Mike: I’m a traditionalist like you, but it’s time to face facts. There have been many attempts at placing sod in the stadium, including after this year’s Oklahoma game, and the field remains a total disaster and a terrible surface to play on. That being said, the main reason I’m for the installation of field turf is that I’ve hardly ever heard any football player (high school, college, NFL) complain about playing on it. I don’t want to see games at Notre Dame Stadium decided on which team gets the breaks by not slipping or tripping on a sub-standard surface at the most inopportune times. In addition, I’m all for moderately-sized Jumbotrons in the stadium that show replays, provide a catalyst for getting the crowd into the game, NO ADVERTISING EVER and little else.

Golson was suspended after Kiel decided to transfer. I’m assuming that he was ahead of Hendrix on the depth chart at the end of his second spring and one season of mop-up duty.

Right and Goulson’s suspension had nothing to do with the situation now did it?

I’m not a big fan of the jumbotron idea, but do you think it could help make the place louder by firing fans up? The Michigan state game I attended was as quiet as the chapel until the fourth quarter. The tradition and national television hype doesn’t provide home field advantage, IMO. I’ve always felt the hype can actually get the opposition fired up. What provides home field advantage is when the opposing offense can’t hear their calls, and that rarely happens at ND. In a round about rant, I would be open to jumbotron idea only if they feel it could raise decibels.

Austin Collinsworth – ? as to coming back
Andrew Hendrix – probably done?
Christian Lombard – Definitely coming back?
Kendall Moore – ? as to returning, doesn’t seem to be coach’s preference
Louis Nix III – Would definitely take back if he wanted to come.
Justin Utupo – Definitely coming back
Lo Wood – Has 1 year remaining. Probably coming back?
Stephon Tuitt – Junior, but possibly leaving
Bennett Jackson – used all elligibility
TJ Jones – used all elligibility
Kona Schwenke – Used all elligibility
Prince Shembo – Used all elligibility
Daniel Smith – Used all elligibility

I can say that since we ran for over 200 yrds and I think that leaving Carlisle in the dog house for one fumble against Purdue while going back to the Tommy Rees well over and over is not actually fair to a kid that has some clear talent. In each of his opportunities he has gotten like three or four chances to bust the long run and when he doesn’t, Kelly switches horses. The running game takes patience, and that seems to be something that Kelly lacks or at the least didn’t have until later in the season.