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

[md_bennett]

I am seeing both sides to this article. I understand the desire to play and the frustration at not getting to really even compete. The coaches REALLY need to step it up as far as getting all the necessary reps for all the players to be ready to contribute. Just remember Maryland 2 seasons ago, and OSU last year playing all those guys at QB due to injury.

On the other hand, a lot of kids need to be told to sit your turn and EARN your playing time with reps, and earn your reps through understanding of the offense and playbook. It builds character to not be handed things you don't deserve, and it builds competition to be the best.

 

[woolybug25]

I am seeing both sides to this article. I understand the desire to play and the frustration at not getting to really even compete. The coaches REALLY need to step it up as far as getting all the necessary reps for all the players to be ready to contribute. Just remember Maryland 2 seasons ago, and OSU last year playing all those guys at QB due to injury.

On the other hand, a lot of kids need to be told to sit your turn and EARN your playing time with reps, and earn your reps through understanding of the offense and playbook. It builds character to not be handed things you don't deserve, and it builds competition to be the best.

Lets be real here, even with the majority of the reps, we haven't had a complete QB on the roster yet under BK. the Crist disaster, Tommy giving us 110% of his physical ability, Hendrix not being able to stretch the field, Kiel's transfer, Golson's suspension and poor ball protection... Hell, how would have spreading the reps helped if the end result was one of those guys ending up our starter?

Malik wasn't ready as a true freshman. He was probably much better prepared than Tommy when he came to South Bend, but Malik wasn't thrown into that position. At the end of the day, Malik is starting now and ready for the job. Anything else is simply revisionist history and any questioning of the staff isn't really worth it considering the variables.

 

[Old Man Mike]

wooly acting a bit like bgif on this one.

Exactly right on.

 

[Rudy89]

I'm confident MZ can lead us to some good wins this year and understand why EG left but I really wish we had EG I. Our back pocket similar to how we had tommy when EG struggled. I hope Malik can handle the pressure and lead us to a good year and most importantly a win over USC.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I'm confident MZ can lead us to some good wins this year and understand why EG left but I really wish we had EG I. Our back pocket similar to how we had tommy when EG struggled. I hope Malik can handle the pressure and lead us to a good year and most importantly a win over USC.

Look at it this way. We didn't know what we had in Zaire last year, we didn't know what we had in Tommy coming into 2010 and hell, even 2011 was bit of a question mark. I'm sure Kizer will be fine if/when given the opportunity.

 

[ThePiombino]

I'm confident MZ can lead us to some good wins this year and understand why EG left but I really wish we had EG I. Our back pocket similar to how we had tommy when EG struggled. I hope Malik can handle the pressure and lead us to a good year and most importantly a win over USC.

Valid concern, but I would say Malik '15 >> Golson '12 (certainly mentally). Most of Golson's issues were between the ears and I just don't see that being a problem with Zaire. We good.

 

[Fbolt]

concur

 

[EuropeanDomer22]

I think Golson is a better Quarterback, but Zaire is a better football player overall.

His intangibles are off the charts. Anyone remember how he ran into Prosise in his first Spring Game to celebrate a TD? That's a sign of his character. He is a winner. Golson has better arm talent, but he is not a winner, never will be.

Gotta love him!

 

[rocket66]

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

For whatever reason, BK kind of blindly rode the Golson train through a pretty rough year- even when EG was playing terribly. I'm sure he's learned that the backup has to get reps and be more ready to go. The article brings a lot of light as to why Zaire didn't get in sooner. He just wasn't getting the reps to make the coaches comfortable enough to make the switch on game days. It took the bowl prep month to get him ready enough to replace Golson.


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[Old Man Mike]

People seem to find it impossibly hard to relate to Coach's dilemmas week-to-week. Kelly has told us over and over that he sweats it out trying to get the best guys on the field to win the upcoming game. And "Winning is Hard" he continually says [especially with our schedule where any badly off day can create a loss.]

Coach KNOWS that his offensive system works, and he knows that Everett COULD make it work if he just cleaned up his game. AND how in the world would a coach think that his athletically-gifted QB would NEVER really clean up his game? Kelly had to believe that Everett "MUST surely get it right this week." And Everett seemed so close to playing a whole clean game some days.

So, he's looking at an experienced guy who should be able to make the offense hum, vs an inexperienced guy who is a real gamble to turn the keys over to, especially since the schedule never produces a gimme game. What does the wise man [who cannot predict the unknown] do? He tries to go safe [it's almost a no-brainer]. As the basic situation never changes, he's faced with the same dilemma every week. It was only after completely running out of patience that he decided to roll the dice with Zaire --- an EXTREMELY courageous decision.

I am in complete understanding of Coach's dilemmas here, and frankly am not sure that I could have ever made the decision to sit Everett and go with Malik in the Bowl game. Coach Kelly is a tough hombre. I admire him greatly.

 

[irishfan]

I think Golson is a better Quarterback, but Zaire is a better football player overall.

His intangibles are off the charts. Anyone remember how he ran into Prosise in his first Spring Game to celebrate a TD? That's a sign of his character. He is a winner. Golson has better arm talent, but he is not a winner, never will be.

Gotta love him!

I don't think this is very fair. What was his record as a starter here? 18-6 or 19-6 or something? He played well in some of those losses as well. FSU we had a horrible call, Northwestern was BK choking, Louisville was our team not being able to hold or kick a field goal. Golson had plenty of clutch moments, Stanford in 2014, Pitt in 2012, the FG drive to beat LSU, and plenty more. He played flawlessly in huge games many times: Michigan in 2014, OU in 2012, Michigan State in 2012, USC in 2012, etc. He out-played Winston at FSU, and is honestly probably still here and the starter today if not for that Offensive PI that seemed to lead to the late season implosion from everyone on the team.

Zaire 100% shows more emotion and seems extremely willing to talk a big game (which I love), but I really don't think it's fair to say Golson isn't a winner especially when that was something that he was hyped up as being coming out of high school and when he was leading us to a 12-0 regular season. There were plenty of times in September and October this past season during games and on the ICON ND videos where it seemed like the team viewed Golson as one of the leaders on offense.

 

[greyhammer90]

I don't think this is very fair. What was his record as a starter here? 18-6 or 19-6 or something? He played well in some of those losses as well. FSU we had a horrible call, Northwestern was BK choking, Louisville was our team not being able to hold or kick a field goal. Golson had plenty of clutch moments, Stanford in 2014, Pitt in 2012, the FG drive to beat LSU, and plenty more. He played flawlessly in huge games many times: Michigan in 2014, OU in 2012, Michigan State in 2012, USC in 2012, etc. He out-played Winston at FSU, and is honestly probably still here and the starter today if not for that Offensive PI that seemed to lead to the late season implosion from everyone on the team.

Zaire 100% shows more emotion and seems extremely willing to talk a big game (which I love), but I really don't think it's fair to say Golson isn't a winner especially when that was something that he was hyped up as being coming out of high school and when he was leading us to a 12-0 regular season. There were plenty of times in September and October this past season during games and on the ICON ND videos where it seemed like the team viewed Golson as one of the leaders on offense.

Stop being so ridiculous! I have watched Zaire pass the ball 35 times and let me tell you, that extensive exposure plus his quotes saying he "just wants to play" is plenty for me to say unequivocally that he's going to do much better than this Everett No-Golson ever did!!!! I have personally snuck into each of their dorm rooms and taken sonograms of their hearts and Zaire's is soooooo much bigger & better! And having played checkers against both of them, Zaire is a GAMER and No-Go is a LAMER.

We'll be fine. We're gonna be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Stop being so ridiculous! I have watched Zaire pass the ball 35 times and let me tell you, that extensive exposure plus his quotes saying he "just wants to play" is plenty for me to say unequivocally that he's going to do much better than this Everett No-Golson ever did!!!! I have personally snuck into each of their dorm rooms and taken sonograms of their hearts and Zaire's is soooooo much bigger & better! And having played checkers against both of them, Zaire is a GAMER and No-Go is a LAMER.

We'll be fine. We're gonna be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

You forgot to say /Thread

 

[pumpdog20]

Golson plays at FSU now, we don't have to stick up for him anymore.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Golson plays at FSU now, we don't have to stick up for him anymore.

But we obviously still undeservingly bash him

 

[greyhammer90]

Golson plays at FSU now, we don't have to stick up for him anymore.

It's not about sticking up for Golson. It's about recognizing that the same pie-in-sky "Zaire is going to take us to teh National Championship!!1!" people are, for the most part, the same people who said the same things about Golson and will be the first people to bash Zaire if he doesn't meet their expectations. I want Zaire to become an all time great ND QB as much as the next guy, but the people who are currently praising Zaire for having "heart" or being a "winner" are setting themselves up to hate the kid when he doesn't become a great QB, which is statistically JUST AS LIKELY at this point since we've all seen roughly 60-ish live snaps with this kid where he played pretty well. He didn't put the team on his back, he didn't become a statistical offensive monster, he played a decent offensive football game.

I'm just pointing out that the level of hype and adoration this kid is getting completely off the charts. The same people who say I'm being a "spoilsport" or "Zaire hater" will be the same people who crush the kid when he doesn't fulfill their savior-role. And I'll get bashed for defending him when that happens too...

 

[Irish YJ]

It's not about sticking up for Golson. It's about recognizing that the same pie-in-sky "Zaire is going to take us to teh National Championship!!1!" people are, for the most part, the same people who said the same things about Golson and will be the first people to bash Zaire if he doesn't meet their expectations. I want Zaire to become an all time great ND QB as much as the next guy, but the people who are currently praising Zaire for having "heart" or being a "winner" are setting themselves up to hate the kid when he doesn't become a great QB, which is statistically JUST AS LIKELY at this point since we've all seen roughly 60-ish live snaps with this kid where he played pretty well. He didn't put the team on his back, he didn't become a statistical offensive monster, he played a decent offensive football game.

I'm just pointing out that the level of hype and adoration this kid is getting completely off the charts. The same people who say I'm being a "spoilsport" or "Zaire hater" will be the same people who crush the kid when he doesn't fulfill their savior-role. And I'll get bashed for defending him when that happens too...

lol ..... And how is this different to any year where a new ND QB is getting ready to take over? Except maybe for Tommy Gun

I'm already ready for Wimbush. Kid is going to be a stone cold stud and has the heart of lion, and leadership capability of Patton.

 

[wizards8507]

It's not about sticking up for Golson. It's about recognizing that the same pie-in-sky "Zaire is going to take us to teh National Championship!!1!" people are, for the most part, the same people who said the same things about Golson and will be the first people to bash Zaire if he doesn't meet their expectations. I want Zaire to become an all time great ND QB as much as the next guy, but the people who are currently praising Zaire for having "heart" or being a "winner" are setting themselves up to hate the kid when he doesn't become a great QB, which is statistically JUST AS LIKELY at this point since we've all seen roughly 60-ish live snaps with this kid where he played pretty well. He didn't put the team on his back, he didn't become a statistical offensive monster, he played a decent offensive football game.

I'm just pointing out that the level of hype and adoration this kid is getting completely off the charts. The same people who say I'm being a "spoilsport" or "Zaire hater" will be the same people who crush the kid when he doesn't fulfill their savior-role. And I'll get bashed for defending him when that happens too...

Looking like you give a shit goes a long way to winning over the fanbase. Zaire does. Golson never did.

Golson's hype was based on what he had the potential to do on the football field. Zaire's seems to be at least somewhat based on what he can do in the locker room. What we've seen from Zaire's fire, gut, cajones, personality, whatever-you-want-to-call-it doesn't require live snaps to see. It's there plain as day. Even at the Zenith of Golson hype, I don't think we saw too many folks excited for the burning passion in his belly.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

I need to prepare myself. How many mistakes is Malik allowed until we can start drinking the Kizer Kool-Aid?

 

[Blaise]

It's not about sticking up for Golson. It's about recognizing that the same pie-in-sky "Zaire is going to take us to teh National Championship!!1!" people are, for the most part, the same people who said the same things about Golson and will be the first people to bash Zaire if he doesn't meet their expectations. I want Zaire to become an all time great ND QB as much as the next guy, but the people who are currently praising Zaire for having "heart" or being a "winner" are setting themselves up to hate the kid when he doesn't become a great QB, which is statistically JUST AS LIKELY at this point since we've all seen roughly 60-ish live snaps with this kid where he played pretty well. He didn't put the team on his back, he didn't become a statistical offensive monster, he played a decent offensive football game.

I'm just pointing out that the level of hype and adoration this kid is getting completely off the charts. The same people who say I'm being a "spoilsport" or "Zaire hater" will be the same people who crush the kid when he doesn't fulfill their savior-role. And I'll get bashed for defending him when that happens too...

Agree with this 100%..... Golson was great until he wasn't.. now Zaire is the man.. but IF he struggles and throw some picks... Everyone will start chanting for the next QB.... How bout we just wait and see and give Zaire a year before we praise him as the next stud QB

 

[gkIrish]

Looking like you give a shit goes a long way to winning over the fanbase. Zaire does. Golson never did.

Golson's hype was based on what he had the potential to do on the football field. Zaire's seems to be at least somewhat based on what he can do in the locker room. What we've seen from Zaire's fire, gut, cajones, personality, whatever-you-want-to-call-it doesn't require live snaps to see. It's there plain as day. Even at the Zenith of Golson hype, I don't think we saw too many folks excited for the burning passion in his belly.

Zaire is quoted two times and all of a sudden he has fire, gut, personality, etc.?

Let's see him lead us back after being down at half one time first. That shows more fire than being bold in an interview.

 

[kmoose]

Golson's hype was based on what he had the potential to do on the football field. Zaire's seems to be at least somewhat based on what he can do in the locker room. What we've seen from Zaire's fire, gut, cajones, personality, whatever-you-want-to-call-it doesn't require live snaps to see. It's there plain as day. Even at the Zenith of Golson hype, I don't think we saw too many folks excited for the burning passion in his belly.

Too bad they don't keep score based on the locker room. I like that the kid is saying all of the right things. But what is going to happen when teams figure out that he can't throw while rolling left, or that he can't read Cover 2?

Joe Charboneau of the Cleveland Indians was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1980. He hit
.289 with 23 HRs and 83 RBIs. The next year, pitchers figured out that he couldn't hit a curve ball. In 1981, he hit .210, 4 HR, 18 RBI. In 1982 he hit .214, 2HR, 9RBI. He was out of baseball in 1983.

As others have said, let's let the kid play for a few games before we talk about how great he is going to be.

 

[greyhammer90]

Looking like you give a shit goes a long way to winning over the fanbase. Zaire does. Golson never did.

Golson's hype was based on what he had the potential to do on the football field. Zaire's seems to be at least somewhat based on what he can do in the locker room. What we've seen from Zaire's fire, gut, cajones, personality, whatever-you-want-to-call-it doesn't require live snaps to see. It's there plain as day. Even at the Zenith of Golson hype, I don't think we saw too many folks excited for the burning passion in his belly.

You are not one of the "pie-in-the-sky" types I talked about earlier, you have a very special kind of Golson-dislike that is well documented. You said the crowd "reacted negatively" to Golson in the Rice game, wanted him benched for the season after the 1st quarter of the ASU game, and has since Golson's transfer said that you and your wife always disliked the kid. I have no doubt that you will not be one of the people who will give Zaire as hard of a time as Golson should he not pan out, because its hard for me to imagine.

Anyone who says that Golson NEVER looked like he "gave a shit" is being disingenuous or delusional. He took the team to a national championship game, came back from a suspension when most talented QBs would've walked, got his degree, led more than a few come-from-behind victories, took full responsibility for his struggles in the second half of the year and said that "I need to get better" and promised he would, etc. etc. etc. it goes on and on. Apparently he should've chest bumped a guy in a spring game two years ago because that would've gotten the people going.

Zaire has talked about how much he wanted to play, and that's pretty much it. If he struggles, the same people who are saying how much personality he has are going to be the first to say "all he cares about is himself, you can see it in all the interviews."

Please just give the kid a season to struggle before we anoint him or damn him. That's all I'm saying.

 

[IrishLion]

Zaire is quoted two times and all of a sudden he has fire, gut, personality, etc.?

Let's see him lead us back after being down at half one time first. That shows more fire than being bold in an interview.

No, we saw his fire, his guts, and his personality in the Music City Bowl.

Particularly here:

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/Owr9MI6IZ2U/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

 

[woolybug25]

So what are we talking about? Are we not supposed to expect great things from a player that has looked good in games, practice and a spring game? Are we not allowed to project the future potential of players on this team?

Then why in the hell are we on a Notre Dame football forum? I thought discussing the potential of our players was a cornerstone of a football forum. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of dudes talking about how the last game went, because that is what "lets wait to see" comments mean. There's nothing wrong with having discussions about what we think players are capable of doing. It's kinda of the whole point of posting here.

 

[wizards8507]

Zaire is quoted two times and all of a sudden he has fire, gut, personality, etc.?

I'm not a Malik cheerleader. You're right, we don't know enough. But we do know enough about Golson to see that he doesn't have those traits. So any glimmer of them that we see from Malik is a net pickup in that department.

 

[greyhammer90]

So what are we talking about? Are we not supposed to expect great things from a player that has looked good in games, practice and a spring game? Are we not allowed to project the future potential of players on this team?

Then why in the hell are we on a Notre Dame football forum? I thought discussing the potential of our players was a cornerstone of a football forum. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of dudes talking about how the last game went, because that is what "lets wait to see" comments mean. There's nothing wrong with having discussions about what we think players are capable of doing. It's kinda of the whole point of posting here.

You're allowed to do whatever you want. But if your comments get to the point that they are fanfiction or are patently untrue ("Golson never was a winner"), I'm going to tell you that you should get ready for some extreme disappointment and tell you to please not post on Gamethreads because those people are the exact posters that make this place such a cesspool after losses.

 

[Luckylucci]

Zaire is quoted two times and all of a sudden he has fire, gut, personality, etc.?

Let's see him lead us back after being down at half one time first. That shows more fire than being bold in an interview.

Agreed, I love his moxy and confidence but at this point I would like to just see it versus hearing about it. There is nothing that makes me believe he can't do it but there is certainly a point where all this talk is too much.

 

[gkIrish]

So what are we talking about? Are we not supposed to expect great things from a player that has looked good in games, practice and a spring game? Are we not allowed to project the future potential of players on this team?

Then why in the hell are we on a Notre Dame football forum? I thought discussing the potential of our players was a cornerstone of a football forum. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of dudes talking about how the last game went, because that is what "lets wait to see" comments mean. There's nothing wrong with having discussions about what we think players are capable of doing. It's kinda of the whole point of posting here.

I'm just seeing way too much crazy talk for my liking right now. The spring game is the most meaningless event in the history of sports when it comes to projecting success. Literally all it's good for is evaluating speed.

Malik has looked good in the few games we have seen him but he has yet to play a full 4 quarters or take any meaningful snaps other than against LSU. You're right that this is a forum to discuss things and it's okay to be excited about someone but I've seen more hyperbole this week about Malik than I thought was possible. And all because he sounded confident in an interview.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would add that he wasn't actually practicing that well. There isn't one person (that I've read) who watched spring practice that thought Malik was performing at a higher level than Golson.