Links - Notre Dames Clausen Tate headed for NFL draft - North River Minor Hockey Association

Notre Dames Clausen Tate headed for NFL draft LOGINREGISTERHELPYOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN NHLNBAMLBCFLNFLCurlingTennisGolfSoccerNASCARFormula OneIndyCar NASCAR Canadian Tire SeriesNationwideCamping WorldAuto RacingWorld JuniorsSpengler CupMenS WHCWomenS WHCHockey CanadaAHLBoxingCanada GamesCHLCISECHLFigure SkatingLacrosseMMANCAASkiingSummer SportsWinter SportsMoreOlympicsFantasyDaily LineShowsTSN TalentCommunityMaineotText SizeSouth Bend IN (Sports Network) Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide receiver Golden Tate announced their intentions to declare for the NFL DraftThe juniors made the announcement at a press conference Monday at which they were joined by former Irish head coach Charlie Weis who was fired last week Weis was there at the request of the players and did not answer questions Weis advice played a big part in each players decision to forgo his senior season though in slightly different ways Clausen said he spoke to Weis after the season and Weis told the quarterback he was ready for the draft That first conversation he just told me that Im ready to go whether he was going to be here or not Clausen said Clausen had his most impressive season this year statistically as the junior had 3722 passing yards and 28 touchdowns on 289of425 completions with just four interceptions Tate said he had a discussion earlier in the year in which Weis said he shouldnt leave unless he met statistical benchmarks of 17 touchdowns and 1500 receiving yards And he hit the nail right on the head said Tate who ended the season with 93 catches for 1496 yards and 15 touchdowns Tate added that a lot of things played a part in him deciding to leave including Clausens decision and the idea that he didnt think he could get better at the college level I just feel it was the right time go out while youre hot Tate said Despite high goals in the three seasons that Clausen and Tate were part of the team the Irish never finished better than 76 a record they posted last season after defeating Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl After a fourgame losing streak Notre Dame finished 2009 at 66 and elected not to accept a bowl bid after Weis firing While neither player said Weis departure and the ensuing change for the program played a part in his decision there was some amount of regret Obviously when you come to a college program you want to win a national championship and win as many games as you can Obviously we didnt do that Clausen said But at the same time its just the next step in our lives Both players emphasized that while it would be tough to leave the team behind it was time to go Its been a special time here Clausen said I probably wont realize that until a few years down the road When I think about not being here next year next semester it gives me chills Clausen joined Notre Dame as a muchheralded recruit and in 35 games ...