What is wrong with some of you FANS

[leppycole]

I have read the majority of the posts on this site before writing this so here is my take:

The majority of you are true fans who are willing to swallow a little humble pie every now and then when things do not go the Irish way. Some of you are just frustrated because you have become the fans you hate most - OSU/Mich/Miami/Tex/PSU fans who are lewd and have no respect for anyone else but themselves.

If you blame CW - you are nuts - - blame Davie, Blame Willingham, and blame the former AD for allowing the program to fall on its face. CW is trying to pick it back up and is doing a great job!

CW only has 1 class on campus and one on the way - he is playing with one good Willingham class and two sup-par classes.

I agree ND laid an egg in the Sugar Bowl game, but look at CW's Losses
Mich St - ok only bad loss
USC - last year had two Heisman trophy winners and played in the Natl Title game
OSU - Won the Big ten last year (shared with PSU) had a top 10 Defense and this year is playing for the Natl Title.
Michigan - Top 3 team going into bowl season this year - only losses to OSU and USC.
USC - If they do not fall asleep against UCLA - they play OSU for Title.
LSU - Will finish in the top 5

I am not a CW apologist, but some of you are out of your minds if you want to start complaining - I assume you would be happy with a few 5-6 or 6-5 seasons again.

Did you not notice how many true freshman played this year? Get a grip and be a little patient. Do not be mad at CW because some jerk off at work (who hates ND) is giving you the "in your FACE!!!!" ND Sucks" routine. Just put it all in a memory bank and plan to give it all back to the haters in a couple of years.

 

[NDOM]

I have read the majority of the posts on this site before writing this so here is my take:

The majority of you are true fans who are willing to swallow a little humble pie every now and then when things do not go the Irish way. Some of you are just frustrated because you have become the fans you hate most - OSU/Mich/Miami/Tex/PSU fans who are lewd and have no respect for anyone else but themselves.

If you blame CW - you are nuts - - blame Davie, Blame Willingham, and blame the former AD for allowing the program to fall on its face. CW is trying to pick it back up and is doing a great job!

CW only has 1 class on campus and one on the way - he is playing with one good Willingham class and two sup-par classes.

I agree ND laid an egg in the Sugar Bowl game, but look at CW's Losses
Mich St - ok only bad loss
USC - last year had two Heisman trophy winners and played in the Natl Title game
OSU - Won the Big ten last year (shared with PSU) had a top 10 Defense and this year is playing for the Natl Title.
Michigan - Top 3 team going into bowl season this year - only losses to OSU and USC.
USC - If they do not fall asleep against UCLA - they play OSU for Title.
LSU - Will finish in the top 5

I am not a CW apologist, but some of you are out of your minds if you want to start complaining - I assume you would be happy with a few 5-6 or 6-5 seasons again.

Did you not notice how many true freshman played this year? Get a grip and be a little patient. Do not be mad at CW because some jerk off at work (who hates ND) is giving you the "in your FACE!!!!" ND Sucks" routine. Just put it all in a memory bank and plan to give it all back to the haters in a couple of years.

Well put dude. I agree with you totally.

 

[nd1]

great post

 

[IrishFanDC]

Did you not notice how many true freshman played this year? Get a grip and be a little patient. Do not be mad at CW because some jerk off at work (who hates ND) is giving you the "in your FACE!!!!" ND Sucks" routine. Just put it all in a memory bank and plan to give it all back to the haters in a couple of years.

Did someone let Rockne back in the building!? Zing!

 

[Ant4NDIrish]

I have read the majority of the posts on this site before writing this so here is my take:

The majority of you are true fans who are willing to swallow a little humble pie every now and then when things do not go the Irish way. Some of you are just frustrated because you have become the fans you hate most - OSU/Mich/Miami/Tex/PSU fans who are lewd and have no respect for anyone else but themselves.

If you blame CW - you are nuts - - blame Davie, Blame Willingham, and blame the former AD for allowing the program to fall on its face. CW is trying to pick it back up and is doing a great job!

CW only has 1 class on campus and one on the way - he is playing with one good Willingham class and two sup-par classes.

I agree ND laid an egg in the Sugar Bowl game, but look at CW's Losses
Mich St - ok only bad loss
USC - last year had two Heisman trophy winners and played in the Natl Title game
OSU - Won the Big ten last year (shared with PSU) had a top 10 Defense and this year is playing for the Natl Title.
Michigan - Top 3 team going into bowl season this year - only losses to OSU and USC.
USC - If they do not fall asleep against UCLA - they play OSU for Title.
LSU - Will finish in the top 5

I am not a CW apologist, but some of you are out of your minds if you want to start complaining - I assume you would be happy with a few 5-6 or 6-5 seasons again.

Did you not notice how many true freshman played this year? Get a grip and be a little patient. Do not be mad at CW because some jerk off at work (who hates ND) is giving you the "in your FACE!!!!" ND Sucks" routine. Just put it all in a memory bank and plan to give it all back to the haters in a couple of years.

I agree 99% (2 sub-par classes) how about 2 terrible classes. Great post! Go IRISH!

 

[weisbankaccount]

I like your post but I am calling it like I see it. CW - love the guy - but it is what it is. He has gotten his doors kicked in by the last 4 top 10 teams he faced.

I wouldnt be so critical if these were 24-17 games but come on, these games were all 2 td+ routs. Blowouts.

Maybe its the era I grew up in but people on here that are making excuses and poo-pooing all this are not looking at things objectively.

 

[grantland]

Are you all Lou Holtz fans?

 

[Golden_Domer88]

obviously.....since hes the last ND coach to win big games and the National Championship.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Do not be mad at CW because some jerk off at work (who hates ND) is giving you the "in your FACE!!!!" ND Sucks" routine. Just put it all in a memory bank and plan to give it all back to the haters in a couple of years.

Most people I work with are mature enough and understand and when notre dame does content again and either win or narrow loss against a big one,I'm not putting anything in any haters face.That's what started this whole thing to start with nationwide.You can't stay on top forever and humble fans on teams that are on top don't get criticized when their teams are down.
Also,weis has 2 classes on campus and 1 on the way(just a little correction).I'll agree his first was a little down itself and understandable due to the situation.

I'm happy with a 10-3 season.I'm not very happy with 3 losses like they happened.I'm also not very happy with a sub-par offense that we witnessed this year either,but I understand.
next year should show some improvement in areas like the discipline part of the game.You know,like not as many offensive penalties and a team that looks like it's ready to play some football.

 

[grantland]

obviously.....since hes the last ND coach to win big games and the National Championship.

9/12 @ Michigan (8-4) W 26 7
9/19 vs. Michigan State (9-2-1) W 31 8
9/26 @ Purdue (3-7-1) W 44 20
10/10 @ Pittsburgh (8-4) L 22 30
10/17 @ Air Force (9-4) W 35 14
10/24 vs. Southern California (8-4) W 26 15
10/31 vs. Navy (2-9) W 56 13
11/7 vs. Boston College (5-6) W 32 25
11/14 vs. Alabama (7-5) W 37 6
11/21 @ Penn State (8-4) L 20 21
11/28 @ Miami (Florida) (12-0) L 0 24
1/1 vs. Texas A&M (10-2) L 10 35 @ Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl
8-4-0
339 218
1986-Notre Dame (Independent)

9/13 vs. Michigan (11-2) L 23 24
9/20 @ Michigan State (6-5) L 15 20
9/27 vs. Purdue (3-8) W 41 9
10/4 vs. Alabama (10-3) L 10 28 @ Birmingham, AL
10/11 vs. Pittsburgh (5-5-1) L 9 10
10/18 vs. Air Force (6-5) W 31 3
11/1 vs. Navy (3-8) W 33 14 @ Baltimore, MD
11/8 vs. Southern Methodist (6-5) W 61 29
11/15 vs. Penn State (12-0) L 19 24
11/22 @ Louisiana State (9-3) L 19 21
11/29 @ Southern California (7-5) W 38 37
5-6-0
299 219

 

[marv81s]

your using facts dgiorgioii.

Stop that!!!!

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

9/12 @ Michigan (8-4) W 26 7
9/19 vs. Michigan State (9-2-1) W 31 8
9/26 @ Purdue (3-7-1) W 44 20
10/10 @ Pittsburgh (8-4) L 22 30
10/17 @ Air Force (9-4) W 35 14
10/24 vs. Southern California (8-4) W 26 15
10/31 vs. Navy (2-9) W 56 13
11/7 vs. Boston College (5-6) W 32 25
11/14 vs. Alabama (7-5) W 37 6
11/21 @ Penn State (8-4) L 20 21
11/28 @ Miami (Florida) (12-0) L 0 24
1/1 vs. Texas A&M (10-2) L 10 35 @ Dallas, TX Cotton Bowl
8-4-0
339 218
1986-Notre Dame (Independent)

9/13 vs. Michigan (11-2) L 23 24
9/20 @ Michigan State (6-5) L 15 20
9/27 vs. Purdue (3-8) W 41 9
10/4 vs. Alabama (10-3) L 10 28 @ Birmingham, AL
10/11 vs. Pittsburgh (5-5-1) L 9 10
10/18 vs. Air Force (6-5) W 31 3
11/1 vs. Navy (3-8) W 33 14 @ Baltimore, MD
11/8 vs. Southern Methodist (6-5) W 61 29
11/15 vs. Penn State (12-0) L 19 24
11/22 @ Louisiana State (9-3) L 19 21
11/29 @ Southern California (7-5) W 38 37
5-6-0
299 219

well if that's the case then weis should win a national championship next year,then huh?

 

[TexasNDFan]

Good post. Some people tend to focus on the bad and not realize that their is some good.

Once Coach Weis has three full recruiting classes, the Irish will be able to dish out what they've been taking. So all these teams better get their licks in while they can, because in a few years the Irish will be the ones embarassing them on national tv.

 

[TexasDomer]

well if that's the case then weis should win a national championship next year,then huh?

3d years have always been the litmus test at Notre Dame. The issue is that Faust was a pretty good recruiter, so the cupboard wasn't exactly bare on talent, whereas Ty's last full year and the Ty/Charlie year were pretty slim.

Two keystones to Holtz's defense (coached by Barry Alvarez) in 1988 were Frank Stams (a converted FB) and Wes Pritchard (a converted TE), both Faust recruits.

ND has a chance of competing next year in every game it plays, even with a young team. I'm not prepared to say we are NC caliber yet. It depends on which underclassmen play their way into the 2-deep.

 

[BGIF]

3d years have always been the litmus test at Notre Dame. The issue is that Faust was a pretty good recruiter, so the cupboard wasn't exactly bare on talent, whereas Ty's last full year and the Ty/Charlie year were pretty slim.

Two keystones to Holtz's defense (coached by Barry Alvarez) in 1988 were Frank Stams (a converted FB) and Wes Pritchard (a converted TE), both Faust recruits. ...

and most of the rest of his team was recruited by Vinny Cerrato a FULL TIME recruiting coordinator. How important was Cerrato? His last class graduated in '93.

Holtz didn't have to do his own recruiting. All he had to do was make in-house visits. Vinny did the rest.

Ianello's a great RC but he's not a full time guy. Charlie has to pick up the slack that Lou couldn't once Cerrato left. Holtz was in his 20th season as a Head Coach when he won his National Championship in '88. Charlie has 24 months on the job, he's still in OJT.

 

[TexasDomer]

Great point, BGIF. I forgot about Vinny. When he left for the Redskins, it was a real loss.

It makes you wonder if we need to go back to that approach (i.e. full-time recruiting coordinator).

 

[grantland]

well if that's the case then weis should win a national championship next year,then huh?

Yeah, I knew that was coming and no, we will probably not win the NC next year for the reasons already posted. How many players are left in next year's senior class - I think it is 9 out of 16 originally recruited. Of the 16, six were two stars, eight were three stars and two were four stars (as reported by Rivals). Now I try not to get too hung up on "stars" but how in the hell is Weis supposed to win a NC with that class. Next year's junior class (the transition class) only has 15 signed recruits - I do not know how many are left. UNBELIEVABLE.

I just do not have the time to analyze what Faust left Holtz (player by player), however, as stated and with all due respect to the current team, there were players. I do know that Faust left Holtz a heisman trophy who graduated in Holtz's second year. I do know that Faust also left Holtz Steve Buerline (sp?) who also graduated in Lou's second year. I also know that Faust left Holtz Andy Heck who became an All-American Offensive lineman as well as a great pro player. Heck was on the NC squad. I think Faust left Holtz Ned Bolcar, Todd Lyght (Todd may have been recruited by Holtz), Anthony Johnson(?) I think someone already said Pritchett, Stonebreaker(?), Stams, Tim Grunhard, Mark Green, Pat Terrell. All of whom were on the NC team. Faust did not leave the cupboard nearly as bear.

Point is, Rome was not built in a day and the general direction of the program is forward. Setbacks are there, true enough, however, I remain very optimistic.

You know some of the flames on this Board claim that those of us who think the program is headed in the right direction are blind homers getting like Michigan and tOSU fans. If the posts I am referring to are not blind flames and are being posted by true ND fans (see "less impressed by Weis every day"), then those people are the typical ND fans people inside and out of the program cannot stand thinking that Weis should have taken over and produced an automatic NC.

 

[ShivaIrish]

Great point, BGIF. I forgot about Vinny. When he left for the Redskins, it was a real loss.

It makes you wonder if we need to go back to that approach (i.e. full-time recruiting coordinator).

Don't NCAA regulations state that only position coaches (and head coaches) can contact recruits, thereby disallowing a full-time recruiting coordinator?

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Point is, Rome was not built in a day and the general direction of the program is forward. Setbacks are there, true enough, however, I remain very optimistic.
QUOTE]

I'm very optomistic about next year too,but that dosen't mean I'm going to take a 5-6 loss season as being okay just because of a youthful team and ty's recruits.I may be blowing smoke out of my rearend,but how can a team do something like that and all of a sudden in a year wave some magical wand and become a national championship team just because all of his recruits are in place?

but that really is looking too hard into the future.
next game-georgia tech

 

[kjones]

Basically, I think all the realistic and true fans out there realize that it is going to take some time for us to truly be an elite program. It isn't just a few years of good recruiting. It's consistent over a period of time with good results on the field as well. Our biggest plus is that Charlie is playing both for the short term and the long term. Two 3 loss seasons in a row with less than elite talent is pretty good. BCS bowls in straight seasons is GREAT, no matter how much it hurts to lose them. I think too many people feel let down, like this year was a flop, but the PROGRAM itself is turning around. But programs carry a lot of inertia, and Davingham had built up a pretty strong push for the abyss. When you keep perspective, you can see that we really HAVE turned this around, and are no longer in a slow dance with death, but are slowly pushing forwards. Put aside all your valid criticisms for once and look at the program as a whole. We're not one of the ships in the lead, but we're no longer sinking. And the wind is starting to fill our sails again. Take heart! Criticize away, it's (mostly) valid, but still, take heart! Better times are coming.

 

[bbrennan]

"What is wrong with you FANS?"
"The cupboard was left empty."
"Blame Davie... blame Willingham."

...are you crazy? Blame CW for the USC and LSU blowout where our team was outcoached and outplayed. The cupboard is not empty folks. Sure the recruiting classes of Davie and Ty were not great. But on this team were 5-6 players who are projected from various draft analyses to go in the 1st or 2nd round of the upcoming draft (Brady, Zibby, Harris, Shark, Abiamiri, and Carlson had he selected to come out.) Some of these were also highly regarded coming out of high school as well. Regardless of how we view our recruiting the last couple years, I doubt we will have many teams with senior leadership consisting of 5-6 1st and 2nd round draft choices. The talent level, combined with the experience level will rarely surpass what we had this year.

And before you poo-poo the draft analysis stuff don't forget this is the same draft analysis we all love to site when we speak about how much better Brady is than Troy Smith. And before you poo-poo the recruiting analysts for over-rating some of Ty's players (Wooden=4 stars, Vernaglia=4 stars, Frome=4 stars, etc) and say the star ratings suck, remember these are the same analysts we now look at to say our recruiting is great and wait until CW gets his guys on the field.

I give CW full credit for turning the program around. We have beaten the teams we should beat; which is a huge step forward from where we were a couple years back. I would also agree that our talent level as whole, especially considering our lack of depth for various reasons, is probably no better than our record would indicate. And of equal importance, our players are true student-athletes that I am proud to have representing my alma mater. So overall, I am fairly pleased with the job CW has done. I vocally suport him as one of the best coaches in college football. I would not want any other head coach.

However, I will absolutely criticize CW after defeats in which our team did not appear to be prepared to play and we were thoroughly outcoached. Which is the case in the USC and LSU games. I hate to lose but I do accept that it is going to happen from time to time. But losing the way we did, especially against LSU given what happened in the Fiesta Bowl the year prior and the fact that we had over a month to prepare, is not acceptable.

Look, CW says 9-3 and 10-3 are not good enough to him, then they aren't good enough to me either. I am a true fan and I will support the Irish no matter the outcome. But these types of losses should not occur at anytime regardless of talent level.

 

[grantland]

"What is wrong with you FANS?"
"The cupboard was left empty."
"Blame Davie... blame Willingham."

...are you crazy? Blame CW for the USC and LSU blowout where our team was outcoached and outplayed. The cupboard is not empty folks. Sure the recruiting classes of Davie and Ty were not great. But on this team were 5-6 players who are projected from various draft analyses to go in the 1st or 2nd round of the upcoming draft (Brady, Zibby, Harris, Shark, Abiamiri, and Carlson had he selected to come out.) Some of these were also highly regarded coming out of high school as well. Regardless of how we view our recruiting the last couple years, I doubt we will have many teams with senior leadership consisting of 5-6 1st and 2nd round draft choices. The talent level, combined with the experience level will rarely surpass what we had this year.

And before you poo-poo the draft analysis stuff don't forget this is the same draft analysis we all love to site when we speak about how much better Brady is than Troy Smith. And before you poo-poo the recruiting analysts for over-rating some of Ty's players (Wooden=4 stars, Vernaglia=4 stars, Frome=4 stars, etc) and say the star ratings suck, remember these are the same analysts we now look at to say our recruiting is great and wait until CW gets his guys on the field.

I give CW full credit for turning the program around. We have beaten the teams we should beat; which is a huge step forward from where we were a couple years back. I would also agree that our talent level as whole, especially considering our lack of depth for various reasons, is probably no better than our record would indicate. And of equal importance, our players are true student-athletes that I am proud to have representing my alma mater. So overall, I am fairly pleased with the job CW has done. I vocally suport him as one of the best coaches in college football. I would not want any other head coach.

However, I will absolutely criticize CW after defeats in which our team did not appear to be prepared to play and we were thoroughly outcoached. Which is the case in the USC and LSU games. I hate to lose but I do accept that it is going to happen from time to time. But losing the way we did, especially against LSU given what happened in the Fiesta Bowl the year prior and the fact that we had over a month to prepare, is not acceptable.

Look, CW says 9-3 and 10-3 are not good enough to him, then they aren't good enough to me either. I am a true fan and I will support the Irish no matter the outcome. But these types of losses should not occur at anytime regardless of talent level.

See, this is more an expression of an opinion than an outright flame. Seems to have some facts to back up statements/opinions.

However, I do disagree with looking at one class and saying we should have been able to play with the big boyz right away. As I stated previously, next years senior class is anemic when signed and almost twice as bad now (due to attrition). Next year's junior class is just as bad. The class you speak of was probably ranked about 10 - it was a good solid class. However, you just cannot compete on the high level with one good solid class every four or five years. Look at Floridas and Southern Cals and LSU's; a bad class for them is ranked 10 to 15. With the exception of Brady's class, ours have been in the 35 to 45 range.

That means there will be less competition in practice. If there ain't no one pushing your ass, if your job is completely secure, you are not as likely to work as hard. Golf analogy - the entire PGA tour is much better with Tiger around. It also means less depth - that is obvious. It means scout teams don't simulate as well, etc., etc.

Tell me the numbers of Southern Cal kids who have gone in the NFL in the past few years. I cannot imagine how badly it out numbers ours. Hell, they have Heisman trophy winners in 3 outta 4 years (prior to this year). No the cupboard ain't completely bear but there are a whole lotta condiments missing.

 

[bbrennan]

That means there will be less competition in practice. If there ain't no one pushing your ass, if your job is completely secure, you are not as likely to work as hard.

I would say a good head coach and a qualified coaching staff should be enough to effectively motivate big-time college athletes. I certainly don't want to argue that there was depth on the team nor the importance of depth in the game, but I won't let CW off the hook as a result of the argument "how can our guys be expected to work hard in practice given our skill level."

However, I do disagree with looking at one class and saying we should have been able to play with the big boyz right away... However, you just cannot compete on the high level with one good solid class every four or five years.

I would not disagree with the second part. But the mark of a truly superb coach is being able to compete when you are outmanned. Again, I do not want to undermine what CW has done. We are further ahead than I would have guessed when he came in and I believe we will be improved given his ability to recruit. But CW needs to take a large dose of criticism given our showing in the USC and LSU games. Our team was not prepared and we were outcoached. Our talent in the USC game in 2005 was not equal to USC, yet we showed up and played well. I give CW all the credit for getting our guys ready to compete against better athletes in that game. He did not do this against USC this year or LSU.

Tell me the numbers of Southern Cal kids who have gone in the NFL in the past few years. I cannot imagine how badly it out numbers ours. Hell, they have Heisman trophy winners in 3 outta 4 years (prior to this year). No the cupboard ain't completely bear but there are a whole lotta condiments missing.

Completely agree, but the players USC had 2-4 years ago and have moved to the NFL did not contribute to our thumping against USC and LSU this year. My point is to simply say we had talent on the field in these games and that talent was not coached in a way that put us in position to play well, let alone win these games. The condiments that I would say were missing were a ball control offensive scheme, an aggressive defensive scheme and the necessary adjustments as the games progressed.

 

[grantland]

I would say a good head coach and a qualified coaching staff should be enough to effectively motivate big-time college athletes. I certainly don't want to argue that there was depth on the team nor the importance of depth in the game, but I won't let CW off the hook as a result of the argument "how can our guys be expected to work hard in practice given our skill level."



I would not disagree with the second part. But the mark of a truly superb coach is being able to compete when you are outmanned. Again, I do not want to undermine what CW has done. We are further ahead than I would have guessed when he came in and I believe we will be improved given his ability to recruit. But CW needs to take a large dose of criticism given our showing in the USC and LSU games. Our team was not prepared and we were outcoached. Our talent in the USC game in 2005 was not equal to USC, yet we showed up and played well. I give CW all the credit for getting our guys ready to compete against better athletes in that game. He did not do this against USC this year or LSU.



Completely agree, but the players USC had 2-4 years ago and have moved to the NFL did not contribute to our thumping against USC and LSU this year. My point is to simply say we had talent on the field in these games and that talent was not coached in a way that put us in position to play well, let alone win these games. The condiments that I would say were missing were a ball control offensive scheme, an aggressive defensive scheme and the necessary adjustments as the games progressed.

How the hell do you break up the quotes?

One thing I have been a bit dissappointed in is the seemingly uninspired play (I think Weis calls it the business mentality). I think at the college level, emotion plays a large part. I think this is where Weis needs improvement and he as much admitted it leading up to the Sugar Bowl. On the bright side of that, the team never gives up - See Michigan State last year and this year, as well as UCLA.

I think we are agreeing to disagree. When I made reference to SC's numbers in the NFL, that was meant to imply that over the last few years, every SC class will send alot to the NFL.

If you watched any of the high school all star game you will see this. Shit, Gallipo could play in the NFL tomorrow (note Everson Griffen as well). Scary.

I just think there is so much a coach can do without the talent. For instance, if 22 of us (yes, the guys here on this board - except for any recruits reading) were to be the scout teams for Charlie, and his first team was all the most highly talented at their respective positions, don't you think it would be alot harder to teach and to get the boys to learn. There is only so much you can do when there are not a ton of good players on the team.
EDIT: I did not mean to imply that the kids did not work hard, but there is something missing when the people you practice against are not pushing you because they just can't, they are not good enough.

Your point on last year's USC game is well taken. I think we played a pretty near perfect game - not totally perfect or we would have won - but pretty near. I just don't think thats gonna happen too often.

Another point to make is that there are the Boise State's and Wake Forest's out there who have pretty good seasons with little talent. But looked at closely, I think those examples may give credence to my argument. Otherwise, why wouldn't those coaches win every year with less talent. Everything has to click (including hook and ladder plays and statute of liberty plays) to make it work.

Another thing I have not mentioned and something with which I think Weis would disagree (at least with this year's Senior Class) is that no matter how much he might say otherwise, the fewer players who have the Davie/Willingham attitude, the better. No matter what it seems, though Weis has gotten them to know they will beat the teams ranked 20 to 40, the attitude just ain't there yet for the team to know the same about the upper echelon teams.

I really do not know enough about football play calling/scheming to give a valid opinion on that. I do know the fake punt looked awful against LSU but pretty damn good against Penn State. Who knows what Weis saw on film. We definitely know he wanted to keep our defense off of the field (Note your reference to last year's SC game). However, intuitively I got big problems believing that a guy who has won 3 super bowl rings as a OC is a shitty play caller. I also believe (from posts attributable to people who no longer post here regularly) that the talent level severely limits play calling ability.

 

[onenybrother]

I like your post but I am calling it like I see it. CW - love the guy - but it is what it is. He has gotten his doors kicked in by the last 4 top 10 teams he faced.

I wouldnt be so critical if these were 24-17 games but come on, these games were all 2 td+ routs. Blowouts.

Maybe its the era I grew up in but people on here that are making excuses and poo-pooing all this are not looking at things objectively.

My sentiments exactly. These blowouts are unacceptable.

 

[marv81s]

there not excuses, it is a fact.

When you don't have the talent, you don't have the talent and ND doesn't have the talent that USC has, that Michigan has, that LSU has. The only chance ND had to be the elites this year was if those elite teams looked past ND and/or played the worst game of their season and ND played a nearly flawless game, ala USC last year.

It didn't happen, teams were fired up to play ND this year and ND's lack of talent showed this year. YOu can ignore it if you want to, but I suggest you go back and look at where the these recruiting classes ranked (the Ty years classes) and compare them to those teams that blew us out. You'll get your answer there. Weis did the best he could with what he has and 9-3 and 10-3 is a helluva lot better than 5-7 and 6-6.

You want to ignore that and still say no excuses fine.

 

[luckofirish8]

Weis did the best he could with what he has and 9-3 and 10-3 is a helluva lot better than 5-7 and 6-6.

You want to ignore that and still say no excuses fine.

Refreshing...I know. Well said.

Weis turned a 10-11 win team into a 19 game winner over the last two seasons. I don't see how anyone can say that is not good coaching. I know that we lost all the big games, but you can't honestly tell me that we would have won those games with the past coaching staff. If you are willing to settle for the excuse of "the games could have been closer" than so be it. However, in my book a win is a win, and a loss is a loss no matter the score. Again, 19 wins is better than 10 or 11 no matter how you look at it.

 

[guff]

http://www.gigasize.com/get.php/161663/Oldie2006UNC.mpg

If you don't have the Oldie UNC highlight video - download it here. Then listen to the well reasoned argument made by Colin Cowherd regarding CW. Cowherd is by no means a ND apologist and he knows college football.

Three quotes you take from that
1. "Their talent is incredibly ordinary"
2. "Getting blown out by Syracuse"
3. "Next to Socrates, smartest man in the world" (regarding Weis)