For the past few weeks, we’ve been trying to find signs of progress in the play of the Notre Dame Football Team. And, frankly, it hasn’t been a very encouraging endeavor. Getting blown out by Georgia Tech was rough. Getting run over by Penn State was terrible. And getting shutout completely by Michigan (sucks!) well, that just sucked about as much as Michigan (sucks!). This week, Notre Dame faces Michigan (sucks!) State in a battle of the polar opposites. MSU has a brand new coach, a lot of momentum, and a 3-0 record. Notre Dame has a 3rd year coach, less momentum than a stationary ping pong ball, and an 0-3 record. Obviously, things are looking pretty dire for ND right now.That said, Charlie Weis has decided to go back to the beginning, back to basics, and fix what ails Notre Dame before even worrying about MSU. And in that same spirit, we’ve reverted our signs of progress back to the absolute basics.

The Lego Duplo Basic Signs of Progress

1. Tackle – This is football, a contact sport. And a primary piece of this sport is tackling. Real, genuine, shoulder to the gut, head on the ball, wrap up, drive-thru tackling. The Notre Dame defense seems to be in love with ball-stripping. We can’t imagine that the players are coached to strip first and then try to tackle someone, but that’s the way the players have been playing.
2. Block – Hit somebody. Anybody in a differently colored jersey will suffice. Explode off the ball, drive your legs and your hips, hit through the defender, continue until the whistle is blown. Don’t take the hit, deliver it. Bring the fight to them.
3. Run – If there’s a hole, run through it, no matter if it’s the hole that was supposed to be there based on the play called in the huddle. If there isn’t a hole, become the aggressor. Again, don’t take the hit, deliver it. Let the opposition know that if they’re going to play this game, they’d better earn the right to play it.
4. Create the Violence – A common theme in the first 3 objectives. Football is a game of athletic ability, strategy, and will. Show a greater will than the opponent. Make them bow down to you. Even if the plays aren’t working as designed, ensure that the opponent leaves the field after each series hoping that was their last. You can be the attacker or the attacked. Which one would you prefer?
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5. Hustle – “Leave everything you have on the field.” If what you’re doing isn’t working, make an adjustment and try harder. Nearly every college football team in the country would kill to have the level of talent assembled on the Notre Dame sideline. Yeah you’re a very young team. So what? Stretch yourself.
6. Take Pride – Notre Dame Football is bigger than you. It’s bigger than me. The fans look to it for inspiration, meaning we look to you for inspiration. There’s over a hundred years of tradition that could either weigh on you or support you. Take pride in yourself, take pride in that tradition, take pride in your team.
7. Win – It’s time.

That’s it. Nice and simple. Hit the guy in front of you. Keep hitting him until the whistle blows. Let the rest of the chips fall as they may.

We’re using fewer objectives this week than the previous weeks. And we’ll probably grade using a much more touchy-feely system than our usual “75% or better” approach. See you Sunday.

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domer.mq

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