Imagine 2005 w/o Top 4 Players

[NDinL.A.]

I was just reminded of this. Do you remember the Purdue game in 2005, when we played a helluva game against a very good Purdue team (ranked 20th at the time)? We ate 'em up, scored a ton of points, just rolled them.

Now, imagine that same game without the Shark, Darius Walker, Powers-Neil, and Brady Quinn playing a bit over 1 quarter. How do you think the game would have turned out? Oh, and btw, those guys accounted for our first 5 TD's of the game. (And the backup for Quinn was a stud named David Wolke.)

Obviously, we would have had a helluva time pulling out a win. This points to 2 things:

1) We are waaaayyyyy deeper now than we were then. Great job of recruiting by CW and the coaches.

2) We should be celebrating the win instead of constantly bitching about it. While this Purdue team lost to a weak team last week (trap game), they were this close to beating the #15 team in the nation the week before. They have a stud running back who torched the same Oregon team that just stifled the top RB in the nation. And we did all of this without our top RB, our top FB, our top WR, and basically our top QB, with only a week to prepare. We still scored 24 pts on the road despite all of this.

Is this team BCS worthy? Judging by the entire season of performances, probably not. But we're still in contention, so why not enjoy it? Let the season play out before it's all gloom and doom. If/when we lose...then IMO is the time to bitch. But after a win with most of our studs out? Shoot, I'll take it...

 

[BeatSC]

One week at a time. I'll take the W. I still think we haven't played our best game yet by a mile. We can beat anyone on the schedule. USC beating WSt. at home isn't impressive. Sure like to see AA back for Washington even though the round game worked without him. The pass protection suffered. Still want to see wuick slants over the middle or the bubble screen.

 

[ErickJD08]

I was just reminded of this. Do you remember the Purdue game in 2005, when we played a helluva game against a very good Purdue team (ranked 20th at the time)? We ate 'em up, scored a ton of points, just rolled them.

Now, imagine that same game without the Shark, Darius Walker, Powers-Neil, and Brady Quinn playing a bit over 1 quarter. How do you think the game would have turned out? Oh, and btw, those guys accounted for our first 5 TD's of the game. (And the backup for Quinn was a stud named David Wolke.)

Obviously, we would have had a helluva time pulling out a win. This points to 2 things:

1) We are waaaayyyyy deeper now than we were then. Great job of recruiting by CW and the coaches.

2) We should be celebrating the win instead of constantly bitching about it. While this Purdue team lost to a weak team last week (trap game), they were this close to beating the #15 team in the nation the week before. They have a stud running back who torched the same Oregon team that just stifled the top RB in the nation. And we did all of this without our top RB, our top FB, our top WR, and basically our top QB, with only a week to prepare. We still scored 24 pts on the road despite all of this.

Is this team BCS worthy? Judging by the entire season of performances, probably not. But we're still in contention, so why not enjoy it? Let the season play out before it's all gloom and doom. If/when we lose...then IMO is the time to bitch. But after a win with most of our studs out? Shoot, I'll take it...

Good post... I think we have a shot at becoming BCS caliber this season. I think our defense should improve every week. As long as we win, it gives our guys one more week of experience.

 

[domerfor life]

I don't understand the bitching about this win. We had 3 starters out and a hobbled QB. Allen is tied for 15th in the nation, Floyd was 2nd in the nation, and Aldridge is a key cog in the wheel as well. It was a recipe for disaster, but ND found a way to win. I'll take it. 3-1 w/ issues is better than 2-2 w/ issues anyday.

 

[TDHeysus]

...Now, imagine that same game without the Shark, Darius Walker, Powers-Neil, and Brady Quinn playing a bit over 1 quarter. How do you think the game would have turned out? ...

I know its a hypothetical but it all would have been all of Weis' fault; even tho he didnt recruit those players, its his fault why those recruits agreed to come to ND. its his fault they were on the field, therefore its his fault they got hurt. Its all weis' fault, he needed to be fired then, and he needs to be fired now. weis needs to be fired, and all the players need to be fired too. the admin at Notre Dame? fire them too. they ok'd the weis hiring, right? fire them

anyone associated with weis on any lvl whatsoever should be fired. I liked weis alot after the bush push game, i'm firing myself for that....

FIRE WEIS!!!!!

 

[We_Are_ND]

lol I laughed harrrrd. Fire me.

 

[TDHeysus]

your done fella!! get your checks, your FIRED!!!!

 

[Riddickulous]

Not to mention Clausen, Allen, Aldridge, and Floyd are all better than Quinn, Walker, Powers-Neal, and Samardzija.

Altogether, a pretty nice post.

 

[WabashFalcon]

I like it brother.... Reps.

 

[jason_h537]

I don't like this thread. It makes me think Weis actually did a good job but that can't be because he is the worst coach ever and can not win close games

 

[tgolden]

I agree with the premise. Keep in mind though that going into 2005, McKnight was the best returning receiver. McKnight was no where near Floyd level, but it would be great to have someone step up like Samardjiza did when Rhema was lost for the season. We do have way more depth overall than we had in 2005 though...

That being said, the defense wasn't missing any starters, and they still had way too many missed tackles and blown coverages. and having so many illegal formations, etc should not be excused because some guys are hurt. Kamara is a junior, it's not like he is brand new to the system.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I agree with the premise. Keep in mind though that going into 2005, McKnight was the best returning receiver. McKnight was no where near Floyd level, but it would be great to have someone step up like Samardjiza did when Rhema was lost for the season. We do have way more depth overall than we had in 2005 though...

That being said, the defense wasn't missing any starters, and they still had way too many missed tackles and blown coverages. and having so many illegal formations, etc should not be excused because some guys are hurt. Kamara is a junior, it's not like he is brand new to the system.

I'm no Kamara fan, but I have to defend him here. Coaches looked over the tape, and one of the illegal procedures was questionable at best, and the other one was just a flat-out blown call.

And the defense, while frustrating as hell to watch, did hold Purdon't to far under their season average, and held them way better than Oregon did, the same Oregon team that stifled the 6th ranked team and the leading Heisman candidate. I still tell people our defense sucks, but I did see major improvement from the D-line, which is badly needed. Trying to find positives in the defense can be tough LOL, but there is a bright side...

 

[tgolden]

I didn't mean to put it all on Kamara, I just know that's who they called it on. I was at the game and haven't had time to watch the whole game on tape yet, just parts of it. I thought they called it 3 times though, don't remember who the last one was on... Kamara still needs to quit trying to catch with his body though.

I still think the D will be fine. The D had spurts of being really good.... but my God that last TD was ugly. But you are right, they held them to 3 TDs and low rushing yards which I guess isn't completely awful, it just seemed that way at the time.