Thursday, April 22, 2010

Jimmy Clausen Not Drafted in First Round!

Well, three years ago he stood at a podium at the College Football Hall of Fame (on Blue-Gold Weekend) as the consensus #1 player, at his position. in America. And he committed to play THEE POSITION IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- Quarterback at Notre Dame. This past season he played most of the year with torn ligaments in his toe (which required surgery) and he still threw 28 TD passes and only 4 interceptions. He left Notre Dame with one year of eligibility -- because he was convinced that he was a First Round pick -- a high First Round pick. That didn't happen. It's become painfully obvious, he should have stayed and played one more year at Notre Dame. The threat of a "Rookie Salary Cap" had something to do with this -- unfortunately, when you don't go in the First Round -- your concern isn't a salary cap. Who gave these two boys the advice that led them to leave ND early? I thought watching Brady Quinn drop to the 22nd pick was brutal -- it pales in comparison to what's transpired today. I guess it's a fitting end to Notre Dame Football these past few years. By the way, the drop to a 2nd Round Pick is a significant hit to the pocketbook. Clausen, at best can expect to receive a $2 million signing bonus. Compare that to what's expected to be a $50 million bonus for Bradford and $10 million or so for Tim Tebow. To add insult to injury, Golden Tate didn't get drafted either... What a shame.

Coach Kelly on ESPN'S "The Herd" This AM

Notre Dame Head Football Coach was on the radio this morning with ESPN's Colin Cowherd. You'll enjoy the interview. Here's a link to ESPN Radio and then click on the Brian Kelly interview:

COACH KELLY ON THE HERD

In Town for Blue-Gold Weekend?

Here's what you might want to do on Friday:

Noon: Head over to the Courtney Tennis Courts (on campus) and Cheer on the Irish at the Men's & Women's Big East Tennis Championships

4:00 PM: The Shirt Unveiling in front of the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore

6:30 PM: Irish Sports Daily Event at Backstage Grill in South Bend (Former ND Football Players and Coaches being interviewed on Stage)

8:00 PM: Bookstore Basketball -- games will start around 7 PM and run for a few hours at the courts just west of the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore

Have Fun!

Will We Hear "The University of Notre Dame?"

Announced from the podium by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, during tonight's "First Round" of the 2010 NFL Draft? I believe Jimmy Clausen and family is counting on it - and Golden Tate and family are hoping for it. Lots of rumors floating around about what the Steelers are going to do with Ben Roethlisberger -- if they trade him away today, some think the Steelers could be looking to draft Clausen. A few "experts" say he'll fall all the way to #30 and the Minnesota Vikings. All I hope for Jimmy is he doesn't get the "Brady Quinn" treatment tonight -- sliding down that Draft Board. The smart decision was to stay home in California - and not face the potential humility of waiting in that room (with all the cameras on you) for your name to be called. I believe Golden Tate has to hope that a team will decide to "trade up" late in the first round to draft him. If he doesn't go in the first round, I believe he'll be among the first ten picks in tomorrow's Second Round. It's going to be "good TV" tonight -- here's the TV Schedule for the 2010 NFL Draft:

Thursday, April 22
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
1-7:30 p.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
3-4 p.m.: “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
4-4:30 p.m.: “NFL Live” (ESPN)
4:30-7:30 p.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
7:30-11 p.m.: NFL Draft, Round 1, (ESPN / NFL Network)
11 p.m.-midnight: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Friday, April 23
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
1-6 p.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
3-4 p.m.: “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
4-4:30 p.m.: “NFL Live” (ESPN)
4:30-6 p.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
6-10:30 p.m.: NFL Draft, Rounds 2-3 (ESPN / NFL Network)
10:30-11:30 p.m.: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Saturday, April 24
9-10 a.m. “SportsCenter Special: On the Clock” (ESPN)
9-10 a.m.: “Total Access Pre-Draft” (NFL Network)
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: NFL Draft, Rounds 4-7 (ESPN / NFL Network)
6-7:30 p.m.: “Total Access Post-Draft” (NFL Network)

Sunday, April 25
1-3 p.m.: “SportsCenter Draft Wrap-Up Special” (ESPN)
6-7 p.m.: “Path to the Draft” (NFL Network)
7-8 p.m.: “Total Access Draft Recap” (NFL Network)