Texas A&M Postgame

[GoIrish41]

Too lazy to read through. Has anyone discussed why Leonard didn’t go down field? Is that bc Leonard can’t make that throw? Receivers can’t get open? Or Denbrock playing conservative?

He’s certainly no Jimmy Clausen. Tim Tebowish.

Probably because AandM had five 5-stars on their 2-deep DL and we had 6 starts on our OL. It isn’t unreasonable to acknowledge that Denbrock’s gameplay was to use quick short passes to nullify the pass rush. And, hey, it worked!

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Happy we won. These are the hard-fought wins we need to build ourselves up. Defense played as expected, offense did enough but has areas where they can improve.

Hope we don’t lose a game or two because of Freeman’s coaching, either regular season or playoffs. Had an extra set of eyes after some choice decisions last year + hearing his takes on analytics on PTI. Two pretty big blunders:

- Burning timeouts. Used a timeout to prevent delay of game and save 5 yards on a punt from not far behind midfield. I think there was another 2H timeout he spent to prevent another delay of game. We will need these in 1-possession games, which last night was for most of the game.
- Getting the INT at midfield with 40-50s left,
one timeout, and running out the clock after a hold brought us to our own 40. Plenty of time to grab a first down or two and attempt a FG. Similar to above, in an incredibly tight game, every point counts. Decisions like these cost Ryan Day against Michigan last year.

He makes up for this stuff by being the man. Seeing him jaw at the crowd before the game and be absolutely amped after the game made me ready to run through yet another wall. Still, I’m he can continue to grow as a coach.

Love the fight, Go Irish, let’s make some noise this year.

 

[greyhammer90]

 

[IrishBoognish]

If any ND fan wears one of those shirts, they deserve all the mockery they get.

Good grief that's awful

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

On a personal note this was a tough week for my wife and I. We found out that our 16 yr. old Golden Retriever, Rudy has cancer and we are putting him down. This win was special, as it will be his last ND game.

Andy, a long time good poster, I am so sorry to hear about Rudy. I also have a Rudy, my 4 year old 50 pound goldendoodle mix. He is a big part of our world. Rather than a last, we had a first ND game watcher in my 4 month old son who stayed up to watch the first half with my wife and I. Rudy and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

With the recent loss of my mother as a reminder, we never know how much time we have with those we love. My heart breaks for those who go through the life experiences of losing parents and pets. You’ve been blessed to have as much time together but it is never easy. Hopefully comfort can be found in the memories and the support of others.

 

[Irish2155]

Probably because AandM had five 5-stars on their 2-deep DL and we had 6 starts on our OL. It isn’t unreasonable to acknowledge that Denbrock’s gameplay was to use quick short passes to nullify the pass rush. And, hey, it worked!

So it’s the third. Denbrock playing conservative. We’ll see how it all plays out but we’ll need to go downfield eventually

 

[NDWarrior]

Not trying to be a dick but this run-on sentence is hard to follow. I think I get the gist but not sure.

If you could bullet point it for us dumb folks, that’d be awesome.

Yeah, fair point - I had a lot of different, but related thoughts in my head earlier this afternoon. In a nutshell:

My concerns after week 1:

• We get complacent, expect to win out, and really don’t improve enough for top tier football as there are not a lot of tough games on the schedule to push this team to become better the remainder of season
• We easily say it’s week 1, the offense needs to get better and the QB needs to make more easy throws to open WRs and push the ball downfield a lot more, but then I recall last year, when it was obvious that changes were needed and nothing was really done
• Then the 1st or 2nd playoff game comes later this season (hopefully), and RL potentially struggles and we don’t have backups ready enough to come in and maybe save the game; it would still be a respectable season, but we should be planning for how are we gonna get this team ready to beat TX, GA or Alabama in the CFB playoffs, one game at a time of course, but that will be the true tough test later this year if we make the playoffs

So we should have a plan for:

• Pushing RL to become better, even against lesser teams, and not that he just help lead the team to win the game, but that he starts hitting more passes and throwing for more TDs and throwing more downfield - We’ll need a strong passing game to beat the CFB powerhouses and it’s needed to help with WR recruiting
• Also re: QBs 1 & 2 get quality game time whether it’s that we’re struggling to get by lesser teams and they come in to see what they can do, or whether once ND is up 28 to 0, we get these QBs in the game for some quality playing time so that they’re ready if RL does struggle or is injured

In summary, I hope there is a plan to get the team, esp. our offense, QBs, and WRs, better each game to ultimately get us to being a team with a respectable (hopefully stellar) passing game that can win key CFB playoff games; and not to be satisfied with just winning by 7-14 points against lesser teams we should be blowing out to the point that we’re a mediocre, complacent team heading into the CFB playoffs - That's my biggest concern. Go Irish!

 

[ulukinatme]

Damn, was coming to post that!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If any ND fan wears one of those shirts, they deserve all the mockery they get.

Good grief that's awful

I love that shirt and I'd wear it proudly. If you want to mock me, I'll be at the Irsay with my lord and savior, 12th man Jesus.

 

[Hautian Domer]

That gold trim around the numbers matching the helmets really popped!

I agree. It looked great

 

[irish4ever]

Some of the New Big 10 schedules are legit. Michigan plays three preseason top 10 teams plus USC. That's a lot harder than what they've been playing the last few years.

Meatchicken plays EIGHT (count them ... 8) HOMER games in the "Pig" House too! Plus, the visiting team has to provide their own Vaseline too!!!

 

[irishandy]

Sending love brother.

Thank you, I appreciate it!

 

[irishandy]

Andy, a long time good poster, I am so sorry to hear about Rudy. I also have a Rudy, my 4 year old 50 pound goldendoodle mix. He is a big part of our world. Rather than a last, we had a first ND game watcher in my 4 month old son who stayed up to watch the first half with my wife and I. Rudy and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

With the recent loss of my mother as a reminder, we never know how much time we have with those we love. My heart breaks for those who go through the life experiences of losing parents and pets. You’ve been blessed to have as much time together but it is never easy. Hopefully comfort can be found in the memories and the support of others.

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it! What a first game for your 4 month old son & your family. There will be many more to come. Awesome to hear that you also have a Rudy. Our Rudy has been a big part of our world, he has been special to us.

I am sorry to hear about the recent loss of your mother and you are right we never know how much time we have with loved ones you and your family are in my thoughts & prayers. My wife and I are blessed and appreciative to have 16 great years with Rudy.

 

[NDisme]

I know on one, AM overloaded with 6 and he may have just blocked the wrong guy.

Both plays I’m referring to they brought 4. I believe the first one Ford was supposed to chip but didnt

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Yeah, fair point - I had a lot of different, but related thoughts in my head earlier this afternoon. In a nutshell:

My concerns after week 1:

• We get complacent, expect to win out, and really don’t improve enough for top tier football as there are not a lot of tough games on the schedule to push this team to become better the remainder of season.

You need to remember that everyone we play get's "up" for us. All we heard this summer was how A&M was the hardest place in the world to play. I never heard that before in my 45+ years of watching football. A few years ago, Virgina Tech was the hardest place to play when we showed up. They even has Metallica on the pregame. Then it was Clemson a few years before that. I think the common denominator is us.

The schedule isn't the hardest, but I assure you Purdue, FSU, GT, USC, Stanford, Louisville, and Virgina will show up ready to play and will push this team to rise to the occasion or lose.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Did we always have the PLAC back plates? Everyone had custom shoulder pads! The uni's are next level this year!

 

[greyhammer90]

Everyone had custom shoulder pads!

Sorry what does that mean?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Sorry what does that mean?

The shoulder pads were custom Notre Dame. I never saw or realized teams did that.

 

[greyhammer90]

The shoulder pads were custom Notre Dame. I never saw or realized teams did that.

Oh OK, sorry I thought you meant something other than the backplate.

 

[calvegas04]

 

[greyhammer90]

Damn he was that sort of hype where you're about to swing on a friend just because they're there.

 

[Terry Jillery]

From the presser sounds like Tressel called Freeman and told him the biggest illusion is that all is well when really it isn’t. Big win, but a lot to fix.

 

[sixstar]

 

[GoIrish41]

Leonard had dad from a perfect game, but if it were Jack Coan out there tonight he would have been hacked at least 5 times.

Wut?

 

[MacIrish75]

Wut?

He’s saying Jack Coan’s internet security is relatively weak as compared to Riley’s. Riley obviously uses the suggested password when protecting his personal information, as opposed to Jack who likes to create his own password, and use the same one for every account he’s got.

 

[NDWarrior]

Pretty much what all have been saying here: 2 Notre Dame football causes for concern despite win at Texas A&M

 

[PolishDomer]

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it! What a first game for your 4 month old son & your family. There will be many more to come. Awesome to hear that you also have a Rudy. Our Rudy has been a big part of our world, he has been special to us.

I am sorry to hear about the recent loss of your mother and you are right we never know how much time we have with loved ones you and your family are in my thoughts & prayers. My wife and I are blessed and appreciative to have 16 great years with Rudy.

I'm really sorry to hear of everyone's recent losses. our time on this planet is short and we need to live as much as possible.

 

[PolishDomer]

He’s saying Jack Coan’s internet security is relatively weak as compared to Riley’s. Riley obviously uses the suggested password when protecting his personal information, as opposed to Jack who likes to create his own password, and use the same one for every account he’s got.

but both can improve..with 2FA...lol

Look at Freeman..decision to kick field goal came through...but had to ask his assistant to confirm the call

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

From the presser sounds like Tressel called Freeman and told him the biggest illusion is that all is well when really it isn’t. Big win, but a lot to fix.

This is the kind of sobering advice needed from trusted friends and mentors. Get back to work, 1/15-16 things is done and this is not a rinse and repeat cycle.

 

[Sea Turtle]

From today’s Houston Chronicle:

6

From the presser sounds like Tressel called Freeman and told him the biggest illusion is that all is well when really it isn’t. Big win, but a lot to fix.

Yep. I think it's great that he has a mentor in Tressel. Even Bill Parcels had Tom Landryto call and talk to.