FORMER NOTRE DAME FULLBACK MARC EDWARDS HAS SOME HARSH WORDS FOR JIMMY CLAUSEN

This caught me by surprise today. Former Notre Dame fullback Marc Edwards was asked about his thoughts in regards to current Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and his place among the greats to play for the blue and gold. I will let you read it for yourself...

Notre Dame has been starved for a winner at quarterback for a long time.

Ron Powlus had some big victories that I was a part of, and Brady Quinn put up some numbers and has some games that you remember, but you probably have to go back to Kevin McDougal for the last of the great winners. It wasn’t like he was a big passer, but that team won. He willed us to some victories. Even though he never put up huge numbers, that team won. So he gets a lot of credit for that.

Unless you’re winning big games, I don’t care what kind of stats you’re putting up. Unless you’re leading the team to victory, you’re not going to go down as a great Notre Dame quarterback.

That’s the first obstacle Jimmy Clausen needs to overcome. He needs a signature victory to be in that conversation and I haven’t really seen that yet.

He’s a junior, and he’s not even close to the level of a legendary Notre Dame quarterback. Not even close. Until he gets those signature wins, I don’t give a s*** how many yards you’re putting up, how many touchdowns you’re putting up. It doesn’t matter without the wins. If we go 8-4 and don’t beat anyone worth a d***, no one is going to remember and no one will care.

Yeah, he had a great coming-out party against Hawaii and a good win to start the season against Nevada, but neither of those are wins people are going to remember. We haven’t beat a major team since I can remember. A top 5 team, a big bowl game. Even if they would’ve beat Michigan this season it would’ve been better. Until he does that, he’s just a guy putting up numbers.

Is the pressure on Jimmy? Absolutely. But there’s never too much pressure on a kid like this. You sign up to be the quarterback at Notre Dame, and that’s what you get. But the second he starts winning, he’ll be getting the accolades coming his way.

I don’t know if he has that “it” factor yet. Any Notre Dame team can go out and beat up on the Nevada’s of the world, but until you go out there and compete against USC or Michigan or someone like that, then Jimmy Clausen will just be another quarterback.

First off let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Marc Edwards. I always respected the way he played the game for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame always got a 100% effort from the big guy and he left his heart on the field at all times. But I think a lot of what he says is dead wrong here. Yes, quarterbacks are measured by wins no doubt. But you can't blame ND losing last week because of Jimmy Clausen. He doesn't play defense or special teams or wears the pinstripes for the Big Ten. He throws touchdown passes and lately he has been throwing a ton without turning the ball over. What else can you ask out of your quarterback? Just because Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl doesn't mean he isn't a great quarterback. Nobody is going to take Trent Dilfer over Marino. Nobody. Until Notre Dame develops some great lines they can't compete with the big boys on a consistent basis. This isn't Jimmy's fault and Edwards should have enough brains to see this. Clausen is handling all the "pressure" with ease at Notre Dame. He hasn't gotten in any trouble and it seems like his teammates really like him. He has developed into a leader this season. Yet to know all this and then to hear a former player knock him down is disappointing. Edwards has a right to his opinion no matter how idiotic it is. I would just hope that former players would show support for the current ones instead of acting like this. In other words, FUCK OFF MARC EDWARDS! You are either with us or against us. Please act like you are a part of the Notre Dame family and show your support. And please don't point out a quarterback who has Clausen's numbers (leads the nation in almost every important QB stat this season) and state that they are basically a failure if they don't win.

Just my two cents.