Post Game Observations....

[ACamp1900]

So a converted WR made our Defense look Weis like???

fun times///

 

[gkIrish]

- Outside of two really bad passes (one of which didn't result in an INT), I thought Tommy played well.

- I think Carlisle is better than Atkinson.

- I want Bryant to start getting some reps.

- I thought Diaco called an awful game.

- "containment" is a foreign concept to this defense...

- Haven't seen much out of Nix or Tuitt this season. Or Day for that matter.

- The awful call against Jackson late killed any real chance we had.

- Aside from his pick that didn't stand, I thought Jax was bad.

- The secondary in general was bad. Our linebackers can't cover either.

- I feel good about my 8-4 prediction, unfortunately.

- I hate Michigan.

Nix is ridiculously good man. It's hard to see it on every play because he isn't getting sacks but he influences every single play. He made a ton of plays in the backfield tonight and also drew a couple holding calls. I agree that Tuitt seems to have taken a small step backwards despite the nice pick but it's still only week 2.

 

[West Coast Domer]

The linebacker position really scares me this year and going foward

 

[kmoose]

I'd also just say
/////they need to get Amir out in space... too much of him going up the middle.

I disagree............ he hits the hole fast and hard, which is exactly what you need in an inside runner. Those holes don't stay open long, so the back has to get through them quickly. Carlisle does that. GAIII will do it once in a while, but not with much consistency. Carlisle is a very good inside runner. You have to make the defense respect the inside run, so you have to run it. If we have to run it, then Carlisle is the guy to do it for us.

 

[aubeirish]

How bad does the recruiting decision to take Fox over Keuchly look now? What a bad call that was.

It wouldn't matter now. Kuechly has been in the NFL for the past 2 years...

 

[magogian]

At least Michigan didn't have Jameis Winston . . .

 

[cody1smith]

Exactly which one of those guys would've made a huge difference tonight?

Surely you are not leaning towards the model that we would be no better if them guys were on our team? That's crazy talk even from a drunk guy.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

The DL played well. It was the damn linebackers and safeties not containing.

Bennett played like ****. Keivarae got beat just on good plays by Gallon/Gardner. The 1st half INT was the game changer.

 

[IrishLax]

We played only 2 mobile QBs in 2012 (Navy, Denard) both of whom were one dimensional.

We play 8 (9 if you count BYU) in 2013. We historically give up 50% more points and a bunch more yards to mobile QBs. Get ready for a long season if Diaco doesn't get his crap together and stop being so stubborn with his scheme.

 

[kmoose]

Nix is ridiculously good man. It's hard to see it on every play because he isn't getting sacks but he influences every single play. He made a ton of plays in the backfield tonight and also drew a couple holding calls. I agree that Tuitt seems to have taken a small step backwards despite the nice pick but it's still only week 2.

I think both of them have more run responsibility, this year, without Manti in the middle. That means that they can't just power through linemen on their way to the QB.

 

[anarin]

Again, stating that Fox clearly isn't good enough vs the big boys. I know Keuchly wouldn't have helped us tonight for obvious reasons but Fox sure as heck doesn't either

Your complaint makes no sense. So you wanted Keuchly instead of Fox, but Keuchly is in the NFL. So who would be playing the spot? Someone better or worse than Fox?

And Fox wasn't a world beater tonight, but he is the least of our concerns. The defense as a whole didn't show up tonight. That also includes the man who calls the plays. It was an entire unit failure.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Like?

Carlo Calabrese has been struggling for 4 years now.

 

[magogian]

Nix was in beast mode. I loved him especially on that last series where he just destroyed Toussaint twice even though the game was essentially over.

 

[kmoose]

Gardner happened. Name another QB who can do what he does. I'll wait.

Johnny Douchebag.....

but your premise is good............ Gardner is extremely talented, and he played really well tonight.

 

[anarin]

Surely you are not leaning towards the model that we would be no better if them guys were on our team? That's crazy talk even from a drunk guy.

If you can explain to me how they would've made a difference, than by all means go for it.

 

[Irishman77]

All the resus bs is over hopefully.

Throw to gallan or or qb run hmmmm ...

Anyone awake to no emotion on D yet?

Coach Martin could have Calvin Johnson, jimmy graham, and dez Bryant and F it up.

 

[Junkhead]

The DL played well. It was the damn linebackers and safeties not containing.

Bennett played like ****. Keivarae got beat just on good plays by Gallon/Gardner. The 1st half INT was the game changer.

Russell had a few good plays, and when he got beat, he was in position every time. If he was a 5th year, it might be bad, but kid has only played what 15 games? Jackson on the other hand, had a really bad game.

 

[CanadalovesND]

So a converted WR made our Defense look Weis like???

fun times///

Gardner was a QB for first two years. Hoke wanted his athleticism on the field even with DRob at QB.

Gardner is a better all-around QB than DRob.

We all knew that going into tonight, and we more than know it at the end of the night

 

[dang227]

So it's ND's fault that these guys had a change of heart? Or couldn't make it into ND?

Yes it is. Maybe it happens at other schools i dont follow but it seems we dont do a good always do a good job making sure we are recruiting the right kids. The coaches are getting paid a lot of money and it is a bottom line business in case you didn't know. Michigan looked way more talented tonight and quite frankly that concerns me. Michigan's recruiting is off the charts right now and ND's needs to be also. ND needs an infusion of athleticism especially on defense. Sorry if you don't like that but it's my opinion.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Gardner happened. Name another QB who can do what he does. I'll wait.

Diaco called a fine game and I'm seriously not worried about the defense. Will they be among the top two defenses in the country again? NOOOOOOOOO. They will still be damn tough and I thought they were tonight. Michigan stole everything they got on athleticism keeping plays alive and taking advantage of it nearly every time.

How many times did Gardner evade a sack tonight? Eight? Ten? It was impressive and just give him credit and get on with life. That's what this coaching staff will do. Diaco had guys in position tonight, they just got beat.

In case you didn't know, Michigan outplayed Notre Dame last year too and Notre Dame was lucky to get that W.

To say the defense has been pathetic is just stupid. I'm sorry but it is.

Your excuse is Gardner happened? He played great but did you not watch the game? Defenders were over pursuing and missing tackles. Gardner's receivers were wide open on several plays. There were plays where an eligible receiver was not even picked up by anyone. The temple qb also evaded many sacks. His receivers happened to drop a lot of balls. Michigan's didn't.

Michigan outplayed Notre Dame last year? ND forced 5 turnovers last year and only allowed 6 points. What universe do you live in? The defense has been pathetic. There's no way around it.

 

[cody1smith]

Yes it is. Maybe it happens at other schools i dont follow but it seems we dont do a good always do a good job making sure we are recruiting the right kids. The coaches are getting paid a lot of money and it is a bottom line business in case you didn't know. Michigan looked way more talented tonight and quite frankly that concerns me. Michigan's recruiting is off the charts right now and ND's needs to be also. ND needs an infusion of athleticism especially on defense. Sorry if you don't like that but it's my opinion.

100 percent agree. We are bringing in talent but tonight we looked out manned.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Gardner happened. Name another QB who can do what he does. I'll wait.

Diaco called a fine game and I'm seriously not worried about the defense. Will they be among the top two defenses in the country again? NOOOOOOOOO. They will still be damn tough and I thought they were tonight. Michigan stole everything they got on athleticism keeping plays alive and taking advantage of it nearly every time.

How many times did Gardner evade a sack tonight? Eight? Ten? It was impressive and just give him credit and get on with life. That's what this coaching staff will do. Diaco had guys in position tonight, they just got beat.

In case you didn't know, Michigan outplayed Notre Dame last year too and Notre Dame was lucky to get that W.

To say the defense has been pathetic is just stupid. I'm sorry but it is.

Considering that we supposedly have elite coaches with elite recruits, a QB with only 5 or so starts under his belt is not a good enough excuse for giving up 41 points.

 

[pkt77242]

QB - This one is not on Tommy. He threw a bad INT towards the end of the first half, missed some throws throughout the night, and, in hindsight, should have thrown that last ball away. However, he did a great job managing the game. Checked into some good plays and made some nice throws. Stats: 29/51, 314 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.

RB - Where was Carlisle after the first series of the 2nd half? GA3 really hurt us in the passing game. I thought each did a good job running the ball when given the chance. More on that later.

WR - They played OK. Not great, not bad, just OK. We needed them to make some of the catches they didn't make.

TE - Niklas balled out.

OL - They played well. Tommy had a clean pocket for most of the night and the run game worked when we went to it.

DL - Not deserving of some of the bashing I've read tonight. For the most part, they outmanned Michigan all night. Some breakdowns in containing Gardner, but they provided a solid push all night.

LB - Basically a replay of the Temple game. Grace looked good. The rest? Not so much.

DB - Neither Russell nor Jackson are as good as we thought. Russell played terrible while Jackson wasn't much better. My immediate reaction is the safeties were OK.

ST - Much improved from week 1.

Additional thoughts:

- Really poor tackling tonight. We have to get better.
- We abandoned the run too quickly. We could have run all night on them. I really don't understand it. Martin calling the plays was one of my biggest fears coming into the season and those fears have only intensified after this game.
- Diaco called an OK game. A lot of people want to point fingers at him but he's not the one missing tackles, getting beat in coverage and losing contain on Gardner.
- If Jaylon Smith makes that interception in the 2nd quarter, we win tonight. It's the difference between going into halftime down four or tied and going in down 14.
- Bullsh!t PI call on Jackson.
- The meltdown on IE was very disappointing to see. Get it together.

Agreed except:
Councell played pretty well at LB when he was in. Set the edge really well. I also thought Farley played rather poorly.

GA3 has hands of bricks.

 

[NDTampa]

Gardner happened. Name another QB who can do what he does. I'll wait.

Teddy Bridgewater

Braxton Miller

 

[palinurus]

I'm not going to bash him, because I think he's smart and good enough for ND to win many games with him, but I don't agree about Rees's game. His yards per pass attempt average was pretty weak and he missed a lot of open guys, in addition to throwing several ill advised passes. Not trashing him, just think it's a mistake to rely him as the heart of the offense, rather than part of a more balanced approach.

 

[South Bend Fighting Irish]

Where is this team heading?

Where is this team heading?

I hate to be negative nancy here but we just got exposed tonight. Don't get me wrong, Michigan played a great game, but once again we were out-coached and our defense has gone to crumbles. Obviously this team needs help badly, sure we can bounce back against Purdue but that doesn't mean much if we can't beat ranked opponents that aren't SEC related. 10-2 could be within reach but only and I mean only if our backfield defense can re-gain some confidence in their ability to make plays. What are your thoughts?

 

[IrishFaninTX]

We lost 4 players from last year's defense! We lost Zeke, Manti, Spond, and KLM. That is a lot of senior leadership and our LB group took a big hit. Not saying we didn't play poorly but losing that many guys at important positions and arguably our best defensive player in 20 years is going to cause the defense to struggle at times. We got a lot of pressure but Gardner can run and throw, which is a bad thing for opposing defenses.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

To West Lafayette. Week by week.

 

[ScooterIrish]

QB - This one is not on Tommy. He threw a bad INT towards the end of the first half, missed some throws throughout the night, and, in hindsight, should have thrown that last ball away. However, he did a great job managing the game. Checked into some good plays and made some nice throws. Stats: 29/51, 314 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.

RB - Where was Carlisle after the first series of the 2nd half? GA3 really hurt us in the passing game. I thought each did a good job running the ball when given the chance. More on that later.

WR - They played OK. Not great, not bad, just OK. We needed them to make some of the catches they didn't make.

TE - Niklas balled out.

OL - They played well. Tommy had a clean pocket for most of the night and the run game worked when we went to it.

DL - Not deserving of some of the bashing I've read tonight. For the most part, they outmanned Michigan all night. Some breakdowns in containing Gardner, but they provided a solid push all night.

LB - Basically a replay of the Temple game. Grace looked good. The rest? Not so much.

DB - Neither Russell nor Jackson are as good as we thought. Russell played terrible while Jackson wasn't much better. My immediate reaction is the safeties were OK.

ST - Much improved from week 1.

Additional thoughts:

- Really poor tackling tonight. We have to get better.
- We abandoned the run too quickly. We could have run all night on them. I really don't understand it. Martin calling the plays was one of my biggest fears coming into the season and those fears have only intensified after this game.
- Diaco called an OK game. A lot of people want to point fingers at him but he's not the one missing tackles, getting beat in coverage and losing contain on Gardner.
- If Jaylon Smith makes that interception in the 2nd quarter, we win tonight. It's the difference between going into halftime down four or tied and going in down 14.
- Bullsh!t PI call on Jackson.
- The meltdown on IE was very disappointing to see. Get it together.

Re: Martin… once we tied it at ten I believe 15 of the next 17 plays were passes. Not good.

 

[anarin]

Yes it is. Maybe it happens at other schools i dont follow but it seems we dont do a good always do a good job making sure we are recruiting the right kids. The coaches are getting paid a lot of money and it is a bottom line business in case you didn't know. Michigan looked way more talented tonight and quite frankly that concerns me. Michigan's recruiting is off the charts right now and ND's needs to be also. ND needs an infusion of athleticism especially on defense. Sorry if you don't like that but it's my opinion.

You're right. I blame the staff because Lynch wanted to go back to florida to be with his GF, because Greenberry pulled a last minute switch, because Tee couldn't make the requirements to get in, because Neal wanted to be closer to his pregnant (or already born kid, I forget) girlfriend (or the drugs thing, depending on who you speak to), because Kiel wanted to be the guy with no competition, because Vanderdoes wanted to be closer to his grandmother (which I think is BS and was tampered with by UCLA).

And no, I don't like your opinion.