Walk-Ons Must Step-Up
Holy(hot) Hell! If there is anything worse than, say, watching a roller-derby at the Sacred Heart Basilica, it must be spending a couple of weeks in the heat-suffocating, traffic-congested, over-crowded beach boonies. There is no peace, only chaos. It was good to get back; or, so I thought.
Now, upon return, another Irish footballer, Brandon Nicholas, has left the team. What is going on? Nicholas, Incarnato, Kadous, Leitko--wherefore art thou? That's a lot of missing beef from an-already thin rack.
There is hope-upon-hope that front-line players, and immediate back-ups, will remain healthy (wishful thinking) and that walk-on/non-scholarship lads will step up when called and step in admirably and significantly on the field.
There seems to be a slew of non-playing subs--more than usual from earlier years. All these boys were high school stars, no doubt, which give Charlie Weis and his talented coaching staff
an opportunity to mine and find some "diamonds (or, Shamrocks, so to speak) in the rough." We should not be surprised to see walk-ons getting a lot of playing time this season.
I got a strong hunch, belief actually, that they will perform well. Two immediately come to mind: Brandon Harris, who appears to be a multi-faceted back, with great speed; and Jeff Tisak, a big Pennsylvania stud on the offensive line. This freshman can play, believe me. Other bulksters, who could contend, include James Bent, Casey Cullen, David Fitzgerald and the two ex-Brophy Prepsters--Neil Kennedy and J.J. Jansen. And, let's not forget Rob Woods, who has impressed CW already.
Keep lighting the candles in prayer for players' safe-keeping from the dreaded injury bugaboo. But, at the same time give the Lord a healthy thank-you for those lads who are ready and able to jump into the trenches if needed.
This coaching staff knows how to get the very best out of every player on the squad--a trait from ND mentors we have not seen for many a year.
--Old Shillelagh
Now, upon return, another Irish footballer, Brandon Nicholas, has left the team. What is going on? Nicholas, Incarnato, Kadous, Leitko--wherefore art thou? That's a lot of missing beef from an-already thin rack.
There is hope-upon-hope that front-line players, and immediate back-ups, will remain healthy (wishful thinking) and that walk-on/non-scholarship lads will step up when called and step in admirably and significantly on the field.
There seems to be a slew of non-playing subs--more than usual from earlier years. All these boys were high school stars, no doubt, which give Charlie Weis and his talented coaching staff
an opportunity to mine and find some "diamonds (or, Shamrocks, so to speak) in the rough." We should not be surprised to see walk-ons getting a lot of playing time this season.
I got a strong hunch, belief actually, that they will perform well. Two immediately come to mind: Brandon Harris, who appears to be a multi-faceted back, with great speed; and Jeff Tisak, a big Pennsylvania stud on the offensive line. This freshman can play, believe me. Other bulksters, who could contend, include James Bent, Casey Cullen, David Fitzgerald and the two ex-Brophy Prepsters--Neil Kennedy and J.J. Jansen. And, let's not forget Rob Woods, who has impressed CW already.
Keep lighting the candles in prayer for players' safe-keeping from the dreaded injury bugaboo. But, at the same time give the Lord a healthy thank-you for those lads who are ready and able to jump into the trenches if needed.
This coaching staff knows how to get the very best out of every player on the squad--a trait from ND mentors we have not seen for many a year.
--Old Shillelagh
posted by OLD SHILLELAGH at 8:15 AM
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