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[Irish7478]

Don't know how I forgot to mention him. No doubt losing him was a big blow to the defense. I did mention Durham Smythe in my earlier post.

I think Ishaq Williams, even though it wasn't due to injury, was also a big loss. I think an extra pass rusher would have come in handy on several occasions this year.

 

[whywork2]

I agree that Procise and Kizer have performed better than I would have expected. But there was a reason that Kizer was third string behind Zaire and Golson. Zaire was a better runner than Kizer, and maybe (probably) a better passer. Remember he was 19 of 22 for 313 yards vs Texas in his second start ever. (Kizer has already played 3 times as much as Zaire) I think Zaire was a natural for Kelly's offense.

I disagree with your comments on Procise. I think he was moved to RB because he was much bigger than Bryant or Folston. At 220 pounds they thought that he would be better in short yardage situations. But as an every down RB, I think Folson was the best. (I was always disappointed that Bryant never showed the talent that I thought he had).

The bottom line is that I don't think you can minimize the affect that these injuries have had on our performance. This is a shame, because I think that in addition to the seniors we lose Stanley, Smith, and Fuller this year.

Procise is listed at 220 but he's 6-1", Folston is listed at 214lbs but is only listed at 5-10". He's six pounds lighter but I think Folston has the more solid build. At least that was always the impression I got. My thoughts were Folston was the better guy to get short yardage, perhaps I'm wrong. In all honesty I never realized that Bryant was that much smaller. I agree he never really lived up to all the so called hype.

 

[idseer]

Procise is listed at 220 but he's 6-1", Folston is listed at 214lbs but is only listed at 5-10". He's six pounds lighter but I think Folston has the more solid build. At least that was always the impression I got. My thoughts were Folston was the better guy to get short yardage, perhaps I'm wrong. In all honesty I never realized that Bryant was that much smaller. I agree he never really lived up to all the so called hype.

perhaps the ability to get short yardage is outweighed by the ability to rush for many more yards in other ways. i say it's a wash at best and prosise is a better back in general.

 

[jjc2009]

I think Ishaq Williams, even though it wasn't due to injury, was also a big loss. I think an extra pass rusher would have come in handy on several occasions this year.

Ishaq and Jarron Jones would have helped D line depth. This is the time of year where you need it. Guys get banged up and need a break. Day has played too many snaps as it is, and he is injury prone anyway. He was favoring his shoulder in the Temple game, I wonder how much he has left in him. I think losing Shawn Crawford has sent the secondary into disarray. He was, by all accounts, lights out. He would have excelled at nickel. With Luke and Russell, and a healthy Tranquill, we wouldn't need Farley or now Baratti. We had to shuffle the decks there, but he was poised to be lights out.

 

[craigk217]

... ... ... ... ... rinse & repeat.

Tell ya what ... I think Temple just devised the D-scheme to really give our semi-dimensional O big time headaches by loading the box to bottle up Prosise and playing our receivers tight/bump & run in many instances. Temple was ready to go against our 'high-octane' O and our O-line was lackluster, again. Kizer was all over the place with his passes and I believe those TO's in red zone were all his fault, trying to make plays that weren't really there ... THAT needs to stop!

What's even more disheartening ... our Irish were coming off a bye-week and it took this to defeat a Temple.

I fully expect Pitt to mimic what Temple did on D. We're lucky that Temple can't throw the ball that well. I'm not sure about Pitt's QB, but I really don't want to have to nearly OD on my BP pills, again, this Saturday.

 

[idseer]

Ishaq and Jarron Jones would have helped D line depth. This is the time of year where you need it. Guys get banged up and need a break. Day has played too many snaps as it is, and he is injury prone anyway. He was favoring his shoulder in the Temple game, I wonder how much he has left in him. I think losing Shawn Crawford has sent the secondary into disarray. He was, by all accounts, lights out. He would have excelled at nickel. With Luke and Russell, and a healthy Tranquill, we wouldn't need Farley or now Baratti. We had to shuffle the decks there, but he was poised to be lights out.

i can't argue with the fact we've had injuries .... but every team does. and i think nd's is no worse than anyone else's for the most part. now, if notre dame was presently weak at q-back and running i'd agree with you all.

 

[KnuteRoc]

... ... ... ... ... rinse & repeat.

Tell ya what ... I think Temple just devised the D-scheme to really give our semi-dimensional O big time headaches by loading the box to bottle up Prosise and playing our receivers tight/bump & run in many instances. Temple was ready to go against our 'high-octane' O and our O-line was lackluster, again. Kizer was all over the place with his passes and I believe those TO's in red zone were all his fault, trying to make plays that weren't really there ... THAT needs to stop!

What's even more disheartening ... our Irish were coming off a bye-week and it took this to defeat a Temple.

I fully expect Pitt to mimic what Temple did on D. We're lucky that Temple can't throw the ball that well. I'm not sure about Pitt's QB, but I really don't want to have to nearly OD on my BP pills, again, this Saturday.

I actually think this began with Clemson. It's commonly employed against young QBs. They did the same thing, we ran into the teeth of an 8 man front for almost the entire game. Once we reversed our first down approach we began moving the ball and forcing them out of 8 man fronts, at least past first down.

This is precisely my point about the play calling and adjustments. We need to be taking advantage of that idea. Two plays, one against a weak front = Run, if you're stacked in the box = pass. It's simple and the only thing Kizer needs to worry about is where the hot receiver is. Maybe he's not trusted enough for that, but then that means that the coaches need to be seeing this better/faster and getting the play calling to be inline more with what's happening as far as the defensive approach.

This D, along with Clemson's are seasoned D's, plenty of upperclassmen and good D coordinators. While we can talk about the youth, our injuries, etc. it's still the same game. You blitz a young QB who hasn't proven he can beat the blitz (consistently). Kizer may have youth, but Kelly is supposed to have the experience, his play calling should be counter-acting SOME of the defense's approach.

Those slow ass developing run plays on early downs don't suggest that. We can hardly make a D pay for stacking 8 in the box. I don't buy that Kizer isn't mobile enough, so what's left? Blocking and beating YOUR man, or the play call itself.

 

[jjc2009]

i can't argue with the fact we've had injuries .... but every team does. and i think nd's is no worse than anyone else's for the most part. now, if notre dame was presently weak at q-back and running i'd agree with you all.

For the most part I agree. But the sheer number of season ending injuries is frustrating. Guys miss weeks here and there, but knowing you have to go without for the entire year is tough. Its gotta be frustrating for the injured player too. Jones was just coming off of an injury, and the types of injuries he's had has kept him out of the weight room, which is kinda important for a DL.

Pitt has had to learn to live without Conner. USC was a different team without Turek at center. I agree, every team goes through it. You improvise, overcome and adapt.

 

[poewelch84]

i can't argue with the fact we've had injuries .... but every team does. and i think nd's is no worse than anyone else's for the most part. now, if notre dame was presently weak at q-back and running i'd agree with you all.

I disagree that Notre Dame's haven't been worse than others. How many top 25 teams have lost their starting QB, RB, TE, DT, Nickle CB and are still in the top 25 or top 10. The sheer number of guys that were starters or were going to contribute like Tranquill has made things very difficult. No other top 25 team has lost the number of starters like Notre Dame particularly at QB and continued to win.

 

[KnuteRoc]

Interesting quote from Kelly: Kelly said his staff will take some extra time this week to review its play-calling to see if they can put players in better position to score. He also said the coaches have discussed bringing in a more physical running back than C.J. Prosise or using the tight ends more and other changes.

Kelly believes No. 8 Notre Dame has mettle to be contenders

Some of this is in relation to our horrid red-zone %, but it sure does sound a lot like what someone's been saying around here for weeks. Oh, that was me.

Adams or Williams in a two TE set with Luatua and Jones. Prosise is fine too, but spell him, keep him in on the 3-4 WR sets. There's plenty of mileage to be had off that alone. It's not like the extra WR has been paying huge dividends. It's been mainly the Fuller and Brown show. Carlisle's role is near non-existent. Robinson and Hunter have been disappointing. Teams are focusing hard on Prosise. If they work this well it should be good all around, especially on first down.

 

[bbirish73]

injuries are a shame but even with players leaving ND is still set up well for next year. You will have 3 quarterbacks next year with playing experience with possibly the most talented quarterback being 3rd string. Tori Hunter Jr., in my opinion, will replace Fuller as the big play guy. (i'm also not so convinced that Fuller will go to the NFL. Seems like a very quiet guy and might not want to deal with the whole NFL scene just yet). Stanley is good but we have a good offensive line that has depth. Biggest loss that will hurt is Smith. A loss that I like is Joe Schmitt. That guy hurts the defense more than helps I think. Line-backing crew might be better as a unit next year when good old Joe is gone. But, lets get it done this year with who we got. GO Irish

 

[craigk217]

Interesting quote from Kelly: Kelly said his staff will take some extra time this week to review its play-calling to see if they can put players in better position to score. He also said the coaches have discussed bringing in a more physical running back than C.J. Prosise or using the tight ends more and other changes.

Kelly believes No. 8 Notre Dame has mettle to be contenders

Some of this is in relation to our horrid red-zone %, but it sure does sound a lot like what someone's been saying around here for weeks. Oh, that was me.

Adams or Williams in a two TE set with Luatua and Jones. Prosise is fine too, but spell him, keep him in on the 3-4 WR sets. There's plenty of mileage to be had off that alone. It's not like the extra WR has been paying huge dividends. It's been mainly the Fuller and Brown show. Carlisle's role is near non-existent. Robinson and Hunter have been disappointing. Teams are focusing hard on Prosise. If they work this well it should be good all around, especially on first down.

LOL ... hallelujah! It takes him to Week 10 to question play calling and putting players in better position(s). Gee, haven't we all been saying that all year (and the year before that ... and the year before that?).

It's pretty damn sad when your team struggles in executing the simplest of RB screen plays ... an oft lethal play at the right time - when you're not friggen allergic to calling them. It's pretty obvious to me that BK has a hard-on for WR bubble screens and those are what he focuses on in practice ... not so much the generic RB screens. Maybe he should REALLY contemplate that while he's "taking that extra time to review play calling".

Pssst ... hey Brian, it's really ok to run the ball on first down in the red zone when you have a stud OL, too. Three passes in a row while starting 1st & goal at opponent's five yard line isn't cutting it with a frosh QB and a compressed field. Just a thought, Bri.

 

[KnuteRoc]

I'd love to see Fuller stay, he seems like a good team player, maybe there's hope? Where's he at with his degree?

I do agree, though sometimes begrudgingly that we have managed to overcome the injuries well. I agree too that if you took away the top players on other teams like the ones we've lost, it'd be real iffy if they'd be still doing as well. Baylor is a good example, we'll see if losing their QB is as serious as some expect it might be.

I'll also admit it puts a lot of pressure on Kelly to either dial back the complexity of the offense or to try and make it a bit more dynamic, while also trying to protect against a loss. The one thing that bothers me is Kelly's public persona. "Next man in" and all the other cliches he uses when eluding to injuries not being an excuse. Yet, I see very little of some guys that I think could give some production. Jones should be a bigger part of the offense. I think Williams can be that inside power runner, Adams isn't bad either don't get me wrong, but Dexter seems to have the best build and skill to do that from what I've seen.

A different look is also something to make teams have to prepare for and be a little more honest in defending. Hitting Jones in the flat or the seam, whatever would be huge on first downs with 8 in the box. Success here could lead to 7 or less in the box on first down. We need more diversity in the run-game. The sweep or the reverse even... but these plays don't surprise teams when you're trying to run wide with the read-option every other first down call. It needs to be a bit more diverse. I hope they can bust some of this out on the next two teams. I haven't reviewed Pitts defense yet... but I'd like to see us show a little something new this week.

 

[idseer]

LOL ... hallelujah! It takes him to Week 10 to question play calling and putting players in better position(s). Gee, haven't we all been saying that all year (and the year before that ... and the year before that?). .....

well, isn't that exactly what he does in a game? he waits to long for everything! the man is just super slow when it comes to changing direction.

 

[craigk217]

I'd love to see Fuller stay, he seems like a good team player, maybe there's hope? Where's he at with his degree?

I do agree, though sometimes begrudgingly that we have managed to overcome the injuries well. I agree too that if you took away the top players on other teams like the ones we've lost, it'd be real iffy if they'd be still doing as well. Baylor is a good example, we'll see if losing their QB is as serious as some expect it might be.

I'll also admit it puts a lot of pressure on Kelly to either dial back the complexity of the offense or to try and make it a bit more dynamic, while also trying to protect against a loss. The one thing that bothers me is Kelly's public persona. "Next man in" and all the other cliches he uses when eluding to injuries not being an excuse. Yet, I see very little of some guys that I think could give some production. Jones should be a bigger part of the offense. I think Williams can be that inside power runner, Adams isn't bad either don't get me wrong, but Dexter seems to have the best build and skill to do that from what I've seen.

A different look is also something to make teams have to prepare for and be a little more honest in defending. Hitting Jones in the flat or the seam, whatever would be huge on first downs with 8 in the box. Success here could lead to 7 or less in the box on first down. We need more diversity in the run-game. The sweep or the reverse even... but these plays don't surprise teams when you're trying to run wide with the read-option every other first down call. It needs to be a bit more diverse. I hope they can bust some of this out on the next two teams. I haven't reviewed Pitts defense yet... but I'd like to see us show a little something new this week.

I'll add that it's nice to finally see Brown & Hunter getting much more involved in the O ... especially against Temple. Brown seems to be much more reliable ... not dropping passes with stone-fingers much anymore.

Now, if we could just get the TE involved. Totally non-existent this year and I can't really figure out why? I guess Jones (injured) is the only one that could catch the damn ball? If that's the case, it's sad.

 

[craigk217]

well, isn't that exactly what he does in a game? he waits to long for everything! the man is just super slow when it comes to changing direction.

... I call it the 'stubborn cuteness syndrome' ...

and it's maddening.

 

[idseer]

I'd love to see Fuller stay, he seems like a good team player, maybe there's hope? Where's he at with his degree?

I do agree, though sometimes begrudgingly that we have managed to overcome the injuries well. I agree too that if you took away the top players on other teams like the ones we've lost, it'd be real iffy if they'd be still doing as well. Baylor is a good example, we'll see if losing their QB is as serious as some expect it might be.
...........

it's just guessing but you're probably right. most teams may not have the depth to cover for injuries as nd did/does. credit where it's due, fortunately kelly DOES recruit very well and even with losing a few good qbacks the last 2 or three years we're still covered it seems.

 

[KnuteRoc]

Yea there's got to be a reason, probably quite valid, though when we don't know it certainly raises an eyebrow. We've made such great use of our TEs for a long time now that I just don't get it. Our O-Line is good enough, smart enough and gosh darnit people just like them... sorry I was channeling Stu Smalley there for a second. They're good enough to be more diverse in run-blocking scheme. I see a lot of zone blocking, some pulls and all that too but the running play itself is still geared toward the edge or up the gut. Off tackle baby! Let the runner decide if the cut is to the edge or back in for some safe yards.

 

[purguy12]

Well it was nice to see our TE Jones grab a 35 harder. He is only a Freshmen. I think we are going to start seeing him break out a little now.

 

[purguy12]

Interesting stats

Team stats:
Offense avg 494 yards and 34 pts per game: Fair to say Offense is doing well
Defense Avg 360 yards and 22 points. They don't give up a lot but they let up too many points
Offense redzone scores 79%- Overall not a bad number. I would like to be in the 80%
Offense red zone TD's 56%- This is too low. With this offense we should be at 70-75%.
Defense Redzone 76%- I would like for this to be 70%.
Defense Red zone TD's 67%. not bad but again 55-60% would be great.


Player stats:
CJ- 947 yards and 11 TD's. This is awesome. Only problem has slowed down a little.
Kizer- 65% pct, 1669 yards and 11 TD's. overall not bad from a rookie.
Fuller- 37 catches 748 yards 9 TD's. Almost half of Kizer's yards. Crazy good.
J. Smith- 66 tackles, 1 Sack 2 fumble recoveries. Stats don't show how good he is.
Okwara-4 sacks leads the team. This is our weakness this year as a team.
Day- 10 of his 31 tackles are for a loss.

People want to complain about Kelly but overall the Offense is doing their job. 1 area improvement that needs to be made is redzone TD's. Overall Im happy with the offense.

Now the Defense has been so so by the numbers. Im one that said I want VG out. Overall they don't give up many yards but they give up too many points and let up too many Red zone TD's. Also our pass rush isn't great. We should have more sacks.