2025 Fall Practice Thread

[EvilleIrish]

This is actually kinda a weird look?

It’s absolutely bizarre and I’m shocked freeman allows it.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Was on campus today. Nothing football to add other than we walked into the Gug and didn't get kicked out (it was later in the day, with what I'm assuming was a bunch of team managers on the field and a clock counting down 25 mins), so that was cool.

Also, $200+ UA polos are fucking dumb. ND apparel is getting out of hand price wise.

Yeah I think it was reasonable when the expensive polos from Peter Millar and stuff were that pricy but affordable UA/Champion stuff, but even the “affordable” stuff at Hammes is ridiculous. You really need to go up to the second floor first fir sticker shock before even entertaining anything on the first floor now

 

[DCDomer]

This is probably the most Boomer take you'll get from me... but if I'm a cemented starter/upperclassman and this youngster has to go throw during team stretch to calm his nerves/internal monologue, I'm already skeptical if he's the guy to run out there for the first series at Hard Rock.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Regarding Carr stretching or lack thereof, I suggest you all read Gino's PC. Its not a big deal at all. In short, he views it as players time and if he comes early to stretch and he wants to throw, no issue.

 

[TheProspector]

It’s absolutely bizarre and I’m shocked freeman allows it.

I wonder if it’s related to his elbow injury last year (I.e. he just needs a little more time to warm up before live bullets to prevent reinjuring), but everyone has been instructed to not comment on last years injury to avoid excessive speculation and/or other teams targeting his elbow.

 

[Irish#1]

I have to believe this was run by MF first and he approved. Could be Carr is stretching early so he can loosen prior to practice and get a little advantage when practice starts. Who knows?

 

[Guyjin37]

Cmon.

It is not bizarre. If he was sitting in a chair with a couple people fanning palm leaves over him, yes that would be bizarre. If he were playing air hockey while the team was huddling, that would be bizarre.

He's trying to get better while the team was stretching. Nobody on the team is batting an eye, I promise you. CJ has paid his dues, he is not some diva who thinks he's too good to stretch with the peasants. Get real.

The very fact that Freeman, Denbrock, and Guiduili are allowing it means they're into it. And why? Because he's taking the initiative to get better. In his own words, he's "trying to be great." If that takes stretching beforehand so he can warm up throwing while others are stretching, then that's what it takes--it's not like he's loafing around eating cheeseburgers! MF said in a chat with Rece Davis the other day that he wants competitors. Well, this is what a competitor does during a high-stakes competition: he does what it takes to win.

In fact, this whole thing says as much about Kenny as it does CJ. If I'm Kenny, there's no way I'm letting CJ get ANY advantage--as soon as I see him throwing, I'm throwing with him. Instead, he's letting CJ prepare harder, more, better. I'd get off my ass because this coaching staff likes competitors.

 

[IrishLion]

Though @Dale is absolutely wrong about Skyline Chili, I think he’s on the right path about Carr and ND needing a QB that’s **different** when it comes to being competitive to the point of being a weirdo.

Gotta find the balance between “Joe Burrow could be a serial killer” and “Whatever Russell Wilson is doing” though

 

[Dale]

Minchey makes sense for a couple of reasons:

…
Probably has the bigger cannon of the two

He definitely does not. Minchey can throw deep at a sufficient level, probably better than our last 5 QBs, but you can tell it requires his whole body. Carr can flick a wrist.

 

[notredomer23]

I think both views are correct. It is bizarre. I’m surprised Freeman has allowed it, and honestly since this is the only part of practice that is *usually* player led with coaches to the side I find it even stranger.

But ND needs an outlier. I think anything that deviates from the norm is going to cause polarizing opinions on the QB battle given how last season finished, how loaded this team is at every other position, and it’s the first time since the Pyne/Buchner debacle that ND is going into a season with a 1st time starter. If this helps Carr be an outlier at the position, then so be it

 

[PolishDomer]

Yeah I think it was reasonable when the expensive polos from Peter Millar and stuff were that pricy but affordable UA/Champion stuff, but even the “affordable” stuff at Hammes is ridiculous. You really need to go up to the second floor first fir sticker shock before even entertaining anything on the first floor now

Guys, some people dont know about the ND Outlet store on Ironwood near Angela. Went there while son was at ND Soccer ID camp last weekend and got some great deals.

 

[Punky]

Guys, some people dont know about the ND Outlet store on Ironwood near Angela. Went there while son was at ND Soccer ID camp and got some great deals.

I didn't know that, thank for the head's up!

 

[TheProspector]

Cmon.

It is not bizarre. If he was sitting in a chair with a couple people fanning palm leaves over him, yes that would be bizarre. If he were playing air hockey while the team was huddling, that would be bizarre.

He's trying to get better while the team was stretching. Nobody on the team is batting an eye, I promise you. CJ has paid his dues, he is not some diva who thinks he's too good to stretch with the peasants. Get real.

The very fact that Freeman, Denbrock, and Guiduili are allowing it means they're into it. And why? Because he's taking the initiative to get better. In his own words, he's "trying to be great." If that takes stretching beforehand so he can warm up throwing while others are stretching, then that's what it takes--it's not like he's loafing around eating cheeseburgers! MF said in a chat with Rece Davis the other day that he wants competitors. Well, this is what a competitor does during a high-stakes competition: he does what it takes to win.

In fact, this whole thing says as much about Kenny as it does CJ. If I'm Kenny, there's no way I'm letting CJ get ANY advantage--as soon as I see him throwing, I'm throwing with him. Instead, he's letting CJ prepare harder, more, better. I'd get off my ass because this coaching staff likes competitors.

Yes and no. As I said above, I think it’s related to his previous injury. Because if it wasn’t I can tell you that Freeman wouldn’t be fine with 40 guys deciding to “try and get better” on their own outside of team stretching.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Regarding Carr stretching or lack thereof, I suggest you all read Gino's PC. Its not a big deal at all. In short, he views it as players time and if he comes early to stretch and he wants to throw, no issue.

First In. Last to Leave. Mamba mentality.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Yes and no. As I said above, I think it’s related to his previous injury. Because if it wasn’t I can tell you that Freeman wouldn’t be fine with 40 guys deciding to “try and get better” on their own outside of team stretching.

Agreed. Coach Free is all about team culture and bonding. It's probably equal parts medical precaution and Carr being driven.

 

[pumpdog20]

Guys, some people dont know about the ND Outlet store on Ironwood near Angela. Went there while son was at ND Soccer ID camp and got some great deals.

Gonna need to check this out

 

[irishu]

@Merckxe525

Yo Mercke,

Any good insight regarding practice? How is the QB competition progressing? Sentiment of the staff? How are the receivers looking? Appreciate any insight!

 

[PolishDomer]

I think they were always closed on football weekends...

Always went there when we visited for a mens basketball game

 

[NormND_44]

This is a fun (classic) first week of August debate.

But I do feel strongly about this. Obviously not in the room so I don’t understand the team context. But any team I have been on, this sort of thing did not go over well (coaches son energy, IYKYK). It seems like a small thing, but stretching lines are one of the only times in practice when everyone is doing the same thing, there is a subtle tribal unity in that. Need to win the team first, hopefully he already has.

 

[allenm5333]

Honestly, i wonder if this is an individualized program based on evaluations done to improve performance. The doctors and mental health/performance evaluators probably assessed all players. If Carr struggles to go from stretching to period one bc he is too amped then this makes sense. I am sure the coaches and players want the Qbs performing optimally is what they want. Also, enough pods hinted at carr leading summer workouts. Reality is that this is a nothing burger if he performs

 

[NormND_44]

Honestly, i wonder if this is an individualized program based on evaluations done to improve performance. The doctors and mental health/performance evaluators probably assessed all players. If Carr struggles to go from stretching to period one bc he is too amped then this makes sense. I am sure the coaches and players want the Qbs performing optimally is what they want. Also, enough pods hinted at carr leading summer workouts. Reality is that this is a nothing burger if he performs

Yeah but they keep saying “vocal” leader… sometimes that can actually be a hindrance.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Seems like a big nothing burger that is being over analyzed because there is no real drama to sort through so far. Now if he starts ripping cigs on the bench in between series, then I’ll get excited.

 

[allenm5333]

Yeah but they keep saying “vocal” leader… sometimes that can actually be a hindrance.

Man, unless he is a total d**k, what the players care about is who makes them look good and helps them get Ws

 

[Irish du Nord]

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with my CB3 not taking CB reps when he’s never played a competitive snap there

Hobbs only played Nickel last year? Or are you distinguishing his snaps from competitive snaps

 

[Irish du Nord]

Though @Dale is absolutely wrong about Skyline Chili, I think he’s on the right path about Carr and ND needing a QB that’s **different** when it comes to being competitive to the point of being a weirdo.

Gotta find the balance between “Joe Burrow could be a serial killer” and “Whatever Russell Wilson is doing” though

 

[AKRowdy]

Omg. Who the f@ck cares. It’s stretching. If he wasn’t the QB at ND, no one would bat an eye at this.

 

[Giddyup]

Carr and whoever is catching the ball should be reprimanded

 

[allenm5333]

Seems like a big nothing burger that is being over analyzed because there is no real drama to sort through so far. Now if he starts ripping cigs on the bench in between series, then I’ll get excited.

Burrow ripped cigars after games…

 

[allenm5333]

Hobbs only played Nickel last year? Or are you distinguishing his snaps from competitive snaps

And it was one practice lol. They may know Hobbs is cb3 and need to find out who cb4 is to determine redshirts and special teams

 

[Blazers46]

Guys, some people dont know about the ND Outlet store on Ironwood near Angela. Went there while son was at ND Soccer ID camp and got some great deals.

Augie’s or is there another one?