We’ll take a look at the Notre Dame season by offering our analysis of each position’s performance this season.  We posted a preview of each position last summer and we’ll take a look at each position’s expectations and how they fared.  Let’s start with the quarterback position.

Position: Quarterback

Preseason Grade: B.

Postseason Analysis:  Jimmy Clausen had a good beginning of the season and a disastrous end of the season for the 6-6 Irish team.  During the first six games of the season, he threw 14 touchdowns along with 8 interceptions and during the last six games of the season, he threw only 6 touchdowns to go along with 9 interceptions.  He ended the season on a great note, looking the best he did all season while throwing for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns with a perfect passer rating.  We noted in the summer that he had to make better decisions, especially in regards to getting rid of the ball, and yet we continued to see the same mistakes that he made as a freshman throughout much of the regular season.  Those are issues that are usually easily fixed, so we’re not sure if it’s a coaching problem or what, but it needs to be corrected.  He was a tough player once again, although he showed that with a month to heal before the bowl game, he can be a pretty fantastic football player.  His injuries definitely hindered him, as well as some terrible playcalling and coaching, and he will benefit from another year in the weight room to help him last an entire season.  In our preseason analysis, we questioned his leadership ability and it is clear that it is still a work-in-progress, although he certainly has a rapport with the younger players on the team.  For 2009 to be what we all want it to be, Jimmy has to do a better job at leading the entire football team much like Brady did a few years ago.

Backup quarterback Evan Sharpley will likely forego his 5^th year of eligibility to focus on his baseball career, so rising sophomore Dayne Crist looks to step into that role and perhaps even challenge Clausen for the starting position next season.  He’s a tremendous prospect and has the size and leadership ability teams covet, but he didn’t enter Notre Dame as ready as Clausen was two years ago.  Weis has hinted that Crist can give Clausen a challenge, but we expect Clausen to hold on to the starting position at the beginning of next season.  If he doesn’t perform then, we might see a new face at both quarterback and head coach.  Let’s recall the Irish faithful weren’t exactly high on Brady Quinn his first two years yet we were pleasantly surprised (shocked?) at his progress in his third and fourth years.

Can Jimmy Clausen keep Charlie Weis and the Irish faithful happy in 2009?

Postseason Grade: C+.  I would rate Jimmy’s first six games as a B+ and his last six games as a D.  His bowl performance was a solid A.  Let’s hope that continues on into next year.