I'd rather contend for the Commander in Chief's trophy than the Big East conference championship. :)

From the few videos I saw online, it looked like Richard Jackson had decent size and quickness. It's too bad the hand injury pushed him down the depth chart. I wish him well at home in Florida.

Darrin Walls' father's comments were very reassuring. The whole article is a good read.

May have to bookmark the ESPN blog, if only to see how the author handles being somewhat in over her head. :)

Anyone know why the "BGS Newswire" links on the upper right side of the page haven't refreshed since last week?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:19 am | #

The Newswire links haven't refreshed because I haven't added any new links the past few days as I've been on vacation. I'll dive into the now overflowing RSS feed and find some new stuff to post.

As we get closer to kickoff, the links will probably get more San Diego State specific. That will go with all of the opponents during the season.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:26 am | #

As long as player departures are due to perceived lack of playing time and low position on the depth chart, I don’t consider that a bad sign and or something to worry about. To me, it means the Team is healthy, growing with talent and destined in becoming competitive and putting quality players on the field. It signifies depth and good recruiting. Those that have left from the junior class all saw the handwriting on the wall. The scholorship slot can then go to further increasing the talent level. We may get get back to where we belong and to the USC level yet. My wonder is why it took Jackson so long to see it.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:31 am | #

Thanks, Pat. I thought the list was automatically furbished. Hope you had a good vacation.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:39 am | #

Nice article from Graham Watson !

In answer to the observation that the 'stadium looks like a stadium', we can answer that the blandness of the stadium is the result of Malloy's anti-football attitude. He did not want a stadium built that reflected the glory and tradition of the football program.

Also, he did not want an edifice that outshined his 'white elephants'.
Peter | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:55 am | #

I concur regarding the losses. However, I do find it ironic that ND supposedly goes after high character players and yet this makes for a lot of guys who leave because they don't find themselves high enough on the depth chart. Quitting is a pretty big character flaw in my book.

I know most schools lose numerous players a year so it doesn't make me any more concerned about ND but I find it interesting nonetheless. I always wondered how Mark Richt was able to keep DJ Shockley at UGA even though he would have at best 1 year to play after David Greene left. What is it Richt was able to do that Charlie doesn't seem to be able to do?
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 11:59 am | #

Did anyone see this video at BGI of yesterday's practice? Three interesting tidbits:

1) Our cutblocking last year was atrocious, and doesn't appear any better. The O-linemen were whiffing their cutblocks of the tackling bag.

2) Someone mentioned intensity verses standing around a lot. The O-linement were definitely standing around during their cutblocking drill. They should have had two or three or more bags going at once to get more reps and move quicker through the line.

3) Jonas Gray ran straight into Coach Haywood during a Gauntlet drill. Pretty funny. There's a lot of noise in my office so I couldn't hear if he had to run a lap or anything, can anyone hear what was said to him?

Sorry for the threadjack, it's just one of the more interesting (in both good and bad ways) videos so far this year.

http://www.blueandgold.com/conte...ntent/? aid=5754
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 12:35 pm | #

"Of course, it's never good to see players leave".

I could not disagree with that statement more. When players start to leave it is most often because of tremendous depth or elite talent in the starter slot. Look at the major programs like USC, Florida, and tOSU I'm sure they lose 5 or 6 players per year. When we start losing players to transfers we know we are in good position for the future.
Mat | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 12:50 pm | #

I understand that Matt. What I meant is that it's never fun to see players have to make the tough choice between ND and the possibility of more playing time elsewhere. These guys are more than just names on a depth chart.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 1:07 pm | #

Pat,

Hear, hear. I don't like to see that happen either.

And who is to say the light doesn't go on for Richard this year or next? No one has ever suddenly gotten a lot better in their last two years in a program?
Sean F | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 1:56 pm | #

"These guys are more than just names on a depth chart."

One of things I have always loved and admired about ND is that if a player gets hurt, like Webb, or some other circumstance arises, ND does not try to clear out the scholarship for another player. They take care of their own and show a larger committment to guys than just their "football value".
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 2:15 pm | #

In the case of Jackson, I do not think a player leaving shows that he does not have high character. While Notre Dame is a great school, these guys come to play. When they are not actually getting a chance to play, it is natural that they would want to leave. Just remember how tough it was to sit when you were a kid. Jackson is most likely moving to a situation where he might be able to shine. The character part can be seen in how they leave, not if they leave. To call this quitting and say that quitting is a big character flaw is to say that anyone who has ever changed jobs is a quitter and has that flaw. That doesn't quite make sense to me. Quitting is an issue when people are depending on you and you let them down. I don't think we were depending on our sixth receiver.

This type of natural attrition is good for the program. We are able to focus more scholarships on areas of bigger need while only losing the people who most likely will not contribute. Walls is a loss we should worry about (apparently, only for this year); Jackson is not. I wish Richard best of luck.
John05 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 2:22 pm | #

My goal for ND is not to lose 38-0 any longer. I've had my fill of those games. "Losing 38-0 repeatedly is not good enough". That is a towel-worthy slogan right there. Print it up.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 2:47 pm | #

I don't think it's fair to call players who transfer "quitters." If they were really quitters, wouldn't they just quit football altogether if they didn't get what they wanted after two years? Also, in the specific case of Jackson, it sounds like he maybe wanted to be closer to home. That doesn't make him a quitter either.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 2:59 pm | #

I would bet my next paycheck that every single player that commits to a school like ND has aspirations of playing in the NFL. They don't have a shot if they don't see the field. It's not a character flaw to transfer if you're not going to see the field, it's good business.

Also, is anyone else less than thrilled with the 10 years of playing Syracuse? Their program is foundering and it's not showing signs of coming around anytime soon. Five years from now, when people look at our SOS, this is not an instance where we are going to be able to say "oh, well, these games are scheduled so many years in advance, and they were a damn good team when we signed that deal..."
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 3:58 pm | #

Background on Graham Watson:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/aab/352


.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 4:00 pm | #

Well said, John05.

Everyone who was surpised that Graham Watson is a young woman and not a 50ish British man, step forward.

Yeah, I just took a *huge* step forward.
The Song of Hiawatha Francisco | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 4:22 pm | #

I have to say I was surprised when I saw the "she" also. Anyone new at ESPN (especially a woman) is a welcome change at this point considering all the no-talent ***clowns submitting pieces lately. Did you see that Midsummer Night's Dream piece? Terrible. And that was from one of their more senior writers (Forde?). I really believe that everyone at ESPN College Football is forced by the network to either hate ND passionately and annually predict the death of the program (e.g. Forde or May) or unabashedly love them and rank them too high every year (Holtz, formerly Cook). Watson seems to be an exception to this rule. Good to see.
John05 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 5:30 pm | #

If one more person makes an assumption about this team based off of 2 minutes of video from the first 20 minutes of practice I am going to scream.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 6:36 pm | #

Any time a player leaves when there are players in front of him on the depth chart (seems like the reason), it's really not a bad thing. we hate to see good kids go, but if they leave because they won't play, that means we have good depth. it's bittersweet, but more good than bad.
Martin | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 6:54 pm | #

any time someone leaves because there are players in front of him on the depth chart (seems like why), it's bittersweet but it's good news for the health of the program. more good than bad.
Martin | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 6:55 pm | #

sorry for the duplicate.
Martin | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 6:56 pm | #

Were there comments about Jackson being a "quitter" that were deleted? Because it seems that people have rushed to say he's not a quitter and defend him, and I'm not seeing any comments that have attacked him. Don't get me wrong, I agree--calling anyone a "quitter" because they transfer to seek playing time is stupid and shortsighted. I just haven't seen any comments that have required what appear to be rebuttals.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 7:17 pm | #

I still wonder why Walls is sitting the season out. At least we know it's not bad grades or bad checks.
Frommy | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 7:41 pm | #

"When players start to leave it is most often because of tremendous depth or elite talent in the starter slot. Look at the major programs like USC, Florida, and tOSU I'm sure they lose 5 or 6 players per year. When we start losing players to transfers we know we are in good position for the future."

Until we have 85 scholarship players on the roster I don't see any silver lining to guys transferring. I understand that Jackson wants to play and I wish him the best, but where we sit right now and I don't see this as a positive at all.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 8:10 pm | #

"When players start to leave it is most often because of tremendous depth or elite talent in the starter slot. Look at the major programs like USC, Florida, and tOSU I'm sure they lose 5 or 6 players per year. When we start losing players to transfers we know we are in good position for the future."

Until we have 85 players on scholarship I don't see any silver lining to guys leaving. When we have the depth that USC, Florida, and tOSU have then maybe. But where we are right now there is no upside IMO to good guys like Jackson leaving. Not that I blame him. Players want to play, just saying I wish he were still with us.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 8:12 pm | #

1) Anything but huge OL improvement is a BIG problem.


Pat,

Election year tweaks & promises:

1) Is: "Darrin Walls is not in school this semester, but it (sic: is)expected to return in January (more on this later)."

2) Seasons: "With the number of players leaving, there is a worry that ND will again face the lack of upperclassmen numbers that has affected the team the past two season (sic: seasons)."

3) When does BGS open for the fearless pre-season predictions (that will be used against us in a moment of cockiness)?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 9:00 pm | #

It seems I hit quite a nerve. Please note by no means was I saying Jackson as an individual is a "quitter". I don't know the man and have no reason to speculate as to why he is leaving other than "personal reasons". I think I am old enough to know that no man makes a decision for one and only reason and I wish him the best as I would anyone else.

What I was alluding to is that ND is supposed to be different than everywhere else. We all talk about how ND is so special and that players at ND are different than other schools. I would think that most kids who choose ND are going for much more than football.

Why would you play at a school which hasn't been a top 5 team in 15 years, is freezing cold most of the school year, and discourages many of the things that make school fun (like orgies, etc.:)), if you don't honestly believe ND offers something different that the OSU's, UGA's, FLA's, etc.

To me it seems strange that if ND were really that different (and I would argue it is) we would see a much lower number of transfers for a reason like being low on the depth chart. The fact is that when you sign your name on NSD, you are signing a contract that states you will play football in exchange for a full-ride. A man of high character doesn't leave his teammates because he is unhappy with his spot on the depth chart. I would call that person a quitter. A real man honors his commitments even when they are displeasing personally. A child "feels bad" about not getting to play. A man accepts that others may be more talented and does what he can to make the team better. A man would evaluate himself and do everything he could to find ways to make himself more successful on the field. Either working harder, extra practices, etc.

A couple other points:

1. College football players are not working for a business. A business is an amoral entity whose only purpose is to maximize profitability for their shareholders. A business hires and fires based on your ability to produce. ND does not kick kids off the team for not being good. They honor their scholarships even if they turn out crummy or get hurt.

2. The 6th wide receiver may not be as "important" as QB1, but he is stil very valuable. The idea that one guy is dispensable from a team because he is further down the depth chart is not only offensive but it is erroneous. Anyone who wants to know why ND was not as good as expected during Quinn's last year, need look no further than the horrendous lack of depth we had past the first team. ND's first team has typically been quite competitive against the top teams. The problem is the OSU, UGA's, etc. have quality players at 2nd and 3rd team. That is why they can lose a ream of great players to the NFL but are still successful year in and year out. It is also why we can be an average team year for the past 10 years while still producing more than our fair share of NFL players.
3. Losing players is almost never "good" for the team. It may very well be a sign of a successful program for the reasons many have stated already, but it isn't "good". It doesn't mean we can take more kids one year. You can still only take 25 players in a season. All it means is there is one more dead scholarship (as Charlie puts it) which can be given to a worthy walk-in (who plays in return for nothing other than his teammates). We haven't been at 85 scholarships for years and taking away a player who has practiced and learned the playbook for two years is a net negative. A team consists of everyone, not just the starters.
4. As I mentioned above, if every player who comes to Notre Dame has the foolish belief that by transferring they will be more likely to end up in the NFL, then I have a different term for that player. While there have certainly been the occasional player who transferred for depth chart reasons and was still able to make it (Dorsey Levins is one I can think of), I find it hard to fathom that a player who isn't able to crack the starting team at ND is likely to be NFL caliber. More likely if he would have just stayed he might have become a Trevor Laws or a Pat Kuntz or the huge number of players who didn't excel as freshman and sophomores but "figure it out" as seniors. I believe everyone on this blog loves to point to Joe "6th string" Montana as an example of what can happen in football.

So I guess at the end of my long-winded rant, my point still remains. If players who go to ND were really different from every other school, I would think they might have a little more foresight a free college degree from Notre Dame is significantly more valuable than transferring to some crappy DIV II program for one last chance at football glory. Maybe I am wrong, maybe ND recruits really are just the same as everywhere else.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 9:18 pm | #

Mike - You're totally right. Unlike athletes at other premiere programs, ND players must tirelessly exhibit the qualities of 'real men' as you so thoroughly and eloquently outline above. It is also paramount that they exhibit a total lack of self-interest vis-a-vis playing time and their long-term athletic careers. And ideally they should also maintain the ability to fart rainbows. Sigh.
jezza | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:28 pm | #

To refrence an earlier post, why are we not losing our minds over this Syracuse debacle?? Granted, I don't think Robinson will make it through the end of the year. However, even if they do end up with Lou Holtz coaching it's going to take a LONG time for that program to return to respectability. Nothing short of Jim Brown signing up fo four more years will make them a worthy opponent over the next 10. With Paul Johnson leaving Navy the position of yearly punching bag is filled. Jack, step up to the new position, pull a Susan Powder and stop the madness!
mark | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:46 pm | #

I'm sick of these games as well. besides the navy game, the worst part of last season was when CW thanked the Michigan state coach for not running up the score. I wanted to find a hole to bury my head in.

Part of me thinks ND should start scheduling like tOSU and rake in the money. The other part, as a fan, is real ashamed of the cupcakes. Doesn't seem like a true ND schedule.
38-8 | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:49 pm | #

Michael,

I'm with you on the commitment and honor stuff. Two quick comments:

1. It's hard to overstate how all-consuming big time college football is these days. I think this is one reason that football considerations often outweigh academic ones when a player considers a transfer.

2. A college football player is most definitely working for a business, whether we like to acknowledge this or not. In fact, they're working for multiple businesses -- their school, TV stations, Web sites, newspapers, ... It should come as little surprise when decisions start to feel more calculating and mercenary.

Lastly, I love that you mentioned orgies as something players miss by playing at ND.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:50 pm | #

I understand and, to a certain extent, agree with the point that someone who can't crack ND's starting line-up is unlikely to be NFL caliber. However, we can look at Joe Flacco and last year's draft as a pretty good argument against that theory. There's a guy who couldn't crack PITT's lineup (and they weren't good, and haven't been close to good in five years) and he winds up being a first round pick after transferring to a Div 1AA school.

The bottom line is that if a guy knows that he's going to be collecting splinters on his butt for the next three years, he's basically acknowledging the end of a dream. I can't blame someone for wanting to do everything they can to keep that dream alive.

Also, what if he loves football so much that he'd rather go to an inferior program just so he can play? I can't blame a guy for that either. Sitting on the bench isn't any fun. I'd rather play and lose everygame than sit the bench and be part of a National Championship team.
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 12:25 am | #

Lost Boy - Pre-season predictions, an excellent chance for all of us to look foolish, will be closer to the start of the season. If we're all going to be making guesses, we might as well have as much info as possible.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 12:33 am | #

Derek Anderson is concussed.

Here comes the rainbow.
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 12:42 am | #

Michael, please pull your head out of the sand.

We need to stop deluding ourselves into thinking that the considerations that are running through football recruits' minds when deciding on a college are the same as ours were.

They want to know who the coach is going to be, what position they'll be playing, how much playing time they'll get and what their chances are of making it to the NFL.

Like it or not, most of these kids are majoring in football.
Deal w/ it | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 10:18 am | #

"ESPN has started a new set of college football blogs and so far the results are pretty positive."

Really? Everything I've heard has panned them wholeheartedly. In fact, I've heard that the reaction has been so negative that the World Wide Leader had to go back and put pressure on the bloggers to actually try, as opposed to what first was rolled out, based largely off fans' reactions. As with so many other things that the WWL touches, it's poorly crafted and ever more ill-advised. Whose now? Clearly ESPN's blogs. They are teh awesome!!!1!1!!1 one.
Matt J. | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 10:25 am | #

Jezza,

I must not be explaining myself very well. Obviously I don't expect self-interest to be thrown out because they are members of a team. I am merely surprised by the fact that ND has comparable numbers (figured anecdotally of course as I have no real statistics) to other programs.

As I (and from what I read, virtually all ND blog participants) seem to think our players and program are different than the OSU's, UGA's, USC's, etc. I am merely pointing out this doesn't seem to be true.

That being said, I do believe ND players (and ND students) can and should be held to a higher standard. Just because ND is a major college football program doesn't mean we are not a Catholic University first and foremost and certain expectations are higher than they would be or should be from most everyone else. That is what makes ND, ND. If that point isn't getting across when we are first recruiting a player, than we are failing them miserably.

NavyJoe,

I appreciate your point and agree with the fact that a guy might just love football that much. Obviously there are all kinds of reasons why someone makes a decision and depth chart is likely just one of them. I am commenting more on the institution than on any one individual. Specifically I am not talking about Jackson. He just happened to be the stimulus for my original comments.

And I still stand by my argument that a 6th stringer on a mediocre ND team isn't any more likely than I am to have a NFL career by transferring. There are always going to be anomalies but in general it is unlikely. For every Flacco or Levins, I will give you a Laws or Montana. Guys who didn't excel until their junior/senior year. Sometimes patience is a virtue.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 10:36 am | #

Deal,

I don't have my head in the sand. I am never surprised or shocked by individuals acting in there own self-interest or deluding themselves with visions of grandeur. I could care less. We just talk a lot about how ND is different, special, etc., and I am merely raising the point that maybe it isn't.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 11:12 am | #

Michael,

Enough already. Even if one were to concede your argument, the use of one criteria seems awfully short-sighted to deem ND no longer "different, special, etc." Take, for example, GPA, not allowing JUCO's, and a much lower felony rate.
Keeping the Faith | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 12:14 pm | #

I see RB Jaycen Taylor for Purdue is out for the season. How does that affect Purdue in the ratings (from 4 to 6, perhaps)?
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 1:42 pm | #

Ooops... forgot the link

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/foo...ov=ap& type=lgns
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 1:42 pm | #

Michael I believe you are wrong in one aspect. I believe you can sign as many as you want in any given year, but you are only allowed to have 85 on scholarship at any one time. Alabama signed 32, the problem was it put them over the 85 limit. For every transfer we pick up an additional scholarship. Next year if we have 65 on scholarship we could give 20 if we only had 55 we could give 30. The reason why we dont is because we dont waste scholarships for bodies. In the old days like the 70s there were no scholarship limits. Schools could sign as many as they wanted, although there were dress limits. Pitt in 1973, Dorsett's class signed like 70 players. Many schools would sign kids just to keep them from going to a rival ie...Woody so Bo couldnt get them.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 1:53 pm | #

Schools like Alabama also sign 32 or more players each year willingly knowing that a lot of them won't end up being academically eligible. ND doesn't go after such players on the academic borderline, so we don't have that issue. The current class in question (Jackson's) started with 28 prior to attrition.

"However the junior class was a large one with 28 players..."
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:19 pm | #

Oh, of the 32 in Alabama's class, I think something like 8 (EIGHT!) didn't end up being eligible. I can't verify that, though.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:20 pm | #

Doug,
No the limit is 25 per year but schools recruit higher because early enrollees count on the previous year and most schools expect a handful to fail eligibility. But the limit is technically 25 per year and 85 total.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:25 pm | #

Where's the outrage over this Syracuse deal? Swarbrick too new to criticize? Who cares about the integrity of the 6th WR who had about as much PT as Rudy? Wish him well, just like any other transfer. Sorry your brief time at ND didn't meet your expectations. Ten years from now I'm not going to give Richard Jackson a second thought, but I'll probably be pissed off that I'm being subjected to Syracuse football...again.
Buzz | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:27 pm | #

25 per entering class is the limit. Schools can get around that by having freshman enroll early and count against the previous class.

Mark--Don't worry about the Syracuse deal...yet. It is rediculous to state that it will take years for them to get better. It can happen very quickly with the right coach (see Rutgers and Kansas among others for examples).
IrishAl | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:33 pm | #

Who were the 3 early enrollees in Jackson's year? I thought Jimmy was among the first to ever do that at ND, and he's a Sophomore this year.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:56 pm | #

Re: Orgies. Since, I’m sure all you all went to ND and don’t realize this, so let me help you out. I attended 2 different non-religiously affiliated public schools over a span of 10 years and never once went to an orgy nor was I ever invited or had knowledge or even heard rumor of any orgies at my school(s). So, not so much on missing out on the orgies. If this information is properly disseminated it may help future ND recruiting.

I would also quibble with Michael’s reasons for ND’s disappointing 2006 season. I suspect that had more to do with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team defense being terrible than issues with depth. But mostly I’m outraged by my lack of experience with orgies.
imafreak | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:58 pm | #

Damn, Michael, write a book or something, my scrolling finger is sore now. I had to switch to repeated Page Downs just to skip past your naive ramblings.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 3:04 pm | #

Maybe Syracuse will get a shot in the arm, recruiting-wise, from the Ernie Davis movie that is coming out soon.
But the 'cuse is in dreadful shape. They should beg Paul Pasqualoni to come back. He did a great job, and his former players love him to this day. That means something. But, it's not my job to solve their problems. I have my hands full solving Notre Dame's problems.(heh heh) AND Fighting Binny, I love the bumper sticker or T-shirt that says "Losing 38-0 repeatedly is not good enough"! Hilarious!
Back when ND had 95 football schollies, transfers were rare, and playing time was more difficult to come by. But I think the players back then placed more importance on graduating from ND than longshot odds of matriculating to the NFL. Most of the kids who leave are deluded. The ND degree will serve them much better in life than playing at Peon State and still not making an NFL roster. But if a kid is not wise enough to consider that, or doesn't seek wise counsel, then I must conclude that they aren't truly able to appreciate just what a Notre Dame diploma means, and thus ND was probably a wrong fit for them in the first place.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 3:08 pm | #

Eric -- James Aldridge, Chris Stwart and George West enrolled in the Sping semester of 2006.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 3:31 pm | #

ND also played four Big Ten teams the last two years. PSU, UM, MSU, Purdue
Gregg | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 4:21 pm | #

Thanks, Don!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 4:21 pm | #

ima,

I am glad to know ND is not the only place. However, I bet you also didn't know many people who got kicked off-campus for having a lady in their room past midnight on a school night. I bet most every Domer does though.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 4:25 pm | #

The only orgies I ever witnessed at Notre Dame were in South Dining Hall on "Make Your Own Banana Split Night". I participated once or twice, but learned to abstain, thanks to Monk Malloy's class on hedonism. I saw a chick from Walsh build a three banana, six scoop job, and spent the better part of a month on my knees at The Grotto.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 5:03 pm | #

I always wondered how Mark Richt was able to keep DJ Shockley at UGA even though he would have at best 1 year to play after David Greene left. What is it Richt was able to do that Charlie doesn't seem to be able to do?

The big difference with Shockley vs. Charlie's transfers is that Charlie's transfers were passed on the depth chart by players behind them. When the guy ahead of you on the depth chart is also a class or more ahead of you, you can look forward to seeing the field when they move on. When the guy ahead of you on the depth chart is a class or more behind you, well, you need to get used to the idea that you're either riding the bench, finding another way to contribute, or transferring.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 6:40 pm | #

Voice,

I found that the most brazen orgies occurred when chicken nuggets were served in North Dining Hall. This is only four years ago, and you'd literally have people lined up out the damn door like Joe Montana was in there signing boobies.
I always found this somewhat ironic as conceptually the chicken tender is exactly the same as the chicken pattie sandwich, and those were served every day.
I guess it's all about the marketing...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 8:51 pm | #

Matt J. - I've been following them since they relaunched them at the start of August and I think they've done a solid job. There have been a few silly ESPN mandated posts, but for the most part they have been timely, concise, and full of information.

Honestly, I think there is a knee-jerk reaction online to bag everything ESPN does as being stupid and not cool anymore.

At the very least, Graham is doing a good job covering ND and the non-BCS conferences.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 9:45 pm | #

Michael:
To make a generalization that ND recruits are no different than the recruits at other major colleges is not orne out y the facts. Yes, there are some recruits that for one reason or another are no different. But when you look at ND's graduation rate, for both white AND African American players,their success in the non-footall world and the level of giving back to others e,g, Bettis, Bryant Young, Zorich, Terrell, Caspar, ND recruits are different. Look at Penn State, which believes it is the ND of state schools--35 players arrested on 163 charges in the last few years!!
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 9:47 pm | #

I'm not sure we can be so critical about whom we schedule. Last year was a surprise. Another surprise this season and we could end up being referred to as a 'cupcake' by those trying to avoid scheduling us.
Judge60 | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 9:48 pm | #

I'm not saying Syracuse football cannot return to the mountain top. What I'm saying is even the top of the mountain at Syracuse is not that high. We could go out and sign up every patsy from the Sun Belt, and there might be a Rutgers/Kansas diamond in the rough (I would guess either Troy or FAU.) However, for every amazing turn around, there is another Maryland or SDSU who may jump up for a few years then return to their place in the world. Do any of us ND fans think Syracuse wouldn't play us at the drop of a hat over the next 10 years? Even if they have a miraculous turnaround, we can always call them up and say "Hey, it's Our Lady, next year, October, sign us up for a Saturday at Giants stadium, bring your big kid pants, enjoy the revenue." Let's sign a long term deal with a team who will be competitive. They don't have to be a powerhouse, maybe a ASU or an Iowa. Then fill in what we need with hapless young teams who are just playing fotball for the orgies.
mark | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 10:05 pm | #

Any students attending the Student Appreciation Practice on Sunday please post pictures and reviews. Thanks!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 9:30 am | #

I don't really mind playing Syracuse. They are a BCS Conference team that goes through periods of crappy to decent. I would rather play them then another Nevada or SDSU. I just wonder why it has to be a 10 year deal? Maybe we got a sweet discount?
Michael | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 9:41 am | #

Voice: When I first saw the reference to "Peon State" above, I read it as "Penn State". I guess my Freudian slip is showing.

Re: orgies... I've never been to one, but I'm sure I've inadvertently stopped some just by being there.

I agree with Michael that I don't have a problem playing Syracuse since they are a BCS team. I hope ND never gets to the same level of ridiculousness that some teams do (cough-OSU/LSU-cough); but I also don't mind playing an easier game to start the season and work out the kinks. Not advocating playing Div 1-AA (or whatever those teams are called now), but a BCS team that is decent, but not a powerhouse.

I'd also like to see a rotation of Big Integer opponents like Indiana, Minnesota & Wisconsin that the Irish havn't played in a while.
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 10:08 am | #

Voice,

I also had "Peon State" confused with "Penn State" but then again that may be simply my inner bias against everything Nittany Lion.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 10:32 am | #

i would like to see a long-term home & home series started with the indiana hoosiers
bcuster | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 10:44 am | #

Aside from personal interest, I can't see any benefit that would come from playing Indiana. We're definitely not competing with them for in-state football talent. In fact we discard the players we no longer want in their direction (read: Matt LoVecchio). :)

Playing teams around the country at least widens our fan base and talent pool. If we're going to play the bottom dweller of a conference, it might as well be from out of state. Especially when we already have an ongoing in-state "rivalry" with Purdon't. We could switch the game, but don't we have some kind of loyalty with The Shbags since they and MSU stuck up for us when a rabblerouser from Michigan was trying to get the other Big10 teams to boycott us like 80 years ago?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 12:00 pm | #

Irish_Angst and Knoxville, when I re-read my own post, I read it as Penn State!! In the future I'll go with PeeOn State. And verbally saying "PeeOn State" sounds like a hick indicating who he pulls for on Saturdays.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 4:33 pm | #

Here in PA, Penn State's new name is becoming "Thug State". JoePa is under fire for 35 players arrested on 163 charges in the last two plus years..
lush | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 8:19 pm | #

35 players on 163 charges?!?!?


That's nothing compared to Beer Olympics.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.22.08 - 9:34 am | #

How exactly does someone get kicked out of school for breaking visitation rules? Does it take several infractions or special circumstances. Is this policy uniformly applied? Do people in the dorms just not break those rules?

I was an RA in a male freshmen dorm and we took the vis rules fairly seriously (midnight weeknights 2 AM weekends). But, as long as the door was closed and it was quiet we didn't care. It would have taken something serious, like a felony or academic dishonesty, to get kicked out of school. You could get kicked out of the dorms for serious or chronic misbehavior but I doubt many people viewed vis infractions in that light.
imafreak | Email | Homepage | 08.22.08 - 11:35 am | #

Parietals violations, realized and uncovered by a tenacious RA or a jealous Rector, could definitely result in expulsion, and prudent students at ND are not lackadaisical in how they approach dealing with that onerous rule.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 08.22.08 - 2:22 pm | #