Summer Showings

It may seem as if summer is just revving up, but the summer football showcases are winding down before high school players need to report for their high school team workouts and practices.  This past weekend in Orlando, the Gridiron Kings event was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports facility at Disneyland.  64 skill position players including quarterbacks, tight ends, running backs, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties competed for three days in a 7 on 7 competition.  Teams were divided by region - Southeast, Southwest, Midwest and West. 

Many of the big time college football program commits were there and Notre Dame was no exception.  6’1” 190 lb. safety C.J. Prosise played on the Midwest team.   The West team showcased 6’0” 180 lb. cornerback Tee Shepard from Fresno California.

In addition to verbal commits, there were a number of undeclared players on the field that the Irish are targeting.  Dwayne Stafford II, a 6’3” 187 lb. wide receiver from Cincinnati, Ohio was on the Midwest team with Irish verbal commit C.J. Prosise.  One of the best athletes still available is Davonte Neal (Gridiron Kings West), teammate of Notre Dame commit Tee Shepard.  Also on the West team was Irish target KeiVarae Russell, 6’0” 175 lb. running back out of Mariner H.S. in Evertt Washington.  Finally, from the West team was Shaq Thompson, a 6’1” 210 lb. wide receiver from Grant H.S. in Sacramento, California.

These events give commits an opportunity to compete against the top level talent they will see every Saturday next fall.  It also provides the chance for commits to persuade undeclared played to join them at the program they are going to.  I hope Tee and C.J. talked up the Irish over the weekend.

Better late then never.

With the NFL lockout over there has been a flurry of free agent signings for college players who did not hear their names during the draft.  Even though only Kyle Rudolph was drafted, Notre Dame had several NFL level players.  Some of these players probably should have been drafted and some planned on the free agent route; it just took a little longer to happen.

If not for his injury in the Navy game that forced Ian Williams to miss games last season, he likely would have been an early third round to fifth round pick. Ian signed with the San Francisco 49’ers.  I like Ian’s personality and the way he plays.  I am pretty sure a starting role is not in his immediate future, but I like his potential to be a NFL player at some point.  At 6’2”, 305 lbs., Williams was defiantly the best defensive lineman not drafted perhaps the best overall player not drafted.

6’5” 350 lb. Chris Stewart was not only a physical beast on the Irish’s offensive line, but also was a great example of the Notre Dame student athlete, playing last year as a law student. Stewart was picked up by the New York Jets where they are a little thin on experience at the backup guard position.  I would feel very safe in the pocket with Chris Stewart in front of me.

Former Irish linebacker Brian Smith signed with the Cleveland Browns where he will add defensive value as he played inside and outside linebacker in South Bend.  Along with a lot of game experience, Brian brings emotion and a good attitude to the Browns.

Former Irish cornerback Darrin Walls ran a sub 4.4 40 time at the Notre Dame Pro Day, which along with his impressive senior season, should have gotten him a phone call during the draft.  Darrin is on his way to Atlanta hoping to help a Falcons defense in desperate need of secondary support.

Also heading south is Armando Allen to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  This will be a homecoming to Florida for Allen, who played his high school football for Hialeah-Miami Lakes in Opa Locka, Florida.  I enjoyed watching Allen since his freshman year when he led the team in all purpose yards.  I think Armando never reached his potential, although it was not all his fault.

My favorite signing so far is Robert Hughes, who after his freshman year was under utilized and underappreciated until last year’s USC game.  Hughes will also enjoy a homecoming, now playing for the Bears in Chicago where he played at Hubbard High School.  Hughes is listed as a fullback but is really a big tailback. 

Linebacker Kerry Neal, who also saw time at defensive end, brings a ton of game experience to the table.  He had a solid college career, never living up to the early hype, but he will be staying in the state of Indiana with the Colts.

The Irish transition into the NFL via free agency might not be done yet.  After an impressive freshman season, wide receiver Duval Kamara lost his starting spot but still saw a decent amount of game action.  At 6’4’” 225 lbs. some team should take a serious look at him.

I take the subway.

Every time someone finds out I’m a Notre Dame fan they ask, “Did you go there?” to which I respond, “Every year.”  Being an Irish subway alumnus is different than any other kind of fan, college or pro.  No other institution reaches out and connects with so many as do the Irish.  Knute Rockne barnstormed and promoted his teams across the country during a time where the Irish Catholic community needed something to follow and be proud of.  Since then, millions of Americans have hitched their wagons to the Fighting Irish, and they (for the most part) are NOT bandwagon fans.

At times, being a fan of Notre Dame football has been likened to being a Dallas Cowboys’ fan, a Yankee’s fan or any “Evil Empire” type team.  Fair or not, success brings envy as well as admiration.  For those who dislike and often despise the Irish, the past decade and a half has been a glorious time, and for Irish fans, it has been a time of “wait till next year” or “wait until this recruiting class matures.”  As much as I have criticized and blasted the Irish, hope always springs eternal when it comes to Notre Dame Football.

Unlike professional sports and multi-year, no cut, guaranteed contracts even with free agency, college sports always offer a fresh start with each incoming class.  Whether it’s because you’re Irish, Catholic, went to school in South Bend or any combination, there is a passion and connection.  Of course, there are many who are fans because of a dad, uncle, brother or some family member who you picked up the bug from.  I love the scene in Rudy where Pete, a neighbor kid, asked Mr. Ruettiger (who just passed away last month at the age of 89) if at half time they could switch over to the Indiana – Purdue game and Mr. Ruettiger responds “There’s only one team we watch in this house.”

I still remember when my friend Jimmer (Miami Hurricanes fan) called me after wandering down to a new bar he found called Shamrock Jack’s to sat, “You will love this place! It’s full of Notre Dame fans, losers just like you.”  I grew up watching the Irish with friends at our houses then at Irish bars like Molly Malone’s and George Cullen’s, (both now closed), and always felt like I was part of something special.  99.9% of the fans I have watched games with over the years did not go to Notre Dame for school and many of them have never been to South Bend for a game, but that does not make them any less passionate about “their” team.

For those who do take the memorable trips to Indiana to see what only the Notre Dame Campus and surrounding community can offer, there are several “can’t miss” things to do and see:  Corby’s Bar, The Linebacker and Legends and are just a few of the watering holes where fans can grab a bite or a pint before and after games.  Touchdown Jesus, the Golden Dome and the Grotto can be emotionally and spiritually, moving to some fans to the point of tears.  Not everyone will have the reaction that Rudy’s dad had but once you realize the legends who played there, you’d better hold on because no other place on earth has as much history and greatness in one spot.  And yes, that includes Yankee Stadium and Lambeau Field.

Of course, pop culture and the media have helped Notre Dame over the years, beginning with Knute Rockne getting games on the radio to today’s NBC deal with the Irish. Movies including Rudy and Knute Rockne All American with Ronald Reagan have broadened the fan appeal for the Irish.  When Irish fans hear the Gipper www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechknuterockneallamerican.html  and hear the theme to Rudy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-09ayPX_KVs throats grow lumps and eyes fill with tears.  I’m sure Woody Hayes, Pete Carroll, Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno have delivered good speeches on occasion, but none come close to Knute Rockne’s famous speech.

Even a 20+ year National Championship drought cannot deter the hopes of Irish fans.  Without having a conference to play in (and I like that), anything less than a National Championship is falling short of our goal.  Wining records, big wins and bowl victories are nice, but not good enough.  Let’s face it…is there a better known college fight song than Notre Dame’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7csGhMQoQms?

Until our next National Championship, just keep waking up the echoes.