(no message)
Link: Sophomore WRs Hold Key for Notre Dame Passing Attack
There are so many lineup variations they can use, styles of play, ways of attacking the defense.
They can go big with ESB, Claypool, Boykin (or Mack)
They can go small with Sanders, Finke, and Stepherson
They can go speed with Cam Smith (who Kelly said was the fastest receiver on the team), Stepherson, and Sanders, ESB, or Claypool
They can go semi-big with ESB, McKinley, and Cam Smith.
Just by sheer number of options there is going to be at least 2-3 guys who pop this year.
(no message)
lot of talent on this team. I am excited to see what we can do this year. Lots of new coordinators? Yes, but I feel that lasts years poor performance has all of the players and coaches chomping at the bit to erase the memory of last year and to have a strong year. I believe and I am excited. I would be happy to share some of my optimism with the Kelly bashers, but if ND were to win 10, 11 or 12 games I believe they would say ND won in spite of Brian Kelly and would continue to pine for Saban, Meyer or anybody not named Brian Kelly.
(no message)
old). I think the offense can be really exciting (running first and utilizing the tall receivers and TE's, when teams sell out to stop the run). I think there are good players on defense and I believe a simpler scheme will correct many of the problems of the defense. Special teams should be much better with proven special teams coaching. Go Irish!
(no message)
If he can block well enough to be a 2nd TE/slot WR hybrid, then he will basically be a starter. If he can't do that and they need to bring in Smythe to be the 2nd TE, then Claypool will likely spend most of the year on special teams again.
It will be very interesting to see how ND lines the WRs up this year. In Denbrock's system there were 3 very well defined positions, and guys usually only played one. I have heard that in Long's offense the outside WRs will basically be interchangeable (as opposed to field/boundary). In Long's offense guys like Stepherson and Boykin (who played different positions in Denbrock's offense) can rotate.
(no message)
(no message)
(no message)
Finke and Sanders will play. But those guys are weapons on offense who can do things with the ball. Smythe is just a guy. If they have Claypool, who is one of their best special teams players, and they can't teach him to block well enough to keep Smythe off the field then why have coaches?
It'd be like if they sign this Oweh guy and then two years in it's "well, he can't hold up on the run so I guess we have to play Bonner."
Unacceptable.
Much easier on the wide receivers and easier to pick up. In the previous offense - more on Kelly than Denbrock - there was a lot put on the WR's. Things will be much simpler for them this year which will hopefully let them just make plays and not have to think as much.