Quarterback Competition Update (4-11-11)

[Old Man Mike]

Irish: I don't want to agree, but I do agree. I HOPE that Andrew suddenly gets tougher and more aggressive on field. Kelly even did a little leave-the-microphone-and rah-rah demonstration of what he wanted Andrew to do more of at the huddle.

 

[Emcee77]

The problem there is if he's not feeling comfortable enough to take charge he probably never will. He needs to be able to split leadership apart from expected physical performance, at least in his mind It sounds like he's afraid to take command because he's making mistakes and doesn't have a full grasp of the position. Leaders make mistakes all the time. They just don't worry about them all the time.

The more I read, the more I think TR will be the starter again.

There's some truth to this; some people, like Rees, are just naturally poised, and others are naturally nervous. but let me share this anecdote ...

When I was in high school I went to a university basketball camp and they had a sports psychologist who worked there talk to us. One kid asked a question about how to cope with a lack of confidence on the court. The psychologist said to practice more. The kid clarified that he meant, how do you cope with the problem of being unable to do when it matters the things you successfully do during your training. The psychologist looked a little taken aback and said that that doesn't happen. Confidence comes from practice; people who can do it know they can do it. Over the years this has come to seem very true to me. Often when people complain of a lack of confidence I've found that their real issue is a lack of competence; that is, inconsistency occurs when someone hasn't put in the time to fully master the skill they are trying to master, not because they have some irrational or personal fear or nervousness that is holding them back. So I'll say that it may be that Hendrix just hasn't quite gotten there yet. When he does fully grasp the offense and can execute it consistently and fluidly, the confidence to lead the team will come with that competence.

 

[irishfan]

Everyone at the Observer seems thoroughly convinced Hendrix will start. There was an article to that effect today, and then there was one with season predictions where just about everyone simply assumes Hendrix is the guy. Very interesting.

Same with Hansen at the SBT.

 

[IrishMoore1]

It has to be Hendrix. He has a better arm than Tommy and has more mobility. On top of that, he has some game experience, which puts him light years ahead of the other green guys.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I just read the article in the Observer...

It is going to be difficult to convince me that Tommy Rees is a better athlete than people think and he can run a little. I really don't buy that at all. He's a decent option, but he is what he is.

Hendrix summed himself up well: "Keeping my back foot planted, just not getting too excited, staying relaxed and following through. It’s just things like that." I have trouble seeing him being comfortable and patient in the pocket for at least another year, and ND is not going to become an option attack under Kelly. Sure, he has a great arm, but that does not mean he is going to make great passes.

That's why I still think Golson will emerge. "“He’s grown to a conscious competence but it’s so hard for him every day to be that guy. He will do it, we just wish it was sooner.”"

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

It has to be Hendrix. He has a better arm than Tommy and has more mobility. On top of that, he has some game experience, which puts him light years ahead of the other green guys.

You said it...but those green guys are a hoot.

 

[GBdomer]

Hendrix.

 

[Irish Fam]

care to link the article?

 

[NDPhilly]

Hendrix or Golson and I'll be happy.

 

[GBdomer]

care to link the article?

Joe Schads twitter.

 

[Irish Fam]

Im talking about the Observer article...

 

[Rhode Irish]

Having the opportunity to start the season against Navy works in Hendrix's favor if the main hurdle for him is getting comfortable and settled into the job. If they are worried about that and we were starting the season against Michigan, I think that would work in Tommy's favor. If Hendrix implodes against Navy then its hard to imagine him holding up over the rest of the schedule. If picking Rees is an option only because of the uncertainty with Hendrix, then I don't think you lose anything giving Hendrix the first crack at it knowing Rees could take over after the Navy game. If you went the other way, it would be hard to switch to Hendrix unless we start 1-4, considering the schedule.

 

[BGIF]

I just read the article in the Observer...

It is going to be difficult to convince me that Tommy Rees is a better athlete than people think and he can run a little. I really don't buy that at all. He's a decent option, but he is what he is.

...

Yep.

"No arm"

"No legs"

"No talent"

"Crumbles under pressure"

"Throws into coverage"

"Makes bad decisions"

"Turnovers"


But still had the 5th best passing season in ND history behind only Quinn's and Clausen's final two seasons.


He is, what he is. And so far, the others aren't.

 

[woolybug25]

So this week it's Hendrix?


Maybe it will be Kiel's turn next week.


As the QB Controversy Turns

 

[BGIF]

So this week it's Hendrix?


Maybe it will be Kiel's turn next week.


As the QB Controversy Turns

Common, Wooly, it's The Observer for crying out loud. It's not like its some student newspaper spouting their football prowess.

 

[ulukinatme]

I think the only thing we know for sure is we still don't have a QB, nobody seems to be setting themself apart from the rest.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I think the only thing we know for sure is we still don't have a QB, nobody seems to be setting themself apart from the rest.

Makes your heart go pitter-pater...doesn't it???

 

[returnofthemack]

The prevailing mood on campus from all the people I've talked to is hope for Golson/Hendrix but being resigned to Kelly sticking with his man-crush/succumbing to Rees' blackmail. I don't really care at this point. I doubt we get more than 7 wins no matter who the QB is. If Rees starts, we'll suck until he graduates. If another QB starts, we could be special next year or the year after. I hope for the latter, but fully expect the former.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

The prevailing mood on campus from all the people I've talked to is hope for Golson/Hendrix but being resigned to Kelly sticking with his man-crush/succumbing to Rees' blackmail. I don't really care at this point. I doubt we get more than 7 wins no matter who the QB is. If Rees starts, we'll suck until he graduates. If another QB starts, we could be special next year or the year after. I hope for the latter, but fully expect the former.

Yeah.... You don't care. Another poster with built in excuses.

Go Tommy Go!!!

 

[returnofthemack]

Yeah.... You don't care. Another poster with built in excuses.

Go Tommy Go!!!

Built-in excuses for what? Nothing I say or do will affect the outcome, just like your "Tommy's #1 Cheerleader" routine. Regardless of who starts, I'll watch and lose a couple more years from my lifespan. A healthy dose of pessimism keeps me moderately sane when everything goes wrong, as it did last year.

 

[returnofthemack]

The sad thing is, you'd probably be one of our hotter cheerleaders lol

 

[PANDFAN]

Holy **** u people u just don't get it! BK has done everything to let someone take the lead other than TR but they haven't...its not tommy's or BK's fault..let tje argument go...I know u couch coaches know better who to start than a proven HC

 

[stlnd01]

BK has done everything to let someone take the lead other than TR but they haven't.

To me, at least, that's the most distressing part. Clearly Rees has limitations. But if neither Hendrix or Golson can take the wheel and show they're better, that doesn't say much for them, now does it? Which means we're stuck with Rees or a true freshman. Neither of which is a good option.
So, basically, this sucks.

 

[DillonHall]

Last time I checked, a starter hasn't been named yet...no need to get depressed yet. We'll see what happens tomorrow

 

[NDhoosier]

Its still spring people... calm down. Someone could easily emerge as the front runner when summer and fall roll around...

 

[NDinL.A.]

The prevailing mood on campus from all the people I've talked to is hope for Golson/Hendrix but being resigned to Kelly sticking with his man-crush/succumbing to Rees' blackmail. I don't really care at this point. I doubt we get more than 7 wins no matter who the QB is. If Rees starts, we'll suck until he graduates. If another QB starts, we could be special next year or the year after. I hope for the latter, but fully expect the former.

Soooooo......the guy that is CLEARLY winning the job won't get us to 8 wins, but the guys who CLEARLY are losing the battle against him could make the very same team special. Hmmmmmmm, why does that sound absolutely backwards???

Why can't people give Tommy an ounce of credit in saying that A: he can and has improved, as MANY soph to jr QBs are wont to do, and B: The kid is a friggin' competitor. I love that about him - you can go to 'war' with kids like that.

Now, I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to see one of the other QBs take the bull by the horns and give us a more athletic option, but they're just not doing it yet. Perhaps they start doing it tomorrow, but as of right now they haven't. And LOL at you blaming Kelly, when BY ALL ACCOUNTS (Kelly, Martin, every singe damn reporter at the practices, every single reporter with sources inside the program, Rick Neuheisal), Rees is far ahead of the other 3. What do you want Kelly to do? Start the guy NOT good enough to earn a starting job from a kid who almost everyone this board claims 'sucks'??? Yeah, that would get the team on your side.

 

[BGIF]

IrishIllustrated.com - Rees shows his experience

Pete Sampson
IrishIllustrated.com Editor
4/20

...

After devouring the vanilla offense Brian Kelly wanted to run early in spring to aid Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel, the Irish upshifted to a system of checks and unbalanced formations the past few weeks. That played to Rees’ biggest strength, the experience that comes with 16 starts the past two years.

...

Unlike the four-quarterback circus of five years ago when players were seemingly scared of handicapping the race among Jimmy Clausen, Evan Sharpley, Demetrius Jones and Zach Frazer, this competition has come with some player commentary. And to a man, the Irish players like what they’ve seen from Rees this spring.

...

Kelly is on record that Rees won’t keep his job if he continues to turn the ball over in rapid succession. As a sophomore, Rees threw 14 interceptions, a figure topped at Notre Dame in the last decade only by a sophomore Jimmy Clausen (17 picks) and a freshman Brady Quinn (15 picks).

“If Tommy didn’t turn the football over at the rate he did last year, we’d be talking about this kid at the highest level,” Kelly said. “He did (throw interceptions), though, so that’s why it’s open competition.”

...

 

[ulukinatme]

Tommy takes care of the turnovers, we can be competitive. Then again, if Golson gets consistant then he could be pretty special too. Kiel is young, he'll get the snaps in a year or two for sure. Dunno about Hendrix at this point, I think Golson has more upside between the two more mobile QBs.

 

[nsisk157]

The deciding factor for me is which QB's mistakes are you more readily able to cope with...

I commend and thank Tommy for the efforts he put forth in the past 1.5 years as our starting QB, and I know by the accounts of some, he is our current leader. But, his inexplicable ability to turn it over when is matters most...I just can't deal.

I'd much rather have Everett in there, learning his way into the position. I know he is a relative unknown and he could possibly turn it over just as easily, but I’d rather him the opportunity. His upside is greater as is his physical skill set.

I just think I'd be able to cope with someone who has ample room to grow to reach his potential than one who is hovering near his ceiling.

Just my 2 pence.

 

[Sweetness34]

It really shouldn't be a competition. Golson should start no matter what. He can throw the same 14 interceptions that Rees threw this past year but the difference is he can make something out of nothing. Denard Robinson throws a lot of picks but is still in the Heismen conversation because of what he can do with his legs. Golson won't run as much Robinson but he will run and get 7 yards instead of lose 3. He's a championship QB!