Back in the MIx

It’s no surprise that Michael Floyd was reinstated to the Football Program.  Since he was suspended on March 21^st Michael has been proving to Brian Kelly that he is and can stay on a positive track.  Kelly said it was all or nothing, no sit out some games or limit his time it was all in and out and I believed him and apparently so did Floyd.  I think Kelly was looking to effect Michael’s decision making and behavior as a young man for life as opposed to punishing a football player.

With all the uncertainty Floyd could have opted for the NFL (defiantly would have been drafted), he could have transferred (that would have been a very poor choice) or just been combative with Kelly.  I feel good about his attitude and I think he has been humbled by how this has played out.  Has he learned his lesson?  I would say he has learned several during this experience.  I don’t have a strong feeling that he will not end up in a bad situation again but I believe the rest of his time at South Bend will be incident free.

The overall success or failure may be bigger for Brian Kelly than it is for Floyd.  The Irish have taken Michael back based on Kelly’s gut and experience. Kelly seemed sure about his decision when he was interviewed http://www.und.com/allaccess/?media=252675   Kelly has put his reputation on the line for Floyd and if he slips up while he is still at Notre Dame Kelly’s judgment especially in terms of knowing his players character will come into question.

Make no mistake about it Michael Floyd will leave Notre Dame with most if not all of the important receiving records and will be a high first round draft pick.  With 171 receptions for 2539 yards, (averaging 14.8 yards a catch) and 28 touchdowns Floyd if not the top is one top college receivers in the nation.  Also make no mistake about it there are some things that Michael has lost from this, first he was chosen to be a captain of this years team that in no longer the case and that will not be revisited by Kelly and the team.

Michael appears to be saying all the right things http://www.und.com/allaccess/?media=252674 and is being life coached off the field not only by the Irish staff but his family.  His mother also seems to be a positive influence in his life.  I look forward to seeing how Michael Floyd does on and off the field and how he does on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Cheese Stands Alone.

Every year there are debates about whether or not Notre Dame should join a conference.  I for one enjoy being Independent.  With so many conferences - SEC, ACC, Big East, Pac 12, Big 10, etc. - why get lost in the shuffle?  I like being a big fish in a big pond.  I know other sports from South Bend participate in conference play (most notably the successful Men’s Basketball program in the Big East), and could win multiple championships, but they all take a back seat to the boys on the gridiron.

The Irish have built rivalries over the years without being forced through conference play.  USC vs. Notre Dame still draws national attention regardless of records or how many years in a row the Trojans win.  I know people whine about Notre Dame playing the service academies but that is out of respect and debt.  When Army and Navy were perennial powerhouses, they gave the Irish national recognition by playing them. 

I know a lot of people say that Notre Dame is no longer relevant in the national spotlight and that joining a conference would give the program a boost.  There are far more teams without National Championship since the Irish last won one that have won one.  Recruits most often comment about the proud heritage and strong tradition of the Fighting Irish, and far less often about their desire to be a part of a conference.  With all the “jealous critics” out there constantly talking about the Irish, I for one am not worried about relevance.

What are the pros of joining a conference?  Sharing revenue? No thanks.  Conforming to conference rules? No thanks.  Not controlling you schedule? No thanks.  I’ll stick with being independent.

Last Call

Last week we saw several former Notre Dame Football players got free agent calls from a number of NFL teams after the lockout ended.  Of the Irish players that were on draft watch lists Kerry Neal seemed to be the odd man out not getting a call.  That changed when Neal joined 14 other undrafted free rookies that signed a free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts, including fellow rookie linebackers Penn State’s Chris Colasanti and Adrian Moten from Maryland.

The 6’2” 245lb linebacker had 42 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 12 games last season for Notre Dame.  With 50 colligate games played racking up 112 tackles and 7 sacks Neal brings plenty of experience especially since he has played both linebacker and defensive end for the Irish.