Spread offense

[Touchdown_Jesus]

Im not sure if I really enjoyed our spread offense this year. We did have some good games where we had a ton of yards on the ground and in the air but I feel like we should go to pro style offense like what Harbaugh runs in San Francisco. I know if we went to pro style more with Jonas Gray we would be harder to stop. Gray is an NFL prospect and so is Mike Floyd- both recruited under Weis system which wasn't the spread and so was Mike Floyd. Mike probably should have gotten the ball a lot more this year especially since he was a senior and is our best weapon and player. Overall jonas and floyd had phenominal seasons, but the fact of the matter is...it might take a while for kelly to recruit all of the players he wants for his system..I just feel like with running backs like jonas gray we could do some damage. I say we recruit heavy on O line and power backs instead of these scat backs. no offense to Cierre Wood because I love my irish but Gray brought a totally different feel to our offense. Plus, running the spread is going to be easy for defenses and other opposing coaches to beat. My friend was sitting next to an assistant 49er coach at the stanford game and he said that he could guess every offensive play before the snap.. I just want whats best for our program i still believe kelly made a mistake with crist...but thats how it goes. Different coach different system. Hope for the best in the bowl game and next season. GO IRISH

 

[arndtjc]

You didn't get to see Kelly's full spread attack whatsoever. Wait til one of his guys takes the reigns with a FULL PLAYBOOK at hand before you make your criticisms...

 

[Buster Bluth]

MOTHER OF GOD! PLEASE STOP!

 

[Rack Em]

Yo I think NDNation is looking for another poster to bring up this topic

 

[Patulski]

 

[Veer option]

 

[Sweetness34]

The offense will be fine once Kelly gets an athletic QB to run if full-time. The pro-style offense doesn't fit us right now and to change it would take another 2-3 recruiting classes. Kelly doesn't have the time to do that.

 

[phork]

I think we should go back to the option.

 

[Rocket89]

The funny thing is, if you look at all of their carries, Wood was really the more power runner. He carried the ball more, he had plenty of instances where he lowered his head and picked up tough yardage, and he was used often late in games to seal victories.

Certainly, even if you want to argue that Gray was the "power runner" in the offense---it wasn't that apparent. Both running backs ran the same plays and brought a lot of the same things to the table.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Stream of consciousness posting + bad grammar = people don't take you seriously.

Also, it's a little late for this, yes? Jonas Gray, who seemed to be the catalyst for this post, is finished at ND.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Andrew &/or Everett will get the keys to the cadillac in the Spring. Kelly will spread the field with TJ, Daniels, Toma, an all-american TE [either Eifert or Koyack], running in Brown, Ferguson, Greenberry, McDaniels, like swarms of fast-moving athletic ball-snatchers. Wood, GAIII, Mahone, and Riddick will cruise through spread-out defenses terrorized by field-expanding receivers and running QBs. And ND will score 40+ per game.

To those who think that we cannot replace Big Mike: well of course we can't. But Kelly's offense, once fully operative, doesn't need someone as great as Mike. That offense works because you just can't guard all of it [when all of it is available]. Cincinnati never had anyone as good as Big Mike. They scored like crazy. So will we.

 

[irishff1014]

Andrew &/or Everett will get the keys to the cadillac in the Spring. Kelly will spread the field with TJ, Daniels, Toma, an all-american TE [either Eifert or Koyack], running in Brown, Ferguson, Greenberry, McDaniels, like swarms of fast-moving athletic ball-snatchers. Wood, GAIII, Mahone, and Riddick will cruise through spread-out defenses terrorized by field-expanding receivers and running QBs. And ND will score 40+ per game.

To those who think that we cannot replace Big Mike: well of course we can't. But Kelly's offense, once fully operative, doesn't need someone as great as Mike. That offense works because you just can't guard all of it [when all of it is available]. Cincinnati never had anyone as good as Big Mike. They scored like crazy. So will we.

I agree woth old man mike

 

[jason_h537]

I agree woth old man mike

+1. They can't drop 8 when a QB can take off for a first down.

 

[kmoose]

Andrew &/or Everett will get the keys to the cadillac in the Spring. Kelly will spread the field with TJ, Daniels, Toma, an all-american TE [either Eifert or Koyack], running in Brown, Ferguson, Greenberry, McDaniels, like swarms of fast-moving athletic ball-snatchers. Wood, GAIII, Mahone, and Riddick will cruise through spread-out defenses terrorized by field-expanding receivers and running QBs. And ND will score 40+ per game.

To those who think that we cannot replace Big Mike: well of course we can't. But Kelly's offense, once fully operative, doesn't need someone as great as Mike. That offense works because you just can't guard all of it [when all of it is available]. Cincinnati never had anyone as good as Big Mike. They scored like crazy. So will we.

We can replace Big Mike, but Old Man Mike cannot be replaced.

 

[anarin]

I swear its like a 14 yr old wrote this, I couldnt take it serious.

 

[kmoose]

jonas and floyd had phenominal seasons,

Jonas only rushed for 791 yards. I'd hardly call that phenomenal. His average per carry was excellent (6.9), and he had 12 TDs. But neither of those stats is phenomenal. I was glad to see him have a very good season, but it just wasn't phenomenal.

 

[clashmore_mike]

?????

 

[PJWhitfield]

Option? Pro offense? ... Team will be three-fourths Kelly people next year. Let Kelly be Kelly.

 

[BeauBenken]

Why the hell would you think we have the guys to run an offense like Harbaugh's Stanford teams? We don't even have a fullback.

P.S. - You do realize Jonas is done, right?

 

[Touchdown_Jesus]

thanks for the criticism.... just thought id start a little convo about our offense..and yes I know it would take a few years to recruit for a pro style. In reality I know we are sticking with the spread just wanted to share my opinion

and yes i do know jonas is done...im not an idiot. We dont have the athletes yet to run a successful spread. Giving Golson a shot next year will help us out but its going to take a while before we are dominant. Kelly has to get his guys

 

[Buster Bluth]

We dont have the athletes yet to run a successful spread. Giving Golson a shot next year will help us out but its going to take a while before we are dominant. Kelly has to get his guys

Did you watch Notre Dame this year?

I think I read once that Notre Dame has put up 500+ yards of offense like <20 times in the last 15 years, and two of them were in week one and two. I think Notre Dame put up like five times this season alone.

The offense wasn't the problem this season. Not even close. This was the most complete offense since Lou Holtz, and will only get better in the future.

I just read what you're typing and I feel like Notre Dame is Ohio State when it comes to offensive production.

 

[RDU Irish]

My concerns hinge on unproven WRs. Toma is the only one I feel will catch everything he is supposed to catch and quite a few he shouldn't catch. Riddick has proven unreliable to me. TJ has not been anywhere close to consistent or dynamic enough to be considered the heir apparent for the new #1.

Who is waiting in the wings that has glue for hands like Toma and Floyd? I am tired about hearing about how fast/big/dynamic players are. It doesn't matter if they are inconsistent with catching the ball. That seems like more of an "it" factor than anything for a WR. Floyd, Tate, Shark all caught the ball extremely well from day one.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

My concerns hinge on unproven WRs. Toma is the only one I feel will catch everything he is supposed to catch and quite a few he shouldn't catch. Riddick has proven unreliable to me. TJ has not been anywhere close to consistent or dynamic enough to be considered the heir apparent for the new #1.

Who is waiting in the wings that has glue for hands like Toma and Floyd? I am tired about hearing about how fast/big/dynamic players are. It doesn't matter if they are inconsistent with catching the ball. That seems like more of an "it" factor than anything for a WR. Floyd, Tate, Shark all caught the ball extremely well from day one.

The good news is that, if you have to start inexperienced players, WR is by far the best place to do it. No other position in football can get by on talent and athleticism alone as well as WR.

Between Daniels, Greenberry, Brown, and Ferguson, I'm sure one of those guys will be a serviceable option at the W in Floyd's absence; even if it's just to run Go routes.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Im not sure if I really enjoyed our spread offense this year. We did have some good games where we had a ton of yards on the ground and in the air but I feel like we should go to pro style offense like what Harbaugh runs in San Francisco. I know if we went to pro style more with Jonas Gray we would be harder to stop. Gray is an NFL prospect and so is Mike Floyd- both recruited under Weis system which wasn't the spread and so was Mike Floyd. Mike probably should have gotten the ball a lot more this year especially since he was a senior and is our best weapon and player. Overall jonas and floyd had phenominal seasons, but the fact of the matter is...it might take a while for kelly to recruit all of the players he wants for his system..I just feel like with running backs like jonas gray we could do some damage. I say we recruit heavy on O line and power backs instead of these scat backs. no offense to Cierre Wood because I love my irish but Gray brought a totally different feel to our offense. Plus, running the spread is going to be easy for defenses and other opposing coaches to beat. My friend was sitting next to an assistant 49er coach at the stanford game and he said that he could guess every offensive play before the snap.. I just want whats best for our program i still believe kelly made a mistake with crist...but thats how it goes. Different coach different system. Hope for the best in the bowl game and next season. GO IRISH

You've been banned, but not for this post.

You're going to have to pick a username. You are posting under this name,and then under irishman3 (not to be confused with Irish_Man 3). Choose one.

The funny thing is that yesterday you had a conversation with yourself. You asked one username how Oregon would do vs. Wisconsin, and then you answered with the other username, and you guys had a conversation with yourselves.

If you want to post under this name and leave the other one, send me a PM. If not, you're stuck with the username in which you claimed you are an Oregon Duck student, but an Irish fan LOL...

 

[Old Man Mike]

Here, for what they are worth, are a few statistical facts:

A). USF gave opponents 351 yds per game; ND=508.
B). Michigan opponents 317 ypg; ND=513.
C). MSU opponents 272 ypg; ND= 275.
D). Pittsburgh opponents 354 ypg; ND= 398.
E). Purdue opponents 388 ypg; ND = 551.
F). Air Force opponents 390 ypg; ND = 560.
G). USC opponents 374 ypg; ND = 267 [our worst O game].
H). Navy opponents 382 ypg; ND = 442.
I). Wake Forest opponents 399 ypg; ND = 341.
J). Maryland opponents 457 ypg; ND= 508.
K). Boston College opponents 394 ypg; ND= 417.
L). Stanford opponents 331 ypg; ND = 309.

People will choose to read those numbers how they wish. One simple fact is that we out-performed the typical opponent 9 out of twelve times. Something as rudimentary as that should at least eliminate extremist commentary about whether Coach Kelly's offense works or not.

One could say that we had difficult times against the three defensive studs that we played [USC, MSU, and Stanford], which is in theory supposed to happen vs studs, and one off game vs Wake Forest, which also happens to almost anyone in a long season. Elsewise this offense, despite all the continually pointed out imperfections, actually rolled. I call that pretty good for a coach in his second year of totally new system and not perfect fits yet for all the player positions.

All hail the Coach and the systemic advantage!!

 

[Sweetness34]

Here, for what they are worth, are a few statistical facts:

A). USF gave opponents 351 yds per game; ND=508.
B). Michigan opponents 317 ypg; ND=513.
C). MSU opponents 272 ypg; ND= 275.
D). Pittsburgh opponents 354 ypg; ND= 398.
E). Purdue opponents 388 ypg; ND = 551.
F). Air Force opponents 390 ypg; ND = 560.
G). USC opponents 374 ypg; ND = 267 [our worst O game].
H). Navy opponents 382 ypg; ND = 442.
I). Wake Forest opponents 399 ypg; ND = 341.
J). Maryland opponents 457 ypg; ND= 508.
K). Boston College opponents 394 ypg; ND= 417.
L). Stanford opponents 331 ypg; ND = 309.

People will choose to read those numbers how they wish. One simple fact is that we out-performed the typical opponent 9 out of twelve times. Something as rudimentary as that should at least eliminate extremist commentary about whether Coach Kelly's offense works or not.

One could say that we had difficult times against the three defensive studs that we played [USC, MSU, and Stanford], which is in theory supposed to happen vs studs, and one off game vs Wake Forest, which also happens to almost anyone in a long season. Elsewise this offense, despite all the continually pointed out imperfections, actually rolled. I call that pretty good for a coach in his second year of totally new system and not perfect fits yet for all the player positions.

All hail the Coach and the systemic advantage!!

I agree with you and imagine if we had a QB that could throw and run. The offense would have less drives that stall and they would score more points!

 

[irishog77]

You've been banned, but not for this post.

You're going to have to pick a username. You are posting under this name,and then under irishman3 (not to be confused with Irish_Man 3). Choose one.

The funny thing is that yesterday you had a conversation with yourself. You asked one username how Oregon would do vs. Wisconsin, and then you answered with the other username, and you guys had a conversation with yourselves.

If you want to post under this name and leave the other one, send me a PM. If not, you're stuck with the username in which you claimed you are an Oregon Duck student, but an Irish fan LOL...

WTF??!! That's hilarious!!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

A). USF gave opponents 351 yds per game; ND=508.
B). Michigan opponents 317 ypg; ND=513.
C). MSU opponents 272 ypg; ND= 275.
D). Pittsburgh opponents 354 ypg; ND= 398.
E). Purdue opponents 388 ypg; ND = 551.
F). Air Force opponents 390 ypg; ND = 560.
G). USC opponents 374 ypg; ND = 267 [our worst O game].
H). Navy opponents 382 ypg; ND = 442.
I). Wake Forest opponents 399 ypg; ND = 341.
J). Maryland opponents 457 ypg; ND= 508.
K). Boston College opponents 394 ypg; ND= 417.
L). Stanford opponents 331 ypg; ND = 309.

ND put up 500+ yards FIVE times this season. That's tied for the single season record with 1968 and 1970. So Kelly's offense accomplished something that the Irish haven't managed to do in over 40 years.

 

[Rocket89]

Jonas only rushed for 791 yards. I'd hardly call that phenomenal. His average per carry was excellent (6.9), and he had 12 TDs. But neither of those stats is phenomenal. I was glad to see him have a very good season, but it just wasn't phenomenal.

Man you set a high bar.

YPC AVERAGE SINCE 1970 (MIN. 100 ATTEMPTS)

YEAR---PLAYER---ATTEMPTS---YARDS---AVERAGE---TD

1992---Brooks---167---1,343---8.0---13
2011---Gray---114---791---6.9---12
1989---Watters---118---791---6.7----10
1993---Becton---164---1,044---6.4---6

Brooks' 8.04 mark is second all-time in school history behind the immortal Gipp who gained 827 yards on 102 carries (8.11) in 1920.

Marchy Schwartz is listed as third in school history with 7.5 YPC in 1930.

Point being, Gray just had a historically amazing season and is somewhere in the top 5 or 6 in YPC for anyone to get 100 carries in a season while donning blue and gold.

Gray also tied for 3rd among BCS runners in the entire country in YPC for those who carried the ball at least 100 times. Only Josey (Missouri) and James (Oregon) were more productive.

I don't know what you consider phenomenal, but it's damn close. I certainly wouldn't be as condescending as to say it was "hardly" phenomenal.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Man you set a high bar.

Nevermind. kmoose's comment was indefensibly stupid. Fire at will.