I was wrong.

[johnnd05]

Sharpley is clearly the better quarterback right now. Congrats to Evan on winning the starting job!

 

[Junkhead]

I agree. I didn't give him much of a chance, he needs to be on the field right now. JC has time to learn.

 

[NDFan4Life]

Sharpley is clearly the better quarterback right now. Congrats to Evan on winning the starting job!

C'mon, John. He hasn't won it yet.

If we win this game, he probably has.

 

[KamaraPolice]

No, Sharpley is the new quarterback, I was wrong too. The offense looks completely different; vertical passing.

 

[kmoose]

I think you have to weigh the risk vs. reward.

The offense is better under Sharpley, but still not great. And it looks like Sharpley will probably throw two to three picks a game, if he plays a whole 4 quarters. So, do you take the offensive production, but risk him throwing a pick at an absolutely crucial part of the game?

 

[notredomer23]

I, Notredomer23, admit i was wrong that Jimmy Clausen did not perform, and Evan is the clear starter.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I was right.

Actually, I thought that since ES looked better than JC when they shared time, why not start him?? He made the big plays, not JC. I think wonderboy will be a much better qb next year by letting him sit and learn.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sharpley is clearly the better quarterback right now. Congrats to Evan on winning the starting job!

Are you kidding me?

I think they are both equal in their own way.

Clausen is conservative and plays a smart, careful game...but lacks the zip and quick release of Sharpley.

Sharpley is a maniac. He will throw all day to ANYONE...including 3 defenders around the ND receiver.

I think EITHER one is ok to start...but neither guy proved themselves to be better.

If Clausen stays in, the offense will mature SLOWLY. If Sharpley goes in, we will light up the passing game more and have a ton of INTs.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think you have to weigh the risk vs. reward.

The offense is better under Sharpley, but still not great. And it looks like Sharpley will probably throw two to three picks a game, if he plays a whole 4 quarters. So, do you take the offensive production, but risk him throwing a pick at an absolutely crucial part of the game?

He will more likely throw 4-5...

 

[stovall21]

didnt clausen throw the only 2 picks today? at least when sharpley is in the game we move the ball a little bit and give the defense a rest. by the time sharpley came in today, the defense had played a whole game's worth of minutes and was dead tired. and, obviously, we were fighting an uphill battle.

this is a no-brainer.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

didnt clausen throw the only 2 picks today? at least when sharpley is in the game we move the ball a little bit and give the defense a rest. by the time sharpley came in today, the defense had played a whole game's worth of minutes and was dead tired. and, obviously, we were fighting an uphill battle.

this is a no-brainer.

It's not a no brainer at all.

Did you watch Sharpley play? Did you see all those throws into Double coverage? All the missed routes? Did you see him throwing while FALLING OVER? Yeah, he got lucky on that...but it was LUCK.

Weis normally favors the guy who plays smart. We are suggesting that he throw caution to the wind and go with the guy who opens it up a bit, because he's a bit nutty. I am not sure if Weis will do that or not.

Clausen is less dynamic and less productive. So NEITHER player is better...it's two very different styles.

 

[NDFan4Life]

I don't know for sure, but it seems to me the whole team (offense & defense) plays better when Sharpley's in there. It's obvious the conservative playcalling isn't working. What would it hurt to have a gunslinger in there? Other teams probably wouldn't expect it. ND is known this year for running the ball and short passes. Yeah they work sometimes, but not all of the time. Why not have a QB who can air the ball downfield?

 

[crazy4ND]

Sharpley gets the props for at least moving the ball. There were quite a few passes that should've been caught and those damn penalties are still killing us!!! Sharpley definately has to be the starter right now.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Sharpley gets the props for at least moving the ball. There were quite a few passes that should've been caught and those damn penalties are still killing us!!! Sharpley definately has to be the starter right now.

I think his KEY ability is that of scrambling. Which is much needed.

But take a look at the stats, these two are even. Sharpley throws harder and less accurate. Clausen is more tentative/hesitant.

I think it's a good idea to give Sharpley the start next week...but let's not kid ourselves. The USC Defense would rather see Sharpley...they are going to feast on INTs.

 

[jonesman]

Remember guys that when Sharpley was playing the D knew he was going to throw. We were already down by 3 scores. How do think he would do playing when the D is NOT sure what is coming. I think he leads us to the W. My full game analysis late.

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

I've drank more notre dame koolaid then any of you guys and gals have over the years and my wife and i were not impressed with clausen from the get-go...SORRY.

give even the chance next week.

GO SHARPLEY !!!!

 

[Wham]

Remember guys that when Sharpley was playing the D knew he was going to throw. We were already down by 3 scores. How do think he would do playing when the D is NOT sure what is coming. I think he leads us to the W. My full game analysis late.

Once again jonesman, I think you know what you are talking about. Everytime I get ready to give up on this site, you post.

They should pay you.

 

[Wham]

But take a look at the stats, these two are even. Sharpley throws harder and less accurate. Clausen is more tentative/hesitant.

I think it's a good idea to give Sharpley the start next week...but let's not kid ourselves. The USC Defense would rather see Sharpley...they are going to feast on INTs.

When Sharpley plays, the offense sustains a drive and scores. Clausen has not led the team to a sustained drive and touchdown. None. Zero. Zip.

This is DI football folks. Notre Dame has not had a single sustained drive with Clausen as the QB. Game 6 no less.

Bench him. Give his ego a break. Don't repeat the USC Marinovich mistake.

The guy has Heisman potential if he can learn to FIGHT for his job. Make him earn it.

 

[Wham]

He will more likely throw 4-5...

And the yardage gained on field position after an interception (with this current team) will be better than the yardage lost from the punting game's mistakes. A team can adapt to an interception better than it can to a stupid snapped punt or shanked punt mistake.

Team morale suffers more from a special team mistake than an offensive or defensive "effort" mistake.

 

[kjones]

I definitely wanted Sharpley to start before the season even started, as I thought JC would be too error-prone as a true freshmen starter.

While I was wrong on the one hand, I'd have to say it seems I might have been right on the other. While the analysis that JC is less risky and more careful, doesn't it seem reasonable that when you're the underdog anyway, you need to take some risks in the hopes of getting some rewards? Evan didn't impress me on every throw, many were well over his receivers heads, and several were downright dumb ideas, but his mobility really made some plays happen that would not have happened without him.

I can also see why Charlie would prefer JC, he's more of a Quinn, the take it safe and protect the ball type of player, but his decision making isn't fast enough yet. I don't think he's not good enough, just not experienced and practiced enough. I have confidence he'll be a very good QB some day with more experience under his belt. Which is what I thought preseason. But for now, I think Evan should start the next game. Lets see how he handles it.

Of course, this is just my take, and I'm ametuer at best. I do think the crowd that thinks they know everything and that they would obviously be better coaches than CW is kind of annoying. I have been wrong on many things (I predicted Sharpley to start at GT) and will be wrong again, and my view of things isn't based on all the practices, as I haven't seen them.


I'm not really rooting for either one, I just want to win. I hope whoever starts does the best they can do, and that either one of them proves their detractors wrong. Go Irish.

 

[Irish52]

Can't wait for Dane Chist to get there...he may be our qb of the future..not Evan or Jimmy!

 

[Epitome]

Sharpley is clearly the better quarterback right now. Congrats to Evan on winning the starting job!

John I totally disagree, It's a matter of circumstance Jimmy is bound by the play calling. I really don't understand what CW is doing, but I would assume that if JC was getting the opportunity to throw the ball down field and open up the offense he would be more effective than Evan. I played football for 13 yrs and have never seen a coach limit a player as much as CW does with JC. We become one dimensional, the defense could put 8 in the box and still defend both our rush and our 4 yard passing routes. I really don't get it

 

[mbooch]

Remember guys that when Sharpley was playing the D knew he was going to throw. We were already down by 3 scores. How do think he would do playing when the D is NOT sure what is coming. I think he leads us to the W. My full game analysis late.

Given the pay mix this year, who DOESN'T know that ND will pass? They passed on 3/4 of their plays this week, and got what you usually get from over-reliance on the pass.... another L.

 

[mbooch]

MANY dittoes to what ND_NC wrote. The passing game Weis employs with Clausen is VERY pedestrian. It also seems VERY slow to develope.

I also obviously feel it is WAY too "pass first". I don't recall seeing a single draw, or sweep today. And, with oly 15 called runs, I just don't see how he expects ANYBODY not to just tee off on the QB.



Finally, we seem to wait forever before throwing downfield, effectively agreeing to play in front of the sfaeties. End result... Notre Dame plays a very predictable, unchallenging offense, and everybody puts most of the blame on the O line. However, when the offense essentially forfeits the element of unpredictability, NOBODY can block effectively.

Your thoughts, ND=NC?

 

[kjones]

MANY dittoes to what ND_NC wrote. The passing game Weis employs with Clausen is VERY pedestrian. It also seems VERY slow to develope.

I also obviously feel it is WAY too "pass first". I don't recall seeing a single draw, or sweep today. And, with oly 15 called runs, I just don't see how he expects ANYBODY not to just tee off on the QB.



Finally, we seem to wait forever before throwing downfield, effectively agreeing to play in front of the sfaeties. End result... Notre Dame plays a very predictable, unchallenging offense, and everybody puts most of the blame on the O line. However, when the offense essentially forfeits the element of unpredictability, NOBODY can block effectively.

Your thoughts, ND=NC?

I see your points, but I just HAVE to think things are actually more complicated than what either side is saying. I don't think it's so simple that you can say "It's the OL" or "It's the playcalling." I'll have to think it over a little more and maybe do some analysis for a long post, but I don't think we can fit the way this season has gone into a single category and say "Aha! That's the culprit!" All the factors are related and they play off of one another, and just changing one variable won't make the equation suddenly work. What we can say for sure, is that all parts need to work right for the offense to be successful, and they aren't working right. Perhaps some of the broken things are making other things "more broken" for lack of a better phrase. I need to think some more about it.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

When Sharpley plays, the offense sustains a drive and scores. Clausen has not led the team to a sustained drive and touchdown. None. Zero. Zip.

This is DI football folks. Notre Dame has not had a single sustained drive with Clausen as the QB. Game 6 no less.

Bench him. Give his ego a break. Don't repeat the USC Marinovich mistake.

The guy has Heisman potential if he can learn to FIGHT for his job. Make him earn it.

He sustained one drive...he almost gave up the house on all the others. He was no better or worse than Clausen, he simply takes more risks. Today he got away with it.

He was the luckiest guy in the stadium today.

 

[WaveDomer]

I definitely think Sharpley gave the offense a jump. However, that is not uncommon when a backup comes in mid-game. Clausen's first INT was kind of bogus in that he was heaving it with little time left and his arm got hit on the follow through. Chuck that one out. The other thing I noticed is that the O-Line seems to block better for Sharpley. I have no idea why. Clausen was once again getting creamed. I think he must be amazed when he doesn't have a 300 pound guy in his face. It does seem like Weis calls different plays for each. However, there may be a good reason for that. I did think Clausen showed some nice touch with some throws today. Sharpley had a number of nice throws too. Again, I think this is just a baby stepping kind of year. If you can't run, you will have problems passing. I definitely think we improved this week. Defense was awesome at points. RBs are fighters. Good showing from WR, although I would love less drops. I even have a hard time getting angry at the celebration penalty. I would be celebrating my butt off too.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

It's such an awkward situation...

Evan gets the snaps the rest of the season, because he gives us the best chance to win. He then comes back for his senior season to relinquish the starting gig to Jimmy all over again? Can anyone think of any other precedent where a junior started and then went back to being a backup his senior season?

This QB situation has really turned into a disaster. What if Evan sparks this team to a 5-7 or, bless my stars, 6-6 record the rest of the way? I don't care whom we are playing, if this team starts putting up points the last 5 games, there is going to be some MAJOR pressure for Evan to keep the starting job next season. Kumara, Tate, and Parris are too athletic NOT to make Evan look good.

Check this previously mentioned scenario: Evan has 2 more full years of eligibility. He stays healthy and Crist can redshirt next season. Crist is the backup to 5th-year Sharpley as a redshirt freshman, and has 3 years as a starter. Jimmy transfers THIS offseason.

This just seems possible to me. Thoughts?

 

[Timugen]

Are you kidding me?

I think they are both equal in their own way.

Clausen is conservative and plays a smart, careful game...but lacks the zip and quick release of Sharpley.

Sharpley is a maniac. He will throw all day to ANYONE...including 3 defenders around the ND receiver.

So who threw the INT's today, Sharpley?

Who put points on the board, Clausen?

So what if Sharpley throws a few picks here and there... at least he has shown he can lead the team to the endzone (with many fewer opportunities to do so than JC.) So do we prefer few picks with NO POINTS (and very few first downs, adversely affecting the defense as well,) or a few picks with some OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION to go along with it?

Clausen needs to sit and learn/mature/heal.

 

[Timugen]

He sustained one drive...he almost gave up the house on all the others. He was no better or worse than Clausen, he simply takes more risks. Today he got away with it.

He was the luckiest guy in the stadium today.

1. "He sustained one drive".....that's one more than JC

2. He got points on the board - something that JC's seemed to have trouble leading this offense to not just today, but ALL YEAR.

3. "Today he got away with it." This isn't the first time that Sharpley has come in to relieve JC and the offense suddenly wakes up.


JC still holds on to the ball WAY too long, stares down receivers like a 12-yr-old boy looking at Pam Anderson in a floss bikini, and still looks like he's not 100% healthy on the extremely rare downfield throws he takes.

I'm not denying the kid's talent, but he's just not READY. Sharpley has made that evident every time he's stepped in for him in a game.

Just because JC's not ready to set the world on fire right now doesn't mean he's a bust, so please stop the manlove for him and fanboy-ism and actually watch what is happening on the field.