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dublinirish

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https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/12933/mick-assaf-looks-back-at-notre-dame-career-friendships-changes

The biggest challenge for me as a walk-on was being with the guys every step of the way and then for six games a year, they would go travel and you're kind of told to stay home," explained Assaf. "That was the hardest part for me. You do all the stuff and are invested in the team, but then you watch the game with your friends in the dorm or your family. Hopefully, I can solve that problem one day for the walk-ons at Notre Dame.

Sitting in his dorm, watching road games drove Assaf crazy, so he took matters into his own hands.

Assaf started popping up at road games in 2017 and almost got called on at Michigan State when Tony Jones Jr. was a late scratch despite not traveling to East Lansing with the team.

"I started doing that in my sophomore year," laughed Assaf. "Spirit Airlines was crazy cheap. I found cost-effective ways - I drove to Virginia Tech. I flew out to San Diego on Spirit."

To fix the issue in the future, Assaf knows it won't involve individual flights and his goal is to find a practical solution to keep the walk-on players involved.

"The solution in the future will have to be more scalable than Spirit Airlines, but I want to be able to help one day," said Assaf. "The goal is for them not to watch Notre Dame football from home because that's tough for someone that pours a lot into the program and is just as invested in the success as anyone else."
 

Luckylucci

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Well, this is some nice recognition from PFF. I’m sure some out there will argue with it but it’s nice pub regardless.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highest-graded defenses vs power-five offenses over the past two seasons:<br><br>➤ Notre Dame - 93.6<br>➤ Alabama - 93.1<br>➤ Clemson - 93.1<br>➤ Ohio State - 93.1 <a href="https://t.co/YP42xnwnud">pic.twitter.com/YP42xnwnud</a></p>— PFF College (@PFF_College) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1296583289805762560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

calvegas04

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Well, this is some nice recognition from PFF. I’m sure some out there will argue with it but it’s nice pub regardless.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highest-graded defenses vs power-five offenses over the past two seasons:<br><br>➤ Notre Dame - 93.6<br>➤ Alabama - 93.1<br>➤ Clemson - 93.1<br>➤ Ohio State - 93.1 <a href="https://t.co/YP42xnwnud">pic.twitter.com/YP42xnwnud</a></p>— PFF College (@PFF_College) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1296583289805762560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They also graded Book as the 17th best QB in college and usc slovis at 7th I believe
 

zelezo vlk

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Slovis was very good. The defensive run these past few years were as good as Diaco's, I do not care if the stats don't back up my assertion.
 

Old Man Mike

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Clark Lea is REALLY good. He's much more like VT great Bud Foster than was Diaco --- in fact it isn't even close. Foster and Lea are those sorts of once-in-a-lifetime gems who put good defense out there, watch the opponent, then figure them out and adjust to turn down the screws. Diaco was pure crystallized "System." If he could beat you by being an impenetrable machine, you were screwed. If the other guys could dissect the machine in fine detail, there was no adjustment.

I liked Diaco --- sort of a nut and entertaining in his off-center way. But he was/is kind of OC about things, whereas Lea is organically inside the dynamics of the games. The Machine vs the Natural Magician.
 

FightingIrishLover7

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Clark Lea is REALLY good. He's much more like VT great Bud Foster than was Diaco --- in fact it isn't even close. Foster and Lea are those sorts of once-in-a-lifetime gems who put good defense out there, watch the opponent, then figure them out and adjust to turn down the screws. Diaco was pure crystallized "System." If he could beat you by being an impenetrable machine, you were screwed. If the other guys could dissect the machine in fine detail, there was no adjustment.

I liked Diaco --- sort of a nut and entertaining in his off-center way. But he was/is kind of OC about things, whereas Lea is organically inside the dynamics of the games. The Machine vs the Natural Magician.

To say the least.

Lea's strongest attribute is being able to dissect each, individuals psyche and figure out what coaching style is best for them. He adapts to the players, not the other way around. This is the sign of true leader, imo.
 

Some Irish Bloke

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To say the least.

Lea's strongest attribute is being able to dissect each, individuals psyche and figure out what coaching style is best for them. He adapts to the players, not the other way around. This is the sign of true leader, imo.

I really wouldn't mind him taking over after CBK tbh. I think a lot of people would have angst that we hired a guy with no prior HC experience but if he nailed a OC hire he could be a great program builder, IMO.
 

dublinirish

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Clark Lea is REALLY good. He's much more like VT great Bud Foster than was Diaco --- in fact it isn't even close. Foster and Lea are those sorts of once-in-a-lifetime gems who put good defense out there, watch the opponent, then figure them out and adjust to turn down the screws. Diaco was pure crystallized "System." If he could beat you by being an impenetrable machine, you were screwed. If the other guys could dissect the machine in fine detail, there was no adjustment.

I liked Diaco --- sort of a nut and entertaining in his off-center way. But he was/is kind of OC about things, whereas Lea is organically inside the dynamics of the games. The Machine vs the Natural Magician.

his interview with sampson and fortuna on the shamrock podcast was very cool. the guy is special
 

EddytoNow

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I remember Diaco's defense as a bend-don't break defense. Other teams ate up time and racked up yardage, but the defense buckled down and kept teams out of the end zone or forced field goal attempts. It was great for one season ranking among the best in points given up. Lea's defense looks like Diaco's for a quarter or two, but then Lea gets it figured out and the defense is more effective. Lea is a much better game-time defensive coordinator. He makes adjustments much better than Diaco did.
 

Sherm Sticky

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I really wouldn't mind him taking over after CBK tbh. I think a lot of people would have angst that we hired a guy with no prior HC experience but if he nailed a OC hire he could be a great program builder, IMO.


We are in the minority, but I’m with you here. Everyone is going to say “Hell no Bob Davies 2.0”. But I see Lea more as a Lincoln Riley or a Ryan Day type...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

arrowryan

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Season ticket holders, check your email. I rolled the money I paid for the 2020 season to the 2021 season. It sucks missing out on the biggest home game of the century, but I'm weirdly satisfied with the Purdue, Cinci, USC, and North Carolina home slate in 2021.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To help keep our community safe this season at <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDFootball</a>...<br><br>✅ Attendance limited to 20% or less of ND Stadium’s capacity<br>✅ Every student who wants a ticket can get one<br>✅ Mobile ticketing for contactless experience<br>✅ Masks required<br><br>MORE ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/L7lKngTNtl">https://t.co/L7lKngTNtl</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/mwUvOBTKcN">pic.twitter.com/mwUvOBTKcN</a></p>— The Fighting Irish &#55357;&#56887; (@FightingIrish) <a href="https://twitter.com/FightingIrish/status/1300422167641886723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

zelezo vlk

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Matt Freeman has a nice little piece of Intel today at ISD. Something that it made me think of though, with all the articles coming out about the extra year of eligibility helping certain players, I've not seen Houston Griffith on any list. Maybe I missed him, but he's not made much of an impact, and IIRC he didn't redshirt. Is there hope that he could turn the corner like Bilal did at LB and become a plus player?
 

PANDFAN

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Matt Freeman has a nice little piece of Intel today at ISD. Something that it made me think of though, with all the articles coming out about the extra year of eligibility helping certain players, I've not seen Houston Griffith on any list. Maybe I missed him, but he's not made much of an impact, and IIRC he didn't redshirt. Is there hope that he could turn the corner like Bilal did at LB and become a plus player?

he's been mentioned as a critical piece in this years def and from the limited amount of info the reporters get, he has been doing well
 

zelezo vlk

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he's been mentioned as a critical piece in this years def and from the limited amount of info the reporters get, he has been doing well

Weird, maybe I haven't read enough but I've not seen him in articles. I'm a bit behind so that must be why
 

SouthSideChiDomer

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I saw that SMC and HC students will be allowed in if there is still room. That made me think about the current dynamic between the campuses. Is there still some amount of interaction or are they each their own bubble? Either way, what will the interaction look like at the games? I know they said parents would be in a separate area with the general reasoning being to separate those in the community from those outside, but would the same thing apply to the other campuses or are they considered inside enough to just have general distancing rules?
 

calvegas04

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top-5 offensive lines in College Football <a href="https://t.co/E5twyhkdQY">pic.twitter.com/E5twyhkdQY</a></p>— PFF College (@PFF_College) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1308537992978616322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

EddytoNow

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If the season is resumed, we have finally reached the point where we can begin to assess Jeff Quinn's effectiveness as an OL coach. He seems to. be an excellent recruiter, and now he has an experienced offensive line to coach up. The OL got off to a slow start in game one, but looked very good in game two. The rest of the season will give us a better picture as to which of the first two games is more representative of what Quinn can do with a veteran offensive line.
 

NDMIA

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If the season is resumed, we have finally reached the point where we can begin to assess Jeff Quinn's effectiveness as an OL coach. He seems to. be an excellent recruiter, and now he has an experienced offensive line to coach up. The OL got off to a slow start in game one, but looked very good in game two. The rest of the season will give us a better picture as to which of the first two games is more representative of what Quinn can do with a veteran offensive line.

So far so good with the OLine. The real test will be FSU, Pitt, Clemson, and maybe UNC. The ACC doesn't have crazy DLines outside of some of the schools I've listed so they should dominate most of their matchups. I really hope ND's OLine has an elite year cause it would quell the questions of Quinn's coaching ability. If you're able to combine the recruiter of Quinn with a good coaching ability then you really have something cooking at OLine. Since taking over for Hiestand. Quinn's held onto the 2019 class and has gotten...

.9750 4* Blake Fisher
.9747 4* Rocco Spindler
.9578 4* Zeke Correll
.9549 4* Tosh Baker
.9472 4* Quinn Carroll
.9352 4* Michael Carmody
.9254 4* Andrew Kristofic
.9242 4* John Olmstead
.8701 3* Pat Coogan
.8661 3* Joe Alt

Pretty good job I'd say.
 

Irish YJ

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top-5 offensive lines in College Football <a href="https://t.co/E5twyhkdQY">pic.twitter.com/E5twyhkdQY</a></p>— PFF College (@PFF_College) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1308537992978616322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Holy cow, the competition level is crazy.
 

Old Man Mike

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The OLine did NOT get off to a slow start in game one --- the offensive playcalling did (runs into a semi-sell-out DL/LB/X blitzer group.)

We HAVE played against a quality DL. All commentators agree that Duke's DLine is their strength and VERY good. Sadly for them, Big Tommy put their starting DT in the treatment tent and he played little vs BC, and Hainsey (mainly) caused Rumph to limp off the field three times. Duke's DL was still hurting for the BC game. Our impact on them MIGHT even have caused Cutliffe to shift his base to a 3-4.

Level-of-competition for best performing OLine includes Clemson, and everyone else who played (for the enlightenment of our IE wisea$$es.)

For once, can we just be happy that these super hard working warriors are not only giving their all in a generally thankless job, but are being recognized nationally for it?
 

IrishLion

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Tommy Rees is the OL's best friend right now. Instituting more zone blocking and calling for more stretch plays is going to continue to do wonders for these guys as (if?) the year goes on.

It helps that Kyren and Tyree are best suited to zone runs, as well.

#Tommy4Prez
 

NDRock

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bulldogsjc

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Notre%20Dame%20Fighting%20Irish003-254x348.jpg
Black Click
 

stpeteirish

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Yesterday's UND COVID update shows NO positives and only two remaining cases, both in isolation (not quarantine).

Kelly was specifically asked about Kiser and Tag-Amosa yesterday and said they were expected back this week. They were not on the Monday depth chart. He also said "if all goes well" they'll be available Saturday.

So its pretty clear who our two cases are.
 
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