The Republic of Sport

athomas4

athomas4's Comments

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Sources: Clausen punched outside bar

It happened outside CJ's Pub. CJ's has some good burgers, but nobody actually orders anything besides booze and the occasional bar snack after midnight there. (I live in South Bend.) Chicago Trib says reports that this incident happened around 2:30 AM, so it's probably safe to assume that neither party was particularly sober.

Posted Tuesday January 20, 2009, About: Gruden to Notre Dame?

Can you even imagine Chucky in a recruit's living room, talking to some kid's parents?

Posted Tuesday January 20, 2009, About: Twins considering Gagne for bullpen

Tell me this isn't true. It'll be just like the Tony Batista experiment.

Posted Friday January 16, 2009, About: T-Wolves shopping McCants?

To think, the Wolves -- er, Kevin McHale, rather -- passed up Danny Granger to take McCants. And now that McHale's taken over as coach, he doesn't even play him. (Also, Rashad's lack of PT corresponds to McHale taking over for Wittman, not really with his New Year's partying.)

Posted Friday November 21, 2008, About: T-Wolves owner says Wittman's job safe

Give McFail & the Wolves a mulligan on the '03, '05, & '06 drafts, and MN's starting lineup could very well be Brandon Roy at the point, Danny Granger (picked by Indiana after MN picked McCants) and Josh Howard (picked by Dallas after the Wolves picked Ebi) as swingmen, KG at the four, and just about any big guy in the middle.

Posted Friday November 21, 2008, About: T-Wolves owner says Wittman's job safe

I just don't understand how Wittman's job is safe when the team, with virtually the same roster, has not only shown no signs of improvement from last season, but also has arguably regressed. And remember, the Wolves were .500 when Wittman took over for Casey in '07, only to stumble to a finish 12-30 under Wittman. Moreover, this is Wittman's second try at coaching a rebuilding team, and it should be clear by now that he is not the right coach for a team in such a situation. (Like the Wolves, the Cavs regressed during his two seasons at the helm in Cleveland.)

Posted Tuesday November 11, 2008, About: Gruden dismisses Tenn. rumors

He'd be terrifying, but he'd get kids to commit. I mean, all he's gotta do is flash that Super Bowl ring of his & say he can get the kid to the NFL because he knows what it takes for kids to make it there.

Posted Friday August 29, 2008, About: Notre Dame guard to transfer

Although I understand Ty's decision as it relates to PT, he's a quality guy who'll be missed in the Notre Dame & St. Edward's Hall community. Moreover, with Ty gone, the South Bend Dominoes Pizza will soon be forced to close due to a sudden lack of business.

Posted Wednesday August 13, 2008, About: Notre Dame unsettled at tailback

Hughes should start with Allen spelling him on third down or for change of pace. Aldridge doesn't have the burst he did before a knee injury in high school and has tended to go down with the first hit during his first two years in college. After waiting for three years for him to regain his HS form, it's probably safe to say he won't ever live up to the 5-star billing. I'd actually rather see Jonas Gray than Aldridge. (Aldridge might actually be better suited to a move to FB. Incumbent Asap Schwapp is a giant, but after his own knee injury, he's lost what little speed he had as well as all of his lower-body leverage. Since FBs don't have to have nearly the explosiveness and agility that tailbacks need, and considering his good size and better speed and strength than Schwapp, Aldridge could potentially make a solid FB.)

Hughes has huge size but is surprisingly nimble. He won't ever win a footrace with a corner or safety, but he's a tough, determined runner who's capable of averaging 5-6 yds a carry. He doesn't dance around in the backfield and keeps his feet moving wonderfully after first contact. He also simply looks like he wants it more than the others.

In spring practice, it appeared Allen had regained much of his strength. (He shattered his ankle as a HS sr. and missed nearly that entire season.) Like Aldridge, the 2007 version of Allen too often went down on first contact and was unable to shift into a higher gear. However, during the spring game, he looked like a completely different player -- much more explosive and breaking tackles. Also, his great hands out of the backfield remain.

Contrasting the massive but determined Hughes with the small and explosive Allen on passing downs or to simply change it up would be a great two-back approach.

Posted Sunday October 14, 2007, About: Irish face quarterback controversy

Sharpley is a junior, but he didn't play at all his freshman year. Thus, in terms of NCAA eligibility, he's still a sophomore. Since Notre Dame doesn't believe in redshirting players, he's listed as a junior, but after next year, he can apply to ND administration for a fifth year. That's what Zibby, Travis Thomas, John Carlson, and Geoff Price all did this season. (Last year they were listed as seniors by the Irish.)

Posted Sunday October 14, 2007, About: Irish face quarterback controversy

How come everybody forgets that Sharpley is a sophomore, eligibility-wise. He has two years left after this one. He very well could be the 'future,' if, by 'future' you mean the next two+ years.

Posted Thursday August 30, 2007, About: Blogs: Jones to start for Irish

I've seen Jones' Facebook page, and nobody said anything definite. Just a two or three non-ND football people saying that they heard rumors and at least 15 saying that they hope he's the starter.

Besides, Double D is the fan favorite of the three QB's; just about everyone here on campus would love to see him win the job. Even though he played badly in the open practice on Sunday night, he received the biggest ovation when he trotted onto the field.