Can anyone give any insights on what the OL does during summer workouts to work on their technique and just overall skills? Seems to me that it is not necessarily a good thing that 19 of 24 starters (including kickers as Charlie noted) are returning starters from last year - even if they are supposedly stronger, bigger, faster, etc. What was sorely and obviously missing last year besides aged experience was technique/skill, particularly of the OL. Unless someone had this crew working sleds together, dummies together, chutes together, etc. etc., then my fear is that we'll end up with the same team as last year, doing the same bad things but with more strength/speed. That's not even a moral victory.
IndyEsq | Email | Homepage | 08.09.08 - 11:41 pm | #

Anyone else notice that Darius Fleming is listed as a potential long snapper (along with 10 offensive linemen or so...)

Isn't he a LINEBACKER? Did I miss something?
Nate | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 5:04 am | #

First things first for offensive linemen. They had to get bigger, faster, stronger first and then the basics and techniques are developed in fall camp which was something they failed to do last year.
BigE | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 8:48 am | #

The OL definitely needs to work on technique this fall. Getting Sam Young bigger and stronger is not going to help him when opposing DE's are running right by him. They need to be working on getting the OL in position to make some blocks - which didn't happen enough last year.
Irish83 | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 9:31 am | #

From what I saw last year, our line was physically abused on a regular basis. They were destroyed so badly that it was awful tough to say whether the problem was technique, size, or strength. Well, from what i'm reading, it sounds like they've addressed two of the issues, so why don't we wait until they get on the field before we start tearing them apart.

Granted, I've never played on the offensive line, but it's got to be quicker to fix a technique problem than it is to fix a size/strength issue. I doubt they worked on two of the issues while ignoring the third...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 11:06 am | #

I watched Jonas Gray in the HS state championship in Detroit last year. He didn't have a very good game because his coach had what was possibly the least creative gameplan ever (give it to Jonas every play - only sweeps and dives. Opponents just keyed on him and loaded up the box) and he refused to adjust. However, he clearly head and shoulders above everybody else on the field in terms of athleticism. Watching him, it was clear that he can make an impact as a freshman.
Grant E. | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 11:55 am | #

Nate,
Long snapper is a weird position. It doesn't have to be an o-lineman; in fact, on punt coverage you want someone with speed and the ability to make a tackle, as the long snapper is generally the first one down the field besides the gunners because the punt return unit can't lay a hand on him until he picks his head up. I've often seen LB's and TE's doing the long-snapping on punt team since they are big enough to hold the line but also fast enough to get down the field and cover the return.
WyoMike | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 2:03 pm | #

Jesus to Saint Peter in today's Gospel: "Dive Right In".
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 2:31 pm | #

an offering was made by me today for the sunday mass at the carmelite mission -in carmel california -across the pacificbay- for the NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TEAM , its assistant coaches -and especially charlie weis- it was announced before the MASS STARTED -- the bascilla holds over 200 it was packed - the priest stated a rosary would be said after MASS- NO ONE LEFT-! after the rosary was said silence ! a young 5th grader stood up and said ''god bless notre dame -get sc''good''--------such is the power and mystique of the NOTRE DAME we love
james dougherty | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 4:49 pm | #

Binny,
I can't believe I didn't notice that. That is excellent. Our priest is a big ND fan - I guess he hasn't seen Coach's presser yet, as that is something he would have noted as well. I love life's little parallels.
IndyEsq | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 6:55 pm | #

Anyone else go to the practice today? I went to half of it and missed the final portion, as I had to leave early for a function.

Here's a couple things I noticed...

The entire OL looks noticeably bigger. Duncan was out there with his jersey tucked under his pads, showing off abs! Young and Stewart really look just terrifying, as does Olsen and Trevor Robinson.

Harrison Smith was all over the place. He put a serious lick on Hughes that brought the whole crowd to its feet. He is gonna be exciting this year.

I cannot wait to see Rudolph get on the field. He is every bit of 6'7, if not more. Everyone was marveling at his play. He had some great blocks on people, and it just a freakishly large athlete. He looks like he could put on another 30 lbs. and still be skinny, and is reportedly 250 right now.

Jonas Gray is friggin' huge. I had no idea how big that kid is, but he is a giant ball of muscle. He LOOKS bigger than Hughes.

Ethan Johnson will see that field this year in my opinion. His first step is a thing of beauty, and he is reportedly 275 right now, and looks skinny as well. I don't know if he will be out there at DE or DT, but either way he is gonna make some plays for us I think.

Another pleasant suprise was Kapron Lewis-Moore. That guy is just massive. He is reportedly 6'3-6'4, and looks every bit of 260, if not more. He is another guy who has a really quick step off the line, and can really move.

John Goodman looks really fast. Much faster than I've heard. Quick cuts.

Honestly, though, the guy who suprised me the most was Nate Montana. He throws a really pretty spiral, has a high release, and seemed to be very, very accurate to me. With a big rush on him during one play, he managed his time in the pocket, kept his vision down the field, and threw a spot on throw (really, really perfect) to Deion Walker that went for a TD.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 7:35 pm | #

Great article about Yeatman in today's SBT.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/...326/1021/ Sports
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 8:34 pm | #

Brad -
Thanks for getting me pumped up for this year buddy!!..now im counting the hours til SDSU!!!
U erased the nightmare i had last night - we needed a last minute drive to beat SDSU..i woke up before the game was over so i dont know the outcome lol
im anxious to see the freshman but even more anxious to see how everyone else has improved (?)
my prediction for the season is 9-3...i see a couple games where we should win, but honestly, MSU scares me b/c they seem to have our number...that and for some reason, the purdue game looks like a land mine..and of course, sanchez or not, i dont see us beating USC THIS year...
Frank | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 8:35 pm | #

If the staff doesn't have all the bases covered with this group, it's time to learn rugby. At some point, OL play has got to click. Maybe sooner rather than later?

Anyone else think Weis looked frighteningly humble in that presser? Let's hope he's still crazy enough to put Montana in for 3rd and long at a moment of crisis - and a scripted deep fade to Floyd!
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.10.08 - 9:14 pm | #

What are the chances Mike Anello see's some reps at Cornerback?
Chris | Email | Homepage | 08.11.08 - 8:30 am | #

I'm starting to get that pre-season irrational optimism bug. Someone quick: Say something before I predict 11-1, with a tight loss to SC!

Never mind. No matter what reality says, I always believe we'll be great this time of year. Every so often, my faith is rewarded.

I need a reward soon, though. My teams are the Knicks, The Jets, The Mets, and the Irish. I'm like Job of the sports world.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 08.11.08 - 10:25 am | #

Hal,

Seriously, the Knicks, the Jets and the Mets? You need to get outside the 212 mentality and see some other parts of the country! That or you are a glutton for punishment!! Good luck my man! LOL!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.11.08 - 11:30 am | #

Knoxville,

It hurts, but I've gotta stick with my teams, you know?

The ND Nation guys apparently anticipate a lot of people having a version of my irrational optimism:

Here's their article.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 08.11.08 - 12:32 pm | #

Hal,

Yes I truly understand you got to stick with your teams. I'm originally from the DC area so imagine my pain in being a Nationals fan.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.11.08 - 8:24 pm | #