Wednesday Practice Observations 10-4-06

Before we get into our practice observations for the day, just wanted to make you aware Notre Dame is making a "major announcement" regarding facilities at the school. Considering the location of the announcement and the phrasing of the release, it is likely the much-awaited renovation of the Joyce Center's basketball and hockey arenas. Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White laid out his master athletics plan over the summer and it included the Joyce as the biggest overhaul and most important -- revenue-wise -- difference in the plan. So we'll have more for you Thursday after the 11 a.m. announcement.

In practice news, rain and clouds forced Notre Dame inside the Loftus Center for a quiet Wednesday practice:

• D.J. Hord and Brandon Erickson stood off to the side but did participate in actual stretching. We're not sure but we believe it is one of the first times this year the pair actually stretched.
• Sophomore wide receiver David Grimes still appeared a bit slow and limited, although he did participate in the wide receiver cone drill -- something he didn't do Tuesday.
• Strength and conditioning coach Ruben Mendoza wore a Notre Dame football T-Shirt which said "Thick, quick and nasty" on the back. Couldn't help but get a chuckle out of that.
• Left guard Dan Santucci left practice during stretching but returned in time for the team huddle.
• During stretching, Charlie Weis asked his director of football operations, Chad Klunder, about a report. Klunder didn't say much but it seemed fairly obvious he wanted the media to hear him ask -- so we'll ask at the post-practice presser.
• Senior cornerback Ambrose Wooden seems to be getting better and continues to work with the first unit. It also seems like during the media sessions, junior Leo Ferrine is slowly moving his way up the depth chart into the second unit.
• Sophomore fullback Asaph Schwapp remained extremely limited -- running while the rest of the team did high-steps and then jogging slowly as the running backs went through an agility pad drill.

If you haven't noticed -- and I know some of the football-focused people haven't -- but we'd like to point out that Notre Dame's women's soccer team is the No. 1 team in the country and has been for much of the season. They highlight what appears to be a standout fall for Notre Dame's sports. The men's soccer and cross-country teams are also ranked in their respective Top 25s. Notre Dame's volleyball team, while not ranked, is currently tied for first place with St. John's in the Big East.

Don't forget about our contests, either: ND-Stanford predictions to mrothstein@jg.net. And in searching for the best tailgates at ND, drop an e-mail to mrothstein@jg.net with the word "tailgate" in the subject line. Let's see what you've got Notre Dame fans. Tell me why I should stop by and check out and possibly give pub to your tailgate.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette