For those that ragged on Tommy...

[ulukinatme]

Your penance shall be 2 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, and an Act of Contrition.

If there was any doubt that Tommy was the best QB on the roster at this time, I think all doubt has been erased. Malik will probably be better someday, but he's a true freshman and is redshirted at this time. This is why you have to support Tommy this year, because there is no other option. Hell, even if he wasn't the best option, he's the starting QB and you should support him anyway. If you don't like the decision, take it up with the staff, don't take it out on the kid. That last part was directed more towards the fans that blasted Tommy on social media, and not so much this site. We've still got an outside chance for a BCS game if Tommy plays well and if the light came on for the defense like it has recently.

 

[NDisme]

I agree with some of what you said, its disturbing how people can treat this kid. Ive been very critical of tommys play but i give him credit when its due. Hes a tough kid but ill also say that what andrew hendrix showed us today doesnt make any of tommys short comings easier to watch. In his fourth year i figured he would being doing certain things better than he is but im also greatful that we have him cuz, well we all saw what happens without him, for me its just not fun to watch the offense

 

[ulukinatme]

You know, it's crazy to think that of all the QBs that have played for us since the USC losing streak started in '01, Tommy was the one that broke it. He went 2-1 in starts against SC, 3-1 in his career at ND. He might have been 3-0 in starts if the Crist fumble in 2011 didn't kill all momentum.

 

[phillyirish]

Just because Tommy is the best QB on the team doesn't mean he isn't a bad QB. Everyone just has to deal with the fact that he is the best option. Right now he will be praised but whenever his next playing time comes (hopefully next week) people will likely continue to be frustrated.

 

[irisheyes]

Tommy Rees is probably one of the strongest (mentally) qbs nd has had. He gets booed constantly and hated on constantly. He may not be the best but as tonight proved hes better than hendrix. No one knows about Malik. My thought is that kelly didnt think it was a very big injury and that ND would be able to move the ball better with Hendrix. My feeling is that if TR would of had a career ender Malik would of been put in after that hendrix fumble

 

[Irishnuke]

Tommy deserves his share of criticism...but he is light years ahead of Hendrix.

 

[BobD]

To look taller, hang out with short people.

 

[ulukinatme]

From the 'Tuna

No doubting Tommy Rees' value after tight Notre Dame Irish win - ESPN

But when the teams had gone to their locker rooms for halftime Saturday, Rees had taken it upon himself to deliver a speech that proved to be prescient in a game that featured no scoring during the final 30 minutes.

"It was a passionate speech, one of the more passionate things I've ever heard Tommy say," captain TJ Jones said. "It was really, 'Just keep your head in the game, don't give up. We've got this, 30 minutes wasn't enough. We need another 30 to win this game.' He had a lot of the guys almost in tears. It's the first time Tommy spoke out like that, and it was definitely emotional."

 

[ulukinatme]

Just because Tommy is the best QB on the team doesn't mean he isn't a bad QB. Everyone just has to deal with the fact that he is the best option. Right now he will be praised but whenever his next playing time comes (hopefully next week) people will likely continue to be frustrated.

He's a lot better than many people give him credit for. Look what this offense did when he wasn't in, absolutely nothing. They had 36 total yards of offense in the 2nd half after Tommy went out early, counting a 10 yard holding penalty. 36 yards for almost an entire half. Credit the defense for keeping us in, but we don't win that game if Hendrix plays 4 quarters. Not even close.

I understand that some people may be frustrated, but you have to realize what the alternative is and you have to hope that he's going to have a good game. Too much criticism gets thrown his way, and he definitely doesn't need people destroying him on social media. He needs to be supported as the starting QB, just as if Hendrix was the best option and the starter.

 

[kzoondfi]

Sorry Tommy. I half jokingly tried to post that I was ready for the end of the TR era in the "What greases your gears thread." I don't think the mods let that post go, but man am I eating crow. I don't think he is great, but think he is a manageable starter and a great backup. Like the announcers said, you are only as good as your backup.

I'll take my penance

 

[BeauBenken]

I've held my tongue for a long time on Rees, but honestly, this year, I have definitely vented my frustrations about him. He's simply not that good, but MY GOD, Andrew Hendrix looks like he has never played quarterback. And does he only know 5 or so plays? Clearly, his grasp over the whole offense is bull.

I feel like Hendrix was thrown into a hard situation though, and he is definitely capable of playing better. We would be in an interesting situation if Tommy couldn't play next week.

Either way, who would've thought we'd all be praying that Tommy can start for us?

 

[RyCo1983]

I've held my tongue for a long time on Rees, but honestly, this year, I have definitely vented my frustrations about him. He's simply not that good, but MY GOD, Andrew Hendrix looks like he has never played quarterback. And does he only know 5 or so plays? Clearly, his grasp over the whole offense is bull.

I feel like Hendrix was thrown into a hard situation though, and he is definitely capable of playing better. We would be in an interesting situation if Tommy couldn't play next week.

Either way, who would've thought we'd all be praying that Tommy can start for us?

It's scary how bad Hendrix looked. I'd certainly prefer neither to be our starting Quarterback. But Tommy is the best of what's left.

 

[Irishman77]

I was sssssoooooo wrong about benching tommy and giving hendrix a shot!

I vow not to dog him anymore this season. Hope he is good to go next week!

 

[BeauBenken]

It's scary how bad Hendrix looked. I'd certainly prefer neither to be our starting Quarterback. But Tommy is the best of what's left.

I feel like Hendrix would be a lot better with a week of preparation, but I'd prefer to play it safe with Tommy.

 

[DCirishfan]

I am guilty, still Kelly in four years should have more depth.

 

[RyCo1983]

I am guilty, still Kelly in four years should have more depth.

THIS

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Tommy Rees Appreciation Day

 

[BeauBenken]

I am guilty, still Kelly in four years should have more depth.

We have one guy on the roster who Kelly actually recruited recruited.

When we get Golson back, Zaire back, and have Kizer next year, our QB depth will begin to become much more how it should be...multiple competent, play-making, mobile quarterbacks.

 

[BobD]

I am guilty, still Kelly in four years should have more depth.

THIS

I'd like to think after four years the coaches would have been able to present a better plan b. Hopefully they're embarrassed about last night and after apologizing to Hendrix and the team for letting them down, they go into defcon 6 mode to figure out something that somewhat redeems them as developers of players. Honestly after last night I'm concerned about Zaires development and how that might be going.

I love our coaches, but they're men paid to do a job, so I won't bite my tongue on being critical when I feel it's deserved. To be clear, I feel there is no man better to be the ND HC than BK. I'm not calling for heads, just expecting better.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I watched the game, but what was his injury diagnosis. I somehow missed it.

 

[Grahambo]

I watched the game, but what was his injury diagnosis. I somehow missed it.

BK called it a neck strain. Will know more in 24-48 hours.

 

[Chi_IRISH]

At the very least the whole Hendrix v Tommy thing is officially over!

 

[Irish Insanity]

At the very least the whole Hendrix v Tommy thing is officially over!

We still have MZ. Unfortunately for some there will still be an argument. lol
However, Tommy Rees is the most under appreciated Notre Dame QB ever,

 

[NDfaninBama]

Tommy Rees Appreciation Day

Great post. I wanted to know what the halftime adjustment was for the Defense and how they became great in the 2nd half, this article answered it for me.
From the article
"Rees’ biggest contribution to the win itself wasn’t his first-half performance either, according to his teammates. The normally reserved leader poured his heart out in the locker room during halftime. Fellow senior TJ Jones said the spontaneous speech, imploring the team to stick together and love each other, had several teammates at the brink of tears.

“Tommy’s pretty quiet usually,” said Niklas. “He likes to be careful and choose words wisely. It was pretty awesome to see him kind of open up and speak from the heart. It was extremely motivating for me.”

 

[FearTheBeard]

I cant remember **** from the game last night but this is one of the few thigs i do remember. Hope he can be back next week, we are terrible without him

 

[Booslum31]

I am guilty, still Kelly in four years should have more depth.

This is where Kiel would have had his shot. I'm pretty sure Kelly didn't know Golsen would get booted and Kiel would bolt. Tommy is the best we got. Getting mad at him for his limitations is ridiculous. He's using what talents he has (brains) and the staff has tried to game plan around what he can and can't do. It's not like he's the second coming of Andrew Luck and he's not playing to his potential. He's played up to his potential for most of this season. I say we thank our lucky stars that he didn't pack it up (like most kids would have) when they promoted EG and brought in a 5 star in Kiel. Praying his injury is not serious...for him and his team.

 

[ACamp1900]

All I know is Andrew closed out USC...

Hendrixus....

 

[returnofthemack]

Rees is ok and Hendrix is awful. But I think most criticism of Rees stems from him having to do things he cant do, such as throwing deep regularly. I've said many times that the uptempo pace and short to intermediate routes maximize his ability. If we keep using that strategy throughout the next few games, we might move the ball well against Stanford.

 

[Booslum31]

All I know is Andrew closed out USC...

Hendrixus....

Great post. I got a belly laugh out of it.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

My problem has never been with Tommy. It is with the fans that criticize these kids. Do you have so much invested in ND football and so little invested elsewhere that you would behave like this?

It ain't just Tommy, it is the criticism LNix, STuitt, etc have been garnering this year. BJax, yes, he missed a tackle badly, but most of his coverage was superlative, and the rest was competent. Someone made fun of JSchmidt last week for looking lost. The staff got wise and used him as the dollar LB in the change packages, and he brought it home last night, talk about separating the player from the ball.

Maybe this is the way most people live, and eat and breathe, but there is always enough fault to go around. I watched a couple minutes of EOgernon's press conference. Do you realize he had more kind things to say about ND football than some posters do and less bad things to say than almost all of us?