After watching Ohio State’s improbable run to win the National Championship, the general principles of having a solid fundamentally sound defense and a strong running game to win football games immediately comes to mind. They are basic concepts, but the reason for those concepts being so basic is because of the undeniable truth that envelops them. Sure, there are lots of things that are needed to have a National Title run, let alone to win one- but those are the “basics.”
Now, to have a fundamentally sound defense and a strong running game, it all boils down to solid play in the trenches from your offensive and defensive linemen. Notre Dame is pushing to achieve the former thanks in part to a commitment by the players to achieve the latter. That started this week with the news that Sheldon Day would be returning to Notre Dame in 2015. Then, as if Touchdown Jesus Himself guided a young man’s heart, Ronnie Stanley announced that he too would be back for the Irish in 2015.
I'm coming back. 1 year. 1 reason #Natty #ND
— Rico Suavee (@ronnie_stanley) January 13, 2015
To borrow the phrase already used by Keith Arnold and others, these are two huge pieces of the puzzle for the Irish in 2015 that are now in place. They are indeed a large part- but the puzzle is still a work in progress. Notre Dame still has decisions to make regarding players like Ishaq Williams, KeiVarae Russell, and even DaVaris Daniels. We wait to hear who, if any, will end their careers with a medical. National Signing Day is 3 weeks away, and although it’s not as immediate as upperclassmen returning, freshmen can make a huge impact both seen and unseen. There is still a rumor of a “Bear” of a defensive lineman transferring to Notre Dame for his 5th year just as Cody Riggs did last year. Oh, and I didn’t even mention Golson.
Yes, there are still a ton of pieces that need to be found and placed inside that “puzzle” for Notre Dame in 2015, but the two biggest pieces of the two biggest parts of the biggest reasons for a championship run are now in place. Could more good news be on the way?
Ronnie Stanley (@ronnie_stanley) on his decision to return to #NotreDame: pic.twitter.com/6pAPPPrIWE
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) January 13, 2015
