"We're now brothers. That's what we are."

And you have about 8,000 brothers and sisters waiting to meet you in August.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:09 pm | #

Omar said he wasn't sure about ND's coaching staff. I thought I was the only one. We still have a long way to go to get back to respectability
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:14 pm | #

Jappy Oliver is a fraud.

Omar was probably looking to see who Jappy Oliver has put in the pros.

No one.

Laws and Abiamiri were studs before Oliver laid his soiled hands upon them.

Omar said the style he plays didn't fit in with the style ND's line played.

ND's line is shit, and Omar is good, is basically what that meant.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:17 pm | #

Pretty sure it has been settled that USC was South Carolina.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:20 pm | #

Citing Laws isn't exactly the strongest denouncement of Oliver's coaching.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:20 pm | #

I haven't found confirmation that it is South Carolina, although that would fit with the "closer to home" theme. We do know that Southern Cal was still recruiting him, though, and there was even a strong rumor that he was going to take a visit during the season.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:32 pm | #

I assumed Anon was being sarcastic since citing Abiamiri doesn't help his case much, either. He seemed to underperform until his senior season, when he finally busted out and played like a monster.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:37 pm | #

Jay is correct - Coach Oliver hasn't done a bad job at all, especially in light of the wafer thin talent at the D-Line position.

Laws has really developed in the last two years into an impact player. Did anyone think we would get as much production of Pat Kuntz as we did? If Dwight Stephenson is such a non-factor, why did we suddenly collapse in the Georgia Tech game when he was thrown out? How do we knock down so many passes and kicks? Ian Williams is a productive freshman. This isn't an accident.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:38 pm | #

My decipher of Omar’s statement about the coaching staff is that he expected changes and didn’t see any coming anytime before February. Attending the Navy game had to be a bummer. It was a bummer for me and I was half drunk before the third quarter started.
Hey, I don't think he was going to get along with the SB winter anyway.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:38 pm | #

there may be value in deciphering his comments re the coaching staff.
or there may not be.
that is, IMHO he probably got turned off the irish after a 3-9 season. (it's shocking more recruits haven't been to date). judging by how quickly he commited this summer, that wouldn't surprise me.
his comments justifying his decision may just be p.r. i.e. he has to say something.
in any event, considering the 2008 haul that's coming in, and the comments from crist (assuming every recruit buys into crist's comments) then losing omar, while disappointing, is not that big a deal from a grand scheme of things viewpoint.
M Jelic | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:50 pm | #

So he wants to play in warm weather. I hope he gets drafted by Green Bay or Buffalo
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:50 pm | #

Sadly, Omar, we hardly knew ye.

Does it hurt our line next year and in the future? Yes and yes. If he wasn't a starter next year he was a very solid rotating guy to play a series or so. When people start comparing you to Bryant Young, that's good company.

Who plays nose tackle behind Ian (or Pat, less likely)? Brandon Newman may pitch in, but he better get in shape! Hafis Williams seems more of a project. I won't count on Mike Martin joining the fold. He'd be perfect in RR's 3-3-5 NG.

Hopefully Justin Brown and Derrell Hand can really pitch in during their last years at DE. Cynwar might be able to help with 6 months and a spring of practice, but I don't think Ethan Johnson (injury) and Darius Flemming (too small) will be helping at DE this year.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 3:51 pm | #

I think Omar's line gives us insight into the negative recruiting that Urban Meyer's staff used.

And the fact that the UF staff asked Omar to lie or misrepresent his interest . . .

Anyone considering going to Florida should do a google search on Urban Meyer and look at all the different fanbases (Georgia, LSU, USC, etc) that talk about his staff's negative recruiting bases.

Disappointing to lose Omar, even more disappointing that he's been hoodwinked by such a morally suspect coaching staff.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:01 pm | #

Plain and simple - ND was used as an insurance policy against injury during Hunter's senior season. Few other schools honor scholarship offers to injured players.

I still can't understand how anybody could play for a scumbag like Urban Leyer. He threw his kids under the bus after losing to Michigan the other day! What a classy guy...Have fun in the sun Omar, we won't miss you!
Brian | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:02 pm | #

Anonymous,

He'll be able to fly his parents in 1st class then instead of having them drive up to South Bend.

Omar,

If you come to Notre Dame, that would be great (especially for me seeing you kick buttocks for my team). If you don't, I absolve you of all perceived slight. I chose my university because of cost and desired major but also because I figured it was close to my parents and family. If that was important to me, I can see how it was important to you. Godspeed.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:07 pm | #

I just hope this isn't the beginning of the end. How many more recruits are going to jump from the sinking ship? I'd be stunned if we aren't greeted with more bad news before signing day. Gee, Happy New Year.
shawn | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:20 pm | #

I like Dayne Crist more every time I read comments like that. The kid sounds like a real leader. I'm really looking forward to having him on this team.
Joel | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:39 pm | #

Jay,

How about writing a guest editorial piece for EDSBS concerning their coach, his tactics, and his broken promises.

You know, let Orson know there is a new Swindle in GatorTown - Urban Swindle.

-PZ
PZ | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:40 pm | #

It's not easy pulling 4 and 5 star recruits out of the south--those of you who don't live down here may not realize the amount of "SEC is King of all that ever was college football" propaganda that goes on across the southeast in every medium (not just the sports pages). I imagine that would be hard to ignore for an 18-year old. Also, his team, Buford, just finished off an undefeated championship season by winning 48-0 in the semis and then 54-0 in the finals (a fact that makes 3-9 look that much worse).

I'm just surprised he wasn't considering UGA, given the team they'll be fielding the next couple of years. Of course, they do have that badass DL from Statesboro coming in, but not like he won't face similar competition at UF. Oh well. Hopefully he doesn't get screwed in Gainseville...
oh wait, that's probably another reason too.
highnoon | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 4:53 pm | #

Disappointing news about Omar. Godspeed.

Absolutely awesome news how Crist is talking "...got great chemistry...more surprised that we lost one...extremely tight-knit...We are a family...We're now brothers" Wow, can anyone want anymore from a group? We may not see the results for a couple of years but if Charlie can breed this attitude and start learning to coach college kids (or letting the assisants coach), it will pay off in the future.
OldFan | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 5:48 pm | #

Omar should reconsider his Gator infatuation. After watching how Greg Mattison DOESN'T develop his players at Florida, I hope Georgia's Mark Richt sells Hunter on the concept of REALLY staying close to home. The Dawgs are pretty damn good, and they are putting tons of kids into the NFL. Florida, under the Chinless Wonder, may have peaked. Michigan owned them in every possible way, and the 4 loss Gators looked very average. Tebow can't be expected to continue carrying the team on his back, and Percy Harvin is fantastic, but he's brittle and will continue to dazzle one week, and sit hurt the next. Greg Mattison continues to be Greg Mattison so the defense will not be getting any better, and their O.C. Dan Mullen will be a head coach somewhere else by '09. Florida, with all their recent Zook-built successes, seems to be slipping, and I see them losing at least three regular season games next season. The gist of my ramble: I would love it if Richt out-thieves that thieving little bitch Urban Meyer, and convinces Omar Hunter that Athens is where he ought to be. If the Irish can't have him, I'd enjoy seeing him wreaking havoc in the Gators backfield for the next 3-4 years. And one more thing...if his idea of "USC" is South Carolina, then he's out of his mind. Spurrier and his program have stalled out, and Stevie Superior may not be there much longer. Omar's understanding of geography is not so good. Surely he means the USC that we despise. And the idea of him lining up beside Everson Griffen makes my head hurt.

That is all.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 6:18 pm | #

Urban Meyer did not just throw his players under the bus recently after the loss to Michigan.

He threw them under there and then ran them over a few times.

Also, just announced that Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey has informed the Gators that he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

So, it looks like Florida may have peaked.
Thomas | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 6:31 pm | #

"Decommitted"? It's funny what we do with language these days. Sounds like he did something that has to do with actually committing.

I don't mind that Omar has changed his mind, but I believe this is what they used to call "welching". Omar welched. We should keep using that word. Kids who 'decommit' are welchers.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 6:34 pm | #

who cares? if omar buford doesn't want to go to nd then we'll win without him. he probably just wants to smoke reefer with urban's guys.
jb | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 7:03 pm | #

Voice,

I usually get pretty worn out by your constant harping on Weis and the lack of quality line play. Early in the season, okay, but every day, every single week starts to wear. However, I am in complete agreement with you regarding UF this year. I keep telling my SEC friends that Florida was not that good this year. Their defense gave up points to every half-decent team they played, and if Tebow makes it through another year without major injury I will be surprised.

I also agree about South Carolina. I don't know why people don't realize that Spurrier is already splitting SC kids with Clemson and the good ones he is fighting with GA, FLA, UNC, etc. No way is he able to bring them back to the top of the SEC the way he did with Florida years ago. Unfortunately, Spurrier will find out the same thing Lou did. There just aren't enough kids in SC to field a championship team and you can't get kids from California and Texas to play in SC. They will continue being what they have been for the past 20 years, a middle of the road SEC team. The reason LSU, TN, and GA are so good is because they are picking out every good player in their respective states. Fla is fortunate that there are enough good players in FL to support another team or two. However, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc. just don't have enough players anymore to support the teams their fans expect. The days when Alabama or Arkansas was able to get kids from GA/TX to come and play are long gone and I don't expect a resurgence any time soon.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 7:29 pm | #

An anagram of OMAR HUNTER is

UR THE MORAN.
Phil Lesh | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 7:33 pm | #

Michael,
Your first two sentences gave me quite a good laugh because I totally agree with you! My harping on our crummy line play even wears on ME! Hilarious. I will seriously consider how much I might be wearing on others in the future if I begin to start throwing our OL under the proverbial bus. Thank you for your outstanding post, my friend!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 7:52 pm | #

Guys:

Negative recruiting has existed for many years. It is worth repeating again -- he 85 scholarship limit has really leveled the playing field. Where were teams like Boise State, Oregon, VaTech and Hawaii 20 plus years ago? When I was at ND in the 70's, the Big Ten was called the Big 2--OSU and Michigan. Bear Bryant admitted that he would recruit players to Bama just to make sure they would not play against his team. In 1973, when ND played Bama for the National Championship, Bama had 8 (yes 8!) different running backs who had at least 100 yards rushing during the season.

Weis is trashed but, for example, Ara had 30 or more players on scholarship than Weis has and was still losing to crappy teams like Missouri in 1972 and Purdue in 1974 and gave up 49 points to USC in one half!!
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 8:15 pm | #

Lush, that can't be a statement of fact, in regards to scholarship players. Nonetheless, Ara's strength of schedule vs. the modern day schedule are VASTLY different....
mikes1160 | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 8:37 pm | #

While watching this Kansas/Virginia Tech Orange Bowl I think we all need to be reminded that it's not all about 4 and 5 stars but hard working, first class, young men who will be willing to work and play hard for their teammates and coaches. If Omar doesn't feel like ND is the place, so be it. Most 18 year-olds don't have a clear idea of where they want to go to college, football players are no different. The quote by Dayne was ecouraging because it didn't speak to losing a great talent, but losing a close brother. That kind of thought is what wins championships. Lou would say "attitude determines how well you do it."
mark | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 9:09 pm | #

With Omar's decommitment and his comments about ND's style and how they play and the coaching sounds like a little bird was chirping in his ear. I don't doubt that Trevor Laws' snub by the All American lists while having an All American year was used against us too. I can hear it now, "Omar,don't go to ND because even if you have a great year, you won't get the recognition".
E | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 9:39 pm | #

Voice,

Let's hope you won't have to in eight long months.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 01.03.08 - 9:55 pm | #

It seems to me that Charlie is taking care of all the holes in the lineup with the new recruits and pending ones. I am concerned about one thing - the kicker. Does anyone know if he is recruiting a new kicker or how he is going to "coach up" the ones he has?
GB | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 4:51 am | #

E,
Good point. I can see that happening. I don't mind these kids changing their minds, but this is a tough time for them and coaches who will lie outright arent doing them any justice. I hope he has a great career it would have been fun to watch him.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 7:05 am | #

I disagree with the comments by those who are using this story to once again rip the Irish coaching staff.

The focus of distain should be directed to (1) Urban Myer if it is Florida where Omar is heading;(2)Omar's immature view of what ND is really about; (3) Omar's parents for not providing more guidance; and (4) his high school coach who it has been said has always been cool to ND and closer to Florida.

The latter focus of distain is very likely the most important. Those of you who are blasting away at CW and his staff either do not understand the bond a high school athlete has with his coach, or you are just using this situation as another way to cheap shot ND.

Read Dayne Crist's comment closely. This is a special recruiting class, and the final additions are not known yet. This will be a spectacular class WITHOUT OMAR HUNTER.
Ted | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 8:29 am | #

MARK, you are absolutely on target. I am not a KU fan, but living in Wichita certainly exposes a person to what KU has done this year. Weak schedule and no 4 or 5-star players. Probably not many 3-star recruits on their roster. I'll take the Notre Dame way, but I don't believe there is anything to be gained by playing a very difficult schedule, without a break, until the end of the season.
Ted | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 8:37 am | #

the more i think about it, the more i think brian is right....nd was used as an insurance policy. if hunter does wind up at fla, you have to wonder if that is a pitch regularly employed by them. tell the kid we want you, but have them tell nd you're their guy. that way they can have their cake and eat it too. if the kid doesn't pan out sr year, then they can walk away.

might be the wrong read of the situation, but you never know.
yz | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:13 am | #

We really should not get too worked up about this. I am troubled by the rumors in gainesville that he was encouraged to lie about a silent to UF, but other than that this is par for the course.

If he had not committed in June, we would be disappointed that we were ruled out, nothing more. We should look at it somewhat that way. The only negative is that we pulled off of some kids who we probably can not get back on. At least he had the decency to do this in January rather than February.

As for calling decommits, welchers or some other negative term, we have two welchers in our class (Gray, Robinson), and have had others in the past. We are trying to turn a Michigan recruit into a welcher to replace Hunter. We may think we do it better and more above board, and perhaps we do. However, to the other school, I am sure they don't have that same reaction. I can't see someone at huskernation posting, 'yeah, Robinson welched on us, but at least it was to Charlie Wise (misspelling intentional)'. If the rumors out of Gainesville are false, and they very well could be, then all Meyer did was keep in touch with a kid. No more, no less. Nothing more or less than we did with Robinson, Gray, Martin, and who knows who else (Datone Jones, et. al.)

I think it would be better for all if we stopped worrying that an 18 year old kid changes his mind on the most, and perhaps first, important decision he has ever made in his life to that point. Hunter would be a good addition to the class. I hope USC means the ol' ball coach and not the poodle, and if it does, then we never have to worry about playing him. FWIW, the reports from the Under Armour game have him beating all the OLs up, except Braxton Cave who is controlling him.
Andy T | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:33 am | #

Gray and Robinson are not in the same class Andy T. I know that we have some guys that decommit on our squad, but they shouldn't be included in that category. The coach that recruited him was fired! If you as a student decide to go to a grad school where you can work under a professor you really like to get your doctrate, and that professor leaves, you probably change schools.

I don't have a problem with those kind of decommits.
Oreo | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:50 am | #

Ted :

Your 8:29 post was on the mark.

To elaborate,given the family environments in our society, the coach may be a parent model as well.

I'm sure the lack of commitment we see by coaches year in and year out to their respective programs ,leaves an impression on these young men as well.

Most critics of Charlie ,on this blog at least, would concede he is trying to build character in these young men.

His treatment of our opponents at the Academies ,and his charity work are things all ND fans can be proud of.

The vast majority of us who have been critics of him this past year want him to succeed even more, BECAUSE of the above points and his ND pedigree.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:59 am | #

Oreo,

You may be right about Robinson and Gray, and then Martin would fall in that category. However, Munir Prince and Brian Smith do not. My point is a simple one. Kids change their minds. Declaring them villains for doing so serves no purpose.
Andy T | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:10 am | #

my last word on this topic.
good article in south bend tribune by carroll on weis' decision to stick to his guns and effectively tell omar "if you look elsewhere, we're gonna pull your scholarship". this is a question i posed a few weeks ago. charlie had to either stand firm by his post-2007-signing day policy, for everyone, or make an exception for this exceptional prospect (and risk losing credibility with the the rest of the incoming recruits, for years to come).
as painful as it must have been, i think charlie did the right thing. good for him. and IMHO, good for the program.
p.s. as for hunter, sorry to see him go (think he made a mistake) but best of luck to him. no hard feelings.
M Jelic | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:16 am | #

The time for an early signing period for football has come. The thing that should really piss off Irish fans is that what Omar did basically cost us the opportunity to recruit some other very talented DT/NT prospects who were legitimately interested in ND. At least we have a month and one potential candidate (Mike Martin) to fill the void. An early signing day would really shake things up for scum like Urban Liar - he would have to actually do some player evaluation before ND made its offers...
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:23 am | #

Gotta wonder about a kid who commits on a whim and then decommits in a less than honest way. He very well may not be a good fit. As for Florida, sooner or later their poaching will catch up to them. Once Meyer's rep is damaged by his unethical style, the recruiting field will re-level itself somewhat.
Jimbo | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:24 am | #

I'm hoping Hunter and Trattou are flipping burgers together in five years as high school has beens. Unless they chose to play for an academy or a school where a family member/friend is on the staff, I'm not rooting for them to do well. Call me vindictive, but I only root for The Fighting Irish ...
Greg | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:54 am | #

Omar was not and is not a good fit for ND. Character counts, the fact he was going to go to Michigan, then changed to ND, hardly surprises me he's changed his mind again. If he doesn't end up at Florida, I'd be shocked. If he gets hurt while at Florida - his future, not just his football future is screwed.
Mike | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 11:21 am | #

According to Lemming and the SBT, ND pulled Hunter's scholarship offer if he visited Florida but Hunter didn't mention that.

What Urban wanted to do was string ND along then pull the rug out near signing day but it didn't work out. ND still has plenty of time to go after other D-Linemen.

Urban is finally coming into his own, a spread offense full of reverses and trick plays with a crappy defense.

As for Omar, he seems to enjoy being recruited.
The Butobi Brothers | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:00 pm | #

the old ND recruiting adage was

"Look, son - you may be one play away from getting hurt, and having your career end just like that. If it happened to you, would you rather be at ND and earn your degree, or be enrolled at Florida?"
Pete | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:05 pm | #

It is beginning to look more like Hunter was concerned he would forever be stuck behind Newman on the depth chart.
Daniel | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:10 pm | #

Sucks indeed, sucks real bad. Especially to get outflanked by a dirty liar who has no intention of honoring his commitment to his recruits.

But...the urban liar can't ever replicate the kind of loyalty CW has instilled in this new class. That quote from Dayne is amazing. This is the only thing that will bring us back to our rightful place - this killer class (dare I say "nasty class") taking total ownership.

Let Omar leave, he's making the mistake of his life. I too got a little too infatuated but it's to be expected. Lying con men like urban liar can always slip in a few solid shots but over the long run (the next 3-4 years) he will not be able to compete with a solid ND program run with integrity.

Urban liar thinks he can create the Patriots of college football. Well I got news for you Liar, the Patriots play at every level as a team and the coaches don't throw individual players under the bus. The only college coach that truly understands the Patriots formula is Charlie Weis.

This quote deserves another post...

"We've got great chemistry, and I'm not surprised on how we're reacting on the field or in this event at all. I mean, I saw that coming for months... this is an extremely tight-knit class. You could ask any one of these guys the same question, and they'll give you the exact same answer verbatim. We don't want any loose ends in the family. That's how we feel. We are a family and we feel very strongly about that. We're now brothers. That's what we are." ~ ND Recruit Dayne Crist
FightingSonofNotreDame | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:31 pm | #

By the way, I guarantee UF used one of it's standard "recruiting teams" consisting of voluptuous broads to show the recruits around campus and provide "hospitality" during their stay.

It's hard for a 17 year old kid to resist that. The shame is those same broads won't be around when you get injured and UF drops your scholarship.

That being said can't we get some sort of informal St Mary's recruiting team? Maybe Jenkins can organize it.
FightingSonofNotreDame | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:35 pm | #

I guess I can't fault Omar too much for not having a lot of confidence in the coaching staff. 3-9 doesn't exactly say good things about them, although I certainly think that Jappy Oliver is the worst of the Irish concerns. But it's too bad that he decommitted the way he did and to the man he did (if you can even call Meyer that). I want to wish him the best, but I admit that I just can't. Not that I wish anything bad on him, but I won't wish the best either. Good for CW and the coaching staff for sticking to their guns and apparently pulling his offer. I love how Omar forgot to mention that part.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 12:41 pm | #

At no point in the last 6 months have I felt more optimistic - after reading Crist's comments.Often we ND diehards agonize over details. Yes, losing Hunter hurts, but the silver lining is appearing all over. The comments made by Crist indicate that by losing Hunter we have "cut the fat" off of a great class. Does anybody else feel that chill down their spine when they read Crist and Gray's comments? 5 star recruits rarely fulfill their promise, and this loss will not be noticed in the rearview mirror of the coming 2009 or 2010 National Championship. Keep the faith all you faithfull! (BTW - I can't wait till we get a shot at Florida one of these years).
speakirish | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 1:05 pm | #

Omar is a KID - cut him some slack. Granted he is a large, athletically gifted kid but he is still a KID. How old is he? 18 or so. How many of you out there were prepared to make such a decision at that age? Lighten up.

I sure am glad that Meyer went to Floida rather than to ND. Remember when the administration fired TW? (IMO) That was because they thought they could get Meyer. They were wrong, and I for one am glad of that.

Pete - I am reminded of an incident a number of years ago when Lou Holtz was still coaching at ND. The recruiting period was ending and ND had been in competition with FSU over a kicker from Colorado, I believe. It was believed that ND had him in the bag because his dad had played at ND. At the last minute he committed to FSU and (if memory serves) Coach Holtz was quoted as having said - "He didn't make a 4 year mistake, he made a 40 year mistake."

And let us keep in mind that last year at OSU Greg Oden had two subjects in his final semester - Sociology and The History of Rock and Roll.

Source - Sports Illustrated
Terry | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 1:09 pm | #

I saw this coming when I went out to ND for the BC and USC games (especially USC). You have a 17-18 year old "kid" watching an uninspired team and a coaching staff that seems to be giving up with bad play calling (by an offensive "genius").

Do you think not going for the field goal against Navy scared him off? Just kidding, but I just hope there are no bad surprises between now and signing day, I have been expecting this one since October.

I am glad to see Dayne's comments. I just about knew that Omar was going to decommit, but I was afraid that Crist would too after some earlier comments I read in an interview.
Golden Domer | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 1:16 pm | #

If Omar doesn't want to be here that is fine, don't come here. As someone posted earlier the good thing is that he did it the first week of January not the first week of February. I am glad that Charlie stuck to his original comments about the word commitment. If you're looking we're looking. Will Omar be missed? I guess time will tell, but I am extremely excited about the future of ND football. We may lose out on a few, we may have some kids transfer, but we appear to be recruiting the right kids...ones that want to play for our beloved Fighting Irish.
Jerry | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 1:34 pm | #

Like everyone else, I'm disappointed that Hunter isn't going to be here and suspicious of the silent verbal to Florida. But it seems like it's been covered well and we should focus on what we do have. Brandon Newman is lighting it up at the All-America practices and I hope that he and Ian Williams don't feel unappreciated with all the attention the Hunter decommit is getting. FWIW.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 1:42 pm | #

I just had to respond to "he's just a kid" - well I was a "just kid" when I enlisted in the military. Then I went off to war to kill before I or other Americans were killed. Give me a break on those type of excuses. Four or more years of college compared to military service as an enlisted man? Get real people. Go Irish!
Mike | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 2:06 pm | #

Lighten up, people!! Comparing the selection of a football program to the grim choice to sacrifice your life for your country? Jesus!!

Honestly, as someone who is on the wrong side of 35, I look back on my own college decision (not ND, for me ND was later) with bemusement -- who was that 17-year-old kid who made such drastic decisions about the rest of my life? (Even now, I am by no means convinced that I made the right college choice, either.)

Seriously, if you were a blue-chip recruit and did not have some pre-ordained reason to go to ND, how do you think a 3-9 season would make you feel about YOUR decision -- especially when NO ONE seems to know what happened? Wouldn't that give you the warm and fuzzies about your college choice?

What is surprising is NOT that we just lost one -- what is surprising is that we haven't lost ALL of them (except for Golic, he's pretty well locked in).
Fitzwater | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 2:45 pm | #

Hey, there are a lot of good anagrams:
OMAR, HE TURN
U RAN, MOTHER
HAREM-O-RUNT

and, wait for it...
THOR MANURE
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 3:08 pm | #

all i can say is to hell with omar hunter if he doesnt want to go to notre dame. he isnt going to make or break the recruiting class. theres still plenty of awesome recruits that arent going to jump ship because notre dame is playing a certain way. charlie plays the system according to the players he has, THATS WHY HE'S RECRUITING WHO HE IS RECRUITING, so he can get things to where he wants to be. omar's also said that ND is too far from home or whatever b.s excuse he's giving (even though he's gonna go to FLORIDA he's considering USC...isnt usc even FARTHER tha ND?) lol. college is supposed to promote independance among other things, and what better place than college independant notre dame?? anyways, one more scholarship is free now for the staff to use and add to the amazing recruit class we have going. i hope we get wide receiver walker and athlete (wr) glenn robinson. if we can get one more quality receiver, i think things will REALLY open up offensively. walker, floyd, kamara, tate, goodman, etc, plus the stable of running backs we have..sounds good to me. what you guys think? i dont think omar is as good as advertised anyways....i also think the defense will be much better that this year, strange feeling i have...the system will be better known and there will be more athleticism. bruton is going to have a monster year, i think ian williams is going to have a great year also, along with neal and smith at linebackers.. the o'line will be greatly improved, you have to have faith, the nd line ahs traditionally been great, things will get back to where they have to be, just have confidence and dont let one player leaving outshine or ruin the great bunch of guys that we have coming in!! GO NOTRE DAME!!
albetro | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 3:32 pm | #

Looks like Gerrell Robinson is announcing his intentions tomorrow, per Rivals. And, it says that his choice will be ND. Hopefully this spurs a decision to ND by Jones, Page, Martin, and Walker.
David | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 3:34 pm | #

uhhh albetro, you ok man?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 3:43 pm | #

I'd love to heap on Urban Meyer, but if you look at both Trattou and Hunter's Rival profile you'll see that Greg Mattison is actually the lead recruiter for both.

Mattison was with ND through both the Davie and Willingham era--in fact, he was the lone holdover from the Davie era, if I'm not mistaken. Not sure how that shook down, but I think he had kids at ND at the time and had a vested (read: $$) interest in making sure he stuck around to save on tuition as an employee. Willingham probably threw him a bone because he was a very good D-Coordinator and subsequently D-line coach and excellent recruiter in his own right.

So, Mattison has many years worth of insight into ND and can give a kid a compelling come-on about the benefits of Florida relative to ND.

In Hunter's case--Mattison has also spent time at Michigan. So, he knows both and he's probably piling it on about the sunshine, having experience at both Michigan and ND, how Florida is his favorite place of all, yada, yada, yada.

Ethically speaking, if anybody has ever been in sales, you know a deal isn't a deal until its a deal and you do whatever it takes to win the deal. I don't subscribe to lying, but all is fair in love and war.

It's too bad he's going to Florida and it's too bad that Urban is a scumbag on general principal, but in the case of Trattou and Hunter the culprit--Mattison--has close ties to ND.

As Machiavelli said, "Keep your friends close and your enemy closer."
Jeff | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 4:13 pm | #

yeah im good haha
alberto | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 4:16 pm | #

i can't fault hunter for considering all options before making a choice that he feels his best for him now. i have no insight on neither mattison nor meyer so i'm not at liberty to judge, but both trattou's and hunter's reasons for opting for UF raise a certain suspicion. i was glad to read (in some SB tribune article) that weis stood firm on his definition of the word committment. nothing bad on hunter, but i'm glad that weis rescinded his scholarship b/c he wasn't devoted to ND. weis let it be known that the all-americans will be treated exactly like the other recruits, and you're either whole heartedly in or jump off ship.
jay | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 4:47 pm | #

For the record, Omar did clarify that USC in this case refers to Southern Cal and not South Carolina.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 4:50 pm | #

Must've failed geography in HS if he thinks USC is closer to home.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 6:00 pm | #

Omar Shmomar. I think Sean Cwynar is going to be an outstanding DL for the Irish. Also, Ethan Johnson when healthy is Everson Griffen-like, and Hafis Williams looks like the real deal. Talent-wise, we are going to be in excellent shape. I just hope that the coaching and strength training are superb, too.

After seeing Florida get manhandled by Michigan, I would not be surprised if the Gators start having some recruiting defections rather than poaching gains. The Chinless Bitch better keep a good watch on his own commitments because although the Gators are supposed to contend for the MNC in '08, my gut feeling is that they have begun their decline. And Greg Mattison can rot in hell.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 6:15 pm | #

I will cut Omar some slack only to the extent that it's understandable for him to reconsider a decision as big as where he goes to school. We've benefitted in the past from players who have a change of heart, and no doubt will benefit again in the future.

That being said, it's still douchebaggery to silently decommit, and that's every bit as much is responsibility as it is that of the other coaches who encouraged the behavior. I will not cut him any slack for doing that. The right way to do it would have been for him to be up-front with ND when he concluded that it was time to look around again. That (by all acccounts) he did not do so reflects poorly on his character.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 6:22 pm | #

ND's play on the field this year is the reason Hunter decommitted and perhaps others may de-commit?? Somewhere Joe Kucharich is laughing. Ara proved in 1964 that Kucharich and ND could recruit great talent while playing poorly. Faust proved it as well.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 6:53 pm | #

Lush makes an interesting point. Kuharich and Faust recruited Notre Dame's last two Heisman Trophy winners (John Huarte and Tim Brown), while Ara and Lou, respectively, were the beneficiaries.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 8:33 pm | #

So, Gerell Robinson originally said he wasn't going to decide this weekend. Now he says he will reveal his choice tomorrow. Maybe (and I am keeping my fingers crossed here) listening to the tight knit group of ND commits all week helped him make his mind up. Sounds like Dayne Crist is really taking a leadership role with this group. If this class holds together, it will set the standard for the next incoming classes to come.

Please, Gerell! PLEASE pull that ND hat out and put it on tomorrow!! I don't want to jinx it, but can you think of the possibilities for our receiver corps with guys like Goodman, Floyd, Robinson, et al???

I am hoisting my Guiness tonight and saying a little prayer that we can add another link to the chain that is this already awesome class of ND recruits!

Good thoughts we see that ND hat on his head tomorrow!

And, despite what others here have said, good luck to Omar! May you use all that God given talent and all the opportunities presented to you to their fullest! Good luck and God Bless!

GO IRISH!!!!
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:00 pm | #

Voice,
I'm with you on Florida's decline. During the bowl game they showed a statistic that on offense Tebow and Harvin accounted for over 90% of the offensive plays. And UF's defense got torched. Teams like Georgia should be able to key in and shut down that offense and move the ball effectively against the defense. Not only will they not contend for the MNC next year, they won't even win the SEC East.
bgr | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:23 pm | #

Omar is a kid, we all know this. He has been usedy ESPN with the blessing of his HS coach. For weeks he and his coach have repeated that he had NOT de-commited from ND, yet miracuously, he de-commited hours after arriving at ESPN Central and proceeded to dis ND's style of play and their coachin staff, despite the fact fact ND hadn't played a game in 6 weeks and the staff had not been allowed recent contact. ESPN has created their own proprietary product, using un-paid HS kids, merely to make money for ESPN. I think football All-Star games are dumb, but at least Tom Lemming's game raises some $$ for the Armed Forces. Omar was used as a contrived 'recruiting update', merely as a free commercial for ESPN's own game. His HS coach did him a diservice, not because he de-commited from ND, but because he looks foolish and low class for no good reason. It's understandable that a kid would decide to stay near home, but let the important people know! This lie was perpetuated only to help ESPN promote their game. Now Omar is 4 weeks from signing day and he has NO idea where to go: USC! Auburn? Florida? None of these places give a shit about Omar. Contrast that with Dayne Crist and the other ND recruits at San Antonio.
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 9:34 pm | #

Henceforth, I shall refer to the Urban Liar as "CB" - the Chinless Bitch. Thanks for that, Voice! It is so very difficult to temper my comments in my household, but so very necessary, with a Florida alum for a spouse. When I have let loose, he says "What can I say? I'll always cheer for Florida - it's my school". Hard to argue with that.

I believe the CB's shennanigans will catch up with him sooner rather than later. Along with many bloggers, I've been critical of ND's coaching staff all year. But not ONCE did Weis EVER blame his players for a loss - and I've no doubt he could have pointed to lack of execution over and over again. Props to Charlie for that. I also believe Miami and Florida State won't be in the toilet forever, and South and Central Florida will provide even more recruiting competition for the CB. His day will come - I just hope that on that day, my marriage will survive when I refuse to wipe the grin off my face.
Mary Jo | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:46 pm | #

Sorry, new computer - Mary Jo is OC mj.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.04.08 - 10:48 pm | #

An interesting article (and follow up comments to the author)written by a former ND player regarding academic standards for student athletes.

http://www.insidehighered.com/vi...2008/01/04/ sack
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 1:04 am | #

Webster's defines "commitment" as an "act or pledge to do something in the future."

It defines "renege" as "to go back on a prior pledge or commitment."

There is no listing for "decommit." So blow me, Omar.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 8:37 am | #

Puh-lease everyone. Those of us that weren't sure where we wanted to go to college (or didn't have a family legacy pointing us in a single direction) can recall how difficult the choice was. Now keep in mind that we didn't have to decide with DOZENS OF GROWN MEN licking our ear (and email, and cell phone) every night. Not to mention the other "inticements" that are surely sent each top recruit's way, be it girls, cash, cars, etc.

So he shafted us. Big damn deal. Better now than in his junior season when he decides he doesn't like being listed as 3rd DT.

Go Irish.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 11:44 am | #

Domer Guy. I recall the difficulty of my decision to select one university. I also recall that I didn't (1) tell any one school that I would accept their scholarship without meaning it; (2) induce them to stop recruiting star talent at any one position on their football team; or (3) renege on my promise.

As for your "'inticements' that are surely sent each top recruit's way," what inticements and by whom?

You are speaking out of your ass so, with all due respect, puh-lease be-low me.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 12:05 pm | #

Ah, and the interwebs allow another one of ND's finest fans to voice their opinion. And I voiced mine. And ours don't seem to mesh very well. So be it.

Stay classy, Anon @ 12:05. Tell NDNation I said hello.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 12:16 pm | #

OC mj.....you are my kind of fan!! And yes that was a very interesting article that you mentioned. Good work in bringing it to our attention.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 12:32 pm | #

OC mj,

I feel your pain. My wife graduated from tOSU!

Yes, Kuharich recruited Huarte, but he didn't do much until Ara picked him out, said you're my QB and converted a running back to receiver - Jack Snow. A lot of us in the student section that year thought that it was Snow's Heisman as much as Huarte's
ND67Aquajock | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 1:24 pm | #

OC; What K'ville said.
But, Georgia and Oklahoma were the two universities that proceeded with the lawsuit against the NCAA.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 1:26 pm | #

Omar's decision is all about HONOR. Sacrificing one's honor for 15 minutes of fame is as old as time itself. All this he is just a kid is bull hockey. He is 18 years old and seems to have enough people in his corner to keep his grades at a level where he can even consider ND. All these kids need to do is keep their mouth shut. If you commit you've made a decision, have the strength of character to tell the other coaches to beat it.

Besdies, CW pulled the offer. How come no one has written any national articles on this topic. This overshadows Omar's decommitment, reneging, welching, pussing out etc...

For all of those who beg for compassion from the ND faithful remember, most of us were raised with these same values. Integrity and honor can only be given away.

God,Country,Notre Dame...Go Irish!
Domer Dan | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 1:51 pm | #

It is great to hear that Crist and Company are already a "Band of Brothers". That's the family atmosphere that you would help Notre Dame players develop. Talent and togetherness will go a long way towards winning a national title.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:36 pm | #

ND67, Ouch...tOSU! Surely, we have accumulated a number of "character building" points, especially these past few years.

jim masterson, thanks for the clarification. The article insinuates ND solely "led the way".

I thought "J"'s comments were particularly interesting. Balancing academic excellence with football dominance in the current atmosphere ($$$$) will only become more challenging.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:38 pm | #

hope, rather
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:38 pm | #

Robinson to ASU. Is Walker picking a school today?
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:51 pm | #

Gerrell Robinson just picked Arizona State over ND....
Freddy | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:52 pm | #

so much for gerrell robinson...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 2:55 pm | #

that was a nice Crist-Floyd Combination though...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:01 pm | #

Crist/Floyd 56 yard TD pass. I could get used to that...
Freddy | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:02 pm | #

And a Goodman TD catch! Things are certainly looking up after the surprise at halftime.
Freddy | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:11 pm | #

another TD by an ND WR...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:12 pm | #

and terrell pryor is the real deal...easily the best player on the field today. Trust me- you don't want this guy going to Michigan.
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:14 pm | #

Cwynar is looking pretty good also.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:21 pm | #

I think I just saw that Deion Walker commited to ND!
borromini | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:46 pm | #

Yup...it's confirmed Walker is Irish! That makes the loss of GR a non-issue. If fact, I wonder if that's why GR picked ASU.
borromini | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 3:56 pm | #

I like Mike! I only caught a few minutes of the game and saw 2 great TD catches... Michael Floyd rocks!

In the meantime, could anybody understand what that UGA recruit was saying? Couldn't make out a word of it.

Another blog is reporting that Pryor had a buckeye leaf on the back of his helmet, although there was speculation that it was put there without his knowledge/consent. I'd rather see him at O-State than Michigan...
Love Thee Notre Dame | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 4:30 pm | #

One of the games today had the scroll at the bottom of the page with the word "comittment". What morons.
Phil Lesh | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 4:35 pm | #

Yeah, Posey put it on Pryor's helmet. But the announcer said Pryor showed up the game in a Michigan sweatshirt. So, it sounds like he'll go to UM.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 4:45 pm | #

Great to see that Walker is in the fold. He is a future star in college football.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 5:25 pm | #

Mr Sack's article is a recipe for denigrating. an ND degree, for everyone else ,both current students and past Alumni.

A 300 point haircut on entrance scores is quite enough.

I was at ND for a game back in the years of the Holtz era. {1990}

The behavior of some of his gridders in the dining hall {while not illegal} was appalling.

While they were few in number the profound stupidity exhibited by these folks was remarkable.

Converting SAT scores from the 90s,to today, I cannot answer if standards were lower then than now.

If they are equivalent to that era that would argue that standards should be raised,if anything.

If they were lower , then that would argue against lowering them.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 6:10 pm | #

i thought that b.cave did a relatively good job in containing the beloved o.hunter. either a)cave is underrated b)hunter is overrated or c) all of the above. hunter was unable to penitrate thanks to the efforts of cave. the addition of walker today was huge in that we've added yet another down field threat (something we've lacked for quite some time now). i think that in the long run goodman (and let's not forget rudoplh) will benefit most b/c mike floyd and deion walker will be the center of concern for opponents. we finally have some offensive weapons to complement j.clausen/d.crist!
jay | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 6:36 pm | #

Thanks, Jay, for the Brax Cave report.
With Dan Wenger, Cave, and Mike Golic, Jr., N.D. will be deep with big, physical, and young centers this coming season. Cave handling Brother Omar is excellent news!

I watched the entire Army A.A. game, and the N.D. guys all looked great. This year's recruiting class really is looking like one for the ages!

And, to quote an old rancher's warning:
POACHERS SHOT ON SIGHT
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 7:31 pm | #

Nice article on Floyd's performance at AAA:

http://footballrecruiting.rivals....asp? CID=758305

It was beautiful when he burned Michigan's CB recruit Boubacar Cissoko.
bgr | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 8:29 pm | #

"Are you optimistic
'bout the way things are going?"

Hell yes!

Go Irish!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 8:44 pm | #

Love hearing Derek Landri's name once again on NBC tonight.
Klug | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 9:49 pm | #

Dana Payne:
When I was at ND, the behavior of some of the students who had no involvement of any kind with football was appalling. What's your point??
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.05.08 - 9:58 pm | #

Lush; Dana makes a good point. I can't recall any other coach, other the Sweeeet Lou, being told to get his team to clean up their act. Re; Miami (2x) and USC.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 2:43 am | #

Jim Masterson:
With all due respect, do some more research.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 11:59 am | #

Good luck, Omar! Hope you graduate some day.
Oak | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 12:32 pm | #

Omar will make a fine bouncer in some South Beach night club one day. And that will be about it.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 12:49 pm | #

About Brax Cave,



I cannot remember where I saw it, but I read an article the other day somewhere here on the intrawebs that said in practices for the AA game, Omar Hunter dominated everyone along the line of scrimage EXCEPT for Brax Cave. I think it might have been somewhere on SI.com but I can't be sure. If so, that is great news for us.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 2:00 pm | #

There is no listing for "decommit." So blow me, Omar.

gwzimm - you're spewing vitriol at an 18-year old who decided he'd probably be happier the next four years being a little closer to his family. Wow. What a jerk. As if Omar Cook owes you anything. Get a frickin' grip.

Congrats on having a firm mastery of the dictionary though.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 4:11 pm | #

Omar Hunter, not "Cook." Whoops.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 4:12 pm | #

Well, if Omar goes to USC to be nearer his family, he's more ignorant than I thought (directionally speaking).

I still hope he gets drafted by Green Bay or Buffalo before he embarks on his career as a bouncer.

Grip this......
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 4:21 pm | #

Brad,
You're right; I heard that about Cave as well.

Also Crist to Floyd, the first of many:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VMhDYHcQKqQ
bgr | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 4:51 pm | #

Maybe Omar could be a cook. I didnt think of that
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 5:20 pm | #

DT Omar Hunter is solid with the Irish and he wishes he could be in South Bend right now to help.
-by Scout.com Sep 26, 2007

Sorry, I have no respect for losers.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 6:20 pm | #

Well I for one wish Omar Hunter the best. I'm not going to taunt a kid over the internet b/c he didn't pick the college I wanted him to. I hope he goes on to be a fine player, especially b/c I don't believe Weis and company would pursue a slouch anyway for our program. Just my two cents.
Shadow | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 7:29 pm | #

Guys:
Hunter is 18--yes he should know the importance of commitment but hell, how many times do people, many much older, change majors, jobs and even wives. If there is a culprit here, that culprit probably is Urban Meyer and his coaching staff, particularly if Meyer and or his assistants fed Hunter a bunch of exaggerations/lies.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 7:46 pm | #

Lush;
RE ; Lou Holtz

After graduating from ND in the mid 1970s I financed my grad school at the University of Illinois.

In fact largely due to my ND background I was a dorm RA, in an all male dorm. {3 years}

My floor had numerous Illini football players. While there were a few players that did not have the academic wherewithal of an ND player,the majority were fine quality young men.

Even those who weren't quite up to snuff academically, had greater deportment than what I saw with Lou's lads.

It must be noted at that time Bob Blackman [ex Dartmouth coach} ran the Illini program. Some of his successors there did not have such scruples {in the years after I was there.}



So I do have a context.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 8:08 pm | #

Dana:
Here are my point:

1. The appalling behavior of some football players was not limited to the Holtz era. Read about some of the antics of the players from the Rockne, Leahy (remember Paul Hornung) and even the Parseghian eras (remeber Art Best). My context is also that of a student at ND during the 70's and talking to alums who pre and post dated me. Sometime ask about the bar fight Patulski and Stepaniak were in while students in my dorm or ask about what happened to the late Willie Fry and Roy Henry, also dorm mates.

2. Appalling behavior exhibited by ND students is not limited to those who play football.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 8:23 pm | #

The Minnesotans will bring us back to glory. I'm not kidding.
indy | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 8:24 pm | #

Lush, Dana is talking about public displays.
Leahy, post WW2 veterans, Hornung's behavior was more sophomoric than publicly embarrassing.
Art Best, smoking MJ, and being a kid of the 70's. the expulsion of 5 ND players under Ara, for parietal indiscretions.
The fact that football players have fights with teammates is more disturbing always than regular roommates, due to the size and ferocity that they bring. But again these situations very seldom made the public venue.
Lou was called in twice and told the next time his team acted so boorishly he would suffer the consequences.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 9:31 pm | #

Jim M.

I respectfully disagree. The PUBLIC behavior of Holtz's players on the whole was no different than the PUBLIC behavior on the whole of players prior to the Holtz era. As an example, Pennick and Best were sent home prior to the 1973 Orange Bowl for their PUBLIC behavior. Calling Hornung's behavior sophomoric or other behavior merely "pariental indiscretions" and not public smacks of artificial distinctions. ND was lambasted publicly over the behavior of football players during the summer of 1974.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 10:00 pm | #

Rumors are flying tonight that Joe Tiller's days at Purdue are numbered. Seems he takes exception to the A.D. looking for his successor while he is still the head coach. Joe just might walk out on the Boilermakers. Stay tuned.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 10:28 pm | #

On the subject of obnoxious behavior on the part of football players, one need only look so far as the Rose Bowl game. I was slightly heartened to see Trojan fans writing to the LA Times about their distaste for this undisciplined team and calling on the Poodle to do something.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 10:46 pm | #

Hey Omawwwwww Hunter!!! You got owned yesterday baby!!! Braxton Cave ate your lunch. Without playing a real down yet, this kid Cave has etched a small piece of my heart.
jdubbs | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 1:23 am | #

Sorry, I have no respect for losers.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.06.08 - 6:20 pm | #

You don't respect the Irish?
dan | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 1:51 am | #

Clever, Dan.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 4:55 am | #

Yes, I do. I can differentiate between those who lose honorably and those who lack character. The latter are the REAL losers.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 6:09 am | #

speaking of obnoxious behavior, I was at the ND-PSU game this year. The obscenities leveled at the Irish players was matched only by the obscenities leveled at ND's band members!!
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 7:54 am | #

Lush....

My reason bringing up the topic of behavior really came from Mr. Sack's proposals regarding the ND football program.

My purpose was to illustrate the fallacies behind his proposals. Particularly ridiculous was his "academic bootcamp" concept.


Folks are spending about 9 times more money for an ND education than we did in the 70s.

Admissions allowances, I'm all for. I was concerned that Sack's article was carrying it to the extreme.

BTW I enjoy your posts....
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 9:33 am | #

Maybe Omar would be closer to home if his parents had the same real estate agent as Reggie Bush!
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 01.07.08 - 9:45 am | #

if an early signing period is implemented liar and mattison are screwed. they can't and don't judge talent by themselves. that's the job of every other college coach and then they entice the player to committ to UF after the player previously committed. j.trattou was lured to UF by liar and mattison b/c they convinced him he would be better suited at end rather than dt (funny how this year he played dt). the same exact pitch was used to lure o.hunter away from ND to UF...wonder what position he'll play next year? last time i checked LA was a little further away from GA than s.bend, unless carroll is using the reggie bush housing plan as the pitch. at least this year weis didnt jack around with the games (ie rescinded hunter's scholarship immediately) so now he has a month to land another dt.
jay | Email | Homepage | 01.08.08 - 5:37 pm | #

When the heck are we going to get a top notch kicker?

I cringe ever time I see a kicker from Diddle U. put a fifty yarder through the uprights or kickoff out of the end zone.

Jack
jacktrex | Email | Homepage | 01.08.08 - 5:48 pm | #

Jack's absolutely right. We need a good kicker. Maybe then we can kick field goals from the 24 instead of getting to the 20.
gwzimm | Email | Homepage | 01.09.08 - 7:18 am | #