Week One Ends

ND Editor Football Tagged ,
0


Carlo Calabrese

Originally press were to see maybe an hour of practice Saturday but that did not pan out so we get just a few snippets of coach speak about team’s practice.

To sum up everything just going as expected although Kelly seems to be bringing more heat on Hendrix/Golson to step up–“won’t have Tommy to bail you out in Ireland”.

Alex Welch Tight End out for the year with torn ACL–Jake Golic moves in as # 4 TE.

Danny Spond–no one sure yet but on medical absence until issues resolved.

Team went on golf and picnic for the afternoon.

Both Rees and Calabrese sufficiently contrite when meeting reporters. Why do I have the feeling that Rees will be starter vs. Purdue in game 2?

Carlo # 44 should be able to easily move right back in rotation for Purdue game–getting lots of reps in practice. We are really going to need him–outside of Teo he’s the hardest hitter among the Backers. I always enjoy how he plays the game.

That’s it–just hope that team injury free for rest of camp and comes out of Navy game the same way. MWF –2 a days coming week.

Big Back

ND Editor Football Tagged , ,
7

While we have Mahone, who I believe will do the job and compliment Wood–I want a jumbo fullback say 6’2″ 245 lbs that has a burst to get the 2-4 yds.

Don’t need a speed merchant but if we can get a FB like Navy churns out every year that would set up numerous running possibilities–lead blocker, QB protector and to mix it up have 3 RB’s in backfield at same time.

Thinking ahead–if Calabrese is pushed out of LB rotation–give him a shot at FB.

He was a great runner in HS–just don’t know if he’s lost that skill set and speed.

But with the middle wide open so often would rather see an animal running opposed to QB.

If Hendrix wins job–he needs to learn to get down–he took a blast on his right arm and a few more hits like that and he can’t throw.

What ND needs

ND Editor Football Tagged
0

ND reminds me of some type of gentleman’s club–maybe say Yale or Princeton on both sides of the ball–we do not need guys that are embarrassed to be seen as tough guys.

Defense first–we need some psychos–Manti just too nice–goes out of his way to deliver a devastating hit and misses a lot–maybe jacked up but doesn’t jack up his teammates–also helps guy up–fuck that–that’s not the old ND.

Dan Fox–can’t tackle hard or soft.

Carlo Calabrese–my guy, he is the guy except always in some doghouse–problem here is he is not a starter–go with Fox he’s not trying to kill guys.

So you get no pumped up LBS–so Carlo got penalized–anyone else doing anything to pump this team up.

One note–Brian Smith–tried but was all talk no action.

DL–we need a destroyer or 2. Nix can barely get past 1st quarter so he’s out. Tuitt got destroyed as did Lynch in USC game.

So on defense there is only one guy that hits hard and is a solid hitter–Harrison Smith, but he is also a quiet guy.

Start Calabrese and get some fire on the field.

OFFENSE–Jonas Gray and Chris Watt–rest are just there taking up space.

QB–Crist–some fire as opposed to zombie like Rees and now he can play loose if Kelly gets out of the way.

Psychos please step up.

2 Jersey Guys

ND Editor Football Tagged , , ,
0

Mike Ragone, Camden Catholic–probably the best Tight End in that recruiting class when he committed to Charlie Weis.

Mike was big, tough and lightening fast–could have played Wide Receiver–he was that fast.

Unfortunately knee surgeries finished his days as a player.
He never fully recovered from surgery, yet he continued to play as the blocking Tight End.
We certainly could use him now.

Thanks for your great contributions over the last 4 years, Mike.

Carlo Calabrese LB–from Verona–another coup for Weis–highly coveted by big name schools. Tough, tough kid.

This guy was an incredible High School player–he did everything and played numerous positions both sides of the ball but it was at Linebacker that he truly excelled–he was a fierce hitter.

Carlo, in my opinion, was as good as Teo and I had visions of them playing together hammering Running Backs.

Won starting job last year after riding the bench as a Freshman. Has a fight on his hands splitting time with Dan Fox this season. Dan is a nice player but nowhere near the hitter Calabrese is.

They say he can’t pass cover–oh yea- check out game saving tipped pass vs. Pitt. He is much better than Fox, who I think would be better outside.

These 2 guys symbolize what Weis was talking about–he wanted the tough NJ guys that usually ended up at Penn State.

We need more like them from the Garden State.

ND 15 PITT 12

ND Editor Football Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
2

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!!!!!!!!!

What Now

ND Editor Football Tagged , , , , , , ,
1

Let’s treat 1st 2 games as exhibition games with next 10 our regular season.

Really have to get all the DB’s heads screwed on right. Gray, in particular–but after re-playing the game–no real pressure on the QB in passing situations and that makes it very difficult to maintain coverage. 2 games and I can’t recall 1 sack or good pressure on either QB.

The strength of this team was supposed to be the front 7 which in turn would help the DB’s with pics–isn’t happening.

So what do you do–well last 30 seconds, knowing they have to pass why not get the best line athlete on field with one job only–get the QB. Aaron Lynch should have been the guy.

He is every bit as good as Teo was as a freshman–get him on the field starting right now.

Get Tuitt much more involved. Niklas and Williams need more playing time also.

All of these guys would be starting elsewhere.

Run defense was very good but changes have to be made in obvious passing downs.

Somehow we need to get Teo freed up. Too often he is shielded out of the play.

Speaking of LB’s Calabrese was really hammering anyone he came in contact with while Fox showed good speed and range.

Nix again was a force but Johnson and Moore really have to step it up.

Next up more conventional teams–we simply have to play guys that can rush the passer. OLB’s real disappointment at this stage.

We can run the table if we just play the right guys on D.

If anything, you can bet that the D as a whole will be fully re-evaluated this week.

Let’s hope so.

9 Practices Complete

ND Editor Football Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
0

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.

Day 1 Fall Camp

ND Editor Football Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

S. Tuitt is one big dude
Andrew Nuss running with 1st team as LG.
ILB–looks like most competitive with Calabrese, Fox and MacDonald fighting for the spot opposite Teo. Whoever complements Teo the best will start–I like Carlo.

QB–think it’s Crist barring injury or mental breakdown.

No doubt that freshman Williams, Tuitt and Lynch will play as will redshirt Nix. Also no doubt barring injury and if they live up to hype all four will go early to NFL draft. So we have 3 seasons out of them. So enjoy while you can and hope Teo stays for senior season.

ODDS AND ENDS ARMY WEEK

ND Editor Football Tagged , , , , , , , ,
1

What I would like to see:

  • Defense–Calabrese(only if 100% healthy) at middle ILB with Teo.
  • Brian Smith–left OLB where he was a force as a Freshman.
  • DL-This is where we must overwhelm with pure physical power. Time for Ethan to finally put together a dominating presence.
  • PASS COVERAGE–can we have one game where we stop the easy long pass right down the center of the field.

OFFENSE–would like to see all 5 OL men blast Army off the LOS and the RB’s have their best game of the year. We will need to run the ball against USC so we might as well start with this game.

Interesting that opponents were picking up our play call signals–only took 10 games for this to dawn on the staff.

For the hell of it BEST PERFORMANCE outside of Floyd. I select Roby Toma.