I, like most ND fans are trying to make sense of the Kelly/Martin play calling so far this season. With an almost non existent running game, Kelly just quips that he will just go over the top on those teams that jam the line of scrimmage. Ok, I get that, but when it’s 3rd and short why continuously throw 50 yards down-field.

Before this season the book on Tommy Rees was that he does not have the arm strength to throw, with accuracy more than 25 yards–now we know different. But the play calling gives him very little room for error–very small window for him to place the ball and so far he has come through with the help of some great catches–over the shoulder and hard up against the sidelines by the receivers.

Even with that, our opponents continue to jam the line to stop the run first–again and again. So Rees has to constantly change the original play call and I guess he’s been told anytime he sees one on one to go with the pass. Martin has said numerous times that he will take that match up every time. But what about a quick slant just to get the first down. A few short passes would take a lot of pressure off Tommy – now it’s all on his shoulders to complete long pass after long pass.

Must give kudos also to the OL for outstanding pass protection. But that also puts a lot of pressure on them when we always go long. Rees already in a knee brace and unless we get some type of running game he is going to get killed, sooner or later.

Now the Running Game. Any chance of some mis direction plays? Any chance of some imaginative play calling? Run blocking by the OL? RB”s getting yardage when they only need a yard? All I’ve seen, in short yardage is the RB”s getting bounced backward. I just don’t think that GAIII is a running back. Carlisle belongs in the slot. I love Cam but he really is just a situational player. The 2 freshman–we really need to get both of them on the field and for far more than 1 or 2 plays. Kelly just wants to wait til the game is salted away before taking a chance on a fumble–well this team will not salt any team,as already shown, with the exception of maybe Navy.

I have the feeling that Kelly/Martin are just playing not to lose. Consider all the long passes and long side line passes – seems to me that while hoping for possible TD or long gain they are more concerned about an interception and if a pick does occur – well that’s as good as a punt, so no big deal.

Anyhow, I really really hope that we have a big change and that Kelly has been just waiting to let loose an explosive offense – lets start this Saturday.