ND and Fatal Flaws

[Domina Nostra]

The thing that has made ND so frustrating since 2005 (with the exception of 2007) is the combination of some incredible talent, with some really glaring holes. We have had a strange combination of top tier talent at most spots with gaping holes at a couple for about 6 years now.

2011: Last year we were very, very good (when healthy), but our QB play was really second rate. It was our fatal flaw. If you watched the Alabama Michigan game last night, you would have noticed that it was a lot like our game last year except that Alabama did not committ a bunch of dumb TOs. Sure their CBs this year were better than ours last year. But they still made some big mistakes that lead to 14 Michigan points. The big difference was that they capitalized on offense and took the wind out of Michigan's sails. We had that opportunity but turned it over again and again. Floyd and Eiffert were a potent combo. Think about what we would have done in that game with someone like Golson, or even Clausen.

2010: QB play doomed us, although we had some growing pains at the begining of the year. Admittedly, that was a rebuilding year.

2009-08: We had a potent offense but just no ability to stop the run. This is more than one player, but it was still glaring how that one aspect of the defense (the pass protection was fine), contrasted with Clausen, Tate, Floyd, Rudy, Allen, etc.

The 2005 and 2006 teams were good, but you knew we were a CB or two away from greatness. Good teams could get a long ball when they needed it. It was like clockwork. It looks like 2012 could look a lot like one of those years. WE look so good in so many areas, but we are just so YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED at CB. I guess the difference is that we lacked talent then, whereas KR, BJ, JA, and JB are talented kids.

I wish a few Cornerback prospects would spend some time watching our games and realize just how close we are. Thank goodness we are getting credit for our schedule this year. Perhaps it will help some prospects withhold judgment during tough losses.

On the other hand, if KR or GA or JB can step up, we could be pretty good. I am certainly not writing this year off this early. So here's to hoping. GO IRISH!!!

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

The thing that has made ND so frustrating since 2005 (with the exception of 2007) is the combination of some incredible talent, with some really glaring holes. We have had a strange combination of top tier talent at most spots with gaping holes at a couple for about 6 years now.

2011: Last year we were very, very good (when healthy), but our QB play was really second rate. It was our fatal flaw. If you watched the Alabama Michigan game last night, you would have noticed that it was a lot like our game last year except that Alabama did not committ a bunch of dumb TOs. Sure their CBs this year were better than ours last year. But they still made some big mistakes that lead to 14 Michigan points. The big difference was that they capitalized on offense and took the wind out of Michigan's sails. We had that opportunity but turned it over again and again. Floyd and Eiffert were a potent combo. Think about what we would have done in that game with someone like Golson, or even Clausen.

2010: QB play doomed us, although we had some growing pains at the begining of the year. Admittedly, that was a rebuilding year.

2009-08: We had a potent offense but just no ability to stop the run. This is more than one player, but it was still glaring how that one aspect of the defense (the pass protection was fine), contrasted with Clausen, Tate, Floyd, Rudy, Allen, etc.

The 2005 and 2006 teams were good, but you knew we were a CB or two away from greatness. Good teams could get a long ball when they needed it. It was like clockwork. It looks like 2012 could look a lot like one of those years. WE look so good in so many areas, but we are just so YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED at CB. I guess the difference is that we lacked talent then, whereas KR, BJ, JA, and JB are talented kids.

I wish a few Cornerback prospects would spend some time watching our games and realize just how close we are. Thank goodness we are getting credit for our schedule this year. Perhaps it will help some prospects withhold judgment during tough losses.

On the other hand, if KR or GA or JB can step up, we could be pretty good. I am certainly not writing this year off this early. So here's to hoping. GO IRISH!!!

Kelly has done one thing that everyone will agree. He has focused on getting OLinemen and DLinemen which is essential for us to compete on a national level. When you look back at the Ty, Weis, and Davie regimes, they were not able to compete in the trenches. If you can't compete in the trenches, forget about it. Smoke and mirrors can only get you so far.
We now have an excellent starting five OLine and a damn good 2nd team Oline. We have two dominant Dlinemen and if KLM plays like he did against Navy...three dominant Dlinemen...with more than adequate backups.

The unknown or question is can Kelly succeed with the scheme he used in Cincy. I don't believe he can and I point out last year as evidence. The dumb turnovers are part and parcel of the scheme that Kelly ran last year. When you run a high risk offense, you should expect the unlucky bounce and unfortunate turnovers. Alabama doesn't run a high risk offense. Alabama will not put themselves in a position to commit the turnovers that we committed last year.

What I saw against Navy was very encouraging. If we play that style of football, we will be successful this year. Sure we have flaws. Who doesn't? The fatal flaw for any football team is ignoring or incapable of competing for the line of scrimmage. We now have the ability to not only compete for but to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

It will be an interesting year.

 

[Domina Nostra]

What I saw against Navy was very encouraging. If we play that style of football, we will be successful this year. Sure we have flaws. Who doesn't? The fatal flaw for any football team is ignoring or incapable of competing for the line of scrimmage. We now have the ability to not only compete for but to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. .

This is a big deal, no doubt.

 

[eNDzone]

A plus on our CB play was when they were burnt by technique they recovered quickly and made up the ground with their speed to bring the receiver down.

 

[elboricua]

When you look back at the Ty, Weis, and Davie regimes, they were not able to compete in the trenches. If you can't compete in the trenches, forget about it. Smoke and mirrors can only get you so far.
We now have an excellent starting five OLine and a damn good 2nd team Oline. We have two dominant Dlinemen and if KLM plays like he did against Navy...three dominant Dlinemen...with more than adequate backups.

The unknown or question is can Kelly succeed with the scheme he used in Cincy. I don't believe he can and I point out last year as evidence. The dumb turnovers are part and parcel of the scheme that Kelly ran last year. When you run a high risk offense, you should expect the unlucky bounce and unfortunate turnovers. Alabama doesn't run a high risk offense. Alabama will not put themselves in a position to commit the turnovers that we committed last year.

What I saw against Navy was very encouraging. If we play that style of football, we will be successful this year. Sure we have flaws. Who doesn't? The fatal flaw for any football team is ignoring or incapable of competing for the line of scrimmage. We now have the ability to not only compete for but to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.


A couple of points where I think you are mistaken. First of all, under Davie, the reason the team was successful was that they could play in the trenches. It was everywhere else they sucked, particularly at the skill positions. Remember the BCS game against Oregon State? Under Ty it was the same thing because he still had a lot of Davie's players. Now you are absolutely right about the good things Kelly is doing, but we are still far away. An o-line with really great numbers and depth wouldn't be starting Golic and would have several Stanley type prospects at tackle. Same with DL and prospects like Day, Tuitt, and Nix. You need to have a few more and more bodies period.

But most importantly, scheme. BK's scheme last year was not risky. It did not take many risks at all. It's just that Rees couldn't handle much of anything and his limited physical ability allowed teams over time to adjust and make him beat them which he can't do. The offense that Kelly has run since he came to ND is not that dissimilar to Alabama's in terms of risk. Different schemes but there is nothing too risky about what ND does. It's a simple basic spread offense. We will get more interesting this year with some Okie State concepts but it won't be very risky I don't think. This win over Navy was extremely risk-adverse in strategy I agree and that is a lot of what Bama does. But ND should not aspire to what Bama does on offense I don't think.