‘21 AL QB Riley Leonard (Duke Transfer - Notre Dame Verbal)

[HouseofPain]

Just saying...if RL is starting the next couple of games, then someone really needs to question why MF is still HC.

 

[irishff1014]

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Before this still shot he had 2 open guys but he chose to run.

 

[tussin]

You can call me a boomer and bookmark this post for next January when ND is a top-3 playoff favorite.

We are not going to win a national championship with Riley Leonard... or any grad transfer QB. We should have let Angeli, Michey, and Carr compete for the job. IMO, the benefit of Leonard will be (maybe) one win at the cost of a year of development for those guys (who may end up transferring because the coaches don't believe in them).

If ND really wants to get in the QB transfer game, we should be going after freshman 5-stars like Ewers and Fields and not these one-year rentals.

Posted December 2023. ND has screwed itself at the QB position.

 

[T Town Tommy]

At some point in the season, Leonard is going to have to throw the ball downfield. Better defenses will stop the run and take the edge away from him running. I just haven't seen anything from Leonard yet that tells me he can do that consistently. With the questions on the OL with the injuries mounting, the pressure is even more now. How Leonard reacts will determine if the Irish can make a run.

 

[irishnd31]

Yeah I agree that RL needs to throw downfield but I kind of liked that ND stuck to what was working all game. Don’t do something just to prove you are able. Win the game and dominate is what I wanted and I am pleased. The things everyone is worried about will come.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Yeah I agree that RL needs to throw downfield but I kind of liked that ND stuck to what was working all game. Don’t do something just to prove you are able. Win the game and dominate is what I wanted and I am pleased. The things everyone is worried about will come.

Oh.. I agree. Sorry if it came off as a bit negative. Get a bounce back win doing what you do best. Now work on the things you need to and keep trying to improve. One week at a time.

 

[NDFAN2008]

He’s good enough to beat most of the teams left on our roster but you will need a throwing QB to get by UL or USC

 

[NDFAN2008]

Next year is gonna look different what happens?
Say Minchey, Angeli and Carr all battle. Carr wins then Minchey and Angeli transfer? Your backup is whoever they bring in the 2025 class or a transfer backup?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

He’s good enough to beat most of the teams left on our roster but you will need a throwing QB to get by UL or USC

I’m SHOCKED that Purdue didn’t run blitz all game. Have the safeties crash the edges and our offense cannot function.
I don’t expect any other team left on the schedule to make this mistake as long as 13 is starting.

I’d prefer 18 starting with 13 coming in on “Tebow” type packages.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Next year is gonna look different what happens?
Say Minchey, Angeli and Carr all battle. Carr wins then Minchey and Angeli transfer? Your backup is whoever they bring in the 2025 class or a transfer backup?

Another great reason to have TB on this team. He might be the backup next year.

 

[ThePiombino]

I’m SHOCKED that Purdue didn’t run blitz all game. Have the safeties crash the edges and our offense cannot function.
I don’t expect any other team left on the schedule to make this mistake as long as 13 is starting.

I’d prefer 18 starting with 13 coming in on “Tebow” type packages.

Yep, I was calling for a Leak/Tebow offense going forward (this is assuming there is an obligation to play RL).

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I’m SHOCKED that Purdue didn’t run blitz all game. Have the safeties crash the edges and our offense cannot function.
I don’t expect any other team left on the schedule to make this mistake as long as 13 is starting.

I’d prefer 18 starting with 13 coming in on “Tebow” type packages.

Upon first watch of the game, it appeared they didn’t have to blitz. I’ll have to rewatch but it seemed RL was leaving the pocket on designed plays to get his receivers open in space & maybe knowing he wasn’t a threat as a pocket passer as proven last weekend. He plays street ball in that if if his primary target isn’t open, he’s running.

 

[DillonHall]

It's a long season, just gotta take it one week at a time. I'd be surprised if Leonard finishes the season as the starter (unless Angeli gets hurt)

 

[mrmcgrail]

When they roll him out like that it's pretty much a one read throw he's throwing that out to Collins or to the tight end when they send him in motion like that. That's what's got me so down on him is the coaching staff knows he can't read the defense this is stuff we put in when I was coaching HS freshmen

 

[Giddyup]

It’s like he’s got football dyslexia or is so very uncomfortable throwing.

 

[ThePiombino]

Remember when height was the reason our starting quarterbacks couldn't read the field? Ah, the good old days!

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[MacIrish75]

Yeah I agree that RL needs to throw downfield but I kind of liked that ND stuck to what was working all game. Don’t do something just to prove you are able. Win the game and dominate is what I wanted and I am pleased. The things everyone is worried about will come.

There were legitimately (that I can recall) at least four routes with downfield concepts that RL had open at times and he just refused to throw it. His eyes drop to the pass rush and his feet are never in a position for him to make that throw. Watch how wide his base gets sometimes—they don’t teach that anywhere, that’s just straight panic.

 

[stlnd01]

There were legitimately (that I can recall) at least four routes with downfield concepts that RL had open at times and he just refused to throw it. His eyes drop to the pass rush and his feet are never in a position for him to make that throw. Watch how wide his base gets sometimes—they don’t teach that anywhere, that’s just straight panic.

What gets me is that this is his third year as a starting quarterback, his fourth with significant playing time. How has he not gotten better at this?
I get missing spring ball at his new team and being out of sync with the WRs. But what we're seeing from is well beyond that.

 

[stpeteirish]

Some problems coachable, others not. Better improve quickly or Freeman is on the clock for using the wrong guy

 

[DillonHall]

Some problems coachable, others not. Better improve quickly or Freeman is on the clock for using the wrong guy

He's never been a good passer, that's not changing anytime soon IMO. I was a big Leonard supporter but the evidence is overwhelming

 

[PigtownIrish]

Even if he was an average passer it would work

 

[BobbyMac]

He's never been a good passer.

If he was passing at his Soph levels you'd be thrilled. @3000 yds, 64%, 20 TD vs 6 Ints on top of his 700 yds/13 TD's rushing.

That said:
Either he needs to start click or they need to start tweakin the line-up/snaps in whatever fashion produces positive results.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Honestly, at the rate they're running him and his durability history, I don't expect him to last the season anyway.

 

[NDWarrior]

Honestly, at the rate they're running him and his durability history, I don't expect him to last the season anyway.

Yep, Tim Tebow or Blake Bell is not he

 

[Luckylucci]

If he was passing at his Soph levels you'd be thrilled. @3000 yds, 64%, 20 TD vs 6 Ints on top of his 700 yds/13 TD's rushing.

That said:
Either he needs to start click or they need to start tweakin the line-up/snaps in whatever fashion produces positive results.

Those stats are quite misleading. He was straight garbage throwing the ball in multiple games that season. ND loses those games if we’re playing anyone good on those days. I would not be thrilled with a redux of his Sophomore campaign.

 

[NDWarrior]

We're in trouble... Riley Leonard explains the difference between this week and last for Notre Dame

 

[DillonHall]

Those stats are quite misleading. He was straight garbage throwing the ball in multiple games that season. ND loses those games if we’re playing anyone good on those days. I would not be thrilled with a redux of his Sophomore campaign.

Yeah if you looked at just his stats from the Purdue game, you'd think he was dicing up the defense with his arm

 

[irishandy]

Is Freeman & Denbrock not concerned that Leonard cannot pass the ball? As some point this season Leonard is going to need to make some passes.

As a fan I don't remember being this concerned about our passing game with an experience QB.

 

[BobbyMac]

Those stats are quite misleading. He was straight garbage throwing the ball in multiple games that season. ND loses those games if we’re playing anyone good on those days. I would not be thrilled with a redux of his Sophomore campaign.

I don't think so. I actually re-looked at his '22 stats before posting this morning. He had 1 straight garbage game in a loss at GT. Besides that, as a whole, I could only wish he's that good the rest of this season... as compared to what he's done through 3 games thus far.

 

[Giddyup]

He needs to go see a sports psychologist and get his nuts back