General team info

[Emcee77]

Presser today?

Check the gameday thread.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Impressed w/ ND D on tape. More athleticism and speed in the back 7 than they've had in a long time.</p>— Kevin Weidl (@KevinW_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinW_ESPN/status/509045145707507712">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[NDdomer2]

So probably not as interesting as I thought but dgaf.

Fox sports Midwest, every Tuesday, does "inside Notre Dame football". There's always a 1 minute rapid fire questionaire with a player.

Today it was Isaac Rochel.

The couple I enjoyed:

Hardest hitter: Shumate

Best Dancer: Redfield #kbs (guesses?)

Best Dress: no one

Worst dresser: " me, my games hurtin'"

 

[koonja]

So probably not as interesting as I thought but dgaf.

Fox sports Midwest, every Tuesday, does "inside Notre Dame football". There's always a 1 minute rapid fire questionaire with a player.

Today it was Isaac Rochel.

The couple I enjoyed:

Hardest hitter: Shumate

Best Dancer: Redfield #kbs (guesses?)

Best Dress: no one

Worst dresser: " me, my games hurtin'"

You're joking, right? #KBS=koon's bod squad. The players love it.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="http://t.co/gDFyUBv7vO">http://t.co/gDFyUBv7vO</a> Football Recruiting - Mind of Mike: Big Ten woes, ND rises <a href="http://t.co/ZTHvrEcmae">http://t.co/ZTHvrEcmae</a></p>— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/status/509670879022686210">September 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Man is that a well-coached football program. Brian Kelly deserves a ton of credit. Many thought the defense would take a huge step back after losing so much talent, but they were even quicker than they have been the last two years flying to the football and getting after the quarterback. Maybe it was a slow Michigan team that made them look so good and some atrocious blocking, but I think Notre Dame is a team to watch down the stretch for a big finish. Porter Gustin, Neville Gallimore, Asmar Bilal and Tevon Coney, as well as Bo Wallace, and the biggest target of all, five-star Iman Marshall, have to be impressed with how the defense has played early on. And 2016 could be a huge year for the Irish with top prospects like Auston Robertson, Tommy Kraemer, Austin Mack and Josh King all on hand to watch Notre Dame's domination of regional rival Michigan. Watch out for the Irish, folks, if they keep playing this way.

Man, never thought I'd say this about Farrell, but I hope he's right.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The OFD Film Room looks at this new-fangled thing knowing as "blitzing" <a href="http://t.co/HekPAPhx9G">http://t.co/HekPAPhx9G</a></p>— One Foot Down (@OneFootDown) <a href="https://twitter.com/OneFootDown/status/509672666559971329">September 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[PANDFAN]

• The Irish are one of only eight Football Bowl Subdivision teams that have played two games and not committed a turnover.

• Notre Dame and Kentucky are the only two teams who have played two games and are plus-six on turnovers this year.

• Notre Dame is tied for third nationally in fewest penalty yards this season with 30 (five penalties).

• The offense has scored on all 10 red-zone opportunities — seven of them touchdowns. Last year it scored a touchdown only 53.3 percent of the time once it reached the opponent’s 20, and the previous year it was under 50 percent during a 12-1 campaign.

• The 79 points Notre Dame has scored are the most in the first two games since the 80 in 1974 — head coach Ara Parseghian’s final season. (By the way, that Irish team lost at home the next week to a 0-1-1 Purdue team that was a four-touchdown underdog.)

• On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame ranks tied for sixth in scoring defense at 8.5 points per game. The 17 points allowed are the fewest it has surrendered through the first two games since 2002, when it also allowed 17.

Notre Dame In Best Teaching Environment Situation

 

[ulukinatme]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="http://t.co/gDFyUBv7vO">http://t.co/gDFyUBv7vO</a> Football Recruiting - Mind of Mike: Big Ten woes, ND rises <a href="http://t.co/ZTHvrEcmae">http://t.co/ZTHvrEcmae</a></p>— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/rivalsmike/status/509670879022686210">September 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Man is that a well-coached football program. Brian Kelly deserves a ton of credit. Many thought the defense would take a huge step back after losing so much talent, but they were even quicker than they have been the last two years flying to the football and getting after the quarterback. Maybe it was a slow Michigan team that made them look so good and some atrocious blocking, but I think Notre Dame is a team to watch down the stretch for a big finish.

Man, never thought I'd say this about Farrell, but I hope he's right.

You know, many analysts often speculate that a team will do poorly at the start of a season after an assistant coaching change or a scheme change, but it seems many teams often end up benefiting as a result instead. I think they feel that the team will have to go through growing pains learning the new system, but there's an added benefit that the opposition in those early games (Or even first season) don't have a lot of game film to work with. I expect some of the better OC's out there to find ways to attack BVG's defense as the season goes on, but hopefully we're able to utilize this young roster to adjust accordingly and maintain our edge.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> fans frustrated by BK's use of 1st Q T.O.s? Don't be, his end-half O hasn't been burned yet - as in, Ever
<a href="http://t.co/TMPjHKvHRM">http://t.co/TMPjHKvHRM</a></p>— Tim O'Malley (@timomalleyND) <a href="https://twitter.com/timomalleyND/status/509720582729261056">September 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[arrowryan]

Two interesting defensive stats. That's pretty good for a young defense

Through two games, the Irish defense has already recorded almost one-third as many sacks (5) as did the 2013 defense over the entire regular season (17).

The youth-filled Notre Dame secondary has picked off nearly half as many passes (4) as did the 2013 group (9) over 12 games.

 

[ulukinatme]

It's certainly apparent that the new defense is getting pressure and forcing sacks and turnovers. Even more important is the fact they're getting off the field sooner than before! Not only are they forcing big plays, but by getting off the field sooner they're not as worn down in the 4th and as we saw against Michigan we had much, much better field position (In conjunction with Special Teams advances as well). This translates into good things for the offense.

 

[koonja]

I love the defense so far, but before I let myself get too excited I want to see it against a good run team.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

It's certainly apparent that the new defense is getting pressure and forcing sacks and turnovers. Even more important is the fact they're getting off the field sooner than before! Not only are they forcing big plays, but by getting off the field sooner they're not as worn down in the 4th and as we saw against Michigan we had much, much better field position (In conjunction with Special Teams advances as well). This translates into good things for the offense.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes! Reps!

And also ND has twenty eight players that can play defense? Isn't it something like that?

Years ago there was an article that inferred Kelly's big success at UC was the number of kids he had ready to play. Sixty plus players ready lets Kelly do anything he wants, to dictate the game!

I love the defense so far, but before I let myself get too excited I want to see it against a good run team.

Bet you Michigan ends the season as a good run team. Maybe as good as Stanford. (running)

 

[Old Man Mike]

I believe that Michigan has the makings of a good running team too, Bogs. Both their lead backs are impressive despite BVG outcoaching their OC as to stuffing the run game generally. Also, our defense is difficult to scheme against. Not only are our players not all where you expect them to be, but most of them fly around so fast that your normal play-blocking schematics can't get your blockers in all the right places after the first OLine hits.

I believe that Michigan is "one" OLine adjustment [and then let them play as a stable unit for a while] from being able to move people, and then those backs should begin to rip away. Also, the Norfleet reverse is dangerous, and running is probably what Gardner does best, when he and the OC decide to let him. Michigan should probably try to be Oregon with less speed but more gorilla. {i.e. a running team which passes to keep people afraid [of Funchess]}. Drop back occasionally "as if" and let Gardner run.

I don't wish a lot of success for Michigan [since I want us to stretch out our lead in the "All-Time Winning Percentage"], but them having a winning season isn't bad for us. More importantly, I believe that what BVG did to them shouldn't be downplayed as if they were some weak team. BVG kicked the ass of a pretty good team, and we should acknowledge that.

 

[MNIrishman]

I believe that Michigan has the makings of a good running team too, Bogs. Both their lead backs are impressive despite BVG outcoaching their OC as to stuffing the run game generally. Also, our defense is difficult to scheme against. Not only are our players not all where you expect them to be, but most of them fly around so fast that your normal play-blocking schematics can't get your blockers in all the right places after the first OLine hits.

I believe that Michigan is "one" OLine adjustment [and then let them play as a stable unit for a while] from being able to move people, and then those backs should begin to rip away. Also, the Norfleet reverse is dangerous, and running is probably what Gardner does best, when he and the OC decide to let him. Michigan should probably try to be Oregon with less speed but more gorilla. {i.e. a running team which passes to keep people afraid [of Funchess]}. Drop back occasionally "as if" and let Gardner run.

I don't wish a lot of success for Michigan [since I want us to stretch out our lead in the "All-Time Winning Percentage"], but them having a winning season isn't bad for us. More importantly, I believe that what BVG did to them shouldn't be downplayed as if they were some weak team. BVG kicked the ass of a pretty good team, and we should acknowledge that.

Hoke sold them on the idea of playing old style Michigan offense. It would be tough for him to change that philosophy. After reading Mgoblow for the last few years, I'm convinced half their fanbase comes home from Wal-mart and falls asleep while masturbating to the idea of "manball," as they call it. More than once, they've expressed aspirations to emulate Stanford's offense.

 

[connor_in]

Notre Dame v. Michigan Gigapixel - presented by South Bend Airport

 

[Rack Em]

Notre Dame v. Michigan Gigapixel - presented by South Bend Airport

Yeah I looked for myself until I figured out they took it before kickoff. Only weenies stop boozing and get into the stadium early. Ha.

 

[Irish#1]

• The Irish are one of only eight Football Bowl Subdivision teams that have played two games and not committed a turnover.

• Notre Dame and Kentucky are the only two teams who have played two games and are plus-six on turnovers this year.

• Notre Dame is tied for third nationally in fewest penalty yards this season with 30 (five penalties).

• The offense has scored on all 10 red-zone opportunities — seven of them touchdowns. Last year it scored a touchdown only 53.3 percent of the time once it reached the opponent’s 20, and the previous year it was under 50 percent during a 12-1 campaign.

• The 79 points Notre Dame has scored are the most in the first two games since the 80 in 1974 — head coach Ara Parseghian’s final season. (By the way, that Irish team lost at home the next week to a 0-1-1 Purdue team that was a four-touchdown underdog.)

• On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame ranks tied for sixth in scoring defense at 8.5 points per game. The 17 points allowed are the fewest it has surrendered through the first two games since 2002, when it also allowed 17.

Notre Dame In Best Teaching Environment Situation

I was at that game.

 

[Cackalacky]

• The Irish are one of only eight Football Bowl Subdivision teams that have played two games and not committed a turnover.

• Notre Dame and Kentucky are the only two teams who have played two games and are plus-six on turnovers this year.

• Notre Dame is tied for third nationally in fewest penalty yards this season with 30 (five penalties).

• The offense has scored on all 10 red-zone opportunities — seven of them touchdowns. Last year it scored a touchdown only 53.3 percent of the time once it reached the opponent’s 20, and the previous year it was under 50 percent during a 12-1 campaign.

• The 79 points Notre Dame has scored are the most in the first two games since the 80 in 1974 — head coach Ara Parseghian’s final season. (By the way, that Irish team lost at home the next week to a 0-1-1 Purdue team that was a four-touchdown underdog.)

• On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame ranks tied for sixth in scoring defense at 8.5 points per game. The 17 points allowed are the fewest it has surrendered through the first two games since 2002, when it also allowed 17.

Notre Dame In Best Teaching Environment Situation

Stealing this Buster

 

[Cackalacky]

Notre Dame v. Michigan Gigapixel - presented by South Bend Airport

This has crashed every one of my devices.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I believe that Michigan has the makings of a good running team too, Bogs. Both their lead backs are impressive despite BVG outcoaching their OC as to stuffing the run game generally. Also, our defense is difficult to scheme against. Not only are our players not all where you expect them to be, but most of them fly around so fast that your normal play-blocking schematics can't get your blockers in all the right places after the first OLine hits.

I believe that Michigan is "one" OLine adjustment [and then let them play as a stable unit for a while] from being able to move people, and then those backs should begin to rip away. Also, the Norfleet reverse is dangerous, and running is probably what Gardner does best, when he and the OC decide to let him. Michigan should probably try to be Oregon with less speed but more gorilla. {i.e. a running team which passes to keep people afraid [of Funchess]}. Drop back occasionally "as if" and let Gardner run.

I don't wish a lot of success for Michigan [since I want us to stretch out our lead in the "All-Time Winning Percentage"], but them having a winning season isn't bad for us. More importantly, I believe that what BVG did to them shouldn't be downplayed as if they were some weak team. BVG kicked the ass of a pretty good team, and we should acknowledge that.

Interesting points, and I agree.

After talking to a few people who have forgotten more football than I have ever known, here is the perfect wrap for the Michigan game. Both fans think the other defense stopped their offense. Michigan did it by stuffing the box and loading the inside gaps to stop the inside zone. So they often had two men up, always at least one extra. Good.

ND did it with an even number of men, but used speed and misdirection. And in some cases disheartening leverage. Here is it. We have talked about BVG's deception; you have that. But Mayock and NBC showed some really good examples of speed. One time Smith covered Funchess across the middle step for step, and was able to slap down the ball. Another time not only did Smith beat the RT to the cutoff, he outran the Michigan back into the backfield for a tackle for a loss. And then there was Farley, Riggs, Shumate, et al, closing the field down on the screens; speed kills. Remember, every one of the tackles, not just Day beating their counterpart with a quicker first step.

When speed really kills is when you have that kind of power behind it. Jones decimated the man across from him, as did Cage, and Utupo. There was a close up of a great play where Cage beat his man outside, grabbed the ball carrier by the jersey, and Utupo came up and manhandled, flipped and drove his ass into the ground! That said it all. We all came up short on our evaluation of the skills of this defensive line.

So then, Kelly sacrificed yardage on the run game to get the play action set up, and man matchups that resulted in 31 points scored. Michigan played a team that is in the top ten of almost all defensive statistics (I know, it has only been two games), but a team that has speed and strength to throw at an offensive line that has yet to jell. Against all foreseeable opponents (save MSU and OSU) they should do quite well.

 

[ulukinatme]

Notre Dame v. Michigan Gigapixel - presented by South Bend Airport

Easy to find yourself when you're 5 rows up, haha. The last time they did this I was semi-cut out as I was right on a seem or something. They did a better job this time.

 

[PANDFAN]

From a redshirt perspective, I don’t expect to see Brent or Holmes anymore unless there’s zero clarification involving DaVaris Daniels and injuries to Amir Carlisle and Torii Hunter linger on. There’s an ability to save a year of competition if they stay off the field.

From this point forward, unless injuries hit the defensive line, it might make sense to keep the red jersey on Jhonny Williams, Jon Bonner and Jay Hayes as well.
Notre Dame bye week number crunching | Inside the Irish

 

[ResLife Hero]

From a redshirt perspective, I don’t expect to see Brent or Holmes anymore unless there’s zero clarification involving DaVaris Daniels and injuries to Amir Carlisle and Torii Hunter linger on. There’s an ability to save a year of competition if they stay off the field.

From this point forward, unless injuries hit the defensive line, it might make sense to keep the red jersey on Jhonny Williams, Jon Bonner and Jay Hayes as well.
Notre Dame bye week number crunching | Inside the Irish

These were the parts that had me most excited:

* All that talk about Brian VanGorder‘s defense helping create turnovers? It’s true. The Irish are No. 5 in the country in turnovers created with nine. Their six interceptions are No. 3 in the country.

* It’s all about the youth: Notre Dame’s leading rusher? A sophomore. Leading receiver? A sophomore. Defender? A sophomore (Jaylon Smith, when you add in his other stats). Joe Schmidt and Everett Golson? Another year of eligibility remaining.

With only Cody Riggs and Ben Koyack starters who are truly seniors, you can start to understand that this program has the chance to be very, very good not just this year, but next year as well.

We've got a potentially explosive D and a ton of young athletes with time to master it.

 

[Luckylucci]

These were the parts that had me most excited:


We've got a potentially explosive D and a ton of young athletes with time to master it.

Interestingly enough Lou S. at BGI posted after we beat Michigan that the ND faithful are usually one year ahead of something special happening. In 2012 we thought 2013 would be the year. Same goes for 1988 they thought 1989 was going to be better. Right now I can't remember but there were other similarities. I just find it interesting that it really seems like we are set up for 2015, maybe that actually means that 2014 is the year.........

 

[Luckylucci]

So BGI has up interviews with 4 freshman (Hill, Trumbetti, Trainquill, and Cage). I just wanted to post how good we made out with last years recruiting class. I've been saying this for awhile but I continue to see things that make this group special and their attitudes are genuine. They're here for the right reasons and want to be the best.

 

[IrishLion]

So BGI has up interviews with 4 freshman (Hill, Trumbetti, Trainquill, and Cage). I just wanted to post how good we made out with last years recruiting class. I've been saying this for awhile but I continue to see things that make this group special and their attitudes are genuine. They're here for the right reasons and want to be the best.

It was the same way with the 2013 class. Back-to-back classes of not only good athletes, but guys that aren't flight risks (knock on wood) could be the solid foundation that we've been waiting to see. (That, and BK not having to divide the playbook based on differing QB skills finally)

 

[Grahambo]

It was the same way with the 2013 class. Back-to-back classes of not only good athletes, but guys that aren't flight risks (knock on wood) could be the solid foundation that we've been waiting to see. (That, and BK not having to divide the playbook based on differing QB skills finally)

And it all goes back to the ability to develop players as BK (and his staff) have been known to do for years.

That and...offers > rankings

 

[BleedBlueGold]

The deflections (transfers, injuries, recruiting losses, early NFL departures, and suspensions) from the 2011 and 2012 classes are a major reason why this team has serious depth issues and lacks upper classmen contributors throughout. Time will tell, but I think the staff's recruiting philosophy may have changed a little and the recent classes have reflected that.

Edit: I know certain position lack depth because of the lack of recruiting, but my post still stands.

 

[Luckylucci]

And it all goes back to the ability to develop players as BK (and his staff) have been known to do for years.

That and...offers > rankings

They definitely have an eye for identifying talent.