You'd think that at Notre Dame, Sunday would have always been the day off. Not so. Last year, ND football had a full speed practices the day after their games. It was something Charlie had done in the past, but that's about to change. Charlie talked about it in his presser:
“It’s definitely going to be different this year than it was in the past. Because in the past Monday’s been their day off, this year Sunday’s going to be their day off. That’s a big difference,” Weis said. “[It's about] letting them sleep, because if you think about it if Monday’s the day off you still have to go to class. So I think letting them sleep in and go to mass or go to service on Sunday. There really wasn’t a day off in their schedule because on Sunday we’d bring them in in the afternoon and on Monday it’s their day off but they’re getting up early to go to class.
“When did they ever get a chance to sleep in or have so-called quality of life like a normal student would have? So now they have Sunday.”
Typical to Charlie's M.O., he didn't just come up with this on his own. He dug around into other programs around the country, and asked about what they did, and what worked.
“I went and researched a bunch of schools in the country to see how they do it and a bunch of them were doing it that way,” he said. “I asked some people to try to find out why they do it that way and it was all related to rest.”
'Course, it seems obvious that the players will like the change. But the coaches will be in, working hard on film.
“I think they’re very appreciative to be able to sleep in like the rest of the free world on Sunday,” said Weis. “Coaches will be in though in case you’re wondering, but players will get a chance to sleep in.”
I like this shift. It's tough to get up and get at it the day after a game. You're a bit banged up, tired and sore. And Charlie's right - Monday isn't a real rest day, especially for any kid unlucky enough to get a freaking MWF 8:30am class (me, every freaking semester!). This gives the guys a day to chill, sleep in, watch some NFL and get some school work done before the start of another busy week of studying, giving the Heisman to the Pangborn girls, and practice.
By domer.mq August 29, 2008 - 11:50 am
Ha ha! Somebody sucked at DART!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DeepTeaKup August 29, 2008 - 11:54 am
Wow, further proof that Charlie Weis is in fact the smartest guy ever. Absolutely brilliant.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 29, 2008 - 11:55 am
dude, DART better be dead by now. any student readers that can confirm this (or not)?
DTK, thanks for finally acknowledging the obvious. But it wasn’t necessary – that’s like me saying that Rich is sleazy.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DeepTeaKup August 29, 2008 - 11:57 am
Nice pic too, from my hometown.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DeepTeaKup August 29, 2008 - 12:00 pm
At least Rich had already figured out the whole “Sunday off” thing.
And then this is where you would say “so he could get the cheerleaders home safely” or something like that.
As much fun as the off season banter is, thank god it’s football season.
Any predictions for the ND game tomorrow?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 29, 2008 - 12:05 pm
DTK,
I predict more rushing yards for ND tomorrow than in some of their games from 2007.
Also, for Michigan (sucks!), I predict a loss. Notice I didn’t include it in my upsets poll this week, that’s because I can’t see Utah as being a dog in this.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DeepTeaKup August 29, 2008 - 12:08 pm
domer,
So is ND going to win the game or not? I would think this would be a relatively easy game for ND, SDSU had a few good teams 4-5 years ago but they are not very good.
Utah will be a good test, I have no idea what to expect tomorrow from UM. Kind of nerve racking, more exciting though. Dawn of a new era and all that. I think UM wins this one 21-17, but then I never predict a UM loss.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 29, 2008 - 12:12 pm
It’ll be impossible for ND to win the game tomorrow, DTK. The game is actually being played next week.
Remember, DTK, when the Iron Curtain fell, Russians thought life was going to be all puppy dogs and ice cream.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 29, 2008 - 3:21 pm
mmmmmm, ice cream…
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Mr. Wednesday August 29, 2008 - 9:02 pm
If you read the transcript, they didn’t go full speed most Sundays. I think that was just something the coaches broke out when they were *really* unhappy with the effort on Saturday.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 30, 2008 - 5:01 am
but MW, how often last year could they have been ‘happy’?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 30, 2008 - 12:35 pm
You’re correct, MW.
I hope they stick with high intensity tuesday practices during the season.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By tdgobux August 31, 2008 - 3:02 pm
great article
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0