JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 11, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 11, 2020

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1:57

JIM WESTERN MD.HAY ERIC WILL THE CANCELLATION OF YHE ALB VERSA LSU GAME CHANGE ANYTHING AS FAR AS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS CONCERN.

Eric Hansen

1:57

Good suggestion on the St. Louis thing. That trainer Kyren worked with is excellent. I think more importantly, Tyree has the fire inside to want to get better and will do everything it takes to get there. It wouldn't surprise me if he got a second wind in December.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:55

Eric, it looks like Chris Tyree is struggling a little the last couple of games. He keeps trying to use his speed to run wide instead of making a decisive cut up into the hole. Also, I don't know what his plans are for this summer but I would highly suggest that he go to St. Louis and duplicate the regime that Kyren went through last summer. Your thoughts. Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:55

Jim. thanks. I do think Ian statistically was an above-average version of himself and even more so intangibly. It remains to be seen whether he can build on that, but my sense is he will. ... I wasn't looking at the sideline after the fumble, but I know BK talked to him. Amber Selking is someone Brian Kelly values very much in ND's 40-6 renaissance since the 4-8 season.

Jim Oakwood Ohio

1:53

Hey Eric, Great job with the Clemson coverage as you do with each game and the Pod of Gold. Hope you and your family continue to stay safe and healthy. You've said in numerous columns and in past chats, that Ian Book needed to be "an above average version of himself ... on a consistent basis." Were you satisfied with his "version" after Saturday's game ... and to borrow a phrase do you think he has "rounded the corner?" My heart sank when he fumbled late in the 3rd quarter and I wondered whether he could recover and lead the team. He was great in the 4th quarter and the double OTs. As Coach Kelly has consistently said: "he is a winner." My second question is whether or not you could see, from the press box, who came up to him on the sideline after the fumble...specifically was it the team sports psychologist (Dr. Amber ...? I forgot her name). Even if she didn't come up to him, don't you think that her cumulative body of work with him and the team gave him the inner strength to perform and lead? Be well.

Eric Hansen

1:52

Absolutely, but the season isn't over. Now Ian needs to take that game and build upon it. I'm sure that's his intention, knowing him.

Tom from South Carolina

1:51

Eric: Enjoy your work ! Question: Don’t you think Ian Book proved himself against Clemson ? His ability to scramble out of trouble again and again against a really good Defense was crucial to the win.

Eric Hansen

1:51

Thanks. Puzzling, baffling.

Bob-Wyoming,Pa.

1:50

Eric: Great job of keeping us current on ND football news! What is your take of the pass interference call and then the flag was picked up. As we all know, the call was correct for interference. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:50

And to expand, sometimes the mere presence of a player puts the opposing defensive coordinator in a constant conflict. Will Fuller was that kind of player as well. He opened up the run game and opportunities for other receivers.

1:49

Len, you get it.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:48

Hi Eric, Thanks for hosting. On the last TD drive in regulation it seemed that the Clemson safety was looking to support on TE Mayer underneath and was out of position to support on the long pass to Avery davis. I also saw several occasions where linebackers were more occupied with Mayer than looking for Ian Book to run. This created some openings. Do you see this freshman Tight end helping the passing game/scrambling game by just being on the field regardless if he is the target? Obviosly he helps a lot as a receiver also.

Eric Hansen

1:47

I think Brian Kelly and Clark Lea will look at Phil Jurkovec's strengths and weaknesses in his CURRENT offense and formulate a game plan based on that context. I'd expect to see lots of pressure mixed in from ND's defense.

Jeff from LaPorte

1:46

I always get a little nervous when ND plays BC. They always seem to bring up a little extra fire when playing ND (if they have any). I'm sure Jurkovec feels like he has something to prove in this game. My question is this, is it likely BK will game plan this any differently due to playing a QB that was just on the roster earlier in the spring? Either offensively or defensively?

Eric Hansen

1:45

If Pat Narduzzi doesn't take care of his own business, this won't be his problem to whine about anymore. Your memory is correct. When the Big East imploded, the ACC asked for a an annual commitment of an average of five games a year on a rotating basis with Notre Dame. I think it's worked out well for both sides.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

1:43

What do you make of Pat Narduzzi's comments that ND should be a full fledged football member in the ACC or not play in the ACC at all? Please take us through how the 5-6 game/year ACC arrangement came about (in normal years). I seem to recall that ND agreed to this as a compromise in order to allow their other sports to compete in the ACC as full members, and that if ND had their druthers, they would not be tied in to any football commitments to the ACC at all. Narduzzi makes it sound like ND asked for this 5-6 game arrangement and that the ACC is doing them some kind of favor, when in reality the ND membership in all other sports is a net plus for the ACC overall.

Eric Hansen

1:39

I think they're both challenges for different reasons. North Carolina statistically is better offensively than Clemson at the moment and really balanced. If they can get away from self-destructing (penalties, turnovers), they're going to be a handful. ND does get a bye week before UNC, but they have final exams that week. I suppose that's the best setup you could ask for.

Chase in Denver, CO

1:35

Hi Eric, love your coverage of ND football. ND is on the road this week and next against tricky opponents. Which matchup should fans be more worried about from an "upset" perspective: BC this Saturday in Chestnut Hill (potential hangover after the big Clemson win) or next Friday night in Chapel Hill against Mack Brown's potent offense (yet mediocre defense)?

Eric Hansen

1:35

Gene, I've covered a couple of these ... the strange flag pickup and why maybe the ledge is an overreaction for a pregame BC location. So let's look at the red zone TDs. Turnovers are an issue. Maybe not using the tight ends and Javon McKinley enough is another. I don't look at that as an unfixable problem.

Gene in NY

1:33

Hi Eric, What a game! Ian Book took a great next step (and thank goodness his fumble wasn’t his legacy!) Good call on your part for Davis to step up. A few comments questions: Should the refs have conferred with each other rather than Dabo on the pass interference call? How did that flag get picked up? As great as Williams was running, his blitz pickup was a difference maker! With all the options on offense, why is red zone TD a struggle? Most important - since I started having flashbacks to 1993 about five minutes after the game, please give me reasons not to! Thanks for the great coverage!

Eric Hansen

1:32

They've certainly overachieved. BC was picked 13th out of 15 in the preseason ACC rankings. Kind of a thumbnail ... other than the Virginia Tech game, their defense has been surprisingly competitive. Bad running team that's getting better. A team that is heavily penalized. Lousy in the return game. Gives up a lot of sacks, though they've been better recently. A lot is on Phil Jurkovec's shoulders and he's responded well to that.

Tom from Bronwnsburg, IN

1:26

Hello, Eric. The national media jumping on the 1993 game - so imaginative! What's your realistic impression of BC? They've looked terrific at times, and pretty ordinary at times in my book. They will of course be pumped, but how long will that sustain?

Eric Hansen

1:25

It gives him an inside track. Now it becomes about consistency. Here's what Brian Kelly said about Simon on Monday:

“He’s still emerging. He’s not there yet. Marist didn’t play much. He had the targeting, so that opened the door for Shayne. We’re really pleased with his progression. Shayne is progressing. There’s still some things out there that we need him to work on — shedding blocks, getting off blocks, a couple of instinctual things that he can get better at. But he’s attacking the line of scrimmage. He’s finishing off tackles. He has really good awareness in space in the pass game. We’re really seeing somebody that is elevating his game. There’s still more out there for him. I wouldn’t say that this thing is, ‘Hey, this a done deal. Shayne Simon, he has the position.’ There’s still some competition out there and we like it. We like to keep the competition lively out there. Really pleased with where he’s going. He has some room to continue to grow, which is a great thing.”

Robb, Colorado

1:23

It seemed to me that Simon played his best game at ND. Does this flip the switch on for him and we start to see him rising quickly or was it just a blip in his career? A good blip at that.

Eric Hansen

1:23

OK, glad to here it.

Bill from St Joe, MI

They came thru at my most nervous moments!

1:23

A comment, not a question...a shout out to Michael Vinson, Jay Bramblett, Jonathon Doerer, and Coach Brian Polian.

Eric Hansen

1:22

We're not at practice, so it's more difficult to gauge exactly Chris Watts' influence, but I wouldn't undersell it. Some other things? Tommy Rees' commitment to the running game and his good chemistry on blocking schemes, etc., that wasn't there with Chip Long. Five starters with experience is huge.

Tim in Atlanta

1:20

It seems that the offensive line continues to progressively improve under Jeff Quinn. How much has Chris Watt been involved? What other factors have been helpful?

Eric Hansen

1:20

No explanation. One of the stranger things I've seen covering college football.

John

1:20

Boise, ID Has there been any explanation as to why the two officials picked up their flags on the pass interference call?

Eric Hansen

1:20

Ken MacAfee predates me in this sports writing business or it would be him. So that makes Tyler Eifert No. 1 for me. Kyle Rudolph might have been had he stayed for his senior year. Yes. I do think Michael Mayer has a chance to be better than those two.

joey everline westernort md

1:18

Who do you consider the best tight end that you have covered for the Irish? Do you think Mike Mayer has a chance to be the best ever at Notre Dame?

Eric Hansen

1:16

I do think Tommy Tremble returns. He was banged up earlier in the year and could really build a nice résumé in 2021. I agree, he could be an asset in the red zone especially.

Peter in Erie, PA

1:15

Speaking of Tommy Tremble, it seems like more could be done with him on the stat sheet, especially in the red zone. He's a proven receiver and as Mayer gets more attention Tommy could be a secret weapon when it matters most. Eligible to enter the draft, do you think Tremble will be back next year?

Eric Hansen

1:15

Lawrence!!!. Good thing you only used three exclamation points. Manny from San Pedro has the 27-exclamation point greeting patented. I would expect it would. I also think it elevates the confidence from his teammates.

Lawrence from San Diego

1:12

ERIC!!! That was awesome. One observation and 1 question. Observation: Many of the things that won us that game were due to very unpopular decisions by Kelly that the unhappy segment of the fanbase lamented (homer hires of Jeff Quinn, Tom Reese and Clark Lea, and sticking with Book). Question: Do you think this game will loosen Book up like the VT winning drive and we'll see a more productive QBthe rest of the season?

Eric Hansen

1:12

Thanks for the thoughts and the kind words. The questions are getting EASIER!!!!

Kevin_Tampa

1:11

Greetings from stormy Florida Eric. First, a big shout out to Avery Davis and his success. The kid has been through a roller coaster ride with position changes...has made us all so proud. His dedication to the team and "sticking with it" is a great example for all. Kudos to the entire team on a great team effort. Hopefully the intensity continues. I know BK will have them ready for BC and beyond. Kyren Williams is a pass blocking machine. Did anyone else notice? If not, focus on him when he is in on passing downs. He and Tommy Tremble can really block and that helps Book in the passing game. There were a few false starts and the Mayer TD drop, other than that a fantastic effort. No real questions, just my humble observations. Way to go ND. Have a great day and be safe Eric. Great coverage as always.

Eric Hansen

1:10

Alex, thanks for sharing.

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