Jon Tenuta came to the Irish last year as a renowned defensive coordinator. He is master of the blitz-and his aim is to overpower your offensive line and make your quarterback bleed. He blitzes nearly as often as teenagers need to pop zits. This year, his presence will be felt to a greater degree than any point last year. Look out quarterbacks, ‘cuz Tenuta is calling the plays. He is relentless, aggressive, and downright vicious with the pressure he brings. It got me to thinking, is there anything I have seen (real or made up) that can match the brutality that Tenuta knows so well? Here’s 5 things that might:

5.) Sweep the Leg. Karate Kid is one of the best 80’s flicks out there. And it brings the vicious. In the tournament, good guy Daniel Larusso has the edge, but Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese tells his student Johnny Lawrence to sweep Daniel’s already injured leg. And he does. Bastard.

4.) Vlad becomes Dracula. What can be said? The guy liked to impale enemies on stakes for all to see. When you become inspiration for the “King of the Vampires”, you are truly one vicious SOB.

3.) Grand Theft Auto. Steal. Kill. Blow things up. Kill. Nail a prostitute. Kill her. Steal some more. Kill.

2.) The Curb Stomp. American History X is one of the best and most sobering movies I have ever seen. You can’t help but think after you watch it. In one of the most chilling scenes, Edward Norton’s character takes out his (racist) anger on a would be (black) thief by pointing his gun at him and saying “put your f–king mouth on the curb! Now say goodnight.” He then proceeds to stomp on his head, driving it into the pavement. Yikes.

1.) South Central L.A. Most of us wouldn’t survive 5 minutes there. 2 of the most violent gangs around- the Bloods and Crips. Murders. The place that inspired Gangsta Rap to exist, which scared the hell out of white America.

Apparently, Nick Montana is the new “It” guy. “It” as in Ryan Seacrest “it.” There is nothing he doesn’t do. He hosts America’s most popular television show, has his own radio stint, reports on Hollywood happenings, has a music deal, made the cover of GQ, is co-authoring a book, and has scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida State, and Alabama. He is the only quarterback being talked about recently in recruiting circles, and that is damn hard to do.

And here’s why he’s being talked about. His last name is Montana. That’s right, he is the son of legendary Notre Dame and 49er star Joe Montana. The guy who quarterbacked more comebacks and Super Bowls than Pam Anderson has had tit jobs. He was so cool, he calmed in teammates in a Super Bowl by pointing out the lovable John Candy (Hard to believe he wasn’t noticed before that moment. He was hard to miss because he was famous. And fat too.) in the stands. In, fact he might be the coolest Joe ever. It’s either him, or Joe Camel.

In a way, he kinda reminds me of Paris Hilton. She has a famous last name, and she looks pretty good, so she is famous. Nick Montana has a famous last name, and has some football skills, so he has been plastered over every college football (recruiting) website I have seen recently. Montana this and Montana that. A big story because of where he comes from.

People go crazy over this genetic stuff. “He has good genes. Got his dads right arm, height, pocket presence, and penis size! Guaranteed stud.” Notre Dame is pretty big on legacies too, and I’m sure there are some (okay, a lot of) fans who desperately want the younger Montana to be Irish. I do too, if Charlie thinks he can play. If Weis thinks Jake Heaps or some other quarterback is better, than I want that guy. Don’t care what his name, or what his legacy is.

Nick Montana may be the hot story, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a thing. You can have your story, and your happy ending (Montana bloodlines continue at Notre Dame!), and that’s all fine. I’ll just take who the best player is, no matter the story.

(Because you asked for it! Look for “The Montana Watch” to appear periodically in South Bend Blarney.)

Notre Dame is still THE college program as far as recognition. But this is not an always was and always will be. Time changes everything. Time, and a lack of wins (The Irish seem to lose as often as Lindsay Lohan is called a bitch by another actress. Which means A LOT.) is putting Notre Dame on an even playing field with its contemporaries. The aura is fading, and fading quickly. Every disappointing season knocks the program down a notch. How soon until another program (and there is a good number of challengers) knock the Irish of their long-held pedestal in the college football world? The Irish haven’t won a championship in 20 years. .500 or losing seasons have become as common as boobs being flashed on Mardi Gras. All Americans litter the rosters at USC or SEC schools-not Notre Dame. Big time coaches dis Notre Dame because they think it is easier to win elsewhere (Urban Meyer at Florida), and who can blame them?

SI’s Andy Staples (good writer) shows how far Notre Dame is slipping is his latest article, Destination Jobs. His article is from a coaching standpoint-but he has 11 programs in front of the one in South Bend. Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and LSU, just to name a few. All are programs the have tradition. All are programs that have had much more recent success than the Irish-and are therefore currently more attractive. Remember, he is talking from an “who wouldn’t want to coach there?” standpoint, but a few of these programs could take over Notre Dame as the most prestigious in college football if current history holds true. These are the signs of the time for the Irish.

Naysayers have their reasons why Notre dame is declining (a topic for another day), but I choose to believe in an Irish Rising. Notre Dame can change their momentum, and still be the ONE (but not in a gay, duster wearin’ Keanu Reeves kinda way). Even in Staples’ article, he points out that a few of these were not destination jobs not so long ago, USC, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama. They have all been turned around, and you know it if you follow college football.

They all found the right coach. The right general. Their Washington.

Notre Dame is down, this is true. But, can any naysayer seriously tell me that the Golden Domers can’t make it right if they have the proper leader? With all of the tradition and resources? With all of the prestige? No, the naysayers can’t. Because if a true luminary emerges, Notre Dame will make its presence felt once again.