Navy Offense coming at the perfect time for ND????

[NDlb46]

I know this sounds like an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp. But could defending the triple option be the perfect remedy for ND's defense right now?

1. Refocusing on assignment football with reads and keys
2. Refocusing on fundamentals: hand placement when taking on blocks and cut blocks, angles, run fits
3. Refocusing on tackling: open field tackling form, squaring up in the hole, etc.
4. Refocusing on multiple assignments: reading between run assignments and pass coverage assignments.

Option football as Navy plays it, might be the perfect opportunity for ND's defense to get back to the basic skills that were so lauded in the first half of the season. In years past, I personally have dreaded this week in fear of injury and a significant change from defensive scheme. But this year it could be just what the boys need to get back to reading and playing fast and downhill.

Those are my thoughts/hopes, what are yours in regards to the defense?

 

[Syd4ND]

4-2-5 is a great natural fit against the option.

 

[Toby Smart]

Don't know why tackling is an issue all of a sudden. BK mentioned it as such following WF. If these guys don't tackle Saturday, this is going to be a problem. If the scout team, with probably Avery running the offense, gives the defense good looks and the defense botches its assignments, then Saturday might be a problem. This is what BK said happened during prep for WF. Not sure how much the team can feed off the home crowd because I'm not sure the crowd is in the mood to be festive and loud. It's Senior Day. Should be time to reminisce, celebrate, and be happy.

 

[nemeth#5]

I hate watching ND defend the option....... just slow, long, methodical, and predictable drives that are hard to stop..... Navy games always stress me out!

 

[Toby Smart]

I love Navy home games. It's one huge lovefest, but, you're right. I am assuming that our guys are practicing against the cut block. Navy isn't the only offense to use it. I expect Navy defense to crowd the LOS and force BW to throw early and often. How will Long and BK prepare and respond? If the sky is right, we should have a great flyover on Saturday. Right now, cloudy, snow showers, 44.

 

[rgc7]

I-have not seen Navy play this year, so correct me if I am wrong. There is no way that Navy should match up
Against ND on a talent or man to man basis.
First, I would go into this game and play smash mouth football. If our line men can not push the Navy D line backwards and wear then down, and then run at will, I would be very surprised.
Second, I believe that our receivers can also man handle and beat and out jump the Navy defensive backs. Use our size, tight ends and tall speedy ends to keep Navy honest !
Third, I believe that Navy will come in with a number of blitz package, hopefully , our online
Can give Wimbush enough time and protection to find his receivers ?
The defense should play assignment football to cover Navy’s option.
In short, ND should have little trouble handling Navy ! Just use size , strength, and superior talent,
and pound the lineman in front of you. Nothing fancy ! Pound and run with some passes to keep Navy honest !

 

[twalsh]

I-have not seen Navy play this year, so correct me if I am wrong. There is no way that Navy should match up against ND on a talent or man to man basis.

You could say the same thing every year, including all the years in which they beat us. That's never been a question.

 

[NDlb46]

^^^^^True,

The question though, is if this is the ideal week and the ideal situation to get our defense back on track and focused on fundamentals. I hesitantly think it is. I say hesitantly because you always do things a bit different against Navy. However, if those fundamentals can translate into a re-focusing of the essential skills, then ND will be better off for it.

**fingers crossed that there aren't any cut blocks that cause blown ACL, PCL, MCL, Meniscus, or hyper-extensions along our front seven.

 

[twalsh]

^^^^^True,

The question though, is if this is the ideal week and the ideal situation to get our defense back on track and focused on fundamentals. I hesitantly think it is. I say hesitantly because you always do things a bit different against Navy. However, if those fundamentals can translate into a re-focusing of the essential skills, then ND will be better off for it.

**fingers crossed that there aren't any cut blocks that cause blown ACL, PCL, MCL, Meniscus, or hyper-extensions along our front seven.

I am hoping that Elko has had to prepare for GA Tech at least once, because I still have nightmares about Diaco's first experience with preparing for Navy, an embarrassing drubbing for ND.

 

[IrishHerb]

I am hoping that Elko has had to prepare for GA Tech at least once, because I still have nightmares about Diaco's first experience with preparing for Navy, an embarrassing drubbing for ND.

Same here. Our defenses during the Weis & Kelly years seem to have had the most trouble with Navy's triple option, Willingham surprisingly was able to beat Paul Johnson's Navy teams in each of his years here.

 

[twalsh]

Same here. Our defenses during the Weis & Kelly years seem to have had the most trouble with Navy's triple option, Willingham surprisingly was able to beat Paul Johnson's Navy teams in each of his years here.

Willingham's problem was seven 30 pt losses in three seasons. I think Saturday was Kelly's first at ND.

 

[IRISHJD98]

I am hoping that Elko has had to prepare for GA Tech at least once, because I still have nightmares about Diaco's first experience with preparing for Navy, an embarrassing drubbing for ND.

Unfortunately, I don't think he has. Wake didn't play Navy (and I'm pretty sure they didn't Georgia Tech either) when Elko was there. Before that he was at Bowling Green, but BG hasn't played Navy since 1994 - long before Elko was there.

 

[twalsh]

Unfortunately, I don't think he has. Wake didn't play Navy (and I'm pretty sure they didn't Georgia Tech either) when Elko was there. Before that he was at Bowling Green, but BG played Navy since 1994 - long before Elko was there.

That worries me. Diaco shut them down pretty good every game after that first one, but that game was very very painful. Let's just score a TD every time we have the ball and we won't have to worry about it.

 

[zonairish]

Navy is starting a new extremely fast QB

 

[tkirish]

Here's the cure for Navy. ND should run and run often. I wouldn't throw more than ten passes. ND is bigger and more athletic than Navy. Just line up and knock them back. It's not complicated. Then every now and then hit them with a deep throw. Giving Navy a dose of its own medicine would be a thing of beauty. ND has the personnel to run the ball control the time and keep their defense fresh.

 

[twalsh]

Update: In Kelly's press conference for Navy he noted that Elko has experience in defending the option (mentioned coaching against Army and at or against Georgia Southern), and that defending the option was specifically discussed during the hiring process. So hopefully we avoid a Diaco-esque OTJ learning disaster.

 

[justified1]

Early predisction: ND47-31Navy

Wimbush and Elko’s D rebound.

 

[NIN Irish]

Early predisction: ND47-31Navy

Wimbush and Elko’s D rebound.

You call giving up 31 to Navy a rebound by Elko's D?
Maybe you meant to leave off the 1.

 

[Toby Smart]

Missed tackles won't fly against Navy. It's been a problem the last six quarters.

 

[IRISHJD98]

Update: In Kelly's press conference for Navy he noted that Elko has experience in defending the option (mentioned coaching against Army and at or against Georgia Southern), and that defending the option was specifically discussed during the hiring process. So hopefully we avoid a Diaco-esque OTJ learning disaster.

That's good to hear.

 

[asl9622]

Navy is starting a new extremely fast QB

I am a Navy fan and just wanted to give you an update on the new QB. He is Malcom Perry and was the third string QB last year and moved to slot back this year due to his dynamic running abilities. Last week, he was moved back to QB to spark the offense (alone he had 282 yards rushing with 4 tds) but unfortunately he suffered a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter. I do no think there is anyway he plays QB this week and honestly probably will not be in the game. This is a huge blow as he is the most dynamic player on the offense. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will answer as best as I can.

 

[Toby Smart]

I heard on the radio that your HC calls Malcom the most dynamic runner he has ever coached. I am hoping by some way that Malcom will in fact be able to play Saturday.

 

[asl9622]

I heard on the radio that your HC calls Malcom the most dynamic runner he has ever coached. I am hoping by some way that Malcom will in fact be able to play Saturday.

He is a very shifty runner with great acceleration after a stop and plant. He also has great vision with plus speed. With the ankle sprain, he would be very limited in these moves.

As much as Navy would like to beat ND, I think they are looking ahead to keep him healthy and ready for the Army-Navy game.

 

[LH24ND]

I know this sounds like an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp. But could defending the triple option be the perfect remedy for ND's defense right now?

1. Refocusing on assignment football with reads and keys
2. Refocusing on fundamentals: hand placement when taking on blocks and cut blocks, angles, run fits
3. Refocusing on tackling: open field tackling form, squaring up in the hole, etc.
4. Refocusing on multiple assignments: reading between run assignments and pass coverage assignments.

Option football as Navy plays it, might be the perfect opportunity for ND's defense to get back to the basic skills that were so lauded in the first half of the season. In years past, I personally have dreaded this week in fear of injury and a significant change from defensive scheme. But this year it could be just what the boys need to get back to reading and playing fast and downhill.

Those are my thoughts/hopes, what are yours in regards to the defense?

Never a good time to face Navy. Concerned about the defense yet again after the last two weeks.

 

[jor22]

He is a very shifty runner with great acceleration after a stop and plant. He also has great vision with plus speed. With the ankle sprain, he would be very limited in these moves.

As much as Navy would like to beat ND, I think they are looking ahead to keep him healthy and ready for the Army-Navy game.

I think Army gets It's second win in a row.

 

[Toby Smart]

I believe the Army/Navy game will be for the Commander in Chief Trophy? AF is out of the running this year. The weather in South Bend should be mild but off and on rain. Third home game in a row that the weather has not been all that good. Not sure what the mental state of the players and staff are right now. I know the fan base is still reeling. Nobody's fault but our own. Canes came to play ball. Our team was totally unprepared.

 

[zonairish]

I am a Navy fan and just wanted to give you an update on the new QB. He is Malcom Perry and was the third string QB last year and moved to slot back this year due to his dynamic running abilities. Last week, he was moved back to QB to spark the offense (alone he had 282 yards rushing with 4 tds) but unfortunately he suffered a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter. I do no think there is anyway he plays QB this week and honestly probably will not be in the game. This is a huge blow as he is the most dynamic player on the offense. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will answer as best as I can.

I would imagine The Navy coach would like to have any possible advantage and if the QB is reasonably healthy he will be playing. I do. Understand the army game is bigger for navy

 

[asl9622]

I would imagine The Navy coach would like to have any possible advantage and if the QB is reasonably healthy he will be playing. I do. Understand the army game is bigger for navy

Oh no question they would play him if he can go. As of now he is listed as doubtful and the QB battle is between Abey and Lewis. Abey is very similar runner to Will Worth of last year. However he is not as good at pitching or decision making. Lewis has played some here and there and has a very strong arm. He has not had to run much but he can definitely lead the offense if needed.

 

[zonairish]

Oh no question they would play him if he can go. As of now he is listed as doubtful and the QB battle is between Abey and Lewis. Abey is very similar runner to Will Worth of last year. However he is not as good at pitching or decision making. Lewis has played some here and there and has a very strong arm. He has not had to run much but he can definitely lead the offense if needed.

I heard Perry had some difficulties with decision making also or he would be starting earlier.

 

[twalsh]

I heard Perry had some difficulties with decision making also or he would be starting earlier.

The podcast from the Navy Rivals guy says that Perry will definitely NOT start this week.

 

[asl9622]

I heard Perry had some difficulties with decision making also or he would be starting earlier.

I am unsure about his decision making abilities but I know Coach Niumatolo did not want to waste his talents as a back up QB. For years, Navy had a great runner in Tago Smith behind Keenan Reynolds. When Reynolds graduated, Tago was the starter and blew out his knee in the first game. Coach Ken did not want the same mistake to happen so he moved Perry. Abey took over last year for Will Worth once he went down. Abey is a tough inside runner and I guess Navy's thought was to have an Abey as an inside runner with pitching to Malcom in the outside. Abey was a more than capable runner and was on pace for a 2000 yard season but he was making mistakes throwing the ball and had fumbling problems. All the carries started taking a toll on his health. Coach Ken said his gut was to start Perry against SMU to provide a spark. Perry had not been practicing QB at all since spring practice. They basically threw him in against SMU and did a lot of designed QB runs.

This week I would expect Abey to start with a very short leash. I know Lewis is really wanting to play and show what he can do. It is tough as a Navy fan because both Abey and Lewis are Juniors and Perry is a sophomore. It will be interesting to see if when healthy, do they hand the reigns over to Perry? I know it is a one game sample, but hard to overlook 280 yards rushing in your first start with a very limited playbook.

 

[tbonesays]

That worries me. Diaco shut them down pretty good every game after that first one, but that game was very very painful. Let's just score a TD every time we have the ball and we won't have to worry about it.

In 2013 Navy was running all over the field. Folston bailed out Diaco by dragging the Middies Fred Flinstonelike for 8 yds a carry.

I'm more worried about having to switch back to defending a poer run for Stanford after a week against the wishbone. That gets us all the time. And I already saw a year's worth of arm tackles last week.

 

[Toby Smart]

The arm tackles starting in the 2nd half against WF and if this continues, Navy could have the ability to control the clock, break some nice gains, and score some points. The problem with Navy is their passing defense. The problem with ND is their passing offense. So, you might see two powerful running games and a quick game at that or you just may see Long trying to work on BW's passing game the week before Stanford.

 

[justified1]

Elko has experience with the Navy offense. But darn, Kelly has seen enough of it too. ND should have a sound approach figured out.