Thoughts on the BC game.....

[kmoose]

1. The QB controversy is in full effect. We've pretty well covered that. Just one thing: Don't expect this team to suddenly "come alive" with Sharpley at the helm. There are just too many other issues. But, at least I'll believe we can beat Navy.
Grade: C-, B with Sharpley in

2. The defense is playing much better than last year. They still are far from a "solid" D, but they are an improvement over the last couple of years. And the studs seem to be the young guys.
Grade: B

3. Penalties, penalties, penalties. 6 is too many. Especially when they seemed to come at crucial times.
Grade: C+

4. Still no running game. We have got to find a way to run the ball. The line can't block, and none of the tailbacks seem to have that "it" to make guys miss while they are still headed downfield and picking up steam.
Grade: D- (and only because the backs showed some heart, and ran hard)

5. We don't have much of a field goal kicker, but Geoff Price seems to have found his form again: 6 punts, 42.3 yard average, only one returned, for 0 yards. Trevor Laws continues to be a great kick blocker.
Grade: solid B, despite the missed FG

 

[SouthieND04]

2. The defense is playing much better than last year. They still are far from a "solid" D, but they are an improvement over the last couple of years. And the studs seem to be the young guys.
Grade: B

Absolutely agree on the defense--I've actually been impressed the last two games. They made Matt Ryan seem like an average QB, rather than a Heisman candidate.

 

[mbooch]

Moose, I'd issue a slightly different report card...

Defensively, this is a sound team, and a spirited one.
Offensively, this is a green team being made worse by STUPID play calling. Sharpely looks WELL ahead of Clausen in terms of poise. Neither one will succeed so long as 54 of the 69 offensive plays are passes, and the center can't snap to the shotgun. That's what we had today, and thee's been ZERO progress since game one.

MY guess is that the fat guy with a crew cut still labors under the mistaken impresssion that this team need merely wait until he and his favorite quarterback "gel" with each other.

We are ridiculusly onedimensional now, and wait wAY too long to pass the ball vertically.

 

[NDOM]

Moose, I'd issue a slightly different report card...

Defensively, this is a sound team, and a spirited one.
Offensively, this is a green team being made worse by STUPID play calling. Sharpely looks WELL ahead of Clausen in terms of poise. Neither one will succeed so long as 54 of the 69 offensive plays are passes, and the center can't snap to the shotgun. That's what we had today, and thee's been ZERO progress since game one.

MY guess is that the fat guy with a crew cut still labors under the mistaken impresssion that this team need merely wait until he and his favorite quarterback "gel" with each other.

We are ridiculusly onedimensional now, and wait wAY too long to pass the ball vertically.

I would have to agree more with your analysis. Could have said it better myself.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

MOffensively, this is a green team being made worse by STUPID play calling. Sharpely looks WELL ahead of Clausen in terms of poise.

What is stupid about it?

Honestly, do you think Weis is telling the OL to crumble after 2-3 seconds? Is he telling them not to open ANY running lanes?

 

[stovall21]

hello all, first time poster, long time fan. im frustrated after today's game because we had a great chance to beat a top 5 team. i have been saying/thinking since game 1 that sharpley gives us the best chance to win. that was proven against purdue and then again today. it is too bad we wasted an entire half of the game before we started playing. had sharply played that whole game, it would have been a one possession game no question. the defense plays tough but the offense (esp when clausen is in) continues to put them in impossible situations and leave them on the field for 70% of the game. that will not work.

i see obvious improvements in the last few games but we are undoubtedly better with sharpley at the helm. also, do we ever practice special teams? i mean, it hurt to miss a field goal toward the end of the game, but it absolutely killed us when prices knee hit (not his fault) on a punt in the first half. without a stable special teams, we cannot be a legitimate team. you dont beat good teams when the kicking game is no better than a high school team's.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

i see obvious improvements in the last few games but we are undoubtedly better with sharpley at the helm. also, do we ever practice special teams? i mean, it hurt to miss a field goal toward the end of the game, but it absolutely killed us when prices knee hit (not his fault) on a punt in the first half. without a stable special teams, we cannot be a legitimate team. you dont beat good teams when the kicking game is no better than a high school team's.

They are more dynamic with him, no doubt...but he is going to throw a LOT of INTs.

The question Weis has to ask is this: can we afford to give up a crap load of INTs in order to get some TDs.

It's NOT an easy question.

 

[mbooch]

The stupidity is in the total abandonment of the run. Examples are numerous, but, for starters, look at the fake run and throw on the fourth and one at the BC 12 in the fourth quarter. Even a sneak or a pitch would have been better. A first down was plenty in that situation, but the "aggressive" (a/k/a PASS) play called ended up netting ND ZERO points.

Also, keep in mind that ND's FIRST ossensive series was as follows: One yard run/five yard pass/ FIVE YARD RUN for FIRST DOWN. In second half the first down calls were ALL passes. Ten in a row. That's one dimensional, abandon-the run offense, and it is stupid.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

The stupidity is in the total abandonment of the run. Examples are numerous, but, for starters, look at the fake run and throw on the fourth and one at the BC 12 in the fourth quarter. Even a sneak or a pitch would have been better. A first down was plenty in that situation, but the "aggressive" (a/k/a PASS) play called ended up netting ND ZERO points.

Also, keep in mind that ND's FIRST ossensive series was as follows: One yard run/five yard pass/ FIVE YARD RUN for FIRST DOWN. In second half the first down calls were ALL passes. Ten in a row. That's one dimensional, abandon-the run offense, and it is stupid.

If ND went straight running we would end up like we did with Purdue or UCLA.

Until we get a real OL the running game will NEVER work. They will stack 8 in the box and stop us every time.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

4. Still no running game. We have got to find a way to run the ball. The line can't block, and none of the tailbacks seem to have that "it" to make guys miss while they are still headed downfield and picking up steam.
Grade: D- (and only because the backs showed some heart, and ran hard)

We have some of the best RBs around...they do have "it". What they don't have is a running lane.

 

[mbooch]

I keep score differently than the official method. I grade a sack as a incomplete pass that either gains or loses yardage, depending on where the QB gets tackled. By that measure, which I think is the more accurate measure, Notre Dame called only 15 runs today. A running game needs at least twice that many snaps to get rolling and in tempo. I'm not saying that this team will suddenly becoming a running juggernaut, BUT as things stand, they'll never get the chance to mprove, and defenses will be able to more or less disregard the run and tee off on the QB. That almost always spells a loy of sacks, hurries and INT's, and THAT is what the ND offensive coaches are volunteering for.

Also, they threw less than 4 balls downfield in the first half. Even Pat Hayden on TV was commenting on it. That means they agred tp play in fron of the safeties, and made themselves even easier to defend. This is bad play-calling.

 

[Wham]

What is stupid about it?

Honestly, do you think Weis is telling the OL to crumble after 2-3 seconds? Is he telling them not to open ANY running lanes?

He is forcing them to crumble after 2-3 seconds by his playcalling. The o-line has their assignment (eg. - check inside, check out, blah blah blah) but they have no help from anyone else with the blitzing. CW knows that his backs don't block the blitz. Cw continues to be one dimensional and call pass plays. He is putting way too much stress on the o-line. He abandons the run after one failed run. He does not abandon the pass after one falied pass.

The guy is clueless right about now. Hopefully, he will learn by tomorrow.

 

[Wham]

They are more dynamic with him, no doubt...but he is going to throw a LOT of INTs.

The question Weis has to ask is this: can we afford to give up a crap load of INTs in order to get some TDs.

It's NOT an easy question.

It's an easy anwer though. When you reach rock bottom, like the offense has reached, you can either choose to stay there and feel safe (which is why you got there in the first place) or go with the guy that energized the team and scored right away.

Granted CW's 1, 4, 5, 10, (or whatever number year plan he has in mind) might be dictating his current thinking, but damn, it's ugly.

 

[Wham]

If ND went straight running we would end up like we did with Purdue or UCLA
Nobody is advocating a straight running game. Where did that come from?

Until we get a real OL the running game will NEVER work. They will stack 8 in the box and stop us every time

Until ND gets a real offensive playcalling sequence that makes sense, people will blame everything at ND - to include the length of the tails on the squirrels running around campus - for the loss.

I was really down on the line coach until I started watching the big picture. It is not the line's fault. The line and entire offense cannot execute because it has no familiar "go - to" play.

Too much to say here...

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

He is forcing them to crumble after 2-3 seconds by his playcalling. The o-line has their assignment (eg. - check inside, check out, blah blah blah) but they have no help from anyone else with the blitzing. CW knows that his backs don't block the blitz. Cw continues to be one dimensional and call pass plays. He is putting way too much stress on the o-line. He abandons the run after one failed run. He does not abandon the pass after one falied pass.

The guy is clueless right about now. Hopefully, he will learn by tomorrow.

The way to beat the blitz is pass...

You new to football?

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Until ND gets a real offensive playcalling sequence that makes sense, people will blame everything at ND - to include the length of the tails on the squirrels running around campus - for the loss.

I was really down on the line coach until I started watching the big picture. It is not the line's fault. No execution because no familiar "go - to" plays. Too much to say here...

It's not the sequencing. When Weis calls a run his backs get tackled behind the line. We he calls a pass to avoid the blitz, the QB holds too long (both).

The OL is the key to the game...they are not there. Sully let through more friggin people than a NYC subway turnstile.

 

[mbooch]

I agree with what I see Wham saying... Weis is coaching a one dimensional offense. Notre Dame had 69 plays from scrimmage today, and 15, repeat, 15 of them were called runs. 54 pass plays were called. That's ridiculous.

Also, it makes NO sense to empty the backfield, as we did a dozen times today, and NOT go into the shotgun. Everybody KNOWS you're about to pass. Why waste time standing the QB over center?

 

[Wham]

You can be old to football and still be stupid.

"The way to beat the blitz is pass". That's what you say.

The Irish passed all game, and still can't stop the blitz. Still can't run. Still can't pass.

You new to football?

I'm frustrated brother. Nothing personal against you and kmoose, But thanks for the outlet. Seriously.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I agree with what I see Wham saying... Weis is coaching a one dimensional offense. Notre Dame had 69 plays from scrimmage today, and 15, repeat, 15 of them were called runs. 54 pass plays were called. That's ridiculous.

When you run for less than 2 yards a carry...do you just settle for 3 and out?

Also, it makes NO sense to empty the backfield, as we did a dozen times today, and NOT go into the shotgun. Everybody KNOWS you're about to pass. Why waste time standing the QB over center?

You happen to see Sully's shotgun snaps?

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

You can be old to football and still be stupid.

"The way to beat the blitz is pass". That's what you say.

The Irish passed all game, and still can't stop the blitz. Still can't run. Still can't pass.

You new to football?

I'm frustrated brother. Nothing personal against you and kmoose, But thanks for the outlet. Seriously.

They passed all game, but not well. It's the difference between Quinn and the new guys. He reads the blitz and used his outlets.

The new guys are not. And frankly the line is so much worse. You simply can't run against a full on blitz. And everyone is blitz us left and right...and it works. Until we can get 5 yard dump passes to keep defenses honest, we are screwed.

 

[NDOM]

When you run for less than 2 yards a carry...do you just settle for 3 and out?



You happen to see Sully's shotgun snaps?

Reps comin yur way.

 

[GoshenGipper]

I'll have to get back to you guys on my eventfull day. I'm pretty tired I just got home about 15 mins ago, and I've been up for some 35 or so hours. Although I will give an insight to my post. I have a new despise for BC students/fans.

 

[NDOM]

I'll have to get back to you guys on my eventfull day. I'm pretty tired I just got home about 15 mins ago, and I've been up for some 35 or so hours. Although I will give an insight to my post. I have a new despise for BC students/fans.

Oh great. I cant wait to hear what those morons said or did now. I can only imagine.

 

[Wham]

They passed all game, but not well. It's the difference between Quinn and the new guys. He reads the blitz and used his outlets.

The new guys are not. And frankly the line is so much worse. You simply can't run against a full on blitz. And everyone is blitz us left and right...and it works. Until we can get 5 yard dump passes to keep defenses honest, we are screwed.

Quin is yesterday. The new guys are today.

You can't be serous when you say that "Until we can get 5 yard dump passes to keep defenses honest, we are screwed" because that's all Clausen does. You "got" em, and you still got screwed.

You CAN run against a full blitz. Many times long runs happen against full blitzes because d is shooting forward and can't stop the quick juke. But that is not my point.

The "new guys" (um CLAUSEN) relies on outlets.

The problem is the play sequencing. I will not say it again. Cold beers are waiting to be included in my game sequence.

Thanks for the outlet.

I love ND. Fuckers.

 

[mbooch]

Lovemyirish, you're proving that love IS blind.

This O line has played over half a season together, and hasn't gotten ANY better. HOWEVER, only so much can be hung on THEM. There's a coaching staff that is supposed to be watching, evaulating and teaching these guys, which doesn't seem to be happening.

The simple fact remains that throughout this season, there has only been one game in which the running game got as much as 30 reps, and it resulted in a nearly 150 yard running day against MSU.

And, as far as "three and outs" are concerned... we averaged les than 3.3 yards per pass play today,so, run or pass, you're volunteering for a "three and out".

The name of the game is BALANCE. When you pass more than 75% of the time... NO BALANCE. NO KEEPING THE D GUESSING. NO punishing the D for disregarding the run and tee-ing off on the QB. NO WAY AN O LINE CAN OVERCOME THIS MUCH STUPIDITY.

 

[Wham]

mbooch

You make your point so much better than I do. I completely agree with you.

Everyone here at "home" left me here alone. I think they smell my unused testosterone. Guess I'll go back and edit my posts.

Safer than driving right about now.

 

[Wham]

When you run for less than 2 yards a carry...do you just settle for 3 and out?



You happen to see Sully's shotgun snaps?

Do you know that you can fix that sort of thing at practice? Do you know that a Pop Warner athlete can execute that snap?

I forget - who did he snap it to? Clausen? Conspiracy theory anyone?

 

[mbooch]

I humbly disagree. Weis' excessive reliance on the pass is what is INVITING the blitzes now, and, honestly, ND so frequesntly get far enough behind that the pass seems like the only way to climb back into the game. However, Weis is CLEARLY too impatient with the run.

In the possessions following the last BC touchdown, which left something lijke 23 minutes in the game, Weis called 25 passes out of 29 offensive plays. THAT WAS STUPID. 23 Minutes is PLENTY of time to mix the run and pass, and score two TD's, especially with D playing well, as it did. (Remember, they only gave up ONE score today on a drive that started on the BC side of the field.)

Charlie Weis is noy calling very good offensive plays this year. Period. His play-calling is making the offense predictable, and stressing a green O line, which COULD look better if they were blocking for a more two dimensional offensive scheme. Not great, but at least adequate.

 

[mbooch]

Thanks, Wham. I agree with much of what you are posting, too. There's THREE things missing from this offense right now. Running. Vertical passing. DRAWS.

I am VERY disppointed in Weis' performance this year. He seems too think his brain will win these games.

 

[kjones]

As CW himself would say, there's plenty of blame for everyone. Do we have to start handing it out so soon?

I saw a team play hard the whole game and not break even though they have won only one game in 6 games. They kept fighting and even gave us some things to cheer about. I don't care about our many flaws, I'm proud of the guys and how they played. You could see how much they wanted to win, especially the defense in ever single play. I don't know if that translated on TV but at the game it was apparent.

The spark is there. I kept feeling like we just need to turn some invisible corner and then things will click. Maybe Sharpley will help that, I don't know. But most drives seem to end on such a fine balance. A dropped pass. A bad block. Perhaps a wrong play call. It seemed so close tonight.

Anyway, we easily played our best game of the season, which means we're only improving. The team isn't quitting, and that alone makes me proud.

Go Irish.