BIG BLEW REVIEW
Well, we wasted no time in getting those long overdue turnovers out of the way in a hurry, didn’t we now? A mishandled pass to Carlson led to a “pick six” (BQ’s 1st interception in his last 143 attempts – yet another ND record) on ND’s first offensive play. A quality opponent will expose your weaknesses & laugh at you. Any self doubt would only make it worse. Michigan fit the bill on both counts. The word on the street has been that Lloyd’s job was on the line. He had to come into South Bend & make a statement. He has beaten the emotional drum constantly for months. So UM came into Rock’s House sky high (insight: take Wisc & the points this week – UM is due for a let-down) – with the mind set of a winner – they knew they would beat us – they didn’t just think they could – they were sure of it & they did – soundly, in all phases of the game. To illustrate further: ND had 4 yards net rushing for the game.
POP QUIZ: NAME THE LONGEST RIVER IN THE MIDDLE EAST
DENIAL 101 (Some long suppressed feelings & observations): The talent pool at ND is currently lacking in comparison to The Big Dogs of college football. ND strikes me as a teen’s team – somewhere in the rankings, just not top ten yet. The Freshman & Sophomore classes have been recruited by Charlie. The soph’s, recruited at the last minute, was done in Charlie’s spare time while he directed the Patriots offense to the Super Bowl. All others were recruited by Lionel. Generally, we lack team speed & secondary coverage ability. The LB’s are ineffective in gap control & coverage ability which makes an adequate front four look mediocre at best. The difference to date has been the coaching staff Charlie has assembled. They have been doing with what they got – getting the most juice out of each player as possible. But you can only make a sow’s ear look so much like a silk purse. The cupboard is not bare but the inept (at best) and total lack (at worst) of coaching / instruction / growth during the Lionel years continues to haunt the Irish.
The offense has been anemic at best. The Shark is constantly doubled teamed & rarely sees the ball. Rhema has a developed a bad habit of trying to do too much – like not looking the ball into his hands – trying to take an early peak & dropping the ball in the process. Popular opinion says the Irish can run between the tackles but don’t have the speed to get outside & stretch the D. As a result the D pinches from the outside in with man coverage on the outside – something you might call a Buckeye Fiesta. Everyone will bring it until we consistently beat it. If we deal with it reasonably well we end up with Ramblin’ Wreck type results. If everything (esp. turnovers) goes our way we end up with Nittany –like results.
Sooooo…Unless The Mighty Quinn takes the field with a “take charge” attitude in East Lansing this Saturday his Heisman chances are history & the game may be in doubt. He may put up Heisman –like performances against second tier teams from now until we arrive in LA-LA-land for Thanksgiving, but anything he does will be weighed vs UM. If you listen to the talking heads on the tube they have already discounted anything he might do against anyone except USC. He returned to his skittish ways vs UM. He has looked antsy in all 3 games, except for the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Q’s vs PSU. It will probably come down to how he plays in LA – it will be his award to win or lose – I haven’t given up but me thinks the award will be on display in Columbus or Norman.
I get this e-mail from a good friend who is a die hard Notre Dame fan, and I thought I should maybe share this with you's.
Well, we wasted no time in getting those long overdue turnovers out of the way in a hurry, didn’t we now? A mishandled pass to Carlson led to a “pick six” (BQ’s 1st interception in his last 143 attempts – yet another ND record) on ND’s first offensive play. A quality opponent will expose your weaknesses & laugh at you. Any self doubt would only make it worse. Michigan fit the bill on both counts. The word on the street has been that Lloyd’s job was on the line. He had to come into South Bend & make a statement. He has beaten the emotional drum constantly for months. So UM came into Rock’s House sky high (insight: take Wisc & the points this week – UM is due for a let-down) – with the mind set of a winner – they knew they would beat us – they didn’t just think they could – they were sure of it & they did – soundly, in all phases of the game. To illustrate further: ND had 4 yards net rushing for the game.
POP QUIZ: NAME THE LONGEST RIVER IN THE MIDDLE EAST
DENIAL 101 (Some long suppressed feelings & observations): The talent pool at ND is currently lacking in comparison to The Big Dogs of college football. ND strikes me as a teen’s team – somewhere in the rankings, just not top ten yet. The Freshman & Sophomore classes have been recruited by Charlie. The soph’s, recruited at the last minute, was done in Charlie’s spare time while he directed the Patriots offense to the Super Bowl. All others were recruited by Lionel. Generally, we lack team speed & secondary coverage ability. The LB’s are ineffective in gap control & coverage ability which makes an adequate front four look mediocre at best. The difference to date has been the coaching staff Charlie has assembled. They have been doing with what they got – getting the most juice out of each player as possible. But you can only make a sow’s ear look so much like a silk purse. The cupboard is not bare but the inept (at best) and total lack (at worst) of coaching / instruction / growth during the Lionel years continues to haunt the Irish.
The offense has been anemic at best. The Shark is constantly doubled teamed & rarely sees the ball. Rhema has a developed a bad habit of trying to do too much – like not looking the ball into his hands – trying to take an early peak & dropping the ball in the process. Popular opinion says the Irish can run between the tackles but don’t have the speed to get outside & stretch the D. As a result the D pinches from the outside in with man coverage on the outside – something you might call a Buckeye Fiesta. Everyone will bring it until we consistently beat it. If we deal with it reasonably well we end up with Ramblin’ Wreck type results. If everything (esp. turnovers) goes our way we end up with Nittany –like results.
Sooooo…Unless The Mighty Quinn takes the field with a “take charge” attitude in East Lansing this Saturday his Heisman chances are history & the game may be in doubt. He may put up Heisman –like performances against second tier teams from now until we arrive in LA-LA-land for Thanksgiving, but anything he does will be weighed vs UM. If you listen to the talking heads on the tube they have already discounted anything he might do against anyone except USC. He returned to his skittish ways vs UM. He has looked antsy in all 3 games, except for the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Q’s vs PSU. It will probably come down to how he plays in LA – it will be his award to win or lose – I haven’t given up but me thinks the award will be on display in Columbus or Norman.
I get this e-mail from a good friend who is a die hard Notre Dame fan, and I thought I should maybe share this with you's.
