'10 IL QB Tommy Rees (Notre Dame Man)

[arrowryan]

We played for a national championship because he wasn't on the field usually.

We would've gone 10-2 without Tommy last year

 

[IrishJayhawk]

We played for a national championship because he wasn't on the field usually.

You didn't watch the games he cleaned up after Golson was a wreck? Because I remember a few. He saved our season last year. Don't have to think he's one of the greats of all time to recognize that reality.

 

[Pachuco]

Well Tommy, you did some great things here in your career. You helped get us a title shot, and you salvaged a couple years from being very disappointing seasons. Tonight just didn't go your way but I'm proud of your effort. Now, go out with a bowl win and let's finish the year with 9 wins! Proud of the way you fought through adversity your entire career!

Thanks for this. I agree. Respect your class...

 

[dad4aa]

Well Tommy, you did some great things here in your career. You helped get us a title shot, and you salvaged a couple years from being very disappointing seasons. Tonight just didn't go your way but I'm proud of your effort. Now, go out with a bowl win and let's finish the year with 9 wins! Proud of the way you fought through adversity your entire career!

Very good post. Agree 100%. Would rep you if I could.

 

[Brooklyn]

Tommy gets too much hate. He's a good and tough player, who never wavered and led this team to wins. He got us out of some big messes. He obviously has his flaws, but he does his best and without him we would definitely be in a much worse spot. Will miss Tommy when he graduates.

 

[50milesSE ND]

I don't hate Tommy as a person but people want to throw out stats and the fact that he did help in some games. He really did help out in a couple of games last year I will agree if helping meant more luck than skill. He simply tossed the ball up in the air and thankfully our receivers went and got the ball. Everyone is split on Tommy. However my friends and I all felt he was a horrible QB, and I will stand by that. I will not hate on my forum friends here, but I will argue that he was not a good QB. I do know what I see when watching the games. I do wish him success in life, but the success won't be on the field as a player maybe as a coach.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I don't hate Tommy as a person but people want to throw out stats and the fact that he did help in some games. He really did help out in a couple of games last year I will agree if helping meant more luck than skill. He simply tossed the ball up in the air and thankfully our receivers went and got the ball. Everyone is split on Tommy. However my friends and I all felt he was a horrible QB, and I will stand by that. I will not hate on my forum friends here, but I will argue that he was not a good QB. I do know what I see when watching the games. I do wish him success in life, but the success won't be on the field as a player maybe as a coach.

Well, if you and your friends think something...I'll have to rethink my opinion.

He was our best option. He did some good things and he did some maddening things. We're a better program because he was here.

 

[Buster Bluth]

5th Best Passing Yd Season in 125 years.

Makes me think Golson throws for 35 TDs and 3,000 yards next season.

 

[yankeeND]

Thanks guys, he deserves to be respected for all he as given to the University. Being the QB at ND is very difficult. The expectations alone would cave many a young man but Tommy never stopped fighting. I am a fan just like everyone on here and those INT's give me stomach pains too. It doesn't matter though as we all know he leaves it all on the field every time he plays. Seems like a great kid and a great leader; I hope he gets an opportunity to coach under Kelly someday as I think that will be his calling. Once again, thank you Tommy for giving your school and all it's fans max effort for 4 years!

 

[50milesSE ND]

Well, if you and your friends think something...I'll have to rethink my opinion.

He was our best option. He did some good things and he did some maddening things. We're a better program because he was here.

Like I said it's split on Tommy. Wish him the best, but we are better without him next year. He was the best option this year I don' t think that can be argued, but the best option was clearly not good enough. Go Irish

 

[D-BOE34]

Tommy seems like a good person, understood. Best option for us at QB? Most likely true. Had the 5th best season in passing yards ever? Cool, but that is a flawed stat considering how the game was not that long ago.

Period. Point. Blank. Tommy Rees is not a good QB and he did us a lot of harm. Give him his praise for being a good person through his 4 years and battling through adversity but please, don't act like Tommy is something special.

He never "won" his job if I remember correctly. He simply was in the right place at the right time.

Thanks for not transferring and sticking to your commitment Tommy. You are a better person for what you have done the last 4 years.

 

[yankeeND]

Makes me think Golson throws for 35 TDs and 3,000 yards next season.

If Kelly has us throwing the ball as many times as we did this year, his numbers will be insane. I think that Golson's legs are gonna be the difference though and allow for our running game to really take off. That is what is gonna open up lanes for TF and GB to cut loose. I would love the numbers you posted along with 2000-2500 yes on the ground. Overly optimistic I'm sure but, if EG has improved and matured as much as we hope, we could look similar on offense to what FSU did this year and I promise, you will get zero complaints from me if that is the case.

 

[NDPhilly]

Good riddance.

 

[irishfan]

For the record, I don't think we would have beaten Michigan, Stanford, or BYU if the only QBs on our roster were Golson and Hendrix in 2012. Can you imagine an entire game of Hendrix against BYU last year? How about Hendrix leading us to a tying FG and a TD in OT against Stanford in the rain?

That's not to mention that we would have been in OT against Purdue with them with all the momentum if it weren't for Tommy, plus his huge 3rd down conversion against OU. We're probably a 9 win team without Tommy in 2012. We could have gone 4-8 this year and I'd always be thankful for him due to 2012.

 

[johnnycando]

Tommy Rees

Tommy Rees

God bless you and your family.

You shouldered responsibility; you never made excuses. You overcame disrespect from the fanbase; you battled through diversity.

You stand #5 all-time for statistics aforementioned.

Thank-you for keeping us competitive this year.

Without you at the helm, we wouldn't have pulled out a 6-6 season, at best.

Farewell Reesus.

May people come to understand what we miss upon your departure.

I will also be pulling for you to make next level.

 

[Redbar]

God bless you and your family.

You shouldered responsibility; you never made excuses. You overcame disrespect from the fanbase; you battled through diversity.

You stand #5 all-time for statistics aforementioned.

Thank-you for keeping us competitive this year.

Without you at the helm, we wouldn't have pulled out a 6-6 season, at best.

Farewell Reesus.

May people come to understand what we miss upon your departure.

I will also be pulling for you to make next level.

Reps.
That has to be a colt 45 johnnycando is pouring...

 

[ulukinatme]

God bless you and your family.

You shouldered responsibility; you never made excuses. You overcame disrespect from the fanbase; you battled through diversity.

You stand #5 all-time for statistics aforementioned.

Thank-you for keeping us competitive this year.

Without you at the helm, we wouldn't have pulled out a 6-6 season, at best.

Farewell Reesus.

May people come to understand what we miss upon your departure.

I will also be pulling for you to make next level.

This couldn't have been more well said. So many people point the finger at Tommy when we took a loss this season, when he easily could have been the #3 option if we had all the QBs we could have had eligible and retained. The guy never made excuses, and if we were forced to play another option at QB we could have easily had a 3-9 regular season instead of an 8-4. I never expected better than 8-4 or 9-3 with Tommy at the helm, although I did hope we would have implemented a stronger running attack to take the pressure off the QB position. I also didn't anticipate so many injuries on defense. Nevertheless, I don't think we fell below expectations given all the circumstances this year, we could have done far worse. I'm glad Tommy was a part of the winningest class since '92-'95, for breaking the losing streak to USC (And going 3-1 during that time), and getting us another bowl win (Hopefully 2 in the coming month).

 

[BobD]

Tommy, Congratulations on accomplishing many things at Notre Dame that thousands of little boys across our country can only dream about doing. Thanks for handling the ups and downs with class and being there when we needed you. I hope you get to throw lots of touchdowns in the yard to your children while sharing the memories and enjoy a successful and prosperous life.

 

[Irishpinoy]

Watching Tommy play is like driving my Chevy Chevette car in the 80’s. Most of the time the car will get you to where you’re going. But you know at some point the wheels will start to wobble, the engine will sputter and choke and the transmission will begin grinding and slipping. So everyday when you get behind that wheel you just have to cross your fingers and pray because you know it’s going to be an adventure. Thanks Tommy for all the wild rides and adventures but I’m so glad Everette Golson is coming back.

 

[IrishLion]

Good riddance.

Almost gave out my first neg rep.

 

[BGIF]

Almost gave out my first neg rep.

I'm not bashful about giving a jerk the reputation he earned.

 

[Irish To The Core]

When Tommy came to ND nobody expected him to be a starter. Hendrix was the guy everybody was looking forward to. But Tommy picked up the schemes and saw the field right away. He is limited athletically but he is a good field general. In the end he stood in there and represented the school admirably. All the hateful comments about Rees are totally ignorant. He played because he was the team's best option. He did all he could. Unfortunately a stout heart will only take you so far and in the end Tommy's limitations were clear. But to heap all of this hate on a kid who chooses to come to Notre Dame and puts it on the line every week? I don't get that.

 

[anarin]

If this kid isn't in the coaching world in the next few years I'll be very shocked.

 

[NDPhilly]

I'm not bashful about giving a jerk the reputation he earned.

Ouch. That hurt.

It's not even like Tommy represented the University well. He frickin kicked a cop. Am I supposed to thank him for not transfering or something, cause I don't really see the appreciation for him. He has sucked in every major game his year.

 

[GBdomer]

I am not bashing Rees but if this kid played at any other major unvierstiy every would say how bad he sucked. Sure he did some nice things sometimes and bailed us out sometimes. But what would you say if he didn't play for ND? Don't be two sided on this we all know exactly what it is.

 

[rocket66]

It is funny how most have ignored the embarrassment Rees brought the University from his arrest and mugshot that went viral.

However, I also understand that a lot of us feel bad for the guy for the heat he took i.e, getting booed at the Michigan game last year when Golson was yanked (I was there and it was pretty bad).

He did step in and make a few plays last year to "help" win some games, but I agree with the above recent posts that the guy just didn't play well in the important games this year. In fact, it was pretty awful. He definitely had a mixed career with a bad off-field incident, and helped win some games, but unfortunately he'll always be remembered as "turnover tommy". The attempt to create some type of "legendary" status for the guy is laughable. His stats are up there because of the craziest, most unique qb situation ever at ND. Right place at the right time and was able to put himself into position to play in a lot of games throughout his career. Kudos for that.

 

[Riddickulous]

22-8 record
~ 7,500 yards (third all-time)
61 TDs (second all-time)

All of this with no physical tools whatsoever. Not bad.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

ND wouldnt be .500 if Hendrix or Zaire started. I think Zaire has a bright future, but ND would have probably been even or worse than 2007 with him at QB this fall. Hendrix would probably have done better than Zaire and got ND to 6-6.

Rees isnt that most talented and does things that drive me up the wall. But, there were countless plays left on the field in each of the losses. Turnovers hurt and yes some ended the game, but there are far more concerning things other than QB play that resulted in the losses this fall.

 

[Redbar]

It is funny how most have ignored the embarrassment Rees brought the University from his arrest and mugshot that went viral.

However, I also understand that a lot of us feel bad for the guy for the heat he took i.e, getting booed at the Michigan game last year when Golson was yanked (I was there and it was pretty bad).

He did step in and make a few plays last year to "help" win some games, but I agree with the above recent posts that the guy just didn't play well in the important games this year. In fact, it was pretty awful. He definitely had a mixed career with a bad off-field incident, and helped win some games, but unfortunately he'll always be remembered as "turnover tommy". The attempt to create some type of "legendary" status for the guy is laughable. His stats are up there because of the craziest, most unique qb situation ever at ND. Right place at the right time and was able to put himself into position to play in a lot of games throughout his career. Kudos for that.

I don't think anyone is trying to create legendary status for Tommy, I think people are acknowledging that he gave HIS best for the University, and accomplished a lot despite his personal limitations and the fact that many couldn't find it in themselves to support him. Tommy did his best for his team, for his school, for the fans, I understand that may not be enough for you or some others but that doesn't mean you should drag for the guy. I am sure if he could have Marino's release or Vick's elusiveness he would take it and then maybe he could have made a few more plays and been worthy of your appreciation. We all know results are the only thing worth applause.

About the incident last year, he is a college kid that made a bad decision and has by all indications put it behind him. Are you suggesting we should continue to hold that over his head? It did receive a lot of national attention, honestly I think more than a lot more egregious activities around the country. Out of curiosity who do you like for the heisman?

 

[rocket66]

I don't think anyone is trying to create legendary status for Tommy, I think people are acknowledging that he gave HIS best for the University, and accomplished a lot despite his personal limitations and the fact that many couldn't find it in themselves to support him. Tommy did his best for his team, for his school, for the fans, I understand that may not be enough for you or some others but that doesn't mean you should drag for the guy. I am sure if he could have Marino's release or Vick's elusiveness he would take it and then maybe he could have made a few more plays and been worthy of your appreciation. We all know results are the only thing worth applause.

About the incident last year, he is a college kid that made a bad decision and has by all indications put it behind him. Are you suggesting we should continue to hold that over his head? It did receive a lot of national attention, honestly I think more than a lot more egregious activities around the country. Out of curiosity who do you like for the heisman?

My point is people are trying to make the Tommy argument personal, which you did. Trying to turn it into a feel-good, emotional type of feeling for what he did. I understand all of that. I've also argued for him the last 4 years and have always been a fan. I just don't get the fascination of the discussion with him, because, you know, there are a lot of players who "do their best" for the University. He was in the right place at the right time and fell into a bunch of snaps over his career, but the reality is no matter how sappy you feel for him today, in 10 years you'll look back and talk about the Rees kid who turned the ball over a lot.