I.E.'s Annual Pre-Opening Game Night Chat Thread

[arndtjc]

I tried so hard to talk trash to my buddy who is a scUM fan, but because I know the feeling of a let down all too well, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I will still enjoy the down years of Michigoon, because they won't last much longer, IMO

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

You're in Nashville on a Tennessee gameday. The police will be busy.

Good point. And the Vols are playing their opener tomorrow at Nissan Stadium downtown so the PD will have its hands full for sure.

 

[greyhammer90]

I also want to see 2 RB's in the backfield... a lot.

Show me some triple option. Show me CJ motioning out and burning a LB down the seam. Show me CJ lining up in the slot and motioning through the backfield on jet sweep play-action, with a backside tunnel screen to Fuller off of the play-action. Show me Luatua in the backfield with Folston and pounding Texas into submission.

If we could just for one play line up in the old Holtz option veer I would die happy.

 

[IrishLion]

If we could just for one play line up in the old Holtz option veer I would die happy.

I just want to see the split-slot set for more than just two or three plays, and I'd be satisfied.

BK called for it a little bit early in the year last season with Cam and Folston out there together, but Golson either didn't bother with the 3rd read or was coached to avoid it.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I.E.'s Annual Pre-Opening Game Night Chat Thread

With a newborn, this will be my first season Saturdays aren't spent drinking all day in a bar with friends watching the games. I'll definitely still be tipping bottles tomorrow, but at home with the cub.

She was born, and on my lap later that night when the Blackhawks turned around the Cup Finals this summer, so I'm excited to see if she can bring some luck tomorrow.

*I don't expect any miracles during Bears games though, no baby is that powerful!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I also want to see 2 RB's in the backfield... a lot.

Show me some triple option. Show me CJ motioning out and burning a LB down the seam. Show me CJ lining up in the slot and motioning through the backfield on jet sweep play-action, with a backside tunnel screen to Fuller off of the play-action. Show me Luatua in the backfield with Folston and pounding Texas into submission.

Agreed.

Give me a pistol formation with Luatua playing H-back role. Give me 5 narrow, all TEs. Give me TEs running seem routes and RB/slot running wheel routes all. day. long.

Then give me counter run plays and plenty of play action. Give me some read option, from the shotgun. I want our offense to stress defenses to the max. Expose every weakness with extreme prejudice.

 

[IrishLion]

Agreed.

Give me a pistol formation with Luatua playing H-back role. Give me 5 narrow, all TEs. Give me TEs running seem routes and RB/slot running wheel routes all. day. long.

Then give me counter run plays and plenty of play action. Give me some read option, from the shotgun. I want our offense to stress defenses to the max. Expose every weakness with extreme prejudice.

The offense has the personnel to literary run anything. Size, speed, power, finesse, mix-and-match... it comes down to Zaire, and of course BK's playcalling.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

The offense has the personnel to literary run anything. Size, speed, power, finesse, mix-and-match... it comes down to Zaire, and of course BK's playcalling.

That's why we should all be prepared for a terrible let down where we score 50% in the redzone and realize nothing has changed.

We must be wearing green glasses because it feels like our offense should be able to do every single thing it wants.

Tall, speedy WRs: check
burner WRs: check
shifty WRs: check
TEs with athleticism and great ball skills: check
blocking TEs: check
monster OL: check
proven RB: check
converted RB that hits homeruns: check
QB: ?

 

[condoms SUCk]

Drinking Jameson on the rocks and watching Rudy. This has been my Friday night ritual for the past 6 years.
Anyone else have a particular ritual the night before first game or on gameday?

 

[koonja]

Drinking Jameson on the rocks and watching Rudy. This has been my Friday night ritual for the past 6 years.
Anyone else have a particular ritual the night before first game or on gameday?

Surprised you're not finger banging a Texas fan right now. Can't wait to hangout wuth your usc friend at the usc game. And last year sharing a house with your scum friend.

 

[NDALA]

Like Irishlion said BK's playcalling is what I'm really concerned about. I think Kelly is the best coach ND has had since Lou by far but man I would give anything if he just had a run first smash mouth offensive philosophy. I'm afraid he's gonna try to make Malik into too much of a passer instead of letting him play to his strengths. I may be wrong but I felt he wouldn't let Everett improvise and move around which seemed to be a strengh of his and I think that hurt Everett.

 

[condoms SUCk]

Surprised you're not finger banging a Texas fan right now. Can't wait to hangout wuth your usc friend at the usc game. And last year sharing a house with your scum friend.

Ugh, you are unbearable, but if I knew any Texas fans I totally would

 

[connor_in]

With a newborn, this will be my first season Saturdays aren't spent drinking all day in a bar with friends watching the games. I'll definitely still be tipping bottles tomorrow, but at home with the cub.

She was born, and on my lap later that night when the Blackhawks turned around the Cup Finals this summer, so I'm excited to see if she can bring some luck tomorrow.

*I don't expect any miracles during Bears games though, no baby is that powerful!

Haven't been a Bears fan since Ditka screwed Sweetness. But get her a Langford jersey and sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

[Irish4Life09]

Drinking Jameson on the rocks and watching Rudy. This has been my Friday night ritual for the past 6 years.
Anyone else have a particular ritual the night before first game or on gameday?

Watching Rudy right now, myself. Been my Friday night ritual for the season opener ever since I can remember.

 

[Fbolt]

I'm curious to see if the Irish are as good as I think, or are they better? That is all. Irish 38, Longhorns 16. I like my Bevo medium rare. Pink in the center. Longhorn ladies send photos please.

 

[IrishYYC]

Drinking Jameson on the rocks and watching Rudy. This has been my Friday night ritual for the past 6 years.
Anyone else have a particular ritual the night before first game or on gameday?

Yup same here. I watch Rudy the night before every season opener.

 

[greyhammer90]

Surprised you're not finger banging a Texas fan right now. Can't wait to hangout wuth your usc friend at the usc game. And last year sharing a house with your scum friend.

Some of us are forced to be friends with a Michigan fan despite our better judgment. He's a daft prick but nobody's perfect.

 

[BobD]

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[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Like Irishlion said BK's playcalling is what I'm really concerned about. I think Kelly is the best coach ND has had since Lou by far but man I would give anything if he just had a run first smash mouth offensive philosophy. I'm afraid he's gonna try to make Malik into too much of a passer instead of letting him play to his strengths. I may be wrong but I felt he wouldn't let Everett improvise and move around which seemed to be a strengh of his and I think that hurt Everett.

The problem is whether we can force the run when teams expect it. Let's hope Kelly strikes that critical balance. I don't want to run if it's been successfully neutralized but let's hope that's near impossible for teams to do.

I expect Kelly to hit a near 50/50 split with some fresh pass plays to keep defenses confused.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Corso just said we're number 2 in win percentsge..,not so fast my friend

 

[Irish Insanity]

Corso just said we're number 2 in win percentsge..,not so fast my friend

Aren't we, to like GVSU or something.

 

[NDALA]

The problem is whether we can force the run when teams expect it. Let's hope Kelly strikes that critical balance. I don't want to run if it's been successfully neutralized but let's hope that's near impossible for teams to do.

I expect Kelly to hit a near 50/50 split with some fresh pass plays to keep defenses confused.

Yeah as good as this O line is supposed to be if we can't run when everybody watching knows we need to that's gonna be a huge problem. I think you're right and we will probably be a 50/50 split but i really wished we were more 60/40 in favor of the run. I just feel like the only way ND will ever be a legit playoff team is to be a power rushing team and Kelly's past doesn't bode well for that philosophy but maybe Malik can make the difference.

 

[greyhammer90]

Yeah as good as this O line is supposed to be if we can't run when everybody watching knows we need to that's gonna be a huge problem. I think you're right and we will probably be a 50/50 split but i really wished we were more 60/40 in favor of the run. I just feel like the only way ND will ever be a legit playoff team is to be a power rushing team and Kelly's past doesn't bode well for that philosophy but maybe Malik can make the difference.

You guys are going to think I'm crazy, but this is kind of a "make or break" year for me with Heistand. If we can't consistently get two yards, even when the other team loads the box, I'm going to start thinking he's an elite recruiter but a mediocre coach. I was extremely disappointed with the OL last year given the amount of talent we had amassed. The LSU game was very promising though.

 

[woolybug25]

Yeah as good as this O line is supposed to be if we can't run when everybody watching knows we need to that's gonna be a huge problem. I think you're right and we will probably be a 50/50 split but i really wished we were more 60/40 in favor of the run. I just feel like the only way ND will ever be a legit playoff team is to be a power rushing team and Kelly's past doesn't bode well for that philosophy but maybe Malik can make the difference.

Did any of last year's playoff teams run 60% of the time? I don't believe any of them did.

 

[BobD]

You guys are going to think I'm crazy, but this is kind of a "make or break" year for me with Heistand. If we can't consistently get two yards, even when the other team loads the box, I'm going to start thinking he's an elite recruiter but a mediocre coach. I was extremely disappointed with the OL last year given the amount of talent we had amassed. The LSU game was very promising though.

As Notre Dame fans.....is it ever not "make or break" with anything. I'm optimistic about everything. I'm always extremely optimistic that something unlucky will happen to us at any moment.

 

[NDALA]

Did any of last year's playoff teams run 60% of the time? I don't believe any of them did.

I have no idea, but i think thats what ND needs to be if they wanna be a football power again.

 

[NDALA]

You guys are going to think I'm crazy, but this is kind of a "make or break" year for me with Heistand. If we can't consistently get two yards, even when the other team loads the box, I'm going to start thinking he's an elite recruiter but a mediocre coach. I was extremely disappointed with the OL last year given the amount of talent we had amassed. The LSU game was very promising though.

I totally agree thats why i haven't been sold on the o line hype. Until they can prove they can get yards when needed, like you just said, I'm gonna be cautiously optimistic. The LSU game was only one game. I sure hope Heistand is more than a recruiter and the o line proves it this yr. Of course Kelly has to give them the chance to also.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

The fact that Martin made the pro bowl his first year in the league tells me Hiestand can coach, Martin didn't just pick up pro bowl level skill in one pro offseason.

I think Hiestand needed time to build this unit into what it is. He was working with players who weren't his recruits. Now he has a stocked roster and they've been in the system. Every single player on the line has the necessary tools to play in the NFL, let's hope we see each of them build their draft stock.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

So, here we are at the start of another season. It is kind of weird that it falls on a Sunday, but oh well.

I am not drinking tonight, but the weather in Nashville is finally pleasant so we have the windows open and we are enjoying the cool evening air as we watch the SC/Bama game. Pretty darn good Saturday of football.

I want to wish everyone a great night and sweet dreams of lots of Irish touchdowns tomorrow.

And to NDinL.A. - all the best my friend. This is the night I think back to you and I getting hammered while we bash the trolls that used to infest I.E. back in the day.

Cheers y'all!!! Let's go Irish!!!!

 

[IrishInFl]

I don't have any power, so I can't watch games without eating up my data. I'm going to the bar tomorrow for the game. Stupid hurricane.