Surprise, I'm Optimistic!

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,568]

Now let me first say this has been the hardest season for Irish fans to endure since 2007. Near misses, close losses, gamechanging mistakes, coaching failures just the gamut of heartache.

 

So much so that their have been calls to change the Athletic Director and Head Coach the year after a good season.

 

There is something about all these changes that make me say, "Wow, let's see how this works out!,"

 

I wanted change like everyone else did following the season. We knew the defense and special teams need improvement, they have since Diaco left on defense and then throughout Kelly 's tenure on Special Teams.

 

I guess its something about Mike Elko that has me fired up again. He brings a common sense defense that doesn't seem to be overly complicated but has had results without 5 star players.

 

I also have been waiting to see more of Wimbush at QB. I hoping the narrative for 2017 is

 

"Young Talented Quarterback, Talented experienced Running Game, Defense that is better than expected and Special Teams that help us more than hurt us."

 

Anytime Notre Dame can run the ball and play defense, I like our chances. I choose to hope that 2017 is one of those times. If not its likely that the face of the program may change, at that time I would also be optimistic for a new beginning.

 

Either way I choose to be Optimistic about the Irish in 2017. Go Irish!

Edited December 26, 2016 by FaithInIrishForever

[irishrush 60]

I'm optimistic every year!!! I think it is the little kid in me still...

I share the same sentiments, though, in all seriousness!

[WeaverIrish 28]

I have no confidence in Kelly. Who knows if these moves will lead to major change.

[jfschellcrna 11]

The key will be to keep Kelly from meddling in everyone's business......The minute he attaches his input, it all goes to sh!t.......

[corysold 0]

If the defense can stop someone....

 

I will say though, this year was worse than 2007. At least then, you sort of new ND was young and it wasn't going to be a great year.

 

2016 ND had way more talent than 2007 ND.

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,568]

If the defense can stop someone....

 

I will say though, this year was worse than 2007. At least then, you sort of new ND was young and it wasn't going to be a great year.

 

2016 ND had way more talent than 2007 ND.

 

I agree on all counts. Similar players on defense for ND just a new coach, but I, think he'll know a 3 man front will work better for us and kids play harder for him.

[Jersey Irish 207]

I agree on all counts. Similar players on defense for ND just a new coach, but I, think he'll know a 3 man front will work better for us and kids play harder for him.

 

There's a story in the SBT from former Elko players now in NFL who praise him to high heaven for his teaching skills on defense.l all saying he was the best coach they ever played for and, if not, for him, they would not be in the NFL.

P.S. None of these guys were 4 or 5 stars coming out of high school.

Very encouraging!

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,568]

There's a story in the SBT from former Elko players now in NFL who praise him to high heaven for his teaching skills on defense.l all saying he was the best coach they ever played for and, if not, for him, they would not be in the NFL.

P.S. None of these guys were 4 or 5 stars coming out of high school.

Very encouraging!

 

Yeah I like Elko he reminds me of Chuck Martin who is in a Bowl game vs Mississippi State right now.

 

I just want these kids to let their skills shine. We have the players in my opinion

[NDNorm 50]

Yep....we've got one big beacon of hope shining on next season, and it's Elko and the what he can (hopefully) do w/the D.

 

All the other stuff we have no reason to be anything other than cautiously optimistic.

[hawaiiirish 62]

I would rank this season at the BOTTOM OF THE MODERN BARREL!!

 

Significantly worse then Charlie's 3 win year---that year had no QB with Clausen trying to get his feet wet and still with an iffy elbow---only 73 on the entire roster----a MONSTER schedule facing everyone from Matt Ryan to Johnny Unitas-----It was nobody's expectation to do much

 

This year PRE_SEASON #10---The highest rated NFL caliber QB in the country-----And a nearly full roster loaded with nice resumes---PLUS one of the EASIER schedules ND has drawn in awhile....

 

So IMHO 4 wins from that TAKES EFFORT!!!---it doesn't just happen without some of the worst coaching decisions--worse player selection--worse game planning----it was a SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT that few coaches could have matched!

 

 

I have to say----its just NOT REALISTIC for me to embrace much optimism after that fiasco....

 

It would be great if this was all a ONE OFF---and next season its back to the playoff hunt----

 

But my experience tells me we are more likely watching the demise of Kelly and ND that will continue until the bleeding stops totally----

 

Hopefully its NOT what it seems---but I don't know if a few staff changes are enough to counter the Kelly steam going out of the engine.....

 

aloha

[OlympiaIrishFan 0]

I agree with Hawaii. I don't have much hope or belief in Kelly. to haveit implode in every way for Jelly proves to me he isn't the RKG for a ND Head Coach.

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,568]

I would rank this season at the BOTTOM OF THE MODERN BARREL!!

 

Significantly worse then Charlie's 3 win year---that year had no QB with Clausen trying to get his feet wet and still with an iffy elbow---only 73 on the entire roster----a MONSTER schedule facing everyone from Matt Ryan to Johnny Unitas-----It was nobody's expectation to do much

 

This year PRE_SEASON #10---The highest rated NFL caliber QB in the country-----And a nearly full roster loaded with nice resumes---PLUS one of the EASIER schedules ND has drawn in awhile....

 

So IMHO 4 wins from that TAKES EFFORT!!!---it doesn't just happen without some of the worst coaching decisions--worse player selection--worse game planning----it was a SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT that few coaches could have matched!

 

 

I have to say----its just NOT REALISTIC for me to embrace much optimism after that fiasco....

 

It would be great if this was all a ONE OFF---and next season its back to the playoff hunt----

 

But my experience tells me we are more likely watching the demise of Kelly and ND that will continue until the bleeding stops totally----

 

Hopefully its NOT what it seems---but I don't know if a few staff changes are enough to counter the Kelly steam going out of the engine.....

 

aloha

 

You might be right. Just understand the Motivation behind this thread.

 

I watched NFL Network's Chuck Noll special and some of his players and the media had trouble embracing him. Because he treated football as a game, as a part time profession, not his life's work, didn't really enjoy the media as much as teaching details. Now his first year was 2-14 and the years after Bradshaw, Green and others weren't a part of it he struggled. But in his sweet spot the Steelers won 4 Super Bowls in 6 years.

 

In Kelly's first sweet spot year 3 we were one game from the top of the mountain. Now I understand we're in the valley, But the guy we don't Understand is getting at least 1 more chance to climb the mountain, who knows maybe he finds a hold at the top, maybe he slips off again, time will tell.

[KellyisNasty 0]

Are we still assuming Kelly won't interview for an NFL job?

[imroc 4]

There's a story in the SBT from former Elko players now in NFL who praise him to high heaven for his teaching skills on defense.l all saying he was the best coach they ever played for and, if not, for him, they would not be in the NFL.

P.S. None of these guys were 4 or 5 stars coming out of high school.

Very encouraging!

 

I remember nearly identical praise of Kelly from his former players before coming to ND. Not calling for heads right now, but i sit pessimistically waiting for results.

[Donjuan 16]

I think a lot of us are skeptical/depressed during the off-season watching other/better teams still vying for the natty. Usually come summer, most of us start to slip back into ND fandom optimism and all. We might just not wear it on our sleeves, but you all know who you are. This is why seasons like this are crippling. Can't control becoming emotionally invested in ND every fall and then our hearts are ripped out in return. So give us the offseason to kvetch and moan, we'll be back in the late summer. Invested. Ready for the roller-coaster.

 

**Being an ND fan is kind of like being Joe Dirt minus the happy ending.

[davislove 0]

We pretty much can only go up from a 4 win season so there's that.

 

I expect a little boost early in the season with BK calling the plays and a new DC but can a leopard change his spots?

 

Seven years in and we're still a mess in the redzone. Can that change? Will Kelly become a better decision maker?

 

Can we change our culture?

 

Little things that show we don't address the minor details. I watched other teams ST's and when they are punting or kicking their players run all the way into the endzone of fair catches. Our guys had stop running and at best jogging by the time the player fair caught the ball.

 

We're a soft team and it's starts from the top IMO.

[coltssb 1,123]

For the simple fact that we seemed to of hired a good defensive coordinator, released a poor special teams coach, and brought back a good recruiter, I'd say I'm pretty optimistic too. Add to the fact that we were young, BK's success with first year starters, a talented young team, and all we needed was a team to hold teams to 24 points a game(a push) and we should win 9 games. That's my optimism.

[Jersey Irish 207]

We pretty much can only go up from a 4 win season so there's that.

 

I expect a little boost early in the season with BK calling the plays and a new DC but can a leopard change his spots?

 

Seven years in and we're still a mess in the redzone. Can that change? Will Kelly become a better decision maker?

 

Can we change our culture?

 

Little things that show we don't address the minor details. I watched other teams ST's and when they are punting or kicking their players run all the way into the endzone of fair catches. Our guys had stop running and at best jogging by the time the player fair caught the ball.

 

We're a soft team and it's starts from the top IMO.

 

You're right. An culture change is greatly needed. An attitude of urgency is needed across the board on offense, defense and ST's.

[FaithInIrish Forever 5,568]

I think a lot of us are skeptical/depressed during the off-season watching other/better teams still vying for the natty. Usually come summer, most of us start to slip back into ND fandom optimism and all. We might just not wear it on our sleeves, but you all know who you are. This is why seasons like this are crippling. Can't control becoming emotionally invested in ND every fall and then our hearts are ripped out in return. So give us the offseason to kvetch and moan, we'll be back in the late summer. Invested. Ready for the roller-coaster.

 

**Being an ND fan is kind of like being Joe Dirt minus the happy ending.

 

Yep hence I waited until Bowl season to post this. Signing Day is next. Then Spring Ball will make a lot of people happy again, summer will come and we will be itching for practice reports and 90 second videos of light contact drills. Then the season and some version of happy or sad or in between.

 

I will say the offseason with all the breaking coaching news has brought our discussion board to life again. The pain seemed to effect game day interest but glad to see everyone back