'10 IL QB Tommy Rees (Notre Dame Man)

[NDdomer2]

Pre-season optimism is expected, things are fresh, we are on a 12 game regular season win streak, we are so far " undefeated " for 2013, its all good.

Unfortunately I expect that optimism to fade over the first few games.

We spent TWO FULL SPRINGS, and last years season designing an offense for EG---varied launch points, read option, option, deep throws, and some nifty play action and adding up-tempo for 2013.

All that is gone now, we are offensively going to be DELIBERATE, conservative, & generally cautious. We are going to TRY and run the ball , throw short , and essentially run the REES offense that has been glaringly INEFFECTIVE. In Tommy's last four big playing time games FSU, STANFORD, MICHIGAN & BYU----our offensive production in those last four MAJOR appearances by tommy have been ANEMIC at best . And to make things worse we are replacing our backfield and our AA TE. I would list the stats for those four games but they are too depressing. And this post is downbeat enough.

If I am honest with myself its very hard to expect much exciting or very productive from this years offense, ( I do expect the 2014 offense to turn the corner and be the best one since Kelly arrived) but that's a year away.

Tommy threw a pick in every 29 passes last season---in 2011 tommy threw a pick every 29 passes--no change---Tommy has been throwing picks since HS and to expect his final year to be the big change is not totally realistic in my view.

By comparison EG threw a pick every 60 throws and that's including the back to back picks against Michigan and all his early struggles last season. And it was his FIRST season.

New RBs, new interior line, loss of the entire backfield and Tommy's favorite target our AA TE gone. Tommy has NO established go to receiver , he has to develop that through trial and error during the season.

IMHO if we can go 9-3 during the year and have a legit shot at 10 wins in a bowl game, this season may have maxed out its potential.

Time will tell , but I fear offensive problems will make this a very up & down season.

But then my wife tells me I am wrong regularly , so hopefully my analysis is not as sound as I think!

the byu game and the second half against fsu are the only times i can think of that Kelly went uber conservative with Rees.

 

[arrowryan]

If the offensive line was a question mark, then I would be worried about Tommy. But it's not a question mark and I think Tommy will be improved. I expect the running game to be good so that will take some heat off of Tommy also.

And about the whole "8 in the box" thing. I'm fully expecting Kelly to have Rees more than prepared for that.

Our defense will be great again also, better than last year IMO. They could definitely create some short field opportunities for Tommy to work with and they will always have us in the game if the offense is struggling

 

[dublinirish]

the playclock sacks TR for 5 yard losses more than any defender has so far. Hopefully this season between BK and TR and CM the playcalling/ audibling is a much smoother affair.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Martin calling plays worries me 1,000x more than Tommy executing. We will see the Tommy of 2013 and he will be a stud, I just hope the stage is not too big for Mr. Martin.

I think the first thing that Tommy has going for him is this is a Chuck Martin offense. Even last year against Miami it was a Brian Kelly involved Chuck Martin offense. But, even with a few stupid picks last year, and limited play time (no doubt) Rees' intercepts didn't have the same sting. Why? Chuck Martin versus Charlie Molnar. Chuck, even more than BK works with what he has got. Charlie Molnar, repeatedly demonstrated that he would try to force a square peg into a round hole, and get angry when he didn't get the results he liked.

So here is what we can list as Tommy having things going his way this year:

1) Fully installed Chuck Martin offense;
2) Though they are untested by in large, Tommy has a plethora of running backs. The last real running back we had was JGray. I just didn't see CWood coming together, and TRiddick was a hybrid. Atkinson and McDaniel fell short.
3) Interior offensive line. This year is going to be even stronger to the left, have a right and much stronger up the middle. There, I said it.

 

[ScooterIrish]

the byu game and the second half against fsu are the only times i can think of that Kelly went uber conservative with Rees.

And to be fair to Tommy, he might have had his best pass of his career in the FSU game. A deep ball to Floyd...it would have been an easy TD but Floyd dropped it.

 

[NDdomer2]

And to be fair to Tommy, he might have had his best pass of his career in the FSU game. A deep ball to Floyd...it would have been an easy TD but Floyd dropped it.

and he was yanked a couple times. I am by no means trying to bash on him

Have I ever been his biggest supporter, absolutely not, but he is by far the best we have this year and is def. good enough to get the job done.

Everytime I think "oh man it could get ugly this year" I think about the drive he took us on at the end of the Michigan game 2011. Yes we all know the eventual outcome but that drive was stone cold killer.

For those who think this offense has been radically redesigned over the last year plus to fit Golson, I think are making a mistake.

All those plays have always been in, were they tweaked maybe, but that means they can easily be tweaked right back. The blocking schemes haven't changed nor have the reads. It is still football.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Does Tommy hit Chris Brown in stride that night in Norman? No.

But, does he have the ability to lead this team to victory week in and week out? Yes.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Those are all things we talk about in the spring and summer but how often did we really do it? With the exception of play action and varied launch points, not much IMO. We occasionally did read option, threw deep, and went up tempo but not enough where it was really a part of our offense anyways.

We ran quite a few straight QB runs that we simply never ran with TR (except for that phenomenal one vs Michigan last year). I'm not talking about option reads...I'm talking about Golson getting the snap and immediately running left or right looking for a hole to run through. He had double digit runs in 5 games and 9 rushes against USC, and many of those weren't of the scramble variety. And many of those straight runs accounted for TD's or huge first downs.

Also, we never ran a zone-read option. I get what you are saying and why you are saying it, but Everett never read anything. It was always a designed keeper (fake hand-off) or a designed hand-off. They didn't trust Everett to read anything yet, so they made the cal for him, based on film study and what the defense had been doing in the game up to that point.

The offense will most definitely have to change, but luckily they have had all summer and all fall camp to tweak it, and they have a senior QB and a mostly veteran line to help out. I'm not worried about the offense nearly as much as others, personally. But while I'm a big fan of Chuck Martin the coach, I'm skeptical of Chuck Martin the playcaller.

Martin calling plays worries me 1,000x more than Tommy executing. We will see the Tommy of 2013 and he will be a stud, I just hope the stage is not too big for Mr. Martin.

It's a little-known fact that Martin called the plays last year. So if you liked the play-calling last year, you'll be more inclined to like it this year. If you didn't like it, well, sorry lol.

It's a well-known fact that BK and Molnar did not see eye to eye...it might not be well-known the extent of it, but it was absolutely real and the truth was they didn't get along at all. Martin and BK have the same philosophies and they are lock-step in sync with each other. It's a longer story for me personally of why I am skeptical of Martin the play-caller, but at least he and BK are on the exact same page.

 

[PANDFAN]

We ran quite a few straight QB runs that we simply never ran with TR (except for that phenomenal one vs Michigan last year). I'm not talking about option reads...I'm talking about Golson getting the snap and immediately running left or right looking for a hole to run through. He had double digit runs in 5 games and 9 rushes against USC, and many of those weren't of the scramble variety. And many of those straight runs accounted for TD's or huge first downs.

Also, we never ran a zone-read option. I get what you are saying and why you are saying it, but Everett never read anything. It was always a designed keeper (fake hand-off) or a designed hand-off. They didn't trust Everett to read anything yet, so they made the cal for him, based on film study and what the defense had been doing in the game up to that point.

The offense will most definitely have to change, but luckily they have had all summer and all fall camp to tweak it, and they have a senior QB and a mostly veteran line to help out. I'm not worried about the offense nearly as much as others, personally. But while I'm a big fan of Chuck Martin the coach, I'm skeptical of Chuck Martin the playcaller.



It's a little-known fact that Martin called the plays last year. So if you liked the play-calling last year, you'll be more inclined to like it this year. If you didn't like it, well, sorry lol.

It's a well-known fact that BK and Molnar did not see eye to eye...it might not be well-known the extent of it, but it was absolutely real and the truth was they didn't get along at all. Martin and BK have the same philosophies and they are lock-step in sync with each other. It's a longer story for me personally of why I am skeptical of Martin the play-caller, but at least he and BK are on the exact same page.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This is Tommy's thread, so all comments speculating on whether he'll improve or not are understandable. But the other comments which leak into the thread about how crummy we're going to be as a whole team are less understandable.

Given our defense's history, returnees, and dominance of these exact same opponents, the offense, if it scores three touchdowns and doesn't give any back, should win at least ten season games and maybe all of them. Admitting that being dependent on flawed yet significant areas of the whole is a dangerous game, my crystal ball says ten wins and two disappointing flubs. Tommy will likely run a conservative offense, throw less picks than is his history, see the field fairly well and immediately, and deliver occasional spectacular passing.

To end this post on extreme controversy, I'll take Tommy to float a deep ball accurately to CBreezy more consistently than Everett whose m.o. is rocketing it somewhere that CBreezy isn't.

 

[NDWorld247]

I think the first thing that Tommy has going for him is this is a Chuck Martin offense. Even last year against Miami it was a Brian Kelly involved Chuck Martin offense. But, even with a few stupid picks last year, and limited play time (no doubt) Rees' intercepts didn't have the same sting. Why? Chuck Martin versus Charlie Molnar. Chuck, even more than BK works with what he has got. Charlie Molnar, repeatedly demonstrated that he would try to force a square peg into a round hole, and get angry when he didn't get the results he liked.

Rees threw two interceptions last year. The INT in the BYU game was not his fault. It hit Daniels right in the hands and popped into the air for a gift-wrapped pick. The INT vs. Pitt was Rees' only HORRIBLE pass in 61 attempts last year. He may have had a few "off" throws in 2012, but overall, he was great. I've said this before but I really wish people would focus on his performance in 2012 and not 2011 when thinking about this season.

It's a little-known fact that Martin called the plays last year. So if you liked the play-calling last year, you'll be more inclined to like it this year. If you didn't like it, well, sorry lol.

Did he really though? My understanding is he and BK worked closely together but ultimately BK was the one calling the plays / signing off on the play call. My understanding for this year is it's Martin show although I think it would very difficult for BK to relinquish that much control. My guess is at the end of the day it will be very similar to last year's situation regardless of what BK tells the media.

FWIW, I wasn't impressed with last year's play calling either. I understand why they were so conservative but I'm more of a risk-taker so it was frustrating to watch at times. It's hard to really criticize when you're winning games, but the first half of the NCG was atrocious and there were times during the season I tried to see what the coaches were seeing on certain play calls and just really questioned the call. With that said, I hate when people in the stands or watching on TV criticize the play-calling when they see about 20% of what the coaches do, so I'm not trying to be that guy. I just hope Martin, and BK, continues to get better and is up for the challenge this year. I think they need to be more creative to take some pressure off our defense.

Also, my comment about Martin was more indicative of my trust in Tommy than an indictment of Martin, although I can see how it could be interpreted that way.

 

[hungryhippo]

This seems an appropriate time to make this comment: I think the offensive gameplan for the Oklahoma game was one of the best I have ever seen. the sequencing of plays and progression of similar plays on different drives was incredible and kept the defense off kilter. I would love to know who put that gameplan together. Anyone with any insights there??

Anyhoo, hi from Interlaken Switzerland. Back stateside in a week. Go Irish

 

[Irish Houstonian]

This seems an appropriate time to make this comment: I think the offensive gameplan for the Oklahoma game was one of the best I have ever seen. the sequencing of plays and progression of similar plays on different drives was incredible and kept the defense off kilter. I would love to know who put that gameplan together. Anyone with any insights there??
Anyhoo, hi from Interlaken Switzerland. Back stateside in a week. Go Irish

I think they told Gunner that if he put the gameplan together he wouldn't have to go to the game.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Maybe drifting off topic here, but given Kelly's seemingly blooming relationship with Belichick it seems relevant in terms of play calling. For the Pats, Bill does the game planning and the DC (now Patricia, but it has been this way with all DCs going back a ways) calls the plays. The plays go through Bill, and he has veto power, but I think I recall him saying he changes the play less than 1% of the time. I could see the same system working for ND. I'm sure Kelly will still be heading the offense from a game-planning and play-scripting standpoint, but on gameday I'm all about the head coach delegating and managing the team at a less granular level.

 

[Emcee77]

I think they told Gunner that if he put the gameplan together he wouldn't have to go to the game.

hahaha. Oh Gunner ... why didn't you stick with us one more semester? You wouldn't have had to run the scout team this fall.

 

[pkt77242]

This is Tommy's thread, so all comments speculating on whether he'll improve or not are understandable. But the other comments which leak into the thread about how crummy we're going to be as a whole team are less understandable.

Given our defense's history, returnees, and dominance of these exact same opponents, the offense, if it scores three touchdowns and doesn't give any back, should win at least ten season games and maybe all of them. Admitting that being dependent on flawed yet significant areas of the whole is a dangerous game, my crystal ball says ten wins and two disappointing flubs. Tommy will likely run a conservative offense, throw less picks than is his history, see the field fairly well and immediately, and deliver occasional spectacular passing.

To end this post on extreme controversy, I'll take Tommy to float a deep ball accurately to CBreezy more consistently than Everett whose m.o. is rocketing it somewhere that CBreezy isn't.[/QUOTE]

^This.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

If it was ever going to happen, the time is now. We've got the smartest quarterback in terms of playbook under center. Go up tempo. I can see this working.

Will never happen because...

the playclock sacks TR for 5 yard losses more than any defender has so far. Hopefully this season between BK and TR and CM the playcalling/ audibling is a much smoother affair.

How often does he take too long with pre-snap reads before he either takes a penalty or has to call TO to stop the clock? Too often.

I'm behind TR, I just pray he's over his past handicaps (INT at the wrong time, too much time w/ pre-snap).

 

[IrishLion]

(INT at the wrong time, too much time w/ pre-snap).

The first part is on Tommy to take care of, but I don't think the second part can be put on him. Sometimes, yes, he takes to long to make the check at the line. However, it seems that the majority of the time he is actually staring at the sidelines waiting on the play to come in, otherwise there WOULD be plenty of time.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

This is Tommy's thread, so all comments speculating on whether he'll improve or not are understandable. But the other comments which leak into the thread about how crummy we're going to be as a whole team are less understandable.

Given our defense's history, returnees, and dominance of these exact same opponents, the offense, if it scores three touchdowns and doesn't give any back, should win at least ten season games and maybe all of them. Admitting that being dependent on flawed yet significant areas of the whole is a dangerous game, my crystal ball says ten wins and two disappointing flubs. Tommy will likely run a conservative offense, throw less picks than is his history, see the field fairly well and immediately, and deliver occasional spectacular passing.

To end this post on extreme controversy, I'll take Tommy to float a deep ball accurately to CBreezy more consistently than Everett whose m.o. is rocketing it somewhere that CBreezy isn't.

Great post. Completely agree. TR is more than capable at leading this team to victories with a solid OL and defense behind him. Barring any major brain-fart of a game where he throws numerous picks, ND is in good hands. Do I prefer EG for the excitement factor, yes. But TR should win some games this season and I look forward to it, Scotch in hand.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

The first part is on Tommy to take care of, but I don't think the second part can be put on him. Sometimes, yes, he takes to long to make the check at the line. However, it seems that the majority of the time he is actually staring at the sidelines waiting on the play to come in, otherwise there WOULD be plenty of time.

Yea, I can agree with that. I'll put that at 50/50. Sometimes it's his fault, sometimes it's the sidelines. Regardless, it's a problem.

 

[NDdomer2]

Yea, I can agree with that. I'll put that at 50/50. Sometimes it's his fault, sometimes it's the sidelines. Regardless, it's a problem.

Most of that was Molnar/Kelly. You should also expect some issues when you throw a second string into a game.

I would expect a whole off-season and camp knowing it's your offense with the addition of Kelly/Martin being on the same page that those issues are minimalized or eliminated.

Tommy's ability to read the defense pre-snap is one of his great qualities. Getting him the play call in time to be able to do that is the key.

 

[IrishLion]

I think the key for Tommy is not just making better decisions, but making quicker decisions. Often he makes the proper read, but makes it a second too late. He doesn't have the arm strength to overcome a late decision like other QBs do. A play that comes to mind was a throw to Eifert (against Pitt in 2011?) that would have been a TD had he recognized things a second sooner. Rather, it was an INT.

Quicker decisions, not even necessarily better decisions, will cut down on INTs drastically, especially in the red zone.

 

[IrishLax]

This is Tommy's thread, so all comments speculating on whether he'll improve or not are understandable. But the other comments which leak into the thread about how crummy we're going to be as a whole team are less understandable.

Given our defense's history, returnees, and dominance of these exact same opponents, the offense, if it scores three touchdowns and doesn't give any back, should win at least ten season games and maybe all of them. Admitting that being dependent on flawed yet significant areas of the whole is a dangerous game, my crystal ball says ten wins and two disappointing flubs. Tommy will likely run a conservative offense, throw less picks than is his history, see the field fairly well and immediately, and deliver occasional spectacular passing.

To end this post on extreme controversy, I'll take Tommy to float a deep ball accurately to CBreezy more consistently than Everett whose m.o. is rocketing it somewhere that CBreezy isn't.

Yeah but Tommy literally cannot make this throw:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3Y05X0PF4ws" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

By the time he comes out of the play fake and sets his feet, the window of opportunity is gone and he does not have enough arm to get the ball down field. This pass would be under thrown and likely incomplete or intercepted. Much like in 2011 against Pittsburgh where he reads a play correctly, has an open pass for a TD, but the ball doesn't quite get there and the Pitt player who was soundly beat ends up being in perfect position for a TD.

Tommy Rees also can't make this play and would either be sacked immediately or throw an interception to either of 2 defenders that are closing on Goodman:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VHKj-O9sC5M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The bottom line is that I don't think we should not expect any sort of vertical passing game this year. It does not fit Tommy's skill set. And as such, I would be shocked if Brown really has any serious impact on offense... at most I'm thinking 10-15 catches mostly on screens.

 

[NDWorld247]

The bottom line is that I don't think we should not expect any sort of vertical passing game this year. It does not fit Tommy's skill set. And as such, I would be shocked if Brown really has any serious impact on offense... at most I'm thinking 10-15 catches mostly on screens.

I think our vertical passing game will consist of 30-40 yard fade routes into man coverage. Tommy is very good at making this read and throw. Beyond that, you're right. Our vertical game will be limited.

For those of you worried about Tommy's mobility...fear not. The kid has wheels.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SIVaRd3ssWY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[IrishLion]

Much like in 2011 against Pittsburgh where he reads a play correctly, has an open pass for a TD, but the ball doesn't quite get there and the Pitt player who was soundly beat ends up being in perfect position for a TD.

Did you reference the same play that I did in my last post on purpose? If not, you know what they say about great minds...

However, I do think the throw against Pitt was about making a late decision more than a lack of arm strength. Sure, if he had a cannon he might get away with that throw, but more than anything he just failed to get the ball out quickly enough after diagnosing things. If he improves his ability to quickly go through his progression, he won't need a laser-rocket arm.

 

[ulukinatme]

I see a lot of drudging up 2011. When making comparisons of Tommy it makes less sense to bring up 2011 when he played far better in 2012 and received considerable reps despite being a backup. Yeah, he's not going to have a cannon for an arm anytime soon, that much won't change, but I think his turnover problems that plagued him as an underclassmen (Which should be expected) are past him for the most part.

He's working with a very experienced and talented offensive line this year, something he didn't have his freshman/sophomore seasons. He's got a talented backfield to work with. The defense is stout. I could see Tommy being very conservative and us easily winning 10 games on the back of the defense and running game. I could also see BK and Chuck opening up the playbook given Tommy's experience and do some things we would have been more hesitant to try in the past.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

and he was yanked a couple times. I am by no means trying to bash on him

Have I ever been his biggest supporter, absolutely not, but he is by far the best we have this year and is def. good enough to get the job done.

Everytime I think "oh man it could get ugly this year" I think about the drive he took us on at the end of the Michigan game 2011. Yes we all know the eventual outcome but that drive was stone cold killer.

For those who think this offense has been radically redesigned over the last year plus to fit Golson, I think are making a mistake.

All those plays have always been in, were they tweaked maybe, but that means they can easily be tweaked right back. The blocking schemes haven't changed nor have the reads. It is still football.

This is a significant point. Wasn't the playbook cut back for Everett? Wasn't a wider ranging offense cut back to simplify things? Wouldn't that mean that the playbook would be more comprehensive with Tommy at the helm? So much for the expert help!

 

[connect the dots]

I see a lot of drudging up 2011. When making comparisons of Tommy it makes less sense to bring up 2011 when he played far better in 2012 and received considerable reps despite being a backup. Yeah, he's not going to have a cannon for an arm anytime soon, that much won't change, but I think his turnover problems that plagued him as an underclassmen (Which should be expected) are past him for the most part.

He's working with a very experienced and talented offensive line this year, something he didn't have his freshman/sophomore seasons. He's got a talented backfield to work with. The defense is stout. I could see Tommy being very conservative and us easily winning 10 games on the back of the defense and running game. I could also see BK and Chuck opening up the playbook given Tommy's experience and do some things we would have been more hesitant to try in the past.

Amen brother, I am a missionary of the same doctrine. Tommy Rees will be very successful at quarterback for this year's team. I see a confident and proficient quarterback with game management skills.

 

[SoDakDomer]

This is the image that my mind goes back to when thinking about the first under the lights michigan game. Anyways I really think Tommy can be a productive QB for us this year. I think he will understand we have a supurb defense and its ok to punt. If he just limits the turnovers and makes sure our defense doesn't have to defend a short field we are going to be very tough to beat. The biggest difference IMO between the 2011 Tommy and 2012 Tommy are the turnovers. Everyone says remember the 2012 Tommy, well it was an offensive struggle in both Michigan and BYU where he played the majority of the game. Hopefully with an entire preseason of knowing he is going to be our guy the offense takes the next step. I have no doubts about Tommy under pressure the kid has balls and has made a ton of clutch throws for us. He obviously has no fear, Tulsa Int in End Zone as a freshman, not to mention the entire 2012 season when he saved a ton of games for us. As a senior and a clear leader on this team I'm hoping everything comes together for him. After how he handled last season coming of the bench, the kid is a class act and a truely great teamate. For his sake and ours I hope its a great season for him. Go Irish.

 

[Irishman77]

I highly respect the abundance of optimism for Rees. I wish I had some of it. If he can deliver we can beat anybody. Jets fans expect a better version of Sanchez every year....