Aug. 5, 2014
CULVER, Ind. – Day two of the Notre Dame football team’s preseason training camp at Culver Military Academy brought mostly cloudy skies and brief rain but good practice and camaraderie time for the Irish.
Per NCAA guidelines for the second day of preseason, Notre Dame practiced without pads with the session running for a full two hours. The Irish confined their practice to the FieldTurf surface at Oliver Field due to some heavy morning rains bringing the team closer together.
After lunch, the team got to enjoy some more fun bonding time as they enjoyed activities such as the ropes courses, obstacle climbs and zip line at the Culver Challenge Course.
KELLY’S TAKE
“I think the tempo is really good, especially in terms of our 11 on 11 action. We’re getting quality, quality rep work. The repetition of plays, both offensively and defensively is at a high level.
“We certainly need to continue work on execution and development of all our younger players on both sides of the ball. After two days, we’ve definitely seen signs that our spring and OTA work has definitely benefitted our guys. We’ve been able to do an awful lot and most importantly see a lot of retention on both sides of the ball.”
WIDE RECEIVERS IN STEP
With offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Mike Denbrock not at camp while recovering from surgery, head coach Brian Kelly has been covering the duties of his friend of almost 30 years. Junior Chris Brown says that Kelly’s guidance and Denbrock’s are comparable.
“You have to be precise (for coach Kelly),” Brown said. “He definitely wants it a certain way. He expects us to be great. Denbrock gets on us just as well – both of them are perfectionists. You have to be correct every time.
“Of course I miss coach Denbrock. I’ve been with him for the past few years. I`m looking forward to getting him back. It’s good switching it up and seeing what coach Kelly has to say about his thoughts on offense.”
The receiver corps lost its 2013 captain with the graduation of TJ Jones, a 1,108-yard receiver last fall and a Detroit Lions draft pick in May. Brown is one of the more experienced members of a relatively inexperienced group and finds himself drawing on Jones’ memory regularly.
“Since I’m one of the older guys, I’m just trying to use what he taught me when I was younger to try and help bring us al together as a group,” Brown said. “He taught me about route running, little niches, head fakes, all the little techniques that it takes to win. (As a group) we look good. We’re coming out with the same mindset every day to work and get better.”
STRONG AND TRUE UPDATE
Jess Atkinson of 3 Penny Films is once again documenting Notre Dame’s preseason camp for a Strong and True program that will air on the NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 25. On Tuesday, Atkinson mic’ed up running backs coach Tony Alford during practice and also got extensive footage of the team participating in the ropes course activities, including having both Cam McDaniel and Matthias Farley wear microphones.
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Platoon Sergeant Brandon Kelly of the U.S. Marine Corps, his wife, Jaime, and their two children, Ava and Braxton, were able to catch Notre Dame’s practice this morning.
Brandon, a 2002 graduate of Frankfort Senior High School in Frankfort, Ind., received a military care package from the Irish athletic department back in the spring that included Notre Dame merchandise such as an autographed football that was signed during the Blue-Gold autograph event.
In show of his appreciation for the care package, Brandon presented Brian Kelly with a flag that flew over Camp David. Brandon and his family chatted with Brian Kelly after practice.
Brandon Kelly returns to active duty on Wednesday.
Here’s a twitter recap of the day through the eyes of the program, media and players:
Glad to hear! RT @BobWienekeNDI: Great news, Johnny Lujack rehabbing & walking almost on own. Photo from grandson. pic.twitter.com/k6n3f6c7Ky
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Day Two @NDFootball practice report – with a look at the Culver Academies facilities and practice action – http://t.co/ndOJCKnZod
— FIDM (@NDfidm) August 5, 2014
Quick chat with @NDFootball def coord Brian VanGorder after practice today – http://t.co/jSDQSYvn1J
— FIDM (@NDfidm) August 5, 2014
Capturing video of @NDFootball team building activities today at Culver Academies. Practice report today will be delayed until late evening
— FIDM (@NDfidm) August 5, 2014
#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly expects @Everett_Golson5 to be fearless in 2014. VIDEO: http://t.co/Xx73hiNfR1
— Pete Byrne (@PeteByrneWSBT) August 6, 2014
An #NDInsider summer six-pack of questions with #NotreDame RB Cam McDaniel. Video with @BobWienekeNDI: http://t.co/VJj8i7u4s7
— Tyler James (@TJamesNDI) August 6, 2014
Now on the inside, Jaylon Smith (@JaeeSmiff9ENT) finds himself in the middle of everything: http://t.co/o5ZOFUZzkH pic.twitter.com/H5xpw9erSB
— Andrew Owens (@BGI_AndrewOwens) August 5, 2014
ICYMI: #NotreDame practice wrap from the start of fall camp http://t.co/gDBuWEloVG pic.twitter.com/QdBla2sxBH
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) August 5, 2014
Front and Center: our early camp look at #NotreDame LB — and future captain, this year or next — Jaylon Smith: http://t.co/8x5CVxg1uf
— Tim O’Malley (@timomalleyND) August 5, 2014
A group text message this spring separated Sheldon Day as #NotreDame‘s clear leader on the defensive line(VIP): http://t.co/vdeQlibGYj
— Dan Murphy (@BGI_DanMurphy) August 5, 2014
#NotreDame QB Everett Golson is gaining confidence and maturity. He discussed that with @BGInews on Monday. http://t.co/fOzeY4fkmC (VIP)
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) August 5, 2014
Collegiate Licensing Revenue: 1 Texas 2 Bama 3 Michigan 4 Notre Dame 5 UGA 6 Florida 7 LSU 8 FSU 9 Texas A&M 10 UNC
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 5, 2014
.@NotreDame coach #BrianKelly is No. 1 on list of “Best College FB Coaches for the Money,” according to @Forbes: http://t.co/52dWJMFdg7
— Margaret Fosmoe (@MFosmoe) August 5, 2014
Now THIS is a display if athleticism by @pylertrice #CampCulver pic.twitter.com/rSfK9xQ8E4
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
What’s the point of a summer camp without a zip line? https://t.co/5HaxkgW9WR
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Buffalo burgers & turkey burgers for lunch after practice. Less greasy fat means better performance. #PureNutrition pic.twitter.com/viVCFvbrI5
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Justin Brent knows that the harder you work, the better you get. Only 26 days to gameday. pic.twitter.com/lKbuoy9jtz
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Making plays at #CampCulver RT @NDsidBertschy: Nice little highlight from period 20 of day two… Golson to Brent… https://t.co/cwOLzpONhi
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Getting today’s work in at Culver… pic.twitter.com/lxp8359U2r
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Position meetings are over. Time to grab a Gatorade and snack bar and head off to practice. pic.twitter.com/gtVtkK8aSL
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 5, 2014
Nice little highlight from period 20 of day two -2014 Notre Dame Football preseason camp .. Golson to Brent… https://t.co/Ps0k82jJtu
— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) August 5, 2014
— ND–