Spring Practice Thread 2012

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

My staring roster after Day 3, will probably change and I'll still be wrong but whatever

QB Hendrix Rees
RB Wood Carlisle
WR1 Jones Smith
WR2 Goodman Daniels
SLOT Toma Neal
TE Eifert Niklas Koyack
HYBRID Riddick GAIII
LT Martin Prestwood
LG Watt Golic Jr
C Cave Golic Jr
RG Lombard Golic Jr
RT Nichols Prestwood

If Daniels or Smith can't beat out Goodman, we need to recruit some great receivers in 2013.

 

[STLDomer]

Golson and Kiel don't have a shot at the QB job IMO. It's Hendrix or Rees, hopefully Hendrix if we want to make a bowl game next year.

It's only day 3 they all have a shot.

I believe hendrix or Golson will start and Rees would be back up no matter what

 

[TheSunIsRising]

Tate Nichols. Really impressing at RT.

I thought Zach Martin's rep against Aaron Lynch was actually a better one, if we are talking about the Rodeo Drill. Martin did a great job of turning Lynch and gave the ball carrier a good lane.

 

[woolybug25]

It's only day 3 they all have a shot.

I believe hendrix or Golson will start and Rees would be back up no matter what

I'm with ya, dude. It's funny how everyone was on the Golson-to-start train, and after three spring practices everyone acts like it's Hendrix's job to lose. Stuff cracks me up.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Just one thing [and it's SO early in this practice session that predictions are from meaningless to pretty stupid]: Coach was asked about the QBs as we know. When responding about Golson, he immediately [I mean FAST] responded "accuracy" and "getting the ball out quickly" as things which weren't good yet. These are probably THE two most important things for Kelly as far as once-the-play-starts QB qualifications.

I am rooting for Everett to be ready to roll with the Irish offense, BUT I would not be surprised if the accuracy issue especially puts him behind other players. No matter how good you are athletically, you cannot overcome erratic accuracy at a spread offense QB position. As I said, I am rooting for Everett to get seriously better at that. Coach surely will emphasize that in practice.

 

[CanadalovesND]

After watching the highlight video I came across two things:

A) Troy Niklas is a ferocious blocker and looks good with the ball in his hands.

B) John Goodman practices like he wants to be the No.1 receiver.

 

[IrishLax]

After watching the highlight video I came across two things:

A) Troy Niklas is a ferocious blocker and looks good with the ball in his hands.

B) John Goodman practices like he wants to be the No.1 receiver.

I agree with all of this. Plus, here are some additional takeaways I had:

-Both Shembo and Ishaq looked amazing at the point of attack. Ishaq doesn't look beefy and Shembo isn't tall but they both were giving a lot of "pop" when they hit the blocker.

-BJax looks like he is going to be just fine at corner... if not better than "just fine."

-Dan Fox might have a breakout year at ILB.

 

[ND55]

Does it seem to anyone else that this team seems much looser than the last 2 years. I remember when Kelly came in and the player interviews all sounded so intense and focused as well as the practice tape. This year just strikes me as much different in the mood of the team, especially the player interviews where they all seem much looser and more comfortable.

I can't help but wonder if the intensity and focus they showed translated to tightness on the field and the mistakes we saw. Hoping the looser mood translates to a better showing on the field. Only time will tell.

 

[Kanye West]

Our O-line and D-line are gonna be amazing this year. Cierre Wood if healthy, can get to 1300-1500 yards if he runs straight. If we can get a QB and secondary we will be dangorous. I really like Jackson and Brown and 1 of the QBs have to be good. Watch Rees become a total monster.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Our O-line and D-line are gonna be amazing this year. Cierre Wood if healthy, can get to 1300-1500 yards if he runs straight. If we can get a QB and secondary we will be dangorous. I really like Jackson and Brown and 1 of the QBs have to be good. Watch Rees become a total monster.

That's a big "if"...But I agree. If Wood decides to put the toe shoes away, he could have a big year.

 

[NDPhilly]

Cierre will end up at 1200 IMO. We have so many weapons at RB that he won't get enough carries to reach 1500.

 

[Chamellion]

Watch Rees become a total monster.

If you mean if he starts he will haunt my nightmares, then yes, a monster.

 

[Kanye West]

Cierre will end up at 1200 IMO. We have so many weapons at RB that he won't get enough carries to reach 1500.

I believe, we're running more this year since Martin is the OC and our O-line is going to be much more athletic this year.I think he gets a good 250-300 carries this year. We just need to run in big games it killed me that we only ran 9 times against USC.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Does it seem to anyone else that this team seems much looser than the last 2 years. I remember when Kelly came in and the player interviews all sounded so intense and focused as well as the practice tape. This year just strikes me as much different in the mood of the team, especially the player interviews where they all seem much looser and more comfortable.

I can't help but wonder if the intensity and focus they showed translated to tightness on the field and the mistakes we saw. Hoping the looser mood translates to a better showing on the field. Only time will tell.

Excellent post!

And I have seen other things: The werewolf looks good; Fox is stronger; all the olb's are looking the best I have seen in years on the outside; Nix is a force; Troy Niklas is a steamroller of a blocker, and he can catch and run - LOOK OUT; Goodman is doing great; Riddik and Atkinson look GREAT; and everything I see tells me the O-line is going to be everybit as a$$kickin' as the d-line!

 

[NDPhilly]

George Atkinson actually looks likes RB now. He looked more like a WR playing RB last year.

 

[Kanye West]

George Atkinson actually looks likes RB now. He looked more like a WR playing RB last year.

Very true, he has all the potential to be the home-run threat game changer that we have lacked since Tate and at running back since Julius Jones

 

[Buster Bluth]

I believe, we're running more this year since Martin is the OC and our O-line is going to be much more athletic this year.I think he gets a good 250-300 carries this year. We just need to run in big games it killed me that we only ran 9 times against USC.

Not a whole lot of opportunity to do so when you're playing from behind.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

And with your head up your @ss; I was there, and saw it. It was an ugly sight.

 

[Kanye West]

Not a whole lot of opportunity to do so when you're playing from behind.

When we down by 7 in the 3cd and 4th quarter we still could have ran more. I understand when we were down 14-0 but that is still the 2nd quarter and we can still run the ball more than 9 times. We just passed too much and weren't patient enough.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I'd love to be a run-oriented team next year. With Atkinson, Wood, and Carlisle along with the new QB (or terrible QB), there is no reason not to keep it on the ground.

 

[PANDFAN]

I'd love to be a run-oriented team next year. With Atkinson, Wood, and Carlisle along with the new QB (or terrible QB), there is no reason not to keep it on the ground.

Agree..not the most exciting to watch but I just want to watch wins

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Agree..not the most exciting to watch but I just want to watch wins

Wins are always more exciting than losses, always.

 

[GUknights75]

I'd love to be a run-oriented team next year. With Atkinson, Wood, and Carlisle along with the new QB (or terrible QB), there is no reason not to keep it on the ground.

No Riddick in there? He has looked impressive in what little film we have seen of him back at RB. I feel like we will run the ball A LOT next year with what looks to be a very solid O-line and a deep and versatile backfield, especially with Hendrix/Golsen in the game.

 

[MJ12666]

I hate to throw water unto the fire but the drills in the video, while interesting to watch, are really pretty meaningless as an indicator of an individual player's ability to perform in a game. I really would not read much into it. For example, watching Goodman catching passes while being covered by Jackson, Goodman looks great. However considering I don't recall him ever beating an opposing defensive back during the last two seasons, I can't believe that all of a sudden he has transformed himself in the last two and a half months into an All America end. More likely Jackson is either terrible or simply needs more time to learn the position (hopefully the later).

 

[Buster Bluth]

I hate to throw water unto the fire but the drills in the video, while interesting to watch, are really pretty meaningless as an indicator of an individual player's ability to perform in a game. I really would not read much into it. For example, watching Goodman catching passes while being covered by Jackson, Goodman looks great. However considering I don't recall him ever beating an opposing defensive back during the last two seasons, I can't believe that all of a sudden he has transformed himself in the last two and a half months into an All America end. More likely Jackson is either terrible or simply needs more time to learn the position (hopefully the later).

Duh.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Does it seem to anyone else that this team seems much looser than the last 2 years. I remember when Kelly came in and the player interviews all sounded so intense and focused as well as the practice tape. This year just strikes me as much different in the mood of the team, especially the player interviews where they all seem much looser and more comfortable.

I can't help but wonder if the intensity and focus they showed translated to tightness on the field and the mistakes we saw. Hoping the looser mood translates to a better showing on the field. Only time will tell.

Great Post.

 

[GUknights75]

I hate to throw water unto the fire but the drills in the video, while interesting to watch, are really pretty meaningless as an indicator of an individual player's ability to perform in a game. I really would not read much into it.

I don't think anyone puts to much stock in to what little practice film that is available. There has been 3 days of practice, no one will be at their best, thats why it's called "practice." I played college football so I should know. My comment about Riddick was about his burst through the hole and speed plus his productivity at the position in the past, which can't be denied.

For example, watching Goodman catching passes while being covered by Jackson, Goodman looks great. However considering I don't recall him ever beating an opposing defensive back during the last two seasons, I can't believe that all of a sudden he has transformed himself in the last two and a half months into an All America end.

You don't need to be an All-American to catch that pass. The pass that Goodman cought should have been made, every scholarship WR (be it Division 2 or BCS) should make that catch. My o-line buddies before every Friday practice did 1 on 1 fade drills for fun, needless to say we didn't look very athletic doing them, but we could still catch the ball over our shoulder like that. If anything the ball was thrown in the perfect spot where only Goodman could catch it.

More likely Jackson is either terrible or simply needs more time to learn the position (hopefully the later)

Cornerbacks get beat, it's inevitable. One "bad" play on a perfectly placed ball during the first week of practice and thats what your going to say? All-American Cornerbacks don't make that play everytime. Obviously he needs more work, just like 99% of DBs in college but if you saw any of his other clips, he looked pretty solid in coverage and batted balls down.

 

[IrishLax]

I hate to throw water unto the fire but the drills in the video, while interesting to watch, are really pretty meaningless as an indicator of an individual player's ability to perform in a game. I really would not read much into it. For example, watching Goodman catching passes while being covered by Jackson, Goodman looks great. However considering I don't recall him ever beating an opposing defensive back during the last two seasons, I can't believe that all of a sudden he has transformed himself in the last two and a half months into an All America end. More likely Jackson is either terrible or simply needs more time to learn the position (hopefully the later).

The thing is I totally agree with your opening premise.... but holy hell does it devolve into hogwash as the post goes on. You cannot say "well, since Player X got beat by Player Y then Player X sucks and Player Y also isn't good" for the same exact reason you can't say the converse with certitude. In one singular clip of 1 rep of the THOUSANDS of reps that will occur in practice.... and you want to say it's not possible Goodman just made a good play? Get real.

 

[ResLife Hero]

I didn't have much of a footbal career, but does offense tend to look better in practice? I was a basketball player and averaged around 6 blocks a game in high school, but you could have had my team scrimmage ourselves for days without me posting that number. It was always easier to score on my teammates than defend them because if you've seen someone a thousand times, you run out of surprises. I'm just wondeirng if a similar situation could contribute to Goodman looking good against Jackson.

 

[BeauBenken]

I think a lot of what you guys saw on tape was an "air" offense (no linemen). It's a much different game when there is a pass rush.