Post Game Observations........

[MJ12666]

So I'm watching the full game right now, I was unable to last night.

It's pretty simple I think ..

1- They came out flat and I dont think the motivation was there.
2- Purdue gameplanned better in the beginning of this game. I think this is due to Kelly and co. underestimating how ramped up purdue was gonna be for this game.
3- I'd like to see the freshman play. Carlisle is great for the slot, GAIII doesn't have the shiftiness to break one on his own and Mcdaniel is what he is; a solid back in between the tackles. We need a game breaker and I think Folston or Bryant can be that guy.
4- Tuitt is in a slump. He is being manned up one on one and isn't making any impact. 3 games into the season he is no 1st round pick.
5- Sheldon Day is our best lineman right now.
6- Even with the slow start, I give kudos to the coaching staff for adjusting and getting the team rolling in the 2nd half.
7- Rees is Rees. He is limited but still makes good plays. The wideouts need to help him with the easy stuff.
8- Too many missed tackles. They gotta clean this up.

This was a good game. Its easy for us to see alot of negative and have the doom and gloom attitude due to the "inferior" opponent; this is why they play the game! I was proud to see them fight through it and get the W. Remember that last year they had these kind of games as well. It was only a lower scored game.

This is not meant to be a direct response to this post, but rather an observation regarding this myth that TR is a really accurate passer. The "drops" in the first half were not the receivers fault. If you have the game taped, take a quick look again and your will see that TR put the ball in a position that quite frankly could have gotten the receivers hurt. Additionally, many of his completions are a direct result of wideouts making terrific catches (Jones in particular). Finally, I am not bashing TR, he is what he is, and he made a very nice long past to Daniels that was very important, but let us also make him more than he is.

 

[stlnd01]

This was a good game. Its easy for us to see alot of negative and have the doom and gloom attitude due to the "inferior" opponent; this is why they play the game! I was proud to see them fight through it and get the W. Remember that last year they had these kind of games as well. It was only a lower scored game.

Yes. There are a lot of recent years when we lose that game. We didn't. On to the next one.

I agree about the RBs. Amir seemed to slip back last night, after a pretty good game against Michigan. I liked the way they tried to get GAIII the ball in space with shotgun shuffle passes and stuff (though we can't telegraph our plays so much by personnel and formation), but he's just not an every down back. I love Cam, but he doesn't have the top end. Time for Bryant or Folston to step up and learn the blocking schemes so they can get more carries.

Pass coverage by linebackers must improve. If not, we should start playing nickel and a four down front and Jaylon in the middle on 3rd downs, or something. Our safeties look lost out there, too. And someone in the front seven needs to stand up and lead this defense. The overall lack of intensity is really troubling.

Our offense will be fine. We're going to score 30 points most games. Our defense needs to play better so those 30 points are enough. There's no reason it can't. I still think we should win ten games.

 

[pkt77242]

Yeldon had 175 carries and 1200 yards last year with Eddie Lacey in front of him. Bryant had 3 carries with a bunch of clowns in front of him. 3 YPC is e only thing that needs to be referenced. The issue is also getting PT is how under classmem prepare to be major contributors in the future.

As for this "they know why the aren't playing" nonsense, I'm sure they know why they aren't getting lots of PT, but that shouldn't stop Bryant from getting more than one carry per game. There is a difference between being a non-starting contributor and getting next to no PT.

The only clown is you.

 

[Irishman77]

My thoughts:

- It's true what they say, winning is the best deodorant because this team stunk tonight and was dominated for almost three quarters of play against an inferior opponent. Nice to win, but I felt we were exposed once again.

- I think my biggest concern continues to be the defense, who was horrendous again tonight. I think the problem boils down to something I have complained about on this board before: the 3-4 defensive scheme. I think it's difficult to run at the college level because of the specialty players you need to run it effectively and not many teams do outside of Alabama and their five star talent across the board. I understand it's implementation is to disguise blitzes and to contain the edge against option/running QB's, but again it's just difficult to run. Notre Dame is getting gashed up front because of the gaps in the three man line which allows offensive lineman to get to the second level uncontested and put their hat on a LB. There are just too many guys getting lost in the wash of offensive lineman on running plays. They are not getting any pressure on QB's because of the three man front and it's exposing what really is a sub-par secondary. Some of our best players and pass rushers (Shembo, Ishaq, Jaylon) are being relegated to this "dog" and "cat" linebacker bull crap where their primary responsibility is coverage in space instead of utilizing their more natural talents and abilities. I think they were able to get away with it last year because of Teo's great season and a schedule that just fell the right way for them. This defense was exposed in a major way against Alabama and that has carried over to this season. Diaco's "bend but don't break" philosophy has broke and this team is giving up massive chunks of yardage and having trouble stopping anybody. I think this defense would be better by simplifying things and going with a more traditional 4-3 look which would alleviate some of the confusion and issues I outlined above. Notre Dame certainly has the personnel to make the conversion:

DE- Shembo
DT- Tuitt (not a DE at 320+ and it shows)
DT- Nix (Day on passing downs)
DE- I. Williams

WLB- J. Smith
MLB- Grace
SLB- Calabrese/Fox

It's time for Diaco to make the change.

- Horrendous play again tonight by the secondary. Farley just has no business starting. Watching him get trucked on the first drive of the game like he was uninterested to be there was a joke, and watching him and Jackson over run the WR on that dead duck deep pass without even looking for the ball just left me shaking my head. It's the same story every year in the secondary it seems where guys just look clueless. Luke looked like a freshman tonight and Russell killed me on that fourth down TD conversion where he left a man wide open right in front of him. Too much confusion and not enough communication going on out there. Coaching issue folks.

- I thought the offense was derailed in the first half by dropped passes and vanilla/unimaginative play calling before getting it going late in the second half. Rees played great tonight despite his usual two to three pucker throws a game. Daniels and Jones were excellent.

- I just have no idea what is going on at RB. I appreciate Kelly showing loyalty to the upper class guys and giving them the nod, but there is just no way that Bryant/Folston are not equal or better players than Atkinson, McDaniel, and possibly Carlisle. I appreciate Cam coming in and running hard at the end, but I don't appreciate Bryant/Folston getting only one carry between the two on a night where the offense struggled to run the football. I think RB by committee can be a bad thing especially when that committee is five deep!!! To me Bryant/Folston are the future here and if Kelly doesn't play them, he risk's losing them this offseason because he wanted to show loyalty to upper class guys who are likely inferior players. This program can not endure losing more highly rated players to transfer, just can't happen.

Post of the year !

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

For once, I'd like to see one of our RB's abandon the play-action and pick up a blitz. I'm sure it's tougher at game speed, but still.

 

[irishandy]

1) A win is a win, I'd rather be 2-1 right now rather than 1-2.
2) Holy S*it, I've never read so much negativity after game 3 about 1 of our 2 freshman running back studs transferring. If you know for sure they are transferring step up & say it, if not zip it. I'd like to see them play as well, but Amir & Cam are doing just fine. Derrick Green got 1 rush for 3 yards vs. Akron is he going to transfer as well?
3) Tommy to DaVaris I can get used to seeing that.
4) Our heart & soul of our defense is gone, Manti's play is irreplaceable, but we need someone to step up and be vocal.
5) Let's trust our coaching staff, keep the faith, & go Irish!

 

[KLirishfan1]

I screamed pump fake all game.!

I screamed pump fake all game.!

On point number 2...Please please please pump fake one of those WR screens and go deep.

On point number 4...Agree

Those passes to WR are nerve racking. We use them way too much. So predictable. Tommy got lucky. I can remember two that could have went for 6 the other way.

 

[IrishLion]

I understand criticism of an underwhelming performance, but the rampant negativity on IE since the game got under way is amazing.

I think you're going to find that Purdue is not a pile of hot garbage like everyone seemed to have assumed heading into the game. They lost in the flukiest blowout of all time to UC and put up a fight against an ND team that I still think can be rather good. Purdue is going through a transition and will struggle, but they are not a borderline FCS team like many seem to think. I would be shocked if they aren't a tough out for a few of the good teams in B1G play.

Also, I have seen a lot of criticism about the angles the defensive players take when running down ball carriers... this is they way they have been coached. Trust me, I'm confused by it, but I remember seeing several practice videos where the DBs were being drilled on flattening off and accelerating at the ball carrier rather than taking a deep angle. It doesn't make sense to me, as a deep angle gives up more yards but is the safe play. Could it possibly be the coaches safeguarding the DBs and having them take away cutback opportunities for ball carriers? I'm just saying, the players may be taking bad angles, but it's not on them.

 

[BobD]

Those passes to WR are nerve racking. We use them way too much. So predictable. Tommy got lucky. I can remember two that could have went for 6 the other way.

And Tommy has had the ball come out on pump fakes.....small hands.

 

[Irishokie]

I think you're going to find that Purdue is not a pile of hot garbage like everyone seemed to have assumed heading into the game. They lost in the flukiest blowout of all time to UC and put up a fight against an ND team that I still think can be rather good. Purdue is going through a transition and will struggle, but they are not a borderline FCS team like many seem to think. I would be shocked if they aren't a tough out for a few of the good teams in B1G.

Unfortunately, this is what we thought about Purdue last year after they played us close.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Unfortunately, this is what we thought about Purdue last year after they played us close.

True. And remember how poorly the rest of our season went...

 

[Irishokie]

True. And remember how poorly the rest of our season went...

Just terrible!

 

[Junkhead]

We should expect our opponents to give their best effort when playing against us and Purdue did that tonight.

This is the true, and is the most annoying thing about being an ND fan to me. It is insanely frustrating to lose or barely beat teams that get owned by way worse teams.

 

[Butchie]

Your spelling is "aweful". Cole Luke is true freshman. Russell has had some bad luck, but is still a true Soph.

That-a-boy! Worry about my spelling and not about the fact that they have a true freshman in there . . . that isn't ready! Let me make sure I have my drunk to English DIC ready just to appease you junkhead. Sure you're not a scUM fan. Sure do sound like one making excuses for everything. We have been out coached for 3 of the 4 quarters in every game. Two of those we were more talented and pulled out the win. You keep supporting Russell's lack of discipline & you'll be getting roasted here . . . just like he does on the field. Go Irish!

 

[returnofthemack]

Unfortunately, this is what we thought about Purdue last year after they played us close.

Some people thought Temple was good. Until they were beaten by Fordham.

 

[kmoose]

Are you this stupid or are you trying to be obstinant?

Yeldon and Cooper were key contributors last years freshmen. They had way better players in front of the, than our freshman do but got PT because of their potential. That's what competent coaches do. Bryant has three carries, that not relevant PT. Thats an insult to a five star, especially when the guys in front of him are averaging 3 YPC.

If this is how Kelly intends to coach he needs to go back to Grand Valley where recruits will tolerate it.

1. I think the word you are looking for is obstinate. There's no such word as obstinant.

2. I'm sorry if I am aware of the difference between present tense and past tense. You said.......

whereas TJ Yeldon and Cooper are key contributors at Alabama at freshmen.

are; present tense. were; past tense. If you were referring to last year, then you should have written it so, instead of asking me if I am stupid.

Pot, meet kettle.............

 

[NDPhilly]

I think the pessimism is stemming from us not having a blowout game ala Navy in Ireland to start off last year. Every single game has been extremely frustrating, even the Temple game.

 

[Irish To The Core]

My God, this forum used to have some balance and sanity. All of this "sky is falling" bull$hit makes me wonder what fuc*ing bandwagon some of you road in on. Unfounded crap about freshmen rbs transferring (Cierre Wood red shirted as a fr.), predicting 0-4 over the next four games, coach bashing...it is enough to make me puke.

I don't have to even listen to my anti-ND friends b/c all of the necessary ND bashing is supplied right here in the forum that is supposedly for mature discussion. I would rather sit next to a Michigan fan at a game than some of you self-declared Irish fans!

 

[phgreek]

1. We eked out a win against an inferior team, but dominated in stretches. This team is pretty frustrating for fans. Look great one minute, look clueless the next.

2. Only 2 penalties all game. That's a great positive.

3. Reesus goes for 300+ again. No INTs. Keep chugging, Tommy, but please stop throwing those 2 or 3 passes a game that make my heart stop!

4. ND has to get better, to get the respect that it wants.

5. A win is a win.

6. Sorry for not posting like a champion tonight, but I am emotionally wrung out after that game, and I didn't even play in it!

7. In the first quarter, Purdue was hitting a screen on almost EVERY blitz. And they weren't checking into these screens at the line. That means that they KNEW, based on down and distance, what we would be doing defensively. Have to fix that, and quickly!

...yeah, I am mostly here. The back end of the D needs to mature...the missed tackles when we are that athletic is just mental toughness...as is the coverage. We are missing Zeke and Manti type leadership...oh so badly.

 

[ickythump1225]

My God, this forum used to have some balance and sanity. All of this "sky is falling" bull$hit makes me wonder what fuc*ing bandwagon some of you road in on. Unfounded crap about freshmen rbs transferring (Cierre Wood red shirted as a fr.), predicting 0-4 over the next four games, coach bashing...it is enough to make me puke.

I don't have to even listen to my anti-ND friends b/c all of the necessary ND bashing is supplied right here in the forum that is supposedly for mature discussion. I would rather sit next to a Michigan fan at a game than some of you self-declared Irish fans!

 

[rocket66]

I don't care who you are, two road night games in a row against FBS teams who are making the game the biggest of the season is never an easy task. If they happen to look like crap against MSU then I may be inclined to agree with SOME of this "sky falling" stuff.

 

[CanadianIrish]

1. I think the word you are looking for is obstinate. There's no such word as obstinant.

2. I'm sorry if I am aware of the difference between present tense and past tense. You said.......



are; present tense. were; past tense. If you were referring to last year, then you should have written it so, instead of asking me if I am stupid.

Pot, meet kettle.............

I'm typing on an iPhone, complain to Apply if you don't like their autocorrect. You didn't respond to the point though, but good job.

 

[Irish#1]

I was at the game so I don't know what was mentioned on TV and I haven't read the previous posts, but here's my own two cents worth.

1. We had a hangover from the Michigan game.
2. Purdue was fired up.
3. Purdue changed their offensive game plan to take advantages of Henry's strengths unlike the first two games. This threw us off for the first half of the game.
4. Boilers kept loading one side but throwing to the opposite to try and get one on one match-ups. We finally figured it out in the fourth with the pick six.
5. Tommy was off early bit found a groove.
6. Kelly has to stop going to the quick out and bubble screens so much. We run that play way too much and teams are ready for it. Offense is too predictable.
7. Still lacking in solid play by our backers.
8. Loved that the team kept fighting and finally turned it up in the fourth.

 

[Irish#1]

I completely disagree with all the coach bashing, I cant stress that enough. play calling has been questionable, but coaching has not.

The defense is embarrassing horrible against the pass, but was much improved against the run. Any smart coach will watch game tape, and see that ND has no answer for quick, short passes - slants, 5 yard down and ins, 5yard button hooks, quick passes out to the flat, short crossing patterns. (quick, short passes are the basis for USC's offense)

Davaris Daniels is showing that he can be counted on, and needs to a be focal point of the offense (not THEE focal point, but they definitely need to get him the ball more).

I saw AT LEAST 3 blatant, out-in-the-open holding calls against ND that were not called. 2 of those the ND guy had his shoulder pads exposed, and no call. The other one was late in the game where Ishaq was held and could been seen from ALL angles of multiple replays. Those refs plain sucked *** yesterday.

Amir Carlisle.....after that fumble I kept saying "don't even put your helmet back on dude, your not getting back in the game." I want to see the freshman get a legit shot, not just spot play. What if Greg Bryant has an Aaron lynch type impact on the offense? GB has big play potential, but we'll never know when he gets only limited play. I love Cam, and all he has done for this team, but I would like to see what GB could do with the same amount of looks that Cam seems to be getting.

My guess is since it was so close, BK didn't want to risk the chance of one of the freshmen RB's fumbling in a pressure environment given that they haven't had many touches.

As I've read through a lot of posts, it just dawned on me. I think we're playing closer to what we really are and last year gave us unrealistic expectations for this year. We jumped from a middle of the pack team to the NC game in one season. I think this was due to the perfect storm. I do believe we are a top fifteen, maybe top ten team, but we still aren't the finished product BK is looking for. It's going to take another year to get the players he's recruited up to speed. Look at Jaylon. Rated the #1 or #2 recruit in the country with some services, but he whiffed on a one on one tackle. No matter how talented freshmen are, they still have to adjust to the college level. They find out there are no really bad players on the field lining up against them and the speed of the game is ramped up. Then add the mental part which is normally the biggest adjustment.

 

[T Town Tommy]

My initial thoughs after a quick watch of the replay:

The Irish defense over pursued in the first half and Purdue used that to their advantage.

In the first half the D line shifts were occurring too late. Tuitt seemed to be late shifting too many times.

Purdue won the third down battle in the first half. The Irish adjusted and won more of those battles in the second half.

Shembo played well in the first half and Grace was the only consistent lb again.

The safeties missed some key tackles in the first half. Farley can't miss like he was early.

The first half offense was predictable. Way too many tendencies for the Purdue defense to key on.

It appeared the Purdue defense played a lot of two deep man under the first half but ND didn't react to that. Instead they asked Rees to throw a lot of 20+ yard bubble screens out in the flat.

The O line struggled in the first half with the delayed blitz but did improve in the second half. They missed a few there as well but was able to pick up most of them.

Rees was throwing off his back foot too much and it caused the Irish to miss some key passes in the first half. The fourth down play to the TE was a good example. Niklas squared up at the first down marker but Rees delivered the ball a fraction late. This allowed the defense to make the play instead of the Irish moving the chains.

The offensive play calling inside the ten was questionable. Two runs into the strength of the Purdue defense and then a horrible fade call on third down. That series was unforgettable.

On a positive note, the Irish made several adjustments at the half and played much better the second half. Everything I noted can be fixed easily and ND showed that in the second half. Moving forward the Irish can't play flat or miss those assignments against better teams. I felt that only being down that little going into the half was a win for ND considering they didn't play well. The second half was better. Now the Irish need to put two solid halfs together and they will be fine.

 

[kmoose]

I'm typing on an iPhone, complain to Apply if you don't like their autocorrect. You didn't respond to the point though, but good job.

Auto correct typed a non-existent word, not you... got it. Because that makes sense.



I didn't think I needed to respond to the point, because the point is moot. Alabama was the best team in college football, and was steamrolling just about everyone that they faced. It's easy to get your freshmen a lot of minutes, when you are that good. Fast forward to 2013 Notre Dame: ND is in a tight game with a rival, actually trailing going into the 4th quarter: you don't have the luxury of getting your freshman TB 15 carries. I don't care if he is a 20 star recruit. If he can't put the team first, then let him transfer. That's not the ND way.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I just cannot believe the ridiculous homers here claiming there is no problem with top talent transferring and refusing to see a problem with how the freshmen are being used.

Carlisle averaged 1.5 yards per carry and had a brutal fumble. McDaniel averaged 3.5 yards a carry and got the lions share of the chances. Don't give me some nonsense about one or two carries not being their fault, McDaniel had 16 carries, Carlisle 11. Changing a carry or two won't make those average decent.

How are we supposed to look at Bryant and tell him he's not getting the ball because he's not as good as the upper classmen? It's simply not true, the upper classmen are putting in god awful performances and he's not getting to play for some unknown reason.

Last season they wouldn't even fly Gunner with the team, so he transferred. I'm not saying he had to play regularly, he could have red shirted, but for crying out loud fly him with the team. This is why we have Tommy at QB this year, and that's why we have no chance to do anything serious.

We are suffering because the staff refuses to treat top prospects with respect - and it will only get worse as this goes on. Why would a top prospect at a skill position come here if he sees he simply won't play, whereas TJ Yeldon and Cooper are key contributors at Alabama at freshmen. Are you telling me our upper classmen RBs and WRs were better than Bamas and that's why their freshmen can get on the field and ours can't?

Stop being homers and actually look at the facts.

Just in case someone hasn't already blown this comment up...Tuitt, Day, TJ, Lynch, Russell, Jaylon Smith, Steve Elmer, etc...all say hi. There are plenty of examples of true freshmen getting tons of reps (or even starting in some cases). Recruiting rankings don't mean sh!t once the kids get on campus. "Treat top prospects with respect..." What's wrong with you? Kids will get respect if/when they actually live up to that recruiting hype. The staff isn't going to kiss the ground they walk on just because they were a 5star recruit. They do that during the recruiting cycle, but once they're signed, it's up to said recruit to play the role given by the staff. If that means wait behind upper classmen, then so be it.

 

[ThePiombino]

Just in case someone hasn't already blown this comment up...Tuitt, Day, TJ, Lynch, Russell, Jaylon Smith, Steve Elmer, etc...all say hi. There are plenty of examples of true freshmen getting tons of reps (or even starting in some cases). Recruiting rankings don't mean sh!t once the kids get on campus. "Treat top prospects with respect..." What's wrong with you? Kids will get respect if/when they actually live up to that recruiting hype. The staff isn't going to kiss the ground they walk on just because they were a 5star recruit. They do that during the recruiting cycle, but once they're signed, it's up to said recruit to play the role given by the staff. If that means wait behind upper classmen, then so be it.

Solid.

 

[Cackalacky]

Are you this stupid or are you trying to be obstinant?

Yeldon and Cooper were key contributors last years freshmen. They had way better players in front of the, than our freshman do but got PT because of their potential.

This is just a complete falsehood. Last year Yeldon was the 2nd best Rb on the team and he proved it. Him and Lacy were incredible and they ran up the gut and took advantage of play-action almost all year long. We do not have a Lacy and Yeldon. We also do not have Bama's OL from last year which is arguably the best in CFB, possibly ever. Yeldon performed and had a seasoned mega back ahead of him.

That's what competent coaches do. Bryant has three carries, that not relevant PT. Thats an insult to a five star, especially when the guys in front of him are averaging 3 YPC. If this is how Kelly intends to coach he needs to go back to Grand Valley where recruits will tolerate it.

You are just trolling now. This is obvious. Cooper was not a factor in 2012 till halfway through the season. He had a grand total of 5 catches through the 1st 3 games. He started playing more due to injuries of the players in front of him. Then he went off in 2 high profile games against Georgia and Texas A&M and then destroyed us in the NCG. Saban does not tolerate shits from his players because he has talent coming out of the walls. Did you see what happened to Yeldon in the A&M game last week? He fumbles. What does Saban do? Puts in another Rb who still gets him the yards.

Please take the time to go and look at what Tenpenny and Henry have in front of them. Oh and what will be in front of Bo Scarborough when he gets there.

If Bryant and Folston are not seeing the field, they are not ready according to the coaches. End of story.

 

[stlnd01]

Just in case someone hasn't already blown this comment up...Tuitt, Day, TJ, Lynch, Russell, Jaylon Smith, Steve Elmer, etc...all say hi. There are plenty of examples of true freshmen getting tons of reps (or even starting in some cases). Recruiting rankings don't mean sh!t once the kids get on campus. "Treat top prospects with respect..." What's wrong with you? Kids will get respect if/when they actually live up to that recruiting hype. The staff isn't going to kiss the ground they walk on just because they were a 5star recruit. They do that during the recruiting cycle, but once they're signed, it's up to said recruit to play the role given by the staff. If that means wait behind upper classmen, then so be it.

This.

Also, as a prospect, Amir Carlisle was rated similarly to Tarean Folston. Amir's been active for all of three games in his Notre Dame career, and has played pretty well. We should sit him so that Folston feels he's getting the "proper respect?"

And, yeah, we've lost some high-profile recruits to transfers and such the last couple of years. The only one of those that came from lack of playing time/depth chart concerns was Kiel. On the list of "issues" facing our program right now, this one's not in the top ten.