NDFB Hoopla

After a few weeks off, NDFB is back and alot is happening! Spring football practices have kicked off, the Irish won a few National Titles and are in the hunt for two more!

• Congratulations to Notre Dame Fencing - 2011 National Champions!

• Congratulations to Head Coach Jeff Jackson and Irish Hockey team for making the Frozen Four! Notre Dame will face Minnesota Duluth on April 7th.

• Congratulations to Head Coach Muffet McGraw and the Women's Basketball team for making the NCAA Final Four. The Irish face two-time defending champions Connecticut on Sunday, April 3rd.

• Congratulations to Head Coach Mike Brey, who followed up his Big East Coach of the Year (his 3rd in the last five years) by winning National Coach of the Year for guiding the Irish to a 27-7 record and #2 seed in the NCAA tourney (his 6th appearance in eleven years).

• Congratulations to Irish senior guard Ben Hansbrough who was named Big East Player of the Year.
  

And on to football:

• Notre Dame recently announced the ticket prices and time schedule for the 2011 season. New to the schedule will be a departure from tradition with a night game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 22 against USC. See you there!
  

• Head Coach Brian Kelly recently leaked information that the September 10th night game against Michigan will be a throwback game. Notre Dame will don uniforms from the late 1950s, early 1960s including a green shamrock on gold helmets.

• Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd has a date this week with ORLH, the long arm of the law on Notre Dame's campus to determine his fate with the University and the football team.

• Former Irish defensive back Tom Zbikowski is back in the ring thanks in part to the current CBA in the NFL. Zbikowski has already won two recent fights and has another one schedule for April 9th in Atlantic City, NJ.

• Former Irish star Dave Duerson (1979-1982) died on February 17th and legendary Jim Seymour (1965-1969) died on March 29th. NDFB passes along its condolences.
  

Spring Preview: Running Back

While the debate at quarterback has been the battle to watch, the recent media focus has been on the tailback position - for all the wrong reasons. Early into spring practice, sophomore Cameron Roberson, the 2010 Offensive Scout Team POY, tore multiple ligaments in his knee. A timetable for his return has not been set.

With the loss of Roberson and multiple position switches, a depth chart looks something like this:

Cierre Wood - Rs. Jr.
Jonas Gray - Sr.
Cameron Roberson - Rs. So.
Cam McDaniel - Fr.

The original intent was to add Theo Riddick to the tailback position, but the depletion at wide receiver and Floyd situation has certainly changed things. Nonetheless, the loss of Armando Allen and Robert Hughes certainly leaves the starting position and playing time open for the taking. Cierre Wood impressed last season with his speed and shiftiness. Gray has yet to really make an impact on the field, but has the physical tools necessary to be the bruiser back.

This group will have the most question marks entering the season and at this point, the focus should be on keeping them healthy. After all, whoever stays healthy will most likely get the starting nod. The running backs corp is something that will continue to change and develop leading up to the start of the season.