I wonder if Charlie really wears his SB rings above the knuckle like that.
kmf | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 2:38 pm | #

I have my money on Clausen and Jones as being the final two.

I was originally thinking Sharpley and Jones, but Sharpley made the dumb, freshman mistakes during the spring game while Clausen played a very effective, mistake-free game. Jones is just athletic, and could avoid the pass rush in what could be another down year for our offensive line.
Mikey G | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 2:40 pm | #

My hard earned $$ goes on Jones.
Depending upon a million factors, Clausen to step in if Jones falters or watch with his helmet in his hand.
Sharpley will hang around because of baseball interests and he’s a junior. Frasier will move on.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 3:24 pm | #

Does Jimmy have his hand down his pants?
NDBass | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 3:25 pm | #

Sharpley to start, Clausen as back up.
TJ | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 3:35 pm | #

Hey, thanks for the recognition, Jay.

I suppose I'd put my money on Clausen/Sharpley with Clausen coming out on top. That's just based on what I saw in the BG game, which was definitely not enough on which to base a decision.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 3:35 pm | #

Based on fan-buzz alone and nothing else, I'm guessing Jones and Jimmy.

P.S. Based on the drawing in the main article, I'd say the illustrator is voting for Jones since he's the one with the ball in his hands.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 4:04 pm | #

ES and JC for camp. Fall order TBD.
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 4:18 pm | #

Clausen and Sharpley will advance to the next round. But much like highlander "THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE"
domerdude | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 4:37 pm | #

While I like all of em, my money's on Jones. He seems to be much more grounded than Clausen and less prone to fumble under media pressure.

I might have said otherwise if it weren't for that crazy Clausen media storm the other year.

Also, I'm not sure what the status is on what some were saying about the teams Clausen played against in CA. Was he really that good or was he simply playing somewhat mediocre teams?
Wyndycity | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 5:04 pm | #

With an upgraded running crew, the installation of a power TE (set) and a younger OL, Jones would seem to be the lean. Also, you have to think that our new QB coach may be telling CW a thing or too about enormous expectations on a frosh QB (which probably means that JC starts all 4 years and wins 3 Heismans).

Go Irish
Bill H. | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 5:18 pm | #

If Coach selects Jimmy, it would send a message to other top players around the country that just b/c you're a freshman you will have the opportunity to start at Notre Dame. Sure he already did that w/ Sam, but there's more star power w/ a QB. I believe that if Jimmy's the best QB and just b/c he's a freshman, he should start. I also like the way Coach answered a question in the presser about going with dual QB system, where he wouldn't rule it out. Coach you're awesome! Don't tell 'em a thing!
T | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 5:48 pm | #

Zach and Jimmy are in my top two.
Sean | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 5:54 pm | #

I thought Sharpley would still be in the mix. For what it's worth, at the end of last year, one of the 5th year seniors told me he was planning on returning saying "are you kidding me, with DD at quarterback, how could I miss that." On the other hand, more than one player has opined that, with all of the hype given to Clausen during recruiting, they figured the staff has to start him this year. In short, I don't know what to expect. Nothing would surprise me.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 5:57 pm | #

So, essentially, at least by gathering from the reader comments, NO ONE has any clue, and we're all just throwing out wild guesses. Personally, I'll go Fraser (since few people seem to want to give him any love) and Clausen (since it's silly to say he's not going to be a good QB based on the hummer limo thing).

Actually, my votes for Kevin McDougal...
Nate | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 6:50 pm | #

nate... I totally agree...

and did you notice that yours was the 15th comment.

what number did McD wear?
Domer03inBmore | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 9:56 pm | #

I am glad to see everyone agrees.
Jesse | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 10:33 pm | #

I'll trump all of you and take Chris Stewart to start at QB. Charlie will employ the 5 down linemen, 3 tight end, 2 full back formation. When the ball is snapped everyone just goes forward. It will be like playing the old electric football game where put your 10 players around your QB.

If not Stewart I'll go with Jones. Jones, I feel has to be at least in the top two. From what I've read about him, his charisma, and ability to get along with the rest of the team as well as potential recruits makes him too valuable to push down to 3rd or 4th string. He needs to be in the mix just on athletic ability alone.
Rome | Email | Homepage | 05.11.07 - 11:08 pm | #

I'm agreeing with Nate...Kevin McDougal. Is he not one of the great forgotten Notre Dame QBs?! :)

Seriously though, I think Jones or Jimmy will start if one breaks out. If not we got ourselves a 2 QB system. Take a page from Urban's book *slap*
Frommy | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 12:25 am | #

I had previously said Clausen but man, I really dont know!! Weis doesnt want anyone taking a crap in their pants con GT so whoever is more balsy will win the job. It sounds like DJ has the personality but there's something about JC's quiet demeanor that has people gravitating toward him...at least based on press articles.

In any case, freshman, sophomore, or senior citizen, no matter what your age or "grade" is, QB at ND is tons of pressure.
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 12:27 am | #

I really just want Golden Tate to do something spectacular to win a game so we can all enjoy the cliché headlines:
"Golden day for Irish"; "Golden opportunity not wasted" "Tate Golden on Saturday"; Wolverines left seeing Golden"; Golden Showers on Trojans
Felipe | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 12:29 am | #

Clausen Frazier, with Clausen starting. Starting sharpley, when you know, for fact, he won't finish the year starting (and you all know this) is like giving up on the opening week. No way Weis does this. I know everyone will bag on me for saying two freshman (one redshirt obviously) are the 2, but Jones will be a WR, and Clausen will start. Quote me in August.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 12:46 am | #

Can't wait! Wish it was September already... in the meantime, check out this ND shirt store: www.ndshirts07.spreadshirt.com

GO IRISH!!
R-Dub | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 1:02 am | #

While I like that cartoon, the caption just isn't funny. I think there should be a contest to create the funniest caption for it. I'll start.

"So I says, 'An entire legion of my best troops ...' Dammit Clausen, put that thing back in your pants. Anyway, where was I?"

OR

"I'm telling you, it wasn't the Force. It was Bush. He pushed him in."
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 1:55 am | #

"Me is not Darth. Me is Jabba"
Realist | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 5:00 am | #

I agree with you DCDomer. I like where you're going. How about --

"Dammit Jimmy, I didn't say you were the f#@%'n starter yet. Put that damn thing back in your f#@%'n pants!"
LostBobO | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 5:46 am | #

I think it'll be Clausen at number one and Sharpley retaining his back-up status. Zack Fraser hasn't really impressed me much. I know he was highly recruited last year, but he didn't look too good during the BG game.

I think Jones moves to another position. My guess is wide reciever. Too much athleticism to be left on the sidelines.

What y'all have to remember is that Jimmy Clausen is at a disadvantage in this race. Jones and Fraser are freshmen, but were red-shirted. So they had a whole year to learn plays, the Charlie system and watch Brady Quinn. Sharpley has already taken snaps. Clausen is a TRUE FRESHMAN - without any experience at all. He is fresh - a diamond in the rough. He was a phenomenon in high school and came to Notre Dame so he could be mentored by Charlie Weis specifically.

Charlie TEACH HIM. Who cares what the depth charts say. Teach him to be a stellar college player. He has the talent, teach him the skills.

Otherwise, I think we lose him - probably to USC. That would mean that we would have lost BOTH of our five-star recruits this past year.

He probably wouldn't start at USC next year, but he might his sophomore year. It would really, really, REALLY piss me off if we were so short sighted about Clausen's talents and then had to play against him every year.

Just my two cents.

Again, I say Clausen for sure, with Sharpley or Fraser being number two. Jones moves to WR.
JackBourassa | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 5:55 am | #

I don't think Charlie cares, at this point, about who is going to be starting at the end of the season. He cares about who is going to give us the best chance to beat Georgia Tech. I say Sharpley because he is the most seasoned and will likely make the least amount of mistakes. I have a feeling we'll be keeping things simple on O (at least at first), so I'd guess Charlie just wants the best game manager in there. But hey, I could be completely wrong on all this.
Irish Jugg | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 8:32 am | #

Jimmy will start and win 2 heismans in the process.
Beano Cook | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 8:32 am | #

Charlie may be slightly telegraphing his decision to start Jimmy Clausen. His decision to make Ron Powlus his QB Coach (when everybody on the planet knows that CW is the QB Coach) will be even more pertinent when Powlus is continually employed to deflect a lot of media heat off of Jimmy. Read again what Charlie said in the Wilkes-Barre newspaper article that Jay reprinted in the posting prior to this one. CW's just rehearsing what he'll say next season...Ron Powlus has actually been there and done that, and that gives him a facet for coaching that ol' Charlie does not have. If JC does not end up starting, Powlus can still be there to mentor and groom him, but if (and when) he does start, CW's selection of Powlus as QB coach will look brilliant. And should help JC avert any potential hype-disasters that may arise.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 8:36 am | #

As someone who has followed the spring practices very closely, and heard the info from inside sources on the football team, I'd just like to say I don't think there is basically any chance of Jones being in the top two. I think Clausen is in, but it's hard to draw a bead on the other two. Jones has consistently had the hardest time running the huddle and getting the plays called correctly. Clausen has shown great promise and good leadership for a freshmen, but there's just not enough information on the other two to really get a good idea whether Sharpley or Fraser is doing better.

And just so you know, No, I'm not taking the Blue and Gold game much into account at all. We barely saw any throws at all, so I'm not even really considering it, this is all from practice reports/video and inside sources.

There is still a small chance I could be wrong about Jones, but I would be very very surprised, and I don't want people to get their hopes up too much.
Kyle | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 10:54 am | #

"If neither of youz guyz can play, I'm naming Wolke and Bragg my top two, and if you're truly awful, then I would torture you all by bringing back Clark, LoVecchio and Holiday for the reprise of Davie's "Musical QB's 2007""
Andy | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 11:58 am | #

JackBourassa,

Clausen's had Weis' playbook for over a year now, and he's got a family full of D1 people, and a personal QB coach.

It's true the two readshirt frosh's have a bit of a leg up experience-wise, having practiced with the team a full year. But Clausen is WAY ahead of the average freshman in terms of exposure to the offense.

I'd be surprised if Clausen's not the starter.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 4:46 pm | #

My guess is JC starts with Sharpley as BU. Frazer and Jones xfer unless CW can talk Jones into playing another position. I just can't see bringing the #1 QB and recruit in the country to ND just to sit on the bench. If JC does not start.. he is gone. Too many schools willing to give him the starting job.
domerva | Email | Homepage | 05.12.07 - 5:07 pm | #

I think the final two will be Sharpley and Clausen with Sharpley getting the nod against Georgia Tech. At the start of the schedule minimizing mistakes will be paramount and I don't think Weis will throw Clausen to the wolves at the start.

A losing streak and the talking heads at ESPN could ruin Clausen mentally if ND stumbles out of the gate. Thus, Sharpley will take the early tough schedule punishment and hopefully give us enough to win.

I'd be surprised if Clausen didn't take over sometime in the season, perhaps down the backstretch.

I think we'll see Jones in some kind of slot/slash role ala Randel El. Net-net, I think three of the four QB's will see the field this year and Frazer might find himself more comfortable elsewhere.
Lifetree | Email | Homepage | 05.13.07 - 11:54 am | #

Jimmy Vader, Day Shift Manager...
Anonymouse | Email | Homepage | 05.13.07 - 6:04 pm | #

Jones makes a lot of plays and makes a lot of mistakes. JC threw the two best passes of the spring game. He drilled Carlson on a play that was called offensive pass interference. He has the presence of mind to not force the ball as displayed with his two or three throw aways. Jones forcing a pass that was intercepted and returned for a TD is a concern for Charlie. Does Charlie really want a running QB or one who manages the game. I believe Clausen has the best field presence and control of the game. Sharpley as backup to give us some experience behind Clausen. I believe the OL is going to be just fine. Charlie was more concerned with establishing toughness and a running mentality during the spring and spring game than he was with the passing game. Why start Sharpley if Clausen is going to be the man before the end of the year? I believe that JC has the cool to start and he is the best leader, dont worry about his commitment announcement, he is older and more grounded. He will lead Our Lady's troops well.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.14.07 - 3:57 pm | #

I didn't see the Spring game but I remember someone saying Sharpley had at least one problem handing the ball off. If the only reason to start Sharpley is for his "experience" and being less mistake-prone, that certainly doesn't demonstrate it.

I'm betting on Clausen to start. Not because of the hype, possibility of transfer, etc. It's simply because everything we've seen and heard about him has been positive (unlike every other QB on the roster). There hasn't been a single comment about him looking confused, having bad mechanics, trouble controlling the huddle, or bad decision making. Sure, he may fall apart the first time the GT D-Coordinator sends a fancy blitz against him, but CW has until September to get him prepared for that and it's no different than the position any of the others are in (including Sharpley). Clausen is going to have the same kind of pressure and hype whether he starts 9/1/07 or 9/1/08. As far as mental maturity, JC is probably as old as Frazer and Jones. Let's find out if he really is mentally strong enough to handle the job or not now.
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 05.14.07 - 4:40 pm | #

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get why everyone is so high on DD. He is a great player with amazing athleticism and magnificent charisma. However, he is also mistake prone and seemed to have trouble with accurate passing, as well as touch (at least from a few youtube videos I watched, which is by no means a clear indicator.) His spring game performance seemed to reassert my feeling. Again, the spring game may not mean much, but I just don't think he is developed enough to start in Weis's system.

I'm not trying to bash on the guy, I just don't see it...yet, maybe. (Hopefully?)
Jon | Email | Homepage | 05.14.07 - 10:54 pm | #

Doug -

Not just wanting to disagree, but how do you know DD "makes a lot of plays but makes a lot of mistakes." He hasnt even played a game, or thrown more than 5 passes.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 05.14.07 - 11:55 pm | #

Chris,

If you watched the spring game, he made a lot of mistakes in his game management. Those few plays show a lack of what a QB needs. Clausen was way ahead as far as game management. I can see DD throwing the ball up for grabs on more than one occasion, where I dont think that Clausen will. This is just my opinion as is everyone else's. Jones can move to another position, Clausen will move out of ND, Tennessee, LSU or South Carolina would love to have him. Don't think for a moment that he won't transfer. He is 20 years old and wants his shots, someone else will take the pains of his growth into a top quality QB. All DD gives us over Clausen is running ability, I believe JC will be quite adept at avoiding the rush. I just did not feel comfortable with DD as the QB.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 05.15.07 - 2:47 pm | #

Originally I thought DD and JC, but now I'm thinking Sharpley and JC.

Game management and decision making seem to rule DD out, from what I've seen and heard. Frankly, although Frazer projects confidence, I haven't heard much about him that's great.

We know Weis likes Sharpley at least a little -- Wolke left at least partially because of this. I don't know why everyone's so down on Sharpley. Just because he didn't challenge Quinn doesn't mean he's not perfectly capable of stepping in and playing well. After all, that's normally how this college quarterback thing works -- you spend a year or two as a back-up, then take over when the starter graduates.

I don't see a transfer problem, especially if Sharpley is the starter. First, if Clausen were to transfer, he'd lose another year of eligibility, more or less making him eligible the same time he would naturally take over at ND. Second, Weis isn't "transferring." Clausen came to ND because he wants to play in the NFL. Weis is a better ticket than anyone else to make that happen.
David | Email | Homepage | 05.15.07 - 6:18 pm | #

Why do they all look like Bobby from King of the Hill?
Lo-fi | Email | Homepage | 05.16.07 - 11:50 pm | #

I would like to see JC from day 1. Regardless of who CW picks, I think JC will get playing time if(forgive me guys) ND starts to lose. Why not buidl for the future?
pew | Email | Homepage | 05.18.07 - 5:30 pm | #