You can learn something from Plaxico Burress. You would think you can’t, seeing that the guy isn’t exactly a role model. He has collected over $200,000 in fines for violating team rules and conduct policies. He is not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, either. The best and brightest people don’t usually go around shooting themselves in the thigh due to fumbling a concealed weapon. It sounds like something from a Leslie Nielson movie. It is pure idiocy.

And, idiocy can be a great teacher. The lesson?

The lesson is how valuable one player can be to his team. The Giants are having trouble scoring and winning since Burress has been out of the lineup. Eli is looking more average without his 6′6 bailout package. Defensive coordinators don’t have to devote extra manpower to his presence, and are able to dictate to the Giant offense.

What does this mean for Irish fans?

It means that (the return of) Michael Floyd can put back the “fight” in the Irish. It means that his loss hurt more than we could have imagined. Jimmy Clausen and Co. were inept at the end of the season without the big-play buddy of Golden Tate. Sure, there were other reasons, but if an NFL team can be hurt that much by the loss of one guy, than it is not so disheartening to see a college team suffer like the Irish have.

It doesn’t mean that there is an overall talent issue-just that a supreme talent can make all the difference. Michael Floyd needs to help show that the Irish are more than what they have appeared to be. He needs to help show that they are on the way back.

Charlie Weis is an offensive guru gone stale. Where he once showed offensive prowess and a high-flying passing attack, now he runs an offense that disappears for quarters at a time, can’t run the ball, and relies too much on fade passes.

Is it Charlie’s philosophy? Is he too old fashioned? He doesn’t run a spread. He doesn’t have a mobile quarterback. He doesn’t run enough hurry up ( The Wheaties for Big 12 quarterbacks, their whole conference uses it). He throws to the tight ends. A LOT. He puts a very heavy burden on his quarterback.

Offensive masterminds today spread it out like Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops do. Charlie seems stuck in the stone age.

Wait, maybe Weis still knows how to run an offense. He’ll put 5 wide out there, and throw it all over the field. He knows that the ball needs to be in the hands of playmakers. He knows the value of running the ball, and having a diversified offense. He’ll attack any weakness.

The problem is that the offensive line does not allow the Irish to run the full extent of the offense. They allow too much pressure on the quarterbacks, and let the running backs get stuffed.

So, the question is whether the performance of the offensive line is Weis’s fault. If it is, then his offense is stale-and he will only last one more year at ND. If the blame belongs elsewhere, then Weis has a chance to get the o-line fixed, and make his offense fresh again.

Urban Meyer at Notre Dame? It can happen. He LOVES Notre Dame, it is his dream job, and ultimate desire. It can happen. Urban Meyer leading the Irish back to the forefront of college football, winning national championship after national championship? It can happen. Much like when you were 15 and got down with Pamela Anderson, as she ripped off her Tool Time overalls and played with your hammer. It happened.

Wait a minute, that was a dream?

Yep, it was a dream, one that forced you to have to change your sheets the next morning.

Everyone fantasizes. Everyone dreams. Especially when things are not going well and you long for something better. Like when your 15, pimple-faced, and can’t get a girl. That’s when it’s time to imagine Pamela (or any other bleach-blond, silicone-enhanced babe) doing naughty things to you. Like when your favorite football team is 9-15 the last 2 years, hasn’t won a bowl game in 15, and is dangerously close to losing its legacy. That’s when you imagine one of the best coaches in the game, championship winner, and self-proclaimed lover of your school on your sidelines.

Too bad reality disagrees. Meyer is happy at Florida, and no matter what comments he makes, he will stay there. He is at a national power, makes great money, can recruit great athletes, and lives in the Florida sun. From a career standpoint, what can Notre Dame offer that Florida can’t?

He may at one time wanted to be at Notre Dame, but had that chance in 2004. He said no thanks. Sometimes life is timing, but if you get a shot at a dream-you take it then and there-or risk the opportunity passing you by. Meyer chose something else, and let Notre Dame pass by. His actions did not back up his words.

So, a warning to any Irish fan that believes he will back up his words, and one day coach at Notre Dame. Look out for sticky sheets in the morning.