My Thoughts As Spring Ball Begins...

[jiggafini19]

I think all that has needed to be said has been said to this point. Certain areas will be addressed and we all know what players to be looking out for, what areas need improved. At the risk of being redundant, here are some of my thoughts heading into spring ball.

1. Expectations. Teddy Ginn and Santonio Holmes hadn't even stopped sprinting to the end zone before experts began picking ND as the 2006 National Title favorite. One year ago from today we had no idea what to expect. Now Notre Dame is a national title contender. I'm not sure I like this idea. However, it does go to show what a difference a year makes. People expect this offense to be great again, the defense to improve and for Notre Dame to head out to Los Angeles in November playing for an NC birth.

2. The Schedule. Heading into last year, it was murder. Turned out that at the end of the year when the dust settled, that wasn't the case. Heading into this year, the schedule doesn't look too bad. Lots of home games, lots of opponents hurt by graduation (Penn State, UCLA, USC). The opener, home to Michigan and USC are all games that worry me. SC will be great again by the time ND heads west to face them. Michigan will be up for that game and have a couple of tuneups they should win before hand. ND plays GT and Penn State. They'll probably need the full 60 minutes to beat them both.

3. Early Enrollees. Don't be alarmed if you aren't hearing things about them right away. They will need time to figure things out. By the end, you'll be hearing Aldridge, West and Stewart's names mentioned by the staff. I think West will be a pleasant surprise. I look forward to seeing them in the Blue and Gold Game.

4. Depth. Rick Minter flat out said yesterday to the press that they're not two deep just about everywhere. Health this spring is vital. And if these linebackers and DBs don't seize the day, Smith, Richardson, Walls and McNeil are going to be on the field quickly. You can bank on that. More and more this staff continues to mention that these freshmen will get opportunities. Either this is a psychological tactic to motivate these players or they secretly lack confidence in the hand they were dealt.....or maybe both.

5. Recruiting. I would hope that 30 days from now ND has a few more verbals. It could start tomorrow with Gary Gray. Securing a couple of other players would be nice, especially if they have "DT" attached to their names. Spring ball is a great forum to recruit with. I'm sure Mr. Ianello will use the time for unofficials wisely.

 

[scooper]

1. Expectations- They can work both ways. I've seen teams let down. Then again, there's something to be said for swagger and expecting to win. It's been years since ND teams have expected to win and believed it every week. It's scary, but a good feeling.

2. Schedule-I think it may all come down to the final week in LA. Does it get any better? GT still scares me. They present a couple match-ups that play off our weaknesses. And it will be the most hostile environment until the final week of the season.

3.Early Enrollees. It never fails with any team. The new guys are always the fans' favorites until next year's new guys come along. Heck, look at the expectations for a jr. QB who hasn't even verballed to ND. I suggest patience with the entire class.

4. Depth-still scary. Some young guys really need to step up. At least the one deep comes into the year with some experience. Last year's was one of the greenest defenses I've ever seen at ND.

5. Recruiting-Time to get the ball rolling. It should be a fun ride.

 

[jiggafini19]

Minter says there are no position changes on defense. Thus, Duke stays at safety.

Herring and Bruton will be getting lots of reps with the first team from the sounds of things. Nickel and dime packages could include these two along with Ferrine.

 

[weisfaninmass]

I think all that has needed to be said has been said to this point. Certain areas will be addressed and we all know what players to be looking out for, what areas need improved. At the risk of being redundant, here are some of my thoughts heading into spring ball.
1. Expectations. Teddy Ginn and Santonio Holmes hadn't even stopped sprinting to the end zone before experts began picking ND as the 2006 National Title favorite. One year ago from today we had no idea what to expect. Now Notre Dame is a national title contender. I'm not sure I like this idea. However, it does go to show what a difference a year makes. People expect this offense to be great again, the defense to improve and for Notre Dame to head out to Los Angeles in November playing for an NC birth.

CW said to SBT that he needs to raise this teams expectations. I think what that means - in Weis speak - just don't show up and expect to be undefeated. I think he will tear down the team again and then rebuild. It started with the 9-3 isn't good enough campaign. I am sure he was sensing that the team was feeling good about itself and probably cocky too. SMACK. Back to reality. But by the time the season starts, he will have this team mentally committed to the thought that anything but undefeated is unacceptable. Mentally tough and NASTY. Then there will be a "we earned it" high epectation versus a" we just showed up and we are notre dame so we will go undefeated expectation."

 

[Subway Alum - MA]

Great Stuff Guys!

Great Stuff Guys!

Its great that the long, agonizing, lull between L.O.I. Day and Spring Practice is finally over. Nice to see that there is finally something concrete to grab on to. Hopefully, you will provide daily [?] updates to appease our enormous appetites for news on Notre Dame football. Two questions - I'm sure there will be many more as the days go by -immediately come to mind: Have they announced the list of fifth-year seniors coming back? Is there any truth to the rumor that Maurice Crum, the sole returning starter at LB, will have back surgery and miss spring practice? If so, this can be looked at pessimistically - this is the team's weakest position on a defense that must improve in 2006; or optimistically - there is an enormous opportunity for players like Anthony Vernaglia, Nick Borseti, Mitchell Thomas, Joe Brockington, Abdel Banda [is he back?] and maybe even Steve Quinn, Scott Smith and Kevin Washington - to take advantage of the situation and impress the coaching staff. Like many others who can't be there, we are looking forward to hearing from those of you who are!

 

[IRISHMAN]

2. Schedule-I think it may all come down to the final week in LA. Does it get any better? GT still scares me. They present a couple match-ups that play off our weaknesses. And it will be the most hostile environment until the final week of the season.

being the first game of the season i wonder which GT will show up (the one that beat miami or the one that blown out by utah). ND does have tough games against michigan, PSU, MSU, UCLA, USC and GT which all are very winnable. if NDs defense can improve then their might be a chance ND would be 11-0 going into the USC game.

 

[loweND]

Minter says there are no position changes on defense. Thus, Duke stays at safety.

I hope this changes. I think Duke would make a nice LB. And I think Bruton would fit nicely into our defensive backfield.

 

[jiggafini19]

Subway Alum:

Crum will miss spring. Brockington has the most playing time among the linebackers will be limited and Banda will be out entirely, so Nick Borseti, Steve Quinn, Scott Smith, Mitchell Thomas, Anthony Vernaglia and Kevin Washington are going to have the chance to impress before everyone gets healthy along with Smith and Richardson's arrivals.

IoweND, I think they will need to keep Duke and Zib at safety. Herring and Bruton will be eased into things with spring and preseason practice. I like the idea of Duke and Zib being able to go after receivers more. Both are hard hitters and should get to play deeper so they can get their shots in.

A statement needs to be made quickly against GT that this unit will no longer be toyed with. Popping Calvin Johnson a few times would do the trick.

 

[weisfaninmass]

: Have they announced the list of fifth-year seniors coming back? !

Hey fellow mass man, as reported by SBT:

Eight scholarship players were granted a fifth year of eligibility. They are defensive tackle Derek Landri, cornerback Mike Richardson, defensive end Chris Frome, offensive guard Dan Santucci, offensive guard/center Bob Morton, offensive tackle Brian Mattes, wide receiver Rhema McKnight and tight end Marcus Freeman. Walk-on Dan Chervanick also comes back for season five and is being converted from a defensive tackle into an offensive guard.

Six other scholarship players with a fifth-year option are moving on. That group comprises offensive lineman James Bonelli, safety Jake Carney, running back Jeff Jenkins, offensive lineman Scott Raridon, defensive end Nate Schiccatano and cornerback/kick returner Brandon Harris -- the latter of whom is a former walk-on.