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. 

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.

Trying to hit a moving target

The Irish continue to target a number of upcoming high school seniors.  Although signing day isn’t until February, getting these players on board sooner than later is very important in the recruiting process. 

One of our hottest targets is Shaq Thompson, a 6’2” 200 lb. safety from Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California.  Notre Dame’s Tight End Coach Mike Denbrock is his recruiter.   Denbrock has already gotten commitments from his cousins, wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and defensive back Tee Sheppard.  Several services have Thompson ranked as the top safety in the country.  Also in the hunt for Thomson include schools like Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Washington and California, where his brother is an All-American cornerback.

6’7” 300+ lb. Defensive Tackle Jarron Jones is not only from my hometown, but is also from the same high school (Aquinas Institute) that I had my football career, although his has been much more successful.  After de-committing from Penn State, Jones wanted to see what else was out there including a visit to South Bend.  Jones is being recruited by Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco.  Jarron has said he plans on making a choice and making a commitment before the start of his senior season.   Although almost every big time program in the country has made an offer to Jones, it seems that Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Penn State are the true contenders.

Penn State is challenging the Irish for another highly touted recruit, Armani Reeves, a 5’11 cornerback (also listed as an Athlete).  Reeves runs a 4.35 40, which can make him valuable in several positions, a trait that Brian Kelly really likes.  Armani is also being recruited by Defensive Coordinator Bob Diaco.  Although Reeves is being recruited as a cornerback, he also plays wide receiver for Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Other hot recruiting targets include all purpose back Keivarae Russell, safeties Elijah Shumate and Reggie Daniels, defensive end LaTroy Lewis, cornerback T.J. Davis and running back Chris Mangus.

There is a lot of time between now and signing day in February, and a lot of work to be done in recruiting.  Winning games in the fall goes a long way in cementing verbal commits and swaying those players who are still unsure.