sagegrouse
Member
Riley's departure was unfortunate, but maybe to be expected. I watched the 2d half, and I don't remember any problems with pass protection by the OL. That could have been an issue with staying at Duke.
ND /Texas A&M how many synonym phrases are there for poetic justice?
- Thread starter Dopeshop
- Start date
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
I suspect part of it is that our basketball program isn't struggling for relevance. When one "gets away" it's frustrating.
But I'm with you. I don't wish ill will on folx who lined up on the court or field wearing a Duke jersey.
Except for Rasheed Sulaimon. That's my personal issue.
SoCalDukeFan
Member
I have no issue with Riley. However I usually want ND to lose every football game.
Yesterday was an exception. While I am not as negative toward Midnight Mike as most, I still want T A&M to lose every game.
Not sure what I would do if they played unc.
SoCal
Yesterday was an exception. While I am not as negative toward Midnight Mike as most, I still want T A&M to lose every game.
Not sure what I would do if they played unc.
SoCal
King of Defense
Member
I still don't see how Leonard is considered a national championship-caliber QB.
In his last three games at Duke, his completion percentages were 44.4, 43.8 and 39.1.
He can run, sure, but then he takes open-field hits. His runs against A&M seemed labored -- we can't forget that he had a decent offensive line at Duke. (People often forget that one of the keys to Spurrier's last season was that he had an offensive line made up of talented upperclassmen.)
He's fun to watch, and I'll be rooting for him whenever they're not playing USC. But I don't think he'll get the Irish very far in the playoffs. I actually wouldn't be at all shocked if they lost to Georgia Tech.
In his last three games at Duke, his completion percentages were 44.4, 43.8 and 39.1.
He can run, sure, but then he takes open-field hits. His runs against A&M seemed labored -- we can't forget that he had a decent offensive line at Duke. (People often forget that one of the keys to Spurrier's last season was that he had an offensive line made up of talented upperclassmen.)
He's fun to watch, and I'll be rooting for him whenever they're not playing USC. But I don't think he'll get the Irish very far in the playoffs. I actually wouldn't be at all shocked if they lost to Georgia Tech.
Riley is a good young man and great running QB but I don’t see NFL potential. Notre Dame needs him to be a game manager, but it is hard to see that offense being enough to win against the top teams. The rest of Notre Dame’s schedule is very favorable to get to the playoffs though, so the Irish have a chance to have a great season…
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
Well, I never pegged Daniel Jones as NFL talent. Make of that whatever you will.
King of Defense
Member
I can't think of any transfers upon whom I wish ill. I remained a huge fan of Jamal Boykin.
For this year's transfers, I don't root for any of the schools to which they transferred. I like Roach. I don't like Baylor.
For this year's transfers, I don't root for any of the schools to which they transferred. I like Roach. I don't like Baylor.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
It's difficult to be as emotionally invested (positive or negative) when there's this massive flood of transfers. It feels different than it did 20 years ago.
But then what doesn't?
King of Defense
Member
Nor do most Giants fans.
Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
Member
Yeah. I didn't feel like building a punchline off the poor young man.
camion
Member
I did not mention Leonard. ND tampered.
hustleplays
Member
Yes, we must think our betters, our braver, nobler buddies, for doing the dirty work for us.
He's not poor anymore.
CameronBornAndBred
Well-known member
Those "labored" runs also made him the 2nd leading rusher. He did as well as the RBs who solely have that job.
NYBri
Member
Are you suggesting there is logic involved in reactions?
throatybeard
Member
Well he never beat them so why start now?
AtlBluRew
Member
I grew up in Baltimore. 40 years later, I’m still angry!Fellow DC/Baltimore Olds will know what I'm talking about when I say anybody who pulls a Bob Irsay will not be forgiven in this lifetime.
bluedevilwildcats
Member
Wait, that's you NOT building a punchline? You literally laid the foundation.
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Well, he's the starting QB on a national championship contender, so there's that.
His runs against aTm might have seemed labored because they have one of the better defensive front 7 in college football and ND replaced their entire offensive line from last season, starting 2 freshman and 3 sophomores—five guys who had a total of 6 combined starts prior to Saturday. To say that they were concerned about the ability of that green line to hold against perhaps the most talented defensive front they will face this season is an understatement. Leonard threw 30 passes, only 3 of which were longer than 10 yards downfield. Most passes were quick, short routes that didn't require that green offensive line to hold a pocket for very long—Leonard held the ball on average for just over 2 seconds before throwing to a receiver. ND ran the ball a tad more than they threw it.
In other words, Marcus Freeman and his new OC, Mike Denbrock, wanted to simplify the game for their OLine, focusing the offense on quick dink-and-dunk passing and straightforward runs, understanding that Kyle field is a nightmare for opposing teams (highly ranked LSU and Alabama teams have both lost there in recent years, among others) and gets extremely loud, so best to make things as easy as possible for brand new starters. Knowing that ND also has one of the best defenses in the country this season, they likely concluded that in all likelihood the game would require both teams to manage field position and patiently take advantage of any scoring opportunities that came their way, which is exactly how the game played out.
Who knows how the season will play out in the end, but their OLine will never be as inexperienced and in a back-against-the-wall situation as they were on Saturday night. Leaning on their D and being opportunistic on O was the right strategy for the context. They'll be able to open up the offense more as that OLine matures throughout the season.