This Q is Bound to Piss Some People Off

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

But I'll ask it anyway. After yesterday, is Brady Quinn out of the heisman race?

Now, I don't want to hear anyone say "I don't care, the only thing that matters is our record at the end of the year" because that's cliched and uninteresting. Heismans, in my opinion, matter, even if they aren't nearly as important as NCs.

So the debate is on. In my opinion, he isn't out of it, but he's lagging pretty far behind Troy Smith. Troy Smith hasn't made many, if any serious mistakes this year. His team is undefeated and they look like they are ready to run the table. And even if they do lose, it'll probably be to Michigan, which is the last game of the year, and by then, the heisman winner will probably have been decided.

As for BQ, he played an absolutely shitty game yesterday, just like everyone else on the team. You can blame the receivers, you can blame the O-line, and you can even try to blame Weis, but the fact of the matter is that on the highlight reel, there's bound to be an image of BQ with about a square foot of grass hanging off his helmet.

 

[irish4life99]

But I'll ask it anyway. After yesterday, is Brady Quinn out of the heisman race?

Now, I don't want to hear anyone say "I don't care, the only thing that matters is our record at the end of the year" because that's cliched and uninteresting. Heismans, in my opinion, matter, even if they aren't nearly as important as NCs.

So the debate is on. In my opinion, he isn't out of it, but he's lagging pretty far behind Troy Smith. Troy Smith hasn't made many, if any serious mistakes this year. His team is undefeated and they look like they are ready to run the table. And even if they do lose, it'll probably be to Michigan, which is the last game of the year, and by then, the heisman winner will probably have been decided.

As for BQ, he played an absolutely shitty game yesterday, just like everyone else on the team. You can blame the receivers, you can blame the O-line, and you can even try to blame Weis, but the fact of the matter is that on the highlight reel, there's bound to be an image of BQ with about a square foot of grass hanging off his helmet.

I will say it was his to lose and he's doing a pretty good job of it. Before yesterday he was still the #1 pick. I think now he's about 5 and will have to have a great year from here on out. He could only lose one more game this season, with a great effort. Now he has to get back in it. Maybe it will get out of his mind now and he'll settle down and play some ball.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I will say it was his to lose and he's doing a pretty good job of it. Before yesterday he was still the #1 pick. I think now he's about 5 and will have to have a great year from here on out. He could only lose one more game this season, with a great effort. Now he has to get back in it. Maybe it will get out of his mind now and he'll settle down and play some ball.

I think he can't afford to play poorly on Saturday because it's primetime on ABC and people will either be impressed or completely turned away depending on whether he can bounce back.

 

[irish4life99]

I think he can't afford to play poorly on Saturday because it's primetime on ABC and people will either be impressed or completely turned away depending on whether he can bounce back.

I think he'll bounce back. It's the rest of the team I'm worried about. We took a beating and that had to shake our confidence. A good win would sure help.

 

[bmf175]

Yeah I think so. Hes numbers were not great against Ga Tech, he has possibly his worse game in his career (during the season he is in the running for the Heisman). And after MSU and Purdue (I think they are 3-0) we have three military academies and UNC. Even if he does good in those four games people will say he is suppossed to do good. And then USC.
I think he needed a big game against Ga Tech (not so impressive) PSU (which he did good) UM (horrible game) MSU, and USC. He needed to do good against these teams and then have even higher stats against the lesser teams. He isnt going to get the Heisman for rebounding on lesser teams but choking against G Tech and getting handled against UM.
I think getting the last impression at USC will be hard.
I think he is pretty much out of it.

If the team rebounds and plays where they they should be playing I think the team still has a good shot at a BCS bowl which will be great.

 

[NDAlumSon]

Is Brady Quinn out of the heisman race?

No. But.....
His weakness' has been exposed though. Accuracy and pocket presence.
I really think Coach Vaas needs to shoulder a liitle blame.
This weakness in Brady's game has been evident, to me at least, going back to last year.
If it was addressed by the coaches and Brady hasn't improved, that's one thing......
But if this hasn't been noticed by our own coaches (I think it has been, by the way, especially by Charlie) then I really do think it's a damn shame that coach Cutcliffe had health problems last year.

 

[irish4life99]

No. But.....
His weakness' has been exposed though. Accuracy and pocket presence.
I really think Coach Vaas needs to shoulder a liitle blame.
This weakness in Brady's game has been evident, to me at least, going back to last year.
If it was addressed by the coaches and Brady hasn't improved, that's one thing......
But if this hasn't been noticed by our own coaches (I think it has been, by the way, especially by Charlie) then I really do think it's a damn shame that coach Cutcliffe had health problems last year.

Yea, you can see what Ctuliffe has done with Ainge, even thought they lost last night.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

And when his throws are accurate.....often-times, he puts way too much on them. That throw to Carlson yesterday looked like a bullet. He should have been able to catch it, but the power he put on it was unnecessary.

 

[punishment]

I think he is out of it. Yea, even if he puts up great numbers against the weak part of our schedule coming up, the voters will still realize that those numbers were against weak opponents. However, the voters will also see that in the biggest games and toughest games (the first three), Brady either needed to be bailed out by somebody else or he did not produce.

I know I'm going to get blasted for this statement because people on here are way too optimistic about all things ND, but I think there is a lot of truth in what I just said.

 

[marv81s]

I think you now have at least 3 players in front of him at this point, that being Troy Smith, Ginn and Adrian Petersen, maybe even Irons. So I would say, yeah, he is a long shot for the Heisman, he's gonna have to play stellar ball the rest of the year, in my opinion. But as long as they win out, and win their bowl game, I could give a shit, and I would like to think he would feel the same way.

 

[irishfan81]

If Brady wants to reclaim the Heisman race he best get his butt in gear and get a reality check get it out of his system and do what he did last year. Charlie needs to work with him a lot now because he's starting to look like in his freshman year.

 

[Irish Envy]

Nope. After MSU, and maybe even against MSU, we've got 7 games before USC where Brady could rack up 300-400 yards in passing. He still can put some amazing numbers up.

 

[TonyTiger]

Nope. After MSU, and maybe even against MSU, we've got 7 games before USC where Brady could rack up 300-400 yards in passing. He still can put some amazing numbers up.

The MSU pass defense appears to be quite improved from last year...we havent given up any big plays, etc. Im expecting you guys to run ALOT versus our porus D-Line with alot of sucess.

And yes, Im trying really hard to bring up MSU.

 

[TonyTiger]

Brady is definatly in the Heisman race, I know you came in expecting to win but your acting like its the end of the world. It wont make a huge deal in recruiting, it wont effect Brady's Heisman status too much.

I look for Notre Dame to run the table from here on out, maybe a loss to MSU or USC. He'll put up big numbers against all the horrid defenses you guys have coming up in your schedule. He will have a chance, it depends on how well OSU does this year.

 

[dankus]

For the most part, I think Quinn doesn't have a chance to win the Heisman.

With that said, I can conceive of circumstances where Quinn would signifigantly improve his chances, but the possibility lies in more than Quinn putting up gawdy statistics, in big games or not. But I think Quinn's chances requires his opponents having horrible games too. He needs the three players who have a better chance of winning the Heisman after three weeks - Slaton, Smith and Peterson - to falter in their remaining "big game(s)" as much if not more than Quinn did for Quinn to have a shot.

 

[VictorsValiant]

He needs to win out, including an impressive performance against USC.

Of course, the question is how Nd can even stay close with USC, esp. since USC has two of the best receivers in the country that are fast, tall and strong (and more developed than Manningham and Breaston). It also doesn't help that the game is played at USC. Don't sleep on the Trojans. They played OK last night and still killed Nebraska. When they get that running game straightened out, and players get more games behind them, they will be very, very explosive. I mean, if this secondary can't stop Drew Stanton, of all people, how are they going to stop USC?

If the Spartan fan is right and their defensive line is weak and can't stop the run, that will play right into Weis' hands. Even if he's totally predictable now, you won't be able to stop him unless you can stop the run. Quinn will get time if playactions are there. Remember, the key is giving Quinn time. I think next week's game will be a scoring fest. It will defintely be entertaining, though there won't be a lot of defense played.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Time to bust out the Freshman

Time to bust out the Freshman

After these past three games, I am not impressed with all of the veteran players.

DBs: Same Ole, Same Ole. Excpet Zibby and Ndukwe

- Time to get those highly touted DB's that we recruited and get them in there. Weis said that they are shut down corners, so why not put them in? Walls,Mcneil and Richardson are all freshman and are very talented.

-RB: Darius is only good on swing or side to side runs. Hes to small and slow to go up the middle. Its time to put Munir Prince and Travis Thomas in for the speed. Along with Walker for the screens and passes.

I was very impressed with Sam young yesterday. Shutting down an All american/one of the best DE's in the nation. AS A FRESHMAN. He showed up all the veterans yesterday.

If charlie keeps his word on the whole "the best players will start, no matter if your a freshman or senior" moto, then I believe we will see them in the MSU game.

GO IRISH!!!!

 

[irishfox]

I haven't heard any fat lady sing yet....still a long season ahead. The tables can turn for any player.

 

[gipper2nd@yahoo.com]

right on the button, NDAlumson. At this time Brady is definitely out of it. Brady plays well if the line plays well. If they play any less than that...........he plays badly. Remember what made Montana the greatest QB ever?..................patience. Brady doesn't have enough.

 

[NDFan78]

After only three games no one is out of the Heisman race.

 

[nshope]

I think you now have at least 3 players in front of him at this point, that being Troy Smith, Ginn and Adrian Petersen, maybe even Irons. So I would say, yeah, he is a long shot for the Heisman, he's gonna have to play stellar ball the rest of the year, in my opinion. But as long as they win out, and win their bowl game, I could give a shit, and I would like to think he would feel the same way.

I agree. I think he's in the top 5 right now. Number 4 with Smith out in front, Ginn and Petersen edging him out for now. However...let me say it again...However, if he plays well throughout the end of the season (which he should) AND we beat USC with him at the helm, I see him bringing home the hardware.

Remember, those other 3 guys have their games to play as well and we've had a tougher run of games with the easier ones ahead and not behind us as is the case with their teams.

 

[brucejcarr]

Yes he is! Heisman QB's don't lose 42 - 14 @ HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SillyIrish]

Yes he is! Heisman QB's don't lose 42 - 14 @ HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What score is that game from?

If Quinn leads ND undefeated going to SC and if he could lead them to victory he will have a great shot. Obviously it is easier said than done. One loss equals one loss, he needs to look ahead to MSU and thats it.

 

[southbend62]

First and last...the team has to win. Brady’s Heisman future should not be part of any serious discussion. The game against Michigan has to be a huge wake up call for the team and the coaches. We should never lose at home and we got spanked. We have to go into MSU pissed and ready to win. The momentum has to take us to USC for the last game…only then will be know if Brady is still a Heisman candidate. For now—this team has to focus and get back to playing like champions!

 

[jiggafini19]

If he isn't out, he's waaaaaaaay behind.

Might be able to pick up some slack if they run the table and he puts up huge numbers on some of these stiff defenses they have yet to play.

 

[ACamp1900]

He has to put up BIG numbers every game out (starting with MSU)... you got to figure for Brady to win we must now beat SC and tOSU must lose at some point, which I think they will but we'll see...

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

I think he probably lost it. If Ohio St. (Troy Smith) or Auburn (Kenny Irons) go undefeated, then one of those players will get it.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

brady quinn is not going to win the heisman,everyone needs to face it.Even if ohio state runs the table and loses to michigan at the end of the year,no way does troy smith have as bad of a day as quinn did.Then there is irons,slater,peterson,and even,yes even, chris leak from florida to content with.Not to mention ginn jr.
i don't want to be negative on here,but i say screw the heisman and just win the rest of the games and give us some hope for a great bcs bowl win.
i still think all of this had everything to do with saturday over anything else.this team was not ready for all the hype and now it is over.
let's play some foot...ball

 

[Sir John]

I don't care if he wins the Heismen or not if Brady wins it or not. I care about T E A M. Win all out in the next games. Shove the Heismen.

 

[domerfor life]

I would say he's way behind. When teams pressure him, he's not very good. I finally had to admit that Saturday. If you get consistent pressure on him, even on the plays you don't rush him he get's antsy and throws a bad pass. His pocket presence wasn't that bad last year. Of course, he can still turn it around. I still think he's a great quarterback. Teams just know his weakness now. Plus, they know our O-line is weak. Notice that Sam Young doesn't get called for many penalties, while the rest of our "veteran O-line" clutch and grab all day. I'm tired of the yellow flags man.