Practice Observations ... Sugar Bowl 12-19-06

It's been a month since we attended a Notre Dame practice -- and not much has changed. The Irish are practicing inside, in part because it is somewhat chilly in South Bend and also because Notre Dame and LSU will play indoors at the Louisiana Superdome.

• Running backs coach Michael Haywood and wide receivers coach Rob Ianello were having a spirited conversation with freshmen quarterbacks Demetrius Jones and Zach Frazer.
• Practice stalwart Keith Penrod was carrying a sign saying "Time to take care of business," and made sure all the players saw it.
• Senior safety Chinedum Ndukwe was not at practice. Earlier in the day, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said he would be questionable if the Irish played this week but it probable for the Sugar Bowl.
• Sophomore fullback Asaph Schwapp was at practice -- in sweatpants. Joining him was defensive tackle Derrell Hand.
• Weis reminded his team in the huddle that no one is giving them a chance in the Sugar Bowl. During his press conference, he said he'd use that tidbit of knowledge often during the pre-Sugar Bowl practices.
• Senior tight end John Carlson was back at practice and looked fairly healthy running through drills.
• Sophomore wide receiver D.J. Hord was also practicing in shorts and high socks. His bikemate, Brandon Erickson, remained riding the bicycle.
• An odd moment at practice. One of the media videographers dashed across the field to garner footage of a player -- something which is forbidden by Weis. We're not talking about filming a player -- but dashing onto the field in the middle of practice. The reactions from some of the staff on the sidelines left mouths agape and heads shaking. One of the most bizarre moments of practice this season.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Comments

[David]

Michael, can you better explain the last bullet point above? It's not clear what you mean by "The reactions from some of the staff on the sidelines left mouths agape and heads shaking. One of the most bizarre moments of practice this season." And was it a practice "regular" or someone new who may not have known the ropes?
Just trying to figure out what exactly was bizarre.

[Michael Rothstein]

David --
It was a practice regular who did it. We won't give names because, well, that wouldn't be too nice. The bizarre part of it was seeing a guy with a monopod sprinting across the practice field between position groups. It's just something you certainly don't see even at the Division III level, let alone at a tightly-controlled place like Notre Dame.
Those who were in shock were Notre Dame support staff and some reporters who were standing around observing other portions of practice.

[Billy]

Hey,
Not much has been said about Frazier and Jones. How are they looking, they were top in their class for QB's last year. Just wondering how they are looking, and I'm assuming Jones will be acting as Russel for game prep?
Also How is Robby Parris looking? He Played with my cousin at St. Iggy. Thanks