The Cleveland OL won't be bad this fall. Steinbach from the Bengals, Andruzzi (from NE, but still a Brown last year) and now Thomas.

Unfortunately, Jamal (drug-thug) Lewis is there.

If Winslow can stay healthy and the D goes from "Wooden" to "Walton," things may not be so bad.

Go Br^2
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:21 am | #

Wayne Huizenga knows zero about football, but he does understand the language of disgruntled potential ticket buyers. Cam Cameron starts out his head coaching career deep in a hole. May Brady Quinn be magical in Cleveland, and may 21 teams (including the Cowboys!) rue the day that they passed on BQ. As for Ted Ginn, importing speedy, 175 pound guys to Miami is like importing ice to the Antactic. So friggin' what.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:59 am | #

hey...i like gouda! how about limberger?

I've been in Pittsburgh since graduating and never really had a strong rooting interest. Now I get to piss off friends even more rooting for Cleveland. Go Browns!
Pete | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 9:41 am | #

Between the head games Cameron played with Brady before the draft to yesterday's Dolphins debacle, does anyone else get the sense that Cameron is more interested in looking like the smartest guy in the room instead of doing what makes most sense for his team?
Jim | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 9:56 am | #

Camaron's gotta lose his job, eventually (after another terrible Dolphin season), for this extravagent belly flop. Infantile stupidity. His ill-considered words about the "Ginn family" will further cement his doom.
petro | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 9:58 am | #

Sunday, Oct. 14th:

Miami @ Cleveland

Hey Huizenga, prepare to see what you guys f%$#ing passed up you idiot. Miami can quickly become the next Detroit model in the draft, passing up the things that you absolutely NEED. But hey, maybe if Ginn can return EVERY kickoff for a touchdown, you guys may win a couple of games, but I wouldn't rely too much on an offense that could maybe compete on the highschool level. Huizenga you dipshit, first you let Saban slip to 'Bama, now you let Brady slip to dem Browns. I foresee a starting BQ come October, and I also see a blazed defense. The new BQ-Shark will quickly become BQ-Winslow
Mike | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:01 am | #

"It's like Wannstedt made the pick."

HILARIOUS
DayBreakboys | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:14 am | #

If you were BQ's agent, what would you do now that he is with the Browns? Have a short term contract to hopefully impress everyone and become an open market player soon and get the big bucks or go for the long term and security?
GB | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:25 am | #

This was in the NY Times a few days ago. He would be an intriguing addition to any team.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/2...=rssnyt& emc=rss
GB | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:28 am | #

GB, always go for the longterm and security..but in the case of BQ and the Browns, go for the short term. I think he'll be in Cleveland for a while, get too pricey for his talent, and either be 1. Franchised or 2. become a free agent.

Now if he becomes a free agent, im sure he'll be picked up by some lowly team such as oooh lets say the Lions or the Dolphins, who will be stuck in the sub .500 abyss until they get that golden ticket they call the golden boy (and no, their golden boys wont be pot head Johnson nor Lets parade and dance around in the endzone and injure myself)
Mike | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:37 am | #

Domers,

If you read Ginn's reaction, it was classy. He said he was VERY surprised they passed on Quinn given their QB issues. Nice read.

I think the Fins were trying for the Devin Hester of 2007. He saved the Bears bacon several times last year. If your O stinks - as the Fins has, they are trying for the WR and STeams combo. I think their STeams guy (~Welker) went to NE. $$ is always a factor, esp. in Miami.

Given the offseason acquisition of Steinbach (consistent OL) and the draft content, I would rather BQ be in Brown-land anyway. Saban dumped the Fins for a reason.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:43 am | #

"Sweet are the uses of adversity."
Shakespeare

In other words, prove 'em all wrong.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:45 am | #

I would just like to point out that Miami had the opportunity to pick Quinn and Jarrett, but they chose Beck and Ginn instead. Wow.
Steve | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:47 am | #

Has there been any cogent explanation (i.e., not "Cam's an idiot") as to why the Dolphins passed on Brady, even w/Shea having worked w/him, etc.? What were the flaws they saw that made them feel BYU's Beck was not much of a downgrade from Brady?
DomerAlum | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 12:16 pm | #

Daybreakboys, as a longtime Bears fan in addition to being an Irish fan, I got a good laugh at the Wannstedt comment too. I was just hoping the Bears would move up to get him, but I guess I'll have to endure one more year of Rextasy.
David B. | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 12:20 pm | #

I was actually predicting Baltimore if the Browns couldn't get a trade. Baltimore will need to upgrade their WRs next year, but the young Mark Clayton and Todd Heap are good targets. BQ could have been SB bound within 2 years...sort of like that QB who played for Miami ... what was his name again? I guess Dolphins really aren't the second smartest mammal.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 12:28 pm | #

Thunder,

SB ~ 2 years is optimisic. The Raven's O wasn't doing much with an experienced (and over-the hill) QB. Colts, Pats, Chargers in the AFC. Even Manning wasn't a SB caliber QB within 2 years. Playoffs?!

ENTIRE JIM MORA PLAYOFF RANT:

Let me start out saying this: Do NOT blame that game on the defense, OK? I don't care who you play, whether it's a high school team, a junior college team, a college team, much less an NFL team, when you turn the ball over five times . . . you ain't gonna beat anybody. That was a disgraceful performance. ... We gave it away. We gave them the frigging game. In my opinion, that sucked.
You can't turn it over five times. Holy crap. I don't know who the hell we think we are when we do something like that ... We've thrown [five] interceptions returned for touchdowns. That might be a league record. And we've still got six games left, so there's no telling how many we'll have. I mean, it's absolutely pitiful to play like that . . . Horrible. Just horrible. Horrible.
Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 12:56 pm | #

in my view, although Brady lost, by some estimates, $33 mil lifetime as a result of his freefall, I feel like he's in a better place: with a behemoth like Joe Thomas guarding his backside, he'll live longer and be more successful, setting himself up for a longer, more lucrative career. (See the David Carr story as an example of a guy who was destroyed by the lack of a decent line.) It kills his pride today, but I think he's w-a-a-a-a-a-ay better off in every respect over the long haul. If he gets the starting nod, I just might get the Dish Network NFL package just so I can start watching Browns games here in Texas...
andrew | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:01 pm | #

Jay,

You wrote: "Listen up, ESPN: everything you touch turns to gouda."

As a big fan of gouda, I take high offense to this comment. I think something like limburger (or shit in general) would have been more fitting. This is insulting to gouda cheeses everywhere.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:05 pm | #

One positive aspect of the Dolphins passing on BQ is that he won't have to work with Terry Shea. That guy was a pathetic joke during his one season as OC with the Bears, and I don't know why he'd be any better 3 years later in Miami. I was stunned that KC gave him his old job back as QB coach in 2005, and frankly I can't believe he's still in the NFL at all...
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:15 pm | #

Boy - let's not forget the Ravens were basically a field goal away from the SB this year. Their pathetic offensive performance against a the Colts defense had as much to do with their QB situation as anything (and BB's bizarro playcalling in that particular game perhaps). As tough as the AFC is, Baltimore is good enough to make it past anyone if they have excellent QB play. McNair saw his better days pre-2003. Chicago will have an easier road to the SB in the next few years, but I'm not sure they would have taken BQ or that they will ever be able to beat an AFC champ the way things stand today. As much as I love BQ, I don't think he will be able to get the Browns past a wild card game. I am hoping for a good, healthy start to his career and hopefully a second contract with a solid franchise that can make a SB run.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:31 pm | #

Brady lost a substantial amount in direct salary, but he's already the endorsement king. Tiger seems to do okay.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:47 pm | #

Congrats to Victor and Ryan as well. It's round 5, where are the rest of our boys?
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 1:50 pm | #

Landri to Jags.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 2:40 pm | #

Lost Boy, good call on the Miami desperation special teams gambit. Hadn't thought of that angle. With Oakland loosing Moss, The comparisons next year should strongly favor our guy considering he will apparently have weapons and protection. JaMarkus will have the pleasure of trying to learn how to QB in the NFL while running for his life.

Maybe Cameron can blame it on a bad phone connection. "Quinn, not Ginn, you idiots!" We can only hope.

Pats will roll in the AFC next year; I say that as a colts fan. It will be scary.
indy | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 3:51 pm | #

Richardson to the Pats.
Joe F. | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 3:57 pm | #

Awesome job Mike. . . . The CB who locked down Calvin Johnson the best this year. Smart pick by the Pats.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 4:13 pm | #

Was it Richardson or Reggie Ball that locked down Calvin Johnson the best in last year's opener?

Seriously, if you would have told me Richardson would be drafted after watching him start his career as a sophomore (I'm sure you all remember how painful it was), I would have bet thousands against it. He has made great strides and I hope he makes the team...
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 4:24 pm | #

Once again, indy gest it right. Cam CaMoron's story will surely be that he told a Dolphins administrative underling or intern, "Tell them to Pick Quinn, Junior." Abracadabra, you get Ted Ginn, Jr. Hilarious.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 4:25 pm | #

Rhema not getting drafted wouldn't surprise me. You can't drop the easy ones or give up on routes.

Darius not being drafted would be a debacle.

Does Santucci still have a chance?
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 5:03 pm | #

Santucci to Cinci. Good job Dan.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 5:12 pm | #

What happens if Walker doesn't get drafted?
Behnke | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 5:44 pm | #

Does Jeff Faine still play for Cleveland? That'd be a nice ND connection.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:07 pm | #

Holy crap! Ndukwe to the Bengals.
Joe F. | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:09 pm | #

Faine plays for New Orleans. Did Darius get drafted? If he didnt he really was either misled or ill-advised.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:16 pm | #

Its probably for the best guys like McKnight and Walker didn't get drafted after the 5th round or so came and went. This way (hopefully) they'll be able to "choose" teams to tryout at where they'll be able find a good home, career.

Glad the draft is over so we can get back to discussions of recruiting and next season...

Go Irish!
Jesse | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:17 pm | #

Darius now goes to play in Europe.
Clashmore | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:25 pm | #

Maybe he comes back to play one more year under the pseudonym "Jarious Welker"....
Anonymouse | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:34 pm | #

Oh, and Dolphins? Get Bent.
Anonymouse | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:34 pm | #

Lost Boy, good call on the Miami desperation special teams gambit. Hadn't thought of that angle

Perhaps, but there's only one Devin Hester (first man to ever receive the maximum speed value in the Madden video game; Hester is so proud, he wants it in his official NFL biography).

As a poster on ND Nation stated, the only way the Dolphins' picks make sense is if Ginn was the highest player on their board when they took him, AND that Beck was the #2 QB on their board. The odds of both being true are rather slim. Three years from now, when Cameron gets fired, people will look back and say that the seeds were planted yesterday.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:41 pm | #

Totally off subject, but YOGI GALLIGOS just signed with TCU. Gotta love the name.
BillB | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 6:48 pm | #

* Weis is not a Genius and he doesn't have influence on NFL teams. One instance is the fake punt against LSU which was a ridiculous decision. Another instance was taking the Michigan game as *any other* game.

If he *really* had influence on teams he'd have Darius and Rhema drafted. He didn't. Ergo...


* BradyQ is not Manning + Brady. Not anywhere close to them. He's an above average QB. It's disgusting that you project that he'll be as good as them. How can you be so sure?

* All 32 teams can't go wrong about Rhema and Darius. They are mediocre.

Be realistic. This is how the outside world sees ND... however high and holy you guys think of yourselves.
Realist | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:01 pm | #

I dont think Darius was misled but I do think he was in a tough spot. Either come back for your senior year and endure some seriously stiff competition at RB or take your career numbers and try the NFL. I dont think anyone expected him to get a serious look either by any team. As for Rhema, I agree...you cant drop the easy ones in big games (USC on primetime) and not get blacklisted.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:05 pm | #

I didn't mean to insinuate than the Miami pick made any kind of sense. Miami=Buffalo ca. 2006
indy | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:05 pm | #

Realist, do you spend your day going to other fan's sites and commenting? Pretty lame man.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:07 pm | #

Wow, Realist. Not everybody gets the chance to appoint himself spokesman for the entire 'outside world.' And on a sports blog no less!
24 Hour | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:47 pm | #

My question is this: Were there any other underclassmen that came out that did NOT get drafted?
sellario | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:51 pm | #

I'm a compleat retard.
Realist | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 7:54 pm | #

I'm sorry, but are multiple 1,000+ rushing years in a college career against a relatively strong schedule with a weak line and a pass heavy offense not enough to give somebody at least a late day 2 outlook? How did some of these other small school RBs get drafted first? I feel like i'm on crazy pills!
Irish4eva | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:01 pm | #

I cant understand the rationale behind Darius not getting drafted. Not only was he ND's 4th leading career rusher he was the career reception leader for a running back. Darius would be an excellent 3rd down back in the NFL. He can gain the short yards and catch passes. Last week there was a show on or a replay of draftees catching passes. Meachem caught 30 passes in 30 seconds, Olsen 28, Darius was 4th. Now there may have only been 4 I dont know, but Darius has good hands and runs with his head up all the time. I thought the 5th round at least. Im not surprised about McKnight, I thought he played way to laize faire. He was lucky to catch 15TD passes.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:16 pm | #

There's always Canada!!

I find it funny that everybody is calling Cam stupid/ignorant for not taking Quinn when the guy has a long sucessful track record developeing Bree's, Rivers, and a whole host of nfl qb's....Sorry but Realist is right.
tOSU is righteous | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:20 pm | #

Realist-

Yes, Weis isn't a genius. A REAL genius would have at least 5 Super Bowl rings, whereas Charlie only has a measley 4.

So he had a "blotched" play call. If you really knew what the hell you were talking about, if the Notre Dame players would have executed the fake punt against LSU properly, it wouldve worked because LSU wasn't expecting it at all.

Maybe you should know what your talking about, how about last year against Penn State when Charlie called a fake punt direct snap to Travis Thomas who picked up the 1st down.

How about you come back in a couple of years when Charlie has his first true full class (not a mediocre team that was inherited, and thus as history proved, turned into a National Championship contender) before you start mocking the offensive Genius, yes, i said genius, that is Charlie Weis
NDIrish | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:23 pm | #

Cam Cameron better be great now that he's giving the car keys to John Beck or Cleo Lemon! Culpepper is going to be out, and Trent Green is shell shocked. After Ginn's Lis Francs sprain ends up causing him to go on I.R. early in the season, old Cam's going to wish he could re-live 4/28/07 again. Plus, he may be lynched before the season even starts. They are pissed on South Beach.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:37 pm | #

Ironic that the Ravens called Quinn to let him know that they'd be drafting him, then the Browns called and traded for the earlier pick...

Then the Heisman Trophy Winner gets drafted by the Ravens 173rd? 174th?

So what they're saying is, given the choice between Quinn and that other guy, the Ravens wanted Quinn first. But they settled for the other guy. In the 5th round.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 8:48 pm | #

A couple of things about Darius.

No. 1, he didn't consult with Weis at all before hiring an agent and entering the draft. I don't know who was advising him regarding his draft status but I believe he was likely misinformed.

No. 2, having not requested Weis' assistance, I don't know if Charlie has/will make any phone calls on his behalf to get his foot in the door as he appears to have done last year for guys like Shelton, Hoyte, Mays and perhaps others.

No. 3, I forgot who Walker hired as an agent, but I believe he is the same guy that aggressively represents players like TO. Given that Darius was not high on anyone's draft board, is it possible that teams drafting in the later rounds opted to not negotiate with some hard ass agent for the services of a 6th or 7th rounder?

I can't help but think that Darius would have easily been a mid-round draft pick after having completed his senior season having set all of the ND rushing records (even if he did have to split time a la Brian Leonard).

One final thought, I know that Darius has some money from a confidential court settlement from some years ago, but it would have been much easier to have honored his promise to his mother by graduating while still on scholarship with ND or on the off season of a lucrative NFL career. Here's hoping that he still is able to prove his worth to some pro team in need. The Walker fiasco is much more troubling to me than what Brady Quinn has had to endure. Brady is still in charge of his financial future . . . much more so than Darius. Brady will land on his feet.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 9:46 pm | #

I agree with realist, we're both stupid.
tOSU is righteous | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:23 pm | #

Darius took a gamble and he lost. He won't sniff the NFL. He might be on a practice team, but that is about it.

Darius's career long run - even with all the games against also-rans - was 40 yards (20 yards less then Joey Goodspeed's career long). He doesnt have the ability to break a run and he isn't a short yardage guy. Where is there a need for such a runner on the next level?

I wish him well in whatever he does, but it isn't going to be be playing football.

As for ND, I said this in January and I still believe that his production won't be missed...in fact, I think the new RB's will actually take more pressure off the new QB's then DW would have. Just my opinion.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:34 pm | #

Realist,
Could it be that Weis worked with a 6th round draft choice named Brady and turned him into the QB that he is today, that could possibly qualify him as somewhat of an expert on QB play. That he feels that Quinn is farther ahead of Brady at this point because he has coached Quinn for two years doesnt mean something. I believe Charlie is every bit as qualified to predict how Quinn will do as anyone who covered the draft.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:37 pm | #

Red, you watched a different Darius than I did. He can get the short yard, but his value is as a pass receiver coming out of the backfield. You tell me he is no better than the back taken out of Hawaii in the 7th round?
Doug | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:41 pm | #

tOSU: Culpepper and Harringtom had plenty of time to be taught how to play the game by Cameron, but they didn't pan out great. Lots of experts believe Miami screwed up too, not just our biased mouths. They needed a franchise quarterback, and instead they took a gamble on a receiver with a lot of speed but an only decent college career. An unwise gamble, many would agree.

Realist: I think it's pretty optimistic to say that draft experts can't be wrong. How many teams passed on Tom Brady? Conversely, how overhyped was Ryan Leaf?
AS | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:47 pm | #

NFL.com link. Has a good str / weakness & combine section.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/drafttr...acker/school/ ND

The OL dings are not too surprising.

Morton's weaknesses = OUCH.

DW's & Rhema's 40's hurt.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:49 pm | #

Doug, you just said it... "his value is as a pass reciever out of the backfield."

Breakaway speed is more valuable then being able to catch a screen pass and Darius just doesnt have it.

I admit, I have never thought Darius was a great back and I really dont think he will be missed.

At all.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 10:53 pm | #

If getting a SB offense out of Givens, Branch and K. Faulk ain't genius, I don't know what is. Givens wasn't much at ND. Branch isn't much in Seattle. Faulk was mediocre (yaa-dage in Baaston).

I will say this, though CW did have the luxury of: 1) Tom Brady 2) Brutal defense (+ no-calls v. Indy) 3) Adam Vinatieri 4) BB as HCoach

CW = quasi-genius or quasi-super genius, you decide?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:06 pm | #

Or did Brady have the luxury of Charlie Weis?
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:08 pm | #

Lost Boy - Givens "wasn't much" at ND - only because he wasn't used correctly. I'll never be a scout, but you could always see the talent oozing.

Red Mahoney - our first guy picked on Saturday went as high as he did owing no one (but possibly the HC) more than Darius Walker.

This place (South Florida) is still going crazy over the Fin Madness/Meltdown of Saturday's draft. I have to admit, it was worth hearing that piece of s--- Jim Mandich first say on the air "well, this is one time we're all Notre Dame fans" then listen to him snort and snarl when the non-move was made.

Inside Dolphin 'thinking': Devin Hester comes from Palm Beach County, and was Rocket II in High School. He was very inconsistent at UM, and therefore considered a risky pick. I was stunned to see his level of play on Sunday; the Fins got lots of heat (unfairly) for not drafting the guy.

"I know Devin Hester. Mr Ginn, you're no Devin Hester."

Culpepper's statement on Friday doesn't bode well for the Fins, in effect saying he won't repeat laying it on the line and risking his career. Miami now has two QBs with loads of incentive to beat them.

Down here, you'd think that 1972 was 3 years ago. Don Shula was a great coach, but he also was boat tender for Noah. The Miami Dolphins have long been rotting from within - just what Wayne Huizenga deserves.

Go Irish

BTW - Aside from the Gator-mangled Ginn, did anyone else from his team get picked in the draft?
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:40 pm | #

Sorry for hogging but -- CH 10, Miami Sports is on - Jimmy Cefalo (former Fin, PSU grad) is asking the question on the air "What makes Dolphin fans think that Brady Quinn is better than John Beck? Cam Cameron knows more about QBs than anyone I know. I'm wondering why fans think Quinn is better than Beck. I don't know who the better QB is. But if you look at the numbers, Beckis better."

This place is God forsaken.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:49 pm | #

Stop. Brady would have put up the same stats without DW. Who knows, the threat of an RB going 20 on a play may have opened up some passes and made d's more honest.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.29.07 - 11:57 pm | #

@Bill H, their other WR Gonzalez was taken on the last pick of the first round, 'S Myth was taken in the 5th, Pittman and Pitcock were taken somewhere but I don't know where (and am too lazy to look it up).

I don't know if there were any others.
Craig | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:23 am | #

Wanted to let you know that I covered Jeff Samardzija's outing on Sunday for MinorLeagueDugout.com. I thought it was interesting how disinterested he was in the NFL draft. Hope you enjoy it.
Chuck King | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:38 am | #

I find it amazing that ND fans and trolls like to come to ND blogs and talk down about ND players that were so productive throughout their tenure.

Darius Walker had 3 very productive seasons at ND. He was on target to be ND's all time leading rusher. We're not talking about some punk ass MAC school. We are talking about the ALL TIME LEADING RUSHER at the UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME. He set numerous records at ND. At the NFL combine, he proved he had more spring in his step than ANY OTHER RB testing.

Rhema McKnight was ND's #1 WR for 3 seasons. Last season, he caught 15 TDs (something only 4 guys in all D1 college football could manage) and people want to complain about a few drops? If the drops were so bad, than how did he catch so many friggon TDs?

Seriously people, get your head out of your ass.

Both were excellent at ND. Not JUST good, but excellent. Ask Charlie Weis. I bet he says the same thing.

If you want to talk about how these guys aren't very good and how some other jackass from some other punk ass school was better . . . well go to ilikebeatingoffmylittletrojan.com and write it up there.

Neither of these guys had any off the field incidents. They have been great representatives for the University and they were exceptional football players at the Notre Dame.

I just can't accept that any 3 year starter and highly productive member of the ND football team is NOT good enough to play in the NFL. That's bullshit and more the influence of politics than God's honest truth.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:15 am | #

I agree with atepesm. Their production alone against strong competition should give them at least a look on the second day. Why did all these mid-major recievers/running backs go before them?
Irish4eva | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 4:54 am | #

I agree that Darius should have been drafted. Granted, he is no Reggie Bush, but put into the right situations he could be very successful. It's really a shame that he came out early and didn't go. Maybe the Colts or Patriots will pick him up in free agency.

Rhema, I can understand a little more. Yes, he had red-zone production with 15 TDs, but just think-- he could have had even more without all the drops. He didn't drop a "few balls" all season. He dropped a few balls @ USC alone, at least three. I think he has enough talent that he should have been drafted, but I can understand why he wasn't. If you're going to draft a receiver, you want one who can catch, right? This is no knock on the guy personally, but he hurt his own draft status with his lack of concentration on the easy catches.
Jake | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 7:34 am | #

Four players signed free-agent deals: Marcus Freeman (Baltimore), Rhema McKnight (New Orleans), and Chris Frome and Darius Walker (Chicago)
DJ | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 8:33 am | #

"Darius took a gamble and he lost. He won't sniff the NFL."

Instantly discredited.

Looking back on this draft, I can't help but wonder where the other preseason first round projections (Zibby and #83) would have faired. Thoughts?
me | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:10 am | #

• It was a perfect storm for Jamarcus. What other team in this draft would have taken him #1 overall? If the Raiders hadn't been picking first, Russell could have been the one "green-roomed" yesterday instead of Quinn.

Actually, Jay, Cleveland had Russel in their top 3 ahead of Quinn. The Browns told Quinn.

I only hope the Browns give Brady the surrounding talent to show everyone how great he really is.
irishru2 | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:15 am | #

Yeah, Savage even mentioned in his conference that they talked to Oakland about trading up to the first pick to take Russell. The way most of the "experts" were talking, it was clear that Russell was the consensus #1 QB in the draft.
DD | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:35 am | #

My comments will be discredited when Darius plays a down, which I dont think will happen.

Again, look at the career leader, Autrey Denson. He was a better RB then Darius and he played in about 30 games and was never a productive NFL back.

I think Samardzija would have been drafted in the mid rounds and Zibby would have signed a free agent contract.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:38 am | #

Darius was a very good college back who Just doesn't have the strength or speed to compete effectively in the NFL. His technique and work ethic are good, and he was very productive at Notre Dame, but the NFL is a league of corporeal outliers and backs don't survive there without exceptional physical gifts, in my opinion. That being said, anyone has to think a productive domer would be a good addition to the locker room even as a non-starter based on work ethic and attitude. On that basis I would have expected someone to give the kid a shot. Good luck D; you were humbled, now go show the league you deserve a roster spot somewhere. Hopefully someplace without a gauntlet machine.
indy | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:40 am | #

Lost Boy,

Your characterization of Jamal Lewis as a "drug-thug" is not factual. Go read John Feinstein's excellent book, "Next Man Up" for a good and truthful account of what Lewis was actually guilty of doing. As a 20 year old he called a friend from his cell phone to arrange for her to get some drugs for her use. He wasn't selling, he wasn't dealing and there are many indications that this woman was only involved as a government informant and set up looking to bust a larger drug ring in Atlanta. It is notable that while the actual crime (use of the cell phone, etc)was committed by Lewis at the age of 20, he was not charged or prosecuted until something like 4 years later after he ran for over 2,000 yards in a single season.

Was Lewis wrong to do what he did? Yes,but labeling him a "drug-thug" is not appropriate for what his actual crime was.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:47 am | #

Best comment on ESPN....It's a good thing Jamarcus can throw 60 yards on his knees...he'll have the opportunity to do that at Oakland.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:06 am | #

My thoughts...


JaMarcus Russell = Akili Smith

Incredible physical talent, one great year in a talented offense. Yes, Russell can throw the ball a mile, but so could Jeff George.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:31 am | #

irishru, I saw where the Browns told Quinn he wasn't in their top three, but I didn't see where they said Jamarcus Russell was. They could very well have had Johnson, Thomas, and Adams in the top 3.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:54 am | #

If I'm Darius, I'm disappointed that I didn't get drafted, but if pro fball doesn't work out, he can come back to ND, finish his degree (if he hasn't already) and then promptly REPLACE PAT HADEN on ND TV broadcasts in the fall.
Major Onions | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:58 am | #

I think Pat Haden is good for ND telecasts.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 11:27 am | #

I like Beck which is why I was sad to see him go to that snakepit of losers called the Dolphins. I was not sorry *at all* to see Brady avoid Miami and go the Browns. A much better situation IMHO. Brady could really rev up his career there and shut up the ND-haters.
Osvaldo Mandias | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 11:38 am | #

Darius Walker and Chris Frome Sign with the Bears as a UDFA.
Matt S. | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 11:52 am | #

tOSU is righteous, Ginn doesn't suck. Far from it. But even he was surprised to be picked by the Dolphins at number nine overall. As a matter of fact, he thought the Dolphins were going to pick Quinn.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:06 pm | #

For the crackpot that says Darius won't make the NFL because he's like Autry Denson . . . Well, that doesn't make any sense.

Autry was signed and paid for 5 years of NFL ball.

With a base salaries for those guys being what it is, I think that's not a bad job to take leaving ND.

Hopefully, Darius will be like Autry. I can think of a worse way for Darius to spend his next 5 years.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:16 pm | #

tOSU is righteous,
Do you write your posts from a public library in Columbus? I think I saw a video about it . . .
24 Hour | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:22 pm | #

I've never understood the whole "look at that arm strength! He can throw the ball 60 yards from his knees!" Who cares? If my QB is tossing the ball 60 yards from his knees in the NFL, that just means the DB has to run 60 yards further to score on the resulting interception. There are tons of QB's who had rocket arms coming into the draft that never did anything. Last I checked, Joe Montana, Theisman, and Tom Brady didn't exactly have the most cannon arms, but they were better quarterbacks than most.

Like someone else said, Teddy Ginn better average Hester-ish numbers next year or Cameron is going to look like an idiot.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:23 pm | #

Please ignore the OSU troll.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:39 pm | #

http://blog.uhnd.com/2006/notre-...ves-notre-dame/

This is how much the media loves you when the season is on.

Again, Charlie is a good footbaw coach... but not a genius. You can't lump him into Belicheckian genius level just because he was an assistant. PSU fake punt was unneeded at that stage since ND was totally owning PSU and they never had a chance. It had the look of better-than-thou. But against LSU, which is a faster Special Teams, the fake punt was totally unneeded.. and seemed to put a dent on players confidence. ND never recovered.

And all this talk about Weis made Tom Brady?! Baloney.. Tom Brady was a 25 game starter at Michigan and was instrumental in 2 bowl wins vs Arkansas and Alabama. The 'bama game saw Shaun Alexander run all over Michigan and they were trailing 28-14. Brady engineered an unbelievable comeback just like how he manages now and Michigan won the game in OT. Considering Tom Brady already had that "it" and Brady Quinn has not won any big games like this.. ( against MSU coached by Johnelle Smith? ) he does have a looooong way to go before being anointed as Peyton or Tom Brady...

And again, if Weis were a real genius he'd have Darius Walker drafted...
Realist | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:52 pm | #

I stand corrected on the issue of the Browns taking Jamarcus with the #1 overall. Based on a USA Today article, Phil Savage, GM of the Browns, confirmed they would have taken Jamarcus #1 overall as well.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:55 pm | #

Here's the article by the way.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/f...oom- cover_N.htm
Jay | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 12:58 pm | #

PSU fake punt was unneeded at that stage since ND was totally owning PSU and they never had a chance.

Tell that to JoePa. He thought Penn State was still in it, until the fake punt, and said so in the post-game presser.

And all this talk about Weis made Tom Brady?! Baloney.. Tom Brady was a 25 game starter at Michigan and was instrumental in 2 bowl wins vs Arkansas and Alabama.

Funny, Tom Brady seems to think that Weis made him.

Smarter trolls, please...
DJ | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:10 pm | #

If you read my post, I said Autry was a better college RB then Darius and he played in like 30 NFL games...his biggest contributions were returning kickoffs, something Darius doesnt have the speed to do.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:12 pm | #

"Realist",
I'm sure you're the guy all your drinking buddies refer to as 'the smart one.' I don't think you understand why people call other people 'geniuses.' If somebody never makes mistakes, they don't call him a genius, but a saint. You just can't isolate one or two bad calls and then 'argue' that the play caller is, or is not, a great one. Or even a good one. If you have an anti Notre Dame bias, that's fine. But you ought not to be dazzled by your own attempts at reasoning. Nobody here is. Now go away.
24 Hour | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:13 pm | #

Funny, Tom Brady seems to think that Weis made him.
--
If you give me an internet link, I'd be glad to correct my statement... My point is Tom Brady ALREADY had it and Weis honed his skills. The big question is whether BQ has it.. It will be an uphill battle for BQ.

An youtube search gave this link which has his TDs against the Bama game... He was NOT irrelevant at Michigan and was highly instrumental in their big games wins...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6bSzyfctieM

..

24 hour,
I am just a messenger, shoot me.. But do come out of your shell and anoint Charlie as genius after he wins big games and bowls.
Realist | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:23 pm | #

Knox,

I don't think Federal prosecutors press charges if Jamal was as innocent as you say. Pleading guilty means the prosecutor cut him a break (Raven's paid big $$$) and could have gotten something a lot bigger. Being on a "drug call" period is damning (dumbing?) enough.

Sir Real,

1) Brady wasn't even Brian Griese at UM. What are the W-L on that comparison? Weis helped TB. How much? Only TB and CW will know for sure. What is certain is that CW DIDN'T coach TB demeanor and clutch play. Being clutch can't be taught and TB is "clutch."
2) A 2 TD comeback against a low ranked opp? That NEVER happens to any other QB - LOL.
3) For a hater, you sure know alot about the Irish
4) I would rather be coached by CW in the pro's (unlimited time and film) than college (limited time). TB got the better end of CW coaching.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:26 pm | #

Realist, Tom Brady was a 6th round pick who professes the greatness of CW in being key to TB's rise to stardom. Jon Gruden was at ND 2 weeks back and commented on how impressed He was with BQ's ability to read and identify D's at the line of scrimmage. He found Quinn to be years ahead of the average QB coming out of college. Check the South Bend Tribune archives... sorry no links.

Does anyone know if Troy Smith was drafted??
Domer Dan | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 1:55 pm | #

McKnight signed with New Orleans? Damn. I don't want SkilletHands playing for my Saints!!!
senior | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:02 pm | #

Does anyone know if Troy Smith was drafted??

Yes, by Baltimore. Fourth or fifth round, I can't recall.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:17 pm | #

I will ask again....if Jamarcus is so good, how come he wasn't even in the Heisman running?
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:40 pm | #

"McKnight signed with New Orleans?"

Damn! The Saints got ND's leading TD receiver from last season. Oh the Humanity!

Will the moronic posters please take a long walk off a short pier. Nature is calling.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:48 pm | #

Are you not annointed a superstar if you can pass all over Notre Dame. Troy Smith won a Heisman for it. Jamarcus would have won it next year if he would have stayed. The only thing that I truly don't understand about all the knocks on Brady Quinn is that he couldn't win the big game. Please please please explain to me what a big game is? If your team is not ranked and beats a ranked team on the road is this not a big win. How about beating the second/third ranked team in the country on the road, once again not a big win. How about leading your team on the go ahead drive aganinst the number one team in the country, don't guess that matters either. Notre Dame was an underdog in every bowl game that Brady played in but he should have won the game anyway. How about the defense that let him down? I guess that doesn't count. How about all of the first round talent that he had on offense. Don't guess there was much of that was there. Hell hate BQ because he is good looking, a harder worker than you, the quarterback of Notre Dame, or a host of other reasons, but that he can't win the big game is complete and utter nonsense. In Notre Dame's last six losses the DEFENSE gave up at least 35 points in all of those games. Not Brady Quinn
Jerry | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 4:53 pm | #

Jerry - touche, very nice
NDIrish | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:10 pm | #

Great post Jerry. I never understood why when ND lost, it was the fault of one guy. As I seem to recall, Brady played a hell of a game against USC in 05 and did what he had to do to put the team in position to win. He wasn't on the field when the Trojans converted 4th and 9 or when they scored.

You think JaMarcus would have won against Michigan this year?
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:25 pm | #

Red,

JM Russell could run rings around Manningham.

JM Russell snaps the ball to himself, dodges the mini-Ditkas that beat God on the OL, get tripped by God's foot, put one hand down to prop HIMself up and fire a 120 yard strike to HIMself after faking out Forrest Gump and 10 other mini-Ditkas on the post.

JM Russell smokes the mini-Ditkas in every BIG game!

And Brady lost all of those small (hush) games single handedly. Poser!

MM-Bearssss (glug glug)
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:50 pm | #

We are really looking small-time here with the truly dumbass comments regarding Jamarcus Russell. There was no other choice in the draft close to the guy. Did he wear a blue and gold jersey in college? No. Was he outstanding, in every sense of the word? Unquestionably.

Last November, many were arguing on this blog that Notre Dame "could still play for a NC if..." That was obviously long gone, up in smoke on one very long afternoon versus another bluish and gold colored team.

The point is, we push our hearts into an area that we, and only we, call reality. We bought the pre-season hype last year, and never let go of it ...even after it was obvious that we were a decent team, but mere fodder for any top-10 team.

As for Jamarcus Russell --- wow! It's actually something like 64 yards that he can throw from his knees. And ..we seem to focus on that one fact -- not his countless other abilities(like a completion percentage of 70 percent -- another huge WOW!).

Brady Quinn - great kid, super qb, our QB. Second best QB in the draft, but decidely not the best. Due to most NFL teams having defensive needs, BQ got selected 22nd. If that possibility was suggested BEFORE the draft, what would the comments (myself included) here have been? The difference is: every team would have selected Jamarcus with their top pick. That's no knock on BQ - he's just in a draft class with a higher league player.

Speaking of that oft-repeated "60 yards on his knees" quote, another athlete was often compared to one statistic that professionals will tell you did more to mirepresent the guy's overall ability than everything else: "if he didn't hit home runs, he was nothing but a bum." Hmmm .. me thinks not. If he didn't hit home runs, he was the best pitcher in baseball - the best base stealer - the best fielder - the best hitter - - the best outfield arm -- the best ...well, get the point?

Give credit where credit is due -- no one here saw a better QB this past season than Jamarcus Russell (ok, maybe Peyton Manning). And, at least Jamarcus doesn't have a funny middle name like that baseball player - Herman.

Brady, make us proud, f--- the Dolphins, and win a few rings.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:30 am | #

hear hear.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:27 am | #

Lost Boy,

I never proclaimed that Lewis was innocent, I'm simply stating that your use of the phrase "drug-thug" with thug being defined as a vicious ruffian, according to my desk top dictionary, is simply out of line. Let me quote from Feinstein's book that I earlier referenced.

"In fact, the charges against Lewis did not allege that he had used drugs of any kind." "....the woman was named Michelle Smith and she had a rap sheet slightly longer than one of Yao Ming's arms. She had been in federal prison when she made a deal with the FBI to act as bait in a sting the agency wanted to run in Atlanta designed to catch college athletes who had taken money from sports agents while still in school. Smith was able to find no evidence that Lewis had taken money from any of the targeted agents, but she did glean that some of his boyhood friends ...were familiar with the drug scene in Atlanta (Lewis' home town, my note). After Smith had become "romantically" involved with Lewis-or so he thought- she asked him if he could help herget some drugs. He called a friend on his cell phone to set up a meeting for her. It was that phone call that made him, according to the prosecutors, an accomplice in a drug deal even though he never received any money and never purchased any drugs."

Why was Lewis charged? Again, quoting Feinstein, "...Lewis was a small piece in a massive case that was just now coming together (3.5 years after the phone call). Apparently prosecutors were afraid not to charge him for concern that if someone later came across Jamal's name in the files, which was entirely possible, and it came out that they (FBI) had him on a cell phone setting up a deal and never prosecuted him, that they'd (DA, FBI?) get nailed for NOT charging him."

Bottom line is that Lewis made a phone call for a woman he thought he was romantically involved with but instead was simply a government informant in a sting operation. Dumb? Absolutely but he isn't the first man or the last one to do something stupid in the heat of love or romance. Guilty? Certainly, he did make a phone call to get a girl some drugs and again, I never said he was innocent. I simply want to point out that Jamal Lewis isn't a "drug-thug" because of this one stupid incident. Your characterization would put him into a similar classification as other athletes who have been charged and convicted for carrying pounds and pounds of drugs while dealing out of their cars, homes, etc. I just don't thing you are being fair to Jamal Lewis.

Lastly, least someone here think I'm a Ravens or Browns fan (not) or a UT Vol fan (again no), I've only lived in Knoxville for a short time (did see the Irish defeat UT here in 2004)and hence have no loyalty to any of Lewis' former or current football team.
KnoxvilleIrish | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 9:39 pm | #