'13 OH QB Malik Zaire (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm not sure we had a BCS (i.e. top 10) offense this year regardless.

By "BCS-caliber", I only meant an offense good enough to get us to a BCS bowl. Top 10 is out of the question.

Zaire may be a better two headed option to pair with Rees than Hendrix anyway. If he is "cerebral" then he might be no worse than Rees playing so much as a freshman from a decision making standpoint, but with the bonus of some added playmaking ability. Pair that with Tommy in the bullpen ready to relieve when Malik needs a few minutes on the sideline to process and we are, again, serviceable.

I just don't see it. His throwing mechanics need a lot of work, and he's never taken a college snap before. We were incredibly lucky to make it out of September last season undefeated with Golson under center, and he was more polished coming out of high school and had the benefit of a redshirt year. If Kelly tries to transition to Zaire this season, a BCS bid becomes extremely unlikely.

We don't need a top 10 offense to win lots of games. We need a mediocre offense that does not make too many mistakes. Our defense will take care of the rest.

I think we drop from around a top 30 to a top 50 or 60 due to Golson's absence. Paired with a #1 or #2 defense I don't see anyone on the schedule that I would call any better than 50/50.

Our offense was a lot better last season than you think. Even after getting curb-stomped by 'Bama, we ended up with the 12th ranked offense and the 16th ranked defense by FEI. Golson was big part of our offensive success, especially during the 2nd half of the season.

And you think a top 2 defense is a given? Diaco's scheme was tailored around Te'o last season-- his Cover 2 "shell" worked because Te'o cleaned up everything between the hash marks. Grace isn't ready to do that, so Diaco will have to make some major changes in 2013, probably involving a lot more blitzing, pre-snap movement, and leaving DBs 1 v 1. We might be better; we might not. We'll definitely see an uptick in explosive plays allowed.

 

[RDU Irish]

I agree, I only see turnovers getting between us and a BCS bowl. Any of our three QBs should be able to do "good enough" to get us there.

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> HC Brian Kelly has a conference call at 2:30pm CT.</p>— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiTribHamilton/status/339455122541268992">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[RDU Irish]

2012 NCAA Division I-A College Football Team Statistics Leaders for Total - ESPN

In a more traditional sense - our offense was #54 in YPG and #80 in Points Per Game (YIKES) - claiming our offense is Top 15 when it is #80 in PPG only fuels those who compare lies to statistics. Oh, and 222 passing yards per game was #72 in the land. Just look at the Pitt game and tell me our offense didn't have serious problems.

College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Game on TeamRankings.com
Defensively, #1 in PPG. Kind of an important stat, IMO. YPG was #5.

T'eo point is well made though.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

2012 NCAA Division I-A College Football Team Statistics Leaders for Total - ESPN

In a more traditional sense - our offense was #54 in YPG and #80 in Points Per Game (YIKES) - claiming our offense is Top 15 when it is #80 in PPG only fuels those who compare lies to statistics. Oh, and 222 passing yards per game was #72 in the land. Just look at the Pitt game and tell me our offense didn't have serious problems.

We played the #2, #3, #4, and #18 ranked defenses last year. Any statistic that doesn't control for the quality of opponents faced is worthless.

College Football Stats - College FB Team Opponent Yards per Game on TeamRankings.com
Defensively, #1 in PPG. Kind of an important stat, IMO. YPG was #5.

Again, that stat is worthless without controlling for the quality of offenses we faced. 'Bama and OU were the only two "elite" offenses we played. So I don't think any of the vanilla stats you've just referenced are very accurate.

 

[RDU Irish]

OK, use your stats - Our defense was #1 in explosive drives (not) allowed and #83 in methodical drives. Bend but don't break anyone?

Offensively it almost reverses - #80 in explosive drives and #14 in methodical drives. Best ranking on offense is #8 OSOS and nothing else is top 10, good luck getting more than 20% of the posters here to understand OSOS. So can we summarize that we were good at long drives but lacked home run ability? We were not elite at anything but above average at most things?


I'm not going to torture any stats, but I suspect an above average run defense shut us down more than an above average pass defense.

 

[IrishLion]

The Cincinnati fan in me wants to see '07-'08 BK say "fugg it" and let MZ off the leash. I was hoping he would do that with EG this year, but that's out.

The reasonable and foremost ND fan in me says "no way, the defense is too good for the offense to be willingly participating in track meets."

I wouldn't mind seeing Tommy at the helm with Malik getting a series or two against Temple to see if his mental development and raw talent is enough to overcome his mechanical issues and lack of experience.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OK, use your stats - Our defense was #1 in explosive drives (not) allowed and #83 in methodical drives. Bend but don't break anyone?

I don't think we really disagree on much here, and to be clear, I'm not worried about our defense. But Te'o was the biggest cog in Diaco's 2012 "bend don't break" machine. I'm not confident we can point to those stats and say 2013 will be more of the same. There are significant schematic changes coming.

Offensively it almost reverses - #80 in explosive drives and #14 in methodical drives. Best ranking on offense is #8 OSOS and nothing else is top 10, good luck getting more than 20% of the posters here to understand OSOS. So can we summarize that we were good at long drives but lacked home run ability? We were not elite at anything but above average at most things?

That paints a much more accurate picture of our offense than #54 in YPG and #80 in PPG, no? We managed to move the ball effectively on a few of the best defenses in the nation; just didn't score a lot of points off of it.

I'm not going to torture any stats, but I suspect an above average run defense shut us down more than an above average pass defense.

Absolutely, and we'll face plenty of elite rush defenses in 2013: MSU (#2), BYU (#4), Stanford (#7), and Michigan (#18). Without a competent passing attack, those teams are all going to be very tough to beat.

 

[Cackalacky]

Absolutely was coming out of high school. MZ has to absolutely quicken up his delivery while improving accuracy in order to become a great QB at ND. However, it is very encouraging that all the early reports have him being a sponge with the coaches and in the film room, while showing great work ethic and potential for leadership.

This is why I hope he makes the start. IDK what the future holds with EG. I am fine with Tommy coming off the bench to bail out, get a crucial 3rd down, but I can't watch another BYU game. It just seems to me a full game plan is too much for him. He seems to be fine with a few scripted plays (I am not bad mouthing him because he was clutch when it counted) I just can't see him running full games anymore. Hendrix is a wild card. I have seen some good with the runs and some bad with his accuracy and decision making, but not enough for me to make a decision one way or the other. i say let Hendrix and Zaire compete.

I just ran myself in a circle LOL....

 

[NDohio]

I am truly excited about the future with MZ as the signal caller, but ....

Are we really calling for a true Freshman, that played division IV, and had a 56% completeion percentage in a run heavy offense to suddenly understand BK's complicated offense in a better way than either TR and AH?

We are doomed .......

 

[RDU Irish]

I actually think our defense will be better in the secondary, apply more pressure and get more turnovers this year. All positions BUT T'eo should be better than last year, scary thought. Hard to replicate a #1 scoring defense but I think a lack of explosive offensive opponents will help pad the (non FEI) stats.

On offense, I am making more of a leap of faith. I am hoping a stronger O-line compensates for a lot of question marks. While we may have some RBs who can run the ball, can they block and make their other assignments? Will WR corps block downfield? QB may not matter for half the schedule if our run game is strong enough. Its the other half of the schedule for which MZ may be needed to move some chains. We have skill to spread out and go over the top, but we may not have the QB to deliver.

If either Zaire or Hendrix beat Tommy out of the starting job, it means very good things to our offensive upside. Otherwise, I still like Tommy's chances of giving us an above average, Top 40ish offense and most importantly eliminating back breaking turnovers. When I predict 3 games with neither team breaking double digits, I am looking at those four elite rushing defenses being the problem.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I am hoping that Rees can step things up a bit. While it would be nice to see Malik just kickin' butt, let's face it starting QB as a true Frosh is a HUGE gig and will be super tough.

My expectations are tempered down to 9 wins this year...the boys can do it.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

This offseason has been super long feeling. It feels like Zaire should be a senior this fall.

 

[ndfb3]

Malik Zaire doesn't lack for ambition, but will he have enough time to rise up the depth chart? Not that it's probable that Zaire will end up as Notre Dame's starting quarterback when the Irish open the 2013 season with Temple on Aug. 31, or sometime later in the season, but at least the possibility is in play in the mind that matters most -- ND fourth-year head coach Brian Kelly. ... So far, the mental side is where Zaire has made huge, almost unprecedented, strides, though he has been frustrated at times things haven't fallen into place faster. "I think coach Kelly feels awesome about Malik compared mentally to probably anybody hes coached," Irish offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Chuck Martin said. "He's made the comment to me, 'Wow, that kid really picks up things.'"

Zaire makes bid to be Irish QB

 

[ulukinatme]

Tommy starts, but Kelly continues to use 2 QB system and inserts Malik at times for experience?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Tommy starts, but Kelly continues to use 2 QB system and inserts Malik at times for experience?

agree with everything except imo you'll see Hendrix before malik this year. I just can't see him being ready as a true freshman...could be wrong, but I personally won't sell Hendrix short just yet.

 

[STLDomer]

Tommy starts, but Kelly continues to use 2 QB system and inserts Malik at times for experience?

We need to win games, not aim to get our freshman QB experience

 

[pkt77242]

We need to win games, not aim to get our freshman QB experience

I respectfully somewhat disagree. Yes we need to win but we probably need to get Zaire some experience as well. Hopefully that experience comes when we are thumping teams (such as Temple). If we start Tommy and RS Zaire the next year we would have Zaire and the incoming freshmen and no one would have experience (maybe Hendrix too but if he doesn't play a lot this year it is hard to see him sticking around for another one). Golson might be back or he might not. So yes winning is important but so is developing our younger players in the right circumstance.

 

[irish1958]

If we can't beat Temple with Kelly's mother at QB, the season is lost anyway. Start Malik and play him the whole game. Let him make his mistakes against a weak team, not one with a stout run defense where it would cost us the game. Golson's return is not assured (my guess is less than 20%). If we go with Rees the outlook for '14 is not good, considering who we will loose on defense.
Hendrix is a better option than Rees; but even if he does well, he might leave for medical school anyway.

 

[connect the dots]

If we can't beat Temple with Kelly's mother at QB, the season is lost anyway. Start Malik and play him the whole game. Let him make his mistakes against a weak team, not one with a stout run defense where it would cost us the game. Golson's return is not assured (my guess is less than 20%). If we go with Rees the outlook for '14 is not good, considering who we will loose on defense.
Hendrix is a better option than Rees; but even if he does well, he might leave for medical school anyway.

Fortunately, your pessimistic assessment of Tommy Rees is not shared by his teammates or the coaching staff. This fall, Tommy Rees will successfully orchestrate the Notre Dame offense, and he will put you in a position to eat your disparaging words.

 

[STLDomer]

I respectfully somewhat disagree. Yes we need to win but we probably need to get Zaire some experience as well. Hopefully that experience comes when we are thumping teams (such as Temple). If we start Tommy and RS Zaire the next year we would have Zaire and the incoming freshmen and no one would have experience (maybe Hendrix too but if he doesn't play a lot this year it is hard to see him sticking around for another one). Golson might be back or he might not. So yes winning is important but so is developing our younger players in the right circumstance.

Saying its a two QB system implies playing Malik in important situations. Playing him in garbage time isn't a two QB system.

 

[ThePiombino]

We need to win games, not aim to get our freshman QB experience

Under normal circumstances I would agree with this; however, the team is in a situation where we literally have NO IDEA who will be returning next year, other than Malik. For that reason alone I think that Malik needs to see some time and possibly even some meaningful minutes THIS YEAR. Unless BK is 100% certain that both Hendrix and Golson are coming back for '14, it would be foolish to throw an unproven Malik to the wolves next year when they had the option to get him some action this year. I'm always for preserving a red-shirt season for QBs, especially when blessed with typical depth and turnover at the position, but with the departure of Gunner and the boneheadedness of Golson, we just don't have that luxory anymore.

 

[NDohio]

Under normal circumstances I would agree with this; however, the team is in a situation where we literally have NO IDEA who will be returning next year, other than Malik. For that reason alone I think that Malik needs to see some time and possibly even some meaningful minutes THIS YEAR. Unless BK is 100% certain that both Hendrix and Golson are coming back for '14, it would be foolish to throw an unproven Malik to the wolves next year when they had the option to get him some action this year. I'm always for preserving a red-shirt season for QBs, especially when blessed with typical depth and turnover at the position, but with the departure of Gunner and the boneheadedness of Golson, we just don't have that luxory anymore.

All this talk about how important it is to get MZ playing time this year so he can be ready for next year is a little off. Why? How much playing time did EG get during his freshman year? He was able to beat out both Tommy and Andrew without having a single minute of game time while both AH and TR were experienced.

Let Tommy and Andrew run the team this year and MZ run the scout team. Next year MZ will have had plenty of experience since he will be competing against one of the best defenses in the country every week in practice.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

All this talk about how important it is to get MZ playing time this year so he can be ready for next year is a little off. Why? How much playing time did EG get during his freshman year? He was able to beat out both Tommy and Andrew without having a single minute of game time while both AH and TR were experienced.

Let Tommy and Andrew run the team this year and MZ run the scout team. Next year MZ will have had plenty of experience since he will be competing against one of the best defenses in the country every week in practice.

Normally I would agree with this line of thinking but EG had TR to bail him out in at least 2 games early in the season and then needed him when he got injured in 2 more games. That is 4 games that without having a guy like TR on the team, we lose and are 8-4. Who will Malik have to bail him as a 1st year starter when the game gets too fast for him and he needs a breather? I think Kelly will play whoever he feels is the best option for us to win games now but if several things are equal, like TR and AH are making the same reads and can both make the throws, what might give 1 QB an advantage over the other? Will it be AH's mobility, TR's understanding of the offense and ability to read defenses very well, or will he consider which one can help us long-term while still winning games this year? If he goes with the latter, then it's gotta be AH. But if he starts TR then the odds of AH returning for a 5th year when he has a super talented RS freshman breathing down his neck for the starting job just made things more complicated. Why would AH return when the chance of him starting are slim? He could have EG returning and/or MZ could get the job if EG doesn't return and then you have Hendrix playing the same role as TR did last year. So say AH doesn't return and EG doesn't come back, then we are looking at a red shirt freshman with no experience and possibly 2-3 incoming true freshmen who can't help MZ if he gets into trouble next year. If you start AH this year and play MZ at least in garbage time, then you have a better chance of things going smoothly in 2014 than if TR starts and AH or even MZ are the #2 guys. I just don't want 2014 to be another 2007, at least as far as the QB situation goes (or 2010, too, that wasn't pretty) and I think that is what you get if EG doesn't return and you don't make either AH or MZ the starter this season. TR is not going to the NFL and has no more eligibility left so it's not like Kelly would be ending his career by not starting him, either. I know that is a callous thought but Kelly also has to think of the players and which players would benefit the most long-term by starting this season.

 

[NDdomer2]

i want our starting qb to be who Kelly thinks wins us the most games. I don't care what year they are in school or how many games he has been in.

 

[GATTACA!]

Golson's return is not assured (my guess is less than 20%).

I don't understand all the pessimism towards EGs return? It seems like ND laid out exactly what he needs to do to return. By every indication EG wants to make it back, so why would there only be a 20% chance of him returning?

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I don't understand all the pessimism towards EGs return? It seems like ND laid out exactly what he needs to do to return. By every indication EG wants to make it back, so why would there only be a 20% chance of him returning?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

 

[irish1958]

Fortunately, your pessimistic assessment of Tommy Rees is not shared by his teammates or the coaching staff. This fall, Tommy Rees will successfully orchestrate the Notre Dame offense, and he will put you in a position to eat your disparaging words.

I would love to eat my words, this year re Rees and next year re Golson.

 

[jojoblack]

If everete comes back (which i think is stupid) he will sit. The Zaire kid is not going to give up that position. In fact he will lead the irish to some big time wins. EG should go to another school. It makes no sense to come back and academicly he will not be able to get it. My advice to him let your ego go transfer out to maybe a ACC school or a MAC school where you can play right away.

 

[STLDomer]

If everete comes back (which i think is stupid) he will sit. The Zaire kid is not going to give up that position. In fact he will lead the irish to some big time wins. EG should go to another school. It makes no sense to come back and academicly he will not be able to get it. My advice to him let your ego go transfer out to maybe a ACC school or a MAC school where you can play right away.

What position exactly would Zaire be giving up? He's third string QB.