So the Irish received their first bit of bad news in the 2015 season. Defensive tackle Jarron Jones is lost for the year and the Notre Dame defense will need to collectively replace Jones’ sizable place in the middle of the Irish defense.
I’ll start this mailbag off with a question I’ve seen thrown around the web the past few days:
On a scale of 1-to-10, how badly does Jarron Jones’ injury hurt Notre Dame’s defense?
I’m going to put it at a six out of 10. As I look at the defense, here are the player, in order, that the Irish can’t afford to lose. And as you can see, for as good as Jones could be, I don’t think he’s at the top of the list.
- Jaylon Smith
- Joe Schmidt
- KeiVarae Russell
- Max Redfield
- Cole Luke
- Sheldon Day
- Jarron Jones
You could probably debate this list—and really, it’s one of those arbitrary lists you write just because you have to when a situation like this comes up—but the loss of Jones’ talent and experience was painful, but there’s depth around him to make up for it.
Now getting to that point...
mediocrebob: If you had to pick one true freshman defensive player to break out and play a big role , who would it be and why? Offensive true frosh?
Even before this injury, my answer was Jerry Tillery. I just think he’s too talented to keep off the field. Throw in Jones’ injury and Tillery is going to get as much work as he can handle.
Offensively, I think I’m going with Equanimeous St. Brown. I was tempted to list CJ Sanders here, but ultimately, I think EQ is going to take the role of designated down-field threat, following in the long line of greats like Golden Tate and Will Fuller.
mattymill: We are always enamored with the new freshmen. I haven’t read the questions above, but I’m sure there are some asking who the breakout frosh will be. I’m wondering who will be the breakout soph that either didn’t play or didn’t contribute much last year? 2012 we had Golson, last year was Fuller. Who fits that bill in 2015?
Good guess, Matt.
I’ll give you one on offense and one on defense. Offensively, I’ll go with Nic Weishar. He’s lit up fall camp and he is also taking advantage of nagging injuries that have slowed down Alizé Jones and Durham Smythe. It sounds like he’s a ball hawk and it also sounds like he’s developed quite a rapport with Malik Zaire. So keep an eye on Weishar.
Defensively, I’ll say Jonathon Bonner if I’m going with someone who hasn’t seen the field and Daniel Cage if I need to pick someone who has. Both are likely moving one-step closer to the field after the injury to Jarron Jones.
coachtemp: Keith, are you concerned as I am with who will actually call plays? After listening to Coach Denbrock, he said all three coaches work well together but he didn’t indicate who would actually be calling the plays.
Sorry Temp, I just can’t get too worked up about this. I know you’d like Mike Sanford to call the plays on Saturdays but right now he’s been working in Kelly’s offense for a total of nine months. That’s just not enough experience, especially when Kelly is a 20-plus year veteran offensive playcaller and Denbrock is the most experienced assistant on Kelly’s staff.
Listen, I think it’s completely fair to be skeptical as to how this whole three-headed monster is going to work out. But I also don’t think it’s much of a leap to think that a guy like Denbrock and a young coach like Sanford can get along and find common ground. I truly believe him when he says “best idea wins,” and I think that it’ll be nice to see what that looks like.
irishfaithful666: After watching the highlights from the magical 2012 season, one thing stood out the most to me. When it was a big third down, with the game on the line one player consistently pulled through. Theo Riddick. Who do you see as the guy this year? Folston, Prosise, or Zaire? Also some big time clutch receptions were made by one T J Jones. Do we have these go to guys that can get it done when it matters most?
I’ll agree that Riddick definitely made his share of big plays. And he was rock solid against USC down the stretch. That said, I think this team is way better equipped for guys who can step up and make a play than the 2012 team was, especially on offense.
In the running game, I think Tarean Folston is a better all-around back than anybody on the 2012 team and C.J. Prosise has speed that nobody on the 2012 offense had. And while I think you might be getting the 2013 season mixed up when you mention TJ Jones, I’d take Will Fuller over Jones already and likely would also trust someone like Corey Robinson on 3rd-and-Need It over any receiver on the 2012 team minus Tyler Eifert.
sblxdoc: Why is it so difficult to get an elite pass rusher to Notre Dame? I ask this with complete sincerity, do you think there is a correlation with that position and academics/intelligence? It is so bizarre that we haven’t had this for years.
I’ll challenge the “we haven’t had this for years,” comment, considering in 2012 Stephon Tuitt was near the nation’s lead for sacks and nearly broke Justin Tuck’s single-season record. But I get your point in general, though I’ll point out that not every team—not even elite teams—have a speed demon coming off the edge.
(Go look at the Alabama team that knocked ND out in the opening minutes of the BCS title game.)
Sure, there’s been some bad luck at the position. (Lynch transferred, the slew of unproven kids that just took off, too.) But I think if Notre Dame’s defense plays like it’s capable of this season, there’s going to be a defensive end that jumps off the stat sheet for the Irish this season, and I also think Notre Dame is going to flip a big name pass rusher as we get closer to Signing Day.
This defensive scheme should help recruit better edge rushers. But Kelly has mentioned it more than once: Most teams don’t get to the quarterback with just a great pass rusher at defensive end. So expect the Irish to manufacture some of their pressure until they’re able to find the right guy.
ndrocks2: Keith is the next ND player on our roster who will get 10 sacks in a season?
If VanGorder wants to turn Jaylon Smith into a 10-sack player, he can be it this season. Otherwise, I could see someone like Okwara exploding during his senior season or possible Sheldon Day, who’ll get some chances to rush the passer from the edge.
Andrew Trumbetti should have that ability come 2016, and I also think we need to see how someone like Jon Bonner does now that he’s activated.
@JMSet3: When back on campus do you use Eddy St Bookstore or keep it old school and stick to campus store?
If it’s a game weekend, I’m staying out of both of them. I tried finding gloves during the freezing rain against Stanford and both were complete zoos.
But I’ll be on campus Monday evening and Tuesday for media day, and I’ll probably hit up the book store, just because it’s “more authentic.” But I would point out that the true “old school” bookstore is long gone...
padomer: Not entirely training camp related however a suggestion/request…I know you’re probably stretched thin, but have you ever considered a podcast? ISD and BnG are the only ND podcasts I’ve found (and thoroughly enjoy them) but this is probably my first click when it comes to ND news, I think a podcast would be a lot of fun and something the rest of your followers (as well as yourself) may enjoy. Thoughts?
I love podcasts. I’ve thought long and hard about doing one, but more often than not, I’m mostly just a guest on them.
I think the podcasts you mentioned are good ones. I was also just a guest on Irish Sports Radio and I think the guys at One Foot Down and Her Loyal Sons do them, too. But do yourself a favor and check out Irish Illustrated’s podcast. Pete, Tim (and now Tim O.) do a great job and drop a lot of insider knowledge.