Spring Ball Uodates:

[Irish7478]

I'm not a ND fan so I can just give you what I think. Despite Tommy having a better winning percentage I would think most ND fans would take Clausen to QB a team over Tommy. I would think right now it would probably be 50-50 if it was between Clausen and Golson with older NDs probably recognizing how good of a passer Jimmy was ( I would be in that boat). Personally I think some of you guys are a little to enamored with Everettes ability to run and not remembering that he wasn;t the most accurate thrower. He had flashes but I don't think teams feared his throwing. Maybe Golson ( ooops earthquake).

Hope all is well on the earthquake front.

With respect to Clausen, I was a huge Jimmy fan, and wish he had stuck around another year. I'm also one of the older ND fans on this board, and appreciate how good a passer he was. But, I would never pick Clausen over Golson to be QB of this ream. With Kelly as coach, Golson has the mobility necessary to run Kelly's offense, Jimmy did not.

 

[socaljim242]

I feel like we are debating two different issues. You seem to be saying that certain QB's would be better pros than others, while I'm talking about who I would prefer to have at QB for ND this year. I'd take Golson over Rees or Clausen. I truly don't care who would be a better pro. I'm not saying that I would take Golson over Winston, but I am saying that Golson got us to the NC game, and Mariota and Hundley haven't been able to do that for their teams. (obviously Winston took it one step further than Golson did)

It really sounds like you are more interested in stats than wins or losses, which I guess probably makes sense as an SC fan.

When I say I'd take Clausen over Golson right now (both in their 3rd year) it has nothng to do with who would be a better pro. I think Clausen in 2012 would have taken the irish offense to another level considering the Irish defense was holding teams to a very low point total and Clausen would have put up more points (which usually means more stats) because he would have done better in the red zone . You can have a so so offense if your defense is dominant but if you have a dominant defense along with an offense that can be very good you will win more and easier. Golson wont win the same if he has the same stats as 2012 because (most say) your defense wont be as strong as it was in 2012 . He's expected to do more (which means better stats) if the irish are to get to a playoff.
Marriota and Hundley have taken control of their teams offense and run it at a high level. When they put up about 30 TDs in a season they are doing good. It doesn't matter that their team hasn't had the success that Golsons team had in 2012 because Golson didn;t (as a QB) stand out and wasnt the reason they did win. He had games where he made a play or two that were awesome and with that defense it's all they needed. I never saw an irish game that year and was wowed or amazed by his play. I saw your defense play lights out and have some stands that kept them undefeated.
When I say it doesn't matter that their teams (Hundley , Marriota) didnt have the success that ND had in 2012. I mean it doesn't matter when rating the QB. Luck never won or got to the NCG but anyone (who knows football) would take him in a heartbeat (as a senior QB) over all of them including Golson and even Winston (most likely).

 

[socaljim242]

It wasn't a big earthquake just centered close to where I was when it hit. lol. Still waiting for the big one.

 

[purguy12]

I would take Clausen over both. If Clausen had any Defense ND would of been good. Imagine him or Quinn as QB 2 years ago. We might of beat Bama. I like Golson but he isn't close to Clausen.

 

[whywork2]

Aaron Rodgers could have been quarterbacking in the national championship game and we would have still lost. If we had switched offensives lines with Alabama we would have had a good game. Alabama had been holes to run through and McCarron had time to throw. We didn't give Golson or our running game a chance. They beat us at the line of scrimmage. I think most of the other matchups were pretty close. That year most of their linemen went in the first couple of rounds in the draft.

 

[socaljim242]

I would take Clausen over both. If Clausen had any Defense ND would of been good. Imagine him or Quinn as QB 2 years ago. We might of beat Bama. I like Golson but he isn't close to Clausen.

Clausen would have done some damage for sure. Loved Quinn. I was in the stands for ND-USC Bush push 2005 and Quinn was amazing.

 

[purguy12]

Quinn was one of my Fav players to watch as a ND fan. If they had a Defense ten ND would of been scary. Now its the other way around if we can find an offense to go with the D we would be fine. This year I think we get the Offense but wont have the Defense.

 

[Irish7478]

Quinn was one of my Fav players to watch as a ND fan. If they had a Defense ten ND would of been scary. Now its the other way around if we can find an offense to go with the D we would be fine. This year I think we get the Offense but wont have the Defense.

Heading into this year, I have more faith in the offense than the defense.

 

[socaljim242]

Heading into this year, I have more faith in the offense than the defense.

It's rare to have a good defense and a good offense at the same time. The charlie years you had some serious O and no D. With K you've had good to great defense and good enough offense. Weird considering BK is known as an offensive mind. Now you look to have weapons (if unproven) on O but your defense looks like it will take a step back because you're young in many spots. You might be winning games 27-24 36-28 45-35.

 

[purguy12]

Practice update 3/19/14.

Jr Slot receiver Mahone was on crutches. Also hurt was Lombard. He hurt is wrist.

It looks clear that the Left side will be Stanley and Elmer.

New Slot receiver Carlisle was very impressive. One of the plays of the day was a deep ball over the shoulder grab by Carlisle. Perfect throw and great catch.

Cj Proises and Carlisle were just tag teaming from the slot. Slot position looks like a strength now.

A lot of trips formation going on. Robinson on the outside by himself and then Brown, CJ and Koyack on the other side. 2nd unit out of trips was Brent by himself and then Carlisle, Fuller, Smythe. Hunter Jr would get some looks.

Coach Kelly was stated saying Koyack is starting to live up to the hype(something like that) He is the most settled receiving target on the roster right now.

Goslon looked good but after making a great play or throw, the next play he would have a bad play. Example: Play to Carlisle was awesome, next play he throws a pick 6.

Staff is still trying to look for a role for Farley.

Starting CBs were Luke and Russell.

In the 3-4 ND has I. Williams and Okwara at the Ends and Day and Jones inside.

1st unit Safetys have been Max and Austin still.

 

[purguy12]

2 deep Defensive Depth Chart right now.
Def. End
Ishaq Williams
Isaac Rochell

Def. Tackle
Jarron Jones
Jacob Matuska

Def. Tackle
Sheldon Day
Justin Utupo

Rush End
Romeo Okwara
Anthony Rabasa

Mike
Joe Schmidt
Doug Randolph

Will
Kendall Moore
Michael Deeb

Sam
Jaylon Smith
John Turner

Cornerback
KeiVarae Russell
Josh Atkinson

Safety
Austin Collinsworth
Elijah Shumate

Safety
Max Redfield
Eilar Hardy

Cornerback
Cole Luke
Jalen Brown

 

[whywork2]

Thanks for the updates Purguy.

 

[purguy12]

Todays practice report talked about how Golson looks the same with just more zip on the ball. Zaire looked better today but both had their ups and downs today.

 

[NDKane21]

Mahone is banged up, again. Along with Lombard. Done for the spring.

Turner is getting a lot of time at linebacker. Yes you heard right, linebacker. Along with James, I used to be a WR, Onwualu (spelling could be off, hard name to sound out). Either way IMO not a good thing. I wish Morgan was an EE.

Corey Robinson is a really impressive. He'll be hard to stop. Especially with a QB not throwing change ups every pitch. Justin Brent, again, is going to be "your" favorite player soon.

Tumbetti is making quite the impression. I'm worried about him playing the run though.

I repeat, John Turner playing our other LB spot is not good. The other guy played offense last year. I don't like that.

Besides that things are good. Malik is impressing, nice to see. And EG, although has rust, will be your most productive QB in 2014...nothing new there, at least to me.

 

[Irish7478]

Mahone is banged up, again. Along with Lombard. Done for the spring.

Turner is getting a lot of time at linebacker. Yes you heard right, linebacker. Along with James, I used to be a WR, Onwualu (spelling could be off, hard name to sound out). Either way IMO not a good thing. I wish Morgan was an EE.

Corey Robinson is a really impressive. He'll be hard to stop. Especially with a QB not throwing change ups every pitch. Justin Brent, again, is going to be "your" favorite player soon.

Tumbetti is making quite the impression. I'm worried about him playing the run though.

I repeat, John Turner playing our other LB spot is not good. The other guy played offense last year. I don't like that.

Besides that things are good. Malik is impressing, nice to see. And EG, although has rust, will be your most productive QB in 2014...nothing new there, at least to me.

I'm not overly concerned about the LB's at this time (until i get a status on Councell or Grace getting healthy), trying someone out in the Spring isn't necessarily a bad thing. At this time I'm holding out hope that Grace or Councell will be able to play by the time August rolls around. (any updates on these guys?)

 

[NDKane21]

It's rare to have a good defense and a good offense at the same time. The charlie years you had some serious O and no D. With K you've had good to great defense and good enough offense. Weird considering BK is known as an offensive mind. Now you look to have weapons (if unproven) on O but your defense looks like it will take a step back because you're young in many spots. You might be winning games 27-24 36-28 45-35.

BK hasn't had a QB any year but one...RS Frosh that year. 2014 will be the first he has "that" guy...and he didn't even play last year. But that is ok.

 

[NDKane21]

I'm not overly concerned about the LB's at this time (until i get a status on Councell or Grace getting healthy), trying someone out in the Spring isn't necessarily a bad thing. At this time I'm holding out hope that Grace or Councell will be able to play by the time August rolls around. (any updates on these guys?)

Just had surgery to put a rod in his leg the other day. Should know in a month or two if he'll be ready for 2014. I wouldn't count on it though.

 

[Irish7478]

Just had surgery to put a rod in his leg the other day. Should know in a month or two if he'll be ready for 2014. I wouldn't count on it though.

Hopefully he can make it back this year. I doubt the NCAA gives him a 6th year.

 

[NDKane21]

Hopefully he can make it back this year. I doubt the NCAA gives him a 6th year.

I think he would get a sixth year given the situation. Problem is we need him in 2014, next year not so much.

 

[Irish7478]

I think he would get a sixth year given the situation. Problem is we need him in 2014, next year not so much.

To get a 6th year you usually have to show that both non playing years were due to injury. I don't think we can say that about Grace. (but I have to say that I don't know why he was held out his freshman year)