Did CW make any direct comments about the quarterback race? Any insight into how Jones and Clausen looked on day one?
Milo | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 8:11 am | #

He said that everyone is starting out even but that he'd like to get the four whittled down to two prime candidates by the end of spring ball.

The part of the practice that the media saw didn't feature any passing, so I guess you could say that all four QBs looked great handing the ball off.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 8:21 am | #

Some other things to note that I didn't include in the post:

Chase Anastacio is not coming back next year, but the rest of the 5th year eligible players are. Chase is getting married soon, so good luck to him as he starts his post-college career.

Will Yeatman (tight end) and Eric Maust (backup punter) will miss some spring practices for lacrosse and baseball respectively. Evan Sharpley won't miss any football practices due to baseball. Yeatman is having a great freshman campaign for the lacrosse team and is the team's leading scorer.

Northwestern transfer Thomas Bemenderfer not only is on the team now, but Weis expects him to be a solid contributor to team depth at center and guard.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 8:43 am | #

Three cheers for South Dining Hall yo-cream!

Though, some of our DB's lost some weight. Probably an indication of the short-term side effects of eating Blazin' Sea Nuggets (TM).
NDDL99 | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 10:36 am | #

CW: "That's why I hired Corwin. I'm not going to be spending a lot of time on the field worrying about the defense." Knock on Minter, IMO.

CW: "The entire coaching staff is now involved in special teams." With all of the practice time and dedicated coaching emphasis, STeams (Polian) finally needs to deliver. If we can develop an above average kicker, it will be worth it.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 10:46 am | #

After looking at those pictures, Clausen needs to put on about 20 lbs of muscle. I'm so used to seeing BQ out there with his massive cannons.
ND101 | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 11:30 am | #

I'm excited for spring ball to particularly see what John Ryan, Kallen Wade, and Mo Richardson do at the OLB position, which I assume all three will be at. The success of our defense this year will hinge entirely on how many plays those guys can make on the edge.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 11:33 am | #

Brad, I wouldn't say it would hinge entirely on that. Teams are going to exploit the secondary until they prove that the can stop the "big play". While the linebackers will be a big factor in our defense next year, I still think the biggest factor will be the secondary. They need to stop teams from just picking them apart. How many no name wide receivers last year did we make into stars after playing us?
ND101 | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 11:57 am | #

The same thought hit me too ND101. I watched some of the video clips of practice and realized that no longer will our quarterback look like a linebacker. Frazer is close, but Quinn was just in another league.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 11:57 am | #

Weis' new emphasis on Special Teams seemed to indicate to me that, like he originally stated when he arrived at ND, Special Teams is the quickest way for a team to gain (or lose) improvement.

Hence, with so many new players getting ready to hit the field, Weis wants to make sure he GAINS and doesn't LOSE ground with the kicking game.

Considering how much work the other areas of the game need, it seems smart to me to make sure your the team has Special Teams play down cold.

Likewise, with having to add new players to the special teams, it makes sense that the position coaches (who know individual players skills the best) can give direct input into who should play what Special Teams position.

Good move Coach.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 12:12 pm | #

Also, is it me, or does there seem to be more players at bigger weights than before?

I think the added team depth and size really bodes well for ND in the long run.

The only thing I'm not sure of, is if this is just normal year to year gain, and I hadn't recognized in previous seasons.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 12:14 pm | #

The Michigan joke about heights and goal lines never gets old.

never.
jaisn | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 12:40 pm | #

I definitely think ND will be better than expected this year, but I can't help but wonder how far Lou could take this team. With a dual threat QB in Jones and a stable of RBs, it would be fun to watch. That's what makes Weis' comments about "not wanting to grab bag" at any position (RB), in order to find an "identity" particularly frustrating. Why can't our identity be having a core of RBs who are all dynamic yet different? Think about it. We are thin at WR and have 4-5 very capable backs. Imagine the power back combo of Aldridge/Thomas in the middle, flanked by the speed back combo of Prince/Allen. The defense wouldn't know whether we were going inside or outside. And we wouldn't necessarily have to run in that formation as it appears that Prince/Allen can catch out of the backfield, or even line up in the slot.
Weis has always said that he would form the offense around our team's strengths. We've seen that in the past w/ multiple TE/WR sets. Why he wont do that w/ the RB position is beyond me. It is clearly our strength on offense this year. Many teams in the NFL use two-backs sets effectively. I wish Weis would do the same.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 12:47 pm | #

I can't decide if "Bemenderfer" sounds more like a trucking company or import beer. Hopefully he blocks like a truck and pounds postgame German beers like a real hard ass OL should...
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 1:04 pm | #

Matt,

I, too, would love to see some two RB sets. It'd have to give opposing D's nightmares. Not only for inside/outside, but one can stay in to block on passes while the other runs the swing safetyvalve route. You could run the double screen. You could put one in motion. Linebackers wouldn't know who to cover, or if they have to stay inside to stop the run. Combine it with crazy offset double TE combos and you're talking about mass confusion. I love it!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 2:16 pm | #

Luke Schmidt must be a machine in the weightroom... when are we going to see that kid on the field....
Sean | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 2:48 pm | #

I also can't wait to see Schmidt get on the field, and I've been begging for some time to have the coaches move the kid over to LB if he can't get on the field at RB/FB.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about double RB sets, philosophical changes, etc. I mean come on, Charlie in two years has given us the two best offenses to ever play at Notre Dame. That guy could punt it every down and I'd trust him.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 3:16 pm | #

"Charlie in two years has given us the two best offenses to ever play at Notre Dame."

Brad, I think that's overstating things a bit. It's not even statistically true if you look at Total YPG.

There are things that our offense hasn't done particularly well which it would behoove us to improve upon (e.g., power running, not underthrowing the deep ball, 3rd and short, picking up the blitz without having to go into max protect).
NDDL99 | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 5:33 pm | #

Well I have wasted away the past two hours reading all the sites, the various newspaper articles, the comment posts, listening and watching the videos. I totally pumped. Man I love Notre Dame football.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 6:40 pm | #

I didnt realize how big armando is. The pic of him in the #5 jersey is quite showing of his bulk. Looking forward to seeing that coupled with his speed.
Brian Q. | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 6:51 pm | #

just watched the video... anyone else see D. Jones split out to WR from the huddle with Clausen under center? Might not be anything.... but still...
Brian Q. | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 6:55 pm | #

Brian, all of the QB's did that. It was just part of the drill where the guys not in the lineup would run down the field along with those who were.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 7:09 pm | #

Where was thep ic of Allen?
Sean | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 7:29 pm | #

nevermind... its late in the day at work.
Sean | Email | Homepage | 03.22.07 - 7:30 pm | #

Stewart at DT probably will not be like the T2 project at LB. I hope Chris sheds a couple pounds, gets technique help and emerges as a leader on that line. That just made my offseason. I'm wondering how much Corwin begged Charlie for this one.
REM | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 1:03 pm | #

MATT:

for the last time, Jones is not a dual threat Quarterback. He is simply very mobile and can get away from pressure significantly better than the other 3 candidates. people are talking like he should be running the option or something. Also, Gary gray broke his arm and is out for at least 4-6 weeks...Munir Prince is moving to CB.
morrissey mustache month | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 7:47 pm | #

My goals for 2007 and predictions.

1) Across the board improvement from each unit
2) Skill position development
3) Don't get blown out by anyone = keep recruits coming
4) WIN the stinking bowl game

1) A) Offense: Does not improve over 2006. Some explosive runs, less zing in the air.

1) QB: Big drop. BQ had the "Manning" (Peyton, son of Archie) [read the D] thing down.

2) OL: Slightly better. Could it get worse? Still need "nasty" work ethic.

3) RB: Toss up. DW could catch + pass block, but not burn. Was it DW juking or just no holes?

4) WR. Moderate to major downer. Rhythm and chemistry with QB takes time.

5) TE. Same (good) as 2006 - A healthy Carlson is all you need.

6) FB. Same (not good). Too many missed blocks, IMO.


B) Defense. Better than 2006. CB can coach (adjustments before halftime, anyone?) and that unit plays hard.

1) DB: Slight to moderate improvement. Coaching goes a long way, here. Wooden as the elder statesman is scary. Prince move may be the TT move of 2007 - not a good sign.

2) LB. Slight improvement. Better skills though coaching.

3) DL. Toss up. Got a spare NT, anyone?

C) Special teams.

1) Kicking: Slight improvement from 2006.

2) Coverage: moderate improvement with increased emphasis.

2) Skill position development. Prediction: Mixed bag.

A) Q: Any QB's have the CW "it?"
A: One had better - or else.

B) Q: Do any WR's / DB's step up?
A: Maybe DB, WR less likely.

C) Q: Find a do-it-all RB?
A: Maybe.

3) No blowouts? Unlikely.

A) The usual suspects (USC, Michigan) show it's a rebuilding year - full of youth and inexperience. If we can avoid losses to mid-majors (MSU, PSU, GT, UCLA) - we have an small outside shot at a BCS game (and blowout lo$$).

B) Keep recruits coming. Not sure what to make of the class of 2008 ratings. Look a little low, even by (gulp) Davie-ham standards. Blue chippers needed.

4) Because we probably won't qualify for a BCS bowl, we might actually win. 50/50 neutral field proposition. 25 / 75 "homer bowl."

7-5, or 8-4 reg. season is about right.

If we can do well in 1 through 4, we can look forward to 2008 and beyond. If not, (sigh), there's always the NFL.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 03.27.07 - 10:35 pm | #