Spring Questions

[ZORO50]

1) How is the development of Tillery, Jay Hayes, Daniel Cage and Trumbetti going?
Last year,I said we were in big trouble if we lost Jarron Jones and Day.
It happened and it was a disaster.

2) Can anyone tell me about Hunter Bivin~ I thought he was awesome in the spring game
last year. I'm guessing he's the first sub at tackle.
3) Can anyone tell me about John Montelus. He came to ND looking very young
Has he improved his strength and developed physically from a boy to a man?
He did a nice job in the spring game last year.
4) Has Corey Robinson improved his speed at all?
5) Can Devin Butler really cover anyone? He really was thrown into the fire last year
Or will Nick Watkins, Shaun Crawford and Kevaire Russell make Butler move to safety
6) Kickoffs. I watched Yoon in one of the games. You can tell he's very accurate field goal
Kicker but was nowhere near the end zones on kickoffs. I know they brought in a walk on
Will this be a problem. Brindza was the man. We can't have kick offs being fielded at the 10
7) Is Steve Elmer going to develop a mean streak? That's needed. He's great one game
and the next he looks soft and goofy. We need super Steve all the time.

 

[Andover1]

1.) Kelly said that Tilley has been the surprise of camps thus far. He's said that he's been working some with the 1's, in Jarron Jones absence. He has praised him A LOT, which is beyond impressive. Trumbetti has also been mentioned as standing out, and the best of the current frosh DL's

2.) Bivin is likely the #4 OT right now, behind Stanley, McGlinchey, and Bars. Quite honestly, I think he's a great OT prospect (especially RT) and will end up being a starter at ND at some point and an NFL draft pick. But right now, the 3 guys ahead of hime are all going to end up as 1st/2nd round type picks. Bivin is a player though, and is providing us with graet depth, competition, practice plays, and a bright future

3.) Montelus appears to have moved into the "Next man in" position at OG. They're letting Bars compete at OG for the moment, to see if he can pass Nelson and get the best 5 OLs on the field (regardless of position). But if Bars isn't able to beat out Nelson for LG (likely) he'll be moved back to OT and he'll be the next OT in at both LT/RT. At that point, it appears Montelus positioned himself as "Next OG In". He's had to reshape his body, and learn how to practice and play against high level competition...but it seems like he's impressing right now.

4.) No realy way to know if Robinson has gotten faster. I'd say that's unlikely though. Speed will never be the strength of his game. With a healthy hand (it was broken in 2014) consistent catching, catch radius, and ultimately strength will have to be the focuses of his game. Hopefully he's able to heal and add the strength this off-season, and develop those pieces of his game

5.) Butler's specialty is not coverage in the open field. He's better when he's allowed to get his hands on the WR and when he's making plays in the run game. I think overall, his game is better off at NB or FS (similar to Farley's role). From what the coaches say, it seems like they want Watkins to pass Butler for the #3CB position, because they like his tools a lot more...but they need to see the consistency and effort from Watkins. Crawford is a complete wild card, but it's definitely possible that he ends up being our best coverage CB, especially in situations where he's able to use his athleticism/agility in the middle of the field, instead of his size on the outside.

6.) Kicking game is anyone's guess...and really under discussed. We're going to have a RS Frosh Punter and True Frosh Kicker. They're both the #1 player in the nation at their position (in their year), but this is a major ? going into 2015.

7.) I don't think mentality was ever Elmer's problem. I think it was mainly understanding, foot-speed, and flexobility. We saw all of those things improve throughout the season, especially after he was moved to OG. I expect that improvement to continue and for him to be very effective at RG with McGlinchey at RT