Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Fins Up | by Jay

Congrats to Jeff Samardzija, your new all-time leader in touchdown receptions for the Irish, with 23. The previous mark was held by Derrick Mayes. It's fitting that Samardzija did it on his best receiving day of the year so far (177 yards) and on the longest scoring play of the year for him (46 yards).

Looking back, it's really remarkable that the Shark didn't have a single TD his first two years on the team, and yet here he is, two years (and a new coach) later, setting the all-time record. I expect we'll see this record (like most of the passing records) fall again before the Charlie era is over, but for now, here's to you, Shark.

For my money, Samardzija is the best Irish receiver since Tim Brown, and he certainly belongs in the conversation alongside Brown, Tom Gatewood, and Jack Snow as one of the best receivers ever to don a gold helmet.