I jumped off the bandwagon this week. I tried to give Charlie a chance but I can't make any more excuses for him and this program. If you want to play the "what if" game, that goes both ways. ND has won four games this season that could have gone the other way. How would you guys feel if the Irish were 3-6? This team just doesn't have much talent. In the next two drafts I see no early round draft picks on defense, and only T'eo after that. On offense we've got Jimmy, Tate, Floyd, and Rudolph. That's it for NFL caliber talent. Neither line is very good, and our leading tackler on defense is the safety. Any wonder why they're ranked 79th in total defense? Either recruiting class rankings are complete lies or Charlie and his staff have failed to develop what they have. I don't think Charlie survives another year. I also don't think he deserves one.
Every player on this team is not buying into the program. Nor is every coach. And a few high profile members are being outright pains in the ass. I was off Weis' bandwagon two years ago. You've seen all he's got to give.
George, Yup, serious as a heart attack. During the Davie and Willingham years, I got off the wagon when I could no longer see any light at the end of the tunnel. It was painfully obvious that we stood little chance to win at all, let alone frequently. That isn't the case with Charlie, not at all in fact. When they lose, I can see where they could have done things differently or a player perhaps execute as he was instructed which would have resulted in Irish victory as opposed to an Irish defeat. I'd go so far to say this... If Charlie inherited this situation at another institution, we'd be sitting here talking about the irrationality of that fan base for so quickly forgetting exactly where they were when this all started. I'm not saying that there aren't things that are wrong, what I am saying is that we aren't taking into account all the things that are right as well. It's not that I am above the 'heads should roll' mindset. Right now, I am done with Tenuta and his scheme defense. But am I done with Charlie and the entire staff? No.. I'm going to let this play out before I give that any real consideration. Sid, Thanks. It's good to see I'm not entirely alone. Your thoughts mirror mine on this issue. I realize I can't change their mind, but what I can do is shining a giant spotlight on the amount of ******** that is being passed around as legitimate coverage of the Irish. You don't see anyone taking me to task about my claims regarding Forde, Mandel, Dodd et all and that is wise. Those are guys who went on record with the hiring of Weis hoping for his failure and have published article after article attacking the guy during his tenure. During every step, they've twisted numbers trying to make the Ty comparison and never once admitted that they were wrong. At a minimum, even if Charlie is a bad or average coach... that Ty Willingham was a race baiting fraud who was exposed entirely at his next job.
Thanks for the kind words, Rick. You are my new best friend. :lol: Seriously, my "even keel" did not come easily. I've spent most of my life fighting my Irish temper (from my Mom) and losing most of the time. Somewhere along the way to age 65, I settled down and started to think before engaging my mouth....or in the present day of cyber communication, my keyboard. I like this life. It's a heck of a lot more fun than the old life. One big plus is that I can speak my mind and still respect those who don't agree with me. I can even read comments written by friends who have vastly different opinions from mine and not get upset or angry. That's cool. Again, Rick, thank you for making my day with your kind words.
Sid and I have to take in a game next to each other one of these days. I've sat next to Terry at a Michigan game so I know better about his 'even keel'
Having met Sid on our Kansas City baseball outing I have to agree with all the good things said about him. Jeanne does too! For that matter so does Cheri' even though she hasn't met him. :wink:
Thank you, Bill (and Jeanne). The feeling certainly is mutual. I look forward to meeting Cheri someday. She's a little beauty. Corey, I would love to sit with you at an ND game. Same with your Dad. I've sat with Terry at an ND game and at the Royals game this past summer. Both were great experiences. I'd like to do it again in the near future at any sporting event. I don't care what or where it is.