Coming Out Of Spring...

[stu4don]

How are you guys feeling? I think this may be Kelly's best (it certainly the deepest) ND team...

QB's: Best two QB's... in a long, long time. (Yeah, we looked impressive on paper with Clausen and Crist, but with Ev and Malik are so seasoned and Ev has a lot of experience and a rocket for an arm. Malik will be a great one, either this year or next. Kelly also has two solid backups in the wings. Love the depth at this position. And the consistency -- they fit the profile for a Kelly QB.

RB's: Best since 2012 and I think the upside for this year is even better. Folston is the best pure RB I've seen since Julius Jones. The kid just gets the yards. Give him the ball. Bryant will step it up this year -- wait to you see him start catching the ball out of the backfield! And Procise is the wild card, get him in space and no one will catch him.

OL: Best since 2012 with way more depth. I love what Harry and Kelly have built here. Stanley will be like Martin in his last year -- a pro playing college ball and the rest of the guys are an upgrade over 2012.

TE: Promising, but no track record at this position. Love the depth but this is the one position that is a question mark. I believe Smythe will be the real deal.

WR: I can't wait to see these guys play. Fuller is the most exciting player since Golden Tate. Robinson will continue to develop and I believe Chris Brown is ready to make a name for himself. Again, we have so many talented young guys in the wings. Who will be this year's Fuller? I'm thinking Tori Hunter. Carlise could be the best Kelly's had at that position. He is so overdue for a breakout year.

DL: 2012 was a special year and we are not there yet. But again, I like the depth and potential of this unit. Sheldon is a pro playing college. Jones is getting better, Rochelle is going to be a good one, can Romeo become something special? and we have developing depth at all positions. Should be a big upgrade over last year. I hope Isaaq comes back.

LB: this is a very very interesting group and could be every bit as good as that excellent 2012 LB core. If Grace and Schmidt are indeed over their injuries and watch Morgan continue to develop, Martini, Onwualu... and another pro playing college in Smith -- who may be the best to ever play the position at ND before he is finished. Great depth, experience, more speed than the 2012 group. We need them to really step up.

CB: best in a long time. That is if Russell is the guy he was in 2013. I think he will be and this time we have some depth in Butler, Luke and Watkins. (remember who nervous we all were in 2012 when we had a former receiver and a frosh rb playing the position. This will be a big big upgrade.

Safety: Well, it can't get any worse than last year, right? Athletically, this may be the best two safeties we've had since... help me guys. Shumate has a ton of experience and he can hit. And Redfield just has so much talent. I'm expecting a breakout year from him. Zeke Motta has an unbelievable year in 2012 -- he was our rock, but I think Redfield can be even better. We'll see.

Kicker: last year was a real shit show but we can't blame Brindza -- that was on Kelly. What a mess. But Yoon comes in with all kinds of promise -- I wish we had some experience here... How many games did we win by a field goal in 2012? I hope Yoon is as advertised.

Coaches: I really like the moves Kelly made this off season. I hope Stanford is indeed the heir apparent. I love that he likes to pound the ball. I have to say we have the talent and the experience to be special this year. I think this one is on the coaches.

What do you think guys?

 

[ch_seahawkfan]

this post makes it clear that ND really can beat any team on schedule

 

[shooter1977]

I have no concerns about the offense. But the defense was historically bad last season. You can blame injuries, but we were getting torched by UNC and Navy with everyone healthy.

Hopefully the defensive coaching staff adjusts and implements a more sustainable defense. Because whatever it was we ran last season, failed miserably.

 

[HuddleBurger]

I love the optimism. This is the time of year where every team is going to go undefeated according to their fans.

I agree this one is on the coaches. Kelly's body of work at ND grades out at above-average so far. But I keep going back to his weasel-like flirtation with the NFL in 2012 and his boneheaded decision to go for two in the Northwestern game as examples of his overall questionable coaching character and smarts. Not to mention the lack of QB development and anemic special teams.

I do like his recruiting and the new hires however. Hope springs eternal!

 

[deadirishpoet]

I think Robinson is going to be the go to guy at wide out

 

[Bodizephax]

Will Fuller is the go to guy. He had a Golden Tate type year last year. I am not saying he is at Goldens level but if he quit with the dropped passes he could be an AllAmerican this year.

Robinson was the go to guy in the Florida State game, though. He tailed off at the end of the year but with another year in the weight room Corey could be a beast in the red zone.

 

[NDsince35]

BROTHER STU4 you have said it all. this could really be a big year

very exciting-----may our dreams come true !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jr97]

ND has potential All- Americans at LT in Stanley, WR Fuller, LB Smith and DT Day . What is more important is the OLINE might be the best at ND sine the Aaron Taylor years. Offensively this is by far BK's deepest and best team he has ever had but DEfense wins Championships . My only concern is the safeties position and a pass rush. If thi becomes a strength then the sky is the limit for the our Irish ! Cannot wait for the season and BBALL did one helluva job keep me patient.

 

[perseverare]

I am curious how this new staff functions as a team within the team, preparing for games and especially in making the "in game adjustments". As to OC Sanford, I Hope we can see discernible influence of his offensive approach and authority. All that offensive talent should excite any OC and the fans.

The defense looks like a work in process as yet. I don't think anyone really knows what to expect once the games begin.

 

[jr97]

Pers. I believe that the Defense has some very good parts all all 3 levels . Day , Jones, Rochelle are 3 very good DL men .Add Tllery at 6-6 305 to the middle gives another legit player and there is more depth on that DL .DE Trumbetti is vey good other then him its a mystery. At LB you start with an AA in Smith and Morgan gained valuable experience last year. A health Schmidt and grace gives them 4 significant players . Grace is a key guy . At CB Cole Luke is terrific and a return of Russell would give them a great tandem . Not sure about the depth there . Not sold on Butler or Watkins. Safety ????? Ijust don't know. Redfield and Shue have to be the real deal with calls and just make plays. I see potentially a very good defense with some question marks that need to be answered right away . What would make you more happy to see next Saturday at the Spring game the DEF dominate or the OFF ?

 

[continuallyirish]

Day
Jones
Rochelle
Luke
Schmidt
Russell
Redfield
Morgan

Defense work in progress ?? Ridiculous

8-0 before losing four starters and Russell

Your negativity is revolting

Originally posted by perseverare:
I am curious how this new staff functions as a team within the team, preparing for games and especially in making the "in game adjustments". As to OC Sanford, I Hope we can see discernible influence of his offensive approach and authority. All that offensive talent should excite any OC and the fans.

The defense looks like a work in process as yet. I don't think anyone really knows what to expect once the games begin.

 

[jr97]

Pers is not being negative . Even the coaches would say there is great improvement needed to win at the Championship level. There are some great AA potential Defensive players and that is why there should be great optimism but it's a chemistry thing and there are some major ?

1- Schmidt Healthy ? Grace not play an entire year ? Jones healthy ? Redfield and Shue can they lead ? Russell returns ? DE pass rush ? If all those happen in a good way ND has a great Defense.

 

[continuallyirish]

Studon-

First thank you for your well thought out post I concur on all points in fact couldn't have said it better myself .

I think the X factor that will prove to be a huge positive will be the offensive line. Heistand in an interview identified what was wrong with last yrs group and what will be right about this season . If the OL gives Folstonand Bryant creases ND will be very difficult to beat .

Re the defense ND has 8 or more kids that will make NFL camps so question answered there .

I say this over and over again but we were 8-0 and beat FSU @ FSU with this group healthy . We've added some more pieces since then - specifically K Russell - Bars - Nelson and a more mature Golson .

I believe the team will go 11-1 or 12-0 . Last comment I want to make is I think it pathetic after going 8-0 the team lost five or six starters and lost a few one possession games and naysayers pounced on that as an opportunity to bash Kelly . Revolting -- this guy has put together a program that is successful and with a bright future . I simply don't get how that is not obvious to anyone who knows anything about college football .

 

[perseverare]

jr97: ignore him; he is not a ND fan - he is allied to his 'hero'; and in a way I understand the reasoning. I just do not think it bodes well attempting to stiffle discussions.

as for the defense or offense in the spring game; I will venture a guess that it will be designed to showcase the offense.

But, I agree there is defensive talent to work with. Defense is about the whole unit though. Any weakness will weaken the whole unit. And, If you are thinking about your key player up front as someone that has never played a down, was originally evaluated as an elite OL prospect, regardless of his talent, that is a case for concern.
But, I think there are solutions aside from JT at DT. I keep repeating that we may see JT more outside or uncovered on the line when in the game.
He can more easily use his speed and athleticism off the edge.
No one knows at this point how the defense will play; there were glaring issues in '15 and the t
personel is much the same.

 

[NonCents]

We're deep almost everywhere but safety, but the two starters should be lights out. Sebastián should help out, against the run especially. LB depth is outstanding, maybe the deepest position on the team. We need both QBs to be concrete at the position....

I'm calling it know... Procise and Brown will be huge upgrades of their previous selves.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[theskibro]

nice post, Don

I have not heard anything tho about Sanford being the heir apparent? that could be interesting

 

[deadirishpoet]

Ski

Excellent point. I would like to also see coming out of spring that coach Sanford is implementing his offense with coach Kelly's approval

Continual,

I like your optimism, much on the line as 35, but 35 is also very objective as where you are not.

If you can not see the complete lack of development of the QB position or red zone production. Those two are very concerning considering coach Kelly's pedigree.

I do fully agree coach Kelly has been the best HC at ND this Millennium. He has above average approach on many things in the coaching aspect. Finding quality assistance, and managing the program public relations (outside of throwing the other guys players under the bus in a manor to where it went out publicly), but is 8-5 the norm at ND?

It is true the injuries were taking a toll, but the defense was starting to become suspect after the Stanford game though they did play tough and rose to the pressure of the big FSU game.

You do not only to agree to disagree you attempt to belittle other poster w/o making a good agreement. That is revolting

So if you don't get how some posters don't see the program as you do when 8-5 has been the record 3 out of 5 season with no QB development who knows little of not only college football, but ND football

 

[stu4don]

Well said DIP. Kelly will lead us back to the promised land, of this I am sure. And not one of the coaches since Holtz even got us close. He is the real deal who gets it. But, I agree on the red zone but hey, he's been dealt some bad cards at QB. Clausen leaving early. Crist going down with a bad injury a second time. The cupboard being bare (depth wise as the position) and then Golson getting kicked out and our o-line was decimated last year with NFL guys going pro. We seem to have consistency and depth in the position now (with the right kind of recruits for the offense Kelly wants to run and a deep and talented o-line) I really really hope Ev sticks, though. I believe he will be very special this year (sorry Pers.)

Continually, I'd like to put my two cents in re: our buddy Pers. Lay off, man. Pers loves ND. I too happen to be the guy who sees everything in a rosy light, while he sees the whole picture and calls it as he sees it. We don't always agree, and for a while I too thought he was too negative, but I get Pers now, He is funny, he loves ND and we now have fun disagreeing. No need for name calling.... C'mon we're better than that. Lets have fun disagreeing!

By the way what happened to that concept? Having fun disagreeing? In the political discourse of this great country we have lost that ability and it is hurting us all.

We're Americans. We're ND lovers.

C'mon Continually -- you are bigger than that.

Now shake hands fellas.

This post was edited on 4/12 11:34 AM by stu4don

 

[perseverare]

stu

as for EG or MZ: if the turnovers are not issue then EG fits the scheme they are trying to run a bit better; it places less burden on the 1 man than the offense run with MZ. With the pro style spread or wider offensive sets EG can make better use of all that talent around him somewhat more effectively than MZ who would be the focal point of the play.

The thing is ball security and IMO leadership. Can EG avoid contributing to turnovers (there will always be t/o's by other players) and can EG be any kind of leader? To ge a leader EG has to be more respectful towards the staff and especially Kelly when he is addressed on the field.

BTW: this millennium ? that means 2000-2015 right : who are the candidates for best HC of the millennium? We are not talking of anything likes of Lombardi? Landry? Shula or Robinson?

 

[coolirish9]

talent and overall athletic wise ability this has to be notre dame's best team team since the lou holtz teams from the late eighties through the early nineties. that said great talent and athletic ability won't mean much if they don't cut the turnovers in half this upcoming season compared to last season

 

[deadirishpoet]

Originally posted by perseverare:
stu

as for EG or MZ: if the turnovers are not issue then EG fits the scheme they are trying to run a bit better; it places less burden on the 1 man than the offense run with MZ. With the pro style spread or wider offensive sets EG can make better use of all that talent around him somewhat more effectively than MZ who would be the focal point of the play.

The thing is ball security and IMO leadership. Can EG avoid contributing to turnovers (there will always be t/o's by other players) and can EG be any kind of leader? To ge a leader EG has to be more respectful towards the staff and especially Kelly when he is addressed on the field.

BTW: this millennium ? that means 2000-2015 right : who are the candidates for best HC of the millennium? We are not talking of anything likes of Lombardi? Landry? Shula or Robinson?

That's 15 Seasons Pers

Coach Kelly is the best

Discipline should be the theme
This post was edited on 4/12 2:08 PM by deadirishpoet