Post Game Observations (Oklahoma)....

[Rudy89]

Ugh. I hated watching the game today. Irish played with no passion (which is probably a result of the terrible start). Tommy was not good today. Turnovers killed us (although the first one wasn't really his fault), but he also missed some easy ones at critical times. His lack of mobility hurts us, but I don't think Hendrix is the answer.

On a side note, I'm watching the SC /ASU game and I have a bad feeling that they are both going to beat us. ASU looks really good offensively and their mobile QB is a stud. We've had trouble with mobile QB's all year. We're in big trouble next week!

ASU will spank us. USC will beat us in a squeaker. Guys I think we just need to come to terms with the fact that last year is prolly the best we are going to get out of ND football. This year is already a bust. We don't have the talent to compete this year and it's not going to be a good year. I dunno what we can do but Tommy Rees and this D won't get us anywhere. Honestly I thin we are looking at another 03 or 09. I know I don't have many fans here and y'all have all the right in the world to not take my posts seriously but seriously after the garbage we have seen this year sell me on optimism for this season and this program going forward.

 

[BeauBenken]

First thing is first. I did not get to watch any of the game other than the first quarter and once Councell was ejected (what was that for?) until the end of the game.

Simply from what I saw though, there are two things that I can say.

1) Teams have a way of making an identity for themselves about this far into the season. You want to know what the identity of this team is becoming? We. Start. Horribly. Honest to God, I have never seen a team with so much talent on offense start so poorly each and every game. I believe the last time we got more than 3 offensive plays out of our first drive was against Temple. We might as well start games down by 14 points.

2) When Councell was ejected, we had over 8 minutes to go, and we were behind just two scores. A possible feat to accomplish, yet I saw an offense AND a defense play with ZERO desire to win a football game. (Same with the fans though.) Tommy, who for so long had seemed like he had improved simply from a mental aspect because he couldn't be phased anymore, had a look that absolutely disgusted me. He did not look like a leader. And you won't catch me saying this kind of thing very often. Probably one of the only times where I felt bad for watching the game. How a team goes from playing in a championship game to looking like they don't think they can win baffles me.

 

[BGIF]

First thing is first. I did not get to watch any of the game other than the first quarter and once Councell was ejected (what was that for?) until the end of the game.

...

Targeting, a hit to the head or neck of a defenseless player. New rule this year.

It was also called in the Bama game tonight. In that game on appeal the suspension was reversed but the penalty stood.

 

[Irishbounty28]

.

 

[GoldenDomer87]

I'm still surprised at the fact that people are amazed when Rees struggles against top talent, he always has. Every INT was his fault and the turnovers were the difference. The first pick was on him because it was an obvious overload and if you watch there is a hat on a hat across the line. That ball needs to be out and to a hot route to Niklas. Very simple football. The second one was a poor throw and the third was a bad decision.

Defense played well enough for a win, but when you turn the ball over 3 times and don't force any, the defense will need to play lights outs and they didn't. 4 forced turnovers in 5 games, not good. ILB are slow in space, although Grace looks like he could be the real deal. I would like some disguises when we blitz. Mayock is diagnosing it before the snap, I'm sure the QB is too.

I think 7-5 or even 6-6 is a real possibility. The way Rees plays you have to figure loses against ASU, USC, and Stanford. Then will a 3-4 team be confident enough to beat teams "they're supposed to beat."

I honestly believe this is a 9-3, 10-2 team with Golson. That's the difference a big time QB makes.

 

[ThePiombino]

I'm still surprised at the fact that people are amazed when Rees struggles against top talent, he always has. Every INT was his fault and the turnovers were the difference. The first pick was on him because it was an obvious overload and if you watch there is a hat on a hat across the line. That ball needs to be out and to a hot route to Niklas. Very simple football. The second one was a poor throw and the third was a bad decision.

Defense played well enough for a win, but when you turn the ball over 3 times and don't force any, the defense will need to play lights outs and they didn't. 4 forced turnovers in 5 games, not good. ILB are slow in space, although Grace looks like he could be the real deal. I would like some disguises when we blitz. Mayock is diagnosing it before the snap, I'm sure the QB is too.

I think 7-5 or even 6-6 is a real possibility. The way Rees plays you have to figure loses against ASU, USC, and Stanford. Then will a 3-4 team be confident enough to beat teams "they're supposed to beat."

I honestly believe this is a 9-3, 10-2 team with Golson. That's the difference a big time QB makes.

Please explain how a blindside hit was his fault.

 

[GoldenDomer87]

Please explain how a blindside hit was his fault.

If you kept reading past the words you made bold it would explain. Again, obvious overload blitz, they showed it early so the whole blindside argument is flawed. At that point it's basic pitch and catch. It's what teams do to us because we show blitz before the other team even gets lined up. I saw ASU do it multiple times to USC.

The fact of the matter is Rees has lost to top teams and still has yet to prove he can beat them. 2011 it was USC, Stanford, and FSU. This year it's Michigan and OU. I'm not rooting against him, but at some point you to have open your eyes to his limitations.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

- Rees is awful. Not just because of the INTs, every intended receiver always has to adjust his body to make the catch (that's why TJ tipped the ball), he never throws into the hands of his targets, barely.

- Folston has good vision, balance and ability to stay in his feet. Anyway, he did not look very smooth in his straight-line speed, not bad acceleration but not great closing speed. GAIII finding spaces and making good things with his verticality. Mcdaniel is not a game changer and Carlisle .. well, i think if Kelly was smart, he would move him to the slot, where people like Prosise or Onwualu are not ready, and i think Carlisle would be more dangerous there, and with that move, Bryant would get at least some touches. It would be a winning move for everybody, i think.

- Daniels did not look good against press coverage and corners like Dennard or Colvin, elite cornerbacks. But he is playing good. TJ Jones always produces. Robinson and Fuller are a great surprise. The most disappointing player here is Chris Brown, i did not hear his name yesterday.

- Probably playing at his best, Ishaq is a non-factor player, he is a bust (i would like to see some Okwara sooner than later). Tuitt playing soft and lazy, hate this. Nix is a warrior, always with a huge effort every play, you gotta love him.

- Jaylon is a great fit at DOG lb, but this guy would be an absolute beast as a CAT if he puts 10, 15 more lbs. It's not easy make plays behind the LOI as a DOG LB because he has to drop in coverage the most of snaps. Shembo is not playing bad but he is not living up the expectations.

- Jackson was burned all day, Russell looks average all of the weeks. Shumate and Collinsworth so-so, Farley can not be the starter, this is Notre Dame.

 

[irishpat183]

This is Tommy Rees. You Reesus lovers are insane. He's not a starting caliber QB. He's a guy that can come off the bench and be a decent filler.

He runs into a quality opponent, and throws 3 picks and looks lost.



hes on pace to set every nd passing record


Lol. We're in for a long season. I just hope we can beat AZ ST because I'm gonna be there.

 

[DillonHall]

This is Tommy Rees. You Reesus lovers are insane. He's not a starting caliber QB. He's a guy that can come off the bench and be a decent filler.

He runs into a quality opponent, and throws 3 picks and looks lost.



hes on pace to set every nd passing record


Lol. We're in for a long season. I just hope we can beat AZ ST because I'm gonna be there.

It's fine, most people realize that they're delusional. Rees' supporters on this site constantly make up sorry excuses and ignore posts that present facts opposing their opinions.

Question: Who the **** cares about ND passing records? Tommy should be compared to other current players across the company, not to past players from different eras and coaching staffs. Some people are just not that smart.

 

[Luckylucci]

Positive is Atkinson looked good running the ball today. Not just the big run but I thought he made very good decisions cutting the ball up inside for short gains on several occasions.

 

[EifertPower]

Not faulting Kelly for the knee for the half. Rees cannot really be reliable and trusted in the two minute offense. I know it's disappointing as a fan to watch your team take a knee but Rees is what he is and Kelly has to base entire gameplans around his strengths/weaknesses. Unfortunately, the key to succeeding when Tommy Rees is your quarterback is to take care of the football, win the field position battle, be opportunistic, and let your defense carry you. Down 14-0 seconds into the game put us in a difficult spot. However, the game was still there for the taking if the defense could've made a play particularly on that series when we we down 27-21.

Those who want to be critical of the offensive line, i personally feel they are so much better than the lines that Jimmy Clausen had to work with. Clausen had to improvise on every single play because his pass protection broke down.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We let our opponents dictate our game plan instead of developing who we are.

So true. Seems like every game we do what the other team allows us, as opposed to taking whats ours. The W.

The 125 yds and 10 minutes were due to the 3 extra possessions we gave them

No. One was a pick 6.

We can have the best class in the universe but without leadership its unorganized movement thought the field.

H0lY Fvck, were was the leadership today?

"I've seen monkey **** fights more organized than this".

Right on point. That and this team looks passionless at times. Like they are just going thru the motions. There isn't always that desire. Collectively.

 

[Irishman77]

I was shocked at the lack of emotion this year until I came to grips that you gotta make a big play in order to get emotional ( like a freakin sack) .

 

[kmoose]

I was shocked at the lack of emotion this year until I came to grips that you gotta make a big play in order to get emotional ( like a freakin sack) .

Or like an 80 yard TD run?

 

[Irishman77]

Yeah I was zoned in on the D. Unless Rees gets moved to safety I still have hope in our D

 

[Irish Insanity]

Post game interview had me chuckling...

WatchND.tv

Coach definitely wasn't happy. But seemed to blame the INTs on the O-line and the WRs running the wrong routes.

 

[irishpat183]

- Rees is awful. Not just because of the INTs, every intended receiver always has to adjust his body to make the catch (that's why TJ tipped the ball), he never throws into the hands of his targets, barely.

- Folston has good vision, balance and ability to stay in his feet. Anyway, he did not look very smooth in his straight-line speed, not bad acceleration but not great closing speed. GAIII finding spaces and making good things with his verticality. Mcdaniel is not a game changer and Carlisle .. well, i think if Kelly was smart, he would move him to the slot, where people like Prosise or Onwualu are not ready, and i think Carlisle would be more dangerous there, and with that move, Bryant would get at least some touches. It would be a winning move for everybody, i think.

- Daniels did not look good against press coverage and corners like Dennard or Colvin, elite cornerbacks. But he is playing good. TJ Jones always produces. Robinson and Fuller are a great surprise. The most disappointing player here is Chris Brown, i did not hear his name yesterday.

- Probably playing at his best, Ishaq is a non-factor player, he is a bust (i would like to see some Okwara sooner than later). Tuitt playing soft and lazy, hate this. Nix is a warrior, always with a huge effort every play, you gotta love him.

- Jaylon is a great fit at DOG lb, but this guy would be an absolute beast as a CAT if he puts 10, 15 more lbs. It's not easy make plays behind the LOI as a DOG LB because he has to drop in coverage the most of snaps. Shembo is not playing bad but he is not living up the expectations.

- Jackson was burned all day, Russell looks average all of the weeks. Shumate and Collinsworth so-so, Farley can not be the starter, this is Notre Dame.

Finally, an honest post.

 

[tko]

Coach definitely wasn't happy. But seemed to blame the INTs on the O-line and the WRs running the wrong routes.

I love how impatient Kelly was with the Indian or Pakistani reporter. Speak please, wtf?

 

[stlnd01]

Coach definitely wasn't happy. But seemed to blame the INTs on the O-line and the WRs running the wrong routes.

Perhaps he doesn't want to publicly hang Rees out to dry because he knows - unfortunately - that Rees is the best we've got and there's really no point in badmouthing him. (even though it might make some Tommy haters feel better). I'd suspect the conversations in private go differently.

Rees is what he is, but it's not like we've got Gunner Kiel sitting on the bench. The rest of the offense - and that includes the coaches - is going to have to pick it up.

 

[GATTACA!]

No. One was a pick 6.

So subtract 70 yards from our total. It has the same effect just based on a different stat.

 

[DillonHall]

Perhaps he doesn't want to publicly hang Rees out to dry because he knows - unfortunately - that Rees is the best we've got and there's really no point in badmouthing him. (even though it might make some Tommy haters feel better). I'd suspect the conversations in private go differently.

Rees is what he is, but it's not like we've got Gunner Kiel sitting on the bench. The rest of the offense - and that includes the coaches - is going to have to pick it up.

This 100%

 

[irishpat183]

I have the urge to keep repeating "he's a top 25 QB" and "he's on pace to set every ND passing record"....

And "Diaco has a bend but don't break, system"


It makes me chuckle.




Get back to applying pressure. Scrap your garbage system, Diaco....you're costing yourself a head coaching job. It's obvious we don't have the players this year to play that game. We're also not getting the lucky breaks we did last year.

We're not a BCS team, at least I pray we don't go to a BCS game because we'll get ****ing embarrassed, so lets try something else.

On offense....well...we just don't have an identity. We can't run it, we can't throw it with consistency, we have a QB that has no business starting for Notre Dame, and we've lost nearly all production out of the TE position. It's a train wreck.

Quit with the ****ing 5 man RB rotation. Plug in Bryant and allow Cam to carry the load late in the game.

Carlise and GAIII had EVERY opportunity to seize the role and they've been very average.

I'm not giving up on the season, but heads need to roll and a shakeup may help. Without changes, this is a 5 loss team

 

[Irish Insanity]

Perhaps he doesn't want to publicly hang Rees out to dry because he knows - unfortunately - that Rees is the best we've got and there's really no point in badmouthing him. (even though it might make some Tommy haters feel better). I'd suspect the conversations in private go differently.

Rees is what he is, but it's not like we've got Gunner Kiel sitting on the bench. The rest of the offense - and that includes the coaches - is going to have to pick it up.

I agree with all but the bolded. I think BK may be the biggest Rees supporter of us all. I think he respects Rees for sticking around after the teeter totter career he's had at ND. BK knows he's reached his ceiling a while ago,. but he knows he's his best option at this point.

 

[CarrollVermin]

I felt we ran the ball a lot better this game, but we also made a commitment to do it out of different formations. I don't know why this was different from previous games. We need to continue to do this.

I felt our D played better, not to a championship level, but better. We are still getting killed in the slot. It may be a situation where we keep a linebacker in against a mobile QB, but we may be better off in a nickel or dime on third down to help with the four and five wide match up. The TD that OU scored to seal the game was a thing of beauty...great scouting and play call. We have to clean that up this week.

Speaking of this week...my head already hurts thinking of the match-up problems we have against ASU.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I have the urge to keep repeating "he's a top 25 QB" and "he's on pace to set every ND passing record"....

And "Diaco has a bend but don't break, system"


It makes me chuckle.




Get back to applying pressure. Scrap your garbage system, Diaco....you're costing yourself a head coaching job. It's obvious we don't have the players this year to play that game. We're also not getting the lucky breaks we did last year.

We're not a BCS team, at least I pray we don't go to a BCS game because we'll get ****ing embarrassed, so lets try something else.

On offense....well...we just don't have an identity. We can't run it, we can't throw it with consistency, we have a QB that has no business starting for Notre Dame, and we've lost nearly all production out of the TE position. It's a train wreck.

Quit with the ****ing 5 man RB rotation. Plug in Bryant and allow Cam to carry the load late in the game.

Carlise and GAIII had EVERY opportunity to seize the role and they've been very average.

I'm not giving up on the season, but heads need to roll and a shakeup may help. Without changes, this is a 5 loss team

It feels so wrong agreeing with you, but I do. Lol.

With losing the starting QB unexpectedly, all we did on D, and our top 2 RBs, this year shoulda been a pin your ears back and get after it year. Both on O and D. Instead its been a conservative, play not to lose, let the other team dictate what will happen year. Disappointing.

 

[ScooterIrish]

Quit with the ****ing 5 man RB rotation. Plug in Bryant and allow Cam to carry the load late in the game.

Carlise and GAIII had EVERY opportunity to seize the role and they've been very average.

I actually thought GA3 was our best RB yesterday and it wasn't close. Cam is a hard runner, but is soooo slow. But then again Cam is a 3 star from Texas so he's really a 4 star.

 

[Grahambo]

Coach definitely wasn't happy. But seemed to blame the INTs on the O-line and the WRs running the wrong routes.

Ill spot him the 1st INT but the last two were awful throws that shouldn't have been thrown. One cost us a FGA and momentum and the other one practically gave OU like 30 yards to score. Its the QBs job to make smart decisions regardless if the OL misses a block or WR runs the wrong route. Throw it out of bounds. I'll assume he's trying to not toss him under the bus.

 

[irishpat183]

I actually thought GA3 was our best RB yesterday and it wasn't close. Cam is a hard runner, but is soooo slow. But then again Cam is a 3 star from Texas so he's really a 4 star.

GAIII may have been our guy yesterday...but he's been awful the rest of the season.

And I'm not a Cam defender by any means, but if he's in late in games or on short yardage, I'm ok with that. But he cannot be leading our team in carries

 

[irishpat183]

Ill spot him the 1st INT but the last two were awful throws that shouldn't have been thrown. One cost us a FGA and momentum and the other one practically gave OU like 30 yards to score. Its the QBs job to make smart decisions regardless if the OL misses a block or WR runs the wrong route. Throw it out of bounds. I'll assume he's trying to not toss him under the bus.

And if we're gonna start discounting INTs that were wrong routes or whatever, lets take away TD passes in which the WR makes a fantastic play.

I'm not buying it. Tommy pulls the trigger at the end of the day. While there are INTs that aren't all the QBs fault, it's his job to be on the same page and see the field, coverages, blitzes...etc.