JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 8, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 8, 2020

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Eric Hansen

2:57

That's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions (and compliments). Thanks also for adjusting to the 11th-hour shift to Tuesday this week. The hope still is to try and do these every Wednesday during the season.

2:55

He was pretty effective running the ball in high school. I don't know if I see him as a fullback as much as maybe someone who carries the ball in short yardage with a tight end blocking.

Jacob from Versailles, OH

2:54

Could Ekwonu be used as a short yardage fullback (I-Formation or T-Formation) in a blocking role? I found his pseudo move to RB intriguing and he looks the part of a big, strong fullback. Thanks for keeping us updated even with limited info.

Eric Hansen

2:48

A really good plan, a driven team and some good luck.

Tom from Georgia

2:47

To what do you attribute the magnificent, imo, level of negative virus tests in the program? It is certainly a multilevel and layered achievement.

Eric Hansen

2:47

You don't see that as a staple very much at all in college football anymore. You're not going to see it on a regular basis with ND this season, but we may see it sprinkled in at times, given the versatility of the running backs to shift presnap to a receiver role if the defense calls for that.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport PA

... to me we have been at a huge disadvantage with only 1 RD in the Kelly and Weis yrs.

2:45

Will we ever see TWO RB's in the backfield again so we can have one block and one run the ball OR only for deception as who will get the ball on short yardage plays? Thanks Eric.

Eric Hansen

2:45

Let me say this very generally about the running backs. There could have been some COVID-related absences at that position group that opened the door for Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. But to their credit, they were ready to break the door down anyway. They earned it. I would not give up on Jafar, though, in being a contributor.

David Columbus, OH

2:44

What has happened with J Armstrong that has him down the RB depth chart?

Eric Hansen

2:44

Unless it's a recent injury, he just got beaten out by other players. That doesn't mean he won't be part of some of the sub packages. We'll see on Saturday. I like Jack Lamb's potential a lot.

Antoine Bodine, Manchester Vrrmo

2:43

What is Jack Lamb’s status? Is he still recuperating from last season’s injury?

Eric Hansen

2:42

Matt, this is an overly general answer. Cornerbacks tend to be faster and can flip their hips better than safeties. Safeties tend to be more physical and usually aren't as good on 1-on-1 coverage. Now if you get a cornerback with size and physicality or a safety with elite speed (think Kyle Hamilton), then you're got something special. A big difference between offensive linemen and defensive linemen is demeanor, though Liam Eichenberg has a butt-kicking personality. So did Q Nelson. It's also about speed and the ability to shed blockers. A lot of O-Linemen don't have those traits. Jerry Tillery did, which is why he was able to flip over to D and be so successful. Who's the player no one talks about ... hmmmm .... I'll say Nick McCloud.

Matt (KC, MO)

2:36

I love football, particularly ND, but didn't play growing up, can you help me out in why one player is better than another when it comes to playing safety vs. cornerback and also whether someone plays offensive line or defensive line? I guess this is an ND chat also, so as it relates to ND, who is a player no one talks about that is crucial to our success this year?

Eric Hansen

2:36

I hit on this earlier, but I don't see anything sinister here. He made a move from safety to inside linebacker a couple of years ago when ND needed depth at that position. It was a difficult transition, but he worked hard to make it work. Shayne Simon was an elite recruit and elite athlete who finally has found his stride. Marist Liufau was a diamond in the rough who is developing as they'd hoped. There's still guys like Jack Lamb and Jack Kiser with plenty of promise at the position. They're just very deep in talent at that position group.

Victor Money from Vero Beach, FL

2:32

Eric, I think it is a good thing that players now have more flexibility to transfer when things don’t work out. I hope Jordan Genmark Heath makes the most of his remaining eligibility. Do you have any color, insight, or supposition as to why he left the program, aside from his not being named the starter? He bailed pretty quickly. Just wondering if he felt that he was unfairly treated, despite the warm message he posted. Thanks so much.

Eric Hansen

2:32

I'm not sure how a game like that helps you if you're ND.

Tom from Georgia

2:31

Maybe ND should have given a greater effort to keep the Navy game?

Eric Hansen

2:30

I don't, but I think he'll be ready in case of injury. The hole in his game was pass coverage, and apparently, he's improved in that area.

cnova78

2:29

The way Coach Kelly praised Bo Bauer on recent presser, do you think at anytime this this year he'll eventually win the starting LB job?

Eric Hansen

2:29

Dan, I'm either too old or too square to know what hookey-pooh is. Google was no help either. I'll try to answer the rest of the question. Unless they do an about face and play this fall, the Big Ten, Pac-12, Mountain West and MAC are out of the playoff and the New Year's Six. The Big Ten and Pac-12 could play in a spring version of the Rose Bowl if they sync up their schedules. They will not be part of the fall AP top 25, but apparently we're going to do one in the spring as well.

Dan, Grand Rapids, Mi

2:21

One more question Eric....With the Big 10 and Pac 12 not playing, at least for now, what impact will that have on the Bowl games and Nataionl rankings, and playoff? I can't imagine the coaches, AD's, and players of UM, MSU, OSU, USC etc. will be very happy when they see ND, Clemson, and SEC teams on tv every Saturday.....too bad. I read that the Big 10 Univ. presidents voted 11-3 not to play, but nowhere is it listed as to how anyone voted. Is there any hookey-pooh going on?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Michael, I thought he got better with that in November, but that was a problem early in 2019. I think improving pocket presence is likely No. 1 on his check list of things to accomplish this season, and I think that's a realistic and necessary goal.

Michael from Omaha, NE

2:20

Thanks for your insight, it is especially valuable in a year like this where nobody has had any real access! Should we be concerned with a possible return of Book's pocket jitters? Have you heard any updates on his pocket presence?

Doug, Coeur d Alene Id.

2:19

Miss

Eric Hansen

2:18

I am confident, but I am cheating in that confidence, because I asked Aaron Taylor's opinion. And if anyone knows what a good offensive line should look like, it's him.

ND Harvey South Philly

2:17

Are you very confident in the O-Line, very talented 5. Thank you. Go IRISH!!!!

Eric Hansen

2:17

Doug, Drew White made a believer out of me last year. I expect a big year from him as well.

2:12

Just got word captains are coming out today instead of Wednesday for the question that came about them earlier.

Doug, Coeur d Alene Id.

2:11

Your thoughts on Drew White, I expect a big year. A former STA grad.

Eric Hansen

2:10

I think he's got a bright future and they like him a lot. Once Hainsey and Eichenberg move on (and Josh Lugg after them), he's in that next wave of promising young tackles with Andrew Kristofic, Tosh Baker and Michael Carmody.

Guest

2:06

Mark S. St. Louis, MO

2:05

Hi Eric! I forgot to include my name and city with my question about Quinn Carroll. Here you go...

Guest

2:05

Hi Eric! Curious...do you know the status of OL Quinn Carroll? He was very promising coming into ND and then suffered that bad knee injury. The silence around him makes me concerned that his injury might have been more serious than reported. Do you see him practice full tilt?

Eric Hansen

2:03

Based on my emails, he was embraced by only a very small fraction of the ND fan base. I'm eager to see what Tony Dungy brings.

Frank from st louis

2:03

Is there a reason you can share why Doug Flutie was moved from an analyst position to interviewer on the NBC coverage? To me he was ok but liked to talk about himself a bit much.

Eric Hansen

2:02

That's a question that would have been asked under our old press conference format. We're doing the best we can with Zoom. The assumption is still that he'd be back in time for Florida State on Oct. 10. I'll continue to try to get that question answered.

Robb from Delaplane, Va

2:01

Any word on how Kevin Austin is coming along and is there an update on his projected return.

Eric Hansen

2:00

Rich, hometown please next time. No. ND was already at the 85-scholarship limit. JGH remains on scholarship and will graduate in December.

Rich

2:00

Eric, Do you think the scholarship limit influenced Kelly to push Genmark Heath down the roster thus freeing up a spot. Thanx for all your great work.

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