Starting to Believe
Notre Dame started 2-0 for the third [edit] time in the Weis era with a decisive 35-17 win over Michigan. It was a mistake filled, intermittently rainy day in South Bend, but the Irish pounced on Wolverine turnovers early in the game and survived a suspect, but opportunistic defensive effort to keep the momentum going into next week's game against Michigan State. More to follow...
74 Comments:
This post has been removed by the author.
This is the 3rd year Weis starts out 2-0.
Intermittently rainy? How about intermittently a monsoon? It was awesome.
This is IRISH MIKE
I have to eat humble pie my friends.
After seeing Charlie tough it out with a torn acl and mcl...in the pouring rain...Man...He has my complete admiration.
I am sorry that I was so hard on him.
I am glad that I was wrong about this team.
Although I'd still love to see that killer knockout punch that has eluded us since Holtz's heyday.
I think it's possible and after today I am starting to believe.
Obviously, there is a lot of work still ahead for the Irish team, but at least the team looked EXCITED!
There was intensity of defense, and they were looking to be opportunistic.
Anello is awesome.
COPY THAT SORIN
They had some fire, now we need that cool as ice..go for the throat and not let them up knock out punch.
I'm not complaining mind you
but it cant be a coincidence that the 88 team and lou's statue come on the same day as this seminal victory.
I belive that this victory will lead us TO THE PROMISED LAND
I predict an UNDEFEATED SEASON AND A BLOW OUT WIN AGAISNT SC
IRISH MIKE
Great game, great win, but still not a solid ND team on either offense or defense. Special teams was special.
Here's my biggest gripe: Please, Charlie, play your reserves when the game is decided! We've got the game wrapped up with a couple minutes left in the game and he's still got his starts in there. This is the main reason why we had such a bad year last year - because in 2006 none of the reserves got any game experience leaving us with green starters in 2007.
I think Anonymous had too much to drink today. First of all, I don't know if I've ever seen a "seminal victory". Second of all, it was a sloppy game... We did not look that great on O or D. But don't get me wrong, I'm excited about this one.
great win. there's nothing better than watching the irish win in the afternoon, then watching a half a dozen games into the night, and then re-watching the Irish late night! go irish.
I'm somewhat excited for this season, but even though they played with emotion, I still see players that don't play to the whistle, and the tackling and physicality is maddening. Even still, I was really suprised by the offensive line. Clausen and Tate are both really special players. Clausen had a very good game,imo even though the stats don't look up to par.
oh yeah- Charlie rules. I loved it how he didn't flinch when he blew out both ligaments. I would expect nothing less....but good to see he can walk the walk. Pete Carrol probably would have cried.
You guys are joking right? This was an excellent game against a solid defense. This is the beginning of the rebuilding era of the program. They are mostly freshman and sophmores making those plays. They had never played a down together before last week. I would say that this was the FIRST game of the season. They showed very good progress in every facet of the game. They aren't a top 10 team, but they are headed in the right direction.
you are right caroll is a big cry baby with his curly hollywood hair and his gucci pants,.
Give me a break.
he looks like he should be a model in hollywood, not a damn coach.
dont get me wrong..he's an amazing coach...but our guy, Charlie is tough as nails...
Lets go undefeated and bring back the gold
WHO'S WITH ME?
DO YOU HEAR ME...I'M READY FOR ANOTHER NC
IRISH MIKE
I'll be the first to admit I was writing ND's obituary for the 2008 season after narrowly beating SDSU. This was a most pleasant surprise but if not for Michigan's six turnovers this game could have gone down to the wire.
I realize turnovers are part of the game and ND capitalized on some of them, but the defense was either swiss cheese or big play. By swiss cheese I mean it was full of holes that McGuffie ran through. UM had ND's defense on their heels for much of the game, and their must be improvement for ND to have any chance vs. USC.
If ND lays an egg vs. MSU than this wild eyed optimism I see is premature.
I am very happy with this one...but is it just me...or are the raz pa zaz plays of Charlies first year a thing of the past?
I tend to recall that in his first year...we had a plethera of trick plays...and I cant remember seeing any since the beg. of last year?
I understand the reasoning...last year, the team couldn't execute them.
But I'd like to see a little variety in the offensive playbook.
Honestly? as I was looking at the stats of the game..the offense is still not very good.
I'm not complaining mind you..and I'm estatic of the way the defense and special teams performed...but take away a couple of golden tates big catches..and the production was abysmal.
Can someone please explain?
GREAT VICTORY BY THE WAY
IRISH MIKE
Hey everyone look at Pat Forde's article on the game on espn.com
Are you kidding me? Are we supposed to feel bad about winning this game and the last? Obviously, if we had lost, they would have shit on us just as hard.
Obviously, it has to do with the hits generated by pissing off ND fans......I think we should start a petition among ND fans to never turn on ESPN or log on to espn.com.
It's really just an abomination, and we should do our part to make sure ESPN gets hit where it hurts.
Go Irish
At Anonymous 1231am:
First you tell us to check out Forde's article then you tell us to boycott the WWL. Make up your mind
Irish Mike....
Did you hear Charlie say that they didn't even get to big bombs that they wanted to drop. The play calling was decided for us once we got the big lead. What's the point in opening up the bag when all we need to do is protect this one?
JayZee
I don't get all of the "yeah-but, yeah-but" that we do after games like this. I love the Rock's House board, but geez.
Don't worry, if you enjoy the victory for 24 hours, no one except ACross will accuse you of having ND goggles. This game was fun, and it's a W, and that's that. Go Irish.
In my opinion this was Charlie Weiss' biggest and most important victory in his tenure. This game was make or break, and a defining moment for the 08' team.
For those who left comments commenting on stats and what not. For christ sakes if you watched the game the whole 2nd half it was pouring down rain. The first half, when it wasn't raining, clausen had 2 TD passes and the offense scored 21 points.
When raining, Notre Dame played it safe, protected the lead, and ran the football. Of course stats aren't going to be glamerous, especially when the weather made your offense 100% predictable.
Give credit when it's due. The Irish played exceptionally well and exceeded many expectations. After the game last week they could have written themselves off...but they carried the 4th quarter from last week into the 1st quater of this week.
There were some parts of the game where we send our nickel back in on a blitch...Everytime we did this we got burned with a big play. While watching on TV you could tell we were sending the nickel and you could see Mich audible into a play to take advantage...i think we need to disquise the CB blitz better.
Special Teams was amazing...
Bruton could be the best Irish defender we've had in a long while.
By no means am I saying ND has returned to glory, but schedule permits us to run the table till USC. If we can stay focused and grow each week and get better...beating USC won't seem so far fetched.
This team will only get better.
GO IRISH!!!!
You can't look at just Offensive stats to say our O didn't look good. We had so many short fields to work with when we needed to score. Once the scoring was taken care of, it was about clock management, not yardage.
Any win over Michigan is a great win and I am happy for this team; especially after a very bad performance in Week 1.
I would rather celebrate and feel good for a week than bring up all the bad things about this game. Most notably was a defense that was back on it's heels for much of the 2nd Quarter that essentially allowed Michigan back into the game.
I agree that Clausen looked much better. Golden has emerged as a playmaker and so has Michael Floyd. The offensive line is MUCH improved.
The MSU game will be a big test and I think this Irish team can play with them but they must bring the A-Game.
let's beat MSU first before we get too far ahead. We did play a green Michigan team. I'm happy about the win and the direction so far looks good. But there are 10 games left so the season is still early. MSU has our number so beating them in good fashion should be a better indication of how this season will turn out.
Mike, chill out, you are writing faster than your minding is processing thoughts... You're getting way too ahead of yourself and you sound like a drunk OSU fan right now... We are young, talented, and a work-in-progress, lets leave it at that for now.... Settle down
For the first time in years, I felt as if the players were fired up. The sky is the limit when you think how young these kids are. Can anyone seriously imagine how good they will be. Run the table and bring on USC. Go Irish!!!
I believe Pat Forde's brother went to ND. Like a lot of jealous siblings, he takes every opportunity to throw ND under the bus. While ND has a way to go in returning to national prominence, I look forward to the day when the domerhaters like Forde and Mark May eat crow.
To the previous Anon post at 3:23 AM, you are on target.
A day or two ago The Rock had a post that drew a number of rants for firing Charlie.
Now Irish Mike and others are ready to talk about how great CW is, and how the Irish are ready to run for NC.
The suggestion to fire CW was as dumb as one could imagine. I don't believe the Irish are to the point where they can run for the NC. That will come in time.
All Irish fans and supporters are going to have to be patient. This is a very young team that is BEGINNING to be loaded with talent. Until we get to the point where we have 4-5 top recruiting classes on the roster, we will not have the depth to sustain injuries and other types of attrition.
There will be great games and bad ones as well. Support the Irish, and stop calling for the firing of CW and/or his coaches. You need to add maturity to your comments.
The game against Michigan was fantastic. We can revel in that success for a short time, and then our attention must turn to Michigan State...a difficult opponent.
GO IRISH!
I liked the amount of freshman that played and played well. Floyd, Fleming, Johnson, Rudolph, Blanton, Robinson. That is awesome to get them in the game and play well. Aldridge looked pretty good too, I think he earned some more carries. I don't think A. Allen helped himself at all yesterday.
Just remember, the Irish did not make those like Michigan. They should be applauded for that. It is not our fault Michigan is rebuilding, Anyone feel sorry for us last year???
Scott in S Florida
I was apprehensive about the game but then all my worries went right out the window after the first few minutes of play. It was definitely the day of the Irish and it was delightful.
Poor Joe Tiller doesn't feel the same way after his Boilers gave that game away to Oregon.
I just hope that Charlie Weis can be on the sideline close to his boys for the ND-Michigan State game in East Lansing even if he's in a wheelchair just like Rockne once was.
My Irish eyes are smiling.
Agree with the expectations being muted. We are in a rebuilding process. The key ingredient is that the team is learning how to win.
Also, how can anyone say, "if it weren't for the turnovers...". Look, turnovers are a key component of the game. 4 count 4 of the 6 were a result of the defense. This was a solid win by a superior team.
Irish Mike, you suck and should never be allowed to post anything ND. Change your name to MI Mike. Nobody cares what you think and how sorry you are, and how wrong you always are. Just shut up and don't let me see you around and ND games.
Give this win to LOU...would not have happened with out him on the side lines.
Any win against Michigan is a great win, but this team still needs continued improvement. We'll need someone besides a safety to lead in tackles against the Spartans in order to win. I think our running game will look better next week than we've seen so far.
Highlight of the game:
Seeing Golden Tate outrun the UM secondary with his head cranked all the way around. Can you tell he's a centerfielder?
Lowlight of the game:
For the second straight week, Weis could've kicked a late chipshot to give his kicker some confidence but didn't. Don't you want to have that kind of experience when it matters?
Thanks Rock. At least the team believed in themselves when none of us did.
It is absolutely hilarious to read someone calling those who want a new coach "dumb" and then tell us to add a little "maturity" to our comments.
Yeah. Name calling is very mature.
There is nothing immature about wanting effective coaching, either.
I said if Charlie doesn't win nine this year he has to go, and I stand by my comments. I look forward to a Brian Kelly or Skip Holtz administration, unless, of course, Charlie can figure out how to sustain drives in the college game.
Aside from a few flashes, ND's offense was terrible-again. The blitzes from the defense were ineffective and Michigan had little trouble moving the ball. Also, McGuffie embarrassed this defense. The excitement on this board is refreshing, but premature.
On a positive note, the special teams were excellant and Haywood showed a little (very little) creativity. Clausen is the real deal, as is Golden Tate. Finally, the O-Line is actually pass protecting for the first time in Chalie's tenure as Head Coach.
I guarantee MSU blows this team off the field next week, unless they turn the ball over like UM did last week, or Charlie figures out how to run a college offense.
As for Pat Forde, the guy is a joke whose words are coming back to haunt him. Ty has been a lame duck coach since last season and was only retained because of the ND controversy. Forde had his fun last year while ND suffered the worst of Ty's ineffective recruiting and he clearly despises Notre Dame, as does ESPN in general. I only watch that Network for actual games because the commentary is so low brow and I know many people, both ND fans and ND haters, who feel the same way. The bias in their reporting is embarrassing.
Pat Forde is the lowest common denominator.
Peace.
I agree with Anon 548.
If we dont get 9 wins, weis it outta here.
and our offense was freaking terrible...what game we're you guys watching?
I want a NC and we have the talent to make it happen.
So lets not be a lazy cat and enjoy the scraps...lets be a hungry hippo and get some real meat.
KENTUCKY BOB
PS..LETS BRING IN SKIP HOLTZ...I'M READY..WHOS WITH ME?
GO IRISHHHHHHHHHHHH
Only one stat matters - the final score.
Just wait 'til RichRod gets HIS players. The wolverines will be able to field kickoffs.
I am still off the Weis Bandwagon. If we win at least 8 games I won't call for CW's head, but less than that, I think the season would reflect on poor coaching. The guy can recruit, and if he avoids embarassing losses and the team plays well this year, I'll want charlie around for next year. But if we play poor in several games, there will be no excuses that I will accept. I like Charlie and hope we do well this year, but until he can prove, beyond a shadow of doubt, he is a great coach, I can't jump back on the bandwagon. Look, I defended charlie all last year, but SDSU was just too embarassing for me. I was ready for Skip to come here, but now I think Charlie showed the team is improving and if we play to our potential this year, I'll be happy with Weis. But I got to wait and see how this season plays out, before I will believe in his coaching ability. But nonetheless, I love beating Michigan. I enjoyed the game. Now, lets make MSU remember they are MSU and "We Are ND". I hate losing to MSU more than anything, because there is no reason they should be challenging us like they have the past ten years. It's Michigan State. Please, beat the snot out of them.
You guys are right, until we can win not only every game, but by 50! If that doesn't happen Weis should be fired because..blah blah blah blah blah.
Do you really believe yourselves?
LETS BRING IN SKIP...
Our offense is terrible.
Kentucky Bob
"or Charlie figures out how to run a college offense."
talk about an assinine, myopic statement. charlies first two years at ND they had top 10 quality offenses that executed like well oiled machines. absolutely charlie can run a college offense. Also, some of you guys don't know squat about football if you're complaining about offensive stats when the Irish were protecting a lead most of the game and not to mention a freaking deluge in the second half. Why do you think Michigan couldn't even field the ball? The rain had a lot to do with it, and despite it all, the Irish offense was able to run clock and not have stupid turnovers.
look, i realize this team isn't there yet, but complaining about the offense during the michigan game, and claiming charlie can't run a college offense is absolutely preposterous. It's the kind of idiocy I would expect from ignorant Alabama fans or something.
"...not so fas my friend(s)..."
As Lee Corso would say...
...and before you laugh for quoting Lee Corso, it's salient, due to an exchange he had with Kirk Herbstriet before the game:
Lee Corso: "...Notre Dame has had 3 top 10 recruiting classes in a row...it's not the talent...and if it's not the talent...must be the coaching..."
Herbie: "...wait, are you talk'n about Rivals.com...have you seen them play? Have you watched a game? ...cause they ain't very talented..."
[paraphrasing]
I'm with Corso here. This Saturday was a GREAT win for the Irish, no doubt. The players were jacked up, flying to the ball, hitting oppoents, NOT getting pushed around, and look'n like a top 20 football team--at least from a talent perspective-- execution left something to be desired, but the ABILITY of the players and team was apparent.
Hence from this week, I conclude that my original assertion was correct: the Irish have the talent to hang with the big boys.
Now I'm not taking anything away from Charlie Weis--it was a great win, and a much needed show of what his team is capapble of. But you can't let him off the hook just yet. Almost the opposite is true--now you know--because you saw it for yourself--how this team is capapble of playing (not quite what it's capable of doing...). No more excuses for getting pushed around or run over. If they get run over again in several of the games to come (USC notwithstanding), or come out and play like they did against SDSU , you have to question.
...and I can't help but wonder if the team comes out as fired up as they did, if Lou Holtz and the '88 champs weren't there to stoke the coals.
Just a thought.
As for the "crow"--crow never tasted so good! (tastes like chicken). I was thrilled at the outcome of the game, the energy level of the team and the fans, the level of play, and the drama of the game! Congratulations!
'92 Gator
PS--b/t/w: I never called for CW to be canned last week (that would be your boy, Irish Mike); I suggested that the option be considered for the end of the season, and that preparations be made in that direction, should this season unravel like last--which appeared to be likely after the SDSU game--and to put CW on notice that that would not be tolerated. I stand by that suggestion.
THis is IRISH MIKE boys...and I'm still not convinced.
I want blow outs. we have the talent..now it's time to deliver.
Lets get some revenge on sc......if we get blown out.
Then it's time to bring in cowher, gruden or skip/lou holtz father son tandem.
I"m not convinced.
I need some more victories where we start knocking some teeth out.
Where's the NASTY football?
I'm not seeing it.
Gruden's our man..lets start courting him now.
Good game, a ways to go. A few comments:
1. ND has 3 straight top-10 classes, but only 2 of them are actually at ND now. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
2. ND has the talent, but the talent is in the FR and SO classes. Coaching has to be there as well, but the 3rd factor is experience, especially on the lines.
3. CW made the right decision in the 2nd half to protect the ball and grind the clock. Playing catch-up, UM had to run riskier plays and that led to several turnovers. The offensive stats in the 2nd half don't mean much.
4. The other good thing about ND's 2nd-half offense was that it gave the kids a chance to just go out and execute the running game. The more they practice those plays, the better they'll be. This game will pay dividends later in the season.
5. For me, the jury's still out on CW, and it will be for a while yet.
6. ND opened as a 7.5-point underdog to State next week. I don't understand that: MSU has beaten two nobodies. 4 points I can understand, but 7.5 seems like a lot.
-DC Irish Boy
the reason we are dogs DC...is that bc we have a coach that has been blown out in two bcs games and the only good game he's had...WE UMMMM LOST...to sc.
What's with you babies who think he's a god?
Kentucky Bob
btw...rock
What are you on man?
I'd love to buy some.
I'll start to believe when we win ONE MEANINGFUL GAME...
instead of being blown out 38 to 0by any worthy opponent?
Kentucky Bob
Irish Mike:
You, at 8:49 PM:
"...I have to eat humble pie my friends...After seeing Charlie tough it out with a torn acl and mcl...in the pouring rain ...Man...He has my complete admiration....I am sorry that I was so hard on him...."
++++++++++
You, at 10:12 PM: "...our guy, Charlie is tough as nails..."
++++++++++
You, at 12:04 PM: "...I'm still not convinced...we have the talent..now it's time to deliver. Lets get some revenge on sc......if we get blown out...Then it's time to bring in cowher, gruden or skip/lou holtz father son tandem....I"m not convinced....Where's the NASTY football?...I'm not seeing it..."
++++++++++++++++
So, is Charlie Weis a "tough as nails" guy who's earned your "complete admiration", or...
...are you "still not convinced", and if SC blows ND out, he gotta' go?
'92 Gator
yes gator you are right...
Irish Mike is waffling worse than a guy that has 3 girlfriends and doesnt know which one to bring to the dance.
Irish Mike...I'm calling you out!
WE all know CW's a bum who has yet to win a big game.
So get of the snide, be a man and make up your damn mind.
Sincerely
KENTUCKY BOB
PS...KENTUCKY BOB ASKS ONE SIMPLE QUESTION
When was the last Time CW's one any game that was worthy of a signature win.
I'm a big domer and tired of the excuses.
Tell me one.
Just one game!
For all those of you that can't figure it out....IRISH Mike is also Kentucky Bob (and all the other bs aliases that seem to support this idiot's ND-hating sentiments). It is abundantly clear that this pole smoker is not a Domer. He is a mole, most likely a Florida fan but he hasn't totally revealed himself just yet...but he will. I will start the charge to call for Irish Mike's head as he had done to CW. Let's get Irish Mike and all his cousins (including his wife) off our boards and back to the back woods of Lower Georgia. You sir, spend way too much time hating the Irish. Maybe you are actually Pat Forde…..just a thought.
He is also '92 Gator, so you are right. He probably is a Gator fan. Off with his head!
Indiana Jones
GO IRISH!
He should call himself "IDIOT MIKE"! What a jerk off.
now now boys...lets be civil.
I doubt that kentucky bob, irish mike and gator 92 are the same person.
They just seem to be pretty tough on CW.
But lets show some class here.
There's no need for jerk off and other words...otherwise you might think this is USC'S homepage
jjw class of 96
come to think of it...
and i'm not siding with the trifecta of bob, mike and gator...
and let me preface by saying I'm an alum.
Has CW actually had a convincing win against a top opponent?
Granted sc 05 was a hell of a game..but lets not forget we did lose.
I"m not siding with these gator goons..mind you.
But...and I hate to say it...they may have a point.
thoughts? comments?
jjw 96
Good post Rock and the bantering is refreshing as well. You guys should add jjw class of 96 to the list of aliases. That obviously has to be Mike again. Let's not be holier than thou here. After all, we are fans that care about our school and our team. It is completely okay to call a jerk off a jerk off. Are we really that prim and proper? Not when I went there and not my life-long friends I met there. Save that message for church on Sundays, but Monday through Saturday belongs to college football and the Irish.
Keep up the good work. It is hilarious and refreshing.
Punxsutawney Phil
hey phil...that was hillarious...
but i'm afraid you are mistaken.
jjw is a real person..me.
All i was saying is show some class...
why dont you grow up?
I"m not siding with the gator goons...if you can read, you might be able to see that.
But seriously?
What are we so giddy about?
We beat an unranked team...and if not for the gift of 21 points..we prob. would've lost.
Let's get a resounding win against North Carolina (who looks pretty damn good) and then I'll shut up.
Until then...please dont accuse me of being a gator clown?
Save that for Gator 92, Irish Mike and KY Bob
Thanks
jjw 96
Well Irish Mike, I am "giddy" that we are 2-0. What were we last year? That's right Mikey boy, at this point last season we had two fewer wins. The only people not "giddy" are the haters like Mike Maye and friends (like you). I don't know what game you watched, but at no time did I feel the game slipping away in any fashion. Every time UM scored, we answered right back. I also have never seen a team walk onto the field and "give" the other team 21 points. I believe ND had to actually put the ball across the goal line to EARN those 21 points. Stop your bellyaching because it's only going to get worse for you as ND racks up more wins. Join a different cause other than calling for CW's job. Worry about your own team Irish Mike (aka jjw class of 96). You have been exposed.
Go true Irish!!!
Yeah Irish Mike, Gator Bob and Kentucky Clown...jjw...
Take that whipping.
The Irish have a chance to run the table...although I'm still not looking forward to sc..ouch they look tough
but if our irish run the table until then..I think all of us we'll be pretty happy.
As for this clown Irish Mike... and his clones...go back to the swamps of florida with your hillbilly corn bread and your gapped teeth.
I agree with most of the true domers in this site.
I thought we kicked butt.
What's with all the hate?
CW has a young team...and I think he's got a team that can surprise people this year.
I truly believe that if we run the table from here on in...we'll get stronger and more confident...and then we'll pull off the upset of the century...
I predict we'll beat SC this year..
It's time.
Carpe Deim
I believe he meant Carpe Diem. Could have been Mike snipping again.
Lets all rally together behind a young, but exuberent team.
I think Irish Mike's heart is in the right place, but his head is in friggin mars.
But I like the passion.
Lets get em on saturday boys.
Hello everyone...this is the real IRISH MIKE.
And I never thought I'd become such a celebrity.
THanks for all the pub guys.
I am a domer...and I love my Irish...I guess I'm just hard on them, becuase I want them to go back to the days that they were feared.
I just wish there was more intensity and fire.
I'm happy for the win...and I apologize if I came off harsh...I just love the Irish and hope that one day, they can actually beat SC again.
If you look at SC...they were god awful in the 90's. Then Pete comes in and makes them winners again.
Why cant we do the same?
THat's the only reason I'm on CW...Pete turned it around after one year.
Granted, he probably had better talent when he walked in.
But if CW is the guy...then I just want to see results.
I liked the Michigan game..and was pleased as heck...but lets be real...this team still needs that knockout punch.
That's all I"m saying.
one final note...why did half the class of two years ago defect?
Man, there's been a lot of transfers?
Just curious...but if that reflects the coach...then we're in trouble.
I still think we ae too soft on CW...but as an alum, I have higher standards I guess.
And for the record..I wouldnt make this site a mockery by using alias.
So whomever thought that up? sorry to break it to you...but there's only one IRISH MIKE...
:D
Lets go irishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Irish Mike,
I agree with the rest. I think it is you behind all those other names because nobody else could possibly share your idiotic views. You can't give a complement without giving a backhand slap at the same time. You have a tendency to do that no matter what name you choose to use at the time. If you were a true Irish supporter, you would be happy with the direction the program is heading and you would be excited. Did you know that all ND's TDs were scored by sophomores last week? How is that for talent? It may not happen this year, but you are starting to see a championship team take shape. Also, more talent is continuing to come in each year. ND will be a bona fide powerhouse in the next couple of years (maybe starting next year). So, if you would like to be helpful...you hold the tail while Charlie takes it to Traveler.
Go Irish!
I must be on another team's fan site. I've been caled "asinine," an "idiot," and "immature" because I don't think that saturday's gift wrapped victory against a team that lost to Utah and is now 1-2 is a signature win.
ND's lack of offense had nothing to do with "protecting a lead" and everything to do with not knowing how to sustain drives with college players at the college level. The offense continues to be an absolute joke.
When this team starts performing on offense, you guys let me know. Michigan completely DOMINATED the time of possession and every other offensive stat.
Again, MSU will dominate this team unless Charlie can figure out a way to coach a sustained drive once every quarter or so.
Just because some of us aren't living in fantasy land about this team, and its appalling lack of offensive consistency, doesn't make us "idiots," "immature," "asinine," or non ND fans. True ND fans are embarrassed by what has happened to this once great program.
I'll be back after Saturday's game with more truth.
Peace.
Gentlemen:
Again, Irish Mike/Kentucky Bob and '92 Gator are NOT the same poster.
"Ky Bob" may have been an alter ego of Irish Mike--I don't know, but I too was a bit suspicious based on the "...WHO'S WITH ME" that he slipped in to one of his posts (which in a very short time became kinda' of a TM of Irish Mike), and the fact that he suggested "3 girlfriends" as an analogy for posting under different names--under the "Ky Bob" psuodonym no less (FWIW: I have a wife and 3 kids; I don't think in terms of g/f's). ...but I'll reserve judgment on Irish Mike and/or Ky Bob.
My post directed to Irish Mike was simply intended to get him to pick a side. Last week he was all about gettin rid of CW; over the weekend he was singing his praises; then yesterday, he was back to "not convinced" with CW.
My posts have been consistent. I have maintained that Notre Dame has the talent, so they should be performing better than they have been, for which I hold the coaches accountable, starting with the HC. I don't believe I am holding CW to an unrealistically high standard. Why was Notre Dame able to play competitively against Michigan, but flat against SDSU? Did they really "age" or "mature" that much in one week? Or maybe, just maybe, Lou Holtz had them fired up, and ready to play at a level closer to their potential than CW ever could have...
Furthermore, youth mitigates performing below potential; it does not excuse or exonerate ineptitude. Youth showed in missed blocks, blown assignments, missed tackles, etc.; however, those same young kids playing with fire in their bellies, were able to hold on to win notwithstanding some mistakes, to beat a superior team last week, than the week before--and for all Michigan's transition pains--they are 5x the team that SDSU is--yet Notre Dame looked much better against Michigan than SDSU.
What's more, the point that seems lost on so many CW apologists, is the mockery that was made of NDS last season. After last season, NDS may as well have stood for "Nu Delta Sigma" house--where visitiors come and have their way, have their fun...
SDSU was the game to reclaim NDS. Yet what was CW's response to last season? "sshhhhhh...mum's the word...we don't want to hurt any of the wittle kids' feelings...".
So why was I so pleased after last week's win v. Michigan? Because they came out like they owned the field--as they should EVERY SINGLE TIME they take the field at NDS!
...and why am I reluctant to credit CW with that fire? Again, because Lou Holtz and the 88 champs were there--probably riding their asses about retaking NDS. (Let's see how fired up they are for the next home game--Purdue, is it?).
As a side note--among the multiple reasons we canned Ron Zook--he surrendered supremacy in the Swamp. We became road warriors, winning more games on the road than in the Swamp; and losing regularly in the Swamp--unacceptable.
You may not like my opinions, and certainly I don't expect many to agree with them; that's part of why I sign my posts ('92 Gator)-so y'all know where my perspectives are coming from, fully expecting them to be duly discounted as those of an outsider.
...but please stop with the allegations that I--or "Gator Clowns"--feel any need to post under any alternative psuedonyms.
(I suppose I could be real man, and just post anonymously...).
One final point: Please see my posts in the thread identified below--I've been posting here for a while, and while I may not qualify as a Notre Dame fan, I'm hardly a ND Hater, either.
Sunday, May 18, 2008 thread, entitled: "Racial Bias and Willingham"
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21965484&postID=2943788911824623928
'92 Gator
..."ND has 3 straight top-10 classes, but only 2 of them are actually at ND now. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."...
...What? there are 3 classes now at ND...the juniors were ranked #8 (Rivals.com); the sophomores were also ranked #8; and the freshmen were ranked #1 following Alabama's capitulation...
...what am I missing here?...
hey irish mike hows it feel to sound like a total idiot. team did great last week the happiest i have been watching a nd game in a long time. now lets get out there and beat those excuse the language assholes from michigan state i don't think i hate any team more. go irish beat michigan state
TBoneND here:
Just a minte. ND is the third youngest team in Div 1A.
Yes we have had 3 top recruiting classes. Remember that 25% of the 2006 recruiting class transferred because they were being passed by younger and more inexperienced players (keyword being inexperienced). Charlie was in a catch 22 in 2005 and '06. He won with TW's players (who did absolutly nothing with them) and coached them to a bowl game above their true capabilities.
Remember from where we have come. Davy and Ty Willie made us a laughing stock and TW left ND with only 3 OL recruits in 2 or 3 years.
TW had recruiting classes ranked somewhere around 40 and 29. You can not play the teams we play and have much success with that level of talent.
I agree Charlie should be gone if the team does not get to a bowl game. But being fired if ND does not win 8 or 9 games would be in my opinion the ramblings of a manic depressive.
I see Irish Mike is now also TBoneND. Doesn't he know how easy it is to pick his sorry ass out of a line up? Mike (aka whoever else the f@#$ you are, STFU and stick to beating off so nobody else has to be dragged into your miserable Gator life). FOAD MIKE. Here is a little reason why CW should stay just as long as Paterno does:
It's been stated before, but I don't think it can be said enough; the recruiting job that Charlie Weis and staff did last year to secure the #1 class in the country in the midst of Notre Dame's worst season in its history, is one of the best recruiting jobs I've ever seen.
Scott Kennedy
Director of Recruiting
Scout.com
So just hop off Uban's lap 'cause Mark May is waiting for yoy imapatiently. BOHICA Mikey Boy!
Go Irish...Beat Mikey!
Damn dude that was brutal. Is Irish Mike really Urbans lap dog and does Mark May let him lube up first? Oh boy. Poor Irish Mikey.
Go Irish!!!
Ben Dover
Sorry, but can somebody please tell me what FOAD and BOHICA mean.
I know they can't mean good things for Irish Mikey, but what the f@##$ he deserves it. The loser!
Buffalo Bill
Go Irish
Well Bill,
I have no idea what BOHICA is but I believe FOAD means f*#@ off and die. I hope Mark May doesn't tear tissue on Mikey. This is great.
Beat State
TSIFF (This S### IS F###### Funny). It is nice to see some passion out of our fans to keep those Gator clowns out.
Buffulo Bill, BOHICA means "Bend Over Here It Comes Again". That is from caller on Rome and doesn't look too good for Irish Mikey. What an ass that guy is. Why can't people just be satified with a win. I'm sure the Japanese are saying "if they hadn't dropped the bomb, we would have kicked their asses". Yah right, but at what cost. Anyway, that is a story for a different time but doesn't change the final result like the last 2 weeks. A W is a W. They are hard enough to get for us these days.
Some of those Irish Mikey types just want us to forfiet the rest of the season. Shame on him.
Mark May, when he gives you the fish eye, just wink and have a good go. He enjoys it anyway.
Go Mark May!
Now I am a rambling "manic depressive."
Again, am I on a USC site?
Grow up.
No Mikey, this is not a USC site nor is it your Gator site, but that is where you should be.
Go away and don't come back.
Post a Comment
<< Home