August 2008 Entries
It was 79 degrees with 64 percent humidity (we had a short rain shower at about 3:30 p.m.) as Notre Dame took the LaBar Practice Fields in uppers for its last open practice of training camp. The next one of these updates will come next Tuesday.Three guys who have been missing time lately returned today: Wide receiver George West, defensive lineman Morrice Richardson and linebacker Anthony McDonald. All three seemed to be moving around pretty well.Safety Kyle McCarthy was the fastest guy to midfield today for stretching, sprinting all the way and reaching about the second line of offensive players...
It was 79 degrees with 64 percent humidity (we had a short rain shower at about 3:30 p.m.) as Notre Dame took the LaBar Practice Fields in uppers for its last open practice of training camp. The next one of these updates will come next Tuesday.Three guys who have been missing time lately returned today: Wide receiver George West, defensive lineman Morrice Richardson and linebacker Anthony McDonald. All three seemed to be moving around pretty well.Safety Kyle McCarthy was the fastest guy to midfield today for stretching, sprinting all the way and reaching about the second line of offensive players...
Notre Dame worked out in full pads on a hazy, 84-degree day on the LaBar Practice Fields, again without injured players Morrice Richardson, George West and Anthony McDonald.Coach Charlie Weis didn't waste any time getting started, chatting with quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Evan Sharpley about making progression reads during stretching. A little too technical for me, but don't worry, Clausen and Sharpley seemed to be getting it.I watched the defensive linemen, who are usually among the most boisterous players and were again on Wednesday. They did their tricky footwork drill in which players stepped across bags from both sides, meeting...
Notre Dame worked out in full pads on a hazy, 84-degree day on the LaBar Practice Fields, again without injured players Morrice Richardson, George West and Anthony McDonald.Coach Charlie Weis didn't waste any time getting started, chatting with quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Evan Sharpley about making progression reads during stretching. A little too technical for me, but don't worry, Clausen and Sharpley seemed to be getting it.I watched the defensive linemen, who are usually among the most boisterous players and were again on Wednesday. They did their tricky footwork drill in which players stepped across bags from both sides, meeting...
Notre Dame defensive end Justin Brown admits his training camp so far has been a "roller coaster." And he sounds glad that the ride appears to be finally over."I went up, down, up, down," Brown said Wednesday night, "and now I'm on a more consistent level."That's exactly where the Irish need him to be. Brown's listed as the co-starter at left end with Morrice Richardson, and with Richardson slowed with an injury he'll get plenty of reps in practice and snaps in games, at least early on.Brown, who made 30 tackles in 10 games last season, said his improved consistency...
Notre Dame defensive end Justin Brown admits his training camp so far has been a "roller coaster." And he sounds glad that the ride appears to be finally over."I went up, down, up, down," Brown said Wednesday night, "and now I'm on a more consistent level."That's exactly where the Irish need him to be. Brown's listed as the co-starter at left end with Morrice Richardson, and with Richardson slowed with an injury he'll get plenty of reps in practice and snaps in games, at least early on.Brown, who made 30 tackles in 10 games last season, said his improved consistency...
ESPN's "College GameDay" will originate from Notre Dame for the first time on Jan. 24 when the Irish play host to Connecticut.The show will start at 6 p.m. and the game at 7.“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting ESPN College Basketball GameDay at the Joyce Center,” Irish coach Mike Brey said. “The Joyce Center has played host to some of the greatest games in college basketball and we will look forward to having the chance to showcase our basketball program here at Notre Dame against one of the nation’s top teams. Our student body and fans have been such...
ESPN's "College GameDay" will originate from Notre Dame for the first time on Jan. 24 when the Irish play host to Connecticut.The show will start at 6 p.m. and the game at 7.“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting ESPN College Basketball GameDay at the Joyce Center,” Irish coach Mike Brey said. “The Joyce Center has played host to some of the greatest games in college basketball and we will look forward to having the chance to showcase our basketball program here at Notre Dame against one of the nation’s top teams. Our student body and fans have been such...
Well, not here ... but Notre Dame has a limited number of seats for the Sept. 6 opener against San Diego State that will go on sale tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. SDSU apparently returned part of its allotment.To buy, come to the Gate 1 ticket window on the second floor of the Joyce Center, call (574) 631-7356 or visit www.und.com/tickets at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are available while supplies last.
Well, not here ... but Notre Dame has a limited number of seats for the Sept. 6 opener against San Diego State that will go on sale tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. SDSU apparently returned part of its allotment.To buy, come to the Gate 1 ticket window on the second floor of the Joyce Center, call (574) 631-7356 or visit www.und.com/tickets at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are available while supplies last.
Sunny and 80 degrees as Notre Dame practiced in full pads on the first day of classes.Defensive end Morrice Richardson was not at practice Tuesday as he recovers from a foot sprain. Coach Charlie Weis said the injury shouldn't keep Richardson out of the opener on Sept. 6. Paul Duncan, the offensive lineman who's been banged up, was running straight-ahead today, but not doing some of the lateral movements and swiveling the other guys do before stretching.James Aldridge lost the ball as he ran the bags, which as you can imagine, didn't go over well with offensive coordinator Mike Haywood,...
Sunny and 80 degrees as Notre Dame practiced in full pads on the first day of classes.Defensive end Morrice Richardson was not at practice Tuesday as he recovers from a foot sprain. Coach Charlie Weis said the injury shouldn't keep Richardson out of the opener on Sept. 6. Paul Duncan, the offensive lineman who's been banged up, was running straight-ahead today, but not doing some of the lateral movements and swiveling the other guys do before stretching.James Aldridge lost the ball as he ran the bags, which as you can imagine, didn't go over well with offensive coordinator Mike Haywood,...
Notre Dame issued an updated depth chart on Monday. The highlights:• Mike Turkovich is the starter at left tackle.• Golden Tate and Michael Floyd are the backup receivers.• Kyle Rudolph is the starting tight end.• Still no clear-cut favorite at the running back spot.• John Ryan has pulled even with Kerry Neal at the "Will" linebacker spot.• There's now a long snapper and a short snapper, and they're two different guys: Kevin Brooks and Braxston Cave.OFFENSEX Receiver18 — Duval Kamara, So., 6-5, 21923 — Golden Tate, So., 5-11, 195Left Tackle77 — Mike Turkovich, Sr., 6-6, 30570 — Matt Romine, So.,...
Notre Dame issued an updated depth chart on Monday. The highlights:• Mike Turkovich is the starter at left tackle.• Golden Tate and Michael Floyd are the backup receivers.• Kyle Rudolph is the starting tight end.• Still no clear-cut favorite at the running back spot.• John Ryan has pulled even with Kerry Neal at the "Will" linebacker spot.• There's now a long snapper and a short snapper, and they're two different guys: Kevin Brooks and Braxston Cave.OFFENSEX Receiver18 — Duval Kamara, So., 6-5, 21923 — Golden Tate, So., 5-11, 195Left Tackle77 — Mike Turkovich, Sr., 6-6, 30570 — Matt Romine, So.,...
Heavy rains in the morning and spotty showers all day forced Notre Dame to practice indoors for the first time during training camp. The Loftus Center, which can get unbearably humid in August if not ventilated properly was, well, ventilated properly on Friday, with doors on both sides propped open, creating a nice breeze through the facility.A few notable absences on Friday, in addition to the previously blogged-about Mike Ragone: Center Dan Wenger and wide receiver George West both were out. Wenger has been ill, though coach Charlie Weis said he was back practicing on Thursday. West suffered a concussion...
Heavy rains in the morning and spotty showers all day forced Notre Dame to practice indoors for the first time during training camp. The Loftus Center, which can get unbearably humid in August if not ventilated properly was, well, ventilated properly on Friday, with doors on both sides propped open, creating a nice breeze through the facility.A few notable absences on Friday, in addition to the previously blogged-about Mike Ragone: Center Dan Wenger and wide receiver George West both were out. Wenger has been ill, though coach Charlie Weis said he was back practicing on Thursday. West suffered a concussion...
Notre Dame sophomore tight end Mike Ragone is out for the season with a knee injury, the school announced today.Ragone had successful surgery this morning to repair a tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament."This summer while running routes, Mike tweaked his knee and partially tore his left ACL," Irish coach Charlie Weis said in a statement. "His two options were to have the knee fixed immediately or to brace it and try to play. He understood that eventually the knee would have to be fixed and he was hoping to do it at the conclusion of the 2008 season."Mike...
Notre Dame sophomore tight end Mike Ragone is out for the season with a knee injury, the school announced today.Ragone had successful surgery this morning to repair a tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament."This summer while running routes, Mike tweaked his knee and partially tore his left ACL," Irish coach Charlie Weis said in a statement. "His two options were to have the knee fixed immediately or to brace it and try to play. He understood that eventually the knee would have to be fixed and he was hoping to do it at the conclusion of the 2008 season."Mike...
Signs that the school year is about to start are all around at Notre Dame. Today the ROTC folks were doing some training outside on the lawn; I saw the first dorm welcome sign of the year, for Farley Hall; and you could hear the marching band warming up from the practice field, playing scales on the 66-degree, sunny morning. This is Notre Dame's last morning practice, with freshman orientation coming up and the first day of classes on Tuesday.Some humor to start off with: When a student manager tossed the ball to offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, Haywood dropped it...
Signs that the school year is about to start are all around at Notre Dame. Today the ROTC folks were doing some training outside on the lawn; I saw the first dorm welcome sign of the year, for Farley Hall; and you could hear the marching band warming up from the practice field, playing scales on the 66-degree, sunny morning. This is Notre Dame's last morning practice, with freshman orientation coming up and the first day of classes on Tuesday.Some humor to start off with: When a student manager tossed the ball to offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, Haywood dropped it...
The official thermometer of Notre Dame football practice — that is, the weather thing on my iPhone — said 82 degrees as practice started, but it felt warmer with an especially hot sun beating down. Still, the Irish were out on the LaBar Practice Fields in full pads, and tight ends coach Bernie Parmalee was wearing long sleeves and sweatpants. I don't know how — or why — he does it.The defense starts with its pursuit drill, using the nickel packages. The first team is: Defensive linemen Justin Brown, Pat Kuntz and John Ryan; linebackers Maurice Crum Jr., Brian Smith...
The official thermometer of Notre Dame football practice — that is, the weather thing on my iPhone — said 82 degrees as practice started, but it felt warmer with an especially hot sun beating down. Still, the Irish were out on the LaBar Practice Fields in full pads, and tight ends coach Bernie Parmalee was wearing long sleeves and sweatpants. I don't know how — or why — he does it.The defense starts with its pursuit drill, using the nickel packages. The first team is: Defensive linemen Justin Brown, Pat Kuntz and John Ryan; linebackers Maurice Crum Jr., Brian Smith...
We've known since April that Notre Dame's captains would be David Grimes, David Bruton and Maurice Crum Jr. Today we learned which players would be on the team's leadership committee as voted by the players themselves:Representing the running backs: Asaph SchwappRepresenting the quarterbacks and tight ends: Jimmy ClausenRepresenting the offensive line: Sam YoungRepresenting the defensive line: Pat KuntzRepresenting the defensive backs: Terrail LambertRepresenting the special teams: Scott SmithThe biggest surprise was Smith, who doesn't play regularly, if at all, on defense and isn't generally recognized for his special teams contributions the way Bruton and Mike Anello are, for instance. But...
We've known since April that Notre Dame's captains would be David Grimes, David Bruton and Maurice Crum Jr. Today we learned which players would be on the team's leadership committee as voted by the players themselves:Representing the running backs: Asaph SchwappRepresenting the quarterbacks and tight ends: Jimmy ClausenRepresenting the offensive line: Sam YoungRepresenting the defensive line: Pat KuntzRepresenting the defensive backs: Terrail LambertRepresenting the special teams: Scott SmithThe biggest surprise was Smith, who doesn't play regularly, if at all, on defense and isn't generally recognized for his special teams contributions the way Bruton and Mike Anello are, for instance. But...
This was originally going to be "Tuesday's First 20 MInutes," but they've since decided to close the afternoon practice to the media. So this will have to tide you over until tomorrow.The Weather Channel said it was 66 degrees at 9 a.m., but it felt warmer with the sun out. Either way, still a great day to practice. Receiver Robby Parris was back with the team today, though linebacker Anthony McDonald was still out. There were scouts from the Lions and Texans taking things in this morning as well.There was a lot of chatter out there as the coaches tried...
This was originally going to be "Tuesday's First 20 MInutes," but they've since decided to close the afternoon practice to the media. So this will have to tide you over until tomorrow.The Weather Channel said it was 66 degrees at 9 a.m., but it felt warmer with the sun out. Either way, still a great day to practice. Receiver Robby Parris was back with the team today, though linebacker Anthony McDonald was still out. There were scouts from the Lions and Texans taking things in this morning as well.There was a lot of chatter out there as the coaches tried...
It's starting to warm up again around here, with temperatures in the low 80s at Notre Dame practice time today. It's nothing compared to Columbia, S.C., in July of 1985, though, coach Charlie Weis tells Columbia's own Gary Gray during stretching."This would be a cool day in Columbia, right, Gary?" Weis asks, then tells him about his first summer down south as a graduate assistant at South Carolina, when it was "over 100 degrees" every day and storms rolled in often. Weis later compares South Bend's weather to San Diego's for the benefit of California guy Terrail Lambert, who I...
It's starting to warm up again around here, with temperatures in the low 80s at Notre Dame practice time today. It's nothing compared to Columbia, S.C., in July of 1985, though, coach Charlie Weis tells Columbia's own Gary Gray during stretching."This would be a cool day in Columbia, right, Gary?" Weis asks, then tells him about his first summer down south as a graduate assistant at South Carolina, when it was "over 100 degrees" every day and storms rolled in often. Weis later compares South Bend's weather to San Diego's for the benefit of California guy Terrail Lambert, who I...
Another great day at Notre Dame — 81 degrees and mostly sunny — for a football practice, especially if you're just watching it. The Irish were in full pads, and an officiating crew was on hand, so it's likely there was some offense-defense going on — after the media left, of course. Coach Charlie Weis had a long chat with them about how he wanted them to handle things like the 40-second clock, holding calls, etc. Since Notre Dame doesn't cut-block in practice to prevent injuries, he doesn't want holds called on screen passes.Jimmy Clausen's father was back for the...
Another great day at Notre Dame — 81 degrees and mostly sunny — for a football practice, especially if you're just watching it. The Irish were in full pads, and an officiating crew was on hand, so it's likely there was some offense-defense going on — after the media left, of course. Coach Charlie Weis had a long chat with them about how he wanted them to handle things like the 40-second clock, holding calls, etc. Since Notre Dame doesn't cut-block in practice to prevent injuries, he doesn't want holds called on screen passes.Jimmy Clausen's father was back for the...
Here are a few nuggets of info from Charlie Weis' media session on Saturday:• Freshman quarterback Dayne Crist is starting to "push past" the mental overload that comes with being a freshman, but he's not pushing Evan Sharpley for the backup spot behind Jimmy Clausen. Sharpley is closer to Clausen than Crist is to Sharpley.Speaking of quarterbacks, Weis said Nate Montana "could come in and finish a game for us if he needed to, which he just might do."As far as other freshmen, Weis said the "arrow's pointing up" on offensive linemen Trevor Robinson, who we saw working with the...
Here are a few nuggets of info from Charlie Weis' media session on Saturday:• Freshman quarterback Dayne Crist is starting to "push past" the mental overload that comes with being a freshman, but he's not pushing Evan Sharpley for the backup spot behind Jimmy Clausen. Sharpley is closer to Clausen than Crist is to Sharpley.Speaking of quarterbacks, Weis said Nate Montana "could come in and finish a game for us if he needed to, which he just might do."As far as other freshmen, Weis said the "arrow's pointing up" on offensive linemen Trevor Robinson, who we saw working with the...
If Notre Dame didn't practice well on Friday, the Irish can't use the weather as an excuse. It was 77 degrees and brilliantly sunny as the team took to the LaBar Fields in full pads for their ninth workout of training camp.Tight end Will Yeatman was back practicing for the first time since suffering a concussion on Monday, and running back James Aldridge (soreness) and offensive lineman Chris Stewart (concussion) were also back on the practice field. Didn't see wideout George West (concussion), though.Jimmy Clausen's father Jim was on hand Friday, as were scouts from the Washington Redskins and Kansas...
If Notre Dame didn't practice well on Friday, the Irish can't use the weather as an excuse. It was 77 degrees and brilliantly sunny as the team took to the LaBar Fields in full pads for their ninth workout of training camp.Tight end Will Yeatman was back practicing for the first time since suffering a concussion on Monday, and running back James Aldridge (soreness) and offensive lineman Chris Stewart (concussion) were also back on the practice field. Didn't see wideout George West (concussion), though.Jimmy Clausen's father Jim was on hand Friday, as were scouts from the Washington Redskins and Kansas...
Most of Notre Dame's football players don't know as much about the program's history as longtime fans do, but the name Rockne still resonates, without a doubt.On the day that the funeral for Knute Rockne's son Jack was held on campus, Irish defensive end Pat Kuntz was asked what the Rockne legacy meant to him, and he gave a pretty good answer."When you think about Knute Rockne, it's basically the beginning of Notre Dame, in a sense, the tradition and the respect they earned around the country," Kuntz said. "I'm sorry to hear about his son. They've done so much...
Most of Notre Dame's football players don't know as much about the program's history as longtime fans do, but the name Rockne still resonates, without a doubt.On the day that the funeral for Knute Rockne's son Jack was held on campus, Irish defensive end Pat Kuntz was asked what the Rockne legacy meant to him, and he gave a pretty good answer."When you think about Knute Rockne, it's basically the beginning of Notre Dame, in a sense, the tradition and the respect they earned around the country," Kuntz said. "I'm sorry to hear about his son. They've done so much...
Notre Dame wide receiver Richard Jackson has left school and will transfer. Jackson met last night and again this morning with coach Charlie Weis and other members of the university before finalizing his decision, according to a press release issued by Notre Dame."I talked with Richard Thursday night and again this morning to make sure he had thoroughly thought this decision through," Weis said in the statement. "He informed me this morning that he intended to part ways with the program and transfer to a school closer to home. We thank him for his time and wish him well in...
Notre Dame wide receiver Richard Jackson has left school and will transfer. Jackson met last night and again this morning with coach Charlie Weis and other members of the university before finalizing his decision, according to a press release issued by Notre Dame."I talked with Richard Thursday night and again this morning to make sure he had thoroughly thought this decision through," Weis said in the statement. "He informed me this morning that he intended to part ways with the program and transfer to a school closer to home. We thank him for his time and wish him well in...
Training camp is beginning to take a bit of a toll on the Irish. We learned today that George West and Chris Stewart have joined Will Yeatman on the "slight concussion" list, and I'm guessing those two will be held out of action until next week, given that Yeatman still hasn't returned and his concussion happened on Monday. James Aldridge is banged up and missed practice for the second consecutive day.Also, junior wide receiver Richard Jackson was not at practice Thursday, which sends up the transfer antenna.One final absence to report: No. 60 was not at practice. That's right, Duval...
Training camp is beginning to take a bit of a toll on the Irish. We learned today that George West and Chris Stewart have joined Will Yeatman on the "slight concussion" list, and I'm guessing those two will be held out of action until next week, given that Yeatman still hasn't returned and his concussion happened on Monday. James Aldridge is banged up and missed practice for the second consecutive day.Also, junior wide receiver Richard Jackson was not at practice Thursday, which sends up the transfer antenna.One final absence to report: No. 60 was not at practice. That's right, Duval...
Charlie Weis said on media day that his two goals were for Notre Dame to: 1.) Put last year's misery behind them; and 2.) Get off to a fast start.The first goal wasn't too difficult. The players realize last year is past and that it doesn't help to dwell on the mistakes they made in 2007. Now, if the Irish come out and stink it up against San Diego State on Sept. 6, maybe some of those feelings start to creep back into their minds, but for now, 2007 is long gone to these guys.Goal No. 2 is more of...
Charlie Weis said on media day that his two goals were for Notre Dame to: 1.) Put last year's misery behind them; and 2.) Get off to a fast start.The first goal wasn't too difficult. The players realize last year is past and that it doesn't help to dwell on the mistakes they made in 2007. Now, if the Irish come out and stink it up against San Diego State on Sept. 6, maybe some of those feelings start to creep back into their minds, but for now, 2007 is long gone to these guys.Goal No. 2 is more of...
It's shells and shorts for the second practice of the day at the LaBar Fields, and this workout begins as the rest of them have — with David Grimes and David Bruton sprinting to midfield for a dignified handshake before returning to their opposite ends of the field to stretch.During stretching, coach Charlie Weis discussed, of all things, the weather with Raeshon McNeil and Terrail Lambert. It was a little cooler — and a lot less humid — than usual in northern Indiana, which I'm sure the players appreciated. Of course, now it'll probably be 95 degrees when the Irish open...
It's shells and shorts for the second practice of the day at the LaBar Fields, and this workout begins as the rest of them have — with David Grimes and David Bruton sprinting to midfield for a dignified handshake before returning to their opposite ends of the field to stretch.During stretching, coach Charlie Weis discussed, of all things, the weather with Raeshon McNeil and Terrail Lambert. It was a little cooler — and a lot less humid — than usual in northern Indiana, which I'm sure the players appreciated. Of course, now it'll probably be 95 degrees when the Irish open...
First off, if you're looking for my report from yesterday's open practice, check back tonight. We had some technical issues at the office last night and I couldn't get it posted, but I will put it up when I get to work this evening. I wrote close to 1,500 words on that practice and want to get it out there for people to read.Today's the first day of two-a-days, so you lucky folks will get two practice reports today. Try to contain your excitement. Let's get to it.Scouts from the Browns, Raiders and Broncos were present today. Seems like Notre...
First off, if you're looking for my report from yesterday's open practice, check back tonight. We had some technical issues at the office last night and I couldn't get it posted, but I will put it up when I get to work this evening. I wrote close to 1,500 words on that practice and want to get it out there for people to read.Today's the first day of two-a-days, so you lucky folks will get two practice reports today. Try to contain your excitement. Let's get to it.Scouts from the Browns, Raiders and Broncos were present today. Seems like Notre...
Tuesday’s three-hour open practice at Notre Dame began with receiver Robby Parris singing Christian music and ended with the entire Irish team trying to tackle a kicker. Here’s what came in between:While Parris sang to his teammates, Irish recruit Jake Golic rode his bike (!) into the practice facility, where he watched the entire workout. One of the Irish players called Golic “Pau Gasol,” and frankly, I can see the resemblance.No Will Yeatman Tuesday. He’s out after suffering a slight concussion on Monday, and will probably be out the next couple practices.Penn High School’s Braxton Cave was the target of...
Tuesday’s three-hour open practice at Notre Dame began with receiver Robby Parris singing Christian music and ended with the entire Irish team trying to tackle a kicker. Here’s what came in between:While Parris sang to his teammates, Irish recruit Jake Golic rode his bike (!) into the practice facility, where he watched the entire workout. One of the Irish players called Golic “Pau Gasol,” and frankly, I can see the resemblance.No Will Yeatman Tuesday. He’s out after suffering a slight concussion on Monday, and will probably be out the next couple practices.Penn High School’s Braxton Cave was the target of...
Monday was "Professor Appreciation Day" at Notre Dame football practice, and a couple hundred profs and their families packed the bleachers at the LaBar Practice Fields on another warm, sunny day. There were also scouts on hand from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.As coach Charlie Weis walked through the lines of players stretching, he couldn't help but rib sophomore linebacker Brian Smith on the number of media requests for Smith on Sunday."Are you the new media darling? The new folk hero?" Weis asked Smith."I'm just doing my job," Smith replied."Taking shots at your dad, too," Weis said, referring to...
Monday was "Professor Appreciation Day" at Notre Dame football practice, and a couple hundred profs and their families packed the bleachers at the LaBar Practice Fields on another warm, sunny day. There were also scouts on hand from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.As coach Charlie Weis walked through the lines of players stretching, he couldn't help but rib sophomore linebacker Brian Smith on the number of media requests for Smith on Sunday."Are you the new media darling? The new folk hero?" Weis asked Smith."I'm just doing my job," Smith replied."Taking shots at your dad, too," Weis said, referring to...
Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Michael Floyd is adjusting quickly to college football, his position coach, Rob Ianello, said Monday.Maybe that's because it really isn't much of an adjustment at all."The advantage that Michael might have over some freshmen that have come in here in the past years is that his high school offense had a lot to it, so I think that's helped him," Ianello said of the graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. "The words and the nomenclature are different, but there was a lot to his offense for a high school offense."Floyd, a...
Notre Dame freshman wide receiver Michael Floyd is adjusting quickly to college football, his position coach, Rob Ianello, said Monday.Maybe that's because it really isn't much of an adjustment at all."The advantage that Michael might have over some freshmen that have come in here in the past years is that his high school offense had a lot to it, so I think that's helped him," Ianello said of the graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. "The words and the nomenclature are different, but there was a lot to his offense for a high school offense."Floyd, a...
The race was intense: Two well-conditioned physical specimens running at top speed, with no goal in mind but to win. And I have to admit, they were kind of cute.But enough about the two squirrels I saw chasing each other around the trunk of a tree on Notre Dame's campus Sunday. Let's get to football practice.As you probably know, Sunday was "Fan Appreciation Day" at Notre Dame Stadium. The 1,000 or so fans who allowed themselves to be appreciated could watch the entire practice, so if you were one of them, feel free to drop some comments on what you...
The race was intense: Two well-conditioned physical specimens running at top speed, with no goal in mind but to win. And I have to admit, they were kind of cute.But enough about the two squirrels I saw chasing each other around the trunk of a tree on Notre Dame's campus Sunday. Let's get to football practice.As you probably know, Sunday was "Fan Appreciation Day" at Notre Dame Stadium. The 1,000 or so fans who allowed themselves to be appreciated could watch the entire practice, so if you were one of them, feel free to drop some comments on what you...
Raeshon McNeil and Darrin Walls will be forever linked in the minds of many Notre Dame football fans. They came to school at the same time, play the same position and now, with Walls not enrolled for the fall semester due to personal reasons, McNeil stands to inherit his starting spot.The two are also very good friends and talk almost every day, McNeil said Sunday, and one of the subjects they discuss is Walls' return to Notre Dame, which McNeil said is very likely."Oh yeah, definitely," McNeil said when asked if Walls planned to return to school. "We miss him...
Raeshon McNeil and Darrin Walls will be forever linked in the minds of many Notre Dame football fans. They came to school at the same time, play the same position and now, with Walls not enrolled for the fall semester due to personal reasons, McNeil stands to inherit his starting spot.The two are also very good friends and talk almost every day, McNeil said Sunday, and one of the subjects they discuss is Walls' return to Notre Dame, which McNeil said is very likely."Oh yeah, definitely," McNeil said when asked if Walls planned to return to school. "We miss him...
If you've never walked on a FieldTurf-type surface like the one recently installed at Notre Dame's practice facility, I highly recommend it. Much more comfortable than regular grass. The trade-off is that the comfort comes from these little ground-up bits of rubber — recycled tires, I think — that tend to get in your shoes. But, having shaken them out, I can give you the details of Saturday's practice.It was overcast here in Northern Indiana, and I felt a couple of raindrops as practice started at 2:30, but it didn't really rain that hard while we were there. (Just heard a...
If you've never walked on a FieldTurf-type surface like the one recently installed at Notre Dame's practice facility, I highly recommend it. Much more comfortable than regular grass. The trade-off is that the comfort comes from these little ground-up bits of rubber — recycled tires, I think — that tend to get in your shoes. But, having shaken them out, I can give you the details of Saturday's practice.It was overcast here in Northern Indiana, and I felt a couple of raindrops as practice started at 2:30, but it didn't really rain that hard while we were there. (Just heard a...
Congrats to former Notre Dame All-American fencer Mariel Zagunis, who became the first American to win a gold medal in Beijing.Zagunis won the women's saber competition, leading a 1-2-3 sweep for Team USA.She was 75-3 as a fencer at Notre Dame and won the 2006 national title.
Congrats to former Notre Dame All-American fencer Mariel Zagunis, who became the first American to win a gold medal in Beijing.Zagunis won the women's saber competition, leading a 1-2-3 sweep for Team USA.She was 75-3 as a fencer at Notre Dame and won the 2006 national title.
Here's a typical Q&A exchange from a Notre Dame media day interview:Reporter: "Coach, what do you think of Player X?"Coach: "I don't know. I haven't seen him practice yet. Ask me tomorrow or next week."Media day is great for the general-impression stuff and it's a gold mine for the reporters who aren't here every day and can swoop in, get a bunch of soundbites and move on to the next school, but there's just not a lot of good information out there because the coaches haven't seen the players live yet.That's why the first question of Charlie Weis on Day...
Here's a typical Q&A exchange from a Notre Dame media day interview:Reporter: "Coach, what do you think of Player X?"Coach: "I don't know. I haven't seen him practice yet. Ask me tomorrow or next week."Media day is great for the general-impression stuff and it's a gold mine for the reporters who aren't here every day and can swoop in, get a bunch of soundbites and move on to the next school, but there's just not a lot of good information out there because the coaches haven't seen the players live yet.That's why the first question of Charlie Weis on Day...
Welcome back to America's favorite (or at least my favorite) long-running blog segment, "20 Minutes." If you're new to the blog, this is the space where I recap each day's Notre Dame football practice, which is generally open to the media for the first 20 minutes.The Irish were on their new practice fields just south of the Gug on Friday, and if you haven't seen them yet, I'll try to set the scene for you. There are three fields now, side by side, two of which are Field Turf and the other natural grass. There's a nice interlocking "ND" logo...
Welcome back to America's favorite (or at least my favorite) long-running blog segment, "20 Minutes." If you're new to the blog, this is the space where I recap each day's Notre Dame football practice, which is generally open to the media for the first 20 minutes.The Irish were on their new practice fields just south of the Gug on Friday, and if you haven't seen them yet, I'll try to set the scene for you. There are three fields now, side by side, two of which are Field Turf and the other natural grass. There's a nice interlocking "ND" logo...
It probably won't be the biggest Notre Dame-related story today, but McKees Rocks, Pa., quarterback/defensive back E.J. Banks has committed to Notre Dame.Banks is a three-star player according to Rivals.com and the recruiting Web site ranks him as the 42nd-best "athlete" in the 2009 class.
It probably won't be the biggest Notre Dame-related story today, but McKees Rocks, Pa., quarterback/defensive back E.J. Banks has committed to Notre Dame.Banks is a three-star player according to Rivals.com and the recruiting Web site ranks him as the 42nd-best "athlete" in the 2009 class.
Here it is, right out of the new media guide (love that new media guide smell, by the way) — Notre Dame's pre-training camp depth chart. Looks like the most interesting battles will be at left tackle and running back. On defense, Harrison Smith is listed as the starter at sam linebacker and Raeshon McNeil is the starter at left cornerback, replacing Darrin Walls.OFFENSEX Receiver18 — Duval Kamara, So., 6-5, 21919 — George West, Jr., 5-10, 19680 — Richard Jackson, Jr., 6-3, 2051 — Deion Walker, Fr., 6-2, 188; or 81 — John Goodman, Fr., 6-3, 197Left Tackle72 — Paul Duncan,...
Here it is, right out of the new media guide (love that new media guide smell, by the way) — Notre Dame's pre-training camp depth chart. Looks like the most interesting battles will be at left tackle and running back. On defense, Harrison Smith is listed as the starter at sam linebacker and Raeshon McNeil is the starter at left cornerback, replacing Darrin Walls.OFFENSEX Receiver18 — Duval Kamara, So., 6-5, 21919 — George West, Jr., 5-10, 19680 — Richard Jackson, Jr., 6-3, 2051 — Deion Walker, Fr., 6-2, 188; or 81 — John Goodman, Fr., 6-3, 197Left Tackle72 — Paul Duncan,...