"Your Frustrated?" Try walking in B. Smith's shoes in 07!... Navy Week!

You can't question passion....When you say name

BRIAN SMITH

For 4 seasons, and arguably some of the roughest stretch of road that Notre Dame had ever experienced, Brian Smith was one consistant bright image of determination!

It was that never quit....never back down...no team can intimidate us...attitude that 

made him a fan favorite, and his image forever in the halls of Notre Dame History...

But it wasn't always easy...and even the strong have doubts...and regrets..

-When that call came with the ND offer...what was your reaction?

You know...it was crazy! I was in class and the counselor came down and got me and said that ND has requested transcripts...  Thing was I went and called my dad and he said "Yeah, they called and offered this morning...I didn't want you too amped up for class!"  He thought I'd be trippin all day... At first I was like...Hey!...They didn't want me before...But then I realized the opportunity not only for football but for life... 

-Everybody could kinda see 07 coming...Ty had done nothing on the recruiting trail..(other than hit some nice golf courses!) What is the most painful memory of 07?

It had to be that Michigan game... We lost like 33-0  We got baptized by fire that day... I was running around like a mad man...just trying to make a play.. It was like we couldn't do anything right!... 

Until then we didn't realize how young as a team we were... But that low was matched by it's complete opposite in the UCLA game...when our class got it's first win!.... That season was tough!...

-What do you feel the defense lacked durning the Weis years?

It was like a disconnect within the defense...We just never seemed like we were on the same page...I'd call adjustments and half the team would react...then we'd get gouged for 30 yard run... No contain!.. too many generals!...

-Last week's USC game had a different feel than last years....Why?

Last year nobody gave us a chance...Nobody believed in us..We just felt like we needed to go to SC and lay an ass whooping on them to make a point!.. That was an AWESOME feeling for our seniors...Just to know where we started....and were we ended!... 

-Some comments from a Mr. Gilippo?...any response?

LOL...You know all I got to say is Robert Hughes was looking for a bitch when he got to SC...and when he left he found a bitch!  He wasn't talking all that trash with Rob's cleat taste in his mouth!

-Coach Kelly....Your thoughts?

He's a good coach!... Some people don't know how to take him...he's set in his ways that's for sure.  But it's because he knows how to win.  He knows what it takes to build a team...to condition a team...and to win championships...He's not gonna change that now just cause he's at ND!... 

It only took him addressing us 1 time for all of us to buy in!... 

-Do you think ND will ever regain it's dominance of college football...and what needs to happen?

You can't fight sinners with saints!... I do feel ND will regain it's spot atop the BCS... But you have to start by looking at the big boy programs!... A kid that talks a little trash...that might come off as a "thug" doesn't mean he doesn't belong at ND!... Gotta get the playmakers!... I'll take a 3 star with a HUGE CHIP on his shoulder over a 5 start that thinks ND owes him!  The SEC is full of a bunch of ROUGH NECKS!...(2 star and 3 stars at Bama all over the place)  They play hard and with attitude!... ND needs that attitude!... They got some of those guy's now...but don't discourage that NASTINESS!...

-What progress jumps out to you since Kelly arrived?

First thing....Physical!... ND looks the part now!...I was at the Michigan game and I was like...DAMN! Those freshman are huge!.. They just look physically ready...cut up and strong!... They just need the belief now!...  It's like the team now realizes...Hey..If we make a mistake...Let's address it and fix it!... Make adjustments!... 

-Best ND game moment for you?

LOL...That's hard to say!...but one still stands out to me... Early in my career I had a play that it just seemed like things went in slow motion!...  The funny thing is I did the exact opposite of what I was assigned to do!..(laughing)  I looked back at Zibby and I was like...WHAT?.. He said shoot the b gap!... and before I knew it I was in the endzone!... It was when I realized to stop thinking and start reacting!

That felt amazing!

-If you could be in the locker room for this Saturday's game vs Navy...what would you say to the team?

You know who you are....You know what you can do...We have been our own worst enemy!.. 

That stops TODAY!... Believe in your coaches!....Believe in one another...Eliminate the mistakes!...

But more than anything....BRING THE NASTY!... You can respect Navy and who they are....

But not for these 4 quarters...Kick their ass!...

Some weeks I do a review of the upcoming game...

What they do right...what they do wrong... but this week is what it is...

A cross roads!... A question that can only be answered on the field and by the team..

Who are we?... Where do we go from here?...
And when we arrive....what will we look like?

That could be Saturday, the next week...next season?

But for tonight I want to thank a group that helped pave the way for Notre Dame...

Paved with tears and blood...and cheers and disappointment...

Here is to the class of 2010

The road wasn't always smooth!...But you battled every mile!

We had some great kids in that class...some that would be seniors right now...

But they were thrown into action and learned to be leaders!...

GO IRISH...BEAT NAVY!...

GOD BLESS!

Well....That Sucked!.... Short and Sweet!...Listen!

This describes my feelings about the USC game!...

But with that being said...or should I say shown...Let's talk a minute!

This game had it all...the hype...the rival team...the music...the new helmets....

There was only one thing missing!...THE IRISH!

I'm sorry...take it or leave it, the DAMEFAN is the spin doctor!...

I'll put myself against anyone....I'll spin it and make ya feel better!...

BUT NOT THIS TIME!

That was a complete bag of 

And we stepped right in it!...

The horrible thing...with the exception of Matt Barkley and Woods...

USC is not that good!

I mean if we can drop a complete smoking pile on the field like that...and still be 

in a position to tie the game down 17-10 in the third...

Then fumble on the 1/2 yard line let'em take that back...then be in a positon once again in the 4th down 17-24 and having the ball ready to tie AGIAN!... 

Then USC is nothing special!...

Hey...even a dork can score on a train full of hookers!

We need a wake up call!

The stadium was ROCKING!... The new helmets are INCREDIBLE!

The music was NASTY!

The atmosphere was there....but the IRISH!

And at the end of the day...with all that happend....

We could have still won!

That means it's not the coach!....

It's not the prep....the scheme....etc...We laid an EGG!

It happens....turnovers....missed tackels...etc... 

But it has to STOP!

BIG PIPE HITTIN MONSTERS DON'T 

WANT TO PLAY FOR 7-5 TEAMS!

Why do you think some programs go from average to elite...

Then 10 years later get busted for putting money in kid's hands?

I'm sorry...I don't have all the answers...but I will say this!..

We are heading in the right direction!....

Coach Kelly is a great coach!

It's coming!...but we have to stop losing...to start winning!

He needs time!....He's coached 1 1/2 seasons!...

He's beat two top 15 teams....

Ran Miami off the field in the Bowl!

Crushed the DOMINANT Big 10 Champs!...

Developed 2 soon to be 1000 yard rushers!..

Brought NASTY Defensive recruits we haven't had in 20 years back to 

Notre Dame!...

We need to take a step back from that ledge!...

Relax...sip that whisky...and give the man a chance!...

We don't pay players...and our kids can read and write!...

That means it doesn't happen overnight!...BUT IT WILL HAPPEN!

Navy...That's all that matters right now!

1 game at time!...1 yard...1 pass...1 tackle!...

I wouldn't want to be in practice with Coach Kelly this week!

Quick shout out to Lane Kiffen....

I still think your a:

GO IRISH!...

Short but sweet!....I HATE THE TROJANS!....

It is what it is...

I HATE THE TROJANS!...

It's the team....Plain as day...it's the team...

I found myself rooting for Pete Carroll at Seattle...

I rooted for Reggie Bush vs the Kardashians...

I found it funny when Carson Palmer would FIRE UP the O$U fan base when they took their back to back spankings to USC....

Plain and simple...

I HATE USC....I HATE THE TROJANS!...

I gotta say I hate the uniforms....the clearly homosexual

 (not that it's bad!) 

mascot.... 

The cheerleaders....?

OK....I like the cheerleaders...

BUT I HATE THE TEAM!

Now let's talk about their fearless and should I say "mindless" leader....but first let's recognize his only real accomplishment...

MRS. LAME KIFFEN?

Really?... How did this happen?... she clearly has a weakness for the disabled...

Somewhere...at some time there was a moment of weakness....and he's got the pictures!...
NO WAY A WOMAN THIS HOT marries Lane Kiffen without blackmail!

Moving on...

DOUCHE BAG ALERT....

Brought to you by:

 Our sponsor...

JAMESON IRISH WHISKY

Helps us recognize the Douche Bag of the week...

Mr. Highlights....the wiener himself...

Kirk Herbstriet

 This week Kirk, in his obvious wisdom, chose to criticize the Notre Dame Defense....saying:

"With 15 sacks on the year....They just don't get pressure on the QB!"

OHIO STATE

WISCONSIN

ALABAMA

LSU

BOISE STATE

AUBURN

MICHIGAN...should I continue the list?

This is just a small list of schools that have LESS SACKS

 than Notre Dame!...

Hum....curious?...Me too!

Herbie must not watch the games because if he did he'd realize that Notre Dame's defense "other than 1 quarter of meltdown" has been 

PLAYING LIGHTS OUT ALL SEASON!

Now his second stat really made me laugh....

Barkley and Company would be so hard to stop?

USC is 5-1...With HUGE wins of:

2 point win over the winless and dominant Minnesota...?

They beat Utah by 9....who hasn't?

Arizona...who is 1-4, and just fired their coach, hung 425 yards of passing on them!...

and USC escaped with a big 7 point win...

Cal did most of the work for them with 5 turnovers...

 Arizona State just treated them like an inbred in West Virginia...crushing them 43-21!

So what am I missing...their balanced attack?... 

Their leading rusher has less yards on the year than our 2nd string running back!...

Their "NFL" QB only completes 2% more passes and only has 198 more yards on the year..with 15 more attempts....and by the way...only 2 more TDs than 

Tommy Rees who got NO MENTION!...

You can hype up the TROJANS all you want....but all I care about is seeing that A$$hole's face again this year with that stupid....

"How did I get here" 

look!...

So with less than 48 hours to wait...cherish the time leading to this match up....

Go get your favorite game day goodies...and settle in to your lazy boy...

Because if you want a statement win....You might just get it 

Saturday night in South Bend! 

Oh...and if you're in attendance....

Your finally gonna see GOLD HELMETS!...

And come third down....GET ON YOUR FEET...

for the first time EVER...the crowd is...

 ABOUT TO GET CRUNK WITH IT!...

GO IRISH and GOD BLESS!

BEAT TROJANS!

It all started with a promise....TONY RICE...

When you're born in the south...you follow 2 creeds....You respect your elders,

and you play football!

For Tony Rice there was no third direction!...

It all started with a rule...a proposition...a loophole that led to one of the legends of

  Notre Dame football.

TONY RICE

First things first...let me get one thing outta the way, I have a very hetero, but no denying 

HUGE MAN CRUSH for Tony Rice!

It's not because we were life long buddies...it started for me back in Galloway, Ohio when he committed to the University of Notre Dame... Back then Prop 48 was something I  didn't even know existed...

All I knew was Tony Rice allowed me to talk all sorts of trash in my younger years to all the fans of a small local program called

 Ohio State!

" Yeah...but we got Tony Rice!"

That was the argument killer for any discussion!..

What could they come back with?....Tony Rice led the prolific.... dominant...NASTY team that worked their way from South Bend, Indiana to the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!...in ass kicking fashion!

What is Prop 48?

Proposition 48 is an NCAA regulation that stipulates minimum high school grades and standardized test scores that student-athletes must meet in order to participate in college athletic competition.

Not something that existed at THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME!

Until Lou Holtz! 

Kid's were to be judged by grades and character...not just academics alone!...

Do you remember?

It was like watching men play with boys!...

Without Tony Rice...there is no Michael Vick....no Vince Young!....

Tony Rice set a standard and to this day....any dual threat QB that dawns the gold helmet will draw comparisons to Tony Rice!...

But it all started with a promise....a promise of education!  

-When it comes to Notre Dame what is your fondest memory?

I grew up in South Carolina...Growing up in the south you were raised to respect your elders...PERIOD! My grandmother was the center of my life...she guided me and taught me lessons that to this day are still relevant.  I remember when they "told me" (laughing) that I was going to the University of Notre Dame...that I was going to play for Lou Holtz...and that I would be getting one of the best educations that any school could provide me...and what doors it could open... I remember looking at them and promising...."I will graduate"

Nobody gave me a chance, Prop 48 kids can't make it at "real" schools... Notre Dame academics were too tough!...  That was a promise I was going to keep!..

It wasn't always easy....I had no money, the classes were HARD, and I wanted to go home!... But my Grandma and Mom told me..."We don't have the money to bring you home!..."(laughing)  

So it was time to make a decision!.... I wasn't ever gonna give up! I wanted to silence the doubters!...

-What do you remember about Lou?

Lou was no nonsense...We had something called LLH time!....That stood for Louis Leo Holtz Time!...and that meant you set your watch ten minutes ahead.... because "late" did not exist in his world...  

It was my junior year...we were all in a meeting, and it was USC week!... The meeting started on time as usual and about ten minutes into the meeting walked Brooks and Watters.... He told'em to GET OUT!... 

Then he gathered all the captains and we met to discuss how we were going to suspend our top two rushers for our game with USC....  I didn't know what to think...I was a little snot nosed junior...so I voted with the group....

Ten minutes late to a team meeting?.....

NO USC GAME!.... That's no nonsense!

That doesn't exist in the sport anymore... When I read about Tuitt missing Purdue....I thought.... We're on to something here!

-Well with that being said....What are your thoughts of Coach Kelly?

I like Coach Kelly a lot!... He realizes more than anyone that I've seen in years, that ND is a family...and with any family their are past members that can bring wisdom to the table.  

He was one of the first coaches in years that reached out to former players.... 

He reached out to me and wanted me to get involved with the team...He said "Hey...If you see something I don't....let me know!"  

He's not one of those "I got all the answers!" kind of guys!... He wants to win....He knows what Notre Dame stands for...but he's not willing to sacrifice the past to alter the future...

-What jumps out to you when you watch this offense?

Coach knows what he's got right now...He needs a running QB!... But right now he's making the most and developing what he has to win!... 

Tommy Rees is a legit QB!... I like the way he surveys the field but this is an offense that passes a lot!

I think once he get's his people in place that his system will look a lot like ours did in 88....Get the playmakers their touches....but run...run....and run....then gouge'em with the pass when they aren't looking!...

-Is there a player that stands out to you?

You know...I'd have to say Everett Golson...He's a runner...He's from South Carolina...He reminds me of myself...But he's a better athlete.. 

 He makes things happen and is very fluid....

 The one thing about Coach Kelly that reminds me of Coach Holtz is he puts players in position to succeed.. You were a wideout in high school...I wanna try ya at corner.... You played safety all your life....I wanna see you at inside LB!... 

He looks for talent and then puts them in a position to make an impact...I'm really excited to see each of his recruiting classes and what comes of the players once they hit the field...

-What has been ND's problem the past 20 years....and were do you see this program heading in the next 5 years?

The past 20 years?....

First thing first....There is no comparison for Lou!... He took a chance on us prop 48 kids and we did our best to make him proud...not just on the field but in life...

 What has been ND's issue....Simple...Players, play!... Coaches...coach.. 

The game has changed and we need to change with it!... 

Where is Kelly taking this program... to the top... I have no doubt that he is on the verge of winning it all...Notre Dame will become a permanent fixture in the TOP 10 EVERY YEAR...that's where he is taking it!...

In life we are often given opportunities....it's the way we react to these opportunities that will determine our legacy...  

Tony Rice had every reason to not reach his potential in life....He had every chance to turn left when he chose to turn right!...

He took all the criticism and turned it into jet fuel that not only propelled him  down the football field but down a road less traveled by the meek... 

Next time you want to take a moment and allow life to get the better of you think of Tony Rice.... and remember to make a promise to someone special.... Sometimes life is not just about showing up...but about realizing your potential....even if you're too young to see it!.... 

If you ever get a chance to meet Tony....go out of your way to do so... and thank him...

For taking Grandma's decision and running with it!....

GO IRISH and GOD BLESS!...

Thanks Tony for your time...and for making a nerd's day!...LOL

Special thanks to John Foley

Hey...the future is on line one!....Ya might wanna shield your eyes!

After the past few weeks watching my IRISH and seeing the freshmen perform...and Coach Kelly recruit...I'm more excited than the Kardashian sisters at a NBA singles mixer!

Let's first talk about a good friend of mine named "MO"

Mo allows you to recruit better....Play better....walk with swagger....and continue to roll in the right direction!...

MO-mentum!

For the first time, in a long time, the IRISH are finding and maintaining momentum!... Peaking at the right time....no major injuries (other than to their egos for giving the first 2 games away) but hey...

Let's move forward!...

People always say..."stay positive...the glass is 1/2 full" but you know what!...

Our glass is OVER FLOWING!...

Our Defense is playing lights out!... Air Force did their best to run up and down....left to right...forward and backward...but until we subbed in our 2nd and 3rd string D...they had a huge 19 point scoreboard!

59-19 

That was a beautiful sight!...triple option?..

CHECK!

Coach Kelly is in the drivers seat and there is a sign post up ahead..that reads...

This way to PERFECTION!

He is building a dynasty one brick at a time!...

A foundation made of Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt... 

With wings of the building named Davaris Daniels and Theo Riddick!...

A burner of a furnace that takes WOOD!...

This is what it takes to return a program to glory!...

The past 20 years have been a circus of "what if's?"

A ferris wheel that the ups were quick and joyous...the downs..always waiting around the corner!...

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

Coach Kelly is here to deliver us from the past and to right the wrongs made by the administration!

....and he's on the right track!...

He's fighting the good fight...little things, like the new players walk...the new entrance to the stadium, through the student section...and fighting for newer more modern uniforms, and  things that make the swagger that much easier to achieve!...

His next mission!...

MUSIC!

He wants music piped into the stadium to motivate the crowd...

"What can a little music do?"

Ask anyone that's ever played VA TECH!

Just give this a listen and tell me what the crowd did!

This will be a two week stretch to heal, scheme and prepare...Prepare for the next step...

To lay the next brick...to insure that what is being done EVERY day is for the glory of our beloved...

NOTRE DAME

Prayers to you and yours!

Damefan

We keep this up!...the Media will be....

Grasping at Straws on why not to recognize what Coach Kelly is building!

Here we are again!...

On the verge...the verge of turning that corner! 

Will we?

That's yet to be determined!

The media has all but forgiven them for gift wrapping the first two games and delivering them to lesser teams....but let's not play Santa ANYMORE!

Here's the way I see it so far...This team is coming together!...From the players and coaches I talk to...to the media covering the everyday movements of the squad, there is one universal truth...

Until they WIN a "big" BCS game against a "big" BCS type team...

They have not arrived!

Now when I say "big BCS" type team, I'm not talking about Big 10....not Pac, whatever they are now...or some Cinderella like Boise that lucks into the mix...

I'm talking pipe hitting...barely able to read....SEC Monster!

They need the next 6 games to prepare!....The next six teams could all beat them, or all lose!...

There is no third direction!...but make no mistake...

This is still very much!...

Have we done some good things?...YEAH!...

1. Top 15 Offense in the country!

2. Led by a top 25 QB in Tommy Rees who is completing 65% of his passes...

3. Protected by an offensive line that has given up less than 1 sack a game this season!...(only 4 all year!...some teams gave up 8 last week alone!...)

4. With shifty, hard to get a hand on, TOP 10 RUSHER IN THE NATION-Cierre Wood!

5. Top 8 receiver in the Nation...Michael Floyd!...

And...my favorite!....

This is an awesome...stat...

TOP 5 DEFENSE IN THE COUNTRY!

That's right folks!....factor in our strength of schedule...

Strength of Schedule so far this season!

and the fact that our D has allowed 1...that's 1!...Rushing TD this season...(that being a ball that bounced into Denard Robinson's hands like a fat kid getting a piece of cake on the 2 yard line!...) We have flat SHUT TEAMS DOWN!...

So once again I ask....Where do we go from here?

We Welcome in the...

NUMBER 3 RUSHING OFFENSE IN COLLGE FOOTBALL!

only 14 yards behind GT per game averaging 365 rushing yards per contest!

This week is about discipline....gap assignments and protecting your knees!...

The key to this game...very simple!...

Over 1000 pounds of BEEF!...

The triple option is predicated upon hitting gaps and taking advantage of the corners...

That's hard to do when your lineman are being pushed back into your running lanes!

Let's be honest with ourselves people....the Offense will score on ANYONE!

The Defense, is what's winning games!

The D shows up strong...controls the trenches...creates mismatches in the gaps...and..

If not...they control the clock...Keep Floyd and the boys on the side lines!....and who knows?

That's why it's time to put together a streak! 

Play EVERY game, as if it's your last...play EVERY team, as if this is the championship...

Attack EVERY play, as if it's 4th and 1!

Make the most of EVERY opportunity!

...and WIN!

Take a moment and realize that the blue print is coming together...

The Rock built the factory!

And I'll tell you what....Coach Kelly is making this machine hum!

So sit back....relax...and realize...the dog day's of trash talking are right around the corner...

Guy's like Desmond "D-bag" Howard....Mark May....Kirk "highlights" Herbstriet..

Will all be eating their words talking about...

"I knew Coach Kelly was the right man for the job!"

Now all we have to do...is SHOW UP...and PROVE IT!

As we close my Irish Family I would like to take a moment and encourage you to

Drink...Swear...Steal...and Lie!

This week I've had to get my 68 year old mother some help for what could possibly be dementia...

As tears swell in my eyes thinking that I may have had my last conversation with the "real" her...grab your loves ones and remember...

Drink... from the fountain of love and friendship of your fellow man.

Swear...to make each day the best day of your life.

Steal...a little time every day for family and friends.

and Lie...in bed at night and thank God for the good times....but also thank him for the bad times... because it's the bad times that make the good times feel that much sweeter!...

Go IRISH...and GOD BLESS!