Lionel Hutz, your new agent, unauthorized biographer and drug dealer..., er keeper awayer.
ND Alum | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 12:09 pm | #

If he does have to set out part of the season, why not sit for the whole season. And have him medical redshirt.
wha' happened? | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 12:16 pm | #

I think it's more interesting to note that Kerry Wood's 14-year-old brother lives in Florida.
PaddyTheGreek | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 12:46 pm | #

I obviously have no clue with this kid, but I've heard that it's becoming popular for young kids to fake injuries so that they can undergo the Tommy John procedure. There are rumors/theories that the surgery actually increases the individual's velocity.
Drew | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 12:50 pm | #

It's true. Thomas Ian Nicholas had his elbow done when he was thirteen and was throwing somewhere in the 90s, they made a movie about it.
fred | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 1:03 pm | #

I had John surgery done awhile ago. At least that's what I'm calling bathroom renovations since it's about as expensive as the Tommy John deal.
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 2:23 pm | #

I need to get Tommy Lee surgery.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 2:43 pm | #

How do you fake an injury convincingly enough to necessitate Tommy John surgery? Those MRI machines these doctors rely on when making decisions on appropriate treatment are, well, pretty good.
Gnarls Woodson | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 3:16 pm | #

Tommy Lee Jones surgery?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:02 pm | #

1) Dr. Andrews, while an outstanding surgeon, does not personally perform the vast majority of surgeries his practice schedules. He has many partners. In fact, some Orthopeadic surgeons say that his hands are not as skillful as they once were. It may well be jealousy on their part, but that's just what I hear.

2) Not very many athletes at Notre Dame get their surgeries performed outside of the program. For Clausen to choose Andrews over team docs Yergler and Bankoff is slightly risky for a couple of reasons.
-Surgeons have egos. Yergler, et
al are probably mad and embarrassed that Clausen chose another group. I would not be surprised if there isn't palpable tension/animosity toward him in the future. For a star to go outside for surgery is perceived as a public slap in the face. The doctors will take it as a "no confidence" vote, and some within the system will start the "Clausen is a prima donna" rumor.
Also, since he can't go to Alabama for every little Ortho check up he'll ever get, he may not get the best of care since I believe that a long term resentment may have been initiated. Doctors are human, too.

If Clausen isn't the Freshman QB who went to Dr. Andrews, then, as Gilda Radner used to say, "Never mind!"
Incognito | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:19 pm | #

Dude, I could prolly fake an MRI . . .
Gnarls Willingham | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:27 pm | #

You are correct.. Dr. Lyle Cain and Dr. Dugas are the men in the practice... Dr. Cain did the procedure.
phil | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:32 pm | #

The only person who can fake an MRI is Jamarcus Russell.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:33 pm | #

Oh, Jesus, if Clausen goes to Dr. Andrews because he has an immense reputation, then Yergler and Bankoff will just have to suck it up. What are they going to do, misdiagnose an MCL just because they got their feelings hurt?
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 4:43 pm | #

Doctors are human. Doctors are professional, too, and doctors often refer patients to other doctors for specific types of treatment. In fact, I know of other players on the football team and other ND sports teams have recieved treatment outside of Indiana.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 5:22 pm | #

Hey guys- quick comments from a real live human doctor. Yeah we have egos but we realize when certain practitioners are capable of things beyond our area of expertise. Believe it or not we like the best outcome for patients. if I'm in clinic and don't quite know what's going on with a patient, I'll ask my colleage to come over and give a little guidance. We like seeing people get better- period.

Back in the day, my brother was a stud athlete and had his elbow done by the famed Doc Andrews. He essentially did what nobody else could and "scuff" up the olecranon bursa so as to allow it to generate new cartilage. It was amazing and truly revolutionary. he is an elbow specialist and does MANY of them. I would go to his group, but not him, were I to injure a rotator cuff or blow out my knee or some other non-elbow body part b/c he recruits other innovative surgeons. Really think that the ND-group orthopods are gonna be pissed or in any way dumb down their care towards one of ND's up and coming superstars? Get real. And no, you can't fake an MRI :)
docDOMER | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 6:00 pm | #

did anyone else notice at the bottom of the article that 2 of his celebrity patients are:

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior!

sorry, but I suddenly got a bad case of the dreads...
maximumNDfan | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 6:21 pm | #

Voice in the Wilderness: vintage. Maybe you were the one that said Russel would just stare at his elbow, will his arm to fall off, and in it's place watch a newer, healthier one grow.

I think Russell performed the off-season surgery on Clausen. He felt guilty for almost derailing the last ND QB's career, so he went to the library, read a pamphlet on how to use a scalpel and a staple gun, and made Clausen as good as new.

Jamarcus Russell faked an MRI... hilarious.
Carl | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 7:12 pm | #

I also heard that he performed the surgery while on his knees.

Because, I don't know if you all heard, but he is a big guy. Shocking, I know.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 8:04 pm | #

Agreed with docDOMER. In no way will he get worse care from the South Bend docs simply because he had it worked on by a different more prestigeous surgeon from far far away. I'm no doc yet (med student), but based on the procedure he probably had, JC should be just fine.
Keenan | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 9:17 pm | #

Carl,
Nate was the man who cracked us up with the remark about Russell re-generating his own elbow. I don't have as good a grasp on Jamarcus' super powers as some other guys. But when I see an opening I still like to remind everyone of his uncanny abilities, and then, invariably, funnier comments supersede my own. And I love it!
-Voice
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 9:20 pm | #

Jamarcus Russell doesn't need to fake an MRI - it's really the MRI that's already trying to copy Russell's superior vision. Didn't you know that he can read the defense even before the coin flip?
Alces | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 9:32 pm | #

Thanks for the credit, Voice. However, I've got to come clean--JaMarcus Russell writes all my jokes for me.

Regarding his surgery prowess, however, he did learn to perform Tommy John surgery by breaking his own limbs and performing surgery on himself, just to see what would happen. Russell, in fact, invented the procedure as a 4 year old. And to the poster that mentioned Tommy Lee surgery....JaMarcus doesn't need that--he's a big man, you know.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 10:26 pm | #

Oh, I forgot--in his spare time, JaMarcus does reconstructive surgery for wounded veterans and breast augmentations for needy coeds. He's a real humanitarian.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 10:33 pm | #

Wow, okay--serious note here. Terry Hoeppner, IU football coach, died. Prayers to his family and the IU team. Like or hate IU, you've got to respect Hoepnerr--he'd have surgery on his brain tumor, then be back coaching the next week.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.19.07 - 10:36 pm | #

God bless coach Hoeppner.

Not to ruin the party, but some some tape of JR on a major sports network -- he looks a lot bigger on Oakland's practice field than he did against us. Scary.

The irony is a god having the initials 'JR.'

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 12:38 am | #

Duh --- just figured that one.
A God - initials JR. Don't we study about a kid being part of the 'Big Three' of Dei-archy? And, He will return? So, the 'JR' part seems to fit. Plus, if he follows his first visit, he won't be of the majority, but probably of a very persecuted group. Hmmmmmm.

Then again, no Irish fan doubted for a moment that they were watching the Second Coming in New Orleans a few months back.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 12:43 am | #

As far as doctors feeling slighted...

I had a particularly viscious shoulder injury back when I played ball, and went to Yergler and Bankoff. They recommended me down to the Indianapolis Colts shoulder specialist because they couldn't/didn't want to do the surgery. No big deal.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 8:14 am | #

P.S. While even the guy down in Indy didn't want to attempt the surgery, JaMarcus Russell recently laid his hands on my shoulder and healed it with the power of the Almighty Him(self).
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 8:15 am | #

The reason Jamarcus can throw the ball 200 yards when on his knees is because his own "Tommy Lee" actually assists by giving him the stabilizing effect of a tri-pod. Since the Raiders are pretty sure that he will probably throw from his knees quite often this season, they have commisioned Reebok to create a third cleat for Jamarcus. It is rumored that the sole of that new shoe will have the same diameter as an extra large Bruno's pizza.

(How am I doing, Nate?)
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 9:15 am | #

Bill H., what the hell are you talking about? Lay off the booze, dude.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 10:43 am | #

Mmmmmm.....


Bruno's pizza!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 11:39 am | #

All this means....you never know....you can never have too many QBs...and the 4th guy down the line could very well be the guy who is playing four years from now.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 11:40 am | #

One of the funniest threads I've ever read.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 12:06 pm | #

JR can often be seen scaling walls and crushing ice. He has been known to remodel train stations on his lunch, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. He translates ethnic slurs for refugees, writes award-winning operas, and manages time efficiently. Occasionally, he treads water for three days in a row.

Jamarcus woos women with sensuous and godlike trombone playing, can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed and cooks five-minute microwave meals in two minutes. He is an expert in lego, a veteran in love and an outlaw in Peru.

Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, JR once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. He plays bluegrass cello, was scouted by the Royal Ballet and is the subject of numerous documentaries. When he’s bored, I build large suspension bridges in my back garden. Jamarcus enjoys urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after practice, he repairs electrical appliances free of charge.

He is an abstract artist, a concrete analyst and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over his original line of corduroy evening wear. He doesn’t perspire. Last summer he toured Hampshire with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration and his deft floral arrangements have earned him fame in international botany circles. Children trust him.

He can throw tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. He once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. He knows the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. JR has performed several covert operations for MI5. He sleeps once a week and when he does sleep, he sleeps in a chair. The laws of physics do not apply to him.

He balances, he weaves, he dodges, he frolics and his bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, he participates in full-contact origami. Years ago he discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. He has made extraordinary four course meals using only muesli and a toaster. He breeds prizewinning clams. He has won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving championships in Sri Lanka, and spelling competitions at the Kremlin. He has played Hamlet, has performed open-heart (and apparently elbow) surgery and has spoken with Elvis. Jamarcus can throw a football 200 yards on his knees.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 12:14 pm | #

And . . . we're done. Bravo, Chris!!
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 1:31 pm | #

Chris,

Dig the Hugh Gallagher reference!
TwelveHawks | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 2:12 pm | #

That was quite impressive. I myself thought of writing something similarly ridiculous earlier in the day, but I simply don't have that kind of attention span.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 2:21 pm | #

DCDomer - bad time of the month for you? I thought you learned your lesson a few weeks back. My post is called "basic declarative" with regards to writing style (easily interpreted by anyone with an ND-level education). I'm beginning to really believe that you ARE located somewhere near the Potomac - your droppings here do smack of that subset which Big Willy suggested we 'rid' ourselves of.*

Go Irish

* DC - everyone else here picked up the reference; check 'bard', 'Avon', 'Stratford (not CT). 3:2 odds on your figuring it out before the Navy game.
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 2:40 pm | #

Either do I, actually. *Supposedly* that was some college students application essay. I just changed it so it was about our Superhero-esque amigo Jamarcus.

It's funnier when I don't tell people that.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 2:40 pm | #

And now at long last can we please put this JR joke to bed once and for all? It was funny there for a few, um, months there fellas, but sheesh.
Tired | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 2:43 pm | #

Sorry, Tired. I asked, and JaMarcus says "no".

Oh, and Voice. JaMarcus is proud of you.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 3:06 pm | #

I agree with Tired.

Russell is in the NFL and, with the arrival of the freshman, it's officially (by BGS standards) the 2007 season.

Let's move on to new territory.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 3:21 pm | #

I GUESS I have to agree with Pat.

But man, it really has been a kind of fun I have not had with an ND-opposing player in quite some time. That must be admitted.



Now we just need some CRAZY position-changing, depth-chart leap-frogging rumors to turn the focus back fully to ND football and the 2007 season!
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 3:35 pm | #

we just got a committment from blanton
bcnd | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 3:53 pm | #

Clausen had been seen in Indianapolis for his elbow 2-3 weeks prior to the press release about him having a procedure on his elbow. While I don't know who the doc was who performed the actual procedure, it's likely it was done in Indy and not by Dr. Andrews.
NDalum | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 3:58 pm | #

speaking of Butler- anybody notice his SAT retake grade of 810 (on the 1600 scale). I'm glad we got him, but damn, thats the 15th percentile...

But it sounds like a good pickup, regardless.
Keenan | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 5:13 pm | #

Bill H.,

Lovely to hear from you, as always. Just this once, I'll sink to your level and see just how condescending I can be.

I did learn a lesson a few weeks back: that you're a sad, lonely individual. Everytime you post here, you prove it a little more.

All your posts are routinely (including your last two) the most condescending here. Previous posts also make awkward and out of place references to religion or invoke some moral authority for your position--claiming that God is on your side, or that you have a special connection or insight that others lack.

This sort of egocentricity, arrogance, and self-righteosness in a forum catering to anonymity is most likely a result of a feeling of helplessness, impotence, and utter unimportance in real life.

Your frequent claims to be smarter than everyone else and references to your ND education reveal that your entire sense of self-worth is tied to your belief that you are smarter than everyone else. That you "get it" and others don't. You tell yourself that you are "smarter" than everyone else because it is a subjective standard; people who say you are not smarter, in your opinion, are simply dumb, and don't "get it."

You rely on this subjective standard for measuring your self-worth because using an objective standard would be devastating to your ego: you are likely unattractive, unathletic, friendless, and poor (some standards by which success or failure is determined in our culture).

Thus, you come to a forum where those objective standards don't matter. People here don't know you for who you are, they know you for who you claim to be, and you claim to be the smartest guy in the room. When someone challenges your claim to being the smartest or to having a special insight, you lash out. You do this because that sense of being the smartest person is literally all that keeps you going. Someone who challenges you unwittingly challenges your entire sense of self-worth.

Where people know you and know who you are, you don't matter.

I've said all I care to on this matter. I enjoy this blog, so I'm sorry to muddy it with this nonsense, but you seem to be asking for it.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 5:47 pm | #

"Now we just need some CRAZY position-changing, depth-chart leap-frogging rumors to turn the focus back fully to ND football and the 2007 season!"

...I heard that John Carlson will split time at TE and free safety, in addition to punting and returning kicks.

...of course, I heard it from Jamarcus Russell's elbow...
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 6:29 pm | #

Wow....sh** just got real....
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 6:32 pm | #

Keenan,

And this quote "I'm one of a kind…the best way I can be better, is to be better than myself. I'm great at reading and running the pass. I have a great reaction to running and passing. I don't let anything get by me. I don't know any weaknesses I have. I guess I want to work on my strength and speed for the next level."

yikes
ND Alum | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 6:43 pm | #

Ok guys, knock if off.

Chris, you get bonus points for the Hot Fuzz reference.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 6:56 pm | #

I hope that Blanton works out well, I almost dont expect him to make it to letter of intent day. My son saw him last year against Independence and he got burned regularly. I am going to have to talk to my son and see what he has to say, he also coaches football in NC and was a four year starter at Butler. Good program, very good coaching. Jamar Adams at Michigan played at Butler so they can produce some good dbs.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 7:23 pm | #

Doug - Blanton was 1st Team All-State at cornerback last year, so I'm guessing he did something right. Michigan offered him even before his junior year.

Personally, I think this guy is one of the very top recruits in this class so far. And I'd be shocked if he didn't wind up signing with ND. He's been a heavy ND lean for awhile now.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 8:09 pm | #

I'm glad you caught that Pat.

Awesome movie.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 8:18 pm | #

Sorry I can't find a link, but I was driving through Cleveland today and Quinn was interviewed about various topics - generally favorably, but with a rather sharp undertone that came out when the personality suggested if he had gone to OSU they would have taught him to tie his shoes properly. I can only hope his debut in the Orange and Brown is a productive one, whenever it comes, as it looks to me like the locals will be ready to pull the steak knives on short notice should he not live up to expectations. Good Luck, BQ.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 8:48 pm | #

It's amazing how parents allow there kids to pushed by these so called coaches. It' my understanding a kid shoukd not being trying to throw a curve or sinker until well into highschool. Yet you see them being taught and encouraged in grda and middle school. Turns out the only ones who end up needing the surgery are the ones who might have had a future.
HBV | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 9:20 pm | #

John Carlson is the new JR. That way, it's "relevant" to this season, and Pat can rest easy.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 9:32 pm | #

Pat, I am just telling you what my son saw with his own eyes. He played a D1 wideout at Independence and was burned regularly. I am not saying this kid doesnt have some talent, but a lot of kids look good, being All-state in NC is a political thing, my son was All-state as a junior too, and Michigan probably offered him out of camp. My son saw him three times last year and was not overly impressed and he told me that last year. I hope this kid is the real deal, and I believe Charlie,Corwin and Bill Lewis know what they see, I hope he is what they see.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 10:01 pm | #

Thanks for the update Doug. I do agree that some awards are a bit political. Hopefully Blanton's was more on merit. He received plenty of praise at some of the combines he attended this spring so hopefully he's still improving.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.20.07 - 11:23 pm | #

especially on the SATs.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 12:50 am | #

Bill and DC

Hey, aren't we all for the same team? Isn't football just a game? Why don't we work on building bridges instead of tearing each other apart? Didn't Lincoln say something about a house divided against itself.

I would suggest both of you reading and applying the book, "Non Violent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg. It has helped me and can help everyone communicate better. It is okay to disagree but do it in a respectful way. I would rather hear about Jamarcus than tearing others apart. Let's save our vengefulness for USC game.
GB | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 2:50 am | #

Why can't we all just get along?



In lieu of that, I suggest a stirring round of rochambeau.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 8:15 am | #

My mother would have made you guys shake hands and say you're sorry. That's how fights between my brother and I ended when we were kids.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 8:48 am | #

It's nice to see that Blanton is 6'1". So many offenses have just been able to throw over the top of our small corners for the past decade.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 10:20 am | #

Yeah, we've gotten some bigger guys lately at CB. Walls and McNeil are both around 6' - 6'1", and Gary Gray isn't that small at around 5'11" or so. That's quite the improvement from the days when we had 5'9" guys like Clifford Jefferson.

It may not seem like much of a difference, but 4 inches is a lot of room in terms of coverage and jump balls. Ofcourse, you still have to be able to move, keep your hips low, and get after the ball.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 11:32 am | #

Doug,

To be fair Charlotte Indy's WR's run past a lot of players - including D1 talent on a regular basis.
GamecockTony | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 12:49 pm | #

Doug,

Its also noteworthy that Blanton is still only a junior. Was this D1 wideout older and more experienced than him? Also curious what year Blanton was in when he played against this guy. The way I've heard it is the difference in Blanton from Soph. to Jr. year is night and day, so its something else to consider.
Carl | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 4:11 pm | #

This was last year, twice. Once in the regular season and then in the playoffs. I hope Blanton can back his words. What does that have to do with anything GamecockTony, he will be playing D1 talent for the four years after he graduates. I know that he looks good in combines and looks good on film against the lesser talent kids, I would hope that he does. I spent quite a few years around Charlotte football, and especially Butler, as I said earlier my son was a four year starter there and played under Mike Newsome. He has no reason to be negative about the kid, he was giving me his honest evaluation. I hope he is the real deal, I also hope that he can do the academic work that will be required of him.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 06.21.07 - 11:39 pm | #

Jesus, give it up, Doug.

Let Weis, the assistant coaches, and the profs worry about Blanton. Nobody cares what your son thinks of him and his ability to cover corners from famed Butler.

If he's good enough for Weis, he's good enough for me.
Come on | Email | Homepage | 06.22.07 - 3:14 pm | #

Come on, what an idiot.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 06.22.07 - 7:33 pm | #