On the EZ late, but Rees pulled a Crist. (see what I done there?)

Really think he's a slower, less white Welker.

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I enjoyed the hell out of it. I'm dissatisfied, not disappointed. I'm grumbly because there were missed opportunities and a lot of sloppy plays, and even though we drove up and down the field we didn't score nearly enough. With 80% yards gained we should have had more than 5 touchdowns. But the highlights were great, and the game was a lot of fun.

In a way, this team looks like a guy trying to throw a saddle on a buffalo. It might be awesome, or we all might die. But whatever happens, it'll be worth watching.

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We got better yesterday.

We're not quite a top 5-10 team but we're good.

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Since this offense plays 3 WRs as its base, it's got to be Riddick, or another receiver, right?

Tough to balance short term needs With long term development

Its almost like Kelly is too afraid to try something new in the red zone because he thinks it will result in a turnover. Might as well give something else a shot because the lack of creativity down there just isn't working.

But is Kelly too focused on Rees' development to try a wildcat in the red zone? I think he wants to get Rees as many reps in as many situations as he can.

Riddick in the Wildcat. We need to add something to the Red Zone offense.

And when I watch TJ Jones run across the field, he looks a lot quicker than Riddick. He certainly has more reliable hands.

I think Riddick is the 4th best receiving option right now, and he probably won't get a lot of looks from here on out.

Last year was different because Eifert was just starting in place of the injured Rudolph and Jones was a freshman. Those guys have all improved dramatically while Riddick may have plateaued.

Can we agree on that? In passing situations, the top options are Floyd, TE, and then Jones. TR appears to be down on the list of progressions.

Rees does not see the field very well or go through his progressions--I assume he'll improve with time and experience. I doubt TR will factor much into the passing game.

Here's my question: why not use TR in the wild cat (Wild Irish Rose) formation? Let him run that play a few times per game.

I think that Floyd's graduation might actually help to "open up" the offense a bit more in the future.

But the fact that Brian Kelly continues to stress that Riddick needs the ball in his hand more leads me to believe that he wants him to be a focal point in the offense. I'd like to start seeing his role expand a bit more.

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there's only so much an offense can, and should, do.

I mean, who do you take touches away from? I think Riddick might be somewhat lost in the shuffle right now but he's done some really good things from Michigan forward. His catch on the game winning drive last week was a thing of beauty.

Just a shame that he's not more involved in the offense. Can't figure out whether that's more on him, the coaches or Rees.

but where do you move him? Given Gray's current level of play Theo would at best be 3rd RB getting few touches per game. At this point ND may be better off leaving him at WR and revisiting the situation at the end of the season.

When do we formally declare that "Theo Riddick to the slot" isn't working? Do we give it a few more games? Does he need a different QB? Does he need Mike Floyd to move on?

I suppose its a good thing that ND guys are good enough to keep testing the NFL waters once they become eligible, but I'd really like to get at least one more year out of Wood, Eifert, Z. Martin, KLM, etc.

http://www.jonbois.com/2011/09/i-hope-you-guys-will-attend-pitbulls.html

Let's have a real good time! Let's have a real good time!

Wait, that's not right...

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I wasn't going to rewatch the game but I will this morning to count the receivers he missed.

As BK himself admitted we left a bunch of points on the table. Mine was not a sourpuss post. I'm calling it like I see it. Defense was fine, but that was another sloppy effort by our offense, masked by poor play by Purdue defenders and numerous gift penalties.

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better."

Everybody posting needs to go have some drinks, relax, and watch a tape of the game. Get lucky if you can. You know, do what we'd do on a football night at the Dome.

Complaints (why didn't we throw to the tight end more? would really bring me back to the good ol' days) should come tomorrow evening while watching Sunday night football.

Talk to you all then.

Two fumbles and two passes that should have been picked. We were a whisker away from four to's. We're still too sloppy offensively.

Rees seemed to sail passes this game. He was incapable of throwing a fade and missed a wide-open Roby Toma on a skinny post.

I blame Kelly for not continuing to sweep-run inside the red zone. We get down there by getting the edge and inside the 10 we decide to run off-tackle so their LBs don't have to chase? Dumb.

Still, outside of that, Cowart's stupidity and Ruffer's head-case syndrome, I'm ok with the result.

Wood was 9 from 200, Gray was 6 from 100, the pass to Toma should've been a TD, and George. Sigh.

that Hamilton's passing reference to Wood seeking his draft grade might actually be something worth worrying about. So I'm worrying about worrying - again.

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Winning big and bitching nonetheless.

More please.

This should have been at least a 45 point output by ND. I'm still not happy with our offensive efficiency inside scoring position. Ruffer has regressed and we're still not efficient inside the 20 running the ball.

For this team to be as good as they can be they have to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and not allow opponents to hang around. AF and Navy will be two examples of games where we have to be efficient offensively. If we are not we'll stack up a bunch of yards between the 20s and find ourselves in a nail biter at the end.

On a positive note maybe it was Purdue's ineptness but I can't remember a game where our OL looked as well in space as they did tonight. It is certainly a far cry from teh Weis years where ND would have 2 linemen out in front of a play and both would blowoff the only defender within 15 yards of the ball carrier and allow them to make the play. That shit took years off my life.

That was an ND/SC 2008 style beatdown. most we've dominated an opponent in a long time. I'd say UW 2008

Thankfully, Purdue turned their sloppy meter to 11. Until that last drive they had more penalty yards than rushing yards.

Should have hung half a hundred on 'em.