UNC game thoughts- Chase Claypool blocking

[ZORO50]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

 

[zonairish]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

Zoro: NC was playing with a lot of grit. I thought BC was worse and it took the Irish late in the 3rd quarter to start playing well. They are not going to be working 100% in all games. Especially games they know they should win. They see the tape of the opponent and know they are better. So motivation and to get the emotion going are sometimes tough, Hopefully, the 3 or 4 games they need to play at a very high level they are there. usc, /ncst, Miami are ones

 

[ZORO50]

Your right. If we buried them in the first half and were laying off and UNC was piling on meaningless yards in the 2nd half yards we would complain about that. Lol.

I guess I have to let the " Here we go again"
Leave me because this team is very good and takes care of business.
I've been a diehard fan since 1984 and I'm 40.
I can honestly say. I've enjoyed this year as much as just about any year so far.
If I'm Brian Kelly- I might pull St Brown & Mack aside and say- listen- bring the other foot back into the door stop thinking about the NFL and let's go wild in the 2nd half of the season and see if we make make this a really special year. Things will work out for you
100%

 

[IrishInOntario]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

Great point on Claypool. That block on a soon to be NFL corner where he put him flat on his back, 5 yards into the end zone, was great to see. As someone who has met Chase on multiple occasions (when he was younger) I can tell you that he has absolutely no ego and will always be willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him. He's the type of kid that will be genuinely excited for any of teammates to make a play and you'd probably be hard pressed to find a guy on the team that would have a single negative thing to say about him.

He's in phenomenal shape right now. At 6'4.5, 225lbs, He's a load. He he has substantially more overall upside than EQ St. Brown. He reminds me a lot of Jonathan Baldwin when He was at Pitt or dare I say a young Calvin Johnson when he was at Georgia Tech.

Chase is still just scratching the surface. Playing football in a British Columbia suburb is not even in the same realm as playing in Florida, Texas, California, Ohio, etc, etc. This is the first time he has really been challenged by peers that were equal to him. Claypool will be a 4 year player, but he could legitimately be a Michael Floyd'esque receiver when he leaves South Bend. His combination of physicality and athleticism is rare and given that he's just beginning to develop as a football player, I'm excited to see what the future holds for him.

 

[Telx1]

Glad to see Claypool get recognized for his blocking and overall play. Yea, he whiffed on blocking on one play the announcers talked about, but I thought his overall play was very good, and he seems to be improving weekly. His catch out of bounds was simply outstanding and if the ball had been thrown one second earlier we would all be talking about it. His ability to stay in play on the cross over and turn it up for another twelve yard gain was impressive as hell. I agree with IIO that he has a higher upside than St Brown, and thus far this season he has been a better receiver and blocker than ST Brown, given the laters weekly funk. Hope like hell that Wimbush gets chemistry going with both Claypool and Mack as these two guys are really hard to cover, and their ability to gain yards after the catch can be game changers.

 

[South Bender]

Claypool is playing good, but overall the receiving corps needs to improve.

ESB looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. Is he pouting because our QB's are going through growing pains? He REALLY needs to clear his head and step up and perform.

Alize Mack - he made a couple nice catches for 3rd down conversions against UNC, but overall his hands are made of stone. Drops WAAAAYYY too many catchable passes. He could really be a stud, but he's got lots of work to do.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Claypool is playing good, but overall the receiving corps needs to improve.

ESB looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. Is he pouting because our QB's are going through growing pains? He REALLY needs to clear his head and step up and perform.

Alize Mack - he made a couple nice catches for 3rd down conversions against UNC, but overall his hands are made of stone. Drops WAAAAYYY too many catchable passes. He could really be a stud, but he's got lots of work to do.

I don't think he has stone hands, I think he has concentration issues. Watching him play and his reaction when he drops a pass, it screams of him trying to get up field before he secures the ball. I think he's just a little bit too wired right now and needs to worry about doing the little things right.

 

[88ND]

Claypool is playing good, but overall the receiving corps needs to improve.

ESB looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. Is he pouting because our QB's are going through growing pains? He REALLY needs to clear his head and step up and perform.

Alize Mack - he made a couple nice catches for 3rd down conversions against UNC, but overall his hands are made of stone. Drops WAAAAYYY too many catchable passes. He could really be a stud, but he's got lots of work to do.

Spot on there. ESB is a brat. I'd ask him..I'd find out what the hell is wrong. If he refuses to offer anything or just goes cold shoulder I would sit him for a half. If that doesn't inspire him then I'd say you either get your head out of your ass or you get out.

I was never awed by ESB. All he did was show there was another reciever on the team outside of Fuller. Not equal to fuller in any regard though.

Fast forward to now and he shouldn't even be starting. There's something pissy avout him this year.

I can only assume it's bevayse he had a very accurate Kizer throwing him the ball to Jesse James throwing him the damn ball.....wildly!! So hes not having any special numbers whatsoever. So what.

I echo again....Are you here for you and yourself or are you here for us and ours?

 

[ZORO50]

I don't think Mack has stone hands either.
He's been very good lately.
It's unfortunate he had a concentration drop on that screen. With limited visibility on TV it looked so well set up. I'm dying to see him run after catch on a play like that.

St Brown does seem frustrated. He needs to stop pouting and fight for the football.
Win the hand fighting game with corners Come back to the football with authority and not wait for it to come to him and start balling out.
Both are great players and if they step up their games to their top levels then bring on the 2nd half teams.

 

[Pennick44]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

Love Claypool's effort. I noticed his blocking as well. Need to get EQ going.

 

[iwish]

Since nobody truly knows what is going on with ESB, we should probably cut him a bit of slack (don't disagree with most of the observations regarding his play). But I can imagine he definitely is frustrated - expectations of him were high, and he's really not getting that many chances. But no matter what, he needs to man up and be a great teammate.

Chase? How can anyone not have him as one of their favorites? Effort always there, positive attitude seemingly always there.

Mack is getting there - we can't discount the full year off for him - seems to be figuring things out and finding his place.

As for ESB thinking about the pros.....potential is obviously there but I would be shocked if he goes pro after this year's performance unless he blows up in the second half. And Mack is nowhere ready either. Both need another year in my humble opinion but we've seen previous players make "questionable" decisions on that front.

 

[South Bender]

Stone hands, butterfingers, lack of concentration whatever you want to call it. He's been targeted many times and has dropped several catchable balls.

I'm certainly not writing him off. He could be a beast and a matchup nightmare. The athleticism and skill is there - he just needs to clean up his game a bit.

I long for a guy like Corey Robinson or Davaris Daniels or Mike Floyd. When the ball was in the air - they went and got it!! When the ball was anywhere in the vicinity of them, you knew they were going to catch it. ESB waits for the ball to drop in his hands rather than high pointing it and snatching it away from defenders.

 

[stu4don]

I thought Miles Boykin had a couple of nice position catches. He is a big kid and really looks the part. Anyone predict he steps up in the second half? (Both M and OSU offered him and not ESB.)

 

[twalsh]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

It was a great call by Elko. Turnover at midfield, tendency is to strike immediately, so he sends a corner on 1st and 10, and UNC plays right into it by being in a drop back pass mode.

 

[HRC08]

Hell YEAH! Let's bury USC and get that top 10 ranking.

 

[HRC08]

Great point on Claypool. That block on a soon to be NFL corner where he put him flat on his back, 5 yards into the end zone, was great to see. As someone who has met Chase on multiple occasions (when he was younger) I can tell you that he has absolutely no ego and will always be willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him. He's the type of kid that will be genuinely excited for any of teammates to make a play and you'd probably be hard pressed to find a guy on the team that would have a single negative thing to say about him.

He's in phenomenal shape right now. At 6'4.5, 225lbs, He's a load. He he has substantially more overall upside than EQ St. Brown. He reminds me a lot of Jonathan Baldwin when He was at Pitt or dare I say a young Calvin Johnson when he was at Georgia Tech.

Chase is still just scratching the surface. Playing football in a British Columbia suburb is not even in the same realm as playing in Florida, Texas, California, Ohio, etc, etc. This is the first time he has really been challenged by peers that were equal to him. Claypool will be a 4 year player, but he could legitimately be a Michael Floyd'esque receiver when he leaves South Bend. His combination of physicality and athleticism is rare and given that he's just beginning to develop as a football player, I'm excited to see what the future holds for him.

Uhhhh... like. A lot.

 

[zonairish]

Claypool will be a pro the way he has progressed

 

[NotreDomer1]

I made mention of Claypool's blocking in the players of the game thread. He's our best blocking WR by a long shot. He had a second devastating block on one of Deon Mc's TD runs later in the game.

 

[88ND]

Since nobody truly knows what is going on with ESB, we should probably cut him a bit of slack (don't disagree with most of the observations regarding his play). But I can imagine he definitely is frustrated - expectations of him were high, and he's really not getting that many chances. But no matter what, he needs to man up and be a great teammate.

Chase? How can anyone not have him as one of their favorites? Effort always there, positive attitude seemingly always there.

Mack is getting there - we can't discount the full year off for him - seems to be figuring things out and finding his place.

As for ESB thinking about the pros.....potential is obviously there but I would be shocked if he goes pro after this year's performance unless he blows up in the second half. And Mack is nowhere ready either. Both need another year in my humble opinion but we've seen previous players make "questionable" decisions on that front.

Not tough decision when the alternative is pro and big money or come back and play for a......winning season???

But ESB needs to sit. His baby bullshit needs addressed. It would spread a good massage that this team is our team. You're here for us and we. You're NOT here for only you!
Moreover give me another player who is really interested in putting forth his vest effort. Any of them would be an upgrade over ESB right now. He really is that disinterested.

 

[Bodizephax]

I have to say that UNC game- they may have been one of the worst teams I've seen in the Kelly era. That UNC team is flat out awful and while I'm not a gambler. Might have to throw some coin down on them getting curb stomped somewhere in their schedule.
The game:
I was angry we were most likely only going into half with a 14-7 lead until they screwed it up.
Overall, the running game was just ok minus Adams long TD run in the first half.

The good- with this team- sometimes it doesn't look like we are doing a lot and I look at my phone and have close to 300 yards in the first half.
Loved seeing the defensive line look like they were having so much fun on the bench after Kareem scooped up the fumble.
Ian Book is a capable backup that can perform.
The whole team is in great shape and you could literally see us wearing UNC out.
I was cautious still on the defense but I'm ready to flat out say they are good.
I love seening Shaun Crawford blitz. He's awesome coming off the edge or on a delayed blitz. He never misses his target.

Lastly, in terms of shout outs- Chase Claypool was a cyborg blocker in this game.
Dude, was slobber knocking people all over the place.
This team is dialed in. His blocking in this game is proving all the talk. " Grit" whatever phrases they are using.

Bury USC- bury them.
Let's go!

There are plenty of teams in the Kelly ara that were worst than North Carolina. NC gave Louisville a battle before losing 35 to 47. They also barely lost to Cal. They are much better than Temple or Tulsa or Army or UMass or Miami of Ohio to name a few.
They are not a good team but not one of the worst in the Kelly era.

 

[twalsh]

There are plenty of teams in the Kelly ara that were worst than North Carolina. NC gave Louisville a battle before losing 35 to 47. They also barely lost to Cal. They are much better than Temple or Tulsa or Army or UMass or Miami of Ohio to name a few.
They are not a good team but not one of the worst in the Kelly era.

Unc had leads in the second half against Louisville, Cal and Duke before losing. Only GA Tech dominated them.