Next is now: Eifert

"Next man in" is a BK hallmark, but strength coach Paul Longo noted in early 2008 that his previous two editions "started the same 22 guys at the beginning and end of the year."

The two ideas work together in the Kelly-Longo model: preferred first-string continuity means injury prevention, and substitutes keep starters fresh and healthy in a system that disregards time of possession.

Kelly, Molnar, and Martin all mentioned the philosophy this month, and Shaq Evans made it clear that the players get the message: "The motto is "next man in." That's our motto and that's what we live by."

Another string of lingering injuries surfaced during Thursday's media availability, but the "next man" making the most good on his chance is Tyler Eifert, the sophomore TE who wasn't in the two-deep two weeks ago. He's played well enough that Kelly opened the door on multiple TE sets in the spread.

Kelly said Eifert is "as good as I've coached" at tight end, except Rudolph because "I really haven't coached Rudolph yet," he admitted.

Eifert not only gives ND the "next man" to start if Rudolph's hamstring doesn't heal quickly but a great practice option so that Rudolph and Ragone aren't rushed back too soon out of necessity.

A seeming paradox, Eifert is playing well enough to help his cause for PT and also well enough to hurt his chance to start because he's made it easier to rest the starter whom ND prefers.

Eifert exemplifies the "next man in" brand of functional depth that spreads playing time to minimize injury while preserving assets like Rudolph as long-term starters.

Coordinating the Irish

During Friday’s media session, ND offensive and defensive coordinators dug into personnel specifics and were generally more critical than Kelly’s even-keeled opener that didn’t give away many secrets, promises, or even sound bites for that matter.

Sure, our Kelly green-clad leader highlighted a couple freshman WRs, but about the boldest declaration he made was that ND is “going to be dynamic” returning kicks. It probably made for the second-best sound bite, right next to his sarcastic nod to the media asking if they knew the goal is always to win ‘em all. Kelly, who seemed pumped up, didn’t make any promises he can’t keep or hype any player up too much, and that’s a good thing. He even admitted that “the jury’s still out” on if he was the right hire. Kelly played his cards right today.

Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco largely kept to this script but went deeper with his trademark emphasis on a player’s size profile. After laughing when reporters asked what 6-3, 350 freshman Louis Nix has been eating, Diaco lost the smile on his face when he said a college nose tackle should be in the 290-300 range with possibly more weight as the exception. “Nix is getting his body in position to compete,” according to Diaco, adding that “it’s going to be awhile.”

Offensive coordinator Charley Molnar was jovial and charismatic throughout the portion of the interview that UND.com aired live. Reading his body language, Molnar seemed ecstatic to have so many offensive weapons at his disposal. He actually reminded me a lot of Kelly’s spring mantra: super excited to be at ND and to work with our great players, but still staring down a ton of work.

Molnar offered more sound bites about our skill position guys: He confidently asked, “If you double team Kyle Rudolph, what kind of coverage are you playing on Michael Floyd?” Negatively, he said Floyd “was not there at the end of spring ball” in terms of work rate and that “he can get better in so many ways,” including adding moves and “a shake.” Molnar said Floyd’s biggest weakness is blocking consistency, similar to Duval Kamara, whom Molnar said “needs to be a great blocker every single play.”

BK said ten linemen are in the serious mix, but Molnar singled out center as “a position of great competition.” Similarly, Molnar talked about the tackle battles but wasn’t afraid to show his concern that none of the four options for two spots have any career starts.

Kelly admitted strengths, “vulnerabilities,” (I guess he truly doesn’t like weakness) and question marks but didn’t put any too high or too low. The more detailed and critical assessments by Molnar and Diaco complimented Kelly’s part as the calculated, confident leader. Overall, the three segments showed that the staff has a solid grip on what to do this August and how to manage the players physically and mentally.