I.E.'s Annual Pre-Opening Game Night Chat Thread

[NDinL.A.]

So 5 years ago, I got to know another IE member, GOIrish!, through this late night thread someone started in anticipation of the season opener. We tossed a few back, and dissected the team, the season, why and how we became fans, and eventually just life in general. And it became a yearly thing. (And now we know each other very well and we've hung out outside of IE a few times, and he'll be my wife and I's first guest in our new SB house when he comes up for the Wake Forest game - and all this out of a random late night chat 5 yrs ago. And no homo LOL).

Unfortunately, this is the 1st year I am 3 hours ahead of GoIrish, so by the time he gets back from dinner with his wife, I'll probably be knocked out after a long week with not enough sleep. But hey, we have to keep tradition going, so I can start it and hopefully everyone else can keep it going!

So, with cold Corona in hand, here's my main talking points:

1. Incredibly excited to watch our new MOBILE qb. It's the type of QB this system needs, and damn, it'll just be fun to watch!!! I fully expect him to make a ton of mistakes, and I'll probably be foolishly calling for Hendrix at some points during the 1st 4 games, but still, this is an exciting time for Irish fans.
2. Gotta enjoy Manti while he's still here...players like him don't come along very often.
3. Can't wait to see the young receivers.
4. On a personal note, you gotta love small town housing prices! My wife and I just bought a house in SB that has 4 times the space (and is much nicer) inside and 4 1/2 times the square footage outside in a fantastic neighborhood as we did in the L.A. area, for a little over half the price. Insane. I would have died for that much space to play as a kid.

Can't wait for the game...GO Irish!!!

 

[peoriairish]

Agree with all your points. Here is a link to support your Midwest vs. LA housing market. Its absurd.

Los Angeles real estate prices are fubar (24 photos) : : theCHIVE

Another thing I am going to be watching throughout the season is the O-Line. We on this website have been touting them as one of the best in the country. I want to see how they stack up against all these top team we are playing against. I know we went the 6 (?) games in a row last season without a sack, but that was against the likes of BC and Wake. I think they are special, and I just want to see them show the rest of the world.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Agree with all your points. Here is a link to support your Midwest vs. LA housing market. Its absurd.

Los Angeles real estate prices are fubar (24 photos) : : theCHIVE

Another thing I am going to be watching throughout the season is the O-Line. We on this website have been touting them as one of the best in the country. I want to see how they stack up against all these top team we are playing against. I know we went the 6 (?) games in a row last season without a sack, but that was against the likes of BC and Wake. I think they are special, and I just want to see them show the rest of the world.

Yeah, O-line play will be huge! From everything I've read (and seen after the practices), these linemen LOVE their new coach and have an incredible brotherly bond, that I think will help on the field. I think Warriner did a very good job last year, but I think Heistand is a grand slam hire in that the players will run through a wall for him, and that they seem to be the toughest group of SOBs we've seen on the line since the Joe Moore days. Let's hope they prove it on the field. Cheers!!!

 

[NDTH91]

Welcome to the Golson era.

Welcome to the Golson era.

I love the "tradition" behind this thread haha good stuff.

I too am really really excited to have a mobile quarterback once again. I've always been a fan (who hasn't?) of the option and fast quarterbacks in general. I too expect to see lots of bad from Golson (or Gholston for those who STILL haven't figured out how to spell our starter's name), but I think the bad will be outweighed by the good, and I'm going to be patient with him.

I'm also super excited for the youngsters. Not because they're youngsters, but because they have SPEED! I'm expecting to be wowed a few times.

All in all I just couldn't be more excited for the season to start! I've just been freaking out and thinking/reading about Notre Dame all day long. We're so close! Here comes the insane roller coaster of emotion!!!

 

[UmphreakDomer]

LA--i grew up in niles, about 8 miles north of you. love the area.
dont know if youre still looking for a place to catch the game tomorrow. i tried sending you a PM but i dont think it ever went through.
anyway--check out Macri's in toscana park. they'll be doing a bloody bar and mimosas on special. and the godfather sandwich is amazing (might be a little early for it)

as for me--i agree with all of your points. i'd add, specifically, neal on PR. cannot wait to watch a little shake n bake back there again.

if you have any questions about the area--feel free.

 

[Grahambo]

Can't stay up to late but I feel like I would be missing out on a great tradition. (I have work tomorrow. Gotta be up 4AM EST)

I want to see this team give it every single ounce of sweat and blood they can game in and game out, regardless of opponent.

Play physical. Play smart. Play physically smart. If they can look at one another and know without saying a word that they gave their all, that's all I ask for.

Fight. Never surrender and never give in. Fight some more and let the guy across from you know that you are going to hit him on every single play, all night long. Do it not for yourself, not for glory, not for the fans and not for the coaches but do it for each other.

You want respect, you want the love, you want the title...go get it!

(Oh yeah, limit the turnovers and stupid penalties and this season should be a great one.)

 

[dudesthisisthebest]

Can't wait to see the read option have more than one option. Let's see this run game get goin!

 

[NDTH91]

Play physical. Play smart. Play physically smart. If they can look at one another and know without saying a word that they gave their all, that's all I ask for.

Fight. Never surrender and never give in. Fight some more and let the guy across from you know that you are going to hit him on every single play, all night long. Do it not for yourself, not for glory, not for the fans and not for the coaches but do it for each other.

You want respect, you want the love, you want the title...go get it!

YEAHHHH!!!! Good battle speech!

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Bennett Jackson will be the key to the season.

 

[obi wan mahoney]

Just excited! We are a fe hours away!

 

[pkt77242]

Drinking an Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA.

I can't wait to see our DL dominate and to see how our CB's do (yes Navy doesn't pass much, but if we can't cover Navy's WR's we are in trouble). Also I want to see Ishaq and Councell at OLB.

 

[stlnd01]

I too expect to see lots of bad from Golson (or Gholston for those who STILL haven't figured out how to spell our starter's name), but I think the bad will be outweighed by the good, and I'm going to be patient with him.

Ha. Gholston. Didn't he play LB for Michigan State? The latest in a long line with Hendricks, Reese, Christ, Claussen, etc.. It drives me crazy. These names aren't that hard, people.

But, to the point. I don't expect this will be a "great" year, but I think it'll be a year when we watch a lot of young players grow up a lot, and that's always good to see. If we can do that and beat a couple of good teams and play a couple of other very good teams close, I'll be confident we're heading in the right direction.

 

[pkt77242]

Bennett Jackson will be the key to the season.

Oddly, I think the other CB (Russell or whoever mans it) will be the key. I expect Jackson to be at least solid if not better but the KR or whoever else ends up there are complete unknowns.

 

[NDinL.A.]

LA--i grew up in niles, about 8 miles north of you. love the area.
dont know if youre still looking for a place to catch the game tomorrow. i tried sending you a PM but i dont think it ever went through.
anyway--check out Macri's in toscana park. they'll be doing a bloody bar and mimosas on special. and the godfather sandwich is amazing (might be a little early for it)

as for me--i agree with all of your points. i'd add, specifically, neal on PR. cannot wait to watch a little shake n bake back there again.

if you have any questions about the area--feel free.

Thanks for the info bro! I found an outdoor soccer league in Berrian Springs, so I drive past Niles every Sunday. I'm still looking for the "Home of Kate Upton" billboard to pop up on the highway!

As for Macri's, is that the one in Mishawaka? If so, they're not opening until 9. I plan on being 2 drinks deep by then LOL. I'm debating between The Tilted Kilt, Corby's, Mulligan's, and Brother's. Someone I just met recently is supposed to text me in the morning where he'll be, but if he doesnt text early enough, I'm just gonna hope I get lucky and choose a cool spot. Cheers!

 

[West Coast Domer]

I am excited to see the ways that Coach Martin and Coach Kelly try to get the ball in the hands of GAIII and let him have a big role this year in the offense

 

[smcdonald5]

I like the thought of this tradition. I lurk on here and post from time to time but I'm a long time ND fan from Cincinnati. I'm a student at UC so I also am a Bearcat fan. When BK was at UC he had Pike which is a totally different type of QB but we did see Collaros with BK and while part of his major success was that people don't know enough about him, he was still very successful with the read option. Golson is a dynamic athlete and is the perfect QB for BK's system and I can't wait to see him grow in the offense. Sure there will be growing pains but he will make some great plays every game. So I definitely can't wait to see that.

I'm always excited to see two of the best in the country at their positions in T'eo and Eifert. I'm pumped that the game is at 9:00 AM so I don't have to wait around when I wake up. I'll be popping the tap on my first beer right at 9, should be a long day! Here's to hoping for a long GREAT day and an Irish opening win. CHEERS!!

 

[Black Irish]

I just want to see the Irish putting it all together from the jump. They don't have to be perfect, but seeing a dynamic O, a mean and stingy D, and special teams with some spark ain't too much to ask from the first game. Oh yeah, and don't freakin' lose to an inferior team.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Just excited! We are a fe hours away!

AGREED, I am very excited (just like every season)... I'd love to get into a deep, involved conversation with all the great people in this thread but i doubt i'd stop at a decent time. I'd hate to be restless and sleep through my alarm clock for kick-off...

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Thanks for the info bro! I found an outdoor soccer league in Berrian Springs, so I drive past Niles every Sunday. I'm still looking for the "Home of Kate Upton" billboard to pop up on the highway!

As for Macri's, is that the one in Mishawaka? If so, they're not opening until 9. I plan on being 2 drinks deep by then LOL. I'm debating between The Tilted Kilt, Corby's, Mulligan's, and Brother's. Someone I just met recently is supposed to text me in the morning where he'll be, but if he doesnt text early enough, I'm just gonna hope I get lucky and choose a cool spot. Cheers!

Corby's is awesome. its in "Rudy" for chrissake! my mom went out of town for the weekend i asked my dad what he was up to, he said, "im on my second one at the tilted kilt!"
Go get 'em dad! lol!
and yes, macris in mishawaka--i think its technically granger, but yeah, like main street and ironwood. even if you dont go this weekend, its a great spot. im sure the wife would enjoy it too. they have different rooms--so they have a theatre/sports bar room, a martini bar, nice patio. its great food and good times.

berrian springs is a cool town. you gotta love st. joe. silver beach pizza is a great place. and clancys.

good luck on you plans for tomorrow! regardless, you'll have the irish on the box for the first time in 8 months! WE ARE!!

 

[Fbolt]

It's Saturday morning here and still I have to wait.

Looking fwd to seeing (or hearing) the Irish start the season off right with a W against Navy. For this game, I'm looking for minimal Golson mistakes, solid CB play, Manti crushing someone, and a PR of positive yards.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I hate night names. Love waking up and being able to see the game right away.

Breakfast: organic bacon, organic eggs, and bloodies. Wife is going to cook it up. Night, going to Michigan bar with Michigan friends. My wife went App State for grad degree. Wearing App State jersey, shorts, hat, and socks.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I hate night names. Love waking up and being able to see the game right away.

Breakfast: organic bacon, organic eggs, and bloodies. Wife is going to cook it up. Night, going to Michigan bar with Michigan friends. My wife went App State for grad degree. Wearing App State jersey, shorts, hat, and socks.

i have the alarm set for 7. bloody mary by 710. baileys and coffee for breakfast, for which we will be serving:
biscuits and sausage gravy
sausage and egg souffle
cinnibons
bacon
toast
mimosas

guiness for the game

already have the crockpot going for the second half:
italian beef sandwiches with melted mozzarel on toasted hoagie rolls

for the michigan game (girlfriend is a michigan fan--i know--go figure)
lite appy's:
souprassada, provolone, cheese spreads, crackers, grapes and strawberries.

its going to be a great day.

 

[irishdiehard]

Thanks for the info bro! I found an outdoor soccer league in Berrian Springs, so I drive past Niles every Sunday. I'm still looking for the "Home of Kate Upton" billboard to pop up on the highway!

As for Macri's, is that the one in Mishawaka? If so, they're not opening until 9. I plan on being 2 drinks deep by then LOL. I'm debating between The Tilted Kilt, Corby's, Mulligan's, and Brother's. Someone I just met recently is supposed to text me in the morning where he'll be, but if he doesnt text early enough, I'm just gonna hope I get lucky and choose a cool spot. Cheers!

I'm in town from Boston visiting family and planning on going to Mulligan's (they are supposed to have a breakfast buffet and WAOR radio station there) but I think those all should be good options.

 

[Junkhead]

and yes, macris in mishawaka--i think its technically granger, but yeah, like main street and ironwood.

Main and Gumwood actually if anyone is heading there.

 

[Rudy89]

Hoping to be able to watch the game tommorow. My fiance and I have a rare saturday off together so we might do something together since she prolly doesnt want to huddle around my computer screen to watch a game she isnt a super huge fan of. I am excited to see Golson play this year and Im hoping that Manti can get wins over UM and Stanford this year so he can at least have beaten all of our big rivals at least once.

Ive been so out of the irish loop this offseason. Been helping my mother who had two major neck surgeries at the end of 2011 and then one at the begining of 2012. Thank the Lord she's no longer living in pain but because she wasnt at her job for 90 days she got let go after her 1sy surgery so she's looking for a new job which is a struggle but we are doing so much better than we were a year ago at this time.

Ive moved in with the woman of my dreams over the summer and Im looking to finish school this spring and go out and get a real job. I think being in this position has made me more optimistic than I would normally be for the football season. Dont get me wrong Ive still got the butterflies (especially since I only read yesterday about Cierre's suspension) but I truly think we will be alright. Hope to start the season on the right foot this year and have a great season of Irish football to go along with such a great year for me personally. Enjoy the season guys and GO IRISH!!!

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Main and Gumwood actually if anyone is heading there.

ah yes. its been awhile--lol!

 

[Black Irish]

Got to convince myself to stop drinking tonight so I can get a little sleep and continue drinking tomorrow

 

[AllGoldEverything]

I know that this will be Golsons first start but I wanna see if our offense gets the no huddle fast tempo going. I have been waiting to see it move quick and effecient down the field since kelly got here.

 

[Irish4Life09]

I'm glad we've started a tradition like this.
I personally am currently performing my normal ritual for the night before game #1 by watching Rudy for the millionth time.
I am really looking forward to this season.
I just hope most of us can cut Golson some slack. He is going to make normal mistakes, but as long as we can cut down on them I think we will be fine. We have a very solid defense that will keep us in games against tough teams.Combine that with solid offensive play and we might surprise some people.
I am holding out hope for a 9-4 season, but think 8-5 is more realistic.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!

 

[Veer option]

2. Gotta enjoy Manti while he's still here...players like him don't come along very often.

Huge man crush on Manti. He has been a special player throughout his career at and ND and hopefully in the NFL. I remember in 2009 waiting in dreaded anticipation for him to take the field vs Nevada. He is/was absolutely worth all the hype.