JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024

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Eric Hansen

1:02

Hi Jim. I won't bore you and others with relitigating my thinking. It's all HERE if anyone would like to read it. And as I mentioned, it wasn't being punitive. So let me get to your follow-up question about Marcus Freeman's handling of the press conference. I do agree he had a much better handling of what went wrong and how to fix it on Monday than he did in the heat of the moment on Saturday evening. However, the lack of even some semblance of that on Saturday, to me, was troubling for a third-year head coach at NOTRE DAME. The lack of being able to provide more made me question then whether he could do that while the game was going on, which was his job -- both to assess what was going wrong and adjust to it. (more). Perhaps unfairly, perhaps not. But that was the impression it cast. (more)

Jim, Oakwood, OH

12:56

Hi Eric, My question concerns your rationale for excluding the Irish from your recent AP ballot. I was surprised as it's not your style to be harsh or hasty. You said in your "ND Remains in the Polls" column: "what sealed it for me - ND's exclusion - was that CMF "provided (at his post-game press conference) little in the way of how and why it happened or solutions to make it stop." Were you expecting a full analysis of the how and why it happened so shortly after the end of the game? Isn't it reasonable to give the coach time to analyze and discuss the "how and why it happened" before giving detailed opinions to a feeding frenzy of press immediately after the game? When I read the transcript of CMF's Purdue week Monday press conference, CMF stated "I needed some time of solitude" to think through the how and why and what we need to do to correct the deficiencies...and then he gave thoughtful answers on Monday. Any regrets for using that rationale to justify your vote? Thanks as always.

Eric Hansen

12:55

2) Rylie should have a monster year, and he'd be the first to critique his performance on Saturday. I think he's part of the solution, moving forward. 3) I think the biggest factor here, again, is getting Riley Leonard not only comfortable with the new scheme and new teammates (chemistry, timing, trust) but trusting himself to process playing quarterback differently than he ever has. His evolution is to go from elite running quarterback to an elite dual-threat quarterback. Obviously, there's plenty of work to be done. ... You were perfect on keeping the parts of your question to a good number. Carry on.

12:51

CD, I really appreciate you -- and not just because you live in the city in which I was born. 1) I wouldn't say totally to blame, but really played a big part in it. I don't buy 16 points on defense should win every game. This isn't a video game. It's about team dynamics and playing complementary football and this offense isn't ready yet to play to a high standard. The defense should be and didn't and you provided a great example. I wrote about this earlier in the week, fixing the run defense is an urgent issue and one of the quickest potential fixes on the team. Notre Dame is 100th out of 133 FBS teams. 100th. The Irish face six teams (out of 12 on its schedule) ranked in the top 25 in RUSH OFFENSE. (more)

CD from CLE

12:44

Happy "Do Over" Week. Kudos to you, Eric for maintaining a high degree of professionalism in a shocking weekend. Three things: 1) Defense 2) Rylie 3) Denbrock. 1) Am I wrong to blame the D totally for the loss? Despite the overall ineptitude, remember that the score was 14-13 when the D had to make ONLY ONE STOP and failed miserably. 2) Where is Rylie, our "freak"? Am I missing his excellence or is he overrated? Thought that he would be a monster this year. 3) Denbrock's questionable play calling - is it a result of a) Coach Freeman reins, b) O-Line distrust or c) Again...W/R's that cannot get open? Sorry about being over quota on the questions but I am remaining positive,sober and hopeful here...thanks, Eric.

Eric Hansen

12:43

I'd like to see a little more misdirection this week. .. As far as two-TE sets, I think you'll see more of that as Mitchell Evans gets more reps. He went from 10 to 22 in week 1 to week 2 and was ND's second-highest graded player per Pro Football Focus. The other two TEs were 17th and 19th out of 19 offensive players who played in the game.

12:38

OK Scott, the Sonny and Cher reference was a good tactic to get my attention in a very, very loaded question queue today. Thanks for the creativity. I'm going to let the comments stand, but not fully endorsing them and let me get to your questions. How does the offense bounce back? I do think if Riley Leonard is healthy enough to be his best self, you ride with that investment this week. I fully expect Purdue to load the box on defense and try to force Riley Leonard to be a dropback QB to beat them. So as much as we'd all like to see deep shots, I think they will be outliers in the game plan and it'll be more quick-game passing and striving for offense balance. That doesn't sound exciting, but I think that's the best approach. And when Purdue brings pressure, ND has to have an answer, with slants, and draws and screens. (more)

Scott, Greenville, SC

12:33

Well Eric, this is worse than a Sonny and Cher rerun! Marshall, Akron, South Florida, Navy, the 2016 season... I've seen over 55 years of ND football but NIU may be the lowest point. There are too many areas to call out for last week. But the consistent theme is inconsistent play calling on offense, a line that now has 16 starts total, and a QB that is truly strugling. The defense will bounce back. Special teams will work out the kicking, I think. But the offense has no identity, Riley has shown in the two games he cannot throw past 20 yards, and I cannot understand why we aren't running the backs more. Even with a very green line, they make plays. I do think the team will show up for the next two games, but the Louisville and GaTech games are concerning. How does the offense bounce back? Do you see Dembrock using more 2 TE sets and running more? The sky isn't falling, but the sun is fading.

Eric Hansen

Q: What’s the key to helping James Rendell feel comfortable?
“Basically, just trying to get him acclimated to the game, to the rush, to the environment. Just talking with [our staff], Purdue likes to bring a lot of pressure. They’ve blocked punts. So, getting him to understand and feel comfortable with the window of time that he needs to get it off in. It can’t be too fast, or else it’ll be poor technique, but it can’t be too slow or it allows for block opportunities. He’s had, so far, his best week of practice since fall camp, so at least today was really, really good. Now it’s, ‘OK, can we take the next step and execute when the play is called.’”

12:29

Q: What happened on the blocked field goals?
“Looking back, we had some leakage that we’ve got to clean up along the line. Can’t have penetration through. Anytime you get knocked back, that’s critical. And they [Northern Illinois] were able to get some. Mitch [Jeter] has to make sure he hits the ball clean — he didn’t feel like he did. So, again, we go back and look at all of it. And we’ve got to make sure we stick to our techniques, with all 11 people doing their job.”

12:26

Mike!!!! They lauded him enough in the offseason that I think they know what Jeremiyah Love brings to the table, but I can see why you'd ask that question. Especially in this game (NIU), I don't think we saw enough of his skill set and usage. And I'd say the same for Jadarian Price. ... We had Marty Biagi at coordinator/player availability Tuesday night, so I can answer the special teams questions. And I do think you kept it under a 17-part question, but in fairness to everyone else and to keep my head from exploding, I'm going to pick and choose here. Let's get to Marty Biagi on your special teams questions:

Mike, Phoenix

12:20

Eric!!!, Do our coaches know that J. love is the best player on the team? Last year vs. OSU, Audric didn’t get the ball late in the 4th. This year, after Love makes an incredible run, he gets 1 more touch. Can I sue for coaching malpractice? When do we see these 70 yards punts we heard about in practice? Can players can timeouts? Especially when you have only one defender covering 2 WR’s? Does ND have anyone look at tape to see why 2 field goal were blocked? What setting is Freeman’s seat warmer set at right now? 1,2 or 3? Is Freeman trying to be a coach or a friend to these players? Why is Leonard smiling on the sidelines after throwing a pick? Tried to keep it under 18! Cheers Eric! Great coverage as always. Let’s beat Purdue, Go IRISH!

Eric Hansen

12:20

Hi Dave. I would say most times the receivers were getting separation. Not always, but for example on the interception/underthrow to Kris Mitchell on 2nd-and-1 late, there were a couple of other receivers wide open on shorter throws. The challenge for Leonard is not just playing in a new offense and with new teammates, it's processing playing quarterback in a whole new way. His default button has long been to tuck and run. He's not used to using his footwork and legs to extend pass plays and to consistently go through long progressions. The inexperience of the offensive line makes that line much thinner for him. But at this point, that's a rite of passage he must pass through to become the QB Notre Dame thinks he can be and he thinks he can be.

Dave, Ponte Vedra, FL

12:17

Well, tough pill to swallow. I know many of today’s questions will concern Riley Leonard. Since television doesn’t afford us with the all 22 player view of the field, I wonder if the old problem of receivers not getting separation is still true. Leonard frequently seems like he can’t find anyone open. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

12:16

Had Blake Fisher and Joe Alt returned to ND for their senior seasons and were part of this offensive line, I think Steve Angeli's viability as an alternative would have made the thought process more complicated for the coaches. Steve Angeli behind this line, until they progress to a certain standard, does not give your team that best chance to win, in my opinion. If Leonard isn't able to fully function, then one of the other QBs needs to be on the game. I haven't seen CJ Carr much since spring, because Angeli and Leonard were getting the reps when the media was in practice. But I wouldn't rule him out, even though Angeli's experience really gives him an edge as an alternative at this point.

12:13

Jeff, I love the get-to-the-point approach here. Incredibly uncomplicated. I'll try to match that energy with my answer. But the complicating factor is Riley Leonard's health. We, at Inside ND Sports, are reporting that Leonard is still expected to play Saturday and he did practice on Tuesday afternoon. That after suffering an injury to a labrum in his non-throwing (left) shoulder on Saturday. IF he is healthy to the point he can fully function in the offense, I don't think this is the game to have a short leash. The coaching staff still feels this is the guy who gives you the best chance to win. And the players, voting him as the only captain on offense, are in sync with him being the best QB and the best leader. If there's a regression or a health issue, then that's a tough conversation you have to have after the game. (more)

Jeff

12:08

Bowling Green, Ohio Question is- If things aren’t improving in the first half this weekend, will we see one of the other QB’s?

Eric Hansen

OK, off we go ...

12:07

Also, I get people are beyond disappointed and I'll allow limited whining, but let's stay on topic and talk some football as well. Dr. Laura can handle the other stuff, deal?

12:06

As I mentioned on my Twitter/X account, I am relaxing the "no drinking" rule today. PLEASE don't make me turn this car around.

Here are the rules:

12:05

PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

As far as this week's chat ...

► Finally, we’re all bearing down on Notre Dame’s road test Saturday at Purdue. And Darin Pritchett and I are together each week on Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (96.1 FM, 960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. I’m also part of the Gameday SportsBeat crew, and that pregame show runs Saturday from noon-2:30 p.m. ET. You can download all episodes, including the pregame shows, as podcasts.

12:03

► The Inside ND Sports Podcast will drop on Thursday afternoon. On the most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, we invited former ND head coach Charlie Weis Sr. (2005-09) to join us. Weis discussed the keys to keeping players locked in for a home opener, evaluating quarterbacks on potential, the value of seeing a transfer quarterback handle a new situation, if he would have enjoyed coaching in the current college football climate, how he watches a game, his connection to defensive coordinator Al Golden, his relationship with current ND head coach Marcus Freeman, how much ND's offensive line can improve, his weight-loss journey, his continued ties to South Bend and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We are back in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. This week on our YouTube channel, we’ll bring you two postgame shows, the first immediately after the game — Into the eNDzone with former Notre Dame offensive lineman Bob Morton. After every road or Shamrock Series game this season, Morton and I will have our instant reactions from the game and then take a lightning round of questions live from viewers. Our Postgame Takeaways show, with Tyler James and me, will drop later, after we’ve done interviews and pushed out our written content.

12:02

Some quick programming notes from insideNDsports.com:

12:01

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