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Mike Celizic

MSNBC.com contributor Mike Celizic provides his unique slant as he takes an offbeat look into the world of sports beyond the box scores.



Blame Weis for Irish woes

Posted: Monday, September 17, 2007 10:21 PM

Charlie Weis was the picture of confidence during his first two years at Notre Dame. But now, after three straight brutal losses in which his team has yet to finish a game with positive rushing yardage, he’s grasping at straws.

He’s not in danger of losing his job, not with nine years left on the 10-year contract extension Notre Dame was so eager to get his signature on. But he is in danger of losing his team.

I’ll give him credit for being willing to risk that in order to turn this season around. But, just as I had doubts about the little game he played before the season-opening blowout loss to Georgia Tech with his choice of a starting quarterback, I’ve got doubts about his latest gambit.

After the brutal loss to Michigan, Weis brought his team back to South Bend and ordered a full-contact practice on Sunday, the day after the game. He canceled his Tuesday press conference, forbade his assistants to talk to the media, and then declared that all jobs were open to competition during the week.

Eric Hansen, our Irish Insider, sees this as not necessarily a bad thing. He sees it as Weis finding his way and getting a fresh start on the season.

It could work out that way, but I try to put myself in the head of a member of that team. If I was on last year’s team, I’ve had a pretty successful season behind me. Then I went through spring training, worked out during the summer, went through two-a-days, competed for a job, studied the playbook, believed my coach when he told me that if I did my job, we’d have a chance to win.

And now we’re getting our butts kicked. We’re playing hard, believing in the system, and it’s not working. And the coach’s response is to drag us through a full-contact practice on the day after a game, which is telling the world that the problem isn’t his coaching but our effort.

At that point, I’m not going to have a lot of faith in that coach. The Sunday after the third game of the season is not the time to start training camp. He had the spring and summer to decide on his starters, two blocks of practices to put in an offense that works, and now he’s going to throw all jobs open to competition again? How about his job? Is that open, too?

There was a time when that sort of shock therapy worked – 40 years ago. Today’s players aren’t as gullible as those of earlier eras. Already, Demetrius Jones, who started the first game at quarterback, has surrendered and transferred out of town. That’s not a good sign.

But Weis is grasping at straws. Hansen thinks that he’ll eventually figure out which ones work and which don’t, and maybe he will. Weis is an intelligent man and a good offensive coordinator. There is hope.

But this team is an embarrassment, and as much as he took the blame after the Michigan game, he went back to South Bend, called that senseless practice, and put the blame on the team.

Let’s face it. These guys haven’t been taught their jobs. That’s not the players’ fault; it’s the coaches’ fault. They haven’t been given plays that have a chance of succeeding. That isn’t their fault, either.

I’ve got an idea of what the players are going through, having played in high school for a coach who was full of confidence and promised us success if we did what he said. We worked hard for him and believed him because a couple of years earlier, he’d tied for the conference title.  But the competition changed and he didn’t, and we got our tails handed to us every week. He responded to our failures by flogging us harder in practice. We played out butts off, but we didn’t have a system that worked. We held up our end of the bargain; he didn’t hold up his.

The following year, with the same players but a different coach, we came within a foot of winning the first outright championship in the history of the school. We weren’t better players, we just had a system that made the most of our abilities.

Notre Dame is rebuilding. We all know that. But that shouldn’t mean it can’t rush for even 10 yards a game. It shouldn’t mean it can’t score a touchdown on offense – ever. Appalachian State beat Michigan, and that’s what used to be a Division I-AA school. You mean to tell me Notre Dame doesn’t have a couple of athletes who are comparable to those at a Division I-AA school?

Weis can flog his team, but it’s not going to help. If his players don’t know who to block by now, and he didn’t notice that until three games into the season, all the full-contact practices in the world aren’t going to change anything.

The problem isn’t the players, it’s the coaching.

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Comments

Spot on.  And consider this: despite having a very respectable record during his first two seasons, not one of his 19 wins is against a team that ended the season ranked.  The only time he came close was against USC in 2005, when they let the grass grow 4 inches in ND Stadium.  Oh yeah, that game was played entirely with Willingham's recruits. Since then, he's been utterly out-coached by any team of actual quality.

Even Gerry Faust pulled out a quality win once in a while.

Charlie Schleck, NYC (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:19 AM)

I really want to respond negatively to your article as it isn't one of your better pieces written.  With that said, There is a grain of truth, however, I do firmly beleive that what has been run was geared more towards what was shown successfully in practices, and just didn't/wasn't successful in a game.  Charlie needs to stick to his bread and butter, what works for ND, not just a QB of the moment, Needs to seriously consider doind something about Latina, regardless of the whole Joe Moore thing, (Hello...He isn't Joe, and pedigree usually means inbreeding) This line hasn't been great even in the brady years, and now is just atrocious.  

So with that said, The players are quitting out there, Clausen looked timid this game, the line looked more like a soccer team, and you are complaining that Weis wants to bring em back to a training camp mentatlity, and Jones is a immature punk who says If I can't play, I am taking my ball and going home....hmmmm  Then you have the nerve to compare your High School days to any collegiate football program, IA, IAA or otherwise.  Come on, you have seriously made me lose a tad of respect.  If you could play you would, you can't....However you can write, use more responsibilty, and do it better...this was lacking, maybe you should call your old coach up to help with this

Brian, Boca Raton, FL (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:28 AM)

Mike,
So now Weis is a bad coach, the last two years at ND and before that in the NFL he was a good coach!  The problem with your "finger in the wind analysis" is that it's wrong.  Weis didn't just take stupid pills. His players are not executing simple assignments, Claulsen is a Freshman who needs more experience. You need to put your finger back into your pocket and use your brain rather than trying to determine which way the wind is blowing with ND.  

Jim Burda Hudson, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 7:48 AM)

Weis also has lost the players that were recruited by Willingham and is now working with his recruits. maybe coaching isn't the only problem

George, Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:34 AM)

Although I agree the coaching staff is to blame for some of the offensive woes.  I think his review of the team is an outsiders view and obviously of someone who just watches highlights and hasn't done his research before pointing fingers.

He also has to look at the team which has three new O-line positions being filled.  Maybe Weiss should have played them last year, but you are always going to play your best players to give yourself a chance to win.  

Notre Dame has had repeated seasons where the players, at times, play uninspired and don't live up to their potential.  It's his job to get this out of them.  Compounding this is a thin senior and junior class as well.  I agree Weis could have developed these players a little bit more the last couple years.  He should have also not tried new offensive strategies with a team who haven't themselves found a "niche" or identity that they've felt comfortable and confident with.

I feel Weis is trying to right the ship and I would hold off judgement for the next few games and see if he can do it.  I've resigned myself that we're not going to a major bowl this year, but not getting worse.  

Mathew Vadaparampil, Lakeland, FL (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:07 AM)

As I recall Mr.Celizic, you had the privilege of
attending Notre Dame University-I did not. However,
in your desire to be impartial,have you ever said anything positive about this fine University,its Administration, Professors or any Coach since you began reporting? I think not.
Over the last number of years,the Notre Dame haters(and as you know,they are legion)have increased the drumbeat of ridicule to a fever pitch on anyting that
carries with it the title of "Notre Dame".
I am sick of it!
Charlie Weis is a fine humanist,humanitarian and Coach and to the caterwaulers of catastrophe who call themselves Notre Dame football fans, I say sit
down and shut up! You don't know the meaning of loyality or the reward of patience.
Coach Weis was hailed as the saviour of the football
program when he was named Head Coach and (as many seem to have forgotten) he has achieved some very
positive things (recruiting and yes, a winning record)in a very short time.
Yes,mistakes have been made and changes are needed-
and no one understands this better than Coach Weis.
He has not, nor will he, "lose this team". So, if
you truly are loyal Notre Dame fans, back off from the counter productive Monday morning quarterbacking.

J. Livadas Utica, New York (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:14 AM)

I am not familiar with who you are, but you nailed the problem with Notre Dame squarely on the head when you wrote "... the coach’s response is to drag us through a full-contact practice on the day after a game, which is telling the world that the problem isn’t his coaching but our effort."

Kenny Smith, Memphis, TN (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:36 AM)

You're right to an extent.  But you neglect the part of Charlie's press conference where he said he was going to reinstall a simpler system, getting the team to get good at a core set of plays.  By saying that, he more or less admitted that he made a mistake in trying to use such complicated schemes with a very green team.  He took the blame.  But the players should shoulder some of the blame too.  If you've been watching the O-Line, they are flagging guys into the backfield.  If you watched the Michigan game, the defense had alligator arms when it came to tackling Michigan players.  They weren't playing hard.  A fresh start will be good for everyone, the coaches and the players.

Sean McTear, Montgomery, AL (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:36 AM)

Wrong--it's the failure of executing on both sides of the ball. If these boys can't handle it, they should transfer elsewhere.

Ulysses San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:44 AM)

I think you are being too harsh - here is a man that won 20 games in the last two years - he had an exceptional running back in Darius Walker who got all the carries and he had one of the top quarterbacks in ND history and some excellent receivers - had Fasano come back they might have won 1 or 2 games more last year and finished in the top 3 teams in the nation.
The problem is that the offensive line has to switch from pass blocking as the primary skill to pushing people off the line and it takes awhile to learn that-you can't start to stand up until your fourth or fifth step and that takes time to learn - and when your primary responsibility is pass protection most lineman won't learn it - now they have to - also it's taken them a couple of games to figure out who their number one runner is: Alderidge - I couldn't tell until the third game that he was the best - and I am watching on TV the best seat in the house.

Jack San Bernardino California (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:48 AM)

Interesting watching how fired up and well coached the University of Washington team is doing.  And Jake Locker, who was on his way to Notre Dame until Willingham got fired, looks like a terrific young quarterback for Washington.  We'll never know how well Notre Dame would be doing right now with Willingham instead of Weiss, but my vote would clearly be for Willingham.

Glen Huntsberger, Santa Rosa, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:51 AM)

I have to agree, too much is put on the players when things aren't going right or when there's a problem and coaches get away with being incompetent.  I bet if the applation coach had the Michigan team it would have been a different story.  The same as B-State victory against the Sooners, that was pure coaching and a team that had bout into the system.  Or how bout Oregon State in 2000 thrashing Notre Dame, that senior class was suppose to be the worst recruits in the schools history, funny the difference a coach makes Jerry Petibone, Dennis Erickson........go figure...GO Beavs!!!!

Mark, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:18 AM)

Could not have said it better. Those O-linemen were supposed to be 5 star studs coming out of High School. Do you mean to tell me that their skills have actually diminished since coming to ND? I doubt it. It's simply coaching and adapting a system to the talent you have not demanding a system on the players. For instance, you simply CANNOT play a 3-4 with 250 pound D-linemen and 230 pound linebackers. And the LB's are slow to boot. That is a recipe for a disaster. Weis is trying to make ND the New England Patriots and the talent says otherwise.

Jim Luck (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:33 AM)

The chickens have come home to roost for ND. For years it has been the most overhyped, oversold and overrated program in the country. Weis and ND act more like PR gurus than footballers. No doubt ND is the best business partner of any school and  that is why they have not had to  earn anything. Not too many top 50 defenses ND has scored well on and not too many top 50 offenses it has stopped--especially under Weis.It--including the overrated recruiting services that kiss ND's behind--has finally been exposed. Time for Brittany to wake up and smell reality.

MK Farmand, Jax, Fla 32202 (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:48 AM)

Very nice article, Mr. Celizic.  I hope that Weiss is true to his word and that all jobs are open to competition again.  I think his decisions are heavily influenced by what he feels the alumni and media want to see; moreover, he could be making his decisions for all the wrong reasons.  Why else would he already have made Clausen starting quarterback?  Was he truly better than anyone else in their opener?  What substantiated Weiss' claim to Clausen giving the team, "the best chance to win"?  If Weiss ditched D. Jones after a couple of lousy quarters in their first game, why is Weiss not benching Clausen after a couple horrible games as a starter?  It seems only fair, but that just shows Weiss' inept coaching for this squad; however, I do understand you can't play the quarterback shuffle the whole season either.  The kid obviously needs more time to get adjusted to the college level (as a starter: 42-0 in high school and now 0-2 in college) and I'm not talking about on game day, I mean on the practice fields, weight room, classroom (studying video), etc.  Clausen started at Notre Dame last spring so I'm sure a good deal of that planning was to get ahead of the competition and secure the starting QB spot.  But it seems like he would have just been better off waiting around for this semi-mid-season spring training to commence.  And Weiss should forget about focusing on WINNING a game right now - how about concentrating a way to SCORE on offense?  This season is a waste until he gets to the academies, but even at this rate those games may favor the other institutions.  Even if they are to win any of those end-of-season matchups, what does that really, truly say about the "Fighting" Irish?  You can’t rely on beating Air Force, Duke, and Stanford to get you to the National Championship one day… well, maybe they'd still have a shot being placed in a BCS bowl game against a heavily over-matched opponent, though.  Do you see them even winning in the next five games?  I think the Raiders would have a better chance of blowing out the Patriots in Foxboro than Notre Dame beating any of their upcoming opponents, whether in South Bend or elsewhere.

Sean, Pismo Beach, Cali. (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 12:26 PM)

I disagree. From the game I saw (ND vs. Michigan), the offensive line was not doing its job. It totally boiled down to player excecution. From the snaps going over-the-head of the quartback to missed blocking assignments. This is a young offensive line. If they cannot execute their assignments, then Coach Weis should find someone who can. You can not blame a coach for players who do not perform just as you can not blame a school teacher for a student that does not want to learn. As far as Demetrius Jones leaving, well he is a quitter and not a TEAM player. Can this season be turned around? Yes it can. But the coaches have to get the players to believe it can be. The team that took the field on Sept. 15 came out of the tunnel with out fire and inspiration. THAT is what I blame on Coach Weis. The TEAM must BELIEVE to SUCCEED!

John Marshbanks (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 12:40 PM)

Excellent observation!!!! Notre Dame put the Coach on a pedestal as if HE alone was responsible for the Pats' success....current events indicate cheating was going on then also.......when he checks his ego at the door, maybe....just maybe, Notre Dame can "right the ship".

misterbee, Mars Hill, Maine (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 12:43 PM)

I read your article, and it seems to me you have some axe to grind with Charlie Weis and Notre Dame. You have no idea what these players are going thru, comparing your High School exploits to big-time college football is a joke. If you watched any of these games you would see that the offensive line is where most of the problem lies. These kids on the offensive line need to buckle down, and get the job down. Put a helmet on the player they are supposed to block and do it. It is about effort, and will, and knowing who to block, all of which is lacking right now, and I applaud Coach Weis for getting back to basics, and a little competition never hurt anyone, just cleans out the deadweight.

brian bradley, queens, ny (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 1:06 PM)

First, if you say “flogging 'ol molly” worked 40 years ago, why didn't it work for you when you were in high school?  That 1920's hat and 1980's porn movie beard make you look like you played 40 years ago…so I don’t see why it didn’t work for you.

Second, Charlie came into the program telling everyone that he would prepare a game plan each week for the team they played, which is something different in the College game.  That works in the NFL.  It also worked with the Juniors and Seniors on the team during those first two seasons.  Now that those upper classmen have graduated, we have a gaping hole during the Ty "Golf comes before recruiting" Willingham years.  I mean seriously, if you have Reggie Bush looking at ND and you decide he’s “in the bag”….but he instead goes to USC, you’ve got issues.  If one of the all time greatest college players was looking at your school…you stick with him until he enrolls.  We do have a few upper classmen, but they are not quality leaders.  We need men to keep the team glued together when we start to fall apart.  Case in point, none of these upper classmen have spoken up about any of the losses, nor did they show any spirit or emotion when Mike Hart "guaranteed" a victory this past weekend.  Why would the handful of 5th year seniors come back to ND if they had any inclination that they were going to do so poorly?

I think you're right on one thing.  Charlie does need to get away from this NFL mentality, preparing for each team with an individual game plan.  This may have worked for the upper classmen, but these younger guys are still trying to swallow the basics.  When the plays change week in and week out, they don't have time to build a foundation for their skills.  I think what he's doing this week is fine....as long as he simplifies everything and lights a fire under the butt's of all the upper classmen.  Get someone to come in and fire them up this week....Lou...Brown...heck, resurrect the spirit of Knute if you like.  They need someone to bring in the “Bill Parcells” attitude that Charlie came to ND with, but has lost over the past couple of seasons.

Chris "Clutch" Phillips (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 1:38 PM)

I really don't know how you can blame everything on a coach.  There is only so much a coach can do.  When it comes to making blocks, tackles, protecting the QB, and catching the ball thats on the players.  They play of THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME they should start acting like it.  And for those fans that sit there and boo the irish and yell while at a game and point fingers all the time better not call themselves Irish fans.  ND is rebuilding this year it will get better...remember Brady Quinns first game at the big house.....the got hit after hit after hit and they lost 38-0 then too...so things will get better.  If you are an ND fan you have to have faith!!!

Julie LaCroix Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 1:55 PM)

I'm not sure if you watched Notre Dame games this season. because from your article it seems you're just mirroring what the rest of the media is saying.

if you actually watch the game, you'll realize that the players did not execute well. The Irish has so many penalties  in each game. So many sacks... etc. you can't win games with such execution.

That's why I totally stand with Weis when he said all positions are open. because any player who does not perform well, does not deserve to be a starter.

bedros, san diego, ca (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:10 PM)

Expectations can lead to great disappointment.  As a life long ND fan, it is easy to get into the high expectations going into each September. I decided to maintain a wait and see attitude.  I chalk up this season to re-building and look forward to watching the new young talent that will emerge.  The talent will be here before you know it, and all us ND fans will grow to appreciate the things that Coach Weiss has brought to the table.  Hey, I was patient with Coach Faust ( a man I greatly respect).  He brought other things to the ND table other than winning and we ended up the better for it. For all our young Irish fans, remember these times we are in now, things will turn around and you will be a better ND fan for it.  Go IRISH and God Bless Coach Weiss and his staff.

Tim, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:32 PM)

MikeC actually has finally written a point on analysis. Indeed the woes at ND lay with Weiss.  His line coaches have seen the last of SB after this season, if not earlier , but they were hired by CW. The Irish have no way to go but up in terms of execution. They have talent and Weiss is a good coach so things will turn around.  I still think they have a chance of winning 6 or 7 games, but right now Weiss' biggest issue is the team's mental attitude.  If they can turn it around this weekend - it can still be a decent season.  IMHO - IF they show significant improvements this weekend and get a win - I would recommend USC not come into SB thinging they will win 100-0.  A team down as low as ND can be a heavily favored team's nightmare. Rumors are already floating that CW was told by White - 6-6 or he should call the NFL.  TYW was the wrong coach for ND.  Weiss may/my not be - we'll see.  Tom Clements is waiting in the wings.

Bob Rocklin (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:42 PM)

Weis has had Ty's players for two years and won. At what point does Weis say"gee whiz" I better develop backups for grads to be and or injured. USC seems to have QB's lined up in a holding pattern also in other skill positions. Freshmen seem to work in that offence
giving debth.

P. J. Monaghan, Salem, OR (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:54 PM)

A reluctant and unfortunate, Amen.

GOIRISH (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 3:37 PM)

This is a very smart analysis.  Weis seems to lurch from one extreme to another.  And in doing so, he communicates desperation to his players.  Even this business of going for it on fourth down early in the game has deperation written all over it.  He did that against LSU too.  Message to players?  I don't trust the punter and I don't trust the defense to stop the opponent's offense even if a good punt should push them deep into their own territory.  Muzzling everybody says the same.  I don't trust you to say something sensible.
This article is especially good because it doesn't have ND hatred written all over it.

Albert Josephs (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 3:51 PM)

Most insightful article I have seen on this topic.  Yours is the first that looks at it from the players' perspective.

Thanks.

A. P. Alpharetta, GA (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:09 PM)

You're comparing your high school career with division 1? As for the system  not working, as a former player, I believe it's ultimately the responsibility of each player to execute, not the coaches. The system worked for the past two years, so what's the problem now? Inferior players? As for the juniors and seniors, I agree it is inferiority. If Charlie Weis has made a mistake, it was not benching all the juniors and seniors after the season opening embarassment. I expect sophs and freshman to make the mental mistakes that were being made, but not 5th year seniors who were in the system the past two years. They need a kick in their collective asses, just like the ass-kicking they've put Clausen through the past two games. You may be right about your average kid in America being a wimp when it comes to discipline, but the kids that Weis has recruited are from a different mold than those of the previous regime. They will take the punishment handed out and come out of it better and stronger because of it. It's called Pride. Something that the seniors and juniors haven't got or forgot about. ND pride. And if not they will be gone and good riddence.

Randy Faurote (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:33 PM)

How about we flog you and that stupid hat of yours? Maybe he is coaching them and they aren't getting it.  Maybe the 2004 and 2005 recruiting classes were completely lame -- leaving him with all rookies at the skilled positions.  Maybe DJ jumped ship too soon because his ego was bruised.  Yes, ND stinks but when you can't tackle, that is not a coaches fault. Give me a break -- there is plenty of blame to go around.  

James O'Reilly (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 6:35 PM)

Excellent post. At last, someone willing to do the so-called "unthinkable": criticize Charlie Weis.

Regardless of what people think of Weis, or how fervently they place him in a God-like pedestal, he is the leader of a team that is now historic at Notre Dame in terms of how poor they have performed.

That is a failure of coaching; not a failure of players.

I believe that perhaps Charlie and his staff became a bit arrogant and self-conceited, and now there is divine humility being levied against them.

Through humility and hard work,there is a chance of redemption.

R.B, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 7:42 PM)

Your absolutely right. But, who's to say Charlies job isn't open. They make alot more money from NBC than they pay Charlie and that is what college football is all about.

What did Beno Cook mean when he said, "Notre Dame will never be a power house again because of the way they practice".

Steve, Conroe Texas (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:00 PM)

Mike Celizic, You obviously don't have a clue what you’re talking about. Weis publicly admitted to not spending enough time on fundamentals. He is now admitting that he needs to start over! The players are actually embracing it. Let's face it, if lazy Ty Willingham did a fraction of his job, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Take some time and look  at all the facts before for writing this garbage!

Bill Foley, Hockessin, DE (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:43 PM)

Your ignorance of the facts are shameful.  Tyrone Willingham left not one offensive lineman in his last two recruiting classes, ranked as the two worst classes ever at Notre Dame.  The remaining juniors and seniors are what is left when the head coach neglects his job to play golf with classes ranked lower than 50 by many recruiting services.  Weis' first full class of recruits is just now early into their second season of his regimine and routine.  Growing pains (and losses) are inevitable and expected.  So get your laughs and body blows in now because by 2009, ND will have you puking in your cereal when they compete for the BCS championship.  And save the rhetoric about your football experience and how you were not the problem, it was your coach.  That's the same denial that got Willingham canned; it wasn't him, it was the players...  the ones HE recruited!  

Chris Lynch, Shawnee, KS (Sent Tuesday, September 18, 2007 10:53 PM)

Disagree.  Weis may have been taking a professional football approach to practice.  Alot of walk throughs and not alot of hitting. The Irish have come out flat in all three games.  So maybe a little bruising will wake some people up.  

Michael Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:31 AM)

Notre Dame hires a fat slob who never played college ball and they're in disbelief at 0 and 3?  Who da thunk?  Maybe this is some sort of punishment for screwing Ty Willingham.  I hope they keep Weis forever!

Chuck (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 8:46 AM)

I live in Wisconsin and I sincerely believe the University of Wisconsin La Crosse could play ND down to the wire!

Paul Lagan (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:49 PM)

You are just another example of someone who pays absolutely no attention to the Notre Dame football program on a regular basis but thinks that by looking at a few box scores and reading the press conference transcripts you have a read on this team and Charlie Weis.  Well sir, maybe you should pay attention to Eric Hansen, your Irish Insider because he does pay attention on a daily basis.  But my guess is you'd rather ignore the facts and try and make a name for yourself by bashing a team that everybody expected to struggle this season and are doing just that.

Chris, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 1:14 PM)

After reading your article, I am so happy and relieved you were never a football player in college...let go of your high school days pal.  Your attitude is filled with defeat, self-pity, and excuses.  Attitudes like yours was the reason your high school team sucked.  That's not ND football.  Never has been and never will be.  The players may be playing hard, but obviously it's not hard enough.  The O-Line is playing weak and gets pushed around with ease.  They need to get nastier, it's the trenches.  All players have a responsibility and that is to believe in their coach.  A coach who has won three super bowls, earned two BCS appearences, and has the best two year start of any ND coach (19-6).  Demetrius Jones leaving is a good sign.  ND cannot have those types of players on their team.  I have no sympathy for quitters.  You said the players "haven't been taugh their jobs"...what planet do you live on?  I guess spring practice and summer camp at Notre Dame is filled wiht incompetant coaches and players who enjoy reading your garbage.  How can you say Notre Dame's system is broke? Charlie Weis' offense that has been installed has just about shattered every offensive record in ND history?  ND is rebuilding...one thing you did get correct and put some thought into, but they are young and inexpierienced.  These young men also play the best of the best.  As for App. State...they just wanted it more.  You know nothing about coaching or the game of football, it's obvious.  You need to wake up and forget about your horrific high school days of the 1960's and write material that's worth reading and has some credibility.  

Gregg, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 1:27 PM)

Coach Weis has taken ownership for the car wreck that is Notre Dame football right now.  He has said the buck stops here.  What you and other ND haters in the media are doing is making assumptions based on your dislike of Notre Dame and not facts.  None of the players are playing with any passion for the game.  They are flat and uninspired.  While I will agree that there are BIG questions for the coaches at ND right now, the players need to go head-to-head and play some inspired football.  Charlie has treated them like Pros which worked with the veteran teams of the past couple of years.  However, this team is an extremely young team with very little upper classmen leadership (thanks to the horrible recruiting that Ty Willingham did his last 2 years) .  They need contact practices.  Charlie is to blame, and he has said so.  Stop letting your hate for ND cloud what you write.

Dan Kahrs (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 1:47 PM)

  Have you seen the games?  
  The plays being called are not working because the players are not executing. No play will work when the ball is snapped three feet over the head of the intended recipient. It is difficult to call plays when you are constantly in 1st & 15 or 2nd & 20 due to a false start or sack. Is that the coach’s fault? The players will admit they are making mental mistakes.
  The team is young, inexperienced and is not helping itself any with all the mental mistakes.
  Weis has tried to put his young players in the position to make plays. They just haven't stepped up as quickly as we hoped. He hasn't been 'grasping at straws'. He has simply tried to use scheme to gain an advantage. Unfortunately, the players have not responded. The return to camp is in an effort to return to basics and drive the point home that execution is necessary in success. Tiger Woods couldn't beat my 5 year old son if he is constantly hitting it out of bounds (bad execution).
  The teams ND has faced are the worst opponents. Pressure defense and talented front seven's against a young, inexperienced line. They were set up to fail. ND has faced tougher competition than any team in the county (Michigan is pretty good, despite the Ap St punch-line). If ND would have had a chance to play a 'preseason' against smaller, less talented schools like many of the other big boys, these young guys may have had a chance to get their feet wet, gel and gain some confidence.
  The reason the team is young and without significant depth at key positions is a direct result of Ty Willingham's ineptitude as a recruiter.  The few Juniors and Seniors on the team wouldn’t make most teams, but most are trying hard. The freshmen and sophomores are talented, but are inexperienced and are being put into positions they have no business being in.
  The bottom line is that despite the 0-3 start, the future is bright. Charlie has engineered two strong recruiting classes with the best one yet on its way in 2008. The team will improve between now and the end of the year. Then look out in the next couple of years. All the people who have launched themselves from the ND bandwagon the last three weeks will be trying to claw thier way back on in 08 & 09.
Go Irish...

Anthony, Van Wert, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:11 PM)

Sorry, but your wrong. Did you Watch the first 3 games. The execution of the plays on the field is awful. The Michigan team players even commented on the poor execution being the distinct difference between this year's team and the team of the past to seasons!

Rick Callahan, Buckeye AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:12 PM)

Whomever has written this article has clearly not watched the first three games, and particularly the Michigan game.  

First, let me say I feel Weis and his staff bear the responsibility for the overall performance of the team.  However, at some point each player in the game needs to execute his assignment or the play will fail.  90% success may sound good, but if one OL misses a block, that defender can can make a tackle and defeat the play.  On many of the plays in the first three games that is exactly what happened.  Does that mean the play was wrong, or that one person's mistake caused the failure?

I think the team played hard the first two games even if they weren't effective.  However, against Michigan they needed a fast start to build momentum and take the crowd out of the game.  When that didn't happen, the energy was gone.  In my opinion, many of the players mailed it in from the second quarter on.  And that's what Weis HAS to fix going forward.  Effort can overcome a lack of talent, bad strategy, and sometimes bad luck.  But without maximum effort, very few teams (and certainly not this ND team) can be successful.

Is Weis risking injury to key players by emphasizing physical play in practice?  Absolutely.  However, the status quo has proved its value.  He needs to find players who will outwork the other team if he expects to win this year. Talk is cheap- anyone can say they are giving it all.  But actions speak louder than words, and let's see whose play on the practice field this week earns them the right to play against MSU.

Mike- you say the problem is coaching.  What would you do different?  And I mean going forward, not in hindsight.  We all have 20-20 vision reviewing the past.

Gary Sobolewski (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 2:44 PM)

Well let me just say I think you are right saying that Weis is at fault here but so is the team.  Why is it that these coaches had the last two teams ready to play but not this year’s team?  Young talent is young talent and yes you have to teach more but you also don't get results as fast.  Not only is ND starting a plethora of freshman and sophs but the few upper classmen that should be solid game in and game out are playing worse than the underclassman.  Now is that Weis’s fault for not getting this team ready?  Those upper classman should be ready....they shouldn't need prodding.  They should be the leaders on the field that this very young and talented team needs.  But they are not and I can't in any way say that that is a result of coaching.  As for changing his system to put this year’s team in a position to win...that is just crazy.  Sailing back the offence is what he has done and honestly had to do.  Great college football coaches don't change their scheme from year to year to give their team a chance to win...they recruit players into the system they run to make it and the players successful.  Weis hasn't had a chance to get all his kids into the system yet.  But he is working on it, and working hard.

Fran, Minersville, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:16 PM)

"We're playing hard, believing in the system, and it's not working".  Excuse me, but this team, particularly on offense, is NOT playing hard.  If you take the time to watch the blocking attempts in slow motion, as I have, you quickly realize that linemen are quite literally falling down on the job.  Or, as Paul MacGuire said during the Michigan game on a third-and-short, "They (ND) didn't block anybody!".  Further, particularly against Michigan, there were dozens of missed tackles.  I'm sorry, but air blocks and tackles are NOT the coaches' fault; they are a symptom of either inadequate or indifferent players.  Neither is acceptable at Notre Dame, or any other allegedly major sports program.  It's not that Weis hasn't made mistakes; he's been marginal at best in calling plays this year.  But when four defenders sandwich the quarterback in unison, it's time to open the positions up to competition, regardless of what happened last year or in spring camp.  To quote Lou Holtz, "Motivation is easy.  You eliminate the unmotivated."  The same "system" that isn't working got ND into two BCS bowl games in two years.  It's not the system that's broken, and that's not what needs to be fixed.

Gorgeous George

Gorgeous George, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:20 PM)

I disagree with the bash Charlie bandwagon that has gotten underway so quickly.As is common with the media these days  - you build someone up quickly only to tear them down even faster. Do I like seeing my favorite team embarrassed - no. Michigan was one of the worst games I've seen the Irish play in ever. Do I want Charlie fired because of it? NO!!There is plenty of blame to go around and here is why he gets a reprieve... he is willing to try and fix the problem unlike Willingham and Davie. Those 2 would either be whining to the media how it wasn't their fault or on a golf course. Charlie is willingly taking plenty of heat for things that aren't his fault - and allowing his team to save face in public while attacking the issues in private (as private as the media will allow). I still believe he is our best shot at correcting the issues. The main problem is execution not the scheme. Even the players admit they've been taught the right way to do things- they just aren't doing the best they could with them. On paper a spread offense was a good idea against GT and Michigan. What couldn't be anticipated were things like penalties and stupid errors gutting the life out of the plan.  How is a fifth year senior snapping the ball over someone's head 3 times Charlie's fault when it hasn't happened in practice nor the past 2 years of real game experience from that player? Don't tell me it's because the player is losing faith in the coach or isn't as naive as  yesteryear. If the guy is that fragile and spoiled then he needs to turn his scholarship in to someone with passion and heart. Football is not a nice sport and coddling a team is not the answer - toughening them up is. I can't believe you were condoing such a spoiled 21st century psycho-babble attitude among the players while taking swipes at players of the past. Not everything "new" is good. Old school hard work is what is needed. And before you think I am an 80 yearold out of touch with society - I am a 31 year female who has watched enough college football (not just the Irish) in my lifetime to build a valid opinion.

Colleen R. Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:25 PM)

I could not agree with you more completely. For Charlie Weis to put the blame on his players, most of whom he recruited, is absurd. I don't think Charlie is the man for the job. Bring back Lou Holtz or beg Urban Meyer to reconsider.

James Moriarty (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:25 PM)

i can not agree more with the assesment, "It is the coaching not the talent." I coached in high school and I was at the Tech game. I could not believe the lack of blocking and the poor tackling. In addition they are not a physical football team and I believe you have to coach teams to be physical.

J. B. Graziano, Lower Gwynedd, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:42 PM)

Notre Dame currently has 3 offensive line recruits from 2003-5.  By contrast, the current #1 team in the nation has 8.  ND recruited 6 during that time; USC 14.  Case closed on why Notre Dame football is not doing well.  All of your other points pale in comparison to that one.  Indeed, their last coach, Ty Willingham, might still be around if it were not for that one fact.  Offensive line is the single most important ingredient to winning college football games, period.

Dave, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:57 PM)

He could win with Tyrone Willingham's players, but he can't win with his.

Looks like Weis isn't the genious that everyone thought he was.  There is a coach in Washington that can't help but smile at the misfortunes of a once proud footbal program.

OC, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:57 PM)

So when John Sullivan, the senior starter, hikes the ball well over the head of the tailback or quarterback - multiple times in a game - you're saying that he hasn't been taught what his job is? After what, 4-5 years of this he still doesn't know that his job is to hike it to them and not to the goal post behind them? Yeah, OK. That's Weis's fault.

Joe, East Lansing, MI (Sent Wednesday, September 19, 2007 3:59 PM)



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