Now that we all know 2007 is a rebuilding year whether CW wants admit the fact or not, we must realize that 2008 will completely decide the success or failure of CW at ND. Fact is we have seen two sides to Charlie Weiss's talents. In 2005-06 he took upper class laden teams that were underperforming and raised the level of play, especially in 2005. In 2006 they did not improve and may have regressed some, but still played at a fairly high level and executed in some tough situations(UCLA and MSU). They did show some flounderings though(LSU, USC and UM). Now in 2007 CW has done a good job to screw up this season. The Jones mess, playing a less than healthy QB and not coaching up a young team. Further, the kids have shown many instances where they are not playing hard for CW(Purdue, UM). We all got very excited after CW made ND a winner again in 2005, then we were dissapointed in 2006 when we did not get to the NC game and in 2007 we expected rebuilding, but this has been a far worse season than anyone expected. CW you are getting a pass in 2007 since we expected rebuilding and you are bringing in a killer recruiting class. In 2008 there are some criteria you MUST meet which will tell us we are headed toward elite level. If these are not met, ND MUST MOVE ON. These goals I will present are NOT unrealistic and very achievable if CW is worth his salt.
1. Win 9 Regular Season Games - This is important because we must show the rebuilding is almost complete and ND again is winning the games that they should.
Reasons This IS Achievable>>
SCHEDULE: If you look at the 2008 schedule, it has been softened and there are only two teams on the schedule where we will be underdogs. Maybe two that we will be a pick um. W's -(San Diego, Pit, Navy, Syracuse, Stanford, N. Carolina, Washington, Purdue), Pick-ums(MSU, BC), L's(USC, UM). As for the W's, these are all programs that should never beat ND. I know that Carolina and Stanford are on a bit of an upswing with new coaches, but if those guys can get there programs to a level higher than ND in two years CW is in trouble. BC loses many many starters, so they should drop a notch. USC will be loaded as usual, but UM loses Henne and Hart which will be huge. 8-4 can be excepted IF these are very very competitive losses or due to significant injuries. 7-5 or worse will signal the end.
ROSTER: We are going to be returning almost complete starting line-ups. On offense, we will have 2 QB's with extensive playing time. The RB's and FB's return as a whole and at RB we will have the more depth and talent than the last 10 years. The OL will be all upper classmen and all have started at a minimum a full season. The back ups will be talented and big. At TE we lose a talented Carlson, but we return Yeatman who is a great blocker, Ragone who will stretch the field and bring in the number 1 rated freshman. WR will have both speed, size and experience. With Parris, Tate, Kamara, Grimes, West, Hord and whatever talented freshman comes aboard, the cupboard is FULL. On Defense, we basically lose two starters. Laws who will be a big loss and Zibby who will be replaced by a bevy of talent. The safety position is freakin loaded. Bruton will be the leader. McCarthy, Harrison Smith, Gaines and the incoming class will have ND the envy of many because of our talent level here. At CB, we will be able to line up with any receiving corp around. Walls, McNeil, Gray, Prince, and Lambert if he decides to return will be rock solid. OLB is a position on the rise. With Neal and Smith having a year to grow and get stronger, they should dominate. Ryan and Mo Richardson will give us a change of pace and depth. Add in Fleming and wow were deep. ILB will probably still be anchored by Mo Crum and Toryan Smith, however guys like Paskorz, Filer and McDonald will all be providing depth and talent. DL will have the only major hole to fill, Laws. Kuntz will be bigger, stronger and more at home at DE. Brown, Hand will hold down the other DE with support from Ethan Johson and Cwynar. NG will be anchored by Ian, but he will loads of help from Omar, Newman, Hafis. Special Teams finally should be an asset. We have a good FG kicker in Walker. Whitacker has shown good ability on KO's. Maust was good while substituting for Price. We have very capable return people.
2. Beat WASHINGTON - He better not lose to Ty after 4 years of rebuilding ND or the media and anti ND folks will go crazy with the CW is worse than Ty biz.
Reason this is achievable>> We have a better level of talent at ND. If you look at both rosters, there are far more 4 and 5 star athletes on ND's roster. Further, if CW cannot out coach Ty next season, the Mark May's of the world will have his head on a platter.
3. No More One Sided Losses - One sided losses tend to put CW in the bucket of Ty and Davie. Lou never got slaughtered like we are making a regular habit of. Even when Brady was here, we received beatdowns from OSU, LSU, UM, USC.
Reasons this is achievable>> For the first couple years that CW was at ND the excuse in the big losses was that ND did not have the speed and talent to stay with the programs like LSU, OSU, USC. Well, there is only ONE program on our regular season schedule that will have us out manned, USC. But, the talent gap between ND and USC will have closed dramatically. Further, if CW is the offensive guru he claims, then after 4 years with these kids that should shine thru.
4. Go Bowling and WIN!!!! - Every ND fan is tired of hearing that we are 0-forever since our last bowl win. Furhter, CW has gotten thumped in both bowls.
Reason this is achievable>> We should finish the season with 3 losses which means no BCS. That is good because we are a year away from whooping the LSU's, Florida's and OSU's of the world. We will end up in a second tier bowl like the Gator. This will pit us against a mid level program which we better start dominating. I actually hope we do NOT end up winning enough to get into a BCS because we tend to get a bad match-up which spells disaster. I want us to wait until 2009 when we will be loaded and be able to dominate. ND cannot afford another BCS debacle where we lose and get battered by the media.
5. Make Coaching Changes over 2008 winter!!!! - Einstein says the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Latina, BYE BYE
Reason this is achievable>> Well this decision is in CW's hands. It is obvious that certain positions are underachieving. OL and special teams are two in particular. We cannot stand pat with underperformers. CW has shown the moxy to make changes in the past, so I think this one is easy.
6. Close out 2008 Recruiting Class!!!! We have the number 1 ranked class and are a fav with several remaining prospects.
Reason this is achievable>> He already has 19 super commits. He only has to add a few pieces at WR and OL. Maybe a RB. I am not even going to hold him accountable if we have another Little incident in this class. Recruiting is soo crazy that I expect someone to de-commit just to make it a typical recruiting season. But, CW must also close on atleast two of our WR prospects and one great OL player to make this class complete. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
7. Top 10 Recruiting Class for 2009!!!!!!! CW will have his hands full filling this class since there is no great season to talk about and kids will see a depth chart filled with youth.
Reason this is achievable>>> Kids should be really excited now that talent has returned to ND. Further, CW has demonstrated that he will play the best play regardless of age. Finally, he will not have to add huge numbers so he should be able to fill the smaller number of spots. This will mean we will not be number one in recruiting, but if we are getting top caliber athletes to fill out holes that is what matters.
8. Demonstrate Player Development!!! In 2005 I think we all thought that CW could elevate players. In 2006 the players did not take the next step. In fact, most would argue that some players level slipped. OL play got worse. In 2007, the play has been very dissapointing. Not just inexperience, but mistake ridden.
Reason this is achievable>>> With about 9-10 starters returning on both sides of the ball, improvement should be very evident. Further, many of these kids have spent atleast 3 years in the program.
9. Show me "NASTY"!!!! Part of showing Nasty is playing hard for your coach and bringing enthusiasm to the field. You have to want to play hard for the coach. There have been some games where the kids absolutely did NOT play for CW this season.
Reason this is achievable>>> When a player is comforable in a system, they can fly around the field and play with aggression. Brown is starting to show that with the D. They are starting to get comfortable which is resulting in aggression. Now, CW must show that his O can do the same. Especially the OL which should be at a point of dominating people next season.
CONCLUSION: If CW achieves all of these goals which are not out of reach by any means it will be evidence that ND is well on its way back to ELITE status. We all gave Charlie the pass on year 3 since Ty put us in such a talent hole, but 4 years is plenty to know where the program is headed. If and I mean IF Charlie has another mediocre season, 7-5 or worse, with a couple blow-out losses and players appearing to play half hearted and sloppy without passion, it is time to move on. This will substantiate that CW is another Faust, not a Davie or Ty. Faust like CW loved ND, was a great recruiter, tended to have soft teams and had some ugly losses. It would do ND and CW best at that point to move on. With the core of talent we will have in 2008 it would not be near as difficult to attract any coach. 3 years ago, Urban wanted no part of this reclamation project. In 2008 there will be great level of talent across the board at ND. Finally, my hope is that CW comes thru with flying colors and we will reach the promise land in 2009 or 2010. Make us proud Charlie!!!!
1. Win 9 Regular Season Games - This is important because we must show the rebuilding is almost complete and ND again is winning the games that they should.
Reasons This IS Achievable>>
SCHEDULE: If you look at the 2008 schedule, it has been softened and there are only two teams on the schedule where we will be underdogs. Maybe two that we will be a pick um. W's -(San Diego, Pit, Navy, Syracuse, Stanford, N. Carolina, Washington, Purdue), Pick-ums(MSU, BC), L's(USC, UM). As for the W's, these are all programs that should never beat ND. I know that Carolina and Stanford are on a bit of an upswing with new coaches, but if those guys can get there programs to a level higher than ND in two years CW is in trouble. BC loses many many starters, so they should drop a notch. USC will be loaded as usual, but UM loses Henne and Hart which will be huge. 8-4 can be excepted IF these are very very competitive losses or due to significant injuries. 7-5 or worse will signal the end.
ROSTER: We are going to be returning almost complete starting line-ups. On offense, we will have 2 QB's with extensive playing time. The RB's and FB's return as a whole and at RB we will have the more depth and talent than the last 10 years. The OL will be all upper classmen and all have started at a minimum a full season. The back ups will be talented and big. At TE we lose a talented Carlson, but we return Yeatman who is a great blocker, Ragone who will stretch the field and bring in the number 1 rated freshman. WR will have both speed, size and experience. With Parris, Tate, Kamara, Grimes, West, Hord and whatever talented freshman comes aboard, the cupboard is FULL. On Defense, we basically lose two starters. Laws who will be a big loss and Zibby who will be replaced by a bevy of talent. The safety position is freakin loaded. Bruton will be the leader. McCarthy, Harrison Smith, Gaines and the incoming class will have ND the envy of many because of our talent level here. At CB, we will be able to line up with any receiving corp around. Walls, McNeil, Gray, Prince, and Lambert if he decides to return will be rock solid. OLB is a position on the rise. With Neal and Smith having a year to grow and get stronger, they should dominate. Ryan and Mo Richardson will give us a change of pace and depth. Add in Fleming and wow were deep. ILB will probably still be anchored by Mo Crum and Toryan Smith, however guys like Paskorz, Filer and McDonald will all be providing depth and talent. DL will have the only major hole to fill, Laws. Kuntz will be bigger, stronger and more at home at DE. Brown, Hand will hold down the other DE with support from Ethan Johson and Cwynar. NG will be anchored by Ian, but he will loads of help from Omar, Newman, Hafis. Special Teams finally should be an asset. We have a good FG kicker in Walker. Whitacker has shown good ability on KO's. Maust was good while substituting for Price. We have very capable return people.
2. Beat WASHINGTON - He better not lose to Ty after 4 years of rebuilding ND or the media and anti ND folks will go crazy with the CW is worse than Ty biz.
Reason this is achievable>> We have a better level of talent at ND. If you look at both rosters, there are far more 4 and 5 star athletes on ND's roster. Further, if CW cannot out coach Ty next season, the Mark May's of the world will have his head on a platter.
3. No More One Sided Losses - One sided losses tend to put CW in the bucket of Ty and Davie. Lou never got slaughtered like we are making a regular habit of. Even when Brady was here, we received beatdowns from OSU, LSU, UM, USC.
Reasons this is achievable>> For the first couple years that CW was at ND the excuse in the big losses was that ND did not have the speed and talent to stay with the programs like LSU, OSU, USC. Well, there is only ONE program on our regular season schedule that will have us out manned, USC. But, the talent gap between ND and USC will have closed dramatically. Further, if CW is the offensive guru he claims, then after 4 years with these kids that should shine thru.
4. Go Bowling and WIN!!!! - Every ND fan is tired of hearing that we are 0-forever since our last bowl win. Furhter, CW has gotten thumped in both bowls.
Reason this is achievable>> We should finish the season with 3 losses which means no BCS. That is good because we are a year away from whooping the LSU's, Florida's and OSU's of the world. We will end up in a second tier bowl like the Gator. This will pit us against a mid level program which we better start dominating. I actually hope we do NOT end up winning enough to get into a BCS because we tend to get a bad match-up which spells disaster. I want us to wait until 2009 when we will be loaded and be able to dominate. ND cannot afford another BCS debacle where we lose and get battered by the media.
5. Make Coaching Changes over 2008 winter!!!! - Einstein says the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Latina, BYE BYE
Reason this is achievable>> Well this decision is in CW's hands. It is obvious that certain positions are underachieving. OL and special teams are two in particular. We cannot stand pat with underperformers. CW has shown the moxy to make changes in the past, so I think this one is easy.
6. Close out 2008 Recruiting Class!!!! We have the number 1 ranked class and are a fav with several remaining prospects.
Reason this is achievable>> He already has 19 super commits. He only has to add a few pieces at WR and OL. Maybe a RB. I am not even going to hold him accountable if we have another Little incident in this class. Recruiting is soo crazy that I expect someone to de-commit just to make it a typical recruiting season. But, CW must also close on atleast two of our WR prospects and one great OL player to make this class complete. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
7. Top 10 Recruiting Class for 2009!!!!!!! CW will have his hands full filling this class since there is no great season to talk about and kids will see a depth chart filled with youth.
Reason this is achievable>>> Kids should be really excited now that talent has returned to ND. Further, CW has demonstrated that he will play the best play regardless of age. Finally, he will not have to add huge numbers so he should be able to fill the smaller number of spots. This will mean we will not be number one in recruiting, but if we are getting top caliber athletes to fill out holes that is what matters.
8. Demonstrate Player Development!!! In 2005 I think we all thought that CW could elevate players. In 2006 the players did not take the next step. In fact, most would argue that some players level slipped. OL play got worse. In 2007, the play has been very dissapointing. Not just inexperience, but mistake ridden.
Reason this is achievable>>> With about 9-10 starters returning on both sides of the ball, improvement should be very evident. Further, many of these kids have spent atleast 3 years in the program.
9. Show me "NASTY"!!!! Part of showing Nasty is playing hard for your coach and bringing enthusiasm to the field. You have to want to play hard for the coach. There have been some games where the kids absolutely did NOT play for CW this season.
Reason this is achievable>>> When a player is comforable in a system, they can fly around the field and play with aggression. Brown is starting to show that with the D. They are starting to get comfortable which is resulting in aggression. Now, CW must show that his O can do the same. Especially the OL which should be at a point of dominating people next season.
CONCLUSION: If CW achieves all of these goals which are not out of reach by any means it will be evidence that ND is well on its way back to ELITE status. We all gave Charlie the pass on year 3 since Ty put us in such a talent hole, but 4 years is plenty to know where the program is headed. If and I mean IF Charlie has another mediocre season, 7-5 or worse, with a couple blow-out losses and players appearing to play half hearted and sloppy without passion, it is time to move on. This will substantiate that CW is another Faust, not a Davie or Ty. Faust like CW loved ND, was a great recruiter, tended to have soft teams and had some ugly losses. It would do ND and CW best at that point to move on. With the core of talent we will have in 2008 it would not be near as difficult to attract any coach. 3 years ago, Urban wanted no part of this reclamation project. In 2008 there will be great level of talent across the board at ND. Finally, my hope is that CW comes thru with flying colors and we will reach the promise land in 2009 or 2010. Make us proud Charlie!!!!
