I feel like the best way to look at what's going on right now in this program is to try and do it in a way that we're looking forward. Obviously we can discuss what has happened that has taken us from a team ranked in the preseason and looking to build on a 10-win season to a team unsure if it can scratch out a 4- or 5-win season at this point. Yikes.
But if you're on board with Babers -- and, frankly, if you're not the concern is even bigger (as in who in the world actually could revive this program) -- then the question is (or questions are) how do we figure this thing out?
With that in mind, a few (or a bunch) of thoughts on the myriad issues this program is struggling with at this point in no particular order:
Offensive line
What we thought we knew: Not sure anyone expected a world beater crew here but the hope was the combination of being decent here and being improved at all the skilled positions would make us better.
Where we were wrong: The Heckel injury hurt but I really don't think anyone saw this group being as bad as they've been in every facet. Terrible blocking the pass, awful run blocking and even when we spend the whole game running up the middle, we still don't have anything going when we try to stretch it out. Just an all-around disaster of a year reminiscent only of the dark days of good ol' GERG.
What can we do? The OL play has been disappointing and it's not one of those positions where a couple freshmen are going to miraculously change everything. To me, we're at the point of needing to at least explore the idea of a new OL coach. I've followed Notre Dame for years and it's amazing the difference -- even with a constant stream of highly regarded recruits -- a good OL coach makes. Twice they've had brutal OL play, changed OL coaches (first with Ed Weriner and second with Harry Heistand) and dramatically changed results in year 1.
I personally think you could argue the OL coach is as important as any coach on the staff outside the head guy. Not a fan of seeing anyone fired but I don't see how you could run it back after this performance barring some sort of miraculous final five games.
Quarterback Play
What we thought we knew: We knew replacing Dungey was no easy task but we were hoping a pure passer might unleash some elements of this offense Dungey struggled with at times. We also thought we knew that devito was a big time passer with an elite arm. Add a good receiving corps and a deep RB corps and we thought we were in really good shape.
Where we were wrong: DeVito has a big arm and can make some beautiful throws. While he's never going to seek out contact like Dungey, he's battled despite playing behind the aforementioned disaster of an offensive line. Beyond that, however, he's struggled. When everything works out -- there's protection, an open receiver and he can step into the throw, then great. It's all good. When things break down, when that primary read isn't there, when he has to attack the middle of the field, when we're in the red zone, when he's moving, when he needs to move within the pocket, when he's running the ball, when he's running the read option ... it's not been pretty.
What can we do? I don't really know but if I'm Dino I'm scouring the grad transfer, juco and h.s. senior markets for someone I feel can come in and compete. At the very least we need a decent backup and, quite frankly, I'm not sold that the struggles TD is having are the kind that get that much better with experience (at this point he's been here 2.5 years -- he's not an 18-year-old true frosh). If Dino is committed to TD as his QB for the rest of this year and going into next, that's his call and far be it from me to question it, but not making every effort to at least have a solid backup at a minimum would be completely irresponsible.
Offensive game plan
What we thought we knew: Babers runs an up-tempo explosive offense that put up big numbers without perfect personnel for three years. Why wouldn't it continue for a fourth?
Where we were wrong: We aren't actually an up-tempo team. There is very little imagination in our running game. We don't run wide often but when we do, there isn't much there. We can't get anything going between the tackles and a read option isn't a read option if the quarterback is never going to keep it. We don't attack the middle of the field with the passing game.
What can we do? I'm not really a fan of banging on playcalling and tend to think it falls more on execution. I can't imagine any substantive changes could happen during a season and I would think the biggest thing that would help would be improved QB play (by devito or someone else) and OL play. How we ended up here in year 4, I don't know, but regardless, if DeVito is our QB going forward we need to approach the run game differently. That read option is just not going to work with him.
Discipline, fundamentals and general execution in all facets
What we thought we knew: Not sure this stuff has necessarily been a hallmark of Dino's teams, per se. Tackling hasn't been great the first three years but it was much better the second half of last season and I think we all hoped it at least wouldn't be a huge issue this year. Special teams has been excellent all three years so we expected that to continue. Penalties haven't been disastrous so even if there was an uptick with a little younger group, it didn't feel like it would be an epidemic.
Where we were wrong: Special Teams have been OK but not as good as they were last year. Even Smzyt has looked out of sync with some of his kicks that have been makes looking pretty ugly. Tackling angles -- even for more veteran plays -- have been consistently brutal, even in wins. Some of those guys are young still so not the end of the world but man, would have thought we'd be better in that department this season. The penalties are downright embarrassing. How Cordy got back on the field after that brutal personal foul in the NC State game is absolutely beyond me.
What can we do? I guess we're young in some spots so theoretically all these things should improve but attention to detail has to improve. I guess if we're moving the ball better and putting up points, some of that would be less noticeable, but damn, it's tough to watch.
I'm out of energy to keep going. In short, this has been an utter disaster and you've got to feel like we need to see some changes. Have to feel like a new OL coach, some competition at QB and some adjustments to the offense would at least be a good place to start. Seems like a lot to fix in a year ...
But if you're on board with Babers -- and, frankly, if you're not the concern is even bigger (as in who in the world actually could revive this program) -- then the question is (or questions are) how do we figure this thing out?
With that in mind, a few (or a bunch) of thoughts on the myriad issues this program is struggling with at this point in no particular order:
Offensive line
What we thought we knew: Not sure anyone expected a world beater crew here but the hope was the combination of being decent here and being improved at all the skilled positions would make us better.
Where we were wrong: The Heckel injury hurt but I really don't think anyone saw this group being as bad as they've been in every facet. Terrible blocking the pass, awful run blocking and even when we spend the whole game running up the middle, we still don't have anything going when we try to stretch it out. Just an all-around disaster of a year reminiscent only of the dark days of good ol' GERG.
What can we do? The OL play has been disappointing and it's not one of those positions where a couple freshmen are going to miraculously change everything. To me, we're at the point of needing to at least explore the idea of a new OL coach. I've followed Notre Dame for years and it's amazing the difference -- even with a constant stream of highly regarded recruits -- a good OL coach makes. Twice they've had brutal OL play, changed OL coaches (first with Ed Weriner and second with Harry Heistand) and dramatically changed results in year 1.
I personally think you could argue the OL coach is as important as any coach on the staff outside the head guy. Not a fan of seeing anyone fired but I don't see how you could run it back after this performance barring some sort of miraculous final five games.
Quarterback Play
What we thought we knew: We knew replacing Dungey was no easy task but we were hoping a pure passer might unleash some elements of this offense Dungey struggled with at times. We also thought we knew that devito was a big time passer with an elite arm. Add a good receiving corps and a deep RB corps and we thought we were in really good shape.
Where we were wrong: DeVito has a big arm and can make some beautiful throws. While he's never going to seek out contact like Dungey, he's battled despite playing behind the aforementioned disaster of an offensive line. Beyond that, however, he's struggled. When everything works out -- there's protection, an open receiver and he can step into the throw, then great. It's all good. When things break down, when that primary read isn't there, when he has to attack the middle of the field, when we're in the red zone, when he's moving, when he needs to move within the pocket, when he's running the ball, when he's running the read option ... it's not been pretty.
What can we do? I don't really know but if I'm Dino I'm scouring the grad transfer, juco and h.s. senior markets for someone I feel can come in and compete. At the very least we need a decent backup and, quite frankly, I'm not sold that the struggles TD is having are the kind that get that much better with experience (at this point he's been here 2.5 years -- he's not an 18-year-old true frosh). If Dino is committed to TD as his QB for the rest of this year and going into next, that's his call and far be it from me to question it, but not making every effort to at least have a solid backup at a minimum would be completely irresponsible.
Offensive game plan
What we thought we knew: Babers runs an up-tempo explosive offense that put up big numbers without perfect personnel for three years. Why wouldn't it continue for a fourth?
Where we were wrong: We aren't actually an up-tempo team. There is very little imagination in our running game. We don't run wide often but when we do, there isn't much there. We can't get anything going between the tackles and a read option isn't a read option if the quarterback is never going to keep it. We don't attack the middle of the field with the passing game.
What can we do? I'm not really a fan of banging on playcalling and tend to think it falls more on execution. I can't imagine any substantive changes could happen during a season and I would think the biggest thing that would help would be improved QB play (by devito or someone else) and OL play. How we ended up here in year 4, I don't know, but regardless, if DeVito is our QB going forward we need to approach the run game differently. That read option is just not going to work with him.
Discipline, fundamentals and general execution in all facets
What we thought we knew: Not sure this stuff has necessarily been a hallmark of Dino's teams, per se. Tackling hasn't been great the first three years but it was much better the second half of last season and I think we all hoped it at least wouldn't be a huge issue this year. Special teams has been excellent all three years so we expected that to continue. Penalties haven't been disastrous so even if there was an uptick with a little younger group, it didn't feel like it would be an epidemic.
Where we were wrong: Special Teams have been OK but not as good as they were last year. Even Smzyt has looked out of sync with some of his kicks that have been makes looking pretty ugly. Tackling angles -- even for more veteran plays -- have been consistently brutal, even in wins. Some of those guys are young still so not the end of the world but man, would have thought we'd be better in that department this season. The penalties are downright embarrassing. How Cordy got back on the field after that brutal personal foul in the NC State game is absolutely beyond me.
What can we do? I guess we're young in some spots so theoretically all these things should improve but attention to detail has to improve. I guess if we're moving the ball better and putting up points, some of that would be less noticeable, but damn, it's tough to watch.
I'm out of energy to keep going. In short, this has been an utter disaster and you've got to feel like we need to see some changes. Have to feel like a new OL coach, some competition at QB and some adjustments to the offense would at least be a good place to start. Seems like a lot to fix in a year ...
