Irish Depth Chart – Taking A Closer Look

Well finally, the obvious and hinted about has become official.  The 2011 Notre Dame 2-deep depth chart.  You can view the particulars Here.  It is worth a good look to familiarize yourself with the future of Irish football, especially the freshmen and prepare for this Saturday.  Better yet, print yourself a copy.

What does it tell us after spring ball, summer workouts and fall practice?  Overall, it is a young Team.  Does it reflect Brian Kelly’s recruiting prowess or say something about the previous Head Coach and his recruiting abilities or failures?

However, the starters are all experienced with the exception of freshman Kyle Brindza who will be kicking off (hopefully deep).

**  The Irish are starting out pretty much injury free.  Look on the left side of the Blog for which player injuries have been released or mentioned thus far.

**  9 Freshman made the roster and are guaranteed a seat on the bus.  Kyle Brindza will kickoff on Special Teams and is thus the lone Freshman starter.

**  Out of 30 starting positions on offense, defense and skill position special teams, 17 are Seniors, 12 are Juniors, 1 is a Sophomore ( Junior starting WR Theo Riddick is also listed twice more for punt and kickoff returns) and Brindza.  Other than Brindza, all have seen considerable action at their positions. 

**  The only error we found is that Cierre Wood should have his name in caps since he started 5 games last year for the injured Armando Allen.

** 6 had started but will not against USF.  (Bennett Jackson –KT, John Goodman – PR, Braxton Cave – SS, David Ruffer – KO, Zeke Motta – S, Carlos Calabrese – ILB) 20 of the 30 started last year.

            Offense:  5 Seniors 5 Juniors 1 Sophomore

            Defense:  8 Seniors 2 juniors 1 Sophomore

            Special Teams: 2 Seniors 4 Juniors 1 Freshman

**  The backups tell a different story.  10 Sophomores 9 Freshmen overall.  George Atkinson made the roster but is listed third for kickoff returns.  The Junior class is underrepresented  on the depth chart (Charlie Weis).

**  It will be interesting who will play the other positions on Special Teams.  How many Freshmen?  Any walk-ons in the mold of former gunner Mike Anello?  Speaking of gunners, who will line up to race down the field in harms way?  No one last year stood out as a special threat.  Maybe we got spoiled with Anello.

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ND Recruit Tee Shepard A Right Kind Of Guy

Notre Dame elite defensive back recruit Tee Shepard out of Fresno Washington Union High School has tried to have his cake and eat it too.  Last time we looked, Tee was rated as a 4-Star by Rival and a 5-Star by Scout.

Read the story Here.

Tee transferred from Central East High to Union to play football with his cousin Deontay Greenberry this his senior year.  More importantly, the transfer would have allowed him to graduate this December and enroll at Notre Dame in January.  Something not possible at Central East, do not ask us why.

Unfortunately, the state of California has a rule about transferring similar to the one in college; you have to sit out a year.  Tee is appealing the ruling but in the meantime cannot play.

Oh, did we mention that Greenberry is also a verbal commitment to the Irish?

Obviously, Tee wants to get a head start at Notre Dame by playing spring ball and learning what it takes to be a defensive back for the Irish. 

With the upcoming loss of senior cornerbacks Gary Gray and Robert Blanton after this year, Shepard can earn a spot early.

We applaud his effort and desire and hope he can play his last year of high school.  In the meantime, he is encouraged to continue to earn good grades and follow strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo’s detailed instructions to the “T.”  

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Notre Dame Running The Football

Starting tight end Tyler Eifert made an interesting comment in a unbyelined (hmmm that can't be a word) South Bend Tribune article last week.  Read the story Here.

"The first couple days of camp, all we did was run the football," Eifert said. "(The coaches) were trying to send a message that we're not going to be a soft, throw-it-around football team. We need to develop a running identity, also."

A number of pundits started reading into what Eifert tried to say: 
"Notre Dame needs to spend more than two days running the ball."
"All great BCS teams run the football."
"Last year Notre Dame was only successful when they ran the football."
"The Irish are weak at the running back position."
"Jonas Gray needs to run North and South and not fumble."
"Cierre Wood is capable of a breakout year."
"Notre Dame's running game is dismal."
"The running game needs to be competent and productive."
"Notre Dame needs to average 5.0 yards per carry to win consistently."

That's not really what was taking place in the first two full practice sessions of the Fall Practice.  Eifert only told part of what was going on.  Sure it was a toughen-it-up-go for both the first team offense and defense, but it was something much more.

Two days dedicated to installing the special scripted run packages for Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson using the first team offense.  When that was done, Brian Kelly could concentrate on his quarterback derby between Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees. 

With the packages in place, they could be gone over and quickly practiced during game week with a minimum of time spent.

How did SAS get such an inside scoop behind the green tarp of LaBar practice field?

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Stepping Up To The Plate

Irish football fan expectations for players has never been higher.  At least in our memory going back to Ara's era.  Looking back at the 2010 season, 2011 Spring Ball, Fall Practice, preseason polls and now preparations for South Florida, we are all feeling just a little bit giddy.  We are looking forward to these lads producing for the Irish and if not leading us to victory at least allowing no further embarrassing blowouts like Stanford and Navy.  Forget the hype guys, just continue to live up to your god-given potential, talent, training and coaching this is all we ask.

Michael Floyd

Theo Riddick

Cierre Wood

Tyler Eifert

Braxton Cave

Taylor Dever

David Ruffer
************
Manti Te’o

Harrison Smith

Gary Gray

Kapron Lewis-Moore

Chris Watt

Robert Blanton

Additionally, add anybody else whom we missed that made a pre-season position Watch List.

So who has the talent, the capability and thus needs to step up to plate and take it to another level for Notre Dame?

Dayne Crist (SR) Improve passing consistency, cut down on picks, don’t worry about injury just play and lead.

Ben Turk (JR) Longer punts, increase hang-time, continue to improve consistency, watch out for Kyle Brindza.

Jonas Gray (SR) Make every carry count, run North-South, build on pass blocking.

Mike Ragone (5SR) Last hurrah, compliment Eifert, expect to get the ball thrown your way.

Jamoris Slaughter (JR) Opportunity to excel as a starter, build on 2010, live up to potential, this is your chance.

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Go Irish!

Ritual Walk From Mass To The Stadium Changed

Tongue in Cheek

Ok, we here at Subway Alumni Station want to get this straight.  The Notre Dame Football Team is no longer walking after Mass from the Basilica to the Stadium?  You can view and listen to the announcement from the UND athletic site under videos and Irish Connection Video 2.

So now, the Team piles onto buses, drives around and through tailgating in the South Parking Lots.

What about us Loyal Subway Alumni stuck in North White Field North Parking lot with moron tailgaters from the enemy camp?  Why can’t the buses drive through here as well?  For cryin out loud, sounds and feels like prejudicial treatment toward Domers!  Class warfare!  We can't help it that we are exiled to the North! 

Dale our chief typesetter pretty much summed it up when he said that he knew now how the early Irish immigrants felt when they encountered Irish Need Not Apply signs while looking for work in New York.  

We paid the same prices for the tickets and the parking. 

We drop a ton of dough at Hammes Bookstore too. 

Our $$ is just as good as anyone’s. 

We bleed Blue when the Irish QB throws a pick. 

We know the words to the fight song.  

Most of us can even hum and sway along with the alma mater.

Our seats are just as crappy as the Domers from the Ticket Lottery.

Here’s a great tailgate report on North White Field.                                                                                 

This too shall not stand!

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ND QB Andrew Hendrix Where Does He Fit In?

Andrew Hendrix - 2011 Blue - Gold Game

Well the quarterback situation for the Irish has settled down for the time being.  One reporter at Brian Kelly’s Tuesday’s press conference did ask a number of poignant quarterback questions and got a couple of interesting responses.

Did sophomore Andrew Hendrix, who didn't play last season, or freshman Everett Golson, who enrolled early to take part in spring practice, solidify the No. 3 spot behind Tommy Rees?

"Not really," Kelly said of deciding the order Hendrix and Golson fit into behind Crist and Rees. "All four quarterbacks are prepared to play, and we are prepared to play all four quarterbacks. The circumstances of the game will dictate how that unfolds. Dayne stays the starting quarterback. If you look at it from the big picture, the younger quarterbacks are prepared to play if they have to go in there as well."

Kelly basically was saying that he could use either Hendrix or Golson, who are both more mobile than Crist and Rees, in specific packages that could help the running game.  When pressed, Kelly paused and with a sly grin mumbled that he didn't want to get into it anymore and refused to elaborate.

"We really need to work on keeping both of those guys in our offense," Kelly said. "There may be a rotation that we have to work with them (between the scout team and regular offense)."  That was the last bone Kelly would throw out on the subject.

Kelly has to have something for Hendrix to do other than wear a red hat and signal in plays.  It has always been our contention that he will be used to change the tempo and impact the opponents defensive scheme.  This most likely would occur if Dayne Crist is struggling or to surprise the opponents defense and game plan by either playing the package to start a game or after second half adjustments have been made by the other team.  It would be advantageous to insert Hendrix and this package, sooner rather than later in the season.  This gives the opponet defensive coordinators something else to worry and practice against.

Evertt Golson is a different story.  He is a true freshmen and if he doesn't get onto the field his first year, no big deal.  Hendrix has burned his red shirt and the clock is ticking on his eligibility.  If, if Crist applies for a fifth year next year, color Hendrix gone.  You cannot blame him with Rees, Golson, and probably a 4-5 star freshman coming in with the 2013 recruiting class.  Don't look for a quarterback this year (2012) with the stable of quarterbacks Kelly has amassed and inherited.

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ND vs. USF Important Questions and Decision Points

With fall camp in the rearview mirror, a quarterback finally officially named and preparations well underway for South Florida, a number of obvious questions and issues bubble to the surface.

Key Questions:

Will Dayne Crist be effective reading USF’s defense, throwing accurate passes for first downs and leading the offense?  No one wants to see him heaving it all over the Stadium.

Will the Irish establish the running game and it's smash mouth identity than later opening up the passing game?  Or will it be the other way around?  This is probably the biggest question at the start of the season. 

Will the much-ballyhooed BCS caliber Irish defense show up as anticipated?

What will Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly hold back for Michigan?  Will it be that type of a matchup to hold back?

Will the Irish cheerleaders be better than average looking this year?

Will the freshman play, contribute and respond as forecasted?  Aaron Lynch, Ishaq Williams, Stephen Tuitt, Davaris Daniels, George Atkinson, Kyle Brindza, Troy Niklas, Cam McDaniel, et.al.

Will the student section be a mass of funny colored blue T-shirts in the warm weathe of September?

Will the kick and punt return games show life with Theo Riddick?

Will Kyle Brindza consistently kick the ball deep into the end zone?

Will 5^th year senior David Ruffer start another field goal completion streak that will propel him into the NFL?  Corollary Question: Will Brian Kelly remember him sitting on the bench?

Will the old guys in yellow jackets be ever vigilant and on the lookout for student shenanigans?

Two Key Decision Points:
The first half will show us whether Kelly or Holtz (boy does that sound funny) can establish the tempo and rhythm needed in the all important first game of the season as both Teams search for an identity.  What will Kelly do?  If Kelly wins the toss will he kick or receive?  Where will his confidence lie? What does Skip have up his sleeve?

The second key will be adjustments at half time.  Charlie Weis stunk to the high heavens at adjustments.  Sometimes we wondered why he pulled the team off he field into the locker room at half time.  We also failed to see critical defensive adjustments by Kelly in the Navy blowout last year.

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Notre Dame's Future All-American Theo Riddick

Theo Riddick

Well Fall Notre Dame Football Camp for 2011 is in the books. 

The story lines have been written…………

**  Who will start at quarterback? 

**  The return of Michael Floyd. 

**  Team confidence, physical fitness/conditioning and a second year of understanding Coach Brian Kelly’s spread offense all good things.

**  The emergence of the incoming freshman into the mix on offense, defense, and especially special teams. 

**  No injuries thus far (knock on wood) to anticipated starting players.

**  The depth at running back will again force Kelly to pencil-in freshmen to take up the slack for the inevitable injuries and dinks at that position.

Kelly made a comment at the end of practice on Friday (August 19) during the wrap-up meeting with the press that set off alarm bells all here in the Station.
Junior Theo Riddick would be returning punts and kick-offs. 

Riddick a converted running back produced the following statistics in 2010.  Remember he only played in nine games.

29 yards rushing on 11 attempts.

414 yards receiving with 40 receptions and 3 touchdowns.

36 yards in kick returns on two tries.

Nothing impressive with those numbers.

#32 Theo Riddick

You give the football as much as you can to the player than can best respond and produce positive results.  We expect a breakout All-American year out of Riddick.  He is going to get his hands on the football an awful lot.  Only good things can happen.

While Floyd is being double-teamed by the best safety and cornerback the opponent has to offer, Riddick will be one-on-one with what’s left over.  The quarterbacks first read will be blitz, the second read Floyd and the ball will be thrown to Theo.

The game plan, nuances as the scoring develops during the game, effectiveness of the quarterback will all determine whether Kelly will employ the “Leprechaun.”  Expect to see former running back Riddick taking some snaps from the shotgun as the situation dictates.   

Last year Kelly had no confidence in the punt return game and instructed sure hands John Goodman to take fair catchers unless John spied a hole large enough to drive a Mac Truck through.
Bennett Jackson did a fair job at returning kick-offs but again Kelly had issues with blocking and the skills of the players he had to use on kick-offs.  Not this year, depth and strength at special teams will be a strong point for the Irish.

We predict Theo Riddick will have a breakout year propelling him into his senior year and a run at the Heisman.

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Notre Dame And It’s Brush With The NCAA

The explosion in Coral Gables, the Tattoo Parlor in Columbus, the free rented house in LA, and the ongoing NCAA investigations at UNC and Auburn give pause to the plight of college football.  Is Notre Dame squeaky clean and above the stink coming from the Miami Athletic Program?  Yes and no.

Her name was Kim Dunbar and the year was 1993.  Kim worked for Dominiack Mechanical, Inc., a maker of air conditioning units and heat pumps in South Bend as a bookkeeper.  She kept the books, well actually she cooked the books to the tune of $1.4 million.  

Kim Dunbar

Kim plunked down $25 for membership in the then Notre Dame Quarterback Club.  This entitled her to pay for her lunch every Thursday during football season and listen to coaches and players talk.  It provided the venue for meeting and mingling with players and coaches.  It was the tie that binds.  The NCAA considered Kim “A Notre Dame Booster.”

And so it began from 1993 to 1998.  Kim developed a relationship with at least eight Notre Dame Football players including Derrick Mayes (WR) who joined her on an eight-day trip to Las Vegas.  Same goes for Jarvis Edison (S) who she eventually married after giving birth to his child.  

Jarvis Edison

There were other trips to Dublin and Hawaii for ND games; to Chicago for Bulls games, carriage rides, and driving around in a Land Cruiser; to Cancun; and even up to Kalamazoo for dinner at the Black Swan restaurant.  Electronic gifts, clothes, you name it, Kim bought it.

Derrick Mayes

Eventually Dominiack Mechanical ran out of money and started looking closely at the books and Kim.  As with Nevin Shapiro in Miami, the chickens then all came home to roost.  Dunbar was charged with embezzling from her former employer to the tune of $1.4 million, much of which she used to purchase those lavish gifts and trips for Notre Dame Football players. 

The Fall-Out:

** The Notre Dame football program was placed on probation for two years with the loss of one football scholarship during each of the next two seasons following the NCAA ruling that Notre Dame committed a major violation in regards to gifts to players by a University representative.

**  Some say this was held against Lou Holtz by then Notre Dame President Monk Malloy and Athletic Director Michael Wadsworth and contributed to his falling out and eventual departure.  After all he recruited all eight players then turned around and tried to bring in the street thug Randy Moss.

**  Dunbar pled guilty, and was sentenced to 4 years and $1.2 million in restitution.  She served 1 year and got out in 1999 for good behavior.  Who knows if/where she found the $$$ for the court fine.

**  Derrick Mayes ended up in the NFL.

**  Dominiack never recovered from the financial loss.  It did file a civil lawsuit against Dunbar and some the football players to recoup their losses.  Results unknown.

**  Eventually, Edison and Dunbar split.

**  The Quarterback Club was disbanded.

**  A 21-month internal investigation as part of the Dunbar violation by Notre Dame uncovered two additional incidents.  In the second series of violations, in was determined that reserve quarterback Eric Chappell (QB) attempted to sell his complimentary game tickets to his girlfriend, a part-time tutor for the University, and her friend.  The tutor was also found to have prepared an academic paper for student athlete Darcey Levy (RB), who paid for the paper.  Both Chappell and Levy left the Football Program and the University.

Eric Chappell

Darcey Levy

In Notre Dame’s defense, the term “Major Violation” ended up being applied because of a tie-breaking vote on the severity of the penalty.  All seems quite paltry by today’s standards.  Maybe even a slanted attack against Notre Dame by some NCAA members. 

Back in the 1950’s the Football Program was involved with illegal recruiting practices by holding individual try-outs and athletic measurements.  Again in the early 1970’s their was a violation for applying scholastic aid to athletes or whatever that means.

Let’s hope the Notre Dame NCAA Compliance Department, the Athletic Department, the entire coaching staff, medical staff and support organizations remain ever vigilant and look out for the student athletics.

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New Hurricane T-Shirt Hits The Market

Who says entrepreneurship, innovative thinking, the great engines of industry are dead in America?

Look no farther:

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Storm Warnings Out Over Coral Gables

So what is happening in Hurricane Land?  A whole bunch.  Here is a sample.

**  Every current student athlete involved (and we use the term ‘student’ very loosely) is hurriedly developing a denial and cover story to the event unfolding and reported by Yahoo Sports.com.

**  Head football coach Al Golden is closely scrutinizing his contract for an escape clause.

**  School President Donna Shalala (pictured below) is evaluating her retirement plan and 401k.

**  Florida State and the University of Florida are having a feeding frenzy over the 2012 verbal commitments to Convicts U.

**  First year Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst is probably wondering what buzz-saw he signed onto and whether he should weather it out or defend Convicts U to the death.  See Below.  

So what is happening in this picture below?  Questions to be answered! 

Unidentified Black Man, Crook Shapario, Donna Shalala

Lesbian Dwarf Learns How To Bowl?

Is The Check Made Out To The University Or To Shalala?

Is Shalala Expecting A Flood Soon?

Is The Check Going To The Black Guy?

Who goes bowling anymore?

Is Shapiro wearing platform sneakers?

The 2003 Fiesta Bowl National Championship Game takes on new meaning.
OSU - 31 (Maurice Clarett)
Miami -27 (Host of Crooks)

What are the consequences for Notre Dame?  We play the Hurricanes October 6^th, 2012 in Chicago.  The series matchup was supposed to be a restart of the storied brawls of the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Unfortunately, it got preempted by the Sun Bowl this year.  A game we all thoroughly enjoyed, except for these guys.  Will the Hurricanes even field a team?
  

Sun Bowl 2011

Let the chips fall where they may.  Just like at Tattoo U and U$C.

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Analysis Of The Injury To ND Football Player Freshman Tate Nichols

During Tuesday’s Media Day Press Conference, Coach Brian Kelly somewhat elaborated on the injury to Freshman Safety Eilar Hardy.  He has suffered a knee injury, will undergo surgery and will be lost for the season.  Freshman Cameron Robinson who also sustained a serious knee injury (torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during spring ball is out for the 2011 season as well   Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes for speedy recovery goes out to them both.  You can read more about Cameron Here.

It had been previously reported by Kelly that Tate Nichols has a dislocated knee and according to Kelly is making great progress.  The original prognosis was for two weeks immobilization and two weeks rehabilitation.  Hmmmm.  The injury to Nichols must be less serious than a fully-dislocated knee.  Good news!

Subway Alumni Station called in our resident Physical Therapist Alex Brenner to help us through this latest knee injury.  Alex has over 15 years of physical therapy experience in the military, private clinics and the U.S. Public Health Service. He is rated as a DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Alex jumped on the Red Line and came right over.   

The technical, munbo-jumbo that you have to go to school to understand:

Patellar Dislocation (Knee Cap)

The patella is a classified as a sesmoid bone meaning that it is independent bone that is enveloped within a muscle tendon where it passes over an angular structure.  In this case, the end of the femur bone of the knee joint (see below). 

The main stabilizers of the patella are the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon .The other stabilizers are small ligaments that surround the patella called the patellofemoral ligaments. Other ligaments that provide stability are the medial and lateral collateral ligaments.

The patella is dislocated or subluxated commonly in two ways 1) Direct trauma 2) Non-contact twisting injury. A subluxation is where the patella has popped out of the patellar groove and back into the groove on its own. A dislocation is where the patella popped out of the groove and had to be relocated into the groove by a medical provider.

Regardless of the two mechanisms listed above, ligaments are either sprained (a ligament stretch injury usually resulting in a subluxation) or they are completely torn (usually resulting in a complete dislocation). Obviously a complete ligament tear is more serious and will subsequently require a longer recovery. To determine ligament integrity and whether the are completely torn or sprained a MRI can very helpful.

For rehab considerations is it important to know if Niclols completely dislocated his patella or was it a patellar subluxation. Information gathered from the MRI are also very helpful in determining recovery time. A patellofemoral ligament tear, depending on the severity could result in a surgery. If this is the case, recovery would require 8-12 weeks before return to practice. A subluxed patella or a dislocated patella without ligament rupture could potentially be rehabilitated by a physical therapist. If this is the case, recovery can be in as little as 6-8 weeks.

By the description above and remarks by Coach Kelly, the injury appears less serious than first thought.  We hope so. 

Maybe we should have Alex give us a post on knee braces and knee injuries in general.  It seems to be mandatory for all Notre Dame interior linemen to wear braces.  Was Nichols wearing a brace?  Did it lessen the severity of the injury?  What about Hardy and Eilar? 

Well last year was the Year of the Hamstring and 2011 is turning out to be the year of the Knee.

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Gipper's Blackboard Is Up And Running

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Thanks for getting us started Tulsa Irish!

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Advantages For Notre Dame FreshmanTo Contribute Early

Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly indicated Saturday after practice that he was planning on using a minimum of six and as possibly as many as 10 freshmen during this 2011 season.  He specifically mentioned by name activating wide receiver Davaris Daniels and running backs Cam McDaniel and George Atkinson.  Kyle Brindza appears to be the top candidate for kick off duties. 

While many of the freshmen would primarily play special teams, Kelly said those contributions were more important than preserving an extra year of eligibility.

Kelly further stated; “I think with the kind of schedule we play and the teams we play special teams can help you win games,” he said.  “If they can help us win, we’re gonna play them.”

This is encouraging news from a number of standpoints.

No freshman wants to redshirt.  Although some interior linemen do need to grow in size and strength and they do expect and accept that inevitability.

Starting freshmen playing in whatever role validates Kelly’s Right Kind of Guy recruiting philosophy.

It makes mom and dad proud.

It helps in recruiting.  “Hey, look at so and so who came to Notre Dame last year, he’s playing for us now, you can too.”

The experience is invaluable, even if the freshmen are only playing on kick-off returns as gunners.  It gets them in the game film and on the bus for away games.  Look no farther than Bennett Jackson’s efforts last year on special teams.

If you get on the field, it is easier to meet girls from Saint Mary’s and co-eds from Notre Dame.

The freshmen free up starting upperclassmen to concentrate on the offensive and defensive teams.  Saves their game legs and stamina for Kelly’s no huddle hurry up offense. 

It get the freshman on game film to be further evaluated by the coaching staff.

The less redshirting instituted, the lower number of 5^th year seniors you have to consider carrying and rewarding for sticking around for their fifth year.  Frees up scholarships in the next recruiting class.

Time is now.  Kelly believes in what he says, put the best 11 on the field at any given time.

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Notre Dame Fall Practice And Hope Springs Eternal

Ah, Fall Football Practice at Notre Dame and South Bend.  That short time of year when summer is desperately hanging on as fall tries to sneak in and invade to ruin the hot, humid and hazy days of the past two months.

It is a time when eternal optimism reigns supreme for the Irish and Subway Alumni everywhere.

No co-eds in significant numbers on campus yet.  Nothing to distract the lads from the work at hand.

The recruiting class members of 2011 have arrived early and are been busy with classes and workouts.  Everyone is eager for a look-see at the catch Coach Brian Kelly and staff have landed.

The returning underclassmen, starters and monogram winners are on campus and can show-off what they have done since spring ball.  Who has put on weight?  Has the training table had an effect?  Who has shed pounds?  Who has developed upper body strength?  Who over the summer took strength and conditioning Coach Paul Longo to heart?  Who is master of the weight room?  Who can kick anyone’s butt during one-on-ones?  Who has the best 40 time?

Great, no summer injuries, transfers, academic questions or lingering DWI/DUI issues.  Whew!

The walk-on tryouts have been completed and the preferred walk-ons are all here ready to be intimidated and punished.

Memories of the Sun Bowl, Miami looking rather chilled, the victory over USC and the four-game winning streak are still fresh in everyone’s mind.

The strides of the defense after the humiliation of Tulsa and Navy keep the hope alive for a BCS defense in 2011.

Not too many starting positions up for grabs, a very good thing.

New practice jerseys with three strips, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Quarterback controversy?  Poop.  All for the media and to keep four quarterbacks fully engaged.  Dayne Crist will take the first snap from Braxton Cave out of the shotgun and either hand-off to Cierre Wood or hit Tyler Eifert over the middle.  Mark this post.  You heard it here first.

Plenty of ‘coach talk’ that such and such and so and so are 1 and 1a.  The “OR” word is thrown around a lot when discussing the starters at certain spots on the roster.  All good signs pointing to position depth and competition on the squad.

Oh, the preseason rankings are finally out.  A ton of educated and uneducated guesses where Notre Dame should be placed.  Who cares?  Bring them all on.  Great, we are somewhere well below the top ten yet thought about enough to at least be ranked.  Can we sneak up on a Team?  Probably not.  USF and Michigan are not ranked.  MSU will not be surprised.

Finally, the plethora of articles, stories, magazines, blogs, lies, websites, hate mail, bulletin boards, forums all to read, digest and wonder.  Opinions galore. 

Great to be a Notre Dame Subway Alumni.  Bring it on.  When will September 3rd ever arrive at the station?

Don’t forget to add us to your favorites list: http://subwayalumnistation.blogspot.com

Also, help us by voting to start up and registering for our Subway Alumni Station Forum (on the left side of the Blog.)

Great bunch of Notre Dame Campus Pictures at the bottom of the Blog.  Check them out.

Notre Dame Independence - Texas A&M And The SEC

BIG - 12

It appears college football is in for another round of conference shake-ups thanks to the University of Texas getting $$$ greedy over a lucrative cable broadcast deal.  Here is the latest and Here as well.

What does this mean for Notre Dame?  Nothing, stay the course.  Win football games.  Regain the momentum in annually pounding the Skunkbears and continue slapping U$C around. 

What does this mean for Texas A&M?  Getting out from under big brother (UT) and avoiding getting smothered by a Longhorn Cable Network.

What does this mean for the Big 12.  It will be the Big 2 but only temporarily.  Then the Big Nothing.

What does this mean for UT?  Possibly going the independent route and big, big $$$.  They can still schedule OK and Texas A&M and remain independent.  Those were their only meaningful games on the schedule anyway. Now they can schedule East Middle Texas School of Mining and other such non-football schools in good conscience.  Keep the cable network and high school broadcast deal with ESPN. 

What does this mean for Oklahoma?  Initially being screwed very, very badly.  They could get invited to join the SEC or Big Ten to stay alive.  Should have gone to the Pac-12 when they had the chance. tisk, tisk.  That’s what happens when you look at the BCS, Big Network deals, Super Conferences, $$$, Advertising $$$, all though the knothole of a privy door.  OK has a crappy national following and small TV audience.  Tough sell.

What does this mean for the Big Ten?  Probably nothing.  To accept Oklahoma would basically mean accepting a second school to maintain divisional parity.  Although mathematical, you could work around two unevenly divided divisions.  Also slices the pie thinner without more broadcast $$$ coming in.  Hurts perennial powerhouses like Northwestern and Indiana.

What does this mean for FSU, a likely choice to balance Texas A&M in the SEC?  Nothing, stay the course in the ACC, it’s their best shot at a BCS Bowl Bid year after year.

What does this mean for Nebraska?  Apparently a very early smart move to the Big Ten.

The two decisions that will set the dominos falling are where/what will Texas and Oklahoma do?  The Super Conferences are getting full.  Fourteen is a better bet than sixteen without raising the number of playable regular season games from 12 to possibly 13 or 14.  It cuts the revenue pie smaller.  Look at Vanderbilt getting the same slice as Texas A&M.  What the heck is that all about?

Notre Dame needs to win and keep winning to maintain a seat at the BCS and $$$ table.  The rumblings of NBC and it’s new NBC Sports Network possibly televising Notre Dame Football games is another reason to quickly regain national prominence to achieve leverage in future negotiations over it’s broadcast rights.

Don’t forget to add us to your favorites list: http://subwayalumnistation.blogspot.com

Also, help us by voting to start up and registering for our Subway Alumni Station Forum (on the left side of the Blog.)

Bunch of great Notre Dame Campus Pictures at the bottom of the Blog.  Check them out.