"He took the Fiesta Bowl loss hard and he took it personally." That's what you want from a coach! Can anyone imagine Ty Davieham taking a loss hard?
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 11:36 am | #

I think this article is fascinating for a number of reasons.

1. Raeshon McNeil not being "wowed" by the defense, and coming to ND to be associated with Charlie.

2. Pagna's blunt commentary.

3. Using Petey as a model for jumpstarting a program: fix what you know first, then move onto other issues.

4. The hint that major changes are in store for the defense next year.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 1:46 pm | #

I think this article makes, what many of us have already been saying, plan as day.

The ND defense MUST get better. CW knows it. In fact, the improvement of the defense is the single greatest goal heading into next season.

Somebody better figure out how to do it, or by the end of next year, CW's honeymoon will be a distant distant memory.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 1:54 pm | #

"Between the players they have coming back and the new ones coming in, they have the one ingredient you need to make that leap, and that's speed."

Kinda debunks what alot of posters here at BGS have been saying that this year's team lacked speed. If Pagna thought this year's team lacked speed, he would have commented solely on the incoming guys. I agree with him. The problem this year (particularly in the tOSU game) wasn't speed, but in my mind, was more inexperience. More experience among the 9 returners plus Weis' intense drive to get it fixed will matter more than new talent coming in as freshmen.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 3:07 pm | #

If the Irish could, somehow, reproduce the aggressively fierce defensive schemes of the Steelers over their last three playoff games, the Irish would finish in the top three of the country next season. They cannot continue "the bend, but don't break" approach. It is almost as bad, long term, as the "prevent" defense -- that never seeems to work the way it was planned.
baseballeddy | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 5:41 pm | #

I think we have plenty of speed among the DB's (witness Zibby chasing down Ginn Jr. and Bush, Wooden knocking people out at the 1, etc.) but we did have problems with LB's covering in either 3 WR sets or speedy backs coming out of the backfield. Not to mention the problems the LB's had with chasing down mobile QB's (OSU & MSU games). Hoyte and Mays are great tacklers with great "football smarts" and they can wreak havoc if they get into the backfield, but their speed didn't translate into the ability to cover in the passing game.

The biggest way for us to improve defensively, IMO, is to keep Zibby, Ndukwe and Wooden from peeking into the backfield and improve the coverage ability of the LB corps. Even Crum had problems keeping up with TE's a lot of the time, and as the Apache, that's supposed to be his specialty. Hopefully another year of experience, combined with a scheme change to perhaps a little more zone blitzing, will help in 2006.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 5:59 pm | #

JohnWA--

That's why we should move Ndukwe to Apache, keep Zibby at SS, and find someone (one of the freshman maybe, or put a freshman at CB and move Richardson back to his natural position) to play FS like it should be played, rather than having two SS's like we do.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 6:10 pm | #

Got to agree, Ndukwe is not a natural safety and didn't even find a way to use his size to punish smaller WRs coming over the middle. The scheme was definitely lacking this year, but we did lack the DBs' best friend: a manimal DE (or 2). The real difference making DEs coming out of college these days are specimens - Julius Peppers is about 6'7" and 290 and can run down an NFL back. Do you think we have anyone even close to that? He is not alone, just look at the guys drafted over the last 3 years - and teams like Penn State and FSU always seem to have them. We could use someone like that, but until then we are going to have to find a way to blitz and confuse blocking to get pressure. Man I hope this guy is right, I won't be able to watch when the D takes the field if something doesn't change. Look for every team we play to throw the ball until we prove we can stop them.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 6:34 pm | #

A wise friend once told me: "The smartest people know what they don't know."

Hope Charlie's that smart.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 8:59 pm | #

I didn't like the scheming either, and wish Charlie could grab a Belicheck Defensive disciple to run that side of the squad. Unfortunately, it seems they're all HC and DefCoord candidates at the pro level (Rob Ryan maybe?)
PantsB | Email | Homepage | 01.30.06 - 10:40 pm | #

I'm not sure how one can become an genius at offense without knowing something about defense. I have faith in Coach Weis to be able to recognize weaknesses and fix them. I couldn't be happier (well, that's not REALLY true) with his first year.

What's interesting is this reminds me of Ross Browner, an offensive threat in High School and a hot recruiting prospect. He came to ND because he wanted to punish people on the field as part of the defensive team, and only Parseghian would let him.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 7:04 am | #

Willingham vs Weis:

In his first season, Willingham had many fans recalling Notre Dame's glory days, taking over a losing squad and turning things around immediately. ND won eight straight games to start the season before finishing 10-3 and losing the Gator Bowl to a second tier school.

If I remember correctly, ND even beat four ranked teams in that stretch, such as Florida State at Florida--- Weis did not even win ONE.

Ty won a bunch of awards, such as: ESPN/Home Depot College Coach of the Year, the Scripps College Coach of the Year, the Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year, the George Munger Award College Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club and the Sporting News Sportsman of the Year award in 2002 - - awards significantly better than:

New Joisy so-and-so of the year award.


So, I'll give Weis respect when he has earned it.

What he did this year was with Willingham's players.

For now, I will withold judgement and remember that it is possible to have a good year, but to keep it going, now that is the challenge!
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 9:05 am | #

Seamus, you are a moron. Please go away.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 9:38 am | #

Funny how when Ty was going 8 - 0 no one complained it was with Bob's players.

Ty couldn't win with Ty's players.

Perhaps, we could have lost to a couple of the 5 - 6 teams we played that way we would have played more teams with a winning record. Would that make you happy Seamus?

Yes, the proof is in the pudding but I'll take Charlie and Co. over Ty and his band of clowns any day.
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 9:39 am | #

I'm sorry, but anyone that draws the Ty was great in his 1rst year analogy shows they can't see the forest between all the trees.

Charlie Weis turned a top 80 offense into a top 10 offense that could score on any team in the country.

Now what did Ty do?

He took Bob Davies players (Bob being a defensive guy) and had 1 year of GREAT opportunistic DEFENSE that statistically got the ball to bounce their way.

You watch. ND will play better defense next year, or there will be hell to pay.

No ones on the golf course this summer.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 10:43 am | #

Ty's first season ended in disaster with two overwhelming defeats at the hands of USC and NC State. Notre Dame looked horrible in both of those games. They were completely bewildered. Those games set the stage for Ty's next two seasons in South Bend. Horribly planned and played college football. The Irish rarely looked ready and prepared to play and defeat any team. I seriously doubt that the Weis teams of the future will fall into that circumstance.
baseballeddy | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 10:59 am | #

Great points JohnWA, Nate, Thundershaker, Yago and Anonymous.

I agree with the move of Ndukwe to Apache. I had asked in a previous stream about Crum at Mike, but someone who knows more than I do said he's too small. Would he work outside?

So here's a question: how many of the 11 starters on D in '88 started in '87? I'm not trying to play revisionist history, only to put it into context we all understand that a defense can make great strides in one year. That defense ended up ranked 13th and I'm sure they made considerable improvement from the '87 team that got blitzed by Miami, Penn St. and Texas A&M.

My guess is that Stams, Alm, Bolcar, Streeter, Terrell, Francisco, and Smagala all either started or played significantly in '87. I think Lyght, Zorich, and Kowalkowski were sophmores in '88. I'm missing someone- George Williams?
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 11:14 am | #

It seems to me that Crum could move to WLB as he should be able to shadow most RB's (assuming there isn't another Reggie Bush out there) and has the speed to get in the backfield on blitzes. Great idea to move Ndukwe to Apache and Zibby back to SS. ND has plenty of people that should be able to play FS, including an incoming recruit (Brown is it?). If Richardson moves back to FS then that opens a CB spot for Walls or McNeil as freshmen.

As for DE, Abiamiri should be that pass-rushing end we need, but I think we just don't have enough big DT's in the middle to soak up bodies to help free him up. When Abiamiri is really the only pass rushing threat on the line, it makes it a pretty easy choice for the opposing OC to set his blocking schemes.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 11:45 am | #

I have a friend close to the program who has given me the impression that a switch of Crum to WLB and Ndukwe to Apache will at least be tried out in the spring. As far as Richardson, I don't expect him to move at all. The coaching staff is apparently very high on David Bruton, so if Ndukwe makes the switch don't be suprised to see the sophomore play, or get challenged by a guy like Ray Herring. As far as the D-line, I think our tackles will be just fine this year, and Landri has more than enough burst to rush a passer. Remember that opposite of Abiamonster more than three different people played, 2 of which were getting their first experience. Expect the D-ends to be MUCH improved next year, especially in the pass rush.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 12:03 pm | #

It's not that the DT's don't have burst or speed. On the contrary, Laws and Landri are quick and light on their feet for big men, which can pose problems for slow & big centers and guards. On the other hand, playing teams like PSU, scUM, and USC, where the linemen are 300+ AND have athleticism, we need some guys with a bit more weight and width to tie up all three inside linemen and leave Abiamiri and whoever plays RE one-on-one with the OT's.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 2:22 pm | #

To: Anonymous
RE: "Seamus, you are a moron. Please go away."

No way! Do I look like a coward to you? I would rather fight than run away like a little you-know-what!


SeanH:

RE: "Yes, the proof is in the pudding but I'll take Charlie and Co. over Ty and his band of clowns any day."

Calling Ty a clown is extremely disrespectful, especially coming from an ND fan. Ty was extremely gracious to ND after his firing.

But, you had a few good opinions. However, I just presented facts, with a little joke about joisy.

As an ex-New Yorker, joking about joisy is impossible not to do.

atepesm
You made some very good points.


baseballeddy
RE: "Ty's first season ended in disaster with two overwhelming defeats at the hands of USC and NC State."

Your good buddy Charlie did not exactly put the world on fire during his last few games against a weak Stanford and OSU teams.


Ladies and Germs: All I am saying is let’s wait for results in the non-honeymoon year - prior to canonizing Weis.
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 2:31 pm | #

Ty was gracious to ND after his firing? Really??? Did he defend ND when every media member was calling the University racist? Didn't he give an exclusive interview with John Saunders where he basically let Saunders throw out racism charges against ND the entire time?

Ty may be a decent man, but his actions at, and after, ND don't exactly speak to that. As far as his coaching ability, he clearly was overwhelmed at Our Lady. He'll get some better character players at UW to help them clean up their image, but he'll never take them to a Pac-10 championship, much less a NC.

As for cannonizing CW and his staff, I agree that we can't do that yet, but every indication, from 'Pass Right',the USC locker room, and singing Navy's Alma Mater demonstrates that he has the class for a ND coach. His success at every level indicates that he can coach. The DRAMATIC improvement in the team this year and the recruiting windfalls all speak to his ability to get it done. I won't cannonize him yet, but I won't be surprised when we are doing just that in a few years.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 2:50 pm | #

I've figured it out. Seamus IS TYRONE!!!
And he would've gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for us snoopers!

Cue Scooby Doo music.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 3:56 pm | #

Right on Brad, that or Seamus is Mark May. If TW had a favorite caddy in SB (not that we have ANY) I would say Seamus would also be a prime suspect. Think of all the tips he would have lost with TW's departure! I could understand the bitterness...
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 4:51 pm | #

Scooby & Thudershaker:

I would rather be TW's caddy than Charlie Weis' bootlicker! OUCH!!!

(Appreciate that I kept my comeback clean.)
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 5:24 pm | #

Seamus huh? I think the majority of your intelligence ran down your daddy's leg in his semen. It is refreshing to know who the DA (devil's advocate) is though.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 5:30 pm | #

Anonymous - Try to keep the banter clean. If you had any brains, you would think of more clever comebacks.

Learn from Brad and Thundercankershanker - their responses made me laugh.

But, I guess that it is to be expected from an anonymous yo-yo that worships at the feet of what could be a one-year wonder that ended the year being thoroughly outcoached by a sissy-type, sweater-wearing yo-yo from the sticks.

To quoteth Howard Cossell*: Somebody has to tell it like it is! (Not how we wish it were.)

*If you do not know Howie, Google the name.
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 5:53 pm | #

Seamus, Weis also won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award presented by the Football Writers of America. I'd say that is a very respectable coaching award.

Ty didn't win that award even though he had Eddie Robinson's great-grandson on the roster at the time.
Pat @ BGS | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 6:22 pm | #

Once again Seamus, you're mind seems to have slipped and the facts don't back you up. CW got outcoached by Sweater Vest? How exactly? Because our LB's couldn't keep Troy Smith from scrambling for 10-20 yards on every third and long? Because Ginn and Holmes ran by our DB's every time Smith play faked? Weis's game plan worked, we just got beat in defensive execution. Does Weis take the blame for that? Absolutely, and he has publicly done so, but you can't say Sweater Vest outcoached him when tOSU's game plan consisted of run Ginn and Holmes on Go routes every down and if they aren't open have Smith scramble. Heck, I have better game plans than that when I play NCAA Football 2006 (EA Sports, if it's in the game, it's in the game!)

Also interesting that you decided to forego the "Ty was gracious after the ND firing" angle. Or are you just a troll throwing out ridiculous statements to get attention?
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 6:22 pm | #

JohnWA

I kept on thinking about the "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" cliche during the ND/OSU game. Like you say, if the OSU game plan was so simple, why weren't adjustments made by Weis and staff? The better coaches know how to make adjustments during the game or at the half. But, like you said, the sweatered one just kept doing what was working all night long and won going away.

Back to Ty: During his humiliating firing (first in ND history), when ND was anxious to play footsie with Urban Meyer, Ty simply said that he did not get the job done and that ND had the right to fire him. I do not remember him making racist allegations. It was some of the sporting hacks that were screaming that.

Also, remember how Ty came in after another coaching fiasco at ND, and really saved the day. (The liar's name shall not be publically declared. If we were in Roman times, his name would have been removed from all tablets.)

Regarding racism: face it, ND is like everyone else nowadays and just cares about one color and that is GREEN (as in "$$$" not "kelly" the color like the old country... my laddies).

Alas, not even ND is ND anymore. Sad but true, like Metallica says...

Sorry to tell it like it is again and apologies for not providing laughs in this email....
Seamus O'R. | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 7:20 pm | #

The flip side of Ty's "first in history" firing is that he was also the first black head coach in any varsity sport at ND. When the media hacks were attacking ND, did Ty ever mention that? When he was sitting with Saunders, did he stop him and say, "Hey John, how can you imply they are racists when they hired me in the first place, despite the fact that my credentials were less than stellar?". Was he being honorable when he was reportedly seeking employment with UW prior to being let go by ND?

As for ND only caring about money, I don't see it. It's a private institution that earns a huge amount of capital from its football program. Money which, unlike almost every other IA school, goes into the general fund. If ND only cared about the cash, they could earn a ton more money by licensing the monogram and the Leprachaun to every outlet known to man, yet they don't. They pass around the collection plate at mass and that doesn't mean the Catholic church only cares about "green" does it?

Finally, yes, tOSU should have been stopped but I just don't see it as an adjustment or game plan problem. If Zibby and Ndukwe stayed back on 3rd and longs, Smith would scramble. Zibby and Ndukwe know they can stop the scramble, but when they creep up, they get burned deep by two great receivers. Am I disappointed that CW and Minter couldn't use electroshock therapy or something, anything, to keep them from peeking into the backfield and getting beat deep? Yes. Am I more disappointed that, as a team, we couldn't execute well enough to get a helmet on Smith on any one of those 3rd down conversions? Absolutely.

I do agree with your sentiments on He-Who-Was-Coach-Before-The-Coach-That-CW-Replaced though.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 7:55 pm | #

Seamus, wake up. Ty's firing had nothing to do with money. If it did, when Weis started winning why give him a FORTY MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT!? Ty was fired because he and Davie denigrated the program, and at ND we are not about money, we are about WINNING, we are about living up to the legacy that former teams have left for the future. If you don't understand that you have no license to call yourself and ND fan.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 8:37 pm | #

Jez you guys need regular employment.

By the way, officially or unofficially ND has fired plenty of coaches starting with Boob. Boob didn't exactly resign you know. And we all know Lou got Caesar's steamroom talk. Even Leahy was told to hang it up. Monk? Canned. Beaucamp? Canned. Neidermeyer? Well, kill by his own troops. But should have been fired instead.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 10:57 pm | #

Shameus O'Nonymous--

I Googled "Howard Cossell" as you suggested. Googel says I speled it wronge.

You felt compelled to highlight lackluster efforts by ND against Stanford and OSU. ND beat Stanford...isn't that the point? And--yes, file under the "ifs & buts" category--ND was a single 3rd down stop from a chance to tie the game against OSU with 5 minutes left. Yeah, they self-destructed...but it wasn't anything like Ty's last two games in his honeymoon year: losing both by a combined 72-19 tally, with both games decided by the 3rd quarter or sooner.

Here's all you need to know about why Ty was dismissed from class:

Tyrone Willingham By The Numbers

17: Combined losses by 21+ pts of previous six ND coaches dating back to 1961
17: Ty's career losses by 21+ pts as head coach dating back to 1995

7: Davie's losses in ND Stadium in 5 seasons (1997-2001)
7: Ty's losses in ND Stadium in 3 seasons (2002-2004)

6: ND's losses by 31+ pts in 45 seasons (1956-2001)
6: Ty's losses by 31+ pts in 3 seasons (2002-2004)

0: Number of times ND allowed opposing QBs to throw for 5 TDs in past 116+ seasons.
2: Number of times Ty's team allowed opposing QBs to throw for 5 TDs during consecutive games in November 2004

.583: Davie's winning percentage at ND 1997-2001
.583: Ty's winning percentage at ND 2002-2004
c-stone | Email | Homepage | 01.31.06 - 11:04 pm | #

Seamus: Technically I didn't call Ty a clown - just his coaches. Second, I don't know about how gracious he was. Did you not see the John Saunders interview during the WA game? He is, of course, entitled to think whatever he likes but I am not willing to say he really took his firing like a man.

Besides, I would be very gracious too if I got fired and had a ~$6 million parachute behind me and another job that I may or may not have arranged waiting for me. For that deal, fire me now and I will blow sunshine all day.
SeanH | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 8:22 am | #

I agree with SeanH... I wish I recieved the same kind of "disrespect" from my former employers that Ty was subject to.

Also, take a look at where Ty's coaching staff ended up after he left.
A majority tagged along to Washington while others are either not coaching or working in the Canadian League for free.

I knew that after Ty's crappy second season that if he didn't make any changes to his staff in short order, that he'd be history. And of course, we all saw that he was either too lazy or concerned with his golf game to address any weaknesses.

Speaking of laziness -- compare Ty's last 2 recruiting classes to that of Charlie. Now there is an indicator of future results. It'll be interesting to see what happens first: Charlie winning a NC or Ty getting a 5 win season at Washington.
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 9:02 am | #

Seamus, please go back to the bottle of Jamison and regale your barmates with your annoying tripe.

Even if Jesus Christ himself was coaching ND, you apparently would STILL find SOME flaw.

Strap yourself in (or in your case, let the nice doctors in white coats do it for you) and ENJOY THE RIDE!
Domer95 | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 9:40 am | #

Everyone realizes Seamus is not an ND fan, right?
Jay | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 10:06 am | #

Ladies and Germs:

I'm traveling for the rest of the week and will not have time to provide insightful, thought-provoking commentary on all sorts of matters....including the attacks on your humble Seamus....

But, of course there will be time to, as Mr. Domer 95 recommends, to --- go back to the bottles of Jamison, Guiness, and other fine spirits and regale barmates with my NON-annoying NON-tripe.

I see my commentary as sobering thoughts in an drunken-induced stupor of non-deserved-adulation.

ciao
Seamus O.R. | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 11:04 am | #

Learn to spell JAMESON Seamus before you drink it.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 11:44 am | #

Nobody named Seamus could every spell Jameson incorrectly...he'd have it tatooed on his body somewhere. I really hate that guy.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 12:02 pm | #

I guess if "won going away" is defined by being up only one TD with 3 minutes left and having to convert a 3rd and 11 to keep from punting it away, then yes, Mr Semen O'Tool is correct that tOSU won going away.

C-stone, great work on the BobTy Davingham numbers. THERE WERE SIX 31 POINT LOSSES?!?!? SIX?!?!?!?! JESUS H CHRIST! That pisses me off just thinking about it; what an absolute embarrassment. I always thought Gerry Faust was the worst ND coach ever, but Ty has now replaced him in my mind. At least Faust was a genuinely good guy and still loves the University to this day.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 12:26 pm | #

I have been asking myself this question ever since I was young and my father would curse wildly....What exactly does the "H." in "JESUS H. CHRIST" stand for? Anybody?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 1:36 pm | #

Hmmm. A Jameson tattoo. . . I could either put that next to the Leprechaun or on the opposite side of the shamrock with my kids names in it. Thanks for the idea.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 1:44 pm | #

Personally, I think either a Guiness or a Bushmills tat would be much more pleasing. Then again I'm biased, I've been to their distilleries. Free samples, baby.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 2:03 pm | #

Sure, rub in the fact that you've been to the distilleries. When I made it to Scotland I didn't have the time to make it over to the Emerald Isle. The only time I can drink Guiness is if I'm drinking an Irish Car Bomb, so that's probably out for a tat. As for Bushmills, I'm not biased against it, it's just that Jameson tastes better.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 2:27 pm | #

"Our Father, who art in heaven, *Howard* be thy name..." Hence the "H".
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 3:16 pm | #

I personally believe Black Bush is the finest liquor ever invented. No whiskey can match its smoothness.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 3:22 pm | #

Brad - Once you go black, you never go back....

Also, MANY mea culpas and Hail Marys for MY mispelling of JamEson in the first place....you'd think with a name like SEAN, I'd have got that right
Domer95 | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 3:49 pm | #

It's ok, everybody makes mistakes.....except Charlie. He only tries to make himself LOOK fallible.


That's right, I said he's perfect. Lick it up, Seamus. Lick it up.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 4:01 pm | #

I had to come back to see what delusional rantings Seamus would post - and was not disappointed. I know we all hate his foolishness, but deep down you know you like having him there to hate... sort of like scUM or Sparty. Keeps things interesting. 5 bucks says Seamus is a shiftless grad student at scUM just looking to rake the muck.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 4:53 pm | #

Good question, Brad; I never really thought about the H. My first guess would be "Holy".

Good discussion on the whiskey topic too; I'm not a big fan, but I'm going out with some friends tonight so I think I'll use the occasion to try both a Jameson AND a Black Bush.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 4:55 pm | #

I like Anon's "Howard" theory. Was that serious?
As for whisky, I do the Jameson's for the Irish variety, but for Kentucky Bourbon it has to be Maker's Mark. Yummy! Just a little tip I picked up in South Bend.
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 5:30 pm | #

Maker's is the best product in Kentucky, period, end of story! Black Bush is great Irish whiskey, but the 20-year Jameson is still my favorite. Unfortunately, I can only find it at Kell's Irish Pub in Portland, and it's something like $12-$15 a shot.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.01.06 - 7:58 pm | #

Seamus.....or a 'graduate' and former football 'player' from Ball St. or Pitt maybe...
Domer95 | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 8:41 am | #

Brad, Fitz, and JohnWA:

So I did drink some whiskey last night. I think I may be a convert! I stared with a 25 oz. beer, but finished up with 3 whiskeys. Here's my take:

Jameson- very nice, smooth

Bernheim- even better than the J with a hint of vanilla (apparently, this is a new whiskey and it's made from wheat (The bottle's tag which I kept says, "Bernheim Original: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey"

Knob Creek- like drinkink gasoline; I literally shuddered with the first sip (which may just be because I'm a pussy when it comes to drinking whiskey). However, it did get a little better and the initial reaction didn't stop me from finishing it.

This place didn't have Black Bush. Overall, I like the Whiskey buzz much more than a beer buzz, though not as much as a wine buzz.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 2:03 pm | #

I meant "started"
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 2:03 pm | #

And "drinking" Jesus, I sound like Semen, uh, Seamus
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 2:05 pm | #

What sort of self-proclaimed watering-hole doesn't have Black Bush, the finest whiskey in the world!? Shananigans I tell you. You go back and yell at those bastards, and bring your own bottle along.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 2:23 pm | #

Well, it didn't help that I screwed up the name when asking; the bartender thought I wanted Black Label (which I think is Johnny Walker Black Label, a scotch). I said it was Black something and the guy stared at me like a drooling tOSU fan. He didn't seem to be the brightest bulb in the Christmas tree.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 5:39 pm | #

Mmmmmm.....scotch.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.02.06 - 7:09 pm | #

Irish Rat et al:

A correction to my #s; TW's teams at ND only lost 5 games (not 6) by 31pts. or more. Let's use this stat instead:

"Tyrone Willingham was a Notre Dame coach for 3 years out of the school's 117 years (2.6% of the seasons) and coached in 36 of Notre Dame's 1,106 games (3.3%). However, he has coached in 23.8% (5 out of 21) of Notre Dame's losses by at least 30 points."

In short, Ty accomplished in 3 years what it took Kuharich (1960), Parseghian (1972, '74), Faust (1985) and Davie (2000) 41 years to pull off.
c-stone | Email | Homepage | 02.03.06 - 4:10 pm | #

I think it sounds alot worse this way, especially with Kuharich, Faust and Davie accounting for only 3. If there's a Mt. Rushmore of bad ND coaches, these 3 plus Ty are it with Ty as George Washington.

On the flip side, Rockne, Leahy, Ara, and Holtz are the Mt. Rushmore of good coaches.
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 02.03.06 - 5:39 pm | #