Can Problems Be Fixed?

I had the opportunity to review the game that I recorded from Saturday. I did and didn't like what I saw. The biggest question that has to creep into the minds of Notre Dame fans is can the problems be resolved, at least for this season.

I know that the season is young, and theoretically the Irish could win their next 10 games and go to a BCS bowl, but c'mon, does anybody see that in the next weeks to come? Does anyone see a team that is ready to learn and grow and play better each and every game that is coming up? I don't and I don't blame the players.

For the most part, I've been that person that says, "Coaches aren't out on the field playing!" Well this time, I still say that but have learned that for the most part, players are out on the field doing what they are told (coached) to do. And the dismal play of the team the past couple of weeks has been questioning the coaching as much as the execution.

I will start with the offensive line or start with the most offensive unit, whatever you prefer to use. I have officially taken the names away from 3 lineman: #72, #77, and #51, formally known as Paul Duncan, Michael Turkovich, and Dan Wenger. I will no longer use any part of their name because, quite frankly, they don't deserve it. I have been watched every game (in person or on TV) for many years now and have yet to see a group of lineman that seem so clueless during a play. I mean these guys don't know the snap count, don't get out of their stance when the ball is actually snapped, and even look like they are afraid of hitting a defender and driving them off the back.

#72 I believe, after reviewing the film, committed 38 false start penalties and gave up 3 sacks. He didn't give up the sacks that had 2 or 3 guys blitzing from over him, he had guys that just flat out went around him. This guys protects the QBs blind side (I know you guys no this) and is gonna get someone killed! There were two plays that happened (inbetween false start numbers 12 and 13 that the defender's body was exactly to the side of his when he came out of his stance. And #72 knows the snap count. He knows when the ball is going to be snapped and he even knows where the play is going. I think they should just not tell him anything and see if he does better! Just go out and hit some one #72. He can't do any worse.

#77 just looks like he's got all this energy and has not a clue what to do. The ball is snapped and he comes out of his stance (he actually comes out hard) but then figures out that the defender is not directly infront of him and the panics. "What do I do, where do I go?" He then proceeds to the linebacking core (on run plays of course because he is actually pretty sound as a pass blocker) and where he hits the guy with his shoulder pad and then stands there as the linebacker stops the running back for little or no yards. I don't know where most people come from, but this does not seem to be the most effective form of run blocking or any kind of blocking for that matter. It seems as if #77 is the only lineman that is running a zone blocking scheme and just doesn't tell anyone else. The big problem is that he's the only one doing it, and he's not even doing it good!

#51 is the best to watch. He's the guy that always double teams someone that doesn't need to be double teamed. He's right inbetween Sullivan and Young and almost looks as if he's comfortable being in his Notre Dame uniform and gold helmet out on the field. Someone blitzes and he helps block them, except on those plays that he has a defender blitz right by him (linebacker or stunting defensive end) and he still double teams a guy and then sticks his arm out as if he is attempting to block. What does that accomplish? I watched two different plays where a Penn State defender would get right by him because he would help double team another defender. Does he not realize that there a blitz coming, I mean Penn State didn't use a delayed blitz at all on Saturday, and most times had their blitzer up on the line of scrimmage. There is no excuse for this. Not to mention his reaction time is right up there with #72 as far as getting off the ball on the snap.

I would not be opposed to having 3 new starters on the o-line. Like Weiss said, he's finally has interchangable guys there on the line. This is the time to prove it! Does anyone else see what a horrible job the o-line has done. Do they do that well in practice and then play that badly at game time? And coach Latina should be forced to go back to Ole Miss where he apparently had a hand in building an awesome offensive unit in the SEC. So awesome that when Eli Manning left, he left too. Can we tell that this is probable a guy that can is a great coach as long as he has studs that can get the job done at the skill positions? Funny that the o-line wasn't an issue when we had Quinn, Samardjiza, Walker, and McKnight. Even funnier that it now seems that we have a guy that can coach as long as their is talent all around instead of a guy that can coach his players to be the difference makers. I want a coach that takes a group of young, inexperienced guys and makes them work as a unit. Coaches them to be successful so that those around them can be successful. I don't care what plays are called or how far Clausen throws down the field, 0 yards rushing is a disgrace to the equipment manger let alone the offensive line coach. You should be out there taking the heat for your guys and asking for help if you need it because to be frank about it, you suck. For some immediate help, just check out little George West on his blocks. I'd run behind him all day long, he's that good at it!

Schwapp is one game shy of losing his name because he fails to block anybody on Notre Dame's lead plays. He also had a great game picking up blitzes and had a jaw dropping block on a Clausen scramble. You're safe this week.

And just a few things about the defense. Better job coming off the blocks. We still need to generate more pressure coming from the edges, either on runs or on passes because that part is not your strong suite right now. On goal line plays, please try to incorporate more of a goalline defensive front, because when Penn State had the ball on the 1, the Notre Dame front only had 4 guys down in their stance, and still with 2 foot gaps. Finally, Brockington has one more game to show me he has a nose to play the middle. He looks like he knows what he's doing, but he's just not aggressive. There are not ifs, ands, or buts about it. He sits back, doesn't attack the line of scrimmage, and is definitely afraid to take on a blocker. Other than that, take better angles to the ball (entire defense) and hang in there, the offense will get it together soon!

And this is one of the biggest games of the year for me, I hate Michigan!