Pat

Excellent review. Do you have any idea where the Irish would be if they were on this list?
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 2:54 am | #

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the role of a player who is a far wideout vs. a slot man. Also, in what situations?

Thanks
GB | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 2:57 am | #

No superstars at QB, no superstars at WR. All the more reason for opponents to pound the ball on the ground. Tenuta's reputation for stopping the run amidst his blitz-happy defenses better carry over to the Irish or the lack of experience at QB and WR isn't going to matter. I'm encouraged by the increased size and strength along the defensive line, hopefully they'll be able to hold the point of attack and allow our linebackers to do their thing. Here's to Mo' Crum and Brian Smith putting the hurt on some RBs...just not 5 or 6 yards downfield this year please.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 10:10 am | #

Another superb job of research. I really like your analysis on ND’s chances against them, hope it plays out that way. ( Pitt’s Oderick turner, probably should read Turner)
I am pigging out on all the news with practice up and running. Keep up the great work Pat.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 11:12 am | #

Erik 04 makes a good point....young QB + young WR = ground-oriented offense for the first few opponents. that means ND's defense HAS to be ready to defend the run early.

Is that a topic you guys might cover between now and first game? All this talk about ND's O-Line...I think how ND fares vs. the run will shape the first few games.
everloyal | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 2:12 pm | #

I'll probably talk about it a bit when I cover the opponent OL preview.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 3:40 pm | #

Someone one already brought this question up but where would our WRs be?
Are any of them ranked?
Mexican Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 8:41 pm | #

Mex. I asked the same question a couple reviews back and Pat said he is going to put ND's info up in a separate post. Gives us something to look forward to.
michael | Email | Homepage | 08.12.08 - 8:56 pm | #

oh ok. I only saw the RBs.
cant wait to see where Notre Dame stands.
Mexican Irish | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 12:15 am | #

Somewhere between 4 and 8, depending on if you're an optimist or a pessimist, I'd imagine. Our guys are obviously better than Stanford's, but still mostly young and unproven, so I find it hard to say if they'd be better than Purdue with Orton, Michigan, MSU, or BC. We're all kinda in the same boat there.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 3:23 am | #

Wow am I glad we got Charlie instead of Urban Meyer. Here is a nice article about Meyer letting a kid back on the Florida team after getting caught with drugs, beating up and spitting on a guy, and firing his AK-47 in a parking lot. Real nice. It also includes a story about the time he let someone who was twice convicted of DUI hit-and-run and had to be pulled from his car at gunpoint play tailback for him at Utah. Wow.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com...lson/ index.html
Brad | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 8:37 am | #

Here is a link to some highlights of yesterdays practice from rivals. Its a good watch.

http://www.rivals.com/video.asp?...sher& vidid=5357
ARirish | Email | Homepage | 08.13.08 - 10:01 am | #