RALLY 'ROUND THE DOME, LADS

We suppose it was watching the Tonight Show, hearing Jay Leno say "even the Hunchback of Notre Dame is transferring to Michigan State" that we decided to drop our criticism, however fair, of Charlie Weis and the Fighting Irish, and get back on board what earlier was described as a sinking ship.

Yes, Charlie has not as yet demonstrated his perceived ingenuity, and he is arrogant, but he has shown before that it can be surpassed by his ability.

Yes, the players--especially the seniors--have performed way below their experience and talent level (not to mention our expectations), but the season is not yet half over, so "cheer, cheer for 'ol Notre Dame."

The Irish will beat the Boilermakers. The Irish will beat the Boilermakers. Keep saying it!!

--Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

ND SINKING TO DEPTHS OF DESPAIR?

The "talented" Fighting Irish football team is not very good.

The "excellent" coaching staff is not very good at preparing and guiding this not very good team.

The players will "gain focus and pull out of this morass of failure."

The coaches will "motivate and elevate the players from this depth of despair."

A basic principle of Jesuit logic dictates that contradictory statements cannot be true at the same time.

Take your pick from the above.

We would settle for a squad with pride and perseverance, win or lose, and a coaching staff with passion and purpose, win or lose, representing a great university and a storied program.

Wherefore art thou, brother(s)?

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh

WISH UPON A SPAR...tan

This has been a week of aggressive offense, and we don't mean at the Notre Dame "training camp."

Pundits, reporters, broadcasters, columnists, alumni, students, friends and foes across the land teeing off on the Fighting Irish football team and its coach...especially the coach.

Of course, there been some among the faithful--not many--acting as apologists for the performance thus far of ND. The confession booth is on the right.

We'll pass on both fronts.

Although, one does wonder if Charlie Weis has little or no confidence in the Notre Dame team or, if indeed, the players have little or no faith in their coach. And neither seems to care about the assistant coaches. The first three games sure as hell give those impressions.

Now, can the Fighting Irish step up and COMPETE with Michigan State, which is considered a step-down from Michigan, Penn State, and Georgia Tech.

Or, is Notre Doomed once again.

We wish we may, we wish we might, have this wish (granted) this night:

That the Irish come out of the tunnel on Saturday with passion, with pride, with purpose--and an attitude that "we are down, but on our way up".....and that CW discards once and for all this crap about Me-Me, Parcells, Belichick, Tommy and the way it was and should be--instead, gets with the here and now. Coach and motivate your players to go for victory, not victimization.

Shut-the-fuck-up about all this other extraneous, schematic nonsense.

And, we say that with affection and support.

--Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

"TRADITION NEVER GRADUATES".... It's Flunking!

Thanks to Charlie Weis, his coaching staff, and the not-so-Fighting Irish football team--especially the starters and the seniors, we are able to confirm after the game with the University of Michigan that Notre Dame:

--can't block

--can't center the ball

--can't run

--can't hold onto the ball

--can't pass

--can't get rid of the ball (except for fumbles)

--can't run evasive routes

--can't catch

--can't tackle

--can't cover; and

--can't coach on the field.

They can:

--give up touchdowns (but not get any)

--get penalties; and

--get negative yardage.


Motivation, Emotion, Pride, and Morale: RIP.

ND versus UM: And Then There Were Three

Some folks are calling Saturday's game between Notre Dame and Michigan "The Toilet Bowl" for obvious reasons. There is a certain stench at Ann Arbor that has dominated The Big House in recent weeks. We also can't forget the rot over South Bend and the smell that followed the Fighting Irish to Happy Valley and back.

But, alas, either the Irish or the Wolverines will be rid of the odor (at least until after the following game) by ekeing out a victory this weekend. The loser at 0-3, well, let's just say will have the scent of angel feathers over its helmets!

It was good to hear from a couple of NDs O lineman, following the titantic loss to Penn State. Mumble, mumble, we-need-to-get-better stuff. Said Mike Turkovich, who should be a back-up tackle, not a starting guard, "I think the problem is that the O line is only as good as its missing link." Son, there are five missing links on the front five. Sam Young probably would not be if he was at his natural position, left tackle, and Dan Wenger moved to backup center with plenty of playing time, and Matt Romine, Taylor Dever, Bartley Webb, or even Jeff Tishak were given a shot to replace Paul Duncan, God love him, and moved to right tackle.

Why not. To date, there is better protection against illegals at the Mexican border than there is given to Jimmy Clausen or Irish running backs.

However, one bright spot: Michigan's defense, so woeful that Cornell is trying to get on the Wolverine schedule. Blue is Blue. No question.

This is a pivotal game: two storied football programs, both at 0-2, one of the worst defenses against the worst offense, two coaches whose preparation, game plan, and on-field mentoring have been more embarrassing than Britney Spears' recent song and dance.....and, that performance was lower than whale shit.

There will be light at the end of the current tunnel of despair for the winning team and a good chance of getting on the right track for a winning season. There's a lot riding on this contest. Hopefully, the outcome will have the current LSU head coach pondering a future, say like 2008, at Ann Arbor, home of his alma mater.

The game also gives all to see the classic match-up between the two most heralded frosh quarterbacks, Clausen and Mallet. No friends, either. Do you remember Ryan's comments about Jimmy at the HS All-American game last year? We can only ask, who needs friends like that. This contest bodes well for an aerial display.

The faithful should have a lot of faith in Clausen, who has shown poise and confidence despite being pummeled like an MS-13 gang initiation. This kid's the real deal. He just needs some blocking help and open passing lanes.

Well, there you have it. UM back-deluxe Mike Hart has promised victory over the Irish, who now have something to pin on the locker room bulletin board for inspiration and momentum, attributes that have been missing so far.

--Old Shillelagh & Wee Leprechaun

Irish Can't Score TDs...But They Are OFFENSIVE

Watching this year's edition of Notre Dame football is like watching a bad movie, and the similarities are there for all to see: a very poor plot (playcalling), anemic, struggling direction (coaching staff) and blameworthy, bloated performances (offensive line). The supporting cast (special teams) seems not to be profoundly developed.

The Fighting Irish are so smelly at this point that even Mike Hart of Michigan, current college football's laughing stock, has guaranteed a victory over ND in the Big House this coming Saturday. He obviously watched the Penn State game on TV.

It's hard to argue with that prediction. At least, the Wolverines have scored a few TDs, ND has yet to hit the endzone with a pass or run. How long has it been?

It's also hard to accept that both ND and UM are 0-2 and one will be 0-3 after September 15. The long knives are being sharpened for a slice of the hide of messrs. Weis and Carr.

As we all know the College Football Graveyard is littered with head coaches who were never able to make the transition to the top job from being O or D coordinators, QB and line coaches, or NFL anything-will-do coaches.

Hopefully, Charlie isn't affected with that syndrome.

Why can't the offensive line do the job? It was painful watching Duncan and Young being skirted or run over by a PSU DE or LB time and time again (yet, neither was ever pulled). Sullivan, Wenger and Turkovich know how to miss blocks and eat grass. Possibly, young Dan and Turko would do best in their old positions, center and tackle, respectively, as backups?

Our South Bend source, however, says that Charlie is (was) committed to keeping this group intact, believing that they would step-up and synchronize. If that's the case, the lads will have their best opportunity against a woeful Michigan defense. If not then, when? Do you think John Latina has the answer?!

Certainly, the OLine owes Jimmy Clausen an apology (Demetrius Jones is still waiting for his mea culpa from the linemen), as well as Armando Allen and other running backs, not to mention wide receivers who frequently were open but not in range for an embattled JC who was running for his life and couldn't see them in time.

"There Are No Excuses."

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh

FOR SALE - One Lion's Den. Do the Irish Have the Guts To Go for It?

If you attended Charlie Weis' press conference or watched the proceedings in Cybersville, he didn't have a winning game face in the ready, it was more of an O and 2 look, and his words were other than nasty; frankly, more namby-pamby!

It is clear that Coach Weis is a master of rhetorical sophistication, with a Jersey twang, but the substance of his wordsmithing--i.e. translated into game time performance-continues to elude us.

The long, laborious litany of Penn State's greatness, player by player, left no doubt that PSU may be too formidable for the struggling Notre Damers. He didn't say anything to dismiss that notion.

I guess we were hoping to hear that Charlie's boys are going to cut out the heart of the Nittany Lions and piss in the hole. But, alas...nasty isn't as nasty isn't.

The beat reporters who cover Charlie in South Bend (or more often that not, cower to Weis) really did not get beyond softball questions about Jimmy Clausen and took in stride the coach's scripted answers.

No questions or discussion about why Armando Allen didn't play more or why Asaph Schwapp played too much;

Dan Wenger's inability to transit to guard from center (where he belongs);

Why everyone's favorite, Golden Tate, froze like a deer in the headlights when a Tech special teamer was closing in on him;

Why Mike Turkovich wasn't pulled (for good) after his first quarter of minus-mediocrity;

Why Zibby, Toryan, Duncan and Ryan were absent for most of the fray, although their bodies were to be seen on the field in a daze;

Why Sam Young isn't moved to his natural left tackle; he sure as hell has yet to master the right slot (Matt Romine can handle that position);

Why Travis Thomas is playing over Aldridge, Hughes, let alone AA;

Why are the gameplan and onfield coaching anemic and without energy;

And why are messrs. Latina and Oliver not on hot seats for all to see.

There's more, much more, but it is too painful.

Thanks to Carlson and Parris who were there to catch the ball, however seldom it was thrown to them; to Clausen who showed poise, confidence, and a good arm; to David Bruton who was all over the field; and, a big pat on the back to Brandon Walker. He was called upon and he delivered. So very few did.

Still, the lads from South Bend can beat the boys from Happy Valley.

They have the talent. They need to reach down and get that nastiness Weis once talked about, but never instituted in his players. They need to play with controlled, but reckless abandon, emotion, and that "we're in this game together," attitude to win.

They need to kick ass on both sides of the ball and be enthusiastic in so doing.

Above all, they need to play like Notre Dame is expected to play.

And, It could possibly rub off on Charlie Weis and his coaching staff.

XXXXXXXXXXX

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh (with input from South Bend & Los Angeles).

Send Not To Ask for Whom the Bell Tolls.

Just a quick note.

Perhaps "Tradition Never Graduates" because of failing grades.

And, Notre Dame's performance--especially the sideline coaching on both sides of the ball-- against Georgia Tech was a resounding "F."

Coach Weis accepted the responsbility, which he certainly deserved.

Oh, sure, "we will never be unprepared," "We will be nasty." "Rebuilding? I will never use that word," and "I am keeping the starting QB so as not to give Georgia Tech a heads-up or to start the game with a anxiety-ridden signal caller."

Hmmmm.

For crissakes, Charlie, stop showing how "gutsy" you are on fourth down, rather bring some innovation, creativity, boldness in your play-calling on the first three and, if I player is not doing the job at the very beginning--e.g. Jones, Thomas, Schwapp, Turkovich, and Wenger--jerk and bench him. There were (many) others.

Faithful, get the bad taste out of your mouth by believing that "this one" is behind us and that at least messrs. Vernaglia, Parris, Kamara, Bruton (most of the time, and John Carlson came to play. There might have been one or two others? Armando Allen showed flashes.....when given the opportunity.

And, so did Jimmy Clausen. Why was he not there from the beginning? He showed poise, confidence, and a good arm, despite the waning minutes.

Hell, enough said.

Let's get our focus on Penn State and play them to win. Torch the White Flag!

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh