Offensive Line Thread

ResLife Hero · Apr 29, 2016

Comments like this can only help with what he's built and continues building.

zelezo vlk · Apr 29, 2016

I hope the staff sends all this to Foster. That and Hiestand's likely response, a grunt.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Luckylucci · Apr 29, 2016

I wonder if he can make this his best OL group yet.

BobbyMac · May 13, 2016

So a year later with the #6 and #50 overall picks in the league and what many are predicting as two first rounders next year... where are we now?

Sherm Sticky · May 13, 2016

NDCrusader said:
So a year later with the #6 and #50 overall picks in the league and what many are predicting as two first rounders next year... where are we now?

I really hope Q doesn't leave after his red shirt sophomore year. He should stay one more year and get his degree.

GoIrish41 · May 13, 2016

Sherm Sticky said:
I really hope Q doesn't leave after his red shirt sophomore year. He should stay one more year and get his degree.

And a championship!

Crazy Balki · May 13, 2016

GoIrish41 said:
And another championship!

Yep.

NDdomer2 · Jun 23, 2016

stole from braxton cave thread:

Braxston Cave Notre Dame football NFL

The other benefit Cave had when he entered the NFL was a year playing under offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Cave’s final year at Notre Dame was Hiestand’s first, but the offensive linemen that included Cave, Mike Golic Jr., Chris Watt and Zack Martin appreciated how the first-year offensive line coach didn’t try to impose his own philosophy on the veterans.

“Hiestand, we had a special relationship because I was a fifth-year senior and he didn’t want to come in and completely change who I was, but at the same time he implemented his ways and it helped me tremendously,” Cave said. “I still tell people to this day I wish that I could’ve had a couple more years with him, because we were really successful when he came in and just his teaching style.

“He’s not just a coach. He’s more like a mentor. He’s a guy that you can sit down with and not just watch film or talk about school, but talk about life. He was a great guy for me to bring in my fifth year.”

Veritate Duce Progredi · Jun 23, 2016

HH is absolutely foundational to what Kelly is building in South Bend. Hope he stays long enough to get a statue because if he keeps pumping out first round OL, I think he'll have earned it.

Bogtrotter07 · Jun 23, 2016

Joe Moore is the de facto standard in offensive line coaches. Period.

Joe never hit the recruiting trail. He would tell the rest of the staff to bring him on campus, he would look at him, and if he was worth it, he would accept the kid's commitment. Really.

Harry had the coaching ability. The personality, and charisma. The ability to evaluate talent. But Harry also has this recruiting efficiency that is unparalleled.

It is going to get better. Offensive linemen seem to be among the most intelligent of all football players. Don't know why. So there is plenty of elite talent that can easily qualify.

With Harry's reputation, the best are going to be coming to him for a chance, just like they did in the days of Joe Moore.

Seems that every indication is Harry is willing to stay until he retires. He is happy at ND, and has what he wants. The only thing that I think could affect that is a new head coach coming in without a smooth integration. And I don't think that is likely to happen.

Irish#1 · Jun 23, 2016

Bogtrotter07 said:
Joe Moore is the de facto standard in offensive line coaches. Period.

Joe never hit the recruiting trail. He would tell the rest of the staff to bring him on campus, he would look at him, and if he was worth it, he would accept the kid's commitment. Really.

Harry had the coaching ability. The personality, and charisma. The ability to evaluate talent. But Harry also has this recruiting efficiency that is unparalleled.

It is going to get better. Offensive linemen seem to be among the most intelligent of all football players. Don't know why. So there is plenty of elite talent that can easily qualify.

With Harry's reputation, the best are going to be coming to him for a chance, just like they did in the days of Joe Moore.

Seems that every indication is Harry is willing to stay until he retires. He is happy at ND, and has what he wants. The only thing that I think could affect that is a new head coach coming in without a smooth integration. And I don't think that is likely to happen.

As was another Joe. Joe Yonto created his masterpieces on the defensive side of the line.

irish1958 · Jun 23, 2016

Bogtrotter07 said:
Joe Moore is the de facto standard in offensive line coaches. Period.

Joe never hit the recruiting trail. He would tell the rest of the staff to bring him on campus, he would look at him, and if he was worth it, he would accept the kid's commitment. Really.

Harry had the coaching ability. The personality, and charisma. The ability to evaluate talent. But Harry also has this recruiting efficiency that is unparalleled.

It is going to get better. Offensive linemen seem to be among the most intelligent of all football players. Don't know why. So there is plenty of elite talent that can easily qualify.

With Harry's reputation, the best are going to be coming to him for a chance, just like they did in the days of Joe Moore.

Seems that every indication is Harry is willing to stay until he retires. He is happy at ND, and has what he wants. The only thing that I think could affect that is a new head coach coming in without a smooth integration. And I don't think that is likely to happen.

Bob Davies couldn't wait to fire Joe Moore and destroyed our offense for decades.

woolybug25 · Jun 23, 2016

On his connection with former offensive line coach Joe Moore:

"I was coaching at the University of Cincinnati in 1990 and a good friend of mine, Ron Turner--who I had gotten to know--had coached with Joe Moore at Pittsburgh. I was talking about taking visits to go research football and learn about offensive line play. Ron said, `The best guy I know is at Notre Dame, that's Joe Moore and you've got to go up and see him.' So I came up here and met with Coach Moore and had a chance to visit with him. I was obviously taken right away by his knowledge of offensive line play, but probably most importantly his ability to relate to players and to get the best out of his players. I got to watch him coach, watch practice, and sit with him. Over the years we maintained contact. When he retired he would come out and spend a week with us at Illinois, because, again, Ron Turner was the head coach, Joe had a relationship with Ron, and obviously he knew that I was really interested in what he was teaching. So he came out and spent time talking football, talking through coaching, philosophy, life, the whole thing. He had a tremendous impact on me. Joe was one of those people who you either gravitated to him or not--and there was no in between. I was one of those who gravitated to him, and he taught me a lot about offensive line play. Most of the things I teach have been influenced by what Joe taught. Once that started and we spent that much time together, then I became very close with him as he went back and was coaching high school. He and his wife, Fran, and his family--I was able to be a part of him up until his death."

Quotes from Notre Dame Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Harry Hiestand :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics

Irish#1 · Jun 23, 2016

woolybug25 said:
Quotes from Notre Dame Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Harry Hiestand :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics

There you go. If you can't have Joe Moore, why not have the next best thing, a Moore disciple?

vmgsf · Jun 30, 2016

Is Harry the ideal coach for modern offensive line play and succeeding in the NFL? With concerns about concussions from great amounts of contact type drills, does Harry emphasize technique and mastering execution rather than just bashing bodies? But demanding superior conditioning and strength building by hard work rather than PED's. Is Harry one of the best things that has happened for the Fighting IRISH?

Wild Bill · Jun 30, 2016

vmgsf said:
Is Harry the ideal coach for modern offensive line play and succeeding in the NFL? With concerns about concussions from great amounts of contact type drills, does Harry emphasize technique and mastering execution rather than just bashing bodies? But demanding superior conditioning and strength building by hard work rather than PED's. Is Harry one of the best things that has happened for the Fighting IRISH?

He's clearly doing something right.

I believe the emphasis on technique is largely due to offenses throwing the ball more and more and moving away from the running game. Pass blocking, for the most part, doesn't require that you move a person against their will. You simply have to prevent the defender from getting to the place they want to be, and avoiding contact is actually encouraged. Compare that to run blocking where you have to move someone against their will. I don't care how great your technique may be, you still have to be strong, tough and violent to move defenders man on man.

NDVirginia19 · Jun 30, 2016

Pay this man as much as possible to keep him! Has HH ever stated what he wants his next step to be?

ulukinatme · Jun 30, 2016

vmgsf said:
Is Harry the ideal coach for modern offensive line play and succeeding in the NFL? With concerns about concussions from great amounts of contact type drills, does Harry emphasize technique and mastering execution rather than just bashing bodies? But demanding superior conditioning and strength building by hard work rather than PED's. Is Harry one of the best things that has happened for the Fighting IRISH?

Wild Bill said:
He's clearly doing something right.

I believe the emphasis on technique is largely due to offenses throwing the ball more and more and moving away from the running game. Pass blocking, for the most part, doesn't require that you move a person against their will. You simply have to prevent the defender from getting to the place they want to be, and avoiding contact is actually encouraged. Compare that to run blocking where you have to move someone against their will. I don't care how great your technique may be, you still have to be strong, tough and violent to move defenders man on man.

I think Bill hit the nail on the head. I've been a slightly critical of Harry's run blocking scheme/technique/results/etc in prior seasons. His numbers were leaps and bounds over where we were under previous HC's, but compared to Warriner I felt we were opening bigger holes with less talent. My argument may be moot now after 2015 though, given that we had a very great running game statistically last year, albeit we racked up tons of bonus yards on big runs which helped to inflate those numbers. In any case, the fact remains that Harry's strength has always been pass blocking, he's #1 in that area. He teaches good technique, and the lack of sacks speak for themselves.

Coincidentally, I always struggled more as a run blocker personally, for the reasons Bill outlined. Run blocking is a lot of work. It can be extremely tiring trying to move a player that doesn't want to be moved, much less a player that's trying to move against you. It's far easier switching roles and preventing a player from reaching the QB ala pass blocking. I was an exceptional pass blocker, but I didn't always have a high motor or have the gas to be an efficient run blocker.

koonja · Jun 30, 2016

I don't see HH leaving. IDK much about him, but if he got a better offer, I see him sitting at the dinner table shaking his head like 'well I'd have to get a moving truck, I'd have to deal with a jackass realator again, I'd have to move my weight bench. It's just not worth the hassle, now what time is the world's strongest man competition on?'

TDHeysus · Jun 30, 2016

NDLightning35 said:
Pay this man as much as possible to keep him!

yes!! back up the Brinks truck to Harry's house and let him off load as much as he needs...otherwise, he'll be the next oline coach at OSU

CIrishWin · Jun 30, 2016

Can he add Wills, Smith, and Sarell for this class, If pulls this off name a street and a building after him. LOL

NDVirginia19 · Jun 30, 2016

CIrishWin said:
Can he add Wills, Smith, and Sarell for this class, If pulls this off name a street and a building after him. LOL

The Harry Hiestand House of Pain Weight Room

Booslum31 · Jun 30, 2016

CIrishWin said:
Can he add Wills, Smith, and Sarell for this class, If pulls this off name a street and a building after him. LOL

He still has a lot of work to do this cycle. But I'm with you if he can pull that off.

BobbyMac · Jun 30, 2016

CIrishWin said:
Can he add Wills, Smith, and Sarell for this class, If pulls this off name a street and a building after him. LOL

No. That is impossible.

BobbyMac · Jul 1, 2016

I ran across this interesting list of top OG-OC's for this year on NFL.com and it got me thinking.

- Q isn't on the list. Author should be fired.

- Look how many guys were 3 star, low to mid 80 Comps. Goes to show in many cases talent identification, development and opportunity are as important as ranking

- 4 of the first 6 were born in Chicago, 3 of them went to HS in affluent areas right in the ND home footprint.

- Two were from Ohio and only one went to OSU, ND offered neither

- I thought Braden Smith was an absolute lock for ND.

- ND offered 5 of the 10, got one official from Smith.

ulukinatme · Jul 1, 2016

koonja said:
I don't see HH leaving. IDK much about him, but if he got a better offer, I see him sitting at the dinner table shaking his head like 'well I'd have to get a moving truck, I'd have to deal with a jackass realator again, I'd have to move my weight bench. It's just not worth the hassle, now what time is the world's strongest man competition on?'

So...confirmation that you run the Fake Harry Twitter?

dublinirish · Jul 1, 2016

ulukinatme said:
So...confirmation that you run the Fake Harry Twitter?

you dont deserve..

IrishLion · Jul 13, 2016

https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-in-notre-dame-stanford/

According to the pro experts, reports of questions in regards to our new starters are greatly exaggerated.

#HarryIsThatDude

BGIF · Jul 13, 2016

IrishLion said:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football-top-10-offensive-lines-in-notre-dame-stanford/

According to the pro experts, reports of questions in regards to our new starters are greatly exaggerated.

#HarryIsThatDude

Phil Steele sees it differently in many cases.

HTML:

#  PFF    STEELE
1  ND       23
2  SU       21
3  APP      33
4  USC      1
5  LSU      5
6  WSU     >50
7   IU      12
8  AUB      25
9  WVU      11
10 FSU      3

The rest of Steele's Top 10 are:

2 UNC
4 ALA
6 UM
7 UGA
8 PIT
9 CLEM
10 OSU

ND is nowhere near the 100 plus or minus career OLine Starts that tend to be associated with the great lines. I believe we have good material coupled with a maestro OL coach. Talented players but without several years playing together.

Now if the OC, er HC, improves the Red Zone play calling AND people stay healthy ... ND could be trending to that lofty PFF ranking.

Bogtrotter07 · Jul 13, 2016

I read the article.

As far as what data is the criterion for this rating, I am a bit unclear.

The article talks at first about talent and implies that a major consideration is the players being evaluated.

Then when it lists ND as number one, it starts talking about offensive plays, blocking techniques, and schemes.

I can only surmise that this magazine thinks that ND has a high level of talent that can execute a sophisticated offensive scheme, with training and skills developed that will translate well on the NFL level.

Everything I have heard is that all NFL scouts are having wet dreams over Mike McGlinchey. Quenton Nelson is being whispered about as an automatic future All-Pro. And with ND's development process, record of developing offensive line talent under Harry, and the talent level of the recruits coming in (rated number one in the college ranks by compiling results of the recruiting services,) this covers it.

Also, I have a friend that is related to a coach in the NFL at the Coordinator level that swears ND will be better at each position this year than last. Not my words. I would say that my friend wouldn't lie about something like this, but I cannot swear that they would get everything in context, either! So what it's worth. A lot of people are looking at three right side as establishing themselves as pretty special, too.

So, a series of great offensive tackles, with as many more in the pipeline, and Harry in charge is enough to light 'em up!

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