ND's Offseason Issues

[jiggafini19]

Removed.

 

[jiggafini19]

Ndukewe covering Santonio Holmes leads me to believe that there are some serious X and O issues Rick Minter and his defensive staff need to sort out. You're asking for a beating when you put a safety on a receiver that has the ability of Holmes.

This was the best read for me in a long time. Nothing like a reality check and a cup of coffee at 7 AM.

 

[leppycole]

I think CW and Staff did a good job so far recruiting for the secondary. The thing that stood out for me in the game was the comfort factor. ND did look a little razzled by the arena - I know that a football field is the same in any stadium, but with more exposue the players will be more familiar with the BIG stage. OSU has been there often-recently, they looked loose and appeared to be having fun even prior to the game. That comfort zone is very hard to coach and maybe CW is so used to the BIG Game feeling - he may not have concentrated on addressing it. No one knows for sure. In reflection, this is a great learning experience for the whole team and only good can come of it.
Go Irish - cannot wait till the Blue and Gold Game!!!!!

 

[domerfor life]

Ndukewe covering Santonio Holmes leads me to believe that there are some serious X and O issues Rick Minter and his defensive staff need to sort out. You're asking for a beating when you put a safety on a receiver that has the ability of Holmes.
This was the best read for me in a long time. Nothing like a reality check and a cup of coffee at 7 AM.

Jigg, those covered some of the same issues I have had all year. We never saw dime coverage once during the whole entire season. So when teams line up in 4 receiver sets, we're toast. When you're forced to play in space you have to tackle. We failed at that miserably at times. Walls and McNeil have to step up, so that we can implement a dime package. If not, we will continue to get shredded by spread offenses and any team with a good quarterback. You can't expect linebackers and safeties to cover WR's with 4.4/4.5 speed, especially when the pass rush is non-existent. We were good against short yardage situations. When we played teams like MSU, OSU, and USC (all losses), we didn't match up and they just picked us apart. That has to get fixed or we'll be experiencing the same feeling next year. I was one of the main ones saying that if we could have just won those two games we could be playing for the championship. After watching Vince Young last night, I wanted no part of Texas. If Troy Smith killed us, just think about what Vince Young would do to us. Yikes!

 

[Domer95]

Don't need my venti SBUX this am, after reading this AND watching Shitty Pitty steal one from the ND Ballers last night in 2OT.

However, constructive criticism is always good and it's good to hear about their attitude and goals for next year (at least from Zibby).

Anyone know an official date for Blue/Gold?

 

[jiggafini19]

Remember linebackers covering a freshmen Bush and SC receivers two years ago?

Didn't work then and doesn't work now. Ferrine and Lambert aren't good enough for nickel-dime coverage. Ferrine looked like a fool against Stanford, but come on. McCarthy? Bruton? Vernaglia? There aren't two more DBs that can get out there?

 

[bigdon]

The most telling post is Domer's sentence about the "non-existent pass rush". If we can't solve that problem there is NO change of alignment that will make this defense work. Watching Smith stand back for 5,6,7 seconds reminded me of the ND-Navy game where Quinn could have had lunch waiting for someone to come open. Walls, McNeil or Night Train Lane will not be able to defend if the QB can have that much time. We could have 7 DB's out there and they could not stop a good passing attack. As I previously posted, next year you will see opponents throw 50 and 60 times because that is the formula for beating ND. If we can't get to the QB forget everything else.

 

[jiggafini19]

Abiarmari needs help. It is so easy for teams to double up on him.

You need a front four that can push without a blitz. Again, I like Wade and Ryan, but don't expect to see them soon. I'm waiting for Hand and Kuntz to see some time in 2006. Their progress in spring will be tops on my watch list.

 

[scooper]

We need a pocket collapsing DT to emerge. Speed on the edges is great, but nothing blows up a pass play like a center or a guard being thrown back on top of the QB.

 

[jiggafini19]

Minter's idea, per the words of Trevor Laws, are for the DT to occupy and move their blockers as though they themselves are offensive linemen. This allows the LB to do what they do.

With that said, they need some big 300 lb DTs that are tough to move. Laws and Landri, while tough, are undersized for their spots.

This is why I hope to see Hand emerge, Lewis or McCoy get on board and two DT in the 2007 group.

 

[domerfor life]

Minter's idea, per the words of Trevor Laws, are for the DT to occupy and move their blockers as though they themselves are offensive linemen. This allows the LB to do what they do.
With that said, they need some big 300 lb DTs that are tough to move. Laws and Landri, while tough, are undersized for their spots.
This is why I hope to see Hand emerge, Lewis or McCoy get on board and two DT in the 2007 group.

Laws and Landri are too small. If you are a glutton for punishment, watch the game again and look at the OSU offensive line play pinball with our defensive linemen. It was disheartening. They didn't even sniff Troy Smith the whole game, except for a couple of plays. I like Laws and Landri, but they can only do so much. To win championships, you have to go against teams with great lines. If we can't get a better pass rush than that, then we should save the championship talk for another time. Jigg is right, we need a big 300 lb DT that clogs the middle and collapses the pocket. Troy Smith had time enough to go through his progressions several times. When he couldn't find anybody, he ran for a first down. Now if you're going against a running QB and you know he often runs for the 1st down on 3rd and long situations, why then would you not put a spy on him? How many times did Troy Smith kill us on 3rd down runs and there was nobody within 8 yards of him. Guys, we've got alot of work to do on defense. I'm just not convinced that it can be done in a years time. What I saw Monday leads me to believe that the defense is at least another 2 years away from really being stout. We need players. We need a strong front four so that the safeties can concentrate solely on the pass and the linebackers can concentrate on securing the middle and the edges. Minter is going to have to come up with some more schemes to get more pressure on the quarterback until they can upgrade the line.

 

[bigdon]

Minter's idea, per the words of Trevor Laws, are for the DT to occupy and move their blockers as though they themselves are offensive linemen. This allows the LB to do what they do.
With that said, they need some big 300 lb DTs that are tough to move. Laws and Landri, while tough, are undersized for their spots.
This is why I hope to see Hand emerge, Lewis or McCoy get on board and two DT in the 2007 group.

Weis has given himself 5 years to win the NC. (or, in his words, he should be fired)If that is to come about it is THIS recruiting class that will take him there. That is why it is imperative that the DL be upgraded NOW.

I know that some think we'll be in the Fiesta Bowl NEXT year. With the D we will have next year that will not happen.I think 2006 will be a replay of 2005. I can see the offense in good shape for the forseeable future but if we don't solve the mess at D with this class I do not believe Weis will win the NC in 5 years.

We all feel the 2007 recruiting class will be a knockout. That's fine but most of those guys won't get on the field until 2008. As good as they may be it would be difficult to win it all with a bunch of sophomores. .

The one criticism I have of Weis is his apparent reluctance to give the younger players significant playing time. I believe (and hope) that will change. If he has any realistic idea of a NC in 5 years THIS class will have to come along quickly. I believe most of us think this class can help out as freshmen. I hope Weis feels the same way.

 

[scooper]

The one criticism I have of Weis is his apparent reluctance to give the younger players significant playing time.

What are you talking about? Almost the entire freshman class played this year, granted many of them were needed, but that many true freshmen on the field is unusual.

Schwapp played a lot even before RPN's suspension. Both KR were freshmen, with Grimes in on a lot of offensive plays, even if he didn't get many thrown his way. Kuntz played often at DT and special teams. Scott Smith and Steve Quinn got more playing time than a good portion of the older linebackers. Bruton was on the field a lot on special teams. Turkovich and Duncan were the primary backups at OT and got a lot of time.

Brown, Ferrine, Crum, and Talley all played a lot as true sophmores. As did another guy, I think his name is Darius something or other.

Weis will play young guys.

 

[domerfor life]

Dude, I just want to see us be able to line up in dime coverage next year. I'm sick of seeing nickel coverage against a 4 wideout set. I'm sick of seeing scrambling QB's run for 1st downs because there are no spies. I think unless we get a stud DT who can contribute right away, our line is as good as it's going to get right now.

 

[BigIrish]

The one criticism I have of Weis is his apparent reluctance to give the younger players significant playing time. I believe (and hope) that will change. If he has any realistic idea of a NC in 5 years THIS class will have to come along quickly. I believe most of us think this class can help out as freshmen. I hope Weis feels the same way.

asaph schwapp?

weis put two thirds of his true freshman on the field this year. i'm not sure how you can make a claim like that.

weis will play a kid as soon as he's ready.

 

[jiggafini19]

asaph schwapp?
weis put two thirds of his true freshman on the field this year. i'm not sure how you can make a claim like that.
weis will play a kid as soon as he's ready.

Note that BigDon said significant time. Schwapp got more minutes than everyone else combined, or close to it. I've been looking for participation stats from this year and can't find them.

This is going to take time. 2006 and 2007 recruiting hauls are going to be vital.

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MANY SPOTS ND WILL HAVE IN 2007?

 

[scooper]

Then how do you define significant time? I'd be willing to bet that the total minutes played of our true freshmen is larger than most top 25 teams this season. Of course that's due a lot to a shallow sophmore class.

What is he supposed to do? Put in Wolke or Sharpley during the fourth quarter of the Michigan game? As soon as games were out of reach, Charlie put in young guys all season. Often times, the subs were younger than a lot of other guys on the bench. That looks like getting the future ready to me.

 

[scooper]

DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MANY SPOTS ND WILL HAVE IN 2007?

I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing low 20's. There is still a lack of depth.

 

[bigdon]

asaph schwapp?
weis put two thirds of his true freshman on the field this year. i'm not sure how you can make a claim like that.
weis will play a kid as soon as he's ready.

If that's true I suppose Weis didn't think Wolke or Sharpley were ready because he didn't use them.

Schwapp got plenty of playing time because there was no choice. How many times did Weis give him the ball?

I did not limit my comments to freshmen. The backups for Quinn, Sam, Stovall,Tommy Z, Abiamiri, etc. rarely got any playing time that count as experience. With records being broken each game I would have thought some other names would emerge. That did not happen.

 

[BigIrish]

well, weis COULD have played RPN. a LOT of coaches wouldn't have thought twice about putting him back in the rotation.

i'll give you that, bigdon...our backups in the secondary and other skill positions didn't get many reps at all this year. lets hope that some of our freshman on this year's squad grow up quickly and turn into contributors this spring.

 

[weisfaninmass]

If that's true I suppose Weis didn't think Wolke or Sharpley were ready because he didn't use them.
Schwapp got plenty of playing time because there was no choice. How many times did Weis give him the ball?
I did not limit my comments to freshmen. The backups for Quinn, Sam, Stovall,Tommy Z, Abiamiri, etc. rarely got any playing time that count as experience. With records being broken each game I would have thought some other names would emerge. That did not happen.

Let's not forget that the FROSH and SOPH classes A. were not that good and B. there are not that many of them (i think 16 is frosh classs and 12 left in SOPH class). Expect more and more time from the incoming classes in the future.

 

[wahoo]

Recruits for 2007

Recruits for 2007

They should be able to recruit the full compliment---which is 25.

I think we need to get faster in the secondary and at linebacker. Also if we can develop a CONSISTANT( key word) pass rush that will make whoever we have in secondary that much better.

I really do think that Charlie gets IT! he can take us to the top. Remember all the great ND coaches....Rockne,Ara, & Lou (just to name a few) won the national championship in their 3rd year

 

[Gizmo]

We'll have Laws clogging up the middle and Abiamiri rushing off the end, and I think a healthy Frome and a returning Leitko will be very helpful additions. I think we can generate significant pressure off the ends with Abiamiri, Frome, and Leitko.

My question is, on the D-line do we have a current verbal or a possible commitment that would be able to step in immediately and not just play but be an impact player? I've heard that Lewis or McCoy are exactly what we're looking for at DT. So right now I'm hoping they sign, and then if they do I can worry about their immediate impact.

With three capable DEs and two strong DTs we might have the personnel necessary for a pass rush, thus enabling Minter to mix in more blitz packages and an effective dime set for those pesky 3rd and 4th downs that we had so much trouble with this year.

Keep your fingers crossed Irish.

 

[scooper]

Gizmo, I don't think they'll know until they get on campus. We would hope that a Lewis or McCoy could add immediate playable depth at DT. Both seem physically ready for college ball, but you don't know about any incoming player until they're put to the fire. The DE's both supposedly have very good raw talent but both will probably need some work with Mendoza before having an impact. The darkhorse in this group could end up Paddy Mullen. He's a big guy with some athleticism.

Oh, and stay out of the water and don't eat at night.

 

[jiggafini19]

Darkhorses: Paddy Mullen and Kallen Wade.

I like Wade a great deal. I have high hopes that His progression will remind us of Justin Tuck's career path at ND when all is said and done.

 

[scooper]

Darkhorses: Paddy Mullen and Kallen Wade.
I like Wade a great deal. I have high hopes that His progression will remind us of Justin Tuck's career path at ND when all is said and done.

Ugh. F-You Ty. We sure could have used Tuck. I don't think Tuck would have helped us beat the Buckeyes, but it wouldn't have mattered. With Tuck, we would have been in the Rose Bowl.

 

[domerfor life]

Ugh. F-You Ty. We sure could have used Tuck. I don't think Tuck would have helped us beat the Buckeyes, but it wouldn't have mattered. With Tuck, we would have been in the Rose Bowl.

Imagine what Tuck could have done this year. He would have actually gotten some coaching (techniques and fundamentals). That guy could get to the quarterback just on sheer athletic ability. If he could have been under this staff, he could've been a monster. Him on one side, Abiamiri on the other. Who will you double?

 

[domerfor life]

Darkhorses: Paddy Mullen and Kallen Wade.
I like Wade a great deal. I have high hopes that His progression will remind us of Justin Tuck's career path at ND when all is said and done.

I have hope that one of our recruits at corner can step in and that will enable us to implement some dime packages. Nickel against 4 and 5 receiver sets doesn't work. It hadn't worked for three years now.

 

[jiggafini19]

They're both very good. Walls and McNeil should be full time starters by 2007 as long as health and grades hold up.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

yeah I see our recruits in the secondary being able to jump in early and play (Walls, Mcneil,Brown) I think if we landed McCoy he could start immediately but I think from the film I've seen Lewis will need a year.