Post spring thoughts

[clashmore_mike]

I think und.com was supposed to have the replay up tonight.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

What? Riddick was disappointing? He was a freakin stud out there today. Fast, shifty, quick, strong and versatile are words that come to mind to describe him.

He has the skill sets of a scat back...a third down back. He doesn't have the size to be an every down back. He can make a tackler miss but he doesn't have the speed to do anything else. I think focusing offensive plays around his skill set are a mistake...unless it is to get a 3rd and short first down. He is really playing out of position.

Everyone has been raving about the incoming freshman Neal's speed and shiftiness. It will be interesting to see if Riddick is playing the same position at the end of this year.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Kelly downplayed Golson's performance in his Press Conference, saying he didn't care about statistics, and that Golson couldn't line up the team and get the ball snapped in time without him. He also said Golson had the "art" of being a QB down, but not the "science". I hope Kelly was bluffing, but I fear that Kelly is a system based coach and doesn't like that Golson doesn't always set his feet and bails out of the pocket. Of the three, I thought Golson was the best. Rees, who had the most to lose imo, looked terrible. Hendrix made the same problem of not seeing the underneath linebacker and Kiel is too inexperienced

After this game, I have little doubt the Golson will start against Navy. Kelly has to be bluffing...he has to be.

 

[Downinthebend]

None of them looked like they could get the team lined up, it looked terrible to me. Didn't kelly disable the playclock?

 

[raiseherGOLSONblue]

There was this man..givin a little talk...and for some reason he was wearin number 11 on his shirt...He liked to say the F-word......A LOT...F this, F that, oh F. And for some reason just before everytime he did a whistle would blow!

Forrest Gump - 01 - The war in Viet-fucking-nam! - YouTube

 

[DillonHall]

The only definitive thing I can say after this game (regarding QBs) is that Kiel won't start. I think it's still too early to rule out Rees; Golson and Hendrix still make too many mistakes to be chosen over Rees.

 

[STLDomer]

I actually was pleasantly surprised with Josh Atkinson and Lo Wood. Lo had 7 tackles and that is his biggest problem, helped himself a lot.

Favorite play of the day when GAIII ran across the field and dodged like 3 guys but Cam McDaniel also sprinted across and made the tackle. 2 of my favorite players

 

[STLDomer]

Can we not turn this into one of the like 5 threads used to discuss the QB battle, keep it in the QB discussion thread

 

[Zbi]

The only definitive thing I can say after this game (regarding QBs) is that Kiel won't start. I think it's still too early to rule out Rees; Golson and Hendrix still make too many mistakes to be chosen over Rees.

I disagree, I think Tommy makes too many mistakes for one of the other two not to start. While Golson and Hendrix both will make mistakes, their upside is far beyond what Tommy's upside is.

 

[magogian]

He has the skill sets of a scat back...a third down back. He doesn't have the size to be an every down back. He can make a tackler miss but he doesn't have the speed to do anything else. I think focusing offensive plays around his skill set are a mistake...unless it is to get a 3rd and short first down. He is really playing out of position.

Everyone has been raving about the incoming freshman Neal's speed and shiftiness. It will be interesting to see if Riddick is playing the same position at the end of this year.

You put together a lot of words, but I don't think you know what any of them mean.

 

[raiseherGOLSONblue]

I did like this grown up version of Tommy Rees though...he went w/" the most interesting quarterback in the world" mustache look, and has expanded his vocab to appeal to an older crowd.

"I don't always say the F-word...but when I do..I make sure I'm mic'd up to make everyone think Coach Kelly is a bad infulence on me"

just kidding Tommy I really am pulling for him deep down I can tell he's actually a really good kid

 

[Downinthebend]

I think we need to change the way we signal in plays, its WAY too long, I was looking at Kelly? (was far away, some coach talking with the red-hat guy) communicating the play to him (red hat) and it consistently took too long. Then it took him another 5 or 6 seconds to get the play in and we then have ~13 seconds or less to get the play off. Why?

 

[raiseherGOLSONblue]

On a more serious note: I did NOT realize how many sons/close relatives of NFL players we had on this team until today. I guess seeing them all on the field at the same time put it in perspective!!!

 

[TheSunIsRising]

I'm really surprised by the positive posts on this board right now. Maybe it was just me, but I did not come out of this game feeling good at all.

Good things:
Golson looks to be the starter, but by no means is he a sure-fire take us to the BCS QB right now.
The running game looked great, from all sides.
D looked solid, especially the line.

Concerns:
Mistakes--lots of them. At points it looked like the team had not even been practicing every day for the past few weeks.
O-Line: I thought they just looked awful. Any gain in the runs were because of the running backs, rarely was it due to great blocking. Didn't see a whole lot of second level stuff, and on numerous occasions there were missed assignments.
Timing: I know this will come with more practice, but it looked like timing wasn't just off with Golson, but with everyone. There would be sparks of rhythm, but nothing to hang your hat on.

tl;dr - I'm very concerned coming out of this game. Maybe it's just me though.

Well they hadn't. They had been out 4 days a week, for a total of 14 practices, 2 of which were no contact. So, over the course of a month they had 12 practices; the first organized football since December. Spring games for all teams tend to be a mish-mash; didn't see Alabama's, but would assume they had a bunch of mistakes as well.

Not meant to minimize concerns, but I didn't expect anything close to a mistake-free game in a glorified scrimmage

 

[raiseherGOLSONblue]

I think we need to change the way we signal in plays, its WAY too long, I was looking at Kelly? (was far away, some coach talking with the red-hat guy) communicating the play to him (red hat) and it consistently took too long. Then it took him another 5 or 6 seconds to get the play in and we then have ~13 seconds or less to get the play off. Why?

Would it be safe to say that since we dress everyone for this game that the sideline is probably much more crowded than it is for gameday though? This may have had something to do w/ that. Unless this is something you think was a problem last year too. Kelly has always ran what some call an "if/then" offense, meaning "if" the defense lines up this way "then" you run this instaed. This does make it important to get the play calls in faster. Good observation I didn't really notice that I guess!

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

You put together a lot of words, but I don't think you know what any of them mean.

I base my opinions on what I see. You disagree. Fine. You disagree and you provide some counterpoints. I will reconsider. Otherwise don't bore me with a weak attempt to slight. Thanks.

 

[aubeirish]

Let's start praying that Golson takes the bull by the horns over the summer and becomes a leader.

 

[deise mike]

Just great to see football again.

Agree with all about the QB order.

Very happy with the RB strength, but wonder where Carlyle fits into it. Apart from Cierre it seems they will all have to do fiddly bits to get game time and cover for the lack of WRs.

Would like to have seen more of the DBs in the second half. Just beginning to get to grips with it when 2nd half flashed by and the streaming went on the blink.

I suppose its always the same with Spring Games but it seems that there is loads to do before they thrill me in Dublin in September.

 

[jonesman]

The dude calling Riddick a third down scat back and nothing more needs his eyes checked thoroughly. I will take Riddick all day long as my RB. The kid can catch, run and juke.

 

[Downinthebend]

Would it be safe to say that since we dress everyone for this game that the sideline is probably much more crowded than it is for gameday though? This may have had something to do w/ that. Unless this is something you think was a problem last year too. Kelly has always ran what some call an "if/then" offense, meaning "if" the defense lines up this way "then" you run this instaed. This does make it important to get the play calls in faster. Good observation I didn't really notice that I guess!

That is certainly true, another thing is that they are breaking in a new Red-Army "QB". Last year, the tempo was terrible at times; I haven't really paid attention to why it was. It also looked like the coaching staff was having trouble getting the correct personnel on the field, and in the correct place. This partially might have been because we were shifting personnel so much.

 

[raiseherGOLSONblue]

That is certainly true, another thing is that they are breaking in a new Red-Army "QB". Last year, the tempo was terrible at times; I haven't really paid attention to why it was. It also looked like the coaching staff was having trouble getting the correct personnel on the field, and in the correct place. This partially might have been because we were shifting personnel so much.

I do miss Mulvay This new General of the Red Army is from Hendrix's high school. That's kinda cool I wonder if they're buds from back when!

 

[Domer4ever]

My thoughts:

1. The offense continues to look like a work in progress with zero continuity and I thought the QB play was mostly dreadful. While Golson had the best game and has a lot of upside, he still made a lot of mistakes. I don't buy Hendrix as a starting caliber QB that can make a big play when needed. You can stick a fork in Rees after his standard performance today. While Kiel did not get much playing time today, you can just tell what kind of talent he has and that he is going to be big time down line. How soon is that is the question? I would have more faith throwing Kiel out there and letting him learn then to put this team in the hands of either Hendrix or Rees at this point. I would rank them like this currently: 1. Golson, 2. Kiel, 3. Hendrix, 4. Rees.

2. Not a news flash, but this team has major issues at the WR position. Outside of the one nice catch by Daniels....the WR's did nothing today. Ferguson, Brown, and Davonte Neal can not get to South Bend soon enough.

3. The RB position looks good. Wood, Atkinson, and Riddick are going to cause problems for defenses.

4. Pretty good day for the offensive line sans the bobbled snaps with Hegarty.

5. As usual, the 34 did not create a whole lot of pressure on the QB's and this is the area they will miss Lynch the most. Sheldon Day looks like he is going to be a player though.

6. Please scrap these no down defensive lineman looks where everybody is standing up, bouncing around, and trying to throw off the offensive line. It never works and more times then not the defensive line jumps offside.

7. Paper thin at CB and will struggle against teams that can spread the field with multiple WR formations like Oklahoma, USC, etc.

 

[irish1958]

Golson needs 100% of the snaps in practice and he needs to take the centers home at night and take 300 more every day. Kelly needs to name him the starter now.
What good is Tommey's experience if he is making the same mistakes he made in his first game? Experience is worthless if you don't learn from it.

 

[STLDomer]

My thoughts:

1. The offense continues to look like a work in progress with zero continuity and I thought the QB play was mostly dreadful. While Golson had the best game and has a lot of upside, he still made a lot of mistakes. I don't buy Hendrix as a starting caliber QB that can make a big play when needed. You can stick a fork in Rees after his standard performance today. While Kiel did not get much playing time today, you can just tell what kind of talent he has and that he is going to be big time down line. How soon is that is the question? I would have more faith throwing Kiel out there and letting him learn then to put this team in the hands of either Hendrix or Rees at this point. I would rank them like this currently: 1. Golson, 2. Kiel, 3. Hendrix, 4. Rees.

2. Not a news flash, but this team has major issues at the WR position. Outside of the one nice catch by Daniels....the WR's did nothing today. Ferguson, Brown, and Davonte Neal can not get to South Bend soon enough.

3. The RB position looks good. Wood, Atkinson, and Riddick are going to cause problems for defenses.

4. Pretty good day for the offensive line sans the bobbled snaps with Hegarty.

5. As usual, the 34 did not create a whole lot of pressure on the QB's and this is the area they will miss Lynch the most. Sheldon Day looks like he is going to be a player though.

6. Please scrap these no down defensive lineman looks where everybody is standing up, bouncing around, and trying to throw off the offensive line. It never works and more times then not the defensive line jumps offside.

7. Paper thin at CB and will struggle against teams that can spread the field with multiple WR formations like Oklahoma, USC, etc.

To expalin the lack of QB pressure, only blitzed in red zone and 3rd down I think, maybe not even the 3rd down part

 

[RuntheBall]

Golson needs 100% of the snaps in practice and he needs to take the centers home at night and take 300 more every day. Kelly needs to name him the starter now.
What good is Tommey's experience if he is making the same mistakes he made in his first game? Experience is worthless if you don't learn from it.

I agree with the everything here except the "Kelly needs to pick his starter now". I think that just false. He does need to give Golson more reps, but certainly doesnt have to name him the starter (naming anyone else the starter right now would be a bad move, and I assume thats who mean "the").

 

[BGIF]

Would it be safe to say that since we dress everyone for this game that the sideline is probably much more crowded than it is for gameday though? This may have had something to do w/ that. Unless this is something you think was a problem last year too. Kelly has always ran what some call an "if/then" offense, meaning "if" the defense lines up this way "then" you run this instaed. This does make it important to get the play calls in faster. Good observation I didn't really notice that I guess!

There were two flags for Delay of Game in back to back series, one with Rees and one with Hendrix. We had multiple delay calls the past two years regardless of whether Crist or Rees was QB.

As a play ends, with the new clock running, Kelly comments to the WR, RB, whatever coming off the field. He looks at his playlist while listening to the OC via headphones, calls a play, a Red Hat signals it in, QB calls play out, center barks out assignments, the Defense moves, QB audibles, and with luck play gets off with a second or three to spare. ND constantly flirts with a Delay call regardless of who's the QB. I suspect it also contributes to the False Starts.

If Kelly's gonna call the plays, he needs to leave the teaching moments in the game to assistants and get the play in quickly. Even if there was a senior QB, a veteran like Quinn, there is too much time getting the play called and communicated unto the field.

If we're going to increase the tempo of the plays, we need to start with increasing the tempo of the play calling.

 

[Downinthebend]

It would be interesting to check what ND did in the Maryland game (I can't remember any others) where we truly had a fast tempo.

 

[BGIF]

To expalin the lack of QB pressure, only blitzed in red zone and 3rd down I think, maybe not even the 3rd down part

Which makes the 3rd down stat, 0-11, even worse with all 4 QBs. Nobody converted.

 

[magogian]

The dude calling Riddick a third down scat back and nothing more needs his eyes checked thoroughly. I will take Riddick all day long as my RB. The kid can catch, run and juke.

Thank you. I figured he was too moronic to understand a proper response, but I'm glad you bothered.

 

[ChiefSecond]

Did john goodman play???

I'm not hearing anything....this board is telling me everyday how he's gonna explode in his fifth year and be our #1 guy .......