General team info

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good Morning In The Stadium<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/doonemore?src=hash">#doonemore</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishStrong?src=hash">#IrishStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/er8VNGQPUf">pic.twitter.com/er8VNGQPUf</a></p>— Notre Dame Strength (@NDFBStrength) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFBStrength/status/751389852478963712">July 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Bogtrotter07]

Pretty good Q&A between Hansen and BK. Good info on the coaching staff and analyst positions. In particular about BVG, Denbrock, Sanford, Jeff Quinn and Jeff Burris. Also touches on a few other topics.


A revealing Q&A with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly - Notre Dame Insider: Notre Dame Football

AMEN!

There has been a lot coming out just recently that really explains a lot about what goes on at ND.

With all that has come out, I still haven't seen a final disposition of the frozen five.

BK has detailed the whole offensive play calling configuration from last year, and indicated that it has already evolved past that? Interesting!

The two best (or at least, most telling statements) from Brian Kelly lately :

• In his opinion it is most important that the next ND head coach have head coaching experience;
• Brian Kelly finds twitter followers, that act like they know each other and are besties, absolutely creepy.

 

[PANDFAN]

Pretty good Q&A between Hansen and BK. Good info on the coaching staff and analyst positions. In particular about BVG, Denbrock, Sanford, Jeff Quinn and Jeff Burris. Also touches on a few other topics.


A revealing Q&A with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly - Notre Dame Insider: Notre Dame Football

We’re getting to where we want to be, but 70-something in run defense is not going to fly after this year.”

 

[irishfan]

http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2016_Top_40_Countdown/09_Notre_Dame.pdf

Phil Steele ND breakdown. ND #9 in his rankings.

 

[koonja]

http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2016_Top_40_Countdown/09_Notre_Dame.pdf

Phil Steele ND breakdown. ND #9 in his rankings.

We only return 4 starters on offense and 5 on D? Damn, I never counted it out but that sounds shitty.

 

[Crazy Balki]

We only return 4 starters on offense and 5 on D? Damn, I never counted it out but that sounds shitty.

To be fair, most of those 12 positions have starters with legitimate playing experience. Silver lining to all the injuries over the last 2 years.

 

[GreyWorm]

My best guess:

LT
Mike McGlinchey
Jimmy Bryne
Tommy Kraemer

LG
Quenton Nelson
Trevor Ruhland
Mark Harell
Liam Eichenberg/P-Money

C
Sam Mustipher
Tristen Hoge
Mark Harell

RG
Hunter Bivin
Colin McGovern
Tristen Hoge
Mark Harell
P-Money/Liam Eichenberg

RT
Alex Bars
Colin McGovern
Tommy Kraemer
Liam Eichenberg


.

Kraemer at left tackle and Eichenberg at guard? Interesting.

 

[arrowryan]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-in-notre-dame-stanford/

1. Notre Dame
Despite the losses of Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin to the NFL draft, I believe the Irish will have the premier college offensive line in 2016. Led by Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame has the talent to be a dominant group.

I recently took a trip to South Bend to watch practice and workouts and was amazed by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand’s efforts to use the “KISS” formula. Keeping it short and simple is what the Irish o-line looks to do, and they do it well. Using an old-school style of running off the ball blended with a modern style zone blocking allows the Notre Dame line to utilize their talent up front to create seams for their talented ball carriers.

Their favorite play — the “outside zone” — is a prime example. The offensive line looks to reach the defenders and if unable, they use the defense’s momentum against them and continue to run the defender creating those seams for the backs. Notre Dame had +61.6 run block rating and +18.1 pass block rating in 2015 and I have no doubt they will be among the top in both categories this season.

 

[Legacy]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-in-notre-dame-stanford/

Article cited by arrowryan is from Pro Football Focus, titled NOTRE DAME LEADS RANKING OF 10 BEST O-LINES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: PFF's offensive line analyst shares the 10 best O-lines returning to the field in 2016

The top Ten
1. Notre Dame
2. Stanford
3. Appy St
4. USC
5. LSU
6. Washington State
7. Indiana
8. Auburn
9. West Virginia
10. Florida State

Also from PFF
WHAT PFF GRADES SAY ABOUT THE NATION’S TOP QB BATTLES
Kizer or Zaire? Morris or O'Korn? Jeff Dooley takes a look at the numbers and provides a verdict for each school.

DEFENSE WILL DECIDE NOTRE DAME’S 2016 SEASON
Mike Renner breaks down the Fighting Irish roster, and identifies which players will step up for departed draft talent.
(An analysis of Notre Dame for 2016)

The Fighting Irish were 30 seconds away from a trip to the College Football Playoff last season. Instead, a defense that had been shaky all year long yielded 45 yards in 24 seconds before Stanford sent them to the Fiesta Bowl with a 45-yard field goal. It was a tough way to send off seven players who ended up in the first four rounds of the 2016 NFL draft, but Notre Dame now has the even tougher task of replacing that talent. How will they fill those roster holes and will they have enough to once again be in the playoff picture? Let’s take a look.

 

[GoIrish41]

Article is from Pro Football Focus, titled NOTRE DAME LEADS RANKING OF 10 BEST O-LINES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL: PFF's offensive line analyst shares the 10 best O-lines returning to the field in 2016

The top Ten
1. Notre Dame
2. Stanford
3. Appy St
4. USC
5. LSU
6. Washington State
7. Indiana
8. Auburn
9. West Virginia
10. Florida State

Also from PFF
WHAT PFF GRADES SAY ABOUT THE NATION’S TOP QB BATTLES
Kizer or Zaire? Morris or O'Korn? Jeff Dooley takes a look at the numbers and provides a verdict for each school.

DEFENSE WILL DECIDE NOTRE DAME’S 2016 SEASON
Mike Renner breaks down the Fighting Irish roster, and identifies which players will step up for departed draft talent.
(An analysis of Notre Dame for 2016)

App St. With the third best line? Wow. Go Mountaineers!

 

[Domina Nostra]

App St. With the third best line? Wow. Go Mountaineers!

Our line is barely better than Appalachian State this year.

 

[NDohio]

Our line is barely better than Appalachian State this year.

LOL - New thread on NDNation!

 

[NDdomer2]

Has anyone found any good schedule edits for desktop backgrounds. My google search has only produced 1 or 2 with any type of quality.

 

[Irish Man3]

My best guess on the offensive line:

LT: McGlinchey
LG: Nelson
C: Mustipher
RG: Kramer
RT: Bars

It's very important in my opinion, that Kramer comes in and grabs the RG spot. He has Q Nelson written all over him. Dude is a mauler and will be an AA.

The left side of the line is the best in the country. Period. What a great run ND has had on the left side since Martin/Watt.

Mustipher is my only reservation. Hoge had a terrible spring and I almost feel like the C spot was dropped in the lap of big Sam.

I don't see Liam Eichenberg as a guard like some of you. I think he is a pure tackle and his footwork will keep him on the outside. Obviously he's not the 6'6+ beast that ND is used to over the last few years but Z Martin says that's ok.

 

[GBdomer]

If a freshman is starting at RG this season I have lost a little hope. We have recruited the O line and developed the Oline so well that I don't want to see a freshman in there. As talented as Kraemer is and his time will come but Hunter Bivin locked up that job over the spring and I have a hard time seeing a guy who has been in the program for four years and knows the playbook giving it up to a guy who will have 15 or so practices under his belt.

 

[ulukinatme]

If a freshman is starting at RG this season I have lost a little hope. We have recruited the O line and developed the Oline so well that I don't want to see a freshman in there. As talented as Kraemer is and his time will come but Hunter Bivin locked up that job over the spring and I have a hard time seeing a guy who has been in the program for four years and knows the playbook giving it up to a guy who will have 15 or so practices under his belt.

I have to agree with this. I wouldn't necessarily "lose hope," but it would be a bit disappointing if Kraemer came in and unseated any of the upperclassmen. It's not like we've been recruiting poorly on the OL the last 3-4 years. We've got the horses, Kraemer would have to come in an absolute freak to unseat the older guys and start as a freshman...and he's good, but not that good. Freshman OL need to sit a year at least to get stronger and learn. Even as a Sophmore you're ideally not a starter on the OL unless you're a monster like Nelson.

 

[woolybug25]

Ha. Kraemer will not be starting this year outside of catastrophic injuries.

 

[Green Blood]

Ha. Kraemer will not be starting this year outside of catastrophic injuries.

Agreed! There is way too much talent for Kraemer to start as a Freshman.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Ha. Kraemer will not be starting this year outside of catastrophic injuries.

So, we can pencil in Kraemer as the starter by week 3 then? (sorta italics)

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

If a freshman is starting at RG this season I have lost a little hope. We have recruited the O line and developed the Oline so well that I don't want to see a freshman in there. As talented as Kraemer is and his time will come but Hunter Bivin locked up that job over the spring and I have a hard time seeing a guy who has been in the program for four years and knows the playbook giving it up to a guy who will have 15 or so practices under his belt.

I agree 100% my brutha. Kramer WILL redshirt. He won't even be a "swing guy." Bivin will start at RV and if I understand correctly, Hoge will be behind him and McGovern is very capable to get in there if called upon. I'm certain all 3 Freshman OL will be Redshirted.
Go Irish!

 

[EddytoNow]

So, we can pencil in Kraemer as the starter by week 3 then? (sorta italics)

If he can play defense. The front seven on defense has a recent history of season-ending injuries. The offensive line has stayed pretty healthy in comparison.

 

[arrowryan]

Per Our Lads, this is the 2-deep as of July 5th. There are a couple takeaways from it:

-Alize Jones is listed as a receiver. That isn't very surprising though because I think he'll play a similar role as Devin Funchess.
-Kraemer and Eichenberg are already in the 2 deep. So is Ruhland
-Folston is "ahead" of Josh Adams. We all know its a 1A and 1B situation.
-Daelin Hayes is in the 2-deep behind Trumbetti, not Hayes.
-Elijah Taylor is Jones' backup.
-Tevon Coney is starting ahead of Bilal.
-Studstill is still ahead of Redfield.

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

 

[NDShark]

Per Our Lads, this is the 2-deep as of July 5th. There are a couple takeaways from it:

-Alize Jones is listed as a receiver. That isn't very surprising though because I think he'll play a similar role as Devin Funchess.
-Kraemer and Eichenberg are already in the 2 deep. So is Ruhland
-Folston is "ahead" of Josh Adams. We all know its a 1A and 1B situation.
-Daelin Hayes is in the 2-deep behind Trumbetti, not Hayes.
-Elijah Taylor is Jones' backup.
-Tevon Coney is starting ahead of Bilal.
-Studstill is still ahead of Redfield.

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

I haven't heard of that site before. Dat source credible? If so, very interesting takes. Of course, it's always possible Kelly is publicizing something like this to light fires under certain asses (re: Redfield).

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Any word on how Kareem looks so far? I hope the staff is smart if you aren't gonna redshirt him then play him. Don't waste him for 2-3 snaps a game then sit the next game.

 

[woolybug25]

Any word on how Kareem looks so far? I hope the staff is smart if you aren't gonna redshirt him then play him. Don't waste him for 2-3 snaps a game then sit the next game.

He'll play. I don't know any way they don't play him.

 

[zelezo vlk]

From ISD Intel: according to Jamie, Jay Hayes made the leap in the spring. I knew he did well but I didn't know he was THAT good.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Protect Our House<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/riseandgrind?src=hash">#riseandgrind</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishStrong?src=hash">#IrishStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/V8marpxOsb">pic.twitter.com/V8marpxOsb</a></p>— Notre Dame Strength (@NDFBStrength) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFBStrength/status/753924019238342656">July 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[Bogtrotter07]

Here is what I have heard :

Jay Hayes is all but installed at his position at weak side defensive end; Rochell is installed at strong side.

Jones is still rusty and Tillery hasn't wowed everybody.

But this is looking more and more like the starting front four, with liberal additions of Cage.

That would make ND's defensive front four just about the biggest in the country, with three at or over 300 lbs, and JHayes a shiver short.

Daelin Hayes will be on the field, maybe in a hybrid position in passing situations.

And as far as Tommy Kramer, it is my understanding that he may just be good enough to break into the starting lineup as a freshman. Simply, he may not be able to be kept off the field.

If he does, it probably wouldn't happen at the start of the season, but at the end of the first third, to first half of the season. And if this does happen, (it is far from a certainty), no one needs to complain about a 'wasted year.' He would play through and be gone, and if he contributes to making the offensive line the best, so be it.

 

[ulukinatme]

If Kramer starts (outside of injury reasons) I'll do a naked lap! around my house at 4am

 

[Domina Nostra]

Here is what I have heard :

Jay Hayes is all but installed at his position at weak side defensive end; Rochell is installed at strong side.

Jones is still rusty and Tillery hasn't wowed everybody.

But this is looking more and more like the starting front four, with liberal additions of Cage.

That would make ND's defensive front four just about the biggest in the country, with three at or over 300 lbs, and JHayes a shiver short.

Daelin Hayes will be on the field, maybe in a hybrid position in passing situations.

And as far as Tommy Kramer, it is my understanding that he may just be good enough to break into the starting lineup as a freshman. Simply, he may not be able to be kept off the field.

If he does, it probably wouldn't happen at the start of the season, but at the end of the first third, to first half of the season. And if this does happen, (it is far from a certainty), no one needs to complain about a 'wasted year.' He would play through and be gone, and if he contributes to making the offensive line the best, so be it.

On the DLine... I guess the idea is, if we can't get any pass rush, we may as well just completely deny the run?

On the OLine... A "2-deep" can be deciveing. If someone goes down, ussually the 6th best lineman is worked in and the line shuffles around if necessary. If someone else goes down, the seventh best lineman goes in. It's not a matter of having a true # 2 at each of the five positions.

If Kraemer plays, its because Biven and McGovern flounder, Kelly is willing to put "5-star" o-linemen on the field as true freshmen, but prefers not to.