Dayne, Rees, Massa, or Hendrix

[lookingdeadred]

QB

QB

Rees continues to start. He has showed some potential, so let him continue to play and see what ND has got with him. Montana backs him up and hopefully no one else gets hurt.

It makes little sense to play Hendrix this season. That he is getting praise from the coaches does not mean he is ready to play. By all means, get him some reps in practice, but there is no reason to waste a year of eligibility.

As for 2011, open up the QB spot for competition and let the best player win.

Here's what I've heard from a walk-on on the football team:

Basically when a quarterback is redshirted, he gets put on the practice squad and doesn't get a chance to understand the offense. He doesn't take many reps, if any, and the coaching staff teaches him the offense in the Spring.

This is the situation Hendrix is in. He probably doesn't have the same grasp of the offense as Rees since he wasn't at Spring practice. So I mean, Hendrix could start the next few games, but the odds are that things will revert back to square one. He'd either sink or swim, but I'd rather him at least have a life jacket.

Personally I think I'd be giving Hendrix some reps during practice in case something happens to Rees, but save the year of eligibility. Everything I'm hearing around campus is that the kid is a stud.

 

[lookingdeadred]

Montana

Montana

He's a minimal talent and should only play in an emergency.

Montana. Seems to be a fearless runner, and can toss the quick one. Wonder why he hasn't been given more of a chance. Seems his fearlessness on keeping for the run is exactly what Kelly's spread needs.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

He's a minimal talent and should only play in an emergency.

That's what they said about his father.

 

[GreatGolson]

That's what they said about his father.

He also had the arrogance to call an audible on his 2nd play in college....

 

[lookingdeadred]

This time they are right

This time they are right

Nate could not even win a starting job in high school and was third string on his JC team.

That's what they said about his father.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Absolutely fearless prediction: Rees, barring yet another diabolical injury, will start and play every play for the last three games. Nate Montana will get reps in practice to provide an emergency QB in, well, emergency. Kelly will establish a microscopic play package for Goodman, in the unlikely event that a third QB is needed.[I am knocking on wood as I type]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unless Kelly and the entire coaching staff go crazy and are institutionalized, Andrew Hendrix and Luke Massa will not get within five yards of the playing field, so as not to uselessly burn entire years of eligibility in a season which is essentially lost.----------------------------------------------------------------------- Come Spring, Kelly will put Crist [if even healthy] and the three freshmen out there mano-a-mano and evaluate all four of them without prejudice. Kelly will come out of Spring ball with a pecking order in his mind, but, barring some mind-blowing performance, will begin Summer with the idea that it's still an open job.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He will make his decision based upon a).command of the playbook, b). understanding of the characteristics of the receivers, c). ability to read progressions and throw various balls, d). ability to run, and [not at all least] e). leadership. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If I was one of these guys, I'd invite everyone of my likely receivers to my place for the Summer. If I was one of the prospective starters at receiver, I'd go.

 

[lookingdeadred]

Makes sense

Makes sense

But one question, if you are a receiver, which QB do you spend the summer with?

Absolutely fearless prediction: Rees, barring yet another diabolical injury, will start and play every play for the last three games. Nate Montana will get reps in practice to provide an emergency QB in, well, emergency. Kelly will establish a microscopic play package for Goodman, in the unlikely event that a third QB is needed.[I am knocking on wood as I type]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unless Kelly and the entire coaching staff go crazy and are institutionalized, Andrew Hendrix and Luke Massa will not get within five yards of the playing field, so as not to uselessly burn entire years of eligibility in a season which is essentially lost.----------------------------------------------------------------------- Come Spring, Kelly will put Crist [if even healthy] and the three freshmen out there mano-a-mano and evaluate all four of them without prejudice. Kelly will come out of Spring ball with a pecking order in his mind, but, barring some mind-blowing performance, will begin Summer with the idea that it's still an open job.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He will make his decision based upon a).command of the playbook, b). understanding of the characteristics of the receivers, c). ability to read progressions and throw various balls, d). ability to run, and [not at all least] e). leadership. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If I was one of these guys, I'd invite everyone of my likely receivers to my place for the Summer. If I was one of the prospective starters at receiver, I'd go.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Deadred: I'm watching Spring practice, aren't I?

 

[JDAtlanta]

This is the first post in the string

This is the first post in the string

I am 100% behind Dayne, and the next in line after him IMO is Hendrix. Rees is nice on the easy quick throws. Any tough throws, that require any amount of velocity--Rees is out in my mind.

Bailing on Dayne is just Crazy!!!!!!


Go Irish!

that I agree with. To throw Crist out with the bath water is just sad. Did you not see the Michigan game. Dayne has a ton more talent than Rees or Montana. He is two years ahead of Massa and Hendrix. It's Dayne job next year until someone beats him out. Hopefully, BK does not have to burn eligibility on Massa or Hendrix this year. Rees looked better than I thought he could have last week. The defense played very well. I would have liked to see this team fully healthy at the end of the year. If a frog had wings......

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Nate could not even win a starting job in high school and was third string on his JC team.

And high school and all coaches are all knowing and never out-think themselves. Montana was not a starter at ND. Look what the world thinks of him now. I love people who know everything.

 

[irish1958]

But one question, if you are a receiver, which QB do you spend the summer with?

That's a nobrainer: whoever has the cutest sister.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

That's a nobrainer: whoever has the cutest sister.

I go for tight waist, leading to a great *** and super so delicious legs first. Then the boobies.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I go for tight waist, leading to a great *** and super so delicious legs first. Then the boobies.

Wow...what kind of thread did I walk into ....sweet!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

He also had the arrogance to call an audible on his 2nd play in college....

Do you know what you are talking about?

 

[GreatGolson]

Do you know what you are talking about?

During the michigan game he clearly called an audible that resulted in a pick, Kelly preceded to chew him out for it.

 

[Irish To The Core]

I would think Dayne's injury and Ree's opportunity to get in a ton of meaningful game time throws the qb competition wide open come spring.

I don't believe Dayne is definitively done, but I do think his status as unassailable starter has disappeared. I cannot fathom him transferring at this point, if he recovers sufficiently from his injury to compete for the starting job, he will get a look.

Tommy Rees will have an unexpected opportunity to develop as a college qb and as well as gaining BK's trust over the next few games. I believe these are make or break games for Tommy. If he succeeds he will have a slight advantage over the competition heading into spring. I am sure the coaching staff has all of the same concerns that we have (arm strength, speed) but if the kid gets the job done without those bells and whistles, then you know he has it upstairs where it counts most.

Andrew Hendrix by all reports has the physical skills that Tommy Rees lacks. He will be given the opportunity to win the starting job in the spring. The question with Hendrix is; how quick a learner is he? If he can bridge the gap between himself and Rees/Crist in terms of understanding the spread, then he seems like a good bet. But, it sure seems like Rees has absorbed an awful lot since I watched him work out during spring practice...so Andrew has some homework to do.

Luke Massa is the unknown quantity. However, I have watched film on him and he is a very athletic qb. He also has a connection with BK and BK has spoken highly of this young man. I expect him to come into spring camp ready to compete for the starting job and quite capable of surprising us all and winning. Like Hendrix, Massa has to learn the system quickly if he hopes to run the offense anytime soon.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

During the michigan game he clearly called an audible that resulted in a pick, Kelly preceded to chew him out for it.

Therefore, you know what you are talking about.

 

[TinyT]

Dayne is injured, not dead. He has two years of eligibility left. At most he will miss 4 more games, if ND can somehow win 2 of the last 3...doubtful. I am not entirely sure what goes on in the offseason during the winter, other than lifting and conditioning, but I can't imagine anyone making a move up the depth chart during that time.

So here is the situation. Rees will have 1.5 years and 3.5 games under his belt, with Kelly. Crist will have 1.5 years and 8.5 games under his belt with Kelly. Montana will have whatever he gets in these last three games. The other two will be untested in a game and have been running scout for the year.

So...Crist will have more experience, he is bigger, stronger, faster, has a much stronger arm, will be healthy for 7-on-7's, might be healthy for non-contact in spring, and for some reason a majority of people think that Rees or the untested Hendrix will unseat him on the depth chart next season?

This sounds like making change for changes sake...and nothing good comes of that. Crist has a better chance of excelling next year, even with two surgically repaired knees than any other quarterback on this roster period!!!

People should be sure to revisit this thread after Utah, and SC...we'll see then if the consensus is still that Rees is the messiah and Hendrix is holding his robes, while Crist digs the crap hole.

Sheesh! It's always wait 'til so and so gets a chance, he'll make all the difference in the world...same with freakin' recruiting.

 

[TerryTate]

Dayne is injured, not dead. He has two years of eligibility left. At most he will miss 4 more games, if ND can somehow win 2 of the last 3...doubtful. I am not entirely sure what goes on in the offseason during the winter, other than lifting and conditioning, but I can't imagine anyone making a move up the depth chart during that time.

So here is the situation. Rees will have 1.5 years and 3.5 games under his belt, with Kelly. Crist will have 1.5 years and 8.5 games under his belt with Kelly. Montana will have whatever he gets in these last three games. The other two will be untested in a game and have been running scout for the year.

So...Crist will have more experience, he is bigger, stronger, faster, has a much stronger arm, will be healthy for 7-on-7's, might be healthy for non-contact in spring, and for some reason a majority of people think that Rees or the untested Hendrix will unseat him on the depth chart next season?

This sounds like making change for changes sake...and nothing good comes of that. Crist has a better chance of excelling next year, even with two surgically repaired knees than any other quarterback on this roster period!!!

People should be sure to revisit this thread after Utah, and SC...we'll see then if the consensus is still that Rees is the messiah and Hendrix is holding his robes, while Crist digs the crap hole.

Sheesh! It's always wait 'til so and so gets a chance, he'll make all the difference in the world...same with freakin' recruiting.

You make solid points. Spring practice will be extremely interesting to watch. Crist is out 6 months with rehab for his injury. Massa, Hendrix, and Rees will all be taking reps with the first team by then. The spring practices will determine where Kelly stands at quarterback. Those of you writing off Crist are a bit ridiculous. He was a 5 star recruit, and he still has a lot of talent yet to display. I have a feeling that once he finds his comfort and rhythm in this offense he will do well. There is way too much in the air to speculate at this point.

 

[TDHeysus]

DC will be back next year, the story sucks, but he isnt done. For now, I'm going with Rees. I hope BK can 'protect' his freshman QB without hindering his potential. Rees has shown he has some skills, so now lets see what the kids got. In a season where not much has gone right, Rees is that small ray of light in an otherwise dark room.

 

[TDHeysus]

Spring practice will be extremely interesting to watch. Crist is out 6 months with rehab for his injury. Massa, Hendrix, and Rees will all be taking reps with the first team by then.

just a quick observation, You know DC is going to be there next year, and you know Hendrix who redshirted is going to be there; I cant imagine Rees being surpassed at this point even if it is for 3rd string. I see Massa as the odd man out for next year. can he redshirt? What do they do with a 4th QB?

 

[jmurphy75]

You make solid points. Spring practice will be extremely interesting to watch. Crist is out 6 months with rehab for his injury. Massa, Hendrix, and Rees will all be taking reps with the first team by then. The spring practices will determine where Kelly stands at quarterback. Those of you writing off Crist are a bit ridiculous. He was a 5 star recruit, and he still has a lot of talent yet to display. I have a feeling that once he finds his comfort and rhythm in this offense he will do well. There is way too much in the air to speculate at this point.

I'm hoping that Crist makes the comeback he is by far the leader of this team and the most talented QB. Terry you said something that I've been waiting for Dayne to do all year find his comfort and rythm, often he looked uncomfortable or like he was forcing it, and that is something that just one day will click for him and he'll just have it from then on. I think that has been Dayne's problem this year and it has nothing to do with his talent or ability, for christ sake people don't realize how much there is to learn when learning a new offense. Anyway it's early and I'm rambling.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

DC will be back next year, the story sucks, but he isnt done. For now, I'm going with Rees. I hope BK can 'protect' his freshman QB without hindering his potential. Rees has shown he has some skills, so now lets see what the kids got. In a season where not much has gone right, Rees is that small ray of light in an otherwise dark room.

I hear ya. The story is terrible, I feel horrible for the kid, he can't catch a break. I am just not sold on him coming back, and playing because he is going to miss a ton of time rehabing. His knee is no way going to be 100% by spring. It will be similar to last spring, and I have to think that him not being in live situations, and the staff being conservative with his knee all the way up to like week 2, did not hurt his progression/understand of the offense at all, and most of all, his confidence.

Before the season a lot of us on here, myself included, believed that this offense is very QB friendly, and did not foresee the struggles that the team, and Dayne had. He's been playing football for most of his life, and a big time D1 college QB for a few years. He was not a true freshmen out of high school. But he struggled with a lot of throws. His fade was very off, and his timing/touch on a lot of passes was also not very good. Rees seemed, although only playing 3/4 quarters of a game, to have a stronger command of the offense. How much of that has to do with him learning a new system? Compared to how much has to do with him having to adjust his motion because of his first knee injury? And how much had to do with his confidence in that knee?

Now, both knee's are badly injured. How is he going to react to adjusting his game to that? He sure as hell is going to be very hesitant about running. And he's losing a lot more time in the offense, and is missing out on a lot more time of working on his routes, timing, and everything else that comes along with the development of a QB. He is not Jimmy Clausen, and played nowhere near to that level. If it were Jimmy who went down, then I would agree, he would be back, but he was average at best.

Now he has guys who will be continually working in the system, and who have all been there for roughly a year. Rees, Hendrix, and Massa will all be way ahead of DC in the understanding of the offense, and 1 or 2 of them could be ahead fundamentally wise, and could very well give Dayne one hell of a learning curve to overcome. Not too mention, BK's chosen QB in Hendrix, the player that embodies what Kelly needs, is gifted, and picking up steam. I can't imagine that he is not going to make a serious push for the starting job.

It's not impossible for Dayne to come back and win the starting roll, but the chips are stacked against him.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I'm hoping that Crist makes the comeback he is by far the leader of this team and the most talented QB. Terry you said something that I've been waiting for Dayne to do all year find his comfort and rythm, often he looked uncomfortable or like he was forcing it, and that is something that just one day will click for him and he'll just have it from then on. I think that has been Dayne's problem this year and it has nothing to do with his talent or ability, for christ sake people don't realize how much there is to learn when learning a new offense. Anyway it's early and I'm rambling.

Exactly, there is a ton to learn in a new offense. Dayne was nowhere near complete in learning the offense, and now has lost more time in learning it. He also has 2 guys chasing him who do not have to break the fundamentals of being a pro-style QB. Rees/Hendrix, this is the only offense they know, compared to dayne living in charlies world for 2 years.

 

[Rocket89]

Dayne is injured, not dead. He has two years of eligibility left. At most he will miss 4 more games, if ND can somehow win 2 of the last 3...doubtful. I am not entirely sure what goes on in the offseason during the winter, other than lifting and conditioning, but I can't imagine anyone making a move up the depth chart during that time.

So here is the situation. Rees will have 1.5 years and 3.5 games under his belt, with Kelly. Crist will have 1.5 years and 8.5 games under his belt with Kelly. Montana will have whatever he gets in these last three games. The other two will be untested in a game and have been running scout for the year.

So...Crist will have more experience, he is bigger, stronger, faster, has a much stronger arm, will be healthy for 7-on-7's, might be healthy for non-contact in spring, and for some reason a majority of people think that Rees or the untested Hendrix will unseat him on the depth chart next season?

This sounds like making change for changes sake...and nothing good comes of that. Crist has a better chance of excelling next year, even with two surgically repaired knees than any other quarterback on this roster period!!!

People should be sure to revisit this thread after Utah, and SC...we'll see then if the consensus is still that Rees is the messiah and Hendrix is holding his robes, while Crist digs the crap hole.

Sheesh! It's always wait 'til so and so gets a chance, he'll make all the difference in the world...same with freakin' recruiting.

I see what you're saying but...you have to admit Crist is staring at a tough road ahead. Even if Rees craps his pants the rest of this season and Kelly let's it be known that he's not happy with the Rees/Hendrix/Massa situation in spring....even just assuming that Crist will be handed the job once he's healthy...he still has a tough road ahead.

I love Dayne, but my concerns are:

*2 injured knees now, plus the whole "he's fragile" aspect. A lot of people were questioning whether he was fit for the spread and this patella injury probably drops his running abilities another 5-10% in the future....not good.

*He was regressing and not getting better this year. I'm totally on board that had he stayed healthy that he would have ended up with a decent first year (assuming he played a little better down the stretch) and I would have expected a much better season in 2011 from him. Now, with another injury and the Navy game still stuck in our heads, I'm not completely sold that he's automatically going to be demonstratably better in 2011.

*From a skill stand point, there are some small issues with his accuracy, a small issue with his mobility (probably a little bit bigger now with another injured knee), and I'd say more serious issues with his touch and decision making.

What Crist does have going for him is his experience, his potential (5-star guy, size, arm strength), and his leadership. I'd say his experience is the most important right now, but I don't know if it is so overwhelming that he's a lock to start next year. His leadership is a big plus, but that doesn't mean that Rees or Hendrix can't step up and become great leaders in his absence over the next 6 months or longer.

You stated, "Crist will have more experience, he is bigger, stronger, faster, has a much stronger arm.."

Really, Crist only has the experience going for him. Hendrix is not as big (that's not really a bad thing though) and is much faster, and by all indications has a rocket just like Crist that *potentially* could be more accurate.

You also said, "Crist has a better chance of excelling next year, even with two surgically repaired knees than any other quarterback on this roster period!!!"

I'm not sure that is really true. It's not like we've never seen redshirt freshman come in and play really well. Guys like Andrew Luck, Taylor Martinez and others...it happens every year.

I'm a little worried about having an inexperienced guy like Hendrix starting next year (if he does), but I think Crist (and Rees) is going to have to exhibit that without a doubt that he has improved as a passer come next fall camp, because all indications are that Hendrix has a big advantage as a mobile QB and a great arm.

I don't think we can automatically assume that Hendrix or one of the younger QB's won't be better than what we got out of Crist this year just because they don't have the experience. Yes, the odds are against it and the more experienced and highly regarded recruit plays, but the odds are kind of being stacked against Crist with his injuries too.

 

[aaronb]

just a quick observation, You know DC is going to be there next year, and you know Hendrix who redshirted is going to be there; I cant imagine Rees being surpassed at this point even if it is for 3rd string. I see Massa as the odd man out for next year. can he redshirt? What do they do with a 4th QB?

I think someone will eventually transfer. QB's seem to transfer out of programs at much greater rates than other positions. And that was probably some of the reasoning in offering 3 QB's in the 2010 recruiting cycle.

I can see us signing 2 QB's again in 2012. Especially with the likelihood that the lesser of the 2 QB's will go elsewhere to find PT.

 

[CanadianIrish]

rees for the remander of the season w/ him and hendrix fighting it out next year dayne transfers

I suspect this is a very likely scenario, but most people on the board seem to think I'm biased as I was not a fan of Dayne's play earlier in the year.

I think this injury is the end of Dayne's ND career, and said as much before (which wasn't popular). He wasn't suited for the offense to begin with, and now may have more mobility challenges because of the injury. I just don't see how he can compete next year when he has 8 games under his belt as a starter in a system that doesn't suit him competing against two QBs who do suit the system, one of whom will have 4 or 5 games under his belt as a starter. It just doesn't seem likely to me that he climbs back to the start of the depth chart. If he wants to stay, he would obviously be welcome and that might be a really good moral boost for the team and he could serve as a leader in the locker room. However, if he wants to play football his best bet is probably elsewhere.

As for Hendrix or Rees, I guess that the main issue there will be Tommy's performance now, and how each of them does in the spring. Tommy is really young (18 and less than 6 months), so he could very well grow a bit taller and may gain arm strength. None of us are qualified to say what will or should happen in that regard.

 

[CanadianIrish]

You make solid points. Spring practice will be extremely interesting to watch. Crist is out 6 months with rehab for his injury. Massa, Hendrix, and Rees will all be taking reps with the first team by then. The spring practices will determine where Kelly stands at quarterback. Those of you writing off Crist are a bit ridiculous. He was a 5 star recruit, and he still has a lot of talent yet to display. I have a feeling that once he finds his comfort and rhythm in this offense he will do well. There is way too much in the air to speculate at this point.

There is definitely too much up in the air to make a confident prediction, but speculation requires uncertainty, that's what makes it fun.

I think Crist may be looking at a Ryan Mallet situation. He's going to get pushed on the depth chart really hard no matter what happens, and if Mallet goes first in the draft in April while spread QBs suffer again, it's going to be hard to concoct a reason as to how it's in his benefit to stay and battle is out for PT when he probably isn't the favourite going into the spring.

I just don't see how Dayne gets more comfortable with the system over the next six months when he can't take a snap or throw a ball. Tommy and Hendrix will be playing in this system for the next six months, and Tommy will have more experience than him in the system by the end of spring (as he enrolled early), whereas Hendrix will have around the same.

I think this is a really long haul for Dayne, and I think his career as an ND starter is over (I've rephrased them from my earlier misleading phrasing).

But that's all wild speculation, god only knows what will happen in the next three games - that could change everything.

 

[rocket31]

while spread QBs suffer again,

signed sam bradford and tim tebow...

 

[LongRun]

Dayne was not my choice of QB, I never liked the guy I thought he was Big , Bulky and Slow. In addition his accuracy was horrible. I also believe the guy is prone to injury, he just has bad knees. The kid bulked up way too much. Rees is breath of fresh air. I like him and I think he has alot of potential. I have Not seen Hendrix play but from I have heard he is the guy. At this point I dont think it matters much. I would play rees the rest of the year get him some good experience for next year and maybe start Hendrix for 2011.