JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 14, 2019

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 14, 2019

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Jeff from Phoenix

12:31

Hi Eric, in reading the article by T James on the expected return of L Eichenberg and C Kmet in 2020, I was wondering about the 85 roster number for next year. If you fix the number of recruits expected to sign in the next 2 months and the 1 transfer (Pryor), how many fifth year senior spots could be offered? Can you give us the most likely names for 5th years ? And you have to expect for a few transfers-out....

Eric Hansen

12:31

Ted, thanks, the folks at Navy are sensitive to the term chop block (which is illegal) and prefers cut blocks (which are legal), and yes they still do it a lot. Navy doesn't pass a lot, but they do it very, very well. They're seventh nationally in passing efficiency (compared to ND's No. 48 ranking). They also pass on running downs at times, which is why all their top receivers are averaging more than 20-25 yards a catch.

Ted Kazmar

12:27

Love your articles, always the most interesting articles on ND football. Is there a yearly award for the best sports writer in the US? I also have a couple of football questions. There are legal and illegal chop blocks. Navy is famous for using the legal chop block. Does Navy still use the chop block as much as they have in the past or have they now limited their use of the chop block? Also how big is the passing game in Navy's present offense?

Thanks,

Ted Kazmar
San Diego, CA

Eric Hansen

12:27

Thanks. I like Bo Bauer's motor and he's the same size as Ovie Oghoufo (6-3, 230), but the Irish still have pretty good depth at the position. I wrote about that very thing Sunday night:

https://www.ndinsider.com/football/analysis-notre-dame-realigns-with-d...

Guy from lakeside park,Ky

12:22

Really enjoy all the work you and your staff do Eric.With j.Okwara down for the year it seems the depth chart thins out dramatically.What are your thoughts on plugging in Bo Bauer as a DE?Seems he could handle the run fits and bring some needed energy on passing downs.May need a wristband for the position switch but really like his motor.

Eric Hansen

12:17

Notre Dame will have transfers every year, especially grad transfers. The portal hasn't changed that. The only NFL Draft early entry I see is possibly S Alohi Gilman, and I'd say that's much more likely than not.

Chad from Toledo

12:15

Who’s leaving early or entering the transfer portal??This landscape of college football affects everyone and it will hit ND as well!

Eric Hansen

12:15

Tim, thanks. I think you're not alone with high expectations for Kareem and that includes Kareem himself. His numbers are fairly similar to where he was last season. He's actually ahead on sacks and QB hurries, but less disruptive in creating turnovers -- and maybe that's why he's got your attention. With defensive linemen, their contributions aren't always tangible from game to game. I know the NFL scouts feel like he's helped himself this year.

Tim in ATL

12:07

Always enjoy these chats and learn a lot from you, Eric.
Am I just expecting too much or has Kareem actually been less active than we thought he woul be this year? I see the effort, but not the big plays other than the huge sack in the VaTech game. Only 3 tackles last week and no sacks or Tfl. Is he hurt?

Eric Hansen

12:05

Hi Tom. I'm in denial about the cold weather. I'm still grilling out on a regular basis ... until I run out of propane. ... To your question, I think it's valid, and I do think there's some mitigating circumstances. Michael Young would have been given every opportunity to be that third, strong WR option had he not gotten hurt. Then when he did come back, he kind of labored ... then abruptly decided to transfer. I have been pounding the table for Lenzy, but health issues keep cropping up. I'm not giving up on him. I like where he's headed. McKinley's biggest issue is he plays Claypool's position. They can play together, but it's not ideal in long stretches. My sense is next season we'll be talking about Kevin Austin, Jordan Johnson, Xavier Watts, Lawrence keys III and perhaps McKinley if the fifth-year option is mutual. Perhaps either Wilkins or Abdur-Rahman surprise. But there can't be a protracted breaking-in period for them. There's a lot of talent and a lot of speed in that group.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

11:56

Hi Eric, hope that you are ready for a couple of chilly Novmeber home games. My question is about the wide receivers as a group. With the emphasis on the TE and RB's as receivers I feel the WR's and their lack of development has been overlooked. I was kind of glad to finally learn the Chris Finke has been battling nagging injuries all year as that helps to explain his less than productive season prior to the Duke game. But we have not developed a consistent next option among the WR's and we will really pay for it next year with both CC and CF gone. McKinley seems to have a lot of the tools but I only saw his thrown to once in the VT game and it was 3 feet over his head. He had a couple more chances against Duke but once again many were off target. Instead of rotating JMc, BL and Keyes at the same position do you think they should have given more reps to those guys in Finke's position while he was hurt to help develop confidence in their games and Book having confidence in them??? Thanks. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

11:55

So kick off your shoes and fire away.

I'm even willing to suspend the No Bare Feet rule as a concession.

11:54

So let's have fun this week. We can do that and talk about serious topics. They're not mutually exclusive concepts.

11:53

And I am serious about that. Some of the questions last week were so long and whiny (amid some very good ones), it was difficult to keep some flow to the chat.

11:52

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