Intrigue and secrecy at Irish camp
Charlie Weis claims he won't offer misinformation about his quarterback intentions. Instead, the Notre Dame coach will serve up next to nothing on his team's future under center.
In what's turned into a game of cat and coach during interviews, any question about one quarterback turns into an answer from Weis about all three in Demetrius Jones, Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen.
The result led to an odd exchange Thursday when Weis answered a question about Jones' leadership, then opined about the correlation between geography and disposition.
"(Jones) has got that bubbly personality," Weis said. "I feel pretty good about Demetrius, I feel pretty good about the quarterbacks we have here.
"Evan, who a lot of people think is a quiet guy, is kind of a fiery guy, and Jimmy, who a lot of people think is a flamboyant guy, is a quiet guy. Because they're from upbringings from different parts of the country, a little of the flavor of their geographics comes with them. It's really an interesting combination right there."
And a confusing one. Then again, that's the point.
If Weis gets his way, news of Notre Dame's next quarterback won't break until after kickoff against Georgia Tech on Sept. 1. Of course that would require the Irish to orchestrate a faux warm-up to baffle those searching for a signalcaller clue, but believe it or not, Weis already talked privately with his staff about how to keep the quarterback secret through pre-game drills.
This might sound like a bout of paranoia, but for a team facing such an experience deficit minus Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija and Darius Walker, Weis will take whatever edge he can get.
"I'm not going to announce the quarterback, and it's not because I'm trying to sandbag anyone," Weis said. "I'm going to be practical here, OK? The only game the entire year that I have any advantage going in is the first one."
The secrecy has extended outside Notre Dame's practices too, where ushers not only guard gates to the field, but stand by holes in the fencing. Weis also told the team not to answer any questions about the quarterbacks, leaving the coach as the official un-spokesman.
Last weekend's open practice provided the only glimpse into the race to replace Quinn, with Jones shining in the two-and-a-half hour workout. The Chicago product showed improved accuracy along with the mobility to frustrate defensive coordinators.
"I think I'm definitely throwing the ball better than in the spring," Jones said. "You've got to take every rep like it's your last. Of course you want to look at the other (quarterbacks), but at the same time you can only control what you do out on the field."
Sharpley appeared on point during the weekend workout, while Clausen's arm strength lagged behind his two rivals.
Weis kept coy on the former five-star recruit, who reportedly had an elbow procedure after spring practice.
"Can (Clausen) throw the ball deep?" Weis asked. "I think we'll have to wait until Sept. 1 to find that out."
Don't look for the secrecy to end much before that date, not even for the quarterbacks themselves. Weis knows once he breaks the news to Jones, Sharpley and Clausen that it's a matter of time before everyone else finds out too.
Still, starting next week it may become clear which tack Weis wants to take. On Monday the Irish will move out of training camp mode and into specific preparations for Georgia Tech. Weis wants to prepare all three quarterbacks to play against the Yellow Jackets. But because they bring different skills to the huddle, they won't each get the same game plan.
"Because the margin between one and two and three is relatively small, I think you have to have them all ready to play in the game," Weis said. "I also don't believe in playing mind games. The last thing you want to do is five seconds before the game starts have the guy come out there and go in the tank because a guy who thought he was going to be the quarterback's not the quarterback.
"I think mind games hurt the quarterback position."
They're just a headache for everybody else.