Around the ND Universe, 8/4/07

Some things you know, some things you may have missed and "I Don't Know Butchie, Instead."

Some things you know:

• Rhema McKnight is a busy traveler these days. Two days after being cut by New Orleans, McKnight signed with San Diego, which might actually give him a better shot of making a roster. The Chargers lost receiver Eric Parker for 10 weeks, opening up a roster slot for the former Notre Dame wideout.
• Chicago Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken explained why former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija was bumped up to Double A Tennessee (scroll down to the third note in the story). Minor League Baseball.com provides us with Samardzija's stats, although they haven't updated their site to promote him to Double A yet. Samardzija has cut down on his blogging some, but it could be because he is still getting settled in Tennessee.
• Your Daily Brady: Quinn still isn't in camp yet, but his agent, Tom Condon, wants Cleveland's brass to come to Kansas City to finalize a deal. Quinn also spoke with ESPN about the holdout.

Some things you may have missed:

• An interesting story in the Boston Herald about how playing Notre Dame helped Boston College become more known nationally.
• Offensive lineman Alex Hurst, from Tennessee, said Notre Dame will offer him a scholarship next month unless an offensive lineman from Florida commits first.
• Basketball recruit Tyler Zeller, the brother of current Notre Dame player Luke Zeller, cut his final list of schools to four -- including the Irish. He said, though, that playing with his brother isn't a huge factor because Luke would only be at Notre Dame for one season.

"I Don't Know Butchie, Instead:"

• For all of his bluster and hard-line statements, it is days like these that remind there is a softer side to Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis. The groundbreaking for the residential community for special needs adults his charity, Hannah and Friends, is building was held today. It is things like these, where Weis is able to get out in the community, which should be noticed more often.
• Derrell Hand, the defensive lineman who was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute in South Bend on Thursday, should probably look to transfer. It would likely be difficult for him to find a Division I-A home (Temple, which is in his hometown of Philadelphia, could be a possibility) but if he ends up pleading guilty it would be hard to see Notre Dame allowing him to stay. It booted Kyle McAlarney (marijuana possession) and Rashon Powers-Neal (DUI) for a semester in 2007 and 2005, respectively. While only a misdemeanor, solicitation could be looked at as more embarrassing to the University than the other two. Plus, if he misses this season, it would be difficult for him to see the field in his final two years as the talent the Irish is recruiting will likely pass him by. Plus, a move would give him a fresh start at a new school with two seasons to play.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette