"...even if the team will have more assistant coaches than seniors next year."


Wow. Stating it like that really makes it apparent how thin that class is. I've known it was thin for a long time...something about stating it in comparison to the coaching staff really drives the point home. Nicely done, Pat.
Domer '99 | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 10:46 am | #

Im looking forward to the young guys playing next year so we can prepare for the 2008 run, although it is nice for the 5th year guys to come back to help with both leadership and depth.
Smitty2183 | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:10 am | #

I can still hate Willingham, can't I?

Moving OL to DL is not a good strategy, but from what I understand about Nuss he is a fine defensive player. Looks a lot more like the bigger and less quick DEs you see in a 3-4, which is going to be part of the 12 step program to defensive sobriety if the rumors are true. Hope we gobble up some monster DL next year 'cause we are gonna need them!
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:14 am | #

I think next year will be like 2005. We will beat somebody we shouldn't like USC or Michigan.
PM | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:19 am | #

Predictions:

1) In a building year, if ND goes 7-5, 8-4, assholes like Ivan Maisel and ESPN will go on and on about how the polish is coming off of Charlie Weis, and do comparison stories to Willingham starting out strong and then doing progressively worse.

2) With a senior year coming up and a potential 5th year after that, Terrail Lambert is going to become an excellent CB for us. As Walls, McNeil, and Gary Gray mature over the next two years we are going to develop an excellent core of CBs, let alone the fantastic safety prospects we have coming in.


3) One prominent journalist will write a really good article about ND's severe lack of depth about 4-5 games through the season, and then EVERY single game we watch with ND in it the rest of the year will have a big segment about the lack of depth, and all the young guys as if it's the first time we've ever heard, which I shall forever now call the "Laura Quinn/Hawk Effect".

>>>> For each and every mildly interesting story that doesn't directly relate to the game at hand, there is an equal and direct multiplicative reaction of 800 stories stating the exact same thing.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:23 am | #

I think that next year this team will surprise a lot of people, far exceeding expectations.

The pre-preseason rankings on Scout.com have ND at #35, and nobody is expecting this team to do much.

I think that this year's team will be one of the most athletic we've seen in a long time, and the new looks on offense and defense will give us an advantage early on in the schedule, where our toughest games are.

We might go 7-5 or 8-4, as people expect, but I think it is equally likely that we again go 10-2 and go to a third straight BCS game.

Never underestimate the element of surprise.
Neil Waechter | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:29 am | #

Neil--excellent point about a possible surprise season. Also, never underestimate the effect that lower expectations can have on a young/inexperienced team (see tOSU in 2002-2003). Now, I'm not saying surprise championship or that we should compare ourselves to an inferior program, just don't label the season as a done deal yet. BCS or not, I'm looking forward to next year when we will have serious competitions for starting jobs and the team will have a renewed sense of purpose. Bring on 2007!
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:34 am | #

If TT switches back to offense, isn't the already gaping hole at LB going to be exacerbated?
Jake | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 11:48 am | #

If any of Willingham's seniors play next year it truly reflects badly on Weis' recruiting since then. To have Lambert a starter is depressing. To have Wooden on the field at any time makes me contemplate drinking the proverbial Kool-Aid.
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 12:06 pm | #

Jake--I wouldn't imagine too much drop off, as our LB corps was suspect this year anyway. Also, I think Crum will return to his natural role of outside LB and we may have fresh blood in the other spots. Also, am I the only one who thinks TT won't switch back and will remain in his Defense first/occassionally spell the RBs on offense role. I see way to much emerging talent at RB to necessitate changing TT back. We're better off keeping him at LB and letting him continually improve there. I'm perfectly fine with a little RB-by-committee next year with Aldridge/Prince/Allen/Schmidt, et. al. Worked fine for plenty of schools last year and helps keep opponents off balance while not severely relying on/taxing one kid to carry the load.
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 12:08 pm | #

Jim/redondo beach-

I couldn't agree more. We've heard a lot about Weis' great recruiting job but it's time to see it in action. Through Weis' first two classes (granted, his first class was recruited mostly by Willingham) only one guy has made an impact--Sam Young.

The freshmen and sophomores had better start contributing next year, leaving guys like Wooden off the field. Take a look at the top teams (esp. Florida, OSU, Oklahoma) and you see underclassmen making an impact right away. There's no reason that shouldn't happen at ND, especially with the way Willingham left the cupboard bare.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 12:30 pm | #

Ty, can we have our money back? I knew it was bad, but when you put it this way its criminal.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:09 pm | #

I think our young backfield will start to look very different once Brown gets his hands on them. I'm looking forward to comparing this defense to last year's, and with the obvious storylines on offense, even if we lose 3 or 4 games it should be a fun season to be a fan. As others have said, no doubt lower expecatations will be a benefit and I look forward to putting up a good fight as an underdog more than having to grit my teeth as we grind out a comeback win when 'favored.'
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:15 pm | #

jim/redondo beach,

What's with knocking Lambert? He had some bad plays this years, but who DIDN'T have some blown plays for us this year in coverage? For his first season as a contributor, I thought he played quite well, and almost single-handedly won us the MSU game with two incredible plays.

Same thing with Wooden. He was banged up this year, and didn't play great, but I don't think there is any reason to trash any of the individuals in our secondary. They had a bad year as a group, but we've seen that for 4 years or so now.



I also agree that ND is going to suprise a lot of people next year. With Aldridge fully healthy and Prince/Allen/hopefully Robert Hughes coming in, I expect to a great deal more of the power running game. This is going to allow us to bring in the secondary and allow for bigger plays down the field. If this combines with our excellent intermediate passing game, I think Weis will be able to make the transition to a new/young QB (whoever it is) much easier than we think. He did pretty good with a guy with no experience named Tom Brady. With high-percentage passes, PAs and a good running game our offense will still be tough. The injection of athleticism will only make things better.

On D, who knows right now. But it cannot be any worse. I hope.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:22 pm | #

Wooden is the absolute bane of my existence. I hope he knows how to say special teams. I don't think even CB can turn this guy into a good DB. We'll see.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:22 pm | #

I wish I could say something positive about Wooden, but all I've read is the back of his jersey for the past two years as he gets beat time after time. Really struggles just to make a routine tackle.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:26 pm | #

I don't think that we should be so quick to throw Wooden under the bus. He clearly has talent. Remember Richardson was terrible two years ago and he was very solid this year. Ambrose might just have a huge year.

That said, I would also like to see more of the young guys in the secondary. I am hoping that Walls, in particular, takes ownership of one corner position. The competition at safety should get serious too. We have some major talent back there.

The area I wonder about is linebacker. We have a lot of guys on the depth chart who had some respectable accolades coming in. Let's hope that Washington or Smith can show something there. Maybe Vernaglia will turn the corner. He certainly has the skills. I have to wonder if it was teh complexity of Minter's defensive schemes that was holding these guys back.
Ben | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:27 pm | #

Again, enough with the trashing of individuals in our secondary. We've had a "bane of our existence" or two in the secondary for YEARS now. Wooden and Lambert now, Richardson before that, etc., etc. all the way back to Clifford Jefferson.

Every team in the country has guys in the secondary who are hated for blown plays. It happens. Other than QB, there is no other position in football where you have the opportunity to be embarrassed on every single play. It's part of the game. Even great Corners like UM's Leon Hall get burnt like woah, look at this year's Rose Bowl...and he's a lock for the first round.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:28 pm | #

I don't see Travis Thomas jumping back to TB. He has the speed and attitude to continue at linebacker. LB is a position that relies on instinct and reaction and after this season I think TT has developed those instincts. The whole reason for returning is getting another year under his belt and perhaps moving from a rookie free agent into the draft next year.
Domer Dan | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:30 pm | #

Also, I seem to remember everyone raving about Wooden's play at the beginning of last year. The guy was making open-field tackles all over the place, and his coverage of Jarrett on that 4th and 9 could not have been any better.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:30 pm | #

When Travis Thomas first expressed a desire to return for his fifth year, he clearly stated that he would do so to contribute as a running back.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:33 pm | #

I think it highly unlikely that TT stays at LB next year. He was actually asked in an interview about mid-way through this past season about it and said something to the effect of, "I will only come back if I can return to RB." I, for one, think his return to RB is the only move that might get him into the NFL (either as a free agent or in the draft). I think he has the talent to get 800 or so yards as a starting RB and that is his best bet for continuing in football (otherwise he should have left and gotten a real job).
Joe | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:34 pm | #

Wooden 2yrs ago was thought to be an absolute first rounder, but in '05 teams absolutely exploited the guy game after game and his stock has since dropped dramatically. He has a year under Brown to absorb as much info as possible and break his bad habits Nothing against him
personally but we simply had no other options the last two years at corner and I felt the freshman out played him consistenly. Sometimes you just got to call a spade a spade. (and no that is not meant racially)
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:36 pm | #

Jim from Redondo Beach -

Just what exactly are your qualifications for being a DB evaluator? Personally, I think your comments are piss poor and show your ignorance. Hence, anytime you post, I cringe and think "Damn, if only natural selection wasn't such a slow process"

Here's why:

Terrail Lambert: #8,#22 Safety (according to Scout/Rivals) scholarships from USC, Ohio State, FSU. Easily top caliber recruiting schools.

Ambrose Wooden: #11/#14 CB/S, Offers from UCLA, VT, Maryland, & BC.

These are very good athletes that ND is lucky to have. If Weis and his coaches think they are the best men for the job, then they end up on the field.

Personally, I have a tough time second guessing a coach with so many Super Bowl rings.

Its very rare that ANY FRESHMAN IN THE COUNTRY would be capable to consistently OUTPERFORM a kid 3-4 years older than him at a difficult position like CB. That even goes for the #1 CB in a recruiting class.

Maybe you can explain to the peanut gallery how you are more qualified to judge these athletes than Weis' staff.

Personally, I think it'd been nice if the pass rush could have helped the DBs out more consistently.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:39 pm | #

Whenever I hear about a young team having only an 8-4 season, I am reminded of the 1967 Ohio State team(with defensive backs coach Lou Holtz) He used to state: " coaches who use inexperience or young to describe the team are coaches who are expecting not to win" I think this team is going to be very dam good! Our line will be much better, all will have at least 18 months of Tiny Mendoza lifting behind them. Our three TE formations will catch a lot of teams of gaurd becuase we will have an intelligent and confident quarterback who has leadership and an arm.(My guess D.Jones) Defense should be fighters.
Perhaps Charlie didn't play these guys so he could get potential 5th year status out of Schmidt, Wegner, Wade, Mullen, etc.
To quote Charlie: "When you set goals, 9-3 is not something you shoot for. What you shoot for is 12-0 and a National Championship." Thats what I'm shooting for. Go Irish!
Keenan | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:39 pm | #

Brad...

I appreciate your enthusiasm...but, you're whistling past the graveyard. Anyone who thinks Richardson is a quality cover...re-run the SC tape. And as far as Walls...look at the two plays he was in for the LSU game. But, it is a team sport...so to be fair I should bury the safetys and slow/small linebackers also...LSU average gain per completion: 16 yards. Why opposing teams didn't throw long on EVERY play I'll never know. Must be some coaching "code".
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:41 pm | #

PS. the only reason freshman Darrin Walls made it on to the field this last season was because Ambrose Wooden was out with an injury. When Ambrose recovered, he went out and reclaimed his spot.

I'd also like to thank Terrail Lambert for helping ND win the MSU game. Lord knows without his play, ND would have tanked that game.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:42 pm | #

You shouldn't take being critical of a player so personally. That is why we have a place like this. I was lucky enough to play D1 football as a DB and coach and currently coach at the high school level. Evaluating talent is part of my job and having a place to vent frustration like this is blog allows me hear other point of views. So thanks for sharing yours atepesm.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:46 pm | #

Both Brad and Jim/Redondo make some valid points. Even in a down stretch, ND is loaded with top level talent. Have we shown that translate to plays on the field, or see players develop lately? Hmmm..

Again, I believe that 2007 will show what we do with COACHING. Our Un-special teams didn't even show this year ...why not? Can anyone here say that they saw players actually improve in 2006 versus 2005? I think its time we hold everyone's toes to the fire a bit (where the hell did that term come from?)

Personally, years like '07 are always my favorite. They look tough on paper, but my favorite teams, as well as my best life experiences, came when others were crying doom-and- gloom. I think we've got more things going for us than we can see. I have enough confidence in the coaching staff to believe that we are going to see a HUGE upside this coming fall (to average out what we didn't see last fall).

While ring measurements may be a bit down the line, I am doing a slow simmer in the 'psyche-up' department for this fall (notice: I loved boxing, and my strategy was always "lead with your chin"!).

At least 8 wins; 1 big upset in '07.

Go Irish
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 1:56 pm | #

Jim/Redondo Beach,

I'm not trying to say these players are fantastic or that they've performed wonderfully. I just don't see the point in picking on a guy or two in an entire position that did poorly. That's like ragging on one guy in the Oline when the entire group can't get a push off the ball.

My only point is that we, as ND fans, always pick one or maybe two guys every year out of the secondary and rag on them as if all they do is give up big plays. No one ever gives the kids credit when they perform well, unless they get a pick. Part of the reality of that position is that every now and then you are gonna get beat. Our secondary, as a group, has been allowing that to happen for a long time now.

I just don't see the point in ragging on a guy who has a great amount of ability, and could easily come back next year and be a great player for us. Blame should go to the group, and blame should go to the coaches, who are ultimately responsible for their play. Charlie recognized that, and made a swift change to a new DC, something Willingham was completely unwilling to do.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 2:29 pm | #

Double-Post P.S.

A great example of what I'm talking about is a guy like Maurice Stovall, who was ragged on ENDLESSLY as someone who couldn't catch, couldn't hold on to the ball, and was completely cast aside by all ND fans by his sophomore/junior year. He was assigned to that proverbial "graveyard", that jim/redondo beach refers to, and with good reason I suppose.

But a new coach comes in, and presto, the kid set the field on fire. Again, we all know who are the guys we see making mistakes, but I just don't see the point in bludgeoning them with our collective frustrations. I assure you, they are even more frustrated.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 2:34 pm | #

anon

i know it's completely off topic but i couldn't resist the challenge to my ignorant mind...

"I think its time we hold everyone's toes to the fire a bit (where the hell did that term come from?)"

i didn't turn up much on toes to the fire but inserting FEET got us a bit further downfield.

a phrase that usually nowadays refers to reminding some elected offical of campaign promises made and maybe not carried out yet.

still doesn't answer the question, so a little digging gave this little nugget...

Pertains to torture used during the Crusade's. As a method for extracting confession for heresy, non-believers were positioned in a manner that allowed the inquisitor to apply flames to the feet of the accused. This was done until the accused confessed or died.

and for everyone else,

GO IRISH!!!
arch95domer | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 3:03 pm | #

I actually felt that after that play against Sparty, Lambert became a whole different player and am very optimistic about his '07 season. You could see his confidence grow as the season went on. He became a more sure tackler and his instincts in defending the pass became sharper. Under Corwin Brown we will hear alot about this kid. Wooden needs his "Sparty type moment" to once again build his confidence. He should look at '07 as a chance at redemption...actually that goes for the whole defense. Love the recruits were getting and I think we will shut alot of people up in the next two years.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 3:07 pm | #

Brad, did you have to bring up Clifford Jefferson? Now I'm going to have nightmares! I think the recurring one will be Chad Johnson of Oregon State blowing by him in the Fiesta Bowl.

Atepsm- good points- I like people that aren't afraid to fire on people.

Keenan- great point about 9-3 isn't good enough. I read about the "9-3 ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH!" banner that hung in the weightroom last off-season in Weis' book, "No Excuses". He might put one up this year about 10-3 not being good enough and that's what I'm expecting. F*CK 7-5 or 8-4- that's Davie/Willingham kind of talk. I'm expecting 10-2 with a bowl win AT MINIMUM! We can beat USC at home; we can beat Michigan on the road (we did so in '93 with a first time starter in MacDougal as well as a bunch of other first time starters).

On the matter of players, I cannot say I'm excited about Zibby returning. Il love the kid, but he's got to show something next year. I can't recall one impact play from this year. I hope Weis makes it known (to him and EVERYONE) that he is by no means guaranteed a starting spot. One of my buddies thinks he was hurt all year. Regardless, he's got to improve- BIG TIME!
Irish Rat | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 3:36 pm | #

I'm actually a little worried about our defenseive recruits, particularly LB and DT. Last year, we only got 2 LBs, and Richardson may move to DE. So far this year, we only have 2 recruits (Nagel & Pakorz). While all of these players are talented, adn I trust WEis as a talent evaluator, these are not the top-rated talent that has the country salivating (and I know that Toryan was generally underrated- still, he's not Gallipo, Malgula or Donald). I know that A.J. Hawk was poorly rated, but is there any reason to believe specifically that are LBs are underrated? These guys may end up being very good players, but they'll have to confound expectations.

DT is even worse. Willingham's recruits were mostly unable to get on the field during competitive Paddy Mullen is a converted TE, John Ryan and Kallen Wade are 240 and 220 (Mendoza would have a lot of work to do) and no blue-chip recruits have been signed since fifth year senior Laws. We've gotten Ian Williams this year, and we may switch one or two of our big OG's (Nuss seems likely), but it seems like our coaching staff is going to have a lot of work to do. Frankly, how is this group expected to do more than Landri and Laws, who were both highly recruited, and very talented? If they didn't get the job done, why should we expect more from Kuntz and Williams?
GushBlue&Gold | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 3:45 pm | #

Brad/atepesm-

Jim/redondo beach's statements sure didn't sound overboard to me. His "attacks" weren't personal by any means. Discussing the ability (or in this case inability) of individual players is exactly what this site is for. BGS is the perfect forum to get discussions going like the one we're having now.

On a related note, people seem to have no problem dumping on the coaching staffs of the past (and rightfully so), so what's wrong with being critical and asking questions of the current coaching staff? 4 Super Bowl rings or not, Weis and his crew are not omniscient & omnipotent like they're constantly portrayed to be. Let's hold off on the canonization for a little while.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 4:24 pm | #

Look for Brown to play the CBs more at the line; none of this 8 yard cushion we saw in the Sugar Bowl. Walls, McNeil, Gray...they're all fast enough to stay with anyone. Can't say this with this past group, though I'm a fan of Lambert who, because of scheme, was forced to play on his heels.

The D needs a new "attack" mentality", not the bend but don't break Minter has been using his whole career.

That said, I think '07s syndicate will be more focused thanks to no Heisman candidate, our star receiver playing summer ball, and our SS boxing.

We will come out and surprise a lot of people. Sure the OL might not have the experience, but their accumulated talent can't be worse than '06s.

Welcome back running game.
TwelveHawks | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 4:45 pm | #

I agree...I think this unit will be far less distracted with themselves. While it was amazingly fun to revel in that august/september hype of the 2006 season, it will be more fun to watch Llloyd get fired after crumbling next season (see this game as the "big upset" of next season).

i honestly see us going 9-3, but i'm always optimistic.

i saw on NDN that Blackwell went to LSU. Is it still possible for Malcolm Smith to end up at ND or is he gone? Also, is it very uncommon for freshmen to start at DT bc why isn't Ian Williams being mentioned as a potential contributor to the line next year. Finally, although this has been mentioned before, couldn't Zibby be moved to an LB?
Tommy O | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 5:08 pm | #

DT is usually one of those positions that take some time in a collegiate weight program to become a major contributor at the D1 level. Not only that, but freshmen DT's usually need a lot of fundamentals work because they are used to just using their superior size in HS, which they obviously can't entirely rely on against most D1 O-linemen. That's not to say that Ian couldn't come in and contribute, just that I wouldn't expect him to be a force on the line in his first year. Hopefully he can come in, push up the competition level, get some PT spelling the starters, and be more experienced for '08 though.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 5:23 pm | #

All of the psots make sense, but i tend to look at things a bit differently from a depth perspective. I think that CW was had a look at his freshman ans sophmores and his returning seniors and selectively used those players who he felt could help plug what ever holes or deficiencies that the upper classmen had. At some point he knows that in roder to compete in the long run, he was going to need to redshirt much if his incoming classes so he could play 23yr old 5th years against other team's 23 yr olds. It seems in today's game that most 18 yr old freshmen, despite their abilities, struggle to compete agains the maturity and development of the older players. Skill position players are the exception in many cases, but even there, if things are a toss up go and you can save a player for a 5th year, do so. looking at this years seniors, it would appear CW and staff felt they could compete and win with that group and selectively paly the freshmen as necessary. Bottom line is that I suspect that many of the rising juniors and sophmores will be ready to compete, probably better than we realize. Game experience is the real test, but at some point, all programs have to replace their older players and put younger players on the field to get experience.

As for the defense, do not be surprised if you see the defense take a step back an get very simple in their packages. the real problem with the Irish D this year was the LB crew, not so much the DB, but the LBs. Zibby had an "off" year becasue it often seemed that he was playing a monster type position, where he was up in the middle making tackles. Our DBs were clearly forced to play coverages that left big holes in the field, but I suspect that had as much to do with the safetys supporting or protecting the LBs in run coverage as it was the DBs being forced to cover the a broader portion of the field. The only other thought is tha tthe kids were so confused that they looked like the Keystone Cops, whihc suggests a complexity beyond thier abilities to grasp. Lets face it, we player a lot of zone as opposed to man press, whihc would suggest a weakness in the athletic ability of the DBS or elsewhere in the defense. I seriously doubt if the DBs are not sufficient quality athletes. Time will tell, but watch if we can find a scheme that protects the LBS that will relieve pressure on the outside DBs and allow us to play more man. If we had a LB who could actually get off the mark and get free in a blitz, we could be more aggressive in the secondary... the scheme will change and the players will all of a sudden look better.
anon down south | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 5:25 pm | #

It's time to usher in "The Paddy Mullen Era".
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 5:35 pm | #

For the love of god, Zibby is NEVER, and I mean NEVER, going to be a LB. For that matter, TT wasn't really much of a LB this year and we don't need another similar project. The problems on D are so complicated and immense it makes my head hurt just starting to think about it. We definitely have some holes in our personnel - DT is very thin and LB was a serious weakness this year. We also had a terrbile, passive scheme that I will be glad to never see again. We will not be able to change our depth issue, but I think there is going to be more speed and talent on the field this year and a lot more aggresive play (Minter's version of aggresiveness seemed to be a lot of ill-timed blitzes, no more of that). I see a likely D of:

SDE - Ryan/Trattou
WDE - Stephenson/Wade
DT - Laws
DT - Kunz/Hand/Williams
WLB - MoRich
MLB - T Smith
SLB - Crum
SS - Zibby
FS - Bruton
CB - Lambert/Wooden
CB - Walls/McNeil
Nickel - Gray

I have to believe the LB corps will be a serious upgrade and we are deep with speed and talent in the secondary. How well we pressure the QB and how physical Brown gets the DBs to play will determine our improvement in coverage. Just pray for no injuries to the DTs.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 5:50 pm | #

The solution is simple ...simply tether Zibby to the 5 yard line... that will break him of his "getting sucked up I wish I was a linebacker" mentality.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 6:12 pm | #

I just had a vision of that old Saturday Night Live skit of Mike Meyers being tethered to the monkey bars at the playground and nearly choking himself to death trying to get to a chocolate bar. Sorry for the double post ...couldn't resist.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 6:24 pm | #

That's an awesome visual, Ken. I completely forgot about that skit.

Ahh, I yearn for the glory days of SNL when skits were less than 14 minutes long, the actors didn't laugh at all their jokes before they even delivered them, and the jokes they told were actually funny.

But I digress...
kmf | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 6:30 pm | #

Regarding Wooden's role in the defense this season... after he got injured, he wasn't a starter. Lambert was the guy who ultimately took that spot. Walls got a lot of playing time for a game or two, until in the Purdue game (I think) he was getting picked on and Weis/Minter pulled him.

When Wooden got healthy, I think they were using him in nickel, but he was not starting in the base defense, that was Lambert and Richardson.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 7:20 pm | #

Brad...

Vintage whine?
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 7:24 pm | #

Lack of experience doesn't bother me on offense because we have an extreme amount of talent there at every position, and Weis has shown he can "coach up" offensive players that were heretofore unknown (Samardzija, Stovall, Quinn, Carlson, and Fasano all got immediately better under Weis).

Further, our defensive secondary and linebackers have a decent mix of talent and experience next year. I am banking that statement on Toryan Smith emerging at linebacker and probably Ray Herring moving over to cover safety and being an improvement over Ndukwe there.

The 800-pound, neon-colored gorilla in the room is our defensive line. Laws is really the only person not in the incoming freshman class that I would label as "talented." Wade, Brown, Ryan, and Stephenson are woefully unphysical. Kuntz has appeared overmatched by bigger, stronger OL. Hand is big, but I'm not sure how strong or quick he is. Mullen is a tight end in DT's clothing.

For those reasons, I actually expect Trattou and Williams or Nuss to be starting by mid-season. And, I expect opposing offenses to run it down our throats until those players get in a position to start.

The other alternative is my secret hope -- that just 3 guys out of Wade, Brown, Ryan, and Stephenson, Kuntz, Hand, or Mullen will have a monster, historically huge offseason. I'm not talking about them becoming "serviceable" players -- I'm talking about them adding 20 pounds of muscle, learning the defense like they know the scheme a priori, and figuring out how to master every technique known to man about shedding blockers, tackling, and pursuing QB's.

Just 3 guys.

3 guys are all that it takes for us to be a good defense next year rather than just a fair one.

Who is in the weight room late on this Thursday night? That person has a chance. Anyone else doesn't.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 7:51 pm | #

jim/redondo beach,

Giant douche?


Seriously, what's up with the whine comment? I haven't had a single comment trashing you, I'm only voicing my displeasure with the large amount of people who post comments trashing particular players. I think we all do it and I am simply saying I think it's a bit much. That's all.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:07 pm | #

Jeff Alm, Chris Zorich, George Williams, Frank Stams, Wes Pritchett, before the Michigan opener in 1988, who can honestly say they heard of these guys, even Michael Stonebreaker.Somewhere in there are some hidden diamonds, aggressiveness and fundamentals make up for lack of talent a lot of times. We are a long way from September and we have a lot of football between now and then. I believe that somewhere someone will step up. Lou once said the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores. Hard work, determination, a good strength program and we will see what happens.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:15 pm | #

Andrew,

You said "Wade, Brown, Ryan, and Stephenson are woefully unphysical."
I'm just wondering what you meant by that. Did you mean that they aren't big enough/haven't packed on the muscle yet, or do you mean that you don't think they play physically? I'm just curious, because I don't remember seeing any of them log important time this season. I don't know if you've seen practices or anything, I was just curious about the comment.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:17 pm | #

The earlier blog by someone said that outside of Sam Young no freshman contributed last year. Where did you want them to contribute? QB? WR? TE? OL? Where did you expect a freshman to step in and start. On paper we looked a lot better than we were on the field. If veteran players had a hard time with the defensive schemes do you think a freshman is going to come in and play and not make mistakes. To leave Walls on an island by himself with no help against Calvin Johnson and then against LSU, with the speed and experience is almost criminal. No safety help from our experienced safties, how can you blame Wall? That kid will be something special before he graduates.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:21 pm | #

Doug...it's not the players I haven't heard about...it's about the defensive players I've watched for the last 3-4 years and have 1-2 years of eligibility left.

P.S. Brad...let's leave your girlfriend out of this discussion...please.
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:25 pm | #

Does J.J. Jansen, our long snapper, have a scholarship? That would actually mean 8 seniors on scholarship for next year if he does.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:34 pm | #

jim/redondo beach,

Good one. Really.


Doug,

Good point about Stonebreaker, etc., as well as the link between scheme and its relation to getting young players on the field. I also think we have a few special young kids on the team that are really gonna blow up next year and suprise a lot of people. I've got to think that the hits and competition that comes out of spring and pre-season ball is gonna be something South Bend hasn't seen in a long time. Only 90 some days until the Blue-Gold game, baby!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 8:48 pm | #

Chris - JJ's scholarship was one of those that Charlie Weis will hand out year to year on an as-earned basis. Cullen, on special teams last year, earned the same scholarship as a junior and again as a senior. I expect that JJ will do the same this year, but, as of yet, no scholarship. I believe those scholarships, if any, are handed out in September.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 9:10 pm | #

Does the team give scholarships to 5th year guys who are walk-ons? Kind of a strange question, I guess, but it would suprise me if some schools had policies giving to walk-ons but denying them 5th year status. I doubt we have anything like that, but still a question.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 9:19 pm | #

Jim -- Ambrose Wooden is one of the most impressive and likable kids that you will meet. If he performs in the spring and fall, he will play. If not, the new kids will. Either way, Ambrose is a team player and is good for the team. Just play back the Michigan State game in which Wooden was hurt. He's the first guy to congradulate Lambert (his replacement) on Lambert's two best plays of the game. Ambrose came back and played well (in fact, better) at nickle back.

I too don't care for the brutal criticism of these kids. They all are trying their best. And in Wooden's case, he was recruited by Ty as a wide reciever and is now relegated to the most thankless job on the team. Play back the '05 USC game. Although Wooden got burned on a the famous Lienert perfect pass to Jarret in tight coverage, the rest of his game was really solid. He took that loss tough and, I assume he takes all of the losses tough.

I just find it unneccessary for a guy sitting at a computer key pad to pile on these players when they have had a tough run. Charlie obviously has seen something he likes in Wooden and, as Charlie himself would say, you don't get a vote.
Southside | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 9:26 pm | #

Brad. Interesting that you should ask. Last year, Travis Lietko sp?, a 5th year, returned to ND to complete his degree after having left the school for a year (for personal and academic reasons), and having forfieted his scholarship. Last fall, Lietko walked-on and, at the conclusion of fall camp, Charlie gave Lietko a one year scholarship as a 5th year.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 9:32 pm | #

How about a little love my way. Neary a mention...
Schwap | Email | Homepage | 01.18.07 - 10:25 pm | #

Any of you read this?

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/m...ws/ 16462842.htm

It's more of the usual stuff -- Weis vs. Willingham, ND fired Ty because he's black, etc.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 12:15 am | #

I know I should have just ignored the jerk that wrote the article above, but sometimes I can't help myself. I wrote him this note:

Your article says Willingham was fired for his poor performance in big games. That is only 1/3 of the reason he got fired, and anyone with a modicum of sense knows this is true.

For the record, the other two reasons he got the ax are:
1. Horrendous recruiting in two consecutive years. True, he is responsible for this year's batch of seniors, including Quinn and Smard#$@!^%a. But in the two years that followed, he had classes that ranked as low as any Notre Dame has pulled in in the modern era. How bad was it? The senior class next year will have exactly two starters on the field.
2. Unwillingness to fire underperforming assistants. Loyalty is admirable, but there's a point at which it becomes pig-headed, and Ty was there. The coaches has clearly lost the team, and he was unwilling to do anything to take it in another direction.

Contrast this to Weis:
1. Recruiting is going to be stellar for a third consecutive year, giving him a strong base of talent for future years.
2. The defense, after showing little improvent in two seasons, is being given a chance at a new direction under a new defensive coordinator, Corwin Brown.

As for the "other coached at ND all got five years" argument, Kevin White made it clear when announcing Bob Davie's extension that a new era had dawned at ND with regards to hiring. Historically, ND coaches had been underpaid, but with the Davie extension, ND had begun paying market rates, and White made it clear that ND planned to start behaving more like other teams did.
"They're glorified prenuptial agreements," said White of contracts like Davie's. "It's kind of a one-stop shopping. If things go great, it's a silver lining. If things don't go so great, here's how we're going to sever the relationship. This keeps you away from litigation, mammoth buyouts and all kinds of negative publicity.
He added, "It's a different day. This is what contracts are about in 2001." (This is taken fro the following article, which I found in 15 seconds via Google: http://old.irishsports.com/stori..._lower.fff.sto)

Davie was fired 8 months after those comments were made. O'Leary 30 seconds later. If Ty took the job, and the hefty money that came with it, not understanding that the rules were new ones by ND's standards, that his fault. He didn't perform, and his team was not going to get better with a bunch of two-star recruits. They fired him to give the team a chance to be good sometime before 2010.

Here's the reason I'm taking the time to write this message to an ass-clown like you: You're alleging Willingham was fired because of his race. This is a VERY serious charge; you're saying Notre Dame committed a crime. If you're going to level a accusation like that, you need to (a) have the balls to state it plainly, instead of hiding behind terms like "hypocrisy" and "double standards" (b) make a clear, well-researched argument for why it's true.

I'd like to say "nice try", but your article is not even that.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 12:18 am | #

Wow, that's a long post. Should have self-edited. Sorry.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 12:19 am | #

Are the Nine given golden rings to rule over the world of college football?
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 12:21 am | #

Hal

When in doubt...pull the race card. Ridiculous article with ridiculous accusations. I think Ty knows he black and doesn't need to be reminded of it.
Ken | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 2:19 am | #

that's a fairly good response, Hal--honestly. though as you said, such articles shouldn't be given attention these days. We're starting year 3 w/o TW....we understand what what went down...and Ty has shown that he's the "fair but not great" coach at UW that he was at ND in the last 2 years. i think it's really time to stop defending ND's decision. let's all avoid taking that bait in the future.
Tommy O | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 2:28 am | #

"Are the Nine given golden rings to rule over the world of college football?"

Oh Sean...that was...beautiful. Geekily beautiful.

Hal, I have a couple of issues with your defense of Willingham's recruiting. When you state "Yes, he brought in Quinn and Samardzija", I think you forgot that Willingham had no interest in Quinn (only Ndukwe) until their high school coach said "Why don't you recruit Brady to be your quarterback?" and that baseball was what ultimately landed Samardzija at ND. Other than that, good response to the typical sportswriter asshat.
Matt J. | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 8:30 am | #

Great post by Pat stating in his commentary that:

"Coach Weis and his staff are ultimately responsible for what happens next year..."

Whatever happens next season, let's not blame it on Ty. It sounds really silly and gives fodder for writers/hacks who need material to fill their column inches.

I liked that some people here are beginning to point out that Coach Weis needs to be held more accountable for the team's performance. He has had the longest honeymoon that I can remember of any coach. Getting blown out in key games is getting old. And, beating teams that are not up to par with a program of ND's class, such as the Academies, is not all that satisfying. Well, it is nice to know that I am not the only one that thinks that way.
Denny Crane | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:00 am | #

jim / redondo beach -

No need for personal attacks here. We're all (purportedly) ND fans, so let's all try to behave with a little class and leave the personal flaming for trolls like OSU is righteous.

Go Irish!
Domer '99 | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:02 am | #

Off topic, but the Corwin Brown post is a ways down the page now...

ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, and SI.com are all stating that Corwin Brown will be introduced as the DC in a press conference today. I still haven't seen anyting official from ND, but at least there are indications from "credible" sources that the announcement should come today. (The stories also say that Powlus will be names as QB coach today.)
Domer '99 | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:10 am | #

Irish Insights has reported that there's a presser today where Brown and Powlus will be announced as hires/promotions. Charlie, Corwin and Ronnie Ballgame are all supposed to be in attendance.
Matt J. | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:13 am | #

That article is just the USC lobby trying to find a moral reason to feel superior despite the fact that their program has had integrity problems. The same charges were leveled against Indiana when they fired Mike Davis who was very similar to Ty in that he was affable, well liked by the press, and a reasonably crappy skipper. Indiana hired a black coach who has turned their basketball program around, and ND hired a white one who did the same thing.

Hal, I thought your argument was very well made; hopefully that will get Wilner to read the whole thing - or at least until he gets to 'ass-clown.'
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:16 am | #

Anon,

I remember the Leitko situation, but I don't know if it fills exactly into what I was talking about. I mean, he was here for years as a scholarship player, and only left because of a family situation, and had his scholarship given back as a walk-on. The situation I'm looking for is where a true walk-on is given a scholarship, and decides to come back for a 5th year where they were given a scholarship again.

I'm sure it's happened, I just can't think of any examples.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:16 am | #

By the way, I haven't read anything here positive of Powlus' move, but I think it's brilliant. In Roman times, a general victorious in a foreign war led a ceremonial parade through the city known as a 'triumph.' He was accompanied on his chariot by a slave whose job was to whisper 'You are only mortal' into his ear.

Ron will be there to shepherd the golden boy through the ups and downs of his freshman campaign, and to help him skirt whatever off the field temptations we can only imagine face a new Irish QB - temptations Powlus might know something about. And after the way he reacted during the Michigan State scrum, we know he'll go to battle for his team. Weis will be all over the throwing mechanics and audibles, but Powlus could be something Jimmy needs as much or more than coaching: Consiliere.
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:39 am | #

Brad --

I was basing my comment on the practices I have seen as well as the fact that most of them are undersized for college linemen.

Massive weight room work is needed.
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 9:56 am | #

Indy---being a history buff, I like the comparison to Roman generals, etc. Couldn't help but to laugh though, since this makes Powlus our slave.

That article is simply more of the trollup that lazy "journalists" offer up because a) they are too lazy to try researched, credible reporting and b) they know it will get a rise out of people, both ND lovers and ND haters, and thereby validate their own standing as a writer that can sell papers. It's about selling subscriptions, etc. Call it "shock and awe" journalism. Pressing the hot topic buttons even if they do not pertain to the story at hand. Who cares? So long as it sells.

I'd be surprised if this ass clown even truly believed a fraction of the garbage he is trying to spew up. That race-baiting schtick is tired now, as it was when Saunders, Whitlock, May, etc. were offering it up as the only reason that we would fire our coach. Deep down in places they don't like to talk about, they knew Ty was not going to succeed as our coach and that we were simply making the right decision, both in a business sense and in a competitive sense.

It was a decision that any program wishing to compete for a NC would have made. Yes, Ty was a good man and yes our off-the-field performance was stellar. But, for the last time, he was not hired to do only these things, but also to take the appropriate and necessary steps to succeed on the field as well. An unbiased study of his time here clearly shows he did not perform satisfactorily to those standards.

In the real world, not the rosy-hued wonderland that "journalists" thrive in, failure to perform in the most important part of any career leads to termination. Period. And, I might add, most of us don't enjoy such a generous severance package and "kid gloves" treatment from the very institution that fired us as Ty did. To say that any of our treatment of Ty from the time of his firing to now has been anything short of saintly, is brash, asinine, and frankly slanderous.

Now, did I want to email this diatribe to the author of that article? With every fiber of my Irish being. Did I send it promptly to him. No..never in a million years. I've fallen into that trap before and it accomplished nothing. Hal, I appreciate you defending us and would never try to tell you to do otherwise, but, as someone who enjoys reading your posts, I would advise that we leave our response at that, and only send a sparing amount of well-reasoned responses and allow the inflammatory article to lose any impetus. The author knows how we feel about "reports" such as this.

Let's not deem any of this article worthy of honest consideration or a shelf life past that of any other accusatory trollup writers choose to levy at us. They do not deserve dissection by honest fans, nor do they deserve arousal of our emotions. Let the facts speak for themselves and let bullshit journalism go the way of the dodo.

Sorry for the incessantly long rant, but while I'm sick of these articles as much as the next fan, I've realized that we should let the petulant children disguised as "journalists" spew their piss and vinegar to their hearts' delight. Our success in the end will vindicate ND's actions and reveal these writers for what they really are--irrelevant.
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 10:20 am | #

Bravo, Kevin, Bravo.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 10:26 am | #

Indy:

Isn't Kelvin Sampson Native American in heritage? I thought that's what I read when IU hired him.

I, too, echo the sentiments that it's time to push Ty into the past and forget about him. Most of his guys are gone now and now it's time for Charlie et. al. to truly step up and show their mettle. Hopefully this should be easier now that he's getting his guys in place, but we'll see.
Matt J. | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 10:42 am | #

Yeah great response Kevin. We ought to have a hall of fame for good comments.
24 hour | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 10:50 am | #

I have an interesting idea if THomas is moving from LB. WHat about making Zibowski a linebacker. He reads the play well and his aggressiveness causes him to get burned as a safety but would be great as an Urlacher type linebacker. Think of the schemes you could put in.
John | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:03 am | #

Kevin, Brad, anon,

I'm with you boys. Agreed that the best course is to deny these guys their oxygen, which is people responding to their baiting.

But sometimes, when you're reading some gleeful, anti-ND post on another blog at 1:00 AM, you've just got to call someone an ass-clown before you can sleep soundly.

Hal
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:15 am | #

Hal, agreed. I didn't say it wasn't hard for me not to email that dill hole as my thoughts were forming. And by the way, when we do send responses, I hope they all tend to remain level-headed as yours did, with something the author has never heard of, tangible evidence of fact. And I hope the responses include the label ass-clown at least once, because that may be the only way to describe these hacks. Here's to ya!
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:25 am | #

It is easy to beat up the secondary because of the end result. Where was the pressure to have the QB make a mistake so we could capitalize. Example, look what LSU and FLA did against good passing offenses. Their front 4-7 caused major problems for the QB and RB. ND's front four didn't put a lot of pressure on QB's or cause havoc in the backfield. Therefore, allowing the secondary to look bad. Maybe they did against less talented teams but against the teams we all want to finally beat (UM,OSU,USC,LSU)we looked less talented or poorly coached. No pressure, DB's get tried.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:31 am | #

If anyone had the free time to do it, it would be interesting to see a per-second average in the pocket comparison between ND and our opponents, as well as between those that passed all over us and those that didn't. I certainly don't have that kinda time, but it would be interesting to see.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:41 am | #

I like that idea Brad. Also, that stat should be used in QB comparisons as well as judging one's secondary, not to dig up the old Brady vs. Troy discussion again.
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 11:43 am | #

Matt; you are right - I'll try to get my facts straighter next time re: Sampson:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kel.../ Kelvin_Sampson
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 12:44 pm | #

Domer99

I guess I should apologize to Brad. We on the westcoast didn't realize that calling someone a "Giant Douche" is actually a midwest compliment. (I've always wondered why my parents moved west from Chicago!)
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 1:18 pm | #

Matt J. - Thanks! That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the heading.

Just make certain the rings weren't given to them by Pete Carroll.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 1:47 pm | #

Although I think we had glaring deficiencies in the secondary, I believe it's hard to hang them out to dry when the opposing quarterbacks got zero pressure and all day to throw against an underperforming defensive line ( as many as you have articulated...I swear I could count to 8 Mississippi sometimes before a defensive lineman came close to the QB). The weight room is huge for the DL, but the thing I have to question is whether the linemen we have (and are recruiting) have that nasty mean-streak that makes an average physical specimen become above average (Zorich always comes to mind). Temperament definitely does play a role.

As for the "Race Card" article. Not only is that crap tired, I think it does a great disservice to future black coaching candidates. A university may think "wow, we'd really like to take a chance on this black candidate (and be lauded for the effort)," but if we have to fire him because he has the program circling the drain in a few years we're going to be accused of being racists for firing him. And evidently it takes awhile to shake the racist label(nothing like still dredging it up a couple years later). So, play it safe, interview a bunch of minority candidates and eventually hire a white guy - if you have to fire him nobody starts throwing ridiculous charges around.
Hoss | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 1:51 pm | #

Damn, I wrote to the ass-clown and didn't include the term "ass-clown", although I did keep my response logical and polite - provided the term "race-baiting rant" is considered polite?
Oscar_Dillon98 | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 2:36 pm | #

Brad, if you don't have the time...what's that say about the rest of us...
Yago | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 2:59 pm | #

The above posts show why this blog is nonpareil: the central topic, and the perspective of the contributors. I applaud Hal for his control (I literally was dialing the ass-clown's number, until reading what calmer heads had written let me pull back) as well as others having both clarity as well as the ability to not pull the trigger. I'm too frequently the Sonny Corleone-type, and have (deservedly) my share, and then some, of "toll-booth" experiences.

Bet you all that CB brings our 'D' up a level-plus next fall.

Go Irish
Bill H | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 5:07 pm | #

I never thought Ty was fired for poor performance in big games. I thought it was poor performance in games he should have won but lost. On several occasions his teams would upset a tough opponent and then drop games against easy teams. It is that inconsistency, which eventually just led to regressing rather than progressing, which started the ball rolling to him getting fired. Well, that’s what I think anyway.
Tim not tim | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 7:25 pm | #

Ty losing to U$C like he did three years straight sure didn't help his cause any. I'm all for giving a coach time if the team is winning the games it "should" and losing to the alpha dogs of the college football world in well played games. Being inconsistent AND killed by your rival school, all while not doing anything to demonstrate that things will get better (such as no recruiting effort and ridiculous loyalty to underperforming assistants) deserves a firing every time.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 7:38 pm | #

isn't it a bit odd a double standard that any school can hire a monority coach, but can not dismiss that same individual without being branded a racist.
Lets face it, if Ty were everything he was hoped to be he would still be there. Keep in mind too, that it wasn't like he had the ultimate pick of schools or that he was on everyone's short list or that schools came running to throw the school endowment at hime after he was made a millionaire and cashed out of his ND contract. Expectations, regardless of how reasonable they may be, will guide hire/fire decisions, regardless of profession. Otherwise how does one defend the decision to fire a Mike Shula after he stumbles a bit following a 10-2 season or a Solich for loosing 2 at Nebraska. I guess it was racial on Al Davis' part to fire Art Shell for a SECOND time.

College or professional coaching jobs, regardless of the sport, are always one step away from unemployment whether the coach be white or black, male or female, head coach or assistant. It is part of the job culture. It is a weak argument, but has legs when one asserts that race is behind the fact few minorities are NOT hired, not because they are fired. The racist fool is the fool who is unable to accept the fact that only a few coaches retire from a job and that the rest ended up being let go, and if they are smart, with a very nice contract buy out... like Ty, like Davie, who among us would not like to get let go and collect a couple of years pay, in the 6-7 figure range... oh please don't throw me in the briar patch
anon downshouth | Email | Homepage | 01.19.07 - 8:51 pm | #

I think that Charlie holds himself responsible for the way the team plays now. It doesnt really matter to him who the press or the fans or even the administration holds responsible. If you listen to what he says, he takes full responsibility for how this team performs. I have never heard him make any excuses, only that he needs to do a better job. When he talked to Ivan Maisel, I believe it was, he said that if he keeps going 10-2 or 9-3 that he isnt going to be around very long. He is a Notre Dame man and understands the importance of football to the university, the students, the alumni.Why do you think he wanted to come to ND in the first place. One thing I remember him saying was that he applied for the job when they hired Davie and then Willingham. He understands the pressures that are on him, self-inflicted I am sure. As Lou stated when he was hired," I am not responsible for who we play, where we play or when we play, just how we play." Charlie feels the same way, take for example his comment after the Sugar Bowl, "I need to do a better job." I believe he has started, where Ty would have continued, Charlie made the changes. I agree with someone who wrote that
BQ would have been a low draft choice if Ty stayed. That is if he could have survived for two more years. Charlie did good things with a little bit of talent, give him a few more years.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.20.07 - 2:26 pm | #

Ty was fired because he had 2 (two) Top 100 high school recruits in three years. The "fruits" of his efforts are more evident now than then...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.21.07 - 12:24 pm | #

Why do you think he wanted to come to ND in the first place. One thing I remember him saying was that he applied for the job when they hired Davie and then Willingham.

Doug,

Do you know why they hired Willingham in the first place instead of someone like CW? I know that the field was not as plentiful for coaches then but surely they could have done better. I was not that impressed with Willingham's resume when he was originally hired. After seeing his mediocre results, am much less impressed. I guess he was better than someone like Gary Barnett though.
GB | Email | Homepage | 01.22.07 - 2:20 am | #

I think the reason that ND didnt hire Charlie before was his name recognition. He wasnt much of a commodity when they hired Davie and was only somewhat known when they hired Willingham. In fact I didnt know who he was when he was hired. I thought the job should have been Tom Clements'. Willingham was a desperation hire. They interviewed Willingham, hired O'Leary and when that fell through they went back to Willingham. There was some reason that no "big name" coaches were interested in coaching ND then. I believe they perceived it more as a graveyard than the mecca.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.22.07 - 7:09 am | #

Excellent catch on the Willingham hiring, Doug. The more we look at it, the more it looks like a situation where we were tumbling down a well and reaching for something to grab onto. We settled on the first root that presented itself, unaware that it was the root of a weed, not a tree. Sorry for the extended metaphor, but I couldn't think of anything better to describe it.
Kevin | Email | Homepage | 01.23.07 - 12:07 pm | #