Rockne's Roundtable

Bob, since I brought up the Crist comparison, I'm going to respond to this. Of course, Crist's talent doesn't compare to Floyd. However, when Crist went down, the next man in was a raw freshman who, in his only appearance, looked to all the world like a deer in the headlights. Wide receiver cannot be compared to quarterback, either in importance or in the likelihood of a true freshman being able to step in and do the job. When Crist went down, you tell me how many people weren't thinking, oh my God, we just gave the keys to the Ferrari to a kid with a learner's permit? The only rationale for wanting to replace Crist would have been resignation to a lost season, so let's go into rebuilding mode, because Rees was not a blue chip recruit and had shown very little indication that he would be ready in his prior stint. Instead, we were all pleasantly surprised, and even amazed, that he could step in, lead the team to four victories and put up some decent numbers. Now no one player is going to be able to "fill Michael Floyd's shoes." But, adversity often has a way of creating opportunities for unforeseen growth, and it is not out of the question, that collectively, the wide receiving corps and tight ends upgrade their performances, that quarterbacks do not lock in on one receiver, that some unheralded player outperforms his recruiting service star rating. Am I predicting this will happen? Of course, not, any more than anyone would have predicted Rees was going to lead ND to four victories, or the defense would suddenly go into lockdown mode. Or, for that matter, that there would not be a substantial drop off when we lost the best tight end in the country to an injury. Obviously, a game or two could be lost because Floyd would have made a play that someone else didn't. Or it might not. There are all kinds of possibilities and outcomes. We're one day into spring practice, so we have plenty of time to see how things will unfold.

Throw in Glenn Foley while your at it Giga.

A better "title" for this post that was created could have been posted,or edited by now,but the content of what is in everyone's post is more important than the "title" chosen! Anyway, my reply:

I'm sure this was his last chance over the weekend to blow off steam before spring practice started. I'm sure he never set out on Saturday night to wind up in the position he is in! The pressure that he was under prior to Saturday night, is nothing to what he is experiencing now! I am in no way making an excuse,but would like to see him achieve the success that his Mother, and he set out to do,when he came to Notre Dame. He is facing a tough time, that needs everyone around him support. Just remember, his Mother is in Minnesota,not in the next room to help him with this self inflected disaster that he caused himself! At this point, he needs the support of his teammates, his coaches, counseling sessions.The Notre Dame community needs to also step up,and find a way to lend him a hand. I've read too many post that everyone just wants to bash,cause that's what they only know how to do. He could of left for the NFL, like some other selfish athletes did recently, but he choose to stay at ND,finish his degree, and help the resurgence of a football team I think he truly loves! Does anyone truly think that Michael Floyd does not know down deep,the honor of getting and fullfilling a Notre Dame athletic scholarship? If that was the case,than why did he come back for his Sr year at Notre Dame? Yes, he screwed up as clearly as has pointed out by everyone,but obviously he needs some help! This is no time to turn your back on someone,that everyone agrees,can use and needs some help and guidence. Throwing him out of ND, suspending him from football games, does nothing to help him understand the seriousness of drinking, or drinking and driving. People who get convicted of DUI, dont have to loose there jobs, quit going to class, or get kicked off football teams. What they do need to do, is be supported, educated, and rehabbed, and show that they do "get it." I think for the most part, Michael Floyld has given his all to Notre Dame, the football program, his respect to get a education, and to all the fans. I'm sure no one in this world feels worse about the position he is in, except maybe his Mother. So can people try to help him head in the right direction, do what any other 21 yr old adult would need help facing? Maybe others that have or are still doing the same thing as he has been caught doing, can learn for this very horrible position, he now finds himself in! He's human, and made a human mistake, that he must "face the music" for! That's the unfortnate problem and truth that he must now face. He'll learn from this legally in society,and Residence Life should see he gets that help,and not turn there back on him for his mistake.They need to still try to do the right thing for Michael Floyd, and every other student who comes to Notre Dame for the education they all need to use in LIFE!

agree hammy. no doubt his skills would be missed, but there are others ready and able to step up and show off their skills as well. after all, that's why the pundits rate recruting classes right? and who knows, with possibly one less receiver, maybe BK will attempt to run the ball more often. well, probably not......

This is very easy to say and be all high and mighty about now, but when you're 18-22 and surrounded by it, it's much harder to do. Not saying drinking and driving isn't stupid nor is it hard to avoid, but to not drink in public at all isn't the answer. Holing oneself up in the dungeons known as the ND dorm rooms, would drive one to suicide.

There were more than a few people, when I went there, who found choices other than public intoxication or suicide.

Obviously I was exaggerating a little, but completely writing off drinking isn't the answer. How about just not being stupid?

Yeah, that's as good a place to start as any.

ND Q, with all due respect...why do people continue to look for every reason why he made this stupid mistake, besides he just plain chose it? He, and only he, is accountable. He did not do it because of a less fortunate upbringing. He knew the rules, he knew what was at risk, and he made his choice. End of story. Looking to spread the blame around only dilutes Michael's accountability. Blaming these kids' upbringing is merely handing them a crutch. Michael Floyd is living the dream, and made a stupid decision. I can not believe folks are weeping for him. Do you feel bad when millionaire's file for bankrupcy?

And yes, I believe I work (and worked) as hard as Michael Floyd (and with no where near the accolades because I had no where near the God given gifts). At 5'6" I played D3 football, at 46 I am a practicing black belt in tae kwon do. I am raising a family and paying a mortgage on a working man's salary. Don't tell me about hard work, and it being a reason we should go easy on Mike. Mike's life is a dream, and he took it for granted.

I'm a fan of Notre Dame football. I don't pretend to care about these kids' personal lives any more than I care for any kid.Do I wish them well? Of course I do. But we are too quick to blame society for the poor choices of the individual.

I'm not handing out a crutch. My point, which somehow was completey missed, is that the same people that pontificate and criticize should understand what he'll go through (deservedly so) and I would think you might want to know more about the entire story before you cast aspersions. It's certainly your right to write what you want but, with all due respect, what do you know about his upbringing? I'm not looking for a reason for the mistake he make either. It's just interesting to see what's written about a young man that you don't know know anything about. I applaud your accomplishments, as you so emphatically pointed out and I would admit that I haven't been as accomplished in tae kwon do as did you, but at the end of the day, the grandstanding and wisdom you bestow upon this young man isn't something people view as admirable and remarks like those typically come from individuals that have never walked in similar shoes. I just find it interesting. I also thought it was interesting that Notre Dame paid tens of millions of dollars to a man that never played college football but I was wrong about him too, so what do I know?

Have a wonderful weekend.