What we saw today, is what we're going to get with ND. I don't think there's going to be much "opening up" of the offense. This is going to be an excellent running attack, and when we are mixing up the PA and roll outs, watch out.
I thought EG looked great. He did look down Eifert, but I think that has more to do with Eifert's skills than EG. Same way Rees always looked down Floyd, you just expect them to make a play. Not saying it's right, just an observation.
The defense will get better. The just spent months concentrating on the option and the passing surprised them a bit. Throw in the fact, we have a freshman as a starter after only a few weeks, it will be alright.
I really like this year's team, and look forward to a great year.
I disagree with your first point. I think this offense is going to open up a lot. Golson's talent ceiling might as well be infinite. It was only Navy but he showed off that same elusiveness yet patience that his HS highlight film shows. His pick today, I don't believe was entirely on him. He was late on his throw but Eifert backpedaled 6+ yards of that route, which in turn caused the safety to break disgustingly early.
We might not see the tempo Kelly ran at Cinci but I do believe we will see the full extent of Golson's arm once he's fully comfortable.
They didn't spend months preparing for Navy's option. Those CB's shouldn't have been torched like that regardless of being on their own island. As someone who played corner at the collegiate level (Div II only), Russell is a great athlete but he has zero technique and I don't think he has the "fluidness" in his hips to cover anyone comfortable this year. I know, I know, he'll improve. I just think that as a DB, Jalen Brown should've got the nod today.
Another thing people are going to hate me saying is, Zeke Motta is constantly out of position. Regardless of whether or not this was a coaching issue with special looks against the option. He is just too slow. He's a great kid but lets be honest, he wouldn't even see scout team reps on some of the teams we play against this year. This is my biggest issue. If you have good to great safety play, your corners mediocrity or inexperience can be disguised. Example: Florida Gators Joe Haden getting cooked against any decent WR but with Major Wright behind him, he suffered much less. If we can get a comfortable lead next week, Kelly needs to put in every younger DB on the roster to get reps. Maybe even start working Russell/Atkinson in for Motta and give Jalen the CB spot.
I think the play calling today was brilliant. I was sold on Chuck Martin being some Kelly controlled drone, but it's clear he has more control than what most people initially thought. I didn't like all the under center looks with EG initially, but then I remembered GVSU and their spread was very simple but the shotgun/undercenter looks changed weekly depending on opponents.
One play that stuck out to me was Golson's side line zip to Davaris Daniels. Ir reminded me of Clausens velocity and the speed of Vick's low shoulder very quick release.
A few more points about defense. I'm not sure if the 425 look was option O specific but I don't care for Ishaq in a stance. If you watch him come off the edge from a stance compared to a standing OLB look, you'll realize that that it was much harder to slow his speed rush down. Then again, it could've been a lot worse for Navy because he spent most of his day staying at home playing contain.
Teo looks like he's a bit faster than last year. Also if you followed along closely, Kona absolutely embarrassed some O-linemen today, Louis Nix as well.
Frankly, I think GA3 is one of the most elite athletes in the country. If he's behind Cierre Wood on the depth chart. Cierre must have really shown something. I love watching Theo too, his footwork and jukes remind me of a young Marshawn Lynch at Cal. Seemingly off balance yet somehow manages to stay up right. He definitely doesn't have that final gear that GA possesses though.
I loved the Toma call. The hard work and consistency he has put in for Notre Dame over the years, he deserved that call and that TD. I'm not sure what people were whining about. We're very fortunate we completed this game with a defense that still has their ACL's in tact. Navy has no shame in openly chop blocking and if it were up to me I would've aired it out every chance I got in the 4th quarter. Don't sleep on McDaniel either, weak Navy D or not. He's north and south and has a lot of power for someone of his size.
Justin Ferguson had a catch today, he's clearly physically ready for D1, but I would've liked to see Chris Brown. Something about that kid reminds me of a 17 year old Randy Moss without the attitude. Extremely fast, extreme vertical leap, and great body control when the ball is in the air.
Finally, can we filter out Mark May's name on here? I won't say that his other game analysis is inaccurate or bad, but since affirmative action allowed him to be the Lou Holtz anti-ND troll every week on national TV. He doesn't deserve any mention, including my own.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm still hyped up over how we looked today.
Go Irish
