High school senior Aaron Lynch made our 3-year starting right guard, Trevor Robinson, look like a middle schooler more than once...

 

I know Lynch is super athletic and maybe didn't stick to his assignment and will probably get pushed around a lot, but Robinson should be embarrassed after several of those plays.

I think the OL is better than they looked today, don't think they were a 100% full go.

Great point of view SD. You are thinking like a head coach. That's why a head coach can never be happy after a scrimmage. If the offense had looked great BK would be thinking that his defense wasn't very good and vise versa. Kelly can't feel great that his offense looked out of sync for most of the game. Then again he has to feel great that his defense kept things in check.

 

As for Lynch and Robinson, guards are built to be run blockers, or take on DT's(usually powerful but not fast) and keep a clean right center or left center of the pocket. There are very few guards that could deal with the speed of Lynch. Now a RG should be able to stuff a guy like Lynch against the run, but if he uses is rare agility to defeat the block Lynch can beat any RG IMO.

 

I give more credit to Lynch than I blame Robinson. Your point is very good.

Edited April 17, 201114 yr by FaithInIrishForever

Agreed with Faith. That had more to do with Lynch showing his chops than Robinson being a chump. He has the speed to beat tackles off the edge - no wonder a guard struggled with him, no matter how experienced he is. I also don't bag on the Oline too much in this game, as continuity is a big part of blocking success, and this was a rotating door all day.

Aaron looked good today for sure and I don't want to say Trevor was doging it. But a local talk show host in portland that was a former all american from BYU always gives a honest inside to spring games etc. He told a story last week, and said in the spring game it was a known deal like lets get this over with, its a practice. The upper class just go threw the motions and the Frosh etc have there ass on fire..

I can kinda agree with that, Aaron went all out and I wont speak for for Trevor but Aaron went all out.

 

That said WOW Aaron is a bad frickin ass

what was Aaron's final line? last i checked it was like 8 tkls and 3 tfl. Talk about production!

Another thing I like is going against guys like Lynch every day will help us prepare for the service academy teams who typically have smaller, quicker DLs and give us fits every year.

The OL will adjust and in the end become much better from practicing against guys like Lynch.

...he'll see significant snaps against Southern Florida and will be starting against Michigan.

 

What I loved most of all, he didn't try to run around people, he went through them - quick and powerful. Most impressive potential in a ND lineman I've seen probably since Browner.

I look at it as a double positive. Last year, the OL came together nicely and was pretty stout at the end of the season. If the D-Line can have the success they had against them, that bodes well for the D-line to be something special this season.

 

Plus, Lynch is a pretty good weapon against a guy like Denard Robinson. He could run around Ethan Johnson all day. That won't be so easy against someone like Lynch.

After hearing Kelly's comments about Lynch's performance, I don't think he'll push him into a starter's role that soon, as most everything out of his mouth was tempering expectations because of Aaron's youth and inexperience, but he will have a distinct role on this team. Definite 3rd down guy, definitely see him being a guy they lean on against mobile QBs, and prolly the 1st man in at end. I used to think that was Kona's distinction, but Aaron showed he can make an impact against the run despite lacking the girth some of our other ends possess. The eyeballs saw a guy who could start for us, but then again, I'm not sure Johnson or Lewis-Moore played more than a handful of snaps, so there's not much we can go off of in comparison.

 

If there's anyone we we "discovered" after yesterday, its Aaron Lynch. Best comment I read about him is the only thing that could stop Aaron and the ascent of his career at ND is Aaron. Johnson and Lewis-Moore are good, no question, but Aaron does have the ability to beat one of them out. The question is can he show that ability consistently, and within the confines of a disciplined defense enough to unseat him? Guess we'll have to find out - and even if he doesn't in 2011, there's no shame in playing 2nd fiddle to multi year starters while being an EE frosh.

Agreed Calves. I think Lynch has to be on the field in 3rd and long and obvious passing situations. I'd like our experienced bigger guys to hold the line in the 3-4 because they are bigger and stronger at this point. But a year or so with the weights for Lynch and if he stays humble he's an All-American Candidate. He is so blessed with talent.

 

Go Irish

What if Aaron comes back from summer and is another 5-10 lbs heavier and got faster? Best quote I heard about Aaron during the live feed was, "It's going to be really hard to keep Lynch off the field." I agree with that 100%. Lynch is an absolute monster. I think the coaching staff is trying to keep his head from getting too big, and expectations kind of low because he is a true freshman. But in the coaches meetings I'm sure the "So now what do we do with Aaron?" conversations are coming up. This kid can be the top freshman in the country if we let him.

I was a little concerned when watching the game because it almost looked like the Charlie Weis teams that aren't physical. But then I realized those were 2nd and 3rd string guys out there with the 1st and 2nd stringers playing somewhat reserved to not get potentially injured...

 

I think we'll be fine

I don't think Lynch will be a "starter" at all this year unless EJ or KLM get injured. Kelly is going to want to keep holding that out in front of Lynch as something to work toward.

 

However, I do think there will be games when Lynch plays more than EJ as a "backup," assuming his technique and conditioning are up to it.

 

I agree that Michigan would be a great game to see a lot of Lynch. Their OL is not huge and we'll need people who are fast enough to deal with Denard Robinson. Lynch has to show discipline, though. There was one play in the BG game where he crashed hard down the line on Jonas Gray and made the tackle from behind. A running QB would have pulled the ball and ran right through the gap Lynch just left for a huge gain.

not to pour cold water here but lynch still plays way too "up!" he is too high coming out of his stance. that is not gonna fly over a full season against experienced o-linemen. yes, he can still makes some plays here and there on pure athleticism/speed but he is nowhere near ready to supplant KLM or johnson.

 

now, he is super impressive, no doubt. his future is beyond bright. but he needs lots more coaching for him the be the AA-caliber player we think he can be...

You all are over analyzing! Accept the fact that our defense just got better! Also, don't be surprised when #5 plays early and often! Ishaq and Tuitt will see the field a lot too. ND's recruiting just caught up with the old school hype that we've had for years. Be happy and enjoy!

I look at it as a double positive. Last year, the OL came together nicely and was pretty stout at the end of the season. If the D-Line can have the success they had against them, that bodes well for the D-line to be something special this season.

 

Plus, Lynch is a pretty good weapon against a guy like Denard Robinson. He could run around Ethan Johnson all day. That won't be so easy against someone like Lynch.

 

Oh really? So Lynch is the savior of the world against Denard Robinson? Hmm.. If i recall correctly, Robinson ran around the WHOLE defense last season and not just one player.

I don't think Lynch will be a "starter" at all this year unless EJ or KLM get injured. Kelly is going to want to keep holding that out in front of Lynch as something to work toward.

 

However, I do think there will be games when Lynch plays more than EJ as a "backup," assuming his technique and conditioning are up to it..

 

Lynch has a great first step, but there were also times he got hooked and pushed by the offensive line as well. If I can get a copy of the game, I'll post some clips.

 

That being said, on 3rd and long situations, he's going to be effective.

...he'll see significant snaps against Southern Florida and will be starting against Michigan.

 

What I loved most of all, he didn't try to run around people, he went through them - quick and powerful. Most impressive potential in a ND lineman I've seen probably since Browner.

 

This was a glorified practice, saying he will be starting over either EJ or KLM is just plain wrong. These guys didn't play more than 8 plays in the scrimmage for a reason... Um because they have their positions on lock. Lynch will be a very good situational pass rusher but don't think for a second that he will start at DE over some very good seniors. It's amazing what silly conclusions some make after the spring game.

 

Last year Nate Montana was the MVP on O and Steve Filer was the MVP on D, what have they done? Now I'm not saying Lynch is similar to filer or montana because he is clearly one talented guy, just saying this game means nothing as far as fall production. Yes Lynch is athletic, yes he can rush the passer, but to say he will somehow magically pass EJ or KLM in ability to stop the run and maintain gap responsibility in this defensive structure is just plain wrong.

 

As far as Trevor Robinson, he was playing almost every single play on both the Blue and GOld teams, obviously by the end he was dead tired, I don't think Lynch would be able to do this type of thing to him in a real game and it's unfair to Robinson to isolate this one play.

 

Nix is another guy, like lynch who flat out dominated in this game. Do i think he will be able to do this on a consistent basis? No, because he will have to maintain a conditioning level that he hasn't seen yet. But both showed they have potential and talent to become dominant players in the coming years. I expect Nix to be a great run stopper and Lynch to be a great pass rusher this year for us but I think it'd be much easier for Nix to start than Lynch to start.

 

SRs are the one's who win games, take Ian williams for example. He made it possible for the team to redshirt Nix. Lynch is too good to redshirt but EJ and KLM are going to make it possible for the coaches to not worry about relying on Lynch to be an every down DLineman and to use him in pass rushing only.

 

Feel free to disagree.

I don't think Lynch will be a "starter" at all this year unless EJ or KLM get injured. Kelly is going to want to keep holding that out in front of Lynch as something to work toward.

 

However, I do think there will be games when Lynch plays more than EJ as a "backup," assuming his technique and conditioning are up to it.

 

I agree that Michigan would be a great game to see a lot of Lynch. Their OL is not huge and we'll need people who are fast enough to deal with Denard Robinson. Lynch has to show discipline, though. There was one play in the BG game where he crashed hard down the line on Jonas Gray and made the tackle from behind. A running QB would have pulled the ball and ran right through the gap Lynch just left for a huge gain.

 

Wrong, EJ maintains his gaps and plays much more powerfully than Lynch against the run. Just because Lynch had a good spring game doesn't mean he will play more snaps than a Senior 300lbs EJ who's been our best pass rushing dlineman until lynch arrived and will continue to be a good pass rusher. Lynch will be in on pass rushing situations alongside EJ, not to replace EJ I don't understand this tendancy to put EJ on the bench on this board. EJ, Nix/Cwynar/Hafis, KLM on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and longs. Lynch, EJ, KLM, bringing Fleming or Shembo on passing downs.