News & Views
*I have now done a 360 with my quarterback prediction for the Georgia Tech game in just over two weeks. First, I was convinced that Jimmy Clausen was going to be the guy. Then I was sure that Clausen is too hurt and he will redshirt. I was leaning toward Demetrius Jones or possibly Evan Sharpley. Now, I am right back where I started and my final answer is that Clausen will be the QB for the Irish this year.
Of course, I have no inside information on this, but I have felt since the spring that if Clausen is healthy, he would be the starter. Either way, I think Jones will see the field as a QB at least some against Georgia Tech.
*The most pleasant surprise to this point of fall camp has to be Duval Kamara. Most analysts believed that he could contribute this year as a fourth receiver and perhaps mostly in the red zone. However, he appears to have put himself in position to have a very big year as a regular receiver due in part to his physical readiness upon arrival.
Kamara looks like a beast after having added probably close to 15 pounds of pure muscle to his frame. That is only a start, obviously, because being in great shape does not indicate automatic success. What has put Kamara over the top is his ability to vacuum the football from all angles and his ability to catch the ball while being physically challenged by a defensive back.
It is still early and the looks that we have been given by Kamara equates to less than 10 percent of his total reps so far in camp, but the signs are extremely encouraging.
*I have little doubt that Luke Schmidt will see the field as a fullback in 2007, but there is a certain gleam in Weis’ eyes when he discusses Asaph Schwapp. Schwapp is a self-made man in that he came with little fanfare from Connecticut as a high school senior, but sure enough, he trotted onto the field in his first game with the Irish at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
He was banged up last year and that cost the Irish in the running game. He has returned to health and the weight room, where he is a machine. He is just so strong and loves the physical contact. It remains to be seen if he can be a factor coming out of the backfield as a receiver, so that is where Schmidt figures to contribute this year.
I can’t help but think of the first 4-and-1 at the opponents’ 25 and Weis looking at whichever kicker wins the job on one side and Robert Hughes and Asaph Schwapp on the other. First and Ten, Irish.
*Brian Smith and Kerry Neal have certainly caught the attention of the Irish coaching staff and both figure to have a shot at seeing the field in 2007. Each has the size coveted by coaches of the 3-4 personnel, but strength could be an issue for both, as college strength and speed are quite difficult to adjust to for all freshmen.
*Armando Allen and Robert Hughes are two freshmen who seem very hungry to play early for Weis and Haywood this year. Armando Allen has that burst of speed that the Irish backfield has missed recently. Hughes does as well and he might burst some linebackers along the way for good measure.
I also still believe that Travis Thomas can have a very good year at running back and could even limit the number of carries available for the other backs, obviously including the aforementioned freshmen. Thomas is already the forgotten man because of the excitement about the freshmen and James Aldridge, who looks healthy but not quite up to his top form from junior year film, but Thomas is experienced and athletic. The key for him is to experience success early and not be stung by the fumbles.
*Carlyle Holiday made a nice touchdown reception for the Green Bay Packers this past weekend in NFL exhibition action. He is going to make a strong run at making the team and forcing his way onto the field. He has already developed a good relationship with Brett Favre, which can’t hurt.
*Glenn Earl, who has enjoyed a very good career with the Houston Texans, will miss the entire 2007-2008 season after having surgery on his ankle following an injury to it during training camp.
*Corey Mays, who had trouble seeing the field at Notre Dame until late in his career, is having a very solid pre-season camp with the Patriots and is seeing time as a second-team linebacker, though injuries have thinned that unit.
*Recruiting has obviously slowed down, as it had to due to the huge number of early commitments from some of the nation’s best. It appears that Etienne Sabino, Matt Patchan and Deion Walker are no longer options for the Irish, but shed no tears. All three are great student-athletes and very nice young men, but they do not play positions of dire need for the Irish in the class of 2008.
*Jeff Samardzija has picked up his second consecutive win in his first two starts for the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in Tennessee. His confidence is growing and he is becoming a professional pitcher, which is obviously a unique set of skills. He is on pace for a cup of coffee in the majors by the end of the 2009 season, if not a little sooner. However, the Cubs will be a little shy about pushing him to the majors too soon.
*Jeff Manship still has a professional ERA under 2.00, as he sports an ERA of 1.91 with a record of 13-4, split between Beloit and Fort Myers in the Twin’s organization. He has been one of the most impressive minor league pitchers in any organization this year. He figures to see a promotion to a Double-A team sometime in the near future. Most importantly, Manship has made every start and has had no trouble with his arm.
*I am excited that Notre Dame and Michigan signed the long contract extension and that the teams will meet on the field in 2012 and 2013, the projected “off years” in the rivalry. Having USC, Oklahoma and Michigan on the schedule in the same year will be a ton of fun for the fans, and the recruits will take notice.
*Finally, since I always pick an early season upset (and incorrectly, generally, by the way), look for the Cornhuskers to shock the world when USC comes to Lincoln in September. It is a near must-win for Bill Callahan and I really like the QB.
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