This is cool…

Courtesy of Legends of South Bend…

Robert F. Thomson, II continued…

I don’t check the comments of my blog that often, so I just ran across a comment that Robert F. Thomson, II left on November 16th.  It reads as follows:

Mr. Butter -

Do me a favor and take my personal information off of your website.
That was a private letter and was not posted anywhere public by me.

If my information is not down by the end of the day, you’ll be hearing from my attorney.

Thanks, and Go Irish!

Well, I didn’t get the contact info from a private letter, I got it from the Notre Dame Club of Orlando’s Board of Directors page.  All I did was copy it from there.  However, because I’m desperately frightened of the threat of legal action, I have removed it from my site.

So if anyone out there really wants to get in touch with Robert F. Thomson, you now must go to the Notre Dame Club of Orlando’s Board of Directors page to get his phone number or email address, and proceed from there.  Is it illegal to link to another website on a blog?  I hope not, because I do it all the time!

Quick Football Note

I haven’t talked much about football this year, because there hasn’t been much good to say.  Just a quick update though: in case you haven’t heard, Jimmy Clausen will be starting this weekend vs. Air Force.  Let’s hope Charlie lets him throw a pass longer longer than 7 yards that isn’t an out to the sidelines.

Robert F. Thomson, II is an embarassment to the University of Notre Dame

This is hot off the ND message boards as of a few minutes ago.  Some idiot Alumni Board Director by the name of Rob Thomson evidently wrote a scathing letter to Charlie Weis and, thinking he was cool, emailed it to his friends.  Now it’s hitting the boards and ND people (including me) are pissed.

Mr. Thomson is listed as a director of the Orlando Alumni Club here. So if you are so inclined, you can email him at [edited due to threat of legal action] or call him at [edited due to threat of legal action] to tell him what an embarrassment he is to Notre Dame.  I’ve decided not to post the letter because it won’t do anything good for our program.  Suffice to say, it’s a piece of poo.

UPDATE: See here

 

Technorati Tags: robert thomson, nd, irish, football, notre dame

It’s USC Week…

…which means I’m obligated to show this picture.  Sorry for the crassness.

2 for 2 for Looe

Thus far the Notre Dame football season has left much to be desired, however there has been one major highlight in both games we’ve played this season.  This comes in the form of my buddy Looe being featured (semi)prominetely on television during both games.  Georgia Tech was obvious.  He got more air time than Pat Haden.  Exhibit A:

Penn State was a bit more of a “Where’s Waldo” scenario, but if you look close enough, you’ll see the tattered Rocky Boiman jersey in with the Notre Dame faithful (thanks to Tully for the big red arrow so we know where to look).  You’ll notice that Looe’s cheer of choice is the over-the-head clap.  Exhibit B:

Big Game Tomorrow

About 5 years ago when Penn State was really sucking wind, my dad (an alum) had it in his mind to get rid of his season tickets that he’s had since I was a little kid.  I pleaded with him not to do it because I knew ND would be playing Penn State in 2007.  What seemed like a far off date is finally here, and I can’t wait.  Two of my college buddies (McDonald and Looe) are coming in tonight for the game.  You may know Looe from NBC fame.  He was the awesome looking fan in the faded Rocky Boiman jersey and aviator sunglasses that was on TV last week when Jimmy Clausen came into the game.

Many of my dad’s old fraternity brothers still live in State College, and they’ve been waiting for this game for 15 years.  Last season they all trekked out to South Bend to see their Nittany Lions demolished, but they did get on WNDU for having such an awesome tailgate.  I fully expect this year’s to be even better.

I have no idea what to expect in this game.  Here’s what I expect:

- Beaver Stadium will be rocking.  A 6PM start (too much time to drink) coupled with 107,000 is a bad combination for a visiting team

- Jimmy Clausen will make quick decisions and show glimpses of brilliance

- Jimmy Clausen will be sacked at least 3 times

- Armando Allen will carry the ball at least 10 times (please?!)

- The Irish secondary will be tested much more than they were last week

- I will make at least 4 “Anthony Morelli is dumber than a box of rocks” jokes

- The Irish D will look much better against the run

- Justin Brown will not karate chop someone in the face and get thrown out of the game again

- I will be heckled by at least 500 drunk Penn State fans

- I will heckle at least 15 Penn State fans

- I will be thoroughly annoyed by zombie nation by the end of the night

How annoying is that?

Technorati Tags: notre dame, penn state, football

Saturday Didn’t Happen

Saturday didn’t happen.  I went to work on Friday, and then woke up Sunday.  That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Now, on to Penn State.  I will be going to the game on Saturday, and according to Coach Weis in today’s press conference, I will see Jimmy Clausen starting at quarterback.

Let’s hope I see more of Armando Allen and James Aldridge too.

T - 26 hours…

It’s almost gameday, at long last.  26 hours from now a young and unproven Irish squad will walk out of the tunnel at Notre Dame Stadium.  Seasons like these are fun because no one knows what to expect.  Here’s what I expect:

- Armando Allen and/or Golden Tate will make someone look stupid on a kickoff return

- Demetrius Jones will be the starting quarterback and do something Vick-esque with his feet (no, not stomping on the throat of a pit bull or opposing player)

- Sam Young will be ridiculous at RT

- Tommy Zbikowski will eat the boogers out of a dead man’s nose and ask for seconds

- Charlie Weis will consume poor officials with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lighting from his arse.

- Jimmy Clausen will not play

- A commentator or analyst will make an asinine comment about how Jimmy Clausen didn’t play and is therefore a disappointment

- A commentator or analyst will make an asinine comment about how Ty Willingham was fired after his third year and Charlie Weis is now entering his third year and has something to prove

- A sideline reporter with large breasts will ask Charlie Weis at least one asinine question on his way to the locker room at half time, to which he will reply, “There are no ovaries allowed on this field on Saturdays.  Get lost.”

- I will have fun watching the game in STUNNING HIGH DEFINITION win, lose, or draw

On a side note, despite the fact that it will annoy my wife to no end, I’m planning on Twittering my thoughts on the game on Saturday.  If you’re sitting around watching with a computer, go here and it will be just like you’re sitting there with me, which is really one of the best experiences in life.

GO IRISH!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Just a quick note to everyone: the “official” Notre Dame depth chart is available on UND.com.  Couple of quick items of note:

- Freshman Matt Romine is listed ahead of Barley Webb at LT
- Sophomore K Ryan Burkhart is nowhere to be found on the chart
- Darrin Walls is listed ahead of Ambrose Wooden at CB
- Lacrosse superstar Will Yeatman won the 2nd TE spot ahead of former 5-star recruit Konrad Reuland
- James Aldridge has bulked up to 222
- Looks like D.J. Hord has really made a come back at WR.  Look for him to get significant minutes behind George West and David Grimes
- Don’t be at all shocked to see Duval Kamara get some PT
- Two freshmen, Golden Tate and Armando Allen, are listed as our KR’s.  That’s some crazy speed.

I’m so excited for the season I can barely contain myself.  Obviously we’re a young team, but in 3 years it will be fun to say we watched National Champions when they were mere freshmen.  It’s going to be even more exciting seeing next year’s class come in.  Man, we’re going to be good.

Armando Allen is scary fast

Bartender, we’re going to need another round of Kool-Aid over here!

Are you ready?

The day is finally here, everyone.  We’ve waited for this day since January, and finally we can get the bitter Sugar Bowl taste out of our mouths and focus on a new season.  That’s right, it’s the first day of fall practice!  Lots of question marks and low expectations this year, but that will make it all the more fun.  It should be entertaining to watch all these young, talented guys this season and see what we have in store when we make our championship run in 2009.

Be sure to check out www.und.com today for post-practice press conferences with Coach Weis.  Those are always entertaining.

Go Irish!

Rhema Impresses

Saw this quote this morning on BGS that I think is very telling:

In the four minicamp practices in which Meachem did participate this week, he was overshadowed by free agent Rhema McKnight of Notre Dame, and Dante Ridgeway, who spent time toward the end of the 2006 season on the Saints’ practice squad.
nola.com

“He [Rhema McKnight]
is coming out of a very sophisticated system, with many similarities to
some of the things we do,” said Johnson said of Notre Dame’s and the
Saints’ top-ranked offense last season. “He understands the game of
football and a lot of the intricacies about offensive sets that young
players often donﾹt have at the same stage of their careers that he has
right now. That is a credit to what he learned under Charlie Weis.”
NewOrleansSaints.com

It’s nice having a good coach.

Technorati Tags: weis, rhema mcknight, nfl, nd football

Oh happy day…

It’s going to be light posting for the next couple weeks as I gear up for the CFA exam, everyone, but I had to post this.  If you watched the 2006 Fiesta Bowl between Notre Dame and Ohio State, you’ll remember that the most oft talked about story line was that of Brady Quinn’s sister Laura dating A.J. Hawk (thanks a lot, Musberger).  Well, Brent and ABC Sports will be happy to know that A.J. and Laura finally tied the knot on March 17th, and have the pictures to prove it.  Especially check out the shot of the groomsmen.  It’s been awhile since a collection of mullets like that has formed anywhere in the U.S.

I’m sure sportscasters everywhere are salivating at the prospect of the first game between the Browns and Packers.  Ugh.

The Dolphins are morons

I’m not even going to start talking about Brady Quinn’s fall in the draft last week, but I did want to post this video of Dolphin fans booing their new coach and chanting “Brady” at the draft party.  What an incredibly dumb move.

He’s excited about what the Ginn family can bring to the Dolphins?!  Are you kidding me?  I hate the Ginn family.

More Corwin

Great post today on BGS about Corwin Brown at the ND coaching clinic over the weekend. Check it out!

Seen on ESPN.com

“Here, pull my finger.  I dare you.” - Molder of men, Ty Willingham

Spring Practice Update

Sorry I’ve been MIA for the last week, kids.  Life is busy.  Here’s a quick rundown of spring practice news:

- First, if you’re not checking out the practice videos and press conferences and www.und.com, you should.

- Quarterback position seems to be fairly wide open.  Who knows what’s going to happen here.  Clausen seems to be getting along fairly well with the other guys.  Many think that Demetrius Jones may lead.  I have no idea.

- RB: Armando Allen is scary fast, Travis Thomas is back at his natural position, James Aldridge is able to do lower body lifting again, and Munir Prince has been moved to CB.  Weis said in his PC yesterday that he’s very encouraged with the running back position.

- TE: Carlson is a superstar.  No surprises there.

- WR: Beyond David Grimes, no one knows what to expect.  DJ Hord is back from an achilles injury, but he’s apparently still tentative on it.  Then you have a bunch of guys who’ve never played (Gallup, Parris, Jackson, Bragg, etc.)

- OL: Sam Young is an animal.  Sullivan will be starting center again.  After that you’ve got Turkovich and Duncan probably starting, and word is that Wenger has looked really good and mean this spring.  Watch out for Matt Carufel too!

- DL: Outside of Trevor Laws, your guess is as good as mine.  You’ve got Kallen Wade, Pat Kuntz, Dwight Stephenson, and Chris Stewart who moved over from OL.  Should be interesting.

- LB: John Ryan got moved back here in the new 3-4.  Maurice Crum didn’t put on much weight in the offseason.  Then you’ve got Joe Brockington, Anthony Vergnaglia, Scott Smith, Morrice Richardson, Toryan Smith, etc.  A lot of youth, and hopefully some talent.

S: Zbikowski is a mainstay, and then you’ll have either Bruton or Herring back there with him.  My guess is probably Bruton.

CB: Ambrose Wooden and Terrail Lambert seem to be no-brainers.  Gary Gray broke his arm the other day, but he apparently is going to be nasty and challenge Walls, McNeil, and Ferrine for the nickel spot.  Add in the aforementioned Munir Prince, and we’ve got some nice speed back here now.

Technorati Tags: notre dame, football, college, weis, nd, irish

Good Weis interview

Someone on Irish Eyes posted some links to this series of interview articles that Tim Prister of Irish Illustrated did with Charlie Weis after signing day.  Turns out Yahoo decided to publish this formerly premium content.  It’s a bit of a read, but it’s really entertaining and informative.  Check it out!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Technorati Tags: weis, interview, nd, football

Irish 2008 Recruiting Gets Started…

Last year Kerry Neal became the first Irish commit on February 22nd.  This year we did about 3 days better as Rivals is reporting that C Mike Golic, Jr. has committed to the Irish.  If you know anything about the Irish, you’ll recognize that name.  Mike Golic, Sr. became the first commit in Gerry Faust’s 1981 recruiting class, and it looks like Junior has followed suit.

Golic, Jr. is listed at 6′5″ 260, which is obviously a little small for a center, but he’ll have plenty of time to bulk up once he gets to school.  Let’s hope next year’s recruiting class finishes with a bang instead of another whimper.

Technorati Tags: irish, golic jr., notre dame, recruiting

Official Press Conference this Afternoon

This afternoon Notre Dame will be hosting a press conference to officially announce the hiring of Corwin Brown as DC and Ron Powlus as QB coach.  In case you didn’t know, you can watch all of the press conferences for free at www.und.com.