Notre Dame Football Mailbag: Mike Denbrock vs Marcus Freeman struggle for offensive identity, and the new plan for Will Black
Latest Notre Dame football discussing offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, Marcus Freeman’s impact on the offense, and freshman Will Black
Head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football are coming off a tough loss to the Miami Hurricanes over the weekend. The Fighting Irish squad is now in the middle of a bye week to prepare for their next test against the Texas A&M Aggies two Saturdays from now. The next ten days should be dedicated to improving this team, including the woes on the offensive line, and consistency on defense on multiple levels.
In this week’s Notre Dame football mailbag, I was asked about offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, Marcus Freeman’s impact on the offense, and the developmental track for true freshman Anthonie Knapp. As always, shoutout to everyone who submitted questions this week. Let’s talk some Notre Dame football!
Let’s talk Mike Denbrock
What do I think Mike Denbrock was thinking? Well, to be honest, I think Coach Denbrock needs to evolve as a play caller. His offense ran through CJ Carr, and he ran the offense like he was a true dual threat quarterback. Carr is a solid athlete, and he can clearly do enough with his legs to hurt a team. There is, however, no reason that Carr should ever have more carries than both Jeremiyah Love and Jadaian Price. Your offense needs to function through Love, and let the play action and RPO game play off of it. Coach Denbrock is a very good offensive coordinator, and I believe things will improve a ton.
Trust between Denbrock and Marcus Freeman
I think several players on the offensive line are playing the wrong position right now. I like Anthonie Knapp as a football player, but the pass protection just isn’t getting much better. He should be playing on this offensive line, but I think he would be better suited inside. Guerby Lambert also probably shouldn’t be playing at right guard right now, either. It is just like Charles Jagusah should have never been moved to guard when he is your best left tackle on the roster. Some bad decisions have been made positionally.
The Marcus Freeman-Mike Denbrock relationship is a little interesting. Do I think Coach Freeman trusts him to call the offense? I do. Do I think that Coach Freeman also pushes his ideology of taking care of the football a lot? I also do. Overall, I don’t blame their relationship on the offense on Sunday. It was just a poorly coordinated game.
Is there a coordinator problem?
If Coach Freeman sees issues and doesn’t act, then he is also at fault ultimately. I am going to give both coordinators a bit of a pass right now. Mike Denbrock has been a very good offensive coordinator in his career, and he had to work with a new quarterback for the first time in a game. That relationship, and comfort in the offense, will only improve. Chris Ash also just coached his first game with Notre Dame in general. There are some warning signs there, but you just don’t have enough data points to make a sound decision right now. Let’s see how both the offense and defense evolve.
Will Black developmental track
Should Will Black be getting some practice reps at left tackle? Yes, absolutely. Right now, you seriously lack depth at left tackle. This conversation isn’t even about Anthonie Knapp necessarily. Your backup on the blindside is a redshirt freshman who also struggled against Miami. I don’t believe that developing Black as a guard is advantageous for his short, or long-term future. Creating depth at left tackle is very important to me. That being said, I don’t expect them to shift Black outside right now.
The solution to improve the pass rush is two-fold for me: Improve your coverage issues, and continue getting healthier. Notre Dame allowed way too many easy completions off of quick game against Miami. If the Irish defensive backs are allowed to play more press coverage, that limits those quick access throws. Just like a pass rush can help pass coverage, the inverse is true. As Boubacar Traore and Jordan Botelho continue to get healthier, I think the pass rush will fix itself. Add in more Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Loghan Thomas getting opportunities, and I expect the Irish to get to the quarterback more consistently.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish News
Changes head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish should consider during the bye week heading into Texas A&M
Changes Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman should consider
