Time is of the Essence for Manti Te’o

First of all, I believe Manti Te’o innocent until proven otherwise.  Second, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick and his staff did an outstanding job in protecting the University and in initially defending and advising Manti.  Third, the ball is in his court now and the game clock is ticking away.  There are still too many questions and inconsistencies being raised by a media previously burned by a lack of research, due diligence and poor reporting.

I’m not sure what Manti’s handlers are waiting for in getting this scandal over with and behind them.  It is going to take another statement and a question and answer session with a group of media reporters to end it all. 

The story is on the BBC and been ridiculed by all the late night comedians.  It has reached the dragging out and stung by rumors, falsehoods and second guessing stage.  It is not going to go away even with Lance Armstrong temporarily taking the heat.

What is at stake now is Manti’s professional football career, lucrative endorsement deals and most importantly his name and reputation.  Not to mention his mental health.  Who will want to buy a sub after watching a Subway commercial with Manti munching and talking about how great subway sandwiches taste?

If he found out on December 6^th that he was the victim of a cruel hoax, the clock started ticking then on how much time he had until someone involved or someone knowledgeable of the hoax would break the story.  Deadspin.com claims they received an anonymous email, who knows who believe.

The agent(s), lawyer(s), family and true friends need to get Manti ready for the examination and cross examination now!  The prepping was already done by lawyer Jack Swarbrick.

We are behind you Manti.  God Bless.

Notre Dame and Leaving Early for the NFL

It appears 73 college underclassmen have declared for the NFL draft and will be leaving school early.  The 73 is up from 65 last year and 56 in 2011.  Sign of the times or economy or both?  Just another example of the lure of big bucks and what a business college football has become?

How does this affect the Irish?  In two ways.

1.  Tyler Eifert and Cierre Wood will be part of the 2013 draft as both have now decided to forego a fourth year of eligibility.  It is noteworthy that both have been at Notre Dame for four years and did not play their freshman years.  Eifert graduated in December and Wood’s academic status is unknown.  We have stated previously that Wood is making a mistake however he has a daughter to provide for and is looking to the short term.  We hope he gets invited to the NFL Combine and can get drafted or at least picked up as a unrestricted free agent.

2.  The early declarations will also slightly affect the 2013 schedule.

Michigan State lost 3

RB Le'Veon Bell -- This guy always seemed to be in Notre Dame's defensive backfield carrying the football.

DE William Gholston -- This guy always seemed to be in Notre Dame's offensive backfield tackling someone who had the football.

TE Dion Sims

Stanford lost 3

TE Levine Toilolo -- This guy is good. 

TE Zach Ertz -- So is this tight end.

CB Terrence Brown

 

Oklahoma lost 3

S Tony Jefferson

LB Tom Wort

WR Kenny Stills

Southern Cal lost 2

WR Robert Woods -- Nonfactor this year against the Irish, no so in 2011or 2010.

CB Nickell Robey

 

Now this is unheard of, LSU is losing 10 underclassmen to the draft.  Talk about a football factory.  Will Les Miles be able to reload?  Does he have gray-shirts waiting in the wings?  Guess the graduation rate at LSU is nothing to brag about.

We want to be the first to say it.....

Go Irish.  Beat Temple.

Things Are Looking Up For The Fightin Irish

Is the glass half full or half empty after the kester kickin we took down in South Beach?

The Program has never been stronger and here’s why.

*  The coaching staff is intact.  No defections to head coaching jobs or career moves this year.  However we would encourage Coach Brian Kelly to look towards replacing Scott Booker as Special Team’s Coach and bringing in someone to generate some life and respect for Special Teams.  Of course that starts with the head coach wanting to chance his present philosophy.

*  Six early enrollees to add to the mix during spring practice in April. 

**    Alex Anzalone – OLB

**    James Onwuala – WR

**    Malik Zaire – QB

**    Steve Elmer – OT

**    Mike Heuerman – TE

**    Corey Robinson – WR

Five, count them five quarterbacks for spring practice.  Competition, players pushing players always a great thing.  However we suspect Hendrix may become a casualty and take his skills elsewhere.

**    Everett Golson

**    Tommy Rees

**    Andrew Hendrix

**    Gunner Kiel

**    Malik Zaire

*  No early departees.  Louis Nix is coming back for his senior (Academic) year.

*  Currently the number one recruiting class for 2013 and there are still a number of quality recruits available.

*  After the Oklahoma victory an undercurrent and feeling that the Notre Dame Football Program is coming back to the national stage and respectability.

*  Those injured this past year are coming back to help the program.  Adding depth and competition for playing time.

**    Alex Welch – TE

**    Amir Carlisle – RB

**    Austin Collinsworth – S

**    Jamoris Slaughter – S

**    Lo Wood – CB

**    Luke Massa - WR/QB

**    Matt Hegarty - C

**    Ronnie Stanley – OT

**    Tate Nicholas – OL

*  A 2013 schedule similar to the one this past year when we went 12-0.  New meat includes Temple, Arizona State, Air Force.  Oklahoma and USC at home.  Schedule in fact may be a little easier.

*  A recruiting system that apparently works.  Coordinators, coaches recruiting prowess, official and unofficial visits, home visits, daily contact, selling the Program, admission office support and whatever else, it all seems to be working like a well oiled machine.

*  An absolute ton of positive publicity, good press, led by Manti Te’o and his unbelievable year.

*  Fifth year seniors returning.

**    Zack Martin

**    Chris Watts

**    Carlo Calabrese, Dan Fox, Cierre Wood (If there is room and they want to return).  Calabrese is the most likely.

*  Some interesting changes coming and already here to the Program.

**    NBC contract renewal.

**    Well deserved coaches contract extensions and salary increases.

**    Tom Hammond being replaced by Dan Hicks as the play-by-play announcer for NBC.

**    Continuation of the Shamrock Series in Dallas against Arizona State.

**    The unveiling of the five game ACC included football schedule in 2014.

**    The introduction of sideline, locker room and candid videos of the players.  Great for the fans.

**    The professionally done video series done throughout the year about the team and players.

We only see great things ahead.  The glass is half full.  Pour some more in please.