JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 23, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 23, 2020

Eric Hansen

3:01

We have a killer print deadline today because of the holiday, so I have to end it here. Thanks for all the great questions and Happy Holidays to all of you. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:00

KJ. Tell your wife to tell you that ND is not build to win a track meet at this stage of the program evolution. In a couple of years? Maybe. But not on Jan. 1. Happy holidays and thanks for the question.

KJ near the Channel Islands Cali

2:59

Merry Christmas, Eric. Appreciate your work and insights. To beat Alabama, will CBK have to coach differently? Even Nick Saban says (contrary to the old bromide) that offense is what wins in today's game. A strategy to control the game with a running game (even assuming the Irish could do so) would likely not be enough to win a scoring fest. Ian Book is going to have to be willing to throw into tight coverages, understanding there's risk, but it's a necessary part of a winning plan. It's ok to tell me I'm totally off base here. My wife does it all the time.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Matt, I'd rather not answer the question in the context of what someone else on the beat said and whether they've been drinking too much eggnog or not. I think BK plays the best player. Look at running back. He turned that depth chart upside down and started a redshirt freshman, backed up by a true freshman. A freshman tight end is the second-leading receiver on the team and set a school record for receptions for a freshman tight end. He starts a freshman at cornerback and played a freshman safety extensively last year. Freshman Rylie Mills got some meaningful snaps at the interior of the defensive line. If there's a critique, it's why haven't talented receivers consistently developed quickly.

Matt from LA

2:52

Caveat: this is not a BK hate post. I think he’s done tremendous things for ND. But Bryan Driskell made some interesting points recently about BK not giving young players consistent opportunities at the playmaking positions (with some obvious exceptions often due to injuries). One thing I’ve heard about the Belichik/Saban coaching tree is they look for what a player is good at and then put them in a position to succeed. BK seems to look for what a player struggles with and keeps them off the field until they fix the issue. Have you heard these arguments (from Driskell or anyone else) and do you agree or disagree? Thanks for doing this mailbag I Always enjoy reading your insights!

Eric Hansen

2:51

The only linebacker who is really likely not to return is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, so competition is going to be extremely competitive for those linebacker spots. There's still high hopes for Osita.

Tom from Downers Grove

2:50

Speaking of players that we might have forgotten about, how is Osita Ekwonu doing? Is there any update in how he might progress in the larger line backer shuffle we constantly talk about? I'm not saying see the field this season but maybe in the next one?

Eric Hansen

2:49

That's a theory that's being floated. I think it has some merit, but contractually there's a commitment through the 2025 season (January 2026 to be precise).

Steve from Las Vegas

2:47

Do you think that the playoff format of only 4 teams has inadvertently led to the superteams of Bama, Clemson, and OSU? With these 3 teams always dominating the playoff spots, it seems like more and more of the top recruits each year are being funneled to these teams (rich get richer). Do you think expanding the playoff to 8 teams would help with this issue? For example, more teams making playoffs (and getting that national exposure) might spread top recruits out to more teams rather than most of them going to those 3 programs.

Eric Hansen

2:46

Kelly has done that before. He used Michael Floyd with some success in the 2011 bowl game. I am not against that idea.

The Gipper, Mine Hill, NJ

2:46

Merry Christmas and Happy New year, Eric to you and your family! To beat Alabama, we will need every break available. So I look at spoecial teams and see the Tide has their Heisman-hopeful WR Smith returning punts for TDs while ND sticks with a walk-on who raises his hand for a fair catch 99 percent of the time. Edge: Alabama big time. Why not Tyree, Keys, Watts or Lenzy back fielding punts to hopefully get a huge play from special teams just once this season?

Eric Hansen

2:45

Vegas has Clemson as a 14-point favorite if they meet again Jan. 11.

Caleb from Charlotte

2:45

I wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season! Is a healthy Clemson team really 24 points better than ND or did the Irish not play up to their capability?

Eric Hansen

2:44

I'm not familiar with what Saban is doing. I know Clemson is allowing that, though most of them are within driving distance. That was the big issue for ND, most of the players are flying distance. Any travel adds risk. It comes down to risk vs. reward.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

2:43

Marie from Atlanta had the very best question I have seen all season. Great question Marie. Eric, is Saban sending the players home a problem or rather isn't he taking a critical chance here? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:42

Never? Never? NEVER!

Lee from Lancaster, SC

2:42

If Alabama dominates the Irish like Clemson did in the ACC Championship Game, does that confirm that the Irish will never have enough elite players to actually win a national championship?

Eric Hansen

2:42

Dan, your question is an interesting one, but one that doesn't take into account what the player wants to do. I think Javon is ready to take the next step. And you're right, Houston already had another year. So of the 13 players who would have had expiring eligibility, I'd go with Kurt Hinish and possibly Nick McCloud. As a wild card, Aaron Banks actually has two years left, but I think he'd benefit coming back (as Scott Wright indicated) if he could play left tackle next year.

Dan, Belen, New Mexico

2:38

Feliz Navidad Eric! The NCAA has essentially given this year’s athletes a “do-over” year. It got me to thinking who on the Irish roster would most benefit from this mulligan. My candidates would be Houston Griffith on defense, and Javon McKinley on offense. I think Houston still has a year of eligibility, however, I still think an additional would do him a world of good. Who would you select?

Eric Hansen

2:38

Tom, I am beyond blown away by this. That's about the best Christmas present I could hope for.

Tom Raleigh, NC

2:35

Hey Eric, I really don’t have a question for you today. But as the year is coming to a close and I look back, I just wanted to say THANKS for helping make 2020 more bearable for many of us. You are definitely a real pro and a super teacher! Ive learned so much about the game from you, and your insights into strategy, performance, and so many issues on and off the field—definitely gave me the desire to stay optimistic about football and life. God bless you and your family, and best wishes for a great Christmas and even better 2021.

Eric Hansen

2:35

Sean, I am glad that the cliffs in Greensboro are figurative and not literal. Merry Xmas. I mentioned here recently in another question, Clemson certainly had stronger reasons to be motivated, but at some point, as a program, you have to play above those kinds of things. I can't guarantee you what will happen Jan. 1. What I do feel good about assuring you is that Notre Dame will survive it, win or lose, and they'll continue to evolve as a program and they'll be back.

Sean, Greensboro

2:32

First, Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Thank you for doing such a great job this year under trying times.Now, please talk me off the cliff, I do not think I can start the new year with another blowout. Do you think we played so poorly that mentally, we knew we were in the playoffs win or lose? The total collapse is hard to fathom. Thanks so much.

Eric Hansen

2:31

Tom. Thanks for your analysis and your holiday wishes ... and you the same. I think there are two big steps. Recruiting, and I don't mean give up on the three-stars, but more five star talent that are FITS and more depth of talent, particularly elite speed. I think ND is trying to move in that direction. The other is evolving into an offense, once you have that kind of talent, that can be ball control OR uber dynamic, like Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State's.

Tom, Kennesaw, GA

2:29

Eric, first a very blessed and Merry Christmas to you and your family. I would also like to congratulate all the players and the many honors that they have won this season and hopefully more to come. Regardless of the outcome of the Alabama game to make the Playoffs two out of three years is quite an accomplishment and one Irish fans should enjoy. I think the consistent success we have had since the debacle of 2016 shows BK is building a program. However, following the last Clemson game I think it shows we are still on the doorstep trying to get in with the really elite programs, Alabama, Clemson and your Buckeyes. In your opinion what do we have to do to take that next step? And, is it a BIG step or just a little one? Thanks so much for all of the wonderful chats and humorous exchanges you provide us fans. You have talked us off the ledge many times. Have a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!!!

Eric Hansen

2:28

Ty, thanks for the kind words. It's an interesting idea and one that would be good to do in the offseason. It's not just the graduation rates, it's what people are able to do with those degrees. I think something that perhaps is too much of a well-kept secret is how Tom Mendoza of the Mendoza School of Business impacts the lives of former and CURRENT players.

Ty from Godfrey, IL

2:26

Good afternoon Eric. Terrific work time after time. I always look forward to your pointed observations in every article you write. Nearly every athlete, particularly football in this case, state "With a Notre Dame degree and experience, that will take care of my life after football.” (Prince Kollie and many others). 4 and 40 is another statement made frequently. With members of my family and many friends who are graduates of ND. I too believe in what might be called the 4 and 40 "credo". ND graduates seem to take care of members of the ND family. It would be an intriguing read to see what this means in reality. Perhaps the path of life of former football players who have graduated from ND over the last five years. Even more intriguing would be that history when compared to those players graduating from other schools in say the SEC. I know there are studies that show graduation rates of universities, but. . . . . . What is ND football graduation rate when compared with other Big Ten, ACC, and SEC universities?

Eric Hansen

2:25

Charlie, I'm not sure it's been a consistent problem, but with no Lenz/Austin, there's not someone who can consistently run by DBs in coverage. In this game, the way Clemson played coverage and the way it pressured Book contributed to WRs either not getting open or Book not being able to find them. Your assessment of Clemson's game plan was spot on.

Charlie, Medellin, Colombia

2:23

It seems to me that, while there were many mistakes in the ACCCG, the main reason we lost is that Clemson's defensive game plan was to stop the run and contain book from scrambling. Our receivers could not get open, so Book had no one to throw it to. The receivers not getting open has been a consistent issue this year. 1) Do you agree? 2) Do you think the reason is the scheme/routes are too easy to defend (possibly fixable) OR the receivers just aren't good enough (not fixable)?

Eric Hansen

2:23

Mark, Guten Tag und frohe Weihnachten. And thanks for being a part of the chat. I think sideline decorum can be misleading, and kind of fits whatever narrative that game took. Let me give you an example. When Tyrone Willingham was at Notre Dame and he was winning big his first year, his low-key demeanor was compared to Buddha and celebrated. When he started to lose, people began to criticize that same behavior and speculated he was pondering how to improve his gold game during football games. I will say Clemson had more reason to be motivated. Lose, and they likely were out of the playoff, while ND was in win or lose. That's not a pass for what happened. But the sideline isn't always telling.

Mark from Schoainch, Germany

2:17

Good Day and Merry Christmas, Eric. Thanks for the chats; they're awesome. What is your take on Kelly's listless performance on the sideline during the rematch? Compared to Swinney, who was fired up and running around, BK stood there uninterested. Was he is disbelief that his team played so poorly and/or was he STILL trying to figure out how to motivate a team for a major game? Which he has successfully only accomplished once. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:17

Tom, the whole Braden Lenzy situation has to be frustrating for Notre Dame and for Lenzy himself. He's played 134 snaps this year, and it feels more like 10. He didn't play at all in either Clemson game. If you could get the full extent of his talent for Alabama, that would help. But it seems unlikely and a better bet to see that in 2021. And wishing you happy holidays.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

2:14

Eric- Wishing you a Merry Christmas and thank you for the time and energy of the chats. Is Braden Lenzy shut down for the year? If so....should we, as ND fans, expect to see another steady dose of intermediate routes? It seems that is the majority of the passing game. Even when something resembling vertical routes are run, they don’t seem to be the priority. I doubt crossing routes are the key to victory as it won’t keep safeties honest!

Eric Hansen

2:14

Brian a big yes and heck yes to that. And Merry Christmas to you.

Brian Sontchi

2:14

Hello Eric and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Brian from Batavia, IL asks you this > do you believe Rees needs to get more innovative with the play calls on 1st and 2nd down, and especially more so in the red zone? It seemed to me Clemson was ready for just about every play call on those two downs, setting up way too many third and long situations. Thank you for all your articles.

Eric Hansen

2:13

I like the concept, especially with the way you have presented it. Off the top of my head, there is one guy that comes to mind and that's new Arkansas State coach Butch Jones if he'd be willing. He just spent two seasons with Saban at Alabama and had to face him for 5 years as the head coach at Tennessee. He's also very familiar with Kelly's system, having followed him as the head coach at Central Michigan and then Cincinnati.

2:10

Hi Marie. Happy Holidays to you and your family, and I am incredibly optimistic about 2021 ... from a life perspective, not necessarily football. I think BK is pretty involved in at least the planning part of the offense, so Saturday's yuckiness is on him too. I wouldn't like grab the steering wheel from Tommy, but I might have my foot on the driver's ed brake. I am confident Rees will learn from this and he deserve the chance to show what he learned. Yes, teams have brought in consultants before on a short-term basis. I don't think BK has, but he's not averse to asking questions to people he respects. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

2:03

Hi Eric, Happy Holidays to you and your family. It seems that Tommy Rees' inexperience really hurt him in the Clemson game as he was badly out coached. After seeing what happened this past weekend, do you think BK will ramp up his involvement in the offensive planning for the playoff game? Do teams playing in major games at the end of the season ( playoff or New Years six) ever consider hiring outside analysts on a short term consulting basis to help plan for these games? If there was someone available who would be very useful in helping to plan for Alabama, would ND bring them on board for a couple weeks, just to have and extra set of eyes for looking at film, and also to present a different view point particularly if they are very familiar with Alabama? I know there is not much time this year between the end of the season and the playoffs, but typically there is 4-6 weeks so this kind of hire might be more realistic in a normal season. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and fantastic 2021.

Eric Hansen

2:03

Since he went to school there and grew up in Nashville, I'll give Clark the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he's getting into. It's not only his alma mater, it's a job he's dreamed of having. James Franklin won enough there to parlay that gig into the Penn State job. Maybe Clark can do that kind of magic and maybe you'll be right. I admire the guy for trying. And Merry Christmas to you.

Guest

2:01

Bill from Buffalo, NY...Merry Christmas Eric and thank you for allowing us fans to have an outlet for our questions...I wanted your thoughts on Clark Lea leaving for Vanderbilt...On one hand I understand why he is leaving; it's his alma mater, head coaching gig in the SEC but I still think that this is a no win situation...Vanderbilt will never be seen as a power in such a tough conference and even though he will gain experience, I think it will only be a matter of time, just like all of the previous head coaches there, that he will be dismissed at some point...I'm not saying he wont be a good head coach but taking such a difficult job just seems like a cant win job; your thoughts?

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