This is what I said last year,,,

[SpeedsterX]

http://www.domerdomain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12270

 

(Please read the link before reading the rest so it will make sense.)

 

I think I was SPOT ON with very few micro exceptions. The ONE thing I think I was wrong about is that I believe 2009 will be the start of greatness.

 

I believe Weis is theoretically in his 2nd year. His true 1st and 2nd year he already had mature (both physically and mentally) athletes, experienced playmakers and a groundwork already in place to work with.

 

We all know his "true" 3rd year the cupboard TY left us made Old Mother Hubbards cupboard look like a Walmart. CW's true 3rd year was him starting from scratch which makes it his theoretical 1st year (2007). Which looked abysmal but if you gave me every freshman top player at each position in the country and I tried to play them against that schedule that year, it would be abysmal too!

 

CW is now in his theoretical and realistic 2nd year by playing mostly Sophmores and Frosh. We won 2 ugly and lost one closer than the score looks.

 

I, for one, will wait until the end of CW's 3rd year to even say if we're truly headed in the right direction, much less if we fire the guy.

 

Since the end of last year, we all knew pretty much what we had and was still hopeful for 2009. I will wait until Dec. 2009 to make a true judgment on this head coach and his future with Notre Dame.

 

I STILL BELIEVE!

Edited September 21, 2008 by SpeedsterX

[irishwavend]

I agree. That is a great analysis.

[Guest irishrick]

Speedsterx , great story and i have to agree , just wish we could get it done in an easier way, and not look so terrible doing it , i6 yards rushing ? Things got toto get better. Go irish

[SpeedsterX]

Speedsterx , great story and i have to agree , just wish we could get it done in an easier way, and not look so terrible doing it , i6 yards rushing ? Things got toto get better. Go irish

 

It will get better. Hell, it's hard enough to "rebuild" when all you're missing is a few skill position players. This team had to start from scratch (practically) across the board.

 

I'll make another prediction too. I believe we'll see true and credible progress in the running game by mid season if not sooner.

 

BTW, Thanks Irishwave!

Edited September 21, 2008 by SpeedsterX

[crouchingjedi]

I think the bottom line is that the jury is still out on the progress of this team. We may get to the end of this year and find that Michigan St is in the top 2 or 3 teams in the big 10. I doubt it, but perhaps.

 

Regardless, I do not think it is unreasonable to EXPECT at LEAST 8 wins this year based on the schedule. If we get to the end of the year and look back at losses against MSU, Purdue, Pitt, BC, and UNC, I think we need to prepared to acknowledge that each one of those teams have less talent in the cupboard than we do. Let's face it, yesterday Dantonio did more with less against us. We did less with more and there is no other way to look at it. I realize we have youth and inexperience, but come on now! Georgia had a very prolific running game last year with an extremely young OL. Our OL got manhandled yesterday by lesser talent. If you think you can't be successful with young players there are many examples to the contrary, including our 1990 team for example.

 

All I'm saying is that we have a lot of talent and it is disappointing losing to a team with lesser talent. Like I said the jury is still out and I am willing to wait until the end of the season to judge, but I am not seeing the progress on the field that I expected (not hoped for) prior to the season.

[Irishman Part Deaux]

It is very difficult to watch UMiami and Alabama play and think that our recruits are the same. I harp on Speed all the time. I will continue to harp on Speed, until we get some. The lack of speed on this team is showing and it will continue to show. Thankfully the schedule does not involve a lot of top schools. We can win this year, but without a running game, teams are loading up on Clausen. And it does not help that he sits back and stares at the receiver like the guy is wearing his "Long Sleeve Snap Button Western Shirt"

[Kid Gloves]

It is very difficult to watch UMiami and Alabama play and think that our recruits are the same. I harp on Speed all the time. I will continue to harp on Speed, until we get some. The lack of speed on this team is showing and it will continue to show. Thankfully the schedule does not involve a lot of top schools. We can win this year, but without a running game, teams are loading up on Clausen. And it does not help that he sits back and stares at the receiver like the guy is wearing his "Long Sleeve Snap Button Western Shirt"

 

Totally agree. We have 2-3 decent speed guys. When you watch the top teams you can clearly see the lack of total team speed we have. We will never be able to compete until we increase our team speed and get better line play.

[rdrdreamer]

It is very difficult to watch UMiami and Alabama play and think that our recruits are the same. I harp on Speed all the time. I will continue to harp on Speed, until we get some. The lack of speed on this team is showing and it will continue to show. Thankfully the schedule does not involve a lot of top schools. We can win this year, but without a running game, teams are loading up on Clausen. And it does not help that he sits back and stares at the receiver like the guy is wearing his "Long Sleeve Snap Button Western Shirt"

 

In watching Georgia, LSU and Auburn...I totally agree that we do not have that type of speed. But I do not see that type of speed either from our opponents...with the exception of USC.

 

But I still see us getting quicker and improving. The running game seemed to have taken a bit of a step backwards, no doubt...but it will come.

 

I strongly agree with Speedster on this.

Edited September 21, 2008 by rdrdreamer

[Irishman Part Deaux]

In watching Georgia, LSU and Auburn...I totally agree that we do not have that type of speed. But I do not see that type of speed either from our opponents...with the exception of USC.

 

But I still see us getting quicker and improving. The running game seemed to have taken a bit of a step backwards, no doubt...but it will come.

 

I strongly agree with Speedster on this.

 

rdr,

Forget the speed of our opponents, that is not enough. Until we can play with the speed of all the big boys, we will lose games that could have been won. if we are looking to beat just the teams we are suppose to, we are in trouble because we will lose some of those too.

 

our Irish look like they are running through mud compared to the top schools.

 

being young is no excuse anymore. our guys do NOT fly to the ball, they do not play with wreckless abandon and they are not being coached to do so. I say a few more games that could be won become losses, Charlie is in trouble. anything less than 7-5 this season is not acceptable and I know there are 4 games out there that can be losses. We have to beat the crap teams and come up with a decent win.

One of the losses becomes a win, that is a decent win. If one win becomes a loss, adios to the season.

 

Purdue loss

Stanford win

UNC loss

UW win

Pitt win

BC loss

Navy win

Syracuse win

USC loss

[Donjuan]

rdr,

Forget the speed of our opponents, that is not enough. Until we can play with the speed of all the big boys, we will lose games that could have been won. if we are looking to beat just the teams we are suppose to, we are in trouble because we will lose some of those too.

 

our Irish look like they are running through mud compared to the top schools.

 

being young is no excuse anymore. our guys do NOT fly to the ball, they do not play with wreckless abandon and they are not being coached to do so. I say a few more games that could be won become losses, Charlie is in trouble. anything less than 7-5 this season is not acceptable and I know there are 4 games out there that can be losses. We have to beat the crap teams and come up with a decent win.

One of the losses becomes a win, that is a decent win. If one win becomes a loss, adios to the season.

 

Purdue loss

Stanford win

UNC loss

UW win

Pitt win

BC loss

Navy win

Syracuse win

USC loss

 

You love this speed issue don't you? I think there's a lot more going wrong than just speed.

[SpeedsterX]

While I agree the more speed the better, the only elite speed we have right now is mostly in our freshman class and as not been developed yet. We have a few sophs with decent speed but THAT'S IT!

 

We do not have elite speed across the board like Florida, LSU or USC YET!

 

If we're able to keep up the recruiting on last years par and we continue to develop them as we should be able to do, we WILL be on par with those teams in all phases.

 

Re: my first post. I consider Jimmy's class as Weis' first "year" and first recruiting class. With very few exceptions, that class is where Charlies "TEAM" begins. Once Jimmy's class becomes seniors, THAT tells the story of whether Charlie Weis will get it done at Notre Dame. If we are not a top 10 class by then and looking like we could beat anyone in the country, I would say start looking. As long as he keeps recruiting the way he has the last 3 classes and never comes close to a season that was 2007, we really have nothing to lose. By the end of 2010, if he's not getting it done, we'll be in much better position to let the new HC hit the ground running.

 

(I realize noone here was talking about letting the coach go but that is just where my rambling here naturally headed. I believe though that Weis is the guy and that there was such a huge canyon between Brady's team and our first top 5 recruiting class (as my first post explained) that rebuilding this team, literally, from the ground up, has truly taken THIS long and will take a few years longer. As I said, this year is Charlies 2nd year with this raw team and next is his 3rd and that's where most coaches usually see what they truly have as a team. The speed will come! Most of it right now is wrapped up in 18-19 year olds bodies).

 

I would also like to point out to people who say, "Well, other teams are gettingit done with true freshman in their starting ranks!". That may be true in specific positions on various teams throughout the country but NO ONE TEAM IS DOING THAT WITH , PRACTICALLY, THE ENTIRE SKILL POSITION PLAYERS ACROSS THE BOARD! And noone is doing it at an elite level!!!!!!

[irishwavend]

Our Defense doesn't fly to the ball?!?!?! Have you watched the games? We had four guys on ringer. When a guy catches a ball, we have at least 2 guys there to tackle his ass. Damn! What do you want from the Defense? The Defense, with exception of Crum and Ryan, is fast as hell. Do you remember the old days? The Defense, though the front seven has problems, is faster than it has been in a looonnngggg time. We finally have team speed. Where we screw up is in the mental part of the game and assignments, generally.

[IrishGuy]

Our Defense doesn't fly to the ball?!?!?! Have you watched the games? We had four guys on ringer. When a guy catches a ball, we have at least 2 guys there to tackle his ass. Damn! What do you want from the Defense? The Defense, with exception of Crum and Ryan, is fast as hell. Do you remember the old days? The Defense, though the front seven has problems, is faster than it has been in a looonnngggg time. We finally have team speed. Where we screw up is in the mental part of the game and assignments, generally.

 

We also do not tackle very well right now. There are always guys around the ball, but it usually takes the 2nd or 3rd guy to get him down.

[rdrdreamer]

Our Defense doesn't fly to the ball?!?!?! Have you watched the games? We had four guys on ringer. When a guy catches a ball, we have at least 2 guys there to tackle his ass. Damn! What do you want from the Defense? The Defense, with exception of Crum and Ryan, is fast as hell. Do you remember the old days? The Defense, though the front seven has problems, is faster than it has been in a looonnngggg time. We finally have team speed. Where we screw up is in the mental part of the game and assignments, generally.

 

This may be our problem more than not having 'the speed?' IrishmanP2, we all are hearing your opinions...some of it has validity, no doubt. When you reference our players as..."our Irish look like they are running through mud compared to the top schools"...this has merit.

 

With respect to the SEC, Florida State and the likes...the truth of the matter is this...we cannot, will not lower our admission standards. Didn't Paul Hornung not already make this argument? Not saying the SEC has ignorant players...just a lower standard. I am of the opinion that some players play for an NFL career as opposed to a scholarship.

 

We look slow, seem slow due to the scheme than the player. When we are not in the backfield on a regular basis is simply due to the lack of aggressivness than the quickness. In my opinion...of course.

[Irishman Part Deaux]

This may be our problem more than not having 'the speed?' IrishmanP2, we all are hearing your opinions...some of it has validity, no doubt. When you reference our players as..."our Irish look like they are running through mud compared to the top schools"...this has merit.

 

With respect to the SEC, Florida State and the likes...the truth of the matter is this...we cannot, will not lower our admission standards. Didn't Paul Hornung not already make this argument? Not saying the SEC has ignorant players...just a lower standard. I am of the opinion that some players play for an NFL career as opposed to a scholarship.

 

We look slow, seem slow due to the scheme than the player. When we are not in the backfield on a regular basis is simply due to the lack of aggressivness than the quickness. In my opinion...of course.

 

 

When I say Speed, I also mean playing fast. moving on the ball quickly and having a nose for the ball. Aggressiveness comes to guys who play without thinking and play with instinct. Our boys think and over think the situations. Just play ball and lay a hat on somebody.

 

I don't think we need to lower our standards, we just need to get some of the NFL Career guys to commit with us. We offer a lot of guys that don't end up with us, they qualify, but do not commit.

 

I have said it before, the guys with the NFL outlook come to visit ND and feel it will be too difficult with all the class work. They just don't see the validity of a ND education.

 

I do feel charlie is recruiting very very well, he just is not coaching these guys to their full potential. But even at their full potential, we will not compete with the big boys, but we can be a good football team.

[Kid Gloves]

This may be our problem more than not having 'the speed?' IrishmanP2, we all are hearing your opinions...some of it has validity, no doubt. When you reference our players as..."our Irish look like they are running through mud compared to the top schools"...this has merit.

 

With respect to the SEC, Florida State and the likes...the truth of the matter is this...we cannot, will not lower our admission standards. Didn't Paul Hornung not already make this argument? Not saying the SEC has ignorant players...just a lower standard. I am of the opinion that some players play for an NFL career as opposed to a scholarship.

 

We look slow, seem slow due to the scheme than the player. When we are not in the backfield on a regular basis is simply due to the lack of aggressivness than the quickness. In my opinion...of course.

 

Maybe you hit on something here Dreamer. Maybe we should lower our NC expectations and being a perennial power. I don't know of any top flight academic school that is in the top 25 let alone competing for NC's. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with lowering the standards, but maybe we should base our football expectations on a firmer reality. Maybe the CFB landscape has changed and maybe we should just be content to try and make the top 25 each year along with a lower tier bowl. I think the last truly esteemed academic school to win a NC was ND 20 years ago.

 

Just something to think about.

[D Fence]

Our Defense doesn't fly to the ball?!?!?! Have you watched the games? We had four guys on ringer. When a guy catches a ball, we have at least 2 guys there to tackle his ass. Damn! What do you want from the Defense? The Defense, with exception of Crum and Ryan, is fast as hell. Do you remember the old days? The Defense, though the front seven has problems, is faster than it has been in a looonnngggg time. We finally have team speed. Where we screw up is in the mental part of the game and assignments, generally.

 

I agree with you 100% wave. And the thing with Crum is that while he has pretty good speed for an ILB, he has great instincts and often gets a really good jump on the ball. And outside of a few coverages that weren't quite tight enough, look at our DBs. When the deep ball goes in the air, we've had people like McNeil right there making great plays on the ball. Brian Smith is going to be a really special MLB before it's all said and done.

[domeanddomer]

Maybe you hit on something here Dreamer. Maybe we should lower our NC expectations and being a perennial power. I don't know of any top flight academic school that is in the top 25 let alone competing for NC's. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with lowering the standards, but maybe we should base our football expectations on a firmer reality. Maybe the CFB landscape has changed and maybe we should just be content to try and make the top 25 each year along with a lower tier bowl. I think the last truly esteemed academic school to win a NC was ND 20 years ago.

 

Just something to think about.

 

Were you being sarcastic in this post? If not...we are bringing in plenty of raw talent to play with anyone. Good athletes don't have to be dumb. The question is how much development comes from those players. Right now, we are making progress...albeit at an unsustainably and unacceptable slow rate.

[chirodomer]

I think the RX for ND football in the future is take two excedrin and call me in a decade!

[Irishman Part Deaux]

I think the RX for ND football in the future is take two excedrin and call me in a decade!

 

C'mon Chiro, you can't prescribe excedrin. How about an adjustment to Atlas for every player. That may wake some people up......