Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/954261
30 APRIL 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY LOU SOMOGYI A rithmetic skills appear to be lacking when previewing Notre Dame's 2018 starting five-man offensive line. The Fighting Irish graduate two probable first- round NFL Draft picks in left tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Quenton Nelson — yet four starters are listed as returning, not three. That's because upon further in- spection, Notre Dame in 2017 had co- starters at right tackle with freshman Robert Hainsey unofficially totaling 455 snaps (35 per game) and sopho- more Tommy Kraemer 443 (34.1). The rotation generally occurred every other series, although Hain- sey was earmarked to be in during a two-minute drill. The 6-6, 315-pound Kraemer was designated as more of the mauler in the ground attack that finished seventh nationally with an average of 269.5 yards per contest. The 6-5, 291-pound Hainsey earned plaudits as the advanced technician, especially in passing sets. For both and the team, it was the best of all worlds to be utilized the way they were. First, both played meaningful min- utes without getting overwhelmed by too many reps early in their ca- reers. Second, they were surrounded by an all-senior contingent that in- cluded unanimous All-American Nelson, consensus All-American Mc- Glinchey, plus center Sam Mustipher and right guard Alex Bars. Whereas positions such as wide receiver and running back liberally substitute to preserve fresh legs, the offensive line is about continuity and working in rhythm. Yet the rotation at right tackle worked in 2017. "It's not typical, but we think we both had strengths that fit together," Hainsey said of working as a tan- dem. "Throughout that process we both made each other better. "I notice that he's working on something, then I'll make it a point to work on it and he'll do the same. We just make it a point to work on the things we both need." Easing the role for Kraemer were two factors. One, playing to his left was Bars, who started every game at right tackle in 2016. Bars' commu- nication on assignments and tech- nique were beneficial on the field. Two, Kraemer already knew in the 2017 spring while competing with fellow sophomore Liam Eichenberg that he would not be necessarily in a full-time role. "In the spring Coach [Harry Hi- estand] said we'd like to rotate you guys throughout the season, every other series, to get you experience," Kraemer recalled. "But then it turned out to be Rob in that spot. We kind of knew it was coming for a while." Neither said he felt a disruption of rhythm. "We did that all through our prac- tices, we rotate every four plays," Kraemer said. "We're used to play- ing next to Alex, and Alex is used to playing next to us. "We both have stuff to improve on. I would say his pass set is a lot smoother than mine. I think we're both good in the run game. Our game just fits each other. In two-minute situations he's in … I don't really think it's one guy is better than the other. It's what we do." GOING SOLO Tag-team partners Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey likely will both be starters in 2018 Hainsey, who earned plaudits as an advanced technician during his freshman campaign, opened the spring as the starting left tackle for the Irish. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL