Putting The Axe Down, Continues...

The players and coaches are trying to move on...

Video Bonanza: Skunkbear Hunting Season

Nevada Week Updates

Buttloads Of Videos (As Said By Keanu Reeves)

Irish receivers catching on @ Rivals Video

Ianello sees progress @ Rivals Video

Burger gives it his all @ Rivals Video

Everyday is an audition for Goodman @ Rivals Video

Verducci on recruiting the offensive line @ Rivals Video

Crist at the ready @ Rivals Video

Sizing Up Media Day... Uno

I stated in the last post that I would give a little commentary for the events that took place on media day. So let's bulletpoint this motherfucker:

• That was the first press conference from Weis that I thought was as legit as it gets. No bullshit, no cheesy bullshit, and refreshing. Weis has always spoke too much at these things- so to sit there and watch him give short answers and Tresselesque vanilla ones for the others was fascinating. He is starting to finally get, what a Head Coach, especially at Notre Dame, is supposed to say. Not a whole lot but the obvious facts. Bravo Chuck.
• There was only one direct question about the defense outside of the inevitable Te'o question. It was, "Talk about the toughness of your defensive line, how they'll be against the run this year?" That was it. I doubt Weis would get into any kind of real depth about the defensive side of the ball, but don't you have to ask something about the the secondary, and more about the linebackers (other than Te'o)? Give me something on Sergio- DAMN!
• The moves along the offensive line are encouraging. Something had to be done. However, you should keep an eye out for Wenger in the near future. Yes he is taking a back seat, but this might put him in a different mindset and push him into the player he is supposed to be. I am glad that Trevor Robinson is going to be on the field more. He is probably our best lineman.

And that's about it. Notre Dame was ranked #23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Here's a few videos with Randy Hart and Frank Verducci:

Hart sees youth growing up @ Rivals Video

Verducci counting on competition @ Rivals Video

More Succulent Video

Coach Weis

Weis looks big picture, big back @ Rivals Video

Coach Brown

Brown on his roll as Associate HC @ Rivals Video

Coach Hart

Hart sees passion on the defensive line @ Rivals Video

Coach Verducci

For Verducci consistency is the key @ Rivals Video

Practice video, with focus on the WR's.

Wide receivers get back to work @ Rivals Video

Weis Talks... Verducci Yells

Coach Weis wraps up this week. BTW- Be sure to check out Charlie's Twitter Page.

Weis sees bright spots @ Rivals Video

Verfucci lays into Mike Golic Jr.

Spotlight on Frank Verducci @ Rivals Video

More Player and Coach Interviews

Armando Allen

Allen adding to his arsenal @ Rivals Video

Golden Tate

Tate ready for the competition @ Rivals Video

Mike Ragone

No quit in Ragone @ Rivals Video

Tony Alford

Alford reveals spring goals @ Rivals Video

Frank Verducci

Verducci draws his line @ Rivals Video

The Offensive Line... A Work In Progress

Video from practice 3/21

Offensive line gets to work @ Rivals Video

Practice Report

Weis Presser Tidbits

Charlie Weis spoke to the media today and laid out some new things for program this year. Here is a short rundown of what was said...

• Corwin Brown has been promoted to Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach.
• Jon TAH-NOO-TAH has been promoted to Assistant Head Coach for Defense/ Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.
• TAH-NOO-TAH!!! will be calling the defensive plays.
• Bryant Young was officially announced as the Defensive Graduate Assistant.
• Romeo Crennel will not be the new Defensive Line Coach.
• Weis said he should have a decision on the Defensive Line coach soon.
• Weis is making himself the Offensive Coordinator and will be calling the plays.
• Weis would not rule out coaching from the press box next year and labeled the situation as "50-50," but on the lower end.
• Frank Verducci was officially named Offensive Line Coach and Running Game Coordinator.
• Tony Alford was officially named Running Backs Coach.
• Weis mentioned that several players will have to have their tonsils removed (no shit) and may not be ready for Spring Ball, but will be ready for the Summer/Fall.
• There is no official word from the University on which players will be returning for a 5th year in 2009.
• Weis mentioned that the 2010 recruiting class should be about 24-25 players to get the team up to the 85 allotted amount of players.
• Weis is feeling good after surgery on his right knee, and has postponed the surgery to his left knee that was scheduled for this month, "indefinitely."
• Darrin Walls is back in school and with the team, and will be ready to go in the Spring.
• Luke Schmidt's football career is over because of concussions.
• Jashaad Gaines is still on a leave of absence from the University due to personal issues. Weis said the "door is open" for a return, but nothing has been decided yet.

I'll have some commentary on these events in a day or so. I'm still waiting for my wife to give birth to our first child. She (daughter), is already not listening to us and refuses to leave the womb. So... you never know.

UPDATE: Videos from today...

Charlie

Weis makes changes @ Rivals Video

Alford

Alford ready to run @ Rivals Video

Verducci

Verducci: OL problems are correctible @ Rivals Video

The Madness Continues...

The coaching situation is getting hotter everyday at Notre Dame as Charlie Weis looks for replacements on his staff. The Fighting Irish have already hired Frank Verducci as their offensive line coach to replace the favorite heel of Irish fans, John Latina. I dropped the ball on this story and never did fully respond about the hire. In a weird twist of fate however, I will just say that I agree with both The Biscuit and Domer.mq about the hiring of Frank and the stupidity of others. Spot on.

So that's one down.

The other coaching position that is getting a lot of message board talk and focus, is the defensive line coach. Reports were, that Ohio State assistant coach and former player Luke Fickell was offered the job. I was getting used to the idea of Fickell joining the staff, until this morning where I was reading that it isn't going to happen. The next man in line for the job may be Steve Stripling. (What the hell?!!! Another Michigan guy). As much as it hurts to see more former skunkbears flock to the Golden Dome, this guy knows his stuff and he could be a huge difference with the young talent ND has on hand.

And that's about it. No more word on the offensive coordinator/running backs coach openings and Reuben Mendoza still has a job. So the madness continues, as does the pressure...