ND Freeman’s Special Teams Switch Innovation and Execution

[LakecrestSteeler]

My first watch of ND this season was the GA game. Freeman looks and sounds like someone that should be poached into the NFL.

The move to bring the punt team on the field at their own 30-ish on 4th and 2, and then fire drill their offense back out with around 10 seconds on the play clock, I believe, was a master stroke of coaching. Excellent tactic to get a free series. Excellent execution and deployed perfectly in a major game against a team that had prepared for it. And it still worked! They got a penalty for offsides and took a deep shot all on one play.

This play would translate in the NFL especially with the teams that go for it on 4th more than usual. I wish we would add that to our repertoire.

Better than just yelling HUT HUT BLUE kill kill kill HUT BLUE HUT HUT.

Additionally nobody in the whole stadium actually knew what the outcome of the play would be, which added to the pressure of staying on sides and yet wanting to blow-up a run up the gut or QB sneak. On top of that they got a free long bomb on a forced penalty.

Would probably not work on the Steelers due to the too conservative nature of Tomlin and everyone knows he would not go for it on 4th and 2 at their own 30.

Additionally, I can’t remember the last time we got a free shot downfield on an offsides. Seemingly, not since Pouncey and Ben were they common.

Freeman was impressive and I bet they beat PSU because of better coaching and Leonard seems to be a better QB than Allar. Didn’t watch enough of the game to get a feel for PSU defense versus ND defense, but I bet ND wins.

Fresh innovative young coach who was conducting the orchestra like a pro on that 4th quarter drive just highlighted what the Steelers are missing! And his post game speeches….gone were the platitudes and in their place; just some smoothly delivered poignant, heartfelt and believable lines about the team!

[SteelerDayTrader]

[Ice]

Eyeroll emojis notwithstanding, Freeman has been a helluva coach for the Irish. Best they've had in a long time.