Report on BK's Speech in Chicago on Friday Night

[Patulski]

Hi all,The one newsworthy note was that he really tried to set expectations for an 8 win season, and he strongly stressed the difficulty of the schedule.

Can you be more specific? For example, can you paraphrase a sentence of Kelly's that gave you this impression?

For example, I read at another site where somebody paraphrasied what Kelly said in this sentence: "ND is poised to win at least 8 games for the third year in a row". If that's the sentence you're using to say Kelly "tried to set expectations for an 8 win season", you're ignoring the qualifier "at least".

I wasn't there. Was the qualifier used?

 

[notredomer23]

BK is posturing IMO. Says 8 wins so if he gets that, he fulfilled low expectations. But if he wins 9 or more be can easily say look what I did with a team that shouldn't have won more than 8 games

 

[polishjuice4]

You want to know why Stanford wins besides Luck and Harbaugh, look at their schedule. I want to see them play our schedule.

 

[ulukinatme]

He discussed the QB situation, and said nice things about each QB. He did say that Golson, all too often, would throw a beautiful pass on one play and then would fumble the snap on the very next play. Regarding Kiel, he said he will be very special one day, but he is quite raw. Kelly made rather generic comments regarding Rees and Hendrix.

I think HereComeTheIrish has it right. Based on the above paragraph, I think it's gonna be Tommy Time in 2012

 

[MJ12666]

Lou always talked down his teams. What BK stated in a speech before an alumni group in April has nothing to do with the team's goal. Do any of you really think that when he addresses the coaches and team that he will set a goal of 8 wins? Of course he won't. The goal for the team I am sure is win all of its games.

Additionally, the schedule is not ludicrous. There are only two games that will be very difficult to win, OU and USC. The other games (while not all gimmes and it is not likely that we will win the all) are all winnable by simply cutting down on turnovers. I know this sounds easy but it is hard to believe we will see a repeat of last season.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

How many pratfalls in a minute in a stooges episode? I personally like it when Curley says, "I'm a victim of coicunstances!"

Kelly is trying to tone down expectations and tune up results. Can you imagine how much discord the Lynch situation must have caused? And how much the attitude has changed this year with the elimination of the privilege and low expectations that have bathed the team in these last years"

I will give you a hint, the expectations for the Clausen teams under Weis in his early years, and you can look 'em up, were unrealistic. Those kind of grossly unrealistic expectations in fact cause really low expectations on the part of those in the program. It is called low morale.

 

[OCIrish]

How many pratfalls in a minute in a stooges episode? I personally like it when Curley says, "I'm a victim of coicunstances!"

Kelly is trying to tone down expectations and tune up results. Can you imagine how much discord the Lynch situation must have caused? And how much the attitude has changed this year with the elimination of the privilege and low expectations that have bathed the team in these last years"
I will give you a hint, the expectations for the Clausen teams under Weis in his early years, and you can look 'em up, were unrealistic. Those kind of grossly unrealistic expectations in fact cause really low expectations on the part of those in the program. It is called low morale.

Bog, I get what you're saying with the Lynch saga, of which, I'm glad to have it over with hopefully, but as for expectations, last year, our schedule was much easier than this upcoming season, and therefore, expectations were kinda high. More than a few peope expected them to win at least 10 games without the bowl game. While there were more fingers to go around than actual hands to point them for last seasons problems, many of them were stemming from player mistakes on the field, of which should have been correctable, some were coaching mistakes. At the same time, expectations at ND are going to be high, no matter what.

 

[BGIF]

Under Promise BUT Over Deliver

Under Promise BUT Over Deliver

Yeah, fair, just fair.

Rockne on the prospects for the 1929 team

We'll have the worst team Notre Dame had ever had.

Leahy Spring 1949

If you look at it on paper, there is no justification for Notre Dame to be rated in the Top 20.

Holtz Preseason 1988

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Rockne on the prospects for the 1929 team

Leahy Spring 1949

Holtz Preseason 1988

That is what I am talking about. We all got screwed up by Weis' tactical advantages, or something. You could ask Lou Holtz about playing Rice, and he would tell you how underrated and tough they would be, or how when playing William & Mary, bout how they had more Williams than anybody gave them credit for.

Bog, I get what you're saying with the Lynch saga, of which, I'm glad to have it over with hopefully, but as for expectations, last year, our schedule was much easier than this upcoming season, and therefore, expectations were kinda high. More than a few peope expected them to win at least 10 games without the bowl game. While there were more fingers to go around than actual hands to point them for last seasons problems, many of them were stemming from player mistakes on the field, of which should have been correctable, some were coaching mistakes. At the same time, expectations at ND are going to be high, no matter what.

Last year the talk going in was how tough the schedule was. Remember we were just the second season into a new coach, where the old coach was having problems winning an intersquad game, at the end. I am saying the biggest problem last year was entitlement. Not just players. The previous coaching staff. The team had been undercoached in the fundamentals at most positions, had the same arrogant attitude that the coaches had taught them, and the new staff came in with specific holes at key positions in the lineup. In fact if guys like Z Martin, J Gray, T Eifert, and P Shembo,with last years freshman classes out of the block a$$kicking ability, we would have been lucky to have registered a couple of 6-6 seasons.

A) Kelly picked it up and fixed it up out of the blocks;
B) There were some real weaknesses in the program with both personel and attitude that limited Kelly to where he was;
C) Even eliminating Tee and Aaron is success on the road to that goal.
D) With a program like this you cannot tell from year to year, last year's defensive improvement was spectacular.
E) This year more of our opponents have questions than last year.

 

[BGIF]

Bog, I get what you're saying with the Lynch saga, of which, I'm glad to have it over with hopefully, but as for expectations, last year, our schedule was much easier than this upcoming season, and therefore, expectations were kinda high. More than a few peope expected them to win at least 10 games without the bowl game. While there were more fingers to go around than actual hands to point them for last seasons problems, many of them were stemming from player mistakes on the field, of which should have been correctable, some were coaching mistakes. At the same time, expectations at ND are going to be high, no matter what.

Last season's schedule was tough, this year's is tougher.

People did pick ND to win 10 games but just about everybody acknowledged for that to happen ND had to:

1. Find a Starting QB - From the numerous threads/posts on this board lamenting (and still lamenting) one could say that didn't happen

2. OLine had to Jell - It did, until Cave went down, passwise and runwise.

3. RB had to arrive - It did for that most part until Gray went down.

4. The Front Seven had to play as good as the Secondary - The Front Four did, Te'o did, the Secondary thought to be the strength was the weakness.

5. Was there a receiver (not TE) besides Floyd - We're still asking that question. Inconsistent last year.

6. Could Rudolph be replaced - Overwhelming YES!


Simply put with all the play in all the games that could have gone the other way, two games were decided on two fortuitous bounces - for the other guys, the USF fumble return for TD and 14 point swing and the UM goal line fumble that bounced back up into Robinson's hands for 7 points.

A different bounce on those 2 fumbles and ND was 10-3 despite the QB woes, Secondary woes, injuries, dumb calls, turnovers, etc.

On that list of 6 items (and there were others) at this point only 2 I believe are resolved:

1. The QB question is still there as Rees seems to be leading from reports and Alex Baldwinesque posts to not watch a game next season if Rees starts.

2. The OLine is probably in better shape IF Cave is healthy and stays healthy.

3. At RB, Wood should be even better, I like Atkinson's speed particularly as a receiver out of the backfield BUT do we have a BIG back to carry the mail like Jonas?

4. The Front Seven took a big hit with Lynch's departure but even with it is deeper, and quicker than last year. IF Fox/Calabrese can play pass defense this year, the D is stronger. Secondary a question but I don't think they'll be worse.

5. Last year we looked for a receiver to complement Floyd, now we need receiverS to replace him.

6. TE is better than last year.


The schedule is a little tougher but without filling the holes above almost anyone on that schedule can beat ND. Most so than ND can beat everyone on that schedule.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Last season's schedule was tough, this year's is tougher.

People did pick ND to win 10 games but just about everybody acknowledged for that to happen ND had to:

1. Find a Starting QB - From the numerous threads/posts on this board lamenting (and still lamenting) one could say that didn't happen

2. OLine had to Jell - It did, until Cave went down, passwise and runwise.

3. RB had to arrive - It did for that most part until Gray went down.

4. The Front Seven had to play as good as the Secondary - The Front Four did, Te'o did, the Secondary thought to be the strength was the weakness.

5. Was there a receiver (not TE) besides Floyd - We're still asking that question. Inconsistent last year.

6. Could Rudolph be replaced - Overwhelming YES!


Simply put with all the play in all the games that could have gone the other way, two games were decided on two fortuitous bounces - for the other guys, the USF fumble return for TD and 14 point swing and the UM goal line fumble that bounced back up into Robinson's hands for 7 points.

A different bounce on those 2 fumbles and ND was 10-3 despite the QB woes, Secondary woes, injuries, dumb calls, turnovers, etc.

On that list of 6 items (and there were others) at this point only 2 I believe are resolved:

1. The QB question is still there as Rees seems to be leading from reports and Alex Baldwinesque posts to not watch a game next season if Rees starts.

2. The OLine is probably in better shape IF Cave is healthy and stays healthy.

3. At RB, Wood should be even better, I like Atkinson's speed particularly as a receiver out of the backfield BUT do we have a BIG back to carry the mail like Jonas?

4. The Front Seven took a big hit with Lynch's departure but even with it is deeper, and quicker than last year. IF Fox/Calabrese can play pass defense this year, the D is stronger. Secondary a question but I don't think they'll be worse.

5. Last year we looked for a receiver to complement Floyd, now we need receiverS to replace him.

6. TE is better than last year.


The schedule is a little tougher but without filling the holes above almost anyone on that schedule can beat ND. Most so than ND can beat everyone on that schedule.

Um, BGIF, that was three on three. I was at the SC game. We had all the mo, going down from the three to tie it. Then a fumble and a fourteen point lead. One bounce, another fourteen point swing.

Boggsey.

 

[BGIF]

Um, BGIF, that was three on three. I was at the SC game. We had all the mo, going down from the three to tie it. Then a fumble and a fourteen point lead. One bounce, another fourteen point swing.

Boggsey.

I thought about the USC game but left it off. Without that fumble which also took a fortuitous bounce (kick?) and that 14 point swing the game is tied. The outcome's still in doubt.

In the USF and UM the margin of victory (loss) was less than either of those two plays. A bounce are way or even a dead ball fumble recovery and ND gets 2 more wins.


Besides I was trying to get to 10 wins not 11.



Can you imagine what the expectations would be this year with a 15-1 returning Starting QB?

 

[irishff1014]

I thought about the USC game but left it off. Without that fumble which also took a fortuitous bounce (kick?) and that 14 point swing the game is tied. The outcome's still in doubt.

In the USF and UM the margin of victory (loss) was less than either of those two plays. A bounce are way or even a dead ball fumble recovery and ND gets 2 more wins.


Besides I was trying to get to 10 wins not 11.



Can you imagine what the expectations would be this year with a 15-1 returning Starting QB?

Good thing we don't have to worry about that.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I think accepting potential losses to Oklahoma, USC and two out of Michigan/Miami/Stanford sounds pretty realistic.

And even that assumes no off games against the remaining opponents, which ND has clearly been capable of in the last 2 seasons.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I thought about the USC game but left it off. Without that fumble which also took a fortuitous bounce (kick?) and that 14 point swing the game is tied. The outcome's still in doubt.

In the USF and UM the margin of victory (loss) was less than either of those two plays. A bounce are way or even a dead ball fumble recovery and ND gets 2 more wins.


Besides I was trying to get to 10 wins not 11.



Can you imagine what the expectations would be this year with a 15-1 returning Starting QB?

Ha, HA, HA!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Kelly spoke at an event held by the Notre Dame Club of Chicago Friday night and said something to the effect of eight wins making a successful season next fall. He clarified Saturday that he said “eight or more wins” would be a step toward building a consistent program. It's not where he is setting the bar for next year’s team.

“You shoot for eight wins around here you won’t be around here very long. Believe me,” Kelly said. “The point of that whole statement was you need consistency. You need stability. Consistency is you can’t have a 10-win season and then a three-win season. You have to build consistency and that’s what we’re all shooting for.”

,

 

[magogian]

I'm glad BK was given a chance to clarify his statement. Because from talking to a bunch of people at the dinner after he spoke, most people agreed that he was trying to set expectations at 8 wins.

That said, I still think he is trying to set expectations for this year at 8 wins, but he just can't admit that.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Hearing him clarify what he said made me feel better. For what its worth, our computer models had ND winning 10 games this year (9 last). I still feel optimistic, but it all depends on the QB play.

 

[greyhammer90]

Hearing him clarify what he said made me feel better. For what its worth, our computer models had ND winning 10 games this year (9 last). I still feel optimistic, but it all depends on the QB play.

Please tell- who's computer models, and who are we supposed to lose to?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

God's, don't you know anything Doc?

 

[notredomer23]

I like BK's subtle little jab at Weis in there

 

[Buster Bluth]

I thought about the USC game but left it off. Without that fumble which also took a fortuitous bounce (kick?) and that 14 point swing the game is tied. The outcome's still in doubt.

In the USF and UM the margin of victory (loss) was less than either of those two plays. A bounce are way or even a dead ball fumble recovery and ND gets 2 more wins.

So depressing.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Someone has to stop Buster and his cursed gif's!

 

[CarrollVermin]

Please tell- who's computer models, and who are we supposed to lose to?

Sorry, was away from my computer most of the afternoon. We have our own models that we have created using regression and discriminant analysis. We have taken statistics for the last four years to build them. Last year the model called for losses to Stanford, USC, and Michigan State.

This year the models call for losses to USC and Oklahoma. We are going to go back and account for injuries, transfers, and updated statistics during the season. But, if the season started today, that is what the model would predict.

 

[BGIF]

Per Keith Arnold
3/14

Wide receiving corp takes injury hits | Inside the Irish

Lastly, Kelly was quick to refute some message board fodder that came from the Rockne dinner that had the head coach allegedly aiming for eight wins next season. He was quick to qualify, and stomp out any rumors swirling.

“No, that’s not accurate,” Kelly said of the eight-win goal. “What I said was Notre Dame had not strung together three years in a row of eight wins or more, so if we win eight games next year or more it will be the first time in 16 years. Thank you for getting that accurate. You shoot for eight wins around here you won’t be around very long. Trust me, my boss is up there. He already told me that. Now, we can build towards that. That’s part of what we’re doing. There are building blocks in putting together our football program. You want consistency. The point of that whole statement was you need consistency, you need stability. Consistency is you can’t have a 10-win season then a three-win season. You’ve gotta build consistency and that’s what we’re all shooting for.”