Should we be worried?

GreatGolson

GreatGolson

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Ok, call me a worry wort, a neigh-sayer, but at UC Brian Kelly's offense had one key component we currently dont have, a strong offensive line. If you watch film of his games you always see how much protection pike got, and later on the great blocking Pead and Colarios got when running, i just feel like we dont have that kind of blocking ability, and i just have bad images in my head of the recivers being open but Crist not having the time he needs to make a play. So, should we be worried?
 
jason_h537

jason_h537

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We need tackles and yes we should be worried. I think that Verducci helped change some of the problems that existed but they still need alot of work.
 
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Irish.Ca

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Worried, no, Concerned, Yes. We have "better" talent than BK ever had at UC, he's got the same guys coaching these kids. Logic would say we should be OK and be pretty decent by the end of the year. I just hope the don't get Dayne killed in the first week or two.

On a postive note, I don't think BK will play Dayne all game long the way Charlie rode his starters way too long.
 
GreatGolson

GreatGolson

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I was at the Spring Game and i will admit i saw some decent blocking, much better than in past years which lead to some big runs, but will it be enough against teams with monster lines? say MSU or Pitt?
 
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Irish.Ca

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MSU and Pitt will have good lines this year, let them overpersue, we'll have plenty of options from the shotgun and throw in the screen pass a few times. Just not every 3rd play, right Charlie?
 
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Irishkid23

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Conditioning, Mental Toughness, Attitude and Coaching

Conditioning, Mental Toughness, Attitude and Coaching

I think the conditioning and strength training taught by Longo will help the OL immensely. There is a very strong disciplinary attitude and focus that Kelly and Longo teach to these kids, and that is they "will play all 4 quarters at full speed." This year they will perform well because of their enthusiasm/attitude, conditioning, and mental toughness. I read somewhere that Cincinnati won all of their close games partly because of the above mentioned traits and good coaching.
 
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PatsandBostonfan1975

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Every other spread you can kinda hide a lack size on oline this i get nervous with. The one thing i feel good with is Kelly wins. Where ever he goes with whatever he has.
 
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irishfaith

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Worried: naw

Worried: naw

Fair question for sure. Am I worried or even concerned at this point? No but I am excited. I believe the Irish nation will be suprised what a difference focus makes. The pieces are in place and BKs direction will win games!
 
Riddickulous

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As long as they block well enough to get us 8 or 9 wins this year, they'll be fine.

Next year they'll be sweet. Four starters back.
 
IrishLax

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GreatDayne said:
I was at the Spring Game and i will admit i saw some decent blocking, much better than in past years which lead to some big runs, but will it be enough against teams with monster lines? say MSU or Pitt?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about Pitt. About half of their pass rush threw a guy through a glass door and is probably suspended for the year.
 
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cincy gold

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just my opinion here but the spread offense doesnt let many defenses rush like they may want to. if the defense rushes too many then bk will have crist dump it off or connect on a quick pass. i am not 100% sure but uc did not have an o lineman who was drafted high or at all. i am from cincy and watched all of the games and trust me, bk will have everyone on that line playing much better than the spring game and will continue to get better as the year and their career go.
 
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BGIF

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GreatDayne said:
Ok, call me a worry wort, a neigh-sayer, but at UC Brian Kelly's offense had one key component we currently dont have, a strong offensive line. If you watch film of his games you always see how much protection pike got, and later on the great blocking Pead and Colarios got when running, i just feel like we dont have that kind of blocking ability, and i just have bad images in my head of the recivers being open but Crist not having the time he needs to make a play. So, should we be worried?
Click to expand...

Rebuilding an OLine is always cause for concern. So is a new scheme and new coaches. Besides those obvious areas lies the fact that Kelly has never had as much quality material to work with. ND's OLs are generally rated in the Top 30. At UC he was lucky to have OLs in the Top 300. Warinner is also accustomed to doing more with less.

Cincy Gold raises valid points about the spread and defenses. After 5 years of Charlie's Weis's Offense we're accustomed to seeing defenses anticipate where the QB will be 3 seconds after the snap, little fear of a running game, no misdirection. Essentially anticipate the snap and be oblivious to everyone but the QB. ND's OLine struggled so much that effective offensive weapons like Carlson and Rudolph were needed to be kept in to help out the OLine rather than burning the defense.

If defenses line up and charge upfield on every snap Kelly will make them pay. UC's OLine still gave up sacks, 15 last year, 16th best in Div 1. ND gave up 25.

I'm more concerned about Crist's knee that about the OLine play. If he's reasonably mobile ...
 
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GreatDayne said:
Then ND will make the BCS haha but seriously, if he can move like he did a little bit in the Washington State game, he will be very, very dangerous, see YouTube - Superstar - Zach Collaros announces himself to the world - UC/Uconn 09'
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If Dayne is mobile, not just healthy, I expect ND to run the table. A healthy Crist has ND in a BCS game.

A mobile Crist has ND averaging 40 points a game. Opponent will have to forego the run to stay in the track meet.

Kelly has his coaches on the same page. No zone blocking versus man different points of view. No 4-3 blitz versus we should be 4-3. No Harrison Smith trying to figure out if he's a LB or a Safety on this play. He may not be able to keep up with a receiver but he'll damn well know which man is his.

I expect every aspect of performance to be improved from fundamentals through concentration. Blocking, tackling, assignments on offense and defense, muffed catches as well as extra points and kickoffs, and coverages.
 
ACamp1900

ACamp1900

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I have not jumped on either side of the Bk bandwagon... I think that is fair to say... but this is not a source of worrying to me...

who had the better talent on the O Line last year, us or Cinncy??? Sorry you can not say the Bearcats had us cornered there... yet they did in fact vastly out play ours... we shall see how much of that was BK and his system.
 
ACamp1900

ACamp1900

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I'm cool with being the Mark May of IE this summer...

seriously guys... this team has proved nothing over the past three years...

show me.
 
GreatGolson

GreatGolson

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ACamp1900 said:
I'm cool with being the Mark May of IE this summer...

seriously guys... this team has proved nothing over the past three years...

show me.
Click to expand...

So ill be the Lou Holtz, this is a team under a coach who has won everywhere with lesser talent, now to be in a position with top notch talent, he cannot fail.
 
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DCirishfan

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ACamp1900 said:
I'm cool with being the Mark May of IE this summer...

seriously guys... this team has proved nothing over the past three years...

show me.
Click to expand...


Mark May predicted 10 wins for us. For some annoying reason I take comfort in it.
 
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