Theismann: Clausen should stay at ND

[NDFan4Life]

Now that Jimmy Clausen is filling expectations at the University of Notre Dame and climbing his way up the list of Heisman hopefuls, former Irish legend Joe Theismann is a believer. But Theismann doesn't want Clausen thinking about leaving school early for the NFL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=4537031

[SpanishElite]

I hope he doesnt.. not saying I dont want to see Crist. But I think if JC stays, Tate could stay and you would have a full cupboard of JC, AA, Tate, Floyd, Rudy, plus a year older Shaq and some backs like Riddick and C. Wood. But if he is a Top 15 pick, you cant blame him for going after the dream.

[Griff Cannon]

he sounds like us, just another fan

[NDFan4Life]

I hope he doesnt.. not saying I dont want to see Crist. But I think if JC stays, Tate could stay and you would have a full cupboard of JC, AA, Tate, Floyd, Rudy, plus a year older Shaq and some backs like Riddick and C. Wood. But if he is a Top 15 pick, you cant blame him for going after the dream.

I hope he decides to stay. Not only because he will have a full cupboard, as you say, but also because I think he has more to prove. If he can win our remaining games, ND will definitely be considered one of the top 5 teams next season. I would much rather see him win an NC than the Heisman anyway.

[wicket]

Im worried that he might already be a solid top10 pick and i can do nothing but support him leaving early then. or otherwise at least do what bradford has done. insure properly so that you dont have to worry about the future income wise when you get hurt.
To put it fairly. I would hate to see him leave but imo bradford made a mistake last year by not coming out. With the amount of media attention he could easily get over analysed and drop becuz people just have to much video of you and to much time to evaluate you. It happened to michael oher, colt brennan and quite a few other guys.

[IrishR#1]

Obviously I want him to stay, but I can't blame him if he leaves. He is the number one pick in the 2010 draft unless it ends up being the Bucs or the Chiefs. He's definitely the top QB in the 2010 draft. I don't think anyone could be mad at him for leaving early. If I were him I would go because my guess is that the 2011 draft will have a rookie cap, and Clausen could lose tens of millions if he stays. I will have even more respect for him if he stays and passes up the cash.

[Irish Legend]

IMO - I think he will stay no matter what happens.

[Irish Joe]

IMO - I think he will stay no matter what happens.

This is pretty much what I feel too.

The only way I see him leaving is if he's the consensus #1 overall

[JMR8]

he will. has his best shot at wins and statistics next year.

That is if the 3-4 filling in our O-line next year do just as well or better than the guys this year.

Chris Stewart is available for next year if he chooses right?

[NotreDameNate]

This year... possible top 10 pick. Next year, consenses number 1 no questions. He isn't leaving for Weis's sake, Floyd's sake, Tate's sake, Armando's sake.... There is business to take care of AT Notre Dame.

[BleedingB&G]

he will. has his best shot at wins and statistics next year.

That is if the 3-4 filling in our O-line next year do just as well or better than the guys this year.

Chris Stewart is available for next year if he chooses right?

Not to get ahead of ourselves here, but how do you guys think our O-Line is going to look next year?

[IrishR#1]

It depends on how well Romine and Dever do at left and right tackle.

[sreepointer]

I can't fault Jimmy if he leaves, but right now, it is way to early to think about that. There is a lot of football to be played. I think that Jimmy falls in line with McCoy and Bradford in the sense that he doesn't NEED to leave to support his family, both of the those could have left after last season but didn't NEED to, so returned. I do think if he is top 10 this year, he should leave. I don't like saying that because I want him to stay, but he needs to do what is best for him.

By the way, if Golden keeps this up, he may want to leave as well, and it may be a good idea. He will be featured the rest of this season, so his stock will be high, probably higher than next year when Floyd will be back and Shaq is another year older.

[NotreDameNate]

By the way, if Golden keeps this up, he may want to leave as well, and it may be a good idea. He will be featured the rest of this season, so his stock will be high, probably higher than next year when Floyd will be back and Shaq is another year older.

That's crazy to think, but I know exactly what you are saying. And the thing is, is there is depth behind Golden too. Don't take that as anyone can replace Golden because is a pretty special player in his own right. It's just nice to think we have depth behind Golden is all.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Former players are like ex-presidents. The classy ones will be supportive or give a fairly non-descript answer if asked about the team. Ones that insert themselves into negativity about the current regime or state of the team don't help matters.
If they care, then help in a constructive manner.

[IrishinTN]

Don't forget, these kids also want to win a national championship, so I think that will come into play for their decision as well, and don't you think they'll all realize the best chance for that to happen is to bring the whole group back next year with a constantly mturing and improving defense being one year better as well?

[IrishCrasher]

IMO, Clausen stays. I think he is a student of the game, he wants to Win a NC. Not only that, I think he wants to be remembered by Notre Dame fans forever, by breaking every record in the stats book. He wants to play in the NFL also, but I think he has a chip on his shoulder about college football that he still has to take care of something. For a kid to go undefeated through High School, I can't imagine that he doesn't feel like he has something still to prove at the college level. As for Tate, he is a talented athlete, like Samardzija he can also play Baseball. Therefore I believe he stays as long as Clausen does. Crazy as it sounds, I think Clausen might stay even if he was the number 1 pick in the draft, and what a statement to the sports world that would be.

By the way www.VoteObrien.org. Jimmy is only ranked 21st in this poll vote for him. Lets get him up top, once a day you can vote.

[Irish Legend]

This is pretty much what I feel too.

The only way I see him leaving is if he's the consensus #1 overall

I don't even see it then. I think he's smart. He wants a NC, a Heisman and I think he wants to graduate and to be the ND QB that is thought of when talking about the greatest ND QB of all time. I truly believe that he realizes that the NFL will be there the following year and it will be his chance to be the ultimate ND immortal player that will be talked about for 50 years or longer.

He's staying.

[TDHeysus]

....I think he wants to be remembered by Notre Dame fans forever, by breaking every record in the stats book. ....As for Tate...I believe he stays as long as Clausen does.

I believe that Clausen has made a committment to Weis, and Weis has made a committment to him (beyond the representing the university). I really believe that CW broke it down for Mr. Clausen, and he accepted, and is honoring that committment.

I believe this committment will keep him here next year, and the chemistry of this team makes me think that all eligble players will be back next year. Especially Mr. Clausen, he has made a committment to see this thing thru.

[wicket]

I believe that Clausen has made a committment to Weis, and Weis has made a committment to him (beyond the representing the university). I really believe that CW broke it down for Mr. Clausen, and he accepted, and is honoring that committment.

I believe this committment will keep him here next year, and the chemistry of this team makes me think that all eligble players will be back next year. Especially Mr. Clausen, he has made a committment to see this thing thru.

I think charlie getting canned would mean that jimmy is off though. but that hopefully wont happen

[sreepointer]

Charlie himself said in last weeks press conference that in a situation where a player rises so far up the draft board, it is in his best interest to go. One thing I think we can all agree on is that Charlie Weis looks for his his players, both as players and people. If Charlie thinks Jimmy is ready physically and mentally to leave, I think he would tell him to leave, and if he doesn't, he will tell Jimmy to stay, but we know that Charlie will tell him the truth.

[irish_bobcat]

If he wants to win a national championship he should stay. If he wants to play in the NFL then he should go. Its all going to depend on what matters the most to Jimmy.

[TDHeysus]

I would make the argument that all are coming back...especially those that were here in '07 (which is basically all but graduating sam young?) They would have a unique opportunity to go from the depths of '07 to a legitimate BCS contender and help establish a program.