This truly says it all!
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:04 am | #

That last line really got to me. Thank you John Carlson, not only for this piece but also what you have contributed to Notre Dame the past five years.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:18 am | #

That letter should automatically be included into any and all recruiting literature from this day forward.

Also, it is wonderful to know that Fr. Blantz is still enlightening students.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:33 am | #

Godspeed, John Carlson.
Doug McKenna | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:36 am | #

Amen! I agree Voice it's great to hear Fr. Blantz is still at it.
Domer Dan | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:50 am | #

Great stuff! Good luck in all your future endeavors, Mr. Carlson.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:05 am | #

Class act, all the way! This man has really got it!

This should also be required reading by all fans of the Gridiron Irish, especially when things seem bleak.
ND67Aquajock | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:33 am | #

This is why I've loved Notre Dame football since the 1946 scoreless tie with Army. John Carlson, you'll forever wear the famed gold helmet.
Hope abounds in South Bend and in the country.
Subway Alum
matt hart | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:34 am | #

God bless and good luck JD. You represent the Irish proud.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:36 am | #

first, great note. Keep the Carlsons coming through recruiting and doing things the ND way.
second, ups to St. Ed's. Tom Rehder (tackle), Tim Grunhard (center) and Greg Davis (phantom clip in the Orange Bowl) were the biggest names when we were there.
andrew | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:46 am | #

a very special notre dame man ,destined to be a great leader
james dougherty | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:08 am | #

I love to read stories like this because it truly puts what Notre Dame is about into perspective.

You don't hear something like this every day from a alum at other schools. Sure you have people 'representing' the U, or Ohio St, USC, etc.

But John Carlson really summed it up as best as you can. You can really tell that he used his time well, during his career at Notre Dame. I am glad we have these standards, that Urban Legend wanted to lower to coach here.

As we appreciated the players still fighting till the last play of the season. He appreciated the loyal fans who were right there with the players.

Thank You John Carlson, and God Bless.
Nd4Life | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:11 am | #

Here's something else that speaks for itself:

http://thewizardofodds.blogspot....for- coachs.html

Ah, sweet schadenfreude. I know thee well.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:21 am | #

What a wonderful young man you are John Carlson. I have been a fan for over 70 yrs. Been to that marvelous school just once, and it was the same day that John was there. We lost 2 boys on 911 leaving 7 young children. My sister said it would help if we spent a week end at ND for the Stanford game. I could write for hours about our wonderful experience. God Bless each and every person connected with the greatest University on this earth.
Bernie O'Brien | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:24 am | #

God bless you too Bernie!


ND herself is privileged to have guys like John Carlson.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:33 am | #

THIS PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP MY LIFE AS A NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PLAYER
buttface06 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:05 pm | #

We all feel the same way about what John Carlson wrote.

As someone pointed out, this piece should be in the materials given every recruit who visits Notre Dame.

Those who call themselves fans, but are constantly demeaning the football team, it coaches, players, and other personnel, when everything doesn't go right, should also be the recipients of a copy of what John Carlson has written.

Thank you John Carlson. We had the opportunity to hear you speak at least twice at ND Football Luncheons. As someone else said, you are a Notre Dame Man.
Ted Eberle | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:28 pm | #

Notre Dame, Our Mother, tender strong and true.

Proudly in the heavens, gleams thy gold and blue.

Glory’s Mantle cloaks thee, golden is thy fame.

And our hearts forever, praise thee, Notre Dame

And our hearts forever, love thee, Notre Dame.
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:28 pm | #

That '03 recruiting class just reeked of style and character. No one better example than John Carlson; Laws, Zibby,Wooden, BQ, John Szamardia (sp), Harris, etc.
A superb class in every possible way.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:39 pm | #

John Carlson is truly what Notre Dame is all about-- whether it be in the classroom, on the gridiron, or off the field. What a class act.

DCDomer: I read that earlier and I must admit to laughing harder than I would have liked after reading the "Today is the single worst day I have ever experienced as a Husky. My hope is gone, and that is truly sad. I am 24 ..." part.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:41 pm | #

I also felt really bad about laughing because no matter what Willingham's coaching ability or lack thereof, he recruited all those guys that Jim just mentioned (BQ, Shark, Carlson, Laws, Zibby, etc.) and he definitely deserves a lot of the credit for that.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 12:43 pm | #

Wow....That was awesome. John, you are going to be amazing at anything you do in your life. Thank you for giving us the fans all of your hard work and heart for the past five years. Now go kick some ass in the NFL.
Paul | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 1:10 pm | #

Hear, hear! John Carlson does Our Lady's University proud.
George, '04, '08 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 1:14 pm | #

Carlson jerseys for everyone!
red | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 1:24 pm | #

Kudos to you Mr. Carlson. From a man that has never stepped into the state of Indiana whose heart also bleeds gold and blue you truly are a class act. Best of luck to you in everything you do in your life. Go Irish.
Jerry | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 1:32 pm | #

I wish I had the means to put the $100K bounty on Kevin White's Head....
Golden Domer | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 1:57 pm | #

The Willingham is long gone, but if you want to take a look at recruiting, go to Rivals.com (http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/ commitlist.asp?SID=880&Year=2008&School=55) and check out the year-by-year evals. Weiss is definitely doing something right.
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 2:00 pm | #

Jade, I was thinking the exact same thing as I read what you wrote. I actually feel a bit for Willingham because he goes against most of what's wrong with college football today. He does recruit fine gentlemen and turn out fine gentelmen. Too bad he wasn't a very good football coach. Then again, it's also too bad he took the bait John Saunders laid out in playing the race card against ND in '05.

Anyway, back to the point at hand - Thank you to John Carlson and all the departing seniors, and we wish you all the best as you join us out here in the real world.
TacomaDomer00 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 2:04 pm | #

That was a great letter by Mr. Carlson re the ND experience. Interestingly, no mention of coaches, neither the man who recruited him nor the one who coached him the last three years. While we as fans focus so much attention on the coaches and the won-loss records, the experience of being at ND far transcends what happens on the football field.
rays15 | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 3:11 pm | #

Bernie O'B,

Any time you want to go back to ND, say the word here, and I'll put the game tickets in your mailbox.

RVC.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 3:21 pm | #

We need to recruit more of these guys.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 3:34 pm | #

The next time someone bemoans the fate of the universe because of "kids these days", I'll wave a copy of this letter and say "But wait! There is hope!"

Best of luck in the NFL, John, where you'll be allowed to indicate "1st Down!"
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 3:50 pm | #

I had the honor to meet John Carlson one day at O'Hare Airport and he was one of the most engaging, intelligent, and sincere young men I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He had a smile for everyone that approached him and seemed genuinely appreciative of all the attention and requests for autographs as pictures.

Definitely a shining example of how all student-athletes should be applying themselves at whatever university they attend.

Good luck John! God Bless as you move to the next chapter of your life!!
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 5:03 pm | #

Sorry. Should read "and pictures." Not "as".
GO IRISH!!! | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 5:05 pm | #

Godspeed, John Carlson.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 5:30 pm | #

I believe I just heard on ESPN that Ty was voted president of something called the College Football Coaches Association.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 5:38 pm | #

Thinking about the talent we have coming to ND, does anyone happen to know what the previous worst record is for a team that brings in the #1 recruiting class? I have to think that if we close it out over this next month then this would shatter the former record.
bgr | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 7:58 pm | #

As one of the many millions of "unwashed" Notre Dame sub- alums, I would not exchange any of the past Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham, or Coach Weis' years at head coach for one MNC if the behavior of the ND team and make-up consisted of the likes of FSU, UM, OSU, UF and USC.
Coach Carroll is a ridiculous 68-6 over the last six years with one outright MNC and one shared with LSU, but I would be ashamed of ND if they ever took that path, and the other paths of the aforementioned universities, you may substitute any of the major colleges with the exceptions of Northwestern, Vandy, Stanford, Duke, the Academies.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 8:06 pm | #

Jim Masterson:
Great post. ND is certainly far from perfect. But when you look at the way the programs have been run and the graduation rates, particularly for African American athletes, its is exemplary. Why don't hear May, Wilbon and Sauders talk about the way other schools "use" their athletes, especially African Americans? OSU used Clarett for one damn year to win a MNC and the guy probably has less than a dozen college credits to his name. Very sad and disgraceful!
Lush | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 8:29 pm | #

Great tribute to Mr. Carlson, Pat.

John Carlson is the definition of class!

He has demonstrated it throughout his career - during the ups and downs - and always came off thoughtful and humble.

He will always be a shining representative for ND and what it strives to embody.

Raising a toast to John and his future! Thank you, John.
PZ | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:17 pm | #

Lush,
I agree 100% with you on Wilbon, May, and Saunders.
The Bristol Three are the true racists, and they hide behind the fact that whites are not "allowed" to criticize their hypocrisy on race issues by taking the easy road and simply dismissing the whites as the racists! It's unwinnable because it requires intellectual honesty from the Bristol Three, and their racist views and lack of accountability preclude that. One big problem with race related problems in America today is the general supposition that blacks cannot be racists, and, because of past injustices, they are entitled to their never ending hostilities and vitriol toward whites. ESPN has a disdain for Notre Dame on many planes and levels, but the most vile and disgusting one, established immediately after Tyrone Willingham's dismissal, is the Bristol Three's assinine contention that Notre Dame is a racist university.
Everyone please excuse my rant, but I am just very tired of the Bristol Three and the slanderous position they have taken against my Alma Mater.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:18 pm | #

Voice; Three "Liberal" commentators. I would expect nothing less than their reasoning that it couldn't a be performance based decision, as "blacks" in their world don't have the ability to perform at the highest level. They love to play into the stereotype that "blacks" need a special arena because they are at a disadvantage.
It's the same $hit that the libs have been pushing for 50 years.
Anyone that loves this university had nothing but the highest expectations for Coach Willingham, and I have no animosity towards him. His reaction to a set-up question by Saunders(sp) would be one that many of us may have fallen for.
Be proud of your Alma Mater, all of you "Voices."
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 9:33 pm | #

Speaking of (Ahem) TW,

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com...r.ap/ index.html

Too bad, we didn't start a fund on Davie. We could have bought him out! Wave of the future?

I hope CW turns off the heat on himself.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:02 pm | #

I think that is what has galled the collective anti-ND rhetoric spewing faction since the days of Rockne. That ND can achieve such success and hold the place that it holds in college football history and that the graduation rates have remained so high. I am glad that Notre Dame has never sold its soul for the place that it owns in college sports. The only people who "tarnish" the Dome are those that want to bring ND down and place this great university with the others who claim their place in history. ND has proven that you can produce legendary teams with legendary athletes who actually graduated from school and represent the university to the highest echelon. This both black and white student-athletes. As Jim Masterson said be proud of your alma mater all "Voices".
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 10:11 pm | #

As recently as September 2007, Chris Dufresne of the LA Times was lamenting the lack of black head coaches in college football along with Floyd Keith, Executive Director of the Black Coaches and Administrators organization. Of course, the article implied that ND was racist in its treatment of Willingham. I was absolutely livid, and for reasons I can't explain, felt the strong need to defend Our Lady's honor. Perhaps it's the fact that I take such a charge very seriously, love Notre Dame, and was sick of hearing her name sullied again. I sent a short email to Chris and suggested he check with Tyrone as to how many black coordinators he had hired recently, and that the last time I checked, ND had hired two...stepping-stone positions to future head coaching jobs. This was his response:

"Thanks for your thoughts:
For the record, Ty Willingham was the first and only black head coach Notre Dame has ever hired in ANY sport."

I responded that the most storied program in college football was the first to hire a black head coach, that ND was probably more concerned about graduating its athletes than the color of the badminton coach's skin, and that the true racism in college football - the low percentage of black athletes that actually graduate, is never covered. I included a comparison of black and white athlete graduation percentages in the Pac 10 - pitifully low for most schools.

I didn't hear back although a piece followed the Standford defeat of USC, praising the GPAs and SATs required of Stanford athletes (no mention of ND).

I post this as it was my first personal experience in dealing with the incredible bias of some in the media against ND. To me, his response (and subsequent lack thereof) says it all - these people will never see it any other way.

Sorry for the long post, the wound was reopened at the very mention of the Bristol 3.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:05 pm | #

OCmj, thank you for your post and for the effort you undertook on behalf of our Notre Dame. You are correct when you say these people will never see it any other way. ND just needs to continue what it does so well in educating all of its students regardless of race.
Ted Eberle | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:37 pm | #

Thinking about it for just a moment, I can almost experience the smells of fall all over again... My son (now a 5th yr. Sr.), and I attended the Stanford game in '02, and reading the post brought back many of the feelings we experienced that day.

The trip was my son's "official visit," and I tagged along a day or so late, arriving on Friday eve to attend the home opener of the ND Hockey team. They won, 8 goals to 1, by the way, and that was a tremendous start to a great weekend.

Around 6:15 on Sat. am, we stood in line at the ticket office, and finally got a pair of tickets on the 20 yard line. Wow! What an experience! I remember seeing Ara walk the sidelines, followed by Dan Devine, and the rest of the recent coaches, but, from the time I was a small child, I never thought I'd be able to attend an ND game in ND stadium.

Walking about campus that fine day was perhaps the most distinctly different college experiences I've ever had. In my 50+ years, I've attended ove 20 major college football games, but from the moment I set foot on campus, I knew this was different and special.

We beat Stanford that day, and the experience was the pivotal event that cemented my son's love of all things Notre Dame.

Our lives have been enriched tremendously by the love, the care, and the wonderful people we've met from Notre Dame.

Thank You, John Carlson, for reminding me of one of my most joyous experiences ever. Watching you the last several years has been great fun, in spite of the trials we encountered this year. May you always have the spirit of a Domer, and may your career take you to the big venue.

In Notre Dame,
ND_Dad | Email | Homepage | 01.10.08 - 11:51 pm | #

John Carlson's letter explains what the term Notre Dame family means. Those who have not experienced do not believe it to be real and, therefore, cannot understand it.
Good luck in the future JC. You will be a success in whatever you do. So will your classmates-- Laws, Zibby, Sullivan, etc.
ron | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 7:18 am | #

ND dad:

Your post encapsulates much of the emotions my dad had when he brought me to ND to drop me off at the beginning of my freshman year.[1970}.

My dad was feeling kind of down as we headed for one of the final trips to my dorm.

A friendly older priest , FR. John O'Brien encountered us with some friendly words which immediately cheered my dad up.

As a Protestant alum of that era, this is particularly ironic, as Fr. O,Brien had written a classic, some years before, called THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.


It chronicled the stories of 15 converts to Catholicism.

While nothing as dramatic occurred, that greeting gave my dad all the assurance he needed that I was in good hands.

As the years passed he grew to love ND almost as much as I did.

Serendipity like that happens for a reason. You and your son will enjoy reliving those ND memories as time goes by.

I know my dad did.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 7:28 am | #

How in the name of Our Lady did John Carlson's inspirational letter beget such heated responses about race? When and how did ESPN become our nation's moral compass? Pat Hayden, he of two national championships and a Rhodes scholarship said it best, "In a universal sense football is so insignificant, it's ridiculous." Yes, there was a time when Trojan football players knew the inside of the Doheny Library - - and ballroom dancing was not a graduate class.
Matt H.
matt hart | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 9:11 am | #

Carlson's letter testifies to something important at ND: that the football players, for all their elevated status on campus, are still part of student body.

They are US, and we are THEM.

It sounds like a minor distinction, but it's anything but.

I'm reminded of Forest Whitaker's cameo in Fast Times and Ridgemont High. He plays a stud football player, and as Whitaker's character brushes by two students in the parking lot, one exclaims to the other, "He goes to school here? I thought they just flew him in for games!"
Hal | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 10:37 am | #

Don -
If that were true, it would probably only be because he is the only coach with enough time to do so.

I am guessing all the other coaches are too busy coaching / recruiting
fadedcrack04 | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 11:43 am | #

For the record, "liberal" has nothing to do with it.

Great letter, John. A class act at a class university.

It seems the breaks have been beating the boys a bit lately, but what though the odds . . .
david | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 12:46 pm | #

fadedcrack.

Exactly. The organization is the American Football Coaches Association. Ty succeeds Ken Sparks of the powerhouse Carson Newman College. His vice presidents are Dick Tomey of San Jose State, Larry Kehres of Mount Union and Rob Ash of Montana State. I doubt this was a highly contested race.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 1:10 pm | #

John Carlson writes what can only be described as a beautiful, moving testament to his college days at my alma mater.

I know SEC alumns who are very jealous of this part of our program - graduating thoughtful, introspective and intelligent young men.

The great thing is - it's not just one player. ND's GPA for the football team just keeps getting better and better, and our alumns are showing their determination and smarts at the next level (see Ryan Grant, Darius Walker and Justin Tuck).
ATL Domer | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 1:35 pm | #

"For the record, 'liberal' has nothing to do with it."

I know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I just have to point out that David is right. May, etc. say those things about Notre Dame because they are idiots, not because they are liberals.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 1:48 pm | #

Don E. Brook,

While I have no argument with your take on Ty's coaching abilities, I would take issue with your tongue in cheek reference to "the powerhouse Carson Newman College". Please understand that the American Football Coaches Association is an organization that represents coaches at different levels of football and not just division 1 level. At the formerly known as D-II level Carson Newman had an outstanding record of 10-1 this past season and in 2006 were 8-3. The Eagles have a historically good record as both a small college football team and as a Christian school of higher education.
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 2:14 pm | #

"Liberal Idiots".
Brhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 2:16 pm | #

Point taken Knoxville. My appologies. My inteniton was to simply point out that I don't see the likes of Bowden, Spurrier, Stoops, et al. on that list.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 2:43 pm | #

Matt,

As you point out, these threads often take some interesting twists and turns. That's part of why they're so, well, interesting. Make no mistake - unfortunately, ESPN and other media outlets do influence folks to the point where my mouth is left gaping when I hear some of their crap spewing from people I had credited with having a brain and the ability to think independently.

Jim M, tell me you're not a closet Dittohead? Please? An intervention can be arranged!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 3:00 pm | #

DonE. Brook,

also Mount Union is arguably, maybe not the very best program in all of college football any division. Their dominance in DivIII is unprecedented.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 3:34 pm | #

Out of UW, Carson Newman, and Mount Union - it sounds like I am happy with the one on ND's schedule for next season.

BTW - How has Ty done recruiting at UW? Isn't the QB is supposed to be a superstar?

Also, if my memory serves me right, wasn't TW going to bring Jonathan Stewart to ND before he got axed?

As someone once said Sun - Thurs TW was a great coach - Saturday was his only problem.
Golden Domer | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 4:18 pm | #

Interesting then that CW has his players performing at higher levels Sunday through Friday as well...
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 4:49 pm | #

What's a "dittohead?"
That's not a Socratic response to your question.
A Socratic response being to ask a question to answer a question.
Dittohead?
Don't know.
Did I
offend your sensibilities by linking the commentators at ESPN to the vast, vast majority of closed minded liberals.
The ones that see skin color, sex orientation, poor eco-social conditions and instead of helping, run to the public to express outrage and more government intervention.
??? Ya Know!!!!! Of course I'm from a different generation, educated in '62 from Princeton, with a PG from Cambridge after spending 19 months in South East Asia.
Doing what Amerika does best, mayhem, destruction and leaving a couple of hundred little "Masty's" running around. If you ever get to Viet Nam and see some Irish-Vietnamese adults tell them you heard of the guy who sent them corn-candy for lo those many Years.
Out.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 5:04 pm | #

I believe Rush Limbaugh's fans are referred to as Dittoheads.
Robert Bolling | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 5:28 pm | #

I love "The Onion."
" " "South Park."
"Hey General?, you ever hear of the Emancipation Proclamation?"
" No I don't follow Rap Music."
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 6:06 pm | #

Jim:
AAh yes....
I remember those days...the latter part of the 60s when the alternate spelling of "Amerika" was introduced to the English language.

Then there was swastika in place of the "x" in Nixon .

My dad was in academia, so I had pretty much a bellyfull of that growing up.

He didn't cotton to that stuff a whole lot either.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 6:21 pm | #

Ah Jim, it's hard to convey light-hearted humor in postings sometimes; I meant no offense. I heard a Limbaugh rant about the "drive-by liberal media" (and yes, his followers are called "dittoheads"). Your previous posts reminded me of that phrase he thinks is so catchy.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 7:58 pm | #

OC & Dana: I was just yanking chains. Typical me.
I knew a Barbara Payne, in Grammar School; still the smartest person, pretties girl ever.
"Black Irish.
Being told growing up, Irish people with jet black hair were descendants of Spanish sailors lost at sea after numerous battles with the "hated English."
When I visited Ireland in the mid- 60's much to my surprise were the surnames of Martinez, Gomez (s), Marichal, etc.

I asked one Marichal, if he was related to Juan, he replied what's a fokken wand?
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 8:20 pm | #

I am the president of the jim masterson fan club!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 9:03 pm | #

Hey Nasty Masty! How come you wear a tuxedo over here?

John Carlson, the player who walked in from
The Twilight Zone". Can today's ballers really put together multi word sentences? I thought their goal in life was to master the joy stick while wearing an off angled Yankee cap. John Carlson, Trevor Laws, Brady Quinn. These are the reasons I am a Notre Dame fan. My father roomed with Angelo Bertelli. The kids from that day would rip their opponents heart out, throw it back in their face and then go to mass. No contradiction. Everything in it's place. Just like the library and the practice field. Anybody question whether John Carlson will succeed in life?
I talked to my college roommate last night. First time in 20 years (he lives in Hawaii). He told me that his brother (graduated ND around 71, name Ted Samulski) was deathly ill. Ted was a young genius. He was a medical researcher at Duke University and after years of work with radiation treatments for solutions to MS, Alzheimers and other diseases, the radiation has apparently effected his brain. He is now in a physical condition that is similar to a stroke victim. He wont get any Nobel Prize. He is one of the world's many anonymous heroes. There are people in this life who never have to ask why. They just intuitively know when it is their turn to respond. Notre Dame has always attracted that type of student. John Carlson is one. And many others, some on the athletic fields and some not, but a great many pass under the Dome. No need to applaud John Carlson. His time has yet to come and he understands.
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 9:07 pm | #

Funny, Jim! I knew you were ok when you didn't know what a dittohead was. Oops, probably offended someone else with that.

We were told the black Irish descended from gypsies - that cleared things up alright!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 9:48 pm | #

I don't know about you, but my idea of the Black Irish is Ross Browner.

John Carlson;

Speaking of games vs. Stanford, I'll always remember a one-handed TD grab you made against the Cardinal in 2006.

I'd wish #89 luck, but I think I need it more than he does.

Notre Dame football forever!
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 10:23 pm | #

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/co..._len& id=3191628


Just another example of ND players hanging around, making the right moves, and showing what team players really are.

Notice that on this list of important playoff role players, 2 of the 8 chosen are ND grads.
yak | Email | Homepage | 01.11.08 - 11:11 pm | #

I always wonder why none of the players, who write these things or who speak publicly, ever praise Charlie Weis. I think he perhaps has a nice looking house of cards.
Bill V | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 1:05 am | #

Bill V.;

Have you ever heard a Brady Quinn interview?
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 1:30 am | #

Jim Masterson:

Yank away....I send videos of The Onion News Network to my friends.

They are particularly effective if you are inclined to email these same people articles on weightier topics.

The logo looks very similar to CNN.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 9:00 am | #

Dana; Particularly humorous is the constant stream of new, that run at the base of the faux news.
Hilarious."Black Irish" also deep black eye pupils.
Bill V.; I think it speaks volumes of the Notre Dame experience.
I don't recall Bob Anderson, Pete Dawkins, Joe Bellino, Roger Staubach, praising Earl Blaik, Eddie Erlacher(sp) navy coach.
They speak of the four years, the complete experience, not specifically football.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 10:26 am | #

...I hear 'ya masterson...maybe a Division 1-B with Northwestern, Vandy, Stanford, Duke, the Academies, ND...San Diego State and Nevada would be appropriate...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 1:10 pm | #

Chicagoans-
Anyone know if the Marquette game is airing on TV? I can't find it anywhere.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 1:12 pm | #

Bball game is on the SNY network. 28 -24 Marquette, 6 minutes left in first half.
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 2:44 pm | #

Odd, but Ryan Grant seems to be channelling Travis Thomas today.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 4:51 pm | #

Ryan Grant; A great game! Another good kid from the NY/NJ pipeline.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.12.08 - 7:47 pm | #

Ryan Grant's great game yesterday highlights something that concerns me regarding our outstanding recruiting class. Part of the indictment against Willingham and Davie was they couldn't develop the talent that came in. Ryan Grant had one decent season at ND, but was universally regarded as slow, and many of us thought it obvious that Julius Jones should play in front of him. Like many ND players, Ryan's blossoming after some NFL seasoning--great for him.

This year we've got (*fingers crossed*) an amazing recruiting class coming in. But then again, last year's was pretty good too--and the year before was pretty decent as well. However, we saw this year that while this coaching staff can take experienced players and fine tune them into All-Americans (2005 & 2006), they either couldn't, or didn't realize the needed to, teach HS kids how to play the college game.

My rambling point is, are there any indications that Weis & Co. have realized they need to teach these HS studs how to play the game, and if they can? 5 star players can frequently dominate their HS competition based on physical skills alone, but can't do that against college competition.

Many people may bristle, but the comparison must be made against USC (despite the illegal means they may or may not have gotten/kept players). The bottom line is that the USC staff takes great talent and makes it into great players. Have we figured out we need to, and how, to do this? Some people may think I'm being a Cassandra, but this has been an ND problem ever since Lou left--I'm hopeful Charlie and whatever coaching changes he makes can change this. I'd like for once to see players blossom on Saturdays, and not wait until they get NFL coaching on Sundays.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 3:19 pm | #

Nate, give the young kids time to develop. You dont develop a kid in one year. Very few players walk right in and start and play at a major college level as freshman. Look at the production that we did have this year, all freshman and sophomores. Players developed over the season. Everyone developed as the season progressed. The OLine didnt but Ian Williams was a frosh AA, Clausen became a solid QB, the backs developed. Dont look for things that arent there.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 5:16 pm | #

Nate has a strong point and makes a case for the future. The talent is there and it must/should be developed. That is the bottom line. CW and co. must shape, refine and educate these prospects into viable and competitive football players. This is the argument for a five (5) yr contract for coaches.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 5:44 pm | #

Nate capsulizes a lot of my concerns. I am highly interested in what, if any, coaching changes CW makes immediately after signing day. The jump from HS to ND is more difficult than from ND to the NFL and it is imperative that both Spring ball and Fall camp are physically gruelling with lots of savagery! That's how hotshot HS AA's become college players. As I have said before, you can't really give a beating until you know how to take one.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 8:22 pm | #

Nate

I agree with you 100%. You can even make the case that players regressed this year like Sam Young. Ryan Grant has been looking terrific though.
GB | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 9:37 pm | #

Charlie won a State Championship as a Head high school football coach. He was an asst coach at South Carolina before the NFL. There are 'other' complications with the ND situation. It is difficult to ease kids into a major college football program and teach them techniques etc as their bodies continue to mature. It has to be even more difficult to accomplish that without an existing veteran platoon of upperclassmen that can carry the load while the young guys watch and learn. The '07 offense had ONE guy returning at his starting position. The defense had 3. Typicaly the younger guys can ease in a few plays at a time against the weaker teams and learn by watching the upper classmen succeed. ND looked like the High School All Stars playing against college kids. On top of this, Weis attempted to scheme his way to victory by designing a new offense that 'might' give the seniors a chance. It flopped. However, by year's end many new players were making good contributions on both sides of the ball. Sam Young has played 2 positions in 2 years. Is that 'failure' to develop? Note that he was better as a frosh (my opinion) at right tackle than he was at left tackle as a sophomore. I think it helped him tremendously having Bob Morton on his left, a very experienced QB and taliback that covered some mistakes. Let's see what happens next season. I think Young may go back to RT with Romine at LT. This is not to alibi for Weis & Co in '07, but let's see how these guys fare over 4 years before writing off development too quickly. BTW, Bruton has devloped well. And Grimes for that matter. I never thought either would be as good as they are and both are back!
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 01.13.08 - 10:51 pm | #

Yeah, it's difficult to develop young kids, but other programs are doing it successfully and so must we. Whether or not you agree with the BCS formula, Ohio State's rebuilding year with 2 seniors resulted in a 1-loss regular season record and an invite to a good bowl game. (And enough of the Youngstown State, etc. comments -- we have our weak opponents every year, too.) The point is that the reason we pay the head coach more than the University administrators or professors is so that we have the best person possible available to give these kids the instruction and development they deserve. For me this is more about delivering on the recruiting promises made to these ND studnet-athletes and less about how much fun it is for me as an alum to root for a winning team (and note that the latter is not to be underestimated!!). So here's hoping that Weis has what it takes to give these kids the rich ND experience they deserve. Go Charlie and Go Irish!
Love Thee Notre Dame | Email | Homepage | 01.14.08 - 10:20 am | #