Time to hand the reigns back to Tommy Rees

[Who'saWildManNow]

I think it is broke. Yes we are 6-0 but only and I say ONLY because of our defense. Its not hard to see we really have no offense when we play a team with any kind of defense. Navy had no defense, we score 50, Miami had no defense, we score 41.
Every other team we score 20 points or less because they have a defense! Michigan we scored only 13 points!!! And only because of Rees! Stanford we score 13 points in regular time.
I don't think Golson is the answer, he just doesn't seem to get it, he seems very lethargic. He plays arrogant, when he does something good and gets a big and screws up. I only say this because he is VERY athletic and an extremely good player/athlete, but something is holding him back. You see flashes of greatness and its just not consistent. Of course you'll say.."oh hes a freshman, oh its his first year" and yeah, sure, that sounds reasonable and maybe is right. But, I disagree. A lot of freshmen start and are phenomenal and I think the issue is bigger than that. But again, this is my humble opinion.
I know I'm gonna get hated on for saying this but what about Hendrix? Hes mobiler than Rees and possibly more accurate and consistent than EG. Honestly was surprised we didn't see him vs Stanford.

I think you are expecting Oregon's offense or even Arizona's but ND is a power running football team right now. We played Stanford the way we had to play Stanford. Kelly's running a tough defense and a run oriented offense out on the field on purpose. We scored 50 on Miami because of the run, not because of a high flying aerial attack. ND wants to get the lead and run out the clock.. plain and simple.

Golson offers play and furthermore drive extensions which is vital to this team right now. The fact that he can scramble and pick up a first down or extend a play and hit someone on the run is huge.

I'm not in total disagreement about Hendrix but Kelly obviously sees something in Golson.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Golson turns the ball over less, even though he started this year with less experience than Tommy started last year (with a more talented offense). How's that?

YES!! I like it.

 

[BGIF]

Yes. His TD pass was a beautiful throw. He also had some nice scrambles (including the one on which he got hurt) that would have never happened had Rees been in the game. Golson gives ND another dimension on offense that is difficult to defend. Let's not forget that Stanford has a very good defense. I don't see many offenses piling up points on them. Once Golson clears up some of his mental errors, he will be very, very good. He has to take his licks and learn from his mistakes. The only way that happens if he is in the game.

Tommy has been clutch, but we've won 6 games with Golson starting. Now is not the time to fiddle with success.

Golson in 5-0 as a starter as he has only started 5 games in his career.

I agree with the rest of your commentary but will add Tommy could not have made those runs but he wouldn't have had to.

On almost all of those scrambles there was an open receiver and/or a pocket that could have been stepped up and into, it wasn't utilized. Tommy would have utilized his teammates be it receiver, running back, or OL. Tommy also realizes when the blitz is coming you have to make a quick decision as to who's in single coverage and get him the ball. He can't catch it if it isn't thrown.

Golson's strength in his feet fosters a weakness in judgement.

He is a work in progress as is Rees, who is better than last year, and the others.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I think that argument has a counter-argument: Rees is 13-4 as a starter.

NO LOSSES. Leave it as it is.

 

[Woneone]

That is conjecture. I am going off of facts. We ARE 6-0 with Golson starting and Rees finishing, if necessary. Like I said, why change what's working?

Rees started against Miami.

And I get the 6-0 (I mean 5-0) thing as a starter. I do. But let's not pretend that, in really any of those games, Golson won it for us. If anything, he's been a liability in many situations (don't lie, any time he runs, you get nervous).

People keep talking about his escapability. I call it happy feet. He leaves the pocket WAAAAY to quickly.

The best part about this discussion is how people will use the "Youth" of Everett Golson as an excuse. You know what, Tommy last year had the same amount of time in the system as Everett does this year. He made many "youthful" mistakes. Yet, people don't forgive him, because he didn't have a defense bail in out on many occasions.

People expect Everett to make some huge leap next year. Why is it so hard to believe that Tommy did/is doing the same thing from 2nd to 3rd year and, if given the opportunity, prove to us that he learned from his mistakes last year and play amazing football?

So far, I'd say he has.

 

[WaveDomer]

I think you are expecting Oregon's offense or even Arizona's but ND is a power running football team right now. We played Stanford the way we had to play Stanford. Kelly's running a tough defense and a run oriented offense out on the field on purpose. We scored 50 on Miami because of the run, not because of a high flying aerial attack. ND wants to get the lead and run out the clock.. plain and simple.

Golson offers play and furthermore drive extensions which is vital to this team right now. The fact that he can scramble and pick up a first down or extend a play and hit someone on the run is huge.

I'm not in total disagreement about Hendrix but Kelly obviously sees something in Golson.

This. ND is a power team that wins off the running game. It's not what people expected from BK, but he's running with the horses he has.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

anal-retentive guy:

Everett is 5-0, not 6-0 (Tommy started Miami)

"mobiler" is not a word.

I'm going on break.

 

[BGIF]

Everett's 6-0.

ND stats list Golson as a starter in 5 games and finishing what, 4, when leading. I recall 2 games where Rees was called upon to enter a game under intense pressure with ND tied or trailing and he produced the margin of victory.

Golson is the better athlete by far.

Kelly's 6-0 in handling his QBs.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

ND stats list Golson as a starter in 5 games and finishing what, 4, when leading. I recall 2 games where Rees was called upon to enter a game under intense pressure with ND tied or trailing and he produced the margin of victory.

Golson is the better athlete by far.

Kelly's 6-0 in handling his QBs.

Boom. I hope we can all agree that at least Kelly has earned our deference.

 

[dshans]

Will you proof-read my english paper for me?

I'll PM my rate sheet to you. What's your v-Credit Card limit?

 

[koonja]

I'll PM my rate sheet to you. What's your v-Credit Card limit?

Currently in collections. I'm addicted to gambling and liquorish.

 

[ndfi78]

Brady Quinn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jimmy Clausen Profile - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

Matt Barkley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tommy Rees (quarterback) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't have time to pull all the stats out and make them pretty but go look at the first two years for these four. Tommy would have cut down on his INT's this year, I would be willing to bet on it.

If Golson is going to be a four year starter then I understand having him in there but I can't imagine that he will be if Kiel lives up to his billing. In that case bring in TR and I bet the O flows better.

 

[PraetorianND]

I trust BK. Rees is going to make an incredible coach one day. I think he is very cerebral and can lead. He's lacking the other tools. I'm sure BK wishes he could combine Golson and Rees. Since he can't do that he's going with the 2 QB system and it seems to be working.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Brady Quinn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jimmy Clausen Profile - UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

Matt Barkley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tommy Rees (quarterback) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't have time to pull all the stats out and make them pretty but go look at the first two years for these four. Tommy would have cut down on his INT's this year, I would be willing to bet on it.

If Golson is going to be a four year starter then I understand having him in there but I can't imagine that he will be if Kiel lives up to his billing. In that case bring in TR and I bet the O flows better.

Comparisons like this set Rees up for failure...

 

[alohagoirish]

Golson had driven the team to a TD with the pretty throw to eifert--he was pushing the team into stanford territory when he got what was a pretty BRUTAL head & neck shot.

Kelly was going all the way with everett in this game and IMO we would have won the game in regulation with a TD (albeit not as wonderfully dramatic as "the stand")---Golson was finding a nice offensive rythm and would have finished with a TD.

Coach is not going to risk a national title & an undefeated season by starting the wrong QB---coach really likes tommy as we all know but he also has become realistic about what Rees can & cannot do.

We start Tommy for the last seven games my guess is we would lose at least three and maybe four---continue the way we have and there is a LONG SHOT at the title and a GREAT SHOT at 11-2 and a top 10 rating!

 

[notredameroom]

The coaches know better than everyone posting on this board. We support the kids on the field. If Golson plays, we support him. If Tommy plays, we support him. Keep believing. Keep winning. Keep building. We support Manti whether he makes or misses a tackle. We need to support all the boys all the time. Click for more..

 

[GoIrish41]

Golson in 5-0 as a starter as he has only started 5 games in his career.I agree with the rest of your commentary but will add Tommy could not have made those runs but he wouldn't have had to.

On almost all of those scrambles there was an open receiver and/or a pocket that could have been stepped up and into, it wasn't utilized. Tommy would have utilized his teammates be it receiver, running back, or OL. Tommy also realizes when the blitz is coming you have to make a quick decision as to who's in single coverage and get him the ball. He can't catch it if it isn't thrown.

Golson's strength in his feet fosters a weakness in judgement.

He is a work in progress as is Rees, who is better than last year, and the others.

Of course you are right. I forgot that Rees started against Miami. Agree also that BOTH are a work in progress. Rees is better pre-snap right now -- no question about it. Golson, however, I think is better when a play breaks down. Tommy had a ton of turnovers last year, especially against teams with tough defenses. Maybe he got better this year, but the coach obviously thinks that Golson gives the team a better chance to win. A mobile QB can be a nightmare for defenses. In the Stanford game, even though he didn't light it up, Golson being in the game gave the defense one more thing to think about that wouldn't have crossed their minds with Tommy in the game.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Rees started against Miami.

And I get the 6-0 (I mean 5-0) thing as a starter. I do. But let's not pretend that, in really any of those games, Golson won it for us. If anything, he's been a liability in many situations (don't lie, any time he runs, you get nervous).

People keep talking about his escapability. I call it happy feet. He leaves the pocket WAAAAY to quickly.

The best part about this discussion is how people will use the "Youth" of Everett Golson as an excuse. You know what, Tommy last year had the same amount of time in the system as Everett does this year. He made many "youthful" mistakes. Yet, people don't forgive him, because he didn't have a defense bail in out on many occasions.

People expect Everett to make some huge leap next year. Why is it so hard to believe that Tommy did/is doing the same thing from 2nd to 3rd year and, if given the opportunity, prove to us that he learned from his mistakes last year and play amazing football?

So far, I'd say he has.

I give a ton of credit to Rees for what he's done this season and even more to Kelly for pushing the right buttons and keeping egos in check.

But, Tommy can only leap so far. He cannot leap into mobility and arm strength, traits in which Golson possesses. Developing Everett's mental aspect (the missing link) of the game is a realistic goal that if/when accomplished will provide benefits that his competitors just cannot. Kelly is thinking long term whilst maintaining short term goals.

Like BGIF stated, the admiration goes to Kelly for guiding the ship to 6 wins while developing Everett and utilizing Tommy's ice cold veins.

 

[ndfi78]

Comparisons like this set Rees up for failure...

I wasn't trying to compare them as far as talent level, obviously. Just trying to point out the big drop in INTs the other three had in their junior year. I think it is reasonable to expect the same would happen with TR.

 

[Woneone]

I give a ton of credit to Rees for what he's done this season and even more to Kelly for pushing the right buttons and keeping egos in check.

But, Tommy can only leap so far. He cannot leap into mobility and arm strength, traits in which Golson possesses. Developing Everett's mental aspect (the missing link) of the game is a realistic goal that if/when accomplished will provide benefits that his competitors just cannot. Kelly is thinking long term whilst maintaining short term goals.

Like BGIF stated, the admiration goes to Kelly for guiding the ship to 6 wins while developing Everett and utilizing Tommy's ice cold veins.

No, this is unacceptable. I have 15 minutes left at work, and I was hoping to debate with someone on the internet to kill those 15 minutes.

I was not prepared for a statement I totally agree with.

Guess I'll go post a photoshopped picture of ND Stadium with a Jumbotron in it on NDNation.com. That should provide a few more laughs to round out the day.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

No, this is unacceptable. I have 15 minutes left at work, and I was hoping to debate with someone on the internet to kill those 15 minutes.

I was not prepared for a statement I totally agree with.

Guess I'll go post a photoshopped picture of ND Stadium with a Jumbotron in it on NDNation.com. That should provide a few more laughs to round out the day.

Ha, at first I read "No, this is unacceptable" and immediately had an "oh no he di'int" moment.. lol I also approve of messing with NDnation whenever possible!

 

[dsotm]

People keep talking about his escapability. I call it happy feet. He leaves the pocket WAAAAY to quickly.

I agree. And, he leaves the pocket because he realizes that he hasn't read any of the routes as he should have and he has no choice, it's why against Stanford he double, triple, and sometimes quadruple pumped his passes and still ended up running. He missed his opportunity and the routes were over and he was still holding the ball.

This offense cannot score against a good team with him at the helm, it's that simple. Others can try to delude themselves all they want. It's not Kelly's plan to intercept the ball 3 times not score once, against 2 different teams. It's ridiculous to infer that. He may turn the ball over more, but Rees is simply able to move the ball better, even if it means our less than prolific run game suffers. He can play clock management all he wants, if he can't figure out how to move the ball at least a little in the air- we're going to get beat by Oklahoma. As good as our D is, they can put up points. 14 to 17 points by ND is not going to cut it.

 

[GreatGolson]

Golson is 5-0 as a starter

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I agree. And, he leaves the pocket because he realizes that he hasn't read any of the routes as he should have and he has no choice, it's why against Stanford he double, triple, and sometimes quadruple pumped his passes and still ended up running. He missed his opportunity and the routes were over and he was still holding the ball.

This offense cannot score against a good team with him at the helm, it's that simple. Others can try to delude themselves all they want. It's not Kelly's plan to intercept the ball 3 times not score once, against 2 different teams. It's ridiculous to infer that. He may turn the ball over more, but Rees is simply able to move the ball better, even if it means our less than prolific run game suffers. He can play clock management all he wants, if he can't figure out how to move the ball at least a little in the air- we're going to get beat by Oklahoma. As good as our D is, they can put up points. 14 to 17 points by ND is not going to cut it.

Who was the QB that threw a TD pass to Eifert in the Stanford game?

 

[Patulski]

Though I'd rather have Golson because of his dual threat ability, I'd be comfortable with Rees as well. People overreacted to his performance as a Sophomore last year. It is a huge learning curve to be a QB at the highest levels of college football as Golson is finding out in his Sophomore season. I have no doubt that another year of mental and physical maturity, and all of the experience he's had, is the reason why Rees is playing much better. We're fortunate to have him.

That being said, I hope we're not going to have another circle jerk of QB controversy fomenters on this board this year like we did last year.

 

[aaronb]

Who was the QB that threw a TD pass to Eifert in the Stanford game?

Didn't Tommy Rees lead us right down to a FG and a TD in his only two drives?

 

[Grahambo]

I know that the kid routinely gets slammed on these boards. However the truth of the matter is that the offense just runs so much better when he is at the helm. It's just time to make a permanent change.

Bottom line is that you play to win the games. Maybe Golson will further develop and be a star at some point. Unfortunately that time hasn't arrived yet.

Tommy needs to be the man behind center right now. Especially if we have any hopes of BCS games.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Though I'd rather have Golson because of his dual threat ability, I'd be comfortable with Rees as well. People overreacted to his performance as a Sophomore last year. It is a huge learning curve to be a QB at the highest levels of college football as Golson is finding out in his Sophomore season. I have no doubt that another year of mental and physical maturity, and all of the experience he's had, is the reason why Rees is playing much better. We're fortunate to have him.

............................................................................

 

[dsotm]

Who was the QB that threw a TD pass to Eifert in the Stanford game?

By that measure, Who was the QB who threw the winning TD? Let's remember that 2 of the games Golson started were won by Rees. (for the guy who insisits Golsen is 5-0, or 6-0 as they would have it.)

1 TD is your measure? C'mon..a Golson led offense has been the benefactor of a rash of turnovers by this D- almost all have led to ZERO points. That's ok for you? The fact that the Michigan game was that close after 6 turnovers was disgraceful. The truth is Golson has been average enough to not make enough mistakes that the defense was allowed to run the clock out. What are they going to do when Okolohma, BYU and USC do NOT turn the ball over, but instread, score half the time? I'll tell you- nothing. They will lose because they have a one dimensional offense and a tremendous defense. Sometimes the defense has a bad game you know...

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Didn't Tommy Rees lead us right down to a FG and a TD in his only two drives?

So then that would mean BOTH led scoring drives against a good D...