Seems like the TE is a fast disappearing part of our passing game. Is it Mitch, Leonard, Denbrock,
or all 3? Could help with a QB who has trouble with down field throws.
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Level 1
The lack of offensive productivity is going to burn ND in a game if they don’t get it fixed.
To your point, Leonard really struggles with down the field passing. While I think Denbrock is a decent OC, I’m wondering if the LSU offensive talent made him look way better than he is. If you think about it, he had a QB and two WR’s drafted in the first round this past year. Daniel’s definitely was an X Factor for LSU with being able to extend plays, incredible running ability and also being able to throw down field. While very happy with yesterday’s win, I’m always projecting ahead as to how a ND team can match up against any of the top teams and I think we all would agree is whether the ND offense can keep up and win a shoot out against an elite team? In big past season games where the stakes were raised such as playoffs, ND for whatever reason has struggled to score 20 points in such games. Looking at yesterday’s game, ND had defensive turnovers, GA Tech had many special teams blunders….give credit to ND, but the ND offense struggled to capitalize on those to put the game away earlier. So in conclusion, I’m wondering the same things. Is it Freeman dictating what he wants? Is it Denbrock’s scheme? Is it skill talent? Combination of all? Aside from the NIU fiasco, ND is winning the games they should be, but the slow offensive starts and just the struggle to score against average at best teams is concerning as we are all seeing the same thing so something isn’t passing the eye test and eventually it will bite them at some point.
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Level 2
Was at the GA Tech game - agree with your assessment. Watching them play in person, here are few..
....observations
+ Leonard is elusive; quick & strong, and overall tough kid running the ball - however, avg. QB - primary issue: when the pocket starts to breakdown, he takes his eyes off downfield.
+ Just like last year for Hartman - the receivers struggle to get separation to get open
+ Mitchell Evans is nowhere near the TE he was prior to his ACL injury - looks slow and understandably cautious going over the middle.
+ Price and Love are "beasts" - both are fast and run very hard. (Offensive co-MVPs)
+ Defense plays very fast and athletic (something I have not seen since the Holtz era) - however, still lots of missed tackles on 1st contact.
+ OL looks like they're coming together - Coogan played aggressive; Knapp & Wagner looked solid and getting better each week; Spindler has issues w/pass blocking. Trouble with picking up line stunts.-
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Level 4
We have an issue tackling one on one in open spaces. If I know that, so do opposing teams.
Did we miss Ben more than we like to admit? Too many completey wide open G Tech guys for our own good. Can we go back to Sept 7th, 2024 in our De Lorean and have us a goood old fashion redo? Don't care if it will cause a chain reaction for future events.
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Level 5
We do and will continue to miss him a lot. We had one really good open field tackle that saved a
tutty yesterday. That needs to be our norm which it isn’t. Helps separate an elite defense from a good or decent one.Good teams and QB’s will exploit the hole left by BM being out. It is what is.
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Level 2
Big time.
It's a question of when, not if, for this offense.
Kind of reminds me of when Rocket Ismail played for Notre Dame
Invincibility with no vulnerability-
Level 3
What I was saying yesterday. Our D can still get the job done even with the injuries, but our O has
been bad. My guess is it haunts us with either one more loss to miss the playoffs, or with an embarrassment if we get in.
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Level 4
That's where I am for the rest of the season.
Another slip up or a quick playoff exit.
I'd prefer a playoff opportunity.
Kind of reminds me of when Rocket Ismail played for Notre Dame
Invincibility with no vulnerability
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Level 1
Part of it is the youth of the OL
Remember, opening day, they had a combined total of 6 starts, and the 2 guys who made those starts got hurt early. The TEs have been needed to help out on the blocking.
I also don’t think Evans.is completely healthy, though he’s getting closer each week.
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End of conversation