Elegant combination of communication and technology on that kickoff map, you guys.Yet another reason this blog "goes to eleven."

By the way, since ND's fake fieldgoal touchdown against Purdue was due in large part to Purdue's easily exploitable unbalanced defense, does anyone know if another Purdue opponent was able to repeat ND's trick later on, or did ol' Brimley learn his lesson.

Oatmeal. Diabeetuss. Purdue.
Alces | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 5:40 pm | #

Pat,

Nice 'Simple Minds' reference in your title.

My hunch is Charlie will be punting more, and relying on Corwin's defense, because he has no confidence in his kickers (the job is Brandon Walker's to lose) and the offense is too green to try so many fourth down conversions as last year.

I'm intrigued with our first game against GA Tech because their O-Line and D-Line are rated high and are experienced. It will be a real test for our lines and a good barometer of how we are in the trenches for the whole season.
Andy | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 5:42 pm | #

Pat,
What is the story with the walk-on kicker from Indy by the name of Ramba, Tamba, Lamba or something like that? Does he have to play soccer first prior to becoming a walk-on with the football team?
Pasadena Domer | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 6:17 pm | #

Great post. I'd feel much better going into this season if we had good ole' Reggie Ho on the roster.

I'm guessing Charlie still goes for it a lot on 4th down, although perhaps not as often as last year. I think it's part of his fundamental coaching philosphy to be agressive on 4th and short/medium (especially on the opponents side of the 50) and I don't expect that to change just because we're green on offense.
jeremy | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 7:07 pm | #

I'm a bit nervous about the whole coaching staff working on special teams. Reminds me of that theory that the more people who are at a scene of an accident, the less likely someone is going to take responsibility to help...

On a positive note, these young "athletes" Weis has been recruiting should do a great job on special teams while working their ways into the offense and defense.
me | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 8:10 pm | #

Punting game? Good.

Kicking game? Bad.

The second isn't a good sign for a team that many expect to be in several close games.
David | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 8:11 pm | #

The walk on you are thinking of is a guy by the name of Tamba Samba (he lives in my dorm). I am currently uncertain about his plans to pursue football along with soccer, but from what he's told me he used to be pretty good at kicking field goals.
TheGriffin | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 9:08 pm | #

BEST USE OF GOOGLE MAPS EVER
biggity | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 9:40 pm | #

I've heard quotes from some people in the program (via a student manager that lives down the hall from me) that Armando Allen "will return multiple kicks for touchdowns this year." I heard it second hand (but from a reliable source), so take it FWIW.

Tamba Samba might also have the best name ever.
Tony | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 9:57 pm | #

Just wanted to bring it to people's attention that Kerri Hanks (from the women's soccer team) is nominated for an ESPY. Fan voting counts for part of the final tally, so take a minute to vote:
http://espn.go.com/espy2007/inde...dex.html#/vote/
Colleen | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 10:30 pm | #

"the Irish special teams units aren't much more than an afterthought....
.. Games will be closer and the ability to make up for special teams mistakes will be much smaller"

Afterthought? Verrrrrrrrry interesting comment. As for special teams 'mistakes,' that's something that no one had better give a thought to happening this year.

STs are the single most powerful tool for a team to employ in order to turn around. After our dropoff on STs (and OL)last year, we can all expect a very potent ST effort this year. That, historically, has been our legacy.

The 'ST-by-committee' is a bit unnerving, though. Quite a bit.
Then again, that's just my ugly, unathletic, censor-deserving opinion.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 11:23 pm | #

The Simple Minds reference reminds me of a beautiful, though not very intelligent, girl that I dated in high school who thought the song's lyrics were "I like fried chicken." She attributed her 11 ACT score (I kid you not) on the fact that it was so cold in her school on the day she took the test that she had to keep her mittens on. Apparently, its quite difficult to fill in those little black circles while wearing gloves . . . . Did I mention she was really cute?
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 06.26.07 - 11:25 pm | #

Bill H,

I have been outspoken that ST coaching by committee shows little confidence in Polian.

K-Return coverage was horrible and ND FG kicking was a disaster.

If it doesn't turn around CW will need to "Minter-ize" Polian.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 8:20 am | #

1)Ah yes, oatmeal and diabeetuss. Love the comment.


2) Para Samba ti?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 8:29 am | #

Has Kerri Hanks ever attempted a field goal?
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 9:07 am | #

Fighting Binny -

Not a bad question...
Chris | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 9:16 am | #

Bill H - I meant "afterthought" in terms of the attention given by fans. Everyone is constantly talking about the new QB and Corwin Brown's new defense. There doesn't seem to be much discussion about special teams.

It's a certainty that special teams aren't an afterthought with the coaching staff. Some fans might be worried about a "too many cooks in the kitchen" approach, but I think forcing every coach to have input is mainly a push to make sure everyone knows that special teams will be a huge focus this year on the team.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 9:47 am | #

Call it the "Carney Curse", as ND hasn't had a reliable, no doubt about it kicker in over 15 years and counting...(I know some will say Setta or Fitzpatrick. Sorry, but I was there for Setta and you never were truly confidence in him, and I STILL partially blame Fitzpatrick for losing the USC game for missing that 4Q field goal that would have put ND up by 6 and had the DBs playing back on the last drive)...Just a complete diaster with no end in sight...

Where's our Nugent? Where's our Husted? Why is it every other program gets kickers that can constantly get kickoffs inside the 5 but ND can't?
Bryan (ND Alumni '02) | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 9:49 am | #

Where's Reggie Ho? That little guy was awesome.
PM | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 10:20 am | #

Ho lives in Philadelphia, where he's a cardiologist at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Ho's subspecialty is electrophysiology.

Wicked smart.

My favourite Zibby punt return last year was the one in the rain against Michigan State that didn't count. Sure, without the penalty that negated it it probably wouldn't have happened, but it was still a beautiful thing, as an effort to atone for his earlier fumble that resulted in Spartan points.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 10:40 am | #

I don't see CW going for it on 4th and short/mid any less than he has in the past because I think he would see that as a weakness in the offense. If CW truly were going to depend on the defense, would that mean deferring when we win the coin toss? I'd like to see that happen, but I doubt it will.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:19 am | #

Strong rumors of an Ethan Johnson ND verbal yesterday.
Jason | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:22 am | #

CW doesn't seem to be the type of coach who is going to drastically change his coaching philosophy because of how green his team may be. Sure there will likely be less sophisticated packages and audibles perhaps, but I think that if we are in a situation of 4th and 1 or even 2 and need that first down, CW will have confidence in whomever he has on the field.

I think that being on the road so early and often is actually an advantage to us. Remember that the only road game (excluding bowls) that we have lost was against USC last year. It will help to get the kids away from campus and have that "business like" approach to games. Then hopefully they can return to South Bend @ 2-1 for the MSU game.
PM | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:25 am | #

Post like this, with the clever google map, is why this is the first site I check every morning at the office.
James | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:40 am | #

the penalty on that zibby return was completely non-existent. I dont know how many times ive watched it and watch the guy just slip. Then when the Ref's call the penalty on Brady, it just makes it all the better that we still beat them...with everything going against us.
irishguy06 | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:41 am | #

Completely forgot how they called it on Brady, that was priceless. quality B11 officiating.

Any word on the rumors of a committ today?
PM | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 11:48 am | #

irisheyes is reporting a commitment from jamoris slaughter...but I'm not a member and can't read the entire article.
yak | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 12:29 pm | #

We are stockpiling some good talent on the d-side of the ball. Throw in Forst and/or Patchan and Floyd and Butler and this class is top 5 for sure.
PM | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 12:31 pm | #

Getting Ethan Johnson and a big time receiver would be huge. After that ND [and my nerves] can calm down and pick the cream of the remaining crop through Feb. All bases will be covered at a minimum.
jaisn | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:22 pm | #

"David Grimes was respectable last year..."

Well, except for that one play that made me cry.
Animal | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:29 pm | #

If true about Slaughter, that's good news. CW has been a big hit in GA. Johnson would also be great at DE. After adding another WR, OL, and probably a RB, this will be another awesome recruiting class.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:32 pm | #

recruiting: wow.

So much for the 'silent verbal.' You can't run a con twice on a Jersey guy.

This regime is going to spoil us rotten and I couldn't be happier about it. We are watching a legend in the making, gents, make no mistake. Honestly, If there's a downside it's that no future head coach, ever, is going to measure up to this example. Alum, Workaholic, Soft touch with the students, NFL cred out the wazoo... the list goes on and on and on.

OK, maybe George O'Leary.

I can't wait for the Gator/Irish NC matchup in 2010. We will crush them.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:35 pm | #

ok, there's one other downside. That CB has officially been shortlisted for about 53 D1 head coaching positions for 2008.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:36 pm | #

II has confirmed Jamoris Slaughter verballed this morning.

II's member board is abuzz with the idea that Ethan Johnson (DE, OR) has committed.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 1:59 pm | #

ok, there's one other downside. That CB has officially been shortlisted for about 53 D1 head coaching positions for 2008

Exactly what I was thinking. If we're lucky we may have him for two years but, given his recruitng ability and the fact that he would be one of the few black HCs in D1 football, you can bet he will be in high demand, especially if he can turn this ND defense around. Amazing how things are turning out for Mr. Brown.
Eddie | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 2:50 pm | #

Honestly, I wouldn't be too suprised to see Corwin Brown stick around for a while (3-4 years).

First of all, you need to remember that he's only been coaching a few years. He's never been a coordinator. Currently, he has an excellent opportunity to run his own defense, build and mold it into "his" defense the exact way he wants it. Such an excellent opportunity, on a team that is stock-piling talent, should not be underestimated. Also, the experience he is going to gain coaching against great, high profile teams will be great for him. While his football knowledge and acumen from his playing days suggests he has little to learn about the game of football, coaching in a leadership role such as a coordinator comes with its own learning curve (I fully expect him to hit the ground running and pile on the exp. like he's piling in the recruits).

Lastly, being a younger guy and former player, I really believe that Corwin will relate greatly to our current players. It wasn't all that long ago that he was a college player. That combined with a players mentality (recently retired) may push Corwin to have more loyalty to his players than the average coach. I wouldn't be suprised to see him become very attached to his players and want to stick around for a while.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 3:10 pm | #

I agree with Brad, I think CB will stick around. I think CW will make it a priority to keep him around if his defense is as good as his recruiting. Plus, if CB turns out to be a hot commodity, he can wait until the job of his choosing opens up. I doubt he would get his dream gig after one year. I know it's way too early to worry about it, but if/when he does that that HC job, I hope it's not at UM...or any other team on our schedule for that matter.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 3:21 pm | #

Kickers. . .I agree...why can't ND land a good one?? I played travel soccer in South Bend for the Jr. Irish Soccer Club ('88-'96) with Brenden Mullen (kicked at Army) and then played a summer of semi-pro soccer for the Indiana Invaders with Shane Walton before he decided to play football. What's my point? For as much as soccer and football clash, certain skills go hand-in-hand, from kicking to CB footwork.

However, tt doesn't mean you can just pluck all any soccer player and turn him into a field goal kicker. . .kicking footballs is pretty difficult...trust me.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 3:32 pm | #

We are going to have to pull for LLLLLoyd to win lots of ballgames so that CB doesn't get offered by the skunks. Recruiting is the name of the game, and CB is killing his alma mater right now.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 4:00 pm | #

Kickers: I have heard several times that good kickers were most often soccer players in high school, are recruited by the college soccer coach, and then get picked up by the football coach if he can convince them to switch sports. The "problem" with ND is that we have a great soccer program. It seems to me to be a little easier to switch spotlights from a mediocre soccer program to the lights of college football. But when the soccer program is one of the best in the country, that's a tougher call.

Charlie's offense: Gabe, I agree your reasoning, but I think it might be the opposite result. We seemed to go on it on 4th down several times that weren't the best option, because we didn't have any other options (SugarBowl). So I think he will trust the D more this year and punt more. On the other hand, I think he will keep taking the ball on offense first to show he hasn't changed and that he still wants to start off by shoving the ball down their throats.

CB: I think we get to keep him a few years. I expect a coach showing this much promise and already in such a national spotlight to wait for a really good opportunity, not just the first opportunity. Taking a few more years to get several good recruiting classes and coaching a D up to or past their potential could put him in line for some top D1 positions in 3-4 years.
JM | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 4:09 pm | #

Weren't Craig Hentrich and Kevin Pendergast pretty solid kickers?
Greg | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 4:38 pm | #

Pendergast was a better soccer player...look at tape of his field goals, they were low line drives. I agree about Hentrich...he was solid.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 4:58 pm | #

Pendergast was also awesome at point shaving schemes and gambling wasn't he?
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 4:59 pm | #

Mike Floyd may or may not have also committed today.
Jason | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 6:42 pm | #

"Lastly, being a younger guy and former player. . . ."

Now that's humor!
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 6:44 pm | #

What about Golden Tate punting? Didn't he punt for his HS?
Ryan | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 8:41 pm | #

Rumor has it that another safety might have committed.
Adam | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 9:44 pm | #

I agree with the comments about Brown by the way. I think between Charles likely extracting a promise to stick around past the first sweetheart offer, his opportunity to earn good bucks as a coordinator at a top program with us (anyone thankful CW held their feet to the fire regarding assistants' compensation?) and the realistic chance this team could be competing at the highest levels in 2-3 years, I think we have him for 3 years, hopefully 4.

Next up for wonderboy: game day. If he coaches as well as he recruits, Arrrrr, be happy I.
indy | Email | Homepage | 06.27.07 - 10:17 pm | #

Lost Boy - I have to agree with you re Polian; in this instance, there may be some behind the scenes stuff going on, as he (Polian) has a great NFL pedigree, and CW's tentacles reach deep there.

Pat - sorry, I did initially misread your direction on the STs, but do agree with your (our) overall take on the subject.

As for CB, I think we have him a good 3 years, but then ... I see Superman making that walk North.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 12:10 am | #

yep ethan johnson did committ
bcnd | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 7:23 am | #

For everyone who assumes that a successful stint as a DCoord at ND would lead to a job opportunity as UM, remember that UM has quite the excellent young DC up there as well. Didn't they give up like ~20 yards rushing a game last year?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 8:15 am | #

The Ethan Johnson thing is official and rumors have been circulating that Mike Floyd and Dan McCarthy have committed or are expected to by week end.
Jason | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 8:57 am | #

I'll believe it when Scout or Rivals lists him as a commitment. It seems like a lot of circular sources right now.
Steve R | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 9:26 am | #

btw, if its true about Johnson, here are the number of oral commitments we have had on June 28th of each of the last 7 years:

2001: 0 (Davie)
2002: 0 (Willingham)
2003: 0 (Willingham)
2004: 0 (Willingham)
2005: 8 (Weis)
2006: 6 (Weis)
2007: 17 (Weis)
Steve R | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 9:43 am | #

I'm probably stealing a little of Jay or Pat's thunder here when they do a write-up on Slaughter's committment, but here's a quote from a South Bend Tribune article that has got to have the skunk-bears screaming Benedict
Arnold:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/...rts02/ 706280346

"(Brown) said if he would have gotten offered by Notre Dame," Slaughter said, "he would have gone to Notre Dame."

Ouch.

Incidentally, it also has some news on Ethan Johnson--Coach and mom wouldn't comment.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 10:08 am | #

Steve R. - all rumors like this are circular in nature. They start on the recruiting sites and some subscribers spread them to the free boards, sometimes in an attempt to appear to be an insider, and then usually the rumors on the free boards are linked to back on the recruiting sites as proof that the original rumors are true.

As usual I'd like to leave the speculation to the recruiting sites, since it's their job and we don't want to repeat stuff we read there. Still, there is a lot of smoke out there for there not to be a fire, so to speak.

As for the early commits versus Davie and Willingham, I think that is more to do with the overall shifts in recruiting the last few years. It used to be that the top guys would wait until the very end. Now, more and more top guys are announcing early.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 10:26 am | #

Personally, I wish we had more soccer-players-turned-football-players like Shane Walton.
E-Man | Email | Homepage | 06.28.07 - 10:17 pm | #

In remmberance of the glory days of our special teams being actually special I present this Youtube tribute to the Rocket.

Unfortunately, the quality is not all that great but it is nice to look at and remember when our special teams was actually FEARED by other teams as part of our game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S...related& search=
Philip | Email | Homepage | 06.30.07 - 9:38 am | #