JotCast | Notre Dame Football Chat September 26, 2019

Notre Dame Football Chat September 26, 2019

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Eric Hansen

3:10

That's going to have to do it for today. I wish I didn't have other assignments I have to get to. Too many great questions I wasn't able to get to. Thanks for your patience. We'll do this all over again next week.

3:09

Jafar Armstrong healthy changes the picture. They must continue to develop Avery Davis even when Jafar comes back. Tony Jones Jr. knows his role. Interested to see Jahmir Smith on short yardage,. I like Kyren Williams in the passing game.

Allen Sturgill

3:08

Allen from puerto Vallarta Mexico. Eric this is my first time on and I am on Vacation. Wanted to ask what you expect from the current Running back group moving forward ?

Eric Hansen

3:07

If he has a great year and the pro scouts like him, he'll leave. Then Phil Jurkovec and Brendon Clark with battle it out.

Tom St Pete Fl

3:06

Who do you think will be ND's starting QB next year? There seems to be a belief among some of the scribes that follow ND that Ian Book will not be around as a fifth year senior. What do you think?

Eric Hansen

3:06

That may have been a ball that fell between the outfielders. I'll take the blame for that. I did try to write about the positives, but I also was spinning forward to this week on what the next step for this team needed to be.

Matt from St. Louis

3:05

Hi Eric, thank you for doing these. My question is about perspective. No one seemed to think ND could hold with Georgia. After the game, most of the coverage from the Tribune seemed to focus on how ND failed instead of what was impressive about how they played. Perspective on this?

Eric Hansen

3:05

I think Notre Dame gained a lot of respect nationally from that game. Now the Irish need to earn it again this week.

Dwight from central Arkansas

3:04

I must admit that I was one of the many who expected a large margin last Saturday, in Georgia's favor. To hold GA to 152 rushing yards is impressive. I'm sure working in the pressbox you were surrounded by writers/reporters who expected a big Bulldog win. Did their responses post-game change from pre-game?

Eric Hansen

3:04

I think Notre Dame is moving in the right direction. Jafar Armstrong's long-term health is a big factor. Avery Davis' development is another. I'm intrigued to see what Jahmir Smith can do.

Ron

3:03

From Dover De . First time submitting. It is clear that our running backs are an issue without Armstrong. They are fine for 3 yards but seem to lack the speed need for today’s game. I get it is tough to recruit against bama , Clemson , and maybe a Georgia but other schools should not be an issue. What are the coaches looking at and doing that doesn’t seem to work. Even next years recruit is one guy we just don’t get multiple high level HS backs which you need today . Your thoughts.thanks

Eric Hansen

3:03

Young , very likely. Jafar no way.

Robbert

3:02

Windermere. Will Young and Jafar play on Saturday?

Eric Hansen

3:02

I think that's a fair concern, and you're right to acknowledge the stellar recruiting. Let's see how the line looks against Virginia and Michigan, and let's not dismiss the pass blocking. They gave up zero sacks against Georgia and only 12 pressures period.

Conrad Tokyo

3:01

How concerned are you with Jeff Quinn and the O line, especially in the run game where they catch blocks and don’t get as much of a push as guys like Banks and Kraemer should? I love Quinn and his recruiting but the on field product imo hasn’t been up to par. Thanks Eric!!

Eric Hansen

3:00

Javi, he played a little bit. The coaching staff was skittish about him in that Georgia environment not having practice on offense for very long. I'd expect him to get more opportunities these next two weeks. I hold a similar opinion to yours as to what Davis could become on offense.

Javi

2:59

This is Javi from Parkland, FL. Long time reader. I think you are the best ND beat writer. Keep it up! My question has to do with Avery Davis. I realize he just switched back to offense, but his "re-debut" vs. New Mexico was very encouraging. Why didn't we see him vs. Georgia, even as a decoy? What does he have to do to get playing time? Davis has great speed and is a good open field runner, seems to me he can be a good weapon, specially since we are so limited at the RB position. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:58

I don't think in our lifetimes.

Bob from NYC

2:57

While I love the longevity of the ND support, is there any chance that ND can become the imposing venue that they saw at UGA?

Eric Hansen

2:57

Brian Kelly said early this week that Jahmir Smith was probable. I emailed Virginia beat writer Mike Barber about the injuries, and here was his response:

The big question marks are the starting center (Olusegun Oluwatimi) who missed the last game with an injury to his snapping hand, and backup QB Brennan Armstrong, who missed the last game and was in a boot. Armstrong should be out this week but Oluwatimi is a gametime decision.

Frank from Canton,Ga

2:56

Eric, will Jamir Smith play and is any player from Virginia going to miss Saturday’s game?

Eric Hansen

2:55

I like WRs Jordan Johnson and Xavier Watts a lot, and TE Michael Mayer in terms of dynamic playmakers. It's too bad this class is going to be a smaller one. I think Notre Dame was well-positioned to ass to that talent base, but they needed to fill other positions.

Stancakes in Chester

2:52

A rant, if you will---I cannot fathom the basis for all of the "chuck Kelly" sentiment out there. What he has done at Domerville is quite remarkable when you consider all the obstacles he has before him. How many "elite" coaches could survive at an institution that doesn't have an academic curriculum design specifically for athletes, or lower SAT requirements for sports related admissions? Not many, I'll bet. Brian Kelly has taken a middle of the road program and transformed it into one that is the national championship conversation each year. Not bad in my humble opinion. Now for the question- aside from our local phenom, Chris Tyree, what other speedsters are in the future for next year's class, and how soon will they be able to impact the team? (sorry for the verbosity)

Eric Hansen

2:52

I will do so. I think it's national pancake day today, as a matter of fact.

Stancakes in Chester

2:52

And tell Newt that our church has a breakfast this Sunday where Stancakes will be served!

Eric Hansen

2:52

You are correct in your assessment of what has been said, and I think that's reality. And yes I do anticipate exactly what you laid out as to where this is headed.

Jay from Chicago

2:51

Hi Eric, in seemingly every game that ND has played in for as long as I can remember against elite opponents, the broadcasting team will say something to the effect of ND having to play a near-perfect game to pull off a victory. Do you anticipate this margin-of-error issue (or lack thereof) evaporating for ND over the next couple of years as team speed and depth continue to improve?

Eric Hansen

2:50

Thank you. Gary was a great guest, I thought. I think Chris Tyree is going to help. I think he's a big piece to the puzzle, but ND needs to keep getting other players with that kind of impact at RB and WR. Book does have a fifth year. Too early to tell if he'd come back. My sense is that he won't. The potential for the entire O-line to come back and Cole Kmet is there to. If that happens, that would be a big boost to the fortunes of the 2020 Irish.

Joe from Reno

2:43

Great interview with Gary Danielson last week. It was nice to hear him say that ND is only a few players away, specifically in the offensive side of the ball. That seemed true against the Dawgs. For next year is Chris Tyree one of those guys that will put the Irish over the top, or does a fifth year for Ian seem to be in the cards (that is if he has one). Keep up the great work

Eric Hansen

2:39

Newt, awesome to hear from you. Thanks for saying hello. Easiest "question" of the chat so far.

Newt in Midlothian, Va

2:38

E Hansen...just checkin in....no question....we have to take care of UVa.....thanks for all your work!

Eric Hansen

2:38

Bill, thanks. Your assessment of ND QBs in the Kelly Era isn't an unfair one. I think it's too early to put Book in that same category, and my belief is he won't end up in that category.

Bill 1000 Oaks Ca

2:37

Bill 1000 Oaks CA Tough loss not blaming anyone I think Book is a much better passer in the pocket do you think he would benefit from a pedigreed QB coach? QB'S seem to top out and no growth! Tired of Kelly saying he has to do a better job of coaching! with Book muscle memory seems to dictate.Your the best so would appreciate your comments!!

Eric Hansen

2:37

John, let's revisit this conversation at the end of October. You don't sound like you're of the mind to budge. Let's give it seven games (this season) and then we can debate. I, for one, have warmed up to Long as being an asset.

John from South Bend

2:35

Hi Eric. I’m really not buying in with Chip Long as offensive coordinator. I know How memory can paint a different picture than reality but I alway thought of Brian Kelly as only a good defense away from a great team. Now it seems like the opposite is true. We really miss Dexter Williams but the defense lost what I thought was it’s heart and soul in Drew Tranquil, Julian Love, Te’von Coney. They have had their struggles but you can see the evolution from great coaching (pay the man!). I never thought they would be able to contain Georgia’s run game like they did. I just don’t see good play calling or any real progress from Long’s offense. The training is apparent - especially when they play elite teams. Could a great offensive coordinator be the missing piece for the Irish to be a legitimate contender every year?

Eric Hansen

2:26

With Michael Young and Braden Lenzy back this week, I like that option more. Beware of Bryce Hall, though, the top CB in the nation this week. My sense is he'll line up against Claypool into the boundary most of the time.

Matt (Bridgman, MI)

2:25

With the Georgia game in the books, what are your thoughts about deep passes down the field and Ian Book's ability to make them? It seems with how close Georgia's defense was playing to the line of scrimmage, that there would have been more opportunities. I do appreciate the tight-end seam route and the occasional PI on a pass to Claypool.

Eric Hansen

2:25

Don, you are a mind reader. It's impressive and scary. Maybe you can help me with the next chat?

don from cincinnati

2:24

Eric, I'm a 1st time caller. In watching Sat night it seemed there were times when Tony tried to break runs outside for big gains rather than cut up inside for 3 or 4 yds. I just don't feel he has the speed to break something outside against a big time defense like Georgia. I also feel like Ian needs to be a threat to go downfield more if the short game is going to be consistently effective against big time defenses. I know it would help if he had all his weapons available especially against teams like Georgia. What is your opinion?

Eric Hansen

2:24

He has the best recruiting staff he's ever had, two really good coordinators, and an elite strength and conditioning guy. I think he's on a trajectory to get there. And when we do our podcasts, I often ask our guests the same question ... can/will Notre Dame win a national title in the next five years. I have not gotten a single "no."

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