Spring Practice Thread 2012

[GUknights75]

University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site
idk about anyone else but I really like the way Sheldon Day is playing so far, he showed great extention and ability to get off his blocker and get to the ball in the 3 on 3 drills. The kid should still be in HS but he is doing work against some BIG BCS linemen and he looked tiny next to Kona and Tuitt. I also thought Ishaq looked really good as well, he made some plays.

That drill was very intense and great for team bonding, though I have been on some teams where it busts out into numerous fights, but thats just how you have to play as long as it's all good once you get into the locker room. That just makes me wanna strap up again! (hopefully I will get to this fall)

 

[GUknights75]

Fist video you can almost tell when TR is throwing the ball..... you shouldn't under throw a receiver when he's only running 30 yards.

I saw Hendrix and Kiel both under-throw their receivers to, so it's not just TR.

They weren't going full speed I'm guessing because that drill was focused for the receivers to find the ball over their shoulders, it obviously wasn't for the QB's because they would never throw the ball to a guy going half speed like that. It also might have been "pre-practice" warm-ups, we used to do that kind of stuff 20 mins before stretch, we didn't go full speed because the coaches didn't want us to pull anything b/c we didn't do the team stretch yet. Just working on technique, no worries on lack of effort.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Recapping yesterdays other news (besides Devin Fuller's verbal)

Lynch’s absence from practice sparks rumor mill | Inside the Irish

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Recapping yesterdays other news (besides Devin Fuller's verbal)

Lynch’s absence from practice sparks rumor mill | Inside the Irish

Butler not Fuller.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Butler not Fuller.

Good catch, mea culpa.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Added to the first post:

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DrymkR2IoPY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nbZ1hJBZJzs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[koonja]

So Bennett will probably lock up the one spot. I'm really hoping that Jalen Brown plays well enough to lock up the 2nd spot. With how inexperienced we are, I'd at least like to have a lot of speed at the position. That can negate some of the inexperience issues. Lo seems to have average speed for corner. Sufficient, but average. I know Atkinson is pretty fast as well, but I believe Jalen was reported as faster? Either way he has size on Josh Atkinson.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

So Bennett will probably lock up the one spot. I'm really hoping that Jalen Brown plays well enough to lock up the 2nd spot. With how inexperienced we are, I'd at least like to have a lot of speed at the position. That can negate some of the inexperience issues. Lo seems to have average speed for corner. Sufficient, but average. I know Atkinson is pretty fast as well, but I believe Jalen was reported as faster? Either way he has size on Josh Atkinson.

Coach Cooks yesterday said that Josh was actually a better overall athlete than Jalen.

 

[Emcee77]

Coach Cooks yesterday said that Josh was actually a better overall athlete than Jalen.

Yeah, he emphasized how physical Atkinson is. Wood, Brown and McDaniel are "a cut below" Jackson and Atkinson athletically, and Atkinson is apparently locked in as the backup boundary corner behind Jackson. At field corner, Lo Wood is the farthest along but inconsistent. Cam has the farthest to go; he is still just getting used to running backward instead of forward. Cooks didn't say too much about Brown but I guess he is somewhere in the middle. This is all per 247 interview with Cooks.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

.

 

[irishog77]

I'm sure this has been talked about and discussed before, but I don't remember if/where it was: Does anybody know the specifics about NCAA regulations on practice times and when the "clock" starts on it? Does the clock start when the players get on the field? If that's the case, does stretching and warming up count towards the practice time?

BGIF-- I thank you in advance!

 

[FLDomer]

I'm sure this has been talked about and discussed before, but I don't remember if/where it was: Does anybody know the specifics about NCAA regulations on practice times and when the "clock" starts on it? Does the clock start when the players get on the field? If that's the case, does stretching and warming up count towards the practice time?

BGIF-- I thank you in advance!

I believe the stretching and warm up time does count...as long as it is being handles by a coach...i think

 

[irishog77]

Hmmm....I guess that cuts down on actual practice time even more so.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Yeah, he emphasized how physical Atkinson is. Wood, Brown and McDaniel are "a cut below" Jackson and Atkinson athletically, and Atkinson is apparently locked in as the backup boundary corner behind Jackson. At field corner, Lo Wood is the farthest along but inconsistent. Cam has the farthest to go; he is still just getting used to running backward instead of forward. Cooks didn't say too much about Brown but I guess he is somewhere in the middle. This is all per 247 interview with Cooks.

It is free access:
Notre Dame's options at cornerback.

I like this:

“Definitely can tell that his dad has instilled hard work, effort, energy, 100 percent, yes sir, no sir type of kid — you can see that in both of his sons,” Cooks said. “Josh is a really aggressive player. He’s physical on the run … good use of his hands in disrupting the wide receivers and taking speed off of them.”

Josh approaches Cooks every week for the grades he received from him so that he can report them back to his father. The first week it was an 81, while the second it was a 67, or basically an “F.”

“I give him the truth and I tell him why,” Cooks said. “It really shows me that it’s important to him to want to get better because it is a serious conversation: ‘Hey, coach, what do I need to work on? What did you see this week? What can I get better at? Just give me one thing that I can focus on for next week or this practice.’ He’s been awesome at that.”

 

[ChiRish]

Recapping yesterdays other news (besides Devin Fuller's verbal)

Lynch’s absence from practice sparks rumor mill | Inside the Irish

Good stuff. Especially liked this:

"Lastly, just to speak generally on teenagers and their collegiate choices, allow me a quick rant. The idea that 18-year-olds — whether they be students or scholarship athletes — chose their school based on the city that houses the institution is a bit ridiculous. Having picked a school when I was 18-years old, I can tell you that nobody I know considered South Bend when they chose to attend Notre Dame. Same with friends that went to Marquette, or big-time scholarship athletes that play football at a place like Florida. Gainesville is no mecca of culture, and has nothing on South Bend, but a few mild winter months and stifling summer humidity. USC — placed in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in south-central Los Angeles — still manages to draw people to school for both academic and athletic pursuits. There’s no doubt that geography is a factor for people choosing colleges, and staying close to home is clearly important to some kids. But to say that South Bend is a character in this subplot, might be looking at this a bit too close."


PREACH Arnold, PREACH.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Is Eilar practicing or still recovering from his injury?

I thought I heard that the staff wanted to move him to corner, which in my opinion makes perfect sense.

Just from watching the short videos, Slaughter seems like a better option at corner. Reading reports about Brown, Wood, and Atkinson further heightens my skepticism with our DBs. My opinion means squat, but it just seems more practical to keep the best 4 on the field...even if that means Slaughter moves to corner.

I know it's hard to predict how the incoming freshmen will perform when they get to campus, but Prosise, Baratti, and Shumate all will add depth to the safety position. They're all big, athletic kids. I hope that at least one of them catches on quickly and can provide some minutes. If that in fact happens, I can see the staff moving Hardy and Slaughter permanently to corner. Having (1) Slaughter/Jackson and (2) Hardy/Atkinson as the backups isn't that bad, imo. Then you'd have any combo of Collinsworth/Motta/McCarthy/Prosise/Baratti/Shumate at safety.

Note: I have to admit, that I'm shocked with Brown not making a move. I realize it's early, but after the high praise he got from Floyd, on top of being one of the fastest players on the team, I thought for sure he was a lock for a starting corner spot right out of the gate.

 

[NDinFL]

^ agree with the last part.

With Jalen's size and speed I expected him to lock down the other side pretty quick.

Maybe the light will come on for him

 

[Emcee77]

Is Eilar practicing or still recovering from his injury?

I thought I heard that the staff wanted to move him to corner, which in my opinion makes perfect sense.

...

Note: I have to admit, that I'm shocked with Brown not making a move. I realize it's early, but after the high praise he got from Floyd, on top of being one of the fastest players on the team, I thought for sure he was a lock for a starting corner spot right out of the gate.

I have heard nothing about either Eilar Hardy or Matthias Farley since camp started. I've read that Hardy has been practicing since bowl practices started, and I've always thought Farley was a tough athlete, so I'm anxious for news of how they are doing.

I think we probably over-emphasize Floyd's praising Brown at the banquet. I mean Floyd also thanked Joe Romano in the same breath. I'm sure Brown has a lot of potential (the coaches have said so), but that he is athletic enough to be a good scout team player doesn't mean he is ready to be a starting CB.

 

[GBdomer]

Sounds like Rees is winning the QB battle right now. Golson is all over the place. Kiel will red shirt. Nothing on Hendrix.

 

[Cali_domer]

Sounds like Rees is winning the QB battle right now. Golson is all over the place. Kiel will red shirt. Nothing on Hendrix.

****... That sums it up for me.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

^ agree with the last part.

With Jalen's size and speed I expected him to lock down the other side pretty quick.

Maybe the light will come on for him

It's pretty discouraging to hear Cooks say that he and Wood are a "cut below" Atkinson and Jackson when it comes to athleticism. I, too, hope the light comes on for Jalen. We need him.

I'll be absolutely dumbfounded if this staff can't secure commits from some elite lock-down corners this cycle. It should've happened last year, but that's moot. They have sold the lack of depth at other positions in amazing fashion the last couple of years. Hopefully more kids see the opportunity and glaring hole in this roster and jump on board. (Maybe Rashad and Devin are those guys, idk. I haven't followed the 2013 cycle much at this point.)

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Sounds like Rees is winning the QB battle right now. Golson is all over the place. Kiel will red shirt. Nothing on Hendrix.

Meh....that's how I feel.

In short, here's why: Tommy has two years of experience. We'll need that against a brutal schedule this year. If TR is #1 right now, that just tells me that Golson and Hendrix are being too inconsistent, which is exactly what we don't need. I also believe that if TR is #1, then Golson/Hendrix are 1b....regardless of who starts against Navy, the first INT that gets thrown may very well result in a change. We're quick to put these kids on a pedestal, but truth is, the staff sees them every day. We see short highlight films or quick glimpses via media sessions. Point being, we just have to trust the staff. There's still a long ways to go until September.

 

[Zbi]

If Hendrix and Golson are not playing consistently, I say we just start Kiel. If Tommy starts and the offense looks the same as it did last year, Kelly's seat will be getting very warm.

 

[FLDomer]

All this uncertainty at QB and DB is a little disheartening but remember this is only Spring Ball. If this is still going on through summer camp.... than we can all really worry.

 

[50milesSE ND]

If Tommy is the best we got than we have nothing. I believe in Kiel as a QB of the future obviously, but it's hard too believe Golson isn't getting it done very disappointing. I was hoping we would have a QB capable of extending plays, and not forcing it this year. The plus side is that it's still early so try to stay positive I guess.

 

[RuntheBall]

If Hendrix and Golson are not playing consistently, I say we just start Kiel. If Tommy starts and the offense looks the same as it did last year, Kelly's seat will be getting very warm.

I agree. At least we will be building for the future.

 

[IrishLax]

Redshirt Kiel and start Tommy? I'm fine with that AS LONG AS Hendrix gets 30%+ of the snaps as a "package" and lots of PT in the redzone to improve our efficiency there.

 

[NDinL.A.]

If Hendrix and Golson are not playing consistently, I say we just start Kiel. If Tommy starts and the offense looks the same as it did last year, Kelly's seat will be getting very warm.

Why in the world would you start Kiel if he's 4th best right now??? Kiel is swimming right now with all the information he has to process, and he's way behind the others as far as knowing the offense.

If you're dead-set against against Rees, then you go with Hendrix, who according to some inside the program has been making strides and is ahead of Golson. Plus he has game experience.

But to go with Kiel right now, when he is clearly 4th, would be a killer blow to the program b/c the 2 other athletic QBs would probably be outta here in a New York minute.

Personally, the thing that worries me isn't that Kelly is in love with Rees as many are claiming, it's that neither of the other 2 QBs can unseat him. Those guys HAVE to step up, and they aren't. Everyone wants to blame Kelly, but sh!t, the blame in my eyes lies at the feet of Golson and Hendrix. They need to grab the bull by the horns ASAP.

As for worrying, I personally am not even sweating it at all, b/c the season is a long ways away and the young kids have time to develop, learn the offense and beat out Rees (as most of us want). I also want to see the Spring Game to see how they've developed before I start freaking out over 20 minute practice shots that the media gets to see...

 

[Praytorian]

Like it or not, Kelly would get damn near crucified if he trots TOTR out against Navy. Other QB's might not be as good right now, but the fanbase will tolerate a "meh" season if it means Golson or Gunner gets developed. If it is just TOTR and the season is "meh", BK runs the risk of losing the fanbase.

My bet? BK understands the politics and starts Hendrix.

Ok, I'm not a big fan of TR, but he is a member of the team I support and I will support him.
Look at it this way though. CBK is "SIMPLIFYING" the play book to stop the turnovers correct? Everyone is upset with TR because of his turnovers. Makes sense to think CBK is reteaching TR to take a 0 play down instead of a turnover.
IF CBK teaches TR to stop, or even cut down by half, his turnovers would you support him as well?

 

[IrishLax]

The thing that continues to crack me up is that if Hendrix was an EE and not Tommy than Tommy would've probably never played a single snap for ND. Just such an odd twist of fate with Dayne going down with that knee injury in 2010.... potentially changed the team for years to come.