Where's Ty?
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 3:43 pm | #

Nice! I really like them this year.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 4:06 pm | #

Thats pretty cool. I wish I could go to a home game.
Mexican Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 5:36 pm | #

I noticed that Aldridge either doesn't participate in some of the running back drills or does them rather gingerly. Is he injured again or is that a precaution?
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 6:23 pm | #

Where will Lou's statue be?
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 6:32 pm | #

Is that some kind of secret message on the Devine ticket? It says: "Dahx... owned once again!"
tedmonds | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 6:32 pm | #

Cheers Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, Devine and Holtz - why'd you have to set the bar so high? >Hic
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 6:32 pm | #

Jim - he's the one reflected in Holtz' glasses. It's a photo of Lou laying a hickory switch on the MSU staff.
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 6:40 pm | #

It didn't hit me until I saw the tickets: This has to be one of the worst slate of home games in recent memory.
suave_andrew | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 7:11 pm | #

To suave_andrew:


You're just like the guy who said
"I just won 1 million dollars. Damn, I'm ticked because it should have been 10 million."

You would bitch about anything!

Be happy. It's almost football season.
nanovic | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 8:06 pm | #

Unnecessary flames aside, except for San Diego State, historically these are good programs. But man, they're all down and aside from Pitt look pretty bad on paper.
suave_andrew | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 8:38 pm | #

Hope Lou can give a little pre-game speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=T...feature=related
michigan | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 8:29 am | #

I am getting unnecessarily excited.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 8:32 am | #

Hopefully that will mean we'll actually WIN these games this year. After the worst home losing streak in the history of the program last year, the fans deserve to witness ND put a good beating on some teams that are down. Plus, historically good programs always have a way of bouncing back. That's what we're trying to do. These teams always have the ability to surprise you.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 9:02 am | #

Makes good desktop wallpaper.
Andrew '97 | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 10:01 am | #

Suave, in addition to SDSU and Navy, we could be playing the ten best teams in the country, and because we are still young and somewhat inexperienced, we would probably be
6-6 at the end of the season.

This is exactly the kind of schedule we need, if it is as easy as you infer, to come out of the doldrums of '07.

I also agree with the poster who pointed out that "down" teams have a way of surprising their opponents...just ask Michigan.
tednict | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 10:19 am | #

tednict-

If we were playing the 10 best teams in the country, I can tell you one thing: there is no way in hell we would end up 6-6.

We'll be fortunate to be a hair better than that this year, and we have one of the easier schedules--on paper--in recent memory.

I know seeing the team back on the field is exciting and hearing the quotes ("this guy's a beast", "the game is slowing down for him", "we're more physical") help erase the memory of last year, but remember, the coaches and players were saying the same things in August '07.

I got burned by ND too many times last year. In '08, I'm a skeptic until they prove me wrong.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 10:50 am | #

The 'cuse is in the house! (oh my god)
Donovan McNabb | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 10:53 am | #

I cant stop watching thoses practice videos. They hype you up and its just great to see them hit.
Mexican Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 11:04 am | #

After last year I could care less if were not playing top ten teams. I figure that I lose a month of my life for every ND loss, so last year shortened my life drastically. I'd like to see my son grow up so if they could put a beat down on some teams this year I'm all for that. God I hope they can tackle this year.
Paul | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 11:38 am | #

kmf....."O you of little faith"
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 11:41 am | #

Knoxville-

Agreed.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 12:11 pm | #

Tedmonds asked....."Is that some kind of secret message on the Devine ticket? It says: "Dahx... owned once again!" "
Matthew | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 1:30 pm | #

kfm,

I have to concur. Watching these practice videos didn't really do much for me, save the 2 or 3 really good hits by the offensive blocker. But there were, what, 20 or so match ups? Most of them ended with the defensive player getting a good hand or more on the runner. Only 2 real pancakes (which is what I thought we'd see a lot of). And the runners didn't look all that stellar either, some going down with nary a shove or just completely mis-reading which way to go off of the block. I was anticipating seeing something like what Aaron Taylor described on his blog last year. Maybe I built that up in my head too much, but I've seen these types of drills before (even participated in them many many moons ago) and besides the sheer size of some of these guys, I didn't see anything that makes me think this year's running game will be that much improved.

Call me a skeptic also. My opinion of our chances this season (which, let's all admit, depend almost entirely on the play of the OL) has significantly leveled off after seeing the Oklahoma drill video. I will wait to be impressed on Sept. 6 (preferably Sept. 13). I'm just sayin'.
IndyEsq | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 1:41 pm | #

Matthew, there was a response earlier, but it seems to have dissappeared or been taken down. The person who scans the tickets each year for this post always includes a "secret" message to his old roommates or friends.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 1:56 pm | #

I cant believe you people. You watch one video of the first live contact practice of the fall and you already think you have it figured out. You people are amazing.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 2:35 pm | #

Thats it! I've had enough with the Negative Nancies on this board!



C'mon guys! This is the time of the year where we are supposed to get excited! We shouldn't be 'tempering expectations'. We should be blowing them up! I'm sick of this negativity. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no. Did MacArthur give up when he was forced to retreat from Spain? No f***in' way!

This is part of being a fan. Its that little voice in your head that was saying 'wait til next year' during every game that we got stomped last year. These are good things, and don't deny yourselves them!

You think we were hurt and disappointed last year? You think it was tough for us? What about the boys strappin' the gold helmets on? They've been bustin' their asses all through the winter and spring and summer to get better, to come out and prove everyone wrong and to dust the shame off those helmets. Damn straight we are gonna be better! And they've been bustin' their asses not just for themselves, but for us, they fans in the stands.

We're bigger, we're faster, we're stronger, and we're hungrier. And we are gonna see a damn fine football team this fall, and I for one am as excited as all get out!

Now is the time for excitement. Now is the time for hope. So get your asses excited, and get yourself pumped up, and tell anyone in your office who will listen to watch out for your Irish this year. Say it loudly, and proudly, and most importantly, say it confidently, and buy into the hype while you can.

You won't find a Negative Nancy oir a Debby Downer in my posts. Hope springs eternal right now. Football season is right around the bend. Damn straight I'm excited.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 2:56 pm | #

Amen Brad.
I can't wait until our boys start putting the wood to those other teams.
Good or bad, I am geeked out my mind. I know what I expect, and I expect better than average. If they live up to that and are competitive, I will be super happy with the season.
Tommy | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 3:02 pm | #

Hell no Tommy! Expect more! Expect our boys to play like champions. Expect 400 rushing yards a game and 8 sacks by half. Cause right now is the only time you get to feel like this.

Here's how I see things. Our RT and RG both weigh a collective 700 lbs. Put a TE on that side, and with Wenger we are looking at almost 1300 lbs. THEN we send a FB who weighs 260 and a RB that weighs 240 right behind 'em! By my calculations, according to all known laws of physics, all we should have to do is snap the ball and fall forward....and we should gain 5 yards!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 4:48 pm | #

Couldn't agree more with Brad. Although I was waiting for the "Holy Sh*t, where's the Tylenol?" at the end.
Keeping the Faith | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 4:57 pm | #

So what if I drink at work!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 4:59 pm | #

Ah, I love the National Lampoon's reference, "Faith!" And I'm with you too, Brad - as much as I try to stay cautious, I can't help but get revved up over this team. Bring on the 6th!
baIrish | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 6:13 pm | #

Agreeing with Brad all the way. haha
Mexican Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 9:28 pm | #

Uh, Brad? Was that grape or cherry Kool-Aid?

Just kidding!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 10:53 pm | #

It was cherry Kool-Aid, but to be honest I couldn't taste it. Mostly vodka.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.14.08 - 11:12 pm | #

With the news that Richard Jackson is transferring, does that bring the Junior class down to 21 including Maust on scholarship?
21/28th is 75%.
You have that attrition every four years you pick up a free recruiting class.
Regardless of TW's ability to Coach or Recruit, that Quinn, Walker, Stovall, McKnight, Smardjzia(sp) class is one for the ages.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 8:46 am | #

nanovic, which guy said that? Cite your sources please. What guy is the poster like?
Matt | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 9:41 am | #

Yeah, sucks that Richard Jackson is transfering. I always wanted to see him get on the field, but I think our WR corps is just too crowded right now. Best of luck to Richard, and I hope everything works out great for him!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 10:26 am | #

why can't the designer of the tickets make the shirt too?
dillon hockey | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 3:23 pm | #

For those who have concluded that ND will be marginally better, if that, this year compared to last year, one or more of the following assumptions appear to have been made:

1. ND's talent level is no better.

2. Experience counts for little.

3. The coaching will be no better.

4. ND's execution will be no better.

5. Three straight top 10 recruiting classes will have little positive impact.

6. At least 8 teams will have more talent and/or better coaching on game day than ND.

Are these assumptions correct??
lush | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 4:52 pm | #

Lush,

Explain your rationale on 1-6.
mikes1160 | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 7:50 pm | #

Lush,

Without actually confirming the premise of your question, I'll address your "assumptions".

1. One, maybe two freshman will have an impact this year, so talent level is no worse, but not significantly greater, practically speaking.

2. Experience counts for little when there is no growth that comes from it. Can anyone really say that the last 3 games last year were that much better due to early season experience? I think it's obvious that the W's were entirely opponent-based. One of the greatest things about Lou's '86 season was that even though they were 5-6, it was clear by the end of the season they were going to be a force to reckon with for seasons to come, based on their early season experiences. It's not clear, at least to me, and at least not yet, that the 2007 experience of those guys has enabled the growth that will count toward enablement of an 8 win season.

3. But for one coaching infusion, coaching is essentially the same. CW is taking on new roles, but in order to do so he's handing over the reigns to guys who are newbies to that level of responsibility. Wash.

4. Improved execution depends on items 2 and 3 above. From the video (and yes, I agree that it might not reveal much considering it is the first or second practice of the year with pads), execution looks not much better - Big #74 has the same technique problems he had last year. I asked in the comments in one of last weekend's posts whether anyone knew what sort of skills development work the big boys were doing, besides just getting bigger, stronger, faster. Running fast and pushing/hitting really hard doesn't count for sh#$% if you aren't doing your basic job according to sound fundamentals.

5. See #1. We are going to be relying a LOT on sophomores who showed good promise last year. Three straight top classes "should" make an impact. But even Faust had several consecutive top classes. So to say "will" have an impact is going a bit far.

6. Not 8. Five. Maybe 6. USC. Michigan (despite the past off season). BC. MSU. Purdue. Beware of one or both of UNC/Stanford.

I'm not trying to drag everyone down, and I honestly love to see Brad's enthusiasm. But I do the primal boasting about the Irish just about every year, and in my office full of savvy college football fans, my credibility is totally shot after last year. And such blind enthusiasm can have detrimental effects on ND Nation at large if every one of us is like that. You say things like "Irish", "Tradition", "God Country Notre Dame". To the true fans (and believe it or not I'm one), these are a credo to live by. To fans of other teams, they're just a punch line. To be a credible fan base, to keep us focused on the truth of the matter, you need to have voices like mine to provide a dose of reality, but then you go and question the manner in which I provide it. I'd prefer it if you just say 'thank you', and be on your way. You WANT me to be a voice of reason; you NEED me to be a voice of reason.

I didn't say anything wrong. I said it before, I'll say it again.

I'll still be playing my fight songs, I'll still gear up my kids with ND jerseys and other ugly-alum wear on Saturday mornings this fall. I'll even still be displaying my ND flag to the whole neighborhood. But I'm bound and determine to make sure that any rise in my blood pressure this year is from the excitement of a great team doing great things, and not from the disappointment and frustration of having such grand expectations shattered on a weekly basis and having my Purdue, MSU and IU (yes, that IU) office colleagues rub it in my face all the way through bowl season.

Again, I'm just sayin'.
IndyEsq | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 8:24 pm | #

Mike1160--after reading IndyEsq's response in particular, I find your post to defy belief.

Indy--thorough response--my post did not criticize you or anyone else--I am asking if the assumptions I posited are correct. I read your response to say they are, at least to some extent.
lush | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 11:31 pm | #

Like Batu Khan, leader of the Golden Horde, be generous with your opponents, Esq.

12th c. Mongolians considered it unlucky to spill the blood of the conquered, because it destroyed the integrity of the body and interfered with movement into the afterlife. So when Batu conquered the Rus, on at least one occasion he had enemy princes sealed in an airtight wooden box. This box served as the dinner table for the royal entourage that evening, and its contents as the entertainment.

Here's to a feast of cheeseburgers on September 13th, accompanied by the plaintive singing of a native west virginian.
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.15.08 - 11:39 pm | #

Lush,
Your assumptions seemed to be posited from the point of view that they had to be wrong, inviting comment as to why they were right. Again, I'm not confirming your premise, but I wanted to show that it would not be unreasonable for one to believe your statements (you call them assumptions) are at least laced with some veracity.

indy,
It's been a while since you waxed historically or poetically philosophical. Very nice.

Up, Notre Dame men! Answer the cry!

That's all I'm hoping for. Unlike Brad, I'll tend to keep it to myself.
IndyEsq | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 12:25 am | #

Indy:
Your last post is generally correct, but again, I was not criticizing you or anyone else in my original post. I call them assumptions because they have not been proved as factually correct and the way I crafted them, they cannot be deemed factually correct until the season is over. I must, however, question your statements that UNC and Stanford have more talent and/or better coaching than ND.Do you really believe this or are you playing with our heads.
lush | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 8:54 am | #

From BGI:
"I understand that this is the first week in pads but after all the preaching about fast game starts beginning with fast practices, I was disappointed with the tempo of the open workouts. A couple of drills were lively and spirited, but it also seemed like there were a lot of guys standing around a lot of the time. I understand there is an implementation period to training camp, especially for the younger guys. But the language and the pace didn’t seem much different from last season. Lots of walk throughs and minimal contact. Yikes!"

It's far too early to draw any conclusions from this, but WHY IN THE HELL AREN'T THEY HITTING EACH OTHER???
thank you sir may I have anoth | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 11:27 am | #

Thank you sir -

I believe three players have been out with concussions. Those didn't come from tackling dummies.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 6:02 pm | #

IndyEsq

I'm with you on this one.

Here is my outlook on this.

For those who have concluded that ND will be marginally better, if that, this year compared to last year, one or more of the following assumptions appear to have been made:

1. ND's talent level is no better.

I always thought the talent was there. Even last year's talent was not that bad. This year's talent SHOULD be better. Coaching is most important. Talent is like clay. Coaching is like the sculptor. Last year the clay was not shaped.

2. Experience counts for little.

It counts but it is what one does with it. It's like the saying: Practice makes perfect. Actually perfect practice makes perfect.

3. The coaching will be no better.

This is the key one. I am excited about Tenuta on D. I hope CS and staff learned lessons from last year. Also we will see if the OL problems are Latina's problems or CW's undoing.

4. ND's execution will be no better.

This is tied to coaching.

5. Three straight top 10 recruiting classes will have little positive impact.

See # 1.

6. At least 8 teams will have more talent and/or better coaching on game day than ND.

I would think only 1 or 2 teams have more talent. We will see about the coaching. I had much higher expectations for last year. This year we could be 4-8 to 10-2 depending on coaching.
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 8:30 pm | #

For me, our season is basically going to be decided in the second game. Two historic teams undergoing significant transition with coaching staffs that have a lot riding on the outcome. We need a fast start to put last season behind us, and to build some confidence. Beat the Wolverines and it will be clear the dawn is beginning to break. Lose and we look like Enus P. Coltrane axle deep in Hazard county mud as Rodriguez runs for the county line with a trunk full of shine. Uncle Jesse does not run a family program.
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.16.08 - 10:56 pm | #

How dare you, sir. How dare you.
Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane | Email | Homepage | 08.17.08 - 2:58 pm | #

GB:

If the talent "was there" last year (what is your measuring stick? Syracuse, Navy, UNC, USC, OSU, App. State, SDSU??), then the bad results lay squarely with the coaches. ( Was last year's team experienced?). Weis lost 6 games in his first two years, five of them to top 5 teams (in 2006 he had to convert a running back to LB to accomplish this). Was his coaching in the first two years an aberration and not a true reflection of the "fact" that he really is a lousy coach? If that conclusion is factually correct, wouldn't ND be better off to buy Weis out now so the program is not damaged further??

"Great players make great coaches" -- Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.17.08 - 9:14 pm | #

oh crap. What was Enus' last name? You have to forgive me sheriff - I watched my last episode in a neighbor's basement in about 1984.

Personally, I have reasonably high expectations for this season assuming we don't trip up early and go completely 'in the tank' as skipper would say.

In the long run, good recruiting heals all ills. Anything else that can be said is just harping on the obvious. GO IRISH!
indy | Email | Homepage | 08.17.08 - 10:05 pm | #

If the talent "was there" last year (what is your measuring stick?

The last 2 recruiting classes were top 10. Ty was not the best coach or recruiter. However, his worst class was something like #43. If you go by those subjective measurements, the "worst" ND should be in the NCAA is #43. Maybe 3 schools had better talent. USC, UM and BC.

Syracuse, Navy, UNC, USC, OSU, App. State, SDSU??), then the bad results lay squarely with the coaches.

Are you saying that Navy, Air Force, GT, Purdue and MSU had better talent. I would bet that none of them had even one class better than #43. Why do you think CW hired Tenuta? GT did not have the talent ND had but they had better coaching.

( Was last year's team experienced?).

No, but underperformed.

Weis lost 6 games in his first two years, five of them to top 5 teams (in 2006 he had to convert a running back to LB to accomplish this). Was his coaching in the first two years an aberration and not a true reflection of the "fact" that he really is a lousy coach?

I never said he was a lousy coach. He was a lousy coach last year though. Every year the OL has performed worse. I think part of that was Ty actually doing a good job of coaching good OL fundamentals.

If that conclusion is factually correct, wouldn't ND be better off to buy Weis out now so the program is not damaged further??

Your conclusion is not factually correct. Sorry.

"Great players make great coaches" -- Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Actually, great coaching attracts great players.

Hopefully, CW will turn this around and attract great players and then
"Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points".
Knute Rockne
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 12:12 am | #

Good discussion, folks. For my two pennies, I don't think significant improvement (the kind that was needed after our dreadful start) can be attained by making mid-season adjustments based on early season experience. It's like trying to fix your golf swing in the middle of a round, it doesn't happen. It takes an offseason to fix an offseason's worth of mistakes (no hitting, QB "experiment", et. al). Therefore, I do think that the players (and coaches) having more experience will have a positive effect on the team's performance. Another year with the playbook increases the players' abilities to play instinctively without having to think so much about the actual play. Maybe I'm just buying what the coaches have been selling.

Also, I can't really tell if the "tempo" has actually been up this year, or if guys have been standing around too much, but one thing is for sure: the practices have been more physical than last year. The team probalby didn't run 30 plays at full spead in all of August last year, and they already ran 45 on the first day of full pads. Whether or not this will have an effect on how they play in Septembe remains to be seen, but I for one am optimistic that CW and staff learned a lot from last year and are doing what they can to address the problems.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 10:52 am | #

"Deputy Enos Strate"...

I never knew he had a last name either, as kids we just called him Enos The P***s and never dug deeper.
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 2:56 pm | #

2 more Michigan OL down. Sept 13 is looking better and better...

http://mgoblog.com/content/newsb...l-huyge- injured
KBrown | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 3:01 pm | #

Michigan's looking more like last year's ND team every day.

I'm still afraid that they'll run well on us, but there is some comfort in the fact that they're unlikely to be a good passing team. Our DB's might be able to cheat a little.

I know, I know -- this didn't work against Navy last year. Listen, if we're THAT bad again, there's no use talking about beating Michigan even in a down year.

It's interesting, as noted on MGoBlog, that Utah's expectations are running very high in their opener against Michigan. The language on one Utes blog was all but assuming a win against Michigan, which is a bit presumptuous.

Remember: Rich Rod's made some pretty good teams from not much talent. I think even he's over his head this year, but who knows. Running teams scare the hell out of me, and that's what Mich will be this year.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 5:14 pm | #

There's a difference between being a running team because you have a great set of backs and being a running team because you basically have no other options. Michigan is the latter.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 7:19 pm | #

Here I am trying to rid myself of horrific 2007 memories by watching some preseason NFL, and what do I see but the Browns getting a punt blocked because one Travis Thomas cannot pick up a block on the rush.

Oh, the flashbacks!
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 9:22 pm | #

GB:

GT did not have the talent ND had? Are you saying, for example, that ND's OL was more talented than GT's last year?

Great coaching attracts great players. Not always. Joe Kuharich and Gerry Faust proved this not to be true.

Why did CW suddenly become a lousy coach last year??
Lush | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 11:08 pm | #

Is it football season yet? I can't wait for the kickoff on Sept 6 so we acutally have some ND football to talk about. I personally don't care if Michigan loses half it's team because it won't matter if we don't score more points than them. I am taking the Charlie Weis approach this year one game at a time and before we start thinking Michigan we have to beat San Diego State... did I really just type that I am worried about not beating San Diego State. Wow 2007 really did suck.
Jerry | Email | Homepage | 08.18.08 - 11:30 pm | #

Lush

GT did not have the talent ND had? Are you saying, for example, that ND's OL was more talented than GT's last year?

This one is debatable. They may have had as much talent but they definitely were not as well coached.

Great coaching attracts great players. Not always. Joe Kuharich and Gerry Faust proved this not to be true.

True. Not many great players are banging down the doors at Duke, Baylor, Rice, IU, Etc. though. A huge percent of the great players go to great coaches.

Why did CW suddenly become a lousy coach last year??

This the the $64,000 question. The whole ND Nation has been scratching their heads on this one. I think we've been through this before. One is that they were young. No one expected a BCS year. Not having physical practices. Starting out with a spread option offense. Mostly coaching mistakes.

I have optimism for this year, but like I said before, they could go 4-8 or 10-2.Depends if Charlie truely learned from last year and will put the lessons to work. We will know soon.
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 12:07 am | #

Boys and girls, I'm going to save you from any sort of serious emotional issues come November:

ND will most assuredly NOT be 10-2 this year. With a little luck, 8-4.
Wiseguy | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:03 am | #

Wiseguy, come on. You can bank at least 10-2.
The Irish Redneck | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 10:55 am | #

Gb:
This will be my final comments.

1. Great coaches may attract great players but they did not start out that way. Coaches who were not initially great at the college level e,g, Pete Carroll, Frank Beamer have become great because of their ability to attract very good, if not great, players.

2. Last year really wasn't that hard to figure out. ND did not have enough experienced talent, coupled with some bad coaching decisions, to beat many of the teams it played.

3. For those who nostalgically look back on the good old days, research, for example, Ara's record against ranked teams (it is poor), even though he had the luxury of having more than 85 players on scholarship.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 08.19.08 - 7:26 pm | #

Lush

This past week, I have been watching the Olympics. I keep noticing over and over in the Olympics and any other sport. Some people rise to the occasion and some do not. This past year, CW did not. Lagat, the favorite to win the 1500 did not even qualify. Lolo Jones, who many thought would smash the W 110 hurdles, hit a hurdle and came in 7th. She said it only happens about twice a year. Gay Tyson, who had the 2nd fastest time ever did not qualify. There are hundreds of these stories every year in all sports and on all levels. Hopefully, CW can lead the Irish out of the ashes.
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 2:50 am | #

Ticket #1 should have been Jess Harper.
RocketShark | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 3:02 am | #

GB:

Yor conclusion that last year's woes lie primarily with CW and the coaching staff fundamentally fails to recognize that ND did NOT have the experienced, healthy talent to win anywhere near 9 games.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 08.20.08 - 9:35 pm | #

Who said anything about 9 games? They should have won at least 7 with the talent they had.
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.21.08 - 7:54 pm | #