JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 7, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat April 7, 2021

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Eric Hansen

1:07

I haven't talked to Jack Swarbrick on that on the Culver issue. The world could really have changed a lot by the time we get to August, and every player who wants to be vaxed will be fully vaccinated before the end of the semester. My sense, though, is that they'll pass on it this summer and maybe go back in 2022. ... As far as a full stadium in South Bend, a lot of it depends on the viability of vaccine passports. Also will people still be hesitant to be in crowds? It seems like we should know those answers in June. My educated guess is yes, there will be a full stadium at least at some point in 2021 at ND.

Tom from Georgia

1:03

Do you believe the Irish will have camp this Summer at Culver? Do you believe UND will allow in 2021 a full stadium for home games?

Eric Hansen

1:03

I don't think so. That was Barry's and Jack Swarbrick's baby, but if you're the new Wisconsin AD why wouldn't you want what's technically a road game to take place in your own state, rather than having to play that game in South Bend? Seems like a no-brainer for the new person.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:02

Hey Eric! Does the June retirement of Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez put the rescheduling of the 2020 ND-UW game at Lambeau in further jeopardy? That was a bucket list game/location for me and for many of the Irish faithful I'm sure. Thanks again for the chats-

Eric Hansen

1:01

Pat, you may be better of calling Miss Cleo at the Psychic Hotline. Notre Dame itself is difficult to predict just because of the personnel turnover at so many positions. ND's standing in a lot of the way-too-early polls is based on its recent track record, its recruiting, player development model and culture. ... So at the juncture you're talking about USC and North Carolina are next on the schedule, both at home. I don't consider either of those game a slam dunk. So at this point, I am not predicting an undefeated season and I am not predicting an undefeated mark even given that scenario. I may have different thoughts in August.

Pat, Springfield, IL

12:54

From the too-early-to-predict department: If ND is undefeated through Virginia Tech -- which means they've navigated 60 percent of the rugged five-game stretch of teams that likely will be ranked -- can it finish undefeated? As always, thanks for the chats and keep up your insightful work.

Eric Hansen

12:54

More former players than current players have expressed that they are regular readers or listeners, and that would make sense. I don't think current players, at least most of them, have their antennas up that far. And that's probably a good thing for their sanity, whether the media is favorable or grating. Disagreements? I'm sure there have been plenty of those. I just haven't heard from them directly. And I think that's pretty natural and healthy to not always see things the same. What I place above all else are two things -- accuracy and fairness. I can't say I've never fallen short, but those are the two constants I strive for. I think if you do that, people are more apt to respect differences of opinion. It's also the way I would want to be treated if I were in their shoes.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

12:47

Hi Eric, have any of the current or past players ever expressed to you that they read your columns or listen to your podcast? If so, has any player ever disagreed with your opinion on a particular issue?

Eric Hansen

12:47

Hi Megat. Not every successful assistant ends up making a great or even good head coach. The job is just so different, especially at a place like Notre Dame, because it requires a different skill set than your strengths as an assistant and the diversity of demands pulls you away from some strengths and forces you to make tough choices. ... At this stage of their careers, I think it's easy for me to see Marcus Freeman as a head coach someday, somewhere. Let's see where Tommy Rees is in 2-3 years. You're asking me this question in the context of Brian Kelly's successor. If I know the end date of his time at ND the answer would be easier, but it's my expectation the successor would be someone with a proven track record as a head coach.

Megat Muzaffar, Malaysia

12:41

Hi Eric, when the tume comes who would you choose as Brian Kelly successor? Can Tommy Rees or Marcus Freeman be a contender? Not too long ago, we let Urban Meyer go. Recently, Ohio State manage to keep Ryan Day.
Having said that, can you see any similarities in Rees and Freeman coaching trajectory with that of previous or current successful / unsucessful HC in college football?

Eric Hansen

12:40

Dale, thanks for being part of the chat. ... I don't think talent is an issue at all. It's experience and chemistry. And yes I do think this is a group that can and will make gains during the season in terms of growth. I think there will be some growing pains too. I like the potential for the 2022 group better at O-Line, but again talent always give you a chance to surprise.

Dale, Placerville, Calif.

12:38

Eric, Thanks for keeping all of us Irish diehards up to date on ND news. With the OL replacing many pieces, do you still think that there is enough talent in place to put a strong unit together and allow for the chemistry to build as the season progresses? In your opinion, who is the vocal leader of the OL group? Thanks for your insight.

Eric Hansen

12:37

Jeff thanks. I have to be honest, I don't like my options. Obviously. I'd want a line that could do both. Given who the quarterback is likely to be (Jack Coan), I guess I'd pick pass blocking, since I can have only one. I expect ND's line to be better than average at both, however.

Jeff from East Longmeadow, MA

12:35

If you had to choose between the ND line excelling in run blocking or pass blocking which would it be? Why? Thanks and stay safe.

Eric Hansen

12:35

Patterson could end up at either tackle spot, to be honest, but I expect it to be left tackle. I need to see him play there some, before I can make that comparison ... and that won't be until August. However, like Zack Martin, he's athletic, assignment correct, great with technique, with an extremely high football IQ. Great instincts. So all the ingredients are there. I just want to see how they look at LT rather than center.

Alan from Whiteland, Indiana

12:32

Eric, with Jarrett Patterson likely taking over the left tackle position, what do you think his ceiling is? Can Patterson ascend to the Zach Martin/Mike McGlinchey level, or is that being more optimistic than realistic? Thank you for answering my question and I enjoyed your analysis regarding Notre Dame's offensive evolution.

Eric Hansen

12:31

John, if you had included your 40 time, I might have put my money on you as the answer. ... I think the three I would choose from would be Avery Davis, Michael Mayer and Kevin Austin. I still think if he's healthy, it'll be Austin.

John

12:30

6 2, 259 pounds, Munster, IN. Who will lead the team in receiving yards, YAC and Receiving TD's?

Eric Hansen

12:30

Jake. I don't agree entirely with the premise of your question, but I'll try to answer it without getting bogged down in that. I wrote about this quote extensively this past weekend.

Analysis: Look beyond the QB derby to the process driving Notre Dame's offensive evolution

I think Drew Pyne has earned his place based on hard work and understanding of the offense ... and his play in practice. Buchner had the disadvantage of having played just one year of football the past three seasons. He has the opportunity to work his way up the depth chart. Brian Kelly mentioned last weekend that he was finally shaking the rust. So that Tyler is No. 3 at the moment does not mean that's a permanent standing he can't overcome.

Jake from Saratoga Springs

12:22

Hi Eric, hope you’re doing well. I believe that Jack Coan will be the starting QB as do you come the beginning of the season but I’m a little bit surprised about all of the attention on Drew Pine who regardless of his high school ranking is another QB with a low ceiling due to arm talent much like Ian Book, why do you think that is happening instead of much more attention on Buchner. I realize the maturity levels are different at this point but I don’t believe ND can really advance without finding a high ceiling QB.

Eric Hansen

12:22

Harvey, all good here, thanks. I know TEs coach John McNulty was really high on Bauman last year, citing that he could have played quite a bit at most schools as a freshman. He has a real opportunity this spring to convince the coaching staff that he's the best option to be Michael Mayer's sidekick in multiple tight end sets. Senior-to-be George Takacs is his most direct competition. Indirectly he's competing against three-wide receiver and two-back sets in a way. Again, a big opportunity for him over the next 10 practices with Tommy Tremble coming out early and Brock Wright opting not to use his COVID exemption year.

ND Harvey Sumner, South Philly P

12:16

E, hope all is well. Do you see TE Kevin Bauman getting on the field more this coming season and who do you think will be opposite All American Kyle Hamilton. I need a Tailgate party very soon. Thank you. Be safe. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

12:16

I think Brian Kelly likes the idea of a deep rotation and then that notion gets clipped typically in September. I could see that last season, because there wasn't the typical offseason opportunities (or spring) to work on timing and chemistry. There is now. And that's why I point to development. There's no reason not to be able to go six deep with this group. That doesn't mean equal reps for all six, but certainly meaningful plays for the second wave or receivers.

12:13

Hi Marie and thanks. Had a great Easter with family. First holiday we've celebrated together in a while. ... The player development at the WR positions this season (and offseason), I believe, will be the most scrutinized on the offense or the defense. And I think there's justification for that. I do think Kevin Austin has the talent to lead ND in receptions and receiving yards. You're right, he has to prove his durability. Whether he is healthy or not, the potential is there for a deep receiver rotation. The guys who have exceled through the first third of spring are Avery Davis, Braden Lenzy and Lawrence Keys III. My expectation is that Jordan Johnson, Xavier Watts and Lorenzo Styles Jr. will make a case to be in the rotation. You add back in Austin and Joe Wilkins, and that's 8. I don't think it'll go that deep. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

12:05

HI Eric, I hope you had a great Easter. When looking at the receivers this Spring, they seem to be a diversely talented group. Unlike past years there does not appear to be a dominant receiver such as Claypool or Boykin who will automatically claim a large percentage of the plays. Do you think this will result in a deeper rotation with a more even distribution of plays, utilizing each individuals unique skills? Perhaps a rotation 5 or 6 deep? It seems this would be advantageous as the offense could throw a lot of different looks at opposing teams. It feels like in the past BK was somewhat resistant to having so many players in the mix. Perhaps BK thinks Kevin Austin will be his high volume player this year, but with his injury history, he may not be able to tolerate a large volume of plays, and a back up plan would definitely be necessary. Thanks for hosting the chat, always enjoy what you have to say.

Eric Hansen

Without further blather ...

12:05

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