Post Game Thoughts: Boston College

[GowerND11]

My biggest take away...Paul Pasqualoni is back in the college game as an assistant at BC. Didn't know that. Dude knows how to pose for a picture.

BC staff file....

UCONN staff picture

dolphins staff photo

Paul....what did you think about your DL play against ND....

Ok... THIS might just be Post of the Year.

 

[beryirish]

The SEC blows.

SEC looks like Alabama Crimson Tide and not much else


Right. We shouldn't look at the quality of our opponents when evaluating where we are as a program. Where have I seen that before? Oh yeah...

Notre Dame vs. Alabama - Game Recap - January 7, 2013 - ESPN

So you're basing your argument on someone else's opinion and not their field of play?

No - I'm not stating evaluating ND's program based on who they've played. The point is what seems to be the majority of ND fans unfortunately is that they can never be happy or satisfied and that nothing is ever good enough.




------

I get the point based on your second statement. Just funny how ironic it is how first point is that the SEC blows. Second point is pointing to Alabama.

 

[T Town Tommy]

How is Georgia being overestimated at this point in time? They are living up to expectations thus far. They are picked to be a top team in the SEC. Their defense has been nothing short of outstanding against their 3 opponents so far.

Notre Dame fans: the teams they beat aren't very good - panic. the teams they lose to aren't very good - panic more.

We will see just how good Ga is the next three weeks. They have the potential to be a good team but I am not buying them or their coach just yet.

As far as ND v BC... the biggest thing I can take away from the game is that the Irish have plenty to work on just as every team does. They will get better.

 

[wizards8507]

So you're basing your argument on someone else's opinion and not their field of play?

I've watched Georgia play. They don't impress me. It's actually you that's basing your argument on the opinion of others when you say things like "...Georgia is supposed to be one of the best teams in the SEC." Fine. They still don't impress me.

No - I'm not stating evaluating ND's program based on who they've played. The point is what seems to be the majority of ND fans unfortunately is that they can never be happy or satisfied and that nothing is ever good enough.

No, consistently beating the Temples and BCs of the world while going 11-15 against the Top 25 does not make me happy. It does not leave me satisfied. It is not good enough.

I get the point based on your second statement. Ironic how first point is that the SEC blows. Second point is pointing to Alabama.

What the hell are you talking about?

Point 1: The SEC in 2017 is not very good (with the exception of Alabama, which is excellent).

Point 2: Alabama stomped us after we went undefeated against a middling schedule in 2012.

Those two points are not inconsistent in any way, shape, or form.

 

[irishog77]

My biggest take away...Paul Pasqualoni is back in the college game as an assistant at BC. Didn't know that. Dude knows how to pose for a picture.

BC staff file....

UCONN staff picture

dolphins staff photo

Paul....what did you think about your DL play against ND....

Only decent post in this thread.

 

[beryirish]

I've watched Georgia play. They don't impress me. It's actually you that's basing your argument on the opinion of others when you say things like "...Georgia is supposed to be one of the best teams in the SEC." Fine. They still don't impress me.


No, consistently beating the Temples and BCs of the world while going 11-15 against the Top 25 does not make me happy. It does not leave me satisfied. It is not good enough.


What the hell are you talking about?

Point 1: The SEC in 2017 is not very good (with the exception of Alabama, which is excellent).

Point 2: Alabama stomped us after we went undefeated against a middling schedule in 2012.

Those two points are not inconsistent in any way, shape, or form.

Then say you've watched them play. You answer my question by posting a column by Mark Schlabach as to why you are saying Georgia is overestimated...therefore answering my question by throwing someone's opinion at it.

I'm not basing my opinion on Georgia based on others. I used the fact that they are picked to win the SEC East to supplement my point that they are 3-0 and defensively have dominated all of them. I too have watched them play and believe they will be a solid team. Winning the East or not they will still be a great team. I'm not afraid to eat crow in here, as i have before. Just wish others would do the board a favor and do the same.


Yes, i know they are in different realms of each other. I found it funny how one point states the SEC blows and the next point mentions an SEC school. That's why i formatted down below under the "------" with the premise that i got your point. You're a wizard, you're supposed to get those things.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

We return one of the best OL's in the country, we're getting our TE back who's supposed to be one of the best in the nation, we have a future NFL WR, we have 2-3 future NFL backs... This year's offense wasn't an overhaul.

We are as loaded as we've ever been in the BK era - and we thought we had a really good QB coming in who's been here 3 years and was a high-4 star. And he's been really bad at throwing a football. The offense was set up to roll as much as any in the Kelly era.

And on the other side of the ball, the defense is playing outstanding. The answer isn't to bench Wimbush. But frankly, given how set we are on offense, and how highly regarded he was, and the fact he's in his 3rd year, his passing is abysmal.

No one needs to be fired, no one needs to be bench, we're just disappointed in Wimbush and realize everything else is clicking, but our QB play, if it doesn't drastically improve, will hold us back this year when almost everyone who can spell "Notre Dame" thought the opposite heading into the season.

This offense isn't an overhaul?

We have the same QB, with the same head coach role, with the same qb coach, with the same OC, with the same offense scheme as last year?

Damn, you're right.
We didn't change a thing.

(PS: You're embarrassing yourself in here...you're not even good at being ignorant).

 

[philipm31]

I'm not comparing this team to Lou's success.

I'm comparing this style of play to Lou's. This is (allegedly) what fans wanted. They wanted the ND of old.

We have an OC/DC that are taking us that direction. They're both 3 games into their overhauls. You, nor I, know where this will go.

However, I know the direction that they're trying to take it. And they're aiming for a return to the ND of old. And I for one couldn't be happier with their direction. Now, let's see what they can do and how long it'll take.

You play to your strengths, period. Kelly knew what he could do. He had seen it in practice for years. He never got on the field except to run for a reason. Kelly knew he was not a good passer, at all. Frankly, if Lou were coaching and Kelly were competent, then BW would have been a RB for the last two years, not this. This is fitting a square peg in a round hole.

Look at how Lou went with Steve Beuerlein and then Terry Andrysiak, before an injury forced him to go to Tony Rice. This offense was not and never will work to its potential because BW can not pass. Everyone knew that too. Tony could pass in the right situations. Wimbush cannot pass in any situation and we are WASTING our WR talent.

This is not the direction anyone wanted. The direction we wanted was a new coach, who had a direction. Those are totally different approaches. Also, we had a STELLAR defense and superb ST. We do not have a good offense, our ST is meh and our defense is great now, but it needs a break, or it will break just like our team did at the end of the 2002 season, which might have been one of the best, most opportunistic defenses since the 88 and 89 squads...if we had a competent offense.

 

[philipm31]

All these people saying that we should not expect much from Wimbush because it is first year starting? Um, yeah, Kevin McDougal says, "HI!"

 

[nsisk157]

I was a bit young for the '93 BC loss (did throw a glass though and was soundly punished) and to then understand why FSU was ultimately crowned National Champs. Could anyone shed any light on it? Or was it as simple as the polls viewed an away loss to #2 ND was better than a home loss the number #17(?) BC.

Killing time in a car ride.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

You play to your strengths, period. Kelly knew what he could do. He had seen it in practice for years. He never got on the field except to run for a reason. Kelly knew he was not a good passer, at all. Frankly, if Lou were coaching and Kelly were competent, then BW would have been a RB for the last two years, not this. This is fitting a square peg in a round hole.

Look at how Lou went with Steve Beuerlein and then Terry Andrysiak, before an injury forced him to go to Tony Rice. This offense was not and never will work to its potential because BW can not pass. Everyone knew that too. Tony could pass in the right situations. Wimbush cannot pass in any situation and we are WASTING our WR talent.

This is not the direction anyone wanted. The direction we wanted was a new coach, who had a direction. Those are totally different approaches. Also, we had a STELLAR defense and superb ST. We do not have a good offense, our ST is meh and our defense is great now, but it needs a break, or it will break just like our team did at the end of the 2002 season, which might have been one of the best, most opportunistic defenses since the 88 and 89 squads...if we had a competent offense.

What are you talking about? When has Kelly ever said that BW can't pass? (he's actually said the opposite) Also, when has Kelly EVER seen BW run the RPO offense, red-jersey off before? (against Temple is the answer).

PS: Brandon Wimbush has a higher career completion percentage than Tony Rice, and the great Lou Holtz didn't even move Tony to RB!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

All these people saying that we should not expect much from Wimbush because it is first year starting? Um, yeah, Kevin McDougal says, "HI!"

Freshman Jimmy Clausen says HI!

Seriously though, people said Clausen had no chance...Guess what....

 

[Greenore]

My biggest take away...Paul Pasqualoni is back in the college game as an assistant at BC. Didn't know that. Dude knows how to pose for a picture.

BC staff file....

UCONN staff picture

dolphins staff photo

Paul....what did you think about your DL play against ND....

I don't post pictures... hopefully somebody can oblige me... Mel Brooks. Is Paul, Mel Brooks love child? Cheers!

 

[koonja]

Nobody's saying BW can't get better. Given how poorly he's passing, it's almost impossible he doesn't get significantly better.

The disappointment is how bad he is right now, and how it'll cost this loaded team wins. Highly touted, year 3, great OL, NFL TE, NFL RBs, NFL WR - and he looks simply terrible as a passer.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Nobody's saying BW can't get better. Given how poorly he's passing, it's almost impossible he doesn't get significantly better.

The disappointment is how bad he is right now, and how it'll cost this loaded team wins. Highly touted, year 3, great OL, NFL TE, NFL RBs, NFL WR - and he looks simply terrible as a passer.

Dude, you're just completely wrong, way too often.

 

[IrishLax]

Nobody's saying BW can't get better. Given how poorly he's passing, it's almost impossible he doesn't get significantly better.

The disappointment is how bad he is right now, and how it'll cost this loaded team wins. Highly touted, year 3, great OL, NFL TE, NFL RBs, NFL WR - and he looks simply terrible as a passer.

Not going o elaborate on this again, but how do you think Tom Brady would look trying to run a scheme like they have Russell Wilson do? Or even like what they ask Aaron Rodgers to do? They'd say "wow Brady is horrible, can't make any of these sideline throws, not mobile, takes tons of sacks, can't push the ball downfield with velocity, etc."

No, Brandon Wimbush is obviously not a great passer right now but he'd look a LOT better if they cut all the shit out of the playbook that is dumb and doesn't fit his skillset.

Single read, vertical passing game with a check down. Allow him to play fast and watch what happens. You can't run a horrible scheme that doesn't fit the player and expect good results.

 

[ulukinatme]

Wimbush needs to work on the passes, but the receivers aren't doing him any favors either. I think we've been struggling the last few years at least to develop WRs. We should have the talent, but a lot of these guys aren't consistently running good routes or getting separation. EQ seemed to have the drive last year, but something seems off this season. You think back to those '05 and '06 seasons with Rob Ianello coaching WRs and he turned Samardzija, McKnight, Stovall, and whoever we put in at TE each year (With help from Bernie Parmalee) into household names. Those guys weren't lighting the world on fire before the coaching staff was changed, and after they were winning 1 on 1 matchups consistently and beating good defenders. Yeah, occasionally there's a Will Fuller with crazy athletic ability that can make plays, but as a whole unit I would say right now that WR is our weakest position offensively.

 

[CrystalHead]

I think even with the stat line as it is (well under 50%), we would feel a lot better if he at least hit the wide open receivers. That's what's most troubling to me.

I get it. His passing hasn't impressed me either but some on here (not directed at you) act like he is the worse QB to ever walk on the field. Not one of those posters even brought up how many rushing yards and TD's he had. That's just wrong.

 

[koonja]

Not going o elaborate on this again, but how do you think Tom Brady would look trying to run a scheme like they have Russell Wilson do? Or even like what they ask Aaron Rodgers to do? They'd say "wow Brady is horrible, can't make any of these sideline throws, not mobile, takes tons of sacks, can't push the ball downfield with velocity, etc."

No, Brandon Wimbush is obviously not a great passer right now but he'd look a LOT better if they cut all the shit out of the playbook that is dumb and doesn't fit his skillset.

Single read, vertical passing game with a check down. Allow him to play fast and watch what happens. You can't run a horrible scheme that doesn't fit the player and expect good results.

I agree with most of this, although based on how he's seeing the field right now, I still would question if he'd find the open guy. Vertical passing game would help There's also the issue with simple accuracy.

But a non-terrible offensive game plan would definitely help him.

 

[koonja]

I get it. His passing hasn't impressed me either but some on here (not directed at you) act like he is the worse QB to ever walk on the field. Not one of those posters even brought up how many rushing yards and TD's he had. That's just wrong.

Why would we talk about rushing yards when we're discussing how bad he looks as a passer?

When we talk about Alize's drop we're not like "yeah but how 'bout that block!".

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I agree with most of this, although based on how he's seeing the field right now, I still would question if he'd find the open guy. Vertical passing game would help There's also the issue with simple accuracy.

But a non-terrible offensive game plan would definitely help him.

And, just to beat a dead horse (you), as I've already stated...

Kelly stated in his presser that "they" (Kelly, Long, Tommy) will use the 3 game sample size to analyze his strength and weaknesses...They will be tweaking the offense to "fit his strengths" and will work on the weaknesses.

Again, his ACTUAL sample size is crazy small...What they see from him on the field is radically different from camp.

Allow the coaches to have a chance to clean him up... If they fail, then by all means ripped them a new one, but lets step away from the cliff until then.

 

[Free Manera]

We all just need to wait a few weeks, then we will know what we have. BC absolutely stinks, and was outgunned at every single position, and gave up in the fourth quarter leading to hundreds of rushing yards. They will be lucky to win 4 games. You can't learn much from this game.

On the other hand, it was Wimbush's third start, and by Kelly's admission the playbook didn't reflect his strengths. Wimbush will absolutely get better. All will be revealed on October 21.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

We all just need to wait a few weeks, then we will know what we have. BC absolutely stinks, and was outgunned at every single position, and gave up in the fourth quarter leading to hundreds of rushing yards. They will be lucky to win 4 games. You can't learn much from this game.

On the other hand, it was Wimbush's third start, and by Kelly's admission the playbook didn't reflect his strengths. Wimbush will absolutely get better. All will be revealed on October 21.

Quit being patient. Kelly has had his chances! DO OR DIE, KELLY!!!!111

 

[CrystalHead]

Why would we talk about rushing yards when we're discussing how bad he looks as a passer?

When we talk about Alize's drop we're not like "yeah but how 'bout that block!".

I'm just focusing on what he did right. Yea he has some things to work on with the passing game. ALL of it correctable. 3 years in the program and now it's time for him to run the whole playbook as a first year starter. Hell Kizer struggled his second year when Kelly opened the whole playbook. Dumb it down so he just has to go out and be an athlete.

 

[Free Manera]

Quit being patient. Kelly has had his chances! DO OR DIE, KELLY!!!!111

That said if ND loses a game before 10/21 BLOW IT UPPPP

 

[koonja]

Quit being patient. Kelly has had his chances! DO OR DIE, KELLY!!!!111

But it is do or die for him. And his offense is loaded. And he's already lost his 1 opportunity (GEORGIA) at starting to cool his hot seat that he's put himself in due to his 4-8 record last year, and overall bad record against good teams.

 

[MPClinton22]

Interesting. So both ND and Clemson have played two games where they absolutely dominated. The third game for each team was against an SEC team.

ND played Georgia - a team that most people are picking to win the SEC East and their defense is thought of as one of the best in the country.

Clemson played Auburn - a team that was preseason ranked about the same as Georgia but their strength is offense. Their defensive line and secondary are seen as weaknesses.

Notre Dame scored 19 points and had 265 total yards. Wimbush 210 passing.

Clemson scored 14 points and had 264 total yards. Bryant 166 passing.

There's a big difference between dominating BC and dominating Louisville. And it was the way that they dominated. Kelly looked like he had complete command of the offense and was accurate on his passes. Wimbush (and in reality the offensive line) just overpowered BC. In no way am I saying BW won't improve, in fact I am sure he will. I just think people's concerns right now are pretty legitimate and to downplay them is silly.

Even BW acknowledged that sub 50% completion percentage is not going to cut it when you're the starting QB. Obviously there's a lot more to it than just "BW sucks and won't be good", but hopefully it's not just talk when BK says the coaching staff is working on adjusting the strategy with Brandon moving forward.

 

[PerthDomer]

For the people impressed with the BC score did anyone listen to the commentary? They had several injury losses on d and per the announcers had one guy available at several lb positions. They had no depth and got tired. I'd also pump the breaks on the D. The first competent passing qb we'll face will be either UNC or USC. It's fundamentally sound which is a great improvement but that just got the unit to passable. Whatever happens we should keep Elko but his job is a long term rebuild.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

But it is do or die for him. And his offense is loaded. And he's already lost his 1 opportunity (GEORGIA) at starting to cool his hot seat that he's put himself in due to his 4-8 record last year, and overall bad record against good teams.

My GOD, please quit digging yourself in a hole. This is sad... You walked right into this, again.

I was quoting a rational poster, that acknowledges there are tons of changes and is optimistically waiting to see what these new changes unveil.

My facetious, italicized response was my attempt to highlight the embarrassing posters on here that don't understand the difference between patience (allowing time for a new system to work the kinks out) and complacency (growing accustomed to mediocrity).

This is A NEW OFFENSE it WILL take time, regardless of your irrational and sensational expectations.

 

[koonja]

My GOD, please quit digging yourself in a hole. This is sad... You walked right into this, again.

I was quoting a rational poster, that acknowledges there are tons of changes and is optimistically waiting to see what these new changes unveil.

My facetious, italicized response was my attempt to highlight the embarrassing posters on here that don't understand the difference between patience (allowing time for a new system to work the kinks out) and complacency (growing accustomed to mediocrity).

This is A NEW OFFENSE it WILL take time, regardless of your irrational and sensational expectations.

Kmoose? Is that you?