HEARTBURN

ND Editor Football Tagged
5

As we await to find out our Bowl Game opponent and lick our wounds and heal our Injuries I took a look at next years schedule and I would like to know what lunatic set this schedule up!!!!!  This is so totally incredible that very best we can do is 6-6 even if Vince Lombardi was the coach and Joe Montana was our QB.  Take a look.

2012 SCHEDULE

09/01/2012 Navy (Croke Park – Dublin, INTL)
09/08/2012 PURDUE
09/15/2012 at Michigan State
09/22/2012 MICHIGAN
10/06/2012 MIAMI (Solider Field)
10/13/2012 STANFORD
10/20/2012 BYU
10/27/2012 at Oklahoma
11/03/2012 PITT
11/10/2012 at Boston College
11/17/2012 WAKE FOREST
11/24/2012 at USC

Check out games 2 thru 8.  Number 4 Miami will be better simply due to their coach.  Number 8 Pitt will improve considerably with the coaching staff they now have.

We have no QB, we lose Floyd and possibly Teo and Eifert and our opening game Navy will probably leave us with 2 knee injuries let alone other injuries that will accrue.

How can any coach be expected to succeed with this impossible lineup and topped off with USC coming off probation in 2012.  We should immediately drop Michigan and substitute Indiana.

SIDE LINE DEMEANOR

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I wish there was a football camp for coaches on how to conduct themselves during a game–Kelly should be an attendee.

It’s one thing to call out a player who makes a critical penalty such as unsportsmanlike conduct as opposed to someone who fumbles or throws an int.–that’s football.

Last thing a player needs is a vein popping head coach waiting for him on the sideline–especially on national tv.

Most asst coaches know what the head guy wants and they can pull the player aside and strongly counsel him.

The head coach should at least look like he’s calm as opposed to frantic for that rubs off on the players plus those issues can be addressed at practice.

Not to mention such antics might have an effect on recruits or their parents.

Kelly had Crist wound so tight he didn’t know if he was playing football or baseball.

On defense I always prefer, if you have a high energy, gung-ho DC that he coach from the sideline. Diaco has that type of personality–he could really rev up the defense, especially in tough games.

Hope we get a Bowl opponent we can obliterate.

Big Back

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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.

Somewhere out there

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Somewhere out there in some High School there’s a big kid who has played center his entire High School career–quite possibly in a spread offense.

I mean a big 300+ lb guy that can handle a big nose guard handily and can’t be driven into the backfield–we need one in this recruiting class.

You know– a guy that can come in and stand up Nix on one vs one.

Golic is just not that big, strong or good enough,
Cave coming back for last year but will he be the same after surgery?

I know we have recruit–Daly–but believe he is just a longsnapper.

Center is a critical position, perhaps the most critical on any OL.

The guy is out there–find him and sign him. Probably 1/2 dozen in Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin alone.

I would also take another look at NG Tommy Schutt–can’t have too many D linemen.

STANFORD 28 ND 14

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Not ready, sloppy, low intensity by the ND offensive line contributed to a flame out in the first half and down 21 to zip no way to beat Stanford.

This team, especially the offense in facing quality opponents falls flat and almost looks like they are not only confused but that they expect to lose.

The OL was atrocious against a Stanford defense not known for brutalizing opponents. Sure Cave was out but it was the entire line that got punked.

A depleted defense made a valiant effort and those young guys gives us hope for the future.

Turning again to the OL we lose at least 2 starters but I do not recall any 2nd teamer getting any significant playing time–that is not how you produce effective depth.

Rees lack of any mobility almost got him killed. Going to Hendrix provided a spark and he should start in Bowl game.

Unfortunately it was also a final dis to Crist.

Wait til you see the Fla State pass rush–that could get real ugly.

For some reason this offensive team does not look prepared ag. good teams nor does there appear much effort or intensity.

Kelly and the offensive coaches have to do a much better job in all phases of the game prep.

Keep recruiting both OL and DL men but they have to play at least a little so they are ready when some one goes down.

Rarely do you have a talent like Mike Floyd and not play someone who can actually pass.

This team better in Sept than Nov.– called regression.

Lastly–get Gunner Kiel

Sinking Feeling

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Waiting around for tomorrow’s game so had an opportunity to see the first half of the LSU -Arkansas game.

What an eye opener and ND has so far to go that I’m not sure we will ever reach that level. Speed and power all over the place–they even field and run back punts.

Both OL’s open up huge holes
and they have an endless supply of running backs while we now have one. They also play freshman backs.

Their defenses deliver crushing hits.

I know Petrino is a good coach but Miles?

I really don’t get it–even the freshman know the plays and let’s face it– probably none actually go to class.

On the other hand ND gets smart kids but can’t seem to know the playbook. Hendrix has to have a limited package–what the hell’s going on.

Does Kelly and staff watch any of these games? If so, they must know the mountain they have to climb. Good idea to get some SEC asst coaches.

Praise the Lord we won’t have to play any top 5 team.

ND VS STANFORD

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We’ll know how this game will play out in the opening possession by both teams.

ND offense–line must show up and dominate or run game won’t work, same goes for pass. If ND goes 3 and out this will be a long night.

ND defense–unrelenting pressure on the Stanford QB Luck by the front 4 with lots of blitzing–if no pressure on Luck he will do same thing Barkley of USC did–game over. Nice if we can get a pic once in awhile.

I have the feeling that ND plays same way they did with USC–come out flat with no intensity.

ND has the players to beat Stanford but they won’t.

Prediction:

STANFORD 38 ND 20

ND can’t play from behind and expect to win

ND VS STANFORD–IF I WAS THE COACH

ND Editor Football Tagged
7

Let’s see–Cave, Gray & Tuitt out.
Riddick Ethan Johnson–still hampered

Flu going round, so who knows who else will miss the Stanford game.

USC almost upset Stanford but we don’t have Barkley.

Stanford staff studying Pitt, Wake, USC and BC defensive game plan and spends all week mimicking it.

Head to head we have no chance to win this game, so aside from a few gimmick plays what would I do if ND head coach.

I’d start Crist !!! He goes out in blaze of glory or screws up and we lose–so what –we can’t win with what we have.

Benefits–Stanford wastes whole week prepping defense for Rees.

Crist can throw long–that opens up a lot of possibilities but only if he’s been getting 1st team reps all week.

Again we have nothing to lose since Stanford is going to put up at least 30 pts and much more if Diaco continues to play bend/break defense..

Speaking of defense–Lynch should have one role hit the QB every play and mix in a lot of other blitzers every play.

Start Calabrese and have him run blitz since they say he can’t cover(neither can Teo or Fox). Insert Niklas frequently to blitz. This should be an all out blitz game–might get beat long a few times but the plan should be to batter Luck every play.

How’s that for a blueprint for success.

Few thoughts on BC game

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Wish BC #40 Kuechley played for us–he wanted to come to ND–can you imagine ILB’s Teo & Kuechley.

Losing Gray a big big hit, field position and flu had big impact. I thought team always got flu shots–at least they used to.

ND fans really need to back off on Rees–what’s he supposed to tell Kelly-“play some other guy”

ND spoiled by a once in every 25 yrs QB–Çlaussen and can’t get it thru there heads no QB on team now is anywhere near Jimmy.

Knock off Stanford in prime time and win Bowl game–turn the defense loose.

ND 16 BC 14

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Escaped with a win to go 8-3.

BC had a good defensive game plan dropping 8–many times Rees had no play but threw it anyway–should have been 3 pics for BC.

Sure do miss Cave–chemistry just not there yet.

Jonas Gray–devastating loss with knee–looks like he’s done–last year it was hamstrings and this year acl’s.

Tuitt did not play but glad to see Niclas at DE position think that is where he will end up in 2012.

Toma continues to impress and he and Ruffer along with Gray MVP’s for this game.

I don’t get Diaco at all.

Aaron Lynch frustration showing he’s held almost every play yet no calls.

Give BC credit–good game plan.

Truly hope Kelly just holding back or we are in deep trouble next week especially without Gray.

If Gunner Kiel was at this game–just commit now–you’ll play early.