Welcome, Apache.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 9:15 am | #

hate to play the role of the guy seeing the glass half full but...
does this mean the super-highly rated linebacker from hawaii, mante te'o (spelling?) is now out of the picture.
i was guessing (perhaps incorrectly) that te'o was the irish #1 LB recruit with calabrese a 'fallback' guy (howevere talented he may be).
anybody have any thoughts on this?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 9:50 am | #

"I like hitting kids," Calabrese said. "That's my favorite thing."

Well I guess volunteering at a local elementary school is out of the question.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 9:56 am | #

Welcome, Carlo! He's winning high school strongman competitions and still has another year in the weight room before coming to ND! 2 things we know from watching the highlight tape:

1) He knows how to hit guys who wear ugly maze and blue uniforms with winged helmets. YESSSS!

2) He actually appears to have good tackling technique, while most high school players rely on their size and strength instead. How many runningbacks did he just bury at the line of scrimmage.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 9:57 am | #

Anon,

Why not sign them both? Can't have enough depth at linebacker IMHO.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 9:58 am | #

i'm all over n.d. signing both. don't know if they can though.
i'm just wondering out loud.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:12 am | #

Anon,

Hawaii is a long way from South Bend. I would hope that the young man in paradise would take his time making that decision. Very few islanders venture past the West Coast. I also agree with Knoxville, can never have too much depth on the Oline, DLine and LB.Would love to get the kid from Hawaii and have to vicious hitting LBs to man the middle. Domer guy great quip.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:19 am | #

I don't think Calabrese's commitment will have any impact on the recruitment of Te'o. Kind of like landing Anthony McDonald last year and still recruiting Filer. As long as ND keeps running the 3-4, they will need plenty of linebackers.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:23 am | #

Anonymous,

I don't think the kid from Hawaii is going to jump too quickly. He has a lot of things to consider there. I would definitely want to make sure that he is very sound especially considering the weather. Last I read South Bend isnt on the paradise list. Wouldnt want to have him sign only to have him transfer the the University of Secret Cash because of the weather. Calabrese seems like a solid football player. Besides he has a salami named after him.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:28 am | #

From the clips, it appears he is already comfortable taking down guys wearing Wolverine helmets and unis. I can't wait to see that at the next level!
rays15 | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:35 am | #

Anon,

When I lived in Manhattan, I had a rule when trying to park my car: If you find a spot within three blocks of your house, take it. If you spend time looking for the perfect spot, you often end up without any spot at all.

I think it's the same with recruiting. You set some parameters of what sorts of kids you want, send out some offers, and you take what comes back first. I also think there's a lot ot be said for taking kids who know they want to be at ND.

By the way, this Jersey kid looks like the equivalent of a parking spot on your block --not in front of your apartment building maybe, but on your block. I'll take that any day.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:37 am | #

I kind of agree with Hal, but I am confused on this rankings stuff. If the guy is good enough to be a top reccruit to ND and Florida, how could he not be ranked? Or, does the ranking go up when the ranking systems find out he was signed by a big school.
jbarthel | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 10:45 am | #

jbarthel - The ranking system is an ever-evolving system. At this point in the calendar year, Rivals.com has released a Top 250 player list. Everyone on that list is either a 5 or 4 star player. In early June they will revamp their Top 250 again as well as dole out more 4 stars and 3 stars to a number of other recruits. There are a ton of kids to review and evaluate and they usually don't get to a majority of them until the summer.

Calabrese will wind up as a 3 or 4 star recruit on Rivals when it is all said and done.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 11:37 am | #

My kind of kid-- crazy and on defense. Love it. Hopefully Tenuta goes nuts with him.
NDdallas | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 11:42 am | #

Not that I'm an expert on these things, but it does seem to me that kids' "Rankings" on these sites tend to follow offers from top schools, rather than precede them.

Hawaii has nothing on Northwest Indiana. They got beaches, we got beaches. If I'm recruiting the kid, I'd emphasize the attractions of waterfront heavy industry. You have not surfed until you've dealt with the locals on a U.S. Steel break.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 11:50 am | #

You can definitely say this about Carlo . . . Along with being a physical, hitting LB, he plays with a TON of emotion.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 11:53 am | #

LOL @ indy - I think they considered filming "Point Break 2" in Gary, actually.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 11:57 am | #

Pat,

Complement (v. compliment).
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 12:09 pm | #

Very excited about this kid. He's perfect for a MLB spot, and he seems comfortable shedding blocks and finding his way through traffic to the ball carrier.

Also, I just flat out love LBs who where single digit numbers. Can't explain why. Musta been from the years of watching Kinnon Tatum and Kory Minor and others dominate the field.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 12:16 pm | #

Couldn't agree more, Rays15 -- nice to see that winged helmet getting drilled.
david | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 12:42 pm | #

i would absolutely love to see this guy punt return.
kyle | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 12:47 pm | #

Domer Guy -

LMAO!!! I can just picture the shot of Keanu trying to catch a wave at the Chesterton Dunes in February. "I totally, got hypothermia today!"
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 12:49 pm | #

Erik '04 and rays15 stole my thunder, but he looks good slamming guys in winged helmets.

How does he look against teams in cardinal with ancient warriors on them?
Sean F | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 1:07 pm | #

Maui is to Gary as Don Ho is to:
A) Real Hos
B) Michael Jackson
C) Diamanda Galas
D) Don Ho (deceased)
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 1:31 pm | #

The kid obviously looks great. If I'm an opposing O coordinator, though, I think I make more of an effort to block the kid. In at least half of the clips he waits behind the line, untouched. Go Irish!!
Dan | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 1:40 pm | #

Maybe it's the nature of highlight vids, but this guy looks like a man among boys! And he already has "swagger".
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 2:16 pm | #

Oh yeah, and you all thought Charlie doesn't recruit Kickers. It's all in his master plan fellas. :)
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 2:31 pm | #

Thanks ThE LoSt BoY. I've accepted my lot as a lousy speller.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 2:55 pm | #

Considering Mante te'o wants to do a two year mission after his FR year, I don't think taking a LB (regardless of rank) factors into his thought process. He'll likely redshirt his FR year and start playing again when Calabrese or others are SRs. Figure it will take him a year to relearn the system and get back into playing shape, and Calabrese and others are either gone or 5th years when he is starting.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 2:59 pm | #

indy - Diamanda Galas?

Brad - I'm with you on Kory Minor and Kinnon Tatum. Those are some great names in addition to being single digit butt-kickers. Maybe we can ask Carlo to change his name to Karlo Kalabrese.
Sean F | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 3:57 pm | #

Great pickup...the coaches know what they are doing...Maybe we can do on the field what we do on paper, and we'd be all set... a year or so and we will be there, no doubt!!
ConchoBar | Email | Homepage | 05.23.08 - 5:55 pm | #

I wouldn't worry about where he's ranked. The Irish coaching staff reached past a lot of higher-ranked linebackers to offer Carlo. (Ditto Florida and BC.)

So Charlie, Corwin, and Tenuta decided he was their kind of linebacker. If some of his skills are underdeveloped, they evidently did not see those as deal-breakers.

I suppose they saw what we all see: Quick feet in traffic, nose for the ball, strong hands, tackling technique, explosiveness, attitude, high motor, and pure strength.

He has the makings of an intimidator in the middle. If Carlo can unload like this at 225, imagine him at 240.
lyle | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 1:50 am | #

EXCERPT FROM "MOB FICTION" MAGAZINE'S NEWLY RELEASED ISSUE: In passing time during the monotonous embarkment across the Atlantic, Tenuta's great grandfather and Calabrese's great great grandfather befriended one another during their ambitious Ellis Island pursuit. While the two families never knew one another, it was later uncovered that they both resided within 10 miles of Corleone. With a rapidly forged mentor/protege relationship in place, the Genco Olive Oil Company became the largest distributor on Mulberry Street by the early 20's. Almost 90 years later, the Family bond is poised to remain strong for 4 more years at Our Mother in South Bend, IN. Pete "The Poodle" Carroll (Barzini's) and Rich "Dick Rod" Rodriguez (Tattaglia's) have quietly expressed concern among their inner circles as to how they will prevent a full scale war once Calabrese is in the middle with a seasoned war time Consigliere in Tenuta advising him. It is no secret throughout all 5 boroughs that Notre Dame football will be going "to the mattresses" again in years to come...
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 8:19 am | #

WATERBOY
Rome | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 10:11 am | #

Pat,

Even Superman trips on his cape sometimes.

Glad your focus is on football. Too much non-football banter / ranter posts.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 11:29 am | #

Tony Spilotro...that was friggin beautiful!
It has already been established that B.C. is "Fredo", and now you have revealed both Barzini and Tattaglia as "the Poodle" and "DickRod", respectively. In that spirit, I see that the Chinless Scrote is actually Sollozzo, and Captain McCluskey is also known as Bob Davie. Jimmy Clausen stars as Michael Corleone. (The three of them should go to dinner sometime. I know a little place in the Bronx. Louie's. Best veal in the city.)
Thus:
Boston College......Fredo
Poodle Carroll......Barzini
DickRod.............Tattaglia
Jimmy Clausen.......Michael Corleone
Urban Mayer.........Virgil Sollozzo
Bob Davie...........Capt. McCluskey
Greg Mattison.......Luca Brasi
Bill Bellichick.....Don Vito Corleone
Kevin White.........Tom Hagen
Carlo Calabrese.....Himself
Jon Tenuta..........Himself
The NCAA............Sen. Pat Geary
Joe Montana.........Don Tommasino
Joe Yonto...........Clemenza
Monk Malloy.........Tessio
Demetrious Jones....Sonny Corleone
Rick Minter.........Jack Woltz
Brady Quinn.........Johnny Fontane
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 11:50 am | #

Bravo Mr. Spilotro and Voice! Is it possible to find a bit part for Captain Dudley Liam Smith? Someone in L.A.? Perhaps the Pac 10 replay ref.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 12:44 pm | #

OC mj,
Central Casting just added this:

Replay Ref..Jack Woltz's Beloved Horse
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 1:22 pm | #

Thanks Voice, the compliment means a lot when coming from the best in the business.

I'm in a hotel near O'Hare laughing outloud at your additional casting...Greg Mattison as Luca Brasi and B. Quinn as Johnny Fontane in particular cracked my sh*t up.

We can have some real fun with this, keep 'em comin' folks...
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 1:50 pm | #

Frankie Pentangeli---Matt Walsh
Paulie Gatto---Matt Carufel
Carlo Rizzi---Justin Boren
Hyman Roth---Gus Ornstein
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 2:27 pm | #

LMAO! C'mon, LoSt BoY, join the fun!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 2:30 pm | #

Always enjoy and respect your opinions on here, but have to disagree with the thoughts below on the Charlie and the Pats' videotaping. If the use of the taping is to the extents that Walsh is now saying he "heard" (the defensive calls were relayed to Charlie who picked a play for the QB based on them, see link), I think because ND is an academic institution cannot have a coach who clearly cheated.

http://www.courant.com/sports/ fo...0,4837171.story

I suspect (and hope) Walsh is full of it, but I think Charlie needs to address it and tell what he knew and did with the Pats and he needs to say that ND football has not done any similar taping of signals.

The character of the ND football coach DOES have something to do with Notre Dame.
Animal | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 4:41 pm | #

I suspect Mr. Calabrese will not have to worry about hitting or hurting kids when he goes against the offensive lines from the likes of USC or UM.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 7:43 pm | #

John L. Smith.....Moe Green
Konrad Reuland....Johnny Ola
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 8:27 pm | #

Animal,

CW (post-game) told the TB Bucs DC that they knew the D calls, but Bucs won anyway.

Ever seen "Breaking Away?" Everybody cheats. Its only a matter of when, where and how bad. 55 mph anyone? Blood doping in cycling?

Spygate is over, evidence is destroyed and CW has been here a while. Let it rest. If CW stole COLLEGE signals - you gotta beef.

Instead of jacking CW for having the D Calls, what about the openly PAY-4-PLAY U$C? Calls for the death penalty? Probation? Reduced schollys? Anything? Bueller?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.24.08 - 10:39 pm | #

The comment has been made several times about people liking how Calabrese hits guys in the winged helmets, and I agree. But how many times did he play that team, for crying out loud? Are these highlights over 3 seasons? He must have played that team 5 times, or there's more than one Michigan poser team his school plays.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 8:01 am | #

Animal,

I agree with you that Spygate is a pretty big deal (maybe a lot of teams cheat, but it's interesting that most of them don't get caught). But I don't think that Charlie talking about it is going to do any good. If he says he either didn't know about it or that he simply misinterpreted the rules, everyone (myself included) will call him a liar. If he says he was involved in it up to his ears, everyone will call him an admitted cheater. Looks like a no-win situation to me.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 9:38 am | #

Huh. I guess my name got deleted somehow. That comment in response to Animal was from me.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 05.25.08 - 9:39 am | #

"Hawaii has nothing on Northwest Indiana. They got beaches, we got beaches. If I'm recruiting the kid, I'd emphasize the attractions of waterfront heavy industry. You have not surfed until you've dealt with the locals on a U.S. Steel break."

Thats great. Reminds me of the blue crush line of "you flew here, we grew here!" but in with a great spin on it.
LA ND | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 12:28 am | #

Tony Spilotro, Voice and Oc; Laughed out loud!
This spy-gate thing; There are 25-30 seconds from the spot of the ball, defense shuttles players in & out,the head-set is turned off the QB with how many seconds on play clock? 10-5?
Boy they gotta have the quickest hand-eye co-ordination in the world.
Remember TP & Oakland in the '03 or '04 SB. Seems like TB knew what was coming and when on every play.
How would this scenario have played out:
BB. CW we have their Def. Signals.
CW: Sorry Bill,I'm a good Catholic, I can't do it.
or.
BParcells; Same statement.
CW: Same response.

CW is coaching line play at Middlesex HS, in Middlesex, NJ.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 12:29 am | #

I get a crazy Tommy Z vibe from him when he hits people on defense in that video. Awesome.
Tommy O | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 2:22 pm | #

Memorial Day would be a great day to retell the story of the fmr ND footballer in the Bataan Death March, who had his ring taken by a Japanese and then returned by another Japanese official, who attended USC for college.

Obviously I butchered the paraphrase but you all get the idea.
NDdallas | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 2:50 pm | #

He has some speed so that will help hime see the field faster welcome to ND C.C.
StadiumDudeNamedChip | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 4:40 pm | #

I believe NDdallas is referencing the Motts Tonelli story...he has a great point...every ND fan who doesn't know that story should. A condensed version contained here:

http://www.niashf.org/pdfs/p09.pdf
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 05.26.08 - 9:59 pm | #

Tony

What roles do you and Motts play in "The Godfather"?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 12:34 am | #

If CW had taped opponent signals last year, ND's record probably would be 6-6.

But then CW doesn't have somebody like Ernie Adams, does he?
I22 | Email | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 2:49 am | #

You might find an interview with Motts if you poke around you tube or WGN TV in Chicago.
jbarthel | Email | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 10:54 am | #

I22,

One thing is obvious, the ND OL does NOT use steroids!
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 11:38 am | #

Enzo the baker: John Carlson Sr. No disrespect.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.27.08 - 1:54 pm | #

Latina is Clemenza
Anon | Email | Homepage | 05.28.08 - 10:05 pm | #

Kevin White is out as A.D.?!?!
DW | Email | Homepage | 05.31.08 - 8:05 pm | #