What I Will be Watching
With the coaches clinic on tap, and Saturday's access, we will be watching two full practices over the next few days. Here's a list of what I'm going to be watching.
O-line play if/when they go 11-on-11. This is a good D-line, and if this O-line can have some success against them, that should be encouraging. Usually the defense is ahead early in the spring. I'm most anticipating watching this battle.
Left tackle. Do they have anyone with the quickness to handle speed rushers?
Jon Bonner. I love Jon Bonner's attitude and effort, but I'm just not sold he can hold up against the double team. ND must feel he can. I want to see how he handles a Mustipher/Bars combo block.
Speed at WR. Does ND have anyone who could potentially stretch the field?
Safety play. This will be key for me. Is Nick Coleman better? Can he be relied upon in the pass game? Do they have anyone else who can play free safety? Is Alohi Gilman as advertised?
Pass rush. Can anyone get after the QB on a consistent basis?
Jay Hayes/Khalid Kareem battle. Is Kareem the better starting option moving forward?
I'm very interested to see how Ian Book does with the first team. I hope I get the opportunity to see that.
What will Brandon Wimbush do when he makes a bad play? How will he follow that up?
I'm excited to watch Tony Jones, Jr. With the slimmer, trimmer Jones, Jr., does that mean more quickness and explosiveness to get past linebacker level?
Has Dexter Williams improved in pass protection?
Depth at linebacker. The starting 3 should be good, but I'm curious to see what Jonathan Jones, DJ Morgan, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and the rest look like. ND is only one injury away from having to play a lot of guys with very little experience.
Those will be my main focus these next two practices. Be looking for my comments after Saturday's practice.