JC definetly showed my why...

[stonebreakerwasgod]

The point is moot because he didn't start (due to injury... or not), and DJ did. Let's focus on next year, and let 3 years from now settle itself.

 

[Irish93]

Don't get me wrong. I think that starting a healthy JC from day one was the right move. I also think that CW did the right thing by letting JC rest for a couple of weeks. I think that he learned a lot and next year will be much better (OL willing).

 

[howlingthunder]

I think I have seen enough to say he is physically capable of playing the position, for the next 3 or 4 years.

I still have doubts about his mentality. He looked like he was making decisions on his HS football field at the beginning of the season and I still see flashes of that now. CW is not going to dumb down his package for him, and the teams we play against (mostly) are competing for the National Championship every year. It's going to come down to mental grit. I have to believe that CW saw something of this when he went after him.

Talent is great until that talent is matched by the opposing team. Then intangibles are all that is left and I WANT TO SEE JC GIVE ME EVERYTHING. We will know in the next 4 to 5 games if he grows up enough to carry us to victory.

Just my piece.

 

[notredomer23]

Let's not forget that there is a decent chance that JC will graduate in 3.5 years, and only play 3 years of football. That leaves Crist taking over his junior year. Not a bad transition from an experience perspective IMO.

even if he does graduate, he has already stated he wants to stay for 4 years

 

[loomis41973]

Jimmy looked very good yesterday from my 10th row seats. He has great accuracy and looked damn good even if it was only Duke. Love that stiff arm.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I hope you had a great time loomis. I agree with your assessment.

 

[johnnd05]

In my opinion, which is in the minority, I feel that CW had decided on JC before camp started. THen he went out to make it so. In the early games, he did such a bad job, he was pulled in the second half. When Evan Sharply came in, he seemed to pull the team together. Then JC sat and even thou ES didn't win the games, he played well enough to let JC mature and learn. I don't feel the CW ever even looked at ES play and was committed to get JC back in the game. I think the Demetrius did the right thinkg in transferring and if Evan wants to play football, he whould change schools.

Sorry but claiming that Weis didn't even give Sharpley, Jones, and Frazier a look is just silly. Everything we've seen has made it clear that Clausen is OBVIOUSLY better than any of them; it just took him a while to get his sea legs. That's the only reason he was the frontrunner.

 

[SoCalDomer]

In my opinion, which is in the minority, I feel that CW had decided on JC before camp started. THen he went out to make it so. In the early games, he did such a bad job, he was pulled in the second half. When Evan Sharply came in, he seemed to pull the team together. Then JC sat and even thou ES didn't win the games, he played well enough to let JC mature and learn. I don't feel the CW ever even looked at ES play and was committed to get JC back in the game. I think the Demetrius did the right thinkg in transferring and if Evan wants to play football, he whould change schools.

You may be right. But for better or worse CW has made Clausen the starter. The last two weeks show that even as a freshman he has alot of potential and is slowly figuring things out.

 

[johnnd05]

You may be right. But for better or worse CW has made Clausen the starter. The last two weeks show that even as a freshman he has alot of potential and is slowly figuring things out.

????

 

[elkona]

KNow what? I have a sneaky suspicion that, in two years, CRIST will be the starting QB.

You must be his high school coach, because no one else knows how Crist is going to play at Notre Dame. We haven't seen him take a snap on the college field. Predicting how high school kids will play in college is almost impossible. See TODD REESING.
Don't overthink it. Clausen looks sharp for now. He is the starter unless he suffers some Chad Henne-like total collapse.

 

[Irish93]

You must be his high school coach, because no one else knows how Crist is going to play at Notre Dame. We haven't seen him take a snap on the college field. Predicting how high school kids will play in college is almost impossible. See TODD REESING.
Don't overthink it. Clausen looks sharp for now. He is the starter unless he suffers some Chad Henne-like total collapse.

No way does a Sophmore start over a five-star three year starter. No way.

 

[Moostache]

Clausen has shown what I hoped to see in the last two games - grit, determination, increased leadership and most importantly improvement in decision making. He has come along fairly well for a freshman QB under normal circumstances. Had ND been able to establish ANYTHING else on offense this year, his learning curve could have been shallowed out a bit, but it was not to be.

The fact that guys from Hughes to Allen to Clausen to Kamara to Neal to Smith are beginning to step up and play better bodes well for the future, but none more so than Clausen. There is obviously potential there for a return to an offense that we as fans became spoiled under Brady to expect.

This team will rise and fall on the development of Jimmy Clausen for the next 3 years. The program will rise and fall on the job Weis does of smoothing out the transition period so that when it becomes necessary for someone (presumably Crist, but who really knows? He is commited by unsigned and Frazier and Jones both were SIGNED and left without logging meaningful experience as starters at ND -Jones cameo against GT not withstanding...) to step in after Clausen there is not such a dramatic drop-off in experience and general readiness.

 

[fortwayne_nd]

In my opinion, which is in the minority, I feel that CW had decided on JC before camp started. THen he went out to make it so. In the early games, he did such a bad job, he was pulled in the second half. When Evan Sharply came in, he seemed to pull the team together. Then JC sat and even thou ES didn't win the games, he played well enough to let JC mature and learn. I don't feel the CW ever even looked at ES play and was committed to get JC back in the game. I think the Demetrius did the right thinkg in transferring and if Evan wants to play football, he whould change schools.

Remember ES carrying the ball like a loaf of bread and Navy returning the fumble for a touchdown? Pretty careless for a junior and the turning point of the game. ES had his shot to keep JC on the bench and he didn't make it happen. Even Thomas couldn't hold onto the ball. There's a reason why the freshmen are playing.

 

[piyachi]

In my opinion, which is in the minority, I feel that CW had decided on JC before camp started. THen he went out to make it so. In the early games, he did such a bad job, he was pulled in the second half. When Evan Sharply came in, he seemed to pull the team together. Then JC sat and even thou ES didn't win the games, he played well enough to let JC mature and learn. I don't feel the CW ever even looked at ES play and was committed to get JC back in the game. I think the Demetrius did the right thinkg in transferring and if Evan wants to play football, he whould change schools.

Have to argue with this, along with everyone else, before I continue.

1 - He had decided on JC, just after camp not before it. If you have anything resembling proof to a different conclusion, I'm all ears.
2 - He didn't get pulled for doing poorly, aside from game 1 and that was just a mess for all 3 - Evan came in because it was the hurry-up offense and he apparently was better at that aspect of play (at the time, not sure about now).
4 - Evan didn't seem to pull the team together for more than 1 or two series. From what I saw he had some serious luck of the Irish with some great grabs by receivers and dropped interceptions from each opponent.
5 - He let JC mature and learn - that is the role of a backup QB, which it seems may be his role. Ask Brad Anderson.
6 - Umm he is the head coach he MUST have noticed Evan playing. Jimmy injured was at least on par with a healthy Sharpley. Simple choice. Not to mention he had stated that ES was the starter because JC was banged up.
7 - Demetrious did what he thought was right for him. Maybe Evan is just a better team player and willing to help his team without it being about him first? He is still on the team, and still has a very important role. I don't think he is going to transfer at this point, and I think he is smarter than that.

This all being said, any lady that supports the Irish gets +10 points in my book so you're still way ahead.

 

[piyachi]

This team will rise and fall on the development of Jimmy Clausen for the next 3 years. The program will rise and fall on the job Weis does of smoothing out the transition period so that when it becomes necessary for someone (presumably Crist, but who really knows? He is commited by unsigned and Frazier and Jones both were SIGNED and left without logging meaningful experience as starters at ND -Jones cameo against GT not withstanding...) to step in after Clausen there is not such a dramatic drop-off in experience and general readiness.

Disagree about Clausen - I think the O-Line is going to be what we have to build to create a real contender. We have seen that we have a potentially great QB. We have seen that we have an amazing backfield. Our receivers and tight ends are money (including Floyd in this group). But ain't gonna mean nothin without them big boys up front hittin someone in the face. We do need nasty, and we need it in the trenches.

Look I think we are going to see the same great development from JC as we did from Brady. Although the caveat here is that now this will be over 4 years (or maybe 3, but I believe him about 4) so it isn't going to be as dramatic as Quinn. I think people are going to ask if Charlie can't do as much because it may well take Jimmah 4 years to turn into a top-gun. I think he will be what everybody sees as the team gets better, but I think it will only looks that way because the people protecting him start to do their jobs better (and I think they will, Latina or no).

 

[howlingthunder]

I dunno Dude. Like I said we'll see about JC in the next 4 to 5 games. I don't see the Quinn like ability up top - but that's just me.

His vision might improve. His decision making might improve.

I would like both of the above to happen because I want the excitement of watching the Irish to come back. It's like I'm pissed off watching the whole game now.

Makes it hard to enjoy the High Life as well. Maybe JC should crack one.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Hey guys, I'm not gonna lose sleep over what someone says about a player (or team) when they've posted less than 10 times. It could be honest, intelligent discussion...or an attempt to inflame.
What I will say, is that I see JC coming along nicely.

 

[wahoo]

JC has all the makings of a good QB but if we can't figure out how to pick up the blitz next year then he is going to end up in a hospital bed. For ND to start getting back to respectability and beyond then they need a great improvement in the O-Line. Plus the defense needs to play a lot better. Look back at the teams that won at ND...they all had two things in common...a ability to RUN the ball and the ability to STOP the run.

 

[kjones]

Can I ask a serious question here?

Are there any other people here who LIKE the idea of Crist coming and sitting on the bench for a few years? Think about Matt Leinhart behind Carson Palmer. He only got 2 years in the sun, and he turned out to be an NFL qb. Things like this are GOOD for the program. They make it stronger and better. I for one will have no problem with Crist coming and doing absolutely nothing until everyone forgets about him, and then coming in as a 4th and 5th year senior and BOOM, instant Heisman caliber QB. Does anyone else hope for things like this, or does everyone just want things now and now please?

 

[GoIrish41]

Can I ask a serious question here?

Are there any other people here who LIKE the idea of Crist coming and sitting on the bench for a few years? Think about Matt Leinhart behind Carson Palmer. He only got 2 years in the sun, and he turned out to be an NFL qb. Things like this are GOOD for the program. They make it stronger and better. I for one will have no problem with Crist coming and doing absolutely nothing until everyone forgets about him, and then coming in as a 4th and 5th year senior and BOOM, instant Heisman caliber QB. Does anyone else hope for things like this, or does everyone just want things now and now please?

Good post kjones. Seems like some folks just want the freshmen to come in and play right away. Didn't work this year, and it won't work next year or any other year. If Jimmy can improve as much as he did by sitting out and watching two games, just think how Crist would benefit from watching for two years. This is a good thing, and speaks to the health of the program in the coming years.

 

[SoCalDomer]

Can I ask a serious question here?

Are there any other people here who LIKE the idea of Crist coming and sitting on the bench for a few years? Think about Matt Leinhart behind Carson Palmer. He only got 2 years in the sun, and he turned out to be an NFL qb. Things like this are GOOD for the program. They make it stronger and better. I for one will have no problem with Crist coming and doing absolutely nothing until everyone forgets about him, and then coming in as a 4th and 5th year senior and BOOM, instant Heisman caliber QB. Does anyone else hope for things like this, or does everyone just want things now and now please?

I think it would have been beneficial for Jimmy to sit for one year. Ideally, we would have a junior or senior QB who could have done a good enough job to hold the starters spot this year, allowing Clausen to put on some weight, see the games from the sideline, get more familiar with the playbook, and have a mentor besides the coaches.

Same goes for Crist.

 

[johnnd05]

I agree, kjones. People who think that there is going to be a QB battle are being ridiculous. Crist will benefit from sitting for 2-3 years, and he knows it.

 

[Master Guns]

He looked alot better when he had to leave the pocket. His passes looked pretty sharp as well. I'm guessing more than one WR we are recruiting was impressed.

Not to mention those WR's we are recruiting also see how many of our current WR's dropped the friggin ball when it counts and know they may have a shot to crack the line-up next year.

 

[kjones]

Phew, I'm glad you guys agree. Threads like this make me feel like i'm taking crazy pills.

 

[JeremyND07]

JC has all the makings of a good QB but if we can't figure out how to pick up the blitz next year then he is going to end up in a hospital bed. For ND to start getting back to respectability and beyond then they need a great improvement in the O-Line. Plus the defense needs to play a lot better. Look back at the teams that won at ND...they all had two things in common...a ability to RUN the ball and the ability to STOP the run.

Hughs picking up the blitz early was my favorite play of the game btw! We have VERY young RB's who will be MUCH better next year at picking up the blitz! JC looked good but guys Duke is REALLY bad so JC had good games against Duke and Navy...good confidence builders but I have yet to see any natural ability that shows he will be even close to BQ. Even when BQ was a freshmen you saw those flashes of greatness...JC will be a good QB to compliment our run game which will carry us for the next 3-4 years. Sorry just my opinion!

 

[ryno 24]

JC showed a lot of progress. U can not give Crist the job. As i can remember everybody wanted to give JC the job last year with no competition. We actually have a quarterback that is going to bring back the glory. LEts stick with him for at least two more years.

 

[JeremyND07]

I would love to see JC put on about 15-20 punds of muscle this offseason! Improve his arm strength.I do not think he will have to do much the next couple of years with our running backs so I am not too worried about him be just a good QB. Teams win national chamionships with just above average QB's see LSU and Flordia...we just need that crazy defense!

 

[NDFan78]

I didn't think that there was anything to look forward to with these last three games. I think if Clausen could throw another three tds with no ints against Stanford and finish the season with 9 tds and 0 ints, that would be pretty cool.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Can I ask a serious question here?

Are there any other people here who LIKE the idea of Crist coming and sitting on the bench for a few years? Think about Matt Leinhart behind Carson Palmer. He only got 2 years in the sun, and he turned out to be an NFL qb. Things like this are GOOD for the program. They make it stronger and better. I for one will have no problem with Crist coming and doing absolutely nothing until everyone forgets about him, and then coming in as a 4th and 5th year senior and BOOM, instant Heisman caliber QB. Does anyone else hope for things like this, or does everyone just want things now and now please?

Thank you KJones, I thought I'm glad I'm not the only poster thinking this way. Let Crist learn and the system for 2 years and throw him in on some blowouts along the way, and by his junior year, our offense will barely miss a beat. Only thing it will have to overcome is the timing with the WR's and hopefully this will be covered in the summer and spring. Anyways, anybody else impressed with Clausens new found escapability? I think he realized that if he wants to live, then he must use his feet once in awhile!

 

[NDsuperfan09]

Hughs picking up the blitz early was my favorite play of the game btw! We have VERY young RB's who will be MUCH better next year at picking up the blitz! JC looked good but guys Duke is REALLY bad so JC had good games against Duke and Navy...good confidence builders but I have yet to see any natural ability that shows he will be even close to BQ. Even when BQ was a freshmen you saw those flashes of greatness...JC will be a good QB to compliment our run game which will carry us for the next 3-4 years. Sorry just my opinion!

What did you see with BQ as a freshman that you don't see with JC? Clausen has shown flashes of brillance already this season they have just been so few and far between that many cannot acknowledge them. When he gets time to throw he has shown he has the potential to go down as one of the best to ever play QB at Notre Dame. Yeah it was just Duke, and Air Force but those are the same games I saw BQ produce big in the past few years. Clausen IMO is further ahead of BQ as a freshman in almost every aspect other than physical build, and arm strength. He is every bit as accurate as Quinn was as an upperclassmen. He has a quick release, and is showing signs of improvement in every game. The kid has incredible talent, but the deciding factor in him living up to BQ's legacy is what's is going on upstairs. BQ had the mental game of an NFL veteran when he was a QB here. If Clausen has anywhere near that I'm confident in saying that Clausen won't dissappoint anyone except the haters over the next few years.