Post Game Observations (Syracuse '14)...

[Buster Bluth]

Anybody have a link to rewatch it? I was out having beers with Michigan fans and didn't get to pay attention.

 

[koonja]

Anybody have a link to rewatch it? I was out having beers with Michigan fans and didn't get to pay attention.

There's no need to do this guy any favors.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Haha it was with Jordan Kovacs and his friends. It was one unforgettable experience, like drinking with an ND football player during the 2009 implosion. I honestly feel bad for many of them, they're good people.

 

[IrishLax]

Haha it was with Jordan Kovacs and his friends. It was one unforgettable experience, like drinking with an ND football player during the 2009 implosion. I honestly feel bad for many of them.

I'm legitimately very interested to hear the general feelings... because Kovacs actually played for Hoke.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Anybody have a link to rewatch it? I was out having beers with Michigan fans and didn't get to pay attention.

^This. Except my area had a power outage due to a storm. Smh. I was so pissed.

 

[Emcee77]

We should keep the run blocking issues in perspective. We rushed for 161 yards on 41 attempts, 3.9 yards per carry. There is nothing terribly wrong with that. We want to be getting more push up front, yes, but I don't think it is panic button time.

 

[kmoose]

We should keep the run blocking issues in perspective. We rushed for 161 yards on 41 attempts, 3.9 yards per carry. There is nothing terribly wrong with that. We want to be getting more push up front, yes, but I don't think it is panic button time.

I don't think we should be panicking, but those numbers are a BIG problem, against Syracuse.

 

[NDhoosier]

Personally I don't think Tarean Folston is THAT talented. I think he can be a very good college back behind a solid OL but he's not a game breaker.

As much as I can't believe i'm saying this I wish we had GAIII still. He was at least a threat to take it to the house every time he touched it.

No back will look good if they keep getting blown up in the back field. Folston rarely had any lanes to run through.

 

[Emcee77]

I don't think we should be panicking, but those numbers are a BIG problem, against Syracuse.

I don't follow. So why shouldn't we be panicking then?

Anyway, I don't think those numbers are a big problem in a game in which we punted only twice. Turnovers aside, the offense was clicking.

 

[kmoose]

I don't follow. So why shouldn't we be panicking then?

Anyway, I don't think those numbers are a big problem in a game in which we punted only twice. Turnovers aside, the offense was clicking.

There's no reason to panic, because the running game is only one half of the offense, and the other half is coming along very well. But it is a BIG problem, because Syracuse is a team that we should have dominated the line of scrimmage against, and we didn't. Luckily, their secondary and LBs are not great, and we were able to run a bunch of screens against them, to move the ball. But what are we going to do, when we come up against more complete defenses, like Stanford and USC? If we can't blow Syracuse off of the line, then there's every reason to think that Stanford and USC will also be able to stuff our run. Their secondaries and LBs are much better than Syracuse's. So how do you think we will move the ball, if we can't run and have limited success throwing the ball?

 

[ickythump1225]

If we don't need to run all the time, why should we? I swear some people just want to see "balance" for the sake of balance. It would be one thing if I thought we were a run dependent team that couldn't really pass all that well a la 2012 but we're a different team. I think the running game will gel a bit more as the season progresses but I believe with EG leading the offense we're going to be a pass based offense.

 

[kmoose]

If we don't need to run all the time, why should we? I swear some people just want to see "balance" for the sake of balance. It would be one thing if I thought we were a run dependent team that couldn't really pass all that well a la 2012 but we're a different team. I think the running game will gel a bit more as the season progresses but I believe with EG leading the offense we're going to be a pass based offense.

I'm not sure if you are new to major college football or not. But being a one-dimensional offense is fine.............. if you play in the SunBelt or Patriot Conferences. You know the old saying, "That guy's a defensive back because he can't catch." Meaning, if he could catch, they would have him playing wide receiver? Well, Defensive Coordinators are not guys who just couldn't figure out offense. They are smart!! And if you put a one-dimensional offense on the field, it better be loaded with first round draft picks at EVERY position, or they will find a way to stop you. THAT is why balance is important. You don't have to kick ass in both phases in every game, but you do have to be able to rely on either one, in case some opponent decides to take one phase away from you.

 

[NDdomer2]

My concern with the run game is and always has been when we are unable to run it when we have to.

E.g. it's 3&2 and we line up in an obvious run formation.

I don't care if we're in middle of field and run read out of shotgun on first and get one yard. Well get or gashes on those plays here and there and usually are doing it just to stay balanced.

But when its time to man up and get a couple yards it seems we get stoned even or lose ground at the Los.

We should have the hogs to win the "we both know what's coming" vs the Purdue/Syracuse's of the world.

 

[IrishLax]

Our OL problem is really simple... we have no leader. It was supposed to be Nick Martin, but he's playing like absolute ass this year. Don't really understand why he was made a captain, but I don't know the inner workings. Probably our worst OL overall... maybe Elmer though.

It's great to talk about getting nasty and physical and things like that as if it's a schematic or physical issue that can be corrected... but the issue is that on many plays they're simply not organized and blocking the right people, and I almost never, ever see someone getting up to the second level to put a hat on a linebacker. With Zach Martin making the calls everyone executed correctly on the vast majority of plays. I miss being able to pound the rock on the ground like we did in 2012 with only a mediocre passing game.

Air raid is the only way to go right now and try to figure things out again versus UNC. Have to wonder when you give guys like McGlinchey/Bivin/McGovern/Montelus a shot or if they're all busts.

 

[NDdomer2]

So if they aren't ready as sophomores they are busts?

 

[IrishLax]

So if they aren't ready as sophomores they are busts?

Not even close to what I said... thanks though.

 

[NDdomer2]

Not even close to what I said... thanks though.

It was a serious question, so, I guess I owe you an apology.

Just wanted clarification on you're bust comment, as it does read as tho if they aren't given a shot that's the only explanation as to why (busts).

 

[IrishLax]

It was a serious question, so, I guess I owe you an apology.

Just wanted clarification on you're bust comment, as it does read as tho if they aren't given a shot that's the only explanation as to why (busts).

I posed it as a question of "when" do you give younger guys a look if the product on the field continues to not meet the standard the coaches expect. After we start losing games? Later in the season if there is no improvement? After the season? Not until graduation of these guys? Remember, everyone but Lombard has the option to return from our starting 5.

The only guy even given a serious look in fall camp was McGlinchey. Outside of our 5 + Hanratty/McGlinchey the other guys might as well not be on the depth chart right now until you get to 3 injuries. The alternative answer could simply be that they're undeveloped or busts or otherwise the coaches do not believe that any of them can play winning football right now. Stanley at tackle/Elmer at guard both project to be pretty solid players who could even be great at some point... but Hegarty is a known quantity (decent, not great) and nothing Lombard or Nick Martin have shown to this point as veterans indicates that they're going to metamorphosis into All-Americans. So when do you start seeing if you're highly touted young guns simply have more talent than your veterans if you haven't already made up your mind that they can't play?

 

[NDdomer2]

Thank you. I was surprised we didn't put elmer next to Stanley again if he is going to play guard. Are we trying to "hide" martin by putting him next to our best?

I honestly wouldn't mind us taking martin out of lineup. Move elmer to lg, keep hegarty a C, slide Lombard back in at rg and bring on McGlinch.

 

[irish#underground]

Our O-line is soft, lacking the nastiness, leg drive(strengh), toughness. Saying that, i would like to see alot of misdirection mixed in with read option. Other than that we need toot because we will be passing a whole lot. Go Irish...

 

[Buster Bluth]

I'm legitimately very interested to hear the general feelings... because Kovacs actually played for Hoke.

Jordan is an A+ dude so we wasn't about to publicly vent. And I'm friends with his brother, not him, so I wasn't about to prod. Still though, one could tell he's passed being frustrated and just plain sad about the situation in Ann Arbor. Hoke is a lame duck at this point and of course he has a ton of respect for him.

It really kinda sucks that coaches can really be fired over the course of a season. I can't think of many professions where one has to live in the public eye knowing they're completely toast, and having to endure that for months on end.

 

[irish#underground]

Another thing i really hate being surrounded by Seminoles...

 

[koonja]

I posed it as a question of "when" do you give younger guys a look if the product on the field continues to not meet the standard the coaches expect. After we start losing games? Later in the season if there is no improvement? After the season? Not until graduation of these guys? Remember, everyone but Lombard has the option to return from our starting 5.

The only guy even given a serious look in fall camp was McGlinchey. Outside of our 5 + Hanratty/McGlinchey the other guys might as well not be on the depth chart right now until you get to 3 injuries. The alternative answer could simply be that they're undeveloped or busts or otherwise the coaches do not believe that any of them can play winning football right now. Stanley at tackle/Elmer at guard both project to be pretty solid players who could even be great at some point... but Hegarty is a known quantity (decent, not great) and nothing Lombard or Nick Martin have shown to this point as veterans indicates that they're going to metamorphosis into All-Americans. So when do you start seeing if you're highly touted young guns simply have more talent than your veterans if you haven't already made up your mind that they can't play?

Are you calling for Quenton Nelson/McGlinchey? I suppose at this point they want to preserve the RS's, but those two are probably more physically impressive than some we have out there.

 

[pkt77242]

Are you calling for Quenton Nelson/McGlinchey? I suppose at this point they want to preserve the RS's, but those two are probably more physically impressive than some we have out there.

McGlinchey redshirted last year so it isn't about preserving his redshirt.

 

[Rocknes Ghost]

Jordan is an A+ dude so we wasn't about to publicly vent. And I'm friends with his brother, not him, so I wasn't about to prod. Still though, one could tell he's passed being frustrated and just plain sad about the situation in Ann Arbor. Hoke is a lame duck at this point and of course he has a ton of respect for him.

It really kinda sucks that coaches can really be fired over the course of a season. I can't think of many professions where one has to live in the public eye knowing they're completely toast, and having to endure that for months on end.

There also are not that many professions where one would make $3mm per year. Do not feel bad for him...especially since he is at Michigan. Think about the chicken dance being played at the end of the game last year, his comments about ND being chickens, and enjoy the fireworks show with the rest of us.

 

[Irishman77]

Thank you. I was surprised we didn't put elmer next to Stanley again if he is going to play guard. Are we trying to "hide" martin by putting him next to our best?

I honestly wouldn't mind us taking martin out of lineup. Move elmer to lg, keep hegarty a C, slide Lombard back in at rg and bring on McGlinch.

No way my man....

Martin is the leader and our best line man. He was put next to Stanley (our steno nd best) to have a dominant side..

Elmer has major difficulty on whom to block, lacks pulling ability, and most importantly...plays too nice! Great kid, but not ready!

Lombard is serviceable to get us through our growing pangs...

Hegarty and hanratty will do, but certainly not pushing anybody around.

I am curious about Nelson , Montelous and mustipher next year.

 

[Pachuco]

Thank you. I was surprised we didn't put elmer next to Stanley again if he is going to play guard. Are we trying to "hide" martin by putting him next to our best?

I honestly wouldn't mind us taking martin out of lineup. Move elmer to lg, keep hegarty a C, slide Lombard back in at rg and bring on McGlinch.

That's a tough call / bold move to pull your starting captain out of the lineup for performance-based reasons. Is that unprecedented over the last 20 years for ND? I would hope that would spark a fire, and not cause division within the unit. I'm pretty sure Martin would be the first to accept responsibility for his play, and would handle it maturely. Something needs to change though, and soon.

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm not sure if you are new to major college football or not. But being a one-dimensional offense is fine.............. if you play in the SunBelt or Patriot Conferences. You know the old saying, "That guy's a defensive back because he can't catch." Meaning, if he could catch, they would have him playing wide receiver? Well, Defensive Coordinators are not guys who just couldn't figure out offense. They are smart!! And if you put a one-dimensional offense on the field, it better be loaded with first round draft picks at EVERY position, or they will find a way to stop you. THAT is why balance is important. You don't have to kick ass in both phases in every game, but you do have to be able to rely on either one, in case some opponent decides to take one phase away from you.

All those swing passes and screens that we ran last night were just extensions of the running game. The "running game" isn't just defined lining up in the power I and pounding it up the gut. The inside zone read draw where we faked it to GB(?) and then hit Cam on a little swing pass outside is about the same thing as a run in my mind. Why does matter if we physically hand the ball off or use an "extended hand off" via a shovel pass or a swing pass? I thought the point was to isolate the defense and get your athletes into space? I'm not sure what the obsession with a traditional "ground and pound" run game is over.

Football has changed and is continually changing since the man in your avatar was photographed. Several pro football teams as well as college football teams successfully implement a short passing game to supplement deficiencies in their traditional run game. BK throughout his coaching career has never been a run based guy and only did the "ground and pound" "we want to be like Alabama" routine in 2012 out of necessity.

Like you said balance is about a 50/50 split, it's about being able to run or pass when necessary. I'm confident in BK's ability to find ways to get our athletes the ball in space.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

No way my man....

Martin is the leader and our best line man. He was put next to Stanley (our steno nd best) to have a dominant side..

Elmer has major difficulty on whom to block, lacks pulling ability, and most importantly...plays too nice! Great kid, but not ready!

Lombard is serviceable to get us through our growing pangs...

Hegarty and hanratty will do, but certainly not pushing anybody around.

I am curious about Nelson , Montelous and mustipher next year.

Martin is not our best lineman. Stanley clearly is. Martin has been awful this year.

 

[NDdomer2]

IM77 - I agree on Elmer. Too many times I find him doing nothing, just hit someone dude!

Pachuco - I am sure it isn't something that has been done a lot. But, as Lax said, when does the staff say, "screw it, were fixing this thing, no matter what the circumstances."