Bullet notes on Notre Dame's New Quarterback Coach

For the past four seasons he has served as the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins helping Robert Griffin III become the NFL's 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year (3,200 yards, 20 TD's in through the air and 815 yards and 7 TD's rushing).

In 2004 and 2005 worked at Central Michigan on Kelly's offensive staff.

In 2006 became the quarterbacks and receivers coach at Northern Michigan.

In 2007 he was Ashland's offensive coordinator.

In 2008 and 2009 to the Houston Texans of the NFL as the team's offensive quality control coach.

After playing wide receiver at Western Michigan he transferred to Saginaw Valley State and played quarterback.

On Notre Dame's 10-man coaching staff LaFleur will be their youngest coach.

After Shanahan was let go by the Redskins LaFleur was one of 10 assistants fired.

Worked with Rex Grossman in 2010.

He has also worked with Donovan McDabb.

LaFleur briefly played for the Omaha Beef in the National Indoor Football League.

Irish Football Alumni in the NFL Spotlight

With the Super Bowl approaching between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks once again Notre Dame bred talent finds itself on the roster.  Actually for the seventh time it finds itself on both rosters (15^th consecutive game with at least one team represented by the boys from South Bend).  This fact will ensure that there will be a 39^th former Notre Dame Player to win a Super Bowl. 

Golden Tate and David Burton were teammates for Notre Dame in 2007 and 2008.  While playing for the Irish Tate won The Biletnikoff Award in 2007 which is presented annually to the nation’s outstanding college football receiver.  Tate also was named unanimous first-team All-American before forgoing his senior season and being drafted in the second round (60^th overall) by Seattle.  Tate in three years in South Bend had 157 receptions for 2707 yards (17.2 yards per catch) and 26 touchdowns, he also had 31 rushed for 227 yards (7.3 yards a carry) with 3 touchdowns, oh yeah he also returned a punt for a touchdown.  In four years for the Irish David Burton recorded 214 tackles and 7 interceptions.  Burton was then selected in the fourth round (114th overall) by the Denver Broncos in 2009.

On Saturday February 1 the eve of the Super Bowl at the Selection Committee's annual meeting the 2014 Inductees from the fifteen finalists will be announced.  Two of the fifteen Finals are Notre Dame Football Alumni; Jerome Bettis and Tim Brown, Irish All Time greats.  In three years at South Bend Jerome Bettis racked up 1912 rushing yards on 312 attempts (the majority of those in his last two seasons) averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 27 touchdowns.  In addition to being a force on the field Bettis also was a popular player with the fans getting the nickname “The Bus” while at Notre Dame.  Bettis was a first round draft pick (11^th overall) in 1993 by the Rams.  Tim Brown, who happened to be the last of Notre Dame’s seven Heisman Trophy winner completed his career at Notre Dame with 137 receptions, 2493 yards and 12 touchdowns though the air.  Brown was an all around offensive weapon rushing for 442 yards with 4 touchdowns on the ground and 3 kickoff returns for touchdowns and 3 punt returns for touchdowns.

Although this is great source of pride for Notre Dame Football past, don’t kid yourself this is very good for the current program.  It can keep current players fired up and encourage future recruits to join the party.

Possible Fifth-Year Graduating Students

Over the next month leading up to National Signing Day Brian Kelly has to figure out how his roster will look fitting 85 scholarship spots.  A piece of that puzzle is deciding on who to offer fifth year opportunities to.  Here is a look at the best bests to get one of those spots.

Austin Collinsworth, 6' 1" 205 lb Safety.  Although he played in all 13 games during his freshman year he has a year of eligibility left after missing his entire Junior season after a shoulder injury he sustained in spring practice.  His career has ebbed and flowed but has been a solid contributor overall.  Collinsworth may not bring the most to the table in ability and potential, although he does have both, what he does bring to the Irish is experience, leadership and depth.  He seemingly got better as the season moved on in 2013 and that could roll over into 2014.  I like this return and think his experience alone is worth having him on the field and in the locker room.

Christian Lombard, 6' 5" 315lb Guard / Tackle.  After redshirting his freshman season and serving as a backup and a special teams contributor (playing in all 13 games) Lombard started all 13 games of his Junior year at right tackle.  His Senior season was cut short after a herniated disk forced him into surgery after starting seven games at right guard .  This is a no brainer, having a guy who can and has started at multiple positions along the line, even with a stable of up and coming talent most of us are looking forward to taking the field.  Lombard will bring leadership and experience to a very talented but young(ish) offensive line (Steve Elmer, Nick Martin and Ron Stanley.

Kendall Moore, 6' 1" 251lb Inside Linebacker.  During his Redshirt freshman year Moore was named Scout Defensive Player of the Year.  For his outstanding scout team effort he was rewarded with backing up All-World Manti Te'o, not much of a chance on seeing the field much in that role.  Last season Moore backed up fifth year seniors Dan Fox and Carlo Calabrese and middle linebacker heir apparent Jarrett Grace.  Kendall has not had a really opportunity to prove himself on the field in game situations.  However in 2013 Moore had some chances to step up and play and he made the best of those limited opportunities.  I believe Moore good have a breakout fifth year in South Bend in 2014.

Justin Utupo, 6' 1" 290lb Defensive Line.  Utupo has not done much after redshirting his freshman year.  With the exit of Nix and Tuitt along with the uncertainty of how Chase Hounshell and Tony Springman will comeback from missing last season due to injury Kelly and company needs depth along the defensive line.