Gunner's Role in 13'

[yankeeND]

With each week passing and Golson improving, I feel it is becoming clear that he will be able to keep the keys to the Ferrari next year. Now that leaves us with the number one QB from last years class sitting on the bench. I feel the best way to utilize his talents is to create redzone packages for him to not only get his feet wet but to help this team in an area that we seem to struggle with. Aside from that it should help keep him motivated to know he is an asset to the team. I know it's very early but I thought this could be a good discussion while waiting until tomorrow nights game.

 

[NDinFL]

Kieldozer?

 

[kmoose]

How about we get through THIS season, before we start worrying about Kiel's role, NEXT season?

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Barring a major shutdown from EG, Kiel will be playing cleanup I'd imagine. He'll get his time but its going to be a minute.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

How about we get through THIS season, before we start worrying about Kiel's role, NEXT season?

Because its a message board, and what we say doesn't matter.

 

[Irish YJ]

EG is improving, and looking better as the year progresses. He is still raw, and is lacking in his reads. Not saying GK will play meaningful minutes, or win the job, but EG still has a long way to go before we place the crown on his head. BK pulling him (right or wrong) in the last game speaks volumes. I'm a big EG fan, and I have high hopes. But I also believe BK will give everyone a chance come spring. I trust BK, and I'm certainly comfortable with our talent and depth at the position... so.... Not the least bit worried.

 

[Rocky2820]

I suspect that EG is going to get a whole lot better in the red zone as he gains more experience. Clearly he has progress to make in order to become more consistent, but personally I'm awfully happy with his performance as a first-year starter. GK will have to earn any meaningful minutes he gets next year.

 

[Anchorman]

Simply put, one of the two is going to start, and IMO the other is probably going to transfer either schools or positions. Not sure Kiel has another position possibility, and not sure how Golson's athleticism would transfer elsewhere. Can't imagine Golson wants to sit for the final three years given what he's shown, and I don't imagine Kiel being content with riding pine for four years.

 

[Buster Bluth]

How about we get through THIS season, before we start worrying about Kiel's role, NEXT season?

I agree. What's Kiel's role going to be this season!!?!

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Simply put, one of the two is going to start, and IMO the other is probably going to transfer either schools

This has been discussed ad nauseam, but there is no way that's going to happen after next season. The difference in styles between the two makes a two-quarterback system extremely feasible if both are too good to keep off the field.

or positions. Not sure Kiel has another position possibility, and not sure how Golson's athleticism would transfer elsewhere.

This is the one part of your post I 100% disagree with. There is no way either player is going to change positions.

Can't imagine Golson wants to sit for the final three years given what he's shown, and I don't imagine Kiel being content with riding pine for four years.

Based on Kelly's history of handling quarterbacks, I think it's a mistake to view the situation in such a cut and dry fashion. If both players develop into studs, both will play.

I know it's a bit of a stretch to look at it this way, but Golson will be a junior academically next year, while Kiel will be a freshman athletically.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think both will stick around next year. After that, I do think one transfers. Next year's schedule is front loaded. I think we'll see a good competition in the spring, and mystery till 9/7 at Michigan. If I had to guess, I see EG starting, but heavy doses of GK in clean up. Not wishing anything, but I could see turnovers or injuries pushing GK into the fire. Regardless, by mid season, we'll all know if EG is progressing with his reads and game management. We could end up with a two headed monster.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I think both will stick around next year. After that, I do think one transfers. Next year's schedule is front loaded. I think we'll see a good competition in the spring, and mystery till 9/7 at Michigan. If I had to guess, I see EG starting, but heavy doses of GK in clean up. Not wishing anything, but I could see turnovers or injuries pushing GK into the fire. Regardless, by mid season, we'll all know if EG is progressing with his reads and game management. We could end up with a two headed monster.

I don't get how people want to take out a young Qb and replace him with an even younger Qb because of mistakes....

Unless you've seen Gunner in practice this year and he is wowing people. Then I will shut my mouth and head over to the crow eating thread.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

EG isn't a big kid. Odds are good that he gets knocked out for at least a game or two along the way. That will give Kiel his opportunity.

I doubt Kiel will transfer if he isn't the starter next year. But if he doesn't win the job by fall camp heading into the '14 season, look out.

And Golson isn't his only worry. Zaire could be the best of the three. There's little point in worrying at this phase, because our QB depth may be better than it's ever been, and the only way one ends up transferring is by another being a bad as$ on the field. ND wins regardless.

 

[kmoose]

I think both will stick around next year. After that, I do think one transfers. Next year's schedule is front loaded. I think we'll see a good competition in the spring, and mystery till 9/7 at Michigan. If I had to guess, I see EG starting, but heavy doses of GK in clean up. Not wishing anything, but I could see turnovers or injuries pushing GK into the fire. Regardless, by mid season, we'll all know if EG is progressing with his reads and game management. We could end up with a two headed monster.

Both will stick around because both will want the ND degree, and the National Championship. Whichever one is sitting the bench will stay because they are only one injury away from starting for the reigning (or this year's) National Champions.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

EG is starter unless GK can flat out take it from him. I do believe Gunner will see as much clean up time as the games will allow. Also worth noting that EG is not a big guy and somewhat injury prone which could allow Gunner to step in whether it be a series or a game(s).

One other thing to consider is a package for GK. I would definitely be okay with bringing GK in for certain situations. Bring in Gunner as just a change of pace guy or redzone package. Golson has done a great job of picking up the goal line TDs but I'd much rather have the bigger guy plowing through the line and not risk EG.

 

[BobD]

Whoever wins the job next season will be one hell of a QB.

 

[PraetorianND]

EG is starter unless GK can flat out take it from him. I do believe Gunner will see as much clean up time as the games will allow. Also worth noting that EG is not a big guy and somewhat injury prone which could allow Gunner to step in whether it be a series or a game(s).

One other thing to consider is a package for GK. I would definitely be okay with bringing GK in for certain situations. Bring in Gunner as just a change of pace guy or redzone package. Golson has done a great job of picking up the goal line TDs but I'd much rather have the bigger guy plowing through the line and not risk EG.

As much as I like the idea of getting Gunner on the field because he was a highly touted recruit, if Golson is playing well then let the man play.

 

[yankeeND]

There is no doubt in my mind that the best man for the job should always get the nod, but that doesn't mean one hand can't wash the other. To me this is more similar to a Leak/Tebow situation than a Jones/Bell one though are somewhat similar. It's just a thought, I am not in any way saying this should happen but my thing is that if it could help the team, give it a shot!

 

[PraetorianND]

There is no doubt in my mind that the best man for the job should always get the nod, but that doesn't mean one hand can't wash the other. To me this is more similar to a Leak/Tebow situation than a Jones/Bell one though are somewhat similar. It's just a thought, I am not in any way saying this should happen but my thing is that if it could help the team, give it a shot!

I see what you're saying. I say if Golson is winning then he plays. Maybe GK can play in cleanup time.

But who knows, maybe BK just doesn't want to burn GK's redshirt year. It's possible BK is just trying to be patient and GK is the man.

As long as the best quarterback we have is on the field I'm happy. That means Tommy needs to stay off the field.

 

[TexasNDFan]

I can see Kelly playing both, much like he's been doing this year until one of the two takes it to the next level. We've seen what happens when a QB is handed a job, so who ever starts will have to earn it. I know Golson has shown flashes, but if you compare him to guys like Johnny Manziel and Marcus Mariota all RS Freshmen he's been pretty pedestrian. The ND offense has the potential to put up a lot of points, maybe not as many as Oregon, but the QB play has held them back and these guys have not held back their offenses, if anything it's been the opposite. I'm not saying that Gunner will the next RS freshman sensation, but he will get his chance and it will make him and Everett better for it.

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

Isn't the world going to end soon?

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm not sure what it will be but I do know that I trust Brian Kelly to make the right call when the time comes. As an aside, if Kelly opens up a competition I'm sure he'll mention how it's "open" and "fair" but I can't help but feel that the kid who (by them could have) led us to an undefeated season and a NC/BCS bowl win wouldn't have a leg up. Plus, EG would have a whole year of starting and playing experience so he would probably win any competition BK set up in the first place.

 

[ickythump1225]

EG isn't a big kid. Odds are good that he gets knocked out for at least a game or two along the way. That will give Kiel his opportunity.

I doubt Kiel will transfer if he isn't the starter next year. But if he doesn't win the job by fall camp heading into the '14 season, look out.

And Golson isn't his only worry. Zaire could be the best of the three. There's little point in worrying at this phase, because our QB depth may be better than it's ever been, and the only way one ends up transferring is by another being a bad as$ on the field. ND wins regardless.

Agreed 100%. If EG develops so nicely that he's just a stud on the field than he should play. While it would be unfortunate for Kiel ultimately it'd be a win for us if EG was so good he kept someone of GK's potential on the bench. Of if EG struggles next year and hasn't really progressed and Kiel comes in and lights it up then the same holds true.

 

[GoldenDomer15]

Rees 13'

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Provided 5 stays healthy and improves he starts.

I hope to see 1 getting a couple series every game to wet his whistle and gain much needed experience for when 5 eventually gets dinged up.


There's nothing wrong with sitting a few years to play.
It's the way it's supposed to be.

The best thing probably would have been to have 5 start last year to space them out a bit better.
He couldn't have been worse then you know who was.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Provided 5 stays healthy and improves he starts.

I hope to see 1 getting a couple series every game to wet his whistle and gain much needed experience for when 5 eventually gets dinged up.


There's nothing wrong with sitting a few years to play.
It's the way it's supposed to be.

The best thing probably would have been to have 5 start last year to space them out a bit better.
He couldn't have been worse then you know who was.

I disagree. 5 was not ready to play last year. Can't just throw him out there to use up a year of eligibility so a guy behind him won't have to wait so long to play.

 

[woolybug25]

- The Kiel transfer talk is completely knee-jerk. He has never talked about expecting to start this year and there has never been any inclination that he is unhappy.

- He is a legacy at Notre Dame. Winning here means more to him than winning somewhere else.

- Great programs have elite QB depth. So I think that this knee jerk transfer talk is simply "hold me, i'm Irish" fear. It's ok... the last 20 years have preprogrammed many of us to think something bad is going to happen. In this case, it wont.

- Golson could get hurt, he could get outplayed or something else. I'm not hoping for this, but it's the reality. What 3-4 year starter stays on the field every game of their career? Maybe less than 10% of them. Gunner will get his shot.

- I think Blair would be proud of his nephew.

 

[BGIF]

I disagree. 5 was not ready to play last year. Can't just throw him out there to use up a year of eligibility so a guy behind him won't have to wait so long to play.

I agree with your disagreement. 5 was not ready last year neither football wise nor academically.

 

[NDhoosier]

How about we get through THIS season, before we start worrying about Kiel's role, NEXT season?

why? this is a forum, we can speculate all we want. This is a very good question.

Will there be a QB battle this off season between Kiel and Golson? Does the loser transfer?

 

[ryno 24]

So isnt this the same question between Tony Rice and Rick Mirer. Lets just remember that winning is the goal of the game and not putting up huge numbers. By the way I'm okay with competition but playing redshirt Freshmen at QB every year is not going to move the program forward.