Chat Transcript: Rees' QB evaluations, and did Kelly see this coming at ND?
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, North Carolina week edition.
A couple of programming notes:
If you haven’t already, check out this week’s Inside ND Sports podcast with our special guest Rocky Boiman. Lots of great Bob Davie stories from the former Irish linebacker and current WLW radio host and ESPN college football analyst, as well as some sharp perspective on Marcus Freeman’s 1-2 start at ND and the state of the Irish defense.
Also recommended, our Monday Night Live YouTube show, which keeps its shelf life going through the entire week leading up to the next game.
As far as the chat goes, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question. Let's get started.
Frank from Royse City Texas: Do you feel Steve Angeli will get some snaps against UNC?
Eric Hansen: Frank, I think working the No. 2 quarterback into a game to get him his first game experience makes a lot of sense — eventually. Unless there's an injury, I don't think this is the week to try to do that. There's a bye week next week and then BYU in Vegas on Oct. 8. After that, there are a couple of home games in mid-October with Stanford and UNLV. By that point, freshman Steve Angeli should have had a chance to learn a limited package of plays from the ND playbook after starting the year on scout team. I am not suggesting high-leverage situations ... just getting some late-game experience.
Phil from Litchfield, Conn.: Hi Eric. That Cal offsides penalty on our missed field goal was critical to getting ND’s first points on the board. I didn’t see a penalty on the live play or the replay. The announcers were also befuddled, and the Cal coach was asked about it by the sideline reporter because he was seen having a lengthy chat with the officials after the call. He said he wouldn’t discuss it. Was there anything you and the others in the press box could see that we didn’t? Or was this a luck of the Irish phantom call?
Eric Hansen: Notre Dame special teams coach Brian Mason even mentioned the call in a passing reference Tuesday night during media interviews. He considered the Irish lucky on the play.
Irish Mike from Altoona, Pa.: Hi Eric! As always, thank you for hosting these chats! I listened to you and Tyler’s Monday evening podcast. I was struck by a couple of things. As was discussed, Drew Pyne does not possess an exceptionally strong arm, nor is he a very capable runner. Tommy Rees was very high on Pyne as a recruit. Why? Why is a top program like ND recruiting or settling for a QB lacking a strong arm AND foot speed? Secondly, I read that Rees vetoed the hiring of an offensive analyst, such as David Cutcliffe, when Marcus was open to the idea! Could this be revisited? I’m starting to wish that Tommy would’ve taken Miami's offer!
Eric Hansen: Thanks for tuning into the Monday Night Live show. ... I think Tommy Rees' evaluation of high school quarterbacks has evolved over time. He still values some of the assets that allowed him to become an FBS quarterback, specifically being able to slide protections and check out of bad plays at the line of scrimmage. Rees also loved Drew Pyne's competitiveness and fearlessness and loved his fundamentals. I think one thing that hurt Pyne is he did not grow physically very much after the time he was offered. But Rees still loves Pyne as is.
When you look at the 2023 and 2024 recruiting cycles and who was offered, Rees is now looking for those same qualities but in an elite athlete. He's aiming for five-start-caliber QBs. ... In terms of adding analysts for any position, especially one with vast offensive expertise, that certainly could be in play in 2023 if Marcus Freeman wants to go in that direction.
Don from Phoenix: Watching Saturday's game, I realized the only position group exceeding expectation is the defensive secondary. My guess is they are performing well, because they are the only position group with the same coaches. DL, OL, RBs, LBs, receivers, TEs, all new coaches. OK, Rees as coordinator is a carryover, but every position coach is new to him. Yes, they've been in place for 8-plus months, but game day communication is all new. It seemed the second half of game 3 was the first time the TEAM was on the same page. Have we all underestimated the position-coaching turnover with the focus on Freeman and Rees?
Thanks and enjoying the site. It's too bad SBT lost their way, but happy for you and Tyler.
Eric Hansen: Hi Don. I think I am guilty of underestimating the effect of the influx of new assistants (who hadn't worked together either ever or recently) because 1) Of the quality of those coaches. 2) Some of Brian Kelly's best teams came with heavy assistant-coach turnover. ... But throw Marcus Freeman being new in his role, and it changes that dynamic. ... And thanks for moving with us and hanging with us. We appreciate you.
Jim from Oakwood, Ohio: Hey Eric, I'm ashamed of the ND fans that booed the team and coaches at the end of the first half. I understand the frustration they felt — as I'm sure 99% of ND fans felt that way after a shocking half of offensive malfeasance. But never, never should any collegiate fan boo their home team. It shows a lack of class, IMHO. 1) Your thoughts? 2 a) Was the ND play call in their last possession too conservative in your opinion ... b) what call(s) might have worked to get a first down and deprive Cal of the opportunity they had to drive the ball? 3) Can we continue to speak of the "Luck of the Irish" after those multiple late turnovers by Cal were overturned by the reply review? Keep up the excellent reporting Eric, and my thanks to you, Tyler and Kyle Kelly for your hard work. Be well.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim. First of all, thanks for the kind words. ... I do think ND was too conservative in a couple of places on that last drive before the half. The first-and-10 play from the Cal 43 -- you're getting close to field goal range -- and ND runs Chris Tyree for 2 yards. Yuck. ... Drew Pyne took "a sack" on second-and-9 but it almost looked like a QB run to me. ... Then on third-and-9, the Irish got hurt by two false-start penalties IN A ROW. So, 3rd-and-19 ... why not take a shot at the end zone there? The overturned calls were unfortunate, but I think they were the correct calls. As far as booing, I'm not going to tell anybody how they should manage their frustrations at a game. I'm just glad I didn't get booed walking through the tailgate lots to the stadium. In fact, people stopped me to say hello and some offered food and beverages. Loved it.
Bob from Chicago: Eric- who made the call to pick Tyler Buchner over J.J. McCarthy? Does Buchner look accurate enough to play at this level? Your thoughts, thanks.
Eric Hansen: In the 2021 recruiting cycle, Tommy Rees opted for Tyler Buchner as his No. 1 QB target with Brian Kelly's blessing. There was early mutual interest with J.J. McCarthy and ND, but Buchner was Rees' preference, and I don't believe the Irish ever extended an offer to McCarthy, who ended up at Michigan. I do think Buchner is accurate enough to play at the FBS level. He had a rough day with his accuracy in the Marshall game before getting injured, but I liked his accuracy in the practices that I saw. Now the priority is to get him healthy.
Jake from Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: With Tyler Buchner injury-prone and Drew Pyne being at best a scout team QB, do you think ND will try to convince CJ Carr to reclassify for 2023? Really hope so! Watching Drew Pyne is a painful experience!!
Eric Hansen: Notre Dame verbal commitment CJ Carr is one of the best quarterbacks in the 2024 class. Our Kyle Kelly recently took in one of this games at Saline (Mich.) High and had the reclassification conversation with him. And there's been a shift. Initially, he was against the idea of reclassifying for the 2023 class. Now he's open to it, but both he and Notre Dame are deferring that conversation until after Carr's junior football season has been completed. And with good reason. A lot can happen between now and December.
jta109 from Greensboro, N.C.: Eric, you do a fabulous job covering Notre Dame football. Thanks! It seems like our starting linebackers have difficulty shedding blocks and making plays. Is this due to scheme, talent or coaching?
Eric Hansen: Thanks JTA. I don't think it's actual coaching. Al Golden and James Lauinaitis are a strong 1-2 punch. But I do think there's something to having to learn three different systems in three years with three different coordinators and three different position coaches. Lots of philosophical shifts. Lots of changes in terminology, in technique, in responsibilities. So it is fixable.
Tom from Sister Lakes, Mich.: Hi Eric. Hopefully you don’t have to spend as much time this week on helping your chatters with grief counseling and anger management. I have a few points on which I’d like your opinion. 1. After seeing three games I now believe Brian Kelly saw this season coming (not the specifics like Tyler Buchner’s injury but the general direction) and didn’t want to have to go through a few years of rebuilding at ND when there were less strictures on him at LSU. 2. Poor recruiting, especially for the skill positions on offense, put ND in a bind. 3. How can a team named the Fighting Irish not get a QB named McNamara and McCarthy? What were the specific reasons why those two guys ended up at Michigan and not ND? 4. ND fans need to be patient the next three years until CJ Carr has a year under his belt at ND — if he still comes. We do not have a QB on the current roster that is elite enough to get ND into the playoffs.
Eric Hansen: Tom, thanks. I think a lot of fans are still antsy/disillusioned/confused even after the victory. To your observations/questions. 1. I'm not buying that Brian Kelly saw this coming. He would have also had to intuit injuries to Avery Davis and Joe Wilkins and the 11th-hour decommitments of WRs CJ Williams and Amorion Walker. He also might have elected to go the portal route for a QB. And I don't see this as a long-term rebuild, regardless of the record this year. ... I don't wish ill on Kelly, but let's see how he does in a five-game stretch that's coming up soon of (consecutively) Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas.
To your second observation, poor recruiting AND mass transfers at wide receiver put ND in a bind. That's a big reason why Del Alexander was not retained or asked to go to Baton Rouge, for that matter. (He's at Georgia Tech.) There should have been better depth at QB. 3. Talked about McCarthy already. Cade McNamara was committed then changed his mind. ... I agree that the QB position and elite QB play will accelerate (or lack of it will hinder) ND's path to the playoff. I wouldn't write off Tyler Buchner, but missing 10 games this season and a bowl game are detrimental to his development timeline for 2023.
Bill from St Joe, MI: Eric, I continue to be befuddled by “targeting” penalties. I believe that Bertrand’s hit was a late hit and ND should have been penalized for a personal foul, but I didn’t see a targeting penalty. What say you?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bill. Targeting is a difficult interpretation. But no one on the coaching staff believes that was a bad call. Totally out of character for JD Bertrand and totally unnecessary.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you enjoyed the first win of the season. Why do you think our wide receivers and tight ends are having such a hard time blocking? Do you think it’s related to scheme, technique, coaching or execution? As a follow-up to last week, although the offense showed some signs of life this week, it still seems like maybe there is too much on the plate of Tommy Rees. I know you mentioned Rees is against bringing in a senior consultant/analyst to help him. But if you are Marcus Freeman, do you pull a Saban and just make the executive decision to do so, if nothing else to help coach up the quarterbacks? Why or why not? Thanks so much for hosting the chat. I love your insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie, thanks. And I'm more concerned whether you enjoyed it. I'll admit, I haven't paid close attention to the wide receiver blocking with all the other fires that had to be put out. So I took a look at the Pro Football Focus grades. They are not great, but not awful -- and pretty consistent with 2021. But there is a HUGE drop-off from 2020, when Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley were elite. Joe Wilkins is probably the best blocker among the WRs on the roster, and his playing time has been minimal so far. I would say the main culprit is execution. ... As far as bringing on an analyst next year, I mentioned earlier that could be in play and why not? Now, that person will not be able to do on-field coaching on game day or in practice, but I still think that could be a valuable addition.
Jack Bates from Shorewood, Ill.: What are the chances for Steve Angeli being our starting QB? Also, when ND is on the road are they given ticket allotment, lump sum payment or percent of gate receipts for compensation?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jack. I am going to have to defer the second part of your question on finances. I'll have to reach out to someone for that info and won't have time to do so during the chat. I didn't want to ignore your first question about Steve Angeli. Chances this week that Angeli is the starting QB? Zero. Chances this season? If there's an injury or deep regression by Pyne. Chances ever? The percentage goes way down if CJ Carr reclassifies.
Dave from Ponte Vedra, Fla.: Three games in, and I can’t say I’m impressed. Not just the lackluster play, but miscues, penalties, etc. I know they have some new faces, but a lot of returners look considerably worse than they were a year ago. I’m not jumping off the bandwagon, but is the coaching simply not as good?
Eric Hansen: Hi Dave. The encouragement I can offer you is that the team improved in a lot of areas against Cal, and that included the coaching. The next two games -- at North Carolina and BYU in Vegas, are going to tell us a lot.
Jay from Granger: Fair to say that Freeman will be under the gun if ND finishes 7-5 (best case) to under .500 a real possibility. Which coaches will be on the hot seat for him to replace in order to turn around his program? Rees seems obvious — what about strength and conditioning? Doing nothing will not be acceptable. Anyone else come to mind?
Eric Hansen: In general, it is very difficult to throw a number out there and answer questions on job security based on that number without any context. A 7-5 record with wins over Clemson and USC and no November losses feels very different from 7-5 and a rough November and no momentum. And what does under the gun mean? Go 12-0 in 2023 or else? Recruiting ties in too, which is one of the reasons Tyrone Willingham only got three years. The 2004 recruiting class may have been the worst in modern Notre Dame history. The 2005 was well on its way to outdoing that one before Charlie Weis minimally mitigated that outcome.
If bringing seven new faces on to a staff with a new head coach was part of the challenge in 2022, why would mandatory changes — instead of continuity —- be the proper fix? Who in your mind deserves to go three games into this season? I think you're letting your frustration cloud your judgment, Jay. That's especially true when it comes to Matt Balis, the director of football performance. Fire him, and he'd have a job at an elite program in a second. I think the criticism of Tommy Rees is warranted. No arguing with the numbers (including a national ranking of 114th in total offense out of 131 FBS teams), but I'd like to see what he can do over the balance of this entire season.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hi Eric. Happy for the players and coaches who put so much work in to get a win. A few questions. I checked out the PFF grade for O-line run blocking for Cal. PFF does a split between zone blocking and gap blocking. J-Patt's overall run grade was 78.0. Patterson's gap score was 94.3. However, his zone score was 53.3. That is a great difference. Is that due to the new position? His foot not being healed? (Gap blocking may be more straight ahead) Or something else? Second, the right side gap blocking averaged 50. The left side averaged 92. The right side has aguably the best overall recruit in Blake Fisher. Is BF having a hard time adjusting to the right side?
Next area for discussion: We expected the linebackers to be a strength this season. So far, less than expected. Is there a lack of continuity with so much nickel and dime? Was the cross-training at different positions too much to grasp? A combination of those reasons? Something else? Can Bertrand stay with a running back if that RB splits wide? Thanks for hosting, as always.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. The nuanced part of the PFF blocking grades for individual games may not be as reliable as the overall grades. Let me put it that way. But let's assume they are perfect. Jarrett Patterson is playing a new position at which he didn't have much practice before getting hurt in mid-August — and then no practices for two weeks. And he's playing next to new people. So it's reasonable that the more difficult adjustment is seeing those zone assignments through the same set of eyes as Joe Alt and Zeke Correll. YET, those three were the highest-graded offensive players for ND in the game. ... at any position. That's most significant. ... Blake Fisher is extremely talented and probably still swimming in all of the new techniques, standards, etc., of doing things the Harry Hiestand way. Expect improvement ahead.
I've addressed the linebacker group as a whole a little earlier and in this story: Pondering the logistics of a youth movement at linebacker and beyond at ND ... Bertrand isolated wide on a skill player is not a good matchup — and with no safety help even worse — and that happened a few times early in the Cal game.
Chris from Park Ridge, Ill.: Eric, has anyone asked MF about his decision to punt with :04 left until halftime against Cal? Seemed to make zero sense to me and the people in my section. Why not throw a Hail Mary on the last play of the half. First-time chat here. Thanks for all your great reporting.
Eric Hansen: Chris, I don't think it came up with Marcus Freeman on Saturday/Monday or with Tommy Rees Tuesday night. We are limited to two questions each in the Freeman sessions, so sometimes there's a question on my mind that I'm not able to prioritize and ask. That would have been one I also would have liked to know. My vote was for the Hail Mary. Thanks for joining us with a question. Hopefully, I'll have a better answer next time.
Steve from Findlay, Ohio: Eric, are we witnessing the same problems of a Nebraska-type program? I know you and others wanted Marcus Freeman, but why would any program — let alone ND — hire Marcus ? He should be at Bowling Green or a place like Toledo first, not at ND or LSU or SC.
Eric Hansen: Really, three games into a coach's first season and you want to relitigate the hiring?
Adam from Dayton, Ohio: Eric, As always you are the man! A question for the season and for the long term. 1.) I thought the team showed some positive signs against Cal, mainly the offensive line finally getting some push, and Pyne playing a solid second half after a bad start. Do you think this team can continue to grow incrementally into maybe an 8-4 type team? Or were fan expectations completely off ... based on the cupboard Kelly left behind, and this is a .500 or worse team? 2.) Big picture. I saw some comments from former ND linebacker Mike Goolsby ... basically lamenting the institutional support Notre Dame gets for the football team. He noted that Alabama has 60 support analysts alone, and ND has invested in none. That ND, on some level, still does not want to accept modern football for what it is. What sense do you get based on all of your sources? Does ND have all the institutional support it needs? Or can it be improved as far as resources/investment? If it can be improved, is leadership actually willing to?
Eric Hansen: Hi Adam. How can I be the man, when you're the man? Thanks. I definitely think this team is capable of improvement ... as long as it sticks together and pushes through the adversity. I said 10-2 at the beginning of the season. That was based on Tyler Buchner being the quarterback. I really need to see more of Drew Pyne before I'd recalibrate that. If ND wins its next two games. I would feel optimistic that the improvement was real and would continue. As far as Mike Goolsby, I respect his football knowledge quite a bit. He did some writing for me back when I was running Irish Sports Report at the Trib and he also joined us on our old podcast. He's working for a competitor now, which makes your question awkward for me and puts me in a no-win situation.
The most difficult aspect of answering those types of questions in a fair way is that I have no idea whether you're accurately depicting the tone and the details of his take. So taking Mike Goolsby completely out of this, if you were to ask me if Alabama had 60 analysts and ND zero, I would say that is fiction. And if you asked me if Notre Dame is lagging in its administrative commitment to football, I would say that take is outdated. Is there room for improvement? Yes. But I think ND has made strides and is willing to make many more.
Ray: Do think ND is considering joining a conference after early season loses?
Eric Hansen: This can't be a real question.
CHUCK FROM CLEVELAND "THE LAND": Hi Eric. You and Tyler on Mondays are making me more dangerous every week with your insights and strong opinions. You were worth missing some of the Bills opening minutes! Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Please tell me how I am wrong. No personnel changes, offense looks the same. All O-linemen played every play vs. Cal. Linebackers play slow. Why should we expect different results from our beloved Irish? Also, Pyne needs guys who can go up and catch the ball (if Rees will allow the plays to be called) so where are Tobias, Eli, Holden? All big guys that may make Pyne more effective? My time is up, but thanks for sharing your keen insight on the linebacker play on Monday. It opened my eyes. We have got playmakers like Prince Kollie and Jaylen Sneed just waiting for their chance. I'm out!
Eric Hansen: Hi Chuck, and thanks for tuning into the Monday show. You can always watch it the next day if the Monday Night Football game is a conflict. ... I'm really eager to see what Drew Pyne can do this week beyond the safe passes (132 of the 150 passing yards last week were yards after the catch). Tommy Rees told the media last night that had Pyne been able to complete some of the early downfield throws, that the play calls over the balance of the game would have been different. So that makes this week all the more interesting. Tobias Merriweather, Eli Raridon and Holden Staes are all coming. ... and when I asked Al Golden last night about the young linebackers, he said Prince Kollie is very close. .. said he had a great summer and then an injury set him back (concussion), but he is surging again in practice.
Patrick from Fort Wayne: Eric, you should ask for overtime pay this season. There is no point in disparaging this team's performance. They are going to win ugly this year, and that's that. My question: Are these guys choir boys? I have not read about any players in hot water, a doghouse or heard of any discipline handed out. This was somewhat of a regular routine with BK. Is Marcus Freeman too nice to win big?
Eric Hansen: OK, I am rescinding the no-drinking rule effectively now. ... And I think I understand the spirit of your question. I don't think Marcus Freeman is too nice and I don't think the team is too nice, and I actually think it's a good thing when there are no or few discipline problems. Can this team play with more of a badass edge? Absolutely, but I think we started to see that against Cal last week. No?
Joey G from Philadelphia, Pa: Hi Eric. Since another year will go by without us winning a national championship, it's time to look ahead to next season. The roster will lose key players — Michael Mayer, Isaiah Foskey, Brandon Joseph, Jarrett Patterson. I don't see anybody on the current roster who can replace any of them. We also lose the Ademilola twins, Cam Hart, Houston Griffith, Bo Bauer. Seems Marcus Freeman's roster will be weaker next year than this year's version. Even if he keeps the current class ,depth will be an issue because these players lack experience. Freeman made a huge mistake this year listening to Rees in regards to the portal at QB and WR. I don't see Freeman being able to hit the 10-win mark at least until 2024. How confident are you about the Notre Dame roster in 2023? And in what year do think Freeman's best shot at the College Football Playoff will be?
Eric Hansen: Joey. I love your questions. I don't like how you arrived there. You are assuming the players who will move up the depth chart next year are static in their development and won't improve. That's the essence of college football and why recruiting AND player development are such important components. Rocco Spindler and Billy Schrauth are two intriguing prospects at offensive guard, for instance. Peyton Bowen (if he stays committed) is an elite safety prospect. Guys like Tyson Ford at interior defensive line, Jaylen Sneed at linebacker have star power if they continue to develop. Two really good corners in this class (Christian Gray and Micah Bell). The point is if Marcus Freeman continues to recruit the way he has been and develops players the way Brian Kelly did, then Notre Dame's rosters are going to get increasingly deeper and more talented.
To your specific questions. The 2018 and 2020 playoff experiences exposed these truths: ND needs an elite QB and better wide receivers to compete at that level in those types of games. That and a greater depth of talent throughout the roster. In 2023, ND will have improved its depth of talent ... and will continue to upgrade if recruiting at a high level is constant. The wide receiver room needs more than just three or four elite recruits in the 2023 cycle. It needs a couple of really good transfers. As far as the QB, Tyler Buchner could be that guy — or the injury can set him back. Whiffing (so far) on an elite 2023 QB hurts, even if CJ Carr reclassifies. It's better for him to come in 2024, I believe. But if ND continues to recruit at a very high level and Freeman grows into the head coaching role (quickly), I feel very good about the prospects in 2024 of being in the playoff conversation.
Tom from Toronto: Hi Eric. I hope that this finds you and your family well. Could you go over the rules regarding challenging a referee's call? In Saturday's game there were two dodgy-looking receptions by Cal on their side of the field. They must have thought so, as they were very quick to the line of scrimmage and got both of the next plays off very quickly. If ND wanted to challenge the calls, what would they have to do and when? And what are the consequences of an unsuccessful challenge? I expect that this has to be a quick decision. Do you know how most teams deal with this issue, and in particular, ND? Is there a defensive coach in the press box whose job it is to look out for these things? At his Monday press conference, coach Freeman mentioned that maybe he should have called a timeout after one of the receptions. It was shortly after that reception that Cal scored. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom, I'm good and the family is good. Thanks for asking. Here is the rules regarding challenges, straight from the NCAA rulebook: Each head coach is allowed one challenge per game, which he exercises by requesting a timeout for purposes of instant replay. He may have a second challenge, for a maximum of two, only if the first is successful and he has a timeout available. ... At least under Brian Kelly, there were coaches in the box who helped determine whether a call was worth challenging, although there were times where Kelly was going to do it no matter what anyone else said.
Patrick from Los Angeles: What position group or groups has fallen the furthest below preseason expectations, and what can lead to improved play by that group(s)?
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick. To me it's wide receiver and quarterback, and injuries have affected both. For the quarterbacks, it's about developing both Drew Pyne and Steve Angeli. For the wide receiver room, Joe Wilkins, Tobias Merriweather and Deion Colzie are all capable of helping improve that group as they work their way into earning more reps.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Eric, looking into Madam Marie’s crystal ball (virtually of course as her crystal ball is located on the boardwalk in Asbury Park a block or so away from the Stone Pony), how many points do you see North Carolina scoring this Saturday and do the Irish outscore them?
Eric Hansen: The unknown for me is how much ND will try to slow the game -- or not. I'll say 24 points for UNC. And yes, the Irish will outscore them (but not by much). As I write this both numbers feel too low, but I'm sticking to it.
Ryan from Caro, Mich.: Hi Eric. Is there any truth the the Lo Styles transfer rumor?
Eric Hansen: That he wants to transfer to Ohio State? I think it's a matter of adding two and two together and coming up with eight. Might Lorenzo Styles be frustrated? Sure. But transfer talk at this stage of the season is silly.
Tom from Toronto: Hi again, Eric. For what it's worth, I think that Drew Pyne is a good quarterback and will grow into an excellent one over the season. It's time to give him a chance. I expect that he will exceed his perceived ceiling and pleasantly surprise a lot of people. Feel free to give your views, or not.
Eric Hansen: I love what's inside of Drew Pyne, his preparation, mental tougheness and resilience. I have to be convinced that he won't be limited physically when teams take him seriously in a scouting report. So I just gave you a word salad, because I'm not confident either way. I know a lot of Notre Dame fans hope you are right. I'll have a better answer for you after the BYU game. Promise.
Larry from Champions Gate, Fla.: Eric, now that you have had three games to look at it, are you really surprised at the results given the lack of depth at the offensive skill positions? While I do not doubt Drew Pyne's aptitude or commitment, does anyone remember his performance at the spring game? I know that there was a lot of pre-season hype about this team's capability due to the coaches' comments, but when does any coach say prior to the start or during the season that his team isn't going to very good? Marcus Freeman's maniacal focus on recruiting during the offseason is further evidence of that.
Eric Hansen: Larry, I'm going to let you have your say unchallenged, and not that I'm co-signing on any of it. I think three games is too small of a sample size, but I understand why there are doubts. I'm glad you recognize the recruiting efforts, because they matter big-time in the long run.
Bob from Loganville, Ga.: Eric, better week this week! I thought Tommy Rees called a much better game this week, and had Pyne been able to hit the easy throws early, the game could have been put out of reach by halftime. Finally, a lot of two-back sets, which I think helped the O-line and the passing game.
Do you know where I might be able to listen/watch to the postgame press conferences live when ND is on the road?
Eric Hansen: Bob, I held off on this question as long as I could. I sent an email to someone in the know about the press conference, and it has not yet been returned. If you email me, I will get you the answer as soon as I get a response (ehansen@insidendsports.com).
Matt frrom Kansas City: You have been around a lot of football teams, a lot of ND teams. I never played football, but watching from afar, it seems like this team is missing a little bit of "nasty" in it. If you got to sit in a room with coach Freeman, coach Golden, and coach Rees and ask each one question they had to answer completely honestly (not politically), what would it be? If you had to guess what the honest (non-political) answer would be, what do you think they would say?
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. I get to ask them questions all the time, though not often one-on-one. For me the burning questions change from week to week. There's not one I'm saving, so I'm going to disappoint you with this answer. If there's something on my mind, I ask.
Eric Hansen: OK, I'm out of time. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back to do it all over again next week during the bye week at the regular time and place -- noon EDT.
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