Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Golson's negative body language by the close of the regular season was palpable, making many wonder if he had checked out emotionally. "There has to be a level of trust and confidence, and I think at times he lost a little bit of that," Kelly said. "You have to be very confident in yourself, unless you're just going to fall by the wayside," Golson said. "Re- ally, just trust the other guys out there. That's where I am right now. "I'm a pretty tough, resilient guy … I can't just stay down. I have to find a way back up." Kelly was critical of Zaire's lack of concentration in practices this past fall, but saw a change in December. "It was a little bit of frustration in terms of learning how to get better when you're not in that singular role of being the guy," Zaire said of why his concentration was sometimes lax. "… That's the maturity I felt like I needed throughout this whole season, just being able to stay locked in and grow as a quarterback mentally, from a mental toughness state, and continue to get better that way. I've learned a lot." Whether the starter will be Golson or Zaire — or maybe even a time-share like Golson and Tommy Rees in 2012 — there needs to be far more treats than tricks in 2015. After five years, QB drama remains for Kelly. 2. ROSTER UPKEEP/LEADERSHIP When linebacker Manti Te'o and tight end Tyler Eifert bypassed NFL riches after their junior season to re- turn as Notre Dame seniors in 2012, it made a monumental difference during the surprising run to the BCS National Championship Game. When defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and tight end Troy Niklas did the opposite last winter, it was a setback to the 2014 aspirations that finished with a 7-5 thud in the regular season. Junior left tackle Ronnie Stanley and junior defensive lineman Sheldon Day are two of the most vital components needed along the line of scrimmage in 2015 for the Fighting Irish. Both put their names into the NFL Draft evalu- ation and must make a decision by Jan. 15. All football begins up front, and ev- ery veteran body one could have could spell the difference between major bowl contention or another disheart- ening 8-4 or 7-5 campaign. "We're a better football team when he's in there," head coach Brian Kelly said of Day's return to practice in De- cember after missing the final two and a half games with an MCL sprain. The Irish head coach also lauded the "fire" that Stanley began to show as a leader in December practices. The 2012 recruiting class led by se- niors Stanley and Day might have only 11 players in 2015. The Irish were so youth-oriented this past season, not many leaders emerged — or they were reluctant to step forward. The current sophomores are easily the team's most talented class. Leadership dynamics need to change in 2015 if there is to be an ap- preciable upgrade. 3. DEFENSE MECHANISM Job No. 1 for Kelly when he ac- cepted the Notre Dame position five