Irish Insights

So You May Have Heard of This Demetrius Jones Guy

It may have taken a little while and some poking at Charlie Weis with a Demetrius Jones-shaped stick, but the answers surrounding Jones' claims about being pulled so quickly from the Irish's season-opener against Georgia Tech last season have been answered.
Sort of.
Weis spoke with the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton this week and said Jones, who has since left the school and is enrolled at Cincinnati, had missed a mandatory team meeting the Sunday before the first game. Weis had contemplated suspending him for the opener, but considering he had installed a spread offense specifically for Jones, decided he would suspend him for the second game of the season against Penn State.
So what does this mean?
It certainly gives a clear-cut reason for why Notre Dame looked so lost against Georgia Tech, then the next week against Penn State and again in Week 3 against Michigan, when Jones decided to transfer by not making the bus to Ann Arbor.
Sure, it might have not made a difference but if there was debate within the team over whether or not Jones should be playing, a rift could have happened which would mean the team wouldn't be playing together, something more critical in an opener when everything is still new.
Either way, it provides a fascinating post-script to the 2007 season.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Catching Up With Former Notre Dame Running Back Ryan Grant

If you paid attention to the end of the last NFL season, you couldn't miss former Notre Dame running back Ryan Grant and his story. He went from a no-name with the New York Giants to the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers and helping to lead the Packers to the NFC title game, where they lost to the Giants.
But Grant has established himself as a running back in the NFL, something that seemed improbable after he left Notre Dame and then suffering a potentially devastating injury to his hand falling through glass.
But Grant was on campus for the Blue-Gold game this weekend so we had a few minutes to catch up with him.

Irish Insights: Life without Brett Favre, how different is it?
Ryan Grant: "I don't know yet. We haven't played any games yet but I don't see it being that different in the sense that the motive is still the same. We're going to go out there with confidence and try to accomplish the same type of thing -- wins. But from a fan's immediate sense, it'll be a little bigger difference because they don't know anything different."

Media Member: That's a pretty strong personality in the locker room, wasn't it.
RG: "Absolutely. I don't think we'll ever lose that sense of who he is in the locker room. He had his own office and stuff like that so you didn't see him that much."

Media Member: Do you take over that office now?
RG: "(Laughing). No. No way. I don't think anyone takes over that office. I wouldn't even want that."

Irish Insights: Does it sit there, locked?
RG: "I don't even know if many people know that it's there. I went back there one day, he called me back there and I was like 'Holy smokes, this is where you're at all the time.' But just in general, people are happy for him that he gets a chance to be regular Brett Favre and get a break. As disappointing as it was, nobody knows what he was going through and stuff like that. All the credit and accolades is all deserved and that he gets a chance to relax."

II: What's it like being back here?
RG: "It's great. A great experience. I really appreciate Coach Weis and everyone welcoming me back. It's a little different, a little weird being on the other sidelines and I didn't know how I felt about being a coach. Guys were asking me advice and I'm like 'What are you talking about?' But I'm excited. There's a bunch of new faces. There are only three guys on the team that I've played with so that's a little bit... But I'm excited about the guys and the new leadership."

II: Did Charlie have you talk to (Robert) Hughes and James Aldridge and (Armando) Allen because the situation is somewhat similar from when you were here?
RG: "Yeah, and I just told them to make each other better, to compete against each other and that'll, in essence, make the team better and that it will help, that competition is healthy. From a backfield stance, they can feed off each other, make each other better and learn from each other. I think they'll do that anyway."

II: Is this cool to be back here because of the college career you had here and then you come back here as the starting running back, Green Bay Packers and when you left here no one really knew what would happen?
RG: "I'm really just here, me being back here isn't about me and my stuff. I'm here to support the guys. So just the success we had last year as a team and with me is fine, but I'm here for these guys."
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

He's A Head Coach Now: Talking With New Toledo Head Coach Gene Cross

He gave an emotional goodbye speech during Notre Dame's basketball banquet last Wednesday and afterward hung around to chat with anyone and everyone associated with the Irish.
Gene Cross is settling into his new job at Toledo, a first-time head coach in the Mid-American conference and the second former Irish assistant to be in the league, joining Ball State head coach Billy Taylor.
We chatted with Cross for a few minutes about his new job, why he chose the Rockets and where his future will lie.

Irish Insights: What attracted you to Toledo versus some of the other jobs you've been involved with?
Gene Cross: "There's a huge level of support there. The administration, the fans, they've got a great league, the MAC, it's a great so-called mid-major league. They have good players there. There are so many positives about that job that make it attractive for somebody to come in and be successful right away. When you look at jobs, you have to make sure, to quote Kevin White, 'Not a body-bag job' so to speak because you always want to have the opportunity to go in and succeed. They've had a history of success in terms of wins and losses and championships. They've just missed the NCAA tournament bid and that's the one thing they've been missing. I think that's why they brought me in, to give them that little push to get to the NCAA tournament."

II: Is that how you sold them a little bit because the other coaches they looked at had been head coaches and you weren't. Is that part of it?
GC: "Ultimately bringing a youthful exuberance, so to speak, and an energy because it needed a shot in the arm. I can't speak for the other guys but I know I was really energetic and focused on expressing to them the type of energy and passion I'd bring to the program, and discipline and a certain work ethic that comes with being good."

II: This doesn't sound like a complete overhaul job.
GC: "It's not. It's a tweak here and there. And they may be big tweaks here and there but still in all, I feel like I have the experience to do that having been at UIC, where it needed a tweak here and there, having been at DePaul in the situation where you needed a tweak here or there and Virginia the same thing, a tweak here and there not where it was a rebuild but just a different injection at each place. Even here, being able to bring a tweak to the staff here. I think I've had the experience at each place I've gone at making a change and a change for the better with all due respect to the places I've been and the coaches I've been involved with."

II: Getting the head coaching job when you did, did you just think it was time because I remember you saying you were waiting for the right job.
GC: "It's time when the right thing presents itself. If there were a job that I didn't feel like I could succeed in, Mike (Brey) wouldn't have allowed me to pursue it, Dr. White wouldn't have allowed me to pursue it and other people that I trust wouldn't have allowed me to pursue it. They knew that this was a great opportunity for me to be successful and to lead Toledo to success and hopefully I can do that."

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Catching Up With: Former ND Lineman and San Francisco 49er Bryant Young

While Notre Dame had many honorary coaches during Saturday's Blue-Gold game, none were more intriguing than Bryant Young, who represented the 1990s for the Irish.
Young retired from the San Francisco 49ers after an illustrious career following the 2007 season, complete with Super Bowl rings and a likely induction in Canton to follow.
So we -- and other media members -- spent a few minutes with the legend, finding out what life is like and other matters:

Media member: When was the last time you were at Notre Dame?
Bryant Young: "About three years ago in the summer but this was the first time I was back for anything football related or sports related but it's great to be back and my, how much the campus has changed. I hope to be back and watch a few games next year."

Media member:  The (coaching) headgear fit you nice, you see a future there?
BY: "It was kind of scary, kind of felt a little eerie, but there may be. We'll see. I'm going to take some time off and explore those options."

Media member: Your impressions of the game, especially that little dust-up.
BY: "They showed a lot of excitement and made some great plays out there. They played together, a little feisty. You need that now and then. I think for the most part they got some things accomplished, ran the ball well, saw some great passes out there and some great defenses."

Irish Insights: So what have you been up to since retirement started?
BY: "Nothing. (Laughter) Traveling a little bit, getting back here and doing much of nothing."

Irish Insights: So literally just waking up every day just sitting by the pool.
BY: "Yeah, and playing with my children and spending time with the family."

Irish Insights: You said traveling. Anywhere specific?
BY: "Nah. It's coming, but nowhere out of the country yet."

Irish Insights: Where do you want to go?
BY: "Italy. Just a place with a lot of history. So that's one of the places that excites me. That's one place. Germany and we'll see after that."
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Catching Up With Former ND Football Player Bob Golic

At halftime we saw what we thought was a familiar face -- familiar hair anyway. Turns out, Bob Golic was in South Bend for the Blue-Gold game but there'd be a chance you wouldn't recognize him.
Golic dropped a bunch of weight in the past two years -- roughly 140 pounds. He's pretty trim and if it wasn't for his recognizable face, you wouldn't have any clue this was the same guy who showed up as an honorary coach for the Blue-Gold game two years ago.
Once we realized it was him, we spent a few minutes finding out about where he's at and how he became so trim.

Irish Insights: What have you been up to?
Bob Golic: "I actually moved back to Cleveland and I'm doing a radio show, non-sports, just regular talk radio. I figured I'd finally use my ability and the education I got at Notre Dame to examine the problems of the world instead of just sports. It's just a matter of letting people call up and complain. Those damned Republicans. Those flaming Liberals."

II: What do you think of what's happened today?
BG: "I think it's terrific. It's one of the most exciting things of being here knowing that through the winter and everything's done, depending how your season ended this is always the feeling of 'OK, we're starting fresh.' It's always good to see how many fans come down to this, too."

II: You've lost a lot of weight since the last time we saw you.
BG: "Yeah, about 140 pounds."

II: How'd you do it?
BG: "I just started doing it. About two weeks ago my wife said stop losing weight and put 10 pounds back on. So I go 'Hey, with pleasure.' I dropped about 140 and I am probably, I'm below college weight. I'm right around high school weight now which had been amazing because I had just assumed my knees and joints that hurt was because I had played football and NFL football for so many years but once I lost the weight, all of a sudden my knees don't hurt so bad."

II: So you're able to run 20 miles now?
BG: "Yeah. My only regret is that I didn't do it 10 years ago."

II: Was it your wife that spurred you to do it?
BG: "You know, no. I think I just had gotten to the point where I didn't feel healthy. I had really convinced myself that I was just an old player and we all gain weight after we stop playing. I just didn't feel healthy, my youngest is 10 and you hit 50 and you start thinking, 'I've lost some friends already and other people are starting to watch. And I thought maybe it's time.' Once I started dropping, I started getting really excited about it and then all of a sudden it became a challenge. It's like 'Wow, I'm down to the weight I was when I played nose tackle for the Raiders, let's see if I can get down to the weight I was as nose tackle for the Browns. Oh, OK, let's see if I can get down to the weight I was as a Notre Dame wrestler, like 270. I got that. Now I'm trying to get down to the weight where I was a Notre Dame linebacker, like 255.' I got my weight to 240, my weight senior year in high school and now I'm at 245."

II: You have a whole bunch of new Golics coming in now. I'm guessing you're pretty stoked about that.
BG: "Yeah. Obviously my two nephews, Mike's kids, are coming in and I've got a daughter who is a junior in high school, a star volleyball player (Jenna Golic) and I told her 'You can be the first non-football playing Golic at Notre Dame.' Unfortunately the volleyball coach isn't here this weekend so we'll have to do that at another time."

II: Is she good enough to play here?
BG: "Yeah."

Thanks to Bob Golic for the time.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Spring Game Wrap-up

So what a final few minutes -- sorry we're just getting you the information now.
So the offense (Blue) won, beating the defense (Gold), 47-46, thanks to a last-second drive by quarterback Jimmy Clausen.
Here's the encouraging part about it -- Clausen threw two crisp, pinpoint passes on the drive. One was a 57-yard completion to Golden Tate, a throw that Charlie Weis said Clausen couldn't have made at any time last year.
Then the game-winning touchdown to Duval Kamara came on a fade route on the left side of the field over cornerback Gary Gray. Clausen placed the ball pretty close to perfect.
"You know, last year I wasn't really healthy coming off the elbow surgery and being hurt throughout the season," Clausen said. "I feel great right now. I feel 100 percent back to where I'm supposed to be.
"And it's just great to throw it as far as I can."
Statistically, Clausen's numbers were average -- 10 of 27 for 183 yards, one touchdown and one interception -- but the way he threw the ball was a more encouraging sight. He hit receivers in stride. He made tough throws and for the most part had good awareness of what was going on.
Offensive MVP honors went to Robert Hughes, who had 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. Harrison Smith, who intercepted a pass for a touchdown, had defensive MVP honors.
Other things of note:

• Besides Eric Olsen, Weis wouldn't name the other two players in the scuffle following Smith's interception return. Even when he was asked about the conversation he had with Olsen, he made a joke about it.
  "I was just saying hello to Eric," Weis said. "I really was just asking him how things were. His dad and mom had brought me some bagels from Staten Island, N.Y., I appreciated it.
  "But no, we'll let it go."
• Wide receiver Robby Parris and linebacker Kallen Wade were both held out of the game after suffering undisclosed injuries earlier in the week. Weis said they were both game-time decisions.
• Notre Dame ran the ball so much early -- 16 carries on one possession -- so he could build toughness and confidence in the offensive line. It worked as the Irish offense scored on the play.
• Former players in attendance: Joe Montana, Chris Zorich, Maurice Stovall, Travis Thomas, J.J. Jansen, Leo Ferrine and Bob Golic.
• Among the recruits roaming around that we saw: running back Cierre Wood (wearing a Calvin Johnson jersey), defensive lineman Tyler Stockton, athlete E.J. Banks, inside linebacker Brian Townsend, offensive guard Alex Bullard, defensive end Anthony LaLota, lineman Joe Calderone, defensive end Jordan Paskorz and safety DeVonte Holloman.
• The offense took a knee on the final play to ensure the win, causing the crowd to boo.
• Pat Kuntz and Will Yeatman were also around and on the field.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

More Hughes

Peyton Manning would say they aren't booing, but chanting "Moooo-vers." Or "Huuuu-ghes."
Another Hughes run -- and he broke away from Morrice Richardson to get back to the line of scrimmage.
It's the third time out and we're out -- down to the field with 4:15 left and the defense up, 40-37.
We'll be back later. Thanks for sticking around and make sure to check out the blog in a couple hours for updates.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Clausen Back In

The offense might be trying to win now.
Clausen is back in. So is Robert Hughes, who picked up nine yards and a new chant of "Huuugghhesss," which sounds a little like "Booo," but it's not. It also sounds like "Luuukkkeee," by Luke Harangody is a basketball player. That said, the defensive line could use him.
Hughes for 13 yards and another first down and an explosive play.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Defense Running away with it.

Nick Lezynski back in at quarterback and he hands off to running back Barry Gallup Jr. for a 4-yard gain.
Ugly play on third down there as Lezynski-to-Gallup handoff didn't go so well.
Another three-and-out, another three points for the defense as it leads 40-34.
And still no punt return as Golden Tate waves off catching the ball.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Some Armando Allen

Armando Allen just had a 5-yard carry to get a first down and to re-take the spring game lead, 34-33.
Aldridge just picked up a run, too, and defensive captain Maurice Crum Jr. made his first tackle.
On third down Clausen had a really good threaded pass to Duval Kamara for an eight-yard game but no first down.
And Notre Dame going for it again. Could be the play of the game. Shotgun for Clausen. Good snap. And he was sacked by Brian Smith.
Defense takes the lead with the two points for a sack, two points with the defensive stop.
Defense leads, 37-34.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette