Spring Practice Thread 2012

[charlyp123]

very true. good depth on the d-line. shame about Lynch, with him I think it would have given ND the #1 d-line in the country. The kid was as unblockable a freshman (in passing situations) as I've ever seen.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

. . . no one is better than Big Lou in the Rodeo drill . . .

Chris Watt.

very true. good depth on the d-line. shame about Lynch, with him I think it would have given ND the #1 d-line in the country. The kid was as unblockable a freshman (in passing situations) as I've ever seen.

What makes you think we don't have it still? AL was notorious for taking whatever shortcut required to get to the quarterback. Also, they don't count it against freshman all Americans, but it does count against best defensive line in America; penalty yards.

 

[FLDomer]

Chris Watt.




What makes you think we don't have it still? AL was notorious for taking whatever shortcut required to get to the quarterback. Also, they don't count it against freshman all Americans, but it does count against best defensive line in America; penalty yards.

Is'nt that the point...to get to the QB in the shortest time possible?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Is'nt that the point...to get to the QB in the shortest time possible?

No, expecially if he can run around you. Against a good qb, and a good offense, with a 3-4 gap discipline is the most important thing going. If the d-line misses on their gap assignments it screws the linebackers up, hey wait a minute . . .

 

[PANDFAN]

Is'nt that the point...to get to the QB in the shortest time possible?

that was why BK didn't want him playing at Michigan...guys that are so explosive off the edge, the line allows them to collapse in and boom right outside the rb or qb goes.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

that was why BK didn't want him playing at Michigan...guys that are so explosive off the edge, the line allows them to collapse in and boom right outside the rb or qb goes.

What does this mean?

 

[FLDomer]

^Im with ya here, Im confused! LOL I said get to the QB not collapse the pocket at force him out, I meant GET and throw his a$$ in the dirt.

 

[irish1958]

If you put all your effort into getting the QB, you are open to draws and end runs. The Colts have had one of the best pass rushing defenses but have been terrible against the run.
The point about Michigan is well taken.

 

[FLDomer]

Everyone here is sooo freaken serious. I was being a smarta$$ to Bog, and I think he is the only one that got it. I understand the concept of Dline play. LETS MOVE ON!!!!

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Watched the practice videos. No surprises on defense. On the DL, we have two players (Nix and Tuitt) who can dominate, one player (KLM) who can occasionally dominate, and a lot of players who need to "step it up".

I didn't want to mention ALynch, but I have to. He has unique size and a different type of speed...a violent speed. Also, some players played hurt, he competed hurt. You want a guy like him in the trenches with you..violent and unstoppable motor. Admittedly he wasn't polished but that would have come in time...damn what loss. Where ever he goes he will wreck havoc. Wish him well.

We do have a player that could mitigate the loss of Lynch. He has all the physical tools to be unstoppable. Ishaq could and should dominate, but I just haven't seen it in practice field nor in a game. I don't know what he is waiting for or what the issue is. Maybe as he gets more playing time, he will play with an intensity that currently is lacking. Again the physical tools are there for him to be as dominate as Lynch was.

Even with the loss of AL, the Dline is the strength of the defense. As much as I have nightmares thinking about our inexperienced secondary, I am more concerned with our Lbackers. Are they going to actually live up to their potential? If the linebackers (as a group) play well, I think our defense will be good to very good because we will give up yards (our secondary will have to play soft) but we will limit points (inside the 20 linebacker play is crucial).

For the spring game, I would love to see our secondary play man to man all game.

 

[DANsanity15]

Anyone know what happened to Dan Fox? Swear at one point in the video i saw him in a practice jersey and sweats.

 

[Emcee77]

You did, he's been hurt, but I don't know what the injury is. I don't believe it's serious.

Speaking of Fox, I'm wondering who the second LB will be in our nickel defense. I assume that Ishaq/Shembo, Tuitt, KLM and Schwenke will rush the passer, Slaughter will come on as the star LB, Collinsworth and Motta will be the safeties, and Jackson and Wood/Atkinson/Brown/McDaniel will be the corners. Obviously Teo will be one LB ... will the other be Fox? because I might like Danny Spond on the field in that situation if it's a pure passing down, the way he's been playing.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Chris Watt.




What makes you think we don't have it still? AL was notorious for taking whatever shortcut required to get to the quarterback. Also, they don't count it against freshman all Americans, but it does count against best defensive line in America; penalty yards.

He was a freshman. Freshmen make mistakes - a ton of them. Ask Manti Te'o. Did Manti improve? Absolutely. It's not that far out of the realm of possibility that Lynch would have done the same. Would it have been this year? Maybe, maybe not. But there is no doubt in my mind that as a pure player, this hurts our defense. There's a reason we've been raving about him since the end of the season. We haven't had a kid that could get after the QB with the ferociousness and tenacity like Aaron Lynch in a lonnnnnnng time. I think you've been minimizing his talents these past few days because of his mistakes (which again, that's what freshmen do) and his penchant for going outside of his responsibilities (which freshmen also do a lot).

Now, I am with you and others when I say that this is probably a case of addition through subtraction. When you have a player dragging down your practices with his moping around and his unwillingness to be coached, well, that hurts your team. It lifts a black cloud off your team when you get rid of a player that is hurting your team's morale. So in that sense, him being gone is probably a blessing for all parties...

 

[RDU Irish]

Can we edit John Belushi in Animal House to say "TOMA! TOMA!" instead of Toga? Put that on the Jumbotron and smoke it!

Toma makes the most of what chances he is given, what other WR on roster can say the same thing? Great hands, shifty/quick enough to get open AND get the YAC. My money is on him being one of the top two receivers this year in catches (excluding Eifert).

So my take on the big O:
Line - A with potential for A+
RB - B+ with line making them look A
TE - A+
WR - C+
QB - C
Overall - B+
Running game opens up pass game to make WR and QB look better than their grade and increase short yardage conversions.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Now, I am with you and others when I say that this is probably a case of addition through subtraction. When you have a player dragging down your practices with his moping around and his unwillingness to be coached, well, that hurts your team. It lifts a black cloud off your team when you get rid of a player that is hurting your team's morale. So in that sense, him being gone is probably a blessing for all parties...

Just curious, who is stating that he behaved like a black cloud. I have read a lot of speculation but I have not heard any player say or coach say that he behaved like a black cloud. He was apparently unhappy but that doesn't mean he was some type of cancer to the team.

What I watch last year in games and in practice was a dedicated passionate player. Unless you know something that you could divulge, I think it is best to just say that the young man made a decision and we should respect it. His presence will be missed but we will move on. No need to claim that in some way we are better off, unless again you are privy to some concrete knowledge. Transfers happen. He is one talented young man but he isn't the team. We should just wish him well and hope another player takes advantage of an opportunity to play.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Just curious, who is stating that he behaved like a black cloud. I have read a lot of speculation but I have not heard any player say or coach say that he behaved like a black cloud. He was apparently unhappy but that doesn't mean he was some type of cancer to the team.

What I watch last year in games and in practice was a dedicated passionate player. Unless you know something that you could divulge, I think it is best to just say that the young man made a decision and we should respect it. His presence will be missed but we will move on. No need to claim that in some way we are better off, unless again you are privy to some concrete knowledge. Transfers happen. He is one talented young man but he isn't the team. We should just wish him well and hope another player takes advantage of an opportunity to play.

It's everywhere. First of all, Pete Sampson from II has said it, and he and Prister have contacts inside the program. It's been talked about on ISD from people in the program. I was just in South Bend, and whenthis whole thing was going down, I talked to 2 guys I completely trust and they said that it's been that way the entire spring. And I've talked to a member of this board who knows players on the team and they told him directly that it was the case.

Look, I know it's your thing to be contradictory, and you keep trying to call me out as if I'm making sh!t up (seriously, you're like the only person alive that doesn't believe me when I say that everyone who has seen a practice says that Rees has looked better than Golson and Hendrix), but just know I don't make sh!t up. I'm no insider, but I just pay attention. If you paid closer attention, you wouldn't have to doubt everything everyone says. You only end up looking bad. The info is out there, you just have to put a tiny bit of effort and look for it...

 

[dublinirish]

Can we edit John Belushi in Animal House to say "TOMA! TOMA!" instead of Toga? Put that on the Jumbotron and smoke it!

Toma! Toma! is what Quagmire says on the Spanish version of Family Guy to replace Giggidy Giggidy

 

[koonja]

Was going to start a thread for this but thought against it. Does anyone know if the blue gold game will be on TV?

 

[Irish Fam]

NBC Sports Network

 

[IrishNJ89]

Was going to start a thread for this but thought against it. Does anyone know if the blue gold game will be on TV?

I believe it is going to be on the NBC Sports Network. I swear I saw an advirtisement during an NHL Playoff game.

 

[PANDFAN]

What does this mean?

^Im with ya here, Im confused! LOL I said get to the QB not collapse the pocket at force him out, I meant GET and throw his a$$ in the dirt.

I believe it is going to be on the NBC Sports Network. I swear I saw an advirtisement during an NHL Playoff game.

correct..the old vs channel

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

It's everywhere. First of all, Pete Sampson from II has said it, and he and Prister have contacts inside the program. It's been talked about on ISD from people in the program. I was just in South Bend, and whenthis whole thing was going down, I talked to 2 guys I completely trust and they said that it's been that way the entire spring. And I've talked to a member of this board who knows players on the team and they told him directly that it was the case.

Look, I know it's your thing to be contradictory, and you keep trying to call me out as if I'm making sh!t up (seriously, you're like the only person alive that doesn't believe me when I say that everyone who has seen a practice says that Rees has looked better than Golson and Hendrix), but just know I don't make sh!t up. I'm no insider, but I just pay attention. If you paid closer attention, you wouldn't have to doubt everything everyone says. You only end up looking bad. The info is out there, you just have to put a tiny bit of effort and look for it...

I am not trying to call you out or anything of the sort. I agree with a lot of your posts. I just offered my opinion on the matter. Nothing personal.

I acknowledged that there had been speculation but no one has come out on record and detailed the facts. All I have heard is a whole lot of whispering and grumblings about his unhappiness. If these reporters have more information, they should report them. Like the Nichols fight, what was the cause and circumstances? Everything that has been whispered about may be true but if nobody is willing to put their credibility or face to a detailed story about how Lynch was disruptive to the team...then to me it is a non-story. Move on. Don't spread rumors (speaking in general terms to those who are privy to the knowledge not directly @you). Let the kid transfer, wish him well, and move on.

By the way, I never claimed that Rees wasn't looking good in practice compared to the other quarterbacks. I stated he should be looking good and apparently is because he has the game experience that no amount of practice can simulate.

 

[rtrn2glory]

correct..the old vs channel

thanks was hoping i'd get to watch it!!!!!

 

[NDhoosier]

I acknowledged that there had been speculation but no one has come out on record and detailed the facts. All I have heard is a whole lot of whispering and grumblings about his unhappiness. If these reporters have more information, they should report them. Like the Nichols fight, what was the cause and circumstances? Everything that has been whispered about may be true but if nobody is willing to put their credibility or face to a detailed story about how Lynch was disruptive to the team...then to me it is a non-story. Move on. Don't spread rumors (speaking in general terms to those who are privy to the knowledge not directly @you). Let the kid transfer, wish him well, and move on.

I think you hinted at the answer to your own question. The reporters are keeping quiet for a reason. If they released all this information (which I doubt they know the details of the Nichols fight) they would essentially be doing the same thing as Les Miles.

Lynch's unhappiness has been reported in general for basically the entire time he has been in South Bend, but after the season, it was almost a weekly report...

 

[charlyp123]

Did Kelly say if the quarterbacks would be "live" for the spring game? I know last year it was hands off Dayne and Tommy, especially considering Dayne was still rehabbing his knee. But he let Hendrix and Golson be live. Any word on what the plan will be this year?

 

[PANDFAN]

Did Kelly say if the quarterbacks would be "live" for the spring game? I know last year it was hands off Dayne and Tommy, especially considering Dayne was still rehabbing his knee. But he let Hendrix and Golson be live. Any word on what the plan will be this year?

they are all live this year-per bk

 

[irishff1014]

Yes they are live

 

[BeauBenken]

Again, having the guys play live favors the mobile QBs again...

 

[NDdomer2]

Again, having the guys play live favors the mobile QBs again...

It still benefits Rees. Just the other day Kelly said he was getting pressure and threw into the coverage instead of away from it. I doubt they do much blitzing but that doesn't mean our d-line won't be getting after him. Put Rees in behind the 3rd string oline and force him to make some plays.

 

[TheSunIsRising]

Was going to start a thread for this but thought against it. Does anyone know if the blue gold game will be on TV?

NBC Sports Network

It will also be streamed on UND.com for anyone not near a TV, or who does not have NBC Sports Network