Suggestions for Weis - Week 2

[EchoesMyEternity]

Just like for Week 1, here are my suggestions to Weis. Feel free to comment and add your own.

Let's start with the negatives...

1. Offensive Line
- For the second week in a row, I don't care who you have in a quarterback or who you have in a running back - if our offensive line can't block, they can't do anything. I was utterly sick through the whole game watching the offensive line play. And then recalling throughout the week of Sam Young and John Latina and Coach Weis praising the offensive line for their "physical" practices. Something needs to be done because our offense hasn't scored a touchdown yet this season. This is Priority #1 - bar none.

2. Play Calling
- You can't have both, Weis. Either you go ahead with the offense you know best, or you try to play tricks on the opposition. I'm sick of watching Notre Dame try to establish the run while our offensive line isn't playing well. Additionally, I don't know why Notre Dame has to be down by three touchdowns for Weis to start calling pass plays of more than 10 yards. Towards the end of the game, Notre Dame put together a decent drive because Clausen was slinging the ball down the field. I realize, Charlie, that you are trying to protect your quarterback, but let him throw some quick slants or something. Screen passes to the flats of the backfield gets pretty old after you do it for three or four drives. Trust your quarterback and let him throw to our receivers.

3. Running Backs
- I'm not sure what the deal was this year, whether it was offensive line or the running backs. I'm not sure what happened to James Aldridge this game, but I didn't see him very much. Travis Thomas is NOT getting it done. I'm glad that he came back for his 5th season to lead this team, but the matter of fact is that Armando Allen, a freshman, is looking better than Travis Thomas. I'm not sure what the deal is, but these guys need to find a hole and run through it...pronto!

4. Secondary
- The secondary, on the whole, didn't play bad, but they didn't play well either. Besides the interception-return by Walls, I didn't think the secondary played very well. There was a crucial mistake by David Bruton who tried to make an interception and let Walls out to dry, which lead to a PSU gain of some 30+ yards. Do your job man. Your job is to back up the corner back - you didn't do it. I was also disappointed in the run support by both of the safeties.

Now onto the positives...

1. Defensive Line
- It's hard to gauge whether our defensive line played well or not. Considering that they were on the field for the majority of the game because our offensive line couldn't put together a decent drive to save their lives, I think they played alright. They started the game off really well but the longer they were out there, the more tired they got, and the looser they started to play. By the way, Trevor Laws is playing like a stud.

2. Jimmy Clausen
- The dude can throw, LET HIM! Jimmy had some bad throws and bad decisions, but overall, he played well. He has pin-point accuracy and can utilize it when he's allowed to. But, like I said earlier, we only see it when Notre Dame is down by three touchdowns or more. Jimmy looked good for his first start, especially when it was in front of 108,000+ fans.



What do you guys think?

-Jon

 

[KamaraPolice]

He had some opportunities to throw deep but decided to hold on to it. the one time he did, chase anastasio... i mean golden tate, made a great catch. If we are going to go down, might as give them all they can handle. air it out, even if it means a few pics.

 

[Timugen]

Hey Chuck,

When dink-dunk passing results in 3 and out for the 5,000th consecutive time, maybe you should actually THROW THE BALL DOWNFIELD every once in a while.

 

[Timugen]

Also (not that it makes a difference) did anyone notice the clip on PSU's punt return? 88 got clipped when he was right in position to tackle #2, but no call.

 

[SillyIrish]

Hey Chuck,

When dink-dunk passing results in 3 and out for the 5,000th consecutive time, maybe you should actually THROW THE BALL DOWNFIELD every once in a while.

Maybe you should coach the team.

 

[Timugen]

Maybe you should coach the team.

Maybe I should.

 

[jlauritis]

Does ND have the talent to be rated as a premier team ? With the exception of Clausen, Laws and Walls, the team has played poorly in all aspects. Even the coachng has become questionable. Unfortunately, this may become a dismal season.

 

[johnnd05]

Does ND have the talent to be rated as a premier team ? With the exception of Clausen, Laws and Walls, the team has played poorly in all aspects. Even the coachng has become questionable. Unfortunately, this may become a dismal season.

This is an absurd claim.

 

[Timugen]

Does ND have the talent to be rated as a premier team ? With the exception of Clausen, Laws and Walls, the team has played poorly in all aspects. Even the coachng has become questionable. Unfortunately, this may become a dismal season.

This, however, is far from an absurd claim.

 

[johnnd05]

This, however, is far from an absurd claim.

Sure, question away. But IMO it's hard to see how, aside from the o-line difficulties, the blame for yesterday's loss falls on the shoulders of anyone who didn't have a uniform on. (Well, them and the fact that PSU is frigging GOOD.)

The Weis-hating around here is pretty bizarre. We were starting SIX UNDERCLASSMEN on offense. Give the guy a chance.

 

[NDFan78]

That fact that ND is improving each week has shown me that things are going in the right direction.That being said they really need to win at least 6 games this year. Hopefully next week they'll get a win and some td's on offense.

 

[leprechaun4life]

Anyone who thought that ND was going to go out there and blow people away, is unbelievably ignorant. We have a front loaded schedule, all of which have good defenses. Penn St. isn't exactly chopped liver, they are a good team with a good defense. I was actually quite happy to see the offense move like it did on the first drive. But, after that, the OL really went to shit; I'm sure Jappy Oliver is a great guy, but this is the second straight disappointing season for OL (plus, he made Weis look like an idiot, after the promise of more agressive play).

I'm also fairly certain that a new Special Teams coach will be on his way next year; those huge returns are starting to get on my nerves. Bottom line we all know its a re******** year, let's see how well the team improves at the end of the season, and see what happens next year before we make Weis pack his bags. Remember, two years ago these blowouts were pretty regular.

 

[big daddy]

It's kinda sad to see all the anti Weis comments on this board. Yes they lost the first 2 games. So What ! This is a rebuilding year and next year will way different. Everyone who is questioning the coaches abuility to coach should relax. It's just sad to see how quickly so called Notre Dame fans turn on the coaches and team. Makes me sick!!!! Give them a break they are trying their best.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Hey Chuck,

When dink-dunk passing results in 3 and out for the 5,000th consecutive time, maybe you should actually THROW THE BALL DOWNFIELD every once in a while.

He's called it a bunch of times, but the pocket collapses and Clausen runs for his life.

Seriously, how many times did we see Jimmy running for his life looking way downfield? A LOT.

You can bet what that call was...

So, when the line collapses, so does the pass downfield.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Does ND have the talent to be rated as a premier team ? With the exception of Clausen, Laws and Walls, the team has played poorly in all aspects. Even the coachng has become questionable. Unfortunately, this may become a dismal season.

We do NOT have the talent to be a PREMIER team yet. Weis only has two classes on board...for a total of around 45 guys. The remainder are from much less highly ranked classes. Weis needs the 2008 and 2009 classes before the talent will be "elite".

He's getting there, but he's only halfway there now.

 

[KamaraPolice]

He's called it a bunch of times, but the pocket collapses and Clausen runs for his life.

Seriously, how many times did we see Jimmy running for his life looking way downfield? A LOT.

You can bet what that call was...

So, when the line collapses, so does the pass downfield.

Right, and Clausen did a nice job of not putting anything up for grabs. However, when the game started to get away, you have to take your chances. He'll learn and learn fast and he will play even better next week.

 

[GoIrish41]

Anyone who thought that ND was going to go out there and blow people away, is unbelievably ignorant. We have a front loaded schedule, all of which have good defenses. Penn St. isn't exactly chopped liver, they are a good team with a good defense. I was actually quite happy to see the offense move like it did on the first drive. But, after that, the OL really went to shit; I'm sure Jappy Oliver is a great guy, but this is the second straight disappointing season for OL (plus, he made Weis look like an idiot, after the promise of more agressive play).

I'm also fairly certain that a new Special Teams coach will be on his way next year; those huge returns are starting to get on my nerves. Bottom line we all know its a re******** year, let's see how well the team improves at the end of the season, and see what happens next year before we make Weis pack his bags. Remember, two years ago these blowouts were pretty regular.

1. Latina is the OL coach, and yes the OL sucks. I don't care how young they are. They've been playing football their whole lives, and should know that if they are double teaming one guy, and another comes free through the gap next to them, that they need to put a hat on him. Is this coaching, or just absurdly bad play by the big guys? Maybe a bit of both?
2. There is no special teams coach this year, from what I remember. Each of the coaches are sharing in that responsibility. And, perhaps that is the problem. Hire a freakin good special teams coach. Used to be that ND special teams was incredible. ND invented Beamerball.
3. I don't want to see Weis go. I think he'll turn this thing around. It is the right thing for Weis to do to say it's not a rebuilding year, even though everyone and their mother knows it is. Calling it a rebuilding year is just throwing his hands up and giving up. I think its clear he isn't doing that.

 

[jgrnd07]

ZERO offensive TD's in 2 games!!! That is coaching no matter how you look at it!! Ask Weis I am sure he would tell you the same! We could not even manufacture a TD when our first string was going against their second! Clausen looked good...would love to see a pocket for him so he could actually get his feet set and throw! When get blown out by UofM next week I hope some of you set down your Kool-aid!

 

[johnnd05]

ZERO offensive TD's in 2 games!!! That is coaching no matter how you look at it!! Ask Weis I am sure he would tell you the same! We could not even manufacture a TD when our first string was going against their second! Clausen looked good...would love to see a pocket for him so he could actually get his feet set and throw! When get blown out by UofM next week I hope some of you set down your Kool-aid!

You are fast becoming one of the worst posters on this board. How is the lack of scoring CLEARLY a coaching issue ("no matter how you look at it") as opposed to - at least in part! - a personnel issue, or an issue related to the excellent defenses we've played?

When we stop UM next week I hope you haters make sure to come back for your humble pie.