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"I'm surprised at your article. The University of Notre Dame is an institution of higher learning for students who want to gain an education that requires them to work and study long and hard. ND is not a football factory. One player does not make a team. Clarett is just another example of an athlete who wants to skate by on his athletic ability and let other people do his hard work. If I were a offensive lineman on Clarett's team I would "miss" my block so Maurice would get is @$$ nailed. For Clarett, "Out of sight, out of mind". The gutters of the sports world are filled with Claretts of different names."

As you might have suspected, I'm not surprised at my article at all. Mostly, because I'm the author. Newsflash--ND was a football factory as recently as the late eighties and early nineties--or have you forgotten the glory years of the Holtz era? We could only wish for ND to become a football factory again after that 38-0 pasting on Saturday. Unfortunately (or fortunately), winning is both addictive and necessary at a place like Notre Dame, and the more wins that are produced, the greedier we get. If you think that won't happen again when Willingham turns our beloved Golden Dome into a perennial challenger for the National Title (and he will), think again. An unavoidable consequence of recruiting and securing commitments from four and five star prospects is some of them become too potentially valuable to professional football, and would rather be cashing a 3.5 million dollar signing bonus than studying for mid-terms. Others take for granted the opportunity that has been afforded to them because they are ultimately not "Notre Dame" guys, and are just using the program because it affords them the best opportunity to make it to the NFL (were the Olsens really ND guys, or, did they just want to be on TV every week?). There will always be bad apples when the W's are pouring in (and when they aren't). Besides, you're completely missing the point of the article, which is: ND is without a doubt the best place for Clarett to better himself as a person, athlete, and student--but only if he's ready to accept responsibility for his actions and be a man. It was meant as a compliment to ND, TW, and all they have to offer someone who is clearly in need of guidance, structure, and a football family. Call me hopelessly optimistic, but I think Clarett can change. He's a tough kid, from a tough neighborhood, in a tough town. I think he has the moxie to right the ship. Try thinking about this as a potential success story for ND (or, did you not watch the Utah-Cal game Thursday night when Kirk Herbstreit commented that perhaps, if he can get it together, Clarett could be the "Julius Jones of 2004"? Not bad publicity for ND, if you ask me). If he's not ready, can't we always boot his ass out faster than Mo can spell C.F.L.? If that is the case, do you doubt TW's ability to recognize that Clarett is not committed to ND? I don't.

Still, I sincerely respect your point. Perhaps a leopard does not change its spots, and someone like Clarett is not worth the risk. Given his choice to try and declare for the NFL draft in 2004, it looks like Maurice might be headed in the wrong direction. However, that doesn't mean his current course won't be altered.

"HORRIBLE"

Thanks for your thought. I really like how you used CAPS to emphasize--it. You know what is more HORRIBLE than my article, though? Well--global warming, for one. It could be the cause for human extinction, eventually. Violence in the Middle East is right up there. Roaming charges come to mind. How about halitosis? Oh--and what about people who aren't willing to give someone a second chance?

Think about this: how much is Ohio State to blame for Clarett's attitude? They are the ones who tolerated his behavior. They made excuses for him time and time again. Tyrone Willingham, on the other hand, will not, and does not make excuses. Did Ty make excuses after his team got clobbered on Saturday? I didn't hear one.

Still, maybe the naysayers are right. Maybe Clarett is another Terry Glenn. But, then again, Terry Glenn never had Tyrone Willingham for a football coach. By the way, Glenn has had his best seasons, and was on his absolute best behavior when he played for Bill Parcells--someone Glenn refers to as his Father figure--a coach known for his no nonsense approach, emphasis on team, and genuine disappointment for anyone who does anything less than what is expected of them. Sound like someone we know? (A clue: unfortunately, the answer, this time is not Heather Locklear).

[A side note: speaking of Heather Locklear--I have seen a picture of her (a UCLA fan) in a USC cheerleader uniform (she did it as a joke for one of the producers of Melrose place--who was a staunch USC fan) and underneath USC was a piece of paper taped to the sweater with this single word: SUCKS. Even hotter--in the photo--she is also giving the camera a double F you.].

"You just put into words on this article exactly what I was thinking about 2 days ago, only your version was funnier. Nice article and keep up the good work."

Finally, someone who gets me! I'm so happy I found you! Embrace me! (sniff, sniff). Oh--wait a sec--that was me doing an impression of Terry Glenn right before Bill Parcells probably clobbered him with an empty Gatorade cooler, then ran over him with a golf cart.

Seriously, though, ND recruited this kid two years ago, and nearly hooked him, and I just think it would be kind of sad for us to not to take his phone call. I firmly believe that had Clarett not been so impatient (he preferred to enroll early at OSU), and chosen ND in the first place, he wouldn't be in this mess. He either would have been on much better behavior, or gone much sooner--because at ND, for better or worse--its Ty's way, or the highway.

"Clarett? Fine. Who cares. After getting dissed by Lorenzo Booker, and Reggie Bush, can we please just land ONE stud five star commitment at tail back???"

Thanks for the reply. I feel you homie. It's been tough--especially Booker doing us in on national TV. That was the sports/ND equivalent of watching the Hindenburg burst into flames. Many forget that Clarett himself was a near miss for us. For me, Clarett hurt more than Booker--being able to steal Mo from OSU's back yard would have been sweet. And, I really thought we had Reggie Bush. Who knows, with two guys who look as good, or better, sharing time with Bush at USC, he might end up in South Bend one day after all. Stranger things have happened. I heard a rumor that John Goodman doesn't wear underpants. That's strange, and, well, frankly, I'm feeling a little nauseated thinking about it.

This year it's Darius Walker--let's just hope it's not deja vous all over again. Perhaps if we offered more than one super back--Tony Temple, Delbert Ferguson--we might not be in such a tenuous position every year. We did get Travis Thomas last year, though. He chose us over Iowa. These days the Hawkeyes are not exactly slouches in the running back department (read: Fred Russell, Ladell Betts). Granted, T.T. was not a five star prospect--but a lot of guys who aren't end up the owners of extraordinary accomplishments. According to recruiting expert Tom Lemming, the difference between a five star prospect and a four star (his rating for T.T. last year) is typically marginal at best over the long term. We have also secured an early commitment this year from four star speed back Justin Hoskins from Michigan, who had around 180 yards rushing in his opening game. Let's hope he isn't this year's David Marero (another less painful, but significant disappointment in 2003).

"You are s-o-o-o-o-o GREEN - with envy! What's the matter - nothing else to write about after that utterly shameful "Notre lame" boys-against-men showing in front a national TV audience in the Big House? Like the ND helmet "design", you are obviously lacking in the creativity department. Virtually every college football observer of note (even Beano Cook!) concedes that Michigan's is the most distinctive, fear-inspiring, and awesome helmet design (and uniform) of them all, much as Sousa proclaimed "the Victors" the greatest college march in the land. Get over your inferiority complex, and remember also that Michigan taught ND the game of football to begin with. One wonders how you will react when Michigan, the all-time leader in football victories, overtakes ND in the winning % category in the near future (despite playing more difficult schedules, historically)..........Get a life!"

Thanks for your response. I like how you waited to send it to me until after the game had been played, coward. My helmet article was posted on THURSDAY. BEFORE the game (can you read a calendar?). There are a number of foibles in your response, but I will only address a few. First, I would be happy to answer your question. How will I react if Michigan overtakes ND in the winning % category? Simple. I will respect their achievement. Or, did you not read the beginning of my article where I noted my RESPECT for the Michigan football program, tradition, and coach? Second, had the score been 140-0 the Michigan helmet would still be illogical, and a rip off act. No amount of wins, or praises from college football analysts can change the fact that Michigan could not come up with something original of their own that correlated in some way to their school, state, or tradition.

Finally, (and most importantly) in regard to getting a life, what the hell are you doing reading a Notre Dame site in the first place? I have never gone on a Michigan fan site in my LIFE. Traitor.

Keep those comments coming! See you next week!