JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 31, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 31, 2024

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Eric Hansen

3:28

OK, that's going to do it for this week. Make sure you check our our coverage this weekend of all the player interviews Friday as well as our story on new director of football performance Loren Landow. As far as the chat, we'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:27

Always have time for a compliment! Thanks.

Jonathan in Hideaway TX

3:27

Just wanted to say what a great answer earlier: “So, one thing that's great about sports is surprises. That's how we got Pat Coogan as a starter, got Howard Cross as an All-American and got Jordan Faison as a bowl game MVP.” You’re the best!

Eric Hansen

3:27

Thanks, Yes, yes, yes and RECRUITING like crazy. The dead period comes next week, so he'll have more time for those other things.

Mike from Rockville, MD

3:26

Eric, your answer to my question about LBs and WRs was very clear and helpful. Thank you! Another question...what is Mike Dembrock doing right now to prepare for next year? Watching tape? Evaluating players? Trying to figure out his playbook?

Eric Hansen

3:25

Hi Tony, and thank you. I don't want to oversimplify the left vs. right tackle question, so I'll get Bob Morton to help me with a deeper dive on that and present it to you in a future chat. ... Tony, the MBB issue isn't just youth/inexperience, it's trying to set a culture and being uncompromising (and I applaud that) in how to get there. So losses, setbacks now will pay off down the road. But I do think it was silly for Notre Dame to market the quote about winning the national championship this year. That is/was not what this season was about. ... As far as Caitlin Clark, the only thing I know is I'd take her on my team any day.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

3:21

Hey Eric, love the continuing coverage. Bob Morton was awesome again. On FNS, Tyler mentioned that Tosh Baker is more like a RT than a LT. What are the facets of the game or physical traits that make someone a LT vs a RT? On a basketball question, are the issues simply coming down to youth/inexperience or is there a talent problem? I knew it would take MS a year or two, but I thought with the players he brought with him that it would be better than this. Should I still be hopeful for the future? Something unrelated to football or Notre Dame, but I heard that Caitlin Clark is expected to take a pay cut to go the WNBA. That is a testament to her game, but also an endorsement to how much Iowans love their Hawkeyes.

Eric Hansen

3:20

Hi Gene. The most succinct answer I can give you is Jayden Daniels was a very average passer when he arrived at LSU and left having set the NCAA record in pass efficiency. So the Notre Dame coaches see their mission with regard to Leonard is not just plugging him in but helping him evolve his game. And that's whether or not he ends up No. 1 on the depth chart.

Gene from NY

3:19

Hi Eric, Thanks as always for the great coverage helping us get through some frigid temps! Not looking to beat a dead horse here, and I sense your frustration in trying to respond in the chat, but here’s my summary attempt: 1) Coach Freeman says he’s again going QB hunting in the portal 2) Angeli is the presumptive starter in Bowl game and plays, by all accounts, a great game, showing poise, command, and ability to make difficult throws 3) Leonard joins from the portal and by all media accounts, while saying there will be an opportunity for all to take the starting job, Leonard seems to be penciled in as #1. Almost seems like a repeat of previous year with Hartman, with one major exception - the caveat where the coaches have to first teach Leonard to throw more accurately! I watched him play in the ND game and parts of other games, pre and post injury, and there’s no doubt his legs add a different element to the game. But is his ceiling so high (and achievable) vs Angeli’s that that is definite way to go?!?

Eric Hansen

3:18

Dustin, let me put down my vegemite sandwich. ... Just kidding. ... The way ND's main collective, FUND, is structured, with work with charities and the community at its heart, does fall in line with Notre Dame's value system. Now will NIL evolve into something so opposed to ND's mission that they can't or won't compete in that space? I don't think it will get to that point, but it is a moving target. Today's answer might not have much staying power. We'll see. If it gets to the point that ND wants to join a conference, the SEC would be an option, but I think the administration would see more commonality with the Big Ten schools than those in the SEC. Keep in mind, they do have a legal commitment to the ACC that only goes away if someone figures out a loophole.

dustin

3:11

The Q from Australia was from me :)

Guest

3:11

G'day Eric, long time reader, first time participants. I wanted your take on the whether the ND adminstration has a threshold which they will not cross with respect to paying players amid the current chaos of NIL. This might sound outlandish, but if NIL is not regulated, does ND want to compete in this market - in which players become de facto employees as opposed to students first. Does this conflict to heavily with the catholic mantra of the university? Second, while all of the chat about conference affiliation suggests if ND was to move it would be to the BIG10, wouldn't the SEC make just as much sense - and boy what a conference it would become - ND would almost maintain an independent status simply by being soo different - as enormous recruiting and marketing opportunity. Best from Melbourne, Australia.

Eric Hansen

3:11

Tyler James has been commenting on this on our Insider Lounge Message Board. What I would add is that it's normal for Golden to rotate out for a day or two here and there.

Doug from Sunny Florida

3:10

Eric, Max Bullough has been mentioned a few times recently being on the road recruiting and at the same time, Al Golden seems to be missing. Is there anything to read into this? Since Bullough assists withe the linebackers, would he be recruiting for the linebacker position in case Golden accepts a position elsewhere in the near future?

Eric Hansen

3:09

Hi Joe. I think Mike Denbrock's experience as an offensive coordinator and his experience as an O-line coach will be positives toward the offensive line developing this offseason. I've made some guesses about the five starters, and they are guesses, since we haven't seen one second of what should be a very competitive spring practice for all five positions. But today's guess with be Wagner and Jagusah at the tackles, Schrauth and Coogan at the guards and Ashton Craig at center ... but many other possibilities are realistic.

Guest

3:07

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Hope all is well with you I wonder what your thoughts are on the chances of our offensive line being playoff caliber this year With 2 new offensive tackles and a new center Additionally who do you predict our 5 starters will be for the opener

Eric Hansen

3:06

Hi Mike. Keep in mind Lou had a lot of different assistants rotate through during his 11 seasons at ND, but Marcus Freeman's current staff stacks up well with some of Holtz's for sure, with admittedly a very different recruiting landscape, transfer landscape, etc. And I think there's good reason for you to be excited ... yet a lot of work ahead to make that happen.

Mike from Rochester NY

3:04

Hi, Eric, really enjoyed this week’s Football Never Sleeps. It made me think about how strong a staff CMF has put together and how it may be the best staff from a recruiting, development, and game planning perspective since Lou Holtz. Still have a ways to go on in-game offensive adjustments like Lou’s staff did. Do you agree with my perspective? Very excited for the upcoming season.

Eric Hansen

3:03

Pat. if I'm understanding your question correctly, the answer would be because they believe in Marcus Freeman's vision and track record, because the Notre Dame starting QB in each of Freeman's two seasons as head coach finished in the top 20 nationally in pass efficiency. Because Gino Guidugli developed Desmond Ridder into an NFL Draft pick at Cincinnati and developed Steve Angeli into a much better QB while Sam Hartman was the starter. Because the guy who ran the nation's No. 1 total and scoring offense in the FBS is now Notre Dame's offensive coordinator. And because Freeman didn't have anything to do with past mistakes/miscues at the QB position at ND, For starters.

Pat McBride - Scottsdale, AZ

2:56

Hello Eric: It seems apparent that Notre Dame has had trouble developing recruited quarterbacks. Seeing the Irish continually bring in quarterbacks from other schools, why, in your opinion, would quarterbacks out of high school want to come to South Bend? Do you see any improvement at all in the development of recruited quarterbacks?

Eric Hansen

2:56

Matt, I appreciate the self-correction. Let's go. 1. It's remarkable that Smith even played in the NFL given the severity of his Fiesta Bowl knee injury and the doomsday prognoses that came with it. He was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2019 and was a practice squad-level player this season. His perseverance is remarkable. 2. Yes ... no reason why it shouldn't. 3. Soon and I don't know what the threshold is for well-represented. It would have been a bigger group had Cross, Mills, Watts and Kiser all come out. 4. Can't compress that answer into a quick five. Google is your friend. 5. My NFL picks stink. But I think Taylor Swift will be celebrating.

Matt (KC)

2:48

Quickfire Five. I did a terrible job last time and was borderline with the too many parts so this is streamlined for you. 1. What happened to Jaylon Smith in the NFL, two great years then just has disappeared a bit? 2. You think headsets in helmets is coming? 3. When do NFL combine invites come out and should we be well represented? 4. Old question, but I am not sure we ever got the answer, what was the reason for Chip Long getting fired, didn't get a long with the players? 5. Super Bowl pick and wherever you go it's OK, an Irish player is getting a ring.

Eric Hansen

2:45

Hi Mike. I'm more of a baseball fan when my team is good, but that's for another chat for another day. ... Notre Dame can control its kick times for its own home games, but doesn't have that control over road games. TV has that control, so I never think you'll have a cap, because TV money talks louder. I think timing -- both proximity to the start of spring semester and ND already having shopped for the transfers it wanted -- played into no Alabama, Washington or Arizona players ending up at ND (and some other places). A player like S Caleb Downs would have been an exception. That doesn't mean there might not be some who get involved with the Irish and vice versa during the spring window.

Mike, Phoenix

2:41

Eric, I know you are a baseball fan so I thought I would ask your opinion. Baseball players have a certain number of scheduled days off. Notre Dame played 4 straight night games without a week off. Do you think there should be a cap on the number of consecutive night games played? Also, any insight why ND would not pursue any Alabama, Washington or Arizona players? They did not seem to be rumored on any of them or do these kids shop down a different aisle(SEC country only). Thanks for the chats. I have relaxed the no bare feet rule today as it will be high 70’s soon. Cheers.

Eric Hansen

2:40

Hi Larry and thanks for watching, listening and reading. Yes, you're right about the bowls that are not being incorporated into the 12-team playoff structure. There's some serious soul-searching/reinvention in order or they simply won't be able to continue on much longer. The Duke's Mayo Bowl was the first one I saw that talked about trying to build NIL incentives into bowl participation. That's a conversation starter. I suppose if players became unionized, participation could be collectively bargained. But the date of the early transfer portal window is problematic with just about every scenario. Kids have a finite window to shop for a new school, visit schools and enroll in time for spring semester. And the bowl season conflicts with that. So people a lot smarter (and better paid) than me need to come up with those answers this offseason.

Guest

2:34

Larry From Topton, PA. Hi Eric! Many thanks to you and Tyler for keeping the Podcasts and Football Never Sleeps going. Big picture question. With the 12-team playoff starting next year, are the minor league bowls (Gator, Liberty, Sun, etc) planning any changes for 2024, or are they planning to trot out the same roster of bowls again? I expect the opt out and transfer epidemic to be even more pervasive next season. I think the fatal blow for the lower bowls could be an entire team turning down a bowl invitation. If not this year, maybe soon? Thanks a bunch Eric!!

Eric Hansen

2:31

Hi Tom, I'm including a link so that you can see the actual calculations that go into the formula (it's on page 3.) Completion percentage, TD frequency, interception frequency, yards per attempt and completion all factor in. Where I think it can get skewed sometimes is TD passes, especially if it's a running QB or a team that runs a lot in the red zone.

Tom in Evanston

2:28

Hi Eric. You often refer to the 5 metrics that playoff teams excel in. Most of them are somewhat self-explanatory, but could you please explain passing efficiency?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Sean, without calling someone out for the bungled details (and I appreciate you didn't include the offending website), I can only speak for myself. So to be clear, this isn't about trashing another site, but I think it's a legit question readers want to know. For me, especially when the next game is months away, you want to get someone trustworthy to comment ON THE RECORD. Always, in season, out of season of you can. Preferably the head coach and/or the player. If not, then the vetting process has to be extremely thorough. I can't tell you how many times I hear details of an injury or other situation that turn out to be exaggerated, understated or completely baseless. To me, we're talking to Riley Leonard on Friday. What would I gain by speculating about that injury before giving him a chance to tell his story?

Sean, Portland OR

2:20

I noticed a story released about Riley Leonards injury status which was almost immediately disputed on twitter by Rob Hunt... of course Riley being injured is a story those of us who are ND die-hards want to know. However is there some gray area here of ethics? What if he didn't want his injury situation released? What's it mean (big picture) that the story is being disputed by someone inside of the ND program on twitter? It seems like, with all due respect to the person who is the subject of the story, this is pretty sensitive information and should at the very least be well vetted for accuracy... You're a pros pro so I am interested in your opinion of this ordeal.

Eric Hansen

2:19

All you have to do is go to our website, and there's a big story there. QB Leonard expected to be 100% for Notre Dame spring practice after surgery

martin orlando

2:18

what is the story with riley leonard's ankle?

Eric Hansen

2:18

As far as Al Golden's future, I think there's a better chance than not that he stays at Notre Dame, but not resoundingly so, and speculating about situations where they haven't fully developed and have no sufficient sourcing or info to make those assumptions would be irresponsible on my part, I think. Kiser vs. Tranquill. There are some similarities there ... former safeties turned rovers turned inside linebackers. Great leadership, instincts. I think 2024 with Kiser playing more inside, it'll give everyone a better feel for how his athleticism will play or not play at the next level.

2:13

Tom, I am loving my world at the moment, thanks! It is my understanding that the surgery was minor, and I will let Riley provide all the details on Friday when we talk to him for the first time since he arrived at ND. ... My top two objectives would be determine who the starters and key backups on the O-line are and getting that moving in a progressing direction for the summer. And then installing the offense and determine which QB will be running that offense. ... When I'm in the chat, I'm not always up-to-the-second on what's happening outside the chat, because this is my focus. But as of the start of the chat, my expectation is that Notre Dame would make it attractive for Chad to stay at ND. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:05

Hi Eric, hope things are good in your world!!! If Riley Leonard is possibly going to available for spring ball it would seem his recent surgery was fairly minor. Is that true?? What would your top two objectives be for this spring ball?? Any news on Bowden staying at ND?? Now about Al Golden. I think there are about 5 DC positions still open in the NFL, including Washington and Seattle who have not named their coach yet. Are there any situations or potential HC hires that might make you more concerned about him staying at ND?? How similar is Jack Kiser to Drue Tranquill in playing ability and what they do for a defense?? Thanks for continuing these Chats through the winter. You don't know how much we all appreciate the opportunity to ask you questions and get your insight on where the program is heading??

Eric Hansen

2:04

Hello Len! Since the Jersey Shore is such a desired vacation destination, I wonder how cool it is actually living there? I am really going off the top of my head here, so my answer might be different with a running start. In no order ... Chansi Stuckey's firing, Rico Flores Jr.'s transfer out, Notre Dame administration working with the football team to admit junior transfers Riley Leonard and Beaux Collins, Charles Jagusah starting at left tackled in the Sun Bowl, Steve Angeli putting up the best pass-efficiency rating by a Notre Dame QB in the past 50 years in a starting debut.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:59

Hello Eric! As January comes to a close what would you consider the five biggest surprises concerning the ND staff and roster since the regular season ended? That would include all bowl opt outs, who opted for draft, who was/was not asked to play in post season all star games, staff changes, new staff positions, transfer portal subtractions and additions, those choosing to end their football careers, injuries, etc.

Eric Hansen

1:57

As far as position switches, I think with the transfer portal, you'll see less of this type ... just the more subtle ones. But his mind is squarely on being a tackle and ND and I wouldn't bet against him.

1:56

Hi Sean and thanks for your questions. I'm including a pic of Aamil on a visit as a recruit to Notre Dame at the Blue-Gold Game his senior year in high school. He's standing next to Holden Staes, a tight end who signed with ND (and who has since transferred). He looks like a tight end in the photo. It's not that he can't put on good weight, it's that it is a meticulous process he planned on, not an event. As a freshman at Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne, Wagner was 6-4, 180. Not a typo. He was 255 when I talked to him in May of 2022 before he enrolled in June and 264ish when he arrived. He's 284 now. If you're a subscriber, I'd encourage you to read this story I did before he arrived, and his plan to develop into a tackle over time. His 40 time in high school was in the 4.7s. He ran a 11.0 split in the 4x100-meter relay. To have that kind of athleticism at left tackle is worth the wait, especially when the player is completely invested in the process. (more)

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