What we learned

[theclassickiller]

Don't know if anybody noticed this but on the J onas Gray fumble, Carlo Calebrese and Ethan Johnson were in the game. My seats were right on the goal line and I saw carlo especially get off the ball 1/2 a second slow. IDK why there wasn't a tight end or extra offensive line in the game. Not making excuses fro Jonas, cuz that was horrific, but this isn't backyard football

I saw it because Calabrese was the only guy who had a chance to stop the USF player who picked up the fumble. Then someone landed on the back of his foot and tripped him up. Didn't see Johnson, but I don't doubt it. Beats my why Kelly did this. Must have thought he would line up the biggest guys he had and hope they could punch it in. Too bad Gray is our biggest back.

Kelly coached a perfect game?

Throwing on the goal line? BAD

Fade to MF? Like they didn't see that coming, especially since we ran an empty backfield. BAD

Should i go on?
Maybe use his own words from the post game presser? "Poor coaching"

What did you expect him to say? "I coached well, the players didn't execute." That's a great way to rally the troops. Throwing to Floyd is never a bad call. I don't ever blame Kelly for doing it because Floyd is probably the most unstoppable force in the country and he can make any catch he can put his hands on. Throwing on the goal line is not a bad idea if your last trip to the goal line was a fumble trying to run it in.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I HOPE we learn TJ is ok.

 

[jonesman]

Hey partner,
You may need to change that picture above. I don't think that guy in the back middle will be seeing the field in the near future. Dayne may have played his last down for a while.

 

[theclassickiller]

I agree 100%...that little incident with Tj was scary...thought he was going to punch TJ.

Well if he had wanted to it would have been easy to punch him in the side of the head. He wouldn't have even seen it coming!

But I agree that at one point Kelly took it too far. Sure the kids made some boneheaded plays, but he can't expect them to respond well to that. Rees tried to take the blame on the Jones play, but Kelly was having none of it. I like Rees. He's a leader and you can tell that the team wants him to be their leader too.

 

[pkt77242]

I agree 100%...that little incident with Tj was scary...thought he was going to punch TJ.

See, I disagree wit this, coaches yell, it is what they do to get your attention. I am ok with that and even expect it, especially during games and even more so when you make a dumb play.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Good kelly should be pissed. The team played like **** and should be chewed out for it. Then take it out on UM.

I agree, but disagree. As im watching the Oregon game, Deanthony Thomas fumbled on Oregon's 20 and Chip Kelly talked to him calmly on the sideline and looked like he was encouraging him. There is no way a player will feel better after getting their **** chewed out by Kelly. Hell, Kelly even flipped **** when Tommy threw the first Td pass. Not only that, I don't wanna see B. Kelly have a heart attack lol

 

[theclassickiller]

Hey partner,
You may need to change that picture above. I don't think that guy in the back middle will be seeing the field in the near future. Dayne may have played his last down for a while.

Yeah I know. I'm about sick about it. No one can accuse me of being a Rees sympathizer. I wanted Crist to be the man. He just isn't.

 

[loomis41973]

BK is going to have to control his emotions just a little bit when things are not going well. He is going to have kids start shutting him off when he screams non-stop. I am all for emotion, but he was a bit over the top today.

These are grown men, they should be able to take an ***-chewing.

That's the biggest problem with this team and has been for years, save a few here and there. SOFT

 

[jason_h537]

I agree, but disagree. As im watching the Oregon game, Deanthony Thomas fumbled on Oregon's 20 and Chip Kelly talked to him calmly on the sideline and looked like he was encouraging him. There is no way a player will feel better after getting their **** chewed out by Kelly. Hell, Kelly is flipped **** when Tommy threw the first Td pass. Not only that, I don't wanna see B. Kelly have a heart attack lol

There is a difference between a true freshman in his first game making a mistake and a sophmore second year starter who made multiple mistakes, the last of which led to a turnover in the redzone

 

[NDinFL]

Tommy clearly played better than Dayne and has the better career at nd so far. I just find it hard to bench Dayne after 1 bad half of football. How we would feel about benching Riddick the second half and putting toma in? And then not starting him next week? Ik its about whatever is best for ND, and I am fine with that. I just think Dayne can blossom into something special.

What is more important? Arm strength? Accuracy??

There was a clear example of Crist missing Floyd on a 3rd n 5 slant route in the 2nd quarter..

I won't say that Tommy is better than Dayne, but the coach did.

Sure we made a LOT of mistakes, but don't be foolish, to go in to halftime SHUT OUT is unacceptable.

 

[ErieIrish13]

There is a difference between a true freshman in his first game making a mistake and a sophmore second year starter who made multiple mistakes, the last of which led to a turnover in the redzone

Good point lol. I just don't know why Kelly was flipping after Tommy hit Floyd in the endzone.

 

[jonesman]

A$$ chewing is one thing. However, BK went off the deep end a couple times tonight. He better tone it down just a little. Kids today only take that crap so long until that turn you off.

 

[Irish Canuck]

Some observations for subtle changes...

Some observations for subtle changes...

Gray is just not reliable so move Theo back to the RB position behind Cierre... let's face it Theo is not a receiver, can't catch consistently enough.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Use Toma in the slot.<o></o>

Stick with Tommy... hate to say it... I had a bad feeling in my gut when we didn't go with Tommy as the starter... Not really something I could put into words... but I felt a quiet confidence in him... he seems more composed in action. I mean, I know why Kelly named Crist the starter. Would have been an impossible decision to explain if things went bad with Tommy as the starter. Fans and media would have ate him alive. But it's clear.... Tommy is better.<o></o>

I'm not a sky is falling guy. I feel okay about our chances for future success... I mean, we dominated this game... offensively and defensively... just made too many mistakes. One of those crazy... WTF just happened kind of games. Kept saying to myself "are you kidding me? Did that just happen?" <o></o>

 

[IrishBlood81]

I learned that I don't miss Hammond calling our games.

I did.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

What I want to know is if NDOM changed his name to the IrishDuck? If so, Oregon looks like they are going down tonight so what will his new name be?

 

[GreatGolson]

i stayed till the very end. applaud those who did as well, and those who realize that if we learn from this and change then we came out better for it in the long run. PS dont say anything stupid thatll get you banned, seriously, its a game

 

[theclassickiller]

These are grown men, they should be able to take an ***-chewing.

That's the biggest problem with this team and has been for years, save a few here and there. SOFT

I agree wih you in part. They have been soft since Lou left and something needs to be done about it. Lou used to get in player's faces and they responded to it. But Kelly gets to the point where he looks like he could do something to get him fired. I just think maybe disappointment is a better tool to motivate. The post game speech should have been a simple "Guys, I can't change what happens on the field, only you can. see you after the holiday."

The disappointment would have gotten to me.

 

[cLaRk_JoNeS]

play calling was mostly bad.

Cierre was pretty beast, but got tired a lot.

Dline is useless, all they did was stand there holding hands with o line. All the talent was on the sidelines for 90% of this game.

Dan Fox was/is a joke.

Gray the CB or w/e his name is seemed uninterested in playing a game of football. Not that having the dbs play back 10 yards 80% of the time was a brilliant idea.

Theo should go back to RB, Davaris should have been doing punts to begin with.

Theres a reason ND hasnt been great for a long time. Lack of Speed and Talent overall. This freshman class is far superior to anything they have had in years, yet they barely saw the field.

I yelled at the tv a few times this game, Floyd not coming up with what seemed like a gimme onside got the loudest WTFRUDOING known to man.

This is pretty depressing cuz the score should have been like 40-10 ND. I come away angry with the lack of new faces playing time on D, but having a positive outlook overall going forward.

Atleast i/we dont have to worry about a heart breaking loss late ending an undefeated season.

Will prob only lose 1 more if any and have a rematch with the big east champs usf in BCS bowl.

 

[IrishBlood81]

See, I disagree wit this, coaches yell, it is what they do to get your attention. I am ok with that and even expect it, especially during games and even more so when you make a dumb play.

Except Kelly went beyond yelling. I mean, he looked like he was going to pop. Really, he was beyond irate and livid. He was ready to kill someone, which, I have to admit, was quite satisfying. But will not be good for the long term if he keeps it up.

 

[NDFan4Life]

I did.

Ewwww

 

[Sherm Sticky]

What I learned is the SEC has speed and great teams...LSU's D is fast and good! It's going to take many more classes like last year for ND to be on Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Florida level.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Ewwww

Is he gone for good?

 

[NDinFL]

Oh ****in Jonas Gray. I hate bashing players but you can't keep doing that and expect to play

Agreed,

we spotted them a lot of points.

However, if you think that WE wanted it, you're wrong.

I've said cautiously from the get-go, USF is no joke.

Trepidation was to be assured, and we played like paper tigers!

You can't deny that.

 

[theclassickiller]

Gray is just not reliable so move Theo back to the RB position behind Cierre... let's face it Theo is not a receiver, can't catch consistently enough.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Use Toma in the slot.<o></o>

Stick with Tommy... hate to say it... I had a bad feeling in my gut when we didn't go with Tommy as the starter... Not really something I could put into words... but I felt a quiet confidence in him... he seems more composed in action. I mean, I know why Kelly named Crist the starter. Would have been an impossible decision to explain if things went bad with Tommy as the starter. Fans and media would have ate him alive. But it's clear.... Tommy is better.<o></o>

I'm not a sky is falling guy. I feel okay about our chances for future success... I mean, we dominated this game... offensively and defensively... just made too many mistakes. One of those crazy... WTF just happened kind of games. Kept saying to myself "are you kidding me? Did that just happen?" <o></o>

Exactly. This won't happen again. And when the time comes that things fall in line for us, watch out. I'm about ready to forget this game. It's Michigan time.

Also, this just in:

Georgia touchdown. Georgia completes pass to Georgia on 4th down for TD. Extra point good by Georgia. Good protection from Georgia, and the RT Georgia.

Also, Kellen Moore is a machine. I don't believe he's human.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

What I learned is the SEC has speed and great teams...LSU's D is fast and good! It's going to take many more classes like last year for ND to be on Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Florida level.

I think Oregon looks pretty fast as well.

 

[NDFan4Life]

Is he gone for good?

Unfortunately, no.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I think Oregon looks pretty fast as well.

Not on the scoreboard right now lol.

 

[NDIrishlover3]

Tommy clearly played better than Dayne and has the better career at nd so far. I just find it hard to bench Dayne after 1 bad half of football. How we would feel about benching Riddick the second half and putting toma in? And then not starting him next week? Ik its about whatever is best for ND, and I am fine with that. I just think Dayne can blossom into something special.

I think Dayne should be the starter again next week too. All Tommy did was throw to floyd on every single play and he even paid for it when he threw a pic. He also didn't have Kelly calling tons of run plays (not a bad thing but resulted in Rees having better passing stats, obviously) I know that looking for floyd is obviously not a bad thing (as he is CLEARLY our best offensive weapon besides maybe Wood) but when you do it every play it can be dangerous. Remember guys, Dayne drove the ball right down USF's throat the first drive but GRAY let the team down. Dayne's only mistakes were the interception (which I agree was very unacceptable), and two overthrown balls. That is not a bad day especially when you consider that Rees didn't have to deal with a completely deflating play

 

[military_irish]

I say even if a freshman does not know the playbook but has better talent than the upperclassmen PLAY THEM!!!!

 

[IrishAlum1997]

What did I learn?

We had our 'Tulsa moment' in week 1. Better early than late. We roll to 9-3 or better or don't go bowling at all. There will be no in between. This game was a fluke. Now we find out if the players believe that. I know Floyd and Rees do. I hope Theo and Jonas agree, because it's in their head.