Tweet from Mama Lynch

[Rhode Irish]

I opened this thread ready to scold people for still posting in it. After reading the latest I still really have a hard time envisioning this thing ending with Lynch in an Irish uniform, but holy hell is this the strangest, most winding saga I've ever seen as a sports fan. If, somehow, this ends with him at ND when all the smoke clears it wouldn't completely shock me. At this point, how could it?

 

[Wizzle32]

Brian Hamilton ‏ @ChiTribHamilton Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Elaborating: At some point, you stop bending over backwards for a player who isn't all-in. You don't send in Justin Tuck. You move on.

 

[NDMontana]

Because the schools flat out don't care about the kids once they're done with football. They just want to keep them eligible, they take easy classes and get incompletes in the few tough classes and once their eligibility runs out and the kid is 30 credits short nobody cares.

Well, I knew a bunch of guys who played NAIA and even at that level, where perhaps one out of every 500 players might get an NFL try out, you'd be astounded by the guys who quit school as soon as football is over their senior year. These guys are one semester short of a degree--four-and-a-half months--and they quit. They don't even understand the value of a degree, even if they don't intend to use it.

If that's going on that the NAIA level, where these guys know they have no shot at the NFL and are signing on to play four more years of slightly above high school level football, can you imagine at the larger schools where so many guys think they might make the NFL and, for those whom making the NFL is the only reason they step foot on a college campus, when it becomes apparent that they can't, just figure they might as well spend another few years getting crazzy a** and playing football??

The real question is how these teams get so many professors to go along with giving these kinds of kids passing grades in order to maintain eligibility.

 

[phork]

Did anyone explain to Mr. Lynch that we have a 100% Black Graduation Rate AND an ND degree is worth more over a career than most schools?

 

[Wizzle32]

Did anyone explain to Mr. Lynch that we have a 100% Black Graduation Rate AND an ND degree is worth more over a career than most schools?/QUOTE]

Justin Tuck

 

[Buster Bluth]

Anyone who thinks that Brian Kelly wouldn't take Aaron Lynch back is sadly mistaken.

Anyone who isn't deep down hoping that Aaron Lynch spends a little time at the grotto and changes his mind, is an ignorant fool.

It's not over until it's over. His mother certainly feels that way.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Brian Hamilton ‏ @ChiTribHamilton Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Elaborating: At some point, you stop bending over backwards for a player who isn't all-in. You don't send in Justin Tuck. You move on.

Totally agree. One shouldn't have to ever send in Justin Tuck to convince a player to stay at the University of Notre Dame. Either he's committed or he's not, and he's not committed. Is it a huge mistake? Probably, but at some point we have to stop holding his hand! I'm not sure what his reasons are, but to walk away from a ND degree that is fully paid for is painfully stupid. I really hope he's not leaving because of his gf. That's even dumber.

 

[condoms SUCk]

Anyone who thinks that Brian Kelly wouldn't take Aaron Lynch back is sadly mistaken.

Anyone who isn't deep down hoping that Aaron Lynch spends a little time at the grotto and changes his mind, is an ignorant fool.

It's not over until it's over. His mother certainly feels that way.

I agree Buster, I feel that this is the same situation as MF, The University of Notre Dame is more than football, it is about helping students achieving a high level of excellence in education and obtaining a degree that most in this country would do almost anything to obtain. Notre Dame is more than just a school; it is what college athletics is supposed to be about. I'm sorry redemption is part of what Notre Dame stands for and a main stay of our foundation. To say, (just let AL go b/c he quit the team) to me is asinine and we as a University fail at our true calling. Which is to educate the youth that walk among our walls that set us apart from the other (so called) “Universities”? EVERYONE deserves a second chance and that is the main point to REDEMPTION!!! Sorry to get religious on you, but WE are a RELIGUOUS institution should uphold second chances which are a foundation of our institution.

 

[ThePiombino]

Well now.

@alicelynch1: @JustinTuckNYG91 Please go to Zahm Hall and tell my son Aaron what a bad decision he is making by leaving ND. Thank you

Wow- I would be pissed if my mom aired my dirty laundry out in the Twitterverse for all to see. I like Alice and what she's trying to do for her son, but at the end of the day, this sh*T needs to stay in the family as much as possible.

Football aside, He pretty much chose his girlfriend over his mom and a real degree not surprised she is pissed

He's never coming back for the ppl hanging on to a thread, he quit the team BK won't allow him back IMO

I think that if BK had the feeling he would be back for good (i.e. 2 more years), he would. That said, I highly doubt it even becomes a conversation.

 

[DomeLover3]

Anyone know if Tuck actually went to Aaron?

 

[enrico514]

Anyone who thinks that Brian Kelly wouldn't take Aaron Lynch back is sadly mistaken.

Anyone who isn't deep down hoping that Aaron Lynch spends a little time at the grotto and changes his mind, is an ignorant fool.

It's not over until it's over. His mother certainly feels that way.

This!

I'm sure BK would take him back but the AL sagas just show to me how hard he must be to coach.

If I was his gf I would much rather have him in South Bend than at any Florida school. If she was smart she would keep him away from the competition as much as possible.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

My thoughts on the whole situation are as follows:

-AL has backed out of his commitment to ND twice now. That tells me 1) He's not completely convinced he wants to be at ND 2) He's very impressionable.

-BK made it clear in Floyd's case that he is not willing to quit on a player who truly wants to be at ND. IF a situation arises where AL changes his mind, I'm sure BK will accept his return to the team but only under certain circumstances. I can't see BK turning a blind shoulder to the kid, but I also can't see him just allowing this circus to continue.

With that said, it's hard to say what AL will do. As mentioned earlier, he's clearly an impressionable kid, so another change of heart (to stick it out at ND) is not completely out of the question. Unlikely, but never impossible. If it happens, great. I hope he sticks it out and takes advantage of every opportunity given to him. If not, then best wishes. I'll still be a fan of his.

 

[OCIrish]

I know its been a crazy ride in this chapter of Aaron's life not only for his family, but obviously all of us who cheer on the Irish. I would hope BK would allow him to return if he truly wants to be here. I certainly don't blame Alice for wanting what's best for her son, as she "gets" the value of a ND degree and what it will do for Aaron after his football career is over with. If that's having Justin Tuck show up in South Bend, then so be it. Some kids, when it comes time for college, can't wait to get out and see the world, others need a little more nurturing with some more adult help, not everybody is ready for life changing events at the same pace as others.....good luck to Alice and the rest of the Lynch family in what decisions that lay ahead for them.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I'm pretty sure Alice reached out to Justin because he's an honorary captain for the BG game. He'll be on campus to speak to the team sometime Today...so she probably figured she'd give it a try. Just to clarify for anyone who didn't know that already...but I don't believe she would've done that if he wasn't already coming to SB.

 

[irishff1014]

So its ok to bring back a quitter? No it isn't he quit the team it is pretty obvious that he doesn't want to be here so just let this go.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
When we all step back and take a real look at this situation, you have to feel for Aaron's mom. I believe she is seeing right to the heart of this issue and also fully understands the gravity of this situation. She knows her son will get a first class degree at ND. Further, she knows he will be playing ball with several future NFL players, which gives her son a better chance at succeeding on the field. He has decided to toss all that aside and roll the dice.

People may say, what dice is he rolling?? Well, ponder this. I am not saying that myself or ANY ND fan would want this to happen, but it could. Aaron is going to walk away from ND and must take a year off playing ball. What happens if he injures himself while training?? Can you only imagine if he blows up a knee, hurts his back or wrecks a shoulder while training to stay in shape?? Now he is another kid with a high school education and possibly NO college degree depending on what USF decides to do.

Most likely, Aaron will stay healthy and be a top NFL prospect in a couple years, but if he happened to get injured before playing at USF he could be in a bad spot. I believe Aaron's mom realizes that the ND degreee is a HUGE deal and hopes her son has one more flip back to ND.

In the end, Mama Lynch, we all wish you and your son the best. Being a parent myself, I know how tough each day can be. I rememeber a saying I was told back in my college days. "When I was 18 I knew everything and by the time I was 25 I realized I did not know sh$#".

That is the biggest challenge with dealing with all these kids. They believe they have the world figured out and yet they only see a short distance in front of them. Furrther, most of these elite kids have never heard the word "NO". Why?? Because every coach, recruiter, friend and schoolmate wanted these kids on their side since they were very young.

 

[IrishLax]

Anyone who thinks that Brian Kelly wouldn't take Aaron Lynch back is sadly mistaken.

Anyone who isn't deep down hoping that Aaron Lynch spends a little time at the grotto and changes his mind, is an ignorant fool.

It's not over until it's over. His mother certainly feels that way.

Sorry Buster, I completely disagree with all of this. If he's not committed and all in; then I promise you there are a lot of players who don't want him back and I really doubt BK is losing any sleep over it. The only way I'd see him being welcomed back is if he crawled back on his hands and knees and apologized and then had a complete attitude change.... and that isn't going to happen.

I mean seriously, what does Aaron actually bring to this team? He's the most talented pass rushing defensive end. If we ran a 4-3, he'd be our best player on the DL by far. He'd be completely vital to our defense. But because we don't, I doubt he was even going to start this year over KLM or Tuitt who are more prototypical 3-4 DEs. He'd play in a rotation and make a big impact on passing downs but that's it. That's a big part of the issue... he wasn't enjoying what he was being asked to do on defense.

I think what's done is done. On one hand you have ND selling an education and being a part of this defense for 2 more years before going pro. On the other hand you have a South Florida education, warm weather, and a 4-3. Aaron wants to do Aaron. It's about him, not being part of a team trying to win a national championship. It's Shamel Bratton 2.0... and I think we're kidding ourselves to think BK would welcome back a kid to the TEAM who had a bad attitude towards everything before he quit (read: was no longer enjoying football by all accounts) and is only with doing what makes himself happy.

I don't fault someone for making selfish choice, ultimately you have to look out for yourself. But why would you ever want that person back on your team? Put yourself in the coach's shoes.

 

[RDU Irish]

Well now.

@alicelynch1: @JustinTuckNYG91 Please go to Zahm Hall and tell my son Aaron what a bad decision he is making by leaving ND. Thank you

Well sh!t, I probably would have wanted to transfer if I got stuck in Zahm too. Amazing how admin can stick the biggest pack of tools from every class in that dorm.

 

[ab2cmiller]

It looks like Alice deleted her twitter account. I get the message "this user does not exist" when clicking on her name in other persons tweets.

 

[BobD]

This is just me guessing, Aaron might not have the option to stay. If I were BK, I wouldn't want to keep going through this cr@p. I believe he has burned some bridges with the coaches and the team. Like I said...just me guessing?

Anyone who thinks that Brian Kelly wouldn't take Aaron Lynch back is sadly mistaken.

Anyone who isn't deep down hoping that Aaron Lynch spends a little time at the grotto and changes his mind, is an ignorant fool.

It's not over until it's over. His mother certainly feels that way.

Anyone who speculates differently than my speculation is a poop head.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I agree with the majority of your post LAX, but isn't there a stat somewhere that stated the coaches ran a 4-3 a lot more than people realized last year? Wasn't he the team leader in sacks, hurries, and knock downs...along with 33 tackles? You can't dismiss that kind of production just because ND runs a 3-4 and has prototypical ends for that scheme. The kid is good regardless and he's a huge loss to this defense.

With that said though, you're right, he needs to choose what's best for him. You can't make someone stay. And if he comes back, he'll need to really prove that he's all in, because the coaches and team have probably already moved on.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Sorry Buster, I completely disagree with all of this. If he's not committed and all in; then I promise you there are a lot of players who don't want him back and I really doubt BK is losing any sleep over it. The only way I'd see him being welcomed back is if he crawled back on his hands and knees and apologized and then had a complete attitude change.... and that isn't going to happen.

I mean seriously, what does Aaron actually bring to this team? He's the most talented pass rushing defensive end. If we ran a 4-3, he'd be our best player on the DL by far. He'd be completely vital to our defense. But because we don't, I doubt he was even going to start this year over KLM or Tuitt who are more prototypical 3-4 DEs. He'd play in a rotation and make a big impact on passing downs but that's it. That's a big part of the issue... he wasn't enjoying what he was being asked to do on defense.

I think what's done is done. On one hand you have ND selling an education and being a part of this defense for 2 more years before going pro. On the other hand you have a South Florida education, warm weather, and a 4-3. Aaron wants to do Aaron. It's about him, not being part of a team trying to win a national championship. It's Shamel Bratton 2.0... and I think we're kidding ourselves to think BK would welcome back a kid to the TEAM who had a bad attitude towards everything before he quit (read: was no longer enjoying football by all accounts) and is only with doing what makes himself happy.

I don't fault someone for making selfish choice, ultimately you have to look out for yourself. But why would you ever want that person back on your team? Put yourself in the coach's shoes.

I strongly disagree with any notion that he wouldn't start, or that he wouldn't have been an extreme asset to this defense. Yeah we know, the DL in the 3-4 or mostly just mammoth space eaters, but still. The guy has one of the quickest first steps in all of football; you can't teach that.

I did not say that BK would bring him back with open arms and immediately start anew. That will not happen. But there is definitely a path back onto this team, and there is no way BK isn't secretly rooting for Lynch to come to his sense.

Lynch didn't do anything egregious other than be a frustrated 19-year old kid who let it get the best of him. He didn't busted doing drugs, he didn't steal anything, he didn't get a DUI, he didn't get accused of sexual assault.....he hated rural South Bend and missed the love of his life. I think that's forgivable. Alcohol make Floyd make a stupid decision, love made Lynch do one.

I think, with having played lacrosse at Notre Dame, the thought of anyone turning their back and not being "all in" for Our Lady must disgust you. But as a Catholic university, Notre Dame will certainly be about forgiveness and there will definitely be a way to forgive Lynch and welcome him back after a series of steps in which he would show that he really wants to be here. I'm not even claiming he can do that, but the path will be there.

Now I can't gauge Lynch's desire to stay, but I would bet it's higher than we think. I doubt he mans up and asks BK if there's anything he can do to stay, but I'm saying there's a chance and that we should be hoping for it.

 

[IrishLax]

I agree with the majority of your post LAX, but isn't there a stat somewhere that stated the coaches ran a 4-3 a lot more than people realized last year? Wasn't he the team leader in sacks, hurries, and knock downs...along with 33 tackles? You can't dismiss that kind of production just because ND runs a 3-4 and has prototypical ends for that scheme. The kid is good regardless and he's a huge loss to this defense.

Yes, and that's kinda the point I was trying to make. We gave the 4 man look quite often and Lynch was extremely effective lining up both inside and outside in that front. He would have been a huge impact player on passing downs. It's hard to put a number on just how frequently we show that front because the nature of a 3-4 is amorphous... but we did quite a bit. That's why I say he'd have a huge impact as our best pass rushing DL; but it would still be for only... what?... 50% of the total snaps in a game?

One of the things not being talked about right now is that as much as people cite homesickness.... his unhappiness with his role in the defense and the defensive scheme was also a huge contributing factor. He wasn't OK with being asked to play fundamentally sound and eat up blockers... and wasn't as good at it as Tuitt or KLM.

With that said though, you're right, he needs to choose what's best for him. You can't make someone stay. And if he comes back, he'll need to really prove that he's all in, because the coaches and team have probably already moved on.

Yeah, exactly. If BK wanted him to stay at ND he could've simply pandered to him and recruited him to stay. But he didn't. Aaron is simply not going to wake up one morning and decide "you know what, I'm actually ready to buy in and be a team player and do what the coaches ask with a good attitude. And I should really go apologize to everyone for being a prima donna." That's what it would take to get back on this team and I really don't see it happening.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

...
I mean seriously, what does Aaron actually bring to this team?...

Athleticism, competitiveness, and a nasty streak not seen in quite some time. He would allow Tuitt to be blocked one on one..as well as other DLinemen. He would reduce the number of potential receivers because a TE would have to chip or a RB would have to double team him. His presence would alter the offensive gameplans of the opposing team just to account for him. We saw that last year as a freshman...good god and he still dominated. If you go back and watch the MSU game, his presence was the determining factor.

We need Aaron. I wish he realizes that he needs us as well, because he really does.

 

[IrishLax]

I strongly disagree with any notion that he wouldn't start, or that he wouldn't have been an extreme asset to this defense. Yeah we know, the DL in the 3-4 or mostly just mammoth space eaters, but still. The guy has one of the quickest fist steps in all of football; you can't teach that.

Right, and I agree with all of that. He would have a very big impact. Just wouldn't be an every-down player like someone like Tuitt has potential to be. His body type just doesn't fit what an every-down player would be asked to do and that's what I was trying to say. But we're on the same page... he'd be a huge asset to the team, especially going up against the USCs and Oklahomas on our schedule with high octane passing attacks. There are a reason pass rushing DEs are drafted so high in the NFL.

I did not say that BK would bring him back with open arms and immediately start anew. That will not happen. But there is definitely a path back onto this team, and there is no way BK isn't secretly rooting for Lynch to come to his sense.

If by this you mean BK is secretly rooting that Lynch, as I said above, does a complete 180 on his attitude and everything else then, I agree. But under the assumption that attitudes don't change like that, I don't think BK is rooting for him to come back. He could've kept him on this team if he had wanted... all he had to do was pander a little. He opted not to.

Lynch didn't do anything egregious other than be a frustrated 19-year old kid who let it get the best of him. He didn't do drugs, he didn't steal anything, he didn't get a DUI, he didn't get accused of sexual assault.....he hated rural South Bend and missed the love of his life. I think that's forgivable. Alcohol make Floyd make a stupid decision, love made Lynch do one. But as a Catholic university, there will definitely be a way to forgive Lynch and welcome him back after a series of steps in which he would show that he really wants to be here.

Now I can't gauge Lynch's desire to stay, but I would bet it's higher than we think. I doubt he mans up and asks BK if there's anything he can do to stay, but I'm saying there's a chance and that we should be hoping for it.

The part I bolded is only about 10% of why he is leaving. There is a very large football aspect of the decision. And I think that's why you and I don't see eye to eye here. If it was just Lynch deciding to make some different personal life choices, I'd totally agree with everything your saying. But there are football aspects that are a really big part of his decision; I think that's going to be the part where it's very unlikely he adjusts his outlook on things.

 

[IrishLax]

Athleticism, competitiveness, and a nasty streak not seen in quite some time.

Personal fouls, poor gap defense, bad technique, ....

I'm not trying to diminish his potential or impact. I'm trying to make people realize his value comes strictly in passing situations. In running situations, we have better DEs on our roster.

We need Aaron. I wish he realizes that he needs us as well, because he really does.

He doesn't need us. He can go to Houston or Hawai'i or any school that runs a 4-3 and go to the NFL. We need him a lot more than he needs us; and BK still opted not to pander to him. What does that tell you?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

For the people who hate this thread, I beg you not to step foot in the 4HL anytime soon. Threads are piled on each other, all saying stuff like:

"Staff: Any update on Lynch?"

"Hey Pete: Hear anything about Lynch yet?"

"Is Lynch still on campus?"

"Lynch's mom tweet"

"Did Tuck go visit?"

"Staff: Did Tuck talk to Lynch yet?"

"Staff: is Lynch really leaving?"

"Lynch to USF: Boyd confirmed on twitter"

"Staff: Its been 5 minutes, why you no update?"

 

[ab2cmiller]

This message is for Alice:

I have no clue if you continue to visit IE or not but I just wanted to say that I'm praying for you. I'm praying that you can find peace in the midst of all the turmoil. I know you love ND and recognize the importance of an ND degree. You have sacrificed and done everything humanly possible so that Aaron could succeed at ND. However, sometimes our kids don't make wise choices and as our kids get older we definitely can't "make them" do anything. To many times I have spent countless hours worrying about things that I can't control with many times having sleepless nights. I pray that you can find peace in God's arms. He loves you and Aaron and cares about everything you care about. Even if this doesn't turn out the way we want, trust God that he has a plan that he will use this for good and ultimately for his glory.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

 

[BobD]

^Well said Sir!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

What LAX is trying to say, and I agree completely...if ND runs a 4-3 50% of the time and a 3-4 the other...Aaron will be on the bench during the 3-4 situations. That's not ok with Aaron, so he's choosing to leave. (Obviously there's room for improvement and he could've gotten better at rush defense, but the reality is, KLM and Tuitt are better suited for that and AL probably wouldn't play ahead of them in those situations).

Perhaps another angle that should be taken is this:

Aaron's departure causes our pass defense to take a step back. The bigger picture is it's not just a problem w/ the DL now, it's the secondary as well. With their lack of talent and experience, they'll get eaten alive w/o some ferocious DE's getting after the QB. I hope this isn't the case, but it's hard to argue any other way when you lose the leader in sacks, hurries, and knockdowns.