Daniel Cage Archives - Her Loyal Sons https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog A Notre Dame Football Blog Fri, 16 Sep 2016 03:21:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.3 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HLS-Avatar-Option-2-150x150.png Daniel Cage Archives - Her Loyal Sons https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog 32 32 Morning Roundup: Sept. 16, 2016 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/16/morning-roundup-sept-16-2016/ Fri, 16 Sep 2016 08:45:28 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35843 The Morning Roundup is now available as an easy-to-digest e-mail. Sign up at the bottom of this post and be sure to check your spam filter for a confirmation message from newsletter at herloyalsons dot com. Once you’re signed up, you’ll get all the headlines from Notre Dame athletics delivered to your inbox before breakfast....

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]]> The Morning Roundup is now available as an easy-to-digest e-mail. Sign up at the bottom of this post and be sure to check your spam filter for a confirmation message from newsletter at herloyalsons dot com. Once you’re signed up, you’ll get all the headlines from Notre Dame athletics delivered to your inbox before breakfast.

FROM OUR SITE

PODCASTS

Blue & Gold Illustrated

Inside the Irish

Irish Illustrated

Irish Sports Daily

ND Insider

The Prime Time Podcast

SATURDAY’S GAME: vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7:30 ET, NBC)

Associated Press

Battle Creek Enquirer

Blue & Gold Illustrated

Campus Pressbox

Chicago Tribune

Click on Detroit

Cleveland Plain Dealer

18 Stripes

ESPN

Inside the Irish

Irish Sports Daily

Irish247

iSportsWeb

MLive

MSU Athletics

ND Insider

One Foot Down

Spartan Avenue

Spartan Tailgate

UHND

UND

Wood TV8

2016 TEAM

Blue & Gold Illustrated

CSN Chicago

18 Stripes

ESPN

Irish Illustrated

Irish Sports Daily

Irish247

ND Insider

One Foot Down

UHND

RECRUITING

Blue & Gold Illustrated

18 Stripes

Irish Illustrated

Irish Sports Daily

Irish247

ND Insider

IRISH IN THE NFL

18 Stripes

Slap the Sign

MISC.

Indianapolis Star

Irish Sports Daily

MLive

ND Insider

WSBT

 

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]]> Analyzing the Fall Camp Depth Chart https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/08/11/3-fall-camp-buzzwords/ Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:00:05 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35116 Fall camp produces the perfect mix for any college football junkie – immeasurable aspirations coupled with unlimited potential. The 2016 Fighting Irish are no exception. Many positional battles follow #NDFB into fall camp and understandably so with the solid depth at all positions. Let’s do a quick rundown of what to expect. Depth, baby! Everything...

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]]> Fall camp produces the perfect mix for any college football junkie – immeasurable aspirations coupled with unlimited potential. The 2016 Fighting Irish are no exception. Many positional battles follow #NDFB into fall camp and understandably so with the solid depth at all positions. Let’s do a quick rundown of what to expect.

Depth, baby! Everything this fall will revolve around the exceptional depth that has slowly been built year over year. The coaching staff has recruited exceptionally well over the past few years (the 2017 class aka #IRISHEL17E and the 2018 class aka #IrishBouND18 are stacking up quite nicely as well) especially addressing specific positional needs.

adamsThe depth is far and above where it has been in years past. The offense returns multiple assets at every position. Proven running backs Tarean Folston and Josh Adams will lead the ground game along with Dexter Williams guaranteed to be fighting for carries.

The offensive line depth is nothing short of incredible considering it lost two future NFL starters from last year in Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin. Junior guard Quenton Nelson has been named a Sports Illustrated preseason All-American and senior tackle Mike McGlinchey is garnering elite status as the 64th best player in the nation – according to ESPN. These two woolly mammoths will anchor the left side of the offensive line, and the right side anticipates a battle between junior Alex Bars and seniors Hunter Bivin and Colin McGovern.

Tight end, once a surging position of depth, took a hit in the academic ineligibility ruling against Alize Jones. As reported, Jones will miss the entire 2016 season. The return of transferring/not transferring Tyler Luatua provides the group with a huge (255 lbs. pun intended) veteran h-back, and his decision to not transfer now proves to be vital to the position group. Nic Weishar and Durham Smythe are both capable and consistent targets from a three point stance and split wide – this groups presence and overall utility within the red zone should not be understated.

Credit: Matt Cashore

Credit: Matt Cashore

The wide receiver cupboard is full – yet unproven. The only shoe-in to start is senior Torii Hunter Jr. Behind him will be an intriguing battle between Equanimeous St. Brown, Corey Holmes, Miles Boykin, C.J. Sanders, and potentially true freshman/early enrollee Kevin Stepherson. Finishing on the offensive side of the ball, who could forget the quarterback situation, in which the Irish arguably have the most collective talent at the position in the entire nation (including Brandon Wimbush)? *Insert your own opinions about the QB situation* and find my own here.

The defensive line (also unfortunately known as the Irish’s Achilles heel in recent years) is loaded with talent and (FINALLY) depth. Isaac Rochell, Jarron Jones and Daniel Cage are battle tested veterans while Andrew Trumbetti, Jay Hayes, Jerry Tillery, Jonathan Bonner, Micah Dew-Treadway and Elijah Taylor all look to make significant impacts and potentially break out. Also, look for the word “sub packages” to be thrown around as highly talented true freshman defensive ends Daelin Hayes and Khalid Kareem could be utilized as pass rushers in such schemes.

Nyles Morgan (Credit: Chicago Tribune)

Nyles Morgan (Credit: Chicago Tribune)

Nyles Morgan is an automatic upgrade at the Mike linebacker position, and while replacing the “once in a century” freakish athleticism of Jaylon Smith is no small task, the linebacker corps is well stocked with young talent. Te’von Coney saw limited action last year and is reported to be fully recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. His classmates and other blue chip linebacker recruits, Asmar Bilal (2015 defensive scout team player of the year) and Josh Barajas redshirted last year. This young talent will push upperclassmen, Greer Martini and James Onwaulu for reps.

The secondary returns Jekyll and Hyde aka Max Redfield along with sixth year Cal transfer Avery Sebastian and fan favorite Drue Tranquil – all at safety. Garnering spring ball notoriety was true freshman and early enrollee Devin Studstill, who was my “most likely to make an immediate impact” of the 2016 recruiting class.

Rounding out the secondary at cornerback is senior multi year starter Cole Luke along with juniors Nick Watkins and Devin Butler. They are surrounded by younger talent in sophomore Nick Coleman and Shaun Crawford, who was slated to be the team’s starting nickel back last year until suffering a torn ACL in fall camp. Crawford drew incredibly high praise during the 2015 fall camp before his injury, and his return provides a massive athletic boost to the secondary.

Credit: UHND.com

Credit: UHND.com

Over the past few years the Notre Dame special teams have often been regarded as the “not-so-special teams.” Last year, however, the group made great strides and improvements. Returning “The Big Three” key specialists in kicker Justin Yoon, punter Tyler Newsome, and long snapper Scott Daly should pay dividends for the special teams in 2016. DeShone Kizer has been relieved of his holding duties and he will be replaced by Montgomery VanGorder. The Irish also have the luxury of Sanders’ electric and ever-elusive return skills. As a true freshman, Sanders returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown last season. The special teams should continue to build off of last year’s success.

With the well-rounded depth in place, #NDFB is primed for an entertaining fall. Don’t forget that it is your civic duty as a Domer to recite one Hail Mary each day of camp for the shake of keeping this vital depth healthy!

Cheers and Go Irish!

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]]> Morning Roundup: April 3, 2015 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2015/04/03/morning-roundup-april-3-2015/ Fri, 03 Apr 2015 12:00:59 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=28816 Good morning! I’m here to catch you up on all that has transpired with the Notre Dame football program in the last 24 hours. Here are your headlines: PODCAST Irish Illustrated (F): Irish hit spring stride (50:55) ND Insider: Podcast: ND Insider recruiting update 4-2 (10:42) RECRUITING – OFFERED Bruin Report Online ($): Video: Lucas...

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]]> Good morning! I’m here to catch you up on all that has transpired with the Notre Dame football program in the last 24 hours. Here are your headlines:

PODCAST

RECRUITING – OFFERED

RECRUITING – ND INTERESTED, NO OFFER

CURRENT TEAM

COACHING

IRISH IN THE NFL

MISC.

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]]> Morning Roundup: March 18, 2015 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2015/03/18/morning-roundup-march-18-2015/ Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:00:31 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=28529 Good morning! Here are your headlines: FROM OUR SITE Step one: Northeastern VIDEO WatchND: Brian Kelly press conference – March 17, 2015 (42:18) Blue & Gold Illustrated: Video: Kelly previews spring ball (3:03) Irish247: Video: Kelly previews spring practice (3:08) Irish Illustrated: Video: Kelly welcomes QB battle (3:03) Irish Sports Daily: ISD video: Brian Kelly...

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]]> Good morning! Here are your headlines:

FROM OUR SITE

VIDEO

PODCAST

RECRUITING (2016 offers / 2017 offers)

CURRENT TEAM

COACHING

SCHEDULE

MISC.

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]]> Morning Roundup: Feb. 25, 2015 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2015/02/25/morning-roundup-feb-25-2015/ Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:00:31 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=28164 Good morning! Here are your headlines: PODCASTS Irish Sports Talk: DaVaris at NFL Combine & Notre Dame scholarship at 82 – Feb 23 IST153 (46:45) Irish Illustrated: Insider Podcast #166 – Turnover margins (44:55) VIDEO StudentSports: GoPro: Manti Te’o – Hawaii linebacker coach (2:06) WatchND: Tire Wars (0:42) CURRENT TEAM Irish Illustrated: Spring questions: Defensive...

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]]> Good morning! Here are your headlines:

PODCASTS

VIDEO

CURRENT TEAM

RECRUITING

COACHING

IRISH IN THE NFL

SCHEDULING

MISC.

The post Morning Roundup: Feb. 25, 2015 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

]]> Finding the Bottom https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2014/11/16/finding-bottom/ https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2014/11/16/finding-bottom/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2014 06:34:28 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=27165 I’m not even sure where exactly to start with the mess that was Notre Dame’s loss to Northwestern. Typing “Notre Dame’s loss to Northwestern” doesn’t even make sense to me. The Irish lost and gave up 43 points to a team that hasn’t even cracked 30 all season. Iowa blew these guys out. But here...

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]]> Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not even sure where exactly to start with the mess that was Notre Dame’s loss to Northwestern. Typing “Notre Dame’s loss to Northwestern” doesn’t even make sense to me. The Irish lost and gave up 43 points to a team that hasn’t even cracked 30 all season.

Iowa blew these guys out.

But here we are in what I consider the worst loss since I walked on to campus in 2003. Oh sure, we’ve lost to worse teams, but those ND teams were objectively terrible. While this team isn’t championship-caliber or even playoff-caliber, a dose of reality that I accepted last week, this isn’t a terrible team; however, they most certainly played like one.

No one is blameless in this dumpster fire. Everett Golson turned the ball over twice, one of which was a fumble right at the goal line. Chris Brown fumbled near the goal line as well. Malik Zaire’s debut at holder saw him botch a hold that ended up not just blowing a PAT, but gave Northwestern two free points as they took it the other way. Cam McDaniel, the one person no one expected to fumble, did so when Notre Dame was in the process of running out the clock to escape with a win.

Notre Dame has been playing with the fire of turnovers ever since the Syracuse game. They’ve somehow managed to overcome 3-5 turnover performances and win. Now they are regressing back to the mean and now facing the expected consequences of being so damned careless with the football.

The defense doesn’t escape from blame in this one either. As I said before, Notre Dame gave up 43 points to a team that hasn’t cracked 30 to this point. They surrendered a simply absurd 547 yards to the Wildcats. That, by the way, would be the highest total that Notre Dame has given up all season. Northwestern hadn’t cracked the 400 yard mark yet this season.

Now, I’m absolutely certain that injuries are playing into this. The loss of Joe Schmidt seems to loom larger than anyone expected. Sheldon Day and Daniel Cage also went down in this game. Of course, the suspensions expected starters like KeiVarae Russell and Ishaq Williams are wearing on this team. That still doesn’t excuse what happened here.

The defense looked absolutely lost. There were so many blown coverages in this game that I simply lost count. Wildcat receivers ran wide open all game long and, had they had actually caught a few balls, I’m likely sitting here ranting and raving about one of the worst blowout losses in ND history.

Even with Nothwestern managing to drop every wide open pass possible, Notre Dame still surrendered four TD drives of 70 yards or more.

The special teams screwed the pooch as well. We’ve already mentioned the bad hold from Zaire, but Kyle Brindza also managed to have the worst night of his career. Brindza is a 70%+ FG kicker and, even with the Stanford botched snaps and being forced to kick into a gale-force wind during Navy, you have a kicker that has only missed a small handful of attempts all season. He missed two tonight, going 0-2. He also had a 26 yard punt just for good measure too. Even when ND did something great on special teams with a blocked FG, Drue Tranquill inexplicably decided try and return in a completely bone-headed move.

The coaching staff is far from blameless in this disaster too. It starts with the curious decision to bench Max Redfield. I understand Max has struggled quite a bit this season, but I’m not sure that Drue improved this situation as the true freshman saw his own share of struggles throughout the night. Criticism could also be placed on using Zaire as a holder as that swap clearly wasn’t a quick fix.

And speaking of the holding/kicking situation, Brian Kelly noted that those struggles pushed him to go for two. In his presser after the game, Kelly stated that the chart showed the situation as a coin flip and, his confidence as a coach was so shaken in the disaster that is the FG unit, that he felt his chances were better going for two than kicking the PAT. Let that sink in for a bit. Once it does, further consider that if the Irish don’t botch the PAT and give up two points earlier, Kelly doesn’t even have to think twice about simply kicking the PAT.

And once that all sinks in, further consider that we are pulling our hair out over extra freakin’ points to squeak out a win against NORTHWESTERN.

I know Kelly has taken a bit of flack for not kneeling the ball, but I’m actually with him there. Kneeling the ball only to still have time on the clock and be forced to punt is dumb and, in my opinion is the epitome of terrible clock management. Calling a couple of runs takes some extra seconds off the clock and you might just bleed enough off the clock to sit on the ball on fourth down or, better yet, get a first and ice the game. But no, Cam fumbled and here we are splitting hairs about the final minutes of a game against Northwestern.

Make no mistake, there are plenty of other spots to have issues with how the game was coached and Kelly admitted as much in his presser. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say after a game that he needs to examine coaching decisions as well as needing to coach better in a game. Most notably, Kelly stated that perhaps calling a read option so close to the endzone was on him as he perhaps got too confident of Golson’s ability with that play. Further, his comments and reactions to questions about the issues with the kicking game and going for two almost screamed “I screwed up the kicking battery and then I didn’t trust it once it blew up in my face”.

As far as the Golson/Zaire debate. I don’t even know. Even Kelly paused before he gave Golson a very lackluster vote of confidence. I have a feeling the leash is shortening quite rapidly.

I know I’m about 1,000 words into this without tipping my hat at all to the Wildcats, but I do want to say that they punched well beyond their weight class and did what they needed to do to win. This team eclipsed previous offensive marks out of nowhere and their special teams made an impact. They didn’t have a FG of 30 yards or more coming into tonight and all four of their FGs were beyond that mark. It was that kind of night for them.

Simply put, I’m pissed. This was, excuse my French, a clusterfuck of epic proportions in every phase of the game and the coaching staff. There is a load of work to be done to halt this freefall and prevent a 7-5 disaster which, if Notre Dame plays like this the next two weeks, is an absolute certainly.

I didn’t want to head to the edge of the cliff last week, but I feel like I’ve just been tossed off the ledge. I believe that I’ve found the bottom. The last time I felt like this was when Notre Dame lost to Navy and Tulsa back-to-back. The Irish responded by upsetting Utah at home and won out for the remainder of the season. That’s the bounce-back that I need to see.

Because if this isn’t the bottom, I’m not sure how to handle the rest of this season.

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