I don't think I can be classified as a Notre Dame fan. In fact for much of my life I was probably in the camp that loved to see them lose. However my time on Prodigy and Skybox the Irish fans here have given me a completely different picture because of the depth of your deep love of Notre Dame, your group you have formed here, your football knowledge and willingness to share your thoughts and for the most part your grace while Notre Dame has suffered in recent years. Now Notre Dame is having one of the worst seasons in Notre Dame history and the wolves really come out here on Skybox with much gusto and even hatred. (even though the hatred is denied) I think an objective look at recruiting would shut most of them up but I guess not. Anyway, recruiting! Weis got off to a late start his first year and his recruiting class was not highly ranked in 2005. However according to Scout, in 2006 your class was ranked in the top 5 and last year about 11th after losing a couple late. This year with 19 recruits Notre Dame is a clear number 1 and with that many recruits, assuming no losses, are almost guaranteed to be in the top 5. I don't see how any objective look at the way Weis is recruiting anyone can conclude Notre Dames fallen back in the pack to stay. It's just some folks dwell on the negative and love to kick people when they are down, and yes a hatred of Notre Dame. But you all are handling things with grace, humor and showing you are true fans. You will get the last laugh a very few years down the road. Just Gator Bills perspective!
Bill, That was very nice of you but we've come to expect that I personally feel that there is a little more to this than recruiting But I remain forever hopeful. Thanks.
Thanks Bill Something that I also think is important to remember is that Weis came to ND not as a head coach from another school or the pros but as an offensive coordinator. He had no staff to bring with him. He was faced with having to put together a staff of coaches who could handle college players and recruit while entering the picture rather late in the season. As such, he had to choose from those who were available and in some cases, I'm pretty sure he didn't know them beforehand. We've already seen a major change in his staff at Defensive coordinator and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't another change or two in this off season. Add to this the fact that Charlie had never been a head coach at this level and a lot of learning has had to be done. As an alum, I patient to allow the pieces to fall together. I'm placing my faith in the fact that Weis has shown a tireless work ethic especially in recruiting and his determination to bring success back to the program. Quite frankly, I doubted the work ethic of our prior coach and the dedication to the school of his predecessor. If recruiting continues as it has, by 2009 we should have the talent to play with anyone. All it takes is a little patience and faith.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with being loyal to a team thru thick or thin....I am one of those. But its not Weis....the issues at ND have been going on for well over a decade. Its ok to be a diehard loving fan....but its also ok to admit that for a very long time there is something inherently wrong at ND.....and I know what it is......a true Conference tie-in......Big Ten/Big East.....I dunno if the slots are still available as the star luster of ND....notwithstanding the legion of fans that fill the stadium....will suffice. The other reason has been....quite frankly....GREED...the notion that an NBC TV contract and Bowl Money all belonged to the golden domers without any reason to share in the windfall.....well....there have been no bowl monies as of lately. How long will it take?....without a conference tie-in and a great crop of three consecutive years of #1 recruits........about 5 years at best....if ever.
So Gonzo Miami joined the Big East because they thought it was unfair that the previously had not shared their Bowl money with anybody?
What are you asking....exactly?....do you know when the Big East was formed?...why don't you look that up.
What greed? ND only gets the bowl money IT earns. Contrast this with conference teams that year after year are terrible and still get bowl money because they are in a conference. And when it comes to the NBC contract, lets once again point out that ND stood with most of the CFL teams in supporting the national contract that they had with the national networks years ago. It was Ga. and Ok that sued so that they could broadast their own games. It wasn't ND that broke with the other schools it was 2 of the greedy CONFERENCE teams. Comcast users are being faced with having to pay for the Big Ten network whether thay want it or not and you're calling the free TV NBC contract greedy? Face it Gonzo the problem isn't greed it ENVY. You know it is green one.
Hey Gonzo, since you seem to be such an expert about Notre Dame :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: Why can't you learn to use the #$!#@ quote function? It's very well spelled out in an announcement above. I think you owe us ten virtual push ups at this point. By the way Miami did not join any conference out of the goodness of their heart, they did it for $$$$$$$ And then ran to the easiest conference they could find so they could dominate with no effort.
That was really nice of you Bill <t>and I wanted to tell you that I appreciate it.<br/> <br/> Fret not the idiots... What some call 'haters', I call batting practice.</t>
Thanks, Bill. Those are very nice and much appreciated words. I've always tried to be gracious about my feelings for ND, going all the way back to my college days. Getting accustomed to the internet was a huge challenge for me and my hair-trigger temper. But as I've grown older, I think I've mellowed and I think I've figured out this internet thing. If you don't like what someone says, ignore them. It seems to work pretty well for me. Again, thanks.
Bill wrote: Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't that "easiest conference" become much stronger after Miami bolted for the ACC? And didn't the ACC become much weaker after that move?
I was tempted to jump in but you guys have given the Gonz a damn good thrashing and anything I could add at this point would be subject to a 15 yard personal foul for piling on. 8)
I believe you have the facts straight Tom. And we still have to teach the Gonz how to use the quote function. Has to be pretty difficult a Cane fan I guess.