JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 17, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 17, 2023

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Eric Hansen

3:06

OK, I'm out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. Remember, we're back to Wednesdays next week at noon ET.

3:05

Sean, I think you wanted to vent more than you wanted my opinion. I'm not sure I could change you mind if I tried. So what do I have the biggest question about heading into this season. It was the front seven on defense. it's now how OC Gerad Parker responds in the big games.

Sean, Schaumburg IL

3:04

I think it's time for ND to join the Big Ten. It's inevitable that we're gonna see 3 super conferences. Florida State will start the exodus from the ACC. I predict 60-70 teams in the BigTen, SEC and Big 12. They'll leave the NCAA. My hope is that ND admins don't stick to their Holier than Thou attitude(Hiring the NBC exec/ND alum is a positive move to prevent that) to prevent the football program from become the University of Chicago. You've mentioned ND being proactive/having foresight or lack thereof(Yes, I'm talking about NIL/transfers). This is a moment to have foresight and predict the next 10-15 years of CFB. And, be ready for it. The hockey team is a member. USC remains our rival. We get back our Big Ten rivals. Can we, finally, ditch the ACC? Also, what's your biggest area of concern with the team? Mine is WRs. Crucial Parker/Hartman/WRs on the same page. I'm, also, glad I'm not the only one that keeps mentioning that awful 3rd and 15 blitz call in Columbus last year. Had a mention last week. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

3:03

Hi Chris. I'm going to have to give this some thought and email you. I wrote one myself back in 2004, but a lot has happened in ND history since then, even though I'm very proud of what I put into that book. I know you gave me the option of recommending two. I probably would have more question for you (which I will email you) about what you're hoping to get out of that book. Facts? Great stories? Great writing? Those don't always co-exist together.

Chris from San Diego

2:59

If I could read only one book before the season starts, which provides the single most informative history of Notre Dame football? Which history of ND football book would be the most fun to read?
If your answer is a sequence of two books (i.e., one for the remote history and another for more recent history), that's fine too. Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:59

There are a few of you who asked about the decommitment of Nate Roberts, a highly touted 2025 tight end prospect from Oklahoma who's commitment to Notre Dame lasted about two months. Many of you have offered different theories. We've heard all of those. I want to be fair here. What we've heard from sources doesn't necessarily line up with the facts. And what the family might say publicly may not line up with what they say privately. Usually, there's not one singular factor, but when a commitment lasts two months and signing day is 16 months away, NIL being a factor isn't a bad guess.

Ron dover de

2:55

Eric I sent to soon one other question if you can. A kid like Robert’s had a lot of interest before he committed now he withdraws is commitment two months later. Is this a case of local pressure to stay home or an issue of NIL money?

Eric Hansen

2:54

I expect Notre Dame's special teams to remain strong under Marty Biagi, though the punt block magic that Brian Mason concocted last season is going to be hard to replicate. That doesn't mean ND can't or won't pressure and that may manifest in shanked punts more than blocked ones perhaps. The one very important constant is Marcus Freeman's commitment to giving his special teams coach the run of the roster and enough time to work on special teams in practice. As to specific personnel, I can't answer that on punt block with reasonable certainty.

Dave from DC

2:51

Notre Dame had a lot of success on special teams last year, particularly the punt block team, which was game changing at times. Do you expect that unit to have similar success this year, and which players will be on it? I hope to see Jason Onye there!

Eric Hansen

2:50

Hi Tom. I would bet they have a better game plan, and a better quarterback.

Tom from G.R via Dowagiac

2:50

Eric, it’s beginning to look a lot like football season. I truly appreciate everything you have done for all of us over the years. 35-13 @ Haltime: 2nd half - 20 plays, 2 net yards, 1 interception thrown, 4 punts, 3 plays run past the 50 yd line, and 11:53 time of possession. Please tell me this years Offensive staff has a better plan than running into an overly stacked box with predictable run plays, if the defense sells out like it did last year. Maybe 5 wide- empty set?

Eric Hansen

2:49

Hi Norris. I really appreciate the thought, depth and crafting of your multi-layered question. There is way too much to unpack here in the detail in a chat forum, and ground I've covered in stories and podcasts previously. And I don't agree with all of your premises, so it makes that difficult not to get sidetracked and tease those out. Again, beautifully thought out question, so let me get to your bottom line. Is it time to consider giving up football independence, absolutely. Is it time to actually do it. Not yet and perhaps not for a while. The things that would drive the decision to abandon independence, which I mentioned earlier in the chat, have not come into play. They could in a hurry at some point. The concerns you have I don't believe are real and certainly not drivers of that decision. USC doesn't play ND annually because it's a midwestern school. They play because it's one of the great rivalries in all of college sports.

Norris- Singer Island, FL

2:41

Hi and thanks Eric. Short term: Go Irish! Long term: Where are we going? 1) To become CFP eligible, if USC must regularly play mid-western Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and MSU, why would USC also want to yearly schedule ND? 2) If FSU, Clemson and Miami will only be scheduled as irregular opponents, and Stanford football disintegrates, where does ND find games of substance to attract the CFP committee? 3) Since the Big Ten and SEC are now perceived as clearly superior Conferences, with surer exposure for players, more TV money available for NIL play for pay schemes , easier portal access for the second chance player, and maybe even the ability to escape NCAA regulations,how can ND continue to compete for the vast majority of the elite players who only want immediate fame and the financial rewards that go with it? With the AD changing of the guard, even though we emotionally treasure our tradition of independence and walking our high road, is it not time? “If you can’t beat them, …., “

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Len. I think what you're asking me is whether there will be depth chart movement, not specific to Navy, but that's unsettled yet for the balance of the schedule? Because there will be some Navy-only tweaks to the personnel. Beyond Navy, I think the depth chart is fairly settled. Players may move up and down once the season starts, based on game performance and injury. But I feel pretty good that our Inside ND Sports depth chart projection is reflective of what you'll see in week 2 and mostly what you'll see in week 1.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:37

Hi Eric. Thanks for hosting. Game time is approaching. What change in starting personnel or key backups might we see before Navy?

Eric Hansen

2:36

Hi Jerry. I think Steve Angeli can for short stretches, maybe even entire games against certain opponents, but Notre Dame plays six teams this season that were ranked in the top 31 nationally in total defense. I would not want to test my theory in those games.

Jerry M.

2:35

Jerry M. from Dallas, Tx. Eric, if Sam Hartman were to get injured, (hopefully for not long), can Angeli or Minchey successfully handle the offense?

Eric Hansen

2:35

I understand ... just if you can take the talking head out of it, and makes it less likely I'll hurt someone's feelings -- or inflate their egos.

Chris in Abq

2:34

So sorry my man! I listen to a lot of college sports radio and then like to bounce things like that onto you as I really do like your perspective.

Eric Hansen

2:34

Chris, athletic director Jack Swarbrick and a lot of other folks higher on the good chain than Brian Kelly were for the FieldTurf. It's not just about football but the other events it allows ND to host in the stadium -- concerts, hockey games, soccer games, etc. I've heard nothing from the coaching staff, the players or people with influence who are eager to go back to a grass field in this climate.

Guest

2:31

Chris from Chicago: Eric, Notre Dame Stadium switched to field turf several years ago. It seemed at the time this was driven by Brian Kelly. Any idea what Coach Freeman prefers? I would think players would prefer a return to grass. As would the majority of ND fans. Any chance we see natural grass back at ND Stadium in the future? Thanks for all the great coverage!

Eric Hansen

2:31

Hey Kevin, he hasn't been pressed on that, but I'm sure will be the Monday after the game. Given the deeply nuanced approach going into the game, I am envisioning the same kind of care coming out of it. When ND scheduled an FCS team that week, I was not on the bandwagon of what an affront this was to the program. I thought it made a lot of sense. Still do. And given how poorly the 2012 team played against a middling Purdue team after the Ireland opener that season, I understand our concern and curiosity about the game plan coming back. I feel for you with the hot weather there in Texas. We've been lucky .. 71 here right now.

Guest

2:26

Kevin from Dallas TX. Hi Eric, fresh off our cold snap of 97 degrees we are ramping back up to 107…you have to hydrate. Which got me thinking about recovery. I have seen comments from Coach Freeman about planning for the trip to Dublin and being ready to go at kickoff with the travel/time zone. Have you heard him speak about the other side? We have seen this team struggle the following week traveling back home after a late Saturday game. I know the opponent is not top tier but they will bring everything they have. I am curious if Coach Freeman has discussed or commented to the plan post Navy..travel, practice and recovery. Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:26

Isaiah, I'm really trying to respect Nolan's privacy, because he asked for it and it's warranted. What I can say is does it really make sense to get him ready for Navy and an offense that won't help him prep for other games? Or just wait? I would lean toward the latter.

Isaiah (South Bend)

2:25

Does the notion that Nolan Ziegler may be with the team but not practicing seem consistent with what you understand about his personal situation? I had assumed that once he retuned that he would resume practicing.

Eric Hansen

2:24

Ugh, Chris it puts me in an awkward position when you bring up that somebody said something and you are asking me to tell you that they have their head up their butt. In the future, you'll get a better answer from me if you just say, "I was wondering, how effective do you think Sam Hartman will be in games in which Notre Dame has to come from behind?" So let me answer that question. There's a big difference between ANY TEAM coming back from double digits against the three teams you named and the other nine on the schedule. Given the deep passing potential of this offense, the balance, the improved speed and athleticism at wide receiver, I believe this ND team is better equipped for that situation than many of those in the Brian Kelly Era or Marcus Freeman's first year. As for the person you were asking about, I haven't seen him at an ND practice this year.

Chris in Abq

2:19

Hey Eric, I was listening to Mike Farrell on the radio this morning. His one beef with Hartman and the ND offense is what happens if/when they get behind to a good team, can they come back. He doesn't think so. So, my question to you is we are down 10 to USC, OSU or Clemson, can we come back and win? Thank you sir!

Eric Hansen

2:18

Brian Kelly at a point became more concerned with one message -- his -- and not deviating from that voice. That worked for him, but it meant very little access to players who couldn't parrot that message or assistant coaches at all. Notre Dame trusts its freshmen and if they goof up, they'll learn from it. ... As far as the noise. The electronic media is downstairs where the noise is. It's pretty quiet upstairs for the print/internet people, so we haven't run outside yet with pitchforks and torches.

2:16

Hey Jeff. Are you still melting, or has that subsided somewhat? ... Yes, way more player availability under Marcus Freeman than during the Brian Kelly and Charlie Weis regimes for sure. The media loves it, but I can make the case that it's a good thing for Notre Dame -- and I think Marcus Freeman would agree. You have to give credit to Katy Lonergan, who did a great job of pushing for that. Here's the thing: Notre Dame recruits players who can express themselves and have great stories to tell. How could that not help you in building that brand and in recruiting? (more)

Jeff from Phoenix

2:11

Good morning Eric! Regarding player involvement in news conferences, is it my imagination or are more players being made available during the press conferences this year? If so, do you think this is to help them with their NIL and general professional exposure? It feels like we have been seeing freshman and backups with the seniors and higher visibility players, which is great to see. On a side/lighter note, could the ND press conference coordinator tell the dude just outside the door who is usually running a wood chipper or holding cheerleader practice to ‘take five’ during the press conference so we could hear? Thanks, GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

2:11

Hi Jeff. It is a 2:30 start in the Eastern Time Zone of the U.S. That's for both you and me. It will be 7:30 p.m. in Dublin.

Jeff from Canton, MI

2:08

Hi Eric, Do you know if the Navy game in Ireland kickoffs at 2:30pm Ireland time which is 9:30 am ET? Or is it a night game over there with a 2:30 pm ET start?

Eric Hansen

2:08

Hi Bill! Appreciate the exclamation point. ... I have not seen him do so, but that could be a possibility in 2024 as could Coogan at center in 2024. Coogan took reps at center last season in practices all year pretty much.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:06

Hi Eric! Has Billy Schrauth taken any reps to your knowledge at center?

Eric Hansen

2:06

Hi Stanley, and thank you. And I always think about your world-famous pancakes when you ask a question. ... Rees left so late, because Alabama had an opening late. The NFL changes usually happen later than the college ones do, and Alabama's offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien, didn't get named New England's OC and QBs coach until Jan. 24. I think a lot of people, especially ND fans, would agree that Rees' potential so far has been greater than his actual production.

Stanley from Chester VA

2:01

As does EVERYONE on this chat, I appreciate the excellent quality of work you and Tyler give us. Do you have any insight as to why Tommy Reese bolted to Saban's camp so late in the game. I'm also a little surprised that he even got the offer, given that, while his play calling showed some promise, his overall body of work was not particularly outstanding. I am a fan of TR and hope he succeeds, but I think, so far, the word "potential" is a more fitting description. Is that an unfair assessment?

Eric Hansen

2:00

There are three things that would coax Notre Dame into conference membership for football against its will: 1) Lack of access to play for the national title. 2) The ACC implodes and there's no one who will take ND's basketball teams and Olympic sports squads without full football membership. 3) ND can't get a media rights deal in the next two years that is competitive with what the SEC and Big Ten schools are getting. Jack Swarbrick has always had the clout to keep ND in play through the various changes to national title inclusion. Will successor Pete Bevacqua have the same clout? You would think so, but that may be tested.

1:56

Hi Ron, first of all what in the world are you doing in the North Sea? I probably should resist telling of my experience in the North Sea, but I can't control my fingers at this point. ... So when I was 9 years old, my family and I were coming back from Norway to visit my grandparents, and we took an ocean liner back. There were a few steps at North Sea ports to pick up other passengers for the first couple of days, before heading to New York. There was so much chop, I got seasick BAD. So, may parents called one of the ship's nurses. She had a seasick pill ,,, that wasn't made for swallowing, if you catch my drift. Taking the pill how and where I had to take it cured me from future seasickness... now to your questions: (more)

Ron dover de

1:52

Eric, writing from the North Sea. I hope all is well with you and you are surviving the crazy and uncertain environment of college sports. I thought the NIL policies were bad but this conference jumping especially out of regional geography seems insane. I really question how long ND can stay out of a conference because I think the conferences may try to freeze them out of the bowl championship. What do you think?

Eric Hansen

1:51

Hey Matt. It's hard to predict transfers. Remember last spring when so many people thought Rocco Spindler would leave if he had not overtaken Andrew Kristofic at that point? He didn't. Neither did Tosh Baker leave. Or Michael Carmody. So let's let this play out for a while. Notre Dame may have as many as three openings next year for starting spots. The two tackles and center Zeke Correll. Even if Joe Alt and Blake Fisher come back, you could still have an interior that includes Spindler, Coogan and Schrauth, with Coogan at center. I don't anticipate someone sitting out after four games, but it's hard to predict that. Even Lacey himself didn't see that coming at first. And keep in mind, the portal works two ways. If ND loses to the portal, they can add from the portal as well.

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