This season purpose is now to get as many players prepared for 08 as possible, I think we are laying a foundation that will give us success next year. Kamara, Tate, Ragone, Neal, Parris, Smith, McNeil, Carufel, Hughes, Allen, Aldridge, ect, have all received meaningful playing time and should be real fun to watch next year.
Laying a foundation for 08
- Thread starter Axl Rose
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Moostache
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I agree....the only thing that at all makes me have hope for the future is the fact that so many freshmen and sophomores are cutting their teeth together. The fact that all of these guys will be playing in meaningful minutes the rest of this lost season of our discontent will pay off HUGE in 2 years time.
2007 = the nadir of Notre Dame Football...rock bottom hit in West Lafeyette, IN at halftime.
2008 = a return of the Weis teams of '05/'06 = close but not qute good enough
2009 = 21 years later, a return to the MNC...
In 2009, the mistakes we see so often now will be replaced by fire-breathing, experienced beasts!
2007 = the nadir of Notre Dame Football...rock bottom hit in West Lafeyette, IN at halftime.
2008 = a return of the Weis teams of '05/'06 = close but not qute good enough
2009 = 21 years later, a return to the MNC...
In 2009, the mistakes we see so often now will be replaced by fire-breathing, experienced beasts!
I agree but I think in 2008 we have a chance to shock people and make the NC. It looks like ND will have only two tough games Michigan and USC, and both will be replacing lots of players.
TexasNDFan
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I totally agree, this team which would be harded by this experience will be fun to watch in a years time, so ND's opponents better take it in while they can because starting next year they will be the ones punched in the mouth.
NDFan4Life
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I'm really looking forward to next year and 09. This team will be great fun to watch.
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goldenlid
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ND needs d-linemen before they do anything.
My thought exactly! When is the defense going to stop someone? Laws is good but he is a senior and will be the NFL next year. I can't think of anyone on defense besides laws that is a "standout". ND will need to average 45 points a game just to be competitive!
johnnd05
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I don't know how you can say that - I mean, FAR better?! Their numbers don't look any different, and Sharpley seemed way less mobile to me. In any case, I'm sure you won't get what you want: unless Clausen's injury turns out to be serious (which it isn't), there's no way Sharpley starts next week.
GoIrish41
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Help is on the way. Newman, Hunter, E. Johnson, H. Williams, Cwynar.
Don't count your chickens on Hunter as of yet. I think we are going to struggle to hold on to him. Every major program in the country has found him and are courting him like crazy. I think ND got him early because there was not a ton of interest for him. Now he is getting all the love, so we will be challenged to fend of USC and UF on this one. I hope he sticks, but not holding my breath
notredomer23
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some one is drinking anti kool aid.
how could you think sharpley should start over clausen?
stonebreakerwasgod
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I agree, we shouldn't worry about this year, and playing the upper class, but improving and developing the young guys. The future is not ES, nor the seniors who aren't making plays, so why give them significant time?
GoIrish41
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Absolutely right. There was a true freshman involved in every ND TD vs. Purdue. Claussen's TD pass, Tate and Kumara's TD catches. The bulk of the carries went to freshmen and sophomores, Aldridge, Allen. Freshmen are starting to see significant time on D -- Neal and Smith. Ian Williams is getting in at NT. At TE, Ragone getting into the mix. Charlie may never say this is a rebuilding year, but his actions surely show that it is. Many if not most of these young guys will be starting next year, and they will take the field with significant experience. That bodes well for the future.
Fbolt
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I love the PT of the youngsters but am concerned about "winning" attitudes. How many times have you heard abut teams having to "learn how" to win? If we can close out this season with a bang-and I think we're heading in that direction, we will set the program up for success next year.
stonebreakerwasgod
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Winning is important for the last four games. Right now, our team needs to learn the basics. CW, while not having the team prepared, is probably doing the right things now.
Fbolt
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I suppose everyone is on a learning curve....
Master Guns
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Right on the money with your comments. As the Marine commercial from the 80's goes: YOU BEGIN WITH RAW STEEL!!!
Can't wait to see this team down the road. This season will be part of the ever growing legend that is Notre Dame Football.
goldandblue
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I believe that your post is correct. If we can win the last four game of the year. We will start next year with a winning attitude. That will be important for the success of next year.
Newc
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John, I couldn't agree more. This game got me almost as excited as watching a sac-bunt, if you know what I mean. If you take away some of the mistakes that were made this past weekend this team looks pretty damn good and I truely believe that it is the youth of this team that ends up shooting us in the foot. But thats ok, I am happy to see these kids psyched up and eager to make a play, however sometimes that results in a late hit or an offsides or like mistakes that will get solved the more these guys play and the calmer they become in the situations. But you can't disagree that the base of this team looks much much better than it has this season so far and great things are soon to come.
grantphilly
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This might be a little off subject but i need to rant. Signs of improvment was all I want to see this year and I seen that Saturday. Receivers acutaly working to get open and the line giving the QB some time to go through the progessions. Golden Tate made giggle like a little girl when he caught a those bombs. I think Sharpley needs to start untill after the USC game so Clausen can still walk and get around but he should be back in there after the USC game. GOLDEN TATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was at that game (YEA MORA!) and let me tell you in was extremely fulfilling to watch the O's kill the Yanks chance at winning the east. I hope Jeffry Maier (or however you spell that $#*^$*^#@'s name) was watching.
oh... ND. Yea next year is a mantra that hasn't left my head yet.