Instant Editorial: "Oink" To Hawaii & Next Year

It appears that most of the faithful believe strongly that Notre Dame should not go to the Hawaii Bowl to face the Rainbow Warriors, who they feel, is a much inferior team, and the "win" would prove nothing...be sort of an embarrassment to an already down season.

Hmmm. We have watched the so-called Fighting Irish play 12 games (and countless hours of tape re-runs) and the University of Hawaii twice.

Our conclusion: the Islanders are a better team than the South Benders, especially on their home field, and ND will be lucky to take a small-margin loss back to Indiana. We pray we are wrong.

Faithful, our lads--and there is plenty of talent to go around and a plethora of veterans--comprise a dysfunctional family with a patriarch who lacks discipline and direction (except to the bank).

And, another thing: those of you who keep talking about the "soft" schedule that the Irish play in 2009--puleeze! If the coaching staff remains as is, the offensive line remains as is, the running back tandem remains as is--ND might manage a 6-6 record again over the regular season.

Let's face it: if Charlie Weis is to continue calling plays, there will be trouble in (St. Joe) river city next year. Unfortunately, we will not be spared the Guru's "genius" on Christmas Eve.

--Wee Leprechaun & Old Shillelagh

"Send Not To Ask For Whom The Bell Tolls"

We thought, as most of the faithful did, that Charlie Weis and Jack Swarbrick would meet in California and the latter would send the embattled coach packing to a sunny and very rich retirement in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Let's face it, retaining CW, whose winning ways were a road less-travelled the past two years, made about as much sense as the Pope booking the roller derby around the Sistine Chapel

Ah, wishful thinking!

In effect, Charlie has the last laugh...like, all the way to the bank, one way or the other!

Yes, the Irish will go to a bowl game, perhaps the one in the El Paso sun, play the likes of Oregon State and be out-coached, out-passed, out-rushed, and run-over on defense.

A six-and-seven record for this season and a claim from the Jenny Craig-reject that next year Notre Dame will win over-all.

One can only hope that Weis has been put on a short Leash/lease: drop the arrogant attitude, increase player production on the practice facilities, trash your worthless schematic Xs and Os, replace them with innovation and daring on the blackboard and playbook, and put a team on the field that performs at the top tier of college football programs...and that doesn't mean only those who "show well" Monday thru Friday, e.g., Young and Stewart (thankfully, Turkovich graduates), but are virtually useless on Saturdays. There remains hope for Wenger, Olsen, and Robinson with proper coaching, yet unseen.

It may be possible that Jimmy Clausen, like Weis, is out of his element. Since there is no buyout issue to deal with in evaluating the over-rated Californian, please open the starting QB to all comers, e.g., Dayne Crist.

Finally, and probably foremost, unload all or most of Weis' assistants--certainly messrs. Haywood, Latina, Oliver, Polian, and Powlus. Impress upon Tenuta that the time has come to live up to his reputation. Give Brown a pass, he can do the job if not interferred by Weis.

And, a parting shot at the news media, specifically those who cover Weis on a daily basis:
Stop giving the boastful bastard a free shave. He has to be reined in and held accountable before and after games are played. Drop the softballs. It's hardball time.

Let Charlie know that the bell tolls for him.

--Wee Leprechaun and Old Shillelagh