How big of a HACK is Tom Lemming?

[Irish Envy]

http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/051606abd.html

Read that article and then see if you can point out all of his guesses, misspellings and white lies. Grab a pooper scooper!

Just in case people don't know what is wrong:

1) It's Bolingbrook, not Bowling Brook. For someone from Chicago, how does Lemming make this mistake?

2) Miles Strother is Miles Stroter.

3) Dan Durking should be Dan Dierking.

4) Jerry DiNardo should be Gerry DiNardo.

5) He claims Robert Hughes has an offer from Notre Dame.

6) He claims Martez Wilson has an offer from Texas.

 

[scooper]

Well, I'm a couple paragraphs in and he claims Hughes has an ND offer already. DiNardo's kid? First we've heard of this.

 

[jiggafini19]

What a complete and utter dope. I'm sending this link to every local I know.

 

[IRISHMAN]

i think that lemming does a decent job but sometimes makes out ND commits to be better/bigger than they really are.

 

[jiggafini19]

i think that lemming does a decent job but sometimes makes out ND commits to be better/bigger than they really are.

And Illinois kids. He hypes them up big time. I like Sergio Brown, but there is NO WAY he was one of the Top 100 HS football players in this last class. That was slightly over the top on Lemming's part.

He comes across to some as an arrogant jerk. I could probably agree with that, but my experience with Lemming is limited.

 

[jiggafini19]

Oh, I like the part about Bulaga from Marian Central Catholic in Woodstock...where they filmed Groundhog Day.

How is that relevant to anything?

Yeah, Tom. Woodstock...like that big music festival in the 1960's right? Asshat.

 

[jiggafini19]

I've been sending this to everyone I know...coaches, kids, EVERYONE.

They're all pretty much laughing their asses off.

BOWLING BROOK might be the one that generates the most laughs and insults.

 

[jiggafini19]

http://www.metropulse.com/articles/2006/16_06/sports.shtml

Dated today.

 

[Irishkid23]

i think that lemming does a decent job but sometimes makes out ND commits to be better/bigger than they really are.

However he does his work, it's very obvious that he loves ND and promotes ND with the recruits. As long as the recruits like Lemming, visit the campus and meet the coaches because of him, it benefits ND. If Lemming is doing this for ND, GREAT!

I'll even bet CW likes the info Lemming (knowing Lemming is an obvious ND fan) gives him on the talent he sees around the country.

On point, I have read various statements in Irishenvy, per se, "the other services always put ND recruits a star or two lower once they commit to ND." Well, if the other services dislike ND, then we need a guy who likes us. That appears to be Lemming. So he can't spell and gets a few things mixed up, so what, he helps us get good players.

 

[polishdomer]

I don't really understand the negativity toward lemming from Svoboda and Jigga. Jigga, I am shocked at you, since you are a fellow Illinoisian. He better prmote IL guys, since it seems 3 states pretty much get the glut of recruiting: California, Texas and Florida. I am glad he is on our side, and he pushes some recruits very hard and promotes ND all of the time. He is an obvious ND fan, and I am glad he is on our side since he does have a rep and 17 year olds will listen to a guy who obviously has some influence through written and/or verbal communications.

 

[jiggafini19]

1. Let's suppose that the ND recruits losing star value theory holds true. That simply means Lemming is the opposite of that. Why does that make him any better than them? Because he overrates ND guys?

2. The Myron Rolle situation. We will never know what really happened and while I usually give the adult the benefit of the doubt for their word against a kid, I've seen some pretty stupid adults in my life.

3. My experience with TL, while limited, was not good. I don't know who he thinks he is, but I was disappointed with the attitude and personality that came across not only towards me, but to others as well. And I'm not alone on this one, believe me. Again, it was a limited and brief meeting, but it was enough. Still, I hear a lot worse from other people that have been in contact with him more frequently.

That might be one of the worst articles I've ever read. There is no excuse for anything to get out like that. Even if he didn't write it, it has his name attached to it. A 6th grade honor roll student could have proof read that thing better.

 

[Irish Envy]

However he does his work, it's very obvious that he loves ND and promotes ND with the recruits. As long as the recruits like Lemming, visit the campus and meet the coaches because of him, it benefits ND. If Lemming is doing this for ND, GREAT!

I'll even bet CW likes the info Lemming (knowing Lemming is an obvious ND fan) gives him on the talent he sees around the country.

On point, I have read various statements in Irishenvy, per se, "the other services always put ND recruits a star or two lower once they commit to ND." Well, if the other services dislike ND, then we need a guy who likes us. That appears to be Lemming. So he can't spell and gets a few things mixed up, so what, he helps us get good players.

Stars are totally irrelveant. If a player is offered a scholarship to play football at Notre Dame, that is all the reassurance I would need. Stars are simply bragging rights among fans of recruiting, etc. They are simply the opinion of several recruiting services and hold absolutely no value or weight at all.

As for Lemming, after reading that article, I wouldn't want his name attached to the Notre Dame program. There comes a point when someone is doing more harm than good, and if you read that article, it seriously sounds like he writes at a 4th grade level. Not sure if it was the several misspellings or the phonetic spelling of a local suburb, but it is hideous.

To be honest, I bet Weis doesn't even bat an eye at Lemming.

 

[scooper]

I'm with Svo and Jigg. Just liking ND doesn't make him a positive. As a "journalist" he has no place promoting ANY school, even ND to recruits. It's become a bit transparant and doesn't help our image much. It can turn a recruit off in an instant. We don't need him selling the benefits of ND to these kids. Our staff will tell them everything they need to know.

Besides, his shilling of ND can probably be traced to one thing--$$$$$. ND is on the rise again, which means renewed interest from the largest fan base in the country.

As for his rating of our recruits-I don't care if he balances the others out. In the end, being the 5th best or the 9th best DE on scout doesn't affect how a recruit will play one bit. Recruiting rankings are fun for the fans, and I admit to enjoying high scores. But I know they won't affect the actual games one bit.

 

[Irishkid23]

Stars are totally irrelveant. If a player is offered a scholarship to play football at Notre Dame, that is all the reassurance I would need. Stars are simply bragging rights among fans of recruiting, etc. They are simply the opinion of several recruiting services and hold absolutely no value or weight at all.

As for Lemming, after reading that article, I wouldn't want his name attached to the Notre Dame program. There comes a point when someone is doing more harm than good, and if you read that article, it seriously sounds like he writes at a 4th grade level. Not sure if it was the several misspellings or the phonetic spelling of a local suburb, but it is hideous.

To be honest, I bet Weis doesn't even bat an eye at Lemming.

That's what I like about Irishenvy, we can agree, disagree and agree to disagree.
I respect all of your opinions, but I still think Lemming helps ND, even if he is a poor writer, out for $$$$, etc., etc.

 

[Indydomer]

I think the guy is a dumba$$ personally and I don't know him or have never talked to him.
Im sure Charlie doesn't listen to a word he says, and yes it is nice to have a guy talk up your school, but when it has no relevant meaning than what is the point. Like him saying that Nagel has 5 star potential. Ya right. He is a solid player and I think he will contribute a ton to this team throughout his four years, but he is not a 5 star player.

 

[scooper]

That's what I like about Irishenvy, we can agree, disagree and agree to disagree.
I respect all of your opinions, but I still think Lemming helps ND, even if he is a poor writer, out for $$$$, etc., etc.

If he's not careful, and if he talks up ND too much, he could hurt us. Too much promoting can make him a dreaded booster in the eyes of the NCAA. That's what the Lemming fans don't get. At some point, his ND shilling could cause some trouble.

 

[irishnd31]

If he's not careful, and if he talks up ND too much, he could hurt us. Too much promoting can make him a dreaded booster in the eyes of the NCAA. That's what the Lemming fans don't get. At some point, his ND shilling could cause some trouble.

Agree 100% scoop. This dude is basically a glorified recruiting cheerleader for the Irish and if he hounds these recruits as much as I think he does it will scare off or send out bad vibes to these kids. Let the school sell itself and let C-Dub and Co. do their jobs. We'll be fine without TL trying to do more than he should.

 

[Irish Envy]

If you think about the Myron Rolle situation, you start to get a little worried about how bad that could have been for Notre Dame recruiting.

If Lemming was truly telling blue chip recruits to keep Notre Dame on their list in exchange from him ranking them higher, including them on the All-American team, etc., just how much does that affect recruiting, other recruits, Notre Dame?

For instance, if Myron was never interested in Notre Dame at all, by having him list Notre Dame, did he also lead Notre Dame on? Did Notre Dame waste time courting Rolle when he knew he had no interest? Did other potential recruits talk to Rolle and sour to Notre Dame because of Lemming's antics? Did we lose out on other recruits as a result of time lost courting Rolle?

There are a ton of moral and ethical questions that can be asked in regards to Lemming's bias towards Notre Dame. Personally, if you want to be a national recruiter, so be it... but don't do it at the expense of a certain program wherein you could potentially damage the program with your antics.

And you can damn well bet if he did this to Rolle, he wasn't the first. You could even go as far as saying did Lemming cause Notre Dame potential recruits during Willingham's time at the helm? Yikes, I'm not touching that.

Anyhow, you get the point. The bottom line is you can be pro-ND without sacrificing your reputation and journalistic integrity. Mike Frank does a very good job of walking that line, and he can spell potential prospect names correct to boot!

 

[jiggafini19]

Ask yourself this question: Would you want a kid to come to Notre Dame that had to be persuaded by Tom Lemming to do it?

Think about that for a minute. Shouldn't Notre Dame sell itself? The school? The history and tradition? The opportunity?

Even Weis says they don't sell Notre Dame. They provide kids with the information and opportunity. The staff represents the school, they don't sell it. If a high school kid needs Tom Lemming or Rivals or Scout or Irishenvy or whomever to convince him that Notre Dame is the best opportunity for him, I question how bright the young man really is. You need to FEEL it. No one should have to sell you.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Stars are totally irrelveant. If a player is offered a scholarship to play football at Notre Dame, that is all the reassurance I would need. Stars are simply bragging rights among fans of recruiting, etc. They are simply the opinion of several recruiting services and hold absolutely no value or weight at all.

Well, if you look at the performance overall of 1v2v3v4v5 star players there is a correlation. Which should not be a surprise since people generally do review them for a basic talent level. Once they are in school, all bets are off. The kid still needs to work hard, practice, be dedicated... No recruiting service can tell you what is in the kids heart. If he turns out to be a slacker, stars mean nothing.

As for being offered a scholarship... Well, I would adjust your statement.

Is a kid is offered a scholarship by Weis and his Staff, that is all the reassurance I need.

I can't say the same with Willingham in charge... (even Davie out-recruited him)

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Ask yourself this question: Would you want a kid to come to Notre Dame that had to be persuaded by Tom Lemming to do it?

Think about that for a minute. Shouldn't Notre Dame sell itself? The school? The history and tradition? The opportunity?

I sort of agree. But let's face it...we have not been in the hunt for a National Title in 13 years. We have not won one in 18 years.

The kids being recruited today (the 16 year old Juniors)...they have heard stories about Notre Dame...but they have yet to see ND be a powerhouse. Every year that we don't play for a NC, we lose more and more credibility with recruits.

Weis is turning the boat around and we are headed in the right direction, but let's face it...a young kid today considers ND with a sort of detachment.

If you were between the ages of 16-18 who would you see as the best schools around over the last 8-10 years?
USC
FSU
Oklamahoma
Virginia Tech
Texas
Miami
Ohio State

Notre Dame has some work to do to get back up into that group... This year was the beginning. We will be there. However, if we don't start playing and BEATING the big boys, we could be in big trouble.

 

[rontdtarchala]

LMI is right we have some good things in place it is a matter of getting on national tv and beating the top teams on a consistent basis. We also must win our bowl games. Also I must agree with some of the others...stars mean there is potential...each individual player must prove they are worth those stars

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

We also must win our bowl games.

Ironically, had we gone to a lesser bowl and won, it would have looked better than going to the Fiesta and losing.

That being said, it also showed that Weis could get to a big bowl his first year...but he can show recruits why they are needed.

It cuts both ways.

 

[jiggafini19]

My experience with high school aged kids right now is they have very short memories and attention spans.

Texas is on the minds and lips of a lot of these kids on a national level. Locally, kids like Northern Illinois and Northwestern right now. Even Iowa.

But I agree with the notion that this generation of kids has seen Miami, Florida State, USC, Ohio State....those schools just keep winning year after year on the BCS level.