Spring Practice Thread 2018

[IrishLion]

Our DBs are going to be great.
Our DLine is going to be great.
Two of three LBs are going to be great (maybe all three; who knows.)

Our OLine is going to be great.
Our WRs are (probably) going to be great. (including the rookies)
Our TEs are going to be great (whether Mack plays or not.)
Our RBs are going to be great (if they pass protect.)
Our QB ------------ uh ------------- ??????????

There's not a lot of mystery here ... but there's that one thing.



((With Book or somehow non-shaking Wimbush= 10+ wins.))
((With "misjudged" not-game-ready Wimbush= 8 wins.))
((With relatively quick hook, like losing two of four= 9 wins.))

One amendment:

CBs are going to be great.
S is a big question mark.

The problem with the safeties being a question mark is that our great DLs/LBs/CBs can get us in third-and-favorable situations all day, but a few of the teams on our schedule with size at WR and athleticism at TE will ruin the groundwork that had been laid, ala Stanford every time they beat us.

Perhaps the DL/LB/CB groups are improved enough this year that we can protect the safeties with extra help and playcalling, and keep 3rd-and-long situations on lock, like we did with the CBa in '12.

We'll see.

 

[dublinirish]

I’ve seen more physicality out of 7 year olds fighting over a piece of candy. Our db’s need to grow a pair.

kinda hoping the quality of tackling would improve as the days wore on but it does not appear so. Always a hard drill for the defenders but you'd think they'd have figured out the receivers tendancies by now, and they havent been facing RB's or TE's in these drills yet.

 

[Luckylucci]

kinda hoping the quality of tackling would improve as the days wore on but it does not appear so. Always a hard drill for the defenders but you'd think they'd have figured out the receivers tendancies by now, and they havent been facing RB's or TE's in these drills yet.

Correct, and the DB's are not suppose to be bringing the ball carriers to the ground, by all means necessary, like what you'd see in game action. That's why the whistles are so quick. The goal is to work on approach angles, using the sideline to the defenders advantage, breaking down, proper form with a moving target, etc.

 

[ScooterIrish]

Dexter had better ypc.

Oline was responsible for most of that production.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

And we lost our two best players from the OL.

 

[koonja]

Our DBs are going to be great.
Our DLine is going to be great.
Two of three LBs are going to be great (maybe all three; who knows.)

Our OLine is going to be great.
Our WRs are (probably) going to be great. (including the rookies)
Our TEs are going to be great (whether Mack plays or not.)
Our RBs are going to be great (if they pass protect.)
Our QB ------------ uh ------------- ??????????

There's not a lot of mystery here ... but there's that one thing.



((With Book or somehow non-shaking Wimbush= 10+ wins.))
((With "misjudged" not-game-ready Wimbush= 8 wins.))
((With relatively quick hook, like losing two of four= 9 wins.))

One amendment:

CBs are going to be great.
S is a big question mark.

The problem with the safeties being a question mark is that our great DLs/LBs/CBs can get us in third-and-favorable situations all day, but a few of the teams on our schedule with size at WR and athleticism at TE will ruin the groundwork that had been laid, ala Stanford every time they beat us.

Perhaps the DL/LB/CB groups are improved enough this year that we can protect the safeties with extra help and playcalling, and keep 3rd-and-long situations on lock, like we did with the CBa in '12.

We'll see.

I think our DL will be "really good", not great.

Losing Jay Hayes hurts, but even with him, I wouldn't call the DL great. Jay Hayes was unproductive as a pass rusher, and Daelin Hayes also hasn't shown he's a good pass rusher. Kahlid is ready to start, but is Ade ready to now take ~300 snaps behind him? Because he's going to have to. Inside, Bonner is going to be solid, and give us good depth. But he's also not a play maker. Hinish fought hard but if we're being honest, was getting bullied out there most of the time. And that's completely normal for a true freshman, but he's going to have to be better this year. MTA can hopefully take a step forward too, he's a play maker.

Tillery is our best DL, after that I have a lot of question marks. Can Daelin Hayes be a pass rusher finally? Is Ade ready to play big boy ball? Is Okwara at 230 really OK? I think they'll be really good, but surprised if they're great.

 

[snoopdog]

I feel that the biggest threat to the 2018 season is that I am starting to feel good about BW as the Qb.

I have the uniquely ability to get hyped up about players rebounding from sub par play who actually never rebound.

Apologize in advance to all Irish Fans is BW bombs this season.

 

[Luckylucci]

I feel that the biggest threat to the 2018 season is that I am starting to feel good about BW as the Qb.

I have the uniquely ability to get hyped up about players rebounding from sub par play who actually never rebound.

Apologize in advance to all Irish Fans is BW bombs this season.

So........our OL is going to be the best in the country?

 

[Irishman77]

kinda hoping the quality of tackling would improve as the days wore on but it does not appear so. Always a hard drill for the defenders but you'd think they'd have figured out the receivers tendancies by now, and they havent been facing RB's or TE's in these drills yet.

I agree. It’s all about fundamentals and want to. That drill was pathetic.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

People judging entire secondary based on a drill where the receivers already have firm possession of ball, open space, no other defenders to worry about, no sideline restrictions, etc?

This drill is hugely advantageous to offense. But, it is a good drill for defense because if they can do this, then everything else is cake.

 

[IrishLion]

Yeah, I think its premature to worry about tackling based on one drill in the Spring lol.

Tackling was GREATLY improved last year from top to bottom on the defense. However, like the rest of the team, it fell off a bit once November rolled around.

Perhaps another year of the current conditioning circuit, plus another year in the same defensive system, will help stem some of that late-season fatigue, and the tackling will be good all year.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Yeah, I think its premature to worry about tackling based on one drill in the Spring lol.

Tackling was GREATLY improved last year from top to bottom on the defense. However, like the rest of the team, it fell off a bit once November rolled around.

Perhaps another year of the current conditioning circuit, plus another year in the same defensive system, will help stem some of that late-season fatigue, and the tackling will be good all year.

I'll also add that depth, specifically, quality of youth players, should help with "seasonal endurance".

 

[IrishLax]

People judging entire secondary based on a drill where the receivers already have firm possession of ball, open space, no other defenders to worry about, no sideline restrictions, etc?

This drill is hugely advantageous to offense. But, it is a good drill for defense because if they can do this, then everything else is cake.

It's like people don't grasp the fact that they're specifically instructed NOT to launch/lunge at the WRs in this drill like they'd have to in a similar game situation. They don't want people needlessly getting hurt.

The entire point of the drill is to work on WRs making open field moves on a single defender, and for defenders to work on their approach and breaking down (and, if the WR doesn't make a good move, wrapping him up in an upright tackling position).

 

[GowerND11]

It's like people don't grasp the fact that they're specifically instructed NOT to launch/lunge at the WRs in this drill like they'd have to in a similar game situation. They don't want people needlessly getting hurt.

The entire point of the drill is to work on WRs making open field moves on a single defender, and for defenders to work on their approach and breaking down (and, if the WR doesn't make a good move, wrapping him up in an upright tackling position).

Pfft. That's the problem today. Get them in the Okie Drill

 

[Luckylucci]

It's like people don't grasp the fact that they're specifically instructed NOT to launch/lunge at the WRs in this drill like they'd have to in a similar game situation. They don't want people needlessly getting hurt.
The entire point of the drill is to work on WRs making open field moves on a single defender, and for defenders to work on their approach and breaking down (and, if the WR doesn't make a good move, wrapping him up in an upright tackling position).

But Lax, it's so much more fun to make hot takes and call the execution of the drill pathetic. Without having any clue of what we're actually watching.

 

[Irishman77]

It's like people don't grasp the fact that they're specifically instructed NOT to launch/lunge at the WRs in this drill like they'd have to in a similar game situation. They don't want people needlessly getting hurt.

The entire point of the drill is to work on WRs making open field moves on a single defender, and for defenders to work on their approach and breaking down (and, if the WR doesn't make a good move, wrapping him up in an upright tackling position).

Never heard of such a drill that requires so much yet so little from a db. Only hit or tackle if the wr makes a bad move. Too subjective and too risky for me to believe. Better off having a coach hold a bag if that’s the case.

Also, some of those chicken wing arm tackles are more dangerous attempts than using their shoulder pads and squaring up.

I guess Fertitta didn’t get the memo. He had the only good rep. After cracking the wr and taking him down the players and coaches went crazy.

The lack of live hitting is safe but the culprit of many of our faults. Kind of a catch 22 but being a powderpuff is never a good idea imho

 

[IrishLax]

Never heard of such a drill that requires so much yet so little from a db. Only hit or tackle if the wr makes a bad move. Too subjective and too risky for me to believe. Better off having a coach hold a bag if that’s the case.

Also, some of those chicken wing arm tackles are more dangerous attempts than using their shoulder pads and squaring up.

They are supposed to square up. What they're not supposed to do:
1. Launch or recklessly dive at legs.
2. Not drive the player to the ground violently... just wrap and stop at the whistle.
3. Focus on wrapping and grasping.

It's about working on form technique NOT getting the player to the ground at all costs. At least that's how it was explained to me.

I guess Feretta didn’t get the memo. He had the only good rep. After cracking the wr and taking him down the players and coaches went crazy.

I just watched it three times to try to find this rep and I'm not sure which you're referring to. I see zero reps by #28 where he "cracks" the WR and everyone goes crazy. What time stamp is it at?

The lack of live hitting is safe but the culprit of many of our faults. Kind of a catch 22 but being a powderpuff is never a good idea imho

This is very true, being soft burned USC teams under Kiffin because they never tackled in practice.

 

[IrishLion]

Being soft burned USC teams under Kiffin because they never tackled in practice.

*Images of Robert Hughes plowing through USC defenders dancing in my head*

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oHtY4lCq9cw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irishman77]

They are supposed to square up. What they're not supposed to do:
1. Launch or recklessly dive at legs.
2. Not drive the player to the ground violently... just wrap and stop at the whistle.
3. Focus on wrapping and grasping.

It's about working on form technique NOT getting the player to the ground at all costs. At least that's how it was explained to me.



I just watched it three times to try to find this rep and I'm not sure which you're referring to. I see zero reps by #28 where he "cracks" the WR and everyone goes crazy. What time stamp is it at?



This is very true, being soft burned USC teams under Kiffin because they never tackled in practice.

I was mistaken. It was Studstill at 2:45. But then Fertitta at 3:12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=169&v=w8Q1NOj5Ans

 

[snoopdog]

So........our OL is going to be the best in the country?

Well played sir

 

[NDohio]

I was mistaken. It was Studstill at 2:45. But then Feretta at 3:12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=169&v=w8Q1NOj5Ans

Is this some sort of new cheese I haven't heard about?

 

[Irishman77]

Is this some sort of new cheese I haven't heard about?

Yikes Fertitta is what i meant

 

[Old Man Mike]

Our OLine will be top ten in the country ... maybe top five. ("Four" returning starters, by my "actually really started a bunch" math, plus an added three or four high potential hungry monsters wanting to cream somebody, PLUS PLAYERS WHO ARE ALREADY GOOD TEND TO GET REALLY GOOD AS THEY AGE.) This bunch understands what it takes to be great, yet are still hungry for more than the training table. Everybody on this line will ultimately be drafted plus several of the backups.

OK. There's no Q (yet). But I see several McGlinchys.


Don't try to talk me out of it

 

[NDVirginia19]

With how good our recruiting has been in the past several cycles plus everything we've been hearing from previous years' camps, anything short of top 10 OL would be a massive disappointment. These guys are gonna be good

 

[Valpodoc85]

Not sure if this is the right place for this. Seems to hit on a number of the spring practice observations.

https://dynastyfootballfactory.com/devy-watch-notre-dame-preview/

 

[Ndaccountant]

Our OLine will be top ten in the country ... maybe top five. ("Four" returning starters, by my "actually really started a bunch" math, plus an added three or four high potential hungry monsters wanting to cream somebody, PLUS PLAYERS WHO ARE ALREADY GOOD TEND TO GET REALLY GOOD AS THEY AGE.) This bunch understands what it takes to be great, yet are still hungry for more than the training table. Everybody on this line will ultimately be drafted plus several of the backups.

OK. There's no Q (yet). But I see several McGlinchys.


Don't try to talk me out of it

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaol

I will say that last year's line was #5 in line yards, but middle of the pack on adjusted sacks. Power run success was statistically outside of the top quadrant as well. So unless you think we get better by losing two first round picks, I think you are overly optimistic.

 

[Crazy Balki]

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaol

I will say that last year's line was #5 in line yards, but middle of the pack on adjusted sacks. Power run success was statistically outside of the top quadrant as well. So unless you think we get better by losing two first round picks, I think you are overly optimistic.

I don't think it's just blind optimism. At least to think the line will be up there as a top unit.

There's no Nelson. Kraemer could be '15 or '16 Nelson, but to ask him to be '17 Nelson is unrealistic.

That being said, Bars appears to be VASTLY improved over last season, Kraemer is moving to (IMO) his better position at Guard and Hainsey is a year more developed at tackle. Meanwhile, Eichenberg has impressed and was made for the LT role. As much as we love McGlinchey, I do think we overrate him a tad. I think he was a stellar run blocker and could scrap with bigger, stronger defenders, but he struggled with speed off the edge (see Georgia, Miami and LSU). I think that stems from him being a natural RT and better suited to combat power and not athleticism. It's why he faired better against Chubb and struggled against Bellamy, despite the former being the top prospect, because Chubb is power-reliant first and foremost.

Does that mean Eichenberg will be better than McGlinchey? Tall order, so probably not. But I think he'll be a very worthy replacement.

Overall, this group stands to be better at C, RG and RT just based on continuity and development. LG and LT will be worse, but I'm not convinced they'll neutralize the improvements made from the other 3 spots.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I don't think it's just blind optimism. At least to think the line will be up there as a top unit.

There's no Nelson. Kraemer could be '15 or '16 Nelson, but to ask him to be '17 Nelson is unrealistic.

That being said, Bars appears to be VASTLY improved over last season, Kraemer is moving to (IMO) his better position at Guard and Hainsey is a year more developed at tackle. Meanwhile, Eichenberg has impressed and was made for the LT role. As much as we love McGlinchey, I do think we overrate him a tad. I think he was a stellar run blocker and could scrap with bigger, stronger defenders, but he struggled with speed off the edge (see Georgia, Miami and LSU). I think that stems from him being a natural RT and better suited to combat power and not athleticism. It's why he faired better against Chubb and struggled against Bellamy, despite the former being the top prospect, because Chubb is power-reliant first and foremost.

Does that mean Eichenberg will be better than McGlinchey? Tall order, so probably not. But I think he'll be a very worthy replacement.

Overall, this group stands to be better at C, RG and RT just based on continuity and development. LG and LT will be worse, but I'm not convinced they'll neutralize the improvements made from the other 3 spots.

Q was a generational talent and big Mike will most likely be a round 1 pick. I think you are discounting their importance.

Btw, I am not implying I think the line becomes middle of the road. I just fail to see how replacing all that talent along with a new coach doesn't equate to some drop off to a line that wasn't top 10 in all categories

 

[Crazy Balki]

Q was a generational talent and big Mike will most likely be a round 1 pick. I think you are discounting their importance.

Btw, I am not implying I think the line becomes middle of the road. I just fail to see how replacing all that talent along with a new coach doesn't equate to some drop off to a line that wasn't top 10 in all categories

I clearly am not discounting their importance, because I said that there's no replacing Q.

Thing is with McGlinchey is that he's being projected as a late 1st rounder as a RT, not a LT. Fact is, they're different positions and there's a reason why McGlinchey isn't projected favorably to LT. Does that mean he wasn't good as LT? Of course not, but I think Liam projects more favorably at LT than Mike did. Doesn't mean Liam will be better in 2018, just that I think he fits a bit better.

I see it as a loss, but I'm not as concerned about losing Mike as I was when we had to move him over to replace Stanley.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clark Lea said the move to Buck has been a “fit” for Drue Tranquill during spring ball. He’s pleased with that move. As for the Rover, it’s still Bilal, Owusu-Koramoah and Robertson. “We’ll work through the fall with that.” That’s pretty open.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/986245263802224640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clark Lea high on DE Jamir Jones. Believes DL unit has been consistent and strength of the defense.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/986246537830436864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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