Rockne's Roundtable

NDShepard,

Players, assistant coaches and Brian Kelly are off limits during the summer months. The only thing I could see is maybe Kelly giving an update on his status after back surgery, but otherwise everything is closed off.

We have submitted an interview request with strength and conditioning coordinator Paul Longo for our August edition, which will be mailed July 24, and so far we haven't heard no. I also think we will be doing a feature soon on Ernest Jones, who was hired this spring as Director of Player Development and Engagement.

You will get the usual "I hear Everett Golson (or a dozen other names) is looking great in 7--on-7 drills" message board fodder, but that is like Aesop's fable about the boy who cried wolf. You hear those things so often that after a while you tune it out as the usual summer noise. Everyone always looks good in the summer, and each year the team returns "in the best shape ever" and "more closer than ever."

Fall camp opens on August 4 — the day after summer school ends — so my guess is the first media day will be Aug. 5.

You will always get the "I