JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 16, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 16, 2020

Eric Hansen

2:49

That's going to have to do it for today. I have an interview commitment coming up in a couple of minutes. Thanks for all the great questions. I'll be back to do it all again next Wednesday at noon EDT.

2:48

From what I see on the news, you need it more out in California than the rest of us. Hope you are safe. Those fires are scary.

Mark, Orange County CA

2:47

Hi Eric, Thank you for all that you have been doing to give us fans some sense of normalcy in this unique season.

Eric Hansen

2:47

Jonathan, thank you for two complete sentences of compliments. I'm overwhelmed. Let me oversimplify my answer to your question. I think ND is more committed to the running game in 2020 than at any time since the start of the 2018 season. I think they're better equipped to make that commitment count than at any time since the beginning of the 2018 season. Can they run effectively in a big game? I don't know that answer yet.

Jonathan

2:45

Spruce Lake Campground, Estes Park, CO. It’s fun to read all the Eric appreciation here each week. Agree with it whole heartedly. We're lucky to have you in the Fighting I universe. As to more pressing matters, why can’t we make teams pay for the run blitzes they keep sending our way? Am I wrong to think that’s been an issue ever since the collapse of the 33 Trucking campaign one ugly November evening at the U? Did the Miami scouts figure something out that game about how to defend the Kelly offense? Seems to this conspiracy theorist that we’ve never run the ball the same ever since.

Eric Hansen

2:44

I think Johnson has the talent to get on the field. He impressed Brian Kelly this summer. He needs to show he has the maturity to get on the field. That's his next step. I'm not sure I agree with you on Book, except the part about better chemistry with the receivers will make him more comfortable ... and the fans too.

Terry form Niles Mi.

2:43

Eric I appreciate that you take take time out to answers questions. I am knew to doing this. Do you believe Johnson will be able to get on the field this year. I heard that he has not been turning in his homework assignment as he should. Since the Michigan game when Book was not stepping up in the pocket, I have been watching him. I thought that he did step up in the pocket against Duke. I believe that he will do alright once the receivers understand what he expects from them.

Eric Hansen

2:41

I think JOK is No. 2 behind Kyle Hamilton, but he could change my mind this year. Clearly, they're No. 1 and 2 in some order. ... Mayer leading receiver? Not this year, but I love his game.

Joe from Toledo, oh

2:40

Eric thanks for the chat as always! I have two short questions. Do you believe Jeremiah owusu-korahmoa is the best player on the team all things considered? Also, Michael Mayer looks like an absolute stud. Will he be the leading pass catcher on this years team?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Ok, Matt, you're going to have to scroll for some of your answers. I can answer 2, 3 and 5, since they haven't been asked yet. ... 2. Yes, but I try not to go to that well too often. On-the-record comments are the most helpful. 4. I don't think there would be many, if at all. Most of those guys have NFL aspirations. 5. I've been talking about Foskey for a while. Get used to him making an impact. Future starter.

5-Part Matt (KC)

2:33

Against Duke Book didn't seem to play great, but was OK, do you think it is a matter of being a bit rusty with new weapons in game 1 or is it more of a ceiling we see for him against really talented secondaries?
Do the coaches ever give you unguarded talk behind the scenes (non-political answers) I guess so you can have more of a real flavor of a given story?
In the run game, was our OL play just a matter of Duke overloading the box and not an indictment of us being able to get a push?
Will any of the 5th years be back next year (I think the NCAA said this year doesn't count against eligibility)?
Who is this Foskey kid, he was everyhere Saturday.

Eric Hansen

2:32

As the running game becomes more of a threat, play action becomes a more effective option. Keep in mind training camp in pandemic football was foremost for conditioning and fundamentals. With no spring practice, expect the playbook to expand throughout the season. I like your observations.

martin orlando

2:30

i am not concerned with the slow start--we seem to do this every year....do we need more motion, distraction, and play action? sure seems we do...and will that expand with more game time?

Eric Hansen

2:29

Joe, I know Tyler James did a lot of research on pressures, and I don't have those number in front of me. But if a quarterback shows he can't make you pay for blitzing, guess what? it's a copycat game. He's going to see it until he shows he can may you pay. Just like a major league hitter and a curveball.

Joe, Tega Cay, SC

2:27

Hello Eric, thank you for your time. I saw a start recently that stated Ian Book was blitzed on 35 percent of his drop backs in 2019, which was fourth most in FBS. How do you think that has impacted his performance? And the perception of his performance? Finally, why do you think ND has faced the blitz so often?

Eric Hansen

2:27

I think they like him in a hybrid role, where it gives them lots of flexibility with formations and play calls. My kids were born in LaPorte, just so you know.

Jake from home of tyler james

2:26

Can you see a scenario where jafari Armstrong ends up as slot type receiver. He looked good Saturday speed wise and physicality. Just seems like he has a lot of talent to be a backup.

Eric Hansen

2:26

I hope it was apparent in the article. Otherwise, I did a lousy job. I don't think he was mad. I think it was hard on him, but he learned a lot from the way his dad dealt with it. And he loves South Bend. He's proud to call it his hometown.

GB from Wasilla, Alaska

2:25

Eric, When you spoke to Charlie Weis Jr., did you get the sense that he was mad at the way his dad or he might have been treated in South Bend or did he leave South Bend on good terms? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:25

It's just one game, but your trajectory is spot on. I think he has that kind of potential.

Ryan(Philly)

2:24

how good do u think Michael Mayer can be as he progresses? i think he can be a first round talent

Eric Hansen

2:23

Impressed me the most: The tight ends, Kyren Williams/Chris Tyree, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Kyle Hamilton, depth in the front seven, Jonathan Doerer, the Notre Dame Stadium crowd. Surprises (good) Joe Wilkins, cornerback play. Other surprises: Book's struggles, kick/punt coverage.

Erik, Granger, IN

2:18

Thanks for being here! What impressed you the most on Saturday? And what surprised you most (good and bad)?

Eric Hansen

2:17

I think where it gets muddled is the numbers. The Big Ten is going to play eight regular-season games, plus everyone in that league will play a postseason game during championship week. So that's nine games vs. 12 for the ACC champ and runner-up, for instance. Given there are no non-conference games for the Big Ten to present any kind of relative comparison for league strength .. and the limited numbers overall, it's had to see a path to the playoff unless there is a lack of unbeaten teams in the other Power conferences.

Dwight from Arkansas

2:06

With the possibility that the Big10 and others (?) could start football in mid-October, how would that affect rankings, playoffs, the national title picture? Would they be joining too late to merit consideration?

Eric Hansen

2:06

ND did run screen and misdirections Saturday, and they worked for the most part.

Terry From Alexandria, Virginia

2:06

If we are going to run the ball more, and teams are going to try to stack the box or be a little more aggressive in their run defense, shouldn't we run more misdirection, screens and play action plays? This will give the other team defenses more to think about and to be a little hesitant with their aggressive style to stop the run, which could make the offense more explosive. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:05

It's been a challenge for him intermittently throughout his career. it's something people at the next level notice. It's not unfixable.

Tim in Atlanta

2:05

It has been commented many times that Book doesn't step up into the pocket and throw off his front foot. This is so basic that I'm wondering if something else is going on. Is it possible that the line is giving too much ground or that Book is simply not tall enough to see over them if he is too close?

Eric Hansen

2:04

Ian Book at the peak you perceive won't calm anybody down. I'm not sure that you're right or wrong. I do know he works his butt off to get better. We'll find out together if that's good enough. I do not expect him to come back for a sixth year unless perhaps he suffered a long-term injury that wiped out most of his season.

Tom from Downers Grove

2:02

Eric, I firmly believe Ian Book has hit his ceiling. I don't believe he'll actually play better than his peak of the previous seasons. That being said do you think an Ian Book at his peak will calm this fan base down? Also, does Book return next year because of Covid eligibility?

Eric Hansen

2:02

I don't think a team makes its most improvement from game 1 to game 2, so I'm in the minority, I suppose. I think it's a myth. Where the team goes from here is just simply work to improve. None of the things that ailed them in the opener are terminal. Thank you for your question.

Bill 1000 Oaks Ca

1:59

Went thru a lot just to be able to play!If it’s true a team improves the most between it’s 1st &2nd game what areas are you looking to see the most improvement? I saw a lot of freshman talent, RB’s ran hard, secondary looked better, but line play, play calling and Book’s passing left me wondering?Not putting anyone down but where do we go from here?. Stay safe Eric!! I think these chats keep us sane!!! Go Irish!,

Eric Hansen

1:59

John, I'm doing fantastic. Thanks for asking. To your question, I'd say there's momentum for the first two and a great big question mark for the third.

john Walled Lake MI

1:57

Hi Eric, how are you doing? What are the chances Notre Dame gets Deion Colzie and Jayden Thomas and keeps David Abiara committed. Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:57

Longtime recruiting analyst Tom Lemming thinks this is Brian Kelly's best recruiting staff. I think, despite the pandemic and some summer disappointments, ND is poised to finish the recruiting cycle strong.

Frank from st louis

1:56

Do you believe the current group of asst coaches are better recruiters than those assistant of say four years ago? I recall a couple couldn’t land any good corners or safeties.

Eric Hansen

1:55

I did write about that this summer in our special section preview that came out in August. Email me, and I'll try to get you a more expansive answer.

Tom from Toronto

1:54

Hi Eric, Always enjoy your work and insights. Did you ever get an sense from Brian Kelly as to why the team's performance against Michigan last year seemed lackadaisical? And did you come to a conclusion as to why this occurred? Finally, do you expect to see a similar situation for the rest of Coach Kelly's tenure at Notre Dame, or do you think that this issue has been resolved? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:54

Hi Nathan, I've addressed all but the vanilla play-calling so far. In October, every one of those things would concern me. In the opener, with the team improving significantly in the second half, I'm good. But you know what, I WELCOMED the overreactions this week. There were times this summer the world was telling us playing college football was a needle that was impossible to thread. To have the reactions and overreactions flooding my inbox and Twitter notifications made me feel NORMAL. Overreaction is week 1 is NORMAL. It was not the kind of performance that should have prompted you to douse yourself in Gatorade, but it's a building block. And that's OK for an opener.

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