Positional Previews #10 - Offensive Line

We are kicking off the Notre Dame Football 2009 Positional Previews by counting down 10 positions. You can read about the 10 positions and an explanation of the rankings here. In short, #10 is the position that I am least confident/most worried about heading into the season, while #1 is the position I am most confident/least worried about. Ability, depth, and intangibles all factor in.

Today we start out with #10 - the Offensive Line.

Depth Chart: First, lets go over the depth chart that was released last week at the beginning of fall camp:

Fast Facts:

• 100 combined returning starts on the offensive line is the most in all of Division 1A football (tied with Virginia Tech)
• Avg recruiting star rating on Rivals of the starting unit: 4 stars. One 3 star (Duncan), one 5 star (Young), and the other 3 were 4 stars each.
• 2007 and 2008 were the two worst rushing years in Notre Dame history, based on YPC and total yards.
• Frank Verducci is the new Offensive Line coach, as well as "Run Game Coordinator". His background is as an Offensive Line coach in the NFL most recently, and before at the University of Iowa.

Talent: The talent is clearly there. Recruiting rankings aren't perfect, but on a larger level when applied to groups of players, they definitely can be a solid barometer of talent. Sam Young - all 6 ft 8 and 330 pounds of him - is listed as the #14th overall pick in Todd McShay's early 2010 mock NFL Draft. That would be the highest an ND player has been drafted in quite some time - higher than Brady Quinn even. Trevor Robinson could be the lineman with the most potential of all - including Sam Young. The Nebraskan has a mean streak and early reports of his fall camp work have been nothing short of glowing.

Changes: Frank Verducci - new Offensive Line coach - is known as a technician. He's been instructing

these linemen at a much more granular level of detail than they have been used to with John Latina. As opposed to the "Get tougher!!" constantly being yelled by Latina last year, Verducci might say, "Keep your inside arm closer to your body and weight shifted forward!". He is plenty tough but with more substance and detailed instruction. A change was definitely needed, and Weis even went as far to name Verducci the "Run Game Coordinator". That means Verducci will oversee the RB coach Tony Alford, and be the "run game guru". He will work closely with Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis to make sure the run game is working and fits into Weis's plan. What's not to like about more focus and accountability for the run game amongst the coaches?

While 4 of our top lineman from last year return, there was a change in the starting lineup. Former 2 year starting center Dan Wenger has been pushed to 2nd string, being replaced by former LG Eric Olsen. Chris Stewart moves from starting RG to LG, and sophomore stud Trevor Robinson moves to starting RG spot. This is Verducci and Weis's move to get the best 5 linemen on the field at one time. The move came after lots of film study dissecting/grading the play of each lineman during the winter. So far the move has been positively received by the offense (except for Wenger I suppose).

Depth: Not ideal, but decent. There are unproven players waiting in the wings, but seemingly a solid number of guys with talent. Many of them have been injury prone, or have just been nowhere near the field. Ideally we get backup tackles Matt Romine and Taylor Dever some solid playing time this season, as we lose both starting tackles for next season (both guards will return).

Goals: During the offseason, Coach Weis did a statistical summary of the offenses of BCS caliber programs. The result was that every one of them was above 4.0 yards per carry. This stat is more important than total rushing yards, which can be skewed by play calling strategy,

etc. Can you get 4 yards running the ball on 3rd and short, or on 1st down? BCS programs can answer that question with confidence, while the Irish can't yet. Being in the 2.2YPC range in 2007, followed by 3.3 YPC in 2008, the question is in 2009, can we get to 4.0YPC? That is the magic number. If we can, BCS bowl is the destination. If we cannot, Gator Bowl or worse awaits us. I feel there will be no better indicator for our season than yards per carry.

Continued improvement in pass protection will also be key. With our passing game, we are going to make people spread out and defend our WRs before we run the ball, typically. In 2007, we gave up an NCAA record 58 sacks. In 2008, drastic improvement brought that number down to 22 sacks. This year, the Irish need to get to about 15, and we will be in great shape to protect Jimmy.

Final Analysis: Many people might be surprised that a unit with upper classmen and the most combined returning starts in the country would be ranked as the #10 in the position countdown. The problem is - are returning starters from the two most dismal rushing seasons good? I think the answer is a mixed bag. Experience always, undoubtedly helps. But what makes us think this unit can change this year? So I am pessimistically optimistic I guess . . . hopefully they will prove me wrong.

Position Previews

As training camp is nearing the end of the first week, its time to start digging into the initial depth chart and practice reports and determine the positional strengths and weaknesses of this team. Vatican Smoke is going to dissect and rank 10 different positional groupings. Each will be ranked as to their relative strength/weakness compared to each other, as well as previewed, over the next 3 weeks.

Here are the 10 positional groupings:

• Offensive Line
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Quarterbacks
• Defensive Line
• Linebacker (Freshman 5 star LB Manti Te'o pictured below)
• Safety
• Cornerback
• Kickers

I have ranked each of these positions as to the level of strength and certainty compared to each other, #1-10. #1 is the unit that Coach Weis is most comfortable with heading into the season, and also the one that the Irish have the most talent relative to the rest of college football. I'll be doing a backwards countdown, starting with #10 (the wea

kest) position tomorrow. In addition to the ranking, each post will discuss the likely depth chart of the position, as well as what likely has improved/weakened at the position since last year.

The rankings are not based on importance (Quarterback and line play are always critical), but how comfortable Coach Weis and company are about each position with regards to our opponents and the rest of college football. Skill, depth, experience, and intangibles all factor in.

Most fans will either have a strong opinion on this list, or no opinion - just a casual fan that does not get into player specific details. I intend to give a basic overview that will be at a high enough level for the casual fan to enjoy, but also detailed enough to be dangerous. I will articulate an opinion based on observations from numerous sources - both pro-ND and anti-ND.

Look for the #10 position preview post tomorrow, Friday August 14th. As always, we love to hear your opinion via email or in the comments. And definitely feel free to send our blog along to the next reader. All via the links below each post.

Sabbatical Over: 2009 Season Nears

VaticanSmoke is firing back up after a few months off. Why have I taken time off? Largely because Notre Dame athletics, particularly football, are dormant during the late spring and early summer. The fact that Charlie Weis is on Twitter has definitely been entertaining. Certainly I have been Twittering a decent bit also (my Twitter page here). And I have been doing meth with Jeremy Mayfield.

The timetable for ND Football between now and the opening kickoff on Saturday September 5th at 2:30pm central standard time in South Bend vs. Nevada is pretty simple. Currently, players are all on campus taking summer school. Freshman arrived on June 21st, while the upperclassmen arrived June 22nd. In addition to summer school, the players are working out both in the weight room and on the practice field. Coaches are not allowed to supervise these workouts, which typically include 7 on 7 drills. Then comes August 8th - the first practice of fall camp.

In my mind, summer - the most relaxing and dullest time of the sports year (coincidence?) - begins after July 4th. Each year about this time a few days after the all star game, I come to the realization that the only thing I am really looking forward to in the world of sports is the Irish kicking off in early September. Since kickoff is still 7 weeks and 2 days away, this final quiet before the storm always seems excruciatingly long. Once practice starts in early August, however, the daily practice reports, injury updates, and countless national articles will begin flowing all over the interwebs, getting me my "fix" just like Jeremy Mayfield does in his RV before races.

We'll get into the specifics and predictions for the coming season later. My only current observation is that it's absolutely amazing what a convincing bowl victory can do for a program. I can vouch for this particularly since the Irish last bowl win preceding the 2007 Hawaii Bowl was the 1994 Cotton Bowl(!). The bowl game performance has provided 7 months of fuel for growing confidence and optimism - which more often than not are key ingredients leading up to any successful season. Imagine how much worse we'd feel if the Irish hadn't had such a convincing performance in Hawaii? The pressure and criticism of Weis and the coming season would be much more unbearable than it already is. The bowl game victory has alleviated quite a bit of that pressure, at least until September 5th.

I realize that lots of teams are optimistic in July! And I've been wrongly optimistic before, certainly. However, the key question that must be answered this fall by every college football team that dares to be good is simple: How will your team handle adversity? The answer is something the Irish have lacked the past two years - Maturity. Maturity is the act of merging in game experience and mental fortitude, while having grounded confidence. The Irish have #1, appear to have #3. Do they have #2? Certainly taking your coach to the brink of losing his job over the past two seasons provides the Irish players with experience in tough situations. Whether they have learned from the past two seasons' lessons will tell the story of this 2009 season.

So check back more often, as I plan to post a bit more frequently than quarterly :)

Spring is in the air . . .

Spring is here, and I know this for two reasons. First, my black car is now green with pollen. And second, its going to be 70 degrees and sunny in South Bend, IN, this weekend, a temperature rarely reached until May.

Along with springtime comes spring football, and tomorrow will be the annual Blue Gold game at Notre Dame stadium. The game will be Offense vs Defense (as opposed to two different teams), using a modified stableford-type scoring system. Here are the ways the teams can score:

• Offense - 1 pt for first down, 2pts for 10 yard rush/20 yard pass, 3pts for FG, 6 pts for TD, 1pt for extra point, 2pt for 2pt conversion


• Defense - 2 pts for defensive stop or a sack, 3pts for a 3-an-out or a FG, 6pts for a turnover, 10pts turnover for a TD, 1pt missed extra point, 2pts failed 2pt conversion, 3pts missed FG

Scoring system seems pretty fair, and last year a similar system allowed the game to be decided on the last couple of plays.

Things I would like to see tomorrow:

1. Offense winning - Our defense last season was the best ND defense in 10 years. There are young, talented players that can run at numerous positions. The secondary might be the best since Holtz, and the linebacking core is exciting as well. If the offense can score well on these guys, I will be happy. Particularly given the familiarity our offense has with the defense (guess that goes two ways).


2. Tight End seam routes - ND 's best offense last year was to throw go or fade routes to Golden Tate or Michael Floyd. Eventually defenses caught on that these were the only real weapons we had, and forced us into a shorter passing and running game that we never could capitalize on. Fades and go routes to Floyd and Tate will still be our strength - those plays become more effective with multiple receiving tight ends that can command the safeties attention, allowing one on one coverage for Floyd. Kyle Rudolph (pictured), sophomore returning starter and former #1 ranked TE in the country (2007), as well as 4 star 2007 recruit Mike Ragone, should give the Irish a few speedy options to get safeties' attention.


3. Multiple Tight End formations - Weis's hallmark as an offensive mind is the use of multiple formations, as well as being able to run any type of play (long pass, inside run, etc) from any formation. To do this across the full spectrum, one must employ multiple receiving tight ends. To most defenses, multiple tight ends indicates a running play, whereas Weis loves to throw passes out of running formations and vice versa. The lack of depth at Tight End due to injury and attrition left Weis shorthanded in playcalling. Now with 4 solid division 1 tight ends that can block and catch (2 more freshman this fall too), Weis should be able to get more creative with formations and playcalling.


4. Defensive line pressure - The lack of tackles for a loss or sacks as a defense ranks up there with the running game as major concerns/questions. We have some young talent on the defensive line that should be playing (Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Hafis Williams). I don't want the offensive line to perform poorly, but getting some pressure on the QB is the main focus of the defensive line and the measuring stick for the new defensive line coach Randy Hart.


5. Field Goal Kicking - Accurate kicking under pressure. Brandon Walker finished the season very strong last year after an early to mid season collapse. The Irish are not going to be good enough to avoid pressure kicks at numerous points during the fall. We will win or lose at least one game on this kid's leg, so I hope he is ready.

Prediction: Defense wins a close one, 47 to 44, over the Offense.

I think the defense is going to be a good enough unit next year to win 10 games, but I am not sure the offense will be versatile enough to match that total. Offense will likely be good enough to win 8 games, so my prediction (much later this year) will probably be 8 or 9 wins. Remember, while the defense gave up 38 points to USC, no other opponent scored more than 24 points against the Irish in regulation (Pitt scored 36 in 4 overtimes, and North Carolina scored 7 of its 29 points on the ND offense via turnover). If the Irish can hold teams near 20 - meaning a slight defensive improvement over last year - they will have a great chance to win 8 games.

Defensive MVP: Ethan Johnson or Darrin Walls

Offensive MVP: Armando Allen

More to come next week. This time of the year is a bit slow for posting material, but stay tuned, I have a good slate of ideas for some spring and summer posts.

Coaching Staff Changes

After signing day on February 4th, one of the quietest times of the year for ND football typically follows. The past month there hasn't been too much to talk about, save a few tidbits here and there. Spring Practice started for Coach Weis and the Irish last week, with the biggest news being the new faces on the coaching staff. Here is a good summary, with some interesting news links:

• Offensive Coordinator Mike Haywood leaves to accept Head Coach position at Miami of Ohio. Offensive Coordinator position is effectively held by Charlie Weis, not being replaced.
• Offensive line coach John Latina is out, Frank Verducci is in as the new offensive line coach. He has NFL experience and should mix well with Weis's NFL terminology and offense. Not only is Frank Verducci the Oline coach, but he is also the "Run Game Coordinator", effectively controlling the running as a subset of the Weis offense. I like the devotion to the run game, as running the football will make or break Coach Weis and the Irish.
• Tony Alford has been named running backs coach, partially replacing Mike Haywood who worked with Running Backs. Alford is another high energy guy with experience and all seems well on this hire. Alford has spent the last few years at Louisville.
• Randy Hart has been hired as the new defensive line coach, replacing Jappy Oliver. Hart is a very energetic and tenured college defensive line coach (been at Washington the past 15 years or so), so I am fine with this hire. The defensive line has been our weakest point, so more energy and experience were definitely needed.
• New Graduate assistant and future full time defensive line coach Bryant Young joins the staff. The future Hall of Famer is one of the best linemen in the last 20 years in the NFL, and is great to have back on campus. Can't imagine his experience not being a huge asset for our defensive linemen.
• Jon Tenuta is now the Defensive Coordinator (instead of co-defensive coordinator), and he will be calling defensive plays next year (unlike last year). Corwin Brown is now the defensive backs coach and Associate Head Coach, previously being the Co-Defensive Coordinator with Tenuta. A good summary article here. I like the move because Tenuta is aggressive and is best when he has total control over the defense. Corwin is a former NFL defensive back, so his focus being on the d-backs is great as well.
• Weis will call offensive plays from the sideline. While he reserves the right to change his mind about sideline/pressbox, I think the head coach should be on the field and this is a good move. Many people think a headcoach should not call plays, but I think Weis's core competency of calling plays needs to be utilized.

The two major problems that dominated the coaching staff changes were along the front lines  -  the offensive line and running game, and the defensive line getting more pressure. Verducci as "Run Game Coordinator" hopefully will pay off. His NFL experience (with some college experience) was the obvious reason Weis hired Verducci. Having one person fully focused on the running is definitely a good thing. As for the defensive line, I am not sure how important this hire will be. Whereas the offensive line has plenty of talent that was not producing, the defensive line was under producing due to a lack of talent. Verducci was the more important hire - lets hope he can take a 4 star and above group of experienced lineman and create a running game.

 

More to come next week as we look at the most pressing questions facing the football program this spring.