JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 21, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 21, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:10

OK, I'm out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next week during the bye week at the regular time and place -- noon EDT.

3:09

Hi Matt. I get to ask them questions all the time, though not often one-on-one. For me the burning questions change ffrom week to week. There's not one I'm saving, so I'm going to disappoint your with this answer. If there's something on my mind, I ask.

Matt (KC)

3:07

You have been around a lot of football teams, a lot of ND teams, I never played football, but watching from a far, it seems like this team is missing a little bit of "nasty" in it. If you got to sit in a room with Coach Freeman, Coach Golden, and Coach Rees and ask each one question they had to answer completely honestly (not politically), what would it be? If you had to guess what the honest (non-political) answer would be, what do you think they would say?

Eric Hansen

3:07

Bob, I held off on this question as long as I could. I sent an email to someone in the know and it has not yet been returned. If you email me, I will get you the answer as soon as I get a response (ehansen@insidendsports.com).

Bob, Loganville GA

3:06

Eric, Better week this week! I thought TR called a much better game this week and had Pyne been able to hit the easy throws early the game could have been put out of reach by halftime. Finally, a lot of 2 back sets which I think helped the OLine and the passing game.

Do you know where I might be able to listen/watch to the post game press conferences live when ND is on the road?

Eric Hansen

3:05

Larry, I'm going to let you have your say unchallenged, and not that I'm co-signing on any of it. I think three games is too small of a sample size. Where I will challenge you is you make Freeman's focus on recruiting sound like a bad thing? I hope I'm misinterpreting, that, because I that is truly what you meant, you don't understand college football.

Larry, Champions Gate, FL

3:03

Eric, now that you have had 3 games to look at it, are you really surprised at the results given the lack of depth at the offensive skill positions? While I do not doubt Drew Pyne's aptitude or commitment, does anyone remember his performance at the Spring game? I know that there was a lot of pre-season hype about this team's capability due to the coaches comments, but when does any coach say prior to the start or during the season that his team isn't going to very good? Marcus Freeman's maniacal focus on recruiting during the off-season is further evidence of that.

Eric Hansen

3:03

I love what's inside of Drew Pyne, his preparation, mental tougheness and resilience. I have to be convinced that he won't be limited physically when teams take him seriously in a scouting report. So I just gave you a word salad, because I'm not confidence either way. I know a lot of Notre Dame fans hope you are right. I'll have a better answer for you after the BYU game. Promise.

Tom from Toronto

3:00

Hi again, Eric. For what its worth, I think that Drew Pyne is a good quarterback and will grow into an excellent one over the season. It's time to give him a chance. I expect that he will exceed his perceived ceiling and pleasantly surprise a lot of people. Feel free to give your views, or not.

Eric Hansen

3:00

That he wants to transfer to Ohio State? I think it's a matter of adding two and two together and comng up with eight. Might he be frustrated? Sure. But transfer talk at this stage of the season is silly.

Ryan, Caro MI

2:54

Hi Eric. Is there any truth the the Lo Styles transfer rumor?

Eric Hansen

2:54

The unknown for me is how much ND will try to slow the game -- or not. I'll say 24 points for UNC. And yes, the Irish will outscore them (but not by much).

Bill from St Joe, MI

2:53

Eric, looking into Madam Marie’s crystal ball (virtually of course as her crystal ball is located on the boardwalk in Asbury Park a block or so away from the Stone Pony), how points do you see North Carolina scoring this Saturday and do the Irish out score them?

Eric Hansen

2:52

Hi Patrick. To me it's wide receiver and quarterback, and injuries have affected both. For the quarterbacks, it's about developing both Drew Pyne and Steve Angeli. For the wide receiver room, Joe Wilkins, Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie are all capable of helping improve that group as they work their way into earning more reps.

Patrick from Los Angeles

2:50

What position group or groups has fallen the furthest below preseason expectations, and what can lead to improved play by that group(s)?

Eric Hansen

2:48

Hi Tom, I'm good and the family is good. Thanks for asking. Here is the rules regarding challenges, straight from the NCAA rulebook: Each head coach is allowed one challenge per game, which he exercises by requesting a timeout for purposes of instant replay. He may have a second challenge, for a maximum of two, only if the first is successful and he has a timeout available. ... At least under Kelly, there were coaches in the box who helped determine whether a call was worth challenging, although there were times where Kelly was going to do it no matter what anyone else said.

Tom from Toronto

2:45

Hi Eric, I hope that this finds you and your family well. Could you go over the rules regarding challenging a referee's call? In Saturday's game there were two dodgy looking receptions by Cal on their side of the field. They must have thought so, as they were very quick to the line of scrimmage and got both of the next plays off very quickly. If ND wanted to challenge the calls, what would they have to do and when? And what are the consequences of an unsuccessful challenge? I expect that this has to be a quick decision. Do you know how most teams deal with this issue, and in particular, ND? Is there a defensive coach in the press box whose job it is to look out for these things? At his Monday press conference Coach Freeman mentioned that maybe he should have called a time out after one of the receptions. It was shortly after that reception that Cal scored. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:43

To your specific questions. The 2018 and 2020 playoff experiences exposed these truths: ND needs an elite QB and better wide receivers to compete at that level. That and a greater depth of talent throughout the roster. In 2023, ND will have improved its depth of talent ... and will continue to upgrade if recruiting at a high level is constant. The wide receiver room needs more than just 3 or 4 elite recruits in 2023. It needs a couple of really good transfers. As far as the QB, Buchner could be that guy -- or the injury can set him back. Whiffing on an elite 2023 QB hurts, even if Carr reclassifies. It's better for him to come in 2024, I believe. But if ND continues to recruit at a very high level and Freeman grows into the head coaching role (quickly), I feel very good about the prospects in 2024.

2:38

Joey. I love your questions. I don't like how you arrived there. You are assuming the players who will move up the depth chart next year are static in their development and won't improve. That's the essence of college football and why recruiting AND player development are such important components. Rocco Spindler and Billy Schrauth are two intriguing prospects at offensive guard, for instance. Peyton Bowen (if he stays committed) is an elite safety prospect. Guys like Tyson Ford at interior defensive line, Jaylen Sneed at linebacker have star pwoer if they continue to develop. Two really good corners in this class (Gray and Bell). The point is if Freeman continues to recruit the way he has been and develops players the way BK did, then Notre Dame's rosters are going to get increasingly deeper and more talented. (more)

Joey G Philadelphia, Pa

2:29

Hi Eric, Since another year will go by without us winning a National Championship. It's time to look ahead to next season. The roster will lose key players Mayer, Foskey, Joseph, Patterson. I don't see anybody on the current roster who can replace any of them. We also lose Ademilola twins, Hart, Griffith, Bauer. Seems Marcus Freeman's roster will be weaker next year than this year's version. Even if he keeps the current class ,depth will be an issue because these players lack experience.Freeman made a huge mistake this year listening to Rees in regards to the portal at QB & WR. I don't see Freeman being able to hit the 10 win mark at least until 2024. How confident are you about the Notre Dame roster in 2023? And in what year do think Freeman's best shot at the CFP will be?

Eric Hansen

2:29

OK, I am rescinding the no-drinking rule effectively now. ... And I think I understand the spirit of your question. I don't think Marcus is too nice and I don't think the team is too nice, and I actually think it's a good thing when there are no or few discipline problems. Can this team play with more of a badass edge? Absolutely, but I think we started to see that against Cal last week. No?

Patrick, Fort Wayne

2:27

Eric, you should ask for overtime pay this season. There is no point in disparaging this team's performance, they are going to win ugly this year and that's that. My question: Are these guys choir boys? I have not read about any players in hot water, a doghouse or heard of any discipline hand out. This was somewhat of a regular routine with BK. Is Marcus Freeman too nice to win big?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Hi Chuck, and thanks for tuning into the Monday show. You can always watch it the next day if the Monday Night Football game is a conflict. ... I'm really eager to see what Pyne can do this week beyond the safe passes (132 of the 150 passing yards last week were yards after the catch). Tommy Rees told the media last night that had Pyne been able to complete some of the early downfield throws, that the play calls over the balance of the game would have been different. So that makes this week all the more interesting. Tobias, Eli and Holden are all coming. ... and when I asked Al Golden last night about the young linebackers, he said Prince Kollie is very close. .. said he had a great summer and then an inury set him back (concussion), but he is surging again in practice.

CHUCK FROM CLEVELAND "THE LAND"

2:21

Hi Eric. You and Tyler on Mondays are making me more dangerous every week with your insights and strong opinions. You were worth missing some of the Bills opening minutes! Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over & over and expecting a different result. PLs....tell me how I am wrong...no personnel changes, offense looks the same, all O-Lineman played every play vs Cal, Linebackers play slow. Why should we expect different results from our beloved Irish? Also, Pyne needs guys who can go up and catch the ball ( if Rees will allow the plays to be called) so where are Tobias, Eli, Holden? All big guys that may make Pyne more effective? My time is up but thanks for sharing your keen insight on the LB play on Monday, it opened my eyes. We have got playmakers like Kollie & Snead just waiting for their chance. I'm out!

Eric Hansen

2:14

This can't be a real question.

Ray

2:13

Do think ND is considering joining a conference after early season loses?

Eric Hansen

2:12

The most difficult aspect of answering those types of questions in a fair way is that I have no idea whether you're accurately depicting the tone and the details of his take. So taking Mike Goolsby completely out of this, if you were to ask me if Alabama had 60 analysts and ND zero, I would say that is fiction. And if you asked me if Notre Dame is lagging in its administrative commitment to football, I would say that take is outdated. Is there room for improvement? Yes. But I think ND has made strides and is willing to make many more.

2:09

Hi Adam. How can I be the man, when you're the man? Thanks. I definitely think this team is capable of improvement ... as long as it sticks together and pushes through the adversity. I said 10-2 at the beginning of the season. That was based on Tyler Buchner being the quarterback. I really need to see more of Drew Pyne before I'd recalibrate that. If ND wins its next two games. I would feel optimistic that the improvement was real and would continue. As far as Mike Goolsby, I respect his football knowledge quite a bit. He did some writing for me back when I was running Irish Sports Report at the Trib and he also joined us on our old podcast. He's working for a competitor now, which makes your question awkward for me and puts me in a no-win situation. (more)

Adam (Dayton, OH)

2:03

Eric, As always you are the man! A question for the season and for the long term. 1.) I thought the team showed some positive signs against Cal, mainly the offensive line finally getting some push, and Pyne playing a solid second half after a bad start. Do you think this team can continue to grow incrementally into maybe an 8-4 type team? Or were fan expectations completely off...based on the cupboard Kelly left behind, and this is a .500 or worse team? 2.) Big picture. I saw some comments from former ND linebacker Mike Goolsby...basically lamenting the institutional support Notre Dame gets for the football team. He noted that Alabama has 60 support analysts alone, and ND has invested in none. That ND, on some level, still does not want to accept modern football for what it is. What sense do you get based on all of your sources? Does ND have all the institutional support it needs? Or can it be improved as far as resources/investment? If it can be improved, is leadership actually willing to?

Eric Hansen

2:03

Really, three games into a coach's first season and you want to relitigate the hiring?

Steve Findlay Ohio

2:02

Eric, are we witnessing the same problems of a Nebraska type program? I know you and others wanted Marcus but why would any program let alone ND hire Marcus ? He should be at BG or a place like Toledo first, not at ND or LSU or SC

Eric Hansen

2:01

Chris, I don't think it came up with Marcus Saturday/Mnday or with Tommy Rees last night. We are limited to two questions each in the Freeman sessions, so sometimes there's a question on my mind that I'm not able to prioritize and ask. That would have been one I also would have liked to know. Thanks for joining us with a question. Hopefully, I'll have a better answer next time.

Chris, Park Ridge IL

1:56

Eric, has anyone asked MF about his decision to punt with :04 left until halftime against Cal? Seemed to make zero sense to me and the people in my section. Why not throw a Hail Mary on the last play of the half? I asked this question earlier, but not sure if it went through. First time chat here. Thanks for all your great reporting.

Eric Hansen

1:56

I've addressed the linebacker group as a whole a little earlier and in this story: Pondering the logistics of a youth movement at linebacker and beyond at ND ... Bertrand isolated wide on a skill player is not a good matchup — and with no safety help even worse — and that happened a few times early in the Cal game.

1:52

Hi Len. The nuanced part of the PFF blocking grades for individual games may not be as reliable as the overall grades. Let me put it that way. But let's assume they are perfect. Patterson is playing a new position at which he didn't have much practice before getting hurt. And he's playing next to new people. So it's reasonable the more difficult adjustment is seeing those zone assignments through the same set of eyes as Joe Alt and Zeke Correll. YET, those three were the highest-graded offensive players for ND in the game. ... at any position. That's most significant. ... Blake Fisher is extremely talented and probably still swimming in all of the new techniques, standards, etc., of doing things the Hiestand way. Expect improvement ahead. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

Next area for discussion We expected the LBs to be a strength this season. So far less than expected. is there a lack of continuity with so much nickel and dime? Was the cross training at different positions too much to grasp? A combi of those reasons? Something else? Can Bertrand stay with a running back if that RB splits wide? Thanks for hosting as always.

1:43

Hi Eric, Happy for the players and coaches who put so much work in to get a win. A few questions. I checked out the PFF grade for O line run blocking for Cal. PFF does a split between zone blocking and gap blocking. JPat grade overall run grade was 78.0. JPat gap score was 94.3. However his zone score was 53.3. That is a great difference. Is that due to the new position? His foot not being healed? (gap blocking may be more straight ahead) Or something else? Second, the right side gap blocking averaged 50. The left side averaged 92. The right side has aguably the best overall recruit in Blake Fisher. Is BF having a hard time adjusting to the right side?

Eric Hansen

1:43

If bringing seven new faces on to a staff with a new head coach was part of the challenge in 2022, why would mandatory changes -- instead of continuity -- be the proper fix. Who in your mind deserves to go three games into this season? I think you're letting your frustration cloud your judgment, Jay. That's expecially true when it comes to Matt Balis, the director of football performance. Fire him, and he'd have a job at an elite program in a second. I think the criticism of Tommy Rees is warranted. No arguing with the numbers, but I'd like to see what he can do over the balance of this entire season.

1:40

In general, it is very difficult to throw a number out there and answer questions on job security based on that number without any context. A 7-5 record with wins over Clemson and USC and no November losses feels very different from 7-5 and a rough November and no momentum. And what does under the guy mean? Go 12-0 in 2023 or else? Recruiting ties in too, which is one of the reasons Tyrone Willingham only got three years. The 2004 recruiting class may have been the worst in modern Notre Dame history. The 2005 was well on its way to outdoing that one before Charlie Weis minimally mitigated that outcome. (more)

Jay, Granger

1:34

Fair to say that Freeman will be under the gun if ND finishes 7-5 (best case) to under 500 a real possibility. Which coaches will be on the hot seat for him to replace in order to turn around his program. Rees seems obvious what about strength and conditioning? Doing nothing will not be acceptable. Anyone else come to mind?

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