2023 Fall Camp

[Crazy Balki]

every couple of years I do a work trip in October. The last two I’ve gone on landed on the weekends of Michigan in 2019 and Stanford last year. Two of the worst losses in the last ten years. This year it’s on a bye week. You’re welcome

Sounds like it might be time for a career change.

 

[benneboy]

Good point. I don’t think any DL in the country is beating Alt at much of anything but the rest of the line idk.

JT Tuimoloau had 3.5 sacks and Sawyer had 4.5 last year. JJB had 4 and he's on our team now. Pair him with Bohtelo and that's more returning production at pass rush than them.

Let's not pretend they're rolling Nick Bosa and Chase Young out there. They're guys are still more potential than production just like Bohtelo.

 

[WilliamWallace]

So have y’all heard about this new tracker seeker? I’ve read a couple reports including from Raridon, stating they’ve been using this new robotic tracker seeker. Evidently it’s new tech to replace the jug machine. It tracks where you are on the field and shoots the ball to you. Just crazy what’s available now.

 

[IAIrish]

That food actually looks fake

There's a correlation there.

 

[stlnd01]

They were highly regarded last year as well and it didn’t help them much. We were a QB away from having a good game if not a win. Now they’re in the same boat and we will field a good defense. You don’t want a new QB going against what’s shaping up in our DB room.

I dunno. Maybe the problem was our OL but Ohio State’s defensive front last year was a big reason “we were a QB away from having a good game.” They had guys in Buchner’s face in two seconds constantly that night.

 

[WilliamWallace]

I dunno. Maybe the problem was our OL but Ohio State’s defensive front last year was a big reason “we were a QB away from having a good game.” They had guys in Buchner’s face in two seconds constantly that night.

Yeah, I’m not saying they didn’t show it against us. They just didn’t show it consistently all season. The accolades were there, indicating they were gonna be one of the best in the country. I think having a difference maker in the game at QB would’ve turned the tide for us. But that’s really been the missing link for some time now.

 

[T-Boone]

Out of curiosity; who was the top target?

Garrett Riley.

 

[IrishFanForever23]

So have y’all heard about this new tracker seeker? I’ve read a couple reports including from Raridon, stating they’ve been using this new robotic tracker seeker. Evidently it’s new tech to replace the jug machine. It tracks where you are on the field and shoots the ball to you. Just crazy what’s available now.

Yes, a lot of teams use it now. Pretty sure someone from the beat or maybe even ND’s Twitter had a video of them using it.

 

[T-Boone]

I dunno. Maybe the problem was our OL but Ohio State’s defensive front last year was a big reason “we were a QB away from having a good game.” They had guys in Buchner’s face in two seconds constantly that night.

They were no better than Marshall in that regard.

 

[Irish4life]

Out of curiosity; who was the top target?

Klein, KSU OC

 

[Irishdrunk]

Klein, KSU OC

They were both being vetted at same time. Ludwig had far more experience.

 

[stlnd01]

Garrett Riley.

Was hired by Clemson a month before Rees took the 'Bama job. He wasn't an option.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Was hired by Clemson a month before Rees took the 'Bama job. He wasn't an option.

I made a very sarcastic list. I think it was pretty clear Freeman didn't have a plan or clear individual leading the pack if/when Rees left. Not sure he had a plan for if Balis left either. Promoting from within I love when you are prepared for that and have planned for it. Clearly he wasn't prepared to go to Parker or Hale. They may be awesome and it might be the right choice, but I think that will be due to luck vs having a proper succession plan. I think due to the abomination of a process with hiring the OC he just jumped to Hale to not go through that again right at the start of fall camp.

 

[Reaper97]

I made a very sarcastic list. I think it was pretty clear Freeman didn't have a plan or clear individual leading the pack if/when Rees left. Not sure he had a plan for if Balis left either. Promoting from within I love when you are prepared for that and have planned for it. Clearly he wasn't prepared to go to Parker or Hale. They may be awesome and it might be the right choice, but I think that will be due to luck vs having a proper succession plan. I think due to the abomination of a process with hiring the OC he just jumped to Hale to not go through that again right at the start of fall camp.

How would anyone have a plan for Balis leaving the day before fall camp starts?
You think it’s possible to be worrying about interviewing coaches at all the positions the day before the season starts?
Alabama starts camp Thursday. You think Saban is prepared if Rees stepped down Wednesday night?

 

[Plankton]

I guarantee there's raisins in the potato salad just out of frame.

 

[Giddyup]

I might have to put my name in the ring. Not sure ND can afford me dough.

 

[NDdomer2]

I might have to put my name in the ring. Not sure ND can afford me dough.

big pizza budget this guy

 

[arrowryan]

 

[Irish4life]

 

[WilliamWallace]

Estime looks to have gained some burst. All of them look really good. Could be the best group ever.

 

[IA4irish]

Estime looks to have gained some burst. All of them look really good. Could be the best group ever.

The holtz running back room from the early 90’s would like to have a word

 

[NDBoiler]

JD catching 2 balls at once 😎. “hell yeah JD!”

 

[PutuporShutup]

How would anyone have a plan for Balis leaving the day before fall camp starts?
You think it’s possible to be worrying about interviewing coaches at all the positions the day before the season starts?
Alabama starts camp Thursday. You think Saban is prepared if Rees stepped down Wednesday night?

100% Saban has a plan if Rees steps down, gets sick, car accident, or whatever. It's what you do as a great leader.

Freeman even stated last week in his interview he has a plan if he were to lose anyone on his staff or any player leaves or goes down.

Don't believe me, here you go

“I didn't foresee Coach Balis leaving, but I've always had plans in place. What happens if coach Balis leaves? What happens if this person leaves? What happens if a player leaves? You have to make sure you have a plan. You're proactive instead of being reactive. So it never gets easier. But the ability to move forward faster is to me what has to happen.”

Are any of the 10 people that liked your post leaders at work? You don't know what you'd do if any of your team left abruptly for whatever reason? I never said it was easy. But it's part of what great leaders do. I don't think he had a plan for Rees, but I do think he had a plan for Balis, not sure I love it though.

 

[WilliamWallace]

The holtz running back room from the early 90’s would like to have a word

I don’t disagree, I did say could

 

[NDisme]

Jeremiah Love looks most natural catching the ball of the RBs imo.

 

[NDohio]

I made a very sarcastic list. I think it was pretty clear Freeman didn't have a plan or clear individual leading the pack if/when Rees left. Not sure he had a plan for if Balis left either. Promoting from within I love when you are prepared for that and have planned for it. Clearly he wasn't prepared to go to Parker or Hale. They may be awesome and it might be the right choice, but I think that will be due to luck vs having a proper succession plan. I think due to the abomination of a process with hiring the OC he just jumped to Hale to not go through that again right at the start of fall camp.

100% Saban has a plan if Rees steps down, gets sick, car accident, or whatever. It's what you do as a great leader.

Freeman even stated last week in his interview he has a plan if he were to lose anyone on his staff or any player leaves or goes down.

Don't believe me, here you go

“I didn't foresee Coach Balis leaving, but I've always had plans in place. What happens if coach Balis leaves? What happens if this person leaves? What happens if a player leaves? You have to make sure you have a plan. You're proactive instead of being reactive. So it never gets easier. But the ability to move forward faster is to me what has to happen.”

Are any of the 10 people that liked your post leaders at work? You don't know what you'd do if any of your team left abruptly for whatever reason? I never said it was easy. But it's part of what great leaders do.

So which side of the argument are you actually on. Freeman had no plan or Freeman has a plan...

 

[Irishdrunk]

100% Saban has a plan if Rees steps down, gets sick, car accident, or whatever. It's what you do as a great leader.

Freeman even stated last week in his interview he has a plan if he were to lose anyone on his staff or any player leaves or goes down.

Don't believe me, here you go

“I didn't foresee Coach Balis leaving, but I've always had plans in place. What happens if coach Balis leaves? What happens if this person leaves? What happens if a player leaves? You have to make sure you have a plan. You're proactive instead of being reactive. So it never gets easier. But the ability to move forward faster is to me what has to happen.”

Are any of the 10 people that liked your post leaders at work? You don't know what you'd do if any of your team left abruptly for whatever reason? I never said it was easy. But it's part of what great leaders do.

Competing philosophies:
Aisle #1: Savvy Jack: “Hire from within, it’s cheaper”

Aisle #2: Nick Saban: “Let’s fire up the jet and get who I want.”

 

[stlnd01]

100% Saban has a plan if Rees steps down, gets sick, car accident, or whatever. It's what you do as a great leader.

Freeman even stated last week in his interview he has a plan if he were to lose anyone on his staff or any player leaves or goes down.

Don't believe me, here you go

“I didn't foresee Coach Balis leaving, but I've always had plans in place. What happens if coach Balis leaves? What happens if this person leaves? What happens if a player leaves? You have to make sure you have a plan. You're proactive instead of being reactive. So it never gets easier. But the ability to move forward faster is to me what has to happen.”

Are any of the 10 people that liked your post leaders at work? You don't know what you'd do if any of your team left abruptly for whatever reason? I never said it was easy. But it's part of what great leaders do. I don't think he had a plan for Rees, but I do think he had a plan for Balis, not sure I love it though.

Yes you should have a plan to replace anyone on your team who might become unavailable at any time for any reason. But timing matters.

You’re not going to hire a permanent strength coach to replace Balis right now. What good one would bail on their team at the start of camp? So you promote from within, maintain continuity, and commence your search for a permanent replacement who’ll come on board after the season. That’s the plan.

Likewise if Rees left Alabama tomorrow he’d be replaced on an interim basis by someone internal (or currently unemployed). That’d be the plan. Saban’s ideal next OC probably has a job this season and owes it to his team to see that through.

The Rees departure from Notre Dame is a little different but I’d be shocked if it actually took Freeman by surprise, and therefore if he did not have a plan. Plans also don’t always work out. Either way I hope it was a learning experience for him.

 

[PutuporShutup]

So which side of the argument are you actually on. Freeman had no plan or Freeman has a plan...

Oh i'm on the side freeman did NOT have a plan with Rees and clearly learned a tough lesson. Freeman is stating he has plans for everyone, i don't think that was true until after Rees.

Others are stating coaches would never be prepared if someone left right before fall camp.

 

[Valpodoc85]

There is having a plan and having a Plan. I suspect Freeman acknowledged he could lose anybody at anytime. He probably had a list in his head or a loose idea of how to proceed. Given the multitude of other issues he is tackling that probably felt sufficient. I would hope his plans are now more concrete.