One of the most frustrating trends last season was ND’s seeming inability to make a play when needed. This was most epitomized (nearly infamously) during the near 4th quarter debacle against Navy, in which the Middies recovered two onside kicks with only a couple of minutes remaining. Clearly, that was two more than should have been allowed. On those plays, the Irish simply didn’t have anyone who would be the one to make a play.

Football is a team sport; arguably the most team-centric of them all. Players on the field must perform their roles, stay in their spots, and trust their teammates to do the same. Only a squad that truly works together will consistently put checks in the wins column. However, team interdependency only goes so far. Sometimes, football is an individual sport. A superior player makes plays – end of story. LT just knew he was the one that would tackle the running back. Jerry Rice would be the one to get open and catch the TD pass. A championship team is full of this kind of guy; the kind of guy who decides that he and only he will be the one to go get the ball. This player will not be denied. The ball won’t bounce into an opponent’s hands because he stood around waiting for someone else to make something happen.

– back to that Navy game –

My enduring memory of that game is watching ND’s players laughing it up on the sidelines while Navy’s hungry Midshipmen imposed their collective will at the end of the 4th quarter. Two onside kicks. Two!! Which Irish player decided to go end that game? Who just knew that he would come up with that football?

If I had to guess, USC probably has 30 guys who would decide to make that play. I bet Florida and Oklahoma do too. In fact, if we could jump in the DeLorean and go back to 1990, Lou probably could have put backup kickers on the field to cover those onside kicks. His guys always made that clutch play, whether it was a two point conversion against Penn State or a knocked down pass against FSU. Who could be those guys for ND?

• Brian Smith – the emotional leader of the defense seems hungry and passionate
• Robert Blanton – described by some as confident and others as cocky, Blanton is not afraid to go after the ball
• Harrison Smith – a ball hawk like Zbikowski (who hopefully won’t get quite so burned on the play fakes)
• Golden Tate – seems to come down with ball every time it’s in the air

These guys didn’t answer the bell on that Saturday last fall. Hopefully, they’re ready this year. And, hopefully, so is the rest of the team.