Trying Not to Get High Hopes

9 more days until kickoff in South Bend. I am giddy. Kind of like a pedophile at the LLWS. However this year I'm going to try and be more rational. The past two seasons have cost me a putter, a large dry erase board, my right hand, and a poor box of Special K. I still cry when I see Ambrose Wooden tracking down that douche bag on 4th and 9. I still kill a baby every time I see those fucks from Lansing stick that flag in the grass. Enough of the past. Let's look forward to the not so promising year for the Irish.

Charlie Weis is good. I don't care what the criticizers say about him, he is a damn good coach. I know he is a giant ass, and has a giant ass, but I love him. The quarterback situation is ugly this year since Jimmy Clausen is not 100%. Evan Sharpley is the last guy I want to see taking the snaps even though he has "experience." Demetrius Jones is black and I hate the scrambling QB so basically I won't be happy whoever is chosen. Clausen clearly has the most potential, but I believe it is best for him to be red shirted this year. The last thing he needs is to go into a game against a tough schedule and play poorly because he hasn't been practicing at full strength. The media will eat him alive and the freshman will crumble and lose any confidence he may have left. Maybe Ron Powlus can spark of his old magic into the hearts of the Irish...

The O-Line brings back John Sullivan and Sam Young who is part-human, part-giant. Weis has been training the o-line to learn multiple positions because of the youth, and lack of depth. So basically the o-line sucks and when the o-line is bad, the team is bad (See Cleveland Browns' last 10 years).

The running game has potential with a thunder and lightning style. Travis Thomas is a freak of a human. He made the transition to LB last year since Darius Walker would be the one carrying the football, however this year he will probably be the go to guy at HB. Speaking of Walker, that was the most idiotic move ever to go to the draft. When I saw that he declared, I hired an agent thinking that if Darius got drafted, I could get drafted. Back to Thomas. It is probable that he will play both ways this year and then some special teams. He has speed, but is more of a power back. James Aldridge was last year's big recruit at half back and has a lot of potential. He will get his share of carries this year until Weis figures out which back is best for the team. Senior Junior Jabbie and freshman Armando Allen are the two speedsters out of the backfield. Weis has said that Jabbie has been a nice surprise early on.

John Carlson is a stud. DJ Hord might be good. David Grimes should be better. George West might actually see an offensive snap. However, facts are facts and Notre Dame has zero big targets at wide out. Robby Paris didn't really play last year and he's 6'3 making him the tallest player in the corps, but he sucks right now. The tight ends are very solid and should be for a long time. Will Yeatman, Mike Ragone, and Duval Karama are all young and gifted. Yeatman is 6'6, 260 and leads the lacrosse team in points (whatever that means). The more I write this, the more I realize how bad ND is going to be, and I haven't even gotten to the defense yet.

Fuck special teams, no matter who kicks the field goals I'm always scared. It is like having a bad closer in baseball except more nerve racking when I have to close my eyes on the extra points.

Trevor Laws and Derrell Hand lead the Irish D-line this fall. Notre Dame converted to the 3-4 defense under Weis and it suits them just as well as the 4-3. It still sucks. Pat Kuntz is fighting Chris Stewart for the nose tackle spot and personally I want Pat Kuntz playing even if he is the worse player. Just imagine some of the signs and references you could make for this guy. I won't even get into it.

Linebackers are on the same disastrous level as last year. Maurice Crum Jr. is the star, but Weis has shown interest in John Ryan. No he does not crash weddings, (wow I'm so funny) he is a DE converted OLB with good speed. Joe Brockington will get the start as long as Toryan Smith doesn't beat him out and senior Anthony Vernaglia is the front runner right now but Scott Smith is also showing some skill. Nonetheless everyone will end up blowing ass like usual.

Terrail Lambert showed some large steps in his progression last year and I'm excited to see what he can do. He may just be the first corner to actually try since Vontez "I'm the best player ever" Duff. Ambrose Wooden is back too. Damnit. Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil were the two huge recruit from last year and should get some playing time in the nickel and dime. Gary Gray is the noob this year and just look at his name. He is so cool that he only switches around two letter from his first name to his last. He must be good. David Bruton will start opposite of Jesus Christ this year at safety. Jesus has lost some weight and gotten his speed back from 2 years ago. His boxing career and shoulder injury had an impact on his performance last year but he should be back to performing miracles.

As far as the schedule goes...
vs. GaTech- W
@ Penn St.- W
*Anthony Morelli is the worst player ever. If I hear any more hype about that stupid wop I am going to fucking shit myself. Name one good thing about him.
@ Mich- L
vs Mich St.- W
@ Purdue- W
@ UCLA- L
*Watch out for UCLA this year.
vs BC - L
vs USC - L
vs Navy, Air Force, Duke- W
@ Stanford- W.

If I can do math that comes to 8-4. GROSS, but I think it's expected. I think the BC game could swing in Notre Dame's favor but after the last couple BC games there is no point in pretending the Irish can win. I'm excited but skeptical.