Blue & Gold Observations/Reflections

[Kansas Irish]

Granted, this is only a scrimmage and we won't see the season's game play but what are the some of the observations and/or concerns?

So far:

Hendrix - Great arm strength, fair accuracy but looks like he could be read easier by the secondary

Golson - Quick release, good footwork. My concern, as I've seen so far and from the vids from practice, is the one hand grip on the ball during the scramble and run. Credit though the ball is on the outside.

Rees - business as usual

Ishaq - his awareness appears to have improved. With his size, he can be a greater force this year.

GA - finesse runner, quick, can gain those extra couple with his second efforts.

Theo - agile, will be a great asset for the screen

 

[NDPhilly]

Golson>Hendrix>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Rees

 

[Irish Fam]

Golson>Hendrix>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Rees

This.

 

[koonja]

Does anyone have a link? NBC isn't showing it in Milwaukee and apparently I'm retarded and can't find it online.

 

[Zwidmanio]

Does anyone have a link? NBC isn't showing it in Milwaukee and apparently I'm retarded and can't find it online.

Did you look at NBC Sports? Also, it should be on UND.com.

Aside from that, Golson looked a bit better than I was expecting given what I'd heard out of spring practice. If he learns to hold on to the ball I think he'd be my pick.

Both Hendrix and Rees looked serviceable.

The little that I saw of Gunner, he looked like a true freshman/high school senior but it's easy to see his potential. If it were all about arm and body type, he'd be ready to go. Exciting that we'll have that ability at the QB position the next few years.

 

[Kansas Irish]

I agree with Philly. Golson had a few throws off the back foot but made up for that with power and accuracy. Mobility is great. I've also watched a few T. Rice highlights-just sayin'.

Him and GA, to me, proved the most. I couldn't tell who on D stood out most though.

 

[Downinthebend]

Tommy Reese must NEVER run the speed option again, I've seen the other two times hes done it and its not pretty.

Another observation I'd like to point out, is that the coaching staff really loves Ben Koyack as a lead blocker. He motioned into an H-back-ish position at least 10 times (when under center). ND hasn't used many shotgun lead block formation either.

Also Tommy Reese "What the ****!"

And Robby Paris didn't block the first WR screen well, infact he just kinda let his "target" through, maybe the play was intended to go outside and he went inside?

And Golson cursed, NBC needs to not mike (mic?) our players, or delay it lol.

And Golson needs to work on throwing those tunnel screens, (so far in my rewatch) hes threw 3 and two of them the receiver needed to jump up and grab the ball.

Another interesting thing, is that ND almost always runs the speed option off of a linebacker, other teams like Florida under Tebow ran it off of the defensive tackle in order to get a quicker pitch to the RB. I think this might mean they want Golson and Hendrix (and sometimes Reese?) getting their athleticism out on the edge.

Reese cursed a second time.

I don't know whether to happy or sad that we threw so many fades in the endzone, yet didn't complete one against our (new) coverage.

 

[t3hjc]

I wrote an article on the Blue-Gold Game and what I think it means for the quarterback situation. I'd be appreciative of anyone who checks it out.

luis castillo can die in a fire: Blue-Gold Game Provides Clarity to ND QB Controversy

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

Rewatching the spring game now.
Anyone else notice on the reverse Golson throws a chip block on Tuitt

 

[peoriairish]

Yup. Loved the effort. That means the kid is giving his all and really wants to win that starting gig. It's good to see.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

Did it again on Carlo. On GAIII cut back.
For the knocks on his size I love seeing a smaller QB step into the big uglies like that.

 

[peoriairish]

Yeah. They were making comments all day about this in regards to GAIII too. About him being so strong and physical for his size. Coaches are doing something right up there in South Bend. Teaching the kids to play tough, physical football.

 

[GreatGolson]

liked: RBs (especially Atkinson) Hendrix/ Golson both showing improvements (slight edge for me goes to Hendrix) D-line had some good rushes. Eifert, riddick
being explosive
disliked: TURNOVERS, Tommy being tommy, defensive secondary, miscues on offense.

overall i was mildly impressed, hopefull they can work out the bugs, pick a QB and win some
games next season

 

[Downinthebend]

On Golson's first speed option, he was reading the OLB on his side. If the OLB played him, he would pitch it to the RB, if the OLB played the RB he would run free. Wr #97 (who is this?) failed to block the CB, and the CB took the RB leaving golson with a pitch read. Golson recognized that the pitch was taken away and thus just sorta trucked the OLB instead of forcing the pitch. This was a smart play and a play that signifies his high awareness (or maybe his comfort level in running the speed option?)

Also one thing about the playactions (a couple of them out of shotgun) is the Oline blocking doesn't always look like a run, even though the QB will do a playfake. Noel Mazzone (former ASU and current UCLA OC) always makes sure to make his play actions look like his runs, because he wants to trick the defense as much as possible

Also we're still throwing those swing passes as laterals.

 

[magogian]

I haven't heard anyone talk about Kendal Moore yet. I thought he looked pretty good, very active. He seemed right in the middle of the action and making lots of plays.

 

[NDPhilly]

I thought Kendall Moore looked a little tubby to be honest.

 

[Riddickulous]

Very discouraged that we haven't hammered out our turnover and clock management issues.

Otherwise, it's a spring game. Not terribly excited or depressed over what I saw today.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

How many spring game threads do we need???

 

[clashmore_mike]

3-4 more should suffice

 

[Downinthebend]

Two less than our QB threads.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I haven't heard anyone talk about Kendal Moore yet. I thought he looked pretty good, very active. He seemed right in the middle of the action and making lots of plays.

I was just about to write something with the phrase "chip on his shoulder" but you obviously beat me to the observation.

 

[stlnd01]

I thought Kendall Moore looked a little tubby to be honest.

Funny I thought the same thing when they had a close-up on him dancing after one of his tackles. Especially if he's supposed to be the same position as Teo. Moore's built almost more like a d-end.
Speaking of heavy, Schwenke's enormous.
And where was Chase Hounshell? Don't think I heard his name once.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Funny I thought the same thing when they had a close-up on him dancing after one of his tackles. Especially if he's supposed to be the same position as Teo. Moore's built almost more like a d-end.
Speaking of heavy, Schwenke's enormous.
And where was Chase Hounshell? Don't think I heard his name once.

Hounshell was injured and didn't play the entire spring...

 

[returnofthemack]

How many spring game threads do we need???

Did you lose your signature line? Tommy can't lose his number 1 cheerleader! Then he'll only have Kelly left.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Funny I thought the same thing when they had a close-up on him dancing after one of his tackles. Especially if he's supposed to be the same position as Teo. Moore's built almost more like a d-end.
Speaking of heavy, Schwenke's enormous.
And where was Chase Hounshell? Don't think I heard his name once.

Fit or fat, there was a few plays where his instincts navigated him right to the tackle -- e.g., that second series(?) power-o where Cierre looked like he was choosing/dancing(?) between two different holes and Moore played it perfectly & made the tackle.

It was enough to prompt a "Ctrl F" 8 on the online roster for me.

Let's not forget what Brian Cox taught the world -- instincts beats not breaking 5.0 in the 40.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

How many spring game threads do we need???

I'd feel comfortable with no less than 4 and no more than 6..

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

You're welcome

First have ND spring game
Second half ND spring game

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

You're welcome

First have ND spring game
Second half ND spring game

It must have been so difficult to find.. thanks for all the leg work

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Is this thread germane?