2019 Spring Practice Thread

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

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.

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.

Combine those two posts and that helps me accurately set expectations. We've lost NFL talent at LB, DL and CB on the defense. Couple that with starters at safety/DE sitting out and you have an entirely new defense.

It's hard enough to replace 4/11 but the defense has been playing at times with only 3/11 returning starters. There are going to be growing pains on this defense.

But the good news is the cupboards are relatively full. We've recruited defense incredibly well, more freshmen join this summer and some may offer options. And some guys will devour their playbooks and show a jump in fall.

OTOH, the offense appears poised to take another step. If Book & Co can combine efficiency with interspersed big plays, they'll win us a lot of games and give the defense time to gel.

I'm not expecting an undefeated season but I hope our 85 are expecting it. And I hope we have 2-3 more transfers so we can bring Marist Liufau in this summer.

 

[BabyIrish]

Combine those two posts and that helps me accurately set expectations. We've lost NFL talent at LB, DL and CB on the defense. Couple that with starters at safety/DE sitting out and you have an entirely new defense.

It's hard enough to replace 4/11 but the defense has been playing at times with only 3/11 returning starters. There are going to be growing pains on this defense.

But the good news is the cupboards are relatively full. We've recruited defense incredibly well, more freshmen join this summer and some may offer options. And some guys will devour their playbooks and show a jump in fall.

OTOH, the offense appears poised to take another step. If Book & Co can combine efficiency with interspersed big plays, they'll win us a lot of games and give the defense time to gel.

I'm not expecting an undefeated season but I hope our 85 are expecting it. And I hope we have 2-3 more transfers so we can bring Marist Liufau in this summer.

As far as I can tell, we only need one more transfer for Marist to be on scholarship next year.

 

[IrishLion]

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.

At least it will be drop-off from dudes who are still very athletic and were recruited to make plays, rather than drop-off to dudes that are pressed into emergency service and playing out-of-position because Diaco and BVG didn't/wouldn't recruit.

We should at least see steady improvement over the year as Lea gets to mold the young guys... much more of a natural progression than what we've seen previously, when basically everything was an emergency with red lights flashing.

 

[BabyIrish]

At least it will be drop-off from dudes who are still very athletic and were recruited to make plays, rather than drop-off to dudes that are pressed into emergency service and playing out-of-position because Diaco and BVG didn't/wouldn't recruit.

We should at least see steady improvement over the year as Lee gets to mold the young guys... much more of a natural progression than what we've seen previously, when basically everything was an emergency with red lights flashing.

Agreed. I think once Fall Camp rolls around we'll see less of the experiment phase with the linebackers and allow for more consistent reps for the starters/2 deep. I think that will allow for those guys to improve in Fall Camp and throughout the season.

 

[stpeteirish]

As far as I can tell, we only need one more transfer for Marist to be on scholarship next year.

correct, and the odds of that are pretty good. (No idea who, just using history and logic)

 

[Irish#1]

Agreed. I think once Fall Camp rolls around we'll see less of the experiment phase with the linebackers and allow for more consistent reps for the starters/2 deep. I think that will allow for those guys to improve in Fall Camp and throughout the season.

Agree

Spring practice needs to be looked at very differently than fall camp. In the Spring, they throw a lot of players in the blender, blend then taste to see how it turns out. Then they try another combination to see what it taste like.

 

[dublinirish]

any new on Kmet? II said he got hurt the other day by Gillman contesting a catch

 

[IrishLion]

any new on Kmet? II said he got hurt the other day by Gillman contesting a catch

Haven't heard anything official, but on Power Hour, Jaime and Matt were kind of talking as if it were a foregone conclusion that he wouldn't play in the B&G game as a precaution.

Good news for Tremble, who they say would be a guy getting hyped at almost any other program as the inbound starter. He's gonna get a lot of run over the first half at least.

 

[IRISHMAN]

can someone please tell me what time the spring game starts Saturday? I found 12:30 but is that ET or CT?

 

[PANDFAN]

can someone please tell me what time the spring game starts Saturday? I found 12:30 but is that ET or CT?

12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 13, at Notre Dame Stadium.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i asked in another thread, but do we have a tentative visitor list for saturday anywhere? thanks

 

[snoopdog]

I am not at all surprised how well the receivers are looking.

The Irish WR's have one of the most accurate QB's in the P5 throwing to them and they all have most of last season and all of spring working with Book.

I expect big things from the passing game this season, especially when I feel the O-line will be one of the strongest groups in the P5.

 

[Irish#1]

I am not at all surprised how well the receivers are looking.

The Irish WR's have one of the most accurate QB's in the P5 throwing to them and they all have most of last season and all of spring working with Book.

I expect big things from the passing game this season, especially when I feel the O-line will be one of the strongest groups in the P5.

According to an article in "The Athletic", Book 2019 is definitely an upgrade over Book 2018.

Go to the Offensive Line thread for differing opinions. However, I also believe O-line 2019 will be a definite upgrade over O-line 2018.

 

[Luckylucci]

According to an article in "The Athletic", Book 2019 is definitely an upgrade over Book 2018.

Go to the Offensive Line thread for differing opinions. However, I also believe O-line 2019 will be a definite upgrade over O-line 2018.

Seems fairly unanimous most think they'll be better. The question is, how much better? They'll need to be a lot better, in order for this offense to take this team where it wants to go.

 

[rtrn2glory]

what's the issue with the 18 class?? just curious

 

[snoopdog]

Seems fairly unanimous most think they'll be better. The question is, how much better? They'll need to be a lot better, in order for this offense to take this team where it wants to go.

All 5 starters are most likely NFL starters if they stay healthy....and that includes Patterson. Which is largely based on how well Balis gets these guys physically prepared

 

[Wild Bill]

All 5 starters are most likely NFL starters if they stay healthy....and that includes Patterson. Which is largely based on how well Balis gets these guys physically prepared

I think it's a long-shot all five, Eich, Banks, Patterson, Kraemer and Hainsey, will be starters in the NFL. It's probably a bit of a stretch to believe they'll all be drafted and/or on a 53 man roster post graduation.

I doubt Eich can play LT in the NFL, though he could be move to the right side in the NFL. He's a solid player but he hasn't yet shown he has the capacity to be an elite LT that can lock down and elite pass rusher. It's still early and it's possible he plays on another level this year.

I believe Banks could be the best of the bunch. He's nasty and finishes blocks. He could have a big year and has the body and athleticism to be a starting NFL guard. I really hope he emerges as a leader and the entire line embraces his nasty style of play. It would be huge for the group.

Patterson could be the real deal, but nobody really knows right now.

Kraemer has under-performed given his rating coming into ND. Like Eich, he could step up this year but I don't see a future NFL starter.

Hainsey has a lot of work to do. He hasn't played at an elite level but maybe he steps up too.

Like Lucky, I think this group will improve but I doubt they improve enough to be considered an elite group. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Rizzophil]

I think it's a long-shot all five, Eich, Banks, Patterson, Kraemer and Hainsey, will be starters in the NFL. It's probably a bit of a stretch to believe they'll all be drafted and/or on a 53 man roster post graduation.

I doubt Eich can play LT in the NFL, though he could be move to the right side in the NFL. He's a solid player but he hasn't yet shown he has the capacity to be an elite LT that can lock down and elite pass rusher. It's still early and it's possible he plays on another level this year.

I believe Banks could be the best of the bunch. He's nasty and finishes blocks. He could have a big year and has the body and athleticism to be a starting NFL guard. I really hope he emerges as a leader and the entire line embraces his nasty style of play. It would be huge for the group.

Patterson could be the real deal, but nobody really knows right now.

Kraemer has under-performed given his rating coming into ND. Like Eich, he could step up this year but I don't see a future NFL starter.

Hainsey has a lot of work to do. He hasn't played at an elite level but maybe he steps up too.

Like Lucky, I think this group will improve but I doubt they improve enough to be considered an elite group. I hope I'm wrong.

Hainsey was the best lineman last year per Chip Long

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Hainsey was the best lineman last year per Chip Long

That does not matter. It is what the fans think and want to believe. We are the true measure of who is best.

 

[irishnd31]

That does not matter. It is what the fans think and want to believe. We are the true measure of who is best.

 

[Luckylucci]

All 5 starters are most likely NFL starters if they stay healthy....and that includes Patterson. Which is largely based on how well Balis gets these guys physically prepared

They certainly have the potential to do so but have not shown that on the field. Not even close. It's great that we are hearing positive reviews and I expected improvement so not surprised at all. But, I think we should wait to see it before we announce this OL as 5 NFL starting caliber players. None of these guys are at that level, last we saw last year. Without improvement, some wouldn't even be playing, Long said as much about Kraemer.

 

[Wild Bill]

Hainsey was the best lineman last year per Chip Long

I'm not sure that's a good thing.

 

[rtrn2glory]

he started slow, but finished prett well imo.

 

[IrishLion]

I'm not sure that's a good thing.

He graded out decently in PFF, I believe, and was our best overall OL by "analytics"

I think a big part of the OL improving will be:

1. Hainsey being healthy all season, and not playing the first half of the season with a big-time injury

2. Patterson being a physical upgrade to Sam Mustipher

3. Banks having a whole offseason to prepare as the road-grader that he is

4. Lugg being a truly serviceable "Next Man In" at both OG and OT

 

[IrishLax]

When Hainsey was playing awful to start the year, he literally had a fractured leg that should've kept him out. So you have to give him a pass for that, and he objectively played better as the year went along.

 

[rtrn2glory]

He graded out decently in PFF, I believe, and was our best overall OL by "analytics"

I think a big part of the OL improving will be:

1. Hainsey being healthy all season, and not playing the first half of the season with a big-time injury

2. Patterson being a physical upgrade to Sam Mustipher

3. Banks having a whole offseason to prepare as the road-grader that he is

4. Lugg being a truly serviceable "Next Man In" at both OG and OT

Quinn seemed to talk pretty highly of Lugg at the clinic.

 

[NorthDakota]

A ref from the Indianapolis area is active on another forum I am active on. He sent me this DM since he knows I'm a big Irish fan. He was just up in south bend for a practice/scrimmage.

It's always hard to tell because if the offense is making plays the defense doesn't look good. If the defense is dominating the offense doesn't look good. The Spring practices are often more about drills and teaching. They didn't do any actual scrimmage plays as everything was thud or drills. The QB has a cannon though and seemed to be on target with everything. I'm surprised how small he is. They had a really tall QB (#15) that seemed to be taking the #2 snaps. I was there 3 weeks ago as well and the #1 center (#55) kept botching the snap. They got so pissed at him and kept pulling him. Yesterday I didn't notice any issues with that and he was the #1 center. They did have an issue with repeated false starts. I talked with the OL coach and he said they were trying to implement a new cadence for shot gun so the guys were having a hard time getting used to it. I'm always fascinated by those little tidbits you pick up hanging around a practice.

Overall they were big and fast and strong. We'll see if they are bigger and faster than stronger than everyone else though.

Oh...early entry freshman punter from Tuscaloosa who was BOOMING them. The indoor facility has a short roof so every punt hits the roof. He wedged the first one between a beam and the ceiling! They are building a huge new indoor facility and I jokingly told him it was a new punting facility since the current one works fine for everything else.

 

[IrishLax]

A ref from the Indianapolis area is active on another forum I am active on. He sent me this DM since he knows I'm a big Irish fan. He was just up in south bend for a practice/scrimmage.

Reps!

 

[IrishLion]

Ah good, love to hear the all-in option at center is having issues with the snap lol.

Seriously though, it's not easy to learn to shotgun snap consistently when you haven't done it, especially if the coaches are on your ass about getting the snap back faster.

Can't imagine trying to learn to snap for the first time, while also being drilled to do it faster and consistently, while ALSO learning a new cadence to try and time properly.

 

[stlnd01]

“Overall they were big and fast and strong. We'll see if they are bigger and faster than stronger than everyone else though.”

The whole ball of wax right there.