JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 6, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 6, 2021

Eric Hansen

3:31

That's it. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EDT.

3:30

Mike, I'm running of time here, so let me answer part II. I don't think Kevin Austin is leaning toward coming back at this point, but he should strongly consider that if he wants to play in the NFL.

Mike, Lemont, IL

3:29

Eric, Why does it take so long to get on the ball and call the next play? ND was down by 11 and they were taking there sweet time to call the play and go. Play clock was down below 10 seconds and they are looking at the sideline. Do you think Kevin Austin comes back next year considering how up and down he has been? Along with many other readers, I think you are fair, honest and refreshing. Thanks and Go IRISH!

Eric Hansen

3:28

It is my understanding Brian Kelly was trying to have a lighter moment with his team and had the team pick some players, who turned out to be walk-ons. Not sure that made sense for the players involved or the media. I felt bad for the players. People didn't know them or what to ask the. Not good for the program really. There were some good stories out there this week, and now there's a void and a lot of bad feelings. Not the end of the world, and it's our job to overcome things like that, but just seems unnecessary and poorly thought out.

Tom from Georgia

3:25

Several players were suddenly made not available to media Tuesday. To what do you ascribe the switch to Walk-On access?

Eric Hansen

3:24

I think it's possible if there's a dire income need and it's a player who is a more marginal draft prospect. For elite draft prospects, there's still the risk of injury and I don't think the NIL is enough to override that.

Christopher from Tulsa

3:22

Do you see a scenario where someone might come back instead of going into the draft because they can make an income off their N.I.L. now? Perhaps being able to make money, get your degree and live the college life might not be so bad. Thanks Go Irish

Eric Hansen

3:22

I think other than the VanGorder firing. I can't think of a circumstance during the BK Era at least in which a midseason firing made sense. I think that's an evaluation you make after the season is over.

Michael from Elkview, West Virginia

3:21

I'm glad on Monday there were questions asked to coach Kelly about Tommy Rees and Jeff Quinn. I am not in the business for coaches being fired but I did not like the hiring of Rees. I thought Notre Dame needed a more proven coordinator for the offense to take the next step. My question for today is it time for the wide receivers coach to be fired? They do not get open and the receivers have struggled for three years now. Is it talent or coaching? Looking forward to Styles and Colzie getting more playing time. Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:20

Kevin, sorry you felt disrespected one year and ignored the next. There are so many more questions in the queue, especially on weeks like this, than I could ever dream of getting to. I try to answer those that won't delay the chat too long for me to look things up. Also if the questions are similar, I try to pick one that's representative of several. And those who don't include the name and hometown go to the back of the line in most cases. Nothing personal. And don't get mopey if I don't agree with you. That's not rejection. It's life. We don't always agree. That makes life -- and sports -- interesting.

Kevin_Jax

3:16

Hello Eric, It has been obvious that Jack Coan is not a good fit in this years offense from game 1. Not all his fault, but with the O-line not able to give the QB's any time, they need a playmaker who is mobile. This season is reminiscent of 2018 when Book was better than Wimbush in every facet of the game and didn't start until game 4. I called for the change on this chat after game 2, but my views were rejected for some reason. Pyne and Buchner are the future and ready to lead the Irish. I stated this in my comments last week, which you did not get to. ND has a very good, but not yet great team. Pyne should start. Too many drops, penalties, and turnovers last week. Yet, they were still in the game late. Also, why insert Buchner for one play taking away all the momentum? That is a desperate coaching move by an average coach. My apologies to my TV for yelling those profanities after that rookie move. Stick with 1 QB - a future QB of which 2 are ready. BK is not Nick Saban, but can win with this team. Tx

Eric Hansen

3:15

The short answer is there are recruiting missteps and mishaps baked into that formula that have to be dealt with now. That's why it's very important that ND maintains and builds on the momentum it has in the 2022 and 2023 classes.

Sean, Greensboro

3:13

Eric, I respect your insights and opinion, and share your love of BBQ. So, how can a guy with Coach Kelly’ s experience mishandle the QB situation and the offense so badly? A line that cannot block, wide outs who run poor routes, drop passes, and do not fight for congested balls. Is he tripping over his own hubris? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

3:12

Thanks, James. Pyne knows the playbook the best, reads coverages well for his experience level, has great energy and attitude and enough mobility that he's not a sitting duck for the pass rush. Weaknesses? Not recognizing all the reads yet properly, arm strength, size.

James from Columbus

3:10

Hi Eric. Thank you for doing such excellent work during challenging times. Since it appears a QB change is in the works, can you provide some insight on Pyne's strengths and weaknesses? How does his mobility help a struggling offensive line? Thanks and Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

3:09

Huge dropoff.

Sean from Portland, OR

3:09

In terms of blocking capabilities, did we have a big drop off from last year to this year from our TE's? Tommy Tremble is having a great start to his NFL career as a well rounded TE

Eric Hansen

3:09

Don't have that handy. Will try to look that up for the future chats.

Chad Denver

3:08

Follow-up on another question in the chat, how does BK's winning percentage compare to other ND coach's winning percentages against ranked opponents?

Eric Hansen

3:08

This year. Lots of talent in the freshman and sophomore classes and a lot of those guys are getting valuable experience this year. How about a 2022 O-Line of Fisher, Spindler, Correll, Baker or Kristofic, Carmody or Alt?

Matt - Nappanee

3:06

If Patterson leaves, what is the more difficult O-line rebuild, this year or next year?

Eric Hansen

3:06

I think the only scenario in which Tyler Buchner becomes the starter THIS season outside of an injury scenario is if/when he proves in practice he's the better option. And he'll get that opportunity.

Josh from NYC

3:04

Is there a point in the season (3 losses? 4 losses?) where the staff would seriously consider turning to Buchner as the full time QB? I understand giving Pyne an opportunity based on his experience and knowledge of the offense while the team still has a chance to reach a New Year's Six Bowl (and they owe it to the upper classmen to try to win as much as they can), but if the bigger question, as you put it, is whether the right QB is on the roster for 2022 and 2023, it seems based on reporting that the right QB would either be Buchner (if he pans out) or someone in HS right now. Of course Pyne could prove that wrong, but there's a reason he couldn't beat out Coan and Kelly was quick to point out his mis-reads in the Cincinnati game. If there are going to be growing pains, maybe it's best to have those with the person with the higher ceiling? Obviously the staff knows better and will do what they think is best, but just curious if you see any scenario absent injuries where Buchner gets the starting job this yr?

Eric Hansen

3:03

Kelly said he won't announce the QB. If it's not Pyne, then we're all guessing wrong. I would expect Joe Alt to be the left tackle. If Carmody and Baker are missing ANY practice time this week in trying to get back -- and they likely are -- it doesn't make sense to start them.

Bill Florida Keys

3:01

Any idea when we will know who Saturday's starting QB and LT will be? Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:01

Dan, both this week's Virginia-Louisville game and Va Tech-ND games were given to the ACC Network by ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, to try to leverage the ACCN to get in more homes via cable/satellite agreements. So no, there will not be a change there. I'd start calling around to friends/bars.

Dan,Grand Rapids, Mi.

2:56

Hi Again Eric! Sorry for the 2nd question. Is there any chance of the ND V-Tech game being broadcast on a national network , other than the scheduled ACC Network? Does ND have a contractual obligation to have at least 1 game on the ACCN? What are the 90+% of the Irish fans nationwide supposed to do? Thanks again. I might need some Irish whiskey!

Eric Hansen

2:56

I definitely think ND did a good job on first down at Florida State and has been less successful and innovative since. Agreed.

John from Des Moines

2:55

Eric, thanks for your thoughtful attention to all our questions. It seems to me much of our offensive inadequacy is due to the ever-present third and long situation, in large part created by almost predictable futile running attempts on early downs, when a pass would have the benefit of encountering less defensive readiness and better chances for receivers to get open. Don't you believe it would help the offense if there were at least less predictability as to when a pass would be coming and less defensive expectation that the early down will likely be a running play?

Eric Hansen

2:55

OK that was the RANT segment. I'll let those stand on their own. Back to the questions. I've got to say, you all stepped up big this week. So many good ones in the queue, I'm going to go a little past three to try to get as many in as I can. Time to uptempo by typing. Please forgive the typos.

Hank from Las Vegas

2:53

Good morning Eric, I know I'm wasting my time , but here goes anyway. I was at the game Saturday and watched it again Sunday. Listening to Brian Kelly during both halftime and postgame interviews he showed his inability to place the blame squarely where it belongs. Mr. Kelly needs to take a good look in the mirror. The offensive line isn't a bunch of freshmen as he would like everyone to believe. There are 2 seniors ,1 junior and 3 sophmores to go along with a freshman left tackle. What they lack are the basic fundamentals techniques needed to succeed. Whose fault is that? Jeff Quinn and Brian Kelly. Our starting receivers consist of 3 juniors and a senior yet none of them except Avery Davis has the skills necessary to break press coverage. Yet Kelly goes out a says we need to give them a break because they are working so hard running their routes. Maybe just maybe if Del Alexander and Brian Kelly were teaching these players the techniques necessary to break press coverage they wouldn't be working so hard.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:52

Thanks for your answer to my previous question. I think we all agree another more experienced healthy tight end would be a great help especially one who can get open and block as well as be part of two and three TE packages. We lost Alt to tackle needs last week so he was not available all game. A few healthy LT's and TE's could help the running game and continuity evrywhere. Just need to get past Va Tech and let the coaches figure it out. Defensivey havoc becomes chaos when you are tired mentally and overthink or physically. Ditto for the offense. This team more that most years needs that bye week.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

2:51

Hi Eric - just a rant: Fellow Irish fans/chatters/bloggers/posters/amateur coaches - Please stop with the cries to hurry certain freshmen into the lineup at various positions. If they are ready to play, Kelly and staff will play them. They are the ones at practice every day. They know who can do whatever, and who can't. I know it's the nature of fandom to want quick fixes to complex problems, and to want to see those young players develop quickly, and to get them experience for the future, but Kelly has an obligation to his CURRENT players to make each season the best one possible for them, not to sacrifice this season, and their hard work, for the sake of next year's team and beyond. Thank you. GO IRISH!

Eric Hansen

2:50

Sean. I'm going to bypass your lead-in and just focus on your question. Long leash with play-calling, personnel? Brian has a lot of confidence in Tommy, but he still has the Driver's Ed brake. .. .Long leash in terms of job security? I would say yes, but not an interminable one. No one has that. Not after 2016.

Sean from Portland, OR

2:46

I don't think there's any excuse for such poor o-line play. They recruit in the top 10 yearly, but are literally among the very worst in the whole country. With that being said... I feel like the obvious issues there are masking others: The playcalling has been subpar too. I.E. - First time in the RZ vs. Wisconsin was to run twice on 1st and 2nd and goal from the 10. Wasted plays. Does Tommy Rees have a long leash with BK?

Eric Hansen

2:45

Jim, I don't think he's want to spin 8-4, for instance, as successful. That's not the standard of where the program is. I still think 10 wins is realistic.

Jim Tal, Valley Center, CA.

2:44

Greetings Eric, really enjoy the podcasts by the way. Given the way things stand right now, I believe a 10-win regular season isn't likely to happen. Can you see any way that Kelly could possibly spin anything less than that as having been a successful year? Thanks as always.

Eric Hansen

2:43

If I were coaching at Notre Dame, I'd take as many pages from Ara as I could get my hands on. I know BK had great respect for him. Every week until the very end, Ara would send Brian a hand-written not after every game.

Robb from Manassas Va.

2:42

I grew up watching Notre Dame football during the Era of Ara Parsseghian . And the one thing I remember about Ara's teams is that he always wanted his quarterbacks' to have quick feet. Passing arm was important but quick feet was the deciding factor as to who started. Only once in 11 years did he not have such a quarterback - Bill Zlock (1965) but he still came within 2 quarters from being national champion (losing to Michigan State 12-3 after leading 3-0 at halftime)) This is what I see missing with Jack Coan. He can't avoid the rush, turn a broken play into positive yardage, or move around in the pocket buying time and waiting for a receiver to break free. I don't believe the problem is the offensive line. I see the problem being the need for mobility from the quarterback. If Kelly would just take a page from Ara, his quarterback decision is an easy one.

Eric Hansen

2:41

Hi Marie. Thank you. One thing to keep in mind about Saturday's game. Cincinnati was and remains the No. 2 team nationally in pass-efficiency defense. Those two cornerbacks are elite. The next closest among remaining opponents in terms of PE defense are Stanford (30th) and Va Tech (34th). The rest are pretty poor: UNC (84th), USC (86th), Navy (88th), Virginia (101st), Georgia Tech (109th). Having said that, there needs to be better coaching in the WR position group, and this is a group I think is capable of being better than it is now -- significantly. I think if ND gets strong quarterback play Saturday against a team with a VERY GOOD pass rush, it will help mitigate the O-Line issues as well. The defense needs to get back into the groove it was in against Wisconsin. It needs to carry this team while the offense grows.

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