Well it opens this week. The first big discussion is of course QB. We didn't really come out of spring, as fans, with any feeling whether or not Crist was 100% ready to go ready to seize control. I'm thinking that he should be the #1 QB entering camp, but I do believe Kelly will make sure he earns it, and if Tommy Rees beats him out then so be it. The battle between Hendrix and Golson for #2 will be interesting, Hendrix has the edge in knowledge of the system and he showed in the spring game he has legs. Golson looked like a kid just out of HS lots of potential but a lot of learning to do. I'm hoping Crist wins it outright in Camp, I just think he gives us the best chance to win if he stays healthy. He's got more arm strength than Rees and he's bigger. A lot of people are talking about a "change of pace" QB meaning Hendrix/Golson. But I'm hoping that isn't really much of a factor. Not that I don't want those guys to get their shot but I'd rather it be in mop up duty in the 4th Qtr.
ND <r>Terry, you must have been reading my mind. I was just getting ready to start this thread and lo an behold you beat me to it!<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> couldn't agree more. Just went back and looked at some of the early 2010 season action before he was injured and Dayne Crist is the man. Leadership, arm strength, size etc. Cant' believe he won't be the starter. I love Rees but Crist will be the starter. I believe Golson is the QB of the future but not now. He have to wait his time. Hendrix and Rees will have to compete for backup. <br/> <br/> Also something I notice from last years early season games was how T. Riddick was coming along at receiver. he too was looking good before the injuries came so I'm looking for him to step up this season. We need another receiver to emerge and we will be good. <br/> <br/> I can't remember coming into a season feeling this good about the defense but this year is different. I' expecting great things out of the D for a change right out of the chute.</r>
Carlo Calabrese Sr just called me yesterday. He had just gotten back from eight days in South Bend. On his last night he invited Carlo and nine other players over for dinner. He had Teo, Filer, Fleming, Gray, Riddick among others. He said the 5th year guys were raving about the talent level on the team being way ahead of where it was just two seasons ago. They said everyone is in shape and looking forward to a very big season. Teo claimed that you can put he and Carlo down for 200+ tackles right now. Before you scoff at that consider that Teo had 132 last year and Carlo had 60 before going down in Game 8. I truly believe that their defense could be monstrous this year. Look for a lot of short fields when we get the ball.
If Louis Nix can stay on the field and Sean Cwynar is 100% those middle linebackers will eat up a lot of tackles, somebody said Te'o could go over 150 this year if he has those guys up front!
No matter who wins, you have to feel better that we have someone with considerable game experience backing up the starter. Compare that with the Mich. game last hear when Crist went down and we had to play an inexperienced frosh Rees and Montana. Both threw int's giving up good field position and eventually 2 TDs. Depth.....sounds good doesn't it?
Depth on defense should be nice too. If our outside guys go down, Kelly will be forced to play Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt, and/or Ishaq. Hey......force it!
There are three freshmen on defense who may be starting before this season is over.... Lynch, Williams and Tuitt.
Michael Floyd was reinstated to the football team. I certainly hope that Michael not only has a great season on the field but also continues to grow off the field and avoid episodes with alcohol like the one that got him in this position. Some (Brian Hamilton of the Chic.Trib for one) see this as ND just becoming another school selling its soul for wins. But I see this as a refreshing breath of fresh air. I personally felt that in the past ND has been way to harsh on athletes with regards to discipline. Hopefully going forward we will find a way where we do hold athletes accountable but don't throw the baby out with the bath water as the first step.
This is a non-football Notre Dame article. It's been getting a lot of comment on other boards. Just curious if any of you have read it, esp gip and Sid since they are real alumni and have also sent their children to ND. Saving Notre Dames Soul
ND <r>Terry,<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> I see this the same as you. ND has been far to hard on it's athletes in the past for infractions and violations they may have been involved with. Just a couple of years ago you and I know that M. Floyd would have been dismissed from the school for a DUI charge. I think the way Kelly and the school have handle this situation is exact;y right. It would have been devastating to Floyd had he been kicked out of school. Who knows how it would have effected his life. It definitely would have almost ruined his future in the NFL. <br/> <br/> I think Floyd will have a big year having almost seen his future go down the drain for one stupid incident. I have a feeling he will appreciated his ability to come back and play his senior season.</r>
Terry I read the article. I have mixed emotions. I considered the Obama invite a mistake and not some sign that the univeristy had completely lost their moral compass. They have placed themselves in a difficult position. They want to be part of the elite schools that get presidents to attend their graduations. They want to be champions of the liberal political agenda. But that agenda calls for a staunch pro-choice stand. They've tried to straddle the fence and caught criticism from the fringes. I think that that article came from one of those far sides. I'm hopeful that in the future that they give a lot more thought to those that they choose to bestow thier Catholic University "honors" on.
I've read the article, and my reaction is the same as Mike's. I might feel a bit more strongly about the current leadership issues within both the administration and the BOT, but the bottom line is that I agree with Mike's assessment.
In the past few years I've been disappointed that our helmets weren't that "Golden" looking, they seemed more brassy. There were some who said it was because of the new shells on the helmets that they were tough to paint like the old helmets. Whatever...I just wanted the ND helmets to shine like they did in the past. Apparently they have decided to go back to the past and bring back the golden helmets.
Listened to Kelly's radio interview with Eric Hansen last night and watched the Press Conference today. Naturally at this time of the year everybody is pretty positive about things, but I have to say in general I like the way Kelly handles these things. I never really cared for Weis in a press conference, and I do think sometimes Kelly's attempts at humor fall flat but he represents well I think.
Listening to Kelly it's clear the Wood is the #1 guy, which is of course expected based on last year and the depth chart this year. But he was very positive on Jonas as well, said Jonas had a great summer and he expects Jonas to be a faster version of Robt Hughes...that would be great. He also said that Atkinson and McDaniel will battle it out for the #3 position. I wonder if McDaniel wins the #3 slot for RB, what happens to Atkinson? Will he stay at RB or will he move to WR? And if he moves back to WR after spending all of camp competing at RB will that mean he'll have to redshirt? I was thinking that at one point people saw him competing for playing time at WR when he gave his verbal to us, but he would be way behind if he spends all camp at RB.
Cam Roberson will not play this year and neither will Lane Clelland, too bad for both guys. Roberson was supposed to be that big back in the offense. Missing 2 years you have to wonder if he'll ever play and be what he could have been. I don't think Clelland from a football point is a big loss he wouldn't have been a starter and probably down the depth chart. But still..
:idea: Just guessing here, but I'll bet the loser between the two frosh running backs is supposed to redshirt. I don't think that will happen, however, because they may need McDaniel to return kicks and a few injuries at WR or slot could cause Atkinson to move back out there. Either way, the depth problem at running back won't be totally solved until recruiting takes care of it...