2025 Fall Practice Thread

[PolishDomer]

I haven't seen anything about this yet, but what about special teams? Who's who coming out of the fall?

That to me is the most glaring issue on the team...punting was atrocious last year, and the kicking game was very meh as well...

 

[Guyjin37]

I haven't seen anything about this yet, but what about special teams? Who's who coming out of the fall?

I've heard Price for kickoff returns and Price + Love on occasion (maybe big games was the speculation). Would be absolutely lethal.
For punt returns they've got a number of guys like Faison, Golden, etc. Looking like some good returners and not just ball catchers.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

That to me is the most glaring issue on the team...punting was atrocious last year, and the kicking game was very meh as well...

punting was atrocious? Please share the numbers you're using for this. I thought it was slightly above average but not nearly as great as I expected given all the build up of 65+ yard bombs.

 

[Irish#1]

I've heard Price for kickoff returns and Price + Love on occasion (maybe big games was the speculation). Would be absolutely lethal.
For punt returns they've got a number of guys like Faison, Golden, etc. Looking like some good returners and not just ball catchers.

I don't have stats to back it up, but I don't think we fair catch nearly as much as we did when Kelly was here.

With a season under his belt, I expect Rendell to be better this year.

 

[Domina Nostra]

My lukewarm take, that others have noted:

1) ND's defense is very good, especially against the pass
2) ND's offense is built around its junior RB tandem
3) However, ND is protecting those two (as well as Rairdon) and isn't letting the QB run live
4) So practice mainly consists of either:
a) throwing into ND's excellent DBs, who are waiting for the pass
b) running with your back up RBs, while breaking in a new RG

Long story short, I think this is a very, very tough way to break in a brand new QB, but the offense will improve quickly once J Love, Price, Riardon, and the QB are unleashed fully.

On the other hand, even our most loaded offensive lines have looked mediocre in a bunch of games. And last year's line had Leonard to cover a multitude of sins. So I expect the o-line to look like its struggling somewhat with TAMU and Miami.

 

[EvilleIrish]

Prister sounds like he has some real concerns for the offense.

 

[Irish#1]

My lukewarm take, that others have noted:

1) ND's defense is very good, especially against the pass
2) ND's offense is built around its junior RB tandem
3) However, ND is protecting those two (as well as Rairdon) and isn't letting the QB run live
4) So practice mainly consists of either:
a) throwing into ND's excellent DBs, who are waiting for the pass
b) running with your back up RBs, while breaking in a new RG

Long story short, I think this is a very, very tough way to break in a brand new QB, but the offense will improve quickly once J Love, Price, Riardon, and the QB are unleashed fully.

On the other hand, even our most loaded offensive lines have looked mediocre in a bunch of games. And last year's line had Leonard to cover a multitude of sins. So I expect the o-line to look like its struggling somewhat with TAMU and Miami.

Given a year of experience under their belt and having avoided the big injury bug so far, I expect the O-line to perform better this year.

 

[AKRowdy]

He may be correct, but with limited access to fall camp.. I’d think he’s grasping at straws. IMO. Also Timmy Boy always seems like a glass half empty kind of guy.

Prister sounds like he has some real concerns for the offense.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

What concerns? Lol, I can't wait until next week when the offense puts up 40+ points on the road to shut everyone up.

 

[IRISHbluehen]

Prister sounds like he has some real concerns for the offense.

He's butthurt that CJ didn't win the job. The offense could certainly struggle at times with a new QB, especially in the first 2 games. But the passing game and receivers will be much improved from last year. Think people are underestimating how much RL will be missed from a playmaker perspective though

 

[thekid33]

The offense has the best RB in the nation and a backup RB that is top 10.

TE and WR should be better than last year.

O-Line should be better than last year, especially once fully healthy.

QB is the only real question mark, in my opinion.

It's going to settle itself out. I have faith in MF and Denbrock.

Offense is going to be fine!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

This was always going to happen. Maybe the "race" is closer than expected (or Minchey outright wins). But by forgoing a transfer QB (and letting Steve walk). We should have all expected that Carr (and Minchey) are going to have some growing pains.
The fact that neither QB has gone off (against NDs defense) is unsurprising to me.
I did think Carr would have been the guy, but I would have had the same Qs for him as I would Minchey in week 1.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Prister sounds like he has some real concerns for the offense.

Prister sounds like he should sleep in depends

 

[IrishWayDomer]

I have real concern at TE where the beat seems comfortable. Jack Larsen is the Drew Pyne of TE, size wise. Flanagan coming off injury and a true freshman, Bauman already retired, and Washington an apparent wrist issue and wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire as a Razorback.

Thankfully were deep at WR so well just play fewer TE sets, but we have elite RBs and there will be times 12 personel is dictated and we dont have the dudes for it. I thought they'd cross train a 3rd string OL , so curious how Denbrock handles this throughout the season.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Someone should start a poll

Who's the QB?

KM
CJC
TB
Other

 

[The Backer]

I think the concern is red zone performance for this offense. The "vibe" is that RZ hasn't been going well in fall ball. Not sure if getting Love and Price on the field fixes that but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.

 

[2013Irish]

I think today's the day they name a starter. Thamel announced a bunch yesterday. We have an extra day of prep with a Sunday night opener.

 

[FOTY977]

I think today's the day they name a starter. Thamel announced a bunch yesterday. We have an extra day of prep with a Sunday night opener.

So does Miami

 

[SportsingHard]

TE and WR should be better than last year.

I agree regarding receivers, but TE depth may be the weakest in my lifetime (since 1975.)

 

[hungryhippo]

The TE room being thin doesn’t concern me all that much. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a good bit of 11 and maybe even 10/20 personnel. I have faith in Denbrock being able to play to the group’s strengths and cover up where we’re thin.

 

[2013Irish]

So does Miami

My point is our timeline is one day different than the majority of teams, specifically the handful that named starters yesterday.

Nice italics, though. Really blew my mind there.

 

[FOTY977]

My point is our timeline is one day different than the majority of teams, specifically the handful that named starters yesterday.

Nice italics, though. Really blew my mind there.

I know your point, and even agree with it. Italics mean sarcasm, it ain’t that deep bud.

 

[FollowTheFreeman]

Someone should start a poll

Who's the QB?

KM
CJC
TB
Other

Ty Chan

 

[Irishjig78]

This team is loaded!! All the QB has to do is to not screw it up. Game manage the shit out of the games!!

 

[IRISHDODGER]

He may be correct, but with limited access to fall camp.. I’d think he’s grasping at straws. IMO. Also Timmy Boy always seems like a glass half empty kind of guy.

Yes, he will admit that he’s Holtzian when it comes to that kind of stuff especially opponents. That’s where I get it, too. I grew up in the Holtz era & learned to never take even the worst opponent lightly. Tim has taken opponents lightly to the point of badmouthing them & it blowing up in his face so he’s hopefully learned to go back to being cautious.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think the concern is red zone performance for this offense. The "vibe" is that RZ hasn't been going well in fall ball. Not sure if getting Love and Price on the field fixes that but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.

I was going to post something similar about RZ.

This team will win and lose based on their redzone performance. I think they can scheme things up and take shots and move the chains/get down field but the reporting on the redzone struggles make me think even more that Minchey will be crowned.

If it's really even and one QB requires a spy in the RZ, that is a massive boost and opens things up elsewhere.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I was going to post something similar about RZ.

This team will win and lose based on their redzone performance. I think they can scheme things up and take shots and move the chains/get down field but the reporting on the redzone struggles make me think even more that Minchey will be crowned.

If it's really even and one QB requires a spy in the RZ, that is a massive boost and opens things up elsewhere.

Never got the impression that Minchey is so athletic that he would require a spy in the Red Zone.

 

[SoIll]

Never got the impression that Minchey is so athletic that he would require a spy in the Red Zone.

He's not. Carrs times are actually faster FWIW

Also, if Kenny wins the job. His NIL is going to need adjusting significantly...... His NIL isn't even in the ballpark with Carrs.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I have real concern at TE where the beat seems comfortable. Jack Larsen is the Drew Pyne of TE, size wise.

He is the same weight that Eifert was, while being 3 inches shorter. Yes, I know his height may not be ideal, but he is a solid built player who apparently has outstanding hands.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Never got the impression that Minchey is so athletic that he would require a spy in the Red Zone.

Odd, when I watched the spring game I saw him scamper for yards/1st downs a few times. Always seemed like a more athletic option and someone capable of scrambling for the first when unaccounted for.