Tag: Ian Book

Notre Dame’s Quarterback Conundrum Must Be Solved

Solving Notre Dame’s quarterback conundrum

If you are a football fan to any degree, you know the following statement to be true. Quarterback is the single most important position in the sport. Coincidentally, this position has been a frustration for Notre Dame fans for well over a decade.

Sure, there have been some standouts. [autotag]Deshone Kizer[/autotag] comes to mind, [autotag]Ian Book[/autotag] in recent vintage as well in terms of quarterbacks who made it to the NFL after their Notre Dame careers ended. But even when including these players, the Irish haven’t had a signal caller they win their biggest games because of. Not with, but because of.

This needs to change for Notre Dame moving forward and with the rumor mill ablaze regarding quarterback recruits and the Irish, let’s take a look at five things to consider about the current quarterback dynamic.

Notre Dame vs Clemson: Palpable Disappointment

Maddening. Frustrating. Angering. What else?

For the most part, people were fairly understanding of Notre Dame’s struggles last year. Marcus Freeman was new on the job, there were many moving pieces on and off the field, the roster was in major flux, the schedule was challenging, etc. This year was going to be different though. Everyone was more settled in, the roster felt deeper and let’s not forget that the Irish would be led by the best transfer quarterback available this year as well.

The ultimate goal of course was to make the College Football Playoff and win games. At a minimum be in playoff contention throughout the year. But that dream perished the first weekend of October after the Irish lost Louisville’s Super Bowl at their place. If Notre Dame could run the table from there, they could at least possibly make a New Years Six game and win it. Then Clemson happened. Be honest with yourself. What big-picture goals are left to attain? There are none. That makes this year a disappointment.

Let’s examine exactly what I mean and how Notre Dame can grow from this frustrating experience moving forward.

Giants workout quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Ian Book

The New York Giants worked out seven players on Monday, including quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Ian Book.

The New York Giants held workouts in East Rutherford on Monday, just as they do every week throughout the regular season.

Among those who attended were quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Ian Book, along with wide receiver Damiere Byrd.

The presence of Barkley and Book obviously raised eyebrows given that Giants quarterback Daniel Jones missed a Week 6 game due to a neck injury. During the broadcast, it was revealed that Jones was feeling discomfort down into his shoulder.

That news immediately set off a flurry of speculation with some Internet doctors postulating that Jones either needs surgery or may be dealing with a long-term issue. Of course, none of that is confirmed and there are reports circulating that the Giants are optimistic Jones returns against the Washington Commanders this Sunday.

Given that the Giants regularly work out positional groups, it’s possible that  Barkley and Book being in attendance is merely a coincidence.

The 33-year-old Barkley was a fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2013 NFL draft. He quickly became a journeyman, making stops with nine different teams over his 11-year career, including two stints with the Buffalo Bills.

The 25-year-old Book was a fourth-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2021. He also played for the Eagles and spent a week on the New England Patriots practice squad earlier this year.

Byrd, 30, signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015. He has appeared in 75 career games.

In addition to those three players, the Giants also worked out wide receivers Jalen Camp and Kyric McGowan, running back Hassan Hall, and tight end Eric Saubert.

None of the players were immediately signed by the Giants.

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Notre Dame-USC Fallout: The Fight Of The Irish

A bounce back of EPIC proportions for the Irish

Many different outcomes to this game seemed perfectly reasonable heading into it. However, I’m not sure anyone saw a Notre Dame blowout and beat down of the reigning Heisman winner coming, especially when considering what a hard journey the last month has been for the team.

Marcus Freeman needed this win. The players needed this win, and the fans needed this win. Quite frankly, Notre Dame needed this win. It felt as though whatever amount of energy jolt the team couldn’t dip into last week for whatever reason was carried over into this week tenfold. Never a dull moment with Notre Dame, that’s for sure.

There’s nothing that could be done in this game that could rewrite the final scores of the Louisville and Ohio State games. A Cardinals team that lost to Pitt by the way. The only thing the Irish could do to get back on track in every practical and perceptual way one could imagine was to win this game. And, boy, did they, in a very Clemson 2022-ish type fashion.

Let’s examine a few key areas from this mega bounce-back performance.

Notre Dame Football: Irish Halfway Through Brutal Stretch

Think the last two weeks were tough?

Notre Dame’s 2023 schedule breaks down into three segments. Segment one is ensuring they were 4-0 heading into the Ohio State game. That mission was accomplished. Games 5-8 are where this season will be made or broken for the Irish. So far they are 1-1 with 2 very challenging games that lie ahead before reaching the bye. Segment 3 is ideally about closing out a playoff push.

This schedule looked daunting on paper in the summer. It looks even more so now. Notre Dame played undefeated NC State at their place. Undefeated Ohio State. Undefeated Duke at their place. Now undefeated Louisville awaits at their place before the Irish return home to face what will almost certainly be an undefeated USC team. Brutal.

Let’s examine this historic schedule stretch in more detail.

Takeaways and observations from Eagles 25-11 win over Buccaneers in Week 3

We’re looking at takeaways and observations from the Philadelphia #Eagles 25-11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3 on MNF

Philadelphia’s defense shut down Baker Mayfield and the Tampa offense, while the road team had a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver on a night when Jalen Hurts and the offense left points on the board.

The Eagles played another sloppy contest but moved to 3-0 on the season after a 25-11 win over the Buccaneers on ABC’s Monday Night Football.

Rookie defensive tackle and No. 9 overall pick Jalen Carter was again dominant in limited pass rush opportunities, while the Eagles secondary adjusted without Avonte Maddox in the slot, moving James Bradberry and Sydney Brown around the field.

With the Birds set to start preparation for an NFC East matchup with Washington, here are takeaways and observations from the win.

 

Instant analysis of Eagles 25-11 win over Buccaneers on Monday Night Football

We’re looking at instant analysis of the Philadelphia #Eagles 25-11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football

The Eagles played another sloppy contest but moved to 3-0 on the season after a 25-11 win over the Buccaneers on ABC’s Monday Night Football.

The Philadelphia defense shut down Baker Mayfield and the Tampa offense, while the road team had a 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver on a night when Jalen Hurts and the offense left points on the board.

Rookie defensive tackle and No. 9 overall pick Jalen Carter was again dominant in limited pass rush opportunities, while the Eagles secondary adjusted without Avonte Maddox in the slot, moving James Bradberry and Sydney Brown around the field.

With the Birds set to start preparation for an NFC East matchup with Washington, here’s an instant analysis of Monday night.

Key takeaways from the first half of the Eagles’ Monday night matchup vs. the Bucs

We’re looking at key takeaways from the first half as the Philadelphia #Eagles hold a 13-3 lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was 12 of 21 passing, for 153 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, as a stout Philadelphia defense led the way.

D’Andre Swift led the rushing attack with 38 yards on five carries, logging 36 yards on the first drive.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was 9-16 passing for 79 yards and one interception.

Mike Evans was held to two catches for 13 yards in the first half.

With kickoff for the second half fast approaching, here are takeaways and highlights from the first half.

Eagles vs. Buccaneers inactives for Monday Night Football

The #Eagles have announced their inactives for tonight’s Week 3 matchup in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers

The Eagles just announced their inactives for tonight’s Week 3 matchup in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers, and Mario Goodrich is a surprise healthy scratch.

Earlier on Monday, the team elevated wide receiver Devon Allen and punter Braden Mann from the practice squad for the game.

Mann was signed to the practice squad on September 18 and will make his Eagles debut tonight.

Allen will make his NFL regular-season debut after spending last season and the first two weeks of this season on the practice squad.

Tampa will be without starting cornerback Carlton Davis III due to a toe injury. Their first-round pick, Calijah Kancey, is inactive because of a calf injury.

Defensive starters Vita Vea and Devin White will play after being listed as questionable for most of the week, along with starting guard Cody Mauch.

Eagles at Bucs: 5 things to watch for during Week 3 matchup

We’re looking at five things to watch during the Philadelphia #Eagles Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football

We’re just hours aways from an intriguing Monday night matchup featuring two undefeated NFC teams when Tampa host Philadelphia at Raymond James Stadium.