Spring ball is over, and you’re wondering what we can make of the Irish now. Do they have a chance to contend in ‘09? Unfortunately, spring drills are not exactly the Encyclopedia Britannica of good information, and that can’t be answered. (The practices are limited by time, player availability, lack of urgency, inconsistent schedules, familiarity with teammates, and so forth. Therefore, it is hard to get an accurate read on the team.) But, spring drills are not the National Enquirer of information either, so you can get some reliable tidbits.

Here’s what is going on with the Irish:

1.) Adidas is not for Run D.M.C. anymore,they’re for Run N.D.D. (Notre Dame Defense). When rap burst onto the scene, Adidas was there to blend in the fashion (there is no better tennis shoe that the Superstars). And now, when ND’s defense might burst onto the scene, Adidas will be there to make’em look good too.

After years of slow defenses, Weis made comment after comment this spring about having his first “D” that can really run. Backs will have a hard time getting to the edge, quarterbacks will have less time to throw, and receivers won’t run free from coverage so easily. Tenuta will bring the pain with the help of the athletic upgrade. More athletes I say? Yes, they are finally here with guys like Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Darius Fleming, Steve Filer, Robert Blanton, Zeke Motta, and Harrison Smith.

2.) The offensive line will give the backs their first taste of running lanes. Can’t say how much better the rushing attack will be, but the offensive line is playing more together, and making fewer mental mistakes. They are actually opening up holes consistently (according to Verducci), and not by dumb luck (a defender falling down so the Irish lineman doesn’t have to worry about blocking anybody) like before. As far as individuals to watch, Sam Young might start living up to some of the hype that he came to South Bend with, and Trevor Robinson has a chance to be a star.

3.) Darrin Walls is not Wally Pip. Pip was a good first baseman for the Yankees who got injured one day. His replacement? Lou Gehrig. Poor Pip didn’t get back on the diamond. Walls went away too (replaced by the talented Raeshon McNeil), but he is already proving himself better than the player who left after 2007. He will reclaim his starting duty, and form a dangerous duo with ‘mate Robert Blanton.

4.) Jimmy Clausen is ready to bear the burden. By all accounts he is trying to be more of a leader, and take on responsibility. He’s on the cover of the Sporting News saying as much (”Coach Weis Won’t Get Fired Because Of Me”). If he succeeds in this, the Irish will be much more formidable.

5.) The running backs are workin’ it like Kanye West. They are all physically better than a year ago, and they are all running with more decisiveness. Either Armando Allen or Robert Hughes has the chance to be the Irish’s best back since Julius Jones.

I almost died today. In a fiery wreckage of a car crash. Here’s what happened: I was on the road for work and listening to ESPN personality Colin Cowherd. It was slightly after 11:00am and I heard the shock jock say, “A lot of you will hate me, but Notre Dame is gonna win 10 games this year. Without question.” Remember, this from a guy who shouts with joy that cold weather football programs are dead, Notre Dame is too academically rigid, too small, too religion driven, etc. My head started spinning and my vision became blurry. My muscles lost control. By the time I realized I was about to rear end a Honda Accord, it was almost too late. I channeled my inner Carrie Underwood (God, Jesus Take The Wheel is one of my most-hated songs), jerked the wheel to the left, and swerved into the next lane, missing the Accord by like 2 microns. Pileup avoided. The hot blond who I almost hit gives me the finger, and I am fully back in reality. Did Cowherd just say what I think he said?

Look, The Herd is the best radio show on ESPN (and I love Mike & Mike). It is the best because Cowherd is a manipulative S.O.B., and understands that sports fans run on emotion. He attacks this weakness. Makes claims like “Nobody can compete with USC, nobody else can get the athletes. They just pass the eyeball test. Bigger and stronger than everyone else, they made Notre Dame’s players look like little kids.” This, of course, sends Irish fans into a frenzy, foaming at the mouth and ready to fly to Connecticut and meet Colin in the parking lot with a baseball bat.

The problem is, a lot of what he says has some roots of truth. The Irish have lacked athletes (especially defensively). The football powers in the south are stronger than the others (although it is not as simple as “warm weather, pretty girls”).

And when he made his claim about Notre Dame football today, his reasons were right as rain (sounds like a shampoo ad).

-The offensive line experience. The number of starts together by an offensive line has a direct correlation to success. The Blue-Gray Sky has delved into this before. Pre-season magazines get predictions wrong when they look at returning skill players, and ignore the line returnees. The Irish have close to 100 cumulative starts, and should be among the most seasoned in the nation. If you can’t get it done with a senior-laden line that has played together, you will never get it done.

-Weak schedule. USC scares the hell out of me. After that? Umm… Michigan? Michigan State? Boston College? It is a schedule of teams that couldn’t compete in the SEC or Big 12. That ND has to worry about anybody else (Michigan has some rebuilding to do) is just a testament to how bad ND has been lately.

So, Notre Dame should win a lot in 2009. Like double digit wins. When even media guys like Cowherd who like to bang on Notre Dame agree, it clearly indicates that Weis has to win significantly this year. That, or bust.

Spring football is over. The Blue and Gold battle done. Maybe by now you’ve figured out the scoring system. Maybe not. (It reminds me of playing “Drinking NCAA” with my buddies. They drink 6 seconds if you score a touchdown, 2 for a big play, 1 for a first down. You drink 6 seconds if they score, 3 for a turnover, 2 for a sack etc. Pretty soon you don’t know why you’re even drinking anymore, and why EA sports hasn’t changed a damn thing on that game in like 10 years. That, and going to a strip joint starts to sound like a good idea…)

But you’ve seen the reports, you know what happened. The Irish might have a running game (53 carries, 252 yards, 4.8ypc.) this year. The defense will be getting more pressure (3 sacks, double digit tackles for loss).

You can’t take too much out of this game, but you can be impressed by some individual performances. Here are some guys that made an impression:

Armando Allen. He didn’t have the most yards (12 car for 70yds), but his vision and the way he hits the hole are altogether different than at any point in his career. I’ve been waiting for him to unleash his explosiveness since the summer he stepped on campus in 2007. (After all, he was a Florida running back, and that state breeds speed with at least a 50% higher yield than any other state. Ask the recruiting experts.) He showed signs at the end of ‘08, and seems to have kicked it up a notch again. His potential is dangerous.

Jonas Gray. (21car for 89yds.) The back that blends power and speed. Gray looks like he is what James Aldridge was supposed to be when he signed up in 2006. It’s kind of like the aliens in Men In Black-maybe he peeled off his “Aldridge suit”, and revealed himself as Jonas Gray. He is the back that can either run by or run through you that the Irish need. If Weis is willing to take a chance with talent, this stud should get some carries this year.

Jimmy Clausen. He stepped up in the pocket! He stepped up in the pocket! He stepped up in the pocket! (Repeat continuously.)

Ethan Johnson. Just as expected, this kid is a force. He got in his tackles for a loss and helped pave the way for a bunch of loss yardage plays for the offense. Honorary coach Justin Tuck praised his versatility by making like Val Kilmer in Tombstone and saying “Yep he reminds me of me, now I really hate him.” (Okay, not the second part.)

Tyler Stockton. The freshman showed he can bump bellies with the big boys by getting 4 tackles of his own. Looks like he will add to the d-line depth starting now…

Sam Young. The run game doesn’t do what it did, without its biggest member make his presence felt. He has always had the size and strength, but his fundamentals and aggressiveness in run blocking has improved. He might turn into a bulldozer this year. No player has more momentum with NFL scouts inquiring about his game. Young should make a huge jump this year.

Zeke Motta. The best way to be in the conversation as a starting linebacker as a freshman? Lead the team in tackles (7.) We knew he had speed and athleticism, but this shows his instincts are where they need to be. Te’o might have some work to do if he wants to be the team’s best freshman backer.

Robert Blanton. Play of the game with the 48 yd pick six. Has the cover skills and the swagger to be counted among the best of the nation’s young cornerbacks. I think Darrin Walls is the man, but Blanton will have a say as to who the Irish’s best cover corner is.