Spring Practice Thread 2018

[IrishLion]

BK isn't "worried" about what's going to happen with the OL, but he will be involved with the conversation, which will have a lot of moving pieces.

He feels good about four or five different OL combos that they will try out in Spring.

 

[IrishLion]

Mindset coming into this Spring vs 2016, where they have so many guys coming back (10 returning starters):

There is confidence and familiarity, and they have seen that they can make things work since they know the system/scheme.

The only thing that will take time is adjusting to Lea running the show.

 

[IrishLion]

Is Spring approached differently now that there is some continuity at coordinator positions?

You can drill deeper and get a little more complex, now that you know the system and know what you're looking for.

Last year, they were worried about fundamentals. Now they will focus on personnel specifically, making sure they have the right guys for the right positions/packages.

Basically, they feel good about the fundamental base... now it's time to perfect the systems.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly says WR Michael Young will have a bigger role in the offense.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970743513989177344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Are they looking for an 'alpha' at WR?

BK says they would want an 'alpha' at every position that demands the football, but they are more worried about individual development from the players right now to increase production.

Once production is up and they build confidence, maybe they find someone who demands the ball.

 

[IrishLion]

Sounds like BK is banking on Dex competing to be the lead guy at RB.

Seems convinced that Dex will be more physically reliable this year in practice. He wasn't reliable enough last year physically, which didn't allow him to develop like he needed to.

 

[IrishLion]

MTA and Hinish continue to get stronger. Staff wants them to share the load at nose so that Tillery can stay on the other side.

Mentioned Bonner can move out to SDE now that he's adding weight and getting stronger, but Bonner is still the lead man at nose over the young dudes.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly said Darnell Ewell starting to show some explosiveness into his football skill set. Encouraged, but sort of tempers enthusiasm with the sophomore.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970744947094769664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly says they have moved Jamir Jones to the Drop position.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970744955080790017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[zelezo vlk]

Man, imagine if Dex can be the lead back, woo boy...

 

[IrishLion]

Jonathan Jones needs to go out and show them that he can be a special-teams ace, and that he can be a surefire backup to Coney.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nic Weishar (shoulder), Chase Claypool (shoulder), Jonathan Bonner (wrist) and Brock Wright (shoulder) will be limited during spring ball, but will be able to practice in some capacity.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970745471575711745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Bilal will start as the Rover. But he's a big Rover, so depending on personnel of the opponent, they need to find another guy at Rover.

Could be JOK, Isaiah Robertson, or DJ Morgan. Sounds like Rover is a toss-up right now.

Bilal needs to be able to cross-train and play pure LB if needed.

MY NOTE: I bet they're biding time until Simon is on campus, and they'll give him a shot to be the do-everything rover, that way Bilal can backup Coney and Tranquill as needed, and JOK and Robertson can back up Simon based on the opponent and offensive system (aka, JOK spells if it's a balanced opponent, or Robertson plays if they need a pure coverage guy).

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drue Tranquill is moving to a traditional linebacker role, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> HC Brian Kelly says definitively.<br>Asmar Bilal will begin at rover, but other options will be considered as Bilal is "a big rover."</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer/status/970745791336861697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly says he hasn't had any conversations on a path back for CJ Holmes or Deon McIntosh. Focused on guys on the roster.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970745962841935872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

That's the end.

We'll get our first video and practice reports tomorrow.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drue Tranquill is moving to a traditional linebacker role, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> HC Brian Kelly says definitively.<br>Asmar Bilal will begin at rover, but other options will be considered as Bilal is "a big rover."</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer/status/970745791336861697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Weird. So move Drue, who played great last year in order to bring in Bilal, who may or may not stay there? Yeah, this sounds like they're making room for Simon.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Wimbush has prioritized football to a greater degree than he has yet.

He clearly knows that he needs to do more than show up on gameday. He's doing everything he can to develop.

Before last season started were there any indications that Wimbush was insufficiently dedicated to football?

I am aware there were all sorts of ex post facto diagnoses. I'm just curious if this was a knock on Wimbush before he started making mistakes on the field.

 

[Nothingman]

Weird. So move Drue, who played great last year in order to bring in Bilal, who may or may not stay there? Yeah, this sounds like they're making room for Simon.

The ND sites have been predicting this for awhile now. The reasoning being that Tranquil has the Rover position down, so there isn't much benefit in giving him a ton of reps there in the spring. I think the staff feels like there is more material to work with at the Rover position as well, so if a guy emerges there and Tranquil can play Buck, win win.

Also, in nickel packages I believe there are only 2 backers on the field anyway, so Tranquil will be playing the same position in nickel packages as he did last year regardless of if he's a Rover or Buck.


P.S. Can't rep you, Lion, but thanks for the schedule and updates. Greatly appriciated.

 

[Luckylucci]

The ND sites have been predicting this for awhile now. The reasoning being that Tranquil has the Rover position down, so there isn't much benefit in giving him a ton of reps there in the spring. I think the staff feels like there is more material to work with at the Rover position as well, so if a guy emerges there and Tranquil can play Buck, win win.

Also, in nickel packages I believe there are only 2 backers on the field anyway, so Tranquil will be playing the same position in nickel packages as he did last year regardless of if he's a Rover or Buck.


P.S. Can't rep you, Lion, but thanks for the schedule and updates. Greatly appriciated.

Correct, he was playing Buck LB in the nickel already. I really like the idea of giving this a shot in the spring, but hopefully they don't get married to the idea, prior to the execution of it.

 

[Irishman77]

Can anyone link or embed roster with all the new height weight etc?

Reps will be given

 

[PANDFAN]

Before last season started were there any indications that Wimbush was insufficiently dedicated to football?

I am aware there were all sorts of ex post facto diagnoses. I'm just curious if this was a knock on Wimbush before he started making mistakes on the field.

i wonder if it is academic related...NOT in him having trouble, but possibly taking an easier course load??? i know he has already had an internship so it's not like this kid isn't dialed in on his academics and his futute... could have been having difficulty not having enough extra time watching film, extra reps w/ wr's on their own etc..just spitballing

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

i wonder if it is academic related...NOT in him having trouble, but possibly taking an easier course load??? i know he has already had an internship so it's not like this kid isn't dialed in on his academics and his futute... could have been having difficulty not having enough extra time watching film, extra reps w/ wr's on their own etc..just spitballing

Thanks, I get the feeling they are trying to conjure up a rationale for 'THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT!' which may not reflect reality.

 

[PANDFAN]

maybe it WON'T help, but man do i LOVE that they are addressing the not ready for the moment w/ flashing lights, music and other distracting things to help get their minds right for bigger games...i know this won't be a cure, but i like that they are looking at these different elements ....im seeing much more evolution w/ these current coaches than previously done

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Bilal will start as the Rover. But he's a big Rover, so depending on personnel of the opponent, they need to find another guy at Rover.

Could be JOK, Isaiah Robertson, or DJ Morgan. Sounds like Rover is a toss-up right now.

Bilal needs to be able to cross-train and play pure LB if needed.

MY NOTE: I bet they're biding time until Simon is on campus, and they'll give him a shot to be the do-everything rover, that way Bilal can backup Coney and Tranquill as needed, and JOK and Robertson can back up Simon based on the opponent and offensive system (aka, JOK spells if it's a balanced opponent, or Robertson plays if they need a pure coverage guy).

I seriously doubt this. As I understand it, the coaches aren't in the habit of "planning to play freshmen" so 'biding their time' is unlikely.

What I hope happens is JOK proves he's the do-everything Rover already and Simon can spell him. That'd be an amazing one-two punch. If JGK proves he can hang as well, even better. I just don't see Bilal as the starting Rover but only because he's failed to lockdown a position after being given many opportunities to take one.

Hopefully his final year is his best.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think a lot of times people focus too much on weight but there are a couple of surprises on the list.

- Julian Okwara is down 10 lbs. to 230 from 240.

- David Adams is down 12 lbs. to 222, which seems terribly small for an ILB. Injury must be delaying proper strength training.

- Dexter Williams has dropped 12 lbs. and is now down to 203.

- JGH, dropping 9 lbs. to 211. Probably so he can stay at S. Of interest as they are moving Robertson to Rover at 207, and he's back up 12 lbs from 195.

- Dillan Gibbons up 13 to 307.

 

[tko]

maybe it WON'T help, but man do i LOVE that they are addressing the not ready for the moment w/ flashing lights, music and other distracting things to help get their minds right for bigger games...i know this won't be a cure, but i like that they are looking at these different elements ....im seeing much more evolution w/ these current coaches than previously done

They better crank up some Metallica, Enter Sandman, in there as well. Damn I'm hoping to making to the VT game this Fall.

 

[IrishLax]

They better crank up some Metallica, Enter Sandman, in there as well. Damn I'm hoping to making to the VT game this Fall.

I'm going to be there with a whole crew of Tech people. Hit me up if you end up making the trip to Blacksburg.

 

[tko]

I'm going to be there with a whole crew of Tech people. Hit me up if you end up making the trip to Blacksburg.

Absolutely.

 

[Fbolt]

movies, strobe lights, and music? Lame.

These coaches need to tune the players up with some good old drill sgt techniques like in your face ass chewings and hard core challenges. That will give them an idea of fight or flight.