Monday, September 5, 2016

Week 1 NFL Rosters: Former ND Players in NFL


Here's a current look at the former Notre Dame football players earning a paycheck this morning from a NFL team.  There are now 33 Domers on NFL Rosters or Practice Squads -- with Louis Nix signing with the Redskins.

Special congratulations to ND's two un-drafted free agents who made NFL Rosters -- Romeo Okwara (Giants) and Mathias Farley (Colts)!!!

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (5)
  • Zach Martin -- Cowboys
  • Ryan Harris -- Steelers
  • Nick Martin -- Texans (PUP List)
  • Ronnie Stanley -- Ravens
  • Chris Watt -- Chargers  (PUP List)

TIGHT ENDS -- (5)
  • Kyle Rudolph -- Vikings
  • Tyler Eifert -- Bengals
  • Troy Niklas -- Cardinals
  • Ben Koyack -- Jaguars
  • Anthony Fasano -- Titans

WIDE RECEIVERS -- (3)
  • Golden Tate -- Lions
  • Will Fuller -- Texans
  • Michael Floyd -- Cardinals

RUNNING BACKS -- (3)
  • Theo Riddick -- Lions
  • C.J. Prosise -- Seahawks
  • George Atkinson -- Browns

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (4)
  • Stephon Tuitt -- Steelers
  • Romeo Okwara -- Giants
  • Sheldon Day -- Jaguars
  • Ian Williams -- 49ers (PUP List)

LINEBACKERS -- (2)
  • Manti Te'o -- Chargers
  • Jaylon Smith -- Cowboys  (PUP List)

DEFENSIVE BACKS -- (6)
  • David Bruton -- Redskins
  • Harrison Smith -- Vikings
  • Keivarae Russell -- Chiefs
  • Robert Blanton -- Bills
  • Cody Riggs -- Titans
  • Mathias Farley -- Colts

SPECIALIST -- (1)
  • J.J. Jansen -- Panthers

NFL PRACTICE SQUADS -- (4)
  • Ishaq Williams -- Giants
  • T.J. Jones -- Lions
  • Kapron Lewis-Moore -- Ravens
  • Louis Nix -- Redskins

NFL FREE AGENTS: 
  • John Sullivan
  • Robert Hughes
  • Amir Carlisle
  • Jimmy Clausen
  • Jarrett Grace
  • Jonas Gray
  • Bennett Jackson
  • Elijah Shumate
  • Louis Nix 
  • Darrin Walls 
  • Sam Young 
  • Chris Brown

Please note:  PUP LIST means a player is physically unable to perform.  They don't count against the team's 53 man-roster, but they do get paid their contracted amount.  PRACTICE SQUAD players make a minimum of $6,900 a week -- teams have the option to pay them more.

The "Notre Dame Effect" on College Football


Record TV audience and a record crowd...


Photo of the Game: Equanimeous' TD Catch

The South Bend Tribune's Rob Franklin took these series of photos.

Austin's ABC Affiliate -- Post Game Report


Game Highlights: Texas 50 - Notre Dame 47


Coach Kelly After Double OT Loss To Texas


Equanimeous St. Brown's TD Catch Tonight

Two TD catches in first college start at WR for the Irish.

Texas Beats Our Irish in Double OT 50 - 47



Tough, tough start to the 2016 football season...

LINK:  FINAL STATS

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS STORY

Sunday, September 4, 2016

A Real Chance to "Shake Down the Thunder"


Video of Notre Dame's Arrival at Texas' Stadium


ND Alumni Doing the Right Thing in Austin, TX


First Photos From Texas Memorial Stadium

Courtesy of @NDFootball
Courtesy of @BGI_CoachD -- Bryan Driskell
Courtesy of @adam_nd_myers
 Courtesy of @AdamDerWSBT
 Courtesy of @adam_nd_myers
 Courtesy of @UT_Bianco

WNDU's Angelo Di Carlo Interviews Brian Kelly


WSBT-TV's Pete Byrne With Coach Brian Kelly


ESPN: Is Brian Kelly a "Lifer" at Notre Dame?



LINK:  STORY

A "Notre Dame Bar" in Downtown Austin, TX

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An Austin, TX Family With Ties to Notre Dame


ND Future Opponent: USC Loses To Alabama



The final score was 52 - 6 -- and it could have been worse.  Believe it or not, USC led this game into the 2nd quarter 3 - 0.  Here's what's being said the morning after.

LINK:  LA TIMES

LINK:  USC PLAYERS

LINK:  FAN SIDED

Former ND Players -- Back in the NFL Today!


These former Notre Dame football players have been claimed off waivers today by another team in the NFL or, have cleared waivers and have been assigned to their current NFL team's practice squad:
  • Mathias Farley -- Indianapolis Colts (off waivers)
  • George Atkinson -- Cleveland Browns (off waivers)
  • Ishaq Williams -- New York Giants (practice squad)
  • T.J. Jones -- Detroit Lions (practice squad) 
  • Kapron Lewis-Moore -- Baltimore Ravens (practice squad)

Where Would This ND Team Be Ranked Today?

We soon forget -- these players still have eligibility left -- but opted to pursue a professional career in the NFL.  Can you imagine the team Brian Kelly would be taking into Austin tonight!

  

STANLEY, SMITH, FULLER, PROSISE and RUSSELL

And, we have a 21 year-old named Romeo Okwara '16 (who has an Accounting Degree from Notre Dame) on the New York Giants this morning.  If he had redshirted as a 17 year-old he would be in today's starting line-up as well...



Please Say A Prayer for the Widzinski's Today


Their son David -- who dreamed of playing football for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame -- died in his sleep at the age of 16, four years ago.

A mini-replica Notre Dame Football helmet adorns his grave site (photo above)See David's story linked below the post.

You know the Widzinski's will be thinking about David when Notre Dame takes the field tonight in Austin.

Here is a FACEBOOK post this morning from my friend Dan Collins -- a ND GO IRISH BLOG regular -- who works for Detroit Catholic Central:



LINK:  DAVID'S STORY

Here is Former Longhorn Redding on ND vs UT

https://soundcloud.com/austinamericanstatesman

Thought you'd like to hear a little something from the folks in Austin on tonight's big game...

LINK:  RADIO SHOW

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Coach Kelly's Message to Fighting Irish Today


ND Next Opponent: Nevada 30 - Cal Poly 27


Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what is being reported about Nevada's OT win last night over Cal Poly.  Nevada travels to Notre Dame next week to take on the Fighting Irish.

LINK:  RENO GAZETTE

LINK:  YAHOO SPORTS

LINK:  FINAL STATS

ND Future Opponent: #8 Stanford 26 - KSU 13


Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what is being reported about Stanford's win last night over Kansas State.  Stanford's next game is against USC in two weeks.

LINK:  FOX SPORTS

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MCCAFFREY

LINK:  STATS

ND Future Opponent: #12 MSU 28 - Furman 13


Took a lap around the worldwide web to see what's being said about Michigan State's win last night over Furman.  Up next for Michigan State -- their game at Notre Dame.

FYI:  The Irish have two more games until they play Michigan State.

LINK:  GAME HIGHLIGHTS

LINK:  MSU'S DANTONIO

LINK:  MSU'S QB

LINK:  FINAL STATS

Texas' Coach Talks ND Game on Radio Show


Notre Dame Football's Captains' Jerseys

Torii Hunter, Jr -- James Onwualu -- Mike McGlinchey -- Isaac Rochell

Notre Dame Football's First Business Trip



Friday, September 2, 2016

Bleacher Report -- ND vs. Texas Hype Video


Sneak Peek: Notre Dame's 30 Second TV Spot



This is the University of Notre Dame's 30 second TV spot that will air during ABC's telecast of Sunday night's game with Texas.

NFL Teams Trim Rosters to 53 Players Today



The clock is ticking on the careers of professional football players fighting for roster spots on the 32 NFL Teams.  Each team's final 53 man roster for the 2016 NFL Season had be finalized by 4 PM ET today.

As of this very moment (Saturday 10:45 PM ET) -- there are 27 former Notre Dame players still receiving an NFL pay check this morning.  15 are on Offense, 11 are on Defense and 1 is a Specialist:


OFFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (5)
  • Zach Martin -- Cowboys
  • Ryan Harris -- Steelers
  • Nick Martin -- Texans (PUP List)
  • Ronnie Stanley -- Ravens
  • Chris Watt -- Chargers  (PUP List)

TIGHT ENDS -- (5)
  • Kyle Rudolph -- Vikings
  • Tyler Eifert -- Bengals
  • Troy Niklas -- Cardinals
  • Ben Koyack -- Jaguars
  • Anthony Fasano -- Titans

WIDE RECEIVERS -- (3)
  • Golden Tate -- Lions
  • Will Fuller -- Texans
  • Michael Floyd -- Cardinals

RUNNING BACKS -- (2)
  • Theo Riddick -- Lions
  • C.J. Prosise -- Seahawks

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN -- (4)
  • Stephon Tuitt -- Steelers
  • Romeo Okwara -- Giants
  • Sheldon Day -- Jaguars
  • Ian Williams -- 49ers (PUP List)

LINEBACKERS -- (2)
  • Manti Te'o -- Chargers
  • Jaylon Smith -- Cowboys  (PUP List)

DEFENSIVE BACKS -- (5)
  • David Bruton -- Redskins
  • Harrison Smith -- Vikings
  • Keivarae Russell -- Chiefs
  • Robert Blanton -- Bills
  • Cody Riggs -- Titans

SPECIALIST -- (1)
  • J.J. Jansen -- Panthers

NFL CUTS / NOW FREE AGENTS 
  • John Sullivan
  • Robert Hughes
  • Amir Carlisle
  • Jimmy Clausen
  • Jarrett Grace
  • Jonas Gray
  • Bennett Jackson
  • Elijah Shumate
  • Kapron Lewis-Moore 
  • Ishaq Williams 
  • T.J. Jones 
  • Louis Nix 
  • Darrin Walls 
  • George Atkinson III 
  • Mathias Farley 
  • Sam Young 
  • Chris Brown

Please note:  PUP LIST means a player is physically unable to perform.  They don't count against the team's 53 man-roster, but they do get paid.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta -- Pray For Us!


In the story above you'll meet Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University -- a personal friend of Mother Teresa, and a Notre Dame parent.

Texas Week: Coach Kelly's Last Media Session


TEXAS Football: Preparation for Notre Dame


Warning, Don't Try This at Home: WKU Football

They might want to practice this before the next home game...

THE HILLTOPPERS DID WIN THE GAME!  THEY BEAT RICE 46 - 14.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

2016: Highest Ticket Value in College Football


I'd love to know how many Athletic Director's place a call each week to Jack Swarbrick asking to get Notre Dame on the schedule...

Just click on graph to enlarge.

LINK:  #1 VALUE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Notre Dame's Thursday Practice for Texas


Bleacher Report's Notre Dame Tunnel Vision


THIS IS THE FIRST IN WHAT SHOULD BE A WEEKLY SERIES.

Domer Okwara Sacks Patriots' Tom Brady

Romeo Okwara's earning a NFL Paycheck!

Ready For Some Football! Go Irish -- Beat Texas


Durham Smythe Talks Returning Home to Texas


ESPN Breaks Down Notre Dame vs. Texas



LINK:  STORY

Week #1 Notre Dame's Road to the CFB Playoff


Here's what I believe right now about the 2016 College Football Playoff picture:
  • The SEC Champion gets a Playoff spot
  • The Big Ten Champion gets a Playoff spot
  • Two of these four teams get the final two Playoff spots:  Notre Dame, Pac-12 Champion, ACC Champion or Big 12 Champion

If Notre Dame is 12 - 0 -- no brainer, we are in the CFB Playoff.  If we go 11 - 1, we will need to have beaten;  Michigan State, Stanford and USC.   That's the bottom line on our Playoff chances.

Each week of the college football season -- the ND GO IRISH BLOG will pick the key games that will have an impact on Notre Dame's selection to the College Football Playoff -- and who we would like to see win:

KEY GAMES -- WEEK #1:

Alabama vs. USC  -- the obvious choice here is for ND fans to root for USC.  A win over Bama by the Trojans is a good thing for Notre Dame, since we do not play BAMA and we have USC Thanksgiving Weekend. FIGHT ON!

Oklahoma vs. Houston -- ND fans should probably root for Oklahoma here since Houston doesn't play another ranked team the rest of the season.  I can see them running the slate after this game and we don't want the Playoff Committee considering an undefeated Houston with the schedule they play.  Oklahoma still has a few games they can lose this season.  BOOMER SOONER!

Georgia vs. North Carolina -- ND fans should root for North Carolina in this game.  The Fighting Irish will play an ACC team this year that could beat the Tar Heels.  We need the SEC to be limited to one team in the CFB Playoff.  Any SEC "out of conference" loss is huge for ND.  GO CAROLINA!

Clemson vs. Auburn -- I'm going to go against my previous statement (flip-flopper) and will say that ND Fans should root for Auburn in this game.  Clemson is highly ranked and an upset here would be a good thing for the Fighting Irish.  Even with a win over Clemson, I don't believe Auburn gets through this season with less than 2 losses.  GO WAR EAGLE!

Ole Miss vs. Florida State -- The Seminoles are picked by many to win the ACC this season -- so ND fans should be rooting for Ole Miss this game.  Just like Auburn, I don't see Ole Miss getting through their season with fewer than 2 losses.  GO REBELS!

LSU vs. Wisconsin -- ND fans should root for the Badgers in this game.  I believe the Big Ten will only get one spot in the CFB Playoff -- and we need to limit the SEC to only one as well.  A win by Wisconsin leading to another SEC out of conference loss -- is a good thing for ND.  GO BADGERS!

UCLA vs. Texas A&M -- ND fans can root for either team in this game -- it's not going to matter who wins this game in the CFB Playoff picture. However, I will be rooting for UCLA.  UCLA still has Stanford and USC to play to get to the CFB  Playoff -- we have both on our schedule.  Texas A&M is not ready to contend for an SEC title this season.  GO BRUINS!  / GO AGGIES!

Talk Radio's Klatt & Cowherd: ND vs Texas


A Notre Dame Fan's Chariot Awaits For Texas!

Now, this is a ride...

Texas Defensive Coordinator Talks Notre Dame


Notre Dame QB's Talk Sunday's Game at Texas