'10 IL QB Tommy Rees (Notre Dame Man)

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
You both need to step back and look at this objectively. The Redskins aren't going to keep a QB who personifies mediocrity when they have 3 young QBs who have won NFL games. Regardless of how cerebral he is, there is no business sense in keeping him around.
 

stlnd01

Was away. Now returned.
Messages
13,386
Reaction score
10,247
Very few of them end up actually signing with the team, and they definitely don't give them jobs on the coaching staff. How is a QB who had a propensity to throw horrible INTs against college competition going to give any advice on film or gametime decision-making to three QBs, all of whom have played against NFL competition?

Not saying he's going to be the QB coach. But one of those watching/analyzing film, prepping-scouting-reports-on-opposing-teams-for-60-hours-a-week starter jobs wouldn't seem unreasonable, if that's what he wants to do.
If Tommy Rees has a future in football it's likely in coaching, either as a college grad assistant or an entry-level NFL gig. Or come fall he can go be an investment banker or something. Either way, it's worth a shot for him, and as you said, no risk for the Redskins.
 

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
Not saying he's going to be the QB coach. But one of those watching/analyzing film, prepping-scouting-reports-on-opposing-teams-for-60-hours-a-week starter jobs wouldn't seem unreasonable, if that's what he wants to do.
If Tommy Rees has a future in football it's likely in coaching, either as a college grad assistant or an entry-level NFL gig. Or come fall he can go be an investment banker or something. Either way, it's worth a shot for him, and as you said, no risk for the Redskins.

Yeah that's possible. I don't know if they give those jobs to kids straight out of college though, you probably have to be an assistant for a while. I think he'll likely come back and be a graduate assistant. He'll be a hell of a coach some day - he doesn't get rattled in big games, is mentally tough, and knows what to do, he just didn't have the physical ability to do it.
 

ulukinatme

Carr for QB 2025!
Messages
31,509
Reaction score
17,368
People laughed at the notion of Tommy in the NFL, and yet he's getting a chance regardless to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Do I think he's taking over for RGIII? Of course not. He's not in the same league athletically, but I bet he understands the mental aspect of the game much better.

I would just like to point out something...since page 1 of this thread, people have doubted Tommy would ever take a snap at the collegiate level...and yet for four years nobody could ultimately unseat him at ND and now he may even get some pre-season NFL time. I think it would be hilarious if he pulled his lucky horse shoe one more time and made a 3rd string or better somewhere.
 

ulukinatme

Carr for QB 2025!
Messages
31,509
Reaction score
17,368
RGIII is having some sleepless nights now.

Tommy is more the kind of guy that quietly takes over. If you're Dayne Crist, you think you've got the job locked up, but one atrocious half and Tommy sneaks right in to the starting job.
 

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
People laughed at the notion of Tommy in the NFL, and yet he's getting a chance regardless to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Do I think he's taking over for RGIII? Of course not. He's not in the same league athletically, but I bet he understands the mental aspect of the game much better.

I would just like to point out something...since page 1 of this thread, people have doubted Tommy would ever take a snap at the collegiate level...and yet for four years nobody could ultimately unseat him at ND and now he may even get some pre-season NFL time. I think it would be hilarious if he pulled his lucky horse shoe one more time and made a 3rd string or better somewhere.

I don't understand what people are thinking when they say stuff like this. If you mean that he can handle adversity, sure. If you think he understands defensive coverages and making reads better than an NFL starter, you're horribly misguided. Do you think just because he understood Kelly's playbook and called audibles based on college defensive formations that he can do the same in the NFL? Picture the Stanford game where they were basically toying with him, changing formations and making him audible and snap the ball at the last second - multiply that by ten and that's NFL defenses. Could he analyze film and get really good at diagnosing NFL defensive schemes? Sure, maybe after a few years in the league. But he sure as hell wouldn't be able to handle it now. His NFL coach wouldn't like him running the play clock down to 1 and calling audibles constantly and he wouldn't have Zack Martin completely negating his blind-side pass rush.
 

pkt77242

IPA Man
Messages
10,805
Reaction score
719
I don't understand what people are thinking when they say stuff like this. If you mean that he can handle adversity, sure. If you think he understands defensive coverages and making reads better than an NFL starter, you're horribly misguided. Do you think just because he understood Kelly's playbook and called audibles based on college defensive formations that he can do the same in the NFL? Picture the Stanford game where they were basically toying with him, changing formations and making him audible and snap the ball at the last second - multiply that by ten and that's NFL defenses. Could he analyze film and get really good at diagnosing NFL defensive schemes? Sure, maybe after a few years in the league. But he sure as hell wouldn't be able to handle it now. His NFL coach wouldn't like him running the play clock down to 1 and calling audibles constantly and he wouldn't have Zack Martin completely negating his blind-side pass rush.

Just to point out that this past year Tommy wasn't always calling audibles out there, he was responsible for calling the pass protections as well, which led to the play clock being taken down even more.
 

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
Just to point out that this past year Tommy wasn't always calling audibles out there, he was responsible for calling the pass protections as well, which led to the play clock being taken down even more.

That's true. Listen, I really didn't like him as a player, and I hated that he was the best ND could trot out at starting QB; but I have the utmost respect for him as a person. If he made an NFL team, I know he'd work his ass off and do his damnedest to win the starting job. It's just ridiculous to say that he's more capable, mentally or otherwise, than players that have actually won NFL games.
 

ulukinatme

Carr for QB 2025!
Messages
31,509
Reaction score
17,368
I don't understand what people are thinking when they say stuff like this. If you mean that he can handle adversity, sure. If you think he understands defensive coverages and making reads better than an NFL starter, you're horribly misguided. Do you think just because he understood Kelly's playbook and called audibles based on college defensive formations that he can do the same in the NFL? Picture the Stanford game where they were basically toying with him, changing formations and making him audible and snap the ball at the last second - multiply that by ten and that's NFL defenses. Could he analyze film and get really good at diagnosing NFL defensive schemes? Sure, maybe after a few years in the league. But he sure as hell wouldn't be able to handle it now. His NFL coach wouldn't like him running the play clock down to 1 and calling audibles constantly and he wouldn't have Zack Martin completely negating his blind-side pass rush.

Okay, okay, Tommy is not only athletically inept, but his football IQ is horrible and yet he somehow magically found his way on the field on Saturdays repeatedly. How's that?
 

ulukinatme

Carr for QB 2025!
Messages
31,509
Reaction score
17,368
It's just ridiculous to say that he's more capable, mentally or otherwise, than players that have actually won NFL games.

Uhh....have you....seen and heard some of the interviews with players that have won NFL games? They're not exactly all Einsteins. Wonderlic scores and football IQ don't always translate to winning NFL games. Some of the best players have been built by the gods and went on pure instinct. Other players have been forced to have a better understanding of the game to compensate.
 

Rocket89

Uniform Connoisseur
Messages
2,914
Reaction score
551
Uhh....have you....seen and heard some of the interviews with players that have won NFL games? They're not exactly all Einsteins. Wonderlic scores and football IQ don't always translate to winning NFL games. Some of the best players have been built by the gods and went on pure instinct. Other players have been forced to have a better understanding of the game to compensate.

What evidence do you have that Rees is mentally stronger and understands the game better than RG3?
 

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
Okay, okay, Tommy is not only athletically inept, but his football IQ is horrible and yet he somehow magically found his way on the field on Saturdays repeatedly. How's that?

What? I specifically said he knew the playbook and called audibles based on defensive schemes. He knew the playbook in and out and even knew it enough that he could shift the protection. He has incredible knowledge when it comes to college football. NFL defensive schemes are on a completely different level.
 

Old Man Mike

Fast as Lightning!
Messages
8,959
Reaction score
6,450
With all the easy negativity that people seem to constantly want to pour out on our site, I take a step-back view of the Tommy Rees era at Notre Dame.

Part one: Tommy is HIGHLY admirable as a Notre Dame warrior who gave us everything he had. He's in my hall-of-fame regardless of whether I believe that he had good athleticism or not. It is true that nothing in his scrapbook indicates a likely playing career in the NFL, but I can't imagine the motivation of people who just want to bring it up and further rag on him. Tommy will survive and thrive at whatever the future allows him to do, and be one helluva good employee at it.

Part two: Tommy's stat sheets at Notre Dame are through the roof. All the Tommy detractors should [logically MUST] therefore consider Coach Kelly one of the great offensive geniuses of our game. Perhaps they could adjust their negativity towards Tommy to a greater number of posts as to how great Kelly is. Forgive me for wanting to recognize the good in our heroes [both Kelly and Rees are heroes] and enjoy what we have been given by the grace of God.

I will go the rest of my days thanking the Lord for Coach, and thanking Tommy for sailing us through what could have been several disastrous seasons and the consequent calls for Kelly to be fired. If Coach brings us back up to consistent great football, one "forgotten" warrior will have been part of that blessing.
 

BobD

Can't get no satisfaction
Messages
7,918
Reaction score
1,034
He does have better college stats than Joe Montana.
 

returnofthemack

New member
Messages
1,798
Reaction score
128
With all the easy negativity that people seem to constantly want to pour out on our site, I take a step-back view of the Tommy Rees era at Notre Dame.

Part one: Tommy is HIGHLY admirable as a Notre Dame warrior who gave us everything he had. He's in my hall-of-fame regardless of whether I believe that he had good athleticism or not. It is true that nothing in his scrapbook indicates a likely playing career in the NFL, but I can't imagine the motivation of people who just want to bring it up and further rag on him. Tommy will survive and thrive at whatever the future allows him to do, and be one helluva good employee at it.

Part two: Tommy's stat sheets at Notre Dame are through the roof. All the Tommy detractors should [logically MUST] therefore consider Coach Kelly one of the great offensive geniuses of our game. Perhaps they could adjust their negativity towards Tommy to a greater number of posts as to how great Kelly is. Forgive me for wanting to recognize the good in our heroes [both Kelly and Rees are heroes] and enjoy what we have been given by the grace of God.

I will go the rest of my days thanking the Lord for Coach, and thanking Tommy for sailing us through what could have been several disastrous seasons and the consequent calls for Kelly to be fired. If Coach brings us back up to consistent great football, one "forgotten" warrior will have been part of that blessing.

I don't think anybody has detracted from Rees as a person. I think everybody would agree that what he has done with his very limited athleticism and physical ability has been impressive. He gave his all and took his demotion in 2012 with grace and poise and came off of the bench when needed and played his best. However, I don't know what leads you to believe his stat sheets are through the roof. 7670 yards, 61 TDs, 37 INTs isn't all that impressive, especially in Kelly's spread offense. It's better than anyone would've expected from him when he was recruited, sure, and he's near the top of the record books (mostly because ND and college football wasn't as pass-happy until the new millenium). He's not a forgotten warrior, that's just melodramatic. He was a good player that gave his all to ND and should be respected as such.
 
B

Bogtrotter07

Guest
I don't think anybody has detracted from Rees as a person. I think everybody would agree that what he has done with his very limited athleticism and physical ability has been impressive. He gave his all and took his demotion in 2012 with grace and poise and came off of the bench when needed and played his best. However, I don't know what leads you to believe his stat sheets are through the roof. 7670 yards, 61 TDs, 37 INTs isn't all that impressive, especially in Kelly's spread offense. It's better than anyone would've expected from him when he was recruited, sure, and he's near the top of the record books (mostly because ND and college football wasn't as pass-happy until the new millenium). He's not a forgotten warrior, that's just melodramatic. He was a good player that gave his all to ND and should be respected as such.

No, it just sound that way. Some want an underdog to cheer for. Others are appreciative of all that he has done. I don't see a stellar career for Tommy. But, I could see him taking it home in the right situation. And I do see enough endearing qualities to make someone want to keep him.
 

ulukinatme

Carr for QB 2025!
Messages
31,509
Reaction score
17,368
What evidence do you have that Rees is mentally stronger and understands the game better than RG3?

What evidence do you have that Rees isn't mentally stronger and understands the game better than RG3? To be fair, neither of us can make an assumption there as it's kind of apples to oranges, but it's not like Tommy's quick feet kept him playing on Saturdays.

In all seriousness, if Rees isn't athletically gifted, logic dictates that he understands the game better than the guys that he beat out to see the field. Otherwise...how did he ever see the field? What other explanation is there?
 
Last edited:

Rocket89

Uniform Connoisseur
Messages
2,914
Reaction score
551
What evidence do you have that Rees isn't mentally stronger and understands the game better than RG3? To be fair, neither of us can make an assumption there as it's kind of apples to oranges, but it's not like Tommy's quick feet kept him playing on Saturdays.

In all seriousness, if Rees isn't athletically gifted, logic dictates that he understands the game better than the guys that he beat out to see the field. Otherwise...how did he ever see the field? What other explanation is there?

But he hasn't beat out RG3, right?

And it's not like Rees has beat out dozens and dozens of quarterbacks over his career. I think he's a smart kid with good quarterback intelligence. To suggest he's some whiz kid--who couldn't even protect the ball in college--who will float into the NFL and be a teacher to established quarterbacks doesn't seem realistic at all.
 

rocket66

New member
Messages
1,457
Reaction score
89
But he hasn't beat out RG3, right?



And it's not like Rees has beat out dozens and dozens of quarterbacks over his career. I think he's a smart kid with good quarterback intelligence. To suggest he's some whiz kid--who couldn't even protect the ball in college--who will float into the NFL and be a teacher to established quarterbacks doesn't seem realistic at all.


Pshhh. Never underestimate a Notre Dame Man.
 

Rudy89

Well-known member
Messages
2,520
Reaction score
669
Tommy came through for me in big games more than Brady Quinn. If he makes the team I will buy his jersey because I like seeing good people succeed.
 

RDU Irish

Catholics vs. Cousins
Messages
8,616
Reaction score
2,713
When RGIII Completes a full season.....


Exactly.

Tommy just has to get to #3 on the depth chart and he secures himself 1) a nice paycheck, 2) a decent chance of seeing the field at some point in the next few years.

Career back-up QB isn't a bad draw.
 

palinurus

New member
Messages
2,406
Reaction score
192
The Redskins 3rd string QB on the roster I just looked at is Colt McCoy. I will be very very surprised if Tommy beats out an experienced QB for 3rd string, unless there is some salary cap problem that necessitates it, or unless the Redskins trade Cousins and Tommy become 3rd string QB by default, and even that assumes no one with more physical skills gets cut to become available. His merits as a step-in guy aside, and my affection for all ND guys who get a shot at the pros aside, in truth, Tommy has a mediocre arm, inconsistent/poor mechanics and is slow, even by college standards. I cannot believe he'll make the team. But I never claimed to know everything. I hope he does make it; it helps the school/team/Kelly/recruiting and I'd be happy for a guy who persevered.
 
Last edited:

Irish Insanity

Well-known member
Messages
9,885
Reaction score
584
Rees wouldn't have been offered an UDFA contract if they didn't see something they liked. We all can agree its not his arm strength or his athletic ability.
 
Top