No Need To Ask, Charlie, The Bell Tolls For You

Notre Dame lost to the Naval Academy again!

Are you kidding me?

Let's hope Charlie Weis can guide the Irish to wins over Pitt, UConn, and Stanford--however unlikely that appears judging from his onfield mentoring to date.

Then, before a lesser bowl game--if that is in the cards: Fire Him!

Give Verducci a shot at running the team for that one game.

Whether they finish the regular season 9-3, 6-6, or whatever, ND is never going the final distance, a national championship, with the not-so-college-football-Weisman at the helm.

Let's take him at his word upon taking the head coaching duties: "If we don't win a national championship in five years, fire me."

So, Jack Swarbrick, do it.

Look, we've watched the games, listened to Weis after victory or defeat, reviewed his record and rhetoric, hear the cries of pained Irish faithful, and read the myriad fact sheets that add up to embarrassment under his leadership.

The Jersey Guy just doesn't have it for the South Bend (indeed, college) venue. Plain and simple! He'll enjoy the beach life of South Carolina as one of its wealthiest residents.

Fan the country for a big-name, big-time guy with a proven record of wins and respect as a head coach, who also can pick a staff that develops its players into champions, not naysayers and apologists.

Believe me, a guy like this won't have trouble recruiting top-notch talent, who are also top-notch students.

Go Irish!

--Wee Leprechaun

Miscellany Meanderings

God bless the Naval Academy. The young men from Annapolis will give Notre Dame their toughest struggle, win or lose, and that includes the game against USC. We've seen them play twice this season and they are good on both sides of the ball. Fortunately for The Fighting Irish, the Midshipmen won't be good enough, but messrs. Clausen, Tate and Floyd will be. ND 35 Navy 10 (hey, we did well projecting last week's score: Irish 42 WSU 17).

More Projections since we will have to watch the game on a small screen at the track, between the Breeder's Cup racing card: Zenyatta in the Classic with some long-shot bucks on Richard's Kid and Einstein. Interactif all the way in one of the lesser races. If you're so inclined and parochial Mine That Bird (once owned by a couple of NDAlums) is in the Classic.

Fate is the hunter. Dayne Crist is down and who knows what that means come Spring and, for that matter, long term. Watch Mike Anello closely, he's just not there anymore. There is chatter that either Hendrix or Rees will enroll early. But, you know, don't count out John Goodman. He could be the guy come next fall.

Once again, we looked at the 2010 schedule and once again got a retinal hemmorhage and sour stomach. The good folks from NDNation had it right: Greed and Cowardice. Jack Swarbrick should be ashamed.

We keep hearing from a friend of recruit Chris Martin that the big guy will be in a ND uniform for the 2010 season despite rumors to the contrary. Queries also suggest that Brandon Linder and Matt James are very high on the Irish and are leaning toward South Bend.

Watch special teams closely and you'll come to the same conclusion as this perch--Zeke Motta is an outstanding athlete and player. Big and bright future ahead.

One last point to ponder: There is a horse, fleet of foot, named "Midshipman" in one of the Breeder's Cup races. Drop a double-sawbuck on this good looker. What the hell!

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh

Cougars or Pussy Cats Against ND Defense?

Yup, another close one.

Also same scenario: BC QB shreds ND Secondary; this from a 25-year-old freshman who has the arm strength of tossed linguini and the spiral of a wobbly duck shot in flight. Nevertheless, the Irish DBs, with the help of a timid Tenuta pass rush, gave praise to yet another opposing no-name Quarterback. Schminskie, or whatever.

The upcoming thrower from Washington State--Tool, Tuel, Tuoel, Towel (something like that)--is on the threshhold of greatness thanks to NDs pass defense, which is still mired with the bottom-dwellers.

Notre Dame is now back in the Top 25 (why?) and WSU is 1-6 with over-all stats that are the collective laugh on the Pacific Coast.

Don't count the boys from Pullman out of the San Antonio contest (and a small crowd, no less).

NDs Pass Defense should keep the Cougars somewhat close to at least the fourth quarter.

Also, let's hope that Kyle Rudolph "returns" to action; Shaq Evans and Deion Walker get a few passes thrown their way; Matt Romine gets an opportunity to sub for Paul Duncan when the latter continues to block poorly; Mike Anello regains 2007 form on STs; and, finally, Charlie Weis admits some embarrassment over the 2010 schedule.

Score Prediction: The Cougars should put a couple of pass TDs on the Scoreboard and come close enough for a field goal. The Irish offense should be in full mode with at least 5 Tds.

Notre Dame: 41 Washington State: 17

--Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

NDs Defense Makes For No Gimmes

It was predictable: Notre Dame's porous-of-the-porous defense allowed yet another opposing QB to perform like a Heisman candidate. Matt Barkley, we salute you (and young Mr. Shinskie, Schminskie, or whatever the hell your name is, there is no reason why you won't shine against this bunch when Boston College comes to South Bend.

It is a good thing that the Irish were dropped from the top 25; they didn't belong there in the first place.

The Notred Dame pass defense, which has been ranked with the bottom-feeders since game one, continues to stink up the playing field, especially the once-heralded secondary with fingers pointed at Harrison Smith and Darrin Walls. There are no kudos either for the DLine or LB Cadre (why do we keep praising BSmith and Teo?).

It would be embarrassing if the Irish were ranked up there with the good teams, the complete teams, the well-coached teams.

Notre Dame faithful and other well-meaning, but wishful-thinking, fans predict a 10-2 season despite the onfield performance. Ah, "to see ourselves as others see us."

There are no gimmes remaining, including Washington State. They have a quarterback, don't they?!

Hats continue to go off to Jimmy Clausen for his stellar play, despite a shaky, often-struggling offensive line. By the way, folks are asking where Shaq Evans was for the USC game. Good question, but here's a better one: why wasn't Matt Romine subbed for the often-beaten Paul Duncan?

Well, to hell with it. The Irish just can't win the big one, beat the elite, or stay relatively high in the rankings. So far that's the story. Unless he's canned, Charlie Weis' salary remains intact. There are a lot of "unlesses, ifs, and buts" about this team and its coach.

Let's add a "Maybe." The Irish beat the Eagles, which hasn't happened for sometime, then maybe, just maybe, Notre Dame football faithful can start looking up with heads held high.

Maybe.

--Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh