Aaron Lynch done did it now.

We knew he was good. Considered probably the second best high school pass-rushing defensive end in the country, Lynch turned in a dominant performance among fellow all-stars at the Army All-American game. Blowing by offensive lineman with his first step in practice, notching two sacks in the actual game, and causing havoc in general with fellow defenders on an East defense that looked NFL-ready.

We know the Blue and Gold game was only a glorified scrimmage game, not to be taken too seriously. Yet, Lynch gave us no other choice. Pure athleticism on display. A mature offensive line, with highly regarded recruits themselves couldn’t put a hand on this 18 year-old phenom. Taylor Dever and Christian Lombard popped up in their pass protection stance-and immediately peed their pants during Lynch’s first explosive step. It shouldn’t have been that easy for Lynch. The upperclassmen should have been able to put him on his butt.

Lynch is immediate impact. The type of player that can come in and change how a defense plays right away. I know Bob Diaco want “complete” players, and Lynch still has to learn his roles and how to read opposing offenses, but the Irish coaches know they have a diamond.

Kelly and Diaco can play coy all they want, but the cat is out of the bag. Lynch will be doing things on the field this fall.

For the coaches to get Irish fans to believe otherwise would be like getting your girlfriend to stop watching Glee.

Perhaps the foremost drinking holiday of the year is upon us. The day where everyone goes green, and becomes a little Irish. Where a college kid and successful business owner can meet eye to eye at a bar at 6a.m. for green eggs and a Guinness when they should be at school and work, respectively.. Where a fist fight can break out before McDonald’s quits serving breakfast. St. Patrick’s Day.

It is a day to enjoy, and here are the Blarney’s steps to do so:

1.) Crack a beer as soon as you wake up. You should probably make it a Guinness. Smooth and creamy, extra delicious on this day.

2.) Shower with it, pausing to take sips as you scrub clean. Something about the steam from the shower complements the beer, and makes it even more refreshing.

3.) Bring beads with you to whichever bar you end up at. Girls will show skin to get these beads, same as Mardi Gras.

4.) Bar hop. While they are the scene (especially Irish pubs), they get too crowded on this day, so going to a couple different ones will give you room to breathe, and keep you away from that claustrophobic feeling of being in a crowded bar.

5.) Eat fried potatoes of some sort to soak up the alcohol. And it will make you feel more like a potato-loving Irishman. If you can, top them with some cheddar cheese, and dip them in ranch.

6.) Yell and curse at someone. Anyone. For no reason. Remember, you’re Irish today.

7.) Punch someone. Anyone. For no reason. Remember, you’re Irish today.

8.) Be prepared, for someone, anyone, to do steps 6 and 7 to you. Remember, they’re Irish today.

9.) Watch the classic Notre Dame games on Versus to remember when the Fighting Irish were great. Just the ‘93 FSU and the ‘92 Penn State games though. Not USC in ‘05.

10.) Go to sleep. It will be a rough day tomorrow.

Paul Hornung, ND’ original “golden boy”, is the namesake for college football’s newest honor: “most versatile player” (a player that can help their team the most in a large variety of ways).

Hornung is one of college football’s all-time greats (think the original Rocket Ismail, plus he could throw, and play defense), the only player special enough to win the Heisman on a losing team, so his name belongs right up there with the Biletnikoffs and Nagurskis.

However, he might have even more fame for the statement “ND must lower admissions to get the black athlete and win”. Technically, he may be right on lowering admissions, he just made the mistake of using the qualifying term “black”. (That’s what we call racial profiling.)

So, occasionally in his honor, the Blarney will bring you Hornung’s Words of Wisdom, or technically true statements that are worded wrong, and perhaps show some prejudice or some kind of political incorrectness.

Paul Hornung’s Words of Wisdom For 3-10-11:

“There are two things in this world you can’t do. One is lying to the NCAA. The other is taking naked pictures of yourself on your phone, and sending them to somebody else. Either way, it comes back to bite you in the ass. Jim Tressel is going to get hammered for the former.”