JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 13, 2022 | 4/13/2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 13, 2022

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Eric Hansen

OK, with that, we're out of time for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll do this all over again next week. Let's count on noon EDT on Wednesday, though we may have to move it to Thursday because of an assignment. I'll let you know on the website and on Twitter.

2:57

Thanks for that. She brings it every week.

Steve, Kenosha, WI

2:56

No question. Jonathon asked about your favorite questioners. I know he didn’t ask me, but Marie from Atlanta brings it home every time since this chat has existed. She is very insightful and knowledgeable.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Appeciate that, Don.

Don in Phoenix

2:55

Eric, Thanks for the answer. Your logic and 5 points backed with concise answers encapsulates the reasons why you are the best on the beat.

Eric Hansen

If Brian Kelly simply wanted to say he needed a change of scenery or a new challenge, I think Notre Dame people would have accepted that more readily even if the real reason had more to do with ego and money.
But he sold out on the promise he made to the players, assistant coaches and himself in the way he’s framing the departure now. And it’s made those he left behind more determined than ever to follow the original vision, the original promise to completion.
And to wonder who Brian Kelly really is.
People ask why is the media that got along with Brian Kelly for 12 years turning on him? I enjoyed working with Brian as much as any coach I’ve ever covered. I found him to be honest and fair and very good at what he does.
It’s my duty, though, to be honest and fair to my readers. And the way Brian Kelly left and how he framed it don’t meet his previous standards, in my opinion.

2:55

And Notre Dame’s administration delivered consistently in terms of modernizing its approach to football and the logistics of competing with the other Blue Bloods. Those changes weren’t always complete with every detail and weren’t always within the timeline Kelly wanted, but there was consistent progress.
So you tell me, if this was all about having a full-time chef and slightly better facilities, why would Kelly’s assistant coaches have been so stunned when he left? Wouldn’t they be sharing in his frustration or at least know about his?
Why, when he was asked shortly before he left Notre Dame point blank about leaving for another job, was his answer that he wouldn’t consider it? Then he threw in some condition about a fairy godmother bringing a whole lot of money … not new facilities.
Why would you build your “forever home” near campus if you weren’t ever going to set foot in it?
(more)

2:54

I wrote a column for my former site the night that all this went down, and I still feel it applies even as Brian Kelly shifts and refines his own narrative about the departure.
Notre Dame coaches having to nudge the administration toward reality of the evolving business of college football goes all the way back to Knute Rockne threatening to leave if Notre Dame Stadium wasn’t built.
Kelly constantly and fearlessly went to war for changes that would give Notre Dame a chance for consistent relevance and eventually a shot at a national title. Those were both philosophical and physical changes.
Until late November, that more or less defined his 12 seasons at ND.
He sold recruits on the vision that not only COULD Notre Dame win a national title, but that they would. Remember his edict at the 2019 Camping World Bowl about how ND needed to upgrade recruiting as a necessary piece to this? (more)

2:53

OK, I promised an answer to Marie's question about what Brian Kelly has been saying recently on the national media circuit. ... We had a good relationship for 12 years, but I'm going to give you my unvarnished opinion.

2:52

I've only seen one practice when there have been scrimmager periods. I don't see that as a staple. But on short-yardage, I could see a second or third tight end line up like a pseudo fullback on occasion.

Marty b

2:50

Do you think Norte dame will use a blocker in the backfield on more plays this season based on your observations of spring so far?

Eric Hansen

2:50

Hi Rob. Practices are different. They have a different structure and vibe than under Kelly. That doens't make them more effective, but there's definitely Marcus' stamp on them. Very close team. ... Very very different practices than the Wies years in so many ways... Backup players get a lot more meanigful reps. ... coaches are demanding without being condescending.

Rob Compton-Columbus, Oh

2:46

Since you’ve been around the program for a long time. Do you see any noticeable differences with the coaching/teaching of the staff and just the overall attitude and approach from the players?

Eric Hansen

2:45

Ha. Actually, he was really fun to talk to and easy to transcribe.

Bill, originally from Asbury Park

2:44

Eric, Very interesting that Ed Orgeron came up for the week. He’s the only former USC coach that I didn’t dislike going as far back as John McKay. Having said that, I was wondering if you needed an interpreter during his press conference?

Eric Hansen

2:44

I think the interest is real, but nothing immiment. They need to get him on campus if they are going to build momentum.

Lawrence from San Diego

2:41

What can you (or your phone-a-friend lifeline) tell me about Jason Moore’s interest in ND? I see him talked about like someone we have a good chance of landing, but don’t know where that opinion is coming from.

Eric Hansen

2:33

I am too afraid to name names. I'll just put that out there. Additionally, there are so many memorable ones. You guys have no idea how much fun this part of my week is. ... And I get lots of story ideas from your questions. ... The questions I find most compelling are the ones that are very specific and that make me think about something I'd hadn't previously thought much about. The hardest to answer combine lots of math and are overly broad. ... I really like the passion people bring to this chat, but I also like when they get that I think sports should be fun and they bring a sense of humor to it or at least pretend they understand mine.

Jonathan from Hideaway, TX

2:26

Hi, Eric. Just wondering whether, over the years of chatting, you’ve developed a all-time-favorite questioner. I see Manny!!!!! bringing the energy. Jeff from Phoenix always having an intelligent angle. And the ladies all seeming to get special treatment, as if you’re an old-fashioned gentleman. Or if you’re afraid to name names lest you hurt the rest of our feelings, can you at least say what makes a chat question especially delightful for you to answer?

party

1

Eric Hansen

2:26

Hi Kevin. There really is an art to trying to put certain prospects on the back burner while fast-tracking others. It gets tricky with QBs since you can only play one at a time. If Notre Dame wasn't confident with Moore, they would have pushed harder for Vizzina earlier. Moore has elongated his timeline, but the feeling still is he ends up at Notre Dame ... in June now. We will see.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye,mn

2:23

Eric, I glad I don't recruit. I cannot imagine seeing Vizzina commit to Clemson knowing we haven't got an elite QB to commit. How do these coaches manage these situations? Thanks for the great work!

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Mike. Where are you from? Unless Irish Mike implies you are from Ireland? In any case, Notre Dame didn't offer either Amarius Mims or Clay Webb coming out of high school, which would make you think there might be an academic fit for either even if they wanted one or both. Mims is a tackle, so unless there were an injury to Alt or Fisher, he's not going to want to come to ND to be a backup. He can already do that at Georgia. Webb is a center. Not sure he's better than Correll and he's definitely not better than Patterson, so again why would he come to ND to be a depth piece? So my answer to both is no. .. but love the quesiton.

Irish Mike

2:20

Hi Eric! Thank you for hosting these chats! Although ND is loaded with O linemen, do you see them checking out the two 5-star Georgia linemen who recently entered the transfer portal?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Joe. The whole Joe Buck thing confused the hell out of me. I've included the link to the story which basically lets ESPN/ABC show it whenever they choose. Prime time makes the most sense. ... I'll take the under on the QBs on both sides.

Joe -KC

2:18

Hi Eric, thanks as always for doing these. Any word on the Ohio st kickoff time? It seems with the details of the Joe Buck trade it would fall to ABC and prime time but many don’t think so. And as far as that game goes, o/u 1.5 qb’s to take a snap?

Eric Hansen

2:11

Hi Jim. I think the reason he hasn't been named is that Drew Pyne has played very, very well this spring as well. Best-case scenario, too, the the top two QBs surged. Very good for the team. And those guys are tight. It's not like when it was Zaire and Golson or Zaire and Kizer, where that competition divided the team. I think after one week of training camp seems to be the right time for this situation.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

2:08

Greetings Eric, hope all is well at your end. From all the information that has leaked out about the goings-on at practice, it seems Tyler Buchner has clearly shown himself to be the best QB from both a consistency and talent perspective. That being the case, what is the reasoning behind not naming him as the starter right now? If he's the guy and everything points in that direction, it seems to me the sooner the team knows who's the No. 1 and can prepare accordingly, the better off the offense will be. I would value your opinion on this. Many thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:08

Slightly under, because of the balance in the offense and Buchern's ability to run. ... Over on the Joseph picks. He gets a lot of them in practice. ... Tyree under 800 rushing yards. I think he'll be big in all-purpose yards, though. ... Colzie catches ... I'm rolling the dice on this one. The kid's got it in him to break through, so I'll say yes. ... Foskey over. Botelho over.

Lawrence from San Diego

Can I get your over/under picks for the following lines: Buchner 3700 passing yards. Brandon Joseph 3.5 picks. Chris Tyree 800 rushing yards. Colzie 25 catches. Foskey 10.5 sacks. Botelho 5 TFLs.

2:03

Can I get your O/U picks on the following lines:

Eric Hansen

2:00

Hi Len, thanks for your question. And I guess it's hard to put into measurable numbers, but Notre Dame most urgently needs to upgrade its talent at quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback while maintaining or improving at the other positions. We're seeing in the 2023 and 2024 classes, ND beginning to trend in those directions. There's a lot more work to be done, but this is where Marcus Freeman can flex his strengths.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:57

Hi Eric,
Thanks for hosting these chats. With all the staff changes I look forward to them even more.
I was at ND in the late seventies and I was amazed at how many players were drafted and went on to NFL careers. If you look at the ND 1977 and 1988 Nat’l Championship teams you would find in the 3 years after those championships the following NFL draft picks. The draft was 10 rounds then, not 7. For 1978, 79 and 80 ND had 24 draft picks; four being round one picks. In 1989, 90 and 91 ND had 24 draft picks with 2 being round one picks. These were great teams with a lot of very good players. Over the last three drafts Alabama had 29 drafts picks over only 7 rounds with 13 of those picks being round 1 picks. The game has changed and more than ever today’s player wants the development offered by so few teams. They will wait their turn as long as they are improving in a very competitive practice setting. How much talent does ND need to win a Nat’l Championship? Can Coach Freeman get the team to that level?

Eric Hansen

1:55

Hi David. I had a similar question earlier and think I only provided a top one. So let me be more expansive. ... QBs were 1. No. 2 is offensive line fundamentals and chemistry. No. 3 are the cornerbacks.

David - NY

1:53

Eric! Thanks again for these chats. My question is what you are going to be watching most closely / looking for in the Blue-Gold game? Maybe a top 3 if you are up for it!

Eric Hansen

1:53

Hi Don, I think we can put the snow shovels away, but maybe not the heavy blankets just yet. ... What leads me to believe Buchner will be the guy: 1) Minimal mistakes this spring. That was a pre-requisite. 2) Significant progress in reads, sliding protections, having command on pre-snap stuff at the line of scrimmage. 3) Has stepped up his leadership skills. 4) Handles the spotlight and pressure well. 5) Knows he needs to follow a strong spring with an equally strong or better summer.

Don in Phoenix

1:49

Eric, Have to believe spring has taken hold in northern Indiana. There've been a bunch of Chamber of Commerce days in the Phoenix area. My question this week is based on what you have seen and heard can Tyler Buchner be the guy?

Eric Hansen

1:49

Happy Easter, Tom. No to NBC. The game will start at 1 p.m. ET on April 23 and will live stream exclusively on Peacock. It will also be available on-demand following the live stream on Fighting Irish TV.

Tom from Maryland

1:48

Is NBC going to televise the Blue & Gold game? Happy Easter!

Eric Hansen

1:47

Phil, I'm not sure what you have heard and haven't heard, what you believe and don't believe. I wrote a story on it yesterday. I have no reason to believe Oregeron wasn't telling the truth. What do you think is up? That Jambalaya is coming to the ND training table?

Phil B - Litchfield, CT

1:44

Hi Eric, Thanks again for the great chats. Q: Coach O 'randomly' shows up at Notre Dame for a Spring practice (with his sons) and addresses the team with a pep talk? Why? I haven't heard a legitimate reason yet. Sounds like something is up. What's your realistic take on the situation?

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