Irish Insights

Live (on tape delay) from the ND-Georgia Tech Pep Rally

Where's Jon Voight and Paul Walker? Seriously.

All that came through my mind when former Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann was talking was "Tonight, we play Bingville. Tonight, we beat Bingville!" Ahh, Varsity Blues and Coach Kilmer -- the best coach no one wanted to play for.

Anyway, on to Notre Dame's pep rally. Tom Zbikowski announced who the quarterback is: Himself. Seriously, that's what he said. Now that would be the facades to end all facades in any sport.

Best dressed goes to sophomore quarterback Demetrius Jones, who stood out in a white suit with brown shoes that had gold interspersed on them. Pretty impressive among the sea of blacks, grays and blues most of the players wore. Jones also moved his hands to the Celtic chant.

Most bizarre sight (and honestly, since this was our first pep rally, there were a few. They didn't do this at Syracuse): A man in a giant Charlie Weis head, microphone down ready to communicate with his staff and all. His buddy got into the act, too, wearing a huge Lou Holtz head (ears sold separately).

Quotable:
Theismann: "It doesn't matter a damn what anybody else says."

And then more Theismann later on, about Georgia Tech: "Not beat 'em. Destroy 'em."

Travis Thomas: "Everybody says we suck anyway." He then proceeded, at the end of his short talk, to bring out a flyswatter and pretend to kill a Yellow Jacket.

Charlie Weis on why people don't have faith in Notre Dame this year: "Sorry they graduated. ... I'll take the blame we came to school to graduate. I'm sorry."

Weis said his team's only advantage is playing at home.

Weis: "Let's just go find out what we have."

All in all, an interesting experience. That said, when Weis tried to get the crowd loud to simulate when Notre Dame's defense was on the field, it wasn't as loud as at points during Notre Dame-Alabama men's basketball last year.

Speaking of men's hoops, the entire men's team and coaches were there. They'll be playing in the Joyce Center tomorrow at noon.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Our Notre Dame-Georgia Tech Prediction

There are questions everywhere at Notre Dame. Who is the quarterback? How will the receivers play? Can the new offensive line handle Georgia Tech's defensive blitz? What will the 3-4 defense do? Can Pat Kuntz play nose tackle? Can Charlie Weis work Joe Theismann in for a play?

Well, here are some answers. The quarterback, barring a surprise, will likely be Demetrius Jones with a snippet here and there of Evan Sharpley. At least that's our guess. The receivers will struggle at first -- except for David Grimes, who is used to playing college ball. Georgia Tech's defense, coached by Jon Tenuta, will put a lot of pressure on whatever quarterback is playing for Notre Dame.  And no, Joe Theismann won't be involved except to cheer.
The 3-4 defense will play surprisingly well -- especially against the pass, the Irish's biggest weakness the past two years. Kuntz will start off well at nose tackle, but the constant beating by offensive linemen will tire the defensive front out by the middle of the third quarter.

Our prediction -- Notre Dame will jump out to an early lead, but the running of Tashard Choice along with the experience of the offensive line will prove to be a little bit too much. Plus, the Yellow Jackets will score at least one defensive touchdown, which ends up being the difference. Final score: Georgia Tech 24, Notre Dame 17.

Don't forget to get your predictions to us at [email protected]. The ND-GT contest will close at Noon on Saturday. Talk to ya tomorrow from Notre Dame Stadium.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Sounds like it's Jones

Morgan Park (Ill.) High School coach Lexie Spurlock wouldn't come out and say it explicitly -- but Demetrius Jones' high school coach told the Chicago Tribune that he knew about Notre Dame's secret.

"Let's just say Demetrius is going to make everyone in Chicago proud," Spurlock told the Tribune. "I would think that anyone who is taking most of the snaps in practice would be the guy who starts."

(EDIT: While still not official) Jones likely beat out junior Evan Sharpley and freshman Jimmy Clausen to earn the right to be Notre Dame's starting quarterback on Saturday against Georgia Tech.

So Jones will probably follow the path his cousin, Chris Zorich, took when he became a standout defensive lineman for Notre Dame. He'll be another player who is a starter out of Chicago's Public League.

"Everyone from Chicago is aware of the type of talent that comes out of there," Jones said. "It is very rare that the guys are able to get a chance to get out there and make it, whether it is grades or opportunity or they didn't get the good look. It'll be definitely something new and a good accomplishment and it'll also open up the eyes of the young kids that have big dreams and aspirations."

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who vowed to keep the quarterback a secret until game time, talks to the media tonight for the final time until the opener.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Practice Observations, 8/30/07

Notre Dame went through a game day pre-game workout inside Notre Dame Stadium on Thursday, just using the time as a walk-through to prepare for Saturday's opener against Georgia Tech.

• Scouts from the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots were in attendance -- and talking with offensive line coach John Latina.
• The kicking scenario might also have been figured out. Freshman Brandon Walker was working on longer, 40-yard field goals while Nate Whitaker took extra points. Walker, who has a smooth kicking motion. While we were looking, Walker made two from 40 yards with plenty of distance.
• For the first time in a long time, we saw quarterbacks actually throwing the football to receivers. All four -- Demetrius Jones, Evan Sharpley, Jimmy Clausen and Darrin Bragg -- were throwing them high to warm up, but Clausen's arm looked no better or worse than the other three. Jones and Clausen threw together, as did Sharpley and Bragg. Jones and Sharpley had on play wristbands, while we didn't see Clausen wearing one.
• Outside linebacker Kerry Neal doesn't appear to have great hands. On a ball thrown to him by Sharpley, it hit him in the hands and he dropped it.
• When the team got together in a huddle, John Sullivan and John Carslon head-butted each other. While they were talking to the rest of the team, one of the captains said "Game day, it's almost here. It's almost here."
• Everyone stretched on their own.
• A side note -- and maybe it is rectified before Saturday -- but the goalposts really could use some paint. There are chunks of them where you could see a rusted color instead of the neon yellow color they should be. The field, by the way, also looked like it had been spraypainted green.

Last chance to get in on the predictions contest. E-mail us at [email protected] with the final score guesses.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Around the ND Universe, 8/30/07

Some things you know and some things you may have missed:

Some things you know:

• Magical auras in South Bend? What? Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey isn't worrying about it.
• South Bend Tribune columnist Jeff Carroll takes Notre Dame to task for having varying punishments for legally similar crimes for point guard Kyle McAlarney and defensive lineman Derrell Hand.

Some things you may have missed:

• The exhibition men's soccer match between Notre Dame and Northwestern raised $6,300 for Grassroot Soccer, used to educate youth in Africa about AIDS through soccer clinics.
• Dayne Crist, that quarterback guy coming to Notre Dame next year, is getting ready to start his senior high school season in California.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Chatting with Ambrose Wooden

Called the ultimate team player by his position coach and being shuffled around like the sixes in a six-deck set of playing cards throughout his time at Notre Dame, fifth-year senior cornerback Ambrose Wooden saw himself fall on the depth chart again this week -- this time to sophomore Darrin Walls.

One would think Wooden, who perpetually has a smile on his face, would be frustrated with the demotion. During his meeting with the media he spoke fast but never once said he was frustrated about dropping down the depth chart.  Head coach Charlie Weis and defensive backs coach Bill Lewis stressed Wooden did nothing wrong, but Walls has played that well to necessitate the change.

"I just have to go out there and play," Wooden said. "I just have to focus on what I can do to help the team. That's all it's about."

Wooden began the 2006 season as a starter but eventually gave way to Terrail Lambert after Wooden was sidelined with an injury earlier in the season. Remember, too, that he began his Notre Dame career as a wide receiver from The Gilman School in Baltimore.

No one would commit to Wooden moving into the nickel back slot, but both Lewis and defensive coordinator Corwin Brown said Wooden will have a role on the field Saturday. It might just be different than what he initially expected a few weeks ago.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Catching Up With...Former Notre Dame quarterback David Wolke

David Wolke spent a couple years backing up Brady Quinn before transferring to Western Kentucky. As part of our story "Lost In Transition," we caught up with Wolke, now considered a front-runner to start for the Hilltoppers this weekend when they face defending national champion Florida.

Insights: Are you surprised how many people left?
David Wolke: "Yeah, it does surprise me. I don't know if that anything to do with me leaving but I don't know why that is, really."

Insights: Was it a tough decision to go?
DW: "To leave Notre Dame? Yeah, it was a very tough decision. It's really the obvious. Notre Dame is such a great school and academically, football-wise, it is hard to leave something like that. It wasn't just because of playing time but it was various reasons but it was more heavily getting on the field and playing."

Insights: Did you get a feeling there would be a shift when Ty Willingham left?
DW: "Yes and no. I wasn't real sure about it. It seems like that it was the case now that there is only seven of my class still there but you never really know. People left for various reasons and all that. I really don't know what the coaches were wanting to do and stuff like that."

Insights: How's the competition going for the starting role at Western Kentucky?
DW: "Yeah, the pressure has built up and I'm still competing and everything. It's changed a lot because it's grind time right now. I think I've been doing really well. Obviously we're still learning the new offense we installed during spring and a lot of new add-ons and things like that, but I think I'm getting the hang of it."

Insights: Is the best you've ever played? If not, when?
DW: "No. I have no idea. I seriously feel like I haven't played football in three years sometimes."

Insights: What's it like to be on the field?
DW: "It's better. It's, the pressure comes along with it but I feel like I'm getting a lot better and more comfortable and the game is starting to slow down more and I'm getting used to being back there."

Insights: What do you think the first game will be like?
DW: "I've thought about it but my thing, I try to take each day at a time because I haven't won the spot yet. I can't think what if I don't or what if I do because I really don't know yet. I'm almost certain I'm going to play. Even if I win this job, I'm almost certain the other quarterback I'm competing with is going to play but I can't think about that right now."

Insights: Do you still take things from your time at Notre Dame?
DW: "I did at first when I came here but you kind of, when you're under a new coach, you almost just have to trust him and you can't really say a whole lot. You can, but you have to trust in the system and what he's doing."

Insights: Do you still talk to guys you came here with?
DW: "I talk to Evan Sharpley quite a bit. I talk to Jake (Richardville) every now and then. I don't really talk to guys there because I don't really have time, to be honest."

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Around the ND Universe, 8/29/07

Some things you know, some things you may have missed:

Some things you know:

• He was picked up late -- and now he's gone. Travis Leitko was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, one of two players to be cut by the defending Super Bowl Champions.
• Who do you think will have the tougher day Saturday? Notre Dame's starting quarterback or former Notre Dame quarterback David Wolke, who will likely be the starter at Western Kentucky when they face Florida this weekend.

Some things you may have missed:

• Guess who will be at Notre Dame on Oct. 10? None other than Steve Yzerman, the former captain of the Detroit Red Wings, who will be speaking at the hockey team's annual preseason banquet.
• Former Notre Dame kicker Nick Setta was named the Canadian Football League's special teams player of the week.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Practice Observations, 8/29/07

Notre Dame went inside today, although with the heat jacked up like it was or hot air just trapped inside the Loftus Center, it felt like Miami in July (read: hot, muggy and sticky).

• The team looked much looser today than yesterday -- more like they did throughout most of training camp. If there is one thing that can be said about this team thus far it is that they are having, by far, more fun in practice.
• Long snapper J.J. Jansen definitely was enjoying the sidestep portion of the line drills.
• After a day's absence -- at least from our view -- Evan Sharpley and Demetrius Jones were back at their pre-stretch skit. Today, Sharpley was a golfer and Jones the caddy helping him line up a putt. Sharpley putted and stalked after the ball, Tiger Woods style, complete with a fist pump after it went in. It'll be curious to see if they do anything crazy on Saturday during stretching.
• Keith Penrod was there, as usual. This time, he was carting around with a sign saying "Focus, Control + Heart=Respect," showing it to all the players.
• Freshman linebacker Brian Smith  has some speed. On a drill where the linebackers come off the edge and try to strip the quarterback, Smith attacked fast and smashed the ball out of the coach's hand. He was by far the fiercest in the drill.
• In a backpedaling drill, the cornerbacks worked in this rotation: Terrail Lambert and Ambrose Wooden; Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil.
• Jappy Oliver was having some fun today, too. While the defensive linemen were working on a swat or intercept drill, he took one snap to peg senior walk-on Neil Kennedy in the butt with a football as he and the rest of the team laughed hard afterward.
• Derrell Hand was in shoulder pads and shorts -- just like the rest of the team.

Don't forget about our predictions contest -- send your e-mailed guess to [email protected]. Also feel free to send questions about anything for our weekly mailbag to either the same e-mail address or drop a comment in one of the boxes below.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Analyzing the depth chart

We know we promised a quick analysis of what the depth chart means -- so here goes, by position.

Quarterback: We aren't going to touch it. Read all the hyperbole you want, but the quarterbacks know who the guy is by now -- explicitly from Charlie Weis. Demetrius Jones is the athlete. Jimmy Clausen has the best pedigree and skill and Evan Sharpley has the know-how and honestly, we're impressed with him. That said, everything we've been led to believe points to Jones.

Running back: No surprise that Travis Thomas is at the top of the depth chart. The fact that James Aldridge, Junior Jabbie and Armando Allen are all listed as "ORs" as No. 2 on the depth chart leads us to believe they could all be situational backs (i.e. one is a short-yardage back, one is a third down back, one is maybe a goal-line back like Greg Jones on Jacksonville). It'd be a way to get all four in the game and our guess would be Aldridge is the goal-line, Allen is third-down and Jabbie is short yardage. But again, who knows what the rotation will be.

Fullback: Asaph Schwapp is a bruiser and a good blocker. He's the guy you want there with the talent at running back.

Wide receiver: Our bet is that George West and D.J. Hord are 1 and 1A at the receiver slot opposite David Grimes. Look for some shifting as the season progresses there, as we bet a bunch of guys get their shot (most likely Robby Parris, Barry Gallup Jr. and Duval Kamara, in that order). We bet Grimes becomes a star by season's end.

Tight end: The most interesting question could be this -- if Will Yeatman becomes the No. 1 tight end when John Carlson leaves, would he consider giving up lacrosse? So far, Yeatman has said he wants to play both. But being a full-time starter could change his mind -- or he could become one of the best two-sport athletes in Notre Dame history (he'll likely be a lacrosse All-American as early as next year and considering the pedigree of tight ends, one would think whoever replaces Carlson has a shot at it, too, by the time their career ends). This is the question for the current No. 2.

Offensive line: Not really too many surprises. Dan Wenger emerged early in camp and held the right guard spot the whole way. Matt Carufel will get some time, though. He's too good not to. Plus, Weis is excited about the depth. It is surprising that both freshmen -- Matt Romine and Taylor Dever -- placed ahead of sophomore Bartley Webb. And with Chris Stewart not on the depth chart, how much did moving to defense in the spring hurt him on offense?

Defensive end: Trevor Laws isn't going anywhere. On the other side, Justin Brown will be the starter but we think it'll rotate between Brown and Stephenson as far as who is on the field when. Don't be surprised if there is a Chris Frome/Ronald Talley type of rotation there.

Nose tackle: With Derrell Hand back -- but not on the depth chart currently and he's suspended for three weeks -- it gives more depth to Notre Dame's thinnest position. Pat Kuntz is the starter, but we wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being a 50-50 or 60-40 split with Ian Williams in a few weeks.

Outside linebacker: John Ryan never moved from the one spot. Neither has Anthony Vernaglia. We think Vernaglia is going to have a big year this year and hold off both freshmen -- Brian Smith and Kerry Neal -- vying for time if he falters.

Inside linebacker: They will end up having a three-to-four man rotation here. Maurice Crum and Joe Brockington will start, but Toryan Smith will play a lot. He even indicated at the rotation during training camp, as did Weis. Don't be surprised to see Scott Smith in there, but probably not as many plays as the other three.

Cornerback: We misspoke a little bit earlier. Yes, Ambrose Wooden is fast, but so is Darrin Walls. It is more of the secondary likely needing a change. That said, we wouldn't be surprised to see Wooden in a nickel back type of role. He has too much experience to not be on the field somewhere and like a commenter said, he is fast and can run people down. But Walls is the starter now -- and likely a position he won't give up until he graduates or leaves for the NFL. As for the other side, Terrail Lambert has the potential to be a playmaker this year, but Raeshon McNeil will play, too -- although it could also be in a nickel/dime capacity.

Safeties: Tom Zbikowski is the stalwart. David Bruton might be the key to the whole defense with his range and his speed. If Bruton plays well, he can cover up mistakes from the front seven fast. No surprises on Ray Herring as the backup to Bruton, either, even though he missed part of camp.

Kicker: Weis said today it is a two-man job with freshman Brandon Walker and sophomore Nate Whitaker. He even went as far to say as where the ball is on the field might determine who the kicker is. To us, that says length -- although it could also mean hash-marks, too. Either way, we wouldn't be surprised to see both kickers boot field goal tries in the first game.

Punter: Geoff Price. Nothing else needs to be said.

Punt return: Zbikowski. Same as Price.

Kick returner: Weis is starting two freshmen there -- Allen and Golden Tate. Both possess great speed and a dimension Notre Dame hasn't had that before. Travis Thomas eluded it to it today, that both of them have the "speed to take it to the house any time they touch the ball." It is tough, though, because freshmen can be inconsistent -- something Weis alluded to in his press conference.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette