I felt that way on signing day 2004 and again on signing day 2005.

It's nice to have no senior leadership on offense.
The Butobi Brothers | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:00 pm | #

Totally agree. Looking at the schedule and going by how the first three games have gone, every game seems to be a tossup except SC. And by thye way:Can we please get a FG kicker from somewhere!
azjimbo | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:17 pm | #

Jay, Jay, come in Jay...

Pull back on the stick,

You are not alone.. repeat you are Not Alone. Do you read me Jay?
Gabby | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:33 pm | #

Early exit polling: "anxious" and "optimistic" both tied for the lead, with "uncertain", "cautious", and "worried" running 3-4-5. "Glum", "melancholy" and "flaccid" winning the style points category.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:43 pm | #

Jay--you are not alone. But I predict you will feel a lot better come early November. The Irish offense is about to open the floodgates and wash away the anxiety of the ND faithful. Purdue is in for a holy ass kicking and that will just be the beginning. The Weis Era is about to commence in earnest and Charlie knows it, that's why he's been so much calmer this year. He sees it in practice everyday and we only see glimmers here or there on Saturday. That will all change soon.
san diego irish | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:48 pm | #

I thought the first three games would tell us everything we need to know about this ND squad, but now I am changing it to the first four games.

If Purdue goes as planned, we'll know that this team is dramatically improved from last year. If they stumble, then we know that they are only marginally improved.

This game is extremely important to for the confidence in this team. They win, they roll. They lose, they stumble their way through the rest of the season.
Domer97 | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:57 pm | #

Wow, not a single person is "excited" for Notre Dame football. Come on. folks. Let's not get addicted to Prozak just yet.

Is anyone else having trouble viewing the picture?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 1:59 pm | #

You get out of the funk by playing to your strength and damn the worn out phrase of developing a running game to open up the pass.
Throw it to everybody eligible, do we have a tackle who can catch (even if he can’t run block). Thrwo the damn ball! Thanks now I feel better.
Sigh, if this CW pound the football strategy, I want off the bus.
Jay – The devils brew come this Saturday at 3:30 pm EST is the best mood breaker.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 2:00 pm | #

I totally agree, you shouldn't be this worried about Purdue, you should save such anxiety for ND's really big games against the likes of Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Salvation Army, Wellesly, etc...
Domey McDomer | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 2:31 pm | #

Eric04,

I think we have "tempered" excitement. A win last week would have gone a long way in building excitement and confidence for this week. Even a heartbreaking loss that we would have said that the kids just need to learn how to finish and win would have ramped up the excitement. I believe everyone is getting tired of Charlie's talk. Put up or shut up now. We want to see a dominant performance. With all of the athletes that we now have, playing games close to teams who arent as talented causes concern about coaching. I remember the Purdue game in 05 we toyed with them. I think we are waiting to see what this team and staff are capable of before we cut loose with any excitement. Dominate Purdue and Stanford and there will be excitement for North Carolina.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 2:44 pm | #

Jay, I feel your pain, but more so due to the economy's near collapse, consistent bad news regarding gasoline, oil, etc. Honestly, last Saturday I started watching the game like I always do. Fire up nervousness mixed with pacing.

When I realized they couldn't run, but saw the D was flying around making plays, I said to myself: "OK, let's go Irish. Let's just play some ball. Whatever happens, happens." I've adopted that mentality because that's how the players should approach games. If both the fans and the players are afraid of the outcome of every game, we're in trouble.

Let's stay positive people.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 2:57 pm | #

Just think about things this way...

If we win the Purdue game, we will tie our wins from last year!


After last year, its important to remember that things cannot possibly be as bad as last year.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 3:04 pm | #

I think after being in the stadium the first two weeks Felipe's hit the nail on the head. This constant negativity isn't going to solve anything. We can bitch, whine, and moan, but we could also do something else. Just cheer. Sometimes I think we forget why we root for ND. Maybe we should do a spreadsheet on that, what's one word that describes why you're a fan of the Irish.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 3:12 pm | #

Mark, touching on the negativity angle, I totally agree. Let's leave the bashing to the pundits and talking heads.

I'll share a recent email I sent to Pat Forde of ESPN (still waiting for a reply. After the Michigan game he bashed the Irish and fans saying we shouldn't think the victory meant we were back to "glory". Were any of us thinking that??

Here's the email. Sorry, it's a bit long:

I want to congratulate you for your continued success as a Notre Dame / Weis basher. I read your column weekly, often times your sense of humor and writing style are right up my alley. However, I've noticed you've taken a drastic step towards outing your hatred toward the Irish. Trust me, they're easy to hate, successful for so long, a fine university, TV deal, sucked last year, etc.

I'm a lifer for the Irish and have accepted our program's futility as something that will pass. But even after they won two games (how they won is irrelevant when you're coming off 3-9), you and other ESPN "personalities" couldn't wait to critique a W! Do you get a weekly bonus per "bash" copy that you write about Notre Dame? It just seems too easy. What you wrote after the Michigan game is Exhibit A. Did you go to the game? Or just covered it from your couch? That stadium hasn't been that loud since USC in '05.

On another note, do you and Willingham have some sort of deal? You're like his Johnny Cochran! Willingham should be a GM or Athletic Director, not a coach. I wanted him to succeed so badly at ND, but he just couldn't cut it. Weis, well, I have my reservations about him too, but he bleeds blue and gold and works tirelessly. Ty was never a good fit.

Time will tell what happens to Weis, but c'mon Mr. Forde, think about the athletes. Talking heads constantly berating a coach and a solid program is not cool.


P.S. Four days after the MSU game, you're likely the only person still talking about that laptop.

Cordially,

Felipe
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 3:24 pm | #

Felipe,

Nice letter. And be happy that Forde hasn't bothered to respond. When I tried to point out to him that his facts were incorrect with respect to an article he wrote some time ago implying ND was racist for firing Ty, he essentially responded that I must be a racist if I couldn't see his point of view. From that point on, I have never read a word he wrote. And I am not holding my breath for a retraction from all those other "journalists" that have implied the same dreck now that Ty has divebombed at Washington.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 3:40 pm | #

Yeah, I remember Forde and Saunders playing the race card like their lifeline back then.

The sad reality is ESPN is the only sports channel worth watching, but at the same time it's as haphazard and self-serving as MTV.

I wonder what they would all say if ND were in the SEC. Probably that "ND lacks the athletes." What does that mean? Black football players? C'mon!

Anyone know of any non-athletic football players?
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 4:08 pm | #

I'm aprehensive as well. It all centers on the O-Line. We have made progress. Got rid of Minter, added Tenuta and are recruiting well. I just get the feeling we aren't getting the most out of the talent on offense. I think the defense is there and will continue to improve. Skill players are as good as we have seen (speed) in quite a while.

On a separate note, this race thing is out of hand. Willingham is a poor coach plain and simple. He can not recruit, which is essential for success. If someone wants to give him a pass or more slack because of race, they are more harmful than helpful.

NOTE TO OC mj: Do not hold your breath waiting for a retraction, that would require character.
Jimm | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 4:11 pm | #

As for the state of ND football, consider that the situation of last year was far worse than thought. ND was true freshman or JV team, competing against good D1 programs. This year we are sophomore team emerging from a JV capability.

When critiquing the actions of coaches keep in mind the enormous task they are attempting to deal with as for the players, consider their experience level.

The damage wreaked by Malloy, Kevin White, Ty et al. was considerable, bordering upon the disastrous. It is a situation eerily similar to the result of the ‘death penalty’ imposed on SMU by the NCAA. Years later, they have not recovered. Malloy and White imposed their own ‘death penalty’ on ND football, but I am confident CW will be able to resurrect the program.
Peter | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 4:40 pm | #

I chose nonplussed, a state of utter perplexity.

I don't know what to think yet.
Kris | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 5:07 pm | #

Restless would be a good one...
bs0ng | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 5:40 pm | #

I am with Kris. My heart wants to say everything will be fine but my head says this program is in serious trouble.

The OL is not young anymore; they have been under Weis' tutelage for 3 years and they stink. If CW can't produce a competent OL, then how will the program be able to beat top teams?

I hope my pessism is proven wrong.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 5:54 pm | #

Here's one reason to be optimistic: the National Weather Service is predicting hurricane Annello is heading straight for West Lafayette. It may still change course and hit Lafayette, however.

I don't care if we win or lose, since I'll be a punchy mick at the rusty skupper regardless. I just want to see Mike come crashing through the Purdue return team like a sausage fork skewers beer brats.

Speaking of Beer Brats, I personally have to say I think it's more than a bit puritanical to kick a kid off the football team for drinking beer. I understand there's laws against that and whatnot, and there were potentially issues with resisting arrest or whatever, but I am not going to be a hypocrite and sit here and say I didn't do far worse as an undergrad. I feel very sorry for Will and I hope his situation gets sorted out without a lot of high-handed a-holes making an example out of him. This is not homerism, it's humanism. This kind of behavior is tolerated every day with a wink and a nod and I personally think that should be acknowledged, even if it is not possible for him to continue as a starter.
indy | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 6:16 pm | #

Red Mahoney-the o-line has been together for 2 years. Although they are juniors most do not have significantplaying time beyond last year.

Has anyone seen ESPN today? They have Shak Evans as a USC verbal. Those morons. Can't we get any accuracy from them?
Joey | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 6:56 pm | #

He is a USC verbal but is considered a soft verbal.
jason | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 9:02 pm | #

I agree with Kris, I have no idea what to think. I see signs of certain players getting better, but the run offense is baffling. The bottom line is that the Irish (an all teams) are only as good as their guys in the trenches. Let's hope that we see some improvement,
www.southbendblarney.com | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 9:14 pm | #

Indy, the difference between what you did and what Yeatman did is that you were given a free ride to Notre Dame. Besides, it isnt his first incident. This shows a serious charachter flaw.

As for the OL, they are a disaster - there is no arguing that. I have seen little in three games to make me think they will give ND a chance. Again - and I can't emphasize this enough - I hope they prove me wrong by blowing everyone away from here on out and opening up chasms for the RBs. I just have no confidence that it will happen. I feek like the best I can hope for is that they dont allow Clausen to get killed.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 9:53 pm | #

...you might want to turn on the USC-OSU game to see what quick/fast tailbacks look like...and for all of you "real ND fans", e.g., "...hey didn't I see you coming out of Sorin in 1982?"...our tailbacks are still a step slow and show little talent...no matter if they did gain yardage against Stanford...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 10:01 pm | #

...that's quick and fast for Oregon State (14-0)...has SC been on the field offensively yet??...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 10:04 pm | #

I didn't want to post about the USC game because I didnt want to jinx the Beavers, but damn...c'mon OSU.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 10:22 pm | #

GO BEAVERS
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 10:34 pm | #

..."This shows a serious charachter [sic] flaw."...

...yeah, RedM...I didn't get invited to any college parties either...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 10:54 pm | #

I feel ya Red. I'm just sayin' that this Irishman is definitely in no position to cast stones. My heart goes out to the kid, even though I respect consequences and in the long run he may be better off learning them. Wish I'd had that attitude 20 years ago. Yikes, has it been that long?
indy | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 11:14 pm | #

I put down "disenchanted". I hope that turns in enchanted at season's end but realistically I do not think so. Actually, I expected 2008 team's performance to be occuring in 2007. Last year, I thought this year's team would be similar to 2005 and 2006 teams and 2010 be in the vying for the NC. This is why I am disenchanted. I guess that now I expect mediocrity and I hate to say that.
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.26.08 - 2:50 am | #

I just looked at the moods. I have to get out my dictionary for a few of the words. Jeez. I noticed a few put down blue. I guess they do not feel the gold also.
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.26.08 - 2:55 am | #

every game is critical, but a loss to purdue would be a disaster. you might be able to explain away MSU, but you cant explain away MSU and purdue back to back. i think charlie needs to finish 9-3 to have any credibility.
jose | Email | Homepage | 09.26.08 - 7:35 am | #