Just as soon as it began, spring practice concluded last Saturday for the Notre Dame football team, with a somewhat uneventful game that ended up with a 17-7 Blue victory over the Gold. We learned a lot of things about the upcoming Irish football team--they are good at quarterback and the running backs are as talented as they’ve had in at least a decade--but there are questions that continue to loom over them like dark clouds on the horizon. To be fair, spring practice isn’t the type of exercise that is going to provide hard fast solutions to all the problems facing a football team, and there is certainly plenty of time for players and coaches to improve the situation.
Here is a look at some of the most pressing concerns for the 2016 version …show more content…
Tranquill has proven to be dependable while in the lineup, has shown to be a solid tackler and a leader in the locker room. Yes, he’s got some deficiencies when it comes to playing on the hash and keeping up with speedy receivers, but his versatility in the defense and strength against the run can mitigate that, especially at the strong safety spot that doesn’t emphasize deep coverage. But, he’s torn two ACL’s in consecutive seasons, both on non-contact plays. It’s hard to count on him as an every down player given his injury …show more content…
The struggles of the tight ends last year were an often talked about topic and was the troubling feature of an offense that was otherwise fantastic. Fortunately, the struggles were not without explanation; Durham Smythe was lost to injury in the second game, Aliz’e Jones was a true freshman and Nic Weisher was still in his developmental stages. The unit did what it could to make an impact in games, but a school that has recently been known as “Tight End U” expects more from that position grouping, especially given the talent that is available to them.
The reports from spring practice regarding this group brought more of the same, which is somewhat troubling. Smythe had trouble gaining separation from defensive backs during team and one on one receiving drills and was not the type of blocker you want from the starting in-line tight end. It’s a little early to judge him as he recovers from torn knee ligaments and shoulder surgery from the fall, which is sure to have stunted his development, but he remains a question heading into fall
Here is a look at some of the most pressing concerns for the 2016 version …show more content…
Tranquill has proven to be dependable while in the lineup, has shown to be a solid tackler and a leader in the locker room. Yes, he’s got some deficiencies when it comes to playing on the hash and keeping up with speedy receivers, but his versatility in the defense and strength against the run can mitigate that, especially at the strong safety spot that doesn’t emphasize deep coverage. But, he’s torn two ACL’s in consecutive seasons, both on non-contact plays. It’s hard to count on him as an every down player given his injury …show more content…
The struggles of the tight ends last year were an often talked about topic and was the troubling feature of an offense that was otherwise fantastic. Fortunately, the struggles were not without explanation; Durham Smythe was lost to injury in the second game, Aliz’e Jones was a true freshman and Nic Weisher was still in his developmental stages. The unit did what it could to make an impact in games, but a school that has recently been known as “Tight End U” expects more from that position grouping, especially given the talent that is available to them.
The reports from spring practice regarding this group brought more of the same, which is somewhat troubling. Smythe had trouble gaining separation from defensive backs during team and one on one receiving drills and was not the type of blocker you want from the starting in-line tight end. It’s a little early to judge him as he recovers from torn knee ligaments and shoulder surgery from the fall, which is sure to have stunted his development, but he remains a question heading into fall