Stirring the pot on Sunday morning....

[tommyIRISH23]

Yup, it seems crazy to me too. I can't believe I read through 6 pages of this. Rees is basically a freshman, BLOWS Hendrix and Golson away in practice, and we have already seen what Crist does. Rees is the best option and it isn't even close. The offense runs so much smoother with him in the game; his audibles have been absolutely unreal many times. And the team just has a different feel with him in the game.

As for Crist...love the kid. Absolutely love him. But no way do we come back vs. Michigan with him as the QB, and I could see us losing yesterday with him in. Why? Because when the chips are down, his body language is just not that of a confident QB, and the team takes on that attitude as well.

Now, Rees has a lot to clean up, no doubt, but when we need offense, he gets it done, period. Look at the 93 yard drive at the end of the half, when things were starting to look bad for ND. Look at the late Michigan drive. Look at the beginnings of games. In the 2nd half, with a big lead, we went conservative, and we didn't move the ball down the field for really the first time all year under Rees in that 2nd half. But we did get one huge drive, and that throw to TJ was a thing of beauty.

Rees is the guy no doubt. And this is coming from a guy who was on the Crist bandwagon all off-season. But Rees is better, period. As he gains experience, the INTs will decrease, and hopefully threads like this will decrease as well LOL...

Well put my man

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Um yea...I'm not going to read through 6 pages and of post. But, I was thinking the same thing last night and today. I would like to see a rotation, for example 2 series for Tommy two for Dayne and go from there. The "old ball coach" did this for many years at Florida and they had some decent teams.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Um yea...I'm not going to read through 6 pages and of post. But, I was thinking the same thing last night and today. I would like to see a rotation, for example 2 series for Tommy two for Dayne and go from there. The "old ball coach" did this for many years at Florida and they had some decent teams.

If we're going to advocate this philosophy, I've got a little philosophy of my own.

"If you have to quarterbacks.....You have NO quarterbacks."

Tommy Starts and he's at the very least shows cohesion with his mates and the ability to put his boys in the right play when applicable. Dayne before last years injury didn't necessarily show that quite a few times.

Tommy's got a winner's mentality who lets very little get to him (viewed from 4 hours away from the bend) in terms struggles and success. That's the man I want leading my troops.

 

[Grahambo]

Pike went 12-0 with limited/no mobility in this same offense. While the Golson-type QB is preferred, Rees can win in this offense. 1000 yds in 8 quarters makes that very clear.

Fair enough. I am a pro Rees supporter but I am also a pro Crist supporter. I like both of them to be honest but both need the same thing to improve, gameday reps.

I'm not trying to say Rees should be replaced or Rees isn't good enough. I just think his mobility will catch up with him at some point. Plenty of QB's without mobility that do just fine such as Andy Dalton and Greg McElroy. Maybe it just seems like he isn't as mobile as I think he isn't because he doesn't try.

BK said this today (BK Transcript

Q. Where do you feel like are the areas where he can get better? What do you want to see? Higher completion percentage? Better footwork?

COACH KELLY: I would say for him, he can't just live in the pocket. We've got to be able to get him on the perimeter a little bit. He's got to be able to extend some plays outside the pocket. Those are the areas that I think he needs more confidence. He's got to make some plays out on the perimeter a little bit more.
He had an opportunity on a key third down where he hit Tyler Eifert and he wasn't able to come up with the ball. Those are the kind of plays he's got to make and gain some more confidence outside the pocket.

 

[Ludzil#1]

I still think Danye Crist will see the field at some point. Tommy Rees still has many question marks. But still...13 turnovers in 3 games, WOW!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Grahambo, we're talking about different things I think. You're talking about scrambling, and I'm talking more about moving to keep plays alive. Again, I'm with you in this sense - ideally, Golson is the type of QB you want, but if/when Rees can learn to just shoulder shimmy and move sideways in the pocket and buy time and maybe even get a 4 yards gain, a la Tom Brady, that works too. I think that's what Kelly wants to see out of Rees.

And to the other poster who wants to switch the QBs back and forth throughout the game, you forget the chaos and turmoil it cost in Spurrier's teams that didn't win. If Kelly were crazy enough to do that, it would create a QB controversy that this team doesn't need, and besides that, it would prevent the QBs from getting into a rhythm. I know some coaches do the rotation system, but as you can tell, I am not a big fan at all.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I still think Danye Crist will see the field at some point. Tommy Rees still has many question marks. But still...13 turnovers in 3 games, WOW!

Thank you Mrs. Crist. Welcome to the board.

I kid. lol

 

[BobD]

Thank you Mrs. Crist. Welcome to the board.

I kid. lol

LOL!

 

[Grahambo]

Grahambo, we're talking about different things I think. You're talking about scrambling, and I'm talking more about moving to keep plays alive. Again, I'm with you in this sense - ideally, Golson is the type of QB you want, but if/when Rees can learn to just shoulder shimmy and move sideways in the pocket and buy time and maybe even get a 4 yards gain, a la Tom Brady, that works too. I think that's what Kelly wants to see out of Rees.

Yeah, I realize we were too. I am NOT pro Hendrix or pro Golson right now and pray neither see the field as I don't think either are close to playing.

I think I am coming off a bit anti-Rees and I apologize if I'm misleading. I don't think I was making sense nor making a good argument either. I am a big fan of Rees and his mentality. I love his demeanor and his ability to overcome mistakes. I trust his checks at the line and feel 100% comfortable with him leading the way. I agree that he gives us the best chance to win and at the end of the day, winning is all that matters. I do hope his footwork improves a bit.

 

[mrmiller8]

"If you have to quarterbacks.....You have NO quarterbacks."



true statement sir!

 

[TheTurningPoint]

As high as Kelly spoke of Crist after he was named the starter...i think theres a little more to Rees playing than just Crist having a bad first half......

 

[koonja]

"If you have to quarterbacks.....You have NO quarterbacks."



true statement sir!

This may not be as cliche as the above statement but if you are responsible for an average of 3 TOs per game (2.7 to be exact), you may not be the starter for very long. I'm on the fence. I wouldn't question Kelly at all if he decided to give Dayne another chance. Rees runs the offense well but is a TO machine and TOs are why we're 1-2.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Yup, it seems crazy to me too. I can't believe I read through 6 pages of this. Rees is basically a freshman, BLOWS Hendrix and Golson away in practice, and we have already seen what Crist does. Rees is the best option and it isn't even close. The offense runs so much smoother with him in the game; his audibles have been absolutely unreal many times. And the team just has a different feel with him in the game.

All of this ^

Tommy is managing the game, changing plays at the line of scrimmage for the better, and (listen to Mayock talk about him) almost always delivers the ball on time. He's also mistake prone...no question (at age 20, as a true sophomore). I just feel like the offense is so much more certain with him in the game.

Dayne is a great kid, superior athlete, and maybe has a shot in the NFL in a pro-style system. But, he just hasn't shown that he can get the ball out on time and to the right read.

 

[pkt77242]

This may not be as cliche as the above statement but if you are responsible for an average of 3 TOs per game (2.7 to be exact), you may not be the starter for very long. I'm on the fence. I wouldn't question Kelly at all if he decided to give Dayne another chance. Rees runs the offense well but is a TO machine and TOs are why we're 1-2.

Where are you getting your 2.7 from? I believe we have gone over this multiple times (if you are talking about Rees and not the team) and it is not correct.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I've never seen so many people miserable with a win in my life. This is so surreal.

 

[BobD]

A few times per game I'd like to see some confusion causing plays with both of them on the field at the same time.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

A few times per game I'd like to see some confusion causing plays with both of them on the field at the same time.

Put them both on the D-Line. That'll do the trick.

 

[koonja]

Where are you getting your 2.7 from? I believe we have gone over this multiple times (if you are talking about Rees and not the team) and it is not correct.

Rees has 5 INTs and 2 fumbles in 2.5 games this season. Do the math. It's actually 2.8, thanks for correcting me, lol.

 

[pkt77242]

Rees has 5 INTs and 2 fumbles in 2.5 games this season. Do the math. It's actually 2.8, thanks for correcting me, lol.

Well I would say 3 games, once you play in the game, you get credited for the game, not the 2 quarters. So I would say 7 in 3 games, still too many.

 

[ulukinatme]

Compare Tommy's play to previous QBs that started as Freshman and Sophmores, he's as good or in most cases better than all of them. We've been spoiled by a few QBs that performed well as upperclassmen. You will make a few turnovers when you're playing at 18 and 19.

The thing is, I think Tommy puts us in the best position to win games. Yeah, he still has some turnover problems, but he also moves the ball. Nobody has stopped him yet, he understands football, and he makes some amazing throws. I don't think we have a QB on the roster that can match his accuracy, maybe Golson, but I haven't seen him yet.

You have to ask yourself...among the two games that we've lost this year, South Florida and Michigan, did Tommy lose those games for us? I don't think so. South Florida was a 1st half nightmare offensively and Tommy wasn't in for any of that, he almost brought us back. Plus one of his picks in that game was an error on TJ's fault, and fortunately he's learned from the mistake and done very well the last two games. As far as Michigan...you can say that the fumble at the goal line was very costly, but then you could say the same about Jonas's fumble at South Florida. I blame a defensive meltdown on the Michigan loss. It's unfathomable to think we gave up 4 TDs in the 4th quarter when we had DR essentially bottled up all game. On top of that, when Michigan went up late in the 4th, Tommy did what he needed to do to get one more TD to put us back up...but defense let us down and gave up the last one to seal our fate. No way do I pin that game on Tommy, turnovers or not. Giving up 4 TDs in the 4th is unacceptable.

I respect Dayne big time, especially the way he tutors Tommy during games and practices. He's a real team player, selfless, and Irish through and through. I would expect Dayne to be the first one to go in if Tommy would, God forbid, get injured, but right now I think we need to stick with Tommy. If Tommy can clean up a turnover or two a game, he's absolutely solid.

 

[BobD]

I've never seen so many people miserable with a win in my life. This is so surreal.

I don't think it's people being miserable, I think its people wanting to be even better Sir.

 

[koonja]

I will jump on the Tommygun bandwagon as soon as he plays one game with out making a terrible throw that results in a turnover. He has to stop forcing it into double coverage.

He has a great chance to do that this week vs. Pitt, who apparently doesn't have any DBs. He is starting to spread the ball around with the exception of Theo, which I do like.

 

[ulukinatme]

You guys are asking too much. Tommy right now has a better QB rating than Brady and Jimmy both had as Sophomores, he was not highly sought after for college, and he hasn't hit any of the easy games on the schedule yet. Tommy will only improve, think what the team will look like in 2012 and 2013 when Lynch and company are leading the defense and Tommy is leading the offense.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I don't think it's people being miserable, I think its people wanting to be even better Sir.

I disagree. I think it's people looking to punch holes in the performance of a kid that wins because Golden Boy is on the bench. Don't get me wrong, I like Crist, but Utah, USC, Miami and now Michigan State are a pretty nice resume to have under your belt. Not too bad.

 

[TerryTate]

I have to admit, I come on here less now because of the nitpicking and whining.

 

[ulukinatme]

I disagree. I think it's people looking to punch holes in the performance of a kid that wins because Golden Boy is on the bench. Don't get me wrong, I like Crist, but Utah, USC, Miami and now Michigan State are a pretty nice resume to have under your belt. Not too bad.

Thats a good point. From day 1 Kelly said he is looking for the RKGs to lead this team. Dayne may have more athletism, but Tommy may be the RKG that leads this offense.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I disagree. I think it's people looking to punch holes in the performance of a kid that wins because Golden Boy is on the bench. Don't get me wrong, I like Crist, but Utah, USC, Miami and now Michigan State are a pretty nice resume to have under your belt. Not too bad.

You keep your resume under your belt?

 

[ErieIrish13]

I have to admit, I come on here less now because of the nitpicking and whining.

Same with me, although I'm not as well known as you.

But I wanna see some wildcat integrated soon. Either Hendrix or Riddick running it.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

You keep your resume under your belt?

Only for support.

 

[koonja]

I disagree. I think it's people looking to punch holes in the performance of a kid that wins because Golden Boy is on the bench. Don't get me wrong, I like Crist, but Utah, USC, Miami and now Michigan State are a pretty nice resume to have under your belt. Not too bad.

Or it could be as simple as him giving up 2.8 TOs per game this year. Just a hunch.