Just thinking out loud...

 

I know some of you will have your favorites, but I can't think of the last GREAT Notre Dame player to succeed in the NFL...

 

I can think of guys like Justin Tuck, Jeff Faine and Ryan Harris who if we weren't blind ND fans we would think are above average performers...but Great ??? Not by anyone's standards...

 

Seriously, is Jerome Bettis our last Great ND player ??? And if we have to go back to 1992 to find one of these guys, is that a larger indication of where our program is, has been and is moving away from ???

 

I only bring this up because the standard by which we are judging our coaches appears to be at the highest levels and unwaivering...yet none of the players that have come through here in nearly 20 years have done much at the NFL level...

 

Who are our last Pro Bowl players ??

 

Just seems to me like many of us are having a hard time dealing with the reality that we are not the program we were 17 years ago and the harsher realty is that the players are also a reflection of that.

Jerome Bettis was a flash in the pan. John Carney is where it's at.

its not the most common thing for a player to be great in college and great in the nfl. it doesnt happen all the time. u cant measure success of a college program by how many of its players succeed in the NFL. the nfl is a completely different game.

 

Look at the last heisman winners that are in the NFL......

 

Troy Smith

Reggie Bush

Matt Leinart

Jason White

Carson Palmer

Eric Crouch

Chris Weinke

 

Out off all of those who were considered the best player in college football that year, only two actually see playing time, only one starts, and one never played a single snap in the NFL.

 

carson palmer was the only one that made it to the pro bowl

 

success in the NFL has nothing to do with success in college.

other then justin tuck you have to go back a ways to find a player who really became an NFL star.

 

tim brown

tim grunhard

john carney

jerome bettis

bryant young

justin tuck

Justin Tuck is a top 5 pass rusher in the NFL. He is a Super Bowl Champion, who tallied multiple sacks in that game. I would consider him a great player.

notre dame has had big time great college football players, it has nothing to do with NFL.

 

Brady Quinn was great.

Arnaz Battle was great.

Shane Walton was great.

Jeff Samardzija was great.

john carlson was an awesome TE.

David givens was awesome.

julius jones was amazing.

Rocky boiman was a complete badass

courtney watson was also badass

brandon hoyte cracked some skulls

vontez duff? yessir

I think in time, Victor Abiamiri (sp?) and John Carlson may get those type of accolades. The jury is still out on Brady Quinn, if he can get behind an even marginal offensive line, he will probably shine (Lord knows, he did a lot with a less than stellar O-Line from time to time). I would say of the currently active NFL players, Justin Tuck and Ryan Grant are the only ones who come to mind. Jeff Faine may get a nod for his work with the Buccs . . . but again, too soon to tell . . .

Let's not forget Greg Olsen, he's making a name for himself with the Cowboys.

 

(tongue in cheek)

Randy Moss

yep it has to be justin tuck--- a player that makes you mention his name-- what year was he recruited anyhow??---it does seem lack of superstar talent has played a big part in our struggles over the last decade plus---------i really do expect there will be some big impact players out of the current roster-- starting with JIMMY CLAUSEN-- who IMO will have a great NFL carrer-- it wouldn't surprise me if he is one of those rookie QB's that steps in and starts right away!! aloha

notre dame has had big time great college football players, it has nothing to do with nfl.

 

Brady quinn was great.

Arnaz battle was great.

Shane walton was great.

Jeff samardzija was great.

John carlson was an awesome te.

David givens was awesome.

Julius jones was amazing.

Rocky boiman was a complete badass

courtney watson was also badass

brandon hoyte cracked some skulls

vontez duff? Yessir

 

Jerome Bettis!!!

Chinedum has actually played pretty well for the Bungles

Bob McDonnell *Bracing for Sir John's Hammer on my head*, but to be fair I could say Obama - he has a degree.

Jerome Bettis!!!

 

i was just trying to show players that were more recent, from 2000 to now.

Allen Rossum has been a fixture in the NFL for a long time, Hunter Smith as well.

i was just trying to show players that were more recent, from 2000 to now.

 

In that case, Ricky Watters.....retired in 01

Let's not forget Greg Olsen, he's making a name for himself with the Cowboys.

 

(tongue in cheek)

 

What ??? He plays for the Bears ? Seriously ? You didn't know that ? I mean I get the tongue in cheek, considering he transferred before he played at ND...but cowboys?? jeesh

if you want to look north, Nick Setta is the best kicker in the CFL two or three years on...

 

and Jarious Jackson continues to contribute to the B.C. Lions.

So couldn't we say that between all of the coaches, even Lou... That player development hasn't been our strong suite as a program ?

 

I mean, I'm just trying to figure out how the criteria for evaluating Charlie is put together. And since player development has been one of the arguments thrown at his feet...

 

I think after this weekend, we can address the signature win and win over a top 10 team.

I think CW's being judged by how his team performs in college...

I think after this weekend, we can address the signature win and win over a top 10 team.

 

U are dreaming.