Nice piece, Pat.

Reading the section on the the D-line got me wondering what area of the defense needs the most fixing. If you believe Tom Pagna, the D played too much man and blitzed too rarely.

The one thing that was evident was the D line players were in condition and killing themselves every play.Unfortunately that didn't translate into pressure on the QB. I've got to believe this is the one area they'll work very hard on this spring.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 1:34 pm | #

I agree w/ that DL will be a point of issue this spring. I think LB will be the other. The lack of pressure on QBs last year was disturbing.

Also regarding DL, you have Schiccatano as departing. Has that been announced yet? According to und.com's player bio, he should have another year of eligibility. Though I wouldn't be surprised if he was one of the few guys that wasn't offered a 5th year option. I think there will be 3-6 of those guys depending on how many walk-on's get scholarships and if Leitko, Kadous, or Parrish will be back on scholarship.

Speaking of those guys, have you heard anything else on those three returning to ND to play FB?
Tom S | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 2:18 pm | #

By the way...anybody got a good pic of any of the returning tight ends?
Jay | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 2:18 pm | #

Nice catch on Schiccitano, Tom. Nothing has been officially announced so he should still be counted as returning. I'm not trying to be sneaky here. It was just a mistake on my part.

As for Kadous, Leitko, I haven't heard anything other than the stories that were in the South Bend Tribune about them a while back. If Parish is coming back I sure haven't seen anything about it.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 2:39 pm | #

This article is very informative.

I remain very concerned with the defense. It is also very evident that we are dangerously thin in many areas! Hopefully many of Charlie's incoming Freshman class will be able to contribute right away.

Keep up the great work!
Tom Creevy | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 4:37 pm | #

I don't think another year will make the DL better pass rushers, but I hope to be proved wrong. I don't really know about the man coverage thing either - I seem to remember our guys playing a lot of zone techniques and if they were supposed to be locked on in man we really do have some problems. Anyway, having all that returning experience and some freshman raw talent may be enough...
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 6:38 pm | #

Ladies and Germs:

I am baaaaaack!!!!


Tom Creevy:

ND's incoming class is in the top five in the country. You mentioned that some of these top players will be needed to contribute right away. Regarding this issue C. Weis said:


".....It's easy for a team once in a while to have a good year. A lot of times they flounder afterwards. That's not what we're shooting for here. We want to be a top team every year. I think this team sets the foundation."

-- Charlie Weis, signing day, 2-1-06

Pat did a good job of looking at the statistical numbers, but the psychological factors need to be also addressed,

and to provide this assessment, good 'ol Seamus is up to take the first cut of this task, which is:

Methinks CWeis put the 500 pound gorilla (ND Fans' expectations) on a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds that are barely figuring out how to avoid skid marks on their Hanes....

One solid body blow by a mediocre team next year and ND may not be able to recover. (I have seen it before and will not share the sad stories here.)

CW needs to figure out how to motivate college types (who are still developing physically AND mentally) and leave his NFL-speak at home.
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 8:22 pm | #

I doubt Carney's coming back.

A friend of mine that interviewed/helped him get his internship at Goldman Sachs last summer says that Carney dreams of being CEO and has an impressively clear plan on how to get there.

Carney's time wearing the blue and gold has been strictly for the inevitable biography 20 years down the road, where he gets painted as having a deep desire to be a part of team glory blah blah blah.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 10:42 pm | #

Carney's got a sweet job in NYC. He's a really really smart guy.
whatsherface | Email | Homepage | 02.07.06 - 11:20 pm | #

Seamus O:

Always count on you to stir something up. Why so pessimistic? And by the way, that gorilla is a 750 lb silverback. Anyway, if the freshman do come in and start/contribute they will be flanked by veteran leadership both on and off the field at every turn. There isn't one area where we are completely depleted. It's not like Charlie is throwing the offense over to a freshman with hopes for a NC. Next year's IRISH are a veteran team on both sides of the ball. The young pups will be asked to contribute but not to do it themselves.

Also, his "NFL-speak" is geared towards reigning in future recruits and his current seniors/NFL-ready juniors.

The one thing that CW gives us, that was missing for about a decade, is competitive football. Even the fiesta bowl was in doubt with 3 minutes to go. Give the guy SOME credit.
Paddy | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 7:51 am | #

Can we put out a hit on this troll Seamus? I know a guy...
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 8:18 am | #

Paddy:

1. Are you taking a perfectly good Irish name in vain??? Don't be a gopher roper.

2. According to an animal on line informational source: The male gorilla may attain a height of 1.6 m (5.5 ft) and a weight of 181 kg (400 lb) in its natural surroundings. Your 750 pounder is grossly overweight and may need to go to Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers or get the stomach stapling surgery. However, being a few kilos overweight meself, I can sympathize (too much Guiness?!)...

3. Remember Lou Holtz- the best ND coach in the past recent years? He always was very humble before every game. Saying stuff like: "I do not know how we are going to beat 'The Little Sisters of Mercy' this week. (Each week, no matter who ND played, even those joker 3rd tier schools who had no business being in Division I football, he would always talk them up, playing the psychological angle like Heifetz playing Mozart. Unlike Weis who is acting like "King of the World" without beating anyone of much substance, THUS FAR....I know....


Brad:

You know a guy?...In a Brokeback Mountain sort of way?...Not that there is anything wrong with it....But if you were a real man you would go against me mano-a-mano...

Why do people always attack the messenger and not the message?
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 10:29 am | #

Nice job. Thanks. Would you mind doing the K/P/Spc Teams guys for us?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 10:35 am | #

Wow. Gay jokes. Good one, Seamus. REALLY glad to have you on this blog. You make it so much better.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:04 am | #

Seamus,
I don't believe at any point this year Weis has had an attitude of being high and mighty. Actually, I believe before every game he was just as humble as Holtz, stating that he feels confident in his team and simply saying "We'll see if we can pull off a good game". He NEVER downplayed any opponenst this year. He constantly found the strengths in each opponent and made his team see that this team has the potential to beat them. So, please stop criticizing Weis for things that he has never done. Thanks.
ND101 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:13 am | #

Whoa. Thanks for the insight on male gorillas! I think it was funny. Or, you just being you because it was meant to be an overstatement in terms of size(expectations that we all have). But thanks for the science report.

So really, what's your message? All I see is you attacking CW for being arrogant and confident....kind of contradictory don't ya think?
Paddy | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:19 am | #

ND101, what were you watching last year? Do you remember what he said to conclude the MSU pep rally? How about what he said to the NBC folks before the USC game? Charlie Weis is publically brash...for better or for worse...but let's not pretend he's something he isn't.
Charlie | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:21 am | #

Seamus, it's getting pretty old. I have no problem with fans of other teams coming on here and debating with ND fans, but you're not doing that. You're just trolling for attention.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:29 am | #

Not to speak for ND101, but he was probably watching Charlie's weekly pressers, as I was. I can't recall as single instance in which Charlie was anything but complimentary about that week's opponent and/or the previous week's opponent. There's also a quote out there somewhere from Darius Walker, something like "[Coach Weis] makes every team we're playing sound like the '85 Bears."

Don't confuse confidence in one's own team with disrespect for one's opponent.
Robb | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:34 am | #

1) Seamus, you're right about Holtz talking up every team he played. Yet whenever he's asked about that during public speaking engagements (which everyone should get to attend at least once) he also says that by the time Friday rolled around he was 100% confident that his team was going to win. You're really not making any kind of point here. It not like Charlie disses (sp?) teams to a national audience.

2) Ah, Charlie, my arch-nemesis, you have returned. I agree with you, oddly enough. Charlie is brash and confident...but what is really so wrong with that? One can be cocky and still have respect for another team (note the Navy game, USC lockerroom excursion blah blah).

3) Lastly, Seamus, if you want me to engage you message here it is...you aren't making any sense. Allow me to get this straight, you think that Charlie telling his team that he expects them to be successful every year, and not just have a good year every couple years, is putting too much pressure on the incoming class. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO! Is Weis instead supposed to say, "Good job, everybody, now we can go 5-7 next year. Huzzah!" Hell no, that was something Willingham would have done. You play the game to win, and at least Charlie is honest enough to let his team know what is expected of them. That has nothing to do with being cocky, or brash. It has to do with a coach being honest, and raising the expectations of his team. If you don't raise expectations, how can you possibly raise your performance.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 11:50 am | #

I may be mistaken, but I thought that Mike Richardson was gone after this year, which would throw a curve in the DB returning minutes %. I love this kind of stuff though and appreciate what you guys do. The Irish are certainly headed back in the right direction under Charlie.
Thanks guys
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 1:12 pm | #

My bad on that I just looked it up and he definitely has another year. So this is entirely accurate. Do you guys think that Walls or McNeil can supplant either of the corners? I certainly believe that Charlie will play the best. Also, do you think Aldridge will get significant playing time next year as a freshman?
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 1:16 pm | #

I think that it is highly possible for Walls or McNeil to get some serious playing time, but I doubt that any freshman could secure the starting job at either corner spot, especially when ND has so much depth and experience at the position with Wooden, Richardson, Ferrine, and Lambert. They definitely have the talent to do it, but learning college coverage, technique, and schemes is very difficult.

As far as Aldridge goes, I do think he will get significant playing time. Getting in early gives him a chance to develop physically through the offseason program, as well as a chance to learn and work on fundamentals and scheme during spring ball, something most freshman spend their entire first season doing. He won't be starting or anything, but depending on Travis Thomas's play (which was impressive this year) I think he'll definitely get some carries over the course of the season.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 1:25 pm | #

Brad:

You write that Weis is not cocky or brash?

Here are direct quotes from the ND Observer & C. Weis:

"...Weis wants his team to play with arrogance, a sense that they can beat anyone they play.

"Doesn't make any difference whatever night or day they schedule them - we play them," Weis said. "That includes being able to win on the road, and it goes back to having that toughness and playing smart and playing disciplined and playing nasty and going in there with an arrogant attitude."

Regarding my joke: Are we so politically correct that we can not joke about this? Lighten up!


Paddy

"...All I see is you attacking CW for being arrogant and confident....kind of contradictory don't ya think?"


Brad & Paddy:

All I am saying is that being arrogant and brash is not the best way to motivate a team. What it does is motivate the opponent even more. (Remember Hawk's comments before the game?) And, it adds extra, unneeded pressure on the lads. Not the smartest way to coach, methinks.

Attack on Weis?....Just telling like it is...

Pat:

No offense, but I have yet to read on this blog comments as lucid and as funny as mine. Sorry for not worshipping at the altar of the fat man.
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 3:03 pm | #

Ummmm, yeah, not so much funny ha-ha.....but more like funny disturbing. You obviously have issues with Charlie Weis and a very HIGH opionion of yourself. You're not Steve Spurrier are you? Just checking. I say you keep telling it like it is and soon they will tear down the altar dedicated to CW and in its stead - an altar dedicated to Shameus O' Fatty will be built.

To Shameus!! Blogger extraordinaire and all around funny guy.
Paddy | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 3:53 pm | #

You guys do realize that if you don't respond to him, eventually he will get bored. Anyway, it would be more interesting to discuss where the linebacker minutes will come from and where McNeil and Walls will land on the depth chart than it is engaging in wildlife esoterica.

I say the next one who engages him as if he were a serious conversant gets his knuckles rapped by a drunk gorilla dressed in a habit.
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 5:30 pm | #

Please don't feed Seamus anymore. Thanks.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 6:24 pm | #

Paddy:

"..an altar dedicated to Shameus O' Fatty will be built."

I am not fat, just big boned!

"To Shameus!! Blogger extraordinaire and all around funny guy."

Thanks for recognizing the real man of genius around here!


Fitzwater

Blogs do not need more half-baked monotonous linebacker stats.

Actually, material, like your ‘drunk gorilla dressed in a habit’ would be better. That made me laugh. But, how about this one:

Drunk gorilla dressed in a habit making out with Charlie Weis, while the student section bows – now that is gold! Gold, I tell ya!

Consider my material as a fine appetizer, or a delicacy of un-quantifiable good taste, in a trough full of un-original tripe.

Jay

"Please don't feed Seamus anymore."

I could actually loose a few kilos, and skip a few meals and rounds of Guiness – but I am not FAT!

Gotta go lads, for now...
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 8:52 pm | #

Seamus is to us what The Spirit of Bill Oliver is to Bama fans...God help us.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 9:21 pm | #

To Brad:

Thanks for the response on Aldridge and the DB situation, I forgot to ask if you think Toryan Smith will fight hard in the LB equation, or if you see Ndukwe being moved to LB and Crum and Vernaglia/Thomas/whoever will be the more likely lineup.

By the way, have you seen the stuff on Arrelious Benn, he looks like an Irish lean at this point and he, to me, from what is written, sounds like the best receiver out of the junior class.

And for everyone, do you even feel like, I wonder what that guy would have been like if he played? Because we all know that we are gonna have QBs on the bench that would have been more than capable to start elsewhere, but our depth is going to be awesome.

Go Irish
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.06 - 10:27 pm | #

I do think that Toryan Smith actually has a chance at starting at Mike linebacker. Charlie hinted at this in his presser about expecting him to contribute early, and every recruiting "guru" seems impressed to the point where they believe he could start (not that that means anything). I suppose it really all depends on the competition for that spot, as we are a little lean at linebacker.

I think CW will at least give Ndukwe a look at linebacker in the spring from what I hear, with Crum moving over to Will-backer to make room for more players. While Ndukwe is more than capable of playing safety or Apache, I suppose it all depends on guys like Bruton and Herring, and whether or not they are capable of taking the starting safety spot across from Zibby.

Regardless, I think we'll see a lot of both Mitchell and Vernaglia this year, either at Apache or Mike. Vernaglia is an incredible talent. He spurned USC for ND a few years back but has yet to live up to his potential due to a position change, new scheme, and a general lack of opportunity in the linebacking core due to guys like Brandon Curry, Hoyte, Mays, and Watson before them. I'd love to see this guy get on the field.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 8:23 am | #

So you think that Zib is in dnager of losing his job? Do you think that we really have better talent than Zib in the secondary? That would be a surprise to me, but it'd be great to hear what you think, I'm just a high school kid getting into all the depth charts/ recruiting and stuff, so I love picking guys brains who are more experienced. I really love this site.
Thanks
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 9:51 am | #

Joe, benching Zibby would shock the hell out of everyone. I don't think Brad is suggesting that, though.

In any case, the Blue-Gold in April might tell us a few things about the defensive depth chart.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 10:26 am | #

No, I'm not suggesting Zibby would lose his job. No way in hell. I was refering to the chances of Bruton or Herring taking the OTHER safety spot, across from Zibby, the one which would hypothetically be vacated by Ndukwe if he was moved down to Apache-backer and Crum was moved to Will.

If Zibby lost his starting job I think there would be a riot...maybe not an Islamic cartoon riot, but a riot nonetheless.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 10:47 am | #

Alright, good glad to clear it up because we all know that Zibby is a probably a 1st team All-American next year. Some guys (my uncle) have told me they think one of the incoming freshman, esp. Sergio Brown, are capable of taking the spot, but I can't see that happening. Do you think that Richardson or Lambert or one of the other DBs could move to safety? I know that Charlie will figure it all out, but I just love doing this type of stuff where we project what we think will happen. It's awesome.

Also, about Crum. Do you think they will try to put some more pounds on him and get him up to that 235-240 lb. range, a more ideal size? I think that with Mendoza there that is a possibility and, because Mendoza knows what he is doing, that Crum would not lose speed because of a weight gain.

Joe
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 1:28 pm | #

In my experience, its often possible for someone, especially linebackers/RBs, to gain weight and become faster. Classic weight training such as the squat, clean&jerk, etc. can improve speed by improving explosiveness. I definitely think Crum will pack some pounds on, mostly because he's still very young. If you think about it, if he can improve his squat to say, I don't know, 500-600 lbs., and only gains about 10-15 lbs of weight, the ability to accelerate out of his stance is greatly increased. Due to his build, though, I would not expect to see him much over 230-235.


As far as DBs go, Sergio's great, but I doubt either of the safety prospects will crack the lineup this year due to the experience Bruton and Herring already have under their belts, plus the lack of opportunity depending on how the depth chart develops. That said, I would not expect any of our current corners to move to safety (this, obviously, based on a hypothetical Ndukwe to Apache move) due to the talent that Brown, Bruton, Herring, etc. have at that position.

The only way I could see something like that happening (such as Richardson to corner or something similar) would be if one of the current backup corners (Ferrine/Lambert) impresses so much in the spring that they completely lock up a corner spot over Wooden or Richardson. While this is unlikely, its the most probable situation. It is doubtful that, even IF McNeil/Walls is good enough to warrant a starting role in the fall, the coaches would just up and move a corner who has played two or more years to safety. There wouldn't be enough time for them to become comfortable with the position. Basically, I'm saying I doubt that the staff will make sweeping position changes based on how well they think incoming players will be, since they can't work with them yet. I think any position changes will be predicated on who we have in Spring ball, not on who we will have in the fall.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 2:13 pm | #

My guess: Crum adds weight and moves to Will, Vernaglia gets the opportunity at Mike, at least until Smith gains some experience (Mike isn't the best place to start a frosh), Ndukwe moves to Apache (a good fit for him). As for DB's, Zibby HAS to be on the field at strong safety, whatever they end up officially naming his position, one of the incoming frosh take the other safety spot, Richardson and Wooden start at CB, with Ferrine at Nickel and Walls/McNeil at Dime (which we will most likely be using alot until we prove we can stop the pass). No real changes to the DL.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 2:14 pm | #

I completely agree with JohnWA about middle, it is a terrible place to start a frosh like Toryan. For the record, I'm just going off of CW's comment about him being a terror in the middle or something like that and expecting early contributions from him.

I'd also love to see Lambert finally get into the mix at corner. He's a gifted athlete.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 3:07 pm | #

Lambert is a great athlete, but I think one of either Walls or McNeil will make the depth chart ahead of him. You know CW is going to want to have as many of these freshman play as possible, just to show the recruits for '07 that they won't necessarily get buried on the depth chart just because they are frosh. USC, FSU, Miami, Florida, all do the same thing (and no, that's not a comparison of ND to any of those schools, just the philosophy of bringing in top-notch athletes). Even if the coach might want to go with experience, he's going to make sure his marquee freshman get playing time so that he can keep pulling in the big-time recruits that want to play right away. Unless they are clearly and demonstrably worse than the people ahead of them.

Of course, if we start blowing teams out early in games, CW might just field an (almost) all-freshman team in late game situations.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 5:38 pm | #

I do not know about you guys, but I miss Seamus. Where did he go?
Tim | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 6:18 pm | #

I don't think that we have enough D-Linemen to field an all-freshman team! Seriously, that is a good point. I think all the playing time that the majority of the freshman will be getting will be during garbage time (hopefully there will be a lot of that for the Irish this year - on the plus side, of course). Although this is a highly praised recruiting class, most of the freshman will be lucky to make the two-deep. I don't care how bad the recruiting classes were when Ty was coaching, these players are still Notre Dame athletes, and the majority of the upper classmen are the best players that the Irish have on the 2006 roster.

Of course, I could be completely wrong. It has happened before... once.
Domer97 | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 6:27 pm | #

I think more than anything, the thing that'll keep freshman out of most of the two-deep isn't necessarily that they're not as talented, or mature, yet. I think its more the fact that freshman have to learn scheme, fundamentals, go to classes, etc.


Interestingly, though, we happen to have three highly talented individuals who don't need to worry about that.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 6:47 pm | #

Speaking of one of those three freshman - George West. Why is it that these so-called recruiting experts don't rank him so highly. He appears to be the most explosive kick returner in the senior class of high schoolers, and rivals ranks him as like the 54th best athlete in the country. Sometimes these rankings just don't add up. Coach Weis even said that at camps down South, other coaches described West as uncoverable. Who cares if a guy is small if he can make plays, ala (dare I go to Davie era) Joey Getherall? Is is just that we shouldn't put too much stock into those rankings or what?

Another point of interest that strikes me as pure bull shit is the fact that it seems when a five-star prospect (or any prospect for that matter) commits to Notre Dame, they stand an excellent opportunity to drop in the rankings. Is this a ND bias? One specific example is Darrin Walls, who went to a four just because he was hurt. And for the experts not to raise McNeil to at least one of the top 20 prospects in the nation is bullshit after his performance at the All-American game. From all reports, he shut down the best receivers in the country, every single one that he lined up against. If dominating the best doesn't make you the best, I don't know what the hell does.

I'm probably just getting too worked up over these rankings, but I think some of you guys may share similar sentiment.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 9:32 pm | #

I think that to a large extent these rating are bullshit due to a lot of factors, such as the fact that we're talking about 18 year olds, etc. More than anything though, I think that when you take the 1000 most talented high school kids in the country, talent wise you won't really see that big of a difference, so what is the difference really between a #4 and a #76? I mean, there are always going to be one or two, hell maybe even ten amazing kids, but the rest its just a guessing game really.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.09.06 - 10:48 pm | #

You guys do great work. I am always a little skeptical about the recruits. Going to ND you tend to know a few Parade All Americans who no one has ever heard of - I am not going to name names because they were great kids and domers as much as I was. You guys seem to have a fair amount of time on your hands - how about a little comparison of top 100 recruits versus all americans just to see what the hype is worth.
94bengal160 | Email | Homepage | 02.10.06 - 5:29 pm | #

Ladies and Germs:

Two things:

1. Mad Magazine Department:

There was an attempt by Mad Magazine to be funny using a dog-from-Notre Dame-story in their latest issue. I did not think it was funny, actually. I am a big fan of Mad Magazine, but this bit laid an egg. Anyone else see that?

2. OSU's Maurice Clarett is back in jail. Let's hope that no one in this latest batch of ND recruits/lads ends up in the pokey.
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 02.10.06 - 6:44 pm | #

Just to throw this out there. Since Al Michaels was traded to NBC, could it be even remotely possible that they have him do the ND football games as well as the Sunday night NFL? I know that this is entirely wishful thinking, so this post is more a complaint of the shittiness of Tom Hammonds, at least in my view. NBC needs to hire some quality commentators for our games. I am sick of Hammonds, and I think that there are a number of loyal fans who feel the same way.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.10.06 - 11:52 pm | #

Al Michaels doing the ND games....


I'm really not sure if God likes me that much. That would, quite possibly, be the biggest improvement in my life in the last decade.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.11.06 - 11:09 am | #

Tommy Hammond is fine. Trust me, you don't want the hype of "Miracles" Michaels.

Jez guys, stop worrying about announcers for lords sake. Pay attention to things that matter and tune in westwood one if you need to.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 02.11.06 - 2:32 pm | #

Yago:

Excellent commentary.
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 02.11.06 - 8:47 pm | #

Commentary matters. Was no one else aggravated by Musberger during the Fiesta Bowl as he basically laid down in worship of OSU the entire game?
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.12.06 - 6:04 pm | #

Yago, some of us don't have that option--I can't get Westwood One on my local station here in Japan. I do, however, get ND games frequesntly on Armed Forces TV, and I'd love to see them get rid of Hammonds and get Michaels. I'd even take "BOOM" Madden, if they got rid of Pat "I'm a Trojan, hope no one notices..." Haden.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.13.06 - 2:53 am | #

Musberber hates ND. Everyone knows that. He made a crack a while back about how lame it was for ND to complain about not being able to recruit top players because of academic standards. He said hogwash, because other schools, such as Northwestern and Stanford were able to recruit players and be competitive. (Mushmouth is a Northwestern grad, I think, and probably shows an inclination towards the Big 10 plus 1.)

His "your looking live at..." or his "parnder" cracks are as old and tiresome as Brad (from this blog)methinks...

Madden? He is ten years past his prime. He should retire and also retire from those awful commercials. Plus, he does not know the college game. I think his "fear of flying I need to take the bus" is just an act to be able to stuff his piehole in every restaurant in America. By now he is at 85%, by my humble estimate.

Al Michaels? He is good, but I hate to listen to the same guy do every sport. (Exhibit A - Joe Buck.)

Keith Jackson? He has been retired for ten years and has yet to tell his bosses at ABC. FUMBLE!!!!!

All in all, Yago hit the nail right on the head.
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 02.13.06 - 8:56 am | #

I still hate Musberger from the Fiesta Bowl announcing. I'm pretty sure he was on his knees in front of Troy Smith at the end of the game.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.13.06 - 11:29 am | #

Eeewwww. Now THERE is a mental picture I'll never get out of my head. Gross.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.13.06 - 1:24 pm | #

John WA:

Excellent commentary.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.13.06 - 1:46 pm | #

Scott Raridon was noted as indecisive about his fifth year of eligibility yet he was already graduated, moved back to Iowa with his wife and kid, and accepted a job with Johnson & Johnson. I think that's the last we will see of him.
Nuts | Email | Homepage | 02.14.06 - 12:58 pm | #