With both Brown and Tenuta on the defense, I can't help but think ND's going to have one fired up defensive unit.

I sure hope this coaching duo inspires some serious hits next fall.

OK, Thursday's press conference needs to get here by yesterday. Lets GO!
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 3:03 pm | #

Oh yar, if CW's looking at soccer for kickers, what are the odds he can find a kid that can consistently kick the ball to the 5 yard line or deeper?

Honestly, I've thought for years that that would be an obvious solution. Not sure about finding someone to kick between the uprights, but kickoffs should be an easy one to check off the list.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 3:06 pm | #

Usually there is more to kickoffs than just a "grip it and rip it" approach. Kickers need to adjust their trajectory based on wind and need to aim their kick to the weaker of the two returners as dictated by the special teams coach.

Ideally that kicker is also proficient at squib kickers and onsides kicks so as to not completely show a coaches hand when a new kicker comes into a game.

Personally, I think ND's issue wasn't so much the distance of the kicks, but that also there wasn't much hang-time, which didn't give ND's coverage unit much time to get down the field.

Either way, I'm sure it will be a big focus this spring.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 3:28 pm | #

The upcoming "Mulligan Year' will certainly be interesting, though in a far different way than the past season.

Let's see - Polian is going to be named Special Team's coach, Beamer's success has caught CW's eye, and ... Polian may not make the trip. Hmmm.

There was a guy who used to visit this blog who was screaming for special teams attention, years ago. Doesn't sound like the RO is really, aside from lipo service, doing all that much about it.

BTW: how much time was this coach's predecessor given to turn things around? And ... the worst record that coach posted at du Lac?

Go Irish :)
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 3:46 pm | #

LOL!!

Sorry - that must have been a cyber-freudian ('lipo') slip!!! I meant "lip service" -- my star!

Go Irish :)
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 3:48 pm | #

really anon? really?
alanon | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 4:44 pm | #

Finally, info about the press conference. Thanks, Pat! I can't wait to meet our new assistant head coach (defense).

As for special teams, I saw an article somewhere that identified ND's national rankings in the "big 5" of special teams (returns, coverages, etc), and the only one that was respectable at all was punt coverage. Everything else was pretty dismal. The only reason punt coverage was any good, though, was due to the personal talents and efforts of Bruton and Anello. If the punt returner got past those guys it was generally a pretty big return.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 5:13 pm | #

Paging Tamba Samba...

We do have a great football kicker on the soccer team, and his name is Tamba Samba. I wish he were going to be involved in Spring Practice - I would feel better about the kicking situation....
ND Fan | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 5:17 pm | #

Is it possible that Charlie might be eyeing a future ND Special Teams coach in Blacksburgh? No other reason I can think of, as to why Polian wouldn't tag along with Charlie.
aaron b | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 5:54 pm | #

[Name redacted] as AFCA President leveled the playing field by making sure that while he is getting in 36 holes a day during the Spring, no coaches who actually work for a living are allowed to recruit. Has there ever been a lazier p.o.s. than that guy? Plus, he's like herpes...the gift that keeps on giving.
If you are not a coach anymore, do you still get to be the President of the AFCA, or was he given that position because his schedule ought to be wide open in about 9 months?
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 6:20 pm | #

BTW: how much time was this coach's predecessor given to turn things around? And ... the worst record that coach posted at du Lac?

i'll answer that after you tell me how many BCS bowls this coach's predecessor went to in his time here.
Schultz | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 7:17 pm | #

The recruiting mileage that was achieved from Weis personally being on the road for an entire month in the Spring really can't be overstated. It seems like a number of recruits including Clausen commented that it was a positve factor that Weis was personally at their school during the Spring and in Clausen's case the first hour of the spring recruiting period.

It will be interesting to see how much the new rule affects ND's next class - I believe it will but not sure how much it will be a factor.

Hoping Mr. Ianello and company can make up for the slack that this new rule will cause ND.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 7:32 pm | #

Voice,

If that post doesn't cause some strange voodoo-like reaction, or at least some mild twitching, for [name redacted], I would be surprised.

Does anyone know what b.s. rationale was given for the new AFCA ruling?
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 7:57 pm | #

I was wondering the reason for the ruling as well, doesn't make much sense if the rest of the staff can go on the road but the head coach can't.
johnp5959 | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 8:51 pm | #

This from a Southbend Tribune article dated February 9th regarding the ruling:

"Weis said the rationale for the AFCA instituting the ban was to keep head coaches from accidental "bumps" with prospects on the visits, thereby avoiding a minor NCAA infraction. He also noted that athletic directors at some schools were putting pressure on their own head coaches to keep up with the Weises and the Pete Carrolls of the college football world. Some head coaches, for instance, never leave their offices to recruit in May."

They don't even try to hide it: This benefits the lazy-ass head coaches.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 9:59 pm | #

OCmj; That language is fine for your press consigliere, VIW, but not "Madame President".
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 10:06 pm | #

Oops, you are so right, Jim. I should have said something to the effect of "We applaud the AFCA for taking steps to insure that no head coaches engage in any shenanigans which might possibly result in the smallest of NCAA infractions, and further that the AFCA has joined us in in our campaign to further Family Values by making the head coaches stay home with their families when they would normally be out doing their jobs..." blah blah blah.

I'll put VIW to work on our position statement.

Good job on finding that spy satellite; the missile found its target and it hasn't landed in my backyard (or my mother-in-law's).
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 1:05 am | #

So should that be refered to as "The Saban Rule"?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 2:44 am | #

Brad, this is more of the "Ty-I don't want my AD making me work" rule. This rule is ridiculous. Why penalize coaches who love what they are doing and love recruiting. Willingham is on the hotseat,again, and wants something to cool that seat for a while.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 6:59 am | #

Obviously, [Name redacted] has none of his assistant coaches in his favorite foursome, thus assistants were exempted from the man molder's edict.

I am efforting to craft a response worthy of a President. One that satiates all points of view, but, alas, Pres. OC mj is just going to continue telling it like it is, and thus people should expect very little nuanced equine fecal matter from her administration.

My mother in-law has no idea how great a man jim masterson truly is.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 9:23 am | #

Two things:

As much as I dislike [Name Redacted], he actually wasn't named president until after the vote on this issue was final. So he can't take full blame, although he still has to have been a huge proponent of the ruling... so yeah, he still sucks.

Secondly, the catalyst for this new rule was even more a result of the efforts of Nick Saban than that of Weis and Carroll. The SEC led the charge to institute the new rules and had all of their underling fodder (ie the patsies on their schedules) follow suit to eliminate this "unfair" advantage. That's how I understood it, anyway.

But, that said, continue to hate on [Name Redacted] as he is the certainly the root of all evil.
Joribo | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 9:50 am | #

Exceptionally well said, Joribo. It is deliciously ironic that the implementation of such a rule would be almost simultaneous with [Name Redacted] being installed as the president of their fraternity, since half assed recruiting efforts are his preferred form of self immolation. Golf Obsession has ruined many a man, and [Name Redacted] is a prime example.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 10:47 am | #

[Name Redacted] did something right this year though, if you look at some of the recruiting rankings. #1 player in Washington? Got some recruits from Petey? Think he feels that the pressure is on him professionally for the first time in his career as a coach?
E-man | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 1:06 pm | #

Do we refer to him as "Name Redacted" or "He who must not be named"?
Brian | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 1:17 pm | #

Didn't Lou pilfer a kicker from the soccer team once? I think his name was Kevin Pendergast?
jazzarena | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 1:23 pm | #

I thought poaching kickers from the soccer team was normal for most teams. The problem at ND is that our soccer team is really good, so they don't necessarily need to switch teams to get some attention -- though I personally can't imagine passing the chance to play for ND football.

Oh, the troubles of having more than one good sports team on campus.
JM | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 2:26 pm | #

Wasn't Reggie Ho on scholarship as a soccer player?
true2nd | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 2:49 pm | #

@ E-man:

#1 player in Washington is kind of like #1 beach in South Bend...and the Carroll-to-Falcons scare might have had more of an effect on U$C recruiting this year than did an "exceptional" job by [Name redacted].
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 3:06 pm | #

true2nd,
Reggie Ho was not on the soccer team. I think he played in high school, but he was not recruited as an athlete to ND.
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 3:48 pm | #

Why is [Name redacted's] name being redacted?
true2nd | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 5:33 pm | #

Why not just call [Name Redacted] Voldemort. It just sounds ... well, evil.
Berger | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 6:05 pm | #

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. 4th year and he finally had a top 20 recruiting class. USC is suffering a bit from overload. A lot of recruits are scared off by their incredible depth. He won't win again next year. I think the kicking game will come around. Maybe CW can bring someone in like John Carney or Craig Heintrich to help the kickers out and give them some pointers.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 7:15 pm | #

That's an excellent idea, Doug (about the kicking mentor). I've been saying for a while that they need a kicking coach on staff because it's painful to watch teams like Navy drill 45 yard FGs with ease while we struggle beyond 25.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.22.08 - 10:41 am | #

true2nd,

[Name redacted]'s name is being redacted because actually writing it will instigate a flame war with all the haters bashing on ND and all the fans trying effortlessly to defend our institution. It happened so many times that we had to start redacting the name just to be able to stay on topic.

Personally I like the idea of calling him Voldemort. Haha. (Even though I really have nothing against the guy personally. It was a terrible fit as a coach with a school, and I don't know the whole story behind the John Saunders thing where he didn't defend ND against the allegations that race was involved in his being let go).
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.22.08 - 11:36 am | #

This is way off topic - but AMAZING game by the Irish last night against Pitt. The game had it all: come-from-behind victory, crazy crowd, Austin Carr dedication, Tory Jackson playing out of his mind. Way to go boys!

Here's a great link of Carr getting emotional last night. Man, does he get ND. Heck of a player and a great representative.

http://www.wndu.com/sports/headl...s/ 15862352.html
Treyu | Email | Homepage | 02.22.08 - 12:14 pm | #

Since we are still discussing something that happened 2 weeks ago (CW's Feb 8th press conference), I am looking forward to the BGS views on yesterday's Jon Tenuta press conference. I'll save my comments for that thread when it gets posted. I guess it's good to spread out whatever news we can get in an offseason now that recruiting's over. :)
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.22.08 - 3:06 pm | #

Treyu,

Thanks for the link on Austin Carr's big night. I was fortunate enough to have seen Carr play in person as a high school star at the former Mackin High School in Washington, D.C. and once or twice in the summer leagues in the city. His games against DeMatha high school were always sell outs and always attracted a large number of college coaches trying to recruit him, a couple of his teammates and of course a couple of players from DeMatha, especially former Irish player Sid Catlett. Great memories or great HS hoops. Thanks again.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 02.22.08 - 4:00 pm | #

Just listened to the Tenuta presser. When the BGS guys give us their wrap up, can the post title be anything other than "So on and so forth?" He's got a favorite filler when he's talking, that's for sure.

After listening to him, I have this image of he and CB on the sideline trying to stifle their laughs as the opposing team's offense walks right into the elaborate trap that's been set for them. With a secondary that should be able to stand on its own next year, I think our front seven is going to be running wild game in and game out.
Reno | Email | Homepage | 02.23.08 - 3:13 pm | #

Here's what the coacheshotseat.com says about willingham's and UW's 2008 season "keys"...


"4. Beat Notre Dame - If there ever was a symbolic football game it is the October 25 Washington - Notre Dame game at Husky Stadium. In one fell swoop Willingham can both bury his experiences in South Bend and reestablish Washington as a serious football program. If Notre Dame can improve at all in '08 they will have a real chance to arrive at Husky Stadium undefeated and there would be no better time nor place for Willingham to prove once and for all that the Irish made a mistake by not giving Ty the opportunity to coach out his entire contract. Can Washington beat Notre Dame in 2008? Absolutely, and we believe they will."


...whadda think about that?...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.23.08 - 3:56 pm | #

"Voldemort" implies focus, energy and malicious intent. Gomer Pyle typifies (the nameless one) better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomer_Pyle

"Gomer was sometimes deputized by Deputy Barney Fife when additional assistance was needed to keep law and order in Mayberry. Though always compliant, Gomer's ineptitude usually made him more of a hindrance than a help in the line of duty."

"Jim Nabors briefly reprised his role in Cannonball Run II, under the name Homer Lyle."

Homer Lyle, anyone?

Domer Lyle?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 02.23.08 - 9:48 pm | #

...a gomer pyle expert...wow...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.23.08 - 10:52 pm | #

Jon Tenuta: "I believe in the little things. I'm a big fundamentalist when it comes to football."

Well, thank God for that.

Jim/Redondo: If the Huskies beat us 50-0 in 2008, I still won't believe "the Irish made a mistake" in firing [name redacted] prior to the end of his contract.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 12:33 am | #

OC mj, Nice catch on "fundamentalist"! And, as usual, I agree with you about [name redacted]. Nothing could convince me that ND made a mistake jettisoning him.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 7:55 am | #

Let me get this straight. If Washington beats ND this season, it will "prove" that Willingham shouldn't have been fired. So what does Weis beating Willingham back in '05 prove? Nothing?

Okay. That makes sense.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 9:22 am | #

One thing that excites me about the upcoming season is the big haul of receivers in the recent class along with the present wideouts like Kamara, Grimes and Parris. Also Tate if they will get him in the game. All of these guys can catch which is something I don't think I've ever seen at ND. Maybe the Holtz years were the closest when they had guys like Lake Dawson and Mayes and one or two others I can't remember. The only problem was that "ground" Lou did not throw to them.CW and Haywood will.
GB | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 9:56 am | #

My ceaseless rant:
If the offensive line can give our quarterbacks the time to set up and throw, generally unharrassed, we will be handsomely rewarded by the incredible skill position talent that Charlie has been signing year after year. It is also imperative that our run blocking is improved, because, as cliche as it is, the run game opens up the passing game.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 11:41 am | #

jim,

Sigh. Unfortunately, yes. Reading Homer (jim, read: idiotic) Domer posts does that.

If you couldn't tell (judging by your post you chose not to) the BGS team is trying to codename (the nameless one - Shh!). My $.02 toward an APPROPRIATE (jim, read: one that fits) codename.

If you hang a real hum-dinger on (the nameless one - Shh!) I won't think of you as a Homer.

Sigh & head shake.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 12:34 pm | #

Voice

We definitely do need the O line to make the rest of the O work. Hopefully by letting Latina do his thing will be the answer.
GB | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 12:40 pm | #

NDLNA under ND media in the left hand column has the statistical #'s for Carlson & Sullivan at the NFL combine. The weight lifting is quite poor to say the least and after last year with BQ having the most reps it certainly didn't seem to light a fire under anyone.
I'll wait on the "Voice" to wxpress his opeinion.
How ya doin' OC? Looks like the Hill-dog is finished. Hah!!!
Ralph Nader's entering once again. This is a joke isn't it????
I'm going to Louisville on Thursday for the game of UL & ND, look for me sitting behind the UL bench advising Coach Pitino on his knuckleheads. I'll be the good-looking guy!!!**smiles** & **giggles**
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 4:59 pm | #

In my previous life I was a proof-reader for the NYSlimes.
See, right hand column and opinion. What a moron!! Or as Bugs would say a Ma____ roon!!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 5:01 pm | #

I saw that Carlson was on the "combine is hurting his status" list, but at least they had the decency to mention that he was ill for so long in January. That can't have helped his preparation for the combine. Any news on Trevor Laws?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 7:15 pm | #

Hey Jim, you sure do get around - aren't you busy this evening?

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ eng...41468287028.jpg

I suspect you'll have more fun at the ND game. We'll look for your handsome face amongst your entourage.

Knoxville Irish, looks like Jim M. is right - we have a real "none of the above" candidate!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 7:46 pm | #

Wow, once again our lineman show poorly in the bench press at the combine. Carlson with 20 and Sullivan with 21 reps. As I remember, last year was just as pathetic. Jake Long from Michigan had 37 reps and Barton from Ohio State had 35. That would explain a lot of our poor line play. Exactly what is our strength and conditioning coach doing?
We are trying to compete with the nation's best teams, right?
BigE | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 8:02 pm | #

OC; How are you kiddo! It's always a pleasure to read you.
I do look like Clooney('s) armpit. Hah!
Laws is 6"1/2" +305 lbs. and did 35, yes 35 reps on the max press. Wow! That's 14-15 more than Sully and JC.
I met Rick Pitino in the eqarly 90's when he was at UK. Been a friend ever since. But, he knows I'm ND through & through.
Guess who I received an e-mail from today???? Give up????
Ralph Nader an alum of Princeton. What a clown. The ivies have a pantheon of mis-fits, half-wits, no-wits, nit- wits& they're starting to pi$$ me off and ruin my reputation. Nader, the Kennedys, Clintons, , Kerry, and old G.H.Bush & Dubya are not exactly shining lights of humor and light hearteningly of good-cheer
I'm off for some Sicilian pizza pie.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 8:03 pm | #

Just finished a long, lingering dinner with too much red wine (the Washington state Shiraz' really are excellent and a good value to boot...Chris Berman-esque...sorry...gag). Anyway, jim masterson informs me now that our boys at the combine upheld recent tradition and were WEAK-ass on the bench press. I really don't want to go negative tonight, but when in the hell is Reuben "Impostor" Mendoza going to get the friggin boot? He's awful, and ND guys embarrass themselves yet again. How long until Charlie gets a clue and dismisses Mendoza? Strength continues to be our weakness! I am stunned that he's now going into his fourth year and our linemen lift around 20 reps at 225 lbs. Holy Jesus. Linemen at ND were doing 26-30 reps 25 -30 years ago, and they only weighed about 265. These slobs go 300+ and are weaker than Chek Cola. Hear me now and believe me later...this will be a huge problem for us again this upcoming season!!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 10:24 pm | #

John Carlson caught a parasite (he thinks from a clinic he volunteers in) and was sick, lost over 17 lbs in a short time. He still hasn't fully recovered. The NFL is full of idiots. Watch his film (and Laws).
Hey Masty, you headin down to Louisville?
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 11:41 pm | #

"Hear me now and believe me later...this will be a huge problem for us again this upcoming season!!"

With that statement, I need to head out and get me some of that there Shiraz. On second thought, vodka straight might be more appropriate to ease the pain.

In all seriousness, how can something so seemingly easy to fix continue to remain in the crapper? Strength conditioning is not brain surgery and with the exception of a few new gadgets, has not changed considerably over the last several decades. Is it a "failure to communicate" on the part of Mendoza? Lack of motivation? Accountability? Are the players given specific workout instructions to be followed on their own? Did BQ stand alone because he went above and beyond, based on his own motivation? Forgive my ignorance on strength and conditioning protocal for college athletes, but I am truly mystified and would appreciate any enlightenment on this topic.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 11:44 pm | #

...there doesn't seem like a lot of accountability in coach weis' scheme of things...that will have to change if 3 and 9 will ever reach 9 and 3...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 12:22 am | #

Voice,

"Strength continues to be our weakness!" Good one.

Domers,

Whenever I call for a coaching change, why does it take 1+ years for BGS to warm up?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 12:54 am | #

OC mj, while you confess to not knowing the intricacies of strength training, you do have a solid grasp on the most fundamental (maybe you, too, are a fundamentalist!) aspect of it. Like you said, "strength conditioning in not brain surgery." A truer statement has never been uttered.
While I intend on addressing this topic at length someday, let me just make a couple of quick points.
There are various "schools of thought" when it comes to strength training for football players. I won't delve into that. Basically, for any particular program, the desired outcome is improved explosive power with some degree of hypertrophy (enlarging muscles), as well as increasing muscular stamina (not to be confused with aeroboic or cardiovascular stamina). The explosiveness factor is translated into all facets of the game, including speed. The enlargement of muscles and adding of muscle mass serves as the players' "armor" and assists in joint stability, absorption of blows associated with contact, etc. Also, strength, and resistance training, besides building muscle, is particularly beneficial for bone growth and strengthening, as well as that of connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
How one is progressing in their strength training is quite easy to discern. You simply test for it! If a player is progressing thru a particular strength program or regimen, then measurable results comparing the same lifts in a "before and after" scenario easily demonstrate if a) the program is working the player, or, b) the player is working the program. In other words, for healthy people (especially testosterone fueled 20 year old men) success or failure is really only attributable to two entities. Either the program is faulty, or the player's effort is lacking. When virtually all of ND's Seniors at the NFL Combine over the past 3-4 years crap the bed with regard to the 225 pound bench press "rep-to-failure" test, one would have to affix blame on the program (a.k.a "The Strength Coach") since I find it impossible to believe that a majority of Notre Dame players who desire to ultimately play professionally would be slackers in the weight room. Those two personality traits are mutually exclusive.
Mendoza looks to be an accomplished and powerful weight lifter. Why he cannot replicate those traits in his players I do not understand. But, although he is probably a swell fellow, he is hurting the program and our overall chance at success.
I realize the gravity of taking a man's job away from him, and it is the awful part of being a leader in business or athletics. If Charlie does not perceive team strength to be a problem, then, according to his recent Mea Culpa Press Conference, the strength program at Notre Dame is the ONLY facet of his program that is beyond reproach. And that just ain't the case. So, it would appear that CW is willing to stake his entire career and legacy on Reuben Mendoza's ability to build the strength of his players. If Charlie can accept that, then he better head into his fourth season with his eyes wide open, because as the youngsters become sophs and juniors, strength and power should never again be our Achilles heal. But, recent history demonstrates that aside from the rare aberration (think Brady Quinn), ND continues to flounder and be significantly less physical than programs like Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, and Southern Cal. Talent be damned. Notre Dame, through thick and thin, always was tough, physical, strong, and agressive, and even in defeat opposing players knew they had been in a brutal slugfest with some tough sumbitches. I'm just not seeing that anymore, and though I am quite willing to write off 2007 as just a fluke, it is clear to me that ND is not a team of badasses anymore. Very sad, but easily fixable! It must not be allowed to become a part of the culture or tradition of Notre Dame. When players said that they were not very aware of ND's decades long domination of Navy, I immediately began worrying about how much tradition is suffering and being ignored. ND without tradition is just another BC.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 7:54 am | #

We know BQ worked hard on his own. Trevor Laws went out and gained 30lbs of lean muscle and improved his bench numbers on his own (and by "on their own" I mean without the team's S&C coach). Carlson gets a pass for being sick, but guys like Sully...maybe they just don't care after the season ends. Not enough to put in the time to improve themselves anyway.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 8:54 am | #

Jim M., I think you mentioned every "wit" in the book except for my favorite, "dim wit"!

VIW, great post on the shortcomings of the strength and conditioning program. I too am fearful of what might lie ahead if we can't improve in this aspect with the talented team that is being recruited lately.

OC mj, Ok so we got Darth Nader into the election all we need now is to bring back Ross Perot and the comedy channel can televise the next debate. How appropriate would that be!!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 8:56 am | #

An opus from VIW!
*Thanks for ruining my pre-season.*
*smiles & giggles*
Duff man; I'm in the 'ville on Thursday, rootin' for the Irish!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 9:35 am | #

..."but guys like Sully...maybe they just don't care after the season ends."...


After the season "ended"...how about pre-Georgia Tech?
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 10:11 am | #

Voice

I don't know if the S&C coach or someone else has this responsibility but it seems to me that flexibility is also an integral part of conditioning. It helps one move quickly with grace and helps prevent injuries, especially to joints. I don't know if it was flexibility or something else but the O line last year just stood there. Without flexibility, Barry Sanders or Gale Sayers would move like our O line. Check this out. Maybe this guy should be the S &C coach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F...h? v=Fo3Ehyty1g0
GB | Email | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 9:34 pm | #

How about "He who must not be blamed"?
Brian | Email | Homepage | 02.26.08 - 1:36 pm | #

Voice,
Nice elaborate comment. Thank you.
Jean | Email | Homepage | 02.26.08 - 5:06 pm | #

...somewhere, there has to be accountability for last season's obnoxious losses...if not...then you'll be looking at a string of years of .500 ball...no matter how well the recruiting looks on paper. It is fact that the ND offense was 119th out of 119 Div. 1 teams in 2007...and common knowledge that the offensive line looked like a high school JV team by comparison to every 2007 opponent's defensive rush...embarrassing does not cover the depth of my feelings while watching the stuffed runs and porous pass blocking...where we were also last...after Troy State...and what has been done to "fix" these issues?...well, we graduated some of the problems and now we are hoping for the best...but who coached these seven pillars of sand?...where does Latina's responsibility start and end?...does he become a better coach because he is a year older?...because Ty's recruits are almost filtered out of the system?...some of us would enjoy at least a modicum of discussion on why and what the hell happened to ND football last year...not business as usual and handing the play calling over to some backfield coach...am I pissed?...yes...but I'm more concerned that there are not only no answers...but no questions...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.27.08 - 11:34 am | #