Spring Practice Thread 2012

GoldenIsThyFame · Mar 19, 2012

Practice 1 Notes (3/21/12)

Notre Dame Spring Practice Report: Day One

First team Oline:
Nichols
Lombard
Golic
Watt
ZMartin

Second Team:
NMartin
Hanratty
Hegarty
Prestwood
Heggie

Defensive Line:
1) Tuitt, Nix, Lynch
2) Lewis-Moore, Schwenke, Day

Inside linebackers:
1) Te'o, Fox
2) Moore, Calabrese

Outside linebackers:
1) Spond, Shembo
2) Councell, Williams

Safeties:
1) Motta, Slaughter
2) Collinsworth, Salvi

Cornerbacks:
1) L. Wood, Jackson
2) J. Atkinson, Brown

Golson running second team offense
Toma, Jones and Goodman 1st WR
RB George Atkinson III in No. 4 today. Originally listed as such last season, but wore 34 - flip of his twin brother Josh in 43, their father's number with the Raiders.
Anthony Rabasa working with the OLBs today. Listed as inside. Otherwise 4 players in that group.

Davaris tested "off the charts." NFL combine level numbers.
Lo and Bennet are the starting CBs as of now.
Shembo will be looked at for both OLB positions
Riddick, Goodman, Prosise, and Neal to get looks at PR
GAIII will play RB and slot, looking for more ways to get him the ball
Very comfortable with Zeke, Collinsworth, and Slaughter at S.
No plans currently to move Neal to CB.
OL should be a good battle with Prestwood and N. Martin challenging for PT.

Sherm Sticky · Mar 19, 2012

lol and thanks GITF

ChiRish · Mar 19, 2012

Can't wait to see how this is going to play out. I feel that even though this is going to be Kelly's third season, the program is still undergoing a major transition in a lot of areas.

We have a wide open battle at QB. How is that going to play out? Does Golson come in and show he's the man for the job over Hendrix, Rees, or even Kiel? More to the point, does Kelly even leave spring practice with an idea of who he wants as the starter in 2012? I have a feeling it's a toss up between Hendrix and Golson, with the chance that we'll see two QB's on the field this year.

What about at RB? Still have Cierre, and now we get to see what Amir can do for us in his dual role as RB and slot receiver. I'm excited to see how Kelly packages the two explosive players together to take advantage of their skill sets. I think with those two together, the running game will be at least as successful as last year. Not to mention we have GAIII and Cam ready to fight over time as well. With Mahone and Russell coming in the fall, this could be a big time to see where those two will end up entering fall practice.

Obviously the biggest storyline at WR is to see who is going to replace Mike Floyd. His production most likely isn't replaceable by any one player on the roster, but I have a feeling that Daniels is going to step up. Besides looking at Floyd's particular position at WR, I am really looking forward to see if Riddick and Jones are going to finally take the step that we're all hoping they can. I also wonder if Farley is going to get moved to DB and Daniel Smith can stay healthy long enough to show off all that big size and talent that the coaching staff was raving about. Going to be interesting.

I'm excited to see the depth at OL, and at TE I am looking to see how Koyack and Welch look in battling for the backup job to Eifert. And if Niklas has actually moved there and what his athleticism can do at the position.

On defense, I'm anxious to see the depth of athletes at linebacker that the coaching staff has talked about, and how they start to fit into their roles. Looking especially at Williams, Councell, and Grace.

And of course, we have the biggest question mark, at DB. I was looking forward to seeing Tee probably more than anything in spring practice, and then all that happened this weekend. Now, it'll be interesting to see what Kelly does to shore up an area that was already weak in depth but now is desperate for bodies. The play of some of the young guys here might be determinative in whether Kelly decides that some players, like Neal, might be moved there going forward. I hope the current guys there can make it happen, but really, we have no idea.

Bottom line is that I'm obviously excited regardless to see some form of football again. That and I have no interest in working the monday after St. Patrick's Day. Can't wait for the Spring Game.

Go Irish!

clashmore_mike · Mar 19, 2012

So pumped, you guys.

eNDzone · Mar 19, 2012

I am hoping to see Bennett Jackson sted up and take advantage of some real playing time. I don't think we've begun to see this kids talent level.

Sherm Sticky · Mar 19, 2012

eNDzone said:
I am hoping to see Bennett Jackson sted up and take advantage of some real playing time. I don't think we've begun to see this kids talent level.

step*

And I agree.

NoJusticeNoPeace · Mar 19, 2012

Let's go Hendrix!

STLDomer · Mar 19, 2012

Biggest storyline in my opinion is: Spond, Ishaq, and the DOG position

He mentions ishaq staring opposite Shembo which is great but where does that leave Spond a guy that last yr was neck and neck with Shembo to start

We should see this IMO

CAT Shembo Williams Spond
DOG Williams Spond Councell

With Niklas moving to TE we are suddenly deeper at DOG then CAT

irishpat183 · Mar 19, 2012

And don't overlook secondary....It's the positions that I'm not comfortable with that I'm most intrigued by.

Our front 7 is stout. It's the defensive backfield that I'm worried about.

On the offensive side of the ball, none of the postiton battles truly matter if we don't get someone behind center that doesn't turn the ball over with bonehead plays.

I have absolutley no idea who will be our starting QB. That's scary. Exciting, but scary.

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 19, 2012

Man I don't know about your cat backups be starter and number two at dog. I just don't see this coach going that route. Some of what we heard may be misinformation. Some may be partially correct; for example I see Slaugher playing a hybrid position, that alleviates the every down dog position. But I think we need to rethink our depth chart, or wait to see what the coaching staff actually comes out with.

STLDomer · Mar 19, 2012

Bogtrotter07 said:
Man I don't know about your cat backups be starter and number two at dog. I just don't see this coach going that route. Some of what we heard may be misinformation. Some may be partially correct; for example I see Slaugher playing a hybrid position, that alleviates the every down dog position. But I think we need to rethink our depth chart, or wait to see what the coaching staff actually comes out with.

I dont understand what u are saying at all

Our OLBs are Shembo, Spond, Williams, and Councell that's it

I'm not saying this is all we play, I don't think we will line up in this all the time but in terms of a base 3-4 defense to put on a depth chart thats what I think we see

I expect a 4-3 and a 4-2-5 a lot with this for 4-2-5

DE Shembo/Williams DT Tuitt DT Nix DE Lynch/KLM

LB Te'o LB Fox/Moore Hybrid S/LB Slaughter

clashmore_mike · Mar 19, 2012

Kelly will have his spring practice presser tomorrow at noon on und.com

IrishLax · Mar 19, 2012

Ignoring the obvious for a second (i.e. QBs) here are the players I'm most interested to see/hear about this spring in order:

10. Ishaq Williams - How does he develop? Does he end up splitting reps with Shembo at CAT? Does he become a starter? Does he make no progression?
9. Austin Collinsworth - Hasn't shown it so far anywhere but on special teams... but I feel he is poised to be an impact player for us if he can seize the opportunity. He is a helluva lot faster than Zeke Motta.
8. Theo Riddick - I know we've only seen him take a handful fo carries, but he runs very hard for his size and at many times looked much better than Cierre. He cuts so well and while we've wasted two seasons of him at WR... does Theo end up being an impact back for us this year? I really think he does.
7. Jarrett Grace - Most people expect either Dan Fox or Carlo Calabrese to be the starter opposite Manti. And I'm not sure if Grace is currently a MIKE or WILL. But I'm very interested to see where he ends up on the depth chart when all is siad and done.
6. DaVaris Daniels - Impact player or not? Could be a serious gamebreaker for us if he realizes his potential.
5. Jordan Prestwood - Depending on how he has developed he's a potential starter at RT. Most people seem to think Christian Lombard ends up at guard which leaves a wide open race for the RT spot.
4. GAIII - Does he push for PT at RB? What about WR? Does he get passed up by Amir Carlisle? He runs with high pad level for a RB and apparently had poor ball skills last spring... where does he fit if anywhere?
3. Amir Carlisle - If he stays healthy he'll be the most talented back on the team. But he can't seem to stay healthy with reports that he's already had another injury. Carlisle will be a huge wildcard for us.
2. Eilar Hardy - I think we know Bennett Jackson is a guaranteed starter and we know that the other starting spot is either going to Josh Atkinson or Jalen Brown... but does Hardy, who showed a lot of promise before tearing his PCL, switch to CB or stick at S? He seems undersized for S and with our lack of depth at CB it becomes almost a must to move 2 players over to that position before the fall.
1. Ben Councell - How soon we forget a player who many thought was a gem of the '10 class. Supposedly needed to bulk up quite a bit and redshirted (I think) last year. With his speed and size combo does he make an impact at DOG (maybe even grab the starting nod?) or just on special teams? The upside of Ishaq/Shembo at CAT + Councell at DOG is truly awesome to think about. Last year DOG was a point of weakness on our defense in many games.

BobD · Mar 19, 2012

This is going to be my first year following the spring practices and game so closely (first year here at IE). Whats a rough outline of the NCAA rules? How many and how long of practices can we have during the spring? When does it start and end? Thanks!

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 19, 2012

STLDomer said:
Biggest storyline in my opinion is: Spond, Ishaq, and the DOG position

He mentions ishaq staring opposite Shembo which is great but where does that leave Spond a guy that last yr was neck and neck with Shembo to start

We should see this IMO

CAT Shembo Williams Spond
DOG Williams Spond Councell

With Niklas moving to TE we are suddenly deeper at DOG then CAT

Shembo - Williams CAT
Spond - Councell DOG
Slaughter Hybrid???

What about others?

NDOM · Mar 19, 2012

I'm most worried about quarterback and secondary. If we start Rees then expect the same as last year since he is as good as he is going to get, and if we don't start Rees it's going to be a quarterback that does not have much if any experience at all.

Secondary on the other hand just makes me sick to my stomach. UGH! We need some guys to seriously step up this year. If I see Denard Robinson throwing the ball as far as he can off his back feet and another receiver catches it for touchdown I'm gonna puke. I think we are gonna be horrible on pass defense.

DL on the other hand is gonna be friggen insanely good. Most likely the best in the country or at least top 5. If we can get pressure then that will help with our secondary, if we don't then it's going to be another long season I think.

I can not WAIT to see our Defensive Line though......OH MY GOD!!

STLDomer · Mar 19, 2012

Bogtrotter07 said:
Shembo - Williams CAT
Spond - Councell DOG
Slaughter Hybrid???

What about others?

Not to be rude man but can u complete ur sentences. Which is ur question:

What about the other OLBS?
What about the other linebacker positions?
What about all the other positions?

Bogtrotter07 · Mar 19, 2012

STLDomer said:
Not to be rude man but can u complete ur sentences. Which is ur question:

What about the other OLBS?
What about the other linebacker positions?
What about all the other positions?

Then don't be. I never had a question. Instead I expressed how I see the depth chart (a two deep). I didn't take into account any others, and noted that. For example, I could have put Badger at hybrid, like many others are painting him, but I don't see it yet. Or I could have added some that are coming in this summer, which would further confuse the issue.

Emcee77 · Mar 19, 2012

IrishLax said:
Ignoring the obvious for a second (i.e. QBs) here are the players I'm most interested to see/hear about this spring in order:

10. Ishaq Williams - How does he develop? Does he end up splitting reps with Shembo at CAT? Does he become a starter? Does he make no progression?
....
7. Jarrett Grace - Most people expect either Dan Fox or Carlo Calabrese to be the starter opposite Manti. And I'm not sure if Grace is currently a MIKE or WILL. But I'm very interested to see where he ends up on the depth chart when all is siad and done.
...
1. Ben Councell - How soon we forget a player who many thought was a gem of the '10 class. Supposedly needed to bulk up quite a bit and redshirted (I think) last year. With his speed and size combo does he make an impact at DOG (maybe even grab the starting nod?) or just on special teams? The upside of Ishaq/Shembo at CAT + Councell at DOG is truly awesome to think about. Last year DOG was a point of weakness on our defense in many games.

Great post. All ten of these are intriguing players. QBs and DBs are the most important question marks, but these LBs are next on the list for me. I have a lot of these same questions. I'll just add that in the spring LB preview Lou Somogyi at 247 listed Jarrett Grace as a Mike and Anthony Rabasa as a Will, FWIW ... not sure if he knows more than we do or if he is guessing. Also he pointed out that the DOG will not play much in some games; depending on the type of offense the opposing team runs, the Star hybrid will play most snaps in some games.

clashmore_mike · Mar 19, 2012

BobD said:
This is going to be my first year following the spring practices and game so closely (first year here at IE). Whats a rough outline of the NCAA rules? How many and how long of practices can we have during the spring? When does it start and end? Thanks!

15 practice days and Kelly I think keeps the practices short but fast paced and intense. First practice is Wednesday, last one is a day or two before Blue Gold game.

BobD · Mar 19, 2012

clashmore_mike said:
15 practice days and Kelly I think keeps the practices short but fast paced and intense. First practice is Wednesday, last one is a day or two before Blue Gold game.

Thanks Mike!

Walter White · Mar 19, 2012

irishpat183 said:
And don't overlook secondary....It's the positions that I'm not comfortable with that I'm most intrigued by.

Our front 7 is stout. It's the defensive backfield that I'm worried about.

On the offensive side of the ball, none of the postiton battles truly matter if we don't get someone behind center that doesn't turn the ball over with bonehead plays.

I have absolutley no idea who will be our starting QB. That's scary. Exciting, but scary.

I agree. The most important positions this spring will be QB and CB. Arguably the two most important positions in the game. Following closely behind are the two Offensive Line positions open.

clashmore_mike · Mar 19, 2012

BobD said:
Thanks Mike!

No prob Bob

Patulski · Mar 19, 2012

I think an interesting story is how the new Offensive Line Coach and Offensive Coordinator are going to effect our scoring. We had a good enough defense to be a BCS team. We did not have a BCS caliber scoring offense. We had a sophomore QB who we relied too heavily on. We need to score more points. Unless there's a savior QB on the bench, or Rees improves dramatically, we're going to have to find other ways to sustain drives and score.

Walter White · Mar 19, 2012

I very interested in learning about how the new coaching changes will effect the offense.

Hopefully Kelly talks about the changes this spring and doesn't give a typical, "we are doing things the way we've always done them" type-answer.

NDdomer2 · Mar 19, 2012

The solution to sustaining drives and scoring is not turning the ball over in red zone and converting short yardage situations. We have the oline and stable of rbs to do it.

Walter White · Mar 19, 2012

NDdomer2 said:
The solution to sustaining drives and scoring is not turning the ball over in red zone and converting short yardage situations. We have the oline and stable of rbs to do it.

We had a great O-line and RBs last year. The issue was in short yardage Kelly called for passing plays the majority of the time. I'd love to see us get more balanced in the red zone or better yet, maybe call running the majority of the time.

notredomer23 · Mar 19, 2012

Walter White said:
We had a great O-line and RBs last year. The issue was in short yardage Kelly called for passing plays the majority of the time. I'd love to see us get more balanced in the red zone or better yet, maybe call running the majority of the time.

I agree until Cave went out. Once he went down the line kind of imploded.

I am most excited to see a 1-2 punch of Cierre Wood and Amir Carlyle.

Well obviously I lied, I am most excited to see the future, Everett Golson, but I think that is kind of a given

Grahambo · Mar 19, 2012

FOOTBALL!!!

Me like football rawr!

Seriously though, very excited. QB battle, WR battle, RB battle (The next man in after Cierre), TE battle (Whose the 2nd TE), battle in the secondary..battles everywhere. Nothing gets you better then having someone next to you push you beyond your limit.

tadman95 · Mar 19, 2012

I think that next season boils down to two key stories:

First and foremost is the QB. Will any of the four raise the bar, significantly? I can live with some mistakes (youth) if potential raises her lovely head and shows the promise of times to come.

Secondly, will the youth step up and fill their potential? Talk is cheap, it's time to be Notre Dame.

Tough schedule, I just want to see the "swag" on the field. Not on Facebook or Twitter.

Spring Practice Thread 2012

Well-known member

The Prophet

New member

Administrator

Irish to the bone!

The Prophet

Banned

Schmitty

Banned

Bogtrotter07

Guest

Schmitty

Administrator

Something Witty

Can't get no satisfaction

Bogtrotter07

Guest

Banned

Schmitty

Bogtrotter07

Guest

latress on the men-jay

Administrator

Can't get no satisfaction

New member

Administrator

www.ndnation.com

New member

Local Sports vBookie

New member

Staph Member

Grahambo

Guest

I have a bigger bullet