Offensive Coordinator Search

[Circa]

He's the one who players were having trouble with. BK did the right thing.

...and just like in the real world, if you aren't living up to your boss's expectations... you gone.[/So I’m not going to get into a drawn out argument, but sometimes the boss is the issue. As I said earlier, I’m not defending Chip Long, but a lot of his issues may be BK. Just like the real world the boss isn’t always right.

Just like the Movie.

Mods are alway's necessary and Boss's are alway's bosses.....



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[IrishLax]

I disagree here. Basically had the same receiving stats this year as TJJ despite missing most of the season. Got hurt against Louisville during his 16 yard reception on the first drive. 4 for 49 against VT. You could argue that he should have been used even more as a receiving back but compared to the other backs, he was definitely the one they tried to involve in the passing game the most. I also seem to remember him lining up out wide every now and then.

That's more my point, I can't believe they didn't develop him as their 3rd down back. Maybe I have unrealistic expectations for what a college team will do relative to the pros, but I thought he should've gotten more targets relative to Jones and been on the field more in clear passing situations. But I don't have a breakdown of snap count, I just remember a lot of failed screens to TJJ and TJJ pass blocking on most 3rd & distance situations.

 

[Luckylucci]

Just physically it looks like Jafar is tight. Unsure if that’s past injuries and/or maybe he needs to lose some weight (put it on too fast?) but he looked better last year as an athlete with the ball than he does now.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Just physically it looks like Jafar is tight. Unsure if that’s past injuries and/or maybe he needs to lose some weight (put it on too fast?) but he looked better last year as an athlete with the ball than he does now.

Imagine that has to do with the hernia. He looked good in that opening drive against Lville, remember him beating defenders to the sideline before being forced out on a crossing route (believe the play he was injured on, recall him grabbing himself after that play).

 

[T-Boone]

Both Jaffar and Tony Jones looked fairly ineffective in space as well as between the tackles. Book and Smith probably looked the best between the tackles and Lenzy looked best on the jet sweep. So I am hoping even if we get the same OL play but add Tyree and get Williams and Smith (Jafar improvement would be a bonus)more action then the ground game improves significantly.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Do we have any idea who has interviewed for the position? Poor Brian D is having a hissy fit saying his "sources" are saying it is a foregone conclusion that Tommy will get the gig.

He is all about Joe Moorhead in his latest tweets.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Josh Adams wasn't close to "explosive" yet the 2017 O line made him a Heisman contender. On his best day he might have run a 4.7 forty lol.

Lol, what? Adams ran a 4.48 at his Pro Day.

And that was a line led by arguably the best interior linemen in the league, and a guy who likely would've been a Pro-Bowler had he remained healthy this year.

And even that 2017 line had the same issues with the blocking scheme. They struggled immensely to generate consistent push against the likes of Miami, Georgia and Stanford.

So if we can't generate consistent push with a generational talent like Nelson or McGlinchey, then that may be indication that changes need to be made.

The idea that you claim, based on nothing, that ND didn't emphasize run blocking in the offseason is why people make fun of your youtube videos. Sorry.

Lol, those aren't my videos for one. And if you do make fun of a guy who just wants to state his opinion on ND football, then you're kind of being a dick. He may not know that much about ND football, but at least he puts himself out there every week and states his opinion, right or wrong.

Also, you say my claim is based on nothing....which is exactly the point. There's nothing in the offseason to indicate that ND was emphasizing the run and that is concerning.

We heard plenty about the run in 2017 leading up to it. But most of what was revealed by the pay sites this offseason revolved around ND's passing game, and most determined that ND would have to pass to win games this year.

Here's the problem. You assume that because there is nothing about ND not emphasizing the run, that they are practicing it. It's the opposite. The burden of proof falls on the staff to show they are doing it, because when the time comes for them to show their work and the product is lackluster, it makes it very easy to claim that they aren't emphasizing it based on what we know.

I'm still waiting to hear for the perfect "scheme" so we can watch 315 pound ND O linemen toss around 250 pound D tackles on third and short.

And then I'll ask this...if BK let go of Quinn tomorrow (he won't) who in the top 25 would be calling him up to be their O line coach? Think about it.

It's more than just scheme, it's about emphasizing going up and attacking the front head on. Zone blocking does that more, thus that is a start. But you need more explosive and/or instinctual runners to take advantage of zone blocking. This goes back to why you brushing off scheme and back talent is foolish. They matter a damn significant amount.

Your last question isn't worth answering, as there are way too many variables at work. We don't know who in the top 25 has an OL coaching position vacant. If Kelly lets go of Quinn, then the consensus is that he better have found a superstar OL coach, which are few and far between. Quinn is a bit more respected than you assume.

 

[stlnd01]

Do we have any idea who has interviewed for the position? Poor Brian D is having a hissy fit saying his "sources" are saying it is a foregone conclusion that Tommy will get the gig.

He is all about Joe Moorhead in his latest tweets.

There was some chatter about Mark Helfrich last week, though not sure if he actually interviewed. I'd certainly hope they'd at least talk with Moorhead. Minnesota's OC jumped to Penn State but I don't think he was ever (publicly) on our radar screen, which seems like a missed opportunity?
Agree it's been quiet and vague overall though. If it's Rees in the end, fine, but I do hope they at least kick the tires on some outside/more experienced names.

 

[Irish#1]

All I've been saying is they've opened up big lanes all year that weren't exploited. And it wasn't once or twice, it was several times per game.

That doesn't mean they're dominating in every single play. But the rush yards are not indicative of what they were opening. Because there were big plays to be had, but 4.9.

Please stop bringing 4.9 speed into the discussion on hitting holes quickly. Overall speed doesn't have a thing to do with it. The RPO is a significant contributor to not hitting the hole quickly as opposed to running from under center. The RPO requires a quick burst to get to the hole and for the Oline to hold their blocks a little longer.

Could the line have blocked better? Sure. Could the RB's have run better? Sure. Could the blocking scheme be better? Sure. As mentioned by others, there's enough blame to go all around. We weren't bad, but there's room for improvement.

 

[NDohio]

Do we have any idea who has interviewed for the position? Poor Brian D is having a hissy fit saying his "sources" are saying it is a foregone conclusion that Tommy will get the gig.

He is all about Joe Moorhead in his latest tweets.

Listened to a podcast this AM on the way to work. There was an analyst on that used to work the Miss State beat. A couple of things that he spoke about as issues for Moorhead's teams concerned me.

They were 0-5 coming out of either bye weeks or bowl prep. The analyst stated they always looked unprepared in these situations.

They had too many false starts, or had to call timeout, on the first play of the game or just out of halftime - sound familiar?

His teams lacked discipline across the board. There were several players suspended for grades, there were fights at practices, they made a ton of in-game mental errors,...

I really liked the offense he ran at PSU, but some of these issues give me pause.

 

[IrishLion]

Let's review:

1. Quinn could do a better job coaching up the OL... maybe? Or maybe he was locked into a certain scheme and everyone suffered for it.

2. The OL could have been better.

3. The OL would benefit (immensely) from a different blocking scheme.

4. Chip Long was too stubborn, and willing to take far too many negative plays to set up a certain play call. That's fine with Josh Adams feeling out several stretch plays... not fine when it's Ian Book behind the chains every 3rd down.

5. They did some new things in the run game against ISU that were awesome... primarily a bootleg strong-I formation that ISU wasn't prepared for (ND actually used this early in the year, too, but they tucked it away for a rainy day). Maybe they can build off of that to re-establish some of the fun play-action bootleg stuff that Book runs so well.

6. The RB's didn't help the OL, but sometimes the OL didn't help the RB's.

7. Jafar might still be hurt, or he just might not have a feel for the natural progression of learning to read holes as a RB.

8. Our RB's are too slow.

9. Our WR's blocked their asses off all year... can Lenzy/Austin/Keys/Wilkins/KAR/Skowronek/Johnson/etc. pick up the slack post-Fink/Claypool?

10. I'm comforted knowing that the offense, if anything else, can fall back on BK taking control if needed. Things will never be a total and unmitigated disaster on that side of the ball at the very least... and with Clark Lea on the other side, that's a good situation!

 

[NDdomer2]

Let's review:

1. Quinn could do a better job coaching up the OL... maybe? Or maybe he was locked into a certain scheme and everyone suffered for it.

2. The OL could have been better.

3. The OL would benefit (immensely) from a different blocking scheme.

4. Chip Long was too stubborn, and willing to take far too many negative plays to set up a certain play call. That's fine with Josh Adams feeling out several stretch plays... not fine when it's Ian Book behind the chains every 3rd down.

5. They did some new things in the run game against ISU that were awesome... primarily a bootleg strong-I formation that ISU wasn't prepared for (ND actually used this early in the year, too, but they tucked it away for a rainy day). Maybe they can build off of that to re-establish some of the fun play-action bootleg stuff that Book runs so well.

6. The RB's didn't help the OL, but sometimes the OL didn't help the RB's.

7. Jafar might still be hurt, or he just might not have a feel for the natural progression of learning to read holes as a RB.

8. Our RB's are too slow.

9. Our WR's blocked their asses off all year... can Lenzy/Austin/Keys/Wilkins/KAR/Skowronek/Johnson/etc. pick up the slack post-Fink/Claypool?

10. I'm comforted knowing that the offense, if anything else, can fall back on BK taking control if needed. Things will never be a total and unmitigated disaster on that side of the ball at the very least... and with Clark Lea on the other side, that's a good situation!

i think you forgot that BK is a terrible boss/manager and that Quinn needs to go because he is a BK "Kronie" and therefore both have already been employed far too long

 

[stlnd01]

i think you forgot that BK is a terrible boss/manager and that Quinn needs to go because he is a BK "Kronie" and therefore both have already been employed far too long

Also BK isn’t sufficiently committed to the running game and therefore will never be Lou Holtz.

 

[ulukinatme]

Also BK isn’t sufficiently committed to the running game and therefore will never be Lou Holtz.

Sufficiently abbreviated to Run the Damn Ball!

 

[irishnd31]

Sufficiently abbreviated to Run the Damn Ball!

Not to be confused with PIIHB

 

[ThePiombino]

Not to be confused with PIIHB

Question about an OC?

 

[BobbyMac]

Question about an OC?

...umm that's an oral cavity.

 

[IrishLion]

Question about an OC?

I think we're overdue for a good Brick thread.

Someone put up the Brick Signal and get him on here to tell us about his current trials and tribulations in life.

 

[BobbyMac]

I think we're overdue for a good Brick thread.

Someone put up the Brick Signal and get him on here to tell us about his current trials and tribulations in life.

He was just in the What are u watching? thread prepping us for his upcoming:

Questions about a Geisha --- thread.

 

[Irish#1]

...umm that's an oral cavity.

Bravo...........I'd rep you, but have to share the love first.

 

[dad4aa]

Bravo...........I'd rep you, but have to share the love first.

I repped him for ya...bc that shit was hilarious

 

[koonja]

My point has never been that the OL was "great" at moving people on running plays play after play. My point is that they consistently opened up lanes each game that are BIG plays if you have a top 25 back. They'd be OK, OK, OK, huge hole (but RB never got there in time).

But FWIW, this article thinks they were pretty good too.

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-all-130-college-football-offensive-line-situations

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Since you want to keep on about it.... the Irish won and you are beating a dead-horse on the OL


so quit crying because guess what, the two games you included in = your own argument = NM and BG, THE IRISH WON BIG



Jesus we need a crybaby section

You either missed the point or chose to ignore it. It's not that they won, it's how the O line played as a unit.

Pointing out ND's O line problems over the past 2 years doesn't equate to crybaby status. I'm not the miserable ND guy. All I'm saying is ND can't afford to be average on the O line, and they have underperformed so far under Quinn.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Lol, what? Adams ran a 4.48 at his Pro Day.

And that was a line led by arguably the best interior linemen in the league, and a guy who likely would've been a Pro-Bowler had he remained healthy this year.

And even that 2017 line had the same issues with the blocking scheme. They struggled immensely to generate consistent push against the likes of Miami, Georgia and Stanford.

So if we can't generate consistent push with a generational talent like Nelson or McGlinchey, then that may be indication that changes need to be made.




Lol, those aren't my videos for one. And if you do make fun of a guy who just wants to state his opinion on ND football, then you're kind of being a dick. He may not know that much about ND football, but at least he puts himself out there every week and states his opinion, right or wrong.

Also, you say my claim is based on nothing....which is exactly the point. There's nothing in the offseason to indicate that ND was emphasizing the run and that is concerning.

We heard plenty about the run in 2017 leading up to it. But most of what was revealed by the pay sites this offseason revolved around ND's passing game, and most determined that ND would have to pass to win games this year.

Here's the problem. You assume that because there is nothing about ND not emphasizing the run, that they are practicing it. It's the opposite. The burden of proof falls on the staff to show they are doing it, because when the time comes for them to show their work and the product is lackluster, it makes it very easy to claim that they aren't emphasizing it based on what we know.



It's more than just scheme, it's about emphasizing going up and attacking the front head on. Zone blocking does that more, thus that is a start. But you need more explosive and/or instinctual runners to take advantage of zone blocking. This goes back to why you brushing off scheme and back talent is foolish. They matter a damn significant amount.

Your last question isn't worth answering, as there are way too many variables at work. We don't know who in the top 25 has an OL coaching position vacant. If Kelly lets go of Quinn, then the consensus is that he better have found a superstar OL coach, which are few and far between. Quinn is a bit more respected than you assume.

I really didn't know Adams ran that time.

The 2017 O line had NFL talent. The 2019 O line could have it as well. We don't know at this point. I said I don't expect ND to dominate the trenches against Georgia and Clemson. But we shouldn't expect them to struggle up front against inferior teams.

If you aren't at practice every day, you can't say what Quinn did or did not emphasize. Just...no.

I want to see the scheme where ND lines up on third and short, blows people off the ball, and gets more than they need. Let's do that again. It was fun.

On Quinn, based on what are you saying he's so respected? He seems like a great guy and a really good recruiter, but there's no way he gets this job if he isn't linked to BK.

 

[Dizzyphil]

You either missed the point or chose to ignore it. It's not that they won, it's how the O line played as a unit.

Pointing out ND's O line problems over the past 2 years doesn't equate to crybaby status. I'm not the miserable ND guy. All I'm saying is ND can't afford to be average on the O line, and they have underperformed so far under Quinn.

If this would have been your initial argument - you would have saved grief from all those so far that have driven back on your comments.


Because - it's unfair to compare to HH in what he did for the OL vs. Quinn or any other coach.


When HH left TN Vols - their fan-base was saying 'GOOD RIDDANCE'... you would have to go find my posts in the original posts when HH was on his way to ND. I couldn't wait.



But you still cannot say the O line was average this or last year. They made mistakes as far as false starts - that is discipline. But they were top 20 in pass protection and lower on the scale in the run game but before the season started..... the question was at RB position and THAT was proven throughout the season.


With that - I'm done... you can hammer on this post if you like but this is where I stop because you always have good posts - I just wish you would have started your initial one with what I highlighted and the tone and posts would have taken a different route...


Go Irish!!! and good argument




crybaby

 

[Free Manera]

After listening to the II podcast today, I am feeling optimistic about Moorhead. Supposedly he would "crawl to Notre Dame" for the OC job. They said he would be a tremendous fit, despite the kind of messy stuff leading up to MSU's bowl. One of them said Moorhead would be a "grand slam hire."

 

[317Irish]

My point has never been that the OL was "great" at moving people on running plays play after play. My point is that they consistently opened up lanes each game that are BIG plays if you have a top 25 back. They'd be OK, OK, OK, huge hole (but RB never got there in time).

But FWIW, this article thinks they were pretty good too.

https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-ranking-all-130-college-football-offensive-line-situations

Koon did you actually read what it says about the ND O-Line on the link you posted?? It says they are rated 13th, with the help of the 2nd ranked line in terms of Pass Protection. That means the Run blocking drug them down a decent amount. Would you be satisfied with the 24th (might not be exactly how they came to 13th, but if it were an average of the pass and run numbers this is what it would be) best run blocking o-line? To me that equates to what I saw on the field all year and what some others have alluded to- a few big holes here and there in between a bunch of plays with little push and missed blocking assignments.

 

[BeauBenken]

Koon did you actually read what it says about the ND O-Line on the link you posted?? It says they are rated 13th, with the help of the 2nd ranked line in terms of Pass Protection. That means the Run blocking drug them down a decent amount. Would you be satisfied with the 24th (might not be exactly how they came to 13th, but if it were an average of the pass and run numbers this is what it would be) best run blocking o-line? To me that equates to what I saw on the field all year and what some others have alluded to- a few big holes here and there in between a bunch of plays with little push and missed blocking assignments.

Considering the injuries and potential scheme issues...ain't that not half bad though?

 

[koonja]

Koon did you actually read what it says about the ND O-Line on the link you posted?? It says they are rated 13th, with the help of the 2nd ranked line in terms of Pass Protection. That means the Run blocking drug them down a decent amount. Would you be satisfied with the 24th (might not be exactly how they came to 13th, but if it were an average of the pass and run numbers this is what it would be) best run blocking o-line? To me that equates to what I saw on the field all year and what some others have alluded to- a few big holes here and there in between a bunch of plays with little push and missed blocking assignments.

You ever heard of "read and react"? I'm just the react part.

But in all seriousness, like I said this article isn't my point, but just another supplementary piece that says the OL wasn't "bad". 24th isn't elite, but it's also not "we must fire our OC" bad.

My point is still about the big lanes that were there that a top 30 RB would have taken advantage of.

And Wed all have a very different perspective of the OL and Quinn, IMO.

 

[Luckylucci]

After listening to the II podcast today, I am feeling optimistic about Moorhead. Supposedly he would "crawl to Notre Dame" for the OC job. They said he would be a tremendous fit, despite the kind of messy stuff leading up to MSU's bowl. One of them said Moorhead would be a "grand slam hire."

ISD also commented on how much Moorhead likes ND. We’ll see.