Notre Dame took to the LaBar Practice Field on Wednesday for their 9th practice of this spring. The team will be taking a break for the Easter holiday and will be back next Wednesday for practice.
As always, OFD's*** UND's Jack Nolan was on the scene to share some footage with eager fans.
***It only feels that way
In case you have been hiding under rock for the past 24 hours or so, there was one notable absence on Wednesday-Aaron Lynch was excused from participation and will be taking the weekend to address some personal issues. Fear not Irish fans, he is expected back on campus Monday.
Now on to the highlights.
Three vs. Three Drill:
Notre Dame Football - 2012 Spring Practice - BONUS Three-on-Three Drill (via NotreDameAthletics)
More highlights and comments after the jump.
Post Practice Presser:
Brian Kelly - Post Practice Media Session - April 4, 2012 (via NotreDameAthletics)
Some additional film on Coach Kerry Cooks and the Corner Backs can be viewed here.
An interview with OC Chuck Martin can be viewed here.
A few interesting notes from practice today:
- Jamoris Slaughter spent the day practicing at Field CB in front of Lo Wood. The move isn't expected to be permanent, but don't be surprised to see it at some point in the fall. Austin Collinsworth took the reps at safety in Slaughter's place. One thing is for certain at this point-the competition at that CB spot is wide open with Bennett Jackson apparently nailing down the Boundary Corner spot.
- Kona Schwenke was running with the 1s at NG. Apparently he has been practicing there for a little while, and in the post-practice presser CBK said that Irish Chocolate needs to bring his Saturday intensity during the week. Schwenke has been impressive so far this spring and it is beginning to look like he will nail down a spot in the DL rotation. The staff is looking for a seven man rotation (two at each spot with one other who can flex to any of the three spots).
- Dan Fox was spotted on crutches with a sprained PCL. Resident Orthopedist Irishane will have to decipher what that means for all of us, but surgery is not required and it should heal on its own. It looks like the WILL spot won't be settled coming out of spring (not that it would have been anyway).
- Christian Lombard appears to have a position locked down on the right side--which one is still TBD. Today he worked at RT with Mike Golic Jr at RG. The staff appears to be set to have the best five offensive linemen on the field regardless, and only one spot is left for someone to claim.
- One final note--there was a surprise visitor at practice today: OLB uber-recruit Jaylon Smith. As of right now it appears that he will return for the Blue-Gold Game (probably to hang with the OFD gang), but plans could change with multiple spring games being held on the 21st.
I wouldn't get too worked up about who is running with the 1s and who is with the 2s just yet. I think the staff is playing around with combinations to find out what works. There has been a big emphasis on putting forth the requisite effort during practice and doing all of the little things correctly. Fundamentals are key and the staff is intent on teaching, preaching and reinforcing them all of the time.
After practice, Tyler Eifert had a bit of fun on Twitter saying that field turf was being installed inside Notre Dame Stadium. He tweeted not long after that it was a joke, but started a fire on the interwebs nonetheless.
There is nothing quite like some field turf to get the Harumpher's underbritches all in a bunch.