Jimmy Clausen Doesn't Owe His Soul to Notre Dame's Company Store

If you listen carefully, you'll here the rumblings.  Notre Dame football fans have already started talking and projecting about 2010.

Bleacher Report's very own Eric Murtaugh, a steadfast supporter, has written "2010 is going to be huge."  GT, another Notre Dame backer and a member of Bleacher Report  wrote, "Seriously, if the Irish can keep everyone here and healthy for next year, expect them to make a serious run for the NC." 

In case you don't know what the initials "NC" mean in GT's statement, he's talking about the National Championship.

Of course, Notre Dame's chances for next year or next week ride on Jimmy Clausen being their quarterback. Without him, next year is going to be one long work in progress.

If Clausen doesn't return for 2010 and declares for the NFL draft, the Irish will head into the season the same way any team does with a first-year quarterback—hopeful but confused. 

With Mark Sanchez at the helm USC would probably be undefeated this season but even with freshman sensation Matt Barkley, they've lost two games.

And Charlie Weis hasn't exactly planned for the early departure of his prized quarterback.  This year Clausen has thrown 257 times. His backups have thrown a total of 21 passes.

In a blow-out win over Nevada, Dayne Crist should have thrown more than two passes, and in last week's blow-out win over Washington St. he should have  attempted more than six. 

Crist probably should have gotten more quality playing time just to prepare him in case Clausen got injured—just in case Clausen's turf toe gets worse.

Weis let Clausen play into the fourth quarter of the Nevada game with a 35-0 lead and he let Clausen play well into the third quarter of the Washington St. game with a 33-7 lead.

Is Weis more conservative than the average coach?  Was he padding Clausen's Heisman stats?  Is it a commentary on his confidence in Crist?  It's hard to say but why take a chance on getting Clausen injured or aggravating the turf toe?

So it all boils down to whether or not Clausen will be returning for the 2010 season.  It's never a good idea to look too far into the future, but Jimmy Clausen doesn't owe his soul to the company store.  Golden Domers don't want to hear it but the odds against him coming back are increasing.

There are so many good reasons why he'd be foolish to return for another season.  According to most draft geeks, Clausen is going to be the first or second quarterback to be picked in the 2010 NFL draft.

It's pretty hard to improve on that, and if he leaves early, he'll get another year added to his NFL life span.

What about the money? There's an NFL team that is most likely prepared to offer him about $50 million over five years with a huge signing bonus. 

Should he take the offer while it's out there? Yes he should! Our economy is fragile, the offer may not be as good in 2011.

And what if he comes back for his senior year? Does Notre Dame have a realistic chance to make a run for the National Championship without a major overhaul to a defense that hasn't held up this season?

Does he have a realistic chance to win the Heisman Trophy next year? There are no guarantees and with so many other good players out there, I wouldn't bet on it.

Let's talk about the Heisman for a second. Last year's winner, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, came back for his senior season. Hopefully he hasn't put his pro career in jeopardy after being thrown to the turf in the BYU game and having his shoulder dislocated.

Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2007 returned because his chance to win another National Championship is strong. Unfortunately, he received a concussion in this year's Kentucky game and his stock in next year's draft has to have suffered.

Jimmy Clausen has paid his dues. He got sacked 35 times as a freshman and 21 times in his sophomore season. He stood in the pocket and accepted the punishment. He's given more than he's taken.

Notre Dame fans should be happy for Clausen and thank him for all he's done for the program. Charlie Weis should thank him everyday. Without Clausen, Weis would be at home clipping coupons out of the local paper.

Notre Dame fans should thank Clausen and if he decides to leave eary they should wish him a long and fruitful NFL career.  They should hope he finishes this season strong and leaves on a winning note.