Hey all

First off Happy New Year. Here is my reasoning, and yes I have do have some awesome friends on campus who share great inside info with me from time to time like 12/14/06<img>But that is another story to be answered on 01/06/07<img> But no I dont have no great foreshawdowing secret info here. I had heard that both Sharpley and D. Jones and Frazier all did well all season long in practices and that actually Sharpley believe or not I was told could easily step in and fill in for Quinn if Quinn had went down. But Sharpley is destined to go back and put more focus on baseball with his brother at ND in the near future. So that leaves Clausen, Jones and Frazier, Well when the season starts yes Jones might be the better QB out of the bunch, but can you really see Jones starting for one or two seasons and then being told he is going to sit when Clausen possibly catches him? Nope I think and this is just me, Coach Weis will aproach Jones since he is such a great athlete and will at sometime offer him a Wideout slot or another position since there is no reason for Jones not to be on the field. Now when the season starts I think Sharpley might and I say Might start out and then will be replaced sooner or later by Clausen and Frazier will slide into the backup role since he cant go play another position and Sharpley will slide to the third spot in the rotation and Weis will give Sharpley a little more freedom to pursue baseball. Remember this is just my own view and so I am sorry if I offended anyone but this is just a thought. And you know what there is just a good of a chance that I am 100% wrong in this assessment.

Georgia Irish

I put my money on Jones to start.... until he makes a serious mistake.

 

By most accounts, Jones is developing his QB skills quite well. If he has those fundamentals, then it comes down to leadership. QBs are leaders in Weis' system.

 

From what I hear, Jones has a great attitude and is fast becoming a leader in the locker-room. That's what Weis will want and need on the field...

 

The spring game will be most telling, IMO. JC has to have such a stunner of a game that he'd even be considered. The guy has to digest the Weis system, and get used to the speed of the college game... not to mention, he has to learn the rythm and timing of the recievers.

 

Jones has the advanatage.

 

Also, no way Weis asks Jones to play another position.. if JC were to inherit the position... then Jones would be back-up... Troy Smith / Justin Zwick anyone?

 

The easier scenario is that Sharpley plays until he makes a big mistake, or plays inconsistantly.... or Baseball becomes a bigger priority for him. I can't see Weis letting his QB be a dual sport athlete... no way... too much diversion.

Sharpley is allready a Duel Sport Athlete

Evan Sharpley

 

Class:

Sophomore

 

Hometown:

Marshall, MI

 

High School:

Marshall

 

Height / Weight:

6-2 / 210

 

Position:

First Baseman

 

Birthdate:

11/04/1986

 

Bats/Throws:

L/R

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2006 preseason bio)

 

 

Evan Sharpley's final 2006 game-by-game stats

Two-sport standout who combines with junior Jeff Samardzija to give the Irish baseball program multiple scholarship football players on the roster for first time in 12-year Paul Mainieri era ... lefthanded-hitting infielder who has tremendous potential as a power hitter (his 33 career home runs as a prep rank sixth in Michigan state history) ... backup quarterback to record-setting Brady Quinn with the Irish football team during the 2005 season (he did not see any game action) ... will be with the Irish baseball team during the first three weeks of the competition schedule, prior to the start of spring football in mid-March (he then will return to the baseball team in late April) ... several of his former teammates play for teams on ND's 2006 schedule: Bowling Green's Ryan Shay and Central Michigan's Jeff Richard (Concealed Security Dodgers), CMU's Josh Collmenter (Mid-Michigan Tigers; Marshall-Battle Kids) and Michigan's Zach Putnam (AABC Tournament of Stars) ... recent ND baseball players to wear No. 8 include home run recordholder (and football tight end) Frank Jacobs and All-America infielder Brant Ust ... posted 3.20 GPA in `05 fall semester.

 

PREP & PERSONAL: Capped stellar multiple-sport career at Marshall High School by receiving prestigious Michigan Male Athlete of the Year Award (for `04-'05) from Detroit Athletic Club ... totaled 11 varsity letters (four in baseball and football, three in basketball) ... standout shortstop who compiled .459 career batting average at Marshall while hitting 33 career home runs, sixth-most in Michigan high school history ... hit .488 with 10 HRs and 50 RBI in earning first team all-state honors as a senior in `05 (9 2B, 3 3B, 48 R, 34 BB, .633 on-base pct., 1.012 slugging pct., 31 GP) ... averaged a home run every 8.6 ABs in `05 ... also went 6-2 on the mound in `05 (2.98 ERA, 53 Ks in 52 IP) ... also a first team all-state performer in 2004 (.506, school-record 15 HR, 45 RBI) ... two-time participant in prestigious USA Baseball Tournament of Stars Showcase (Joplin, Mo.) that brings together the nation's top 150 players ... played on AABC team that won 04' championship ... stayed with same host family in Neosho, Mo., as current ND player Matt Bransfield ... played with Concealed Security Dodgers in summer of 04' ... hit .400 in Perfect Game Wooden Bat World Championships (East Cobb Ga.) ... attended Notre Dame Hitting Clinic (Jan. '04) ... became just the 10th Michigan prep quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 career yards (5,216; 11th in state history) and 50 TDs (61; 5th) ... rated nation's No. 17 quarterback, by Tom Lemming ... selected to play in U.S. Army All-American Game (dnp due to state rules) ... first team all-state QB as senior (1,389 passing yards, 16 TDs) ... passed for 1,942 yards as junior (19 TDs) and 1,840 as a sophomore (26 TDs) ... was a shooting guard on the Marshall basketball team ... father Tom Sharpley played baseball at Spring Arbor ... great uncle Jim Ninowski was quarterback at Michigan State and in the NFL ... born Nov. 4, 1986, in Pontiac, Mich. ... son of Nancy and Tom Sharpley... full name is Evan Thomas Sharpley ... enrolled in the First Year of Studies.

Hey Georgia. I am wondering where the Jimmie Clausen people are in here. I'm a Zach guy.

 

This is THE topic as we roll so close into New Orleans, beat LSU and say goodbye to Brady Quinn.

 

Here's my feeling: I have to feel so sorry for the projected starter. My the most positive accounts I see in posts we will lose 2 to 3 games. That's going to bring out the boo birds. Could well be the end of a promissing career. Fans can be unforgiving.

John

You are so right about a little bit of failure by one QB will result in the boo birds and the calling for another QB. Frazier is good also. But for some reason I always think he will end up a top notch back up, but then again we all maybe can admit Brady got very lucky that he really didnt miss any time with some sort of injury. So the backup could play a big role in the future. I used to ask my friends close to the team why doesnt Weis play a backup more in case Brady got hurt and the response was always Sharpley is ready right away if ever needed.

I used to ask my friends close to the team why doesnt Weis play a backup more in case Brady got hurt and the response was always Sharpley is ready right away if ever needed.

 

I disagree. I don't think Weis feels Sharpley is ready to step in. When Evan did get in it was simply to hand the ball off, I can't remember many pass attempts, if any. I think Jones is definately in the mix, he's gotten great reviews w/ helping the team prepare for the option look. Is it me or was Double D attached to Charlie on the sidelines almost all the time? Can't look past Frazer either, he's another exciting one. Alot could happen w/ any of these guys before the spring game, so who knows. Right now the only thing that matters is LSU and getting this bowl hex lifted...GO IRISH, BEAT TIGERS!!!!

I know Sharpley is a dual sport athlete... but I can't see Charlie allowing him being the 1st team QB and first team in Baseball.

You asked John and I have arrived. When Clausen sets foot on Notre Dame he will already be the best quarterback on the team! You dont have sportswriters and such saying he is the greatest high school quarterback since John Elway for nothing! Frazer and Jones will compete to be the back-up and when you see Clausen play you'll understand why! Theres a reason Weis would'nt entertain Mustain last season and his name is Clausen. At most Clausen sits behind one of thses guys for a season and thats if things dont go exactly as planned with Clausen coming in and blowing everybody away right off the bat! I will put it like this, I have no reason to believe otherwise and will be absolutely shocked if Jimmy Clausen is not the starting quarterback as a freshman at Notre Dame he is that talented! I still dont think some of you realize the magnitude of the player coming to Notre Dame on the 16th of January!

No two snowflakes are alike.

On the road to 2007 3 snowflakes fell. Georgia for DD, Scotty for Sharpley, me for Zach. As BG went for JC I realised the snowplow is coming. Bit of fun here guys.

 

I go back to who starts? BG as you did imply JC arrives with the heavy reputation. He starts we lose 3? Boo.... reputation shot. To be honest I don't think Weis will as he did, keep any QB in as he kept Brady in on those losses we had. I think he will jerk in 2007. He now has the luxery of seeing if another can spark the team if we are behind

You asked John and I have arrived. When Clausen sets foot on Notre Dame he will already be the best quarterback on the team! You dont have sportswriters and such saying he is the greatest high school quarterback since John Elway for nothing! Frazer and Jones will compete to be the back-up and when you see Clausen play you'll understand why! Theres a reason Weis would'nt entertain Mustain last season and his name is Clausen. At most Clausen sits behind one of thses guys for a season and thats if things dont go exactly as planned with Clausen coming in and blowing everybody away right off the bat! I will put it like this, I have no reason to believe otherwise and will be absolutely shocked if Jimmy Clausen is not the starting quarterback as a freshman at Notre Dame he is that talented! I still dont think some of you realize the magnitude of the player coming to Notre Dame on the 16th of January!

 

I think you've forgotten, another reason Mustain didnt come here was because of two people...Jones and Frazer. Frazer WAS Weis' first choice in 2006, Clausen or no Clausen, Mustain or no Mustain. We sure realize the magnitude of him coming on campus....the same magnitude Ron Powlus had. Now some people say it's because of the style of Holtz Powlus didn't do well, and with Weis Clausen will shine. That may be true, but id like to see him beat out Frazer and Jones for the job. Dont get me wrong, i want the best QB to win. I just get sick of hearing how a HSer can take over the most sainted position in the Catholic church, the QB at ND. It's not meant for overhyped people...Brady wasnt over hyped and he was pretty much perfect for it. Sure, every sports writer in America likes to think the next QB is the prodigy (Sp?) only so they can hammer him if he performs anything below superiority. Tom, I can see what you mean, Clausen has been the biggest hyped thing ive seen next to ipods. But even ipods have had some setbacks (i know from experience). Trust me, Clausen is not the starter in '07 yet. No one is. Ask Coach Vaas' daughter, i IM with her every other day she says any has a chance. She said sure they're excited to see Clausen, but they were just as excited to see DJ and Zach. Guys, just trust me on this. I'd be surprised if we know the QB now, let alone before August 20th.

Just for the record I'm pulling for JC, although I really like all the other guys for different reasons. JC: local Cali guy, love his poise. Double D: loved Tony Rice, Chicago pipeline, seems like a good guy, like his swagger. Zach: another PA qb, love his determination, seems mature. Sharpley: Michigan kid, single-handedly beat my high school in last 2 minutes of game, like how he's under the radar. All these guys are ND guys, love them all, good to have problem of too much talent. Will be a very interesting Spring.

You dont have sportswriters and such saying he is the greatest high school quarterback since John Elway for nothing!

 

Tom, weve seen evidence of this all season. Example: The Irish were over hyped in 2006 just so the media could shoot them down when they performed anything below perfect. Perfect example.

ok all you irish fans here is the skinny on these QB TROUBLES, Zach WILL BE THE STARTER ON OPENING DAY, IF HE RAILS LONES WILL BE THE BACKUP, IF ZACH DOES WELL THEN JONES WILL BE W/O AND BACKUP QB, j clausen will not , repeat will not play any QB except in an emergency, he will learn the system and be the scout QB, and learn the irish way and get use to charlies system, he will get a chance to play later on charlie isn't going to throw him out there til charlie thinks he is ready, Zach will be 1, Jones will be 1A sharply will be 1B and JC will be2A til he gets the system down . if i was coach Frazer starts, Jones get QB time and w/O time , jc has to learn the system first then get some time .. Zach has to be the leader for now although Jones is in the hunt close by, he has a lot off talent, like crum does. go irish lets slap "Dem " Tigers, as Bobby bo shay " says were gonna feed the irish cat fish as day is to much hype team, we gonna kick ass. go to the woodshed their bobby and talk to the logs. ha ha

For those of you dont think Clausen will be the QB and it is either Jones or Frazier what happens in a year when lets say hypothetically Clausen surpases them in ability then what? Do you just let a great athlete like Jones sit the bench?

I agree with Irish Rick. ZF and DJ go 1 and 1a...I think next year Charlie will like experimenting with a double headed Quarterback, mixing in different packages and giving Defensive Coordinators fits with the versatility of these two players. As great as Clausen is, a true freshman QB rarely succeeds in his first year in major D1 football. (especially in a system like Weis')

 

Also, being the number 1 ranked QB isn't always a guarantee of future success...

A list of number 1 High School QB's:

2006: Mitch Mustain

2005: Mark Sanchez

2004: Rhett Bomar

2003: Kyle Wright

2002: Vince Young

2001: Brock Berlin

2000: Chris Rix

 

Young being the only one that truly stands out as living up to the billing.

 

Let's hope JC reverses the trend.

scotty, for the record i dont dislike JC at all....im not bashing him, just the people who deem him the starter in '07. I think (from the articles ive read atleast) he seems mature and like a great kid, and hes a great player. Good luck to all them. BTW sorry about my rant, but i can get kinda emotional when it comes to discussing the QB at ND

I DON'T THINK THAT NOBODY DISLIKES jc< THAT'S NOT THE POINT, HE IS GOOD NO QUESTION BUT HE DOSENT KNOW THE SYSTEM........ NOW JONES AND ZACH HAVE BEEN HERE A YEAR AND HAS PLAYE WEIS SYSTEM ON SCOUT TEAMS AND SO FORTH, THEY GET SNAPS BRADY DOSENT GET THEM ALL OK ZACH AND JONES WERE WITHIN EARSHOT OF EVERYTHING THE COACH HAD TO SAY, JC NO MATTER HOW GOOD HE IS CAN NOT START AS THE QB AT NOTRE DAME AND NO COACH WORTH HIS SALT WOULD THROW A HIGH SCHOOL KID INTO A GAME UN PREPARED. SO LETS LET THE JC KID GET HIS FEET WET FOR A WHILE THEN TEST HIM , NIETHER ONE OF THESE WILL SIT ON THE BENCH THEY WILL BE USED SOMEWHERE CHARLIE NEEDS THEM. . GO IRISH

From the IndyStar

 

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/SPORTS06/612260367/1004/SPORTS

I hate to bring it up since it involves the University of Georgia, but they faced a similar thing this year with Matthew Stafford coming in during spring and putting in a nice showing and still not winning the job to start the season.

 

My point is I think Clausen is going to come in and look real good, pick up the offense fast and impress during the spring. But I think Weis likes Jones and will start him against Georgia Tech unless Jones is terrible. Just a feeling of course. Jones knows the offense, has the most impressive arm, and is ahead of Frazer at this point. I think Weis relishes what he can do with Jones at QB behind a team that will have better play on the o-line next year and a trio of halfbacks to rotate(Walker, Aldridge, and Allen).

 

I got my money on Jones starting against Georgia Tech, Clausen being the backup.

I'm also a DD guy, I just think he gives the Irish the best chance to win next year because they'll be young and he has so much athletic ability and can get things done with his feet.

 

Plus I like that he was -- as someone mentioned before -- always at Weis' side on the field this past year. Everything I heard about DD was that he was maturing as a quarterback, and wanting to learn everything about the position. I think he's one of those guys that just wins because he's so motivated, and I'd hate to pass up a Vince Young-type winner/athlete (not saying he is, just saying if he was, hate to miss out.)

 

As for Clausen, my guess is he starts, and he's one of the best we've ever seen.

 

I understand the list of former top-rated quarterbacks, and how they haven't fared that well, but this kid is being touted as the next big thing in football, which people are getting pretty good at noticing nowadays.

 

Just look at the last three "next big things" in sports:

 

1. LeBron James - do i need to explain?

 

2. Sidney Crosby - leads the NHL in scoring as a 20-year old.

 

3. Greg Oden - Kid's a beast, and has immediately made Ohio State better.

 

Now I understand football is the toughest sport to come in right away and make an impact, especially at QB, but I think Clausen is the real deal and it wouldn't bother me at all if he was starting on Day 1.