
Greg McElroy previews Notre Dame and Sam Hartman: 'This is an important year for Marcus Freeman' - Saturday Road
Greg McElroy continued his spring previews with Notre Dame.

I’m thinking our offense needs to carry us more often than the defenseThis team has a legit playoff chance. Defensively they might be top 4. Sam the Man might put enough points up to make this work.
Yea defense is a concern at every level, just going to need the next wave to step up, especially on the DL. Corner might be the strength of the D, hope some younger guys get a shot at Lb and safety is weak/thin.I’m thinking our offense needs to carry us more often than the defense
BK was a linebacker and could've cared less about the position.The head coach is a linebacker. Their development or lack thereof is a direct reflection of freeman.
This, unless Kollie, Sneed, and Ziegler start and are awesome we have average at best starting LBs and definite concerns at Dline. Players that haven't made plays in a game we need to become good on the Dline. Ford, Gobaira, Rubio, Burnham, Onye. A few of these players don't just need to contribute, but they need to actually make really good plays.I’m thinking our offense needs to carry us more often than the defense
Thanks Mel.This, unless Kollie, Sneed, and Ziegler start and are awesome we have average at best starting LBs and definite concerns at Dline. Players that haven't made plays in a game we need to become good on the Dline. Ford, Gobaira, Rubio, Burnham, Onye. A few of these players don't just need to contribute, but they need to actually make really good plays.
Here's the thing with that...Yea defense is a concern at every level, just going to need the next wave to step up, especially on the DL. Corner might be the strength of the D, hope some younger guys get a shot at Lb and safety is weak/thin.
Difference is we give it up to Florida state ok state South Carolina….. not high powered offenses. I’m just glad we played Ohio state week 1 and day had no clue what golden would do.Here's the thing with that...
When can you say or how often can you say that we've been completely overwhelmed on defense in the last 5 years.
Bama...known for defense...
Clemson..known for defense...
Have had their share of games giving up 30 plus points...hell even 40 plus points yet their offense more than not finds a way to score one more point.
We haven't had that ability and you can point at the #1 back.
We've been beyond lackluster at the QB spot for an eternity. I'm not suggesting Hartman is the next be all, do all, win all QB but he's definitely a step in the right direction.
He can throw the deep ball and or hit that deep crossing route in stride that goes for 50 yards and a score.
Quick scoring ability sometimes is more important than defense.
Teams will get points today. D1AA schools get points on power programs. It's the nature of the game today.
I would gladly take a 45-42 barn burner against an OSU or playoff game because that means we are finally playing offense on the level of the elites.
LONG OVERDUE ! ! !
"I’m just glad we played Ohio state week 1 and day had no clue what golden would do."Difference is we give it up to Florida state ok state South Carolina….. not high powered offenses. I’m just glad we played Ohio state week 1 and day had no clue what golden would do.
Yea you missed my point entirely, clearly stated the Defense was the weak link. Reading Comprehension at a premiumHere's the thing with that...
When can you say or how often can you say that we've been completely overwhelmed on defense in the last 5 years.
Bama...known for defense...
Clemson..known for defense...
Have had their share of games giving up 30 plus points...hell even 40 plus points yet their offense more than not finds a way to score one more point.
We haven't had that ability and you can point at the #1 back.
We've been beyond lackluster at the QB spot for an eternity. I'm not suggesting Hartman is the next be all, do all, win all QB but he's definitely a step in the right direction.
He can throw the deep ball and or hit that deep crossing route in stride that goes for 50 yards and a score.
Quick scoring ability sometimes is more important than defense.
Teams will get points today. D1AA schools get points on power programs. It's the nature of the game today.
I would gladly take a 45-42 barn burner against an OSU or playoff game because that means we are finally playing offense on the level of the elites.
LONG OVERDUE ! ! !
Another child with the new toy called inTRAnetYea you missed my point entirely, clearly stated the Defense was the weak link. Reading Comprehension at a premium
So, if the offense tanks, that is NOT a direct reflection on Freeman. If he had played QB in college, it would have been, though.The head coach is a linebacker. Their development or lack thereof is a direct reflection of freeman.
My point was Day had no clue what type of D golden would play, if he had weeks of game film, they would have put USC numbers on us. With buchner as QB and poor week 1 oline play, we weren't going to be scoring much"I’m just glad we played Ohio state week 1 and day had no clue what golden would do."
ND was not getting into a shootout with OSU. ND simply did not have any offensive fire-power to do that -- also, ND got lucky Jaxon Smith-Njigba got hurt early and was not a factor. ND's game plan was to limit OSU's possessions, which they did effectively. Take away the terrible safety blitz that exposed a freshman DB, ND was right in that game overall.
Defenses today, for the most part, are not bult to shut teams out -- too many athletes on the field. What you hope to do is contain them from making plays.
88 said it best --
"Quick scoring ability sometimes is more important than defense. Teams will get points today. D1AA schools get points on power programs. It's the nature of the game today." If you are not ready week in and out, someone will get surprised.