Archives for December 2004

‘Although Clements is considered the frontrunner for the job, the Irish hierarchy still doesn’t seem ready to settle on him. It has an interview scheduled Friday with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, a Notre Dame graduate who didn’t play football at the school.’

‘”Being like a free agent, an undrafted free agent, you’re going to have to live in your car so to speak. My car’s a mess, it’s been a mess the past year or two.” Trafford explained. “When the phone rings it’s all about timing and you got to take advantage of your opportunities.”‘

‘Those who played with Clements and coached him can’t say enough about him. Former Irish assistant coach Tom Pagna said, "He’s played at every level, he’s coached at every level. This guy brings a wealth of experience. Tommy’s not a real emotional guy and if you’re looking for emotion, then you miss the depth of the individual. This guy can do the job."’

‘Bills 27, Browns 10.’

”’We called him `Game Day’ because we’ve never seen a guy like that,” linebacker and special teams player Angelo Crowell said Thursday. ”He limps around all week in practice and then the game comes, and it’s like he’s never been hurt.”’

“I can’t help but think about Hawaii, you know, with the way things are going,” allowed McGee, who has authored three of the NFL’s 10 kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2004, the latest coming on a game-opening, 104-yard sprint against the Dolphins last Sunday.

‘Troy Vincent looks much better and may have a chance to finally return from a knee injury on Sunday. Tim Euhus was not on the field for the second straight day. He’s listed as doubtful.’

‘"Giving back to the community is part of our job description as a football player in the NFL," said Milloy. "We go out there and we try to win ballgames for our fans and when they can see you out in the community giving back, it helps to boost the energy and the morale and that’s what I get out of it."’

‘"I know everyone back home will be watching," Evans said. "It’s going to be a real motivating game. I’ll come out to play like I do every game, but there’s always a little bit extra when you know people back home are watching. I was a big Browns fan (as a kid). I remember being real down when the Browns left. It was sad for everybody. I know how Browns fans and Cleveland fans are." Fletcher echoed Evans’ sentiment. "I’m still a Browns fan," Fletcher said. "I cheer for them except when we’re playing against them. There’s something about growing up in Cleveland – you just love the Browns."’

‘According to a source close to the situation, Clements will meet tonight with a group of Notre Dame officials, headed by athletic director Kevin White and president-elect John Jenkins, to discuss the possibility of Clements replacing Tyrone Willingham. "Nothing’s imminent, but things could move quickly if Clements impresses during the interview,” the source said. "Notre Dame wants to put this matter behind them as quickly as possible.”’

‘"There are a lot of guys who are going to be playing for their jobs," linebacker and Cleveland native London Fletcher said. "Guys seem to rally around a new coach and want to show him they can make the plays. I expect them to give us a challenge this week."’

‘The Bills have been granted a blackout extension by the NFL until 1:00 PM (ET) on Friday. This week’s Bills-Browns game must be sold out by 1:00 PM tomorrow for the game to be broadcast locally.’

‘I’ve got to take a lot of the blame for our performance in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins last weekend. I should have probably attacked them more with blitzes like I saw other teams do on film. As a defense, we did some stuff out of character and were trying to make plays too much rather than just playing the defense. We’ve got good defensive players and I should have gone after the quarterback right off the bat and not have been so concerned about all the other stuff that was happening.’

‘Bills 31 Browns 14.’

‘"What he projects is an amazing calm and class," said Failla, who was tutored by Clements in 1992 and ’93 at Notre Dame and years later when he made a comeback in football. "He has a presence when you’re around him. You get the sense that this guy really knows what’s going on. I think he’d be tremendous. Recently the Notre Dame situation, particularly the coaching position, has been depicted as an absolutely helpless situation. Well he’s exactly the kind of guy they need."’