Notre Dame Football: Spring Up Until This Point
By Andrew Hall
Jan 4, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) during practice for the 2013 BCS National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries
Amir Carlisle and Chase Hounshell suffered injuries during contact practices. These are both frustrating injuries for players who were looking to make comebacks this spring.
Carlisle broke his collarbone. This is the second injury that he has suffered during his college career. He should be ready for the beginning of the season but this is definitely a set back. DaVaris Daniels suffered the same injury against Boston College but played well in the National Title Game against Alabama. This was approximately two months. Therefore, Carlisle should be ready to by June at the latest.
Chase Hounshell likely suffered a torn labrum. This would be a major setback that would likely require surgery. If it requires surgery, Hounshell could be out for a significant amount of time and could miss part of the season.
Need For Speed
For the first three years of watching Brian Kelly’s offense, fans made the comment, “I thought Brian Kelly’s offense was more up tempo.” According to Kelly, the Irish are looking to be that team now.
This would make sense. Kelly now has the two elements needed to run that type of offense: the Quarterback and the experience. Everett Golson gives Notre Dame the ability to run every play in Kelly’s playbook. With one year under his belt, he now has the ability to process information quick enough to move the ball at an “Oregon” type pace.
‘Special’ Back in Special Teams
Brian Kelly has stated over and over during his press conferences that the Irish need to perform better on Special Teams. He said that the units have failed to make “big plays”. Now, the Irish have depth to put starters and elite players on the special teams units. Doing this should produce more results.
It could mean the difference between wins and losses for Notre Dame.