JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 2, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 2, 2020

Eric Hansen

3:05

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We're going to do it all again next week, which is a bye week, Wednesday at noon EST. Talk to you then.

3:04

I wouldn't and I don't think ND would. I'd look at Marcus Freeman of Cincinnati if Kelly didn't choose Elston from within.

Dwight from Arkansas

3:04

I couldn't help but have a 'feel good' flashback on Saturday when Book completed a pass to George Takacs. As a teen long years back I watched the ND qb (forgot who--Clemens?) throw a huge pass to Robin Weber to clinch a win over 'Bama. I'm not sure that Weber ever caught another pass in his ND career. Couldn't help but feel good for Takacs who is overlooked with all the TE talent the Irish have. My question, if Lea should indeed move on to a head coaching job, would the Irish consider offering the DC job once again to Mike Elko? I believe it was Elko who brought Lea in. Clearly, Elko left for the money going to A&M, but might the Irish loosen their purse strings to bring him back?

Eric Hansen

3:03

Yes, because I think Ohio State's defense is vulnerable.

Tom from Georgia

3:03

Do you believe ND would beat Ohio St. were they to play next week? Why, or why not?

Eric Hansen

3:03

I would say yes.

Guest

3:03

Will Vandiver, Seattle - Eric, assuming ND makes the playoff 4 (let’s say with Alabama, Clemson and OSU), are we the team most dependent on its starting QB staying healthy for

Eric Hansen

3:02

I do, although I think Clemson will be favored.

Jim Cumberland,Md

3:02

HI ERIC ,THANK’S FOR THE GREAT CHAT’S AND HOPE YOU AND FAMILY HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY. NOW FOR THE QUESTION ,DO YOU THINK ND CAN BEAT CLEMSON WITH THERE TEAM BACK UP TO SNUFF { ???} I SURE HOPE SO

Eric Hansen

3:02

I love who he is now and even more who he's going to turn into. He's compared to being a guy who on the interior can have the eventual impact of a Jerry Tillery and I've seen nothing that would make me skeptical about that eventually happening.

Patrick, Fort Wayne, In

3:01

Eric, I have noticed Rylie Mills getting playing time over the past few games and would like to read your assessment of his play. Also, what are your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the interior line?

Eric Hansen

3:00

Adam, thank you. I agree with Tony in that ND will have to show Clemson some different looks. But I still think the defense will lean toward run defense. I think Tony was intimating that. Lenzy impactful? Don't give up on that idea.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:59

Eric, I will eventually learn to not hit enter right away and send you a non-question first! Love your work. 1.) Was listening to the recent Pod of Gold. Very interested in Tony Dungy's comments as far as the rematch. Basically said, next gameplan should be to limit receivers...instead of shutting down Etienne. While, I agree a game 2 would play out differently, and those receivers scare me to death, I thought a defense always wanted to make an offense one-dimensional, i.e., take away Etienne and the run. Doesn't Dungy's suggestion run counter to that? Unless the thought is Clemson will come out on the attack, and the Irish can dial up the pressure and get to Lawrence? 2.) Clemson will be tougher defensively. Do the Irish have new ways to attack? I keep hoping that Lenzy could open up some possibilities, but that is just dreaming at this point.

Eric Hansen

2:59

Not at the level of Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State, but certainly at a high level.

Dave from Houston

2:58

Do you finally think ND has reached the point of reloading instead of rebuilding?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Well said. Well said. Do you want to help me with the chat next week?

Mike from Rochester NY

2:58

Hi, Eric, no question just a couple of comments. First, so happy that Javon McKinley and Avery Davis are having such good senior years after all the hard work they’ve put in for this team. Second, since Coach Kelly has gotten broadly criticized for some hires that turned out poorly in the past, is he getting enough credit for some hires that are looking pretty great for recruiting, developing, and coaching-Lea, Rees, Quinn, Taylor, Alexander, Mickens (amazing what he’s done at his position), McNulty! This staff seems to do well and, equally important, work well together!

Eric Hansen

2:57

Nope, too much TV money to give up. Under the guise of COVID exposure when it's not real would show a lack of integrity.

Mike from Denver

2:56

To make a better case for two teams based on the current CFP rankings under the guise of avoiding more potential COVID exposure.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Five on offense, not counting Kevin Austin but counting injured Jarrett Patterson. Five or six on defense.

Greg from Cameron, MO

2:56

How many starters do you see returning on offense and defense in 2021 ?

Eric Hansen

2:53

He's one of those three star prospects fans don't seem to tke to. Great growth potential, with length and speed. COVID knocked him back earlier in the year. He's in a very competitive situation with Shayne Simon and Jack Kiser (Jack Lamb plays the position as well. He's from Manti Te'o's high school (Punahou).

Mike from Ohio

2:51

Hello Eric: What can you tell us about Marist Liufau? Thought he played well against UNC. Don't remember him playing as much in previous games.

Eric Hansen

2:51

He was not as ambitious about being a head coach at Lea and a lot of other coaches are. Harry Hiestand was the same way for ND as an O-Line coach. Now Venables gets to coach is kids, Jake and Tyler. I do think at some point, he will dip his toe into head coaching. I think there's certainly a chance Lea comes back. He's not going to take a job where there isn't a chance for him to be successful and supported.

Lawrence from San Diego

2:48

What are the chances that Clark stays another year? Does Brent Venables just have different coaching goals, or is there something that Clemson did to keep him that we can replicate?

Eric Hansen

2:48

Your observations are notes and delivered.

Terry from Ottawa ON

2:48

Greetings Eric and happy post-Thanksgiving. Hope you and your family are well. Three observations: 1. Ian Book is the real deal, just a first rate QB , a gutsy team leader and obviously very well respected by his team mates. 2. This Irish team is the grittiest and most complete ND team I’ve seen since my student days in 1969. Coach Kelly got that right. And .. the ND ‘D’ is the fastest, quickest and hardest hitting unit the Irish have ever had. I really like their chances in the playoffs. 3. Kudos to the ACC for levelling the playing field .. and exempting the Irish and Clemson from scheduled gams on December 12th.

Eric Hansen

2:48

Absolutely.

Bob-Cape Elizabeth Maine

2:48

Bob from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Given the cancellation of Wake Forest game, there is only one opportunity to get Lenzy back into shape and into the flow. Do you think they will recognize that and push it a bit?

Eric Hansen

2:47

Gene, thank you. I think the biggest issues in dealing with North Carolina's defense were: Chazz Surratt is an elite linebacker and in the middle of everything. North Carolina has been really good at getting pressure on the QBs and with two new linemen, they had a plan to try to confuse them. Once the O-Line settled in, it was easier to take advantage of UNC's other weaknesses.

Gene in NY

2:45

Hey Eric - thanks for the great coverage. Your excellent article on TEs prompts me to give kudos to key to this season’s success, flying somewhat under the radar - Tom Rees. Years past there were always times in every game where I’d be yelling at TV that if I could anticipate the next play, so could defense. Haven’t had that even once this year! Now my question - going into game, it sounded like UNC secondary were numbers 7-10 on the depth chart last spring (and even in High School in September) due to opt outs, injuries, COVID. If that was the case, how is it possible that the only open WR all day was McKinley? Did they play differently and could that be an issue going forward?

Eric Hansen

2:45

The worst is easy. Indiana University hands down in the 1980s. They made us quiche once. I broke my plastic fork attempting to try to see if it was as bad as it looked (it was). From that point forward, I would try to find my in-laws' tailgate on my stroll through the parking lot. The best? This is going to surprise you, because there are so many good ones in the south, but it's Boston College.

Phil from Fort Wayne

2:43

Eric, you've obviously been in more than your fair share of press boxes during your career as a sports reporter. Which ones have offered the best pre-game grub for attending media, and which ones the worst?

Eric Hansen

2:43

Elston did a really good job in 2016 of running the defense clandestinely after Brian VanGorder was fired. I think one of Lea's strengths is the people who are around him. I do think Brian owes it to himself to open up the job (and it were to happen) and conduct a national search. But I think Mike Elston would be an outstanding candidate and deserving of a chance to be given strong consideration.

Stephen from Toledo OH

2:41

Hey Eric great season to be an Irish fan! I know you’ve probably had a million questions about Lea so what’s one more right??? Lol assuming he’s gone after this year what would Kelly do to find his replacement??? Personally I think Elston would be a great choice especially after multiple years learning this defensive scheme. Any thoughts on this from your crystal ball?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Tom thanks and hope you got to enjoy the holiday, whether in person or virtual. I don't disagree with any of your statements. I sure hope great minds think alike and not mediocre ones.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:38

Hi Eric, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving no matter how Covid restricted it might have been. The depth that ND is building over the last couple of years is helping to develop players who are ready to step in when needed. Practicing everyday against better players makes for better players when they are ready. This is often overlooked but is a very important hidden part of the team along with the conditioning, diet and training staffs. Agree??? Also, do you see similarities in the late growth of Javon compared to Miles Boykin's development? Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:38

Thanks for the compliments. The Tony Dungy interview was fun and insightful for me. ... To your question, it's interesting because a long, long time ago, I did a story on Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Knight as a player. And some of his biggest weaknesses as a player became non-negotiable must-haves for the players he coaches. I think Tommy was smart enough to see how good Ian's skill set was as a runner, and wondered how that might have benefitted him as a player if he had had it. So yes, I agree.

Mark, Orange County CA

2:35

Hi Eric. really appreciate all of your hard work that you do to keep us up to date on ND football. That podcast interview of Tony Dungy was great and Tyler's bringing up Tony's admiration of Tommy Tremble was a delight. Building on your question about Coach Reese utilizing tight Ends because of his playing days with Tyler Eifert I also think it is interesting that Reese was not a very Mobile quarterback yet he has had so much success this year letting Ian play to his strength as a mobile quarterback. Just a thought. What say you?

Eric Hansen

2:35

I don't think Notre Dame has offered. I have used my phone-a-friend lifeline already during this chat.

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