Notre Dame Midseason Report Card
UHND.com - John Romanelli, ’91
October 18, 2000
Offense
QB - Arnaz Battle: Although an incomplete is probably more fair, he ran the ball like a tailback in his efforts against Texas A&M and Nebraska. Unfortunately, he threw like a tailback also. B
Gary Godsey: Showed great poise stepping into a difficult situation, and led the team to victory against Purdue. However, he clearly was unable to run Kevin Rogers’ offense, necessitating a benching after the Michigan State game. Deserves credit but showed why he is better suited for tight end. C
Matt LoVecchio: Has been impressive in his starts against Stanford and Navy. Needs work on his throwing mechanism – he tends to float balls – but the Irish may have found their QB of the future. I can’t wait to see how good he can be… B
RB - Julius Jones: A threat to break long runs every time he touches the ball, and he scares opponents every time he is on the field. He does have a tendency to shift around in the backfield looking for a hole (which he explodes through when it develops); this sometimes leads to losses and zero yard carries. Hampered a bit by injuries. B
Tony Fisher: Could be a 1,000 yard runner – if Bob Davie remembers that he is on the team. Can catch the ball (like the nifty TD against Navy), and block like a fullback. A valuable member of the offense. But he hasn’t developed into that threat that Jones is. B-
Terrance Howard: Has shown flashes of ability in limited playing time. His attitude needs work – he almost quit the team for the second time – but ability is never a question. Forced the coaches to move him back to offense with his ability. If he played more, he could become a great one. B-
FB - Tom Lopienski: Has shown virtually nothing as a fullback. In fact, I’m not sure he should regain the starting job when recovered from injury. Has missed blocking assignments and dropped passes. D-
Jason Murray: Has produced some in limited playing time replacing Lopienski, with a nice TD against Stanford. Looks like the starter to me, but I’m not the coach. I’d love to see more of him… C
Mike McNair: The biggest question is this: How has he not transferred yet? Does Bob Davie know how great he was in high school? Why we do not see more of him is a mystery. Inc
WR - Joey Getherall: If all players had his heart, ND would be national champs. ND’s answer to Wayne Chrebet. Absolutely fearless. If not injured so often, he would be a star. A-
David Givens: Just beginning to realize his potential. An offensive weapon, finally had his breakout game against Stanford. The more of him, the better for the offense. A
Javin Hunter: Makes catches that make your head spin, and always seems to be open. Has the potential to be the big-play receiver Lake Dawson and Derrick Mayes were. Injury and the game plan are his only obstacles. A
TE - Jabari Holloway: Everyone knows he is great. So why do we not utilize him more? Good question. Has not been as dominating as in previous years, but can still break a big play, like the 32 yarder against Navy. Should be an early NFL pick. B+
Dan O’Leary: Never developed into the stud tight end everyone envisioned, largely due to the early emergence of Holloway. But, he always seems to make the big catch when you need him. A leader on the field. B
OT - Jordan Black: Has played fairly well, but has missed assignments and allowed sacks that are inexcusable. Makes one wonder if he fully recovered from the knee injury last year. D
Kurt Vollers: Has not made as many mistakes – but he too has been inconsistent. The QBs have been under too much pressure this year. C-
OG - Mike Gandy: Seems to be a workhorse, yet I don’t see the holes against non-service academy teams. The whole OL has been a major disappointment, and he is no exception. C-
Jim Jones: He too has been decent inside, but the RBs are struggling to run inside. A journeyman getting by on heart. C-
C - Jeff Faine: In his debut season, has meshed well with his veteran linemates. Has not made as many mistakes as one might expect from a first year player. Played exceptionally well in the first two games. B-
Defense
DL - Grant Irons: It is unfair to judge him based on the early injury. But I am surprised that we don’t miss him as much as we should. Is it Ryan Roberts? Or did he underachieve? Inc
Ryan Roberts: Has had four sacks in his first four games. In fact, ND’s pass rush has been impressive – and the key to the defensive resurgence. Inspiring to watch. A
Lance Legree: Another player who stuck around long enough to develop. I can’t imagine where the defense would be without him. A-
Anthony Weaver: See, his freshman year was no fluke. Shame on Bob Davie for taking a year to figure it out. He is a natural end, and has been dominant at times. Looks like the NFL is in his future… A
B.J. Scott: Another journeyman who has developed nicely. Has been solid against the run, and even has pressured the QB in passing situations. B
LB - Anthony Denman: One of ND’s better linebackers in recent years, maybe the last decade. He is always around the ball, and is a great fundamental tackler. His presence will be missed badly next year. A+
Rocky Boiman: Another player that has been a joy to watch. Desire is the one word the describes him best. Also always around the football, and has surprising speed for someone his size. A
Tyreo Harrison: Has been solid, and makes few mistakes, but has not stood out as much as his peers. He plays well enough to keep Carlos Pierre-Antoine on the bench. B
S - Tony Driver: Finally emerged as the playmaker we all thought he could be in high school. Will make a great NFL player. His 2 TDs against Navy will be shown repeatedly on draft day. Greast tackler. Only possible knock was the inability to tackle Haygood in the Michigan State debacle – but it truly wasn’t his man. A major reason for the defensive resurgence. A+
Ron Israel: A devastating hitter, although often caught out of position. Still, he is no drop off from last year’s SS, A’Jani Sanders, which is a surprise. Keeps Gerome Sapp on the bench, which tells you something. B+
Glenn Earl: Yes, he’s that number 19 that you always see on the field. Has a great nose for the ball. Should be a backup, but the coaches are having a hard time keeping him off the field. A promising future. Great special temas player, too. B
CB - Brock Williams: A leader on defense, with excellent man-to-man cover skills. Do you think ND would have been 5-7 if he was there last year? I don’t either. A huge upgrade from last year. A
Shane Walton: Won the starting job from Clifford Jefferson, and hasn’t looked back. A solid tackler; rarely gets beat deep. We really owe the soccer team a thank you… B
Clifford Jefferson: I can’t blame his speed; he is one of the faster players on the team. I can’t blame his size – Ivory Covington was his size and was excellent. So why has he not developed? I’m sure the coaches and his cousin, Allen Rossum, are asking the same question. A disappointment. D
Special teams
K - Nick Setta: Clearly the best placekicker since Kevin Pendergast, which says very little. Has excelled at times, but could be better. But, we can kick again. Who am I to complain? A-
P - Joey Hildbold: Has anyone noticed how well he has punted? Following in the tradition of Craig Hentrich and Hunter Smith, both NFL stars. Can bomb a long one, hit the coffin corner, and pooch it, as well. A
Coaching
I’d be the first to lead the "We want Tom Coughlin" chants if I thought Davie has done a bad job. But let’s face it. He fixed last year’s major problems – defense and special teams – and if Battle hadn’t been hurt, they mighy have been 5-1 at this point. They are two plays away from being 6-0. Davie has resurrected his career. He looks comfortable, finally. He can recruit talent (notice no one complains about the lack of talent anymore?). And he can win big games. He’s not Lou Holtz. Nor Devine or Ara. But he’s not Gerry Faust, either. B
I hope this was not too jaded by the recent success of the Irish, but this is how one fan/alum sees it.