I think Kelly's tenure has by and large proven that Notre Dame can live in that top 5-10 program range, year after year. The struggle at this point isn't the same as it was in 2012. We walked away from the last Bama meeting thinking that we need to develop our lines to be ass-kickers in the trenches. Kelly went on making the necessary changes and Notre Dame has churned out big time offensive lineman as well as some good pros on the defensive line.
The problem is that while we were focusing on developing our physicality in the trenches, the top teams have changed the way they play. Now, the top teams have made the transition to an explosive passing game, that routinely scores 45+ points a game. Bama won't be handing the ball off to Eddie Lacy 35 times in our next meeting. They will be looking to turn the game into a track meet via the passing game.
The next evolution for Notre Dame will be into a team that plays the same physical defense, boasts a bullying run offense, but adds a dynamic passing game that can put points on the board quickly. My criticism of the coaching staff isn't that they can't recruit the top players. They have, including at receiver. My criticism is that other top programs find ways to get those kids on the field earlier than Notre Dame. Jordan Johnson and Kevin Austin are as naturally gifted as most receivers at those other big time programs. Yet Notre Dame prefers big-bodied upper-class men who seem to always garner the same comment, "Irish receivers unable to get separation."
With prospects for a playoff win looking slim, I hope that Notre Dame walks away from this season with a resolution moving forward to get the most dynamic players on the field.
The problem is that while we were focusing on developing our physicality in the trenches, the top teams have changed the way they play. Now, the top teams have made the transition to an explosive passing game, that routinely scores 45+ points a game. Bama won't be handing the ball off to Eddie Lacy 35 times in our next meeting. They will be looking to turn the game into a track meet via the passing game.
The next evolution for Notre Dame will be into a team that plays the same physical defense, boasts a bullying run offense, but adds a dynamic passing game that can put points on the board quickly. My criticism of the coaching staff isn't that they can't recruit the top players. They have, including at receiver. My criticism is that other top programs find ways to get those kids on the field earlier than Notre Dame. Jordan Johnson and Kevin Austin are as naturally gifted as most receivers at those other big time programs. Yet Notre Dame prefers big-bodied upper-class men who seem to always garner the same comment, "Irish receivers unable to get separation."
With prospects for a playoff win looking slim, I hope that Notre Dame walks away from this season with a resolution moving forward to get the most dynamic players on the field.
