There has been much talk about how much the program at ND has declined over the last two years. I have been pretty amazed at how fast the Irish started this season and how fast it came to a screeching halt after the drubbing they took at the hands of the Trojans.
With all of that said, it is time for the young players and coaches to stand up and fight. Football is about passion, intensity, and hard work. Nothing in life is easy or will just be handed to you. You have to stand up and fight for it.
The Irish this year have fought hard in the first half of every game. But they must drink some bad Gatorade or start studying for exams at halftime, because they do not come out geared up to put people away in the second half.
I want to see an Irish team fight and fight for four quarters. Weis said a few years ago that he was going to bring a level of nastiness to the players. The only nastiness I have seen is how they play the second half of football games. To truly take the next step, this game has to be played with such ferocity and passion it's as if they are playing for a National Championship.
Take a look at the top tier teams, and I will show you teams that come to practice with a blue-collar approach to the game. They are there to have fun, but make no bones about it, they are there to outwork their opponent and pound them into the ground, a la Oklahoma and Florida this year.
I have talked about leadership on this team, coaches, and players. But it just boils down to one thing—go out and kick someone's butt. I will always be a die-hard Irish fan 'til the day I pass away, but it kills me every Saturday to watch a group of young men just roll over and believe something bad is going to happen.
Being competitive at ND is not enough, but going out there and pounding your opponent into the ground is. Even the great teams of the past didn't win every game, but ask their opponents if they would like to face them again, and you will probably get a resounding NO.
ND isn't about the championships, Heisman trophies, or even the All-Americans. It's about guys who showed up every Saturday and stood up and fought—guys who came from blue-collar backgrounds and understood the responsibility they had to themselves, their families, and to the University.
When this team can show me they are willing to stand up and fight like the players before them, then I will be satisfied. Win or lose, stand and fight 'til the end.
5 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Bill Reid 6 months ago
Right on Guy.
The Irish WILL show fight tonight. Clausen comes out of his fog, the OL finally has a ND calibre game, the O rolls up at least 400 yards and the D does their thing to stifle the Warriors including at least one int for a TD. Walker nails 2 FGs. ND wins bigger than ANYONE expected 37-17. Charlie finally gets to smile after all the personal and team woes of this season. 2009 - ND is back on track including beating the Trojans in SB by 10.
Go Irish.
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Nate Summers 6 months ago
I appreciate the comment Bill. I really hope for the coaches, players, and the fans you are absolutely right. They need something that will spark a fire inside the team and carry into next season.
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Nate Summers 6 months ago
Do you have a crystal ball somewhere?? Good call on the game tonight. Still want to see some better blocking in the run game against a better opponent.
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Iceman 6 months ago
weis coachs and calls plays like he is still in the nfl. his Playbook stands taller than he does. He needs to come to terms that these are 18 year old kids, not pros. Pros dont play with heart or desire, they coast by with talent, until they get paid or shoot them selfs in the leg. Weis needs to brings kids in that may not have nfl talent, but will work their ass off no matter what. I havent seen that in this team.
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Nate Summers 6 months ago
I agree that most of the kids based on what we have seen have not come to work their butts off. Weis will continue to bring in the kids with talent and work horses too. His coaching staff has to also set the tone for how the kids approach the game and that is also a need for improvement. Of course from what I saw tonight the Irish really came out there and handled buisness, as they should have, against Hawaii. I am still concerned about the running game. They need more agressiveness on the line in order to dominate in the trenches. I appreciate the comment Iceman and keep em coming.
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