JotCast | Notre Dame Live Chat March 17, 2021

Notre Dame Live Chat March 17, 2021

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Eric Hansen

1:27

Jim, thanks. The wide array of quarterbacks and wide receivers competing ... and tight ends beyond Michael Mayer, make that chemistry a little more challenging. If ND has a clear No. 1 and 2 QB by the end of spring and some semblance of a WR rotation, that will help going into summer.
Notre Dame will be in summer school, per usual. What will be different than last year, with each passing month, it should be easier for QBs and receivers to go out and throw on their own. Ian Book didn't have that luxury last spring or most of the summer.

Jim from va.

1:23

Eric thanks for all you do.overworked and underpaid. But, like they say to know it all, you need to do it all. With all that, my question. With a new Qb and in a sense new wides and TE how does the coaches and kids get on the same page and throw it to develop that qb and receiver mojo? Spring practice is small, I take it they see each other in the off season, or is there summer classes ie real studies not basketweaving like those other power schools, input any name.

Eric Hansen

1:22

I asked athletic director Jack Swarbrick about that in a recent Q and A, and there was not a special plan to vaccinate student-athletes. Remember, the world changes fast in these areas, and right now vaccines are easier to get than they were just a month ago. Before the end of the semester, I would bet they would be able to at least schedule an appointment, if not get at least one shot. I can't imagine that anyone who wanted one would come back in August without one. As for the prospects for an uninterrupted spring practice, there are no guarantees. Indiana and St. Joseph County are in a very good spot at the moment in terms of infections. Notre Dame is not. The number of estimated active cases today is 172 and rising. There have been more than 1,000 positive tests since school resumes in February. So there is risk. ND football's strong protocols will be tested.

Denny from Liberty Hiil, TX

1:14

Hi Eric and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. It seems things are lining up better to hopefully have a full spring practice schedule. What are you hearing about teams getting COVID vaccinations. It seems likely all players on all teams will have it available well before August. I’m sure it won’t be mandatory. Is there a storyline out there somewhere or what are your feelings how this “play out”?

Eric Hansen

1:13

Chad, thank you. My understanding was that Tony was brought in knowing that this would be temporary. He does have a full plate with the NFL duties. I enjoyed him in the one year (because of COVID) I got to see several games on TV. Until I interview Brees today, I will not have spoken with him since he was a player at Purdue. I'm eager to get a feel for him today.

Chad from Denver

1:06

Eric you are phenomenal at your job. Really appreciate your work over the years. I'm sure you got a few of these questions, but I'll add mine to the pile. Will D. Brees be a good fit in your opinion? I realize you don't watch games at home, like most fans, but with this past season( I assume you had to watch some games on TV because of COVID restrictions) I was interested to get your take. I liked the team of Mike T. and Dungy calling ND games. I was sorry to hear Dungy was being replaced.

Eric Hansen

1:06

My sense is that Clark would have become more aggressive in pursuing more elite prospects had he stayed. His ability to develop players is outstanding. But I think Marcus Freeman has an edge on the trail. So they're both very good at what they do, just in different ways. And the Irish benefit from having them back to back.

1:03

Actually, decent weather day today. Here's how I look at Clark Lea to Marcus Freeman ... that their success will be and is connected. I think they're both very hard workers. Clark had a real eye for diamonds in the rough, and they worked out for him, especially All-American Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He also was all over Prince Kollie before Kollie ascended to a high school Butkus Award winner. Clark stayed true to his more laid-back personality. Freeman is a more dynamic personality, and part of why he is successful swinging for the fences is because Notre Dame has evolved into a consistent top defense under Lea, while Freeman has a strong track record of his own. (more)

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON.

12:54

Hi Eric. Beautiful weather here in the Falls. Hope things are warming up in South Bend. Really looking forward to any news gleaned from spring practice. Is it that simple that Freeman is just a harder working, more dynamic personality than Lea when it comes to recruiting or is Freeman bringing in more athletes who may become vulnerable to classroom standards? There must be guidelines in place that allow ND to decide which players may be at risk but offer anyway. Do you see a higher than usual number of academic casualties as a worry? Thanks so much for your time.

Eric Hansen

12:52

Joe. Have you been hitting the green beer already?

Joe Asbury Pk Nj

12:48

With all the quality players in the Portal ( see Penn State ) should Mike Brey be looking at adding at least 1 or perhaps 2 in your opinion ?

Eric Hansen

12:45

Thanks Steve. If Marcus didn't have a track record of success with those defenses, I could understand the flashbacks. What's important for any defensive coordinator is the ability to evolve. Tenuta couldn't do that (or was too stubborn to perhaps) and he became just another coach. Brian VanGorder was unable to adapt to tempo and spread as well as being unable to replicate Rex Ryan's concepts at the college level. He also had trouble teaching his defense. I think Freeman will modify his scheme to ND's personnel, but overall I would expect a more aggressive approach. Mike Mickens is used to coaching cornerbacks that way.

Steve from Las Vegas

12:36

Love the chats! The past few years Clark Lea seemed to run a bend-but-don't-break style of defense, but from what I have seen Freeman's defense seems to be more aggressive or attack oriented. When I think of aggressive defenses at ND, I have flashbacks to Jon Tenuta and a lot of ineffective blitzes. Will Freeman's results using an aggressive scheme be better?

Eric Hansen

12:36

Lee, here's a stat that should make you feel better and start to answer your question. Of the last 13 college football national champions, eight were quarterbacked by first-year starters and the other five by second-year starters. But your point is Buchner is less experienced than the typical freshman (or first-year starter). If Buchner isn't 1 or 2 this year, than that would indicate there's at least two QBs on the roster better than he is. That is not my expectation. I think he has the talent and smarts to accelerate through his inexperience. I'll let you know if spring practice confirms that or changes my mind.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

12:31

Eric, Tyler Buchner didn't get the opportunity to play many games in high school due to injury and the pandemic. He's not expected to win the starting qb job in 2021 and may not be the number 2 qb. Therefore, it's possible he will not get to play in 2021. However, expectations are that he will be serious contender for the starting job in 2022. Can the Irish go into the 2022 season with a starting qb with such little game experience and compete against Clemson and Oh State?

Eric Hansen

12:28

As far as Dungy, Notre Dame knew and was on board with Drew Brees. That had been worked out a long time ago, before Brees played his last season.

12:26

Jim, thank you, thank you and thank you. I too was impressed with Steve Angeli's poise and maturity on our interview. I don't think the Irish will pursue Drew Allar, who committed to Penn State shortly after Angeli committed to ND. They did extend an offer today to a 2023 quarterback, and that was to Arch Manning of THAT Manning family. That'll be a tough pull. They're looking at some other top QB prospects in that class as well.

Jim Oakwood Ohio

12:18

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Eric. May the luck of the Irish possess you. May the devil fly off with your worries. May God Bless you forever and ever. I liked the Pod of Gold with Steve Angeli ... and was very impressed with his comments which amazed me since he is a high school junior. Do you believe that the Irish will continue to pursue other QB options such as Aller for 2022? I was sorry to see Tony Dungy leave the ND broadcast team. He was insightful and first class. I realize that NBC is also looking out for its Sunday Night Football interests ... but wondered if ND was consulted prior to the decision and whether or not ND has a "veto" before the decision is final? May the Lord keep you in His hand ... and never close his fist too tight.

Eric Hansen

12:17

I think projecting a win total at this stage of the season is much more difficult than in other season, because of so many unknowns. They're not necessarily scary or bad unknowns, but there are a lot of them at at important places -- QB, O-line, pass rush, secondary. And to an extent maximizing the talent at WR should be on that list too. The two position groups where you have very few questions are interior defensive line and running back. So the spring will inform our projections quite a bit. Here's another way to look at it. The other day. I tried to name in my mind the top 20 football players on the team in order. Most years, that's pretty easy. Once, I got to No. 8, it became very difficult for me, not because of lack of talent, but because we need to see in the spring who's growing and getting better.

Jim from Berlin, CT

12:12

Eric, I've seen some early predictions that say the best the Irish can realistically hope for in wins for the upcoming season is nine. That sounds low to me. I know there's a stretch of five games in the middle of the schedule that will basically define our season, but unless the offensive line doesn't jell and our quarterbacks fall apart I believe we can win 10 or 11 games with Cincinnati and North Carolina being the toughest opponents. What say you?

Eric Hansen

12:11

Hi Jacob. I think Mike Tirico makes everyone around him better. I've got a conference call with Drew Brees after the chat, so I'll get a little bit better feel for him then. But there's no body of work yet to go by. I did enjoy Tony Dungy last year. I think your question about a dream broadcast team is a good one, just not one that would resonate with me. I think Mike Tirico is a good start, and then I really enjoy as an analyst someone who knows the game very well, has great anecdotes and who can translate their knowledge into digestible bites than enhances the broadcast for viewers.

Jacob, Hobart, IN

12:07

How do you think Drew Brees and Mike Tirico will do calling ND games this year? Who would be your dream broadcast team for ND games?

Eric Hansen

12:06

Alan, he's pretty advanced, so we're kind of splitting hairs here. But I know he'll push himself to become more well-rounded. I would say blocking and consistency with his assignments would be two things I'd expect him to work on this spring. In terms of Notre Dame getting more out of him (which you didn't ask, but I'll add anyway), I think there's ways to exploit bad matchups and get him free running deep down the middle of the field against certain teams.

Alan from Whiteland, Indiana

12:03

Eric, Michael Mayer is truly a special player. In your opinion, what are the one or two aspects of his game that still need to be improved upon for Mayer to reach his full potential? Thank you for answering my question.

Eric Hansen

12:03

We're off and running.

The chat will move back into weekly mode this week through the end of April.

12:02

Also a friendly reminder to please include your name and hometown with your question.

Here are the rules.