JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 30, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat March 30, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:07

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:06

Mike, This is out of my lane, so please send me an email (ehansen@insidendsports), and I'll try to get an answer for you.

Mike McFadden, Williamsport, PA

3:05

Hi Mr. Eric, Our local Notre Dame Club of Greater Williamsport, PA receives 50 tickets each year for home games. Many of us requested tickets for BYU in Las Vegas. We received none, as in zero, for that game. Currently, the cheapest seats on StubHub is $477 and on Vivid Seats is $665 for BYU. This game is a true home game for ND with 71,835 avaliable tickets. Previously, a few years ago, ND ticket office administration encouraged all ND fans to purchase tickets through Vivid Seats once there is a sellout. What? V.S. is selling them for $200 more then the open market. Can you please explain this Eric? Isn't V.S. forcing ND fans to get our tickets elsewhere? Thanks and GO Irish.

Eric Hansen

3:05

Word is they both helped themselves. Austin didn't redo his 40 or physical testing. He just did the field drills with a QB who was going to make him look good and vice versa. If you're not a sure-fire first-rounder, you don't really have the leverage to just refuse to work out when teams would like to see more of you.

John Clarke from Centralia, IL

3:04

Hi Eric…Kevin Austin and Jack Coan performed very well at the NFL Combine. Not sure why they would want to appear at ND Pro Day. Realistically, could they improve upon their excellent performances? Seems like more downside than upside to me.

Eric Hansen

3:03

Haha I love it.

Dan, Granger, Indiana

3:03

I have not seen a report yet this spring on the hand size of those competing for the starting QB job. Per NFL combine protocol just measure the guys hands and the largest gets the gig. This would relieve a lot of pressure on Coaches Freeman and Rees don't you think.

Eric Hansen

3:03

David, great question, but hard to do in chat format. I'll either do a column on this on late April or you can ask me again at that time. Thanks.

David from Brookline

3:02

Eric, we are now about 5 months into the Freeman Era. What do you find most interesting about how things have changed or stayed the same? What did you think might change that hasn’t? And what additional changes would you suggest if Coach Freeman were looking for your advice? Thanks in advance.

Eric Hansen

3:02

Well I burned my phone-a-friend lifeline already. I'd say Charles Jaguseh is elite O-lineman closest to committing. But you asked about different guys I don't think are as close in their decision process. Of those three, I'd say Freeling is the one I'd feel best about. The allure of Harry Hiestand is going to be powerful with a lot of these guys. Pendleton is coming in for a visit April 8-10. Austin Siereveld is coming this weekend. Freeling is coming for the Blue-Gold Game. Absher is perceived as a North Carolina/ND battle. Hope that helps.

Mark, Spartanburg SC

2:55

NC seems to have a good OL class that could make for some big battles with Clemson. Out of guys like Freeling, Absher, Pendleton which ones do you feel ND has the best chance with?

Eric Hansen

Email me if that was too confusing.

2:49

Given Al Golden's bent for situational football, I think you'll see more nickel and less three linebackers on third down. I also think the rover/sniper may be situational ... Jack Kiser on first and second down, someone else in the red zone perhaps (maybe Jordan Botelho).

2:47

It's the end that's quicker, twitchier, more versatile. This is typcially your best pass rusher, but somone who can also drop into coverage. When you look at the Mike, Will and Rover/Sniper in Clark Lea's and Marcus Freeman's defense, the Mike plays in the middle of the field, has the least challenging coverage responsibilities, plays in traffic. The Will usually lines up on the side of the formation away from the tight end. He plays in space more than the Mike. He also as to be aware of backside containment in case the play flows back his way. His coverage assignments are more challenging. The Rover/Sniper under Lea had to cover a lot of ground and be very versatile in his skill set. He needed to be able to rush the passer, cover tight ends and ideally slot receivers. JOK could do that, so you never had to take a linebacker off the field on third down. (more)

2:41

OK Jim, this is the Football 101 oversimplified version. Nickel is a fifth defensive back who typically plays on obvious passing downs or on most downs against teams that go four and five wide as a rule. I can be a cornerback, safety or on rare occasion a rover if he's as skilled as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The other four positions may evolve a bit under Al Golden, especially the rover, which is now being called the sniper. Let's go next to Vyper. It's the position Isaiah Foskey plays. (more)

Jcricc

2:38

Please briefly describe the function of each of the following defensive positions: Viper, Mike, Will, Rover, and Nickel. Thank you. Jim from Chester, NJ.

Eric Hansen

2:38

Right now he's tag-teaming with Marist Liufau at the Will position. I had him as one of my eight compelling playes to watch this spring going in and he's been compelling. Reshaped his body, grew up mentally and got through somed tough growing pains. Really smart kid. If he's patient, I would characterize his 2022 season as a significant step in the right direction.

Shaun- Boston,MA

2:35

fast forward to January 31,2023. Tell me about Kollie’s 2022 season. Thsnks!

Eric Hansen

2:34

Some possibilities: Jon Sot, the punter coming in from Havard, Chris Salerno at holder (think back to 2014 if you think that's not impractful). We'll have a better sense of more special teammers when they get here in June. STs coordinator Brian Mason is serious about bringing in good ones who have the potential to contribute.

Brian, Wauconda, IL

2:31

It seems that every year there is one walk-on that makes an impact. Any guesses as t who that might be this year?

Eric Hansen

2:31

I think Brian VanGorder's 30 games as defensive coordinator traumatized the fan base to the point that there's always going to be the search for a parallel. Does the coordinator have a moustache? Is he aggressive? There were people early in the season calling Marcus Freeman, "Marcus Van Gorder." I think it's fair to wonder how someone who's been away from college since 2015 and who hasn't been a defensive cordinator since 2005 will do. But I don't see the same red flags, particularly from the players. In 2014, no one but Joe Schmidt could learn the scheme. Golden comes across as a very good teacher. So I am confident there is no BVG trauma awaiting you.

Canadian Irish in Toronto

2:26

Hi Eric, thank you for your continuing insights which are much appreciated. In last week’s chat, you mentioned “situational roles and personnel groups being a big part of Golden’s philosophy. That sounds a little like Brian VanGorder’s approach, which obviously left a lot to be desired. Do you have any concerns about that strategy?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Notre Dame used two backs maybe more than you remember in 2021, and could do so by having one of them shift into the slot in 2022. But given ND's personnel, I don;s see that as markedly different this season.

Patrick from Los Angeles

2:25

With four excellent running backs in the RB room do you believe it may be possible that a two-back set will be used more frequently than it has been in the past?

Eric Hansen

2:24

Hi Joe. I think 10-2 or better would be a pretty good benchmark for season 1, given the schedule and the challenges.

Guest

2:24

Joe H from Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Thanks for all your great work covering the Irish I was wondering what you think would constitute a great first season for Marcus Freeman considering he’s likely facing a more difficult schedule than we played in a while and breaking in a new q-back in Tyler Buchner

Eric Hansen

2:23

Hi Doug, the weather rubber-inner. Notre Dame is well-positioned with elite players at about every offensive position, but the recrutiment that would shift is five-star WR Carnell Tate, who probably is leaning more toward Ohio State at the moment than the Irish.

Doug from Sunny Florida

2:22

Eric, if Dante Moore commits to ND, who on the offensive side do you see committing as a direct result?

Eric Hansen

2:21

Hi Don, we are thrilled to have Kyle on board. His reporting instincts and hustle are outstanding, and he can combine that with really good writing. You're not going to get all the cliches about visits that read like they're coming off a template. ... I think WR is ahead of CB now and has the potential to have the higher ceiling of the two. I expect both to improve between now and August. The two position groups that can't afford a key injury are tight end and quarterback. Tight ends have numbers, but no one in the same universse as Mayer. The long-term loss of either Buchner or Pyne would necessitate a portal plunge.

Don in Phoenix

2:16

Eric, Hope all is well. I am sure you and Tyler are happy to have Kyle on board. Right now the receiver group and defensive backfield especially corners appear to be weaknesses. Which one has the better chance of becoming a strength. The other side is which of the groups that appear to be strong are a player or two of becoming a liability. Hope spring returned!

Eric Hansen

2:16

We're going to be talking to Chris and the safeties Thursday (tomorrow), so I'll be able to update his a little better for you. ... As far as Griffith, he did not stand out on Saturday.

2:15

Hi Paul. When I spoke to Chris O'Leary in February, he was pretty excited about the six safeties on the roster, inluding Watts. And all six played quite a bit in Saturday's media-open practice. This is what Chris had to say abotu Watts in my February interview with him:

“I expect him to compete to play on base downs, but we’re going to find a way to get him on the field,” O’Leary said of the 6-foot, 195-pound junior, “whether that’s on third down or any other way. His skill set is one that needs to be on the field.

“He’s a violent tackler. He’s a natural tackler. He’s competitive. The best part about the safety room right now is the competition. When you look at that group, that’s the first thing that stands out and that’s something we haven’t necessarily had the past couple of years.

“There’s no doubt the competition is going to bring the best out of those guys.”

Paul W : Toronto, Ontario

2:11

Hi Eric. Haven’t heard much about Xavier Watts this spring. Is he settled at safety or is there still the possibility of a move to WR. I thought he played fast and explosive at safety in his brief stints. Houston Griffith never seemed to make big plays. I was hoping Xavier would move up the chart. Is that possible?

Eric Hansen

2:11

Frank, the quietness you perceive may come from that fact there was a dead period in February. As you know, Notre Dame has started hosting unofficial visitors (unpaid) this month. On April 1, official visit season begins for high school juniors and continues through late June before a break. So that's when I think you;ll see more commitments, in that timeline. Remember, ND already has nine and has the nation's No. 1 class in the 2023 cycle.

Frank from Royse City Texas

2:06

Are you hearing of any ND commitments soon? It has been very quiet!!

Eric Hansen

2:06

Robb, I learn more about this every time I talk to Marcus and observe him. There's two things I've confident about when it came to him as a first-year head coach. He's got the leadership part down. He's also smart enough to knwo what he doesn't know and asks questions. Those two things will help him a lot when it comes to those other things -- game management, etc. He is leaning a LOT on Tommy Rees, so you almost have to ask that question in tandem. My answer will be more detailed in August, but I have been impressed with what I have seen so far,

Robb, Edwardsburg

2:00

Eric, thanks as always for the great info. Huge expectations for Coach Freeman this year. Do you think he has the ability to be a great head coach right off the bat or will there be a learning curve for him in terms of game management, clock management, challenging calls, etc?

Eric Hansen

2:00

John, I'm not ready to go there yet. The record is 37.6 points per game by the 1968 Irish. The 2019 team came close (36.8), and that's a team that had Kelly involved and a year when the offensive coordinator was fired (Chip Long). Charlie Weis' 2005 team and a couple of the latter Holtz Era teams were close as well. I'll have a better guestimate in August when we see how much Buchner progresses this summer, what the WR corps looks like and at what tempo ND will play.

John -Palmyra, PA

1:53

With the offensive firepower and Kelly not hamstringing Rees anymore, do you feel this team could threaten the ND single season scoring mark (barring injury)? I really feel ND will have a 1,000 yard receiver (not named Mayer) and two 1,000 yard rushers this season.

Eric Hansen

1:53

Hi Robert. Spring is here for today. I think we're getting a winter/spring hybrid tomorrow. The Bucher I've seen in practice so far is very different from the one I saw last year as a passer. And I think his strengths will continue to build. But in the current snapshot, here's what I see as far as strengths: Arm strength. He can make all the throws. Footwork. Not as apt to tuck and run too early anymore. Better at extending plays. Love his vision. Has guts to make a difficult play. His touch. His decision-making. Weaknesses. Could be more pinpoint in his accuracy. Not overthrows or underthrows, but like pinpointing to the back shoulder, etc. Still needs to progress on his reads. Sometimes that's hard to tell, because it's easy to lock in on Michael Mayer and just throw it to him. Maybe not the classic throwing motion, but I'd leave it alone.

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