Spring Practice Thread 2018

[IrishLion]

It's that time of year again... we will track Spring ball and make sweeping judgement based on uselessly-short video clips (if we get any at all), and will opine and debate based on reports from reporters and analysts that always seem to conflict with one another.


SCHEDULE

Monday, March 5 ...... Opening Presser with Brian Kelly - 2:00 PM

Tuesday, March 6 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am (MEDIA 30 MIN. VIEWING SESSION)

Thursday, March 8 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Tuesday, March 20 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am (MEDIA 30 MIN. VIEWING SESSION)

Thursday, March 22 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, March 24 ...... Practice 10:00 am - 12:15 pm (MEDIA FULL VIEWING SESSION)

Tuesday, March 27 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Thursday, March 29 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am (MEDIA 30 MIN. VIEWING SESSION)

Thursday, April 5 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, April 7 ...... Practice 10:00 am - 12:15 pm (MEDIA FULL VIEWING SESSION)

Tuesday, April 10 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Thursday, April 12 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, April 14 ...... Practice 10:00 am - 12:15 pm (MEDIA FULL VIEWING SESSION)

Tuesday, April 17 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Thursday, April 19 ...... Practice 7:45 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, April 21 ...... BLUE AND GOLD GAME - 12:30 PM - NBCSN

 

[IrishLion]

Some reading to get ready:

Spring Schedule

ND Depth Chart Preview - 18 Stripes

Spring Preview - 5 Offensive Players to Watch - 18 Stripes

 

[RyCo1983]

#Natty

 

[IrishLion]

Opening presser was scheduled for 12pm, but will now start at 2pm.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm not sure if it was ISD or BGI that mentioned this but they seemed to be pleasantly surprised by the media access. I guess I can't remember what it was like in the past, but they seemed to think this was an upgrade to years past. Let's hope it turns into better coverage over the next 2 months.

 

[NDohio]

I'm not sure if it was ISD or BGI that mentioned this but they seemed to be pleasantly surprised by the media access. I guess I can't remember what it was like in the past, but they seemed to think this was an upgrade to years past. Let's hope it turns into better coverage over the next 2 months.

Last year's coverage was the worst I can remember. It has to be better this year.

 

[BGIF]

Opening presser was scheduled for 12pm, but will now start at 2pm.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Getting an early jump on clock management.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jafar Armstrong now listed as a RB/WR on Notre Dame’s spring roster.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970734964798119936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[SouthSideChiDomer]

Last year's coverage was the worst I can remember. It has to be better this year.

I wouldn't be surprised if its similar to last year in that reporters have to be vague on specific things they saw, but as compensation for that they get more viewing time.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New numbers on Notre Dame’s roster:<br>#2 Jordan Genmark Heath<br>#3 Avery Davis<br>#5 Troy Pride Jr.<br>#6 Tony Jones Jr.<br>#8 Jafar Armstrong<br>#11 Alohi Gilman</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970735815679725572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Walk-ons Cameron Ekanayake and Mick Assaf move to RB.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970735872684576771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A couple position switches:<br><br>Isaiah Robertson to linebacker from safety<br><br>Jamir Jones to defensive line from linebacker</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970736250155085824?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">A couple position switches:<br><br>Isaiah Robertson to linebacker from safety<br><br>Jamir Jones to defensive line from linebacker</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970736250155085824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly calls the strength gains made in the second year under Matt Balis “clear and across the board."</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970736703156707329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly also said workouts have been strenuous and on different level from last year and they've seen gains from them.</p>— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews/status/970737335645147136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Notre Dame will name three captains tomorrow, Brian Kelly said. He has yet to announce them to the team.</p>— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikevorel/status/970737393002340353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Sounds like Wimbush is getting first crack as the starter, but Book is going to get every chance to win the job.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly said Brandon Wimbush will go out with the first team to start the spring, but he wasn't ready to label him the "presumptive starter." Wants to foster a culture of competition.</p>— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikevorel/status/970737958444679168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly says Brandon Wimbush will get the first reps in spring ball, but intimates the job is open between Wimbush and Ian Book.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970737796364341248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In reference to Ian Book, "He deserves an opportunity to compete, as well."<br>Sounds like Wimbush will get first crack at it for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a>, but it is a competition.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer/status/970737983069581313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Avery Davis will get some reps at quarterback, but will potentially get some work at running back or wide out during spring. Special teams an option too.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970738042360205312?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 Jafar Armstrong is kind of like Theo Riddick/CJ Prosise.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970738283482419200?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 Robert Hainsey will get the first look at left tackle.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970738349483970563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

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.

 

[fightingirish26]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A couple position switches:<br><br>Isaiah Robertson to linebacker from safety<br><br>Jamir Jones to defensive line from linebacker</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970736250155085824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Interesting. Robertson seemed like the thinnest safety on the roster.

 

[IrishLion]

Dexter Williams is breaking through barriers that will allow him to take on a bigger work load, which is big moving forward. He wasn't able to take the workload he needed to take previously.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kelly says Dexter Williams is healthy now and broken through barriers to get workload up. Unable to consistently practice/health in the fall led to lack of consistent carries.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/970739952622415872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Alize Mack is doing everything the right way lately.

BK: "Good for him. Now he's gotta go put that together."

Sounds like BK has Alize on "show me" notice.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly says TE Alize Mack has cleaned up off the field. "He has not been on any lists." But now Mack has to prove that attention to detail on the field.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer/status/970739917180604417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Strength training is building on itself at this point.

Players are recovering, and are able to bounce back for the next day better than they could last year.

They can sustain competition and do things like timed runs daily, rather than needing to recover the next day with a typical workout.

 

[IrishLion]

They're using distractions, like strobe lights, in the weightroom to build their tolerance for tough, competitive, hostile environments.

Made the players watch a video that heavily featured the turnover chain... they didn't like that.

Basically, they've been making the players lift at Planet Fitness with the Lunk Alarm going off constantly.

 

[IrishLion]

Takacs won't participate in the spring. Getting a should healed up post-surgery.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Early-enrolled freshman TE George Takacs will be out for the spring with a cartilage injury, per <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> HC Brian Kelly.</p>— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer/status/970741098007101441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Bo Bauer is getting after it in the weightroom.

No limitations for players in Spring besides Takacs.

 

[IrishLion]

Wants the QB's to prove that they can be equally adept at both throwing and running. That wasn't the case last year.

Doesn't wish for a 2-QB system to be required, but they'll deal with things as the go along (aka, if we need to we will).

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Kelly says Jerry Tillery’s leadership has improved. <br><br>Would not surprise me if he’s named a captain on Tuesday to go with Tranquill and Sam Mustipher.<br><br>(my hunches)</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/970741967108833283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[IrishLion]

Sounds like he challenged Tillery to come back... "If you want to just be a football player, head to the league. If you want to develop into a complete player and a leader, then come on back."

 

[IrishLion]

Started a "speed school" in training.

They had ONE player at sub 1.5 in the 10-yard split before starting the training.

They now have TEN guys at sub 1.5 in the split, including Miles Boykin (hello deep threat).