Irish nation: "get a grip"

[irishfan1122]

First, I know everyone on this board and at the games are passionate about Notre Dame for the most part, but it's time to calm down. Everyone wants to win, as do I, but you are watching a football team that won 3 games last year. That's right, 3 games. I know success at Notre Dame is judged by the amount of victories, titles, Heismans, all-Americans, etc....; however, if you thought any of the above was coming in giant quantities this year you are deeply mistaken. The team you watched today is led overwhelmingly by freshman and sophomores. I hate to tell all of you, but young teams are rarely consistent. As all of you know who watch football, the game is driven by the quarterback. Did Clausen have a great high school career? Yes. Does Clausen have the tools and natural ability to be a great qb? Yes. Is Clausen great now? No. Clausen is a very good 2nd year qb. Recruiting sites will tell you all about their physical ability, but in my opinion there are 3 major things Jimmy lacks at this point. (The three facets are learned through practice, reps, practice, reps, practice, reps.) First, he tends to stare down his primary target. If you look at the greats, they look off the linebackers and safeties and scan one side of the field even if they are 100% positive they are going to the opposite side. Second, he needs to "check down." Quinn started doing it in his junior year, and look where that led him. Lastly, and this goes with #2, he needs to notice a cover 2 and cover 4. It was pretty obvious what Pitt was doing today, rolling safeties over the top to stop the deep ball, and pulling the middle linebacker, about 5-10 yards back to stop the medium depth pass up the middle. I think Clausen is at the point, if a screen is called, he is running the screen. If crossing route up the middle is called, that's what he is running even if the defense is set up to stop that.

When Clausen starts feeling pressure and begins to scramble, the receivers rarely break off their route to help him out. The Irish desperately need a back that has the combination of speed and power, they simply do not have it at this point. Maybe Jonas Gray is that answer, I'm not sure.

I was at the game today, and I must say I was ashamed to be a Notre Dame fan. People in my section calling Weis a "FAT ASS, GO EAT SOME MORE." Booing the players when we were up a touchdown. Calling Jimmy an "Overrated piece of SH*%." Fans, this is uncalled for. I know Charlie and the rest of the coaching staff make a lot of money, but this is no way to act. So for all of you in section 3, please act with class, this isn't the University of the North.

 

[mick2]

im glad to see im not the only one who knows whats going on in ND football. reps bro.

 

[NDinL.A.]

im glad to see im not the only one who knows whats going on in ND football. reps bro.

There are plenty of others who know what's going on. What you say isn't Gospel. I'm a huge Weis guy (no pun intended) but he coached a poor game. I'm a huge Jimmy guy, but he played a subpar game (he's is going to be SICK next year, you'll see) for the 2nd game in a row. Most of us see that; to belittle everyone else (or inflate your own ego???) by basically saying you're the only one who knows ND football is ignorant at best.

Can't agree with the first poster more about the cover 4 d that Pitt used, esp in the 2nd half and OT. We needed to use the MIDDLE OF THE FIELD, but we kept on calling plays that didn't allow Tate and Floyd to get open. This was a game that Rudolph should have 8 catches, as well as the RB's/. Didn't happen.

I'll give you one perfect example of why CW had a bad game: 4th and at the 48. He goes for it. Fine. Who are our 2 best players on the entire team? Floyd and Tate. Neither are on the field. We run a play action and expect Kumara and our freshman tight end to get open? Kumara can't beat anyone one-on-one!!! I know that he's our best blocking WR and we wanted to sell the runfake, but Pitt read the play and Jimmy needed an athletic wide receiver to help him out, but Kumara couldn't do it.

Stay the course with Weis and Jimmy. They have the 2 toughest jobs in sports - coach and QB at ND. Remember the names of those who rip Jimmy and say he's overrated when he's the top QB in the country one day. He's only a soph, besides Tebow name 3 sophs in the past 5 years w/ better numbers. But he played poorly and he's going to get called out for it. Weis coached poorly and he's going to get called out on it. Goes with the territory.

As for the 'fans' getting personal w/ Weis, thanks for making us look like Alabama/USC fans. Totally classless...

 

[CurtisCandy]

I agree with what you've posted, IrishFan. Most of all, shouting insults like that from our fans makes me kinda sad because I like to think we conduct ourselves a little better than that.

I am also a "Weis Guy" and a "Clausen Guy". Of course, I'm a Floyd, Tate, Brandon Walker, Allen, Hughes, Kuntz and every guy on the practice squad Guy, too. In short, I love Notre Dame football and support EVERYBODY involved.

That said, a place like this board is a great meeting point for all us Irish fans to hang out and celebrate, as well as vent. I believe the play-calling today was questionable. I also believe Clausen experienced some growing pains in making some poor decisions. I don't want anyone fired, I don't want anyone benched. But, it's frustrating to watch my beloved team to lose a game I feel they could have won, and this is where I come to whine abd moan about the things I think we could've done better.

Outside of the walls of IE, though, I refuse to discuss the things we did wrong. It's like dealing with a sibling. You might argue and fight with your little brother, but you would absolutely punch in the face anybody from the outside who harrassed him. Just because I think the play-calling was poor, when at other message boards or in the real world, I stand behind Charlie and the staff. I will defend Clausen to the end, and I believe he is going to be a great QB and a Heisman candidate both next year and as a senior. - Those are the things I point out to detractors.

This is where we all come to lick our wounds together. You can't blame guys for sometimes venting a little too vehemently. The bottom line is, come next Saturday, we'll all be ready to live - and die - with our boys!

 

[jonesman]

Irishfan,
KUDOS!!! There is sanity on this board. I get so frustrated with those fans screaming for CW's head and hating on the players. Please go be a UF fan with Urban Ass. I stated last winter that I expected 8 wins this season. We are still on track for that. GO IRISH

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

JC would look a whole lot better when a three man rush is blocked effectively. I will say this, his lack of mobility is hard to watch at times.....he has virtually none.
Until the front seven get better, any team in America (except UW) can play with us if they are rushing five yards a pop.
Also, the fans have reason to question the playcalling, and the fact CW can't seem to win a big game.
That said....there should be no name calling. We continue to improve (for the most part), and the Frosh/Sophs are getting better every week.
I'm shocked at the amount of running we did in OT, as I wanted us to pass a heck of a lot more. But, that doesn't give us the right to be nasty to our team. Honest criticism is fine, but attacking physical characteristics is not what we stand for.
I hope it was just too much beer.
In any event

 

[mick2]

There are plenty of others who know what's going on. What you say isn't Gospel. I'm a huge Weis guy (no pun intended) but he coached a poor game. I'm a huge Jimmy guy, but he played a subpar game (he's is going to be SICK next year, you'll see) for the 2nd game in a row. Most of us see that; to belittle everyone else (or inflate your own ego???) by basically saying you're the only one who knows ND football is ignorant at best.

Can't agree with the first poster more about the cover 4 d that Pitt used, esp in the 2nd half and OT. We needed to use the MIDDLE OF THE FIELD, but we kept on calling plays that didn't allow Tate and Floyd to get open. This was a game that Rudolph should have 8 catches, as well as the RB's/. Didn't happen.

I'll give you one perfect example of why CW had a bad game: 4th and at the 48. He goes for it. Fine. Who are our 2 best players on the entire team? Floyd and Tate. Neither are on the field. We run a play action and expect Kumara and our freshman tight end to get open? Kumara can't beat anyone one-on-one!!! I know that he's our best blocking WR and we wanted to sell the runfake, but Pitt read the play and Jimmy needed an athletic wide receiver to help him out, but Kumara couldn't do it.

Stay the course with Weis and Jimmy. They have the 2 toughest jobs in sports - coach and QB at ND. Remember the names of those who rip Jimmy and say he's overrated when he's the top QB in the country one day. He's only a soph, besides Tebow name 3 sophs in the past 5 years w/ better numbers. But he played poorly and he's going to get called out for it. Weis coached poorly and he's going to get called out on it. Goes with the territory.

As for the 'fans' getting personal w/ Weis, thanks for making us look like Alabama/USC fans. Totally classless...

NDinLA i said im glad im NOT the only one i know there are people on this site that believe. Trust me im not trying to inflate my ego, i just dont understand the backlash when we lose a 4ot game to a good team a year removed from a disaster, the team is talented and young and we could of won but we are so close to being something special we just hang on a little longer.

 

[ARALOU]

One thing that was always said about Notre Dame fans at the game was that they had alot of class. Now it seems like that is not the case. I hope that changes because when we do win we we will not show any class either.


I enjoyed the game. I wish we would have won. We missed chances but overall, we were in that game. We have been in all of them so far this year. There was several good games yesterday. The SEC is no longer the top conference, in my opinion. I guess we need to fire all those coaches. Sheez, what happened to the college traditions and rivalries? If it was easy to dominate every year it would not be any fun. Remember, we are just watching kids play football. It is not life or death. That is going on somewhere else.

 

[NDinL.A.]

NDinLA i said im glad im NOT the only one i know there are people on this site that believe. Trust me im not trying to inflate my ego, i just dont understand the backlash when we lose a 4ot game to a good team a year removed from a disaster, the team is talented and young and we could of won but we are so close to being something special we just hang on a little longer.

This was a hard one to swallow (that's what she said). I waited until this morning to post because last night when I got home I was drunk and pissed. Now I'm just sorely disappointed and embarrassed. Now I gotta hear this shit from people at work and anti-ND friends. This one is going to sting all week, and maybe longer...

 

[ACamp1900]

As for the 'fans' getting personal w/ Weis, thanks for making us look like Alabama/USC fans. Totally classless...

yeah that was sad to hear...

 

[mick2]

wins silence all

 

[MeanGreen]

I could not agree more. Checking the other sites most comments are brutal. When you replay this game 3 plays cost us the game. The blocked punt, Smith personal foul and the over throw of Floyd. All of those mistakes have nothing to do with CW or is staff. All three were made by underclassmen. Of the 3 the personal foul hurt the most. It would have gotten the defense off the field and Pitt would not have scored on that drive. Even if we do not score, but run some clock off, Pitt has to start throwing and give up the run, it changes the game.
As far as all these people calling for CW to be fired, called into the AD office and told what to do. Get a grip! This year is a reboot. New coaching staff members, new assignments for coaches, and players that are either first or second year players. Give me a break. When this team wins a NC next year or the year after I hope all these people eat their words and choke!

 

[ACamp1900]

I could not agree more. Checking the other sites most comments are brutal. When you replay this game 3 plays cost us the game. The blocked punt, Smith personal foul and the over throw of Floyd. All of those mistakes have nothing to do with CW or is staff. All three were made by underclassmen. Of the 3 the personal foul hurt the most. It would have gotten the defense off the field and Pitt would not have scored on that drive. Even if we do not score, but run some clock off, Pitt has to start throwing and give up the run, it changes the game.
As far as all these people calling for CW to be fired, called into the AD office and told what to do. Get a grip! This year is a reboot. New coaching staff members, new assignments for coaches, and players that are either first or second year players. Give me a break. When this team wins a NC next year or the year after I hope all these people eat their words and choke!

I agree but I will say who is "all these people" there are a lot of people disappointed with yesterday (none more than myself) but I have only seen the same two or three posters say stuff about Charlie being fired over and over and over... it's not like it's the majority...

I think that deserves to be said

 

[ARALOU]

Yep. CW is ok in my book. I have made my position very clear regarding CW and this team. I hate to listen to so-called fans bash the Irish. We have enough haters that we dont need fans bashing them. Go cheer for Florida or USC or some other school if you choose. Just remember where your loyalties lie when the Irish start to overcome the great odds!

 

[BeatSC]

I think it is fair to criticize the coaching without calling for their jobs. Alot of us can agree the conservative play calling when we get ahead has been the wrong thing to do.

We have been so close to fufilling some lofty goals this year (should be 7-1). We are better than UNC and Pitt and outplayed both teams and would beat them 4 out of 5 times. We can still hope that the coaching staff takes the data from this game to more effectively game plan moving forward. I don't like yelling at our guys at the game (don't mind yelling at the other guys). We are close and we should be pointing to next year.

 

[daytonirish]

After reading some of your post, let me say as someone who was at the game. There were plenty of times that Floyd and Tate were open. One thing I noticed was that Jimmy still tends to lock in on his primary reciever and that is where the ball his going. Now before someone states that the OL didn't give him the time to throw the ball. That also has to do with Jimmy locking in on the primary reciever. He had chances and missed the reads. Now I don't mean to sound like it was all Jimmy, I apoligize if it sounds that way.

Let me also say that the Irish seem to have no emotion before or during the game. This is basically team wide. As far as the coaches go, the play calling was horrible. Especially in overtime, when we had both Floyd and kamara lined up across from a DB who is 5-7, 5-8 at the most in Jovanni Chappell. And not 1 time did the irish even seem to look in that direction.

After saying that, let me say that I wouldn't care what the the teams record was, or is. If I ever get a chance to go to Notre Dame to see a game live agian I will without any hesitation go. It was a great time (except for the lose). And I even got to run into LMI.

 

[ACamp1900]

After reading some of your post, let me say as someone who was at the game. There were plenty of times that Floyd and Tate were open. One thing I noticed was that Jimmy still tends to lock in on his primary reciever and that is where the ball his going. Now before someone states that the OL didn't give him the time to throw the ball. That also has to do with Jimmy locking in on the primary reciever. He had chances and missed the reads. Now I don't mean to sound like it was all Jimmy, I apoligize if it sounds that way.

Let me also say that the Irish seem to have no emotion before or during the game. This is basically team wide. As far as the coaches go, the play calling was horrible. Especially in overtime, when we had both Floyd and kamara lined up across from a DB who is 5-7, 5-8 at the most in Jovanni Chappell. And not 1 time did the irish even seem to look in that direction.

After saying that, let me say that I wouldn't care what the the teams record was, or is. If I ever get a chance to go to Notre Dame to see a game live agian I will without any hesitation go. It was a great time (except for the lose). And I even got to run into LMI.

Oh god I'm sorry... hope he didn't ruin it for you...

 

[daytonirish]

Oh god I'm sorry... hope he didn't ruin it for you...

It was after the game, so I was safe. But he did give me some info on SoCal if I ever need to use it.

 

[IrishGrizz]

you will forever be golden on this site, from now on w that SOCal skeleton.

 

[ACamp1900]

you will forever be golden on this site, from now on w that SOCal skeleton.

dude everyone here already knows about that.... unless LMI has found even MORE homosexual underground info linking to SoCal......

 

[daytonirish]

dude everyone here already knows about that.... unless LMI has found even MORE homosexual underground info linking to SoCal......

Dude the homo crap ain't nothin, compared to what LMI said about SoCal. Just sayin. Now before folks call me out, remember this is delicate info that I must use wisely and when needed most to save my A**. :jawdrop:

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I was at the game today, and I must say I was ashamed to be a Notre Dame fan. People in my section calling Weis a "FAT ASS, GO EAT SOME MORE." Booing the players when we were up a touchdown. Calling Jimmy an "Overrated piece of SH*%." Fans, this is uncalled for. I know Charlie and the rest of the coaching staff make a lot of money, but this is no way to act. So for all of you in section 3, please act with class, this isn't the University of the North.

Sad to hear, but I have not been to an ND game. At least you guys introspect and cheer yourselves rather than blame and abuse the opponent for your weaknesses.

Rest of your post was outstanding. Thanks.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

JC would look a whole lot better when a three man rush is blocked effectively.

All the defenses are doing is lining up the ends wide and taking a sprint angle at Jimmy. Hard for a fat O lineman to stop. OC and Charlie need to figger that shit out.

SteveM mentioned that all Jimmy has to do is step into the pocket, which is true, but I think the "problem" runs deeper. More short stuff and flares. Quit going for the homerun.

 

[ACamp1900]

Dude the homo crap ain't nothin, compared to what LMI said about SoCal. Just sayin. Now before folks call me out, remember this is delicate info that I must use wisely and when needed most to save my A**. :jawdrop:

lol... sorry socal

 

[NDgettysburg]

I was at the game today, and I must say I was ashamed to be a Notre Dame fan. People in my section calling Weis a "FAT ASS, GO EAT SOME MORE." Booing the players when we were up a touchdown. Calling Jimmy an "Overrated piece of SH*%." Fans, this is uncalled for. I know Charlie and the rest of the coaching staff make a lot of money, but this is no way to act. So for all of you in section 3, please act with class, this isn't the University of the North.

Just wanted to say that I heard nothing like this in 103. There were grumblings about bad calls and poor play but no personal attacks.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I havent seen anyone talkimg about how well Brandon Walker played in O.T. I know he missed the field goal and it cost us more overtime play but he stepped up huge and made some good kicks especially the 48 yarder. He did a great job considering how he had been kicking

 

[ARALOU]

Look at the game time topic. There were many positive comments.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

This was a hard one to swallow (that's what she said). I waited until this morning to post because last night when I got home I was drunk and pissed. r...

Yeh that's what she said. I was filming and just posted on Youtube.
I went ahead and punched a couple of puppies and peed in public after I heard ND lost.
At least you got her to...
Poor puppies. I feel bad now.

 

[Junkhead]

I havent seen anyone talkimg about how well Brandon Walker played in O.T. I know he missed the field goal and it cost us more overtime play but he stepped up huge and made some good kicks especially the 48 yarder. He did a great job considering how he had been kicking

Brandon Walker has improved 100% the past few games. If anyone deserves a game ball in a loss, its him.

 

[BDIrish4ever]

This was a hard one to swallow (that's what she said). I waited until this morning to post because last night when I got home I was drunk and pissed. Now I'm just sorely disappointed and embarrassed. Now I gotta hear this shit from people at work and anti-ND friends. This one is going to sting all week, and maybe longer...

Much like NDinLA, I had to give myself time to digest this loss and now that I have sobered up, I am ready to give my 2 cents to this conversation.

1. I am a "Weis" guy - I say this up front so nobody thinks I want to see him fired, but CW and his staff were out-coached in the 2nd half and overtime yesterday. It was obvious, but it is not the end of the world. Every coach at ND in my lifetime has been out-coached at one time or another(that includes our beloved Lou Holtz!).

2. We still have not played a complete game - This team is starting to show us glimpses of what we have all waited so long to see, but it has not been consistent enough for our taste and a minority of the fan base is grumbling. I remember a vast majority of us saying 8-4 this year and we are still on pace for that record.

3. Don't let the "Mark Mays" of the world get to you - Please don't ever forget who your team is and what the University stands for. We all know people who are going to kick us every time we are down. I always try to be humble and gracious. I know a lot of Michigan and Purdue fans this year who seemed to feel worse about the fact I didn't return the abuse I took this last off season.