We used today to really get some situations accomplished. Two-point play stuff, fourth down scenarios, work on some of our tempo plays. It was really about getting some situations that we wanted to work on and finish up our spring. Today we were in helmets only. Friday we'll go over some logistics of the spring game and then get into the Blue-Gold Game. First half we'll have two 12-minute quarters of stop time. Last year we got in about 30-something plays each quarter. That will take up most, probably 65-70 percent of the plays. In the second half we averaged 19 plays per quarter in the second half. What we're going to see in the first half, the quarterbacks will be live in the first half, so Everett and Malik will get a chance to really show themselves and everything within our gameplan and compete. Then we'll run [the clock] in the second half. In terms of ST, we like to just kind of get our team set up there but not be live relative to ST. Then we have the offense going against the defense.
We've pared down the point system a little bit. I thought we got too many points on the board last year, it was like 55-5 after the first quarter last year. We've pared the points down a little bit, given the defense a little bit more of a chance to score some points. Big plays for the offense is 25 yards for a pass and 20 for a run. It's going to be harder to get some points for the offense unless they score. Just some of the nuances there relative to the Blue-Gold Game.
Decision to make QBs live
I just think both of them are guys that require that element in their game. We'll have a quick whistle with them and our guys know we're not going to take shots at them. They're in a compromising situation. Both of those guys need to be who they are and that's who they are. They're guys that need to move in the pocket and they make plays with their feet. They both can run the football and we want to be able to run both.
In the summer, balancing Everett's experience and Malik's inexperience
For us, it's been working on what we perceive to be what their weaknesses were, not necessarily game experience because you can't duplicate the game experience. We know what they looked like when they were in the game. For Everett, it's been pocket presence, taking care of the football. We're really evaluating on those things. For Malik, it's accuracy and throwing the football and managing the offense. Our evaluation has not really been about the game experience because we've seen them both play and we know how they'll react in games. It's been about evaluating based upon those criteria and I will say that Everett's done a great job in the pocket. He's really progressed in the areas we've asked him to. We're really pleased with his spring. He's had a really good spring. As we go into the game, if you look at his numbers last spring, he didn't have a very good spring game, Everett that is. He's had a really good spring and I expect him to have a really good spring game as well.
Seen from Joe Schmidt in the small window you've had him
All he got in is a little [skeleton] and seven-on-seven. The same communicative skills that he had, he knows what he's doing and he gets other guys in the right position. Obviously having Jarrett Grace out there too overshadows him a little bit. When Joe went down, Jarrett kind of picked up where Joe left off. It wasn't as stark as a difference because you had Jarrett out there. But I did notice him out there and it was good to see him out there moving around again.
As you exit the spring, any unit/area you think you can hang your hat on and one needs more work
I think there are certain areas that I think at the quarterback position, maybe other than Ohio State, I would take our two quarterbacks. I would take our two over Ohio State's, but in terms of depth, I don't know that anybody has a better situation than we do with the two quarterbacks that we have. I really like what we have on the offensive line. I think that our offensive unit as it is gives us that kind of analogy in terms of you can hang your hat on a number of different positions, whether it be the three running backs we have or the number of wide receivers. I really like the spring Durham Smythe has had. I think he's really - in my eyes - has kind of picked up where the Notre Dame tight ends need to be when you expect them to step in for the next graduating senior. It's pretty clear that he's going to be an important part of our offense.
I think from an offensive standpoint, the areas we need to work on is depth at the tackle position, Hunter's got to kind of grow into the left tackle position. Bars and Nelson are both going to play at left guard. Both those guys will play, but everybody else is really solid.
Defensively, the thing for me that I'm most pleased with is the safety play. Max Redfield is a different player than he was. Elijah. Of course you've got Jaylon. Those three guys in particular really make a huge impact. I like the depth we have with young players on the defensive line. I think we've shown great depth there. James Onwualu has had a great spring. There's a number of areas. I think that term for me means that we have a number of players that can compete at a high level at that particular position. Where we have to grow is the cornerback position. Nick Watkins has had a good spring. I think he's developed and he needs to continue to grow there. I would say it's a really good spring for Nick. He has a ways to go, but it was a good spring for him.
Do you consider him ahead of Butler
I think I would be more comfortable saying that Nick Watkins individually made the progress we were hoping he would make. He's playing with a lot more confidence and certainly is somebody we feel like is going to be able to contribute to our football team this year.
Banged up at wide receiver, Prosise working at RB. How has the progress been with WRs
You'd always like to see Corey Robinson needs to continue to grow and develop. He's been out a little bit. I don't think he takes a step back at all. I think Amir's had a good spring. Will's been playing with a broken hand, but he's just got to finish some plays off. I think for some of those guys it's more about the physical development off the field. Will's got to continue to get stronger so he can dictate his routes instead of being dictated by a more physical defender. I think for a Will Fuller, his work is going to be off the field, not on the field. I think Chris has been fine. Torii Hunter has certainly developed to the level that we've wanted him to. I've got some receivers coming in that are going to push all of them. There's going to be some eyes opened, I think, because I think they're all going to get challenged by the group of receivers we have coming in because they all want to play and I'm not going to hold them back.
Will Jarron Jones and Joe Schmidt be ready by fall camp?
Oh absolutely. Both of those guys are already moving at a level that when they come back in June, they'll be ready to condition and we'll get them ready through summer conditioning program, no question. They'll be available for us, we'll have nine OTAs beginning on June 5 and going to June 25. They'll be involved in those as well.
Tranquill
Yeah, he's moving extremely well. We're just holding him out. If we were playing a game on Saturday, he could play. We just don't need to play him.
Defense struggled in 2014 with complexity of scheme. Was there a simplification or they adapted?
I think a little bit of both. The things we struggled with was tempo and we worked really hard on that. We've reduced calls and made the communication system easier to get out to our players. We've learned a lot in terms of moving personnel in and out of the game. We got hurt a lot of times on having nickel personnel in the game on third down and when there were conversions on third down, we had nickel in the game and we're running them out and we're getting quick tempoed on that conversion on first down. We've learned a lot in our defensive substitutions and I think we've cleaned up terminology and I think in some instances we made it easier for our guys and they've adapted quite well. I've challenged them. We've run really fast out of this spring. I think our defense has done a nice job. I would add one other thing to that: We're getting much better communication from the back end of our defense with both Redfield and Shumate as well.
Feel like Jaylon can be a dominant player now?
He'll be in a position where we can choose to put him in a number of situations and you'll have to gameplan against him. Last year at times you could take him out of the game. If you wanted to spread him out and get him out of the box and throw the ball to the other side or quick gain or run the ball away, you could take him out of the game. Now, because we've crosstrained him, you can't. I think that's going to make a huge difference. He was always part of what was going on because he's such an athlete. Now he's going to be central to everything that happens during the game.
Fifth-year seniors and 85-man roster
All their applications are in, so everybody that has asked to be a fifth year has turned in their applications to our academic-athletic review committee. Those were turned in. We should hear on those guys here pretty soon. You have to be at 85 when you kick off and we'll get to 85 when we kick off.
We've got until we kick off against Texas to get to 85. It's a salary cap, right? We'll get to 85.
Kolin Hill's role
We've played him more as a down player this spring. We want to continue to develop him as somebody that can perhaps rush for us in situations. That's really been his training, more in that position where he can continue to get develop and get bigger and stronger and add some athleticism as an edge player.
Randolph
Same thing. Both of those guys are getting a ton of work this spring. Again, with the hope that they can give us some athletic edge on third down and long situations.
Hill is no longer a Sam linebacker?
He's playing Sam, but when we kick our front over, he's been able to put his hand down too. We're just trying to take advantage of where we can get him on the field and be active.
Jarron Jones and Sheldon Day at QB
Yeah, I've heard about this only because it's been brought up to me because they clearly feel as though they should be involved in the offense. I think when we gave the ball to Irish Chocolate there a couple years ago, Louis Nix, they felt like they should be part of the offense. I will tell you they will not come near the offense. That will be reserved for both Everett and Malik.
Ever been a thought of a preseason fall exhibition game?
It's interesting you say that because we've actually talked about this as head coaches how it would benefit greatly to have that kind of opportunity, especially if you kept it local. We would certainly be in favor of doing something like that and I think there's a number of coaches. It always gets to, 'All right, what are the finances? What are the TV arrangements?' Those always get in the way of just doing a simple thing and that would benefit going into the season. Certainly the early-season schedule that we play, you can understand how we would be very much in favor of something like that.
We've pared down the point system a little bit. I thought we got too many points on the board last year, it was like 55-5 after the first quarter last year. We've pared the points down a little bit, given the defense a little bit more of a chance to score some points. Big plays for the offense is 25 yards for a pass and 20 for a run. It's going to be harder to get some points for the offense unless they score. Just some of the nuances there relative to the Blue-Gold Game.
Decision to make QBs live
I just think both of them are guys that require that element in their game. We'll have a quick whistle with them and our guys know we're not going to take shots at them. They're in a compromising situation. Both of those guys need to be who they are and that's who they are. They're guys that need to move in the pocket and they make plays with their feet. They both can run the football and we want to be able to run both.
In the summer, balancing Everett's experience and Malik's inexperience
For us, it's been working on what we perceive to be what their weaknesses were, not necessarily game experience because you can't duplicate the game experience. We know what they looked like when they were in the game. For Everett, it's been pocket presence, taking care of the football. We're really evaluating on those things. For Malik, it's accuracy and throwing the football and managing the offense. Our evaluation has not really been about the game experience because we've seen them both play and we know how they'll react in games. It's been about evaluating based upon those criteria and I will say that Everett's done a great job in the pocket. He's really progressed in the areas we've asked him to. We're really pleased with his spring. He's had a really good spring. As we go into the game, if you look at his numbers last spring, he didn't have a very good spring game, Everett that is. He's had a really good spring and I expect him to have a really good spring game as well.
Seen from Joe Schmidt in the small window you've had him
All he got in is a little [skeleton] and seven-on-seven. The same communicative skills that he had, he knows what he's doing and he gets other guys in the right position. Obviously having Jarrett Grace out there too overshadows him a little bit. When Joe went down, Jarrett kind of picked up where Joe left off. It wasn't as stark as a difference because you had Jarrett out there. But I did notice him out there and it was good to see him out there moving around again.
As you exit the spring, any unit/area you think you can hang your hat on and one needs more work
I think there are certain areas that I think at the quarterback position, maybe other than Ohio State, I would take our two quarterbacks. I would take our two over Ohio State's, but in terms of depth, I don't know that anybody has a better situation than we do with the two quarterbacks that we have. I really like what we have on the offensive line. I think that our offensive unit as it is gives us that kind of analogy in terms of you can hang your hat on a number of different positions, whether it be the three running backs we have or the number of wide receivers. I really like the spring Durham Smythe has had. I think he's really - in my eyes - has kind of picked up where the Notre Dame tight ends need to be when you expect them to step in for the next graduating senior. It's pretty clear that he's going to be an important part of our offense.
I think from an offensive standpoint, the areas we need to work on is depth at the tackle position, Hunter's got to kind of grow into the left tackle position. Bars and Nelson are both going to play at left guard. Both those guys will play, but everybody else is really solid.
Defensively, the thing for me that I'm most pleased with is the safety play. Max Redfield is a different player than he was. Elijah. Of course you've got Jaylon. Those three guys in particular really make a huge impact. I like the depth we have with young players on the defensive line. I think we've shown great depth there. James Onwualu has had a great spring. There's a number of areas. I think that term for me means that we have a number of players that can compete at a high level at that particular position. Where we have to grow is the cornerback position. Nick Watkins has had a good spring. I think he's developed and he needs to continue to grow there. I would say it's a really good spring for Nick. He has a ways to go, but it was a good spring for him.
Do you consider him ahead of Butler
I think I would be more comfortable saying that Nick Watkins individually made the progress we were hoping he would make. He's playing with a lot more confidence and certainly is somebody we feel like is going to be able to contribute to our football team this year.
Banged up at wide receiver, Prosise working at RB. How has the progress been with WRs
You'd always like to see Corey Robinson needs to continue to grow and develop. He's been out a little bit. I don't think he takes a step back at all. I think Amir's had a good spring. Will's been playing with a broken hand, but he's just got to finish some plays off. I think for some of those guys it's more about the physical development off the field. Will's got to continue to get stronger so he can dictate his routes instead of being dictated by a more physical defender. I think for a Will Fuller, his work is going to be off the field, not on the field. I think Chris has been fine. Torii Hunter has certainly developed to the level that we've wanted him to. I've got some receivers coming in that are going to push all of them. There's going to be some eyes opened, I think, because I think they're all going to get challenged by the group of receivers we have coming in because they all want to play and I'm not going to hold them back.
Will Jarron Jones and Joe Schmidt be ready by fall camp?
Oh absolutely. Both of those guys are already moving at a level that when they come back in June, they'll be ready to condition and we'll get them ready through summer conditioning program, no question. They'll be available for us, we'll have nine OTAs beginning on June 5 and going to June 25. They'll be involved in those as well.
Tranquill
Yeah, he's moving extremely well. We're just holding him out. If we were playing a game on Saturday, he could play. We just don't need to play him.
Defense struggled in 2014 with complexity of scheme. Was there a simplification or they adapted?
I think a little bit of both. The things we struggled with was tempo and we worked really hard on that. We've reduced calls and made the communication system easier to get out to our players. We've learned a lot in terms of moving personnel in and out of the game. We got hurt a lot of times on having nickel personnel in the game on third down and when there were conversions on third down, we had nickel in the game and we're running them out and we're getting quick tempoed on that conversion on first down. We've learned a lot in our defensive substitutions and I think we've cleaned up terminology and I think in some instances we made it easier for our guys and they've adapted quite well. I've challenged them. We've run really fast out of this spring. I think our defense has done a nice job. I would add one other thing to that: We're getting much better communication from the back end of our defense with both Redfield and Shumate as well.
Feel like Jaylon can be a dominant player now?
He'll be in a position where we can choose to put him in a number of situations and you'll have to gameplan against him. Last year at times you could take him out of the game. If you wanted to spread him out and get him out of the box and throw the ball to the other side or quick gain or run the ball away, you could take him out of the game. Now, because we've crosstrained him, you can't. I think that's going to make a huge difference. He was always part of what was going on because he's such an athlete. Now he's going to be central to everything that happens during the game.
Fifth-year seniors and 85-man roster
All their applications are in, so everybody that has asked to be a fifth year has turned in their applications to our academic-athletic review committee. Those were turned in. We should hear on those guys here pretty soon. You have to be at 85 when you kick off and we'll get to 85 when we kick off.
We've got until we kick off against Texas to get to 85. It's a salary cap, right? We'll get to 85.
Kolin Hill's role
We've played him more as a down player this spring. We want to continue to develop him as somebody that can perhaps rush for us in situations. That's really been his training, more in that position where he can continue to get develop and get bigger and stronger and add some athleticism as an edge player.
Randolph
Same thing. Both of those guys are getting a ton of work this spring. Again, with the hope that they can give us some athletic edge on third down and long situations.
Hill is no longer a Sam linebacker?
He's playing Sam, but when we kick our front over, he's been able to put his hand down too. We're just trying to take advantage of where we can get him on the field and be active.
Jarron Jones and Sheldon Day at QB
Yeah, I've heard about this only because it's been brought up to me because they clearly feel as though they should be involved in the offense. I think when we gave the ball to Irish Chocolate there a couple years ago, Louis Nix, they felt like they should be part of the offense. I will tell you they will not come near the offense. That will be reserved for both Everett and Malik.
Ever been a thought of a preseason fall exhibition game?
It's interesting you say that because we've actually talked about this as head coaches how it would benefit greatly to have that kind of opportunity, especially if you kept it local. We would certainly be in favor of doing something like that and I think there's a number of coaches. It always gets to, 'All right, what are the finances? What are the TV arrangements?' Those always get in the way of just doing a simple thing and that would benefit going into the season. Certainly the early-season schedule that we play, you can understand how we would be very much in favor of something like that.
