Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FAN FORUM and drainage. Likewise, the infill's purpose is to aid cutting, the planting of one's foot and shock absorption. PHYSICAL FITNESS I'm most concerned with Notre Dame's physical running game, or lack of, more than Everett Golsen run- ning the ball. He is a threat, but to beat Stanford, Florida State, Arizona State and USC, a physical running game is needed. The SEC wins national champion- ships with physical defense and run- ning games. The offensive line will be okay because Notre Dame has the best o-line coach in the country. John Schumarker Via the Internet NFL: NOT FOR LONG Regarding Paul Lewis' letter (Sept. 8, 2014) about Brian Kelly eventually going to the NFL with all the academic problems at Notre Dame … With all of the issues in the NFL, Kelly may actually feel there are fewer problems at Notre Dame. Pat Bales Chicago FROM THE WEBSITE The position changes along the offensive line during the bye week were a popular topic of discussion heading into the game versus Syracuse. Here were some samples: Hodges: Our o-line is either caught in a stalemate battle or going backwards. I just hope that using the "same" pieces in a different order will make a difference. Wjasonp: Injury and playing out of position can also be contributing factors. I like the realignment. BigNDFan: When you don't emphasize running the football, you're going to struggle running the football. You can move around guys all you want but unless you commit to spending extensive time in practice on running plays, you're going to struggle. It is what it is at this point: ND isn't going to be outstanding at run- ning the football under Brian Kelly. HamonWry22: Teams can't emphasize everything. When one aspect of the offense is bogged down, then emphasis becomes an issue. It wasn't at Florida State last year when the best QB in the country threw for over 300 a game. They also ran for 200. When he has a quarterback like Everett Golson, Kelly is not going to emphasize the run. That, however, does not mean the running game has to struggle. That still will be a function of talent and execution. That's where the discussion should start. NCIrish2002 (former college line coach): There are a lot of moving parts in getting a line to explode off the ball. Right now I think offensive line coach Harry Hiestand and Kelly are facing a reexamination of the practice elements — technique, stance, initial step, landmark identification, hand placement, leg drive and finish — and a shifting of the guys on the line to get them in the right position. We will see how it turns out. If you intend to run block you have to have five aggressive guys who will get after it every play. This goes hand-in-hand with attitude. Finally, there is strength and power. We all get caught up in bench press num- bers, but the reality is they have little to do with line play. The squat and power clean numbers are far more indicative of explosion and movement required to block well in the run game. (Of course, a big bench is helpful, but it simply is not the measuring stick for o-linemen.)