I still find it interesting that Quinn's #1 WR in HS now has a shot to be a safety in Cincy.

Go Duke!
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:43 pm | #

While everyone was trying to figure out how high BQ would go, how come no one (as far as I can remember) saw the possibility that if he didn't go very high in the first round then there'd be no middle?

We ND fan(atics) are a bit too myopic at times.
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:43 pm | #

Gentlemen, FYI:
September 23, 2007
Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:44 pm | #

I wonder if Brady and JaMarcus will be starting by Sept. 23, 2007. . . . . I might have to buy tickets to that one.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:50 pm | #

Don't the Browns play Miami on 10/14 as well?

Somehow I'm betting that Brady wins the starting job over Anderson and Frye. Not sure about JaMarcus in Oakland though. Especially since the Raiders got rid of their best WR. I figured the only chance they had to be successful was running the video game offense (i.e., JaMarcus chucks the ball as far downfield as he can throw it and Moss runs underneath it and goes for the jump ball).
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 2:59 pm | #

I think Walker could find a nice little home in Chicago. Without Thomas Jones (who was fantastic in picking up the blitz and dump passes) the Bears need somebody who can come in and be a good third down back. Both Peterson and Benson have been heavily criticized for their pass blocking skills, and I think this could be a nice little 3rd down situation for Walker to be in.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 3:29 pm | #

Chicago/DW is a mystery to me. It makes sense if they want a 3rd down back to block and catch. But they used a very late pick to take Wolfe who is not big enough to block a NFL safety, let alone a LB. Maybe they want Wolfe as a returner/pass catcher and DW fits another need. I tend to think things will not work out in Chicago, but the Colts could very well step in and take him off waivers in August. He would fit in nicely as the 3rd down back in their offense with the departure of Rhodes.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 4:20 pm | #

does anyone know the status of last year's ND draft class? drafted and undrafted free agents? i didn't keep up with that at all.
me | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 4:21 pm | #

Me --

Matt Shelton signed with the Pats as an undrafted free agent, was put on IR for the year and has now been released.

Fassano kicking ass in Dallas.

Stovall had some playing time with Tampa and caught some passes.

I believe Mark Lavoire (or Dan Stevens) was released by the Bears but rehired on their practice squad.

Brendan Hoyte and Corey Mayes were also picked up by someone.

Thats all I can recall for now.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:05 pm | #

Thundershaker: As a returner, Wolfe would be a backup. Two words: Devin Hester. But if anything, that gives Walker even less of a chance to make the roster there. Wolfe is that 3rd down/pas catching option... which is what people speculated Darius could fill at the pro level. So if he wows the team and beats Wolfe out, then he's got a job. Otherwise, no dice, because they won't carry 4 RBs.

Jim '72: To be fair, we heard a steady flow of information saying Quinn could go to Cleveland (3), Minnesota (7), and Miami (9), and to a lesser extent rumors about going at 4 to Tampa Bay, and 6 to whoever traded up to get him. When you hear about 5 places he could land in the top 10, you figure that something is going to happen there.

Aferwards though, the gap looked pretty wide. Maybe Carolina at 14, but they'll try to develop David Carr. Maybe Green Bay at 16, but they're going to give Aaron Rogers a longer look.

On a side note: don't you just look at Houston's draft and think, "What could have been"? To get their QB, they passed Vince Young and Matt Lienart, then traded down two picks, along with giving up two 2nd round picks, in order to get Matt Shaub. I think Cleveland is a better spot for Quinn, but Houston compiled 1 mistake (Mario Williams) with another (overpaying for Shaub, thus ruling out Quinn).
Carl | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:08 pm | #

Brandon Hoyte signed with the Colts.

Corey Mayes played 8 games with the Pats, 9 tackles, presumably special teams.

Dan Stevenson signed with the Dolphins.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:11 pm | #

thanks for the info. i can't think of who else was an undrafted free agent. fitzpatrick? rpn?
me | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:14 pm | #

Carl,
In addition to all that, Houston did not do a damn thing to help Schaub be successful. No offensive skill help and only a fifth round OT. Carr had to run for his life last year and Schaub gets to see how much fun that is this year. But for all the money he's making, it will be like he's the world's highest paid javelin catcher. Dangerous but lots of bank.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:17 pm | #

DJ signed with the Jets. I don't believe RPN pursued the NFL.

nfl.com/players is a good way to follow up on these guys.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 5:18 pm | #

From that SI article in the original post:

"I think JaMarcus Russell to the Raiders scares me. I would have done the exact same thing Oakland did, to be sure. But the formula for early success is a bad one there. So much pressure on him to perform well early, with such a porous offensive line, and who knows what at wideout."

I'm so glad they didn't take Brady. He'll do well in Cleveland, especially with Thomas blocking for him. Plus, their coaching staff has promised to let him develop their offense for a year before throwing him to the wolves, although the Browns fans might be chanting his name before long with Frye and Anderson running the show.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:15 pm | #

Chris Frome Free Agent Chicago Bears ??
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:19 pm | #

I'm intrigued by the enthusiasm for BQ in miami. When most of the country seemed to be bashing, or at least skeptical of the overhyped Quinn, how is it that the folks down in southern FL could be so gung-ho on the guy? Even us ND fans who have immense respect for Brady have our reservations about him.

It was cool to see how badly they wanted him, but can anybody shed some light on how the Miamians could be so fully on the bandwagon?
marcus | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:48 pm | #

Miami fans were high on him because they haven't had a legit franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired
suave andrew | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 6:55 pm | #

Kiper and Steve Young both said that Brady is exactly the type of guy you want in Miami. The type that will pass by that statue of Dan Marino every day for the next 10 years wanting and working hard to be the "next Dan Marino". That's why the South Beach people were so pissed at passing on him.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 7:21 pm | #

great clip of cameron talking about ginn in front of dolphins fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M...h?v=Mm2- PKY2wzw
Schultz | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 8:00 pm | #

marcus,

Harrington is damaged goods (68 QB rating, 12 TD 15 INT) and Culpepper is eternally injured + probably traded soon.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:26 pm | #

Re. Update Part Deux. Don't for a second believe Shark when he says he wasn't tuned into the draft.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:30 pm | #

Add Smarj and Zibby and we might have had 9 to tie Florida.
yago | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 9:32 pm | #

On the previous years players: RPN signed with the Broncos as a UFA but was cut in training camp.
Paul M | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:01 pm | #

That YouTube clip was hilarious. Were they actually chanting "Brady, Brady, Brady..." when he was talking? That is funny... I hate the Dolphins, so I'm glad he didn't go there. I was hoping he would go to an NFC North team so that I could see him on TV. Oh well... Cleveland is a good fit for him and he has a heck of an OT to protect his back-side.

On a side note, I got my ticket application in the mail today. What did we determine was the strategy - go for the max tickets to every game or pick only one big game?
rbingham'97 | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:29 pm | #

woah, man. a bad business decision is one thing, but have a little respect. this is the same guy
tyler | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:45 pm | #

who, despite speed/power issues, still holds some pretty impressive numbers in the ND record book. how quickly some people forget, i guess.

(stupid double post)
tyler | Email | Homepage | 04.30.07 - 10:46 pm | #

I agree that Darius was not the fastest RB. I think he made the right decision to enter the draft this year. He would have a lot more competition at RB at ND this coming season and there were not many RBs in this year's draft. His stats would have been down. The cards did not fall his way just like they did not fall for BQ. Darius is a very hard working RB. He is one of the best at picking his holes. With the OL he had, he often hit the line with tiny holes and found a way into the opponent backfield.
GB | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:04 am | #

Judge60-

Well the truth is, Darius could still make a lot of $$$ in the NFL. Maybe. It is possible.

Also, his family is doing pretty well after a very large settlement from a case when Darius was in HS involving a wrongful arrest.

Lastly, Darius is only 9 credits short of a degree, so really if this doesnt work out, he will be alright.

His stock was at the highest it would likely be after two straight 1,000+ yard seasons, with a slew of talented RBs coming in (not to mention Thomas returning from LB), and a depleted line (from a not good line in the first place).

You forget he is in the top 5 all-time ND running backs statistically.

And your "little shit" comment is just unnecessary.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:05 am | #

Deleted.

My gosh.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:39 am | #

Anybody that takes a crack at Darius or Rhema in my book is a certifiable nutjob.

Both of those guys always behaved with class and put up GREAT numbers at Notre Dame. I don't know if the NFL will work out for them, but they certainly deserve our respect.

Also, the complaints about DW's skillset is more SPECULATIVE then REALITY. His numbers prove otherwise. I'm not so sure that he won't do pretty well in the right NFL situation (doesn't fumble, catches well, runs behind blocks well, blocks for his QB well, and also, he was very durable in his time at ND.)

Yes, I mean what I said. "CERTIFIABLE NUTJOB".

Darius Walker and Rhema McKnight are classy ND guys. Show some respect or gfy.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:33 am | #

Atepesm-

Here, here.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:08 am | #

It's not bashing DW to say that he's not very fast. He just isn't. No runs over 40 yards in a 4 year college career says it all about his football speed. If he couldn't make it into the secondary against college defenses, he'll never be able to do it against stronger, faster, smarter NFL defenses.

He had a great ND career but he'll never be a star in the NFL. He stands a good chance to hang around the league and contribute on special teams type stuff, maybe get some time as a 3rd down back late in the season.

Again, no knock on him as a person or a college football player - he just doesn't have the tools to be anything more than a workmanlike player in the NFL.
PAK'00 | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 7:59 am | #

und.com has Travis Leitko to Baltimore as a FA signing.
Paul | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 8:14 am | #

Wow. Question Darius Walker's NFL potential at your own risk!

I find it amusing that the same people who are praising Darius and trying to rationalize someway he can go to the NFL are saying that he left at the right time because there would be more competition at the RB slot at ND. You would think a 4 year starting senior with NFL talent wouldn't be too worried about the RB competition.

It is not a slam on his charachter or anything; it is a realisitic look at his abilities. Would I be happy if he made a team? Sure. Do I think it will happen? No. If that is disrespect then so be it.

Go Irish.

As for Quinn, I feel bad that he was the ONLY prospect that was debated in the media and the anti-ND crowd succeeded in scaring off teams. Miami's bigger mistake was who they took as opposed to who they didn't take. GINN? Does anyone think a 5 foot nothing, 170 pound player will be a #1 reciever in the NFL? They took a #2 or #3 reciever on a team with no QB at #9. That is classic.

Three years from now, Quinn will be an All-Pro.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 9:07 am | #

RedMahoney (and others), these later responses by atepesm and Chris were a reaction to an ugly, mean-spirited and profane post ripping on Darius that I had to delete.

I think we can all agree there are probably sound football reasons Darius didn't get drafted, but attacks on his personal character are way out of line.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 9:30 am | #

Thanks, Paul. Looks like a late addition on UND.com.

Good for Travis.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 9:41 am | #

yago,

Don't forget John Carlson returning for a fifth year as another potential 2007 draft pick. With Shark, Zibby, and Carlson in the draft, ND could have had 10 players drafted this year. Then again, who truly saw Walker not get picked? I would have figured a sixth round chance, at least.
ND Alum | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 10:04 am | #

As an ND grad, I am happy when these guys succeed, but I am even happier for this crew for the way they conducted themselves. I want players on the team of whom I can be proud as fellow grads of ND....of people I can point to and say, that's the kind of guy ND produces......Quinn, Walker, and all the rest..good luck.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 10:12 am | #

Understand Jay.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 10:20 am | #

Walker's challenge will not necessarily be his speed. There have been plenty of skill guys in the league who have played and played well despite seemingly pedestrian 40 times (Jerry Rice comes to mind at 4.6). It's how he uses his speed and how a team wants to use him in their scheme that will determine whether he has a career like Kevin Faulk or no career at all. I really want him to succeed because he is a nice kid and a great representative of the university. I would hope everyone in the ND family feels the same.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 10:30 am | #

Noone ever said Darius would be a star in the NFL. I believe Darius can be a dependable go to back on third down. He possesses enough power to pick up a few yards and can be a highly effective receiver coming out of the backfield. My question is with the schedule that ND plays and the production Darius gave over the last three years, how could he not get drafted over a back from Hawaii?
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:06 am | #

A perfect example of why the 40 time is meaningless is Troy Smith and Brady Quinn. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe both QBs posted very similar times in the 40 yet TS was obviously more fleet of foot. Whether that was scheme or playing style is irrelevant because it just goes to show that a number doesn't always mean everything. As someone said earlier, guys can play alot faster than they actually are and vice versa.
PM | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:07 am | #

That is why Mike Richardson ended up getting drafted. The shuttle, the cone drill are much more indicitive of a players potential than his flat 40 times. Renaldo Nehimiah could run past any corner in the league in his day and would today too, but he couldnt catch a cold. Ginn wont run past a lot of people in the NFL and if he does then he wont have a QB who can get him the ball. This was a wacky draft, I dont believe the talent pool was that of past drafts. There will be some gems and some duds, especially in the first round.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:13 am | #

tOSU,

I love your comment about the 40 yard run.
GB | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:43 am | #

with 2 DL & @ DB's NFL draft worthy how could our 'D' been so bad?


huh? i just don't get it.
Gabby | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:48 am | #

Coaching?

It's not all on Minter, though. Abiamiri went in the second round, we all knew he was great. But the other three guys went in rounds 6 and 7. That puts them sort of in the "project" category.
Jake | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 11:52 am | #

It is kind of puzzling about the D. In the defensive backfield you have Zibby as the top safety on Kiper's big board, Richardson goes in the 6th round, Ndukwe goes in the 7th, and Wooden/Lambert will probably be late round picks next year. On the DL you had Abiamiri as a 2nd round talent with Landri in the 5th, Frome was undrafted but good enough to get a look, and Laws could very well be a 2nd, 3rd, 4th rounder next year depending on how he does at DE this year (which I think he will be great at). Now the late rounders and undrafted guys may be "projects" at the next level, but in college that much talent should translate to wins, or at the least not getting torched. How on earth has the ND defense been unable to defend the pass or get a rush on the QB for the past two years?
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:07 pm | #

Still, NFL 'projects' should be preety good in CF .

Kind of reminds me of in the early to mid 90's when everyone always bemoaned the secondary and every year a couple of guys would go off to the NFL. Also the O line would have 3 go into the NFL counting Morton. So sometimes i wonder.
Gabby | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:08 pm | #

Is anyone else shocked by the fact that Southern Cal only had five guys drafted? That's incredible. They have been landing more high school talent than virtually anyone else in the country since the poodle arrived. What gives?
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:12 pm | #

Think about how young the Trojans were this year, Voice. Most of the players were underclassmen or first year starters. That's what is scary about the U$C game this year.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:14 pm | #

Errr, rather "how young the Trojans were LAST year"....
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:17 pm | #

Roger that. They are LOADED next year. I'm just glad Jarrett is gone. He always torched us.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 12:21 pm | #

Back to:

I'm intrigued by the enthusiasm for BQ in miami. When most of the country seemed to be bashing, or at least skeptical of the overhyped Quinn, how is it that the folks down in southern FL could be so gung-ho on the guy?

It's 'put-your-money-where your mouth is.' People love to bash him when he's playing for ND (or an opposing NFL team) but if you have a chance to get him on YOUR team? Well, the tone changes a bit. Not unique to Miami. I'll bet there are a lot of Ohians out there who are OSU fans and every Saturday said that Brady sucked. Those same people are Browns fans on Sunday and will now be Brady-lovers.
irishru2 | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:21 pm | #

though for the most part you are totally correct irishru2, there are definetly a decent portion of nuts are cleveland that are still convinced that bq will be a flop.

And did anyone hear theisman this morning on mike&mike ripping brady quinn for chewing gum, and apparently not being able to tie his tie correctly at the draft... unbelievable.
guyritz | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:30 pm | #

USC had a huge load of guys go to the draft 2 years ago.

As a result, they had a small class this year, since their team didn't just had a handful of seniors and was mostly composed of jr's, soph's, and freshman.

USC should be unstoppable this year. If they lose a game, I think it falls squarely on Pete Carrol's shoulders. USC has recruited head and shoulders above ANY OTHER TEAM the last 5 years. They should walk into the NC game.

I can't wait to see Pete Carroll choke, when their athleticism fails to carry his weak coaching skills.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:32 pm | #

Let's just hope that loss is to ND, shall we?
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:39 pm | #

JohnWA,

6 of the top 9 WRs in the draft were from LSU, Ohio State, or USC (and two others were Johnson and Meachum, whom we both faced). Take out the four games against those players, and our defensive stats improve considerably over the last four years. In most games the opponents were held to less than 21 points if you take out defensive and special teams touchdowns.

NDAlum and others - I know we are just hypothesizing, but if Zibby, Shark, and Carlson were in the draft then it would have pushed Ndukwe out.
Steve R | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 1:52 pm | #

guyritz-
I didn't listen to Mike and Mike today, but Iam intrigued by how you said Theisman ripped into BQ. He's known Brady personally for at least two years now, and he has been CW's #1 fan since BEFORE he was hired. In fact, Theisman was one CW's biggest promoters to ND when they were considering hiring him. And he knows BQ is CW's boy. Are you sure he wasn't playing around? If he was truly acting like an ass, it is probably because BQ did not hire the agent Joe recommended or something petty like that. Plus, I am sure he is a bitter guy right now since he got tossed off MNF because of his lack of chemistry with that IDIOT Tony Kornhole-eiser. And for what it's worth...nobody ever looked more uncomfortable than Theisman when he would wear those super tight collared shirts and ties on TV. I get short of breath and a chafed adam's apple just looking at him.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:04 pm | #

Steve R-

I'm not sure you could say that about Ndukwe- you may be right but then again the Bengals may need a good ST guy and that could be him.

And in response to alot of the comments about how bad could our D have been if we have guys getting drafted, look at NCST and FSU last year. Tons of guys from their defense got picked yet they to had games where they got utterly exposed. In my mind- and please feel free to disagree- the drafting of Abiamiri, Landri, Richardson, and Ndukwe shows the poor coaching of Minter. That may not sound fair but the guy had 4 NFL draftees and two FA signings on his team. You don't have to go undefeated, but 3 blowouts should never happen. It goes back to coaching. Let's hope CB can do it.
PM | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:10 pm | #

Regarding the mystery of our defense's performance the past two seasons...
I think some of it was schemes.
I think some of it, this season, was Zibby's injuries.
I think some of it, this season, was a sketchy LB corps.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:31 pm | #

Good point, Steve R. If you look at it that way, the guys in the secondary were basically facing first round/early second round (and top 10 in the case of Ginn, Russell, Leinart) talent in the games that the secondary really got tore up in. On the other hand, anytime the secondary makes UNC's QB look like a mortal lock for the NFL, that isn't a good sign.

I'm sure that Minter deserves some (maybe a lot?) of the blame for what looks like an underachieving defense, but that can't be the entire explaination. The one piece of the puzzle that hasn't been mentioned is the lack of outstanding LB play. If your line has to worry about playing the run, it slows the pass rush. We've all also seen the tendency of Ndukwe and Zibby creeping up into the box and then seeing the ball go over their heads too. That would help account for the perceived gap in talent vs. production.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:42 pm | #

Of course I didn't refresh the comments before I said that nobody had mentioned LB play...
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:42 pm | #

It was cool to see how badly they wanted him, but can anybody shed some light on how the Miamians could be so fully on the bandwagon?
marcus |

Marcus - you'd have to live here to know the answer. For example, someone mentioned the 'South Beach crowd' as being Dolphin fans. Whereas ESPN frequently throws around such terminology, South Beach doesn't know that the Dolphins exist. That particular crowd was enamored of the Heat. Why? The lower bowl at the Miami Arena and now the AAA came to be filled by the gliterati of the entertainment world, and NFL stadia aren't as cozy and chic, just not to the 'South Beach crowds' liking.

Notre Dame was historically a favorite of South Florida until the early 80s, when U-know-what school shed its gridiron ineptness for gilded greatness. Local media seized Notre Dame as the perfect lightning rod (remember, no Florida school had yet won a national title) and the Raider-like persona of the Hurricanes fit well with an area then the home of Cocaine Cowboys, and wide-ranging Miami Vice.

Suddenly, everything that was UM was good, and all ND was was a lot of history and poll favoritism, faded tradition, old and stodgy. The Canes wouldn't lose for a decade, and the late-80s revival of Notre Dame football helped to feed their hype machine.

Springtime 2007: Dan Marino is long gone from the only team that South Florida embraces deeply, a team in disarray for much of a decade. Today's Hurricanes are so-so in a basketball conference, and while the Marlins are wildly successful, the Dolphins remain the only team that clicks the turnstiles.

Enter Brady Quinn. The longtime invective aimed at the Irish had the same feeling we had as kids, railing against a neighborhood 'enemy' long after we knew that our initial protestations were way out of hand. South Florida, like every area in America (save the Deep South) recognizes Notre Dame as a national treasure. When Brady Quinn comes along in the spring of 2007, he is a way to not only resurrect the beloved Dolphins, but also to bridge the quarter century hubris between the area and the Golden Dome. Suddenly, a softer tone could be uttered when talking of the Fighting Irish. Cheering for Darth Vader (UM) was getting lots tougher to do, and an outstanding QB from America's Home of Legends seemed a perfect fit.

One pick cured a lot of ills. Or, would do so. Three days later, they're still stunned here. Better for BQ where he is. The Dolphins are at the point of transitioning : from a still "great franchise" to "were a great franchise." Good luck Brady.

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 2:52 pm | #

I loved Joe T when he was at ND and the Skins, but have never liked him as a voice in the box. He's too full of himself, as if he's still mad about the Heisman snub (I thought he should have won it, too). Give me Tony K anytime. He's the opposite of pompous, and is not as stupid as he may let on. PTI is the only must-see sports show for me.
ND67AquaJock | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 3:21 pm | #

Bill H., yours is one of the best essays that I've seen in a long while.
Animus may be a better word choice than hubris, however. But I'm not here to pick you apart because I agree with everything you said.

You really explained exceptionally well the Miami situation and its history. As I am sure you know, going back to the late sixties and early seventies, two former ND greats, Bob Kuecheberg and Nick Buoniconti are Dolphin legends, and have had uber successful lives in South Florida after their playing days. Their reputations as civic leaders in Miami should have held ND's name in esteem forever, but in 1981 the perfect storm started brewing.

As I have said before, ND created the Miami machine by a) continually scheduling the U even as their thuggery went off the charts, and b) hiring Gerry Faust in 1981. Faust should get more props than either Howard Schnellenberger or Jimmy Johnson for making the U what it ultimately became. ND gave the U credibility at a time when they should have continued crushing them.
And the rest is history.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 3:25 pm | #

Jay,

Thanks to you and Paul for picking up that Travis Leitko was invited to the Baltimore Ravens camp.

To me, this is the greatest storyline of the entire draft. Here's a kid I hope you do a follow-up post on. Misses an entire year to tend to his ailing parents, comes back to school with no guarantee of a scholarship let along playing time, doesn't start, garners a measly 10 tackles and still gets invited to the Ravens camp!!?

Wow.

I bet Charlie put in a few calls on his behalf.
Andy | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 3:42 pm | #

yeah... i second that. I'd love to hear more about Lietko.

Hopefully I'll get to see some of him in the summer camps.
domer03inbmore | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 4:06 pm | #

Landri was named one of SI.com's 10 steals of the draft, as was Brady.
ND67AquaJock | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 4:20 pm | #

Andy, that's an excellent idea. In the meantime, here's a little bit we wrote about Travis last year:

http://bluegraysky.blogspot.com/ ...540239100936634
Jay | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 5:30 pm | #

DW was just featured on NFL Live on ESPN on the "What Were They Thinking?" segment. The lads there said that DW was likely told he wouldn't be drafted.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.01.07 - 10:48 pm | #

Still, I just read the SBT article on Darius, and it's tough not to feel bad about how things worked out. When you feel like you have done everything you could to put yourself in the right position to accomplish the one thing you always dreamed about . . . and it still doesn't happen for you. Well, that's tough to take. I hope he shows the Bears something real special and can find a place for himself.
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 9:56 am | #

It is great that Darius is finishing his education.

Stats don't mean anything when it comes to the NFL draft. In reading the article, it seems that Jimmy's obsession with stats is what was behind the whole decision.

It is all about potential with the NFL draft - physical potential. Especially for the RB position.

And the obvious shot at CW for not promoting him - dont you think CW has a pretty good idea who is and who isn't ready for the NFL? His resume would surely suggest so.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 11:06 am | #

I did find the shot in that SBT article at Charlie interesting. It did seem like Jimmy was completely focused on stats. I certainly agree with him that the #4 rusher in ND history, especially since Walker was playing with a franchise QB and Consensus AA WR on the team, probably deserves a draft spot in the NFL. Given Walker's relative physical limitations as a NFL RB though (at least as they are perceived), I wouldn't have built up my expectations to be a first day pick.

I guess that's a lesson in listening to your coach. If a guy like CW tells you (apparently) that you aren't ready, then you probably aren't ready.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 11:29 am | #

Did CW promote anyone besides Quinn? Honestly, I don't recall him saying a word about any other Irish player in the draft. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.
Jake | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 11:41 am | #

Was he asked about anyone other then Quinn? Quinn was the most talked about guy in the draft.
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 12:44 pm | #

That's true, good point.
Jake | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 12:55 pm | #

Just because Charlie didn't publicly endorse anyone as much as he did Brady doesn't mean he didn't make a few phone calls within the league. As mentioned, how many reporters asked about anyone other than Brady? On the other hand, Charlie may have had a strong feeling that the draft would be unkind to Darius and, from what we know about Charlie, I would guess that he would have been very up front about it.
I will admit I was surprised to see Hawaii's RB taken in the 7th round, considering he probably did not get many carries at all in college.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 1:40 pm | #

Ah.. really!?

Gabe, you really go a long way to give an explanation to support Charlie. Hopefully it makes you feel better about him.

Charlie doesn't have a clout in the NFL. OK, he probably makes phonecalls. but no one listens to him. Suddenly Darius' dad is the villian. Why can't he be right?

Either Charlie didn't promote Darius (or) NFL teams didn't listen to Charlie.
Realist | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 3:24 pm | #

Realist - I believe that the facts support Charlie having 'a clout'in the NFL. I love Darius, and have seldom if ever seen a player match his effort, pound-for-pound. The problem comes in the form of number "4.7"

Ten of this year's Irish squad will be at NFL camps. Ten. Realist, you have to start thinking that CW may very well be the league's "behind-the-scenes" commish!

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 3:57 pm | #

Realist, nobody is saying DW's dad is the villain. I can certainly understand his disappointment in Darius not being drafted. It seems as though Jimmy W. thought NFL teams would put more significance in DW's stats rather than his combine performance.

Bill H. is right, NFL teams put A LOT of significance on guys' 40 times, no matter what their head coach says about them. That is probably the biggest reason that Lorenzo Booker was a 3rd round pick and DW signed as undrafted FA.

With regards to recruiting, it would be in Charlie's best interest to get his RB into the NFL, so I have to think he would have tried to help in some way.

Out of curiosity, Realist, who is your team?
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 5:13 pm | #

Domers,

(Sir) Real is a baiter; tried in vain to be a master of it.

Seemed to know a little about a third tier bowl UM comeback. Tried to imply that UM's comeback was evidence that CW had little / nothing to do with Tom Brady's (pupil of Weis) SB runs. That was a good one - LOL!

(Sir) Real = another Small 11 (2006 bowl record?) lurker.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 5:54 pm | #

i saw some interesting numbers on sportscenter last night dealing with the relation between draft position and NFL play time. i can't remember exact numbers, but over 20% of the players on NFL rosters last season were undrafted free agents. no other draft round produced the same kind of numbers (1st rounders accounted for something like 14%, while 7th rounders held around 8% of roster spots). when you look at it from that perspective, DW's future may not be as bleak as it may seem.
tyler | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 5:55 pm | #

Interesting numbers, Tyler, but I wonder if that's due to a lot of those undrafted free agents and low round picks being from smaller schools and/or divisions below 1A. Those guys are less likely to get noticed and have more questions about how they'll transition to playing at NFL competition level. That's certainly not the case for a high-profile player at ND under a coach like Weis.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 6:37 pm | #

OH NO!! Kevin White is on the move again.
phil | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 7:05 pm | #

It didn't really matter if Walker came out now or next year. He just isn't fast enough to be an NFL running back and he doesn't break tackles. Good receiver, good blocker but not good enough for the next level. He was a nice college back but he's way too slow for the pros. I think he'll probably look back and wish he had stuck around to enjoy his senior year with his friends at Notre Dame. That's an opportunity he won't ever have again.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 7:10 pm | #

Big news - DL Hafis Williams commits to the Irish!!

Very nice way to keep the recruiting momentum rolling.
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 7:11 pm | #

I know if I was going on ESPN, I wouldn't chew gum, and I would make sure my tie looked correct. Also, if I was going on ESPN, and the Notre Dame QB was the topic of discussion, I wouldn't criticize him because of minor flaws in his appearance or choice of breath fresheners. Where's the love, guys?
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 7:27 pm | #

While it is an uphill battle to make a roster, I believe that Walker will do just that. I wish, however, that Shanahan and the Broncos had pursued him in free agency because they do an unbelievable job finding unsung RB talent year after year after year. Their endorsement almost pre-ordains success. And if I'm not mistaken, Terrell Davis was a 4.6 guy that did okay. What Darius and his family need to do is stay classy.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 8:32 pm | #

Tyler I saw that segment of ESPN. 26.8% of the players in the NFL were undrafted free agents. Something like 582 out of 1850. 15.8% were first round picks. I think that goes to show that the draft is not and exact science, a lot of speculation and marginal calling. A lot like the stock market really. One thing that you cannot measure in a combine or anywhere else is heart.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 8:39 pm | #

This is hillarious:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com...ting/ index.html

Last year we had three at this point andn ow we have 11 and this guy is trying to find flaws with Charlie? Does he not realize that we arei n contention for the top WR prospects in the nation? Or that we got a burner last year in Golden Tate? Got to love the media, bashing ND on May 2nd. We're on our way back.
PM | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 9:51 pm | #

Ok, I posted before I read the article. The guy actually has some fair and valid points. My apologies to him. Sorry for the double post.
PM | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 9:53 pm | #

Tyler, great stat by the way. I wonder how the percentages break down by dollar amount? i.e. do undrafted players make up 26% of NFL rosters but take home 8% of team salaries? Since NFL salaries are not guaranteed, that would give us their weighted value per roster spot, perhaps a more accurate indicator of how well the draft forecasts NFL 'success.'

Or we could see if this piece of jell-o will stick to the ceiling.

Nope.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.02.07 - 11:22 pm | #

I gotta admit, my two biggest concerns for next year are our O line and our receivers.
24 hour | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 12:10 am | #

i love the post from the dolphin fan site, it shows how foolish they were to pass on the chance to get a potential franchise quarterback...people in miami are pissed
the man | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 12:25 am | #

24 hour,

Agreed.
Andy | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 2:17 am | #

Thanks for the link PM.

I cant read crap like that anymore. There are so many reporters and analysts who go out of their way to be negative about the Irish. It drives me nuts.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Charlie's offense doesn't NEED a burner. He seems to emphasisze downfield blocking...I remember Fasano clearing people out for Maurice and Shark and those do doing it for each other. I don't really remember any ND player juking a db and burning by him for a long td.

Screen passes, short slant patterns and great blocking...am I wrong? Is not having the fastest reciever commit almost a year before signing day really warrant an article calling them out on it?
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 9:01 am | #

That article isn't negative about ND. If you want negative, read stew mandel's preseason rankings in which the Irish don't appear but he still manages to get in a dig against Clausen. Maybe Crist will renege and sign with Northwestern, nitwit.

I think the altitude and offensive line have more to do with Shanahan's rep re: rb's after his draft gamble last year.

Go Dame
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 9:53 am | #

Half the next recruiting class has committed four months before they play their senior high school season.....lighten up folks.....noteveryone at every position is going to be the best in the world...some good guys do prefer Florida and
SC and Michigan.....ND is getting good players and what appear to be good citizens, who want to play at Notre Dame for what it is.....CW will take care of the rest....relax and enjoy.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 11:32 am | #

Any reason why we have so many verbal commits already? I thought we'd be seeing less with Charlie's new "You better be god-damned serious" policy of verbal comitments
Irish4eva | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 11:51 am | #

Yes, the reason is Corwin Brown.
Steve R | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 1:14 pm | #

In looking at NFL rosters and the numbers of UFAs on the teams, I think another aspect to look at is volume. There are 32 slots or so in the 1st round, one for each team. But didn't one coach say they'd be bringing in something like 80 undrafted free agents to compete for 2-4 spots? With ~1 1st rounder per team, and 2-4 UFAs, that could account for the disparity in total numbers on the roster.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 3:22 pm | #

Good news for Br^2 [Brady & Browns].

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/f...- notebook_N.htm

Go Br^2
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 3:24 pm | #

The SI article is by Mike Farrell, who I believe is considered to have a little bit of an anti-ND bias. The article itself isn't all that bad, if you assume the premise itself (ND doesn't have enough speed at the WR position) is correct.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 05.03.07 - 8:41 pm | #