usually means that we are approx. 4 weeks from the resumption of football practice ----- looking at all the depth chart information i have ( which doesn't seem to be updated )  includes a number of departed players.  i would think the coaching staff has some idea as to the starters and backups  .... ?  to at least give us some info on the look of the starting offensive line..... looks as if we are better stocked in the line positions from the past several seasons.... any prognostic predictions ?   what cha' guys think ?  

I’m starting to worry a bit about the depth at defensive back.  With Chris Badger leaving for his Mormon mission and Spencer Boyd transferring to South Florida an already thin secondary is looking more transparent than thin.  But I’ve said all along that the 2010 Irish football team under Coach Kelly will win 9-10 games and not purely because of the talent left over by the Weis era.  Davie, Willingham and Weis all had successful first years, however, I think the media has overplayed the whole “first year” success card.  With the exception of Weis’ first year the two previous coaches won games with a little smoke and mirrors and not so much by their own laurels.  Coach Kelly is going to take a team that was X and O’ed very well and form them into a well rounded COLLEGE football team.  This staff is the real deal and not just a conglomerate of big names with NFL pedigree.  They are a cohesive ship that Coach Kelly pilots.  Offensively ND will be as dynamic and explosive as they were under Weis or as Kelly’s other teams.  Defensively the Irish will be vastly improved and will play to their strengths not to what the hot head D-coordinator wants them to do.  The only obstacle I see that would prevent Notre Dame from winning 9 or 10 games is injuries.  This is a talent laden team that just needed to be taught how to be a college team and not a bunch of individual NFL hopefuls.  Go Irish!!

anyway, it seems we have some experience returning -----gray, walls, blanton, banks, salvi & smith come to mind.  i'm sure that kyle's little brother dan will be competing somewhere for a position, likewise with motta.  sure would be nice for someone to step up--  maybe this lezynski can take on a zibikowski like mad-man approach to the defensive game.   he's listed at only 5-9  180, but, nice things can appear in small packages.   lastly, wood the freshman---- no idea if he see's action this year until the 2nd half of the schedule.   the first half has too many teams with the potential to embarass completely a freshman at the corner. 

as for a prediction in the number of wins----well, its favorable since we defend the home turf 8 times this season.   one would think that becomes a big advantage, we'll have to tune in and observe.   i still think it will become the mentality of kelly to outscore the opponent rather than to place the most importance on the defense, it just seems to be his moniker.   until he has a few seasons under his belt and can favorably go after the players needed on the defensive side of the field, i believe it becomes put up a score and let the other team chase.  i understand that  the diaco/ martin duel is favorable for defensive strategies----but, also the athlete at the position is critical.  i don't see the irish there yet.....

it's gonna be fun to watch..... go irish.         

since we had been on the subject of defensive backfields.....  question: of the major bowl games the irish have played in over the years....name the qb and the school that put up the most yard passing against the irish   and   for additional credit :       the  numbers : attempts/ completions / yardage.

ok....pencils up !