JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 12, 2019

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 12, 2019

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Eric Hansen

3:02

i'm out of time. There were a lot of great questions I couldn't get to. Thanks for all those submitted. We'll do this again next Thursday at noon, and hopefully I can think and type faster to fit more in.

3:01

I think Book gave up on the plays to Finke (and others) too early last week. I also think Finke will be more effective once he moves back inside to the slot.

Toledo Johnny from Georgia

3:00

Eric! I thought that Chris Finke has been one of Book's favorite targets... Is Finke healthy? Was he hampered at all last game? He is a heck of a receiver and makes good yardage after the catch...

Eric Hansen

3:00

I don't know how to answer that. What I think Notre Dame needs to show in the New Mexico game, regardless of the next team on the schedule, is improvement. Get better each week.

Scott From Muskegon MI

2:57

Can anything from this game make you feel confident we'll beat Georgia ?

Eric Hansen

2:57

Hi Stan. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is entrenched as the No. 1 rover and has star potential ... but has a lot of growth to do as well. Will be fun to watch. I think Drew White is going to be hard to displace as the No. 1 middle linebacker. I think the buck linebacker is still very fluid.

Stancakes in Chester

2:55

Greetings to the source. Never failed to enjoy your articles in the Trib. Any inside information as to how the linebackers are jelling? Do you know which group is emerging as starters?

Eric Hansen

2:54

I think Notre dame's challenge to improve at key positions and overcome key injuries is its biggest obstacle to making the playoff and the one that it can control.

Steve. Toledo Ohio

2:51

Hi Eric, do you feel SC , and Georgia are now are two biggest obstacles to the playoffs?

Eric Hansen

2:47

Jacob, thanks. Let's take the rover out of this and just look at the snaps of the two inside LB positions from Louisville. Here's how they broke down: White 52, Bilal 40, Simon 22, Lamb 13, Genmark Heath 10. All 13 of Lamb's snaps were in the dime package. My sense is you'll see more of a rotation this week at buck unless Bilal is tearing it up early and often.

Jacob from Versailles, OH

2:42

After a below average showing (despite what PFF says), do you expect Asmar Bilal to see a reduction in playing time this week? What linebackers do you expect to see more of this week? I feel like there will be a lot of different LB lineups, considering the quality of opponent, to see what certain players have in the tank. Thanks again for the chats, you do a great job and keep fans involved/updated.

Eric Hansen

2:41

I really don't want to get too deep in analysis for Georgia, because I frankly haven't studied the Bulldogs in depth. I do know Jake Fromm is on another planet as a passer than Louisville's Jawon Pass. I also know a lot of ND's success last year against the pass was because they could get most teams in unfavorable third down-and-long situations. Can ND's run defense do that this season? Having said that, the stats you quoted are impressive. But are they sustainable? There are a lot of good elements to think so (pass rush, safeties, Pride and Crawford), but there are other facets that still must mature and grow to make this a long-term thing in 2019.

Jonathan

2:35

Hideaway, Texas. Clark Lea’s D has yielded just 1 passing TD in 31 of the last 32 quarters of ND football. Of course that’s excluding the Cotton Bowl’s 3 TD 2nd quarter when Julian Love was in the tent and Donte Vaughn was unable to lift one arm. Still, giving Lea the benefit of the injury-induced doubt, is that 8 game stretch as impressive as I’m thinking? I see ND in the top 4 in pass eff D again already after sitting near the top of those rankings pretty much all last season. Am I drinking the koolaid to think even the Dawgs will have trouble passing against these Irish?

Eric Hansen

2:35

Matt, there was a need in the spring at cornerback, and Davis wasn't going to beat out Jafar Armstrong at RB. Remember in the spring, there wasn't a guarantee Crawford or Vaughn would come back 100 percent healthy in the fall. As skilled as Davis is, he couldn't push up the depth chart at cornerback even when there wasn't as much competition. When Crawford came back (and Vaughn to an extent) and freshman KJ Wallace came in competing, it limited Davis' opportunities. Suddenly Armstrong is gone for a significant stretch of the season. Davis has very good speed. He's more comfortable on offense. You want to find a way to put your best athletes on the field. I think it was smart to try him at corner. Didn't work. That happens sometimes. Chris Stewart was a lousy nose guard once upon a time. I think Davis' best position is quarterback, but he's not going to play that position at ND, and I think he can be pretty good at RB/WR.

Matt in Augusta Nj

2:28

I like Davis on offense. I remember Kelly loving what he brought to the RB position when he changed fromQB. I now question if it was lip service since he was moved to defense, and then back to offense. What is Davis’s best position, and will he stay at RB now?

Eric Hansen

2:28

Paul, it was not his best game. But it doesn't constitute a trend. Last year against Pitt, he made corrections in the second half when he had happy feet and then he was even better then next game -- a career-high 82 percent completion rate to go along with 330 passing yards, at that time a career high.

Paul -Lititz

2:22

Eric, - I was quite surprised to see Ian Book so jumpy in the pocket last week. Can they practice him not allowing him to leave the pocket at all and just wait for his receivers to get open? Would it help the receivers to recognize they need to run better routes or just end up with multiple sacks in games? Worried about that Georgia line and him getting rid of the ball quickly going thru his reads.

Eric Hansen

2:22

Joe, it's one game. One game. Now take a deep breath and step away from the ledge.

Joe from Georgia

2:21

Not to be argumentative, yet you made my point for me in your response. The Texas/LSU lads displayed major improvement from a decent/solid 2018 baseline. Ian did not. In football, as in life, you are who you are, until you are not. Ian is a Snoopy with happy feet until proven otherwise. Kelly QBs regress as the matriculate through the program, until they don't.

Eric Hansen

2:20

Joe, what a twisted world you live in. I'd hire Weis and demand he keep Clark Lea as his defensive coordinator.

Joe, Indianapolis

2:19

Hi Eric, if Brian Kelly quit at the end of this season for whatever reason, and you could only hire Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham, or Charlie Weis, who would you hire?

Eric Hansen

2:19

Tom, thanks for the question ... and also the info next week that the ND Club of Atlanta is doing. I'll share those next week with the readers. ...To your question. I think you're asking me if Tremble might end up in Michael Young's outside receiver spot on the wide side of the field? I don't see him filling that role, but he does give you a lot of flexibility when comes to formations and play-calling. I think he'll play detached most of the time. I think that's where he's as his best, but I don't see his role shrinking when Kmet comes back. I think they can be used together. As for Asmar? He probably is a better fit outside, but Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a much better fit at rover and you could say that about Moala and Kiser too, so Bilal's best opportunity is inside.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:16

Hi Eric, hope you have a good time down here next week. Lots of good Bar-B-Que and Peach Cobbler to had. Everyone is taking shots at Bilal. I'm not sure it is all fair. Comparing to soccer, playing in the middle is a LOT different than playing on the outside. He may be better suited to playing outside. That is not his fault. That may be the coaches for recoginizing it and put the best players in THEIR best positions!! Your thoughts. Also, with Claypool now in Boykins slot I would not be surprised to see Tremble in his old slot when Kmet returns. TT is a difficult match-up according to everything BK has said. Thanks and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:15

Will, I do think ND had multiple purposes going on during the bye week, and I think prepping for Georgia was included in that agenda. That's not uncommon. ND often does some triple-option work for Navy during the byes as well.

Will ((Maryland)

2:14

Eric, love your work. Just curious. I know coaches focus on the next opponent and try not to look ahead. But with a bye week in the second week, and Georgia on the horizon, would the team have done any work on Georgia over the past two weeks? Or is that going to be reserved for Monday morning. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:13

We'll have a chat with Brian Kelly tonight, so there should be some clarity with Kmet. I don't think Michael Young will be back in time for Georgia, but we'll address that with Brian on Monday.

Phil (Chicago)

2:05

Do you see Michael Young or Cole Kmet coming back before next week. Our changes are bleak between the hedges with them, but I don't see anyway we win without them given the loss of Armstrong at RB and others.

Eric Hansen

2:05

Collin, when you come to Notre Dame, you sign up for the scrutiny. The same holds true at places like Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, USC, Texas, Florida State, etc. And I don't agree with your premise that ND never wins a big game or that they always play up/down to the competition. But let me get to your original question. But your original question was about Louisville possibly winning eight games and how that figures into big-picture perspective. Only minimally. My biggest concern for ND coming out of the game was its run defense. Still is. Doesn't matter of Louisville wins 8 games or two. Lots of missed tackles. Lots of bad run fits, especially early.

Collin from Denver

2:00

If we knew right now that Louisville will win 8 games this year, would that change our perspective on ND’s performance the first game? We’ve all just assumed that Louisville is terrible, hence the possible overreaction to ND’s performance so far (only in 1Q, really). I’m feel sometimes that the media’s and fans/alumni overreactions to ND’s performances all the time sometimes leads to added pressure to our 18-21 yr old players, leading them to play tight on occasions. Could this be the answer to “Why ND never wins the ‘big game’ or “plays up/down to competition”? That they feel so scrutinized all the time, every game, every year?

Eric Hansen

1:59

I think the bigger problem was Book overreacting to pressure. He gave up on routes too quick. His footwork was all over the place. Brian Kelly did address these aspects and expects a much different version of Ian Book, moving forward.

Eric, Bristol

1:53

Hello Eric! Although the vantage point on TV is somewhat limited, it seemed like Louisville was bringing extra pressure, which in turned seemed to rattle Ian Book. I haven't been able to watch/read all of the coverage since the Louisville game, but has BK addressed the apparent limited number of deep balls, screen passes, etc, that maybe could've helped soften up the defense?

Eric Hansen

1:53

I knew it was a mistake to do the chat without coffee today.

Steve. Toledo ohio

1:52

How confident are you in our defense?

Steve

1:52

Hi Eric, in your opinion is it time to turn over the QB duties at least half the time to Phil?

Eric Hansen

1:51

Joe, you sound bitter. I think what it will take for Book to live up to your expectations is patience. Not the worst game in the world. No picks. Had a career high in rushing yardage. If you're going to have a game with happy feet, better to do it against Louisville than Georgia, don't you think? Keep in mind, Book was statistically better than both the LSU and Texas QBs last year -- 18th in passing efficiency vs. 65th and 32nd, respectively. Give it time.

Joe from Georgia

1:43

The "It" factor was evident for both QBs in Austin last Saturday. It was not in evidence at Louisville on Labor Day, despite everybody's assurance, media observers inclusive, that it would be. Ian had months to develop since the Cotton Bowl and worked his behind off. It did not take. Why will it take going forward? Or, alternatively, do you believe it never really will?

Eric Hansen

1:43

Chris, I have to be honest with you. I get a lot of questions about short yardage. Some of them are the exact opposite of yours. "Why doesn't ND just line up and use its superior size and manhandle people?" I kind of think this is a question that is more rhetorical than one you're expecting an answer for? If short-yardage situations this season become either problematic or wildly successful, I'll be sure to take a deep dive as to why. Right now the sample size is way too small to derive any worthwhile conclusions.

GVSU Chris

1:39

WHY do they still insist on running a dive play up the middle on 3rd or 4th & short?! After several years of doing this with little, if any success it seems to be the only short yardage play in the playbook.

Eric Hansen

1:39

Hi Chris. Thanks for tuning in. If the cornerback group stays healthy, that's not a bad idea. I do think the designs the coaching staff had were a larger role this season for Donte. But that could change based on his health and the performances of the other corners. I'll keep an eye on that.

Chris (& Liam) Newmarket, NH

1:35

Following up on a conversation you and Darrin had on Sportsbeat on Wednesday, with Shawn Crawford saying he won't be applying for a sixth year of eligibility, do you think ND should and might explore the option of using a 4-game redshirt for Dante Vaughn similar to what they are doing with Jamir Jones this year? Thinking he could be the boundary corner next year with Bracy at field. Thanks for all the great ND coverage including the chats, Sportsbeat and Pod of Gold.

Connecting…

GVSU Chris

2:41

How worried should we be about the LB play?

Kevin

3:49

I think Louisville will be a bigger win than originally thought. They played a great game on a short week after losing to ND. I know it was E. Kentucky but 42-0 on a team that won 53-7 the week before is not easy. Watching that game their D looked fast and the QB was really good as well as the RB and #1. What are your thoughts?

Collin

7:21

If you knew right now that Louisville would end the season with 8 wins, would you feel more comfortable with where ND is at right now? Because let’s face it, everyone thinks they are terrible (only based on last season). But we’re they even a bad team? That could end up being a decent win for ND...

Cliff from Battle Creek

1:58

Hi Eric, thanks again for doing this! I'm sure you've heard a thousand questions about Ian Book and his surprising performance. Did that change any of your long term projections for him and how do you see him bouncing back? Also was there any noticable difference, that you could see anyway, in the way he practiced\prepared for this week?

Bill-Idaho Falls, Idaho

1:40

Question:

Steve. Toledo ohio

4:05

Hi Eric,

Steve. Toledo ohio

4:05

Hi Eric,

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:07

Hi Eric, do you see a record of near 11-1?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:08

Hi Eric, after Saturday we have 4 ranked opponents of our next 5 games, 6-1 likely record?

Steve

4:12

Hi Eric, any injury updates?

Steve

4:13

Has Jurkovec closed the gap, can we expect to see him this week?

Steve

4:14

Where did you rank ND this week? Is 7th about what you expected or should we be higher?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:16

Is Tommy Tremble the next big name that's gonna break on the scene or will it be Phil J.?

Bob- Loganville, GA

4:19

Bob from Loganville, GA
I hear a lot of people talk about QB regression with BK. With Kaiser being the anomaly (junior year with 3 more TD passes and 2 less interceptions than his sophomore year). One could look at it as BK is able to get the best out of a QB and reach their ceiling at a faster pace than others. And once scouted by an opponent it shows the QB was not as good as we/public thought? When you look at the QBs that have transferred out/grad transfer none played better (except for maybe Hendrix – Miami Ohio) with their new team. In fact all were demoted to a reserve role by the end of the season. Based off the small sample size at UCF I suspect Wimbush is headed down the same path as Golson and Zaire. Would like to hear your take. Also what does SWAT (in teams of ND SWAT) stand for?

Rick

4:30

Great Podcast you have going Eric! Do you feel as if BK is having a hard time giving up on Asmar because he asked him to come back for an extra year? I was watching and it looks to me like he is too timid to play Mike or Buck. Not to say he is scared, but I hope you are following what I am saying as far as fundamentals. JOK is going to be great, and I see great potential with Drew White being aggressive in the middle of the defense. Asmar had made some great plays in his time, but with the middle of the D being the perceived "weak point" of our defense, don't you think placing someone else in there that has potential in the future (this year and beyond) would be nearly commensurate with having Mr. Bilal in there?

Al from Chicago

4:36

Is anyone really surprised that Book struggled; who is the last QB under Kelly that improved in their 2nd year?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:37

Hi Eric, is this our year to win it all?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:38

Any word on Phil Jurkovec and potential playing time Saturday?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:39

Being from Ohioland are you interested in the BG game this year?

Chris from Los Angeles

4:41

Eric, great to see you doing the live chats again and I'm excited for another season of great content! My question: I think the play from individual units (quarterback, linebackers, etc.) will continue to get better, but do you see this as a team that can consistently be on the same page at the same time? It seems to me that Notre Dame always has great players, but the team as a whole has struggled to consistently put every piece together at the same time.

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:41

Eric are you confident our offensive line can control all our games this year?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:42

Do you feel Man Book has regressed?

Ryan from Atlanta

4:42

Hi Eric, first time chatter here. Thanks for all you do! Question: what if anything does C’Bo Flemister’s do

Al from Chicago

4:42

Is anyone surprised by Book struggles. Who is the last QB under Kelly to have a stellar 2nd year.

Ryan from Atlanta

4:44

Greetings from the land of Kyle Hamilton! First time chatter here—Thank you for all you do! What if anything does C’Bo Flemister do better than the other backs? How do you see him being used going forward? It looks like we’re going to need him. Thanks again and Go Irish!

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:44

Heard ND hasn't been favored by this large of a margin since Lou s last home game vs Rutgers in 96. You predicting a blowout?

Steve. Toledo Ohio

4:45

How has Jurkovec looked @practice?

Frank Atlanta

4:55

Eric. Please tell me the Irish have a chance against the Dawgs. I’m a huge ND fan living in Atlanta and can’t stomach the abuse I will get if we get blown out. That environment will be like nothing ND has ever seen. What will it take for a victory?

Rick - Grandville, MI

5:40

Since I haven't seen Chris Finke be that much of a non-factor in quite a long time on Labor day, I cant help but wonder why Javon McKinley with his size isn't moved to the X (or do a committee type deal with others) while Finke goes back to the slot? Also, is there a game-breaker that is in the backfield now the Jafar is out for an extended period of time? Thoughts?

Eric, Bristol

5:57

The consensus on Houston Griffith seems to be that he has a high ceiling, and I've read some of your previous material speculating about where he fits best for the long haul in terms of a position group. (I'm with you that a future safety tandem of Hamilton & Griffith sounds intriguing). Last year it seemed like Griffith was targeted -- often successfully -- anytime he was on the field. Did you see anything in your pre-season media windows that led you to believe he made strides to the extent that he could be a viable option to help out at CB this year?

Rick from the OC

6:03

Let's be honest if not PC, UNM is not as strong as our second string. I doubt there is a player on the Lobos that was offered by ND. If Book doesn't look like superman against this team we definitely have issues, but if he does look great hopefully it will be a confidence builder for UGA. What is your over/under for passing yards in the first half? I put the number at 250 yards.

GVSU Chris

6:05

Eric.....flour or corn tortillas at the taco bar?

Jeff, Cleveland, OH

6:06

I always had high hopes that at some point in his career at ND, Avery Davis would break through at RB, but he's since gone through multiple position switches. Now, at least for the time being, do you see him getting many reps going forward at RB? I read somewhere where he is the fastest among the remaining group of RB's and he's probably the closest in skill set to Jafar. What are your thoughts? Also, why do you think he has never reached his potential and seen the playing field at any of the positions he's been at?

Eric, Bristol

6:07

I have nothing measurable to back up this perception, but visually it seems like ND's running plays are slow to develop compared to other teams. Many/most of the hand-offs appear to be the two-armed RPO variety from Ian Book that result in a moment of hesitation once he and the RBs converge. It just doesn't seem like the RBs are running downhill when they receive the ball. Do you know why ND doesn't incorporate more of the traditional one-armed hand-offs with RBs running at full speed, which could also set up play-action?

Jeff, Cleveland, OH

6:12

With a year under his belt, and a full offseason as the No. 1 QB and all the emphasis placed on him maturing in his role, I didn't expect Ian Book to look so skittish/rattled in the pocket. I felt that he was too quick to run with the ball, instead of sitting in the pocket or stepping up/sideways to buy himself some extra time. Do you think he settles down Saturday, and then going forward? I'm certainly hoping so!!!

Matt in Augusta Nj

6:13

Is there any way to have Gilman, Hamilton and Elliot on the field consistently at the same time. They all need to play, but not enough Safety spots. I know in nickel and dime it’s possible, but what about the base defense. Gilman at LB in spots?

Joe, Indianapolis

6:13

I should have also asked, why would you hire him?

Matt in Augusta Nj

6:15

I know it’s a week early but how confident do you think Georgia and their coaches are in beating ND. Do they consider ND not in the same class as the SEC?, I would love to hear their scouting report.

Matt in Augusta Nj

6:18

I agree on short yardage plays. We recruit lineman to well to not get a yard when needed. Thanks love the chats. Thanks

Matt in Augusta Nj

6:20

Where is Greg in Oakland? Would like to hear his opinion on the state of the program. He always had a high standard for ND.

Collin (Denver)

6:27

Eric, kind of back to Tom from GA’s topic on Bilal... It’s obviously ideal to have a dynamic playmaker at LB that’s also very assignment correct. But since we don’t have that combination of a player developed quite yet, would you rather have in there an LB that is more assignment-correct/less playmaker or more playmaker/less assignment-correct? And based on your answer, which player would that be as of right now (regarding the buck position).

Bob- Loganville, GA

6:45

I hear a lot of people talk about QB regression with BK. With Kaiser being the anomaly (junior year with 3 more TD passes and 2 less interceptions than his sophomore year). One could look at it as BK is able to get the best out of a QB and reach their ceiling at a faster pace than others. And once scouted by an opponent it shows the QB was not as good as we/public thought? When you look at the QBs that have transferred out/grad transfer none played better (except for maybe Hendrix – Miami Ohio) with their new team. In fact all were demoted to a reserve role by the end of the season. Based off the small sample size at UCF I suspect Wimbush is headed down the same path as Golson and Zaire. Would like to hear your take. Also what does SWAT (in teams of ND SWAT) stand for?

Robb, Colorado

6:45

Eric, Not much came from special teams last week, but at least Doerer made all of his XP and kickoffs were decent. Any chance they try to get something exciting to happen on a punt return or kick return this week or will it still be the same thing?

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