IT'S TOUGH TO DEFEND THE DEFENSE

Dispatch From South Bend:


It is clear for all to see that Corwin Brown is an excellent choice for Defensive Coordinator (hopefully, he will get Messrs. Oliver and Lewis to show some comeuppence that they lacked last year).

There is a lot of beef and a fair amount of speed in Notre Dame's defensive crop, but very little experience and concerns about talent in many positions.

Observing the defensive backfielders, I must say that Tom Zbikowski looks and acts like he expects to play at a high level of proficiency--something we did not see last year.
I'm not sure about Ambrose Wooden, and I don't think coaches Brown and Lewis are either. Ray Herring shows a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and he has a lot of folks rooting for him, as does Raeshon McNeil. Too damn bad about the injury to Gary Gray; he was a real comer, now through for the year, methinks. It will be hard not to put TLambert in a corner; not sure about DBruton. There seems to be questions about Darrin Walls, but I get the impression that he will answer them positively before the spring ends. I do know that the coaches are high on incoming frosh Harrison Smith. Hoping for the best but must accept for now: A shaky secondary.

Anthony Vernaglia, that lanky condidate for a starting OLB position, is doing more than California dreaming, he really is going after that spot with a vengeance. We shall see. I like the kid, but he has never lived up to his high school newsclips, and here he is, a fifth-year wannabe. You can say the same thing about Dwight Stephenson, Jr., but I am convinced as CB appears to be: This kid is gonna make it after all (on the DL). No question about John Ryan--he is going to be among the best in the country before he graduates. Mo Richardson has excellent moves and technique. Maurice Crum, Jr., will have some fine LB-mates, but they may not show as well as they will in the future.....like, when he's gone.

I continue to scratch my head about where Kallen Wade, a fine looking specimen, will play:
OLB or DE. He'll contribute wherever. It's still early.

Nose Tackle? Come on: Chris Stewart with Pat Kuntz challenging hard (there's also good vibes for Ian Williams, who will be aboard for fall practice.

Trevor Laws has a lock on one DE, and I believe, as certainly do the coaches, that he will have a great year in this new defense scheme. God, he looks like a monster.

Not much is being said about Paddy Mullen. Hell, he didn't show up on either the first or second units the other day. But, I've got news for you: He will be in there at DE, just ahead of Stephenson, or right behind him. He is big and mean and has the moves for the 3-4.
Derrell Hand should be getting some quality playing time as well.

I believe that, at the end of the day, the three-man line will be the strength of the defense.

But over-all, the defense remains suspect--in need of a lot of practices...and, possibly prayers!

--Chicago Sean

'TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES' (Only Players Like Quinn)

Dispatch From South Bend:

Let's face it, Charlie Weis is among a handful of NCAA Division 1 coaches whose ability matches their arrogance. And, in CWs case, both are plentiful.....and that may be the combination that will launch Notre Dame to a national championship in the near future. Besides, his arrogance is Jersey bumptious, so all is forgiven. His press conference as usual was more like a seminar, but if you listen carefully, there is some information to be gained.

One senses that he has a much different team from last year, and I don't mean because of the lack of experience. Despite the low expectations and attendant low profile given the 2007 squad by most analysts and fans, Charlie exudes a feeling of achievement not of "building." One can sense it in his utterances. He has a lot of faith in this bunch. And this crop has a lot of faith in itself. Something very exciting is going on, unlike last year.

He has four strong candidates for the starting QB opening and he can't wait to see who will emerge as numero uno and his sideline second. I thought that Zach Frazer would be odd man out. Now I am not so sure. You can tell that Charlie likes this young man (as did Peter Vaas and Brady Quinn). Coach Weis is, by his own admission, going to focus his time and attention now and in the future on his signal callers.

It's almost sad to have four outstanding QBs, knowing that one will transfer post-haste if not the starter or backup. Frankly, I would hate to see either Frazer or DJones in that position!!

The interior offensive line is awesome--loaded with talent in the form of speed, size, strength and athleticism. I will bet that this O-Line will outshine last year's underachievers by a wide margin. Charlie smiles when that prospect is brought up. Looka here: Young, Duncan, Wenger, Olsen, Carufel, Turkovich, Webb, Sullivan(his year to excel), and that big stud transfer from Northwestern, who will be in the starting mix, count on it; hey, how about Romine and Devers who will be aboard when fall practice begins. By the way, this walk-on Jeff Tisak looks like he could step up. Now let's see if Coach Latina is finally up to the challenge.

Tight Ends? Come on, Carlson-Reuland-Yeatman-Ragone. Enough said. CW has not taken kindly to the notion that Will Yeatman can move to DE. Too bad, he has all the equipment and smarts. By the way, he will be an All-American Lacrosse player before he exits South Bend. Great kid! Big John Carlson will make any QB look better. Boy, is he ready to go!

The Irish also are loaded at Running Back with both veterans and first-year scatbacks. I think that it will be very hard for Weis not to make Travis Thomas his number one rusher.
The vibes in the locker room and around the practice area are that TT will have a memorable year. God, what a corps of backups, as well, led by James Aldridge IMO.

A big question mark looms over the wide receiver corps. I don't get the vibes at this point that David Grimes has a lock on one starting WR post, but I do hear and see positive things about Hord, Parris, Jackson, and that speed merchant/good hands guy--Barry Gallup

I agree, however, with the up-close-and-personal analysts that this Offense--regardless of who is among the first eleven--will put up a lot of points on the board.

Defense in my next report.

--Chicago Sean.

WARMIN' THE BENCH With Irish Stew

BQ LIVIN' IN YOYOSVILLE: It appears that the "off-season" is just as frustrating as was the 2007 ND run for graduating senior Brady Quinn, who keeps going up and down on the NFL draft chart. Although the Irish went a more-than-respectable 10-3, it was a disappointing year for the much-hyped QB who, despite more passing records, finds himself in Limbo, hoping that the high and mighty brass of professional football analysts-scouts-coaches will elevate him to a top perch in the first five selections. Many so-called experts don't project that Quinn even will be in the top ten, but we believe they are going to be surprised. Look for Drew Stanton to be Brady's competition for the first QB to go, not Troy Smith (for sure) or JaMarcus Russell, who could be a big flop, and that worries many NFL club execs. Quinn will be way up there when it counts because he can throw that ball where and how it matters; can run if need be--and not chicken-legged; is strong (look at those bench press stats); is resilient (he was never blessed with good blocking throughout his four years and still got up for another down and another game despite the banging he took); is smart and personable (a good role model for the NFL and his team); and he will get a good, straight-forward recommendation from Charlie Weis that will turn the corner for him. Brady Quinn will go high and so will his ultimate performance in the the NFL, bet on it!

THE DE BEAT FOR YEAT GOES ON: That 6'6 260 frame on the lacrosse field is imposing and the player who carries the height and weight is one helluva attackman. As a freshman, Will Yeatman clearly is one of the best players on a very good ND lax team. No surprise, he was one of the best to come out of high school. His current play has "All-America" imprinted for the future. Will also is among a corps of tight ends that may well be the best in Irish history. Along with veteran starter John Carlson, Konrad Reuland and incoming standout Mike Ragone. There's at least one coach who thinks that Yeatman could be moved to DE, where his size, speed, smarts, and strength would make for an imposing lineman. Yeatman is known to be ready and willing to play wherever needed. He might well be needed more on the defense than offense and, there's always lacrosse to keep him happy playing both ways.

SPRING GAME COULD BE SPRINGBOARD: It was good to hear that Ara and Lou will be honorary coaches at the coming Blue-Gold spring game. It would be well for Charlie Weis to get their impressions/ratings of players they will be coaching, even though this will be a less-than-formidable contest. Nevertheless, the two legends will be up close and personal with the lads and will have something to say about performance or lack thereof. We look for Jones, Reuland, Wenger, Parris, TSmith, Mullen, and Gray to garner high praise.

IRISH GAS STATION (St. Patty's is almost upon us. Here's one for you).

Taking a wee break from the golf course, Tiger Woods drives his new Mercedes into an Irish gas station.

An attendant greets him in typical Irish manner, unaware who the golf pro is..."Top o' the mornin to ya."

As Tiger gets out of the car, two tees fall out of his pocket.

"So, what are those things, laddie?" asks the attendant.

"They're called tees," replies Tiger.

"And what would ya be usin 'em for, now?" inquires the Irishman.

"Well, they're for resting my balls on when I drive," replies Tiger.

"Aw, Jaysus, Mary an' Joseph!" exclaims the Irish attendant.

"Those fellas at Mercedes think of everything."

--Old Shillelagh and Wee Leprechaun