General team info

[Irish#1]

...to be hurt again

You know me all too well. Is your mom talking about me again?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I don't know. Book had no trouble hitting Claypool, he was Ian's favorite target. The next season it was a struggle with McKinley, AD, and Sko as the starters and it took time for those guys to emerge as it was. That trio made some big plays at times, but they weren't world beaters. The next year Coan found Austin and Lenzy quite a bit, but a lot of drops happened and both struggled in tight coverage. Styles came on late, then disappeared last year for various reasons after the first few games. I think we saw the WRs step up sometime after game 4 or 5, hopefully that was a result of Stuckey's work.

Bottom line, there shouldn't be any excuses this year in getting the ball to WRs. We have the QB, we have the OL, we have a good running game, it should open up the passes. If Hartman can't get them the ball then it's on the receivers. Fortunately there's some young blood that will push the upperclassmen I think. Greathouse and Rico look like studs.

I agree with this, and at the end of the day, my optimism lies in Hartman and him having PLENTY of options to turn to. Competition is heavy at WR, and that helps. These young WRs have been sharpened by what should be one of the strongest secondaries in the country during camp. I believe that if Colzie, Merriweather, and the other vets aren't panning out, I don't think Stuckey will wait terribly long to give Greathouse and Flores some burn out there.

I'm a little more optimistic in Tyree than RDU, in that I believe they'll probably work him in early this season with simpler routes, like quick screens, crossers and slants to get him the ball in space and let him run with it. Do I hope he can make one of those season defining catches a la Avery Davis in 2020 against Clemson? Of course, but I'm not counting on it. I like him to be a guy they try to get five touches a game.

@IrishLion said it several times this offseason, but I'm buying all of the Jayden Thomas stock. He's got great hands, shows a knack for making contested catches late in 2022, and I think he's going to be the go-to WR for Hartman.

 

[RDU Irish]

Book had no trouble hitting Claypool b/c he was an elite NFL level receiver with overpowering measurables. Sko stuck on an NFL roster but didn't look dominant IMO. Maybe he was the one making Book look good, just less of a dominating presence than Claypool. I would like to think our WR room is more talented than McKinley, Sko and AD by a large margin. You see it all the time - QBs promoted to the NFL by elite WR and elite QB promoting some WR to the NFL. Think of the pile of USC and Bama QBs that have washed out horribly after chucking it to nothing but 5 stars for a few years. Hartman makes his playmakers look good - hit talent with anticipation in stride and good things happen.

Tyree seems like he is always a shoe string tackle away from really doing something - I won't hold my breath.

I have been hopeful on WR for a long time and disappointed we can't get any reliable growth out of the unit. I want believe!

 

[PutuporShutup]

I don't know. Book had no trouble hitting Claypool, he was Ian's favorite target. The next season it was a struggle with McKinley, AD, and Sko as the starters and it took time for those guys to emerge as it was. That trio made some big plays at times, but they weren't world beaters. The next year Coan found Austin and Lenzy quite a bit, but a lot of drops happened and both struggled in tight coverage. Styles came on late, then disappeared last year for various reasons after the first few games. I think we saw the WRs step up sometime after game 4 or 5, hopefully that was a result of Stuckey's work.

Bottom line, there shouldn't be any excuses this year in getting the ball to WRs. We have the QB, we have the OL, we have a good running game, it should open up the passes. If Hartman can't get them the ball then it's on the receivers. Fortunately there's some young blood that will push the upperclassmen I think. Greathouse and Rico look like studs.

I agree with everything here except a little bit on the claypool comment. It seemed like it took halfway through claypools SR year for book to realize he was a 6'5 physical specimen, that runs a 4.4, and is open even if he's not open. Our offense exploded the last 5 games of the season, when book realized, when in trouble, just throw it up to chase. I think he had 9tds the last 5 games.

Absolutely no excuse to not have an elite passing game this year. Honestly, no excuse not to have top 5 offense, at worst top 7 or 8 with a healthy hartman.

 

[NDohio]

I agree with everything here except a little bit on the claypool comment. It seemed like it took halfway through claypools SR year for book to realize he was a 6'5 physical specimen, that runs a 4.4, and is open even if he's not open. Our offense exploded the last 5 games of the season, when book realized, when in trouble, just throw it up to chase. I think he had 9tds the last 5 games.

Absolutely no excuse to not have an elite passing game this year. Honestly, no excuse not to have top 5 offense, at worst top 7 or 8 with a healthy hartman.

Doubt this will be the case. I think the offense will be good and efficient, but with a good defense and borderline great running game that will limit what the offense has to do to win games and thus lower the ratings.

 

[NDohio]

Wonder if our Irish will make any of these broadcasts. This is definitely not something I would do, but it is an interesting concept.

ESPN will broadcast 75 college games in movie theaters this fall.

A partnership with the Theater Sports Network announced Tuesday will expand from last season’s plan, which put the College Football Playoff semifinals and title game in theaters as a partnership with Cinemark. This year, the partnership will mostly feature games involving ACC teams but has expanded to include every New Year’s Six bowl game, plus the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship.

In Week 1, Virginia’s game in Nashville against Tennessee, North Carolina’s rivalry game with South Carolina, LSU’s top-10 showdown against Florida State and Clemson’s Labor Day prime-time trip to Duke will all be available. More details and more games can be found at theatersportsnetwork.com.

ESPN to show 75 CFB games in movie theaters

The plan mostly features games involving ACC teams, plus the NY6 bowl games and CFP semifinals and title game.

theathletic.com

 

[greyhammer90]

Wonder if our Irish will make any of these broadcasts. This is definitely not something I would do, but it is an interesting concept.

Sounds truly miserable lol.

 

[Old Man Mike]

No instant rewind to see who messed the play schemes up? That's my key to understanding what the inner game strategy might look like evolving within the game. Gives insight into the staff as well as players.

Not my way to watch football.

 

[NDohio]

My favorite way to watch the Irish is sitting in a dark room all by myself. Can't even imagine being in a theater with a bunch of jabronis.

 

[stpeteirish]

No instant rewind to see who messed the play schemes up? That's my key to understanding what the inner game strategy might look like evolving within the game. Gives insight into the staff as well as players.

Not my way to watch football.

The target market here: people who want to eat popcorn while watching football and don’t want to make it themselves.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Sounds truly miserable lol.

I know some of our local theaters here in Detroit started doing UFC pay-per-views and I hear it's actually pretty cool.

But if I'm not in ND Stadium I agree that I'd prefer to watch in my living room

 

[DONALDIII]

A lot of theatres now have booze, comfy seating, etc. I wouldn't mind seeing a game like LSU vs FSU in that setting. I would never watch an ND game like that. I've only ever watched an important ND game in public one time and it was Clemson last year at a bar with ND fans. NOt sure I would do it again unless it's with the ND Club of STL.

 

[Reaper97]

I know some of our local theaters here in Detroit started doing UFC pay-per-views and I hear it's actually pretty cool.

But if I'm not in ND Stadium I agree that I'd prefer to watch in my living room

Years ago, when the main event was GSP vs Dan Hardy, so like 14-15 years ago maybe, Indy theaters did it.
It was horrible.

Me and a buddy went. We were both local-level fighters at the time, but on the top team in Indiana & both made it pro (my buddy two contracts in the UFC), but we knew everyone locally who fought.
We were the only two fighters out of about 40 people there, yet the only two not wearing affliction, or American fighter, ufc, etc… shirts. It was hilarious.

And of course nobody there knew shit & just kept yelling things at the screen like, “just get up! I would just stand up there!”
Or, “why is he so tired? I wouldn’t be…”

Most football fans watching the game know they couldn’t pass rush Joe Alt. And they wouldn’t pretend they could.
But for some reason every dude at fight events think they could just have their way with champion fighters. LOL

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Years ago, when the main event was GSP vs Dan Hardy, so like 14-15 years ago maybe, Indy theaters did it.
It was horrible.

Me and a buddy went. We were both local-level fighters at the time, but on the top team in Indiana & both made it pro (my buddy two contracts in the UFC), but we knew everyone locally who fought.
We were the only two fighters out of about 40 people there, yet the only two not wearing affliction, or American fighter, ufc, etc… shirts. It was hilarious.

And of course nobody there knew shit & just kept yelling things at the screen like, “just get up! I would just stand up there!”
Or, “why is he so tired? I wouldn’t be…”

Most football fans watching the game know they couldn’t pass rush Joe Alt. And they wouldn’t pretend they could.
But for some reason every dude at fight events think they could just have their way with champion fighters. LOL

Weird. I don't know anyone who thinks they could take a UFC fighter (alcohol is a helluva drug). I don't think i could take (m)any people who actively train. The repetition and responses to uncomfortable situations get programmed into people when they are training. It's hard to explain but us regular joes are ad-libbing whereas a trained fighter has a set of choreographed scripts to execute at various distances, positions and situations. Each of their scripts can be combined to neutralize/inflict even more damage.

Someone needs to post the Oklahoma player talking shit to the actively-trained kid and his brother. Shit went south in a hurry because Oklahoma football player thought, "I play football, I'm tough" and trained kid thought, "enough. cross, cross, clinch, slam, rear naked choke..."

 

[Bluto]

Most football fans watching the game know they couldn’t pass rush Joe Alt. And they wouldn’t pretend they could.

I’ve seen lots of game day threads that would challenge the validity of this statement.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I’ve see lots of game day threads that would challenge the validity of this statement.

Most game day threads would challenge the validity of the sky being blue.

 

[Irish#1]

My favorite way to watch the Irish is sitting in a dark room all by myself. Can't even imagine being in a theater with a bunch of jabronis.

I’m with you. Once in a blue moon I’ll go to our daughters to watch with them, but my preference is my ass in my chair with my TV.

 

[NDMatt91]

The 247 Team Talent Composite has dropped: 2023 College Football Team Talent Composite

-11th overall in points, 6th overall in average
-Higher point total and average than last year
-4 more blue chip players on scholarship than they had last year

 

[notredomer23]

The 247 Team Talent Composite has dropped: 2023 College Football Team Talent Composite

-11th overall in points, 6th overall in average
-Higher point total and average than last year
-4 more blue chip players on scholarship than they had last year

Interesting that ND has more 4 stars and less 3 stars than 10-4. Just less 5 stars too.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Writers strike. Gotta put something on the screen

 

[NDPhilly]

Essentially are tied for 4th behind Bama, UGA, and OSU in average recruit rank, which is pretty wild.

Don't really understand how we are so low on the overall composite considering that average recruit rank already is weighted for the 85-100 scale they use. Must be giving an extra bonus for 5 stars on top of average rank.

Which of these rosters would you rather have?
#11 ND - 1 5 star, and 56 4 stars (91.16 avg)
#8 USC - 6 5 stars and 39 4 stars (89.90 avg)
#7 LSU - 7 5 stars and 35 4 stars (90.73 avg)

 

[Goldbrick2]

Wonder if our Irish will make any of these broadcasts. This is definitely not something I would do, but it is an interesting concept.

ESPN to show 75 CFB games in movie theaters

The plan mostly features games involving ACC teams, plus the NY6 bowl games and CFP semifinals and title game.

theathletic.com

The NC State game is on the list and then a number of other ACC games on our schedule. Theater Sports Network

 

[NDMatt91]

Essentially are tied for 4th behind Bama, UGA, and OSU in average recruit rank, which is pretty wild.

Don't really understand how we are so low on the overall composite considering that average recruit rank already is weighted for the 85-100 scale they use. Must be giving an extra bonus for 5 stars on top of average rank.

Which of these rosters would you rather have?
#11 ND - 1 5 star, and 56 4 stars (91.16 avg)
#8 USC - 6 5 stars and 39 4 stars (89.90 avg)
#7 LSU - 7 5 stars and 35 4 stars (90.73 avg)

For some of the schools in front of us (USC, Oregon, Oklahoma) I think it's a combination of them having more 5-star players on the roster and more players on scholarship. We're at 79 (really 80) and those 3 schools all of have at least 83 players.

 

[SDIrishFan]

For some of the schools in front of us (USC, Oregon, Oklahoma) I think it's a combination of them having more 5-star players on the roster and more players on scholarship. We're at 79 (really 80) and those 3 schools all of have at least 83 players.

Holy crap, we're seriously at only 79? It's like self-imposed sanctions at that point, my goodness.

 

[Free Manera]

Weird. I don't know anyone who thinks they could take a UFC fighter (alcohol is a helluva drug). I don't think i could take (m)any people who actively train. The repetition and responses to uncomfortable situations get programmed into people when they are training. It's hard to explain but us regular joes are ad-libbing whereas a trained fighter has a set of choreographed scripts to execute at various distances, positions and situations. Each of their scripts can be combined to neutralize/inflict even more damage.

Someone needs to post the Oklahoma player talking shit to the actively-trained kid and his brother. Shit went south in a hurry because Oklahoma football player thought, "I play football, I'm tough" and trained kid thought, "enough. cross, cross, clinch, slam, rear naked choke..."

I realize this is off topic but can't resist talking about it lol.

The single biggest thing that separates a beginner level fighter and an intermediate/advanced fighter is range finding and foot position. When beginners spar, they just continuously put themselves into bad positions because they have no feel for their range or their opponent's range. A decent fighter can face a beginner and basically choose to not get hit, regardless of the opponent's speed/strength advantage, because of superior positioning and footwork. In some cases the speed/strength advantage, like a D1 football player might have, actually works against them- they just get even farther out of position on a strike, making it easier for the fighter to take an advantageous angle and hit where they can't get hit back.

 

[NDMatt91]

Holy crap, we're seriously at only 79? It's like self-imposed sanctions at that point, my goodness.

It's really 80, 247 just missed 1 (not sure who).

 

[Irish du Nord]

The NC State game is on the list and then a number of other ACC games on our schedule. Theater Sports Network

Does anyone know how to find the theater locations that it will be shown at?

 

[NDPhilly]

Regardless, this is the first time we've eclipsed 91 is team avg in the team talent composite era (2015+). A lot of that talent is freshman and sophomores, but a 91+ team plus a top QB should put us in NC contention in the future. We just aren't going to have the margin for error like OSU, UGA, and Bama.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Regardless, this is the first time we've eclipsed 91 is team avg in the team talent composite era (2015+). A lot of that talent is freshman and sophomores, but a 91+ team plus a top QB should put us in NC contention in the future. We just aren't going to have the margin for error like OSU, UGA, and Bama.

This. This. Always this.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Yes, and all five stars aren't created equal just due to the positions they play. A five star QB living up to it is the obvious example, but some WRs or DLinemen are game wreckers, while other positions might not be even if the athlete is really good. If our only five star is say Kyle Hamilton, (great as he was), that's not likely to make as much difference as some Georgia defensive tackle play blaster, or Will Fuller for that matter. If the player raters have any sense, those five stars will be quite different within their category from one another. I'll bet some of the total team rating might have to do with things like "not all five stars are equal" and "not all four stars are equal."

But through all of that, the fact that we have competed at pretty high levels almost every year with no better QBs than we've (previously) had, is, for me, a tribute to our staff's great coaching of the other positions regardless of their "stars."