Lynch Bull

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South Florida issued press release that Aaron Lynch is now a member of their football team. In all likelihood they will attempt to get Lynch on the field for 2012 similar to the Amir Carlisle USC to ND deal . Otherwise he can’t play until 2013. I think he gets same deal Carlisle got.

Brian Kelly made no attempt to keep Lynch which reminded me of how Joe Paterno used to handle these situations–he just said No–you honor your commitment-no release.

Speaking of JoPa–PSU should do the right thing and rename Beaver stadium in his name. He spent what 60 years coaching there and and pushed PSU into the big time in college football. Never be another coach like him.

Aaron Again

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Well it seems Lynch made a unilateral decision to leave ND without consulting coaches, other support staff or even his mother, Alice Lynch tweeted begging honorary captain Justin Tuck to talk some sense into her son.

I’m sure some of the current players also tried to convince him to stay–not sure how hard, if at all, Kelly tried.

What an absolutely tragic mistake this kid is making.

All About Me

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This, from snippets seeping out from the ND campus presents a different image of Aaron Lynch that may or may not be true. It appears that he felt entitled, important and was somewhat toxic in the locker room. Whatever it was, you just suck it up–you don’t quit on your teammates–quitting is too easy and has a tendency to follow you, sort of habit forming. He just wasted 2 weeks of everyone’s time–but after all it is really just all about him. Better hope that he doesn’t get a serious injury–that ND diploma means a lot in the real world.

So, who will benefit most from his departure–I say Ishaq Williams as the pass rusher –perfect opportunity for him to step right in when 4 down. Schwenke can also play DE–so ND will just carry on–hard to lose this talent but it is a TEAM sport.

Now is the time to switch some recruiting tactics and rely less on Fla. and dig deeper into Penna. Used to be a pipeline to ND and with JoPa gone should be easier to recruit—-plenty of talent there as well as all over the Midwest. Let’s be a little more selective about Fla recruits–let them keep their children home.

Lynch Quits Team

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Brian Kelly announced today that Aaron Lynch is no longer a member of the football team. Will transfer at end of this semester.
Ishaq Williams apparently also had issues that apparently are resolved.

So that’s that. Good reminder for future recruiting.

Commit #10 CB Devin Butler

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Devin Butler 6’1″ 180 lbs from Washington DC is latest commit and brings the CB commits to 2–believe they want 1 more.
This is a quality pickup and big size CB–great to have him.

That leaves ND with about 10 to go–this is shaping up to be a really nice class so far.

On reviewing ND practice film I noted that Tate Nicols held his own against Aaron Lynch–well that ended in a big fight and Kelly blew his stack and right now Lynch is at home–missing Wednesday’s practice and won’t be back until Monday. This is disquieting news in many aspects: 1-Lynch has commented that he really does not like South Bend that much especially the weather. 2–bad trend here, he had a lot of penalties late last year and seems a little thin skinned which future opponents will goad him into penalties. He needs to grow up a little bit or he’ll become a liability despite being an outstanding player with a great future–this does not look good.

Now I cannot tell you what the fight was about or who started it–maybe Kelly will talk about it (don’t count on it) but this guy Nicols is gigantic and maybe Lynch became too frustrated.

I’m not overly concerned with fights which happen frequently in practice but Kelly is right–you can’t lose your composure in practice because you’ll do that in games and that could end up losing the game.

ND 16 BC 14

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Escaped with a win to go 8-3.

BC had a good defensive game plan dropping 8–many times Rees had no play but threw it anyway–should have been 3 pics for BC.

Sure do miss Cave–chemistry just not there yet.

Jonas Gray–devastating loss with knee–looks like he’s done–last year it was hamstrings and this year acl’s.

Tuitt did not play but glad to see Niclas at DE position think that is where he will end up in 2012.

Toma continues to impress and he and Ruffer along with Gray MVP’s for this game.

I don’t get Diaco at all.

Aaron Lynch frustration showing he’s held almost every play yet no calls.

Give BC credit–good game plan.

Truly hope Kelly just holding back or we are in deep trouble next week especially without Gray.

If Gunner Kiel was at this game–just commit now–you’ll play early.

ND 24 WAKE FOREST 17

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Lackluster game with 2 God awful announcers. Very unimaginative game plan for ND both offense and defense.

Lots of injuries–Cave, Teo Lynch and TJ Jones.

Rees 2 TD passes and 2 pics.
Jonas Gray & Cierre Wood ran for 180 combined yards. Mike Golic subbed for Cave–played extremely well and I hope he gets a 5th year.

Think ND just plays badly in Night Games but did comeback to win game down 17-10 at the half.

Watching this game–what went thru my head was–Andrew Luck!!!!!

Offense MVP’s–Golic, Gray & Wood.

Defense MVP’s–Tuitt & Lynch.

Next up :

Maryland 2W 7L–night game
Boston College 2W 7L

and then Stanford( currently undefeated) at Night.

So ND should be 8-3 when they play Stanford–let’s hope Standford has multiple injuries or a miracle happens to Rees’s arm.

Monkey Off our Backs ND 56 Navy 14

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Notre Dame clearly shrugged off an embarrassing loss to USC and a ridiculous Twitter controversy to just absolutely manhandle a Navy team who at the time of the game was 3rd in rushing in the nation. Fired up from the get go Tommy Rees led the Irish to fast scores and the defense completely shut down Navy led by Manti Teo. Rees finally connected a long ball throw to Floyd who scampered away into the endzone. Good play by everyone all around especially the freshman on defense (Lych, Tuitt, etc.). It was great revenge against a tough Navy team that has had our number for the last two years. Here’s to never losing to another service academy team ever again.

My only gripe with this game was where were these guys last week against USC?
Hopefully we have turned the corner and now we can win out. This team can beat anyone in the country if they get it together. I think they can beat Stanford if they come in hyped with wins over Wake, BC, and Maryland.

ND VS. MSU

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ND–must win this game or Brian Kelly will be escorted off the field in a straight jacket.

Ok– he comes up the coaching chain–wins everywhere and lands at ND with more talent than he has ever had. Must be thinking this is a joke, compared with Cinn. I can win a national championship easy with these guys and my system.

Then reality sets in. As opposed to Cinn. everybody is gunning for ND–they can lose every game but if they take a ND SCALP, their season is a success.

Now to the present. ND must win this game–they beat themselves 2x–it has to end sometime–the turnovers etc. so it ends against MSU–ABSOLUTELY HAS TO.

Few thoughts:

Manti Teo– right now he is an average linebacker, not really playing any better than Calabrese or Fox. Somehow the OC’s have figured a way to handle him.

The OLB’s have been horrible–they still have big problems with an option attack. Thankfully, State has a more conventional offense.

The keys to winning this game, once again rests on the Line play on both Offense and Defense. Pass Rush against Quarterback Cousins is critical if Notre Dame is to prevail. I look for a breakout game by freshman Aaron Lynch–he has to play a lot and could take that starting position from Ethan Johnson. Stephon Tuitt also shows his stuff.

I believe Notre Dame rolls Michigan State:

Notre Dame 45 Michigan State 28

What Now

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Let’s treat 1st 2 games as exhibition games with next 10 our regular season.

Really have to get all the DB’s heads screwed on right. Gray, in particular–but after re-playing the game–no real pressure on the QB in passing situations and that makes it very difficult to maintain coverage. 2 games and I can’t recall 1 sack or good pressure on either QB.

The strength of this team was supposed to be the front 7 which in turn would help the DB’s with pics–isn’t happening.

So what do you do–well last 30 seconds, knowing they have to pass why not get the best line athlete on field with one job only–get the QB. Aaron Lynch should have been the guy.

He is every bit as good as Teo was as a freshman–get him on the field starting right now.

Get Tuitt much more involved. Niklas and Williams need more playing time also.

All of these guys would be starting elsewhere.

Run defense was very good but changes have to be made in obvious passing downs.

Somehow we need to get Teo freed up. Too often he is shielded out of the play.

Speaking of LB’s Calabrese was really hammering anyone he came in contact with while Fox showed good speed and range.

Nix again was a force but Johnson and Moore really have to step it up.

Next up more conventional teams–we simply have to play guys that can rush the passer. OLB’s real disappointment at this stage.

We can run the table if we just play the right guys on D.

If anything, you can bet that the D as a whole will be fully re-evaluated this week.

Let’s hope so.