Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/79481
FAN FORUM issue from Mr. Dan Rhode of Little- ton, Colo., with some concern and surprise. I agree that it would be better if I read the letter in the April 2012 SYSTEMATIC APPROACH Coach Kelly reduced the number of red-faced "tirades," but don't agree that they are inherently bad, because of his passion and search for perfection. But when he says that Kelly should dump the "system" of "exotic" pass- ing offense, I am astounded. Outside Alabama and LSU, the possessors of almost unmatchable talent (and stunningly inept offen- sive schemes), the top teams are full of "systems": Oregon, Boise State, TCU, Houston, Baylor, Arkansas, Ohio State (under Urban Meyer) … and so many others. The problem isn't the "system" Kelly brought; it's that he doesn't run it. His offense is predicated on all the formations, and a high percentage of plays, giving the look of a possible QB zone read play, roll out, impro- visation, or a set play. It is a fantastic offense and he has had unparalleled success with it at all his stops. He didn't run it last year, or most that everyone is talking about there being a crisis at cornerback with only five scholarship players, plus one emergency option (Jamoris Slaughter). Pat Conroy Evergreen, Colo. ory. The 1988 national champs had three scholarship corners — starters Todd Lyght and Stan Smagala, and then D'Juan Francisco (who started at strong safety the next season). A fourth, David Jandric, was listed as a safety, but also could play corner. The Irish were blessed with good health Mr. Conroy, you have a good mem- coach Brian Kelly's zone-read option offense. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND Rising junior quarterback Tommy Rees' inability to be a threat running the ball hampers head running quarterback in his system frees up the backside defensive end or a linebacker to ignore the QB and blow up plays. An entire defense can be hesitant if there that year, and the head coach that year, Lou Holtz, has often said luck is re- quired to win a national title. The question also is whether the Irish this year have a future first-round (Lyght) and fifth-round (Smagala) NFL corner starting. ✦ the QB in Kelly's offense can run. In this offense, all players are better just by the legitimate threat of the run. Rees will be a great coach someday. of the year before, because Tommy Rees — who has moxie and is a great competitor — just cannot run. A non- He gives all he has. In a late-game situation (behind with little time), I think he can excel. Everyone knows you are passing and there is no choice, so zone reads are irrelevant. But this offense MUST have a QB FROM THE WEBSITE The Friday the 13th (in April) announcement of 2012 Freshman All-American defensive end Aaron Lynch deciding to leave the Notre Dame football program to return to his native Florida created an instant meltdown on BlueandGold. com's message board, especially plenty of in- ference that many other current Irish players would join him. It also brought out plenty of reasoned perspective. Here is a small sampling: 19BlueandGold85: Every time something up-to-date with all the Irish news? Want to stay Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/ blueandgoldillustrated Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/BGInews Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007 Send your letters to: Letters BE HEARD! Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com www.BLUEANDGOLD.com that can run or it will look just like last year — bad against good teams (USC, Stanford, FSU), and even some not-so-good teams (Michigan, South Florida). If we must pay because the QBs that can run the offense have little ex- perience, it is a small price compared to delaying the payment. "Pay me now, or pay me later." I say pay now. The dividends will be worth it. Paul Hass Franklin, Ind. great defenses had only three schol- arship cornerbacks: two starters and one backup, which allowed them to play only nickel packages. If I am not mistaken, they could never line up in a dime. Was it the 1988-89 group, or 1992-93? I am curious because I find it weird NOT BACKED INTO A CORNER I am sure that one of Lou Holtz's terrible happens with a player, everyone jumps to the conclusion that ND is doomed yet again … Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert coming back out- weigh most of the bad things, [especially] with the talent we have still have to step in at de- fensive end. Thecoach101: We need to remember that this is the society we live in today. With so much media in our faces, it is always right there to tell us something brilliant or rubbish. ND will be fine. Big john: This is insane. Folks need to take a deep breath, step back from the ledge and stop the speculation. Enough is enough. ATX ND: If Lynch is the difference between a 7-win season and a 10-win season, then Brian Kelly and the whole athletic department is performing at a historically low level. Illestdomer2005: Maybe a negative even like this will bring the team together. If this issue was really something that has been building for a while, the team is likely better without Lynch. I don't want to let Kelly and Co. off the hook. I still expect improvement from last year. Los- ing Lynch doesn't throw everything out the window. MAY 2012 7