(Notre Dame Football News | The Rock Report) – Notre Dame’s defense enters 2012 with enviable talent, but also glaring potential weaknesses. Linebacker Manti Teo is a pre-season All-American and on early lists for every possible defensive award. Jamoris Slaughter, in my opinion, became one of the best safeties in the country last year. The…
Columns
A Bowl Full of Conflicts
We’ve spent a good portion of the off-season arguing about Notre Dame’s football future. We all want to see a return to the days of on-field excellence, and I think it’s important to remember that. But I also think it’s important to note how many of our wounds are self-inflicted and how hard Notre Dame…
Time for Kelly to Deliver
Following consecutive lackluster 8-5 campaigns in which Notre Dame generally underachieved on the gridiron, the advent of the 2012 season gives rise to legitimate expectations that Coach Brian Kelly will demonstrate he is a marked improvement over his recent predecessors. Year three is traditionally a significant data point in the resume of successful Irish coaches, but Kelly can take…
Collecting the Irish
A few weeks ago, we here at NDN were contacted by J. R. Wainwright, long-time sports illustrator and Notre Dame fan. Over the years, Mr. Wainwright has cultivated an extensive collection of Notre Dame-related art and memorabilia, including his own work depicting all our Heisman Trophy winners, all-American players, and famous coaches. The illustrations on…
A Closer Look at the 2012 Offense
(Notre Dame Football News | The Rock Report) – Notre Dame’s offense in 2012 will have a different look and a lot of looks if you listen to coaches Kelly and Martin. Likely starting quarterback Everett Golson is a passing and running threat and he mentioned that if teams “drop 8” in coverage against ND…