Today is officially the first day of fall practice for the Fighting Irish football team. I know at this point all Irish supporters are ready for the boys to strap on their gold helmets and get down to business. We all know what the major concerns for this year's team are (starting QB, revamped defense, heavy front-end schedule, inexperience, etc...). I have decided to make a wish list for this preseason as to how I would like this Irish team to come out of preseason practice ready to play on September 1. Also, I have included a BOLD PREDICTION which applies to each of my wishes for the upcoming season.
1. The Art of the Play-Action is Perfected.
Who will be under center when the Irish take on G.T.? Your guess is as good as mine at this point (I like Sharpley to start). All three candidates bring positives and negatives to the position. Sharpley knows the system, but is said to not be as athletically gifted as the others. Jones can create plays, but is more prone to make mistakes. Clausen has the best touch of all three, but is the most inexperienced of all three. Whoever gets the nod by Charlie must be sure to perfect one thing - the play-action pass. Notre Dame is going to play smash-mouth football this season to take the pressure off of their inexperienced quarterback(s). Thomas, Aldridge, Hughes, Jabee, and Allen will be carrying the offense. Once those safeties start creeping towards the line of scrimmage that is when the art of the play-action pass is at its best. I see this play as a very effective tool this season for the Irish.
BOLD PREDICTION: A tight end, Carlson most likely, will be on the receiving end of a long play-action pass + 50 yards, much like the play to start the second half against Michigan St. last season.
2. The Special Teams Become Special Again.
I really believe the Irish have enough speed now that kick-off returns will become exciting again. The one name that pops into my head is Golden Tate. Both he, whoever else is back on kick-offs and Zibby on punt returns need to have big years to make the Irish successful this season. The special teams will win a game or two for the Irish this year.
BOLD PREDICTION: Notre Dame returns not one, but two kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Zibby will be back to his 2005 form and return at least one punt for a TD.
3. The Reincarnation of Zorich
When I say this I do not mean #50 putting on pads again. I want the attitude, passion and the nastiness of Zorich pulsing through this year's team. The Defense has to be aggressive and hit people so they don't want to get back up. The Offensive line needs to own the line of scrimmage and physically beat down the D-Line of the opposition. They have the size and talent, but experience is the question. When Zorich played, he would bust through the O-Line, destroy the QB, and instead of helping him up rip out his heart and have it for dinner. This is the year the Irish really need to get nasty.
Bold Prediction: Kerry Neal will be this player, and we will see flashes of Zorich in his play this season.
4. Corwin Brown is at least half as good as ND fans are making him out to be.
There is no doubt Corwin can recruit. There is no doubt he is bringing enthusiasm to the defense and the fans about the defense. He is already being rumored about a head coaching position within two years (Michigan...gulp). All of this and his revamped 3-4 defense has not taken the field once yet. If his coaching is half as good as he is being hailed so far....look out.
BOLD PREDICTION: Irish fans will see a positive difference with the defense on the very first series versus Georgia Tech. The D will keep the Irish in the first three games until the Offense can really get going.
5. The Freshmen make some noise.
I believe the incoming freshmen class needs to contribute from day one. I'm not even going to mention the Savior in South Bend, Mr. Clausen. Instead there are four freshmen that I believe will make an immediate impact. An obvious one first, Armando Allen. He has the home run potential every time he touches the ball. Second, Kerry Neal. I believe Neal will be a big contributor on defense quickly. Third, Ian Williams. This guy is going to be a monster on the D-Line. Also, with Darrell Hand getting booted, Williams becomes much more important to step up quickly. Lastly, Kamara Duvall. With his speed and sorely needed size, I think Duvall is going to take the Shark's place. I'm not saying he is going to put up Shark-like numbers like the last two seasons. I am saying it will be Duvall who catches the goal-line play-action passes and takes some of the pressure off of this young QB trio. I predict 35 catches for Duvall and 4-5 td's.
BOLD PREDICTION: This freshman class will have a huge impact on this season. The impact will be very positive and this will leave Irish fans salivating for the 2008 season.
6. With Age Comes Wisdom
The 5th year seniors will have to tutor the Freshman and Sophomore classes quickly to have any chance at a successful record this season. The talent level for the Irish is on the rise, so these 5th year seniors need to lead by example and show the young players how to win. There is no doubt in my mind that with these 5th year seniors that will happen.
BOLD PREDICTION: Irish fans will realize how valuable Travis Thomas was to this football team over the last three years. His selfless play and attitude is what Irish football is all about. How many other running backs do you know that would switch over the LB to help the team? This is a player that should definitely be appreciated.
I will revisit this wish list at the end of the season to see if I was close or way out in left field. Now, it's time to play some football and get all of those question marks sorted out. Go Irish!
