Unless, of course, $$$$ are flowing into Charlie's pockets.....after all....he s got a helluva restaurant tab you know. Here is looking at misery in the eye......Coach Weiss is the one coach who wishes the opening of the season was still a long ways off. Just check this out 9/01 Ga Tech 3:30 PM 09/08 at #17 Penn State 6:00 PM 09/15 at #5 Michigan 3:30 PM 09/22 Mich St 3:30 PM 09/29 at Purdue TBD 10/06 at #14 UCLA 8:00 PM 10/13 BC 3:30 PM 10/20 #1 USC 3:30 PM 11/03 Navy 2:30 PM 11/10 Air Force 2:30 PM 11/17 Duke 2:30 PM 11/24 at Stanford 3:30 PM All times ET ยท There are eight games that are almost sure losers for ND with 4 at the end that are W s although I wouldn't count even Duke or Air Force as sure things. Tell me, with the brouhaha that brought Weiss in....with the exit of Brady Quinn....with the suspension of their star tackle...with the academic constraints that blow out the majority of the blue chip recruits......just what can ND do to keep Weiss from going to a more competitive team after this season? The answer is "not much".....gloom clouds once more are overcasting at South Bend......only $$$$ might keep Weiss around.......as a coach resigned to facing an 4-8 season and same old next season and the one after that. Say goodbye to Weiss.....there are better restaurants elsewhere....and there is nothing better than eating a full rack of ribs after a win........Penn State, perhaps???
8) SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame defensive lineman Derrell Hand, arrested last month on a misdemeanor charge of propositioning a prostitute, will be allowed to play for the Fighting Irish after serving a three-game suspension imposed by coach Charlie Weis. Hand appeared before the school's disciplinary committee on Monday, was reinstated to the team and began practicing that day, Weis said Tuesday. Hand entered into a pretrial diversion program on Aug. 16 that would allow him to have the charge against him dismissed in a year if he meets certain requirements, like staying out of trouble, undergoing testing for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases and paying $316 in court costs. Hand had not played for the Irish in his first two seasons but was expected to contribute this year. He was arrested during a prostitution sting by South Bend police on Aug. 2, four days before the start of practice. He was suspended from the team indefinitely the next day
:lol: Weis, Irish have plenty to prove this season By Adam Rittenberg SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Charlie Weis put his hands on his hips, wrapped them behind his back and rubbed the ridges of his face. Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE Charlie Weis is hoping for a strategic advantage by not naming his starting QB yet. He crossed his arms, swayed from side to side and stood up straighter. Despite all the fidgeting, his eyes never budged. They remained locked on the five quarterbacks lined up before him, particularly the three in the middle: Demetrius Jones, Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen. Play-action drills during the first practice period usually don't merit such close scrutiny from the head coach. Especially when no passes are being thrown. But Weis, in his third year at Notre Dame, is leaving nothing to chance. How he molds and manages Notre Dame's new starting quarterback -- Jones, Sharpley or Clausen -- will largely define his open-ended tenure under the golden dome. Weis has unquestionably enhanced Notre Dame's reputation on the field and especially on the recruiting trail, but an 0-4 record against teams that finished the season ranked in the Top 10 raises doubt about a man awarded a lucrative 10-year contract just seven games into his stay. Labeled an offensive genius after winning three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, Weis still has the smartest-guy-in-the-room swagger, but brainpower has yet to produce a bowl win. So is Weis the solution for Notre Dame? Check back in December. "We have stability in the program," Weis said at media day. "Now we need to take that level of stability and win a few more football games." Developing the starting quarterback, whom Weis intends to keep secret until Notre Dame's opener Sept. 1 against Georgia Tech, tops an extensive to-do list this fall. The Irish must replace starters at every offensive skill position except tight end, as well as three-fifths of the offensive line. They must acclimate to the 3-4 defense implemented by new coordinator Corwin Brown, and find ways to hamstring opposing receivers. And they have to adapt quickly, as a pitiless schedule features four of the first six games on the road and four of the first eight against preseason top-20 teams (No. 1 USC, No. 5 Michigan, No. 14 UCLA and No. 17 Penn State). Such an undertaking would seem to jack up stress in an already taxing environment, but Weis is keeping his cool. "The pressure that you feel that comes with this, I don't feel," he said. "I feel better now than I felt the last two years. I feel great. ... I know the indecision or the question marks that come into it. I'm not oblivious to that, I'm not ignorant. I understand that a bunch of guys are gone. "But to me, that makes you even more driven and provides even greater challenges." Added offensive line coach John Latina: "He's a perfectionist, like most coaches try to be. Coach is very motivated. Hopefully, we all are, too." Weis might be more motivated this season, but his enthusiasm hasn't become impatience. Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE Jimmy Clausen says he's day to day after offseason arm surgery. He said that Brady Quinn's successor at quarterback can't merely be a game manager -- there's too much inexperience elsewhere on offense to coddle the signal caller. But the three competitors, who between them have two collegiate pass attempts, aren't being pushed too fast, either. "He's done a great job choosing what to say and what not to say," said Sharpley, who served as Quinn's backup last season. "He's been able to be a lot more hands-on with us." It has been an adjustment for Weis, whose tough-love approach with Quinn produced masterful results. "You want to say something, but you find yourself biting your lip," Weis said. "You pick and choose when to ride them, and it's not as often as you normally do." Weis has chosen his starting quarterback for the opener, but he won't name him publicly before Sept. 1. The coach on Thursday insisted his secrecy is not a gimmick, but a strategic advantage against Georgia Tech (though it's hard to think veteran defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta will lose sleep over three tenderfoots). All three candidates continue to take reps with the first team, but Jones, who worked with starting running back Travis Thomas and starting center John Sullivan at an Aug. 11 open practice, appears to be the unofficial frontrunner. Weis hasn't told his quarterbacks who claimed the top job, but said, "If they haven't figured it out by now, then they're not very smart." No matter who starts, Weis will proceed with caution when it comes to calling plays this fall. Andy Altenburger/Icon SMI It appears likely that Demetrius Jones will start the season as Notre Dame's quarterback. "Too many coaches in this position -- where you go from an experienced guy to an inexperienced guy -- let their ego get the best of them," Weis said. "They like a play, but the quarterback doesn't understand the play. But they call it anyway. And usually it's set up for failure. "When I was younger, I had all the answers. But you get hardened over the years and you realize that it just didn't cut it." Notre Dame's defense didn't cut it the last two seasons, finishing 65th and 75th nationally. Though the unit made strides last fall, big pass plays remained a problem, as opponents averaged more than 14 yards per completion for the second consecutive year. Less than three weeks after LSU pounded the Irish in the Sugar Bowl, Weis replaced coordinator Rick Minter with Brown, saying he had hoped to hire the 37-year-old former New York Jets assistant when he first arrived at Notre Dame. Brown has tried to instill a new attitude on defense, and his assertive 3-4 scheme rings a bell for Weis, who for years watched Bill Belichick use it with the Jets and New England Patriots. "We didn't change the terminology that much compared to what [Weis] was used to," defensive line coach Jappy Oliver said. "When we say something, he knows exactly what we're talking about. When he wants to add his two cents making a technique change here and there, he'll voice his opinion because he feels more comfortable." Weis accepts responsibility for not being clued-in enough to the previous defense. "When [I was] watching tape sometimes, I couldn't critically evaluate exactly what I thought the problems were because I wasn't always on 100 percent the same page," he said. "Now the guy who knows the defense second after Corwin probably is me." Weis' increased knowledge should be a big help, given the question marks Notre Dame has on defense. The Irish can't afford further attrition at nose tackle. Junior Derrell Hand remains suspended following a solicitation arrest. Notre Dame's only experienced lineman, 296-pound senior Trevor Laws, is staying put at left end after moving over from tackle. Consequently, big things are needed from junior Pat Kuntz at a position that has added importance in the 3-4 alignment. With Thomas returning to running back and Joe Brockington moving to inside linebacker, Notre Dame is adding two new starters at outside linebacker. Senior Anthony Vernaglia has only five tackles in 13 career games, and former reserve defensive end John Ryan takes on a hybrid role. Despite a spotty track record, the secondary boasts both experience and young talent. Safety Tom Zbikowski and cornerback Ambrose Wooden need bounce-back seasons, while David Bruton, Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil will have opportunities to emerge. "When [Weis] first got here, talking about being nasty, I think that's the type of team we're going to have this year," Zbikowski said. Thomas said the new personnel, new schemes and tempered expectations for the Irish remind him of Weis' first season. The big difference, of course, is the new face under center. Weis received sweeping acclaim in 2005 after Quinn set school records for passing yards (3,919), passing efficiency (158.4 rating), completions (292) and completion percentage (64.9). Two years later, the coach will once again stand beside his quarterback, ready to be judged. "When you're the quarterback at Notre Dame, or the head coach at Notre Dame, when things go good, you get more credit than you deserve," Weis said. "When things go bad, you get more blame than you deserve. "That's just the way it is."
Yes... some people are playing that same old song. Our poor lil old Catholic school out in the woods, down the river, and around the bend. How can we compete with all these huge beastie boys? We'll draw straws to see if we can find eleven lads brave enough to try... Stop me if you've heard this before... We'll ask the Sisters of Charity to pray for us... We'll ask for St. Jude's help in delivering us from this lost cause... We'll ask St. Valentine to give us a hug... We'll ask...
"Star?" Hand is entering his third year at ND he didn't play his first two years. (this on a team with a weak defense and little depth.) Well, he had a very good class last year. He has 19 commits right now 4 of whom are 5 star players. He's hired a young new dynamic DC and they've been recruiting like crazy. I'd say that he's putting together a pretty competitive team with his staff.
welcome back Gonzo I see that you came back in where you left off havent you learned yet .....I look forward to the day you go with us to an ND game ....
This could be a rough season for Notre Dame but I doubt seriously they lose 8 games. And the way Weis is recruiting the future looks bright for Notre Dame. As far as holding him at Notre Dame why should he leave? he is already one of the highest paid coaches, has a long term contract and Notre Dame will be more than competitive with the way he is recruiting.
Stupid Gonzo <r>gonzo,<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> We only have to start with one comment to show just how stupid your are and how little you know about ND football. In case you haven't checked(which you obviously haven't) ND's current recruiting class is rated number ONE!! <E>8)</E> The last 2 years have both been top 10 classes also. Geez you are an idiot! <br/> <br/> Grow up Gonzo. you were wrong last season and the season before on your dumba** predictions for ND. <br/> <br/> Better worry about how the "u" is going to come up with 4 wins this season. Talk about a team with no recruiting ability, they flat out stink. Can't even fioll the stadium on a regular basis. Sucks to be a 'canes fans these days now don't it. Maybe they can avoid fist fights and jail time this year since they ain't packing heat anymore. <E>:lol:</E></r>
Oh, woe is me. WOE IS ME. This will be a year when all those who hate us will revel in our failures, be it 6, 7 or 8 losses, or more. WOE IS ME. Is there a way we can call off the season to avoid such an ignominious fate? WOE IS ME. Oh wait. I forgot that we've sold out the stadium for every home game, so there would be roughly 560,00 fans and alumni who would be bitterly disappointed. Not to mention the millions and millions of people around the country who love us and will weep at our failures, be it 6, 7 or 8 losses, or more. WOE IS ME. I guess we have no choice but to show up and put forth our best effort. I only hope that these young men do not embarass me or the miliions and millions of fans and alumni who are depending on them to represent our fine university to the best of their limited ability. :cry: :cry: :cry:
No doubt this will be Charlie's most challenging year at the helm. Gone is the benefit of Brady, a gifted, seasoned QB with excellent targets to bail out the defense. It seems as if Charlie and co have recuruited well on defense, but until they come of age and get ready to play, it would seem that Charlie will need to use all of his vaunted skills to get through a tough, tough early season. Best of luck fellas.....it should make for a very interesting start to the season.
Re: Gonz..... Perhaps we need another board in addition to the two already in existence.....we could call it the Gonz/Gator board, wherein Gonz and MCG could alternately thump their chest and then hurl insults at each other????? Just a thought.....might save alot of space and time on the other boards.
Gonz is stirring the pot. he means no harm. His son may be going to ND one day! I don't think our expectations are too high. Next year. that's different :twisted:
:lol: Weiss is a guy that so far has woefully failed to live up to the hype......no wins over a top ten team His best horse graduated and he doesn't like Clausen either....so he's crap shooting from the hip....his D is a mystery....and there are zero stars at any position in Offense. When you got the brutal schedule facing ND this season and there are no bullets in your six shooter....things will get glum by the fifth game of the season....lets see whats posted at that time. As far as recruiting boasts......Miami actually has the #1 class of next year already....but it doesn't mean a thing since its only verbal commits at ND as well. Weiss is staring at best at a three year plan to have a real team on the field........HE WONT LAST THAT LONG....SAY GOODBYE TO CHARLIE WEISS !!! Tell me I was wrong in late October
Carlson may be the best TE in the country. Armando Allen (from Hialeah Miami Lakes) and Clausen were 5 star recruits. They come in rated higher than Quiin and Walker were. Weis has been going to BCS bowls with poor telent Willingham teams. Just wait til he's had time to build his own team. Oh and as to recruiting classes here's the latest rankings from the Scout Miami board. http://miami.scout.com/a.z?s=13&p=9&c=14&yr=2008
Lol...you gotta love the Gonz he make so many bad sports predictions. I'm glad he's doing so well in real estate because he'd be broke as a sports prognosticator!
:lol: :lol: :lol: That's a novel proposal, a Chest Thumping Board!:twisted: Should we make it limited membership? :twisted: By invitation only?:twisted: Maybe a small membership to start with then you are only allowed in by 3/4 vote of existing members?:wink: