JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 1, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 1, 2021

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Eric Hansen

3:09

OK, that's going to have to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon EDT.

3:07

I think they need more than those elements to make it to the playoff, but the good news is there's not an unfixable problem on this team at the moment.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

3:06

Hi Eric - The national media narrative on the Irish for this season generally seems to be that ND has lost too many key players from last year to compete for a playoff slot this year. As far as I know, only Kirk Herbstreit has mentioned them as a playoff team. I think those of us who follow ND more closely are more aware of the talent level they have at positions they didn't have it available last year such as receiver. I also think they are underestimating the depth and talent of the front seven. While this team is different than last year's team, I think in some areas it has the potential to be better, but only if Coan is the guy we think he can be. Do you see the Irish in the playoffs, assuming Coan is da man and they avoid injuries at key positions?

Eric Hansen

3:06

Marcus Freeman was in the running to be the head coach at Illinois this past offseason. Now that he's the DC at ND, I think he'd like to stay a couple of years and see if that gives him better opportunities. Keep in mind he's got six kids and a wife to make happy too.

Matt in Augusta NJ

3:05

What type of head coaching job need to open up for Freeman to leave. Would he take a lower level SEC job like Lea? If Nebraska came calling in the big ten? I think he would stay for a higher level job opening, or hope so...I really hope he stays and we can see players he recruited play in his system. I fear losing commits if he jumps after this season. Thanks Eric

Eric Hansen

3:04

Tom, obviously we disagree. When there are so many new pieces, you have to do more projecting. I think this is a team that can exceed its preseason ranking, but it's going to have to prove it to me. And you're right about defense. But now the national champs not only have great defenses, but they have prolific offenses to pair with them.

Tom from Toront

3:02

Hi Eric, It was really good to read your chats. I had to leave but do not think that you are giving the current team enough credit. No liquor cabinet here. Good defense wins national championships. There are some very good players on both sides of the ball. My question. Do you think that Notre Dame has a national championship defense? Thank you

Eric Hansen

3:00

Do we stay where the team does? Their budget is sufficiently larger enough that they can price us out of potentially booking the same accommodations. We don't see them anywhere but the stadium. ... Thanks for the nice compliment.

Denny from Beaverton

2:57

Hi Eric; I really appreciated your great answer last week about Notre Dame's special teams. I did not realize that they compared so favorably to other top notch programs. I am curious if you are able to travel to our away games or do you watch them from the comfort of your home like the rest of us? If you do travel, do you travel and stay where the team does? Thanks for your insight.

Eric Hansen

2:57

I do. Not exclusively, as you know, but with some regularity.

Rick Dierolf

2:57

Rick from Sinking Spring Pa. I’m so happy it’s game week! My question is this, based on what you have seen in practice do you think Jack Coan will be willing to take those deep shots and also not be afraid to let it go in the red zone, unlike our previous QB

Eric Hansen

2:56

Hello Rui. The ability of so many kickers to get touchbacks now and the fair catch rule has cut down on the number of kickoff returns of not the quality of them. The rules have changed to discourage kickoff returns because of potential injury risks. STs coordinator Brian Polian seems to be confident that Chris Tyree will be much more dynamic on KORs this season, and that's something I can wrap my head around.

Rui from Ossining, NY

2:53

Im in my mid 40's and always appreciate kickoff returns from Irish teams of the past...I thought it was an area that they would blow other teams out the water and have to their advantage...unfortunately, that hasnt been the case within the last couple of years...is it the player returning the kick off, kickers kicking more into end zone, scheme, etc? Love to hear your thoughts...by the way one of my fav Irish players was Randy Kinder...thought he had all the potential in the world to be legit NFL player

Eric Hansen

And I am pleased that a Gomer Pyle reference made the chat today.

2:53

Tom. thank you. I wish I had a little more time to dive into this. As a youth football coach many moons ago, I ran triple option all the time. At that age, I had skill players who could handle the ball and make great decisions and defenses didn't know what to do with us. In today's college football — not coach Holtz's Era — it's hard to argue for it, because it limits your plays, you don't practice it enough to be good at it, and the risk seems higher than the reward. Why it may work is that other teams don't see it and may not have a great response to it. If I were using it, I would not use a third back. I'd use Michael Mayer or Cane Berong as the up back.

Tom '69 Kennesaw, GA

2:48

Hi Eric, well thanks to your increased number of Chats and great articles it looks like we have made it thru another off-season!! Go Irish!!!!!!! My question is a little out in left field. Coach Holtz used to run a wishbone type alignment inside the 10 yard line a lot. I am dreaming of Buchner at QB, Flemister or Estime in the upback position and Williams and Tyree as the backs. Now please tell me why this would work and why it would not work in 2021? I would love to see Kelly and Rees save this for one of those 5 mid-season Top 25 opponents. Or as Gomer Pyle used to say "Surprise, surprise, surprise!!" Go Irish beat FSU!!!

Eric Hansen

2:47

Tyler James is 32 and handles himself like a pro, so age is not a concern to me.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:46

You caught my math error! Here is some more simple math Mickens 34, Rees 29 O leary 29 That is a young box upstairs. How well they develop and make adjustments will be anther key to this team's success. BTW-Freeman 35 I wish the best to all of them

Eric Hansen

Whoever is the odd person out will cover the games remotely. We'll still have access to BK and the players via Zoom.

2:46

Alex, I don't have an agent, so I am assuming my mom put you up to this? A sincere thank you. really. Last year was fascinating to cover, because you felt like you were chronicling history. At least I did. The way people in sports overcame circumstances was in such a contrast to the icky political divisiveness that seems to persist in other facets of the pandemic. And yet, I do really really really enjoy some of the normalcy this preseason has brought -- being able to interview players and Kelly in person makes for better reporting and story-telling. Circling back to one of your questions, I've been covering college sports since 1983, been at the SB Trib since '88, had Notre Dame as my primary coverage responsibility since 1997 and have been the beat reporter and/or beat columnist since 2005. We're limited per COVID protocols to two reporters per game on the road and at home (and Va Tech just one) in 2021. That's still more than we were allowed last year, so we're moving in the right direction. (more)

Alex from Jackson, MO

2:35

Greetings, Eric! My question is more about you. How many years will this mark you covering Notre Dame? I assume you have more excitement for this year with it being back to somewhat normalcy? Will you be traveling to the game? I hope being able to cover the team this year gives you a renewed joy for your job, not that you ever took it for granted. Your kindness for all your readers shows in your words typed. Being able to show that without words being spoken is what makes a great columnist in my opinion. Although I don’t know anyone else on here, I speak for all of us. Thank you so much for allowing us a little insight and being kind in the process. You are the best. No BS.

Eric Hansen

2:33

Yes. ND in the last three seasons in the third quarter outscored its opponents cumulatively, 288-146, including 82-58 last year. UC's numbers were 307-132, including 90-25 last season.

Erik (Granger, IN)

2:24

I thought Clark Lee was masterful at halftime adjustments, and IIRC ND outscored it’s opponents in the third quarter by a ridiculous margin the last three years. Does Freeman have a similar track record?

Eric Hansen

2:24

Bruce, that's a hypothetical I have trouble feeling confident about my response to. I remember talking to former ND All-American Aaron Taylor when Kelly was hired, and him embracing the choice. But he wondered at the time, if Kelly couldn't get it done, could anybody? More than a decade later, the thought now is if Kelly doesn't win a national title, he's put the program in a place that the next guy will have a fighting chance to. So let's say if ND had hired Randy Edsall and it didn't go well. The climb would have been more difficult — not impossible — for his successor than it was for Kelly. And it wasn't easy for Kelly. Fascinating question that I wish I had more time to ponder.

Bruce, Centralia, IL

2:16

Eric, watching Nebraska over the weekend reminded me of where ND was before Brian Kelly - three straight underachieving head coaches and rapidly declining relevance nationally. Asking you to speculate a little bit here, but if ND had “missed” on that hire - picked someone besides Kelly that didn’t work out - would that have been the end of ND football as one of the premier CFB brands? Or is the Rockne/Leahy/Parseghian legacy so strong that we could have missed and missed and missed on HC hires and always had one more chance? Thanks as always.

Eric Hansen

2:13

Alan, when you say aggressive, do you mean taking more chances? Getting vertical in the passing game? Running more trick plays? The best way I can answer you generically is that the offense will have more options in terms of personnel groups, formations and creative plays. I expect Rees to be more creative in all those phases. That doesn't necessarily translate into more efficient offense, but I think ND's offense will be dynamic if the offensive line play is strong enough to do so. ... As far as Rees and a head coaching job offer, I see that as further down the line than the end of this season.

Alan from Whiteland, Indiana

2:09

Eric, I really like the progression of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. I feel he understands his personnel and call plays that fit the strengths of Notre Dame's current talent. With the emphasis on wide receiver development, how much more aggressive in play calling to you anticipate Coach Rees becoming? Eric, do you feel at the end of this season another college program will interview Coach Rees for their head coaching position? Thank you for answering my multiple questions this week.

Eric Hansen

2:08

Thanks so much, Michael. I enjoy these chats a lot, too. ... I am tempted to comment on the preface to your question to the point I can't pass on that. The one-back/no-back sets allow you to spread out the defense and force them to play in space. That has advantages for the running game, too. And there often is blocking on short-yardage plays beyond the O-Line. ND, for instance, will offset a tight end or put him in motion to block. So he functions like a fullback in that sense, yet gives you a lot more versatility. To your question, yes I think ND will use two backs together more. But sometimes one will be lined up in the slot. Sometimes both will be lined up as "wide receivers." And sometimes you will get your wish and they'll both line up in the backfield!

Michael McFadden, South Williamsport, PA

1:56

Howdy Eric, Best 3 hours of the football week here and thanks. I hate hate hate (that's THREE hates, right?) "single RB formations" that Charlie and now Brian love. I assume this opens up the modern passing game, correct? However and of course, single back formations inherently you know who is getting the ball on short yardage plays, plus no blockers for the single RB, limited playbook calls, etc. My question is, will 2021 be the year of the multiple set backfields with our many good RB's? Thank you sir. I now enjoy Wednesday's like a Friday or a long weekend ... well, like Labor Day !!! GO Irish ... beat FSU.

Eric Hansen

1:55

Joey. I'm sold Houston Griffith will be an improved player this season. To what extent, we're about to find out.

Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa

1:55

Hi Eric, Well FSU week is here! I’m looking forward to watching Houston Griffith and seeing for myself his tackling improvement. Year after year we hear how great he is at practice and then see someone who can’t tackle at game time. Are you sold on Griffith and his tackling progress? I think this will be be our weakest spot in the secondary!

Eric Hansen

1:54

Hi Denny. They actually ran a formation a few times with five tight ends. ... To your question, I think you'll see ND go "empty backfield" at times. I'd say more likely one of the five wides would be tight end Michael Mayer split out. On other occasions two of the wideouts could be Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. That gives you more flexibility to check into a different play than if you put five true wideouts on the field together. ... Still not sure what they're going to do with Buchner. Kind of doubt that if we're going to see a niche package for him this season that we'd see if in a road game to open the season.

Denny from Liberty Hill, TX

1:43

Hi Eric! I remember the Irish set with 4 tight ends on the field last year. While I like to see that versatility it seems we have the talent to go with 5 wideouts this year on occasion. Do you think they will employ that to mix things up or provide a plan to catch a special opponent off guard? Maybe with Buchner in to still pose a running threat!

Eric Hansen

1:42

I like running back Lawrance (yes, he spells it that way) Toafili. He averaged 9.6 yards a carry last season and catches the ball well. I'm kind of intrigued by one of their non-starters at WR -- 6-4 freshman Malik McClain.

Ryan, Caro Michigan

1:37

Good Afternoon Eric! Who do you see as FSU's greatest threat on offense other than QB Travis/Milton?

Eric Hansen

1:32

Mike, the line seems small to me too, but that's irrelevant to the outcome of the game if you're not betting. Thanks for reading and for liking. That's very cool with Jamir Jones. All five defensive ends from that 2016 recruiting class (and Jones was listed as a linebacker at the time) are on NFL rosters this fall.

Mike from Rochester NY

1:29

Hello, Eric, I hope you and your family are all well. I’ve loved the fall practice articles you, Tyler, and Tom have written but I’m ready for football games and I’m sure you are too. I’ve seen that ND is a 7.5 point favorite. Does that sound about right to you? I thought ND would be a 10 point favorite, given all the struggles FSU has had over the past few years. BTW, Jamir Jones made the Steelers 53 man roster, really happy for him.

Eric Hansen

1:28

Question I part I: Yes and he'll get better as the season goes on. Patterson and Madden next to each other is a really nice combo. Part II: Yes, I believe the WRs corps will exceed most people's expectations. Part III Yes, I think the corners will improve, both in the lead group and in the depth. Parts IV and V: Notre Dame needs to be better in the passing game in the red zone. I see a variety of formations and personnel groups being used to accomplish this.

1:25

OK now to your "first question" ....

1:24

OK Len, I'm going to challenge YOU on your match proficiency. I see a minimum of five questions before you write "second question." And that second question is a two-parter. So let me start with the "second question." Brian VanGorder wore pants on game day. That doesn't mean any current or future coordinator who wears pants on game day will be fired four games into his third season. Or that a DC with a 'stache will doom him to be the next coaching flop. There are plenty of DCs past and present who coach well from the sideline. Freeman's eyes up top will be CBs coach Mike Mickens and safeties coach Chris O'Leary. One more point, Freeman was on the sidelines while at UC, and last year the Bearcats were top 15 in rush D, pass-efficiency D, scoring D and total defense. (more)

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