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

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 2, 2020

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Jeff from Phoenix

12:28

Hey Eric, certainly the targeting penalty on Hamilton was regrettable, but just glad neither player was injured. So, how would you grade out the play of H Griffith when he came in? Kelly just said something to the effect of he 'didnt make any mistakes'. Is he better vs the run or in coverage? Is he poised to step in for Crawford next year? Thanks-

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

12:28

Hi Eric...What is the status or C'Bo? I don't recall seeing him vs. NC and I had thought Kelly said his injury in the BC game wasn't serious.

Eric Hansen

12:28

Tom, thanks. It does have a feel of free agency to it, and the imminent rule tweaks coming in the next few months regarding it are going to make that even more so. I do think there are going to be a good percentage of immature decisions, but that's a price you'll have to pay with more player movement. It won't necessarily help Notre Dame acquire talent. Getting credits to transfer for undergrad transfer players is daunting at times for ND. However, the grad transfer market is very much a viable one for Notre Dame, and it's certainly helping this year.

Guest

12:24

Tom from Yakima Washington. Just a quick question. What do you think of the transfer portal? It seems to me that it is too easy. If you don't get playing time, you leave. Sure sometimes it can help you, but other times not. Are there any upcoming changes on the horizon? Thanks for the great service you do!

Eric Hansen

12:24

This is one of several lines of Clark Lea questions I'll address today. With Clark, I don't think it's a matter of money (like Mike Elko). His dream is to be a head football coach. He also believes he's ready for that challenge. So keeping him will be a matter of what kind of offers he gets to be a head football coach. He can wait on a Power 5 job and be perfectly content at Notre Dame. ... And for those who would like to see Clark eventually succeed Brian Kelly, him getting head coaching experience somewhere else would make him a stronger ND head coach in the long run. I'm not advocating him to leave ND, but it's hard to stand in the way of a man with dreams and the means to make them happen.

Sean, Greensboro

12:20

Hope you had a nice Turkey day, and all are safe,I do not want to lose Clark Lea. What do we have to do to keep him?

Eric Hansen

12:20

I'm not sure about double digit wins in 2021. I've not vetted that out yet. But I do think with the way Notre Dame has recruited, with its culture, with its player development model, I don't think you'll see either severe dips in the bottom line or protracted ones. And best wishes to you.

12:18

While Brian Kelly gets knocked, and somewhat justifiably, for multi-year starters at QB not significantly progressing, his track record with first-year starters is rather impressive. Assuming a normal 15-session spring football practice schedule, Kelly and the fan base both will learn a lot more about the readiness of Clark, Pyne and Buchner. If there is a lack of readiness across the board, Notre Dame would have the option to check into the grad transfer market after spring. My anticipation is that they won't need to, that Clark and Buchner will provide enough promise in spring that one of them will be able to handle the job in the fall. They'll be surrounded by some dynamic receivers and running backs, though the offensive line will have to reload. ... (more to come)

Tal, Valley Center, CA.

12:13

Eric, wishing you the very best from small town California. Can't wait to see how the rest of this rather remarkable season plays out. But looking ahead, the Irish will be losing an outstanding competitor and winner in Ian Book. Frankly, I am not all that convinced that either Brandon Clark or Drew Pyne can step into the breach and keep the program on track and rolling. And hoping a freshman (albeit a talented one) in Tyler Buchner can come in and be the man right off the bat is a huge ask. Couple that with the loss of several prominent graduates across the board and the possible departure of the gifted Clark Lea and I sense a possible regression. Can you address next year's QB chase and also give me hope that the Irish can at least maintain their double-digit win streak in 2021. Thank you and stay safe.

Eric Hansen

12:12

Hi Pat. From what Carter Karels, our recruiting guy, tells me, Oklahoma defensive line commit Kevin Gilliam is going to stay with Oklahoma. I do expect ND to pick up another defensive end commit before the signing period (Dec. 16-18). I certainly think Rocco Spindler would play D-line in college. I like him as a multi-year starter, though, where ND has him projected, which is at offensive guard.

Pat from St Paul

12:10

Eric - as always, thanks for the chat!! I am happy that the Wake game was cancelled, was starting to wonder if the number of games played were going to end up hurting the health of the team as the playoff approaches. Two questions...do you think we flip Kelvin Gilliam and do you think Rocco ends up on the d line? Thanks!!

Eric Hansen

OK, let's get started.

12:07

Pod of Gold: Tony Dungy on Notre Dame's season, coaching staff and talent

12:06

A quick note, if you haven't had a chance to listen to this week's Pod of Gold, podcast, I'd encourage you to. Tony Dungy was a fabulous guest with great insights,

I'll waive all the typical rules (no gambling, no spitting, no bare feet, etc.) if we can limit whining today.

12:05

Please remember to include your name and hometown with your question.

12:02

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Syracuse edition.

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