Post-Game Thoughts: 2017 Blue-Gold Game

[IrishLion]

1. Holy Tempo. So nice to see call-it-and-haul-it actually being implemented full time.

2. Miles Boykin stood out big-time. Defenses are gonna have to pick their poison with this offense if Wimbush keeps developing.

3. The defense is gonna be fun to watch, but is also gonna give up some yards. They will create turnovers with front-7 pressure, but the corners are suspect as hell, despite the excitement the reporters seemed to show for the position.

4. Alize Mack hello. Dudes gonna make some DB's look foolish. I just worry that Wimbush will try too hard to force it to him.

5. Every spring, it seems the reporters gush about one certain player, and the actual results end up "meh." Not so this year with media darling Tony Jones Jr. Dude is the real deal. Will be interesting to see how the reps behind Adams shake out. Perhaps Jones is short-yardage and late-game grind-it-out, and Williams is the home-run guy that spells Adams on standard downs and gets some designed stretch plays and screens.

6. QB position is gonna be okay, but Wimbush needs to focus on protecting the ball once summer camp rolls around. Too many under-thrown (aka late) throws.

7. Excited about the OL, but they had some communication issues at times. Hard to tell if they need to keep working together to build chemistry, or if it was due to Elko's D.

 

[dwshade]

I think the defense will get better and better as the season progresses. I'm a big Mike Elko fan.

 

[bkess8]

I truly believe that Winbush will get better with time. He needs to work on pre snap reads and maybe use a hard count every once in a while to let the D show their hand, I know its spring but just a thought.

I was impressed with the wide outs play overall. We have some nice size and decent speed that should pay off during the season.

1st team D look impressive for this being a spring game and since we just implemented a new defense during the off season. 2nd team D was not as quite impressive but that should be expected since there are a lot of younger guys on that unit.

Can wait to see the 3 headed monster we will have in the backfield and I liked that there was a lot of down hill running plays called, should help with our experienced OL.

 

[IrishLax]

1. I think the defense benefited greatly from the QBs not being live so all they had to do is get in the area code for a "sack." With that being said, they did a better job beating blocks in this game than I've seen in awhile. Not a lot of exotic pressures, rather standard stuff executed well.
2. I like Tranquill by the LOS. Like it a lot.
3. Daelin Hayes might be one of the most important players on the team if what he showed today wasn't a mirage.
4. How badly did we miss Watkins last year?
5. Wimbush made some special throws, and will be 100x more dangerous when he can destroy people with his legs. Only like one of those "sacks" was a play where he wouldn't have easily avoided the rusher and ran to freedom.
6. I feel rather confident in Book as a backup. Doesn't have the big arm, clearly had the ability to manage the offense in that scrimmage.
7. We have 3 NFL caliber backs. None are Leonard Fournette but they're all legit players.
8. Don't think our WRs are going to set the world on fire, but I'm not sure they need to. I do like how many big bodied pass catchers we have that will cause headaches for opponents that can't match up.
9. OL play was surprisingly average. Didn't have their protections right on occasion, and other times got beat 1v1 by defenders.
10. Interesting move by Kelly to give Book and Wimbush so many reps. I liked it, shows he's not effing around.

 

[NDPhilly]

If anyone can find me a replay online i'll give you reps or vbucks or whatever. Totally forgot it was today.

 

[BobbyMac]

Game Balls:

O
Dexter Williams
Ian Book
Miles Boykin

D
Daelin Hayes
Drue Tranquill
Nick Watkins

ST
Sam Kohler

 

[BobbyMac]

If anyone can find me a replay online i'll give you reps or vbucks or whatever. Totally forgot it was today.

NBC Sports.com? I'm already watching it on their Roku App

 

[sportallyr]

Spring Game Thoughts

Spring Game Thoughts

Players that impressed me the most in the game:

Dexter Williams: Guy is electric and a threat to take it to the house every play. I have always been impressed with him, but I'm genuinely excited to see what he does with extra touches this year!

Daelin Hayes: Freakish size and speed. No doubt he has the look of a potential dominant pass rusher. Need him to stay healthy this year!!!

Ian Book: Very impressed with the way he commanded the game and made good smart decisions.

Isaiah Robertson: He was all over the field in the first half. Really liked the way he played.

Not a lot to be disappointed with in this game. I think all 4 units played well and this may finally be a year that the depth can catch up to the pace that ND plays games.

 

[stlnd01]

1. I think the defense benefited greatly from the QBs not being live so all they had to do is get in the area code for a "sack." With that being said, they did a better job beating blocks in this game than I've seen in awhile. Not a lot of exotic pressures, rather standard stuff executed well.
2. I like Tranquill by the LOS. Like it a lot.
3. Daelin Hayes might be one of the most important players on the team if what he showed today wasn't a mirage.
4. How badly did we miss Watkins last year?
5. Wimbush made some special throws, and will be 100x more dangerous when he can destroy people with his legs. Only like one of those "sacks" was a play where he wouldn't have easily avoided the rusher and ran to freedom.
6. I feel rather confident in Book as a backup. Doesn't have the big arm, clearly had the ability to manage the offense in that scrimmage.
7. We have 3 NFL caliber backs. None are Leonard Fournette but they're all legit players.
8. Don't think our WRs are going to set the world on fire, but I'm not sure they need to. I do like how many big bodied pass catchers we have that will cause headaches for opponents that can't match up.
9. OL play was surprisingly average. Didn't have their protections right on occasion, and other times got beat 1v1 by defenders.
10. Interesting move by Kelly to give Book and Wimbush so many reps. I liked it, shows he's not effing around.

It's not like he has many other options. And, more than anything, both need game experience and this is the closest he can provide. I'm a lot more comfortable with Book as a backup than I was last week though.

Also, damn do have a lot of weapons on offense, and it looks like we intend to use as many of them as possible - which is a bit of a change from some recent years.
It's hard to know what to take from a defense in a game like this, but I agree we need D. Hayes to become a major contributor.

 

[BGIF]

If anyone can find me a replay online i'll give you reps or vbucks or whatever. Totally forgot it was today.

NBCSports Replays.

No app required.

Watch live stream Notre Dame

 

[EddytoNow]

1. I think the defense benefited greatly from the QBs not being live so all they had to do is get in the area code for a "sack." With that being said, they did a better job beating blocks in this game than I've seen in awhile. Not a lot of exotic pressures, rather standard stuff executed well.
2. I like Tranquill by the LOS. Like it a lot.
3. Daelin Hayes might be one of the most important players on the team if what he showed today wasn't a mirage.
4. How badly did we miss Watkins last year?
5. Wimbush made some special throws, and will be 100x more dangerous when he can destroy people with his legs. Only like one of those "sacks" was a play where he wouldn't have easily avoided the rusher and ran to freedom.
6. I feel rather confident in Book as a backup. Doesn't have the big arm, clearly had the ability to manage the offense in that scrimmage.
7. We have 3 NFL caliber backs. None are Leonard Fournette but they're all legit players.
8. Don't think our WRs are going to set the world on fire, but I'm not sure they need to. I do like how many big bodied pass catchers we have that will cause headaches for opponents that can't match up.
9. OL play was surprisingly average. Didn't have their protections right on occasion, and other times got beat 1v1 by defenders.
10. Interesting move by Kelly to give Book and Wimbush so many reps. I liked it, shows he's not effing around.

Who else does he have at this time? Number 3 Quarterback right now is Montgomery VanGorder. Avery Davis doesn't report until the summer. Book has to be ready. If Wimbush falters or gets injured, Book will be the main guy.

 

[BobbyMac]

A couple of sightings:

Ade Ogundeji beat the RT and stripped Wimbush of the ball. Possible T/O but they blew it dead as the last play of the 1st half.

Brandon Tiassum beat the LG inside the 5, flushing Wimbush to take off up the middle and another DL touched him. One of those questionable sacks but still... Tiassum was sighted.

 

[dwshade]

One thing I noticed- Tommy Kraemer is one big dude. Had no idea he had gotten that big. He can be a mauler on the right side.

 

[BobbyMac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are the stats from today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> Blue-Gold game <a href="https://t.co/r0Z2FQHHf6">pic.twitter.com/r0Z2FQHHf6</a></p>— Adam Shear (@AdamShearFWnbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamShearFWnbc/status/855862062634999808">April 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dwshade]

Game Balls:

O
Dexter Williams
Ian Book
Miles Boykin

D
Daelin Hayes
Drue Tranquill
Nick Watkins

ST
Sam Kohler

Is Kohler a walk on? Wasn't aware of him until today.

 

[BobbyMac]

Kohler's been around for at least 3 years.

He's all there is with Yoon hurt and Doerer not here untill the summer.

 

[IrishLax]

Who else does he have at this time? Number 3 Quarterback right now is Montgomery VanGorder. Avery Davis doesn't report until the summer. Book has to be ready. If Wimbush falters or gets injured, Book will be the main guy.

Most coaches use spring games as a fun experience for players and fans. For example, Urban Meyer spent time letting a kid in a wheel chair score a TD. In past ND games, Kelly has let walkons get extensive reps. I don't know if I missed it somewhere, but I don't remember seeing Nolan Henry get a single snap and MVG only threw a couple passes.

So it's very atypical (both for ND and spring games in general) for the QBs deeper down the chart not to get more snaps. As I said, I like it because it shows this was about business. He wanted to maximize both Wimbush's and Book's live reps which is exactly what he should be doing.

 

[BGIF]

4. Alize Mack hello. Dudes gonna make some DB's look foolish. I just worry that Wimbush will try too hard to force it to him.

If he was the only target, yeah, but Wimbush also has Boykin, Claypool, St. Brown, and RBs.

Why would he want to force it to Mack (or anyone) when he has a variety of viable choices?

B&G Game
Boykin 20.1 ypc
Claypool 15.6
St. Brown 23
Symthe 15
Jones 12
Mack 9

 

[BGIF]

Is Kohler a walk on? Wasn't aware of him until today.

He's a Senior.

#29, 6-0 189

A very smart guy.


Kicker Kohler living the dream at Notre Dame | State college football | journalstar.com

 

[Luckylucci]

I know there is a lot of excitement for Tony Jones Jr. and rightfully so, but Juice needs more carries.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Those who go to tune in:

Even though it was a generic scrimmage, were your expectations raised, lowered, or confirmed watching?

 

[IrishLax]

Those who go to tune in:

Even though it was a generic scrimmage, were your expectations raised, lowered, or confirmed watching?

Confirmed. We're going to win a lot of games.

 

[Old Man Mike]

A). everything that I saw about the offense told me that things were present and close to operative to be a powerful dynamic scoring machine --- therefore expectations slightly higher, though already high. The rise comes from the solidity of Book as back-up just in case, and the Pollyanna belief that Wimbush will not throw a few of those wild passes once he's allowed to run naturally and is therefore not frustrated.

B). seeing Tranquill roaming about and occasionally really messing up an offensive play, and seeing Martini inserted as destroyer-partner at linebacker with Morgan, made my optimism rise as to defense. Those people alone will cause several plays worth of havoc-reeking damages to opponents per game. And, I thought that for the most part the first team DBackfield held up. Daelen Hayes is, I believe, a real passrusher. ---> major added optimism.

I thought that we were going to be good this year just if Wimbush was good. Now I believe that we cannot fail to be at a minimum good, and possibly a lot better than that --- but the @#$% schedule .......

 

[BobbyMac]

Get the marketing machine going. This has to be the biggest starting WR corp in history.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They had me and brothers all at the same position last year... now they have us all starting ... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TicToc?src=hash">#TicToc</a> Z....X....W <a href="https://t.co/BNu4dVpPZC">pic.twitter.com/BNu4dVpPZC</a></p>— 83 (@ChaseClaypool) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaseClaypool/status/855882544763596801">April 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Any injuries?

 

[levicarvalho]

Ian Book looks like a future starter. Dude has some accuracy and poise from the pocket. That throw to Sanders was a beauty.

 

[dwshade]

Any injuries?

Aaron Banks was the only injured guy I saw. Don't think it was serious though.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Aaron Banks was the only injured guy I saw. Don't think it was serious though.

Pretty sure Banks was back in the game later as well. Good day on the injury front. *knocks on wood*

 

[irishff1014]

Tranquil looks much bigger. And I believe in a good position to have a very good season.

Watkins looks very good as well.

 

[T-Boone]

The youtube highlights show a nice play by Nick Coleman on the first interception. How was he generally at safety?