JotCast | Notre Dame Football LIve Chat | 8/22/2019

Notre Dame Football LIve Chat

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Eric Hansen

I'm out of time for today. Thanks for all the great questions.; We'll be back to do it all over against next Thursday at noon EDT.

2:55

Bigger, more powerful, more agile, better conditioned.

Patrick from Indy

2:54

From an up-close looks perspective being around the student-athletes, does this team look bigger (whether it's from recruiting/Balis strength and conditioning) compared to 4+ years ago?

Eric Hansen

2:54

Two different questions. The answer can be yes to both ... and for now it probably is.

Matt, Nappanee, IN

2:53

I'm curious if you think White will hold onto his potential starting position or if Lamb (probably a higher ceiling) will eventually take over as the 3 down LB?

Eric Hansen

2:53

In college football there are five key metrics, in which championship teams tend to excel: rush offense, pass efficiency, rush defense, total defense and turnover marring.

Pass efficiency and pass offense aren't interchangeable. Pass offense is relatively irrelevant in the formula, Last season, for example, six of the top 15 pass offenses (yards per game) has losing records. .. of the 18 national champs since 2001, only Clemson in 2016 wasn't a top 40 rushing team. .. being one-dimensional, as a passing team, will not get you in the national cc discussion. The 2018 national champs Clemson were 10th in rushing offense.

2:43

Chris, they are two different games and trend different statistically in part because the rules are different in the passing game ... and for other reasons.

Chris from Chicago

2:35

There's been a lot of talk recently regarding the diminishing importance of rushing the ball in the NFL -- particularly, studies have shown that passing is much more efficient, leads to more points, and they even go so far to show that, counter-intuitively, 'establishing the run' isn't necessary for play-action throws to be successful. What are your thoughts on this as it pertains to the college game? I think ND needs to become a more efficient team rushing the ball, but that doesn't mean they have to do it more often -- I don't want them to get bogged down in the concept of 'establishing the run.'

Eric Hansen

2:28

Dale, wherever you come from, Patterson is a starter. Dirksen is not.

Dale

2:27

How come we’re hearing lots about mabry and Patterson but not Dirksen?

Eric Hansen

2:27

The depth chart can and probably will change in the coming months and years. if he keeps working. he has a chance to be relevant. He's already a core player on special teams.

Michael from Chicago

2:26

Thoughts on Bauer not being mentioned in the core LB group?

Eric Hansen

2:25

That's particularly not the case with Keys. Quite the opposite. Haven't seen a lot of drops this month from the other two.

Henry from Stockton

2:25

2) Oftentimes, the problem with the speedy wide receiver, track-type guys, is they have questionable hands. Is that the case with Lenzy, Keys or Wilkens?

Eric Hansen

2:24

Liam Eichenberg, Jafar Armstrong, Chase Claypool, Julian Okwara, Troy Pride Jr., come to mind. I'd put both safeties if Kyle Hamilton didn't exist.

JTap, Abilene, TX

2:23

Besides Book, who is the player ND cannot afford to miss a significant amount of time due to injury?

Eric Hansen

2:23

No. But they'll use tight ends in fullback-type ways.

Jon, Mishawaka IN

2:23

Has ND used a fullback, in the traditional role, in practice?

Eric Hansen

2:22

Ticket sales are getting tougher for everyone. I don't think ND, however, will let the streak go gently into the good night.

Tom from South Bend

2:21

While we are on the subject of tickets, it seems like there is still a surplus of tickets available for most games this year. Is this the year they let the sellout streak end or will they continue giving a bunch of tickets away on days leading up to the games?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hard to come up with off the top of my head, but I'll give it a shot ... consistency in calling targeting penalties, no FCS opponents if you're a power 5 school, giant turkey legs for sale at every stadium (they had them at Air Force in 2013), ... seriously it's a great question. I'd need time to mull it.

Joe from Georgia

2:17

Final week of camp. Big picture question: You are The Czar of CFB. What three things, on ANY aspect of the game, would you modify/eliminate? Recruiting? Administration? Rules? Anythings.

Eric Hansen

2:17

I'd say better than most, including tight end and defensive end. They still need to continue to recruit and develop it at the running back and wide receiver positions.

Rick Dierolf

Hey Eric, how would you rate this team as far a speed goes in the Brian Kelly era?

2:15

Rick Dierolf, Sinking Spring Pa. Hey Eric

Eric Hansen

2:15

Ja'mion Franklin; Jacob Lacey, Jayson Ademilola, Howard Cross.

Jeremy From South Bend

2:13

It seems that the concerns about the depth of the interior defensive line have quieted down alot since the spring. Which role players have risen up since then to alleviate that concern?

Eric Hansen

2:13

Offensive balance is what Chip Long and Brian Kelly prefer. Sometimes the score or the looks that the opposing defense gives you change the formula. There's not a set number that they're trying to achieve in each game of passing attempts.

Matthew from Indianapolis

2:12

How many time a game do you see Ian Book throwing the ball? Hopefully we can establish the running game and get some play action looks early.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Terry Joseph is in charge of the entire defensive backfield, but works mostly with the safeties in individual periods in practice. Todd Lyght coaches the cornerbacks. I know at one point he coached DBS with no help (under Brian VanGorder). He welcomed being able to focus on one position group instead of two.

Pat from Evergreen Colorado

2:07

Eric, Can you talk about the relationship between Lyght and Joseph?

Eric Hansen

2:07

I haven't gauged the anger levels on this, although it came up in a previous chat, and that guys was definitely angry. I've got a Q&A with athletic director Jack Swarbrick running this weekend. That's one of the things we discussed, so stay tuned for that.

Jeff from York, PA

2:05

Eric, I just joined the chat so I hope I'm not asking a question that has been previously asked. Are a lot of people angry at the ticket office for the way they are selling tickets to the USC game? I love ND but I can only come to one game every year because it takes me 12 hours to drive to South Bend. However to see the USC game I have to buy a 3-pack. This is stupid!

Eric Hansen

2:05

I do, and I think he can do it in the passing games as well.

JTap, Abilene, TX

2:05

We hear a lot about Jafar Armstrong being a former sprint champion, but I can’t recall any games where he looked particularly explosive or pulled away from the defense on a long run. Do you think he has that in him?

Eric Hansen

2:05

You are just nervous before the season opener. Strangely, ND doesn't play a team that sacked the QB with any regularity until game 6 against USC (43rd in sacks). Half of its opponents ranked 88th or lower (including Georgia, which stunningly was 100th). I like ND's tackles. I think they're improved, I think all the running backs are good in blitz pickup. I think Book is better in the pocket under pressure. Barring injury, I don't anticipate this being a problem area.

Joe from Williams Bay Wi

1:59

Sorry the offensive line question was from Joe from Williams Bay Wi

Joe

1:59

Eric I am concerned about the play so far of our offensive line protecting in pass pro Granted they are good against two potential all Americans Are you at all concerned or am I just nervous before the opener

Eric Hansen

1:58

Not the broadest, but the greatest ... it's stunning how much better than safety position is in 2019 than it was as recently as 2017. ... the broadest? This team is not a finished product, so there's a chance to get better ... or not.

Ken - Pensacola

1:54

Eric - What's the greatest take-away for this team from camp and practice that you have seen so far?
Thanks - GO IRISH!!!!!!!

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