JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 3, 2019

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 3, 2019

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Dan from the UP of Michigan

2:01

With as many highly recruited players as our offensive line has, do you believe they will become a better run blocking unit? They seem to be pass blocking pretty good. If ND were to make the playoff, I feel th O line needs to be much more physical. Usually it is the other way around, it is usually easier for O linemen to run block than it is to pass block.

Eric Hansen

2:00

is this a trick question?

Phil (Chicago)

2:00

You have been around the program a while. Is BVG the worst defensive coordinator Notre Dame has had? Also, how does he keep getting jobs?

Eric Hansen

2:00

He's injured. May get more insight on that tonight.

Bob, Frisco, TX

2:00

Any news on Keys for the game?

Eric Hansen

1:59

They should have.

skip - houston, tx

1:59

If the Virginia coaches saw us repeatedly cheating on receiving kickoff, why didn't our coaches?

Eric Hansen

1:58

Rick, not sure what the ranking would be, but I think the 2020 team, with Kmet and the O-Line back, could conceivably be playing Clemson Nov. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium for a spot in the College Football Playoff. It would potentially be Kelly's best team. THEY MUST get elite quarterback play, however, no matter who the QB is.

Rick from the OC

1:56

Looking at 2020, if the entire OL comes back, the only loss would probably be Claypool. With that to work with Book would be crazy to leave. With the way the D is working, and with what is coming back, they would have to be ranked top 5?

Eric Hansen

1:56

Ryan, Andy was a fabulous guest, but that answer I think confused a lot of ND fans. Every fifth-year candidate essentially has to be approved, but it's really become a rubber stamp process the way ND has their players on pace to graduate in 3 1/2 years. Who wouldn't approve a potential grad student in good standing. What he said was more true long ago.

Ryan from Milwaukee

1:53

Eric, I listened to the pod of gold podcast with Andy Staples and was perplexed by his insistence that ND can't redshirt guys? Can you elaborate on what that means, or what he was trying to say? ND certainly has many guys that sit for a year and then have a 5th year of eligibility. Was he talking about gray-shirting practice that I've read about among some southern schools?

Eric Hansen

1:53

Sometimes just getting in games, having success in games and then reviewing the film and learning more is underrated. That's Drew White. With Bilal it's harder to explain. He's always been borderline freaky athletically. My sense is that he always was more suited to playing inside than outside, and once he got that chance, it clicked.

Jim from Indianapolis

1:51

Hi, Eric. How do you explain the near-vertical development/improvement in Asmar Bilal and Drew White in weeks 3 and 4, when compared to weeks 1 and 2? And in Bilal's case, as a second year starter, why didn't it happen earlier?

Eric Hansen

1:50

Absolutely and Jafar Armstrong's return will help too. He's due back for USC.

Steve from Bowling green ohio

1:50

With the play of Kmet, and return of Young do you see the Irish even more explosive than oiur already nearly 40 ppg?

Eric Hansen

1:50

John, the players I'm most curious about seeing Saturday beyond the regulars are WR Braden Lenzy, RB Avery Davis, DE Isaiah Foskey, NG Ja'mion Franklin, LB Shayne Simon and all the cornerbacks. And I'll take as much Kyle Hamilton as Brian Kelly is willing to give us. ... As far as the tight ends, Tommy Tremble is surging. He's got such an interesting skill set and he blocked very well in the Virginia game. We have him No. 2 on our depth chart. Wright is a really good blocker that doesn't have the same kind of impact in the passing game.

John Malverne N.Y.

1:46

Hey Eric. Obviously playing time for many if not all who are healthy on the 2 deep. Thoughts on who you are looking forward to seeing. And also, I see Brock Wright is listed “or” on the depth chart with Tommy. Brock has not received a lot of playing time. Neither as a blocking back or attached. Is it route running and hands that he needs to work on?

Eric Hansen

1:45

I think he's been inconsistent. Loved his pluck, his fire in the Georgia game. Thought he was flat after the first quarter and regressing against Virginia. Ultimately, you're looking for a guy who's going to help you get to 11-1 and win a game for you in December/January. I don't know whether we know if Book is that guy in 2019. He looked the part in August. I think it's fair to ponder what's going on. I think it's very premature to conclude this is as good as it gets.

Cliff from Battle Creek

1:43

Hi Eric! How should we look at Book's development this year so far? If you just look at stats he's not really different than last year where for the most part we were really singing his praises. Is it at simple as perception on the fans part or is he truly struggling that much more this year? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:42

Andrew, love your question and would love to meet your dad. Yes such drills exist, and so does film study, but nothing beats live competition. Remember, Clemson, Georgia and Virginia are by far the best defenses Book has faced. His predecessors faced a much higher percentage of top 50 defenses. It was a weird anomaly and yet Book only faces one team with a top 50 pass-efficiency defense over the balance of the season (Michigan at No. 40) over the final eight games. Bottom line, between practice and those Georgia/Virginia games, he must extract positive steps forward in the areas of pocket awareness and reads/progressions.

Andrew

1:38

Roanoke Virginia. Eric thanks for the chats. You’re world class and my dad nd class ‘57 loves your articles. Question: does a drill exist to help qb with developing pocket awareness and help with reads/progressions. Did Ian do a better job last year v this year RE: reads/progression/awareness

Eric Hansen

1:38

Paul thanks. I think the No. 1 priority is to get Book right, and that takes reps. I do think Phil, provided he is healthy, will get more than a drive or two.

Paul, Lititz Pa

1:37

Chats are so informative - thanks for all your input. Hopefully ND is up big at the half. Does Jurkovec get the 2nd half for some extensive game time experience or does Kelly want to see Ian get more time to work on his craft?

Eric Hansen

1:37

One of? ... Just kidding. With Michael Young back, there are fewer opportunities for Javon, even though they don't play the same receiver position. It means Claypool is playing more boundary receiver and that makes McKinley a backup. I thought it was interesting that Virginia chose to cover McKinley with its All-America cornerback, Bryce Hall, a few times. he's still a valuable piece, but not one that you're going to build an offense around.

Mike from Rochester NY

1:34

Eric, love your coverage of the Irish, you’re one of the best. What happened to Javon McKinley for the second straight week? Is Book just looking for Kmet and Chase and then taking off? Seems like Ian would benefit from looking for a strong big body receiver when the first two aren’t open.

Eric Hansen

1:34

Building on RC's question, I do think Griffith's best position is safety, but I also think ND needs insurance at the boundary cornerback if Troy Pride goes down with the injury. Numbers aren't an issue at safety right now. As I mentioned, I don't think Griffith fits well at the field cornerback -- too much field to cover. I will say this, if he stays focused, if Gilman leaves for the NFL and if Griffith moves to safety after the season, he will start with Hamilton in 2020. That's my prediction.

Bruce from Dayton Ohio

1:31

Hi Eric. With Crawford going down I thought Houston Griffith would possibly see some PT but I think it was the Freshman KJ Wallace seeing some time instead? Should he be moved safety now where most thought he would eventually end up anyhow? If Gillman leaves as expected after this season I think he and Hamilton would be in line to start at safety next year. What are your thoughts and projections for Griffith? Thanks!!

Eric Hansen

1:30

You are absolutely on point with your observation and your question. So we start with Pride and go from there. I see Bracy as the other starting corner. Elite quickness, good coverage skills, needs to get stronger in the weight room and bigger. Vaughn is 6-2 and long. Griffith plays the same position as Pride (boundary) and didn't seem to be a good fit on the field side. Wallace has nickel skills and could also play where Bracy/Vaughn do. Looks like he's going to be pretty good, but the coaches don't trust him yet. maybe that changes Saturday. Rutherford has some nice skills, but is a longer-term prospect who may jump over people on the depth chart later in his career. It sounds like Kelly is going to keep Owusu-Koramoah on the field at times in the dime (6 DBs package) instead of bringing in another corner or safety. I actually think DJ Brown would fit in that role as well.

RC from Albany

1:25

Hi Eric - thanks for keeping up with the chats. I think finding a 3rd CB is going to be critical to earning wins against USC & MI. Can you provide a brief assessment (the good & the not so good) for the top candidates: Vaughn, Griffith and the two freshman Rutherford & Wallace. Griffith in particular - I heard a lot of good things about him in the spring but his August & September have been quiet. Is this more than an August camp injury issue?

Eric Hansen

1:25

I didn't get a chance to ask him about it. My sense is he wanted to make a statement to and about his defense to put them on the field first. Didn't end up working out, but it was an interesting decision, nonetheless.

ND Harvey, S. Philly

1:24

E, as always great job. Why did Coach Kelly defer to the 2nd half and not take the ball on the opening kickoff against Virginia, by the way I love his decision.

Eric Hansen

1:22

Jorge, thanks for the kind words and the question. KeiVarae was recruited as a running back with receiver skills and was pressed into playing cornerback because of injuries to others. it turned out to be a blessing for him. Hamilton is a pure safety who has advanced coverage skills and length that adds to an already impressive skill set. I would say similarities are confidence, humility, work ethic. I think Hamilton has All-America potential. That's a higher ceiling that Keivarae had.

Jorge Illueca Bonett

1:18

Hi, Eric. I've enjoyed your ND football chats for several years from the highlands of western Panama. Undoubtedly, you provide the most perceptive analyses of ND football. Like many others, I am very impressed by the outstanding play of freshman safety Kyle Hamilton. The last outstanding freshman defensive back for ND that burst on the scene was cornerback KeiVarae Russel, a key member of the great 2012 defensive team that played in the national championship game. Kyle is 4 inches taller than Russel, but they both are approximately the same weight with Russell weighing 6 pounds more. How do you compare the two and will Hamilton have a higher ceiling than Russell?

Eric Hansen

1:17

Brian Kelly was talking about this the other day -- against 4-3 defense, BK says it's easier for him to do that. Against 3-4, not so much. This will be the first week he has not faced a 3-4 defense this season.

Ken from Mooresville IN

1:16

Because Ian book is a little shorter would it be to his benefit to roll out to be able to see his receivers more clearly?

Eric Hansen

1:16

Hi Tom. I rarely rewatch an entire game. Sometimes I will just to see a play or two. Tyler James does rewatch every game in its entirety and does a film study each week. He and I usually discuss some of the points. I think both your observations are very accurate, especially Book not seeing receivers seemingly in his sight lines. This is not the Book we saw in August. Pressure (meaning pass rush) changes a lot.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:13

Hi Eric, as always I enjoyed your behind the scenes articles this week, especially the one quoting the NFL scout. Couple of questions: do you get a chance to go back and look at film of the games after you have covered them? If so, please let me know if you agree with this: I thought that the scout's assessment of IB was very accurate and kind. In looking at recordings of the Georgia and Virginia games there were many plays where IB missed open receivers, either by not seeing them or making a bad pass. When I say "not seeing them" I am talking about receivers that are in his sightline and not someone on the other side of the field. However, many plays had multiple receivers in the same area and others there was just no one open. So, while IB has room for improvement the receivers and the OC should share some of the blame for the inconsistent passing attack which also impacts the running game. Do you agree?? Thanks. Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:13

I don't think ND would hire from within. If they were going to hire a Lea or Elston, etc., those guys would have to go somewhere else and be a head coach first -- then come back. I agree with that thinking. Notre Dame is different and requires head coaching experience on the college level.

Jason

1:11

Hi Eric, this is Jason from Orlando, FL. I hope you’re have a great day! Let me start by saying that I’m a Brian Kelly fan and hope he doesn’t go anywhere any time soon. With that being said, is ND’s next coach currently on the staff? I’ve heard it said that the coach at ND needs previous head coaching experience. But based on the success of the coaches at Oklahoma and Ohio State (acknowledging the small sample size), does this change your opinion? Regardless, would Clark Lee make a good head coach at ND? Thank!

Eric Hansen

1:11

He might get that chance Saturday.

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