We'll Be Out Of Commission For A Few Weeks

ND Did Not Spring Forward; Will They Fall Back?

Sorry, we're tardy, but we detoured via West Virginia and onto the Charles Town Classic....not to mention the fishing streams of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. If Researcher is a late entry into the Kentucky Derby, put a few dollars on this sleek thoroughbred; hold the big bucks for I Want Revenge or Quality Road.

Be that as it may, the million-dollar race in the arms of Mountain Mama was a helluva lot more fun and better to watch than Charlie Weis' chicken-shit "please-don't-get-injured" scrimmage, masquerading as a college football ball game. It would have been a better test, certainly more entertaining, if Charlie Weis' youngsters played Lou Holtz's geriatrics; old folks odor vs. Duck, Duck, whatever!

Look, talk to two folks and you'll get three opinions about the B-G "game." They are all valid, and none is worth a plugged nickel. Frankly, the game format told us very little about the over-all quality of the team. Sure, Robert Blanton and Ethan Johnson were outstanding, but we already knew that. The running game should not be gauged until the Wolfpack lines up against Allen and company. Too many players were held out; most should have been practicing from the outset of camp. Mike Ragone is still in need of healing, but Fauria is ready for downs. The offensive line is, well, a "wait-and-see." Come fall, we're going to learn a lot about Latina and Verducci.

This team has a lot of talent, speed, and mucho experience. It all adds up to Depth. How Charlie Weis handles and directs these lads is the big question we have, and we did not get an answer at the spring event. Add quality assistant coaches to quality player depth, however, and ND will have an impressive winning season and Weis will hold onto his job. We are still not sold on his ability to head coach, and truly believe that CW and the team would fare much better if he calls plays from the upstairs booth. He just does not interact and manage effectively from the sidelines. What better reason--or, excuse--to head to the top of the stands than standing (and hurting) on the grass with bum knees!

The Defense will stand the test of time over 12 games. No question. The offense will be governed by these keys:
--Clausen's arm
--Tate's hands
--Allen's legs
--Walker's foot

One last note: despite Weis's humiliation of Montana during practice by "trying out other non-QBs for the third signal-caller slot", Joe's boy showed up Charlie during the B-G test, looking better than either Clausen or Crist!

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Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

A Lad Brought Up Right

While shopping in a food store, two nuns happened to pass by the beer. The first nun said it sure would be nice to enjoy a beer. The second nun answered that indeed, yes, it would be very nice to have one, but that she didn't feel comfortable about buying it.

The first nun replied that she could handle that without a problem and picked up a six-pack and took it to the cashier.

The cashier had a surprise look on his face, so the nun said, "we use beer for washing our hair, a sort of shampoo, if you will."

Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of
pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer, saying "the curlers are on the house."

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--We'll be back after the Easter holiday.

--Keep your eye on Bobby Burger; this walk-on will work into game play.


Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

SPRING Into Action

March 26, 2009

One colleague returns from South Bend, the other remains after day four. Here's a few observations about the daily comings, goings, and doings at Notre Dame's spring sessions:

--There is no question that the new coaches (not to mention Bryant Young) are making a big difference in the attitude and aggressiveness of the players under their charge. Make no mistake, and it is a long time coming, that the lads, be they offense or defense, finally complement in hunger and desire the ascent in the win column and the polls that the new mentors expect and have projected. It's there; it wasn't last year. Watch out, USC!!

--The three Smiths--Brian, Toryan, and Scott--are listed as the Saturday Saints at LB. That should change when Fleming and Te'o are ready to go (also Filer and Motta).

--Don't have a good feeling for Mike Ragone's comeback at least through spring. He just doesn't have that look, that gait, that aura; Kyle Rudolph surely does!


--Ethan Johnson, looking as though he was sculpted for all-American honors, will be a force to be reckoned with regardless where he ends up on the D-line. The D-line, under the new command, promises to be a big--and pleasant--surprise. Lewis-Moore another good looker. John Ryan, hard to believe, is listed as starting DE, but Kerry Neal's return (soon, we hope) will change that.


--What to do with Deion Walker and the all-arounder John Goodman. These guys look good and can play the wide receiver post. The question is: will they? And, if not, what then? Hope they will be around come September. There is so much talent at WR.

--When Darrin Walls gets up to speed and Gary Gray returns this summer, the secondary will be terrific. There are so many good players vying for so few positions. What competition! Watch Jamoris Slaughter!


--The fullback position seems to be a cause for competitive concern: Paskorz, Aldridge, Hughes? The hard-working, well-liked JC will win out in the end, with Steve P getting his share of minutes. One astute coach allowed as how ND could do nicely without a fullback!!


--Paul Duncan has caught Verducci's eye for the LT slot. It's clear to everyone. Duncan, a great high schooler from a great FB state, has been a big disappointment so far. If he can make the turn from outcast to outstanding, then we know a helluva lot about John Latina.


--He's getting no chatter, but Braxton Cave is going to push Dan Wenger very hard for the numero uno center position. Verducci likes the sophomore, as well.


--Privately, the majority of those on the field believe that Charlie Weis should be in the booth during games. He's a strategist and uncanny accurate in appraisals WHEN LEFT ALONE. He is not a players sideline coach. Unfortunately, he won't go upstairs because his pro-mentors think it is a bad idea. Kinda pathetic on CW's part.


--Golly, Molly, that Dayne Crist looks good and, what a great attitude. Clausen has the starting nod, but the other Californian is ready to go if JC slips.

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(Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh)