JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 26, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Aug. 26, 2021

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Eric Hansen

1:26

Jim, thank you and, believe me, I don't take it for granted. ... To your first question, I do think Jack Coan is more willing to push the ball downfield, at least in practice. He also has receivers that play to that desire. We'll soon see if he has an offensive line that's up to that task. ... As far as the alliance, I haven't taken the proverbial deep dive yet, because it doesn't threaten Notre Dame's independent status in football. Eventually. I'll make time for it. My cursory impression is yes, there seems to be some pushback involving the SEC. Solid question ... but beyond that, there are too many layers and too many missing details for me to make broad, sweeping declarations now. I'll be happy to share my thoughts when I get to that point.

Jim from Va.

1:17

Eric I know everyone has said thanks for everything you do for the fans here, I don’t want that to be taken for granted. Now on to a question. In the three years that Mr Book was here, in my opinion he resisted to go downfield. With Mr Coan I don’t think that is going to be the case. Your thoughts? A second if I may. With the 3 conferences joining in thoughts together, what is your thoughts? I think it’s two fold. One to stop the SEC running the college football scene, since the NCAA looks useless. And two the most important to make the playoff format open for bid, and not use locked up with ESPN. A place to make more money for the playoffs. Thanks again.

Eric Hansen

1:17

I think people long for the days of Rocket Ismail, and so do I, but the special teams rules and dynamics have changed. If ND can block a few punts and rush others into shorter boots, as Polian thinks they can, I'm willing to live with more fair catches when the Irish don't pressure the punter. The best thing Polian has done is to get front-line players to buy into the importance of special teams. That's why you'll see ND's best player (safety Kyle Hamilton). among other standouts, playing special teams this season.

1:14

Hi Denny, and thanks. Well let's look at it from a statistical point of view from 2020. We'll look at FG kicking separately. But in the other five categories (kickoff return, punt return, kickoff coverage, punt coverage, and net punting), the Irish were top 50 in all five and top 25 in three. None of the other playoff teams (Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State) could claim either of those stats. ND was the best of the four in net punting (18th) and punt coverage (22nd). They weren't last in anything. Jonathan Doerer's accuracy on field goals down the stretch last season was a problem. Polian says he got worn down physically and mentally. He's been very sharp in camp so far this month. (more)

Denny from Beaverton

1:04

Special teams in the Brian Kelly era to my thinking have mostly been ok but not great. I may be wrong but I don't know how our ST compare to many other programs. Coach Polian has been leading this unit for several years now. If you agree, what would be your expectations this year that would denote an upgrade in special teams play. I look forward to your chats!

Eric Hansen

1:04

Thank you. It is better than well in my world at the moment. He's an interesting guy who would contemplate a fourth year in the roster. But I think he's a first-round draft pick after his junior season. So ND has him this year and 2022. Here's my recent story on MM.

Coach from Reading, PA

1:01

How long will ND have Mike Mayer? Thanks. Hope all is well.

Eric Hansen

1:01

Thank you, Stan. Tyler James just wrote a notebook last night, with the lead item cornerback depth. Here's Brian Kelly's quote on Henderson from Wednesday night's presser: "I like him. He's in a really good position. He has just continued to grow and learn the position. If we had to play him, there'd be confidence in his ability to go out there and compete.”

Stan from Rockford IL

12:58

Hoping this finds you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Earlier this Spring I read about the progress Ramon Henderson had made as a CB. Recently I haven't seen or read a word about him. What's the latest re: his chances to contribute on more than special teams.

Eric Hansen

12:57

Freshman defensive tackle Jason Onye is a freshman the coaching staff can kind of slow cook because of the incredible quality of depth at those interior defensive line positions. I would expect him to redshirt this year.

michael hetherman

12:56

How is Jason Onye coming along?Not to often a Rhode Islander gets to play for The Irish.

Eric Hansen

12:55

Look for an announcement early next week.

Ryan, Caro Michigan

12:55

Happy Thursday Eric! Have you heard or been given any indication if fans will be required to show proof of a Covid vaccine or negative test to attend games this season?

Eric Hansen

12:54

Quinn Carroll was the No. 68 player nationally regardless of position and the No. 7 offensive tackle in 2019 per Rivals.com. His offer list included Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Oklahoma and Miami. Then he suffered a serious knee injury in fall camp of his freshman year and has been playing catchup ever since. He's a guard now and No. 3 on the depth chart behind Marshall transfer Cain Madden and senior John Dirksen at RG. You can see our complete depth chart projections here. I wouldn't give up on him, but he's at a very talented position group with lots of competition.

Jim from Edina Minnesota

12:41

Eric, after three pre-seasons at ND, I thought Quinn Carroll would be an Irish OL stalwart by now. 6’6”, 310+, great high school career....but he seems to never get mentioned as a candidate to be one of the “Top Five Best” guys. Can you report some reasons why?

Eric Hansen

12:40

This is the 50th season that freshmen eligibility has been restored and Notre Dame has had seven such players, but only one started a season opener previously, and that was Sam Young (RT) in 2006. The last freshman offensive lineman to start a game period was RT Robert Hainsey in 2017. The others to start at least one as a freshman were Steve Elmer, Trevor Robinson, Ryan Harris, Brad Williams -- and the first, Mike Rosenthal in 1995.

Guest

12:34

Joseph from SoCal Period hi Eric from the West Coast. With Blake Fisher presumably starting at left tackle, who was the last true freshman to start on the offense of line for the Irish?

Eric Hansen

12:29

Well Matt Salerno is a walk-on, so Polian has and continues to consider that. I'm sure if Chase Ketterer develops in the manner you have projected, he would get a chance, too. Right now, that's not reality.

Patrick from South Bend

12:27

Eric, I realize there are some higher profile players targeted for return duty on Kickoffs and punts but two years ago Chase Ketterer was one of the most exciting runners Indiana, and Michiana in particular has seen in quite some time. Any chance Coach Polian might shock the world and let a walk-on return punts? I think he'd be electrifying ! He was a highlight reel then my guess is he's only gotten bigger, faster, stronger. C'mon give it a chance.

Eric Hansen

12:26

Hi Megat. Jaylon Smith is a tough compare for anyone. His skill set and mindset were incredibly advanced at that age. The freshman version of him would start on this 2021 team. Kollie has loads of potential, but there's much more development that needs to take place. He played against competition in high school that didn't challenge him. His motor and physical skills will help him ascend next season.

Megat Muzaffar, KL, Malaysia

12:18

Hi Eric, any thoughts on HS Butkus Award winner Prince Kollie at this stage of his career compared to Jaylon Smith? Go Irish! Go win in Tallahassee!

Eric Hansen

12:17

As for as kickoff return, Chris Tyree will be back. Polian says he's more dynamic. He'll likely be paired with Salerno, C'Bo Flemister or walk-on Chris Velotta .

12:15

Hi Harvey. The five players who were rotating through at the last full practice we saw were incumbent Matt Salerno, the guy he had the job at the start of 2020 -- Lawrence Keys III, along with Kevin Austin Jr., Kyren Williams and Lorenzo Styles Jr. When we spoke with ST coordinator Brian Polian the other night, he said there would likely be more than one of those used during the course of the season. So look for the sure-handed Salerno to handle it, for instance, in the season opener on the road, for instance (more).

ND Harvey from South Philly

12:07

E, hope all is well. The Gang from Grays Ferry and I will in town for the home opener, but 1st, Focu$ on F$U. Who do you think will return punts and kickoffs. Thank you. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

Without further blather, let's get started.

12:06

Here are the rules ... remembering the No Bare Feet edict is not in play this week.

We'll shift the chat back to Wednesdays next week for the balance of the season.

Because of that you can ignore the "No Bare Feet" rule.

12:04

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, on a sweltering Thursday afternoon in late August.

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