BVG came from the pros, and with that came the lack of tackling fundamentals. I actually think it wouldn't be half bad if the defense wrapped up. ( after watching Monday's game) I think it was 24 or 25 missed tackles for ND defense. I don't mind that blitz heavy defense but you have to mitigate huge gains by solid tackling, and playing at a high tempo. I don't think ND has the depth to play at that high intense tempo. Just an opinion from a fan. First time poster, been following off and on for afew years now. Glad to have finally signed up.
24. That is the official number.
It is really clear from anyone who watched the progression of training camp that tackling drills were emphasized every day. All the time. This was a well coached fundamental camp all the way around. However, in 11 on 11, wrapping was more often than not used to signal the end of the play.
This was probably done because of incredible injuries over the last several seasons; nagging injuries to a thin defensive backfield (Studstill, etc.,) nagging injury, players returning from injury, and stupidity, at running back (Adams, Folston, and Williams respectively); and a few linebackers and defensive linemen with whom the staff wanted maximum healing before being subjected to the fire of live action.
The crux of your post is the conundrum ND defense has been wrapped in. Forget about BVG. There is not enough play ready defensive talent, across the board, due to injuries, stupidity regarding behavioral choices, recruiting play ready recruits, or recruits that develop into stars, like Isaac Rochell. ND just doesn't have the legs among defensive recruits.
And when you want to get back to it, to the Texas game, I maintain we haven't seen what is going to happen this year, even with the first game in the book :
- Texas oft fielded an offensive backfield in the game where the little guy was 247, and they all had speed comparable to any backs ND will face this year;
- This is the first game, it was played in a sweatbox, you always risk tired legs versus under preparation, week 1;
- Clearly, seven or more players, including Nick Coleman who played a lot of corner, were not prepared for their first game with extensive experience under the lights in Austin in front of 100k of burnt orange fans out for bloody revenge.
- Future contributors that ND needs now, but won't be ready for disciplinary actions, maturity, development, experience, etc., are freshman : Studstill, Elliot, Love, Vaugh, and Hayes; sophomores, or redshirt freshmen : Watkins, Coleman, Coney, Bilal, any other linebacker, White, and even Crawford (on a few plays.)
- Talk about little game experience. It hit the O-line and the D-line especially hard. Look at all the players like Jones, Tillery, Cage, and Taylor who had some really outstanding plays, but showed overall inconsistency. (When it comes to Jones, compare the number of starts he has had compared to Rochell, see? And rust, to boot!)
- Don't look now, but Texas is looking like a serious Big12 contender to me, not only with what the players were and did on the field, but how incredibly good the coaching was.
- Because of the above, I am thinking this may be the best/toughest opening game ND has faced in my lifetime. I can't come up with anything close except a Michigan and Purdue game back in the day.
The same thing happened with the offense under Weis. The fundamentals got worse every year.
Really? Do you really believe that?
First. ND's defense was a hot mess under Weis. Worse than replacing DC's every year or so at the beginning, was toward the end when he just added to the shit-show of ass-clowns he had instead of firing (replacing) them.
I can tell you that protective orders were filed among defensive staff against each other about the time Jack Swarbrick came in as AD. I could also tell you there was a lot worse, stuff that might curl your hair, but I won't. I know of at least three other posters that know these stories, maybe more accurately than I, so they can tell them if they want.
Suffice it to say that there is no comparison between the situation under Charlie, and BK.
And by the way, what the fuck metrics are you using to show that the defense is worse, or that the fundamentals are worse every year?
Even giving up 50 points, and a loss, I saw more sound defensive play, all around, other than tackling, the fact that we didn't have one game ready safety who could play deep, and the fact that we had some rookie corners get beat deep. Lineplay is way better this year than ever.
I'll just wait for the Huskies to can Diaco, and give BVG type money to draw Diaco back.
Too wishful of thinking?
And i know i've read the beginning of this thread, bunch of Diaco Downers.
Why would you want someone back that didn't want to be here? I suppose he would have stayed if the would have begged him to be head coach; but do you really want to replace BK as head coach with a guy with a record like Bobby D's?
Bobby D had luck with the defense in '12, but grade him on '13, his fourth year. Without those players he was nothing special. And he spectacularly and incredibly sucked as a recruiting coordinator. Which was part of the problem ND has had since he left. There are plenty of stories about Bobby with his recruiting hat on that support his general recruiting ineptitude, but others can share them if they want.
Remember Te'o, Chocolate, and Kappy were the biggest reasons that the '12 defense was so bodacious; and Diaco had nothing to do with their recruitment. His biggest recruiting success by far was Ishaq Williams.
I cringed every time a Bama defender hit someone from SC. The hits were violent and vicious. I can't recall seeing someone from ND laying the wood like that in years.
Alabama can shit 5-star defenders from every position. That is the secret to their defense in my opinion. The fact is Bama is so talent rich that if they don't have roughly a half-dozen take medicals, or transfer out, they cannot make the 85 player limit.
So who cares? Have them hit viciously in practice! So when it comes to game time, that is all they know!
As far as ND players that have done okay hitting : Smith, Russel, Farley, Te'o, Rochell, Okwara, Onwualu (Texas particularly), Tranquil (against the option), Martini, MORGAN, and a few others.
Yet he has let this go on for 3 years. Some of the worst defense in the history of ND. So, I really thing like I said before, bk and his ego won't allow admitting a mistake on the hire. He may have done it earlier in his nd career, now the ego and stubbornness won't allow it. The last three games are historically horrific, but so many have been. Nothing will happen we will have to accept that. But, fans have to hold him accountable. Not go crazy and think they should be perfect or the best. But, historically horrific isn't acceptable. And saying relax, tap the breaks is offending. Especially when this has been going on and not getting better. Not better at all just look at the last three games it has gotten progressively worse to horrific.
The highlighted text is blatantly false. Your exaggeration of your egregious hyperbole is appalling. So much so that it negates any point you are trying to make.
And I love how you can psychoanalyze Brian Kelly so adeptly. We must get together and chat so I can pick up tips from you!
Regardless of the fact that horrific is a key word in Donald Trumps lexicon, it should be banned.
Holding accountable? I think ND fans should be held accountable! I have seen some unbelievable bull shit since the Texas game. I want to ask some of these so called Irish fans, if any of their personal behavior ever gives them pause, like, are they capable of being embarrassed by any thing the do.
I believe this is a real problem in America to day. To many shit-for-brains are so arrogant that they think their rights include them trumpeting their own selves and agenda's over everyone else, others rights be damned.
For anyone that agrees that somehow, Brian Kelly needs to be held accountable to fans, you need to do one of three things : Get over yourselves; get a working brain; or buy the University of Notre Dame Football program. You heard me. No one is more accountable than Brian Kelly. Not only does him continuing as football coach depend on every decision he makes, (Yes Virginia, BK is only accountable to his boss, Jack Swarbrick, his bosses boss, Father Jenkins, and the university board, not any combination of fans.)
And to complete dissecting your tirade, how do you know things aren't going to get better. Is college football really like pro-wrestling, where the fix is in? And you know the script? Or are you just a defeatist with a whole heap of football acumen, and a supercomputer for a brain where you have calculated the odds of each permutation occurring?
