'10 IL QB Tommy Rees (Notre Dame Man)

[IrishLion]

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.

The cop incident and playing bad in big games are legitimate reasons to "be happy" that Tommy only has one game left. At least you can argue those points. I simply don't like the drive-by "good riddance" without at least turning it into an intelligent talking point.

As for not seeing why you should appreciate him, I would argue (which it already has many times, so I'm just recapping) that this team doesn't get to the national championship in 2012 without him. He closed out Purdue with a couple nice throws and a couple of answered prayers, which was in true Tommy fashion. I think that warrants some appreciation. Or his third down throw placed perfectly over the top to Eifert against Michigan that iced the game. I can appreciate Tommy for that ice-cold play. I can even appreciate Tommy for going in against Pitt, playing poorly, and giving the reins back to Golson. That sequence sparked a comeback in a weird way that I can appreciate.

I can appreciate Tommy never faltering and always being ready when called upon. I can appreciate Tommy getting the play called and still having time to make a few useful checks at the line with virtually no time to do so because the coaches get the play in so late. I can even appreciate Tommy coming through with nice throws many times, even when the playcall is perplexing because it doesn't play to his strengths.

I can also appreciate how fortunate we are to have had a backup quarterback that could win 8 games against tough-ass schedules in 2011 and 2013, or a guy that was a key piece to ND's overall turnaround in 2010.

But sure, there aren't any reasons to appreciate Tommy.

I'm not building the kid into a legend, nor am I saying he played lights-out in big games. He struggled against the best opponents he faced. But he also was integral to pulling this program out of the misery that was created during the Willingham and Weis years. I appreciate that, and I just think it's a shame when people have the attitude of "good riddance."

 

[D-BOE34]

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.

What I hate is when we can't say we would be better because a "QB" has no experience but we sure as heck can say we would be worse....2007 at best, worse!

If Tommy played for any other team on our schedule, would anyone honestly say, "That Tommy Rees could be trouble for us. Hope we are prepared for him."? No, we would all be saying drop 8 and the DL should be able to handle the rest.

Tommy was the qb for the college of his choice. Crist choked, Tom stepped in. Hendrix never lived up to his hype (if you can call it that) and we had a true freshman that needed to get used to ND academics, Rees was the guy. Benched the next year, Rees plays spot duty so BK can make sure EG doesn't get too beat up mentally in game. EG gets suspended, same scenario with Hendrix being bad and no one else available. Tommy was in right place at right time. Yes, he has a cool head and he can ignore the haters. That will take him far in life, not a joke, but besides that he hasn't amounted to much!

When choosing ND, especially as a QB, you choose everything that comes with it. Blake Barnett stated something similar. "Half the country hates you and half the country loves you." Tommy accepted the scholarship and everything that came with it. Nothing more and nothing less.

 

[D-BOE34]

The cop incident and playing bad in big games are legitimate reasons to "be happy" that Tommy only has one game left. At least you can argue those points. I simply don't like the drive-by "good riddance" without at least turning it into an intelligent talking point.

As for not seeing why you should appreciate him, I would argue (which it already has many times, so I'm just recapping) that this team doesn't get to the national championship in 2012 without him. He closed out Purdue with a couple nice throws and a couple of answered prayers, which was in true Tommy fashion. I think that warrants some appreciation. Or his third down throw placed perfectly over the top to Eifert against Michigan that iced the game. I can appreciate Tommy for that ice-cold play. I can even appreciate Tommy for going in against Pitt, playing poorly, and giving the reins back to Golson. That sequence sparked a comeback in a weird way that I can appreciate.

I can appreciate Tommy never faltering and always being ready when called upon. I can appreciate Tommy getting the play called and still having time to make a few useful checks at the line with virtually no time to do so because the coaches get the play in so late. I can even appreciate Tommy coming through with nice throws many times, even when the playcall is perplexing because it doesn't play to his strengths.

I can also appreciate how fortunate we are to have had a backup quarterback that could win 8 games against tough-ass schedules in 2011 and 2013, or a guy that was a key piece to ND's overall turnaround in 2010.

But sure, there aren't any reasons to appreciate Tommy.

I'm not building the kid into a legend, nor am I saying he played lights-out in big games. He struggled against the best opponents he faced. But he also was integral to pulling this program out of the misery that was created during the Willingham and Weis years. I appreciate that, and I just think it's a shame when people have the attitude of "good riddance."

First bold: This is not true. When Tommy was on the bench, EG did many things that Tommy couldn't. We can thank Denard and Michigan for that game. Not Tommy or EG. Yes, Tommy did play relief for us and did damn good. I will remember him for that. However, it won;t be because of what he did. It will be because of, whatever he did as a teammate and friend for the team outside of Saturdays, made them step up BIG TIME for him when he was behind center. You could see it as well as hear about it, several times.

Second bold: I dig it

 

[pkt77242]

What I hate is when we can't say we would be better because a "QB" has no experience but we sure as heck can say we would be worse....2007 at best, worse!

If Tommy played for any other team on our schedule, would anyone honestly say, "That Tommy Rees could be trouble for us. Hope we are prepared for him."? No, we would all be saying drop 8 and the DL should be able to handle the rest.

Tommy was the qb for the college of his choice. Crist choked, Tom stepped in. Hendrix never lived up to his hype (if you can call it that) and we had a true freshman that needed to get used to ND academics, Rees was the guy. Benched the next year, Rees plays spot duty so BK can make sure EG doesn't get too beat up mentally in game. EG gets suspended, same scenario with Hendrix being bad and no one else available. Tommy was in right place at right time. Yes, he has a cool head and he can ignore the haters. That will take him far in life, not a joke, but besides that he hasn't amounted to much!

When choosing ND, especially as a QB, you choose everything that comes with it. Blake Barnett stated something similar. "Half the country hates you and half the country loves you." Tommy accepted the scholarship and everything that came with it. Nothing more and nothing less.

You do realize that Malik Zaire played in a wing-T offense in HS right? While Malik has a strong arm and is a good runner he is not even close to being a polished passer and wouldn't have the command of the offense like Tommy did. Do you really think we would win 8 games with Malik under center this year? If so please pass me whatever you are drinking. Thanks

 

[koonja]

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

Why?

He's smart and he played QB, but that doesn't equal great coach. There's more to it than that, like enjoying teaching (being good at teaching), working with kids (assuming you're talking college), and what not.

Plus, I believe Tommy graduates with a business degree, so who knows if he'd even be interested in a coaching/teaching career.

Not trying to bust your balls, just saying if you want to put some vbucks on it, I'm your guy .

 

[D-BOE34]

You do realize that Malik Zaire played in a wing-T offense in HS right? While Malik has a strong arm and is a good runner he is not even close to being a polished passer and wouldn't have the command of the offense like Tommy did. Do you really think we would win 8 games with Malik under center this year? If so please pass me whatever you are drinking. Thanks

Didn't ever say we would win 8 games with Malik. Can you say without a doubt we wouldn't? Wing T or not, enough praise was given to him early because of all the comments about how well he picks up the offense. Why should we assume he can't win 8? Maybe he can scramble because of that wing T for 3-4 yards every time. I don't know the numbers but I am sure we had plenty of 3rd and 4 or less that were missed this year. Wing T makes for a shit ton of traffic. I could say that means he has ridiculous vision but I don't.

I said I hate how can we say it can't be better but we are for sure worse with someone else. What is wrong with that?

 

[Irishbounty28]

what round is he drafted?

 

[Redbar]

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.

Again, I don't think anyone is trying to make this a feel good emotional thing, I will be the first to say it wasn't ideal. The point is it is OVER, except for a bowl game, it didn't end the way any of us would have liked and I don't see the need to kick a guy on his way out the door. If my desire to not engage in that kind of fandom is "sappy" to you then you can probably understand why I take people who do enjoy doing that, personal.

Also, you are right there are a lot of guys doing their best for the University and I invite you to look back and see if you have ever seen me belittle any of their accomplishments, blame them individually for outcomes, or do anything other than wish them well. I did not single out Tommy, you and others have, and that, is in my opinion, in poor taste.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Lets See who did Tommy have around him:

2 1st round receivers/TE (Floyd/Eifert)
4 NFL level running backs (Wood/Gray/Riddick/Allen)
1 2nd Round TE (Rudolph)
Another NFL Level Receiver in TJ Jones
A 2nd Round level Left Tackle (Martin)
Other NFL Level Olineman (Cave, Robinson)

That is a lot of NFL Talent around him on offense, how many of his throws did our receivers bail him out on, for instance the TD throw to TJ Jones against Stanford was an extremely inaccurate pass but TJ made an epic play to catch it.

I am very disappointed in Tommy and his continued mistakes, and the mistakes he made as a freshman he still made. He made much better calls at the line, that is true. But, the same overthrows--throwing into bad coverage-end zone pics. That is where I am very happy to see his eligibilty exhausted. I much rather have a guy who can run, no BCS level team has a QB that is as imobile as Tommy Rees. So, I am glad it is almost over. I don't like his decision to kick a cop, that isn't a role model I would like to see at QB for ND. But, it looks like he did turn it around.

There are many ways to look at Tommy's tenure--it think it comes down to he was great against weak opponents and bad against good defenses. It is what it is, stats don't lie. He can rack it up against Temples-Army-Navy's-etc. And Suck it up against Stanford-FSU-etc. His Ints are just so epically bad (FSU 2 Ints in the endzone, Michigan, Stanford, etc)

Time to turn the corner with another QB not named Tommy Rees, and unlike Jimmy/Brady/etc where I missed them behind center, I am not going to miss Rees at all.

Time to move on thankfully, I wish no ill will on him. He took all the heat and didn't wine, quit, or go off. That is a very good and noble thing. He took a lot of heat, and he did such a great job shrugging it off. I am very impressed with that. But, at ND-----WE NEED BETTER!

Good luck Tommy, go into coaching. You will be successful in that. We just need a QB that can actually move and can throw the ball better/stronger/with better decisions.

Go Irish, and like I said good luck after your time at ND.

 

[Emcee77]

Kelly's comments about Tommy in this video really say it all. He did an amazing job making checks and getting us into some great looks in this game ... but when he needed to reach back and throw a bomb, he came up a little short. But you can't ask for more than everything he has, and for four years he gave us everything he had. Hat's off to him.

WatchND.tv

 

[ulukinatme]

I find it hard to believe that people are still poking Tommy now that the regular season is wrapped up. Damn, he still has one more game to play! Can we just say "Good luck" and support him? He's still a part of this team and a Notre Dame man. If you thought anyone else on the roster this season had a better shot at winning, feel free to continue to tear the kid apart. If you don't think that way...I don't understand why the negativity has to come out. Direct it towards Golson, don't direct it to the guy that stuck around, did his job to the best of his abilities, and stepped up when no one else would.

How many people really expected to go undefeated after Golson was out of the picture the season? Raise your hand. I kind of expected around 10-2 or 9-3, which I thought we were capable of at the beginning of the season given the way the defense performed last season and the way the running game operated. Yeah, we lost a couple tough runners as well as Manti /w Zeke directing traffic in the backfield...yet I thought the experienced O-Line and the returning defense would be better prepared to pick up some slack from the missing holes. I think we can say at this point that the defense took a step backwards this season, 8-4 isn't a bad finish considering everything that happened in 2013. Aside from a few games, like a marvelous 2nd half against USC, we weren't shutting down a lot of opponents. Also, when we knew early in the year that Golson wasn't returning, we should have been focusing on the running game then and there to take pressure off the QB position. Instead our running game took a step back and we come out throwing the ball nearly every down once we get down by 2 scores with more than a quarter to go.

People may say "But teams were stacking the box with Tommy under center, we couldn't run!" How does Stanford run the ball when other teams do the same thing to them? How do other teams do it? They put their heavies in and play more physical, or you throw over the top like we did against Michigan State. We didn't connect a lot there, but we drew a lot of PI because Michigan State would have gotten beaten on the passes otherwise. We didn't really do any of that this season though, we put the game on the QB's shoulders. Some QBs will overcome, but how many times did we put the game on Tommy's shoulders this season? I would guess in more than half the games this season we asked Tommy to bring us back with his arm, that's asking quite a bit. Tommy came through a number of times, but he was going to fail sometimes too under those circumstances. Many other QBs would have too, and I'm not talking just MAC level players.

Some people are just going to be negative I guess and bitch about a QB regardless. I can understand when our QB doesn't play well and has a bad game, or if theres someone else on the bench that is a better player and isn't getting his shot...but I think we saw this season that Tommy was the best option we had. I get aggravated with comments like "Good riddance" and some of the other stuff that's spewed. Where does that put us if he's our best option? I guess I don't understand...if Tommy is such a horrible QB, why weren't the "real athletes" picking up the slack? Why didn't we focus on the run game this season with an immobile QB and an experienced line? Why can't we call a screen if the defense is loading up the box and playing aggressive? Why are we going in 5 wide sets on 3rd or 4th and short? All sounds like a recipe for an 8-4 season.

 

[ulukinatme]

Listen to the Captain...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/pwand03">@pwand03</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/KLM_89">@KLM_89</a> Where would we be without Tommy?”if tommy got hurt and we had to play another QB other than him.... Ya think about it</p>— Kapron Lewis-Moore (@KLM_89) <a href="https://twitter.com/KLM_89/statuses/406997818046693376">December 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>fickle fans. Can't bash tommy he's done a lot for that university. Say what you want But tommy has won some VERY VERY important games for us</p>— Kapron Lewis-Moore (@KLM_89) <a href="https://twitter.com/KLM_89/statuses/406996786520555520">December 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/KLM_89">@KLM_89</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pwand03">@pwand03</a> exactly! We wouldn't be bowl game bound that's for sure!</p>— Bryony (@BryonySigrun) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryonySigrun/statuses/406997953358745600">December 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That last one didn't come from Kap, but it's true all the same.

Fortuna had a good one too, I guess a lot of "fans" were giving it to Tommy

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Those still whining about Tommy Rees, no worries: 1 more game & the 21-year-old you never met who has such an effect on you is gone forever!</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/statuses/406990719866257408">December 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[rocket66]

Again, I don't think anyone is trying to make this a feel good emotional thing, I will be the first to say it wasn't ideal. The point is it is OVER, except for a bowl game, it didn't end the way any of us would have liked and I don't see the need to kick a guy on his way out the door. If my desire to not engage in that kind of fandom is "sappy" to you then you can probably understand why I take people who do enjoy doing that, personal.

Also, you are right there are a lot of guys doing their best for the University and I invite you to look back and see if you have ever seen me belittle any of their accomplishments, blame them individually for outcomes, or do anything other than wish them well. I did not single out Tommy, you and others have, and that, is in my opinion, in poor taste.

Wait, I never singled Tommy out. I've never said I'm glad he's gone, etc. Don't group me with the guys who are taking the opportunity to jab at him now that it's about over. I'm just calling it as it is. You feel bad for him and stick up for him now, but I'm sure you're happy as hell Golson will be back next year. I think we're all in the same boat.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

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.

Is one of them the play selection for the offense, in light of his weaknesses?

 

[phork]

Lets get some perspective here. Where would ND be without Rees? No NCG game last year, somewhere around .500 this year (at best).

Tommy Rees may not be an elite QB, but he did enough to a decent job and he is an ND man through and through.

 

[Al H.]

Tommy Rees? A great Notre Dame man! We were lucky to have him. The school and the football program are better off because he passed through there. He'll do well in life and continue to do the Blue and Gold proud. Bless him!

 

[GoIrish41]

Question: Does Tommy get drafted?

 

[returnofthemack]

Question: Does Tommy get drafted?

I respect the hell out of Rees, but you've gotta be kidding me. Unless his WR corps was Megatron, Fitz, Andre Johnson, Jimmy Graham, with AP as RB and with the best O-line in NFL history, he would set an NFL record for INTs in a game. I personally really hope he comes back to the team as a Graduate Assistant to help Golson on the sidelines.

 

[NDPhilly]

Question: Does Tommy get drafted?

 

[gkIrish]

Question: Does Tommy get drafted?

You forget the sarcasm font?

 

[pkt77242]

I respect the hell out of Rees, but you've gotta be kidding me. Unless his WR corps was Megatron, Fitz, Andre Johnson, Jimmy Graham, with AP as RB and with the best O-line in NFL history, he would set an NFL record for INTs in a game. I personally really hope he comes back to the team as a Graduate Assistant to help Golson on the sidelines.

While I don't think Rees gets drafted I could see a team signing Rees as an UDFA. I mean if Matt Mcgloin, Jeff Tuel, etc can end up on a roster why the Hell not Rees. Having said that I don't think he makes it out of training camp with a team and ends up a GA somewhere in the next year or two.

 

[dshans]

The Selective Service System suspended the draft in 1973 ...

 

[gkIrish]

There is absolutely no possible way Tommy Rees is on an NFL roster, practice squad, etc. as a player. 0%. I'll leave this site and donate all my vbucks to a vcharity if I'm wrong.

 

[GoIrish41]

Lots of commentators have commented all year on how intelligent he is and his ability to get the offense into the right play. That carries a lot of weight in the NFL. If I'm an NFL team, I wouldn't draft him. I don't think he has the skillset to make it in the league. But I'm thinking there are some coaches who might take a rider on him in the late rounds. The Vikings have made drafting bad quarterbacks an artform.

 

[gkIrish]

Lots of commentators have commented all year on how intelligent he is and his ability to get the offense into the right play. That carries a lot of weight in the NFL. If I'm an NFL team, I wouldn't draft him. I don't think he has the skillset to make it in the league. But I'm thinking there are some coaches who might take a rider on him in the late rounds. The Vikings have made drafting bad quarterbacks an artform.

I'm not trying to hate on Tommy but he has no where near the arm strength necessary to be an NFL QB and is as immobile as you can be. Just stop any debate, it's not worth your time.

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm not trying to hate on Tommy but he has no where near the arm strength necessary to be an NFL QB and is as immobile as you can be. Just stop any debate, it's not worth your time.

I'm not debating ... I just asked what people thought.

 

[gkIrish]

I'm not debating ... I just asked what people thought.

What I meant to say is that it's not worth discussing.

 

[GoIrish41]

What I meant to say is that it's not worth discussing.

Fair enough.

 

[pumpdog20]

I still think he deserves to be "Notre Dame Man".

 

[CanadalovesND]

He'll get a mini camp invite or one of those rookie camp tryouts.

However, I don't see him on an NFL 53 man roster. He may float around on a practice squad for a year or two, but that's it.