Charlie Weis And The Depth Chart Of Saved Asses
August 24th, 2009 . by adamnIt is the evening of August 24th, 2009. It is unusually cool for August-it is in the low 70’s (which feels like 50 degrees after facing summer heat close to 90 degrees, and humidity that causes you to wish you had put some Johnson’s baby powder on certain areas after you got out of the shower-but now it is too late because you have a full-on sweat session going). Girls are even walking around town in sweatshirts-ruining the day of every guy out running errands and expecting to see some of that summertime-cleavage that just brightens your day. Charlie Weis is sitting at his oak desk in the study with his reading glasses on, making his final depth chart decisions.
For the first time in four years-he has a smile on his face. This depth chart has some serious talent on it, and not just a few big names like his original 2005 roster (previously the best roster), but all the way through. In 2005, kids like Paul Duncan, Mike Turkovich, Asaph Schwapp, and David Grimes made the 2 deep-just because there were no other options. But during this go-round, nobody gets on the depth chart unless they can play.
This roster is gonna win some games this year. There are too many players for it not to. The head coach knows this. He also knows that some of his best players have been in his system for 3 years, and he expects them to make the quantum leap that Brady’s boys did in ‘05. The questions about job security will cease, and pundits will start showing Notre Dame some respect again (or true hate again). Status quo will be returned-all due to this depth chart. Weis first takes out his pen to fill in some more names, then he dunks another Oreo cookie because, well because they are delicious. Positive thoughts (in quotes) wash over him as he looks at some of the names at a few of these positions:
Quarterback
J. Clausen “Puts the ball on the spot as well as Brady. And I mean Tom from when I was still with the Patriots. Opposing defenses are in trouble.”
D. Crist “A backup that actually has starting talent. His size and strength are gonna help him be strong in the pocket when his time comes.”
Running Back
A. Allen “The speed to go eighty.”
T. Riddick and Cierre Wood “Some new kids with big-play potential. We’ll get ‘em some carries later in the year, but let’s see what they can do in the return game from the start.”
X-Receiver
G. Tate “He was borderline All-America still learning the position. What will defenses do now that he actually knows how to be a receiver?”
D. Walker “If Kamara falters, then I have no problem going with a guy that has a the size/speed combo everyone covets.”
Z-Receiver
M. Floyd “The 2 kids from Alabama and Georgia have more hype, but I’ll take my guy-at least until he’s a 1st round draft choice.”
S. Evans “The kid can run right by people-just like Golden. Let’s put ‘em both in there at the same time and watch the middle of the field open up because of all that deep speed.”
Tight End
K. Rudolph “By the end of the year, he will be getting the same love as Oklahoma’s Jermaine Gresham.”
T. Eifert “His athleticism means we have to let him catch some passes.”
Right Tackle
S. Young “100 friggin’ starts since he’s been here. Big, strong, and talented, it’s time he puts it all together.”
Center
E. Olsen “Tough kid that plays with a chip on his shoulder. As one of the leader of the o-line-his attitude needs to rub off on his ‘mates.”
Left Guard
T. Robinson “The kid needed to get on the field, even if we had to play some musical chairs to do it. He’s gonna pancake some folks for us in the running game.”
Defensive End
K. Lewis-Moore “50lbs of added bulk and the same speed he had when he came in. He and Ethan are going to give me my most disruptive duo on the d-line that I’ve had.”
Defensive Tackle
E. Johnson “He’s gonna be better than both Victor Abiamari and Trevor Laws.”
SAM LB
Darius Fleming “Pass rush ability. This kid will get the pressure off the edge we’ve been missing.”
M. Te’o “I tease him a lot, but everyone knows this kid is instant impact. His favorite cereal is “Quarterback Crunch”. We’ll see a bunch of #5.”
Corner
D.Walls “Not a receiver he can’t cover.”
Corner
R. Blanton “He just talks, and talks, and talks. But, he backs it up with big plays all day long.”
Yes, in viewing just a small sample of his roster (both the old and new), Weis (and his on-the-line ass) already knows what the rest of the world will come to find in college football this year. For the Irish in ‘09, the depth chart has all the answers.
Good article. I hope they live up to your quotes and past them. One small quibble. I think 2006 was a better starting lineup than ‘05. They just did not produce.
Thanks for reading. I hope they live up to what I said as well, there a some talented kids on this team, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to put it all together. That being said (after years of watching ND football), I wouldn’t be surprised if they stunk up the joint, either.
I respect your thoughts about the ‘06 team, but I will stick with ‘05. That year had 2 highly rated recruiting classes that were highly regarded-’06 just had Brady’s. I think the Stovall-Samardzija combo of ‘05 was deadlier than the Samardzija-McKnight of ‘06. I like the senior Mark Levoir at tackle instead of the freshman Sam Young. I like the Senior Corey Mays at linebacker instead of the converted running back (Travis Thomas). I just think ‘05 had more talent that was experienced.
Out of curiosity, what did you like about the ‘06 roster better? A more experienced Quinn (I would agree with that aspect)?
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I don’t remember everyone in both lineups but just remember that most players were coming back in 2006. I just think they underperformed. I do agree that Samardzija/Stovall was deadlier but McKnight was playing ahead of Stovall the year before and got the dropsies. I also think it was the beginning of the coaching lack starting to show up in 2006 and not lesser talent. Hopefully the new coaching changes will optimize the Irish this season. I believe ND was ranked #2 in the preseason polls so I was not the only one who had higher expectations for them.
I presume you live in SB. Have you lived there all your life? I was raised in SB and my mom and lots of other relatives still live there. I went to HS at Adams. I was just there a little over a week ago.
GB,
I hope the changes help too. I really like the addition of Bryant Young…
Actually, I am born and raised in Buckeye country…Dayton, OH. Became an Irish fan in my preteens because one of my best friend’s (he writes a post here occasionally) dad introduced us both to the Irish.
You get to go to any games when you visit home?
I haven’t been to a game in probably 30 years. I live in Alaska now so it’s a long way. When I was a junior and senior in HS, I was blessed to be a courier for the ticket manager. There were four of us. We were in a little room right by the ticket office at the stadium. We usually had only one or two deliveries to make per game. We got there at 9 or 10 in the morning and ate sandwiches and watched half the game there on TV and the other half on the field or wherever we could find a seat. It was during the 1st 2 years of Ara’s tenure so it was exciting. I’ve probably seen about 20 games in all. I hope this year is as good or better than Ara’s teams. My mom was born in Springfield, OH. Do you still live in Dayton? I thought you lived in SB.
GB,
Those must have been great experiences catching all those games. Is seems very Rudyesque (at least it reminds me of the movie portrayal)!
I’m hoping this team to be good, but Notre Dame hasn’t been really good since I’ve been a fan (I was a casual fan from ‘92-’94, but not obsessed ’til 95), so I have more doubt than anything.
I am still in Dayton, though I don’t know why!
Hopefully this will be the year they are really good. They have the players.