What do you guys think about starting Hendrix?

[D-BOE34]

Keith Price-University of Washington 5-2, Soph, 1 start last year, 3* out of high school
1733 yds 22TDS 5 Ints

Nick Foles-Arizona, as a soph had almost 2500yds 19 9, and was under pressure every game
3*

Darron Thomas-Oregon as a soph 2880 yds 30 TD 9 Int 61.5% sacked 10 times 4*

Here are 3 that have out played Tommy with lesser talent around him.

Sorry, Tommy is just not that good. But, we have him for the rest of the year. Sun Bowl Here we come.

Right now I reckon I will take it ... with a win of course.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I agree with some of what you talked about. I have argued with fans here in the NW on Price for Heisman talk they had. But, then again I hate to say that Michigan, USF, Purdue, Air Force are not stellar defenses.

And Redshirt freshman I can see that, but did they get starts as a freshman? Did they get experience in a Bowl Game? Did they early enroll? Did they get 2 summers, 2 falls, 2 springs, 15 extra bowl practice, and start all but 1/2 of 1 game as a soph. Come on the redshirt crap. Tommy has a ton of experience and what did we get in a huge home game, under the lights, tons of recruits??? We got a choke job. Missed receivers, missed TD's, backwards pass, and an Int. Oh, an horrible time of possession. I guess that is why coach K was so calm and collected on the sidelines with him.

What makes me mad with Tommy is that he has a NFL level TE and WR, a very solid Oline, a better than average slot receiver and he still struggles to find them. WHEN THEY ARE RUNNING WIDE FREAKING OPEN.

Go watch the game, and see how bad Tommy Choked. After watching it 3 times it was sickening how much Tommy missed.

And to the poster about the Sun Bowl. Right now with the extreme limitation we have with Turnover Tommy, I will take the Sun Bowl too. It was a blast as fan last year. The stadium was almost all ND Fans it was awesome. And Harrison totally killed the Hurricanes with his 3 Ints, and Floyd was awesome and dominating.

And Thomas form Oregon I think the only guy in the NFL is their TE. Of course Lamichael will be there. Still, Tommy has Floyd and Eifert. And I think Wood and Gray have a chance too.

Oh well, I am the one that looks here that has to accept the very limited ability Tommy has, and the extreme manner of Turnovers that Tommy does.

I guess I will hold back on the critique of Tommy consistantly missing wide flipping receivers.

Not too many here feel the way I do about we are extremely stunted with Rees as a QB.

 

[NDMontana]

If Kelly starts Hendrix then he's getting on a slippery slope. The only way Hendrix starts, barring injuries, is if Kelly inserts him in one of the next three games for an extended period and he leads the offense to touchdowns on four out of five drives while showing a mastery of the system. I cannot see that happening but I do know that Kelly does not pledge allegiance to anyone; if he puts Hendrix out there and likes what he sees then Rees will be holding and a clipboard. Because the aforementioned has not happened, it tells me that Hendrix is not ready for primetime because if he was there is no question that he would be on that field. Kelly is about wnining, he doesn't care who is doing the job, only that the best man is doing it.
With that said, I think Rees has no shot at starting next year. He is, to me, Lovechhio Part Two. Kelly's ideal QB can run and throw, that is his system and he knows that. Rees cannot run, Hendrix and, we hear, Gholson can do both. One of those two will start next year and Rees might transfer out after springball.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

I agree with some of what you talked about. I have argued with fans here in the NW on Price for Heisman talk they had. But, then again I hate to say that Michigan, USF, Purdue, Air Force are not stellar defenses.

And Redshirt freshman I can see that, but did they get starts as a freshman? Did they get experience in a Bowl Game? Did they early enroll? Did they get 2 summers, 2 falls, 2 springs, 15 extra bowl practice, and start all but 1/2 of 1 game as a soph. Come on the redshirt crap. Tommy has a ton of experience and what did we get in a huge home game, under the lights, tons of recruits??? We got a choke job. Missed receivers, missed TD's, backwards pass, and an Int. Oh, an horrible time of possession. I guess that is why coach K was so calm and collected on the sidelines with him.

What makes me mad with Tommy is that he has a NFL level TE and WR, a very solid Oline, a better than average slot receiver and he still struggles to find them. WHEN THEY ARE RUNNING WIDE FREAKING OPEN.

Go watch the game, and see how bad Tommy Choked. After watching it 3 times it was sickening how much Tommy missed.

And to the poster about the Sun Bowl. Right now with the extreme limitation we have with Turnover Tommy, I will take the Sun Bowl too. It was a blast as fan last year. The stadium was almost all ND Fans it was awesome. And Harrison totally killed the Hurricanes with his 3 Ints, and Floyd was awesome and dominating.

And Thomas form Oregon I think the only guy in the NFL is their TE. Of course Lamichael will be there. Still, Tommy has Floyd and Eifert. And I think Wood and Gray have a chance too.

Oh well, I am the one that looks here that has to accept the very limited ability Tommy has, and the extreme manner of Turnovers that Tommy does.

I guess I will hold back on the critique of Tommy consistantly missing wide flipping receivers.

Not too many here feel the way I do about we are extremely stunted with Rees as a QB.

I don't think that's true. I personally have and have seen others admit that Tommy has flaws and limitations. But he gives us the best chance of winning. I know this for two reasons.

1.) I've seen Dayne play. No thanks.
2.) I trust the coaches who see the players day in and day out and have their jobs on the line to win.

All I need to know really.

The wide open part kills me though sometimes. Unless you have played QB or have seen it from their POV you really have no idea what wide open means.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

I'm trying to look at this thing long term, and to me it's like a band-aid. Rip it off quick! I love TR and believe he does give us the best chance to win right now, but, to keep him in there at this point when we know he is not the future, is just delaying the inevitable.

The sooner we make the change, as painful as it might be right now, is only going to put us in a better position quicker.

I LOVE TR, but I don't want to be having this same debate next year.

 

[military_irish]

The way I see it is, ND needs to win now to have momentum going into next year and possibly keep some top recruits. Rees is that choice right now

Then in the spring let the battle play out. Once Hendrix can get the whole playbook down he may be great but why put him in now if he can only do so many plays. Once defenses catch on to it and he turns it over then who will people be asking for?

 

[JoeyGetherall]

The way I see it is, ND needs to win now to have momentum going into next year and possibly keep some top recruits. Rees is that choice right now

Then in the spring let the battle play out. Once Hendrix can get the whole playbook down he may be great but why put him in now if he can only do so many plays. Once defenses catch on to it and he turns it over then who will people be asking for?

Exactly how I feel. Some aren't connecting the dots with the recruits. We were lucky as hell to keep those kids last year after all that went down.

 

[BeauBenken]

Well, I'm usually kinda conservative on this type of thing, but I think we need to continue seeing more and more of Hendrix in games. I don't think we just throw him in there and say "Hey, win us the last 5 games!" I'm sure he still has to get some more reps at working the regular playbook. I want whoever is best for us right now, right now, but I also want to see how Hendrix does handling a larger load than he has.

 

[meowmix]

I know that Kelly said, at the Spring Game, that both Golson and Hendrix had problems with putting the ball on the carpet.

The point is that Tommy Rees is getting production from the offense.

I'm not satisfied with losing. Neither am I satisfied with fans whose disappointment prevents them from being objective. And, let's face it.... most of them are angry simply because they have to endure a lot of ribbing from their friends/family/coworkers. It's not about ND football, for them. It's about their "social status" taking a hit, because they follow a team that isn't doing very well.

I can only speak for myself but if I cared that much about what people said to me regarding ND, I would have stopped being a fan a while ago. In fact, it's downright ridiculous to insinuate those of us who think hendrix should start are fairweather ND fans(as if there was such a thing). If we were so worried why would we want a young qb to come in to get experience for next year?

 

[BGIF]

That is a pretty big judgement call. I don't think they would be fans of ND if they were worried about their social status, lol

In '97 when ND had lost 4 in a row to fall to 1-5 and the fans were fomenting an ND psych professor wrote a piece for the Observer about fans and their reactions to the success and failure of the the team they identified with.

There was a wide range of conduct but he dealt specifically with the large segment of fans kmoose referred to. Every team has them. When the team win they get decked out in team gear, strut their stuff, talked up their team at the office coffee pot. And announced to the world "Damn WE'RE good!" When the team loses they dress more secularly, put those silly car window flags in the trunk, wait for the coffee room to empty, and if they encounter anyone quickly note, "How 'bout those Bears, Giants, Niners, etc" pre-empting uncomfortable college football talk with ANYTHING else.

Among their fellow fans they tend to be vocal in down times because of the loss of stature. The term bandwagon didn't start with ND football.

He touched on internet message boards a little but they were only a few years old at the time. He mentioned that sector was ideal for this type of fan cause they could boast success or jeer at failure behind an anonymous keyboard. They didn't have to put on the team colors and take them off. They could color the talk from their keyboards without being seen. No risk.

It was an interesting piece. And still holds true.

 

[wakeuptheechoes]

Obviously, if you have talented players at a position, it is wise to test and try all possibilities particularly if you are barely over .500 I have said before, I don't care who starts, as long as they are the best of the group. I will support that player. I wonder though: if we had scored and not fumbled the ball, (a definite 14 point swing) and if the backward pass had been caught (which it should have been) another 7 point gift are we even discussing this.
Even if we were undefeated I would not think we were the best team in the country, and while there may be many reasons we are not the best team in the country, there is only one reason were are not undefeated. We can't hold on to the football!
In our losses I have watched us shoot ourselves in the foot and it is disheartening regardless
of who is taking the snaps.

 

[Jerry]

I don't think Hendrix needs to start necessarily but they might as well play him 3 or 4 series a game up until Stanford. The problem is Kelly has to win every game, series, snap because of the pressure at ND. So Tommy gives us the best chance to win the next game, not necessarily the best plan for the future, but he's the best option right now.

 

[Riddickulous]

Thank God I haven't been on the boards much lately.

 

[zemaniak]

I still think that present situation is ideal for BK to get Hendrix more involved.

Dayne's last screw-up takes him out of equation w/ zero guilt for BK
Tommy's injury makes his use either limited, or BK can easily argue it's in TR's best interest to see limited time to avoid aggravating it.
Second tier opposition makes it so (I hope) we should be dominating and therefore insert Hendrix early and often

So barring we **** the bed against Navy and cie, expect more Hendrix in the coming weeks.

I called earlier, am calling it again. would put Vbucks on it !!

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

It is a hard decision for BK Tommy or Andrew. The more experienced guy or the inexperienced guy. And he is going to have the same decision next year. Not an easy decision, and like I said. It will be pay me now or pay me later.

Hope we still will, and shut up all the people laughing at us. Still think Andrew is a way better QB than Rees, or should I say will be way better than Rees.

Good luck BK, make ND the best it can be. I am not a Tommy believer, average ot above average QB is not good enough at ND IMO.

Go Irish!!!!

 

[Black Irish]

Someone pointed out earlier that Rees' problems have more to do with the fact that Coach Kelly insists on running an offensive package that his starting QB isn't suited for. Ya' gotta dance with the fella that brung ya', and if Rees is Kelly's guy, then Kelly needs to tailor an offense that works to Rees' strengths. Unless having the perfect system in place for someone else to step into later while taking losses now is a trade-off Kelly is willing to make; I don't know.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling for Kelly's head, but he designed the offense and is calling the plays. It seems like he's trying to fit a square peg into a round hole sometimes (like Rees running an option play against USC, what the hell?).

I know that Rees isn't a Heisman-caliber QB, but I'm not for pulling him just to see what unknown Hendrix can do. We need all the wins we can get the rest of this season. ND is too far along to take risks with swapping players just to see what happens. That's a move that a 2-5 team would make and call it rebuilding.

Also, say Kelly starts Hendrix and the kid wins the next 4 games (which ND should win anyway) and plays hard vs Stanford but still loses (which is expected anyway). Then next season, Hendrix starts, say wins the 1st game, but then gets his azz handed to him by the first tough team we play. I'll bet we'll see the same debate in reverse; put Rees back in, he's got the experience, he's got the stats, Hendrix is overrated. Let's not play grass-is-always-greener every week.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Someone pointed out earlier that Rees' problems have more to do with the fact that Coach Kelly insists on running an offensive package that his starting QB isn't suited for. Ya' gotta dance with the fella that brung ya', and if Rees is Kelly's guy, then Kelly needs to tailor an offense that works to Rees' strengths. Unless having the perfect system in place for someone else to step into later while taking losses now is a trade-off Kelly is willing to make; I don't know.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling for Kelly's head, but he designed the offense and is calling the plays. It seems like he's trying to fit a square peg into a round hole sometimes (like Rees running an option play against USC, what the hell?).

I know that Rees isn't a Heisman-caliber QB, but I'm not for pulling him just to see what unknown Hendrix can do. We need all the wins we can get the rest of this season. ND is too far along to take risks with swapping players just to see what happens. That's a move that a 2-5 team would make and call it rebuilding.

Also, say Kelly starts Hendrix and the kid wins the next 4 games (which ND should win anyway) and plays hard vs Stanford but still loses (which is expected anyway). Then next season, Hendrix starts, say wins the 1st game, but then gets his azz handed to him by the first tough team we play. I'll bet we'll see the same debate in reverse; put Rees back in, he's got the experience, he's got the stats, Hendrix is overrated. Let's not play grass-is-always-greener every week.

Aside from that ONE play (which i agree was ridiculous), how has BK tried to make Rees anything other than he is. IMO the offense is completely tailored to Rees' strengths. If not, we'd see him running the zone-read, we'd see him throwing deep-outs, we'd see him running QB draws, we'd see him throwin gway more bombs. Instead, Rees throws the ball underneath a ton, and we (normally) run the ball a ton. Not sure I'm with you on this one at all, as Kelly, throughout his career, has tailored his offense to the strengths of his QBs. Just look at how he handled Pike and Callarros (sp).

 

[Blaise]

My view is wins matter... 8-4 looks better than 7-5, or 6-6... at least we can say we have stabalized this program and are improving....

With that being said, I would give Hendrix more and more SERIES... I think this kid is real deal... has good arm, has legs... and I don't think Rees is QB come next year... Much rather give Hendrix game ready action and get him ready for next year

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I don't believe we beat Stanford with Rees or Hendrix, but I do believe we can win with both for the remainder of the games. If everyone would be worried about Hendrix turning the ball over, it wouldn't be any different then it is now. We are still talented enough to overcome turnovers to an extent and win.

 

[IrishinSyria]

If only Hendrix had come in early for spring ball... As it is, I guess Rees is flthe guy for now, but it's become pretty clear that his skill set will limit what this team can do. If I had my way, Hendrix would be taking second team reps behind Crist all year.

Do agree that the offense suits Tommy well.
When I get a computer I'll write a longer post about this but it's never been clear to me why people keep insisting mobility is a huge deal in the spread.

 

[goog man]

Stick with Rees its too late in the year to switch QB's now.

 

[goldenisthytate1]

Irdc who we pick, i just think we need to pick someone and support them all the way. None of this three point attack stuff. My personal vote is for Hendrix with Rees at a close second. I feel really bad for Crist though, waiting all year for a second chance and then blowing it on a stupid thing like that. I won't be suprised if he transfers. Hendrix seems to fit the spot of Kelly's ideal QB though which is good. I would love to see us run a spread that he was so successful with when he coached at Cincy.

 

[irish1958]

If only Hendrix had come in early for spring ball... As it is, I guess Rees is flthe guy for now, but it's become pretty clear that his skill set will limit what this team can do. If I had my way, Hendrix would be taking second team reps behind Crist all year.

Do agree that the offense suits Tommy well.
When I get a computer I'll write a longer post about this but it's never been clear to me why people keep insisting mobility is a huge deal in the spread.

I can think of a few: more man to man defense on your speedy receivers so the defenders have their back to the ball; the option threat; natural holes in the line allowing the TB to be a threat so the linebackers have to keep their eyes in the backfield while trying to chase talented and quick receivers (and tight ends); if the defense chooses to play zone to contain the QB easy quick throws to the 5 receivers running helter-skelter in the defensive backfield; if the defense ignores the QB, easy draws and scrambles; if the defense assigns someone to spy the QB, more one on ones on your receivers; offense more suited to an up tempo which limits the defensive options and leads to mistakes and mismatches.
I also feel that prostyle offenses require more skillful and talented players and a really talented and gifted QB to be a national contender.
There are probably many more reasons than those listed