-240. He looks like an OLB.

Why would he go work out at Bally's Fitness instead of in the ND weight room?

 

[dublinirish]

Why would he go work out at Bally's Fitness instead of in the ND weight room?

i remember troy niklas mentioning something before about how the gug/ND football weight room isnt 24 hours so he would go around the private gyms in South Bend to find places to work out during the night and stuff

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Why would he go work out at Bally's Fitness instead of in the ND weight room?

I might be wrong but I think you are only allowed so much time in your schools weight room per NCAA. I see quite a few players come in and out of the gym. Hoge is there quite often. Its just a way to get extra work in.

 

[dublinirish]

Does ND's gym even have any weights in it? Thanks Longo..

 

[zelezo vlk]

i remember troy niklas mentioning something before about how the gug/ND football weight room isnt 24 hours so he would go around the private gyms in South Bend to find places to work out during the night and stuff

Niklas and Schmidt I believe. I read a story at the beginning of the 2014 season describing how they would go all over to get their workouts in.

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[BleedBlueGold]

Interesting stuff about the workouts and private gyms. I never knew that.

Regarding Brent: That kid is a freaking stud and is crazy athletic. I watched him play in high school and was thrilled he picked ND. I know he's 1) played behind some really good WRs/RBs and 2) was in the doghouse for awhile...but I'm totally shocked he hasn't seen the field in some capacity. Especially with the depth concerns at Safety/LB. I'm not on the coaching staff and can't see him practice, so maybe they don't see a fit. But man, that kid would fly all over the field making big hits on defense when he played in hs.

 

[dublinirish]

Niklas and Schmidt I believe. I read a story at the beginning of the 2014 season describing how they would go all over to get their workouts in.

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haha yeah didn't that have to break into a basement somewhere on campus every night so they could lift?

 

[zelezo vlk]

haha yeah didn't that have to break into a basement somewhere on campus every night so they could lift?

That's what I remember. They sounded like meatheads

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[dublinirish]

That's what I remember. They sounded like meatheads

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found the article:
http://europe.newsweek.com/notre-dame-footballs-amazing-walk-joe-schmidt-277415?rm=eu

After a freshman season in which Schmidt, not surprisingly, never saw a moment of playing time, he and Niklas became renegades of sorts. Scofflaws. The tandem would participate in the required team weight-lifting activity, but then they would, as Niklas says, “get our pump on” anywhere they could.

“We lifted in the Keenan Hall basement; in the Gug, illegally, at the student center; at Holy Cross [another men’s dorm] gym; even at the Foundry apartments,” says Schmidt. “Anywhere we could.”

 

[Irishcop]

I frequently see Brent at one the gyms in town and he is every bit of 6' 4" 230-240. He looks like an OLB.

6' 4" 230-240. That's a big running back. I like it.

 

[NDdomer2]

Speaking of Niklas - he is the most producing TE that Kelly recruited to date, correct?

Not the best look for our TE play. Really hoping they get the TE involved again this year. With more unknowns at WR, would be the year to truly incorporate them back into our passing game.

2nd year of Alize and getting Durham back healthy should help as well.

My favorite offensive position, especially at ND, and it just hasnt been the same since Eifert left, imo.

 

[IrishLion]

Really hoping they get the TE involved again this year. With more unknowns at WR, would be the year to truly incorporate them back into our passing game.

2nd year of Alize and getting Durham back healthy should help as well.

Alize is gonna tear it up this year. He could've had 400+ yards and 4+ TD's last year if not for being just a step away from every. single. throw. they put down field in his direction lol.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Alize is gonna tear it up this year. He could've had 400+ yards and 4+ TD's last year if not for being just a step away from every. single. throw. they put down field in his direction lol.

Tight ends take a while to adjust in the NFL. I believe Gronk and Ditka are the only rookies to have good seasons actually. When I read that, I just assumed that Alize would need a year to adjust.

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[drake29]

OK but this is a bunch of BS, because that "production" he gets is largely because of the snaps where he got reps. They only ask him to rush the passer, because he has been awful against the run.



I just don't see how the defense is possibly better unless they bite the bullet and play Martini+Coney in combo at MIKE/WILL. I know that Martini isn't a prototypical MIKE, but his football IQ seems to surpass every other LB on the roster we've seen get reps.

Any other combo besides those two I think will be a disaster. I also think it's unlikely the secondary is any better unless BVG changes his coverage responsibilities or moves Redfield to SS. And the DL seems very sketchy on paper, although they could be quite formidable against the run is they get someone to play well at WDE.

In general, the defense looks atrocious on paper unless they stay perfectly healthy (lol) and there are schematic adjustments to emphasize the strengths of certain players.



I think it's under-estimated the potential adverse affect that this QB competition could have on the offense. Instead of spending spring/fall forging ahead we're going to spend at least the spring trying to figure out who should be the guy, and then whoever gets picked is going to be looking over their shoulder the entire year.

Go easy, bro...You're starting to sound like me.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Analysis: Looking beyond QBs for Notre Dame's biggest spring questions - Notre Dame Insider: Notre Dame Football