Looking Toward the Future

With the Blue-Gold game over there is only 18 weeks until the Fighting Irish open their season at home in Notre Dame Stadium against the University of Nevada. Despite the most losses in school history over the last two years there is renewed optimism and growing expectations for the 2009 Notre Dame football team.
There seems to be a consensus that if there is not considerable improvement on the field this year then Charlie Weis will be fired. For most Irish followers, eight wins seems to be the magic number while others claim nothing less than nine wins will be acceptable. I would almost guarantee that Notre Dame will win nine games. Here’s why:
First, if you have to go through hell to get to heaven then the Irish have hopefully tested the fires over the last two seasons. No longer can they claim inexperience as an excuse and the core of this team has been together for quite some time now. And after three very strong recruiting classes the depth chart is as deep and talented as we’ve seen since the early 90’s. It’s time to take the next step.
Second, the schedule for 2009 is very favorable and this will almost certainly be pointed out by every Notre Dame hater in the college football world. But there can be no denying that after years of difficult schedules the 2009 version is shaping up to be fairly easy.

Vs. Nevada
@Michigan
Vs. Michigan State
@Purdue
Vs. Washington
Bye
Vs. USC
Vs. Boston College
Vs. Washington State (at San Antonio)
Vs. Navy
@ Pittsburgh
Vs. Connecticut
@ Stanford

Third, there will be an improvement in the running game which under Weis has been downright abysmal at times. The restructuring of the coaching staff mixed with an improving offensive line and talented corps of running backs leads me to believe 2009 rushing attack will be the best of the Weis era.
With the elite talent becoming upperclassmen, a weak schedule, and an improved running attack there is no reason Notre Dame cannot be a top 15 team.
And what about Charlie Weis? I have to admit I was a Weis apologist until, like many fans, last year’s loss to Syracuse was too much to swallow. Still, time heals all wounds and a strong bowl victory, another very good recruiting class, and a productive spring season have calmed my fears.
Do I think Weis is an elite coach? Probably not, but I don’t think he has to be in order for Notre Dame to be successful. A strong coaching staff coupled with high quality talent and leadership on the field are the keys to success in South Bend; And for the most part that’s what exists at this point.
Sure I question Weis’ play-calling and his inability to light a fire under his players, but something tells me things are going to work out. And let’s be realistic here, Weis was left with very little talent to work with from day one. He took two teams (2005 & 2006) that were good teams and he made them much better. Under Ty Willingham those teams would have averaged 7 or 8 wins a year. By 2007 Willingham’s lack of recruiting left the talent level diminished (see Stanford ’02-’05 & Washington 2008 until 2010) to the point where most astute observers knew things weren’t looking good for the Irish.
But here we are looking at 2009 with a battle tested sophomore and junior class chalk full of talent with senior leadership sprinkled amongst emerging freshman talent ready to compete and make a difference.
These are the 5 goals Notre Dame should look to achieve:

*Win 10 games
*Win bowl game
*Beat USC
*BCS bid
*National Championship

If any two of the goals are met Charlie Weis will keep his job and the first three are very obtainable. Yes, Notre Dame can beat USC this year! Southern California has lost too many players to remain unbeatable and hopefully the Irish will have momentum and confidence by the time the teams meet in October.
Three keys to the season will be the running game, offensive line, and overall team defense. Much has been said about the lack of experience on the defensive line, but I think the players that are there are going to surprise a lot of people. This is mostly because the D-line will be surrounded by very good defensive teammates and that will only make them better. And we don't know just what impact a guy like Manti'i Teo could make either.
The offensive line has been much maligned but with new running backs/offensive line coach Frank Verducci we will see better run and pass blocking. I know we’ve been saying it for years but the Irish offensive line is just too big, too strong, and too talented to not take their game to the next level.
As far as the running game is concerned, a lot of pressure is being put on Armando Allen and I'm expecting big things from this guy. He is without a doubt in my mind the number one running back and he is poised for a breakout season. Moving James Aldridge to fullback was an obvious decision and I don’t think Robert Hughes is the right guy to improve the running game. If I were Weis I would only use Hughes in goal-line situations and very sparingly throughout the rest of games. Aldridge is a career 3.85 yard per carry runner and while Hughes’ 4.45 YPC is solid, his stats are inflated by his performances in the last two games of the ’07 season where he racked up 246 yards against Duke and Stanford. Otherwise he is a 3.3 YPC runner which is just about where his average was for 2008.
Armando Allen on the other hand, has averaged 4.2 yards per carry for his career and more importantly has shown steady improvement since his freshman campaign. If he can improve on hitting the holes and breaking longer runs (his longest run is only 21 yards!), and find the end zone more often (only 3 career TD’s) then Allen will become a very dangerous running back. Even with Hughes and soon-to-be Jonas Gray bound to get substantial carries Allen will still have a good shot at 1,000 yards.
Finally, with an emerging star at quarterback and one of the best set of receivers in Notre Dame history the offense should have no problem putting points on the board. And let’s not forget the trio of tight ends led by Kyle Rudolph that will be giving opponents fits in the fall as well. In all likelihood we could be ready to see a record breaking Irish offense that has the potential to put up some impressive numbers. I’m keeping my fingers crossed but despite the horrors of 2007 and 2008 Notre Dame has a lot to look forward to in 2009.

Go Irish!!

Okay here's something I've never understood regarding the Buffalo Sabres. We were told after the lockout a few years ago about how the team was set up perfectly for the new rules. It was all about speed and quickness and offensive firepower. But what has this team been sorely lacking for many years? A strong defense and physical play from every member of the team.

Watch any of the playoff game that are going on now and you'll notice how physical every skater is. Yes it's the playoffs and we expect that, but could the Sabres ever survive in such an environment? Except for Paul Guastad, Adam Mair, Drew Stafford and Patrick Kaleta, no one on this team hits, and these 4 players are not striking fear into anyone anytime soon. Plus, if I have to watch Kaleta skate full speed and run somebody only to back down from every challenge to fight I'm going to vomit. As far as the blueline is concerned not much physical play there either. Overall defensive play isn't very good, your welcome Ryan Miller.

So who's fault is this? I've marveled at how Lindy Ruff, who was such a tough scrappy player, could coach such a wimpy and weak team. Even more, I've marveled at how it seems like he doesn't care either. Do I think Ruff should be fired? No not really. Do I think the Sabres would have made the playoffs if Miller stays healthy? Sure. Do I think the team could use a new face behind the bench. Perhaps.

My biggest problem is GM Darcy Regier. And it seems evident to me that Ruff & Regier are in bed together. They've both supported each other and probably hinged each other's futures on each other, and they will most likely be fired together as well. What's my advice? Regier desperately needs to find two or three tough, mean, and nasty defenseman. And it wouldn't hurt to get one who can anchor the power play. It's no easy task but it needs to be done. Buffalo has an average offense, a below average defense, and an above average goalie. Nothing will help more than stronger defensman.

Ideally, someone like Dion Phaneuf would be the ultimate pick up but that isn't happening. But a player like Mike Komisarek is exactly what the Sabres need. There's been a lot of garbage thrown at big, slow, immobile defensman since the lockout but sometimes you need them and the Sabres do. If they could sign one that can move the puck and contribute offensively, all the better. So that's a better defense and more physical play from everyone, those are the team needs going into next season. Because if I have to watch another Caruba Collision replay where the opposing player doesn't even seem to notice he was body checked...I'm also going to vomit.

New Beatles Remasters, Stereo or Mono?

There's been a lot of discussion and gossip about the new remastered Beatles music that's going on sale 09/09/09. Obviously, many Beatles fans like myself are excited that the remastering process has finally come to fruition but many questions still linger as to what the new music will sound like.
EMI announced that all Stereo versions of the British LP's (plus Past Masters [now combined into one CD], Magical Mystery Tour, and Yellow Submarine) will be available individually and as a collector's box set. Also, they will be releasing a box set only of all the LP's in Mono, except Abbey Road & Let It Be for which there are no Mono mixes.
This is undoubtedly a bit of a problem because now the question arises: will Stereo sound better or will Mono? Many Beatles fans were unhappy to learn that the music will not be issued in surround sound, while others believe it would taint the original intent of the musicians to have songs jacked up on Dolby 5.1. Some argue that the Beatles intended to have their music listened to in Mono, while others argue Stereo offers a much better listening experience. Stereo did not become prevelant until the late 60's so the Beatles usually focused on Mono mixes only, but does that mean they wouldn't have preferred Stereo? And couldn't they have easily have put both Mono and Stereo on one CD?
Ultimately remastering is a difficult task especially when the music is over 40 years old. Becoming a Beatles fan in the early 90's I haven't had much else to listen to besides the '87 CD releases and whatever is available (illegally...still) online. Although I may have an occassional Mono download, I'd say 95% of the Beatles music I have is in Stereo. What's the biggest problem I have? The inability to hear certain instruments throughout an entire song. This is the one issue I am hoping the remastering engineers have been able to fix.
For example, many have complained of how the vocals were treated in the '87 CD stereo copies of Rubber Soul and Revolver. At times the singing is so powerful and up front that it's difficult to hear the music, especially guitars. There is some concern that the new remasters will give us more of the same, that is, really loud vocals! Have you ever been listening to a song from the 60's or 70's on your iPod and then been slightly jolted out of your seat by the opening of a Red Hot Chili Peppers song? Modern music can be called a lot of things and LOUD is definitely one of them.
The Love Soundtrack offers up a good example of how I think the remastering process should be handled (although Love was made in surround sound). Take the song "Revolution" from 1968. The track I have is most likely a burnt copy from the Past Masters CD in Stereo from 1988. The problem with this particular song is that both guitars are heard in the right channel, and to make matters worse, John & George both fed their heavily distorted guitars through the same amp practically overloading the archaic recording desks of that era.
The result is you cannot hear much difference between the guitars, or rather, when both guitars are playing at the same time, you cannot hear the other (in this case probably George's). How is the Love Soundtrack different? They took Lennon's guitar and kept that in the right channel and they moved Harrison's guitar over to the left channel. This is the kind of stuff we need the new remasters to do.
All in all, it looks like I'll be buying the new Stereo versions, but depending on the price I would like to have the Mono versions as well. Adding to the excitement is the packaging of the CD's which looks very nice from the samples I've seen so far. Plus, the extra DVD with commentary on each album (also put in Quicktime form on the CD's via a chip for a limited time) adds to the overall total package. A wonderful time will be had by all.

Buffalo Sabres to keep Ruff & Reiger...why?

Buffalo Sabres management announced recently that Head Coach Lindy Ruff and General Manager Darcy Reiger will be back for the 2009-10 NHL season. I will have many opinions on this subject coming soon as well as my thoughts on the on-going NHL playoffs.

Irish Spring Ball ends with annual Blue-Gold game

Notre Dame spring football officially came to an end this past weekend with the annual Blue-Gold game. Only 4 months or so until the season officially begins! The running game looked very strong as did the defensive line which are both big surprises. Unfortunately Jimmy Clausen looked out of sync but we can chalk that up to missing his top receivers for most of spring ball.

This is still a young but highly talented Fightin' Irish squad and there high expectations once again in South Bend and around the country for this team to take it to the next level. More commentary coming soon...

09/09/09 now Beatles Day!!

For nearly a year it was rumored that a deal had been struck between all parties concerning the release of a Beatles: Rockband video game. Over a month ago an official announcement was made by Apple Corps & Harmonix and the details of the game are slowly leaking to the general public.
To take things to the next level, it was also recently announced over a week ago that EMI would be releasing Beatles remasters on CD for the first time since 1987. Both the Rockband game and remastered music will go on sale 09/09/09 in what may become Beatles Day. More commentary coming soon!