---SAT PRACTICE--WITH HITTING---

[NDsince35]

The Blue/Gold game is only a week away and then we sail into the doldrums so

yesterdays no holds barred was very important. The videos showed some big time

hits and some nice performances, and according to Coach KELLY no serious injuries.


In his press conference COACH said the usual nice things about his guys but some were interesting.


The QB contest goes on, but when asked about GOLSON transfering KELLY was non commital.

---Iguess it could happen but it doesnt appear likely---

GOLSON graduates next month and if he feels as if he has to play second fiddle

he could take the 5th elsewhere---but he is leading in the contest so far.


E said that FOLSTON and BRYANT had better keep an eye on PROSISE who had a 75 yard TD run.

HE comparared CJ to THEO RIDDICK ( CJ is taller 6-2 , heavier--225---and faster but plays the same).


HE said that REDFIELD and SHUMATE looked good. BARATTI didn't not participate in the heavy hitting

but did practice in full uniform.ONWUALU may have taken some snaps at safety also (not sure)


Special team info---NEWSOME was booming punts. KIZER was holding for kicks, BRENT was running back punts


BARS was the LG n on the first O-line---whatever that means.

TILLERY was the 1st team nose guard so they got to know each other pretty well.

 

[continuallyirish]

Thanks Ara + 35

Watched both the scrimmage film as well as Coach Kelly's presser . What I took away from both was Tillery appears to be a star , Procise is a viable break way threat @ both RB and Slot and Redfield has finally matched up his star rating with his on field performance .

Sounds like Golson is passing lights out and is giving the staff everything they want out of him . This will be a much different team then what we saw last yr imo . Stout defense - guys making plays in the secondary. All kinds of running game stuff goin on and of course the cornerstone to any Kelly team , the ability to push the ball through the air .

Barring a major rash of injuries I suspect there won't be a game we wont be in command by the fourth qtr or in a last possession game at worst in a couple more ( Clemson - USC - maybe Ga Tech )

Certainly a season where a major run wouldn't shock me I am grateful to the staff for the program that has been put in place the last 5 yrs . 3-9 6-6 seasons are not in our future @ ND under Brian Kelly -- not even close . Thanks Coach -- well done !!

 

[perseverare]

35: side note, Okwara, J is announcing on Apr 30.

What do you think the final April harvest will yield?

 

[Bodizephax]

CJ Procise may play running back, slot receiver, and return kicks. He is Notre Dames Percy Harvin ! How Urban Meyer missed out on him amazes me!

 

[Pennick4]

Originally posted by continuallyirish:
Thanks Ara + 35

Watched both the scrimmage film as well as Coach Kelly's presser . What I took away from both was Tillery appears to be a star , Procise is a viable break way threat @ both RB and Slot and Redfield has finally matched up his star rating with his on field performance .

Sounds like Golson is passing lights out and is giving the staff everything they want out of him . This will be a much different team then what we saw last yr imo . Stout defense - guys making plays in the secondary. All kinds of running game stuff goin on and of course the cornerstone to any Kelly team , the ability to push the ball through the air .

Barring a major rash of injuries I suspect there won't be a game we wont be in command by the fourth qtr or in a last possession game at worst in a couple more ( Clemson - USC - maybe Ga Tech )

Certainly a season where a major run wouldn't shock me I am grateful to the staff for the program that has been put in place the last 5 yrs . 3-9 6-6 seasons are not in our future @ ND under Brian Kelly -- not even close . Thanks Coach -- well done !!

Well said. ND hasn't had this much depth up and down the roster in years. One of the keys to building a championship caliber team is competition for playing time. There is much of that on this team. I enjoyed hearing that Tillery stood out so much in one drill that coach Gilmore had him do it over again to show the rest of the dlinemen.

 

[NDsince35]

DEPTH doesn't happen over night----some of us old fogeys on this board

have been talking about it for years----we now have what amounts to a 3-deep

team at the most important positions especially the O& D Lines. A little

tweeting here and there and very few injuries will make the IRISH able to

compete with all comers.

Way back when --4 or 5 seasons ago-one of the young whipper snappers made

fun of a post where I talked about havibg a 3-deep team--his comment was this

was football not hockey where 3 lines leap over the boards to participate. Maybe

they all won't leap over the boards, but ND will have them them eager and ready.


If PROSISE is as good as THEO RIDDICK, who KELLY compared him to, we

will be 3-deep at that vital spot ----- linebackers are 4 deep----

we're gonna be OK


PERSE------young Mr OKWARA has ND #1 according to the experts --

I guess that had to be expected.

 

[continuallyirish]

I am confident in all positions save for DE -- If Romeo , Trumbetti and Bonner give us above avg play at the DE positions I dont see why we can't run the table .

Of course getting Ishaq back and playing at a high level would seal the deal . This is exciting stuff !!

Kelly did mention Trumbetti and Romeo as guys that are playing well .

 

[continuallyirish]

Procise adds a dimension to the offense that no one saw coming this season . Elite speed , football IQ and can run in between the tackles .

If we get production from DE position this will get intense.

 

[perseverare]

35: ND seems to have 'rebuilt' the OL and is close on the DL. The caveat on the DL is there still seems to be no 'impact' player or dominant, worry the DC's type of guy; the kind of DLman that when the game is on the line we all expect a big play from! That is still the missing component. Is there quality depth or just #'s along the DL? No one knows yet.

WR, LB, RB and TE are positions were there is improved depth. DB has numbers but needs to play at a higher level. QB ? who knows. Kizer and Wimbush look like very solid prospects to build on. ND will take another this go round. QB's / box of chocolates: you never know what your gonna get (Gump)

So now we see whether this is all smoke n mirrors: let the games begin!

 

[Toby Smart]

BK said that if he had any thought that EG was not totally involved and felt that he might consider a transfer he would not be putting any effort into developing the QB. The job would belong to MZ. EG does not want to entertain the media this spring because he does want to stay focused on football and that is fine with da' coach. From what I read this morning, both QBs are doing great work so far this spring though each did throw a pick in yesterday's scrimmage.

 

[Telx1]

35, agree...the best three deep. In memory, and a testament to Kelly's impact on the program.

Continually, I've been agitating over lack of a rush end for the past eighteen months, but increasingly comfortable that we have the horses to bring the kind of pressure Van Gorder's scheme demands to be effective. Based on raw talent and quickness and some of the comments coming out of Spring, I would add Bonner to your list.

Perse, you seem to be coming around to thinking the DL is in fact talented and deep. I disagree about lack of impact player. Day demands double teaming on most plays and this is impact full and I expect a huge year from him if healthy. Jones has shown the ability to absolutely dominate and impact a game, but not on a consistent basis. These two have a chance to be special this year, and it's going to be fun to watch Tillery whose play this Spring demands a lot of snaps. We have a large body of work to base our opinions on, and don't understand the smoke and mirrors comment at all.

Ara, thanks for the link and it was damn tantalizing to see some real hitting.

One thing we all agree on, the season cannot start too soon. In the interim, looking forward to 35 and others keeping their fingers on the pulse of our recruiting.

 

[continuallyirish]

Tex ,

I had Bonner on list Team is postured for greatness 8-0 start last yr was a snap shot . We can survive some injuries this season .

I am excited to see what Procise gives the offense this yr . Ashame we can't play w two footballs . Carlisle is doing great --as BK said Bryant and Folston need to really step or Procise will take some of their reps .

If OL is legit this is going to be really fun . Try scheming against Zaire and Golson -- good luck .

 

[NDsince35]

IIn regard the pass rush KELLY said not to expect one lad with a lot of sacks

inatead look for many lads putting pressure on the QB. Maybe JHONNY WILLIAMS

or BO WALLACE will prove to be a sack-master. An improved D-backfield and a

naSty linebacking corp will add a second or two to the linemen's quest.

It's hard to complete passes when everyone is covered, so sacks, interceptions

and throw ing the ball away ---Van GORDERr, GILMORE & LYGHT already know

that and are working on a co-ordinated effort. 'twoud be a beautful thing to see.

 

[Telx1]

Continually, my error. Trying to catch up here while watching the Masters. I know you've mentioned Bonner and his upside before, and you clearly had him listed this time as well. Every time I read about Procise at RB, I think of the LSU game and his TD run. Great acceleration and his dive into the pylon was a thing of beauty, as 35 would say. I want to see him on the field at both positions with at least ten touches a game.

 

[rocketfuel25]

Thats great to hear about Tillery and Redfield, we need both of those guys playing well for this defense to get better

 

[continuallyirish]

Re Pass Rush --

Gilmore stated in an interview last week that there are certain techiques and mechanics neccessary for sure but when rubber hits the road it comes down to effort . How bad do the kids want it ? I feel the exact same way about OL - this is a violent sport requiring a tenacity and fierceness. I hope we see those traits show up in all these guys come September .

A will to move your guy from point a to point b can't be measured by a recruiting service . That will be measuerd vs texas , the cornfields are full of top ranked kids who didn't give a shit and NFL rosters are filled w a bunch of kids that were no names coming out of HS . The Bonners and Williams of the world are an attitude away from being really good college players .