JotCast | ND Football Live Chat Aug, 29, 2019

ND Football Live Chat Aug, 29, 2019

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Eric Hansen

2:13

I think he is taken aback by it as well, as we had him on our Pod of Gold podcast recently. I think there may be some concern with leg strength. He needs to be able to kick field goals and kick off. And when you get down to the elite guys in the NFL, they tend to be able to connect from beyond 50 yards pretty consistently. I'm not sure Justin has that range. I'll say this, I love his mental toughness and would take him on my team any day of the week.

Paul

2:10

Stuart, FL. Eric, can't understand why Justin Yoon hasn't made a connection, at least a Taxi Squad slot. What goes?

Eric Hansen

2:10

Brian, more significant than what you and I think on this topic — no offense to either of us intended — is what Jack Swarbick, Brian Kelly and former and current Notre Dame players believe. I ask that question quite often to our podcast guests, many of whom or former Irish players or national media (or both). Not one has answered that question, "No." Now would it be easy? Nope, but I believe it's possible.

Brian Sontchi

2:06

From Batavia, IL: Good afternoon, Eric. Appreciate very much your in depth reporting of Fighting Irish football. If I am not mistaken, 1996 was the year the 85 players football scholarship limit per team was implemented. Add to that the incredible academic requirements imposed on all Notre Dame student athletes, do you really believe the Fighting Irish football program will ever be able to capture another football national title? I ask this because Notre Dame has not been able to make a competitive contest out of the games against Alabama after the 2012 season and against Clemson last season. I’m 66 now, and I do not see it happening even if I live to be 125.

Eric Hansen

2:06

Tony, only Kevin Austin or his family can confirm on the record what the infraction is. Dexter Williams and his family were willing to do that eventually. So let's live in the hypothetical unless/until there is some confirmation from Austin's camp. Here's how it works at Notre Dame. If you have an infraction that requires discipline, the world will likely never know about it. You'll get the equivalent of double-secret probation and community service, etc. The next infraction is a third of the season lost. In football, that's four games. Strike three wipes out an entire season. Strike four and you're gone. OK, let's do the pot hypothetical without including Austin. It is not legal recreationally in Indiana yet. It is in Michigan and the border is just a few miles away. So it becomes a philosophical and legal question ... does an school (or employer for that matter) have the right to set its own rules. Legally for now it does. Philosophically, that's a debate that's going to get louder in the coming months.

Tony from Vt

1:58

Is speculation Austin has been suspended from team due to his smoking pot? If so, it is ridiculous. Pot is legal in much of tge country now. In Vt cash strapped dairy farmers are selling their cows and planting acres upon acres of cannabis and will profit handsomely. If ND does not condone smoking weed, then a part- or full game suspension is reasonable as is a program to help rehab the player. But a 4 game or season long suspension is unreasonable in this day and age. Work with the athlete, don’t exclude him.

Eric Hansen

1:57

I just don't think six losses are possible, not without some strange run of injuries or players getting abducted by aliens. I think a six-loss season would put a lot of coaches on the hot seat, so I'm not sure how to answer it. I just don't see it happening.

Matt from Kansas

1:56

Hi Eric, thanks for all that you do. I know the general feeling, is this will be a pretty good year. I think the lowest guess somebody has picked for losses that I've seen is 3. But since the world seems like a crazy place, more and more each day. What if the unthinkable happens? What if we lose to Mic, Georgia, Stanford, and 2 of the three between Lou, USC, & Virginia. If we end up with 4-6 losses, will Kelly be on the hot seat? I know his contract is running out, do you think J.S. would be quick too add on more years, if the season does not go how we all hope it will?

Eric Hansen

1:55

Fred, thanks for the feedback. The 2020 schedule looks more forgiving at this point, except that Clemson comes to town and Trevor Lawrence will still be on the team. The schedule that looks most conducive to a playoff run of the next five, including this year's, appears to be 2021. Thanks for the scouting report on Clark.

Fred K from Richmond Va.

1:53

Love your Chats Mr. Hansen, I do you think the scheduling of this years squad will have an affect on their win loss ratio. This may be the worst scheduling I have seen in some time. No breaks after tough road games just one tough game after another tough game, on the road at Georgia then facing a tough game at home against Virginia. I will leave you with this after watching Brendon Clark in high school Jurkovic better watch out, Clarke is a special talent and extremely accurate. GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

1:51

Vern, I do appreciate that very much! Kevin has not redshirted. Redshirting during a suspension is not an automatic, (from ND's standpoint), so he would have to apply for a fifth year down the road. If he's in good standing, it's likely it would be granted. And no, he did not redshirt last season as a freshman.

Vern

1:50

Elkhart. Has Kevin Austin already been red shirted so this year he is losing a whole extra year of eligibility. You are the best and we are so fortunate to have your expertise. Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:50

If he is suspended for the season, which I believe he is, that would include any postseason game or games.

Vern

1:49

Elkhart. When the season is over ND will play a bowl game. Will Kevin Austin be eligible for it

Eric Hansen

1:49

Matt, thanks for the feedback on the podcast intro. Actually, it was not my question to which he was referring. One Thursday night last year, Kelly thought some of us, including me, were not "positive enough" in our line of questioning, so he decided to tease me about it when another reporter lobbed a couple of softball questions at him. It was pretty funny, so we included it. I'll have to defer on the Hansen All-star team. There are too many years and players to consider to pop that off quickly without a nap first. ND's MVP vs. Louisville. I'll go with Julian Okwara. My surprise pick to click is Shaun Crawford.

Matt from St. Louis

1:44

Hi Eric! Thanks again for doing these. First, love the new podcast intro. What was the follow up question you asked that got such a reaction from Coach Kelly? Also, with Ryan Harris on the show, I was wondering if you could list an ND all star offense and defense (11 players each, you can choose the scheme/formation) for all the years you’ve covered ND. Lastly, who do you think will be ND’s MVP versus Louisville? Thank you!

Eric Hansen

1:43

Bill. I'm going to have to call you your research. Of the 17 Irish players who left early in the last 10 draft cycles AND who did get drafted, 11 went in the first or second round and another three in the third, so that's 14 of 17. DeShone Kizer went in round 2 and so did Clausen. So if he has his degree, meets his team goals and individual improvement, it's a hard sell to get him to stay, don't you think?

Bill 1000 Oaks Ca

1:40

Do you think our QB would leave after this year ? In the recent past it hasn't worked out too well for those who left early.Big dollars$$$ between a 4-6th round pick as compared to earlier rounds. Please keep up the GR8 work you do and Go IRish!!

Eric Hansen

1:36

There has been little news, because he hasn't created news. Jones just hasn't progressed at this stage of his career to the point where he's become a factor on the depth chart. Maybe he's a late bloomer, maybe not. He is currently working with the scout team.

Jack from Auburn, AL

1:34

With all the injuries to the receiving core, why hasn't there been any or very little news regarding Micah Jones. He had very good notices during the recruiting stages a few years ago, but he doesn't seem to a factor in the receiving plans of the team.

Eric Hansen

1:33

Even if the coaching staff had wanted to — and they didn't — Allen's transfer came too late in the summer to even consider it. You'd bring in a player with absolutely no knowledge of ND's defense to ... sit behind Elliott, Gilman, Hamilton and DJ Brown? There were and are internal options if the Irish need it for numbers. Now, if ND closes out the 2020 recruiting cycle short of viable safety options and Gilman goes to the NFL after this season instead of returning, then I think the transfer portal is an option worthy of at least discussion next spring .. but not before.

Guest

1:30

Hi Eric, Mike from Sarasota. Thanks for your efforts to keep all us amateurs informed. I have been wondering that with the loss of Derick Allen, if ND has explored the recently expanded transfer portal as a way to either replace him or improve depth elsewhere?

Eric Hansen

1:29

Tom, I'm not sure how you want him to answer that question. I didn't have any issues with the question or the answer. What trust was he betraying with that answer? What's wrong with saying the team needs to show something on the field? I probably would have said something similar if I were in Kelly's position, although probably not as polished as he did.

Tom in Cleveland

1:27

Why did Brian Kelly say the bit about “not sure what kind of group the team will be until it plays game one” to the media? The he followed it up with “a couple years ago the team mentality was to dominate.” Seems like that is a private conversation for inside the family.

Eric Hansen

1:26

I wondered if it was arm strength and QBs coach Tommy Rees assured it was not. In the spring, I saw for myself, it was not. Saw more of that in August. So it's about confidence, timing, mechanics and play-calling. Thanks for being part of the chats.

Tom from NJ

1:25

Thanks for the chat! They always get me over the work week hump and ready for some Irish! A lot has been discussed about Book’s deep ball ability. I’ve read that he has worked and improved his accuracy over the off season. Do you see the accuracy issues related to arm strength or just comfortability being accurate with the long ball? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:24

They need to address the still-lingering questions at CB, LB and special teams ... show that Book is more complete and dynamic and win at Georgia . That's a good start.

RJ, Chicago

1:23

What does ND need to show to increase confidence in play capable of going 12-0 ?

Eric Hansen

1:23

Ian Book is counting on being a more complete quarterback and worked very hard this offseason to make that goal a reality. I'm not sure of his round projection, because if he is indeed a different quarterback, his round will be higher. For the record, The Athletic's Dane Brugler rates Book as the No. 9 QB among those with college eligibility remaining after this season. So that's his entry point going into 2019. I think scouts are intrigued on what/who Book can become. Now they'll want to see evidence of that evolution this season.

Stephen from Toledo OH

1:13

Hey Eric! Tried to send this earlier today and not sure it went through or not. Ian book is no doubt a great fit for ND but his smaller stature and lack of a proven deep threat are usually cause for nfl scouts to pause. I’ve been hearing how this is more than likely Ian books last year before entering the draft pool. What is it that you see that puts him in an early round of the nfl instead of returning for another year?

Eric Hansen

1:13

You know how people overuse LOL. Well I actually did laugh out loud at your opening premise. Bravo. To your questions, I think Claypool will have a lot first-down catches. Red zone is a little harder to predict, because of how Book and the offense works. He's constantly looking for the mismatch/soft spot in coverage at the line of scrimmage. So there are times Claypool is going to be the more challenging throw to make, because of the attention he'll get. Also, ND has so many weapons in the passing game, will anyone get to 10? Boykin had 8 last year and Claypool 4. I'll go with 10 for Claypool this year. How's that? Right at the 0/u line. Re Louisville, using Claypool is part of the efficiency quotient. So is using the entire breadth of the offense, which would include tight ends, backs and other WRs.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:04

Eric, if loving these chats is wrong, I dont want to be right....ok, moving on. With high expectations for Claypool, would you take the over/under of 10 TDs this year for him, but for this Louisville game, will they use the running backs and Finke to give Book more short opportunities and higher offensive efficiency?

Eric Hansen

1:02

Improvement over last year's team? I'm not sure this team will be better. I think aspects of it will be. Ian Book attacked his shortcomings this offseason. I think he is better than the 2018 version, so it starts there. I think he'll have a better O'Line, deeper receiving corps and more formations and personnel groups to employ. Defensively, I believe the pass rush will be better and the safeties will be very good. Then you start to get into the areas where work still has to be done ... linebackers, boundary corner, special teams, etc.

Patrick from Los Angeles

1:00

Just watched USC game replay on ESPN. Unimpressive, followed by Clemson debacle. What are the key reasons for expecting improvement in 2019?

Eric Hansen

12:54

Pogo, let me tell you, I love the name Pogo. I have six grandkids, and if I have a seventh, I'm going to ask my son to consider that name. If I'm an opposing head coach, I'm going to run the ball until Notre Dame shows me it can stop the run. I'm going to test whichever cornerback plays opposite of Troy Pride and I'm going to see if the nickel is a mismatch. And I'm going to try to go to a quick passing game, so Okwara and Kareem and Co., don't have time to do damage.

Looking at ND's offense, I'm going to challenge Ian Book to try and beat me deep, and skew my safety help into the boundary to try to limit Claypool. I'm willing to see if the outside receiver on the other side can beat me. I'm going to load the box to quash the run and see what Book does with that look. It's possible Notre Dame will have answers for all of those things, eventually. But not in week one.

Pogo In Springfield, MO.

12:48

Love the insight, veracity, and tact in your writing and chat answers...you are special. Seems to me that ND is strong to ok at every position group. My question is what are the weaknesses that Georgia and others can count on to expose and gain an advantage on both sides of the ball? The linebacker corps is obvious because of lack of experience, but there are some good athletes there that have pretty good examples in Tranquil and Coney.

Eric Hansen

12:47

Tyler james wrote about this yesterday: https://www.ndinsider.com/football/notebook-notre-dame-s-talented-deep...

In that article, Kelly says Hayes has had his best training camp yet. I would not deem him a disappointment by any measure.

Keith from Kalamazoo

12:46

It seems that Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem get all the hype on the D Line. Is Daelin Hayes becoming a forgotten man on this team. After all he is former 5 star recruit....rated higher than Okwara and Kareem both coming out of high school. What can be Hayes ceiling this season? Is it fair to say that he hasn’t lived up to the hype yet?

Eric Hansen

12:45

Hi Colin. Thanks for the compliments and for the TV info. I just recently got a DVR for the first time, so I'm just catching up to this century's technology. ... Interceptions are tough to come by, especially if you're not a starter. The most any player had in the FBS last year was seven. Only 15 players had more than 4. I'm going to go with three, and that's probably a little ambitious. The scripting question would depend on the defense I was facing.

Colin from Los Angeles

12:39

Love your chats Eric! I have a public services announcement for those who don’t have the ACC network. Youtube TV and Hulu TV have the ACC Network and a free week trial that your listeners can get for the Notre Dame game. This is my plan so I don’t miss out seeing the Irish go "12-0"! With all the buzz around Kyle Hamilton what would be your over under for his interceptions this year and which way would you go? If you were scripting the pays for offence, what would you run for the first play? Would you want Book to go deep, run a play you know he’s comfortable with or just run the damn ball?

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Eric Hansen hosts a chat