JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 16, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 16, 2022

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Eric Hansen

3:01

I'd like to go into overtime, but have a women's basketball assignment tonight, so need to stop here. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday, yes the day before Thanksgiving, at noon ET.

3:00

Tony, if you've been coming to our website this week, you'd have been deluged with recruiting info. It's been a pretty remarkable week. Kyle Kelly has a recruiting chat at the Insider Lounge on Friday. That should get you caught up.

Tony, Reading MA

2:58

Hey Eric, any recruiting news as far as targets remaining on the board or potential flips either to the Irish or from the Irish? Too early to forecast portal activity?

Eric Hansen

2:58

Sean, I think the short-term journalists found it equally baffling. Maybe having Parker or McCullough in the both would be helpful. I don't think it's the ability or potential of Rees that's been exposed this year. It's the relative inexperience.

Sean-Schaumburg, Il

2:56

Yes, Eric, no question the first time. Here's my question-What is holding up adjusting in-game? Given that Rees has so much autonomy you'd think Parker(previous play-calling experience)or McCullough might offer insights to adjust. You've said Freeman is communicating more with Rees. Saturday was as inexplicable as Okie State. Long-time journalists covering ND said it was baffling.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Bill, the constant stream of three-and-outs made it very difficult on the Irish defense. Agreed. I don't have stats to confound your desire to add slant patterns to the mix, but Pyne's height and no lanes to step into would make those harder to execute than I quick throw to the perimeter, which is my vote.

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:54

Eric, I actually thought Al Golden’s defense did make adjustments at halftime…they limited Navy’s success with the fullback dive play which worked well for the Midshipman in the first half. I lay the team’s second half regression at the feet of the offense…way too many very short possessions putting too much pressure on the defense. I remember earlier this season you mentioning discussions with coaches for whom you have a high opinion with respect to ND’s OC, but I’ve seen one too many second half offensive fades in the past year to retain much confidence in him. Without seeing an end zone view, it would seem to me that successful quick hitting slant patterns mixed with quick outs would have put a significant fear in a defense selling out. So hopefully you don’t come up with stats (and we all know how resourceful you are with stats, and very good at it, which contradict my earlier opinion on the fullback dive.

Eric Hansen

2:53

If Tyree wants to move, that can easily happen in 2023 and probably successfully. I always though Joe Wilkins (who is transferring) needed a shot at corner. If Correll weren't coming back, I'd be curious to see what Spindler or Schrauth might look like at center.

Myliah (El Cerrito, CA)

2:48

Xavier Watts (like Avery Davis before him) seems to have made a good position switch from WR to safety. Are there any other players you'd consider good switch options and what are they? I've always liked the idea of Tyree to slot, though that's not a dramatic shift. I'm thinking of more dramatic shifts...

Eric Hansen

2:48

Rapid answers. 1. The head coach increasingly on both sides of the ball, but he is unable to MICROMANAGE the offense. 2. Yes, have written about it in depth. Not likely, not might it be the best matchup for the Irish anyway. 3) When the mouse on my laptop malfunctions. (Got a new one). 4. Yes. 5. Bucher or transfer. Won't narrow that down further until I know who the transfer is and how Buchner's recovery is going in January.

Matt (KC)

2:45

Rapid fire: 1. Who controls the bigger philosophical offensive adjustments at half time, like run more, pass more, etc., OC or head coach? (meaning is more blame for Navy 2nd half assignable to Coach Rees or was he just following orders?) 2. Is there any real path for ND to get a New year's six game if they beat BC and USC? 3. When you watch a game, what really gets you frustrated, you seem even tempered through bad calls, etc.? 4. Next year, do you think skill positions will be markedly better as a whole even with Mayer leaving? 5. Just your gut, next year who starts at QB, Buchner, Pyne, transfer, freshman?

Eric Hansen

2:44

Adam, I appreciate your question, but I also dislike it and others like it, because we tend to take an anecdotal situation and extrapolate it across the entirety of college football. And why that's difficult is the uniqueness of Notre Dame in the equation, a pattern that could change from year to year and basing way too much on not isolated but certainly not universal instances. Yes the NCAA can't/won't enforce the NIL rules as written. But perhaps conferences or Congress at some point will. ND is confident its recruits will see that Irish players are getting NIL deals without having the money guaranteed. That ND has a top three class with a month to go and the No. 1 class in 2024, maybe they're right. For now. And given Texas A&M's rep for alleged guaranteed NIL money, how's that working out this year? 2) Perception is an important piece in what Marcus' building, because he doesn't have a head coaching track record to lean into. Clemson or USC big? Why can't it be both?

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:36

Eric, my good sir, we appreciate your insight! Read an interesting article from Ari Wasserman on The Athletic...involving the flip of Jaden Rashada from Miami to Florida. A Florida booster and NIL clearly a factor. Ari's take was essentially, "NIL is what it is"...it is legal even and with the NCAA stating it shouldn't be used an inducement...they still don't really care enough to try and enforce that statement (or maybe they are just neutered)...so its not like the "bag man" of the past. I don't think you agree with Ari's take, but NIL and the transfer portal are here. ND admin is aware of their effects. 1.) Do you have any sense to whether ND will be more adaptable than they have been in the past, or do you think they will essentially be "ok" with NIL and the portal having an adverse effect on how ND competes in football? 2.) Say, ND upsets USC in the finale. What will be the "better" win for perception, Clemson or USC? What would 9-3 mean to Marcus Freeman's building of this program?

Eric Hansen

2:36

Hi Sean. Part 1: I'll give you Rees' answer from Tuesday night with regard to the screen pass question:

“Slow screens are hard, because you’re not going to have time with that much pressure. We threw the one to Mike. We threw two to Zo (Lorenzo Styles). Which were kind of that same realm of thought. Get the ball out of his hand. Those perimeter-type screens. Slow screens are extremely tough. You saw the pressure. Imagine having less blockers on a screen than more. You’re going to have a tough time getting those off.”

Part 2: Leaders next year? JD Bertrand, Jack Kiser, Xavier Watts, Blake Fisher, Joe Alt, Logan Diggs are a few who jump out at me in this moment. But January is when they'll start to emerge and there may be new names to emerge.

Sean, Portland OR

2:27

2 part question: Spent some time watching old (Weis era) ND games. Part 1: My immediate takeaway from offense was that their O-Line was vastly inferior to modern ND O-Lines. However, Brady Quinn was a better QB... but more importantly... As faulty as Weis was as a HC, leaky O-Line play was mitigated by excellent use of screens and draws. Is Tommy saving all his screens and draw plays for USC or is there any particular reason why ND doesn't use a team selling out on pass rush against them? Part 2: Who will be the cultural/emotional leaders of the team next year? Team culture prevented this team from folding when it could have, I would love to see this continue to be a strength of the team moving forward (Looking at interviews with Lugg and Lenzy yesterday as an example)

Eric Hansen

2:25

Thanks, Rog. I would if I were them, but remember Navy has the personnel to do it. They do something similar every week, so they're really good at it. They are now sixth nationally in rush defense and 129th in pass-efficiency defense, so they're willing to risk. BC doesn't get a lot of sacks or force many turnovers with their pressure, but they are 30th in tackles for loss, so there's that. USC is the bigger worry with pressure.

Rog from Saint Louis

2:22

Eric, thanks for your analyses of the Navy game. It was amazing to see how the Navy adjustments in the second half totally changed the game. Do you think that BC will employ a lot of pressure like Navy did to disrupt the offense. It definitely worked against the QB, running backs, offensive line, and even the blocking from tight ends.

Eric Hansen

2:20

Boy Len, I must have botched the hell out of that article if that was your takeaway. I don't remember mentioned NIL and it was not a factor with any of the transfers that I can recall, especially since most of them transferred before NIL existed. This pattern of roster management -- kids leaving to find playing time, often with an ND degree in hand, and replenishing with recruits — has been around for a while. If you look at our scholarship chart, you'll see 42% of the 84 scholarship players are the roster have freshman eligibility and 63% have freshman or sophomore eligibility. Early enrollment in large numbers is one way to accelerate the growth curve. ... And I have been to Italy, back when I had living relatives there, and i DO love the food. And the people.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:10

Hi Eric, Traveling in Italy so I missed the Navy Game. You would love the food. I read all the articles you and your colleagues wrote. Unbelievable second half. I saw your article on senior day. It was what I dreaded when I suggested ND was missing players up front to Nil and down the road due to the reasons in your article. How does the staff get young Players to develop quickly ? What resources are needed? Only solution I see to Nil and player attrition issues. Your thoughts as always are appreciated

Eric Hansen

2:09

Thanks, Tom. ... I'll give you an example. With John McNulty coming to down as BC's offensive coordinator, Rees was asked Tuesday night about how much of a sounding board he was for Rees last year. Condensing and paraphrasing the answer. Profoundly. McNulty said in the booth with Rees last year and likely would have been able to collaborate with him on quicker and better answers. Even a coach with Kelly's experience could have altered the problematic play calling (or inflamed it, to be fair). Marcus isn't there yet. He will be someday, but that day was not Saturday.

Tom from Toronto

2:04

Hi Eric, I’ve got to ask. What is a “head-coaching tourniquet” and how could/would it have shown up against Navy? In Sunday’s article you referred to Marcus Freeman’s inability to apply a head-coaching tourniquet as one of the reasons Navy’s strategy to increase the pressure on passing downs and sell out on the runs was successful. It is a beautiful turn of phrase. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:04

Sean, I don't see question here, so I'll let you vent and hope a lit and wish your sister a Happy Belated Birthday!

Sean-Schaumburg, Il

2:03

Eric, I was attending my youngest sister's 40th bday party at The Color Factory at Sears Tower. Very cool immersive sensory experience. I recommend it. I was checking the game on my phone. 35-13 at the half. Cool. Looking good. Complete debacle in the second half. Some writers were saying they hadn't seen such a reversal in play. Really? Doesn't anyone remember the Okie State game? From your/Tyler's show last night it was again the lack of in-game adjustments. It's truly mind-boggling. Tyler had mentioned Golden and inexplicable blitzes(3rd and 15 in The Shoe and other head-scratching decisions). And, I didn't cover the spread. A win that doesn't inspire much confidence and gives BC/USC a template to attack the offense. Again, I'm all for enduring rough games/moments as part of learning. This was a massive step backwards. This one is on the coaches. I'll be in South Bend for BC. Expecting a better game.

Eric Hansen

2:02

Hi Don. I remember Terry more for his Steelers days, mostly playing behind Terry Bradshaw, but in studying my ND history really came to appreciate his college accomplishments. I think Rees will eventually leave for the NFL, not sure it's this year. Brian Mason is going to have some offers at special teams. Deland McCullough could get coordinator offers, the same with Gerad Parker. The one assistant I'm reserving judgment on until the end of the season is D-line coach Al Washington. Might not be fair at this point, but I though Mike Elston had the group playing to a higher standard.

Don in Phoenix

1:55

Eric, 2 games left in the season, hard to believe how fast it goes. Listen to the Hanratty podcast. Glad to hear he is doing well. Interesting comment about the coaching staff and his expectations Freeman will make some changes. Who are likely to go? Remember seeing Hanratty at a golf course and a couple of guys I was with were younger. They were asking if he was any good. I told them he was on the cover of Time and SI in the same week. It was still in the day when Time and SI were still on paper!

Eric Hansen

1:54

At corner, six of the nine have freshman/redshirt freshman eligibility. Bracy is gone, and Cam Hart quite likely too. The may be some portal jumpers at this position group. Christian Gray and Micah Bell are coming in, and Gray will get a long look ... maybe both. If Lewis moved to safety, I'm not sure he'd increase his playing time with that move, especially of Bowen sticks to his commitment.

1:52

Hi Marie. Since I have a working furnace, it's still a great week in South Bend. I think the quick screen game, some misdirection, getting the ball out to the perimeter, sliding protections are all the agenda this week. ... Beyond those you mentioned, really excited about Jaylen Sneed, not so much from what he did in those nine snaps, but that he has worked his way onto the field in a game situation. Tobias Merriweather, Junior Tuihalamaka, the two freshman tight ends and even some guys who haven't played like Billy Schrauth and Tyson Ford. ... As far as DBs, let start with the safeties. There's a chance Griffith, Brown and Joseph are all gone. So your starters would be Henderson and Watts, with only Watts as a backup and with three coming in -- Peyton Bowen, Minich and Shuler. Maybe you swing Barnes over to add some depth. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:42

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Now that Navy has given teams a little bit of a blueprint for how to defend ND, what things do you think the offense should be working on the most in the next two weeks to counter it? It was fun to see some younger players in the game Saturday, who have you seen flash so far this season that you are really excited about for next year? Finally, with the emergence of Ben Morrison and Jaden Mickey and with the cornerbacks in the class coming in, it seems maybe the sophomore class may have been passed by. Do you see Barnes, Riley, or Tucker potentially switching positions to safety? Also do you think Clarence Lewis has a skill set that might be a better fit for safety? As always thanks for your great insights and hosting the chat.

Eric Hansen

1:41

Hi Irish Mike. I think his aspirations are to get to the NFL. Mike Renner's take on our podcast on that subject is worth a listen. I don't think this year is helping him advance his case for being ready for the next job after this season, but the NFL is going to look at different qualities and shortfalls than a college team looking for a head coach.

Irish Mike Altoona, PA

1:39

Hi Eric! As always, thanks for the chat! In your podcast with Tyler, you alluded that Tommy Rees most likely won’t be with the Irish much longer! Do you think he will be fired, take a head coaching position or go to the NFL? I hardly think he is a hot commodity after at best an up and down season with ND.

Eric Hansen

“We felt like we had some stuff that we thought we had in the second half there. We just have to coach it a little better and execute it a little better. I would welcome the challenge if teams want to play us that way. It can be a lot like it was in the first half. The first three touchdowns were against Cover 0. You’re risking a lot there, obviously, as a defensive coach. Guys are going to see it and be aggressive.

“We feel like we have a good plan of how to attack it and how to continue to. You have to get guys down if you’re going to play that way. We would welcome that.”

1:38

Notre Dame showed it could deal with that scheme to a certain extent in the first half. In the second half, not at all. Let me share Rees' answer with you from the Tuesday night media session that might be better than the one I can throw out there:

“They played us similar in the first half. Probably more aggressive and consistent in the second half in terms of eight-man fronts and all-out pressure. It’s a very unique situation. You’re playing a triple-option team. You’re up three scores. They’re trying to get momentum and the ball back.

“I had the chance to talk to their defensive coordinator after the game, and he said, ‘It’s the only call I had left. I felt like it’s the only thing we could do.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think you guys set a record for blitz 0 there in the second half.’ He’s a great guy. He’s a great coach. He does as well as anybody in the country at presenting challenges to offenses with his pressures and his different looks.

(more)

Geoff

Sorry - My home town is Placentia, CA

1:34

Hi Eric, After watching the second half of the Navy game, It seems like the defensive plan for BC and USC will likely be some flavor of loading the box, bringing the house and forcing Pyne to make quick, accurate throws. My questions: Why were Reese/Pyne unable to make this adjustment once it became clear what Navy's strategy was? Do you think that Pyne is capable of that quick decision making and accuracy when under pressure?

Eric Hansen

1:33

Thanks for the feedback on the Monday Night Live show.

1:32

Hi Tom, as of Wednesday the forecast for Saturday is a high of 29 degrees and lows in the teens. A 39% chance of light snow in the evening (after the game). To you football questions. 1) I understand the shotgun there, because if Drew had to drop back to pass, that gives the defense that much more time before the ball is out of his hands. There are times I like the QB under center, but I don't think it would have worked against Navy. Then again, neither did anything the Irish did in the second half ... but it did work in the first. 2) The problems against Navy were not the same problems that were mishandled in either the Marshall or Stanford games. What ND can learn from Navy is how better to deal with teams dialing up pressure. BC isn't as equipped to do that as USC is. In fact, USC has a great pass rush, but they gamble a lot too, and good QBs have made them pay for their aggressiveness. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

1:24

Hi Eric. What is the gametime forecast for Saturday? Snow?? Your game prediction? As my wonderful father used to say "it only takes one 'oh shoot, (I cleaned that up) to wipe out all the atta boys". That pretty much sums up the Navy game for me. Questions: 1) why did we not go under center the entire game after it worked so well against Clemson? Being in the shotgun just gives their blitzers more of a head start to our RB's. Quick hitters from under center give us a better chance to use our strength and it also opens things up for play-action passes. 2) On your MNL show Tyler asked about what they had learned from the Navy game and how it would help going forward. My question is what could they possibly learn from Navy that they should have learned from losses to Marshall and Stanford, two other inferior teams?? Thanks for clearing things up for us and I really enjoy the MNL show and updating us from MF's press conference earlier in the day. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:23

Ronald, I am dropping the no-drinking rule right now just for you.

Ronald Utica, NY

1:23

Eric, Saturday's BC game is the perfect storm for another Senior Day upset . Looks like it will happen, then USC will probably dominate the Irish next week. What bowl game does ND end up in or do they forgo another post season embarrassment and stay home?

Eric Hansen

1:21

To your question about fans, I DO understand their interest. So you're missing two players. Hamilton had missed a bunch of games before that with his injury. A lot of people like me love college football. And one more thing I'll point out. I looked up your hometown on the map. Looks beautiful. Have you ever been in South Bend in December/January? We don't need an excuse to want to get away for a few days to experience some warmer weather and get fired up about football for a few days. Heck, most people would leave SB for a few days in the sun to watch a bridge game.

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