ADVERTISEMENT

Per Jeff McKnight ND to go 8-5 Next Season

M

McIlhennyIrish

Shakes Down The Thunder
Oct 20, 2006
163
50
28
He identifies a few areas of concern:

  1. Average LB's with no experience. Specifically calls out the ability to stop the run.
  2. No WR consistency or fear of long ball
  3. Confusion about QB
  4. Poor secondary
  5. No legitimate TE
  6. Concerns about coaching

In short, he says the team, unlike past teams, cannot offset its poor defense. The opponent's defense will load the box and stop the run, with whoever starts at QB unable to open up the field. Defense will be like butter. Add in Kelly's questionable play calling and it is a recipe for disaster.
 
end_23 said:
Can't be. Pennick insists ND is going 12-0 just because.

I think ND can get to nine wins in 2016.
Click to expand...
Pennick is a Kelly fan first, realist 2nd. 9 wins is a pipe dream. But he Pro Kelly crowd will blow the trumpets like it is the rapture if we win 9 games. How the might has fallen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: end_23
1. Linebacker experience will certainly be a concern. Talent is not the issue, but I am concerned just as much as he is against the run. Nyles Morgan will be better against the run from his MIKE position than Joe Schmidt was last year. You take that to the bank. Fortunately, ND's front 4 will be excellent run defenders and their issue is more about rushing the passer.

2. Tori Hunter Jr. is one of hell of a wide receiver, who has simply waited his turn behind Will Fuller. Injuries also set him back early in his career. Notre Dame has the finest WR coach in the country in Mike Denbrock. His Wide receivers will be plenty productive in an offense that will rely more on their run game anyways.

3. Although there may be some small division on the team about who the starter will be, whichever QB wins the battle in camp with play at a higher level than they did last year, which was solid QB play for the most part. In case you didn't know, Mike Sanford is pretty damn good at what he does.

4. There is no way the secondary can be as bad as last year. Even marginal improvement will make ND's overall defense better. There is a lot of talent at corner and Shaun Crawford could be a star as the NB. It's all about the safeties. If they can cut down the plethora of mistakes from last year by even 1/3 (there were a lot of them) ND will be much better off.

5. What is a legitimate TE? Notre Dame has a very traditional TE in Durham Smythe and two pass catching TE's in Aliz'e Jones and Nick Weishar. A healthy Smythe is going to be a much improved blocker attached to the LOS, and in case you hadn't realized, Aliz'e Jones is on his way to being a star as a detached TE and matchup nightmare (much like Tyler Eifert).

6. I have zero coaching concerns on offense. Kelly is a seasoned offensive coach. Denbrock and Hiestand are among the best position coaches in America at their respective positions. Denson is at worst a push for Alford and Sanford is a rising star in coaching community, who, unfortunately, ND probably won't have for very long. Really that leaves Booker, who I feel is average, but he's insulated by so many good coaches around him that he's fine.

Defensively I feel that ND has an excellent DL coach in Gilmore and I think you'll really see that start to pay off with some of his young guys that have now been playing for him for a full year. I do have concerns about linebacker and the secondary though, so I can't argue with him there. Not suggesting Light, Elston and BVG aren't good coaches, I just need to see some development at those positions before I'm comfortable giving them a vote of confidence.

Have you seen ND's 2016 schedule???

@ Texas
VS Nevada
VS Michigan State (have to replace Connor Cook)
VS Duke
VS Syracuse
@ North Carolina State
VS Stanford
VS Miami
VS Navy (have to replace Keenan Reynolds)
VS Virginia Tech
@ USC (have to replace Cody Kessler)

I don't know about you, but I'm really struggling to find 4 regular season loses on that schedule (I'm assuming he's predicting ND loses their bowl game as well). I have this team at 9-3 at the very worst, with a shot at 10-2.

I'm going to wait to make sure we don't have any crazy scandal or rash of injuries, but come August, if the team looks basically the same as now, I'll put a $1000 paypal bet down with anyone who thinks ND is going to lose 5 games next year. I'll gladly take the under on that at 4.5!
 
I agree Perse. I have ND at 9-4 or 10-3, with the expectation that ND will make a serious playoff run in 2017 behind a dynamic offense and a top 25 defense.
 
I have at least 4 losses, maybe 5. USC and Stanford(best bets), Texas in a shocker because Kelly will not have the team ready, MSU because they are plain better coached and talented, and Navy (just because).
 
  • Like
Reactions: end_23 and Howard Hall 74
The only way I see 4-5 losses is if the QB derby just messes up the QB position as a whole.
DK has that Montana end of game intangible; but he may be the least impressive practice player.
This competition could just mess up the offense; if so the defense is more likely to be exposed.
 
I mentioned 4 possible losses, but I did not factor in the 1 mandatory loss that Kelly causes each season. Therefore, 4-5 losses is a strong bet,
 
  • Like
Reactions: end_23
McIlhennyIrish said:
He identifies a few areas of concern:

  1. Average LB's with no experience. Specifically calls out the ability to stop the run.
  2. No WR consistency or fear of long ball
  3. Confusion about QB
  4. Poor secondary
  5. No legitimate TE
  6. Concerns about coaching
.
Click to expand...

#1 -- No depth, but the raw talent is there.
#2 -- I think having lots of guys ready to step up might mean there isn't a significant drop off in total production.
#3 -- I believe either will be ready and can win. The only issue is team chemistry.
#4 -- Safety is a concern, but can it be worse than last year?!? We couldn't even line up in nickel in 2015.
#5 -- Not worried. Jones catching the ball and the other guys blocking will work just fine.
#6 -- Always an issue at every school not named 'Bama or OSU. This group might be BK's best.

My concerns? Chemistry regarding the QB decision, overall youth and lack of depth at LB.

I think ND scores bundles of points again, but a 10 win season would be quite a feat. 9 would be my way-too-early prediction.
 
McIlhennyIrish said:
He identifies a few areas of concern:

  1. Average LB's with no experience. Specifically calls out the ability to stop the run.
  2. No WR consistency or fear of long ball
  3. Confusion about QB
  4. Poor secondary
  5. No legitimate TE
  6. Concerns about coaching

In short, he says the team, unlike past teams, cannot offset its poor defense. The opponent's defense will load the box and stop the run, with whoever starts at QB unable to open up the field. Defense will be like butter. Add in Kelly's questionable play calling and it is a recipe for disaster.
Click to expand...

1. Our LB 2 Deep will almost entirely 4* Top250 players, at least 1 of whom was a Frosh All-American at the CFB level

2. We have over 1,000 career receiving yards returning at WR alone....not great experience, but not terrible. And if talent or ability to stretch the field is what's being questioned by our WRs................lol...........tell me another one like that

3. Having multiple highly talented QB's is not worse that having just one.....no matter how badly you want it to be

4. CB's will be fine, S is a major ?

5. We have legit TEs, having them healthy and not in their frosh years will be a huge help. We're very good at the TE position, actually.

6. Offensive coaching will continue to be very good, defensive scheme is another major ?




Keep trying buddy, you'll get something right...............some day
 
  • Like
Reactions: hvillebill
McIlhennyIrish said:
I have at least 4 losses, maybe 5. USC and Stanford(best bets), Texas in a shocker because Kelly will not have the team ready, MSU because they are plain better coached and talented, and Navy (just because).
Click to expand...

Literally made me LOL

I can't decide what I like better here, the raw stupidity or the fact that you don't even try to back it up with facts/logic

Both are truly impressive
 
  • Like
Reactions: hvillebill and Pennick4
McIlhennyIrish said:
He identifies a few areas of concern:

  1. Average LB's with no experience. Specifically calls out the ability to stop the run.
  2. No WR consistency or fear of long ball
  3. Confusion about QB
  4. Poor secondary
  5. No legitimate TE
  6. Concerns about coaching

In short, he says the team, unlike past teams, cannot offset its poor defense. The opponent's defense will load the box and stop the run, with whoever starts at QB unable to open up the field. Defense will be like butter. Add in Kelly's questionable play calling and it is a recipe for disaster.
Click to expand...
Who the f is Jeff McKnight? And who cares what he thinks? Post less and read more.
 
  • Like
Reactions: irishalice
Yes, there is honestly no reason for ND not to go undefeated with that schedule. At USC being the biggest problem area, but all the teams on this schedule has as many questions to answer as ND. Most of ND's opponents will be replacing a long time starter at QB or a head coach, and in some cases they have to replace both.
 
Who is Jeff McKnight?
Pennick4 said:
Who the f is Jeff McKnight? And who cares what he thinks? Post less and read more.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I googled Jeff McKnight and got links to a recently deceased (retired) MLB player. Googled the name and ND football and up came Rhema McKnight and The Shark.

......Like this guy's opinion and a couple of bucks might buy you a draft beer at the local hole in the wall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hvillebill
irishalice said:
Who is Jeff McKnight?



Yeah, I googled Jeff McKnight and got links to a recently deceased (retired) MLB player. Googled the name and ND football and up came Rhema McKnight and The Shark.

......Like this guy's opinion and a couple of bucks might buy you a draft beer at the local hole in the wall.
Click to expand...
Like we don't have enough of our own idiots(like Pers,cvgr, rear end_23, mchlenny,pumpboob).
 
McIlhennyIrish said:
I have at least 4 losses, maybe 5. USC and Stanford(best bets), Texas in a shocker because Kelly will not have the team ready, MSU because they are plain better coached and talented, and Navy (just because).
Click to expand...
You mean, like last year? Were our players not ready for that game?
 
Pennick4 said:
Who the f is Jeff McKnight? And who cares what he thinks? Post less and read more.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Any shithead can start a blog, portray themselves as an expert and have an opinion.

Phil Steele has ND at 15-1 odds for the Natty. I believe he probably knows a little more about CF that Jeff McKnight.

Now, I don't think the Irish will get there (I'm thinking 10-2), but he's obviously not in the 8-4 crowd like the OP.
 
McIlhennyIrish said:
He identifies a few areas of concern:

  1. Average LB's with no experience. Specifically calls out the ability to stop the run.
  2. No WR consistency or fear of long ball
  3. Confusion about QB
  4. Poor secondary
  5. No legitimate TE
  6. Concerns about coaching

In short, he says the team, unlike past teams, cannot offset its poor defense. The opponent's defense will load the box and stop the run, with whoever starts at QB unable to open up the field. Defense will be like butter. Add in Kelly's questionable play calling and it is a recipe for disaster.
Click to expand...


Next season's schedule isn't that tough.

10 wins at the least.
 
counting bowl 10-11 wins.

Stanford is replacing its QB again; sooner or later they are going to have a dud and this one coming in just does not look all that. MSU also replacing QB and others like their LT; tough game but we should win.

USC of course is the great imponderable.

bluntly speaking we should not lose more than 2 regular season games. With a decent shot at winning them all.
 
As of pre season it does not look like an imposing schedule. But, once a season starts, new stars emerge on teams and the perception of schedule might look very different.

w/o a conference affiliation, unless a few of those teams come on strong and surprise analysts, ND cannot afford 2 losses and think assurance of a major bowl.
 
perseverare said:
As of pre season it does not look like an imposing schedule. But, once a season starts, new stars emerge on teams and the perception of schedule might look very different.

w/o a conference affiliation, unless a few of those teams come on strong and surprise analysts, ND cannot afford 2 losses and think assurance of a major bowl.
Click to expand...

A 10-2 ND will likely get a major bowl. Not playoff but something like the Cotton or Fiesta.
 
I think ND can/should win 9 regular season games. I've very, very concerned about our defense. The LB core is unproven. No real pass rusher at DE. The S position is a mess. To top it off, I still don't think BVG is a good college DC. I think our offense is going to have to score 40 ppg to win.

On the offense I think we can and will score a lot. Our kicking game should be really good this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: end_23
perseverare said:
I mean the committee might show favor to a team who incurs a 2nd loss in a conference playoff or in a tough conference. ND's brand vs 'deservability'
Click to expand...

Except that ND's SOS is almost always higher than most of the teams that they're in the conversation with, and "deservability" is nearly always on their side, compared to most teams with an equal number of losses

But please continue on with your unfounded and unsupported idiocy....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Rich Starkey

Some Observations And Trying To Answer Some Questions

Replies
76
Views
4K
The Insider Lounge
Irishrower
Irishrower
Rich Starkey

ND vs FSU - THE GOOD AND THE BAD

Replies
56
Views
3K
The Insider Lounge
chicirish
C
ClearTheWay

My Two Cents- Wisconsin

Replies
20
Views
2K
The Insider Lounge
ClearTheWay
ClearTheWay
ClearTheWay

My Two Cents- Purdue

Replies
32
Views
2K
The Insider Lounge
kwsusmc
kwsusmc
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back