If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now. The news that Charlie Weis will return for another season as head coach of the Notre Dame football program would seem to defy logic. I feel as though we've just entered a bizarre world where real life is just another episode of "Fringe." And the only thing I find more confusing than determining whether or not that blonde on the TV show "Fringe" is attractive or not is what the heck has been happening since Notre Dame's worst loss in the history of the program.
Here's what I thought I "knew," And by "knew," what I mean is I'd sort of divined these "facts" by commingling "tips," internet rumors, innuendo, and the plots of various Shakespearean plays involving kings. Essentially, all along, I knew nothing:
- Weis' buyout isn't actually that big: Someone who I thought was "in the know" as much as anyone else explained to me that the contract with Weis was written on a lot of paper with a lot of words in it, and those words were constructed in such a way to give ND a way out of the contract at a much lower cost than the "reported" 15-20 million dollars based on job performance, remainder of contract, and etc... Also I'd been lead to believe that there was one buyout if another program, pro or collegiate, wanted to hire away Weis, and another buyout for ND to dismiss Weis themselves. Now this is not necessarily inaccurate, but the announcement today certainly makes this look doubtful.
- Feelers were put out to other coaches: Swarbrick took much more time than necessary to tell the world that Weis will be back. And some pretty reputable (pay) sources were quite confident that ND had contacted at least a few coaches. Now, admittedly, we haven't done the due dilligence to determine "fit" for any of those names with Notre Dame, but the names we were seeing and hearing certainly looked like they were capable of taking this team and beating a 2-8 Syracuse.
Again, clearly, we knew nothing. And we're fools for getting caught up in the rumor mill. We tried quite hard to make sure not to spread too many rumors around here, and unless we're just blocking some unpleasant memory, we're pretty sure we did that (aside from a few things on the shoutbox, maybe). My apologies if we lead anyone astray around here. It wasn't intentional. And, frankly, it serves you right to trust anything coming from guys who post things anonymously on a blog with monikers like "Biscuit."
This all reminds me so much of the Christmas where I was convinced that the box that was just the right size, sitting under the tree for weeks before Christmas Day, was Kit the Talking Car and it turned out to be one of those kits that allow you to power a clock using potatoes.
We're still digesting all of this. We've got more thoughts coming.
By DeepTeaKup December 3, 2008 - 1:31 pm
domer,
You’ve asked a question that has been giving me fits all year and I’m not sure I have a good answer. At times I do think that she is amazing and at other times just sort of average. Do you think this is part of “the pattern” and JJ Abrams is just messing with my mind again?
As to Weis, do you think maybe they put feelers out but didn’t get a good answer? Kelly is a very good coach but still not sure he can be great. I think Kelly’s spread would work with ND’s current team, more pass oriented. Kiffin would have only worked at UW IMO, just watch UT will be not so good for a while now , bad fit there. Meyer, wasn’t coming and I would bet the alums would have freaked if he did. Gruden is an NFL coach, and frankly he is just above average. What about Josh McDaniels from NE?
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By The Biscuit December 3, 2008 - 1:50 pm
dude, i am a freaking sage and rational force in this whole thing. listening to me is listening to RIGHT. my moniker, also, rules.
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By trey December 3, 2008 - 2:22 pm
I think Swarbrick probably did ask around and came to the conclusion that the risk of bringing in ANOTHER coach after only 4 years was not less than giving Charlie the benefit of a 5th year with a full team of “His guys.” Personally, I agree. The main problem is not Weis himself, although he is a big part of it. The main problem here is unrealistic expectations of a fanbase with nothing to base it on other than underclass kids with little coaching. Heck, most of the team is only a year or two removed from driving up and down Main with letter jackets hollaring at girls. Let’s get them a bit of exposure to the college lifestyle and THEN filet Charlie for not controlling them properly.
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By Bad Kermit December 3, 2008 - 5:42 pm
A better question would be, “Why the hell is anyone watching Fringe?” It’s a poorly-acted version of the X-Files. Hell, they even stole the “Is she hot or isn’t she?” female lead. I bet if JJ Abrams’ name wasn’t stamped to that show, it would have been canceled already.
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By DeepTeaKup December 3, 2008 - 6:45 pm
BK,
I think the acting is better than the x-files. Think about it, the female leads are a wash in terms of skill, the guy from Dawson’s Creek is from the same school of overacting as Mulder with Mulder being a bit better. What seals if for Fringe is the crazy scientist dad. That guy is brilliant.
BTW, with Gillian Anderson there is no question, not hot. freakin Ginger kid for crying out loud
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By domer.mq December 3, 2008 - 6:48 pm
Yeah, BK, I’m gonna have to go with BK on this one. Gillian Anderson is neither hot, nor attractive. The chick on fringe is attractive at times. At other times, she’s Gillian Anderson. It’s maddening.
Also, the Crazy Scientist dude is the only reason to watch. He’s awesome. And Tuesday is still within the domain of “mindless TV is the best TV because the weekend just ended.”
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By Bad Kermit December 3, 2008 - 7:08 pm
The dad is the WORST. His random stuff is criminally unfunny. “I need to have a ginger ale before I hook you up to talk to this dead guy! I have a COW in my LAB! A COW! In my LAB! Get it?” Also, what the hell is the accent he’s trying to do? (In the interest of full disclosure, I’m still watching this show for some stupid reason.) I haven’t watched the last couple of weeks, but has Pacey said anything on this show that wasn’t a sarcastic one-liner yet?
Also, I agree re: Gillian, but she’s often the subject of hot vs. not, and every once in a while, BAM! http://boboinparadise.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/gillian_anderson1.jpg
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By The Biscuit December 3, 2008 - 7:18 pm
ooooh, BK, maybe you can do a weekly Fringe update on HLS?
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