As he does every Monday, Brian Kelly meets with the media. For almost a half-hour Kelly took a variety of questions, ranging from the difficulties the past two weeks have presented due to the COVID-19 outbreak within the team, how they refocus after a two-week absence from the field and some injury updates that are very encouraging. Here are the highlights from Kellys presser.
-The offense isn’t just on Tommy Rees, it’s a collaboration of ideas and currently they’re “running the system that will best take advantage of the players we have,” said Kelly
-Wide receiver’s haven’t had enough continuity, but Kelly “see(s) a unit that will produce at a higher rate, but it’s still one that takes some time … but I do believe it has a high ceiling.” The return of Ben Skoronek, Kevin Austin and a healthier Braden Lenzy will certainly help.
-More on Austin’s return, he is cleared currently to play in 15-20 snaps, so don’t expect him out there much against FSU
-The two week break is going to be very difficult for the team. Kelly noted that they will “really lean on attention to details, maybe more than they’ve ever had before.”
-Ian Book’s number might not shine the way you’d think a 3rd-year starters would, but Kelly isn’t concerned one bit. What matters to him is Book’s winning attitude, “He (Book) wins and he’s a guy that prepares the football team so well. He is prepared himself, and he brings a sense of clam to the unit that they believe they’re going to win.”
-With so many players returning from either being in isolation or a modified quarantine, handling how these players return is obviously something to watch. Kelly will take it as a player by player basis, depending on their situation, as some of them were able to continue to workout and stay in shape. “If a player was normally playing 50 plays, then maybe in our mind their playing half of that,” Kelly said.
-There wasn’t a pinpoint situation where the virus spread, as Kelly said it could have come from a pregame meal, celebrating on the sidelines during and after the game, playing videos games without masks, or car rides. “There’s so many levels to this so it becomes maddening to track every moment,” which means they have to be more careful. They will apparently, because “if were going to continue to play in this environment we have to be more vigilant than in the past,” he said.
-Safety Kyle Hamilton will return to playing this week
-Kelly dubbed today as “Mental Monday” as the team will go through weight training, conditioning, meetings and mental work today. He’s trying to “get back to normal, a routine, has been my focus this week.”
-Why has Notre Dame been so transparent with their testing numbers? Kelly explained that the players “have parents that are concerned with their health and safety. Those that love them should know what’s going on within the program.”