ND 15 PITT 12

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Your lying eyes are not deceiving you. This game was bloody awful.

It was obvious right from the outset and throughout the game that ND was completely out coached, out played and outhit.

It seemed that the Pitt defensive coordinator was wired into Brian Kelly’s headset. It was also obvious that Bob Diaco was hopelessly confused as were the players.

Rees tossed a pick and fumbled as usual. He had absolutely zero pass protection. I have wondered why previous opponents didn’t just blitz all the time.

I have nothing good to say about the Offensive Line–each would get an F if I was evaluating them.

Defensive Line played well especially Aaron Lynch–that guy could make one of the All American squads by years end. Stephon Tuitt was very good also.

What genius had Louis Nix playing off the line–he also seemed to wear down as game went along. Was not impressed by the play of the OLB’S.

I don’t know what the deal is with Teo–he is not the dominant ILB that was projected by all.

Pitt took Michael Floyd completely out of the game

Offense:

Jonas Gray had a real nice 78yd touchdown run. MVP Offense

Tyler Eifert came through in the clutch.

Tommy Rees while befuddled managed to lead ND for the win.

DEFENSE:

Not impressed except for mentions above.

Carlo Calabrese MVP Defense for game saving pass knock away.

Pitt had like 4th and 38yds to go and Carlo ended up one on one and saved the game. The question I have–where was everyone else in this prevent defense–if that pass completed could have gone all the way.

Field Goal attempt–what the hell was a center doing placing the ball??? I admit I did not pay close attention to the holder until now but it makes no sense to me–at the very least, you want a holder who can move and possibly pass on a bobbled snap.

Pitt should have won this game–better team today.

4 games into the season and now standing at 2W 2L but this team is not improving–sort of treading water–both players and coaches.

Expected much much more but give the Pitt coaches and players credit–they wanted this game much much more and played like it.

What’s ahead–who the hell knows!!!!!!!!!

USF 23 ND 20

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The day after the shock of this loss, a few things come to mind.

  1. This is not a BCS team
  2. ND does not have a QB
  3. ND has a schizo offense
  4. ND has moderate defense
  5. ND has a very slim chance for a major bowl.
  6. Kelly has to calm it down – looks like a maniac.

I think Kelly’s offense is a split second offense–sort of like a fast break for an entire game and for that to work you need a GOOD QB that can pass and run.

 

If you take Michael Floyd out– the offense will collapse.

With the schedule they have and the persistent problems they have in the red zone– it will be tough to win 6 games. Quite simply they have to have a high octane offense and put points up every offensive series to be competitive.

USF has a decent team but one of the weakest on the schedule.

So what do you do at the QB position? I do not believe Kelly has any time for Crist or Hendrix–so you go with Rees and slowly mix Golson into each game for a few series.

Of course that means Hendrix leaves. Now you have 3 QB’s with one solid hit on Rees just waiting to happen.

All of this spells trouble and with his over the top behavior he could easily lose this team.

Michigan is not USF and now I believe they blow out ND with Denard Robinson once again racking up over 500 yds total offense.

Reading The Tea Leaves

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Well camps over and it’s anybody’s guess who starts at QB.

If Rees won the job, then he deserves to start. He seems to be an unflappable sort, has a calmness similar to Montana and maybe that’s what Kelly wants.

But what then happens with Crist? Losing out will be a confidence shattering jolt for him. I can’t help but reflect back to last season and the manner in which Kelly treated Crist vs. Rees. I wrote at the time that Kelly’s constant screaming at Crist was no way to treat any QB. He just got shakier and shakier–afraid of the coach and afraid to make any mistakes at all. Maybe the injury issue also comes into play–who knows.

If it’s Rees then what does it say about Hendrix? Will he sit around and wait while Rees starts for next 3 years.

Further, wasn’t Rees more or less a throw in–in that recruiting class with Hendrix the next heir apparent. They are both sophs and what is it about this offense that is so difficult for Hendrix to grasp. Seems he’s just even with frosh Golson.

I can’t be positive but don’t think Kelly even offered Hendrix when he was at Cinn.

If it plays out with Rees starting, Charley Weis might jump in and grab both Crist and Hendrix before season even starts–after all they are his RKQB’s.

9 Practices Complete

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With 1st full week over and done, as mentioned before, this up coming week will in all probability determine the depth chart.

Most positions filled and Kelly signaled that Shembo gets the nod over Spond.

That leaves the Calabrese Fox contest with Carlo in the lead.

OG’s –looks like it will be a 3 man rotation Watt, Nuss and Robinson.

Concerning Spond–don’t know how fast he is(looks thin to me) looks more like a Safety and maybe best in the long run for him.

I say this for apparently frosh Troy Niklas 6”7" 250 lbs third at this OLB position really opened eyes this week–even got nickname "Hercules".

Don’t like losing Nicols and hope we can land couple more OL recruits

At end of this week will probably learn who won QB derby.

Finally why can’t we get rid of Tom Hammond on NBC broadcasts–I nominate Jack Nolan of UND.com . Keep Mayock–he’s been very good.

Heating Up

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ND team in full pads Wednesday and some real good hitting drills taped–thank you Jesus.

I’m linking to a few posts courtesy of und.com Replay the drill over and over and what stands out — no one can block Nix or Lynch one on one.

Enjoy!!! 1-Brian Kelly Update 8/10/2011 courtesy of und.com 2-Practice and drills again from und.com

August Doldrums

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Disappointed that we haven’t landed a quality RB by now–hopefully, something will pop soon.

The usual coming out of fall camp so far–bigger, faster and stronger. But we hear that every year.

Believe this is day 5 and that should mean 1st day in full pads. I’ll be watching out for hamstring injuries. While I fully understand why Kelly wants closed practices– I would really like to see the Linemen go one on one–like to see Cave vs Nix and the other OL’s against Lynch and Tuitt. Get the same deal going with the LB’S .

Like to see the offense ag defense just running the ball–that wouldn’t tip off anything about full offense but would be interesting.

Should Golson redshirt this season?

Irish in LA Football Tagged , , , , , , ,
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With fall camp only three weeks away the quaterback question at Notre Dame is still on everybody minds. Who is going to start? Who should the back up be? Who should the change-up guy be? Where does Andrew Hendrix fit in? Should Everett Golson be redshirted? Who is going to tranfer? Lots of questions. I like Dayne Crist but he gets rattled way to easy and is prone to injury. Tommy Rees showed a lot of heart at the end of last season and found ways to win but is he the right guy out of the four quarterback we have now to lead the team for this season and in the future? All roads lead to Golson being the future star but do we play him this season or save him and let him really learn the offense? My feeling is if we put Golson in over Hendrix we are going to lose Hendrix. It’s a very confusing situation over there at ND for QB. Thought?