Clausen, Tate go Pro

In more, not so shocking Notre Dame news...QB Jimmy Clausen and WR Golden Tate will test themselves at the next level. Clausen was the consensus # 1 high school recruit 3 years ago. He was very average during his first 2 seasons before a breakout season this year. Golden Tate is a big-time play maker who set ND records of 93 receptions and 1496 yards and tied the school record of 15 touchdowns (not including punt returns).


"Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to go. He thought I've improved so much since I came to Notre Dame. So, I'm taking his advice, and I'm going to head out." --Jimmy Clausen.

(espn)
(DrSaturday)
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ND Turns Down Bowl Bid

In a move that Spider Rico REALLY hoped for, Notre Dame removed themselves from Bowl consideration. Bottom line is that a 6-6 team should not be allowed in a Bowl game. Last year Notre Dame recieved a vacation to Hawaii as a reward for a bad season.


This statement was just released by senior associate AD John Heisler on behalf of Swarbrick:

"After meetings again today involving our coaching staff as well as the leadership group representing our football team, we have made the decision to remove ourselves from consideration for any postseason bowl game this year.

"Notre Dame institutionally always has been a strong advocate of the bowl system, and we sincerely appreciate the bowls and individuals representing them who reached out to us. However, the unique circumstances surrounding our program at the current time prevent us from making the commitment required to compete in a bowl game. If the landscape had been different, we would have been thrilled to take part - and we certainly look forward to being part of the bowl system in the years to come."

NBCsports had the Irish in the running for either the GMAC Bowl or the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on the day after Christmas.

Pic is from my road trip. Nd/Uconn game.

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ND Fires Weis

I know, not very shocking but ND AD Jeff Swarbrick announced that the Irish have fired Charlie Weis.(nbcsports) The Irish finished 6-6 after a promising 6-2 start. Weis finishes with a career record of 35-27, worse than both Ty willingham and Bob Davie.

Weis signed a 10 year deal after a 34-31 loss against top ranked USC a couple of years ago. That is not a good sign when the teams best performance during his tenure may have been a loss. Weis had 6 years remaining on his deal.


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End of the Weis Era?

Could this be the end for Charlie Weis? With a loss, he will have the same record (35-25) as Bob Davie. With a loss he will have the same winning percentage as Ty Willingham. With a loss he drops to 1-10 against ranked teams since '06. With a loss he drops to 3-17 against winning teams since '07. (thebiglead)Well, its 27-9 Pitt early in the 4th and the Irish look like they don't belong on the same field. That is sad with some of the NFL talent on that team.

With a tough final two games against UCONN and Stanford, Notre Dame could be looking at a 6-5 season. Charlie, it was you that said 9-3 wasn't good enough.

Beers to Spider Rico for the pic
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Golden Tate Dives into Michigan State Band

With a little Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart. Fantastic
Tought break on the Michael Floyd injury though, possibly out for the year.



ND has a big game this Saturday against Purdue.
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Good Luck, Intern

A Billboard above Linebacker Inn is causing a stir in South Bend and indicates that Notre Dame's performance the last couple of years is not acceptable to all of the Irish faithful.

The billboard reads, “Best wishes to Charlie Weis in the 5th year of his college coaching internship. — Linebacker Alumni."

Weis has a 29-21 record, a .580 winning percentage that puts him behind Tyrone Willingham at 21-15 (.583) and Bob Davie at 35-25 (.583). Weis led the Irish to two BCS appearances in his first two years but that was with (mostly)Ty Willinghams players, such as Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzijia. The 15 losses in the last two years are the most in any two year stretch in the 120 year Notre Dame Football History. The recruits are still coming to South Bend but better results are expected.


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