Crist Update

[IrishLax]

Crist 'very happy' with recovery thus far - Chicago Colleges Blog - ESPN Chicago

What a good guy. I hope everything works out for him.

 

[Fan of the Irish]

I really think he has a good shot at being our starter next year. He has already shown he can come back earlier than expected and hopefully watching these last 3 and a half games has helped him learn more about reading defenses. I think Rees has done a good job all things considered but I feel a lot more confident with Crist at qb.

 

[Irish Rogue]

I think if healthy crist starts next year. The performance against USC by rees has me nervous for the Bowl game.

 

[CanadianIrish]

There have been a few articles recently about Crist and his status for next year. Without exception they have made me respect the kid more and more.

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football: Crist isn't going anywhere

That article in particular makes me respect him. He's going to have a great future, with football or without.

 

[FMA]

If Tommy Rees wins this bowl game without a lot of mistakes, who should be the starting QB? I mean Rees would be a 4-0 as a starter, that's impressive for a late season freshman QB. I'm sure next year is going to be competitive for the QB's........

 

[IrishLax]

If Tommy Rees wins this bowl game without a lot of mistakes, who should be the starting QB? I mean Rees would be a 4-0 as a starter, that's impressive for a late season freshman QB. I'm sure next year is going to be competitive for the QB's........

Rees also hamstrings the offense because he throws a ton of picks and doesn't have a strong arm. I think the easy answer is that there should be an open competition next year... but in the long run Tommy Rees is not going to be the guy.

HOWEVER, when all is said and done, he may be the guy for next year depending on how Dayne is doing and how Hendrix, Massa and Golson are coming along. Only time will tell.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Rees also hamstrings the offense because he throws a ton of picks and doesn't have a strong arm. I think the easy answer is that there should be an open competition next year... but in the long run Tommy Rees is not going to be the guy.

I agree. In my complicated opinion, I expect Hendrix to beat out Rees by the end of Spring so that they go into fall ball "neck and neck."

I then expect Crist to come in and remind everyone why its good to have a 6'5" 230 lb fast QB with a rocket arm (now that he has had time to figure out the system). He starts.

I think Rees starts next season as the back-up but Hendrix takes over the title fairly quickly.

If everyone stays healthy, Rees stays number 3 whether or not Golson overtakes him. If there is an injury, Golson becomes the back-up.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I agree. In my complicated opinion, I expect Hendrix to beat out Rees by the end of Spring so that they go into fall ball "neck and neck."

I then expect Crist to come in and remind everyone why its good to have a 6'5" 230 lb fast QB with a rocket arm (now that he has had time to figure out the system). He starts.

I think Rees starts next season as the back-up but Hendrix takes over the title fairly quickly.

If everyone stays healthy, Rees stays number 3 whether or not Golson overtakes him. If there is an injury, Golson becomes the back-up.

If there is an injury, Rees comes in and Golson is probably (ssshhhh red-shirted).


Diz

 

[Lou Holtz]

Tommy won some big games but cost us the Tulsa game, i think with dayne finishing Tulsa and playing all of UM this team is 9-3

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Crist and Rees are both good QBs. However, I'll take Hendrix for next year please.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Crist and Rees are both good QBs. However, I'll take Hendrix for next year please.

Why would you want to start all over? That makes no sense. What has Hendrix done, besides lose out to both Rees and Crist, other than admit that the speed of the college game and the complexity of the offense was too much for him last year? If he was like tearing it up (a la Andrew Luck when he redshirted) in practice every day, then I'd get it.

But what exactly has he done where you'd want to give the reigns to a QB who has never started before, and basically giving ND a very great chance of throwing the season away while we break in yet another QB???

 

[tankjeep]

Rees also hamstrings the offense because he throws a ton of picks and doesn't have a strong arm. I think the easy answer is that there should be an open competition next year... but in the long run Tommy Rees is not going to be the guy.

we are talking about a true freshman that coach k was confident enough in to hand the reigns to. who knows who the starter will be next year? i surely don't. but when rees was in there, the offense looked much better than when crist was in there.

if you don't agree with that, then i don't what games you were watching. sure, rees made mistakes but he was/is a TRUE freshman. and he was missing rudolph, riddick, and allen in the backfield.

i'm not saying he's going to be the man of the future, but i don't think he hamstrung the offense as much as you say he did. and i agree that he doesn't have a strong arm for the deep routes, but i think he's got some zip on the ball to make most throws.

 

[tankjeep]

Why would you want to start all over? That makes no sense. What has Hendrix done, besides lose out to both Rees and Crist, other than admit that the speed of the college game and the complexity of the offense was too much for him last year? If he was like tearing it up (a la Andrew Luck when he redshirted) in practice every day, then I'd get it.

But what exactly has he done where you'd want to give the reigns to a QB who has never started before, and basically giving ND a very great chance of throwing the season away while we break in yet another QB???

i agree with ya NDinL.A., but the coaches do sing high praises on hendrix. i know, i know, it's not like they are going to say bad things about a kid. but maybe there is something to this kid and maybe.....just maybe we'll get to see it next season. you never know.

 

[tko]

Tommy won some big games but cost us the Tulsa game, i think with dayne finishing Tulsa and playing all of UM this team is 9-3

i disagree. shame on kelly for putting him in that situation. throw something safe and attempt the FG with a kicker who is perfect. don't forget special teams was atrocious that game.

 

[lookingdeadred]

Rees

Rees

It is not as if BK had all that much choice in who to play did he?
Hendrix and Massa? Clearly BK deemed them not ready to play college ball.

Montana? Lack of ability ... not an option.

That left Rees when Crist went down.

It is not as if Rees was brilliant. He managed the game well for a true frosh but he didn't do anything that should make ND fans go oooh for the future.

we are talking about a true freshman that coach k was confident enough in to hand the reigns to. who knows who the starter will be next year? i surely don't.

Not because of anything Rees did. BK simplified the offense and went more to the run game than he did with Crist. Also a much improved defense put less pressure on the offense to score a TD every possession.

but when rees was in there, the offense looked much better than when crist was in there

 

[lookingdeadred]

Another way to look at that play ...

Another way to look at that play ...

BK mistakenly assumed Rees would not make such a boneheaded throw.

i disagree. shame on kelly for putting him in that situation. throw something safe and attempt the FG with a kicker who is perfect. don't forget special teams was atrocious that game.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Glad to see he is recovering well. As far as our QB going forward it is up in the air. Rees had a less than impresive USC game, Crist is coming of his second leg injury in as many years, and we have a lot of exciting young tallent comming in.

 

[mick2]

good for crist, this is great to see, hes on a bike now, so i think he should be ready for spring!

 

[Rocket89]

Why would you want to start all over? That makes no sense. What has Hendrix done, besides lose out to both Rees and Crist, other than admit that the speed of the college game and the complexity of the offense was too much for him last year? If he was like tearing it up (a la Andrew Luck when he redshirted) in practice every day, then I'd get it.

But what exactly has he done where you'd want to give the reigns to a QB who has never started before, and basically giving ND a very great chance of throwing the season away while we break in yet another QB???

Starting all over? What if Hendrix is truly the most talented quarterback and gives the Irish the best chance to win?

Should Nebraska have been afraid to start all over when Martinez came in this year and replaced the experienced Lee?

We've seen some of the past greats at this position (Young, Bradford, McCoy, Luck, etc.) come in and more or less dominate as redshirt freshmen. I'm not saying Hendrix is that great or ever will be, but his insertion into the starting role clearly doesn't have to mean the team is "starting over" or "throwing away" the season.

Plus, Hendrix didn't "lose" out in the quarterback battle. He came in during the fall and has been a redshirt practically from day one. I don't think it was a case of Hendrix being lost and having the deer in the headlights look at this level as you're alluding to, as much as it was planning for the long term and saving his eligibility.

And the biggest thing...Kelly and the coaching staff have been raving about Hendrix!!

"The ball comes out of his hand like probably one other guy I've ever coached. I mean, it comes out that quick, that fast," Kelly said. "He's got escapability, maneuverability, he's got all the pieces. It's now just going to be about getting into the offense and seeing how he picks things up from a spread quarterback standpoint. But the tools are pretty impressive. When the defensive coaches rave about somebody, and they don't do that very often, you know you've got somebody who has a chance to be really good."

You can only tear it up so much on the scout team and I'm not sure what the coaches at Stanford were saying about Luck as a freshman, but that's pretty high praise for Hendrix there.

He's big and is ready to play physically. His arm is perhaps the best on the team, as well as his throwing abilities. And his athleticism and ability to run with the ball looks to be very potent as well, as judged by his high school film and the fact that the above quote was taken from Navy week when Hendrix was running the triple option pretty darn well.

So he was having some hard times adjusting to college ball, no biggie really. I'm sure Golson will too, but that's certainly not going to make me think that Everett can't be successfull or that the season will be a lost cause if he's starting his second year on campus.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Very happy to hear that Crist is recovering nicely. Just hope he makes a full recovery and is able to come back strong next season. I think he will be much improved after learning the system for a year and his desire to compete should fare well for him.

 

[tankjeep]

Not because of anything Rees did. BK simplified the offense and went more to the run game than he did with Crist. Also a much improved defense put less pressure on the offense to score a TD every possession.

rees still threw for quite a few yards, not a lot but at a 206.5 per game clip. i wouldn't say bk dumbed it down too much where he strictly ran the ball. rees still had to make good throws to accumulate that yardage.

and again, i'm not saying he's our guy of the future.

 

[tankjeep]

BK mistakenly assumed Rees would not make such a boneheaded throw.

are you serious? a boneheaded throw? he underthrew the ball...yes, but it was far from boneheaded. if he put more air under it, floyd beats out the db for sure.

it's a mistake, i'll agree with, but to say boneheaded....that's a bit over the top, imo.

 

[ACamp1900]

imo Crist is clearly the better QB if both are healthy come game time... clearly...

Rees has won and I like the kid, but anyone with a football background should not need to have it explained why Crist is a better player... so yeah IF Crist is healthy I feel you have to go with Danye... that's a big if right now though it would seem

 

[NDinL.A.]

Starting all over? What if Hendrix is truly the most talented quarterback and gives the Irish the best chance to win?

Should Nebraska have been afraid to start all over when Martinez came in this year and replaced the experienced Lee?

We've seen some of the past greats at this position (Young, Bradford, McCoy, Luck, etc.) come in and more or less dominate as redshirt freshmen. I'm not saying Hendrix is that great or ever will be, but his insertion into the starting role clearly doesn't have to mean the team is "starting over" or "throwing away" the season.

Plus, Hendrix didn't "lose" out in the quarterback battle. He came in during the fall and has been a redshirt practically from day one. I don't think it was a case of Hendrix being lost and having the deer in the headlights look at this level as you're alluding to, as much as it was planning for the long term and saving his eligibility.

And the biggest thing...Kelly and the coaching staff have been raving about Hendrix!!

"The ball comes out of his hand like probably one other guy I've ever coached. I mean, it comes out that quick, that fast," Kelly said. "He's got escapability, maneuverability, he's got all the pieces. It's now just going to be about getting into the offense and seeing how he picks things up from a spread quarterback standpoint. But the tools are pretty impressive. When the defensive coaches rave about somebody, and they don't do that very often, you know you've got somebody who has a chance to be really good."

You can only tear it up so much on the scout team and I'm not sure what the coaches at Stanford were saying about Luck as a freshman, but that's pretty high praise for Hendrix there.

He's big and is ready to play physically. His arm is perhaps the best on the team, as well as his throwing abilities. And his athleticism and ability to run with the ball looks to be very potent as well, as judged by his high school film and the fact that the above quote was taken from Navy week when Hendrix was running the triple option pretty darn well.

So he was having some hard times adjusting to college ball, no biggie really. I'm sure Golson will too, but that's certainly not going to make me think that Everett can't be successfull or that the season will be a lost cause if he's starting his second year on campus.

Sorry, but if Hendrix was ready to play this year, he would have played, period. He didn't sit behind Rees to save eligibility...BK said it himself that he was on a 5 minute plan, so to say that with half the season left he wanted to preserve Hendrix's eligibility is absurd. It's revisionist history to say that he was brought here to redshirt from the beginning. There was an open competition to back up Crist and he lost. He wasn't as a ready as Rees. Now, if Rees got hurt too, then we were screwed anyway and at that point BK has said that he wouldn't burn Hendrix's eligibility.

Yes, Martinez had a very good year, when he was healthy. But you are comparing apples to oranges, because he rarely had to throw the ball. He's a runner first. Throwing the ball is MUCH tougher for younger QBs than sinply running. He threw the ball for over 167 yards ONE TIME. In BK's offense, Hendrix will have to throw the ball a helluva a lot more than Martinez. And do you really want me to sit here and name all the young QBs who struggled their first year in college? Because we could be here all day. The list is FAR longer than those who played well right away.

Now, I agree in that BK loves Hendrix's talent and the kid could be a major player in the starters comp next year. I was pumped when he signed with ND. (and I never said we'd throw the season away...I said the chances would be greater, and that's true. There's nothing like experience at that spot) My only problem is with a couple of posters who act as if Hendrix should start. Based on what? That the coaches think he could be good? That he didn't even beat out Rees? If Hendrix proves that he is better than the other players, then that will be great and I will stand behind the coaches. But don't for a second think that the Hendrix and team will not experience growing pains in his first year as a starter (first ever game action)...history says we will...

 

[tankjeep]

Now, I agree in that BK loves Hendrix's talent and the kid could be a major player in the starters comp next year. I was pumped when he signed with ND. (and I never said we'd throw the season away...I said the chances would be greater, and that's true. There's nothing like experience at that spot) My only problem is with a couple of posters who act as if Hendrix should start. Based on what? That the coaches think he could be good? That he didn't even beat out Rees? If Hendrix proves that he is better than the other players, then that will be great and I will stand behind the coaches. But don't for a second think that the Hendrix and team will not experience growing pains in his first year as a starter (first ever game action)...history says we will...

agreed there will be growing pains, but hopefully he's as good as billed by the coaches.

 

[IrishLax]

NDinLA is spitting some truth. The fact is that Rees > Hendrix if you had to start a guy tomorrow. But the complicating thing is that Rees has had, effectively, double the reps of Hendrix to this point and also more time with the coaches digesting the offense AND ran a pass happy spread in HS.

Once Hendrix has more time over the spring and summer to get over the learning curve who knows where he will fit in on the depth chart.

 

[Rocket89]

Sorry, but if Hendrix was ready to play this year, he would have played, period. He didn't sit behind Rees to save eligibility...BK said it himself that he was on a 5 minute plan, so to say that with half the season left he wanted to preserve Hendrix's eligibility is absurd. It's revisionist history to say that he was brought here to redshirt from the beginning. There was an open competition to back up Crist and he lost. He wasn't as a ready as Rees. Now, if Rees got hurt too, then we were screwed anyway and at that point BK has said that he wouldn't burn Hendrix's eligibility.

Yes, Martinez had a very good year, when he was healthy. But you are comparing apples to oranges, because he rarely had to throw the ball. He's a runner first. Throwing the ball is MUCH tougher for younger QBs than sinply running. He threw the ball for over 167 yards ONE TIME. In BK's offense, Hendrix will have to throw the ball a helluva a lot more than Martinez. And do you really want me to sit here and name all the young QBs who struggled their first year in college? Because we could be here all day. The list is FAR longer than those who played well right away.

Now, I agree in that BK loves Hendrix's talent and the kid could be a major player in the starters comp next year. I was pumped when he signed with ND. (and I never said we'd throw the season away...I said the chances would be greater, and that's true. There's nothing like experience at that spot) My only problem is with a couple of posters who act as if Hendrix should start. Based on what? That the coaches think he could be good? That he didn't even beat out Rees? If Hendrix proves that he is better than the other players, then that will be great and I will stand behind the coaches. But don't for a second think that the Hendrix and team will not experience growing pains in his first year as a starter (first ever game action)...history says we will...

Hendrix had an uphill battle to climb from ths start, coming in during the fall and transitioning to a new offense. History shows us that he had a tiny chance to climb the depth chart in that situation. Kelly made some comments that there would be an open competition but very quickly in fall camp he said Hendrix would be placed on scout team.

Hendrix wasn't ready to play not because he's not skilled or talented, but because he wasn't given enough time. I think it's pretty absurd myself to think that Hendrix "lost" the competition to Rees, implying that Rees was the superior quarterback. Rees was just more familiar with the system and more ready.

I can't speak for you, but I'm getting the sense that because Hendrix went to scout team initially and then didn't somehow unseat Rees after the Tulsa game that you're not impressed with Hendrix. I'm not sure but you seem hung up on the fact that Hendrix LOST and that it somehow reflects upon his talent.

Now, had you mentioned that there would be growing pains if Hendrix started, I would agree.

But you said, we'd be "starting all over" and "wasting a season," if Hendrix starts...totally different.

We had growing pains with Crist and Rees, and there will probably be more if either of them start next year too. That's why, in my opinion, if Hendrix is as good as some of us think, having him start isn't wasting a season...he could be very productive. His mobility alone could give the offense an extra spark that Crist and Rees both cannot give the team and I think this is a HUGE advantage for him.

I was just a little taken a back by your first comment there.

A. Hendrix playing next year isn't starting over.
B. Hendrix didn't lose out the QB competition this year.
C. Hendrix has been praised mightily by the coaches.

It would have made more sense if we're talking about Luke Massa or something. You said you'd understand if Hendrix was tearing it up in practice and by all accounts he has been doing really well, getting very positive reviews again recently.

Of course there are a lot of RS freshmen who struggle in their first year. There will no doubt be growing pains no matter who plays. But I wanted to counteract your point that we'd be throwing away a season if Hendrix starts, because if he is as good as advertised, he'll probably do well next year.

Let's put it this way...I'm not sitting here worried that Hendrix isn't good or won't play next year because he didn't "beat out" Tommy Rees for playing time this year.

 

[Jerry]

I think it will be interesting next year. I'm giving Rees the benefit of the doubt that he will get stronger during the off-season and definitely compete for the starting job next year.

 

[ChiefSecond]

It's just stupid to say Hendrix lost the qb competition...we all know he was never in it. Never had a chance to catch up.

Crist was the dude from day 1 no questions asked...Rees only got the nod because he was there months in advance of Hendrix to learn the offense.

I hope crist gets healthy or spring camp..because if he doesnt there is nobody to push Hendrix at all.

 

[WaveDomer]

Rees is winning games. That's a plus to me. You can give a kid bulk and teach him to throw and execute, but I like the fact that he's a gamer. I wouldn't sell this kid short at all.