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Plenty of mysteries with Irish defense
But offense finally finding stability under new coach Weis' influence
By Avani Patel
Tribune staff reporter
April 22, 2005
For the last five years it has toiled in the shadows of the drama that is the Notre Dame offense, strong, steady and reliable. This season, though, the bedrock may need a boost. As the Irish finish off their first spring practice under new coach Charlie Weis in Saturday's annual Blue-Gold game, it is the defense that has had to search for answers, plug holes and pin its hopes on untested talent for the first time in a long time.
Since the 2000 season, the Irish offense has suffered through seemingly endless uncertainty, cycling through five quarterbacks, several offensive coordinators and numerous schematic changes. Notre Dame has run an option offense, a West Coast offense and a hybrid, none of them consistently well.
But with 10 returning starters, including third-year starting quarterback Brady Quinn, tailback Darius Walker and an experienced offensive line, the offense looks robust.
Add the expertise of Weis, with his multiple Super Bowl rings awarded for leading the New England Patriots offense, and expectations are on the rise.
The defense is much more of a question mark, returning only three starters from a unit that allowed 88.2 rushing yards per game last season, fourth best in the country.
Can the defense simultaneously adjust to a new coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Rick Minter, and retool itself effectively?
Yes, said linebacker Brandon Hoyte, Notre Dame's most productive defensive player last season with 74 tackles.
"I think the Notre Dame tradition of a hard-hitting defense and a defense that really flies to the ball will [be evident]," Hoyte said.
But it also will have a new face. Notre Dame loses both defensive ends, including school career sacks leader Justin Tuck. Also gone are a tackle, two of its three starting linebackers and most of a secondary that ranked 116th in the country against the pass last season.
Arlington Heights product Tom Zbikowski, a hard-hitting safety who finished the 2004 season with 70 tackles, will anchor a revamped secondary, with either Chinedum Ndukwe or Freddie Parrish IV lining up in the other safety spot.
The cornerback position will be a bigger question mark, with Mike Richardson and Ambrose Wooden the likely candidates to replace 2004 starters Dwight Ellick and Preston Jackson.
What's the first step to improving the pass defense?
"Simply just make plays," Hoyte said. "Last year we were in position, but I don't think we made plays."
Hoyte is likely to anchor the linebacking corps alongside Chicago product Corey Mays. Several candidates, including Nick Borseti and Joe Brockington, will compete for the final starting linebacker spot.
The interior of the line will be anchored by senior nose guard Derek Landri, who had 40 tackles in 2004. Landri will receive inside help from defensive tackle Brian Beidatsch and defensive lineman Trevor Laws.
While the Irish certainly will miss Tuck's production, junior pass rushing specialist Victor Abiamiri should handle one end spot capably. Travis Leitko and Chris Frome are the most experienced of the group vying for the other starting position.
The Irish, Zbikowski said, have the talent to overcome their relative lack of experience. And, he added, turning the old adage on its head, this season, Notre Dame's best defense will be an excellent offense.
"We have to go against the offense [in practice], and we know that we're not going to have to carry any games," Zbikowski said. "That doesn't mean we can slack [off]. As long as we make big plays and get the offense the ball, we're going to be fine."
But offense finally finding stability under new coach Weis' influence
By Avani Patel
Tribune staff reporter
April 22, 2005
For the last five years it has toiled in the shadows of the drama that is the Notre Dame offense, strong, steady and reliable. This season, though, the bedrock may need a boost. As the Irish finish off their first spring practice under new coach Charlie Weis in Saturday's annual Blue-Gold game, it is the defense that has had to search for answers, plug holes and pin its hopes on untested talent for the first time in a long time.
Since the 2000 season, the Irish offense has suffered through seemingly endless uncertainty, cycling through five quarterbacks, several offensive coordinators and numerous schematic changes. Notre Dame has run an option offense, a West Coast offense and a hybrid, none of them consistently well.
But with 10 returning starters, including third-year starting quarterback Brady Quinn, tailback Darius Walker and an experienced offensive line, the offense looks robust.
Add the expertise of Weis, with his multiple Super Bowl rings awarded for leading the New England Patriots offense, and expectations are on the rise.
The defense is much more of a question mark, returning only three starters from a unit that allowed 88.2 rushing yards per game last season, fourth best in the country.
Can the defense simultaneously adjust to a new coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Rick Minter, and retool itself effectively?
Yes, said linebacker Brandon Hoyte, Notre Dame's most productive defensive player last season with 74 tackles.
"I think the Notre Dame tradition of a hard-hitting defense and a defense that really flies to the ball will [be evident]," Hoyte said.
But it also will have a new face. Notre Dame loses both defensive ends, including school career sacks leader Justin Tuck. Also gone are a tackle, two of its three starting linebackers and most of a secondary that ranked 116th in the country against the pass last season.
Arlington Heights product Tom Zbikowski, a hard-hitting safety who finished the 2004 season with 70 tackles, will anchor a revamped secondary, with either Chinedum Ndukwe or Freddie Parrish IV lining up in the other safety spot.
The cornerback position will be a bigger question mark, with Mike Richardson and Ambrose Wooden the likely candidates to replace 2004 starters Dwight Ellick and Preston Jackson.
What's the first step to improving the pass defense?
"Simply just make plays," Hoyte said. "Last year we were in position, but I don't think we made plays."
Hoyte is likely to anchor the linebacking corps alongside Chicago product Corey Mays. Several candidates, including Nick Borseti and Joe Brockington, will compete for the final starting linebacker spot.
The interior of the line will be anchored by senior nose guard Derek Landri, who had 40 tackles in 2004. Landri will receive inside help from defensive tackle Brian Beidatsch and defensive lineman Trevor Laws.
While the Irish certainly will miss Tuck's production, junior pass rushing specialist Victor Abiamiri should handle one end spot capably. Travis Leitko and Chris Frome are the most experienced of the group vying for the other starting position.
The Irish, Zbikowski said, have the talent to overcome their relative lack of experience. And, he added, turning the old adage on its head, this season, Notre Dame's best defense will be an excellent offense.
"We have to go against the offense [in practice], and we know that we're not going to have to carry any games," Zbikowski said. "That doesn't mean we can slack [off]. As long as we make big plays and get the offense the ball, we're going to be fine."
