Opinion Article: Suggestions for Offense and Defense
9/3/99
Written by: John Patrick O'Rourke

One of the strategies that I advocated in my recruiting summary last winter was a move to the 4-3 defense.   In light of the rash of injuries recently to the defensive line and the glaring need for an overpowering defense,  I am currently suggesting that some of Notre Dame's  best backup offensive linemen be moved to the defense to shore up what is still a small defensive line.   Accordingly,  I recommend that Kurt Vollers( 6' '7", 295)  and Rob Mowl( 6' 5", 300) be moved to the defensive tackle positions.   I recommend that Brad Williams( 6' 4", 288) and  B.J. Scott( 6' 3', 285) be moved to the defensive end positions. There is no point in having all your big and talented linemen on the bench.     The main reason ND has not been able to win since 1993 has been the use of a small defensive line which was improved somewhat by the move to the 4-3 defense.    The most obvious problem is the secondary.   I think that Brock Williams(when he returns) should be reinstated as the left corner with Harper as the right corner.  I think that Tony Driver should be moved to free safety since Tony Fisher has established himself as the premier tailback.   I think that Terrance Howard should be moved to the other safety spot.  Lastly,   I think that Joe Ferrer should be moved to OLB to replace Boimon because he has 4.5 speed in the forty and is a better pass rusher.   The proposed defense is comprised of all juniors and seniors and would overwhelm Michigan.   I think that Notre Dame can win all of its games and secure the national title with this defense. Otherwise, they will have squandered the opportunity to win when they had the opportiunity.  In defense of my views, the South Bend Tribune indicated that the current defensive ends showed limited productivity and the secondary was repeatedly burned against Kansas. 

On offense, we need to start Raki Nelson at   wide receiver.  He is a clutch wide receiver with excellent speed who was ranked third in the country coming out of high school.  Lou Holtz always displayed the ability to improvise with player positional assignments.  His only mistake and it was a career-ending one was that of being talked into the 3-4 defense.  At tight end,  Dan O' Leary is clearly the best receiver and a clutch player who is a former Parade All-American.   I think that Dan O'Leary and Raki Nelson are the best wide receivers on the team and are both seniors and should start at their relative positions.    The new offensive coordinator, Kevin Rogers, is, without a doubt, the best Notre Dame has had, and he is always engaged in the game.  On special teams, I think that David Givens is better suited than Joey Getherall as the punt returner and kick returner. Givens is not afraid of running into traffic, whereas Getherall is tentative at times.  Lastly,  during the 1988 championship season Holtz encouraged the student body to carry John 3:3 signs on the sideline and in the student section.   Lou Holtz devoted himself to studying the Word and praying to the Lord on a daily basis and God blessed him.    I think that Lou Holtz and John McLeod are two of the best coaches of all time in any sport and I personally miss them.   During Lou Holtz's poignant farewell speech to the student body he said that there would be a few people who would be sad to see the end of his coaching tenure and I am one of those people.