'11 SC QB Everett Golson (FSU transfer)

[ResLife Hero]

Ranking every FBS QB situation: Nos. 1-10 - NFL.com

We came in at #16.

Starter/backup: Everett Golson/Malik Zaire
Buzz: Golson guided the Irish to the 2012 national championship game, then missed last season because he was suspended for academic reasons. He spent part of last year working with quarterback guru George Whitfield, which should help his all-around game. The Irish missed Golson's dual-threat ability last season. His running skills put pressure on defenses on the edge, and he also is effective while throwing on the run. Zaire is an athletic redshirt freshman who might see time in special packages.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Davey O’Brien Watch List out. Everett Golson makes it. So do QB’s of six opponents (Michigan, Stanford, FSU, Navy, ASU & USC).</p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/statuses/489421831292456960">July 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Everett Golson makes the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List. Next? Winning starting QB job at ND next month. <a href="http://t.co/GA3M2dk5g7">http://t.co/GA3M2dk5g7</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/statuses/490139734942162944">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GoldenDomer]

I think we signed a pretty good player here

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Respected QB guru George Whitfield talked about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> QB Everett Golson this morning. Quick recap here: <a href="http://t.co/r1fJyo4uDQ">http://t.co/r1fJyo4uDQ</a> (FREE)</p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/statuses/490189962352926721">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[RyCo1983]

Per BGI, Golson took first team reps today as expected.
Already posted in the Fall Camp thread.

I don't see Golson giving up much ground to Zaire.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Everett Golson Retains Competitive Edge on the first day of fall practice at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> <a href="http://t.co/JZsaF3pgN7">http://t.co/JZsaF3pgN7</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_AndrewOwens">@BGI_AndrewOwens</a> (FREE)</p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/statuses/496649292992757761">August 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[irishfan]

Embracing Everett Golson’s Return for Notre Dame «

Grantland article, so you know its lengthy. Good read.

 

[Irish#1]

I just don't see a competition for the QB spot. Golson had a year to concentrate on nothing but football and work with a QB coach. He's coming back, more mature physically and mentally. I think it's more about BK wanting Golson to stay hungry.

 

[koonja]

I just don't see a competition for the QB spot. Golson had a year to concentrate on nothing but football and work with a QB coach. He's coming back, more mature physically and mentally. I think it's more about BK wanting Golson to stay hungry.

How many times has a returning starting QB (I know he had a year off, but still) lost his job to a younger classman who has never started a game in the past ~ 10 years?

I can't think of any.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Well. Golson in 2012?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[woolybug25]

How many times has a returning starting QB (I know he had a year off, but still) lost his job to a younger classman who has never started a game in the past ~ 10 years?

I can't think of any.

Well. Golson in 2012?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

haha

 

[ulukinatme]

Golson will start, but Zaire will get reps. At some point this season Golson will get banged up. It happened in 2012, it'll happen in 2014. Hopefully it won't be serious and he'll be able to go back in, but I expect we'll see some Zaire this year no matter what, and not just in garbage time.

 

[ulukinatme]

How many times has a returning starting QB (I know he had a year off, but still) lost his job to a younger classman who has never started a game in the past ~ 10 years?

I can't think of any.

Well. Golson in 2012?

 

[koonja]

Well. Golson in 2012?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

haha

Lol, good call.

I've blocked out my memory of the Rees years. They're not real.

 

[woolybug25]

Golson will start, but Zaire will get reps. At some point this season Golson will get banged up. It happened in 2012, it'll happen in 2014. Hopefully it won't be serious and he'll be able to go back in, but I expect we'll see some Zaire this year no matter what, and not just in garbage time.

I think Zaire will do well too. He has more ability than Golson, imo. Golson is just more polished and has more command of the game. So that, paired with experience on the highest level, puts him over Zaire for the starting gig.

But QB is a weird position, you never know when you ticket will get pulled. I'm very excited to have 2 QB's that I believe can ball out.

 

[koonja]

Based on the practice videos (I know), Golson's release is twice as fast as Malik's. I didn't think Malik's was noticeably slow in the spring game, but he needs to quicken it up.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

You guys are pushing toward a good point!

What occurred to me with that OFD article about pumping the brakes, when Golson was playing in '12 he could have someone (Rees) come in and relieve him. It made him more effective. It may be maturity, but it also could be personality.

Some people need to stand back and look at their work from time to time. That is not saying what I mean well, but it is the best I can do. It is about regrouping. For a quarterback it may mean taking a series to collect himself. Which is better than making a big mistake; or even repeating a little one.

Golson and Zaire may both work better with both playing this year. Zaire getting experience (all he appears to lack) as the backup may be great in the event of an injury to Golson, and Golson may be the kind of person that can make leaps in performance by stepping out of the here and now, to reflect and change things in his mind.

That would be a win, win. And I still can't help but think that throwing a righty and changing up with a lefty wouldn't help but confuse opponents defensive efforts.

(Watch the tackle play in camp. Do the coaches achieve two blindside tackles, right and left?)

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

You guys are pushing toward a good point!

What occurred to me with that OFD article about pumping the brakes, when Golson was playing in '12 he could have someone (Rees) come in and relieve him. It made him more effective. It may be maturity, but it also could be personality.

Some people need to stand back and look at their work from time to time. That is not saying what I mean well, but it is the best I can do. It is about regrouping. For a quarterback it may mean taking a series to collect himself. Which is better than making a big mistake; or even repeating a little one.

Golson and Zaire may both work better with both playing this year. Zaire getting experience (all he appears to lack) as the backup may be great in the event of an injury to Golson, and Golson may be the kind of person that can make leaps in performance by stepping out of the here and now, to reflect and change things in his mind.

That would be a win, win. And I still can't help but think that throwing a righty and changing up with a lefty wouldn't help but confuse opponents defensive efforts.

(Watch the tackle play in camp. Do the coaches achieve two blindside tackles, right and left?)

I hope Kelly has the wisdom to put Zaire into games before the outcome has been decided. We need to break our QBs in and get them experience and there is nothing wrong with running an 80/20 system with 2 QBs, the problem is flipping between starters back and forth without some pressing issue (injury, suspension, etc).

I'd like to see Zaire take a series in the 2nd quarter and again in the 3rd or 4th. It'll be so important to have a seasoned back-up that I hope Zaire gets 3+ drives against Rice. We simply can't afford to not have a good rotation at all positions because it only takes one hit, one awkward step and the season is turned upside down.

I don't know if many remember Petrino's first stint with Louisville but he did this with his two QBs. He had a senior and a sophomore and they ran a 75/25 or 80/20 system and he thrust both of them into pressure. I remember watching his sophomore QB come out against Miami and lead them on a scoring drive, then he put his starting QB back in. It was a thing of beauty and if Zaire can operate at that level, I hope Kelly has the foresight to do something similar.

I understand it can cost us but so can lack of preparation.

 

[gkIrish]

I hope Kelly has the wisdom to put Zaire into games before the outcome has been decided. We need to break our QBs in and get them experience and there is nothing wrong with running an 80/20 system with 2 QBs, the problem is flipping between starters back and forth without some pressing issue (injury, suspension, etc).

I'd like to see Zaire take a series in the 2nd quarter and again in the 3rd or 4th. It'll be so important to have a seasoned back-up that I hope Zaire gets 3+ drives against Rice. We simply can't afford to not have a good rotation at all positions because it only takes one hit, one awkward step and the season is turned upside down.

I don't know if many remember Petrino's first stint with Louisville but he did this with his two QBs. He had a senior and a sophomore and they ran a 75/25 or 80/20 system and he thrust both of them into pressure. I remember watching his sophomore QB come out against Miami and lead them on a scoring drive, then he put his starting QB back in. It was a thing of beauty and if Zaire can operate at that level, I hope Kelly has the foresight to do something similar.

I understand it can cost us but so can lack of preparation.

I gotta disagree. You pick a starter and stick with him. The last thing you want is your QB getting out of rhythm. And considering MZ is a lefty and EG a righty, it's going to also put extra stress on the OLineman who need to adjust their blocking accordingly. What happens when the LT gets confused one play when Golson is in there and some DE gets to EG unblocked? You don't want that happening.

 

[NDdomer2]

I hope Kelly has the wisdom to put Zaire into games before the outcome has been decided. We need to break our QBs in and get them experience and there is nothing wrong with running an 80/20 system with 2 QBs, the problem is flipping between starters back and forth without some pressing issue (injury, suspension, etc).

I'd like to see Zaire take a series in the 2nd quarter and again in the 3rd or 4th. It'll be so important to have a seasoned back-up that I hope Zaire gets 3+ drives against Rice. We simply can't afford to not have a good rotation at all positions because it only takes one hit, one awkward step and the season is turned upside down.

I don't know if many remember Petrino's first stint with Louisville but he did this with his two QBs. He had a senior and a sophomore and they ran a 75/25 or 80/20 system and he thrust both of them into pressure. I remember watching his sophomore QB come out against Miami and lead them on a scoring drive, then he put his starting QB back in. It was a thing of beauty and if Zaire can operate at that level, I hope Kelly has the foresight to do something similar.

I understand it can cost us but so can lack of preparation.

I gotta disagree. You pick a starter and stick with him. The last thing you want is your QB getting out of rhythm. And considering MZ is a lefty and EG a righty, it's going to also put extra stress on the OLineman who need to adjust their blocking accordingly. What happens when the LT gets confused one play when Golson is in there and some DE gets to EG unblocked? You don't want that happening.

Gotta find the happy medium, IMO.

I don't necessarily want to see MZ in the first half. I'm hoping our D can get some quick punts out of Rice and we can really keep the O on the field and get it humming. If we put ourselves in a great position at half, get MZ some reps.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I gotta disagree. You pick a starter and stick with him. The last thing you want is your QB getting out of rhythm. And considering MZ is a lefty and EG a righty, it's going to also put extra stress on the OLineman who need to adjust their blocking accordingly. What happens when the LT gets confused one play when Golson is in there and some DE gets to EG unblocked? You don't want that happening.

Yes, we disagree. If our linemen are unequipped to know left from right and one QB from the other, then I have to say that we are in much worse shape than I am imagining.

I'll paint a different scenario for you: We are on the second drive of the Michigan game and Golson gets a concussion while scampering for extra yards. We have a RS freshman QB who hasn't taken any meaningful snaps and now our whole season hangs in the balance.

I get the argument and respect your position. I hope more fans think about this and firmly decide on what should be done so they aren't complaining from both sides when the season ensues.

 

[kmoose]

Yes, we disagree. If our linemen are unequipped to know left from right and one QB from the other, then I have to say that we are in much worse shape than I am imagining.

I'll paint a different scenario for you: We are on the second drive of the Michigan game and Golson gets a concussion while scampering for extra yards. We have a RS freshman QB who hasn't taken any meaningful snaps and now our whole season hangs in the balance.

I get the argument and respect your position. I hope more fans think about this and firmly decide on what should be done so they aren't complaining from both sides when the season ensues.

What should be done is that the coaches should put the team in the best position to win football games. If that means getting Zaire good reps, then that's what they should do. If it means providing the consistency of one QB, then that is what they should do. What should NOT be done, is for fans to assume that they know better than the professional coaches, which is best. It is one thing to talk about the theoretical. But no one should confuse that with actually knowing better.

 

[IrishLax]

You don't play players unless it gives you the best chance to win. Ever. This is not the NFL where you can throw series or games or even entire seasons in the hopes of development or testing something out.

The only time Zaire should play is (1) game in hand, losing or winning, such that it doesn't matter what he does (2) he is the best option.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

What should be done is that the coaches should put the team in the best position to win football games. If that means getting Zaire good reps, then that's what they should do. If it means providing the consistency of one QB, then that is what they should do. What should NOT be done, is for fans to assume that they know better than the professional coaches, which is best. It is one thing to talk about the theoretical. But no one should confuse that with actually knowing better.

That's exactly what we are discussing kmoose, what we believe puts the team in the best position to win football games. I believed kicking the field goal against Tulsa in 2011 would've been better and I stated that immediately upon seeing that we weren't bringing the kicking team out.

I think it's good for fans to discuss these things and take a side instead of complaining when either outcome results in a loss or a bad situation. You are free to saddle the fence and simply trust everything the staff does, my fandom takes me a different route. (although Kelly has earned my trust in most matters already).

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

You don't play players unless it gives you the best chance to win. Ever. This is not the NFL where you can throw series or games or even entire seasons in the hopes of development or testing something out.

The only time Zaire should play is (1) game in hand, losing or winning, such that it doesn't matter what he does (2) he is the best option.

I don't think you play Zaire to lose but if this is truly a QB competition and they could be labeled 1a and 1b, which is what we've been told, then I think it's paramount to get Zaire in games before the outcome has been determined. Preferably against our lesser opponents: Rice, (hopefully Purdue) but I believe and Kelly believes that the ultimate litmus test is when a player is under the lights.

I'm excited to see how Kelly handles it.

 

[kmoose]

That's exactly what we are discussing kmoose, what we believe puts the team in the best position to win football games. I believed kicking the field goal against Tulsa in 2011 would've been better and I stated that immediately upon seeing that we weren't bringing the kicking team out.

I think it's good for fans to discuss these things and take a side instead of complaining when either outcome results in a loss or a bad situation. You are free to saddle the fence and simply trust everything the staff does, my fandom takes me a different route. (although Kelly has earned my trust in most matters already).

I fail to see where trusting the coaches is somehow straddling the fence?

 

[Emcee77]

You don't play players unless it gives you the best chance to win. Ever. This is not the NFL where you can throw series or games or even entire seasons in the hopes of development or testing something out.

The only time Zaire should play is (1) game in hand, losing or winning, such that it doesn't matter what he does (2) he is the best option.

Exactly. It's pretty much that simple for me.

If there is some strategic reason for getting Zaire on the field before the outcome is decided, fine. Maybe Kelly thinks Zaire is the tougher, more explosive runner, and against a particular D he prefers that matchup for a series or two to loosen up things up. I'm not advocating that or saying I think that's likely; on the contrary, I think Kelly will pick a #1 and stick with him for all significant reps, considering that both QBs are relatively similar players (there is not Rees/Hendrix difference in athleticism here) and relatively inexperienced so even the #1 will need as many reps as possible. But that's Kelly's judgment to make and I'll trust him either way.

But to whatever extent Kelly has significantly more confidence in Golson than Zaire, Golson should play until the outcome is decided.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I fail to see where trusting the coaches is somehow straddling the fence?

You choose to not have an opinion, aka = fence straddled. That is fine, but to act as though no one else should have an opinion is bit...short-sighted. I think it's good you trust the coaches and aren't that interested in theory of how to develop a team. I find myself drawn to the decision-making side of ND football. I like guessing (and usually being wrong) when it comes to guessing play calling, coach-hiring, clock management, etc.

I find the most enjoyable aspect of all of this, aside from simply cheering on the team, is the large-scale entity that is ND football and how Kelly and Swarbrick make their decisions. From what I've seen, it's best to get your young guns exposure to game situations, preferably before they are decided. We saw it with Leak/Tebow and I saw it in Louisville where it worked very well for them. I think we are asking for trouble if we expect to ride the named starter through the whole season.

But, we'll soon have our answer.

 

[gkIrish]

I don't think you play Zaire to lose but if this is truly a QB competition and they could be labeled 1a and 1b, which is what we've been told, then I think it's paramount to get Zaire in games before the outcome has been determined. Preferably against our lesser opponents: Rice, (hopefully Purdue) but I believe and Kelly believes that the ultimate litmus test is when a player is under the lights.

I'm excited to see how Kelly handles it.

It isn't truly a competition. BK may be acting like it is but EG is the starter. IMO he is making it out to be close just so MZ doesn't get the itch to transfer.