I don't know if anyone caught it but Urban Meyer said the skill positions at ND were not keeping up with the Bama skill positions. I was thinking the same thing the way McCarron killed us throwing to wide open receivers. He made it look easy. McCarron looked terrible against UGA. They have NFL speed at LB and DB.

 

Safety needs to be upgraded speedwise. I'd love to see Slaughter back who has very good speed. Also, Redfield is a difference maker I would like to see the field next year.

 

I like our CB speed. They just need experience.

 

I would like to see an upgrade at the LB position speed too. Maybe Jaylon Smith will be ready to play. I really like Councell (if he can "get it") on the field at the same time with Jaylon. At the MLB positions too. I don't know how fast Grace is but I know Anzalone has good speed for a middle linebacker.

 

The key is for the linebackers to be able to handle the run and the pass. I don't think Fox/Calabrese/Spond/Shembo are there. Maybe they can get there. But as of today, they are obviously good at one but a liability at the other. Shembo is great at rushing the QB but does he ever make a tackle against the run? I think he is a liability in coverage too. Fox is ok against the pass but a liability against the run. Carlo is excellant against the run but a liability against the pass. I feel Spond was playing because Councell did not get it. I don't feel Spond was excellent against either the run or the pass but was ok at both. Councell is a superior athlete and needs to step up. I know everyone assumes Smith will come in and play DOG but I really think Diaco would like to stop being so obvious with assignments. In other words, I think he would like the DOG and the CAT position to be able to play the run or the pass or rush the passer. The speed of Councell and Smith at the outside positions would benefit both the pass rush and pass coverage and make it difficult to run outside. Just my opinion... I could be wrong.

 

Dline with Tuitt/Nix/Day/Springman/Jarron Jones/Rochel is fine. Vanderdoes would be a huge help in the speed of the Dline but I am not getting my hopes up.

 

I am not worried about the offense, I feel Davonte Neal and Chris Brown will provide the needed speed increase on offense. Plus I really like TJ and Daniels.

 

At RB, GAIII, Amir Carlisle, Folston, and Bryant will be plenty of speed. Our TE need to be able to play tall next year ... Welch, Hercules, Koyack.

You lost me at Urban Meyer said

Your DBs were fine. They got burned when Bama receivers made their cuts. That's an experience issue.

 

The linebackers did not play well. The D-Line needs depth big time.

I think our biggest need is a #1 RB, Bama has 2, as impressive as Bama oline looked, Nix and Tuitt and the LB's got into the backfield they just could not bring down the backs. Wood looked slow, theo never really got a chance last night but did have a couple decent runs. Maybe Bryant can be a number 1? We have a bunch of backup rb's on this roster sorry to say.

I don't know if anyone caught it but Urban Meyer said the skill positions at ND were not keeping up with the Bama skill positions. I was thinking the same thing the way McCarron killed us throwing to wide open receivers. He made it look easy. McCarron looked terrible against UGA. They have NFL speed at LB and DB.

 

Safety needs to be upgraded speedwise. I'd love to see Slaughter back who has very good speed. Also, Redfield is a difference maker I would like to see the field next year.

 

I like our CB speed. They just need experience.

 

I would like to see an upgrade at the LB position speed too. Maybe Jaylon Smith will be ready to play. I really like Councell (if he can "get it") on the field at the same time with Jaylon. At the MLB positions too. I don't know how fast Grace is but I know Anzalone has good speed for a middle linebacker.

 

The key is for the linebackers to be able to handle the run and the pass. I don't think Fox/Calabrese/Spond/Shembo are there. Maybe they can get there. But as of today, they are obviously good at one but a liability at the other. Shembo is great at rushing the QB but does he ever make a tackle against the run? I think he is a liability in coverage too. Fox is ok against the pass but a liability against the run. Carlo is excellant against the run but a liability against the pass. I feel Spond was playing because Councell did not get it. I don't feel Spond was excellent against either the run or the pass but was ok at both. Councell is a superior athlete and needs to step up. I know everyone assumes Smith will come in and play DOG but I really think Diaco would like to stop being so obvious with assignments. In other words, I think he would like the DOG and the CAT position to be able to play the run or the pass or rush the passer. The speed of Councell and Smith at the outside positions would benefit both the pass rush and pass coverage and make it difficult to run outside. Just my opinion... I could be wrong.

 

Dline with Tuitt/Nix/Day/Springman/Jarron Jones/Rochel is fine. Vanderdoes would be a huge help in the speed of the Dline but I am not getting my hopes up.

 

I am not worried about the offense, I feel Davonte Neal and Chris Brown will provide the needed speed increase on offense. Plus I really like TJ and Daniels.

 

At RB, GAIII, Amir Carlisle, Folston, and Bryant will be plenty of speed. Our TE need to be able to play tall next year ... Welch, Hercules, Koyack.

 

After fielding punts all year... he looked STUPID back there last night.

I would love to have Slaughter and Redfield starting at the safety spots because a guy like Cooper is going to beat Farley and Motta every play. Motta a guy who Mayock said could as early as the third round killed any chance for that happening to him. Everytime you see a missed tackle 17 was there, he played god awful. Missed tackles, brutal angles, he just looked bad. Farley isn't a bad player but probably very far off in talent wise when you bring in a guy like Redfield. Linebackers speed killed us. I was all for bringing back the leadership of a Fox and Carlo but it's obvious they can't play with these guys. You put Jaylon and Anzalone in and speed is no longer a factor. Spond looked real slow too.

I would love to have Slaughter and Redfield starting at the safety spots because a guy like Cooper is going to beat Farley and Motta every play. Motta a guy who Mayock said could as early as the third round killed any chance for that happening to him. Everytime you see a missed tackle 17 was there, he played god awful. Missed tackles, brutal angles, he just looked bad. Farley isn't a bad player but probably very far off in talent wise when you bring in a guy like Redfield. Linebackers speed killed us. I was all for bringing back the leadership of a Fox and Carlo but it's obvious they can't play with these guys. You put Jaylon and Anzalone in and speed is no longer a factor. Spond looked real slow too.

 

Agreed. He might have been a 3rd round pick before that game, after? He'll be lucky to be drafted.

 

Manti might have also lost himself 10-15 spots in the draft. He went from a guaranteed top 10 pick to slipping to the late teens, twenties...

Speed was rarely a factor. It was blown coverages because of an inexperienced secondary, and missed tackles because of a mentally dazed team.

 

On offense, the speed of our skill players was more than adequate. A recently injured DaVaris Daniels was burning their first-round draft QBs. But we desperately miss the bruising running of a Jonas Gray or Robert Hughes. Hopefully Mahone can add that dimension next year.

Not sure - but did the coachs possibly have these guys making the wrong reads/base formation like they did against Navy a few years ago.

Does Notre Dame have any hybrid defenders? That's become a staple in the SEC.

 

You see a lot of 4-5 defenses (differs from a Nickel). Basically, this and variations the 3-4 defenses use are where you add a hybrid player instead of a true defensive back. You bring in a linebacker / safety hybrid player. They don't have long cover speed (IE they aren't covering the deep routes vs. speedsters). They've typically got good short and underneath coverage- better than a traditional linebacker. They're better against the run than adding a corner.

The biggest factor, is this coaching staff has laid three straight eggs in big games given a extra preparation. USC last year we came out completely flat defensively. We had absolutely no offensive gameplan against FSU. And last night was the worst this team has looked defensively since 2010 Navy game.

 

Definitely need to reassess how to approach extended preparation and expectations

Agreed. He might have been a 3rd round pick before that game, after? He'll be lucky to be drafted.

 

Manti might have also lost himself 10-15 spots in the draft. He went from a guaranteed top 10 pick to slipping to the late teens, twenties...

 

Agree with Manti. He looked nothing special and played the worst game of his career. Didn't make a single play and missed tons. He won't be going in the top ten, I say later half of the first round as well.

Agree with Manti. He looked nothing special and played the worst game of his career. Didn't make a single play and missed tons. He won't be going in the top ten, I say later half of the first round as well.

 

Maybe he'll luck out and end up in a good spot, like Pittsburgh or Baltimore.

We played scared from the kick off.

We played scared from the kick off.

 

This is the truth. My hope is that the experience of having been in this game will be what it takes to be mentally prepared when we're in it again.

 

I don't believe for a second that Bama's backs are stronger than Carlo, Manti, or Zeke. But I do believe they're more fearless and more confident. That was the difference last night. Alabama fully expected to clobber us and they played like it. Our team went out there unsure of whether they could hang with Bama, and it showed.

This is the truth. My hope is that the experience of having been in this game will be what it takes to be mentally prepared when we're in it again.I don't believe for a second that Bama's backs are stronger than Carlo, Manti, or Zeke. But I do believe they're more fearless and more confident. That was the difference last night. Alabama fully expected to clobber us and they played like it. Our team went out there unsure of whether they could hang with Bama, and it showed.

 

And that includes coach BK!

And that includes coach BK!

 

No doubt. But he has shown a great knack for adapting and making changes, which is why I believe he will. I'm not sure how to instill confidence, but as I've said, I think the experience of having been there helps.

I would love to have Slaughter and Redfield starting at the safety spots because a guy like Cooper is going to beat Farley and Motta every play. Motta a guy who Mayock said could as early as the third round killed any chance for that happening to him. Everytime you see a missed tackle 17 was there, he played god awful. Missed tackles, brutal angles, he just looked bad. Farley isn't a bad player but probably very far off in talent wise when you bring in a guy like Redfield. Linebackers speed killed us. I was all for bringing back the leadership of a Fox and Carlo but it's obvious they can't play with these guys. You put Jaylon and Anzalone in and speed is no longer a factor. Spond looked real slow too.

 

Zeke Mota had 17 tackles last night. He'll be fine.

 

We got beat because we got handled up front. Once they established they could run it was easy for them to sit back and pick us apart on play action passes.

I know that Mc is a waaayyy better QB than USC's Max. And their line is better too. But, are Bama's receivers faster and better than Woods and Bilentinikoff Winner Lee?

 

They had all day to run because of ZERO pass rush. And do you think Urbie will say one good thing to help ND in recruiting? No way no how.

 

Now Bjack and Russell didn't play well, neither did our safeties. But, I can't buy that we haven't seen speed and good receivers---our line got zero push and pressure and that is too much to ask our CB's to cover.

I think a lot of our struggles in the secondary were a combination of a lack of experience and getting burned by play action. When we are giving up 5-7 yards a carry, the play action is obviously going to be significantly more effective.

Speed was rarely a factor. It was blown coverages because of an inexperienced secondary, and missed tackles because of a mentally dazed team.

 

On offense, the speed of our skill players was more than adequate. A recently injured DaVaris Daniels was burning their first-round draft QBs. But we desperately miss the bruising running of a Jonas Gray or Robert Hughes. Hopefully Mahone can add that dimension next year.

 

Beg to differ. It was lack of pass rush that allowed AJ to pick out any receiver he wanted while still picking his nose. The Golden Domers were not march for the Mobile Homers' O-line, plain and simple.

We need to put AJ on his butt and did not do it a single time all night long