Irish Insights

Practice Observations 8/31/06

A stuffed 20 minutes today, with a rock music theme as Charlie Weis had it blaring the entire time:

• They moved practice inside to the Loftus Center.
• Song list went as follows: 1. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen; 2. Runaway by Bon Jovi; 3. Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen; 4. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi; 5. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Then we were booted.
• With the music blaring, the practice seemed upbeat. Rhema McKnight seemed especially hyped, doing a little breakdance before falling to the ground for stretching and then a hand-wiggle while he went to stretch out Jeff Samardzija.
• Scouts from the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans were in attendance.
• Athletic Director Kevin White and Associate Athletic Director Stan Wilcox -- both Long Island natives -- were there, too.
• Second group of offensive linemen during drills today: Brian Mattes, Eric Olsen, Dan Chervanick, Matt Carufel and Paul Duncan. Mike Turkovich was on the third line. Who knows if this means anything, but it could hint that Carufel could be one of the freshmen making the trip.
• Freshman walk-on fullback Dex Cure -- best name on the team -- lost the ball during a high-step drill when assistant coach Michael Haywood tried knocking it out. After the next run through, he motioned to Munir Prince to tuck the ball tighter.

Also, some observations from Irish Insights World Headquarters (otherwise known as the Martin's Supermarket in South Bend.)

• Former Notre Dame basketball coach Digger Phelps was food shopping wearing a University of Washington basketball shirt.
• The Santa Clara women's soccer team was eating lunch there.

We'll have more after practice and we're heading to Atlanta on Friday.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

The Virtual Season, Week 1

We touted this because the generation I grew up in thrived on video games, be it Madden or Bill Walsh College Football (which morphed into NCAA Football) or Halo. Part of the fun of all of this is predicting these sorts of things and we're going to follow the season along in NCAA using a simulated Notre Dame game each week. Curious to see how all of it pans out and how close to real life it is. In an effort to keep things realistic with time, we have this simulated at 5 minute quarters, which is the default setting for NCAA.

The Preseason Heisman list:

Brady Quinn, QB, Sr., ND

Adrian Peterson, RB, Jr., Oklahoma

Troy Smith, QB, Sr., Ohio State

Chris Leak, QB, Sr., Florida

Brian Brohm, QB, Jr., Louisville

Quinn and Tom Zbikowski were first-team preseason All-Americans and Jeff Samardzija a second-team pick.

Week 1 @ Georgia Tech: Both Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit picked Notre Dame to win the game in their pregame show -- it'll be interesting to see if both do Saturday. The first play of the simulated season was a Quinn pass over the middle to wide receiver Rhema McKnight. The Irish, behind a 73-yard touchdown pass from Quinn to Samardzija, jumped out to a 17-7 halftime lead. Georgia Tech's touchdown was a Reggie Ball pass to Calvin Johnson for 23 yards through Ambrose Wooden and Tom Zbikowski.

The second half saw more passing from Quinn and a Quinn-to-David Grimes 8-yard touchdown pass to give the Irish a 27-14 lead and an eventual 27-21 win in Atlanta, moving Notre Dame past its first obstacle for the national title.

Key Stats from the game:

ND: Passing: Brady Quinn 17-23, 240 yards, 3 TDs. Rushing: Darius Walker 9 carries, 53 yards. Receiving: David Grimes 4 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD; Jeff Samardzija 4 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD; Darius Walker 1 catch, 7 yards, 1 TD.

Defense: Terrail Lambert 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack; Tom Zbikowski 5 tackles, FF; Travis Thomas 3 tackles, FF; Derek Landri 2 TFL, 1 sack.

Kicking: Ryan Burkhart (yes, we know he's not the guy but Carl Gioia was unavailable) 2-2 FGs.

Also, Notre Dame's line didn't allow a single sack.

GT: Passing: Reggie Ball 21-30, 266 yards, 2 TDs. Rushing: Tashard Choice 10 carries, 48 yards; Reggie Ball 3 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD. Receiving: Calvin Johnson 7 catches, 133 yards, 1 TD.

Defense: Phillip Wheeler 8 tackles, 1 TFL.

After Week 1, here are some keys nationally that stood out:

Upset of the week: Akron 13, Penn State 7

Top 5: 1. Ohio State, 2. Texas, 3. Notre Dame, 4. USC, 5. LSU

Heisman Top 5: Brady Quinn, Adrian Peterson, Troy Smith, Chris Leak, USC defensive end Jeff Schweiger.

Major injuries: Miami QB Kyle Wright out two weeks; LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell out seven weeks; Penn State defensive end Jim Shaw out for ND game.

We'll do this every Thursday at some point for continuity's sake.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Season Prediction

Sorry we've been less-than-productive on the blog, but we're back with season, game-by-game predictions before the opener. As always, mark these with a star because an injury or pure idiocy could make them completely inaccurate.

With that said, here we go:

Sept. 2 @ Georgia Tech: It's the opener and the defense needs to prove itself. It does, sort of. Calvin Johnson has a big night and Reggie Ball has an accurate day -- but the defense makes an interception late to preserve a closer-than-thought opening win. Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 21.

Sept. 9 Penn State: PSU quarterback Anthony Morelli makes his first collegiate start and it isn't pretty. He'll go on to have a good season, but this game will be the blemish on his record as the defense shows that they are better than preseason predictions. Brady Quinn and the offense struggle with Penn State's defense, but score just enough to win. Notre Dame 28, Penn State 14.

Sept. 16 Michigan: For once, Michigan overlooked in the Big Ten and nationally, which is exactly why the Wolverines will thrive. Running back Michael Hart will be healthy and make amends for barely playing last year due to injury. Notre Dame will play well, but match up against an offense that, when healthy, can come close to equaling the Irish. The Irish lose and the tough beginning of the schedule claims a chance at an undefeated season. Michigan 21, Notre Dame 14.

Sept. 23: @ Michigan State: Brady Quinn, Charlie Weis and Co. are mad -- for many reasons. First, the loss to Michigan. Second, Weis reminds them constantly of last year. Quinn picks up his Heisman campaign again here, tossing for five scores. MSU quarterback Drew Stanton has a good day, but it isn't enough this season. Notre Dame 48, Michigan State 20.

Sept. 30: Purdue: Purdue remembers what happened last year and how the Boilermakers collapsed after losing to Notre Dame. Anger won't matter as the Irish roll again thanks to another gifted day from Quinn. Notre Dame 42, Purdue 14.

Oct. 7: Stanford: This is another Weis special. He'll whip out the old Stanford tape and let the Irish watch as the Cardinal almost ruined their BCS season. Back in the national title hunt, he'll point out not to let it happen again. Walt Harris' crew will keep it close but Quinn and Samardzija have another key hookup late for the win. Notre Dame 31, Stanford 24.

Oct. 14: Idle: And on the seventh game, Notre Dame rests.

Oct. 21: UCLA: Weis will be prepared off of a bye week. Many are discounting UCLA in the preseason, but by now the Bruins offense will be pretty darned good with QB Ben Olson and RB Chris Markey and the defense will be improved. No sightings of the Bosworths, though, as the sons of Brian are still a year away from playing significant roles at linebacker. Next year could be different in Pasadena, but this year it's Notre Dame in a runaway despite the Bruins improvement. Four more scores for Quinn. Notre Dame 38, UCLA 20.

Oct. 28: @ Navy (Baltimore): Weis always says how tough it is to prepare for Navy's offense. Didn't matter last year. Won't this year. Darius Walker has a monster day -- 200 yards rushing and three scores -- in a rout, the first of three against service academies. Notre Dame 42, Navy 7.

Nov. 4: North Carolina: We celebrate our 26th year of earthly existence at where else -- a college football game. Notre Dame gives beat writers a present and wraps it up early. Notre Dame 48, North Carolina 17.

Nov. 11: @ Air Force: Not much to stay here. Quinn puts up six touchdowns in three quarters before being pulled. Notre Dame 54, Air Force 10.

Nov. 18: Army: Senior Day for Quinn, Samardzija, Zbikowski and the crew. Zbikowski returns a punt for a touchdown and a interception as well. A score in the final minutes keeps the game from being a shutout. Notre Dame 42, Army 7.

Nov. 25: @ USC: The hype last year will look like nothing compared to this game. Notre Dame will be No. 2 in the country, USC No. 3. Winner goes to the national title game against West Virginia. Loser settles for another BCS bowl. John David Booty looks like a future Heisman winner -- but remember, Quinn and Carson Palmer both struggled in their first years, too. Booty tosses a couple interceptions, including one on the final drive with the Irish up 34-31, to secure a Notre Dame win. Notre Dame 34, USC 31.

Jan. 8: West Virginia in BCS National Championship Game: All season, the defense played well. But Pat White and Steve Slaton emerged as the most explosive tandem in the country, with Slaton finishing fourth in the Heisman balloting. Quinn won, by the way. Having not seen a mobile quarterback since Week 1, Notre Dame is confused. The Irish make a run late but it doesn't matter. Satellites see Morgantown spark. West Virginia 31, Notre Dame 28.

Final record: 11-2.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Wednesday 8/30/06 Practice Observations

Not much going on at practice -- but a few things of note:

• The bikers are down to one --- D.J. Hord.
• Commenting about the nice day, wide receivers coach Rob Ianello said "Whew, it's nice out here today," which prompted a comment from freshman quarterback Zach Frazer. It was a nice day, not too humid and a light breeze.
• A Leo Ferrine sighting -- he seemed to be working with the second-team defensive backs during a scoop and score drill. Don't know if it means anything or if they are trying to find a place to put him.

That's all we got. Will post more later.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Practice Observations 8/29/06

How do you know the season is about to start? National TV types show up. That leads off our practice observations for this, the first game-week practice of 2006:

• ABC's Brent Musburger and Lisa Salters showed up to watch practice. Charlie Weis, seeing the veteran broadcaster, came over during a session of practice for a chat.
• Down to Derrell Hand, D.J. Hord and a guy in an UnderArmour-type shirt on the bikes.
• Speaking of Hand and Hord, both stretched Tuesday. Significant because it's the first time we've seen him do that this fall.
• Offensive lineman Michael Turkovich is back and practicing.
• Keith Penrod spent some time with the running backs during the media portion of practice. Penrod almost got caught up in one of the drills.
• Wide receiver Jeff Samardzija had a piece of tape on his right arm. Don't know what that's about but haven't seen it before.
• It might be trickery of the eyes, but Ryan Harris looks bigger than he did a couple weeks ago. Might be the pads.
• Defensive backs coach Bill Lewis screamed at the second team of DBs late in the media portion Tuesday, but it seemed like more of an instructional yell.
• Freshman center Dan Wenger remains out with the massive black cast on his right arm.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Weis' Tuesday Presser

Attended the first in-season press conference of the year early this afternoon, lasting about 40 minutes. Part of what went on will be in The Journal Gazette tomorrow. Here are some highlights that won't make any of the stories in the paper this week:

• When a reporter asked Weis if he had met with Father Theodore M. Hesburgh since he'd been here, he chuckled. He had met with Hesburgh both in his head coaching stint and when he was an undergraduate. A glint in his eye, he refused to divulge what had him sent to Hesburgh's office as an undergrad.
• Weis and his family are moving into a new home this week. He mentioned it at the press conference. Chicago Sun-Times writer Vaughn McClure wrote about Weis and his family extensively here: http://www.suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-nd29.html and here: http://www.suntimes.com/output/campus/cst-spt-ndside29.html
• During downtime before a night game, Weis likes to watch other teams play around the country. He says, though, that watching a game with him wouldn't be as much fun as fans might think. "I'm the worst person to watch a football game with. Alls I do is analyze the game," Weis said. "Nah, you wouldn't want to watch a game with me."
• Notre Dame will send seven coaches recruiting after Thursday's practice. It will be one of six days they'll recruit in person in-season. Because of that, the Irish will have a team-wide special teams meeting Friday and then offensive and defensive meetings Saturday.
• Weis will continue to take the ball if he wins the opening toss.
• In order to prepare for Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, a former Auburn quarterback who assumed playcalling duties for the Yellow Jackets, Weis had staff members dig up tape from the 1999 and 2000 Henderson State football teams, where he was the head coach. The Reddies, a Division II school based in funky-named Arkadelphia, Ark., play in the Gulf South Conference.

We'll have more after practice.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

The First "Charlie Day" of 2006

So we're finally in a game week. No access today, but we found this from Stewart Mandel's blog on SI.com. It seems pretty chic now to have some sort of online prediction based on video games. Well, we're no different here.

Mandel's season prediction is here. Read to the end, that's the biggest surprise of them all: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/football/ncaa/2006/08/virtual-favorites-huskers-hokies.html

Here's our prediction schedule. Using the handy-dandy NCAA 2007 for PlayStation 2, we're going to go week-by-week, including a breakdown of Notre Dame's game that week. That'll be posted on Thursday evenings. 

Also, a story in the Atlanta  Journal Constitution caught our eye: http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/0828schedule.html

Another thing this Monday, check out this guy's Web site. Dude is really good and really thorough when it comes to college football. They call him "The Wiz.:" http://thewizardofodds.blogspot.com/

The Sporting News did a Q&A with Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson here: http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=118572

One quick tidbit -- from now on we're calling Monday "Charlie Days," because Weis said that his gamedays  are Monday because that's when he builds the gameplan for the week.

Weis presser at noon Tuesday. We'll be there.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

It's Sunday, so a Q&A

It's another non-access day for the media, so I figured I'd get to some of your questions that got buried last week. Here we go, the mailbag:

hi there,  what do you think of ND's freshman so far?   in particular have you seen WR George West and what are your thoughts on his speed and play-making ability?

Go Irish!

jason uhl
Lawton, ia

Jason,

Thanks for writing. From what I've seen of the freshman so far, they are an impressive group overall. Most of them look quite big and Charlie Weis seems to be pretty pleased with them quickly, as evidenced by them littered on the depth chart. As far as George West, it's tough to say much about his play-making ability yet. He is definitely fast, though, and is the only freshman wide receiver on the two-deep. Weis said he isn't the only rookie wideout heading to Atlanta, though. Also, in regards to West, he might be the first freshman anyone sees this year -- if Notre Dame receives the ball in Atlanta. He's currently listed as one of the top kick returners. West is one of the more popular players people are asking about.

-------

Can you make the font bigger on your blog?

Also, here's a serious question. I'm wondering about defensive improvement. Have you noticed an improvement in speed and fundamentals, especially for the new linebackers and the secondary, from day 1 of camp until now or from day 1 of spring up to now? Some commentators, albeit many who don't follow camp or cover practice closely or at all, who say the defense has not improved and cannot. From your perspective, what's happened? Has there been real, genuine improvement?

Thanks,

Colin Taylor

Colin --

This is the biggest question about Notre Dame this season. Weis seems to think they have improved. Bill Lewis, the defensive backs coach, said he'll find out more after Atlanta. As for me, I'm in the Lewis camp there. Do I think there will be improvement? Yes. How much? Don't know. We don't get to see much of practice and scrimmaging so it is difficult to gauge. In my mind, it's more about confidence. The skill level is there. Here might be the biggest key: If Reggie Ball finds Calvin Johnson deep early for a touchdown, it could torpedo any confidence the coaching staff has built up. A couple breakups early and this defense could bolster confidence.

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What are your unbiased opinions on our team (based on observation)?  has the 'd' speed really increased or should i prepare for a repeat of last year?    

SPC James R. Hill

Ft. Riley, Kansas   

James --

Unbiased opinions, huh? This will get me in trouble, but you asked so I'll answer. I think this team's offense will be the best in the nation, along with Ohio State. Defensively, I'm really not sold yet. The depth is there, but I think it might be a year away from being in the upper echelons. By then, of course, the majority of Notre Dame's offense will have graduated (QB Brady Quinn, WRs Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight, TE Marcus Freeman and OL Bob Morton, Ryan Harris and Dan Santucci are all definitely gone after this season). Look at that list, though. That's a lot of talent lost. Plus, consider that if John Sullivan has a standout year, he could leave early for the draft. Same thing with TE John Carlson. Then, all of a sudden, the only offensive starters returning are RB Darius Walker, FB Asaph Schwapp and OL Sam Young. As far as a game-by-game prediction or record, that's coming later this week on the blog.

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This might be getting a little ahead of things, but I’ll ask the question anyway.  When I was looking at this year’s media guide, I got a reminder of how few players are left in the Junior class (thank you Mr. Willingham).  Based on those low numbers, how many of the “Seniors” would be eligible to be invited back for a 5^th year next season?

-Matt Beachy

Matt --

Here's the answer, sort of, from the 2006 media guide. Freeman, McKnight, OL Brian Mattes, Morton, Santucci, DE Chris Frome, DT Derek Landri and CB Mike Richardson are all fifth-year guys and are gone. From the actual senior class, Harris, Quinn, Samardzija, DE Victor Abiamiri and S Chinedum Ndukwe will have completed their eligibility. So that leaves WR Chase Anastasio, Carlson, FB Ashley McConnell, Sullivan, LB Nick Borseti, LB Joe Brockington, DT Casey Cullen, DT Trevor Laws, DE Dwight Stephenson Jr., LB Mitchell Thomas, LB Travis Thomas, CB Ambrose Wooden and S Tom Zbikowski.

In my opinion, of the last group I'd expect most to return. Zbikowski is almost definitely gone and has said as much before the season. I think Sullivan will also leave. Carlson might stay -- unless he has a really good year and doesn't want to chance a new QB dropping his stock. Remember, if Fasano had stayed, he would have likely been the No. 1 TE coming into the season. The draft class at the position could be weak this spring, which might force Carlson's hand.

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I'd be interested in hearing any sort of a breakdown on the #2a,b,c quarterbacks.

-Eric Ruethling

Doha, Qatar (and Beloit, Wisconsin)

Eric --

Thanks for reading and chiming in from Qatar. We're keeping track here and so far have received two e-mails from foreign countries, Qatar and the Dominican Republic. I'm thinking of putting up a composite list every week of where all the e-mails come from, so if you could kindly put your city/state/country in with your question, it'd be great.

On to your question, which is bit dated now and my fault. Evan Sharpley is the No. 2 guy right now. He's got a strong arm, although not quite at Quinn levels. Zach Frazer hasn't done much to impress me yet, but I haven't seen too much of him. Demetrius Jones is the quickest of the bunch and has an odd throwing motion, although the coaching staff indicated they aren't going to mess with it. Both freshmen must be doing something right as Weis seems open to making one of them the No. 2 if they continue to improve. Here might be the best bet of the coming spring -- one of the four (Sharpley, Frazer, Jones and Jimmy Clausen) will probably leave ND football. I'm not going to try and guess who it'll be yet, although I can almost guarantee it won't be Clausen as he wouldn't have even started his freshman year. If it's Sharpley, he could stay and play baseball. If it is Jones or Frazer, the bet would be either one transfers. It's a prickly situation.

Thanks for staying with us here throughout this long, long post. Don't forget you can ask questions at the Q&A forum, too. I'll answer those questions over there on Sundays as well -- except for next Sunday. I'll be at a wedding so I might not get to it and then it'll be pushed to Monday. Again, the e-mail address for questions is [email protected].

Six days until the first game? Anyone else getting antsy?

One more thing: I feel silly a little bit. I went back and checked a previous post, which said Chase Anastasio wouldn't be in the mix at wide receiver from what we've seen. Oops. Anastasio, who you can read about in Monday's Journal Gazette, is on the two-deep. That, along with the appearances of freshman DE John Ryan and freshman OL Eric Olsen on the two-deep, might be the surprises of camp.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

A Little Bit Of Bernie (Parmalee)

After digging through the notebook a little bit, we found this small interview with tight ends coach Bernie Parmalee from media day. We talked some Ball State football – he’s an alum and a former 1,000-yard back at the school. For the ND fans not in the know, Ball State has struggled in previous years.

Here’s what he had to say about the Cardinals from Muncie.

"I haven’t watched many games last year but they on the right track. They are. They went through a phase, a coaching change. It takes time. It is not an easy job. It isn’t an easy job. I don’t care where you are. Any time you have a type of (coaching) change, you going to have a time where you are not going to be where you want to be."

Reporter: Would you ever want to go back and coach there?

“I’m happy right here. I’m happy right here. I don’t talk down the road.”

Reporter: Do you want to see them return to where they once were?

“Yeah. It’s the alma mater. You want to see them do well. You have to root for your alma mater. I don’t think there is anyone who really don’t root for their alma mater. But they on the right track. They have a great guy heading that program so they’ll be OK.”

Simple questions, I know, but we figured there isn’t going to be much room or need for this during the season and that’s what the blog is for – some of the extras.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Some Saturday Musings From Charlie

No practice today but Charlie Weis did meet with the media to close out training camp as the first game week begins, well, now. It felt like forever but the opener is now exactly a week away – maybe a tad more or less depending on when you are reading.

Weis – as he always seems to – delved through multiple topics in his almost half-hour conversation with the media, the last time he’ll address us until Tuesday. Among the highlights:

• He was “pleasantly surprised” with how offensive lineman Ryan Harris returned from injury.
• Weis is planning on bringing anywhere from 60-70 players to Atlanta for the opener. He said about 60 of them are already set.
• In regards to recruiting, he can’t talk specifics. He did say, though, that ND is “either/or” with a lot of national caliber kids. Among them could be athlete Harrison Smith (Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic); linebacker Chris Donald (Huntingdon, Tenn.); defensive lineman Will Blackwell (West Monroe, La.) and wide receiver Arrelious Benn (Washington, D.C). All of these names came from Irish Illustrated, the Rivals.com site for Notre Dame. Weis is barred from talking about specific recruits due to NCAA rules.
• Weis is keeping defensive lineman Derrell Hand from doing too much, mostly due to precaution. Hand is out of the boot on his left foot and has been seen dressed at practice. Weis said he expects Hand to be able to play some for the Irish this year after the sophomore Philadelphia native didn’t see a second as a freshman.

In other recruiting news – we’ll be filling you in more here as the year goes on – it seems as if Gary Gray, who had verbally committed and then de-committed from South Carolina earlier this year, has made Notre Dame his new leader. This news comes from Irish Illustrated, who heard it during a halftime interview during one of Gray’s high school games shown on ESPN.

From the Irish Illustrated Web site:

"Right now, I'm thinking Notre Dame 60-40 over South Carolina," Gray told a reporter during a live interview halftime of the Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Central-Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes contest Saturday afternoon in Duncan, S.C.

We’ll post again a little later today. Tomorrow (Sunday), we will finally get to a question-and-answer session which has been long promised but delayed. Also, this week we’re going to roll out some new aspects of this blog, including a mini-travelogue (for those heading to Atlanta) and an NCAA 2007 simulation of the game (the plan is to start an NCAA season and go along each with Notre Dame by simulating through and not touching the game from either side).

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette