2019 Spring Practice Thread

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Lots of WR talent with Kmet and Wright and Tremble.

I don't want to see an air raid attack so hopefully we can keep it balanced wiht a good running game

 

[IrishLion]

Lots of WR talent with Kmet and Wright and Tremble.

I don't want to see an air raid attack so hopefully we can keep it balanced wiht a good running game

I was just being facetious, though it does seem to be trending towards "Throw to set up the Run" rather than vice versa.

It also seems like this is the year where we see true 4-WR sets more often, rather than 3-WR and a TE or RB in the slot. They're going to need to use 4-WR sets, if they want to use their base of Claypool-Finke-Young and also involve Austin, Keys and Wilkins/Lenzy consistently.

I'm skeptical, because BK has rarely used more than three primary WR's in his offense, even in years where there was a surplus of talent, but there seems to be a lot of smoke about how deep and talented the group is. 2015 was the deepest BK has gone with WR, so this year might look like that.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I was just being facetious, though it does seem to be trending towards "Throw to set up the Run" rather than vice versa.

It also seems like this is the year where we see true 4-WR sets more often, rather than 3-WR and a TE or RB in the slot. They're going to need to use 4-WR sets, if they want to use their base of Claypool-Finke-Young and also involve Austin, Keys and Wilkins/Lenzy consistently.

I'm skeptical, because BK has rarely used more than three primary WR's in his offense, even in years where there was a surplus of talent, but there seems to be a lot of smoke about how deep and talented the group is. 2015 was the deepest BK has gone with WR, so this year might look like that.

Yeah but balance that with 3 TEs that are all very good and Kmet on the verge of being a breakout this year. I don't see how we could run 4 wide very often. I'd expect more double back and 2 TE sets while rotating the WRs to keep them fresh all season.

 

[greyhammer90]

Yeah but balance that with 3 TEs that are all very good and Kmet on the verge of being a breakout this year. I don't see how we could run 4 wide very often. I'd expect more double back and 2 TE sets while rotating the WRs to keep them fresh all season.

A constant rotation of 2-3 WRs is what I'm hoping for as well. Keep the WRs fresh and demand excellent routes.

 

[snoopdog]

A constant rotation of 2-3 WRs is what I'm hoping for as well. Keep the WRs fresh and demand excellent routes.

Last year, despite going 12-0, there were no blowouts where the coaching staff could feel comfortable, putting in the 2nd groupings. Therefore with the WR's..Claypool, Boykin and Finke were forced to play the lion share of the snaps.

Same with the LB's and DB's.

This year, I think Kelly would be smart to run the scores whenever possible to get the second teams on the field. That Ball State game was an example where they made Wimbush try and be a pocket passer and the game stayed close right to the end.

The fourth qtr of Louisville, New Mexico and Bowling Green should be nothing but the second teams

 

[Ndaccountant]

A constant rotation of 2-3 WRs is what I'm hoping for as well. Keep the WRs fresh and demand excellent routes.

I just want substitution patterns that don't tip the cards on play selection.

I know it's impossible to completely eliminate those tendencies, but it's sure much more difficult to defend when you spread the ball around.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Is it conceivable to bring in 3 TE sets with Kmet, Wright and Tremble, coupled with Claypool? I see Kmet as a mini Eifert and either one of those guys 1 on 1 would be a load. Might force teams to stay 2 high in 3 TE sets?

 

[Luckylucci]

Last year, despite going 12-0, there were no blowouts where the coaching staff could feel comfortable, putting in the 2nd groupings. Therefore with the WR's..Claypool, Boykin and Finke were forced to play the lion share of the snaps.

Same with the LB's and DB's.

This year, I think Kelly would be smart to run the scores whenever possible to get the second teams on the field. That Ball State game was an example where they made Wimbush try and be a pocket passer and the game stayed close right to the end.

The fourth qtr of Louisville, New Mexico and Bowling Green should be nothing but the second teams

I’m not sure that’s what it was. We beat FSU 42-14 and Syracuse 36-3 in back to back games. Navy was a 22pt win and we were up 27-0 at half. So there were chances I just don’t think he was comfortable playing them as they hadn’t practiced like they are now.

 

[stpeteirish]

Last year, despite going 12-0, there were no blowouts where the coaching staff could feel comfortable, putting in the 2nd groupings. Therefore with the WR's..Claypool, Boykin and Finke were forced to play the lion share of the snaps.

Same with the LB's and DB's.

This year, I think Kelly would be smart to run the scores whenever possible to get the second teams on the field. That Ball State game was an example where they made Wimbush try and be a pocket passer and the game stayed close right to the end.

The fourth qtr of Louisville, New Mexico and Bowling Green should be nothing but the second teams

like Vandy and Ball St. Ya never know.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Is it conceivable to bring in 3 TE sets with Kmet, Wright and Tremble, coupled with Claypool? I see Kmet as a mini Eifert and either one of those guys 1 on 1 would be a load. Might force teams to stay 2 high in 3 TE sets?

Mini?

Cole is as big, if not bigger.

 

[stlnd01]

I’m not sure that’s what it was. We beat FSU 42-14 and Syracuse 36-3 in back to back games. Navy was a 22pt win and we were up 27-0 at half. So there were chances I just don’t think he was comfortable playing them as they hadn’t practiced like they are now.

I also think last year they worried about the QBs. With Wimbush’s accuracy issues, and then breaking in Book, it made some sense to stick with reliable veterans who the QBs were comfortable with (Boykin, Funke, Claypool) instead of perhaps-more-dangerous-but-unproven guys like Keys and Lenzy and Austin.
Now those guys have another year under their belt AND (we hope) Book is a lot more comfortable. We should play a lots more WRs, whatever the score, both to develop our depth and to keep the opposing defense on their toes.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Yeh, thinking of Kmet as a mini-anything short of a Tyrannosaur is a bit mind-boggling.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I’m not sure that’s what it was. We beat FSU 42-14 and Syracuse 36-3 in back to back games. Navy was a 22pt win and we were up 27-0 at half. So there were chances I just don’t think he was comfortable playing them as they hadn’t practiced like they are now.

This. They didn't have the quality depth we have this year. We have at least 5-6 WRs that can give us quality reps. That is great for the whole unit. Spread the love and keep guys healthy.

If one of our top guys gets knicked up, let him rest a game and give another a shot.

 

[BabyIrish]

Apparently Book and Claypool were phenomenal on Saturday, according to Hanson. Book looked good on every level of throw, including the deep ball. Hopefully we get a taste of it on Saturday

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Any reports rolling in? I've only seen this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame wrapped up 13th spring practice on Tuesday morning. Players who caught my eye. Full breakdown coming later today.<br><br>Ian Book<br>Chase Claypool<br>Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah<br>Michael Young<br>Tommy Tremble<br>Alohi Gilman</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1115628691651006465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishLion]

Claypool is gonna play himself into being a first-round pick if his production matches all the hype he's been getting this Spring.

 

[Luckylucci]

Claypool is gonna play himself into being a first-round pick if his production matches all the hype he's been getting this Spring.

This. He’s been virtually uncoverable almost all Spring. Seems like some of it might be getting to finally play the right position for his skill set. But sounds like he’s also grown up quite a bit. Hopefully true and good for him.

 

[koonja]

Apparently Book and Claypool were phenomenal on Saturday, according to Hanson. Book looked good on every level of throw, including the deep ball. Hopefully we get a taste of it on Saturday

Wooly's rant on how fat Hanson is a disgrace to the ND brand was epic.

 

[BabyIrish]

Any reports rolling in? I've only seen this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame wrapped up 13th spring practice on Tuesday morning. Players who caught my eye. Full breakdown coming later today.<br><br>Ian Book<br>Chase Claypool<br>Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah<br>Michael Young<br>Tommy Tremble<br>Alohi Gilman</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1115628691651006465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yeah, Prister and O'Malley put up there analysis video:
Book looked great again.
Tariq Bracy was back at practice and looked good against the 2's.
Jafar looks the part as the #1 RB, Hanson said the same thing last week as well
Tommy Tremble looked good and has the whole spring.
Claypool looked good as usual. Kevin Austin had a great day.
Troy Pride did well against Claypool in 1 on 1's
JGH had majority of Buck reps. Lamb still flashes when he gets in.
Last but not least and I hesitate to even mention it, butttttttt, Phil J is inconsistent in his passes. On one pass, his passes look beautiful and accurate, and then the next, the ball has curve ball type movement at the end that makes it difficult for the receivers to catch.

Interesting injury note: Franklin, Spears, Vaughn all in full pads just no live work. Good to hear about Franklin and Spears.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Claypool is gonna play himself into being a first-round pick if his production matches all the hype he's been getting this Spring.

He has that kind of talent.

 

[Rizzophil]

Yeah, Prister and O'Malley put up there analysis video:
Book looked great again.
Tariq Bracy was back at practice and looked good against the 2's.
Jafar looks the part as the #1 RB, Hanson said the same thing last week as well
Tommy Tremble looked good and has the whole spring.
Claypool looked good as usual. Kevin Austin had a great day.
Troy Pride did well against Claypool in 1 on 1's
JGH had majority of Buck reps. Lamb still flashes when he gets in.
Last but not least and I hesitate to even mention it, butttttttt, Phil J is inconsistent in his passes. On one pass, his passes look beautiful and accurate, and then the next, the ball has curve ball type movement at the end that makes it difficult for the receivers to catch.

Interesting injury note: Franklin, Spears, Vaughn all in full pads just no live work. Good to hear about Franklin and Spears.

Thank you for the summary !

I’m still not worried about Phil J. It’s an adjustment for qb to know where to go with the football. With more indecision, there’s more errors in footwork / arm action

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Claypool is gonna play himself into being a first-round pick if his production matches all the hype he's been getting this Spring.

^This.


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[IrishLion]

This. He’s been virtually uncoverable almost all Spring. Seems like some of it might be getting to finally play the right position for his skill set. But sounds like he’s also grown up quite a bit. Hopefully true and good for him.

He has that kind of talent.

^This.

Confidence and attitude can do miraculous things when you put them in the body of a dude like Claypool. He's a different combination of "big and fast" than Boykin.

Boykin would never have projected to be a stud OLB, DE or special teams gunner like Claypool could have been.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm kinda excited to see how good Tremble can be. Maybe we don't need to wait for Mayer to get on campus to see Kmet's eventual successor

 

[rtrn2glory]

Mini?

Cole is as big, if not bigger.

I guess I mean in terms of production. My fault

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Confidence and attitude can do miraculous things when you put them in the body of a dude like Claypool. He's a different combination of "big and fast" than Boykin.



Boykin would never have projected to be a stud OLB, DE or special teams gunner like Claypool could have been.

I just don’t know if Claypool will test off the charts like Boykin did at the combine though...


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[Luckylucci]

I just don’t know if Claypool will test off the charts like Boykin did at the combine though...


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And there will be WR’s drafted ahead of Boykin that didn’t either. Just one part of the evaluation.

This isn’t to say he’ll be drafted higher but it wouldn’t be crazy for him to have more peak production.

 

[condoms SUCk]

With all this high praise the WR's are getting, who else is getting concerned about the LB's and CB's?

I do think our WR's are good, but are the CB's/LB's helping out with that perception?

I am withholding judgment until after the B/G game, I hope our WR's are truly out of this world. I am more concerned on the D side of the ball, especially the 2nd and 3rd levels so all this WR praise is kinda making me worry.

 

[IrishLax]

The offense could be the best we've seen in Kelly's tenure (or at least the best we've seen since 2015). Biggest question mark is obviously RB, second biggest question mark is how much the OL improves.

On defense, I think it's obvious they'll take a step back. Replacing Julian Love is not easy, but the LB situation is downright scary. I think Tillery might actually be the easiest one to replace because at least their is talented depth on the line. Still, you're talking about replacing 4 NFL players with virtual unknowns. That doesn't happen without some sort of drop off.

 

[Luckylucci]

With all this high praise the WR's are getting, who else is getting concerned about the LB's and CB's?

I do think our WR's are good, but are the CB's/LB's helping out with that perception?

I am withholding judgment until after the B/G game, I hope our WR's are truly out of this world. I am more concerned on the D side of the ball, especially the 2nd and 3rd levels so all this WR praise is kinda making me worry.

At least in team situations, it’s hard for me to not think some of it has to do with the limited number of reps some of our best players are getting. Putting a red jersey on the QB and taking the two best pass rushers off the field probably matters. Gilman has been shut down for a majority of Spring practice. Elliot has been limited. Removing those guys are going to accentuate mistakes by the young/new players around them. Also, some of the big plays are coming against the 2 and 3 deep at CB/LB. I’ll wait until we get to Fall Camp and we get our full compliment of players together.