Quick note on the transfers

With the announcement this week that Chris Stewart and Konrad Reuland are leaving the team, many people around Irish nation are wondering about the state of the program.

I'm not worried. I have no inside knowledge, but I have an idea I'd like to float about the recent transfers...

Here's a quote from Coach Weis' recent press conference:

[W]hen you look in guys' -- look in some of their faces and you see them to the point where -- not losing it but like where it's that important to them, where you look in their face and it's that important to them, that's when you know they're the type of players you want playing on your team. And sometimes it's one guy, sometimes it was two guys, but there was a bunch of them yesterday that looked like that. That is a very, very strong positive when it's that important to that many people. ... I think that's a really important part of my job is to see for guys that you think are going to throw in the towel. I think that's an important part of our job. As I said to them in the locker room after the game, I said, "fellows, you're either all in or all out, it's one or the other. The boat is going to sail with or without you. It's okay if you want to be out, but you're either all in or all out." And I'd say for the majority of the people, the majority of the people were all in.

I'd like to reiterate that this is rampant speculation, the kind of dodgy internet speculation that makes people hate amateur internet blogs.

But, maybe, just maybe, these guys weren't all in. And THAT'S why they're leaving.

And guess what? This ship is going to sail without them.

'Cause I'm all in.

Go Irish. Beat the Boilermakers.

Bear with me...

I may not finish my Purdue preview on time this week - I've been distracted by the impending release of the results of the bar exam. I can't seem to focus on anything right now. So, to tide you over for this weekend, here is a re-posting of my feelings about Purdue from last year.

*****

In some weird, twisted way, the Purdue week is both the best and worst football week in my eyes.

My wife ex-wife attended Purdue University.

I asbolutely completely totally and without reservation hate, detest, and otherwise abhor Purdue.

In the interests of full disclosure, I attended Indiana University for undergrad, and Notre Dame for law school, which means that I have a deep-seated hatred for Purdue by matriculation.

But I also hate Purdue for the culture that they espouse. As a Hoosier by choice, I take great pride in my state, and I feel like Purdue oozes the kind of tacky, cliched Midwestern silliness that people deride Hoosiers for. Baton twirlers. A ridiculous drum that claims to be the largest in the world, but isn't even close. The general carnival atmosphere surrounding the program. They just emit this aw shucks, look at us silly cowpokes kind of atmosphere that gives the state of Indiana a bad name.

And, if all that wasn't bad enough, they come out with something like this:



If the fact that the cheese-factor of creating comic book covers for every player on the team wasn't bad enough, Purdue decided to make one for the trumpets, too.

The fact of the matter is that Purdue is a carnival sideshow. I wouldn't be surprised to see the bearded lady and the dog-faced boy as co-mascots with Purdue Pete.

And the worst part of it is that the Purdue grads aren't up in arms.

If Notre Dame pulled some stunt like this, I'd be PISSED.

But, the school that has had more astronauts graduate from their prestigious engineering program doesn't ever seem to care. They embrace their comical image so completely that I seriously wonder sometimes whether they even realize that it is comical.

[Editor's note: The following prediction couldn't be further from what I expect this year, but it's nice to dream...]

As for this week's game, I expect a rehash of last year's game, where Notre Dame's offense comes out fast and builds a big lead, and then ND's second team trades scores with Purdue's first team until the clock runs out.

Notre Dame 56
Purdue 34

MSU Postmortem - A Tale of Two Halves

The Notre Dame football program is still struggling through 4 games, although for the first time this year, Notre Dame played in a game that resembled a competitive football game (for the first half at least).

I feel like there is finally something here that we can hang our hat on - an identity that can carry this team through the remainder of the season. This team played with the passion and fire that I expect from a Notre Dame team. The echoes were awakened, albeit briefly.

The First Half: Awakening the Echoes

The opening kickoff was short, giving the Irish some momentum going into the game. Aldridge came out with a short gain, but then on second down, he lowered his shoulder and laid a hit on the Spartans. At that point, I thought we had a chance. Then Allen got the corner, and made it to midfield and got us a first down. Young had a great block, and the Irish line looked somewhat improved. Then on 1st down, our coverage problems reared their ugly head, forcing an unimpressive completion by Clausen. Aldridge was then hit in the backfield, leaving the Irish with a 3rd and long. After a missed opportunity on third down, the Irish punted, and got a great bounce, recovering the lost momentum by downing Michigan State inside the 2 yard line.

The crowd was hopping, and the defense was ready to play. We hit Caulcrick in the backfield on 1st down, and then the magic happened. Fumble on the snap, and the Irish take over on their own 9. I have to admit, at this point, I believed we would win this game. Despite the fact that our offense had struggled, I just knew we would get that elusive offensive touchdown.

An overthrown fade route to Robby Parris left Clausen still without a pass touchdown. Then Weis got back to power football, and Hughes absolutely pounded his way to the 1. Then, Weis gave his 5th year senior the chance to earn a touchdown, and Thomas sprinted to the corner, giving this team their first offensive touchdown, and bringing the crowd into the game.

The Irish then faltered on defense. The offense just did their job, handing the defense a lead and all of the momentum, but they failed to execute. From the very first play, where Hoyer overshot a sure touchdown, the defense played on its heels. Ringer broke some tackles at the line of scrimmage, gaining 15 yards, all after first contact. At this point, I knew our struggles weren't over, but that we were improving. However, the struggles of this team are multi-faceted. While much was made of the offense not carrying the load the past few weeks, the defense has given up lots of points this season. And in this game, they gave up a quick 7 when we really needed a stop. A long pass play, some hard runs, and then a blown coverage in the flat on a quick out, and it's a tie ball game, and our momentum is gone.

For the next few minutes, things seemed like nothing had changed.

On the next drive, the Irish stuggled. After a short run, the O-line gave Jimmy some time, and he completed a pass to Grimes for a 3rd and short. That drive stalled as Schwapp couldn't get a yard. Then I saw something that still bugs me - Charlie sent the offense back out on fourth and short, and then changed his mind when the refs decided to measure. A shanked punt resulted in good field position for Michigan State. There was a bright spot as the defense trotted back out after a 3-and-out. This time, they stepped up and forced a punt by the Spartan offense.

A holding penalty gave us poor field position, and the offense tried again. Aldridge continued to run hard, through holes that were opened up (although barely). Our protection problems continued as Jimmy was sacked, forcing a conservative run in the shadow of our goalposts and another 3-and-out. Once again, penalties and protection problems placed us in a poor position and left the Spartans with a short field.

Ringer slashes through our defense, and another blown coverage in the flat places the Spartans knocking on the door. The interior run defense was tough, but the defense bit on a play action fake, leaving the tight end wide open for an easy pitch and catch. It seemed like the start of another long day.

End of 1st: Michigan State 14, Notre Dame 7
Momentum: All Michigan State, gave up 14 straight points, and back-to-back 3-and-outs by the offense. Only bright spot was a 9-yard drive for a TD. Poor field position. Nightmares of 47-7 final scores were running through my head.

It didn't get mush better, after one nice first down, Jimmy is stripped and we hand Michigan State the ball on our 14.

This looks like the beginnings of a blowout.

But then, this team showed me something. They showed me that they have pride and they have heart. For the next 10 minutes, I got to see (for the first time this year) some NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL.

MSU run for short gain, gang tackled. MSU run for short gain, couldn't get the corner. On 3rd and 6, the student section forces a timeout. Incomplete pass by Hoyer. Michigan State forced to settle for a field goal. Sudden change defense stepped up.

Now, the question is whether the Notre Dame offense could respond. They did.
Clausen roll out, completion for a 1st down - nice catch by Grimes, reviewed and upheld. Aldridge bursts through a big hole, for a gain of 43 - huge hole, great downfield blocking. Hughes for a first down, great receiver blocking (and a nice cutback by the freshman RB) and someone got Schwapped. Aldridge pounds down to the 3, most of it after contact. Then Hughes bulls his way behind big Sam Young and scores his first TD as a true freshman. Power football all the way, with attacking blocks and hard runs, and just enough passing to keep 'em honest. I almost felt like it was 1993 all over again.

Then the defense had the chance to step it up, and keep us in this game. The run stoppers start penetrating and gang tackling. We force another 3-and-out.

The offense is left in another poor position (thanks to special teams). Clausen shows some great poise throwing out of his end zone, throwing the ball away after a rollout. Aldridge made something out of nothing, gaining 5 yards after being hit for a loss. Allen ran hard, tripped up just shy of a 1st down. A 3-and-out, but not a poor showing by the offense.

Defense bends, but doesn't break. A steady dose of Ringer and Caulcrick gets MSU a couple 1st downs, but the David Bruton makes the most athletic play I've seen by a Notre Dame safety. Playing center field, Bruton was at midfield when the QB cocked his arm, and was able to get to the ball and out leap the receiver to snatch the ball at his highest point, pulling it down inbounds for an interception.

The rest of the game was disappointing, and the very next drive was a microcosm of our struggles all year.

On first down, our linemen showed a continued ability to be unable to block in space, robbing Armando Allen (again) of a chance at a big gainer. We got a first down with a pass to Grimes, but then let the entire defensive line into the backfield (again) to gang tackle Aldridge. Then we had another defender back there, forcing an early throw by Clausen (again). Then a delay of game penalty (again - I blame the coaches). Then Jabbie is gang tackled in the backfield (again). Then we punt, and Price drops the snap, getting off a crappy roller for 26 yards, giving the Spartans excellent field position (again).

We manage to avoid a score before halftime, but the second half was more of what we've seen all year.

*****

Biggest problem: Special Teams: Consistently poor field position for us, good field position for them. No great returns, pinned back far too often.

Player of the game: David Bruton. Although Aldridge almost single-handedly solved our rushing problems, Bruton single-handedly kept this blowout from getting uglier than it was, both on defense and on special teams, with key tackles and a timely interception.

Scapegoat of the game: Geoff Price. He couldn't get a decent kick to save his life - so much for having an All-American punter.

Positive stat of the game: 117 yards rushing, 2 rushing touchdowns

Negative stat of the game: Average starting position: MSU 43 yard line ND 25 yard line

Michigan State at Notre Dame Preview

Michigan State University
Spartans (3-0)

Ranking: unranked
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
Coaching Record: 3-0, 1st season (21-17 overall as head coach in NCAA)
Last Year: 4-8 (1-7 Big Ten)
Last Week: Beat Pittsburgh, 17-13

versus



University of Notre Dame
Fighting Irish (0-3)

Head Coach: Charlie Weis
Coaching Record: 19-9, 3rd season
Last Year: 10-3, Lost to Louisiana State in Allstate Sugar Bowl (#17 AP / #19 Coaches postseason ranking)
Last Week: Lost to Michigan, 38-0

Location: Notre Dame Stadium (aka The House That Rock Built)
Date and Time: September 22, 2007 3:43 p.m.
Series Record: Notre Dame leads 44-25-1

Notre Dame Quarterback and Receivers vs. Michigan State Secondary
Jimmy has handled his beating the first two weeks even better than Brady Quinn took his beatings as a true freshman. And his beatings have been far worse. That said, he hasn't been given an opportunity to show his skills as a quarterback.
Michigan State's pass defense is top 20 statistically right now, but they haven't played any heavyweights yet.
Combine all of that with the fact that We went back to training camp this week, and I just don't know what to believe.
Edge: unknown

Notre Dame Running Backs and Tight Ends vs. Michigan State Linebackers
Very similar to the passing game analyzed above, the running backs we have have looked good when given a hole, but haven't been given many holes.
Michigan State's defense has looked good against some lightweight competition.
We were in training camp mode this week.
Edge: unknown

Notre Dame Offensive Line vs. Michigan State Defensive Line
The biggest unknown of this training camp mentality is the improvements on the offensive line.
That said, Rome wasn't built in a day.
We are dead last in sacks given up.
Michigan State is first in the nation in sacks.
Edge: Michigan State

Notre Dame Defensive Line vs. Michigan State Offensive Line
Our defense has struggled late in games, and was beat up pretty good by Michigan's dominant O-line. However, this week's hitting in practice should be exactly what was needed to kickstart our intensity on defense.
Edge: Notre Dame

Notre Dame Linebackers vs. Michigan State Running Backs and Tight Ends
Three weeks. Three big games by opposing running backs. Notre Dame has never shown an ablity to consistently tackle Caulcrick.
Edge: Michigan State

Notre Dame Secondary vs. Michigan State Quarterbacks and Receivers
Michigan State's pass offense has been relatively anemic under their first year signal caller. That said, a true freshman in his very first start gashed us just last week.
Edge: Notre Dame (barely)

Notre Dame Coaches vs. Michigan State Coaches
Quote from last week: "I'm giving Weis the edge this week, but if he can't move the ball on this awful defense, I'm gong to stop defending him against everyone. Including Duke." I like Coach's approach this week, and he's facing a rookie coach at MSU, but I'm a man of my word.
Edge: Michigan State

Quarterback and Receivers vs. Secondary: Edge Unknown
Running Backs and Tight Ends vs. Linebackers: Edge Unknown
Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line: Edge Michigan State
Defensive Line vs. Offensive Line: Edge Notre Dame
Linebackers vs. Running Backs and Tight Ends: Edge Michigan State
Secondary vs. Quarterbacks and Receivers: Edge Notre Dame (barely)
Coaches vs. Coaches: Edge Michigan State

Analysis and Prediction

Notre Dame has never started a season 0-4.

Notre Dame has never lost to an opponent 6 straight times in Notre Dame stadium.

There has been nothing I've seen on the field that leads me to believe that the Irish have any hope of winning this game. They look outmatched. They look undercoached. They look confused and lethargic.

However, having failed so miserably at back-to-back brutal stadiums and feeling like they've let Notre Dame Nation down, they are coming home.

When they emerge from that tunnel, they will feel the true spirit of Notre Dame. As Coach Holtz once stated so eloquently, Notre Dame is special because "people care about you not just because you win or because things go well, but they genuinely care."

And we do. I'll be there tomorrow, but not to cheer for my team. Sure, I'll go through all of the motions, dancing the jig and doing leprechaun arms. But more importantly, my family needs me. I'll be there to support my brothers out on that field who came to Notre Dame for the same reasons I did. I know the pride that these players have in their school. I know that they feel the weight of history firmly on their shoulders. And I know that they came here so they could pursue excellence in everything for the glory of Notre Dame.

I'll be there. And so will 80,000 strong of the Notre Dame family.

Tomorrow is about more than X's and O's. It's about more than winning or losing. It's about pride. And tomorrow afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., when those golden helmets run out onto the field, the Fightin' Irish faithful will shake down the thunder.

Forget predictions. Forget scores. Forget statistics lke rushing yards and sacks given up. Forget breakdowns and matchups. This game is about waking up the echoes and restoring our pride.

What 'tho the odds...

We need a decider...

I'm all about accountability. I think that when people screw up, they should be called to the table to answer for their mistakes.

However, after reviewing whatever I could find on Saturday's loss, I must say I'm disappointed a little in this coaching staff's (and worse, this fan base's) failure to show any kind of loyalty to the players that lay their bodies on the line every week for this program.

I understand pulling Clausen late in a blow-out to give the backup some meaningful reps. I'm willing to give the coaches the benefit of the doubt on that one.

But the rest of the substitutions and changes throughout the Michigan screams to me of a coaching staff who is struggling with player development and identification of player's core competencies. Weis talks all the time in his press conferences about trusting what he sees on tape, but then he trots out 18,000 different offensive linemen on Saturday, shuffling them from position to position willy-nilly. We can't seem to give any one running back more than 2 carries in a row. We play six corners with seemingly no regard for who earned a starting position in training camp. We punish players for mistakes by yanking them in favor of someone else after penalties or mistakes. And we don't have any clear depth chart at receiver.

This team looks like the Keystone Cops because nobody knows who is going into battle with them on any given play.

I know that developing team chemistry takes time - time spent together. This is particularly true on the offensive line. And between a quarterback and his receivers. Running backs need to develop a feel for the game and where his holes and cut back lanes will develop. And corners need to get a feel for the tendencies of receivers they are covering.

In order for this team to make any progress, and to begin to win some games, Coach Weis needs to display some leaadership (and some of that accountability he speaks so much of) by naming a solid 2-deep depth chart, and then sticking to it, barring injury. This is a rebuilding season, and he needs to identify who his starters are, and then step up to the plate to protect them when they falter.

A former coach who shall remain nameless used to throw his players under the bus with the media, blaming their lack of production for his failures as a coach. But, he didn't yank players every time they screwed up. Weis does a decent job of protecting his players from media criticism, but he also needs to learn, especially this year, to forgive some mistakes.

This entire program feels to me like it is in full-on panic mode. Everyone inside the program seems to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off. And that all comes from the indecisiveness of the head coach.

I hope that at the end of this week, Coach Weis will make some tough decisions on who is going to play in the game, and give those players a chance to succeed. To develop chemistry.

I hope that Coach's return to training camp is the equivalent of hitting the reset button on this season. I hope that he gives ALL of the meaningful reps to his starting QB. I hope that he gives ALL of the meaningful reps to his starting running back. And I hope that he identifies his starters on the offensive line (as well as a set plan for subbing in backups) and then STICKS TO IT!!! He needs to find his starting corners and his nickel back and his dime back. And let them play their positions.

He needs to tell his players to listen to the advice of The Rock of WWE (WWF?) fame:

Know your role. And shut your mouth.

Demetrius Jones' defection this week was a clear signal to the public that despite Weis' maniacal control of media access to his program (which, by the way, I absolutely LOVE in our head football coach), there is dissent within the ranks. And the lines of communication from player to head football coach are not running at optimum levels. Any good football coach (with the weird and more than kind of creepy exception of Pete Carroll) scares the hell out of his players. Mine always did. I've known some of Holtz' former players, who have told me how much of a hardass he could be. And from all of Weis' quips in his press conferences, that is the type of coach he not just strives to be, but seemingly cherishes being.

So, he needs to be the decider. Decide who plays. Decide who doesn't. Tell everyone else it's his way or the highway. And then be accountable for it if he's wrong.

Because either he's a coach who understands how to identify and develop talent (which I still fervently believe), or he's a fraud who rode other people's coattails to the top. Either way, it's time for him to decide where he is going to lead his team, and then lead them there.

If I'm right about him, he'll lead us (sooner rather than later) to the promised land.

If I'm wrong, we will crash and burn in a most spectacular fashion, and be back to square one.

But if we stick with this wishy-washy mediocrity that has infected the program since the days of Davie, we'll continue to be what we have been for the past 20 years: an also-ran.

Decide. Implement. Accept the consequences.

We are worse than Duke...

That's right folks, Duke got themselves a win (against a Big Ten team nonetheless), and we are still staring at a bagel in the win column.

I didn't get a chance to watch the game, as I was a groomsmen in a friend's wedding. Normally, I'd be miffed about having a wedding on gameday and no way to catch even part of the game. But now, I'd like to thank him for sparing me that particular torture.

This is a dark day in Notre Dame football, and one that I am no longer placing on the shoulders of Tyrone Willingham. In fact, I have decided that I am turning the page on the Willingham era, and I will never utter his name on this blog again. The failures of this team are approaching such historical and monumental proportions that a lack of seniors on the team no longer suffices to explain this level of incompetence on offense.

Coach Weis is the head football coach, and also serves as the offensive coordinator. He will be the first to tell you that he is responsible for the performance of the organization that he is in charge of. As coordinator, he is also directly responsible for the performance of every aspect of the offense.

I respect and admire Coach Weis.

I believe that though recruiting he has done what is necessary to build a program capable of long term success.

I believe that he is a man of integrity that understands how to win and lose with class and character.

I believe that he understands the game of football incredibly well, better than any other coach in the college ranks.

I believe that he is a great leader and manager.

I believe that he is the right person for the head coaching position at Notre Dame, now and in the future.

But Weis talks all of the time about accountability. And now it's time to hold him accountable. At this point I have to question Coach Weis' ability as a teacher and motivator.

I agree with Coach Weis that he needs to go back to a training camp mentality, and re-install our basic packages - from an X's and O's standpoint. But he needs first to identify why he so utterly failed to teach them properly in the training camp he already had. If he just goes back to do the same installation, we'll get the same results. Identify the problem and fix it.

More importantly, he needs to find a way to get these kids excited again about playing the game. From what I have seen of yesterday's game, Weis' NFL approach to the game is insufficient to motivate 18 year old kids. Those players looked confused and demoralized yesterday, and showed no signs of the passion which makes Notre Dame football great, and which has inspired the greatest fanbase in the history of sport. Weis needs to learn from his young and energetic defensive coordinator, and spend some time talking to Coach Holtz about delivering a halftime or sideline speech. Maybe he should take some drama classes in the offseason. He needs to spend more time inspiring his players, like he did back in 2005 with "Pass Right."
He needs to remind these kids that this is a game and that they have to have some fun out there. He needs to inspire some passion for the game and get the team to display some of that promised nastiness.

It's time for Coach Weis to step up to the plate and earn his paycheck.

I don't care if we lose next week - in fact, I expect it. But Weis had damn well find a way to keep his quarterback on his feet and move the ball on the ground. And to establish an identity. If he can do that, winning will eventually follow. And he can stop making me look a fool for defending him every week.

Because if he can't find a way to do something right - and I mean THIS WEEK - I'm done being a Weis apologist. This is your last chance, coach.