The closer we get to the season, the more optimistic I am getting

[mokpra37]

Texas - Jonathan Gray is back at running back, and many in the Texas camp think he is a 1000 rusher this year with a more experienced O-line in front of him. Swoopes is the starting qb, according to his head coach, and he is an inconsistent quarterback. They will run the ball better than they pass it. Their defense lost 6 starters, and they could start up to four freshmen in those spots. Catching them early may be a blessing for that reason alone. I think ND puts up a lot of points and wins by two scores or more.

Virginia - An experienced kicker, returning qb, wr that caught 42 balls last year, a safety that was a freshman All American, and 7 of their top 8 defensive linemen return. It probably just isn't enough. They only return 5 starters on defense. They have to replace all their linebackers. They also travel to UCLA the week before playing the Irish - one of few situations in which the schedule actually favors the Irish rather than their opponent. ND can win big here if the O-line plays well and the defense can rattle the Cavs' qb (s).

Georgia Tech - This, to me is the second most difficult game of the year. Georgia Tech may be prepping now for the Irish. Why? They have Alcorn St. and Tulane the two weeks before they play the Irish. They also are at home for both of those contests. They return 13 starters, including qb Justin Thomas - probably the best option qb in the country. They did graduate their three main running backs and lost one of those expected to step in to an ACL tear this Spring. I believe they did lose their top two pass-catchers as well. They do return 4 starters on the o-line. Defensively they lost their top tackler, and, like the Irish, depth on the defensive line is not proven. However, they return a couple of guys in the secondary that will probably play on Sundays. Overall, this is a team that is going to use its o-line to run the option down ND's throat if the defense can't make long third downs a habit. I think ND will score on Georgia Tech's D. Will they score enough? I think so, and ND wins by 10.

With a win over UMASS the following week, ND will be 4 and 0 going into the most difficult three game stretch of the season (at Clemson, Navy and USC). Sustain no season-changing injuries up to that point, and I like ND's chances to come out of that stretch at least 6-1.

 

[perseverare]

this offensive rookie class has come in with high expectations and exceeded even those!

Jones and ESB are potential 1st team AA's before they leave; Boykin is not far behind.
Wimbush is as advetised, but the development of Kizer has stolen some of his thunder.
CJ has been outstanding. Adams has big play potential.
Overall size speed and football skills throughout the class!
And ND got a true 5* when Sanford was added to the class!

A note, I took some heat this spring because all along I felt Kizer was a contender at the QB spot; he has put the poor spring in the way back machine and really had a great pre-season. He could step in and do the job if called on.

Re ESB, All last recruiting session I fought battles how he was a must get, that even though he seemed a luxury in a deep WR class, he, if added to Boykin made each one much more dangerous! well, Claypool coming in next class along with what will probably be 1 more near elite WR, and the nations #1 TE (again), and ND will have probably more talent at the skill positions than, well as far back as memory serves!

I hope ND finds those DL needed to not let all this offensive power go for naught!

yes, Mo, there is justifiable cause to be excited; it will be an electric offense!

 

[NDCap]

No doubt that BK can get the WR's . Fuller proves that you don't have to be a 5 -star to be an AA WR . He should be a 1st team AA in the pre- season across the board. These 4 WR's might be his best but make no mistake about it this team will go as they run the ball. MZ has to be unleashed . BK has to let him play his game . The one guy IMO that is going be a great player is Dexter Williams when it's all said and done. Denson is an upgrade as a coach at RB and will be there to develop this kid. He has speed and moves that the other backs do not. Future is bright offensively everywhere including OL. My 3 question marks still remain :
1- Safety position
2- DE pass rush
3- Who is calling the plays ? I still do not like BK in that role.

 

[IrishHerb]

With Kelly as coach, I just can't seem to get optimistic. I never know which ND team is going to show up to play on a given saturday.

The players may be the same, but the scheme changes. Kelly seems to change things depending on what he thinks the opponents will give us. If they work, then we win. If they don't, oh well ...

 

[perseverare]

the real concern is that Sanford is not given autonomy to run the offense. Herb, your correct, if nothing changes then nothing will change.

 

[continually35forever]

the real concern is that Sanford is not given autonomy to run the offense. Herb, your correct, if nothing changes then nothing will change.

Inferring Kelly is not capable of running a major college offense ??
Stone cold jerk off

Guy who has won 11,12,12 games in a regular season is going to turn his whole offense over to a 32 yr old

Stone cold dick and really stupid -- pure cretan

" Tommy Rees will overthrow receivers all yr because his arm is weak and he will throw the ball as far as he can after he gets the snap and the receivers won't be able to catch up "- Purse 2013

" Stanford reloads ND rebuilds " -Purse Nov 2014

" Coaching for Kelly is a dead end career move for his assistants " - Purse 2015

Brian Kelly should turn his whole offense over to a 32 yr old in his first season @ ND --you will be reminded of this as the season unfolds you complete nit wit

 

[Telx1]

Perse, I think you are way off the mark about Sanford. It's been clear from the start that he is the QB coach for now, and offensive coordinator in development. He will contribute, but to suggest he will act with autonomy is silly. Kelly will run the offense and it will be a thing of beauty.

 

[continually35forever]

Perse, I think you are way off the mark about Sanford. It's been clear from the start that he is the QB coach for now, and offensive coordinator in development. He will contribute, but to suggest he will act with autonomy is silly. Kelly will run the offense and it will be a thing of beauty.

Look at the LSU tape -- Kelly was masterful in his game planning as he was v FSU .Against NW if ND doesn't fumble twice inside the 5 yd line they score 55 pts . N.Carolina 50 pts

Tex your a good man but let me remind you that we both would have a better discussion re ND football knocking on the door of the local mental hospital and engaging the residents in a discussion re; the read option than we would discussing ND football w the resident village idiot .

BTW if Kelly handed over the whole offense to a 32 yr who only has to shave once a week and ND faltered if I were Denrock I'd quit and If I were the AD I would fire coach kelly . This season is about the big time veterans only please !!

BTW Purse 24 K please be specific in what plays Sanford would call that Kelly would not - specifics please -- farce

 

[echowaker]

the real concern is that Sanford is not given autonomy to run the offense. Herb, your correct, if nothing changes then nothing will change.

dream on. someone needs a reality check.

 

[NDSMC78]

Inferring Kelly is not capable of running a major college offense ??
Stone cold jerk off

Guy who has won 11,12,12 games in a regular season is going to turn his whole offense over to a 32 yr old

Stone cold dick and really stupid -- pure cretan

" Tommy Rees will overthrow receivers all yr because his arm is weak and he will throw the ball as far as he can after he gets the snap and the receivers won't be able to catch up "- Purse 2013

" Stanford reloads ND rebuilds " -Purse Nov 2014

" Coaching for Kelly is a dead end career move for his assistants " - Purse 2015

Brian Kelly should turn his whole offense over to a 32 yr old in his first season @ ND --you will be reminded of this as the season unfolds you complete nit wit

Utterly uncalled for. The guy made a post with which you disagree and you respond with epithets and insults. You need to just chill.

 

[NDCap]

Kelly game planning is not always masterful. I watched the FSU game and his 4th down decisions to go under center were very questionable. His crossing routes / rub routes were very smart. The one thing I expect to see this year is better ball-handling from the QB position MZ is a much better ball handler than EG ever can imagine . He is also the best running QB BK has had in his tenure You add these to significant factors into the equation and the run game improves regardless of who is calling the plays. I have become very used to seeing BK emphasize the pass game with Crist, Rees, Golson it's understandable to pass first.
With MZ at the helm it is time to spread teams out and run. Also more creativity in the run game would be great. Does BK have that imagination? I do not know personally but I do not think BK has been a great OC. Sanford input should go beyond just coaching the QB's. If he was the OC at Boise State he is bringing some good ideas. There should be better development with Sanford and Denson on this staff. It will show this year in improved play at the QB and RB positions. Calling a game is an art. BK has great experience but Sanford might be a Picasso. Urban Meyer comes to mind ... ND could have hired him instead of Davie but Davie was a safe pick at the time. If a few weeks we will get a feel of the offense and for those of us that follow ND football will know right away what kind of offense they will have.

 

[mgormal1]

I'm kind of confused with one thing about Texas. Everyone says they have s more experienced OL but in the same breadth they say they have two true freshmen OL starting. How does that work?

I will hang up and listen.

 

[perseverare]

Perse, I think you are way off the mark about Sanford. It's been clear from the start that he is the QB coach for now, and offensive coordinator in development. He will contribute, but to suggest he will act with autonomy is silly. Kelly will run the offense and it will be a thing of beauty.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/030215aam.html

Mike Sanford, offensive coordinator at Boise State University in 2014 and widely considered to be one of college football's brightest offensive minds, has been named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Notre Dame football program.

 

[NDlb46]

Mokpra

I agree on GT. A triple option team is scary anymore because you can have a team with 2/3 the talent of the mid-90's Cornhuskers and roll over other teams because they are now built to defend against these spread offenses. OLBs that are now DEs and safeties that are now OLBs are what is needed for the spread teams, but the triple option needs a different kind of defense. I hope that BVG has come up with the personnel grouping and scheme to handle this. It is encouraging that they are spending some time in training camp working on option defense.

 

[perseverare]

Look at the LSU tape -- Kelly was masterful in his game planning as he was v FSU .Against NW if ND doesn't fumble twice inside the 5 yd line they score 55 pts . N.Carolina 50 pts

Tex your a good man but let me remind you that we both would have a better discussion re ND football knocking on the door of the local mental hospital and engaging the residents in a discussion re; the read option than we would discussing ND football w the resident village idiot .

BTW if Kelly handed over the whole offense to a 32 yr who only has to shave once a week and ND faltered if I were Denrock I'd quit and If I were the AD I would fire coach kelly . This season is about the big time veterans only please !!

BTW Purse 24 K please be specific in what plays Sanford would call that Kelly would not - specifics please -- farce

did you have to pre submit that before posting it? more continuallyBS from the clan!

 

[perseverare]

someone needs to tell Sanford he is not the OC; maybe DS above can call and tell him he needs to get back to reality!

 

[Telx1]

Perse, interviews with Kelly and Denbrock have succinctly stated that Sanford is in charge of the QB's, that he is learning the offense, and that he participates with Denbrock and Kelly reviewing plays and scheme, and that Kelly will be running the offense this year. Sanford is OC in title only this year, but assume promises were made for him to assume this role sometime down the road. Right now he is contributing and we will benefit from this, but he is far removed from the autonomous role you suggest.

 

[IrishBlooded]

I have kept expectations pretty realistic. I expect 10-2 (USC and Clemson being the losses), and hope for 11-1 or better.

Keep in mind, just because ND is loaded this year, doesn't mean that no one else is also. Look at Ohio State, most thought they were a year ahead of schedule last year. And they have recruited great in the off season due to it. Many other schools in that same spot.

If ND gets past USC with 1 loss or less. This is going to be a very special season. If not, it might be time to have a long conversation about what to expect moving forward and if ND is heading in the right direction.

 

[perseverare]

Perse, interviews with Kelly and Denbrock have succinctly stated that Sanford is in charge of the QB's, that he is learning the offense, and that he participates with Denbrock and Kelly reviewing plays and scheme, and that Kelly will be running the offense this year. Sanford is OC in title only this year, but assume promises were made for him to assume this role sometime down the road. Right now he is contributing and we will benefit from this, but he is far removed from the autonomous role you suggest.

You guys are not giving Sanford his due! He is far more meaningful and key than you are assuming.
If it was the same group of decision makers that would seriously temper expectations and enthusiasm.

 

[Pennick4]

You guys are not giving Sanford his due! He is far more meaningful and key than you are assuming.
If it was the same group of decision makers that would seriously temper expectations and enthusiasm.

Sanford has as much input in the offense this year as Lafleur and the other QB coaches working for BK.

 

[continually35forever]

Sanford has as much input in the offense this year as Lafleur and the other QB coaches working for BK.

Pennick-- don't you get it --purse 24 k is setting it up in his mind that it will be sanford's input that will determine the success of this years team - this is convenient given his hatred for Kelly

The Nit wit looks past facts like " the problem " was Golson's sloppy handling of the football last yr - problem solved

The Nit wil overlooks the fact that ND out gained Alabama by 150 total yds vs LSU and outscored Bama vs LSU by 18 pts

Problem with the offense ? ND scores 50 if Brown Folston Golson take care of the football inside the NW 5 yd line

ND scored 31 v Mich
35 vs Fl St ( sans flag )
50 vs NC

Heading into the LSU game Kelly scripted a game plan that would see ND scoring 15 more pts than LSU gave up per game last yr and our 1st time starter freshman QB had a game plan tailored for him by Kelly that would see Zaire complete 12-15 passes gain 100 yds rushing and garner MVP honors for the contest .

These are the facts and they are indisputable

I resent this nit wit coming on this board with his obsessive hatred of Kelly and posturing bizarre ill informed opinions as facts in an attempt to discredit one of the five top coaches in his profession .

Some examples -

1. Hopefully Sanford is given complete autonomy over the offense " if nothing changes nothing changes "

This is a ridiculous comment because Kelly has already stated Sanford will not have control over the offense

As previously stated earlier Golson's handling of the football was by far the biggest issue w last yrs offense - I would say that issue has been resolved quite definitively - will Sanford be given credit for that scenario -- by one NIT WIT maybe .

2. Being an assistant under Kelly is a dead end professionally - this was NIT WITS comment after Alford left for OSU -- the man is so stupid he contradicts himself Alford had the opportunity to go to OSU as a result of the good work he put in at ND. ND provided a launch pad for that opportunity for Alford .

Quinn and Diaco both got HC jobs as a result of working for Kelly - Dead End ?? Hardly

3. In an attempt to discredit Kelly and the direction and quality of the program under Kelly the NIT WIT made this statement " Stanford reloads ND rebuilds " That is simply a pathetic and bizarre observation , irrational nonsense put out there by someone that
A) is not very smart
B ) knows nothing about the subject matter he is rendering an opinion on.

Back to work now - have a good day Pennick

 

[IrishMike409]

I'm gonna give Pers the benefit of the doubt with Sanford.

If you guys recall, years ago, Pers was adamant that Ronnie Stanley was gonna be our best OL, and needs to be on the field at LT ASAP. He battled some people on that, and turned out to be right.

 

[Telx1]

Well, Perse has changed his tune in this thread alone: going from Sanford being the OC acting with autonomy to giving his due and his influence on the offense. I loved this hire and thought it was a brilliant move by Kelly, and I am confident that Sanford will have a positive impact on the offense, and increasingly so each year. Just refute the notion that he will be running the offense with autonomy this year.

 

[Irish Duck]

I've got a great idea - let's all speculate about what has been said between, and agreed to within, the coaching staff. This is particularly fun when none of us have any real information as to what Sanford was promised and what has progressed since he came aboard. Damn, I can't wait until the season actually begins.

 

[continually35forever]

Well, Perse has changed his tune in this thread alone: going from Sanford being the OC acting with autonomy to giving his due and his influence on the offense. I loved this hire and thought it was a brilliant move by Kelly, and I am confident that Sanford will have a positive impact on the offense, and increasingly so each year. Just refute the notion that he will be running the offense with autonomy this year.

Purse 24 K is being sly Tex -- He is setting up the following

• If ND does great Kelly due to his incompetance will have turned the offense over to Sanford -- under cover of course shhhhh!
• If ND's offense falters Kelly is an incompetent control freak who should have turned the offensive operation over to Sanford

I know how NIT WIT thinks Tex - He is setting it up where Kelly gets no credit no matter what -- rather pathetic I must say -- PURSE 24 K lives in a very lonely dark space - I pray he has no pets or family that would be subjected to such a toxic buffoon .

 

[floridairish]

I've had plenty of debate with Purse but he got scared and blocked me. None the less he remains the same intellectually dishonest Brian Kelly hater and despite hanging out for years on a Football Message Board, he still knows absolutely nothing about coaching football and absolutely nothing about the game of football in general. If you put Mr Big Ideas purse on a practice field and asked him to coach a position for a 15 minute Individual Period. He would be reduced to tears.

 

[IrishMike409]

Really dumb post, FloridaIrish. What do you mean "reduced to tears".

Are you inferring that only the manliest of men can coach football? I played baseball, basketball, and football in HS, then played basketball for 4 years in college. At every level, I came across coaches who were unorganized, bad decision makers, bad judges of character, and bad comminicators.

Fans are allowed to have opinions (and I certainly don't always agree with Pers). Are only football coaches and ex players allowed to have opinions? Are those the only opinions that should be heard?

I can't get over how dumb you sound in that post.

 

[NDCap]

September 5th can't come soon enough . lol. I am really anxious to see this team get after it. I personally do not care who calls what play as long as it emphasizes MZ's strengths. Heck go 5 wides and let him run if that works. Just get it done . I would like to see ND get into the endzone on the ground inside the 10 yard line more this year.

 

[perseverare]

I seriously doubt Kelly offered the job to Sanford as "come to ND an apprentice as an OC" . This is a rising star and outstanding offensive football mind, Offensively, creativity wise, second to no one on the ND staff.

 

[IrishHerb]

September 5th can't come soon enough . lol. I am really anxious to see this team get after it. I personally do not care who calls what play as long as it emphasizes MZ's strengths. Heck go 5 wides and let him run if that works. Just get it done . I would like to see ND get into the endzone on the ground inside the 10 yard line more this year.

Thats what I'd love to see. In past years, often ND would move down field from various spread formations (mostly passing) and then suddenly they'd go tight and run. A pure giveaway. Why not run both passing and running plays from the same formation and force the defense to "guess".

 

[perseverare]

Herb

oddly enough, though I was in the pound the ground camp, the WR's on this team are so good that defenses cannot defend each of them. MZ only needs to demonstrate that he is a threat to break one to open the flood gates for the WR's ND is going to score a lot of points.

The mystery of this team is defense.

 

[continually35forever]

Thats what I'd love to see. In past years, often ND would move down field from various spread formations (mostly passing) and then suddenly they'd go tight and run. A pure giveaway. Why not run both passing and running plays from the same formation and force the defense to "guess".

Herb if the OL is good enough teams can know what the offense is going to do and they still won't be able to stop it , inside the five yd line we must be able to punch the ball into the end zone . We all saw what can happen when a team gets cute inside the five yd line in last yrs super bowl.

I want to see a healthy dose of run pass until we get inside the ten yd line -- don't get me wrong though if the coaches see an opportunity for some play action action close to the goal line = see Fl St game -- let it rip

I just want the season to start -- one note on Zaire - chance he could be special - stay tuned

Just hope he takes care of the football - I saw a photo of him running w the ball safely tucked away - refreshing compared to the nonsense we all endured from Golson

 

[Pennick4]

I seriously doubt Kelly offered the job to Sanford as "come to ND an apprentice as an OC" . This is a rising star and outstanding offensive football mind, Offensively, creativity wise, second to no one on the ND staff.

I thought Swarbrick hired Sanford.?

 

[echowaker]

I seriously doubt Kelly offered the job to Sanford as "come to ND an apprentice as an OC" . This is a rising star and outstanding offensive football mind, Offensively, creativity wise, second to no one on the ND staff.

you'd be wrong......once again.

 

[Bodizephax]

Malik is what I thought Golson was going to be like--- a tough runner to stop in the redzone. But I guess Golson was more of a passer and his legs were to skinny to power it in.

Malik will make a HUGE difference in the redzone. He was able to make the big athletic defense of LSU look helpless. Imagine what he will do against Georgia Tech or Navy--- I think we will beat both of those teams because of Malik and the whole offense. All the defense has to do is create a turnover or two and that shouldn't be that hard with players like Jaylon Smith and K. Russell.

 

[Bodizephax]

I've had plenty of debate with Purse but he got scared and blocked me. None the less he remains the same intellectually dishonest Brian Kelly hater and despite hanging out for years on a Football Message Board, he still knows absolutely nothing about coaching football and absolutely nothing about the game of football in general. If you put Mr Big Ideas purse on a practice field and asked him to coach a position for a 15 minute Individual Period. He would be reduced to tears.

Keep on posting Florida Irish. I really enjoy your analysis of the Irish. Don't worry about Purse. He is a jerk.
I know you told me not to get too excited about Greg Bryant and T. Folston was the man and you were right. We had some back and forth but it was just an exchange of ideas and I learned some stuff. I never coached football like you have. IIO AND Tex coach football also and I really enjoy their insights too.
I wrestled and played football in highschool so I am a competitor and know how much work an athlete has too put in to succeed .I also competed in rifle competitions and obstacle courses and all that when I was in the Marines. I am a motivated oorah positive person. If that makes me a pom pom waver than so be it. Purse can poke all the fun he wants. He is a great anomynous keyboard warrior.

 

[TurnoverMachine]

Swoopes is terrible. We'll know what ND has on defense this year, immediately. I think the Jones injury puts ND automatically at 10-2 as a max out. Throw in the Kelly factor and you have an 8-4 team again. John68 hates facts though. Too big of a koolaid drinkng narcissist to notice.

 

[perseverare]

Texas game probably will not really tell anything about ND. That is a team that is too young too undermanned to be a true test. ND will use that game to get ready for weeks shortly following.

 

[perseverare]

 

[mokpra37]

As I said in a previous post, ND should be 2 -0 going into GTEch. GTech has a great qb and runs the option. THey have a very solid secondary. They lack in other areas. ND is at home. They will win a close game. AN automatic with UMASS follows.

The most difficult stretch comes thereafter - @ Clemson, Navy, USC. Win two of those three and 5-1. WIn all three and 6-0.