Crewcut: 'Tradition Never Graduates'

Year Three of the Crewcut Charlie Weis experience kicked off Wednesday in South Bend, and the No. 1 question facing the big guy was the health of quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune reported that Weis interrupted a questioner to say Clausen is "full go, too, contrary to recent reports. ... By the way, just so we can clear that one up, the only one who will answer for the health of our players will be me. So next time, we can just keep it that way."

Reporters later headed to the Loftus Sports Center to catch a glimpse of practice. Michael Rothstein of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported that "when the media was allowed in, most flocked right to where Clausen was standing and began snapping photographs and filming. That didn't even happen when Brady Quinn was still around."

How did Clausen look throwing the ball? According to the Chicago Sun-Times' Vaughn McClure, who reported that Clausen has an injured throwing arm, the quarterback only threw briefly during 20 minutes of light drills that were open to the press. Clausen will not be made available to the media during spring practice.

Weis did little to lower expectations in South Bend, reported Pete DiPrimio of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, even though the Fighting Irish return only three starters on offense. "Tradition never graduates," Weis said.

Added Weis: "It's easy for everyone to say, 'This is a transition year. This is a rebuilding year.' You can't ever think like that. I can’t think like that. Players won’t think like that. Not happening."