Notre Dame Football: August 5th Practice Review
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame Football took to the field for their second practice of the season at the Culver Academies. The Irish, by NCAA rule, donned only helmets, practice jerseys and shorts. Not a ton of information can be gleaned from these videos. However, it can tell viewers who the Irish coaches are favoring. In other words, it can clearly show who the starters, backups and reserves are. It may also show who is ready to stand out. However, it is very important to remember that skillfully edited videos do not always reflect what actually occurred during a two-hour practice. It may just show one great play out of twenty bad plays. Here is a frame-by-frame, play-by-play review of the August 5th practice report:
1:50 – 2:02 – Everett Golson breaks the team down to begin practice. Golson needs to set up as a Quarterback and as a leader. Because of his suspension, he will likely not be selected as a captain. However, that does not mean he can lead the Offense from the Quarterback position.
2:03 – 2:15 – Head Coach Brian Kelly works with Notre Dame’s receivers. He replaces Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock who had surgery before camp.
2:49 – 2:54 – Skipping ahead, Sophomores Corey Robinson and Cole Luke battle on a 1-on-1 rep. Robinson’s long frame helps him make an excellent grab.
2:54 – 2:59 – Newcomer Cody Riggs fights with DaVaris Daniels who gets inside position on a slant route. A much stronger Daniels picks up the reception and fights off Riggs.
3:00 – 3:06 – Senior Running Back Cam McDaniel runs an excellent route during a 1-on-1 match up.
3:07 – 3:12 – Freshman Justin Brent beats fellow Frosh Nick Watkins off the line. This leads to an easy throw, catch and touchdown for Brent.
3:13 – 3:19 – Freshman Safety Drue Tranquil cuts off Sophomore Tight End Durham Smythe forcing a no-throw.
3:20 – 3:26 – Sheldon Day knifes into the backfield and makes a play on Running Back Greg Bryant.
3:27 – 3:31 – Malik Zaire makes a solid throw in between the Cornerback and Safety. Chris Brown makes an even better catch.
3:32 – 3:35 – Everett Golson rolls left and makes an excellent thrown to Amir Carlisle who makes a great snag by the sideline. Carlisle shows that he has the ability to be an excellent receiver. Notre Dame needs him to be able to catch the ball solidly each time.
3:36 – 3:38 – Golson hits Smythe over the middle. When Smythe puts the #80 jersey on, he looks like former Notre Dame Tyler Eifert because of the way he catches the ball.
3:39 – 3:43 – Zaire’s pass to Robinson is batted away by Cornerback KeiVarae Russell. Russell shows in this play why he is Notre Dame’s best cover Cornerback.
3:57 – 4:01 – Golson over throws his intended receiver and is picked off by Safety Eliar Hardy. Yes, it is good to see the defense making plays but this is the second interception that has been captured on video in as many days.
4:01 – 4:40 – In the 11-on-11 action, the most positive take away is that the first team Defensive Line looks to be getting pressure. Okwara, Williams and Day all get in the back field in this series of plays.