Why ND Will Win: Sam Young Pics Say It All

Follow me at twitter: http://twitter.com/OldNotreDame where you guys can see more polarize pictures

This is the reason why ND will win. Sam Young before and after pictures. As you guys can see, Sam Young is sporting a stash similar to that of John Holmes and Dave Wannstedt. Uber cool... Uber Cool Sam. The future millionaire looking cool. His hair is probably the best I've seen amongst the Irish since Samardzija let.



Let's go Irish O-Line!!! PROTECT CLAUSEN!!!

The Last Judgment

The Last Judgment by Michelangelo is a fitting theme for the game this Saturday. Love Charlie with his demeanor and charity work and all, but if a blow out (I mean it's a blowout when I go back to sleep when it's only the first quarter) occurs this Saturday, C. Weis should be axed. But if the Irish put up a decent fight meaning that we all tuned in from the start until the end then C. Weis should still be the coach of the Irish.

Old Notre Dame Twitter Page

Follow me @ http://twitter.com/OldNotreDame. Just wanting to see what's the hype all about.

The Art of War: Notre Dame V.S. Michigan

I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)

Charlie Weis is now calling the plays, and he looked good doing it last game against Nevada. Rich Rod also has a very good offensive mind. Advantage goes to Charlie Weis because he has been doing it longer.

Explores the five fundamental factors that define a successful outcome (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management). By thinking, assessing and comparing these points you can calculate a victory, deviation from them will ensure failure. Remember that war is a very grave matter of state.

II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)

Sun Tzu claims "success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict." I was glad that Michigan won last game and doing so without turning the ball over too much. This way, those frosh QBs of theirs can think that they are the Masters of The Universe. I expect our defense to be flying all over the field tomorrow. Expect our defense to intercept the ball at least three times and force and recover a fumble.

Explains how to understand the economy of war and how success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict.

III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)

Michigan is still too young. Period.

Defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and the five ingredients that you need to succeed in any war.

IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Notre Dame)

Sun Tzu explains "the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them." Linebackers. ND linebackers have to really show up for this game. They must be focus throughout out the game. And lock down. And play fast. Will they be able to? The past couple of years the answer was a big fat NO. But now with the young guns in ND (B. Smith, Filer, Fleming, Te'o) comes speed. This will be a coming out party for Manti Te'o.

Explains the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them.

V. Energy (Advantage Michigan)

Their in the big house. Coming out of a blow out win. Three Wins last season. Advantage Michigan.

Explains the use of creativity and timing in building your momentum.

VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Notre Dame)

This will be a battle of the trenches. Yes, Michigan has that DE Dude going to the NFL on the first round, but expect Verducci and Weis to know and plan for that. Max protect.

Explains how your opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of your enemy in a given area.

VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Notre Dame)

Red Zone defense. Advantage goes to ND because we will not be in the red zone that much just like in Nevada. Expect to see bombs and more bombs.

Explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon you.

VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Notre Dame)

Micheal Floyd, Kyle Rudolph, and Golden tate. Take your pick. Michigan has two running QBs, but they are still frosh and can be eliminated easily with LB play.

Focuses on the need for flexibility in your responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.

IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)

Michigan, like Notre Dame, has many traditions, but I'm really surprised that their marching band is not one of them. This might be so because they have stopped trying to beat out the Ohio Script (The very first Ohio Script picture below). That is the bomb! Notre Dame has a better band period.


Describes the different situations in which you find yourselves as you move into new enemy territories and how to respond to them. Much of it focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.

X. Terrain (Advantage Michigan)

Notre Dame is playing in The Big House. 100,000+ screaming Michigan Fans, 'nuff said.

Looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)

This ND team is a veteran team. They have been through every situation.

Describe nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus you need to successfully navigate each of them.

XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Michigan)

Did you watch the last game against Nevada?

Explains the use of weapons generally and the use of the environment as a weapon specifically. It examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attack.

XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Michigan)

We know that Weis is a good friend Belichick who was caught spying on the other team to get their signs. BUT we all know Rich Rod is a cheater himself by forcing his players to work over time as evidence of this picture.


Focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, specifically the five types of sources and how to manage them.

*****************************************************************************

I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)
II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)
III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)
IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Notre Dame)
V. Energy (Advantage Notre Dame)
VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Notre Dame)
VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Notre Dame)
VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Notre Dame)
IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)
XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)
XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Notre Dame)

X. Terrain (Advantage Michigan)
XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Michigan)

There you have it. Notre Dame gets 52 points while Michigan only gets 2 points. According to Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Notre Dame beats Michigan.

Notre Dame (with 52 points) beats Michigan (with 6 points)

Source: All words in italics are from Wiki.

Shout Out To Other ND Sites Out There!!!

Less than 24 hours away from the start of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football 2009 season. I'm so jacked up for this season. I can't even imagine how jacked up the players are. Many articles have been written and read, and quite frankly, I don't even read them any more because they all say they same things: It's time for the Fighting Irish to

"Show It".

I just want to give a lot of shout out to the other ND bloggers out there specially for the ones that are actually on sight covering the Irish without any charges such as BlueAndGold.com, Rivals and Scouts, IrishIllustrated, UND, UNHD, Subway Domer, BlueGraySky, and all the others. I'm pretty sure that more of the ND blogs will start to become more active in the next few days. I'm also sure that when ND wins the National Championship, many more ND blogs will pop out.

There's all of the ND blogs I subscribe to. Thank you all for keeping me awake on my boring lecture classes. Hope you guys will still keep me awake for the rest of this semester.

Go Irish!!!

Irish Blogger Gathering: Old Notre Dame

1. My season preview included music video footage for each position group. What song or video do you feel typifies this year's Notre Dame team heading into the season? Embed a youtube or other similar video if possible.

A very smart professor of mine (Michigan graduate) once told us to hum the song Amazing Grace. She pointed out that even though we do not usually sing or listen to Amazing Grace that we know and love it someway somehow. This is very much how I feel about Notre Dame football and ND's upcoming season. The first time I watched Notre Dame Football I knew that this was my team someway somehow, and I think the same goes for a lot of people. Another point that she made was that when a soldier is a prisoner of war (unfed, tortured and all) hears the humming of Amazing Grace from another prisoner of war from another cell, he feels comforted, appease and more importantly hopeful.

HOPE.

Hope, I think, best describes the upcoming season. Hopeful for an 11 - 1 record and even an undefeated season. Hope that the 2007 season fiasco does not happen. Hope that our O line holds up. Hope that Jimmy improves his TD-INT ratio. Hope that Floyd doesn't do the Kumara. Hope that the D Line matures. Hope that Brandon Walker makes FGs. Hope that everyone stays healthy. Hope to defeat USC. Hope that if fulfilled, National Championship is very much attainable.

AMAZING GRACE
John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Amazing Grace is written by John Newton. The story behind this song is very ironic in lots of ways. John Newton was not a very religious person growing up. Newton worked in the slave trading business.

The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard. Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him. Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton took the first step toward accepting faith. (Wiki)

A lot of different and diverse people have covered/performed Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin, Star Trek (Funeral of Mr. Spock), Leann Rimes, II Divo, and many more.

My personal favorites are The King's version. There's only one King of Rock 'n' Roll. See/listen to his rendition of Amazing Grace here. You can see the King himself wearing an old school football helmet in the video. As far as the music goes, the background singers blend with Elvis' voice perfectly which makes his version one of the best I've ever heard.

Another version that I really liked is the Bagpipes version. The bagpipe version is commonly referred to as the Braveheart version. I do not know why that is so. I do not recall listening to a bagpipe's version of Amazing Grave in Braveheart. I do remember hearing a lot of bagpipes playing in the movie, but not specifically Amazing Grace. I read somewhere in a forum that Amazing Grace was played when the Young William Wallace's father died, but I checked it out, and I did not hear Amazing Grace, but indeed, there was a bagpipe playing faintly during that scene, but I do not think it was Amazing Grace. Anyways, someone has to step up and be the leader of this team ala William Wallace and lead the others to "FREEDOMMMMMMMMMMM" or at least an 11-1 record.

So there you go. I think the song Amazing Grace is a good epitome for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football 2009 Season. Amazing Grace have different meanings to a lot of different people. But the one word that I really associate this song is HOPE

2. Post a picture that to you portrays the attitude of this year's team and discuss.

A picture of the Knights of the Round Table. These men were untouchable when they fought cohesively. This is very much like ND 2009. I really feel that ND is untouchable this year. If memory serves well, the only reason why the Knights of the Round Table collapsed is because of their own doing (some knight took the other knight's lady or something like that). This is very much ND 2009 again. I really feel that they will only loose not because of their opponents but because of themselves.

3. What do you perceive as the team's biggest weakness heading into the season?

The running game is the biggest weakness coming in. I know that the O-Line may be responsible for that. Ever since the dreaded 2007 campaign, the running game (O-Line and Running backs) have been horrid. But the O-Line has been improving ever since even if it is baby steps. On the other hand, the running backs have been on a stalemate, no improvements whatsoever. Linebackers come in a close second.

4. With the exception of the 1990s, Notre Dame has won a National Championship in every decade since the 1920s. What are the chances (a) that Notre Dame wins a championship this year, and (b) if not this year, when do you predict the next championship for the Irish?

A.) I think ND has a great chance of winning it this year. The first half of the season will be the real test. First Nevada. Then the Michigans and finishing the first half with USC. Nevada will be a lot like San Diego State. They'll play the underdog and upset card.

5. Nevada runs the Pistol offense, Navy the Triple Option, and Michigan the Spread Option. Which offensive scheme do you think is the most difficult to prepare for, and why?

The most difficult offensive scheme that is most difficult to prepare for is actually not in this list. I think that the NFL/pro style offense that ND and USC runs is the hardest to prepare for. This is so because of talent. The options mentioned above (Pistol offense, Navy the Triple Option, and Michigan the Spread Option) really relies on the scheme and anyone with college skill set can run it. On the other hand, ND and USC's pro style offense is straight forward and relies heavily on the athletes. Opponents of the pro style can prepare all they want and mimic the scheme in practice all day long, but to mimic the athletes like Michael Floyd and Golden Tate or the USC receivers in practice will not do. That is why we see a lot of teams now running the schemes (triple option or spread option) nowadays because of its easiness to gain a potent offense without elite athletes. Of course, it is not to say that the option schemes sucks, proof of that is Florida.

6. Is Colin Capaernick the best quarterback we'll see this year? If not, who is?

Yes, statistically he is. But football is a team game, and ND is loaded.

7. Prediction time. We have to get on the record before the season kicks off. Give me:

(1) Overall prediction for wins/losses.

The Fighting Irish will go undefeated this season. You heard me! UNDEFEATED.

(2) Projected bowl game and result.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play in the National Championship and will win it. ND will beat Texas.

(3) Predicted final ranking.

Notre Dame will be ranked # 1 in the country at the end of the year.

(4) Best player on the team.

Harrison Smith (Athletically).
Jimmy Clausen and Sam Young (Best NFL prospect)

(5) Heisman trophy winner.

Jimmy Clausen on his way to the NFL

(6) National Champion.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

(7) Prediction for Nevada game, including score.

Notre Dame (with 38 points) beats Nevada (with 27 points), Please check out my post here on the Nevada game --> here.

The Art of War: Nevada V.S. Notre Dame

I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)

Charlie Weis was hired because he was an "Offensive Guru". It was looking like that for his first two years when he led the Irish to BCS Bowl Games and turned Brady Quinn to a Heisman contender. As we all know, the last two years have been forgettable. On the other side of the field is long time Nevada football head coach Chris Ault. Mr. Ault's resume is quite impressive. He, of course, is known for his Pistol offense. Gut not a lot of people know that he is in the College Hall of Fame. With that said, I still give the advantage to Notre Dame and Charkie Weis because of his past accomplishments. Plus ND's assistant coaches really sealed the deal. Tenuta, Hart, Verducci, Brown, Parmalee.

Explores the five fundamental factors that define a successful outcome (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management). By thinking, assessing and comparing these points you can calculate a victory, deviation from them will ensure failure. Remember that war is a very grave matter of state.

II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)

Sun Tzu claims "success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict." Jimmy Clausen was a turnover machine last year, but I think he improves on that this year. Simply Notre Dame wins this because this game will be a shoot out. And I ND's secondary has big time players like Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton plus the return of Darrin Walls. Nevada on the other hand has a terrible secondary.

Explains how to understand the economy of war and how success requires making the winning play, which in turn, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict.

III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)

Indeed Notre Dame has the size (4 and 5 star recruits). But Sun Tzu defines the source of strength as unity. And we have that in our offensive line and many returning players. I read that the O-Line combines for the most starts in the country and that we have 9 returning players in O-Side and 8 players in the D-Side.

Defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and the five ingredients that you need to succeed in any war.

IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Nevada)

Sun Tzu explains "the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them." Linebackers. ND linebackers have to really show up for this game. They must be focus throughout out the game. And lock down. And play fast. Will they be able to? The past couple of years the answer was a big fat NO. But now with the young guns in ND (B. Smith, Filer, Fleming, Te'o) comes speed. I think they will lock down the QB and RB. But will it be enough. No, the pistol offense is too much and will simply gain yards.

Explains the importance of defending existing positions until you can advance them and how you must recognize opportunities, not try to create them.

V. Energy (Advantage Nevada)

Notre Dame has the momentum with the thrashing of Hawaii and Clausen throwing an almost perfect game. But remember San Diego State from last year's first game and Appalachian State versus Michigan. Nevada will be so pumped up playing on a national TV looking for an upset and a place in SportsCenter headliner. With a big upset, Nevada's schedule is easy except for one game the last game against Boise State. This is a big game for Nevada for a potential upset and undefeated/BCS crasher season. If so, Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick will be invited to New York for the Heisman.

Explains the use of creativity and timing in building your momentum.

VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Nevada)

Nevada has a strong run defense and ND has a weak running game. Notre Dame has a strong passing game and Nevada has a weak secondary. Who gets the advantage. Nevada gets the advantage. Running game is very important because it can eat up a lot of time and sets up play action passes. ND is much better when the running game is working.

Explains how your opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of your enemy in a given area.

VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Nevada)

Red Zone defense. With Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick and Vai Taua, Nevada is potent in the red zone. Notre Dame on the other hand is not. And when it comes to field goals, ND is just bad. That was last year with Walker, but not we have a Frosh kicker which makes me very worried.

Explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon you.

VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Nevada)

The pistol offense is a very flexible offense that is why Nevada wins this point.

Focuses on the need for flexibility in your responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.

IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame has a better band period. As proven by the Irish Guard.

Describes the different situations in which you find yourselves as you move into new enemy territories and how to respond to them. Much of it focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.

X. Terrain (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame is playing in The House That Rockne Built. Nevada has never played in an atmosphere like Notre Dame. Nevada practices in the desert and might not be used to cold weather like South Bend even though it is still early September.

Looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)

This ND team is a veteran team. They have been through every situation. Loosing unloosable games (Syracuse), embarrassing games (USC), and close and tight games. Advantage ND.

Describe nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus you need to successfully navigate each of them.

XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Nevada)

Simply ask who ask the most fire power? Yes, Colin Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick probably has the pistol offense and better stats line (running/throwing) than Jimmy. But the real advantage foes to Nevada because of the running game. Fitzpatrick/Kaepernick + Vai Taua is a deadly mixture.

Explains the use of weapons generally and the use of the environment as a weapon specifically. It examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attack.

XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Notre Dame)

Notre Dame easily wins this because Charlie Weis worked for a guy named Bill Belichick who was caught spying on the other team to get their signs. Plus Nevada the gambling state bans spies/cheaters.

Focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, specifically the five types of sources and how to manage them.

*****************************************************************************

I. Laying Plans (Advantage Notre Dame)
II. Waging War (Advantage Notre Dame)
III. Attack by Stratagem (Advantage Notre Dame)
VI. Weak Points and Strong (Advantage Nevada)
IX. The Army on the March (Advantage Notre Dame)
X. Terrain (Advantage Notre Dame)
XI. The Nine Situations (Advantage Notre Dame)
XIII. The Use of Spies (Advantage Notre Dame)

IV. Tactical Dispositions (Advantage Nevada)
V. Energy (Advantage Nevada)
VII. Maneuvering (Advantage Nevada)
VIII. Variation of Tactics (Advantage Nevada)
XII. The Attack by Fire (Advantage Nevada)

There you have it. Notre Dame gets 8 points while Nevada only gets 5 points. According to Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Notre Dame beats Nevada.

Notre Dame (with 38 points) beats Nevada (with 27 points)

Source: All words in italics are from Wiki.

The Art of War: Notre Dame Football Style

School started again, so I haven't posted any lately. Just trying to get settled in for what hopefully will be my last semester. Not a lot of news lately. Everything being posted right now has been posted 3 months ago. To summarize all ND news,

Weis in hot seat... Jimmy live up to expectations... O Line is big, big question mark that is... Manti mania in full bloom... Defense is young but fast... Stars are aligned... Pathetic schedule... OH YEAH, Dr. Lou Holtz saying crazy stuff again in national television that makes everyone laugh.

That's pretty much all of it.

Anyways, this is the time where everyone in the net and TV is predicting wins and losses for the whole season and prediction for the week 1 games. I could write a prediction for the Notre Dame and Nevada game like everyone else. I could look at the films or statistics and all that, but that has been done before for a kazillion times already so I decided to change it up.

I now release my new series "The Art of War: Notre Dame Football Style" to preview and predict who will win the football game. I got the idea from the History Channel.

Hope you guys tune in every Wednesday and subscribe for my predictions based on Sun Tzu's writings The Art of War. The prediction will solely be based on Sun Tzu's 13 chapters

I. Laying Plans
II. Waging War
III. Attack by Stratagem
IV. Tactical Dispositions
V. Energy
VI. Weak Points and Strong
VII. Maneuvering
VIII. Variation of Tactics
IX. The Army on the March
X. Terrain
XI. The Nine Situations
XII. The Attack by Fire
XIII. The Use of Spies

And nothing else. I figured if generals used these tactics in wars to help them lead the troops to victory then why not apply them to football. Since there are 13 chapters, there will be thirteen points. Thus there will be no ties and the team with the most points win. ND and its opponents each week will fight for every chapter.

Hope you guys read my first "The Art of War: Notre Dame Football Style" for week 1 against Nevada. Hopefully, ND gets enough points to win. Speaking of wars, hope every men and women serving this country stays happy and safe and may you find a way to watch some football. PEACE!

Cites: Sun Tzu picture, War picture, and writing from wikipedia.

Where Are (ND Players) They Now?

Welcome to another post from the series "Where Are (ND Players) They Now?". NFL Camps are now in full go, and players are getting injured and getting cut. First we start out with The Shark, Jeff Samardzija. Then head back to the NFL.

***********************************************************************************

* Jeff Samardzija (Chicago Cubs)

As I've mentioned in my previous post, Jeff is set to start on Wednesday, and I think it will be shown nationally on ESPN against the Phillies. This will definitely headline SportsCenter no matter how the Shark does because the opposing pitcher will be Pedro Martinez. Pedro is back in the big leagues. It is a very good move by the Phillies staff. For one, this gives Pedro a higher percentage of winning the ball game since the opposing pitcher is Samardzija. They probably think that they can light up Samardzija easily and thus allow Pedro Martinez to make some mistakes of his own. The cubs' bats have improved since the All Star Break, but it is still not as potent as last season, and they disappear from time to time.

The Battle of the Hair

I do not know which pitcher will come on top come Wednesday, but I do know who wins in the battle of the hair category. Jheri Curls all the way!!!

***********************************************************************************

First we start out with past ND players that have been recently cut. This is why you go to Notre Dame, to get a high education if football does not work out. I'm sure these guys will put their ND diploma to good use.

* Michael Turkovich (Dallas Cowboys)

He was a very servicable OL for Notre Dame. Wish him the best of luck.

* Pat Kuntz (Indianapolis Colts)

A fan favorite including me. Played with his heart and soul. Good Luck. I'm pretty sure he'll have a better hair cut when he goes for job interviews.

***********************************************************************************

* Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins)

Doing great in camp. Scoring TDs left to right.

* Asaph Schwapp (Dallas Cowboys)

Survive the first cuts.

* Brady Quinn (Cleveland Browns)

Still in a tight race against Derek Anderson. He threw a 51 yard touchdown on the first play of scrimmage in front of Browns fan in the annual "Family Day". Check out the video here. The defenders probably thought that BQ will throw a dink-n-dunk pass, and poof 50 yard touch down.

* Chinedum Ndukwe (Cincinnati Bengals)

Started out the camp on fire. Intercepted two footballs, but no news of late.

* Dan Santucci (Cincinnati Bengals)

No news is a good news for OL. Eric Olsen did mention him in his interview on how Dan praised the importance of snapping a football.

* Darius Walker (Denver Broncos)

Still in camp. Knowshon Moreno is also in camp.

* David Bruton (Denver Broncos)

Bruton is playing with the first team defense because Brian Dawkins is injured. From what I've read, he is holding his own.

* Derek Landri (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Still with the team

* John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks)

"White Jesus" 'nuff said. He is a sleeper in a lot of mock fantasy drafts.

* John Sullivan (Minnesota Vikings)

Still being projected as the starting C.

* Maurice Stovall (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Second behind the starting WRs in latest depth chart.

* Mike Richardson (New England Patriots)

Still with the team

* Ryan Harris (Denver Broncos)

No news is a good news

* Terrail Lambert (San Francisco 49ers)

Still sticking around

* Tom Zbikowski (Baltimore Ravens)

It has not beed a good camp for Z thus far. He got his in the man region and miss a couple of practices because of it. OUCH!!! When he is on the field, it seems like he is always getting mentioneed on a WR getting a TD. Not good. He needs to pick it up if he wants the starting job.

* Trevor Laws and Victor Abiamiri (Philadelphia Eagles)

Both are injured. Trevor Laws (hamstring) Victor Abiamiri (pec strain).
Abimiri better pick it up. He does not want to be in the statistics where is states that the average playing career of an NFL player is 3. I think this is his 3rd year and a contract year

.

Samardzija Will Pitch on Wednesday for His First Major League Start

With Big Z out with an injury, Jeff Samardzija a.k.a The Shark will finally make his long awaited debut as a starter for the Chicago Cubs. To think of it, Shark is probably the most successful player to come out of the 2005/2006 football team. Although you could argue for Carlson who is being tabbed as "White Jesus" in Seattle. All others are backups right now in their respective teams. It was just a couple of years ago that The Shark chose baseball over football. He was given a major league contract which is the second best contract only behind of Brady Quinn, and it is somewhat similar to that of a late first round draft pick in the NFL. Wise move because of the guranteed money and longevity of playing time.

I'm a big Cubs fan, so I follow the Shark. To say the least, he is having a really bad year especially with the way he performed during the second half of last season in MLB. Shark was basically unhittable last year, and the team and Lou had great expectations for him coming in to this year. His audition for a starting pitched during the offseason was awful. He was sent back and pitched well then called back again but as reliever in the bullpen. This year, he is basically giving up a run(s) every time he is called out, and that is no exageration. That's how bad he is this year.

But when he pitches as a starter he is very very good especially when he pitched for the Iowa Cubs. This is a great chance for the Shark to show Lou that he does not bellong in the bullpen, and if he does show his good stuff this Wednesday, there is a good chance for him to stay there for the whole season. This will allow Ryan Dempster to go back to the bull pen and make the Cubs' bull pen very strong.

The Shark will go against the defending champion, Phillies. It is at home, so Shark better be in his game. Earlier this year, Shark was booed off by the Cubs faithful for increasing the opponent's lead. If I remember correctly, the next day, he was sent back to AAA.

I think he'll do just fine. He'll give up about 4 (plus or minus 2) runs. He'll pitch six innings. It will be up to his batters if he gets his second win (first as the starting pitcher) this season. For him to pitch well and get the W, his first pitch better be strike and get ahead of the batters and finish it off with his fastball.

Let's Go Shark.

Where Are (ND Players) They Now?

I now introduce another series in this site called "Where Are (Notre Dame Players in the NFL) They Now?" Inspired by the show in VH1 "Where are they now?"

As we all know, NFL and College Football coincide with each other. I still do not get why that is so. Wouldn't it be a lot better if it does not so that we could watch football all year long. The NFL can be in Spring and NCAAF in Fall. The world would be a much better place.

Anyways, if you have read my earlier posts, you would have known that I have only been a fan of the Irish since the beginning of the Weis' era. I did not become a fan become of Weis; it just happened to be at the same time. NFL training camp is oozing all over the country now as we enter the FOOTBALL season. As a first post on the series "Where Are (Notre Dame Players in the NFL) They Now?", I will try to summarize the Charlie Weis' past ND players' career in the NFL thus far.

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Before I go to the ND players in the NFL I will start out with the guy that chose MLB over the NFL, a SMART move may I add. SAMARDZIJA

* Jeff Samardzija (Chicago Cubs)

I am a big Cubs fan and an ND fan so I follow the Shark. His first year in baseball was spent in the minors. He didn't do well there, but they moved him to AA then AAA last season. In the middle of last season he pitched a string of solid starts, and he got the call to the big league. You guys might have seen him in SportsCenter that day. It was like a big deal and all especially his fastball (99 or even 100 mph I think). Blown save was the result. His second was better because of the diving catch by that old guy. He got the save. This season he got a shot at the fifth spot in the starting rotation. He was no where close during the audition. Sent back to AAA. Called back to big leagues. Sent back to AAA. Call back. So you guys can imagine the season that the Shark is having thus far. He's in the big leagues as I write. You guys may have seen him gave up the game winning homerun against the Phillies. But he also got the win against the Astros just few days ago. He'll stay in the big leagues all the way this year because the roster size will be increased for the upcoming postseason and plus the Cubs do not have the best bullpen in the league exactly. But do not expect to see Lou to put him on when the lead is less than two. Lou only uses Shark when the lead is like 10 or when it can't be helped. If the Cubs make it to the playoff, expect Jeff there, but just don't expect to see him in a tight game. That is how much Lou trusts Jeff right now. A stark contrast last year where he was used a lot and was terrific. He strucked out like one player for every innings work last year, so he definitely has the talent. He just needs to be more consistent.

As for his future, he really is a starter and not a bullpen guy. Not a lot of people are happy as how he is being handled. Many thinks that he should not be in the Big leagues right now because he is wasting playing experience because he is stash in the bullpen rotting where he could get soeplaying time as a starter in AAA. But nonetheless, next season will be crucial for Shark. The Cubs are really loaded in starting pitcher, so he really needs to step up big time next year if he wants to become a starting pitcher rather than a set up man.

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* Anthony Fasano - Miami Dolphins

Fasano statred out with the Dallas Cowboys, but was traded to Miami Dolphins for two reasons:

1.) Jason Witten is still young and a top 3 TE in the league.
2.) The Big Tuna Bill Parcells left Dallas and moved to sunny Miami. Big Tuna drafted and saw enough talent in Fasano to trade for him and move him to sunny Miami.

Fasano's career has been decent thus far. He had a breakout year last year catching lots of TDs last year. Expect him to continue his performance from last year.

* Asaph Schwapp - Dallas Cowboys

Not really a big fan of during his time in ND. I'm glad to see him leave to be honest. Anyways, he went undrafted but landed in Dallas. The latest on him was that he was arrested. Read this article here.

* Brady Quinn - Cleveland Browns

Well, where to start with the Mighty Quinn. First, there was the draft night fiasco that landed him in Cleveland, the place where he wanted to go, but just 2 or 3 or even 4 hours too late. Then commercials happened from Subway to that purple drink that now stars Matt Hasselbeck. Then we all thought he gets the starting job for sure, but then Derek Anderson happened. Two years later which means today, he is fighting for the starting job.

It is a very crucial season for Mighty Quinn. I'm surprised many is labeling him as a bust already. He needs to win that starting job. If he does, he has to play lights out because Cleveland is pretty much a slight average in all the sides of the team if the Browns is to make the playoffs. If he does lead them to the playoffs, he will be once again the Mighty Quinn and expect DA to get cut. A lot of money is also in the table for Quinn. His contract is structured based on how he plays. Not getting in to the field means less money from the team and endorsements. The coach is Mangenius, a Weis disciple, should technically help Quinn out.

* Chinedum Ndukwe - Cincinnati Bengals

Drafted by Bengals. Almost became Mr. Irrelevant. He has by far the one in this list that has grabbed and seized the oppurtunity given to him in the NFL. A Starter most of last year and should be the starter this upcoming season.

* Dan Santucci - Cincinnati Bengals

I have not heard a lot about Dan which is a good thing because he is a lineman. The lack of news probably means that he is doing fine and probably a solic back up.

* Darius Walker - Denver Broncos

Now here me, just imagine if this guy didn't leave right away for the NFL. He would have suffered along with the 2007 class which means that he would have played as a senior last year. If he was there last year, there is no doubt that we could have won all those other games except USC.

Anyways, he too had a bad day during the draft; he did not even get drafted. In fact, I thought he was done with the NFL. I heard somewhere was that he was going back to ND for his degree.

Surprise but glad to see him in Denver where the coach is supposed to be like his mentor Charlie Weis.

* David Bruton - Denver Broncos

The lone Irish drafted last year. One of my favorite Irish. His story is just unbelivable. I read a story about him when he came to ND; the story about him and his son is also inspirational.

Expect to see a lot of Bruton on special teams this year. He will most likely be their gunner. Do not expect to see him in defense a lot because Broncos is loaded in safeties; Bruton will benefit this year because he will have a mentor in Brian Dawkins.

* Derek Landri - Jacksonville Jaguars

The last time I heard about Landri was in the playoffs where he made a couple of plays during the end of the game.

* John Carlson - Seattle Seahawks

BY FAR, and I mean BY FAR the most succesful player in this list. Last year as a rookie, he broke/tied all of the TE records in Seahawks history. He led all recievers in every category last year in Seattle. He should have been the #1 TE drafted last year and ahead of the TE in the Jets. He is already being touted as the next great TE. Expect Carlson to enter the national scene this year for 3 reasons.

1.) The WR Whosyourmama is in Seattle
2.) Matt Hasselbeck missed most of last year. He is back now.
3.) The coach and Offensive coordinator (Mora and Greg Knapp) are friendly to TE

How good was this guy, and how good does Seahawks' fans think this guy could be?

Carlson is being called "White Jesus".

The previous coach (Holmgren) also called Carlson the best TE (Not saying much) he has ever had and said that he wish he had him years ago.

It just goes to show that ND is "Tight End U"!

* John Sullivan - Minnesota Vikings

He is expected to become the starting Center in Minnesota. Simple as that. OH BOY, I bet he wishes that Bret Favre came out of retirement.

* Maurice Stovall - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MoMo has been a solid special teams guy. He is their gunner. I also read somewhere that Gruden (Expect Gruden to become the next ND coach if Weis is fired this year) called MoMo "Gunner Stovall". MoMo in WR has simply been nonexistant.

* Mike Richardson - New England Patriots

This guy definetely came under the radar. He has had a very solid career in NE. Mostly in practice squad but expect him to be in rotation this year.

* Michael Turkovich - Dallas Cowboys

In Dallas now. Glad that he didn't get hurt when Dallas practice facility collapsed. He should be able to make the practice squad.

* Pat Kuntz - Indianapolis Colts

OHHHH the MoHawk and the hair style. This guy was awesome last year. A fan favorite. I read somewhere when he was asked how his last name is pronounced. HILARIOUS. This guy was definetely one of those guys that just exceeded their God given talent with heart. He should at least make the practice squad.

* Ryan Harris - Denver Broncos

Very solid career also thus far. He's been a starter for sometime now at RT I think, and should do the same thing again this year. Not a lot of news from him which is a good sign.

* Terrail Lambert - San Francisco 49ers

The last time I heard from him was that he was running like 4.3 or something. Still remember his performance against Michigan state. CLASSIC. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, THE LOOK ON JOHN L. SMITH.

I WISH JOHN L. SMITH WAS STILL THE COACH IN MICHIGAN STATE.

* Tom Zbikowski - Baltimore Ravens

He had a great combine. I remember reading about him walking out after the lifts because someone was calling him RUDY. You guys should also check this video out. The guys in the NFL network really admired Zbos' calves.

Anyways, he should have a very good shot playing along side Ed Reed because Jim Leohnard went to New York to play with Ryan again. The kid Nakamura should be his biggest threat for starting a job.

* Trevor Laws - Philadelphia Eagles

Laws had a very good combine prompting him to be drafted in early second round. He had a very disappointing rookie season. I think he was injured a lot last season. Laws was also a fan favorite known mostly for his FG blocks but also because of his hair.

* Victor Abiamiri - Philadelphia Eagles

This guy has really had a very disappointing NFL career. I sill remember McShay's analysis on Abiamiri. I think he called him "looks like Tarzan plays like Jane" if I still remember correct. That made me laugh like hell.

Check back next week for the second installment of "Where Are (Notre Dame Players in the NFL) They Now?" where we should get a better feel as to where these guys stand because training camp is very much on the way.

OND's Songs of the Season: The Entire Season (Amazing Grace)

The Entire Season (Amazing Grace)

I just finished summer classes session a couple of weeks ago. I took this GE class; I very much thought that this class would suck really bad because I'm not much of a free thinking/abstract answer kind of person; I'm more of a 1 + 1 = 2 kind of person. Anyways, I was very much wrong. The professor (Graduated and from the University of Michigan and I think she also got her doctorate there) was probably the smartest I have ever had. The class was really freakin' awesome but challenging. I mean you read a lot and I mean a lot (I never read a lot) then you discuss it in class. And I thought I was smart; I mean I can hold an argument when it comes to my math and science classes, but this class was like WOW. I mean each discussion I was asking myself "WHAT THE FU*K ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT?" or "DID I READ THE WRONG STORY?".

Anyways, one day, we were talking about the importance of songs. And a point that the professor made dealt with Amazing Grace. She told us to hum the song Amazing Grace. She pointed out that even though we do not usually sing or listen to Amazing Grace that we know and love it someway somehow. This is very much how I feel about Notre Dame football and ND's upcoming season. The first time I watched Notre Dame Football I knew that this was my team someway somehow, and I think the same goes for a lot of people. Another point that she made was that when a soldier is a prisoner of war (unfed, tortured and all) hears the humming of Amazing Grace from another prisoner of war from another cell, he feels comforted, appease and more importantly hopeful.

HOPE.

Hope, I think, best describes the upcoming season. Hopeful for an 11 - 1 record and even an undefeated season. Hope that the 2007 season fiasco does not happen. Hope that our O line holds up. Hope that Jimmy improves his TD-INT ratio. Hope that Floyd doesn't do the Kumara. Hope that the D Line matures. Hope that Brandon Walker makes FGs. Hope that everyone stays healthy. Hope to defeat USC. Hope that if fulfilled, National Championship is very much attainable.

AMAZING GRACE
John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Amazing Grace is written by John Newton. The story behind this song is very ironic in lots of ways. John Newton was not a very religious person growing up. Newton worked in the slave trading business.

The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard. Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him. Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton took the first step toward accepting faith. (Wiki)

A lot of different and diverse people have covered/performed Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin, Star Trek (Funeral of Mr. Spock), Leann Rimes, II Divo, and many more.

My personal favorites are The King's version. There's only one King of Rock 'n' Roll. See/listen to his rendition of Amazing Grace here. You can see the King himself wearing an old school football helmet in the video. As far as the music goes, the background singers blend with Elvis' voice perfectly which makes his version one of the best I've ever heard.

Another version that I really liked is the Bagpipes version. The bagpipe version is commonly referred to as the Braveheart version. I do not know why that is so. I do not recall listening to a bagpipe's version of Amazing Grave in Braveheart. I do remember hearing a lot of bagpipes playing in the movie, but not specifically Amazing Grace. I read somewhere in a forum that Amazing Grace was played when the Young William Wallace's father died, but I checked it out, and I did not hear Amazing Grace, but indeed, there was a bagpipe playing faintly during that scene, but I do not think it was Amazing Grace. Anyways, someone has to step up and be the leader of this team ala William Wallace and lead the others to "FREEDOMMMMMMMMMMM" or at least an 11-1 record.

So there you go. I think the song Amazing Grace is a good epitome for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football 2009 Season. Amazing Grace have different meanings to a lot of different people. But the one word that I really associate this song is HOPE

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Exclusive Video: Notre Dame Dance that Prompted Greg McMackin's Outburst

Well, you may have heard by now the comments that Greg McMackin made during the Western Athletic Conference Media Day in Salt Lake City Utah. If not, Check this out. There is not much to say about it; it's simply very ignorant all the way. Anyways, I was very curious as to the dance Mr. McMackin was referring to. So I did a search in YouTube, and the dance might look something like this.



(You guys have to admit ,though, his name sounds like a very good McDonald food, "Yes, I want two McMackins and a large fries and a large drink please.")

Anyhow, the Haka is definitely one of the coolest and intimidating dances out there. The story behind it is also very cool.

According to Māori mythology, the sun god, Tama-nui-te-rā, had two wives, the Summer Maid, Hine-raumati, and the Winter Maid, Hine-takurua. Haka originated in the coming of Hine-raumati, whose presence on still, hot days was revealed in a quivering appearance in the air. This was the haka of Tāne-rore, the son of Hine-raumati and Tama-nui-te-rā.

Man, was that awesome or what? I personally liked it when their cold breathe puffed out when they shouted. It might as well have been fire coming out of their mouth because that was intimidating as hell.

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Old Notre Dame Songs of the Season

Looking around many different Notre Dame blog sites, one thing that I really love is that each site has its own specialty. For instance, one site uses the Wu-Tang Clan names to relate current ND players. Another one I really like is what type of beer to drink every ND game. So I thought about it and came up with music. I mean who doesn't love listening to music? So every week including training camp, I will choose a music that relates to that particular week and give a backdrop on that music.

If any one has a music to suggest, feel free to comment!

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The Entire Season

August 3 - August 9 (The first three days of 2009 training camp)

August 10 - August16 (Second week of training camp)

August 17 - August 23 (Third week of training camp)

August 24 - August 30 (The final week of training camp)

Nevada Week

Michigan Week

Michigan State Week

Purdue Week

Washington Week

Bye Week

USC Week

Boston College Week

Washington State Week

Navy Week

Pittsburgh Week

Connecticut Week

Stanford Week

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Rivals: Notre Dame Rankings (Team and Individuals)

As College Football 2009 season approaches, rankings from various sources too emerges. Rivals along with Yahoo Sports have their Preseason Top 120 Countdown (Teams) and Top 100 Players Countdown (Individuals).

The list only goes up to No. 41 thus far. So far ND has three. I do no think ND will have any more individuals on the list unless the list is based on NFL potential which I do not think it is, so that leaves Sam Young off the board because he will be the best prospect on ND next year. Thus far the list only has one USC, but that should change in time. The best QB that ND will probably face is the first one, Colin Kaepernick of Nevada. This is why Nevada will be the toughest game before USC. Nevada will have a lot of ammunition: underdog, unknown, Appalachian State, road team. In short, they want to be the headliners in SportsCenter. Plus they ran that crazy "Pistol" formation. Bluegraysky breaks it down and reading it makes me want to buy a pistol and shoot something. The other eight opponents does not have anyone on the list. All in all, expect USC to have at least THREE players on the list. All in all, ND should have the second largest total number of players on the list (Just accounting for ND and its 2009 opponents). Which smells a lot like an 11 - 1 record or a 12 - 0 record solely based on star power. Records most ND fans are projecting. Jimmy Clausen is around the tenth best QB on the list thus far and will probably be the 15th best when the list is finished. Floyd and Tate is the only WR tandem on the list thus far, but do expect them to be the only tandem when it's all said and done which clearly says ND has the best duo in the country.

Notre Dame
1.) No. 95: Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen
2.) No. 93: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
3.) No. 64: Notre Dame WR Golden Tate

Nevada
1.) No. 89: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick

Michigan
1.) No. 58: Michigan DE Brandon Graham

USC
1.) No. 60: USC G Jeff Byers

Connecticut
1.) No. 96: Connecticut LB Scott Lutrus

***** Teams with ZERO individuals on the list *****

Michigan State
Purdue
Washington
Boston College
Washington State
Navy
Pittsburgh
Stanford

As for the teams rankings, it clearly shows that we are the second best team (Just accounting for ND and its 2009 opponents) which bodes well for ND fans predictions of a record of 11 - 1 or even an undefeated one. Tallying all teams except USC, we get 699 and divide that by 10 teams we get an average of 69.9 or a 70 which is a C- students. ND, number 24, is a B student. The analysis the Rivals is, I HATE TO SAY IT, is very good.

Your opinion of Notre Dame likely depends on how much stock you put in the Irish's bowl performance. The Irish looked every bit the part of a potential BCS contender while overwhelming Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Of course, this is the same Irish team that lost to Syracuse at home and struggled to pick up a first down against USC in its final two regular-season games. If Clausen carries his Hawaii Bowl performance over to the regular season and the Irish figure out how to run the ball, they ought to win at least eight or nine games. If they also can put together a merely adequate defensive line, they could be BCS-bound. But that's a lot of ifs. The most realistic scenario is a 9-4 finish that includes a trip to the Gator Bowl.

24. Notre Dame

104. Washington State
97. Washington
76. Purdue
68. Boston College
63. Navy
57. Nevada
55. Connecticut
54. Stanford
48. Pittsburgh
46. Michigan
31. Michigan State

Not Yet Ranked. USC (Probably in the TOP 10)

P.S. If anyone how this block quoting works in HTML please comment.

Notre Dame Football 2009

WOW!!!

It has been so long since I've posted. I stopped posting right after the Syracuse debacle. WOW!!! I hope that never happens again, but hey, I think that is the reason why Manti Te'o decided to choose ND over USC and UCLA. He probably figured if such a debacle never happens when he is playing in ND then he'd be a legend.

Anyways, I hope you guys subscribe to my feed because I would post more frequently this upcoming season. It seems the 9 or 8 planets are finally aligning for me to be consistent with this blog. First and for most, this is the year we've been waiting for guys, 2009. I remember last year, mostly everyone is saying "JUST WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR'. Well CFB is just a month away and this is that 'YEAR'. I don't want to go in details now about how all the ND players are aligned this years to win it all since I was two years old. Second, I will graduate (knocking on wood) at the end of the year, and there is nothing more I want for graduation present than a krystal ball. Third, I should be able to watch all the games without freaking reading about theories and all that crap for the first time since I only have an internship and a few General Education classes.

Anyways again, hope you guys keep coming back. And may I now present you the 2009 Notre Dame Football Logo this year.



First,at the first zero in the 2009 is Sam "Future Millionaire" Young. And below Sam is the heart and soul of the defense Mr. Smith. Then in the ND lettering, in the middle is TouchDown Jesus (We're going to need a little bit of a miracle to shut up everyone [See Brandon Walker]). For the defense, we have Robert Blanton, Ethan Johnson and the Hawaiian Sensation Manti Te'o. For the offense, we have Mr. ImNotABust Clausen, Floyd and Tate.

Well, there you go!

P.S. the pictures are not mine and am too lazy to cite so yea.

Bowl Projections

Bowl Projections As of November 16, 2008


By beating the NAVY Midshipmen, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame became bowl eligible. Bowl eligible is a meaningless word when paired with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. We all know that once Notre Dame becomes eligible, they will be chosen, and it is just a matter of who chooses them. I’ve always wanted to create a post where I keep track of what the pundits are saying as to which bowl game is going to select Notre Dame, but after the fiasco that is the 2007 season (or the Michigan Wolverines 2008 fiasco), I looked at the glass as being half empty to say the least.

Now that the Fighting Irish are up for grabs, I now post my first post that tracks as to what the pundits projections are saying. As you Irish fans can see, mostly everyone is projecting for the Fighting Irish to play in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida on New Year’s Day assuming that Notre Dame beats Syracuse and USC beats Notre Dame. But, the most likely destination for the Fighting Irish is the Brut Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on the last day of 2008.

Personally, I would like to see the Fighting Irish to go to the Gator Bowl and face an ACC team because I think that Notre Dame can beat any team in the ACC, but Notre Dame can also loose to any team in the ACC (See Notre Dame vs. North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech vs. Boston College). Miami (7-3) have beaten team that Notre Dame could have also beaten, and loss to teams (FL, FLS, NC) that Notre would or have loss to.

But I really want to see the Fighting Irish go against the Miami Hurricanes because I’ve always felt that Notre Dame is the complete opposite of Miami Hurricanes. Another reason is that naysayers this season have always acknowledged the fact that Miami is a young uprising team. But Notre Dame is simply a terrible team without acknowledging the fact that we too are young.

Another reason is that I want the Fighting Irish to play against a team that plays with it. I do not know what that it is, but the Miami players always play with it. It’s not passion, not hatred and not confidence. There’s just something that Miami has that Notre Dame has never had for a long time.

Anyways, I think all of us Irish fans can agree to one thing when it comes to these bowl projections. The bowl game or the opponent does not matter so long as we get the WIN!

Why So Much Hate for Old Notre Dame?

I've been an Irish fan for just about 4 years now, and one thing
that I have realized over the years is that not a lot of people really
likes Old Notre Dame. Why So Much Hate for Old Notre Dame?
I do not know.

Maybe it's our rich tradition.
Maybe it's the National Championships.
Maybe it's the television contract.
Maybe it's Lou Holtz.
Maybe it's the higher standards in Notre Dame.
Maybe it's us (the Irish fans).

Hence, I've come to the conclusion that those who say and write
so much negativity to Old Notre Dame are actually Irish fans
(either secretly or openly). Yes, I admire openly Irish fans who
think Charlie Weis should be fired (I am not one of them by the way)
because it shows that they care about Old Notre Dame. And Yes,
I pray for those who bashes Old Notre Dame because I know that
deep inside you bashers are an Irish fan deep inside.

The Irish Fan (Secretly) of the week is Teddy Greenstein.

Teddy is our Irish Fan of the Week for writing
"Charlie Weis alienates Irish supporters."

“I had a bad day” is taboo in Notre Dame

I stumbled upon an article yesterday in ChicagoTribune entitled
“Notre Dame QB Clausen: 'I had a bad day'”.

For some reason, I just can’t get the thought of our Quarterback
saying such a sentence. Credit to Jimmy for not making the ‘bug’
an excuse. Such a sentence being uttered conjures the image of a
National Championship slipping away (see Joe Paterno last week,
he had a bad day and puff there goes the Championship). Notre Dame
is nowhere close to close to a National Championship, but for a
team coming off its worst season last year, such a sentence is
inexcusable. I thought Notre Dame has rid itself of saying such a
sentence by saying “I had a bad day ALL SEASON” not a day.

But, such a sentence could never be uttered again by a Notre Dame
Student Athlete especially the quarterback (a kicker can even be
thrown in there). “I had a bad day” cannot be uttered in the final
month of the season, or else there would be dire consequences for
the program.

Jimmy Clausen saying “I had a bad day” after the NAVY game means
that our hope of being a contender in 2009 and 2010 is a foolish one.

Jimmy Clausen saying “I had a bad day” after the Syracuse game
means that Charlie Weis will not be back for next season (I’ll get
into that more in my next post).

Jimmy Clausen saying “I had a bad day” after the USC game does
not mean anything, but it would be nice not to get demolished by
the Trojans this time around
(See 2008 ND vs. USC game: 30 to Nil USC)

Jimmy Clausen saying “I had a bad day” after the Brut Sun Bowl
in El Paso Texas means that we have not won a bowl game for a
lot of years now.

Thus, I would like to see our players especially our Quarterback to
say these sentences in the upcoming weeks:

NAVY: “It was a highly contested win, but I’m glad we came out
with the victory.”

Syracuse: “7 touchdowns?... Yeah, it’s nice.”

USC: “Credit to my guys out there for fighting… today we
showed that this program is heading the right way.”

Sun Bowl: “We’re just glad to end Notre Dame’s loosing streak!”

If Jimmy says those words (or at least close to it), I think our
hope of a blissful 2009 and 2010 season is a reasonable one.
In 2009 and 2010, “I had a bad day” is taboo, and if Notre Dame
manages not to say those words again in a sentence for the
upcoming years, then a National Championship is not out of the
equation.

Photo from ursispaltenstein.ch and nbcsports.msnbc

A Fighting Irish Fan from the Other Side of the World

See Irish fans, I'm probably the most unlikely Notre Dame Fighting
Irish fan in the world. I'm a college student but not attending The
University of Notre Dame. I have never been to South Bend let alone
U.S mainland. Wait... I have never watched a live football game.
See Irish fans, I live in this island, literally, called Guam
(13º 30n, 144º 48E).







Guam... there's not much to say. It's a really small island owned
by the US , so that 'technically' makes as Americans. Anyways, football
is very popular on Guam, but see Irish fans, we do not root for a single
team, so I really cannot say that our island is a Cowboys, Browns, Trojans
or Figting Irish 'town', and as far as I know, I am the only Irish fan on
this rock, and I am proud to say that.

See fellow Irish fans, I have only been an Irish fan for just about 4 years.
My first memory of Notre Dame (Willingham era) was the Golden helmet
and at that moment I saw the tunnel of light. But, it would be months later
until I finally saw a Notre Dame game on television.

It was Notre Dame against some team from California called USC
(at that timethe only school I knew from California was UCLA). Oh
man, that game was a GAME. Game commentary wise, they were talking
about USC being a really badass team, and Notre Dame a historic team
rising from the grave with a new coach whom they shown on TV
(Charlie was and still is fat at the time) who did not look like a coach to
me at that time.

That game was the perfect game to be introduced to Notre Dame football.
I mean that game had everything. Fans, beautiful stadium, interesting figures
(Samardzija, Quinn, Weis, Zbikowski, Leinart, Bush whom I did not know
anything about, but their names just stood out like the golden helmets),
plays, intensity and a finish.

I went to school two days later and asked everyone if they had seen the
football game... no one saw the game.

Nonetheless, that game was truly the game that made me an Irish fan...

THE IRISH FAN FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.

* Photo from Keith-Killer of deviantart.com