JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 21, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 21, 2022

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Eric Hansen

1:32

Hi Dave. The encouragement I can offer you is that the team improved in a lot of areas against Cal, and that included the coaching. The next two games -- at North Carolina and BYU in Vegas, are going to tell us a lot.

Dave ponte vedra, fl

1:30

Three games in and I can’t say I’m impressed. Not just the lackluster play, but miscues, penalties, etc. I know they have some new faces, but a lot of returners look considerably worse than they were a year ago. I’m not jumping off the band wagon, but is the coaching simply not as good?

Eric Hansen

1:30

Hi Jack. I am going to have to defer the second part of your question on finances. I'll have to reach out to someone for that info and won't have time to do so during the chat. I didn't want to ignore your first question about Angeli. Chances this week that Angeli is the starting QB? Zero. Chances this season? If there's an injury. Chances ever? The percentage goes way down if CJ Carr reclassifies.

Jack Bates

1:28

What is the chance for Steve Angeli being our starting QB? Also when ND is on the road are they giving ticket allotment,lumpsum payment or per cent of gate receipts for compensation? Jack Bates Shorewood, Illinois 60404

Eric Hansen

1:27

Hi Marie, thanks. And I'm more concerned whether you enjoyed it. I'll admit, I haven't paid close attention to the wide receiver blocking with all the other fires that had to be put out. So I took a look at the Pro Football Focus grades. They are not great, but not awful -- and pretty consistent with 2021. But there is a HUGE droppoff from 2020, when Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley were elite. Joe Wilkins is probably the best blocker among the WRs on the roster, and his playing time has been minimal so far. I would say the main culprit is execution. ... As far as bringing on an anlayst next year, I mentioned earlier that could be in play and why not? Now, that person will not be able to do on-field coaching on game day or in practice, but I still think that could be a valuable addition.

Marie from Atlanta

1:17

Hi Eric, I hope you Enjoyed the first win of the season. Why do you think are wide receivers and tight ends are having such a hard time blocking? Do you think it’s related to scheme, technique, Coaching, or execution? As a follow-up to last week. Although the offense showed some signs of life this week it still seems like maybe there is too much on the plate of Tommy Rees. I know you mentioned Rees is against bringing in a senior consultant/ analyst to help him but if you are Marcus freeman do you pull a Saban and just make the executive decision to do so, if nothing else to help coach up the quarterbacks? Why or why not? Thanks so much for hosting the chat i love your insights.

Eric Hansen

1:16

Hi Bill. Targeting is a difficult interpretation. But no one on the coaching staff believes that was a bad call. Totally out of character for JD Bertrand and totally unnecessary.

Bill from St Joe, MI

1:14

Eric, I continue to be befuddled by “targeting” penalties. I believe that Bertrand’s hit was a late hit and ND should have been penalized for a personal foul, but I didn’t see a targeting penalty. What say you?

Eric Hansen

1:14

To your second observation, ppor recruiting AND mass transfers as wide receiver put ND in a bind. That's a big reason why Del Alexander was not retained or asked to go to Baton Rouge, for that matter. (He's at Georgia Tech.) There should have been better depth at QB. 3. Talked about McCarthy already. McNamara was committed then changed his mind. ... I agree that the QB position and elite QB play will accelerate (or lack of it will hinder) ND's path to the playoff .

1:10

Tom, thanks. I think a lot of fans are still antsy/disillusioned/confused even after the victory. To your observations/questions. 1. I'm not buying that BK saw this coming. He would have also had to intuit injuries to Avery Davis and Joe Wilkins and the 11th-hour decommitments of WRs CJ Williams and Amorion Walker. He also might have elected to go the portal route for a QB. ... I don't wish ill on Kelly, but let's see how he does in five-game stretch that's coming up soon of (consecutively) Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas. (more)

Tom from Sister Lakes, MI

1:01

Hi Eric,

Hopefully you don’t have to spend as much time this week on helping your chatters with grief counseling and anger management. I have a few points on which I’d like your opinion. 1. After seeing three games I now believe BK saw this season coming (not the specifics like TB’s injury but the general direction) and didn’t want to have to go through a few years of rebuilding at ND when there were less strictures on him at LSU. 2. Poor recruiting, especially for the skill positions on offense, put ND in a bind. 3. How can a team named the Fighting Irish not get a qb named McNamara and McCarthy? What were the specific reasons why those two guys ended up at Michigan and not ND? 4. ND fans need to be patient the next three years until CJ Carr has a year under his belt at ND—if he still comes. We do not have a qb on the current roster that is elite enough to get ND into the playoffs.

Eric Hansen

12:59

Thanks JTA. I don't think it's actual coaching. Al Golden and James Lauinaitis are a strong 1-2 punch. But I do think there's something to having to learn three different systems in three years with three different coordinators and three different position coaches. Lots of philosophical shifts. Lots of changes in terminology, in technique, in responsibilities. So it is fixable.

jta109

12:57

Greensboro, NC..Eric you do a fabulous job covering Notre Dame football. Thanks! It seems like our starting linebackers have difficulty shedding blocks and making plays. Is this due to scheme, talent or coaching?

Eric Hansen

12:56

CJ Carr is one of the best quarterbacks in the 2024 class. Our Kyle Kelly recently took in one of this games as Saline (Mich.) High and had the reclassification conversation with him. And there's been a shift. Initially, he was against the idea of reclassifying for the 2023 class. Now he's open to it, but both he and Notre Dame are deferring that conversation until after Carr's junior football season has been completed. And with good reason. A lot can happen between now and December.

Jake Saratoga Springs, NY

12:52

With Tyler Buckner injury prone and Drew Pine being at best a scout team QB any decent program, do you think ND will try to convince CJ Carr to reclassify for 2023? Really hope so! Watching Drew Pine is a painful experience…!!

Eric Hansen

12:51

In the 2021 recruiting cycle, Tommy Rees opted for Tyler Buchner as his No. 1 QB target with Brian Kelly's blessing. There was early mutual interest with McCarthy and ND, but Buchner was Rees' preference and I don't believe the Irish ever extended an offer to McCarthy, who ended up at Michigan. I do think Buchner is accurate enugh to play at the FBS level. He had a rough day with his accuracy in the Marshall game before getting injured, but I liked his accuracy in the practices that I saw. Now the priority is to get him healthy.

Bob from Chicago

12:43

Eric- who made the call to pick Tyler over JJ McCarthy? Does Buchner look accurate enough to play at this level? Your thoughts, thanks

Eric Hansen

12:43

Hi Jim. First of all, thanks for the kind words. ... I do think ND was too conservative in a couple of places on that last drive before the half. The first-and-10 play from the Cal 43 -- you're getting close to field goal range -- and ND runs Chris Tyree for 2 yards. Yuck. ... Drew Pyne took "a sack" on second-and-9 but it almost looked like a QB run to me. ... Then on third-and-9, the Irish got hurt by two false-start penalties IN A ROW. So, 3rd-and-19 ... why not take a shot at the end zone there? The overturned calls were unfortunate, but I think they were the correct calls. As far as booing, I'm not going to tell anybody how they should manage their frustrations at a game. I'm just glad I didn't get booed walking thorugh the tailgate lots to the stadium. In fact, people stopped me to say hello and some offered food and beverages. Loved it.

Jim, Oakwood, OH

12:31

Hey Eric, I'm ashamed of the ND fans that booed the team and coaches at the end of the first half. I understand the frustration they felt - as I'm sure 99% of ND fans felt that way after a shocking half of offensive malfeasance - but never, never should any collegiate fan boo their home team. It shows a lack of class, IMHO. 1) Your thoughts? 2 a) Was the ND play call in their last possession too conservative in your opinion ... b) what call(s) might have worked to get a first down and deprive Cal of the opportunity they had to drive the ball? 3) Can we continue to speak of the "Luck of the Irish" after those multiple late turnovers by Cal were overturned by the reply review? Keep up the excellent reporting Eric and my thanks to you, Tyler and Kelly for your hard work. Be well.

Eric Hansen

12:30

Hi Don. I think I am guilty of underestimating the effect the influx of new assistants (who hadn't worked together either ever or recently) because 1) Of the quality of those coaches. 2) Some of Brian Kelly's best teams came with heavy assistant-coach turnover. ... But throw Marcus Freeman being new in his role, and it changes that dynamic. ... And thanks for moving with us and hanging with us. We appreciate you.

Don in Phoenix

12:25

Watching Saturday's game it I realized the only position group exceeding expectation is the defensive secondary. My guess is they are performing well because they are the only position group with the same coaches. DL, OL, RBs, LBs, receivers, TEs, all new coaches. OK Rees as coordinator is a carry over but every position coach is new to him. Yes they've been in place for 8 plus months but game day communication is all new. It seemed the second half of game 3 was the first time the TEAM was on the same page. Have we all under estimated the position coaching turnover with the focus on Freeman and Rees?

Thanks and enjoying the site. It's too bad SBT lost their way but happy for you and Tyler.

Eric Hansen

12:24

When you look at the 2023 and 2024 recruiting cycles and who was offered, he's looking for those same qualities but in an elite athlete. He's aiming for five-start-caliber QBs. ... In terms of adding analysts for any position, expecially one with vast offensive expertise, that certainly could be in play in 2023 if Marcus Freeman wants to go in that direction.

12:20

Thanks for tuning into the Monday Night Live show. ... I think Tommy's evaluation of high school quarterbacks has evolved over time. He still values some of the assets that allowed him to become an FBS quarterback, specifically being able to slide protections and check out of bad plays at the line of scrimmage. Rees also loved Pyne's competitiveness and fearlessness and loved his fundamentals. I think one thing that hurt Pyne is he did not grow physically very much after the time he was offered. But Rees still loves Pyne as is. (more)

12:13

For those submitting questions ... watch that enter/return bar. It gets me from time to time too. Fortunately, I kind of have a do-over function that I don't think exists for you all.

Irish Mike Altoona, PA

Miami’s offer!

12:12

Hi Eric! As always thank you for hosting these chats! I listened to you and Tyler’s Monday evening podcast. I was struck by a couple of things. As was discussed, Drew Pyne does not possess an exceptionally strong arm nor is he a very capable runner. Tommy Rees was very high on Pyne as a recruit. Why? Why is a top program like ND recruiting or settling for a QB lacking a strong arm AND foot speed? Secondly, I read that Rees vetoed the hiring of an offensive analyst, such as David Cutcliffe, when Marcus was open to the idea! Could this be revisited? I’m starting to wish that Tommy would’ve taken Miamis

Eric Hansen

12:12

Notre Dame special teams coach Brian Mason even mentioned the call in a passing reference last night during media interviews. He counsidered the Irish lucky on the play.

Phil ~ Litchfield, CT

Hi Eric, That Cal offsides penalty on our missed FG was critical to getting NDs

12:10

was critical to getting ND’s first points on the board. I didn’t see a penalty on the live play or the replay. The announcers were also befuddled and the Cal coach was asked about it by the sideline reporter because he was seen having a lengthy chat with the officials after the call. He said he wouldn’t discuss it. Was there anything you and the others in the press box could see that we didn’t? Or was this a luck of the Irish phantom call?

Eric Hansen

12:10

Frank, I think working the No. 2 quarterback into a game to get him his first game experience makes a lot of sense -- eventually. Unless there's an injury, I don't think this is the week to try to do that. There's a bye week next week and then BYU in Vegas. After that, there are a couple of home games in mid-October with Stanford and UNLV. By that point, freshman Steve Angeli should have had a chance to learn a limited package of plays from the ND playbook after starting the year on scout team. I am not suggesting high-leverage situations ... just getting some late-game experience.

Frank from Royse City Texas

12:05

Do you feel Steve Angeli will get some snaps against UNC?

Eric Hansen

Let's get started.

12:05

Here are the rules.

12:04

As far as the chat goes, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question.

12:03

A couple of programming notes:
If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast with our special guest Rocky Boiman. Lots of great Bob Davie stories from the former Irish linebacker and current WLW radio host and ESPN college football analyst, as well as some sharp perspective on Marcus Freeman’s 1-2 start at ND and the state of the Irish defense.
Also recommended, our Monday Night Live YouTube show, which keeps its shelf life going through the entire week leading up to the next game.

12:01

Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, North Carolina week edition.

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