Moving to the next level

[sonofdomer32]

As we move through the season I seem to keep asking myself, how does the team move to the next level (consistently ranked in top 25 with some years a BCS level team). Obviously the continued emphasis on defense and speed is critical, which leads me to offense. Don't get me wrong, I like TR and I think he is the best option at QB because his accurate and mature for his age at the position. However, his upside is limited and may not be enough to get us to the next level in the next two years, due to his lack of mobility. Floyd has been his security blanket and we all have seen what happens when he is not an available option.

What are your thoughts on how Kelley transitions to a QB with more upside? Does he start next year or waits and stays with TR.

Sonofdomer32

 

[NDinFL]

While your question and post are admirable....

I'd hold off on starting a thread with only 3 posts under your belt...

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

While your question and post are admirable....

I'd hold off on starting a thread with only 3 posts under your belt...

This is ridiculous. His post obviously was thought out, and actually poses a pretty good question and I'd be interested to see some other people's opinions about. It's a free and open internet message board, get over yourself and maybe welcome him to the board or something. Good grief.

 

[NDinL.A.]

This is ridiculous. His post obviously was thought out, and actually poses a pretty good question and I'd be interested to see some other people's opinions about. It's a free and open internet message board, get over yourself and maybe welcome him to the board or something. Good grief.

Agreed. Post count doesn't mean you can't start threads or make good points. My only problem is that there ar about a million posts on this subject already. But then again, they are all over the place so I don't blame him for not knowing...

 

[georgia irish]

1.Get Gunner for future. 2.TR is good enough to win a championship look at LSU or ALA they don't have great qb's.3.We are good enough now the problem is the heart and mind of the players which is what the coach is changing.4.Next year watch TR look the field over better which is a sign of a good qb.Good ? keep it up.

 

[NDinFL]

This is ridiculous. His post obviously was thought out, and actually poses a pretty good question and I'd be interested to see some other people's opinions about. It's a free and open internet message board, get over yourself and maybe welcome him to the board or something. Good grief.

There have been MUCH worse said around here...

As NDinLA said, this topic has been covered ad nauseum, but it isn't his fault for not knowing.

Not trying to be an ***, so "good grief" yourself Charlie Brown

 

[georgia irish]

I can,t believe we don't have a true punt punt returner some of those kids had to in high school.If our secondary gets better we can beat anybody, anywhere, anytime.

 

[NDinFL]

1.Get Gunner for future. 2.TR is good enough to win a championship look at LSU or ALA they don't have great qb's.3.We are good enough now the problem is the heart and mind of the players which is what the coach is changing.4.Next year watch TR look the field over better which is a sign of a good qb.Good ? keep it up.

I agree with the Gunner part.

The only question is, do you think he would start as a freshman?

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

As we move through the season I seem to keep asking myself, how does the team move to the next level (consistently ranked in top 25 with some years a BCS level team). Obviously the continued emphasis on defense and speed is critical, which leads me to offense. Don't get me wrong, I like TR and I think he is the best option at QB because his accurate and mature for his age at the position. However, his upside is limited and may not be enough to get us to the next level in the next two years, due to his lack of mobility. Floyd has been his security blanket and we all have seen what happens when he is not an available option.

What are your thoughts on how Kelley transitions to a QB with more upside? Does he start next year or waits and stays with TR.

Sonofdomer32

Rees is and will be the starter next year. If Kelly was even thinking about other options, he would have given Hendrix or Golston some playing time in blowouts. He hasn't..... which leads me to believe that Rees will likely be the starter next year. If I am wrong and Kelly plans to re-open the QB position next year, why hasn't he given Hendrix and Golston playing time. No amount of practice can simulate actual game speed and experience...regardless if it is mop up duty.

 

[georgia irish]

Watch Golston to have the special packages next year,speed kills,and thats what we are heade towards.They asked Kelly if they lowered the entrance scores, and he said they told him they wanted the players to graduate in 4 years and stay out of trouble on and off the field.We are back baby.Look for us to have speed again.

 

[sonofdomer32]

I have posted on many other ND sites in the past. I came over to this board to get away form all the negativity and self importance that some posters seem to have.

To put my post in plain English, Kelley needs to step it up after this year, but his QB has hit the ceiling. The other current QB's of the future aren't ready yet. Any first year QB will go through a learning phase and won't be as effective. Does he bite the bullet next year and go with Golson or Hendrix or stick with Rees and hope for the best? Do they put the full court press on for Kiel?

 

[NDinFL]

I have posted on many other ND sites in the past. I came over to this board to get away form all the negativity and self importance that some posters seem to have.

To put my post in plain English, Kelley needs to step it up after this year, but his QB has hit the ceiling. The other current QB's of the future aren't ready yet. Any first year QB will go through a learning phase and won't be as effective. Does he bite the bullet next year and go with Golson or Hendrix or stick with Rees and hope for the best? Do they put the full court press on for Kiel?

I personally think that next year will be an open QB competition.

To the victor go the spoils.

I also believe that we need to put on the full court press for Gunner (if we haven't been already)

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I have posted on many other ND sites in the past. I came over to this board to get away form all the negativity and self importance that some posters seem to have.

To put my post in plain English, Kelley needs to step it up after this year, but his QB has hit the ceiling. The other current QB's of the future aren't ready yet. Any first year QB will go through a learning phase and won't be as effective. Does he bite the bullet next year and go with Golson or Hendrix or stick with Rees and hope for the best? Do they put the full court press on for Kiel?

I think Kelly has the full court press for Kiel, no matter what. As for Golson, I think the staff is saving a year of eligibility and not putting too much on his plate just yet. I believe I did hear at one point that he was having some academic issues.

I honestly think Kelly saw Tommy as his best option for winning games this year. Hendrix did not have a ton of "football" experience when he came to ND. Tommy had been reading defenses for years and growing up in a football household. The fact that Tommy picked up his portion of the playbook faster, gave him the edge.

I'd love to see Golson, with his skill set, be able to shoulder the load and run the offense but it's entirely up to him. He offers skills that Tommy just does not posses but he has to at least match and eventually exceed Tommy's ability to read defenses and understand the playbook.

IMO Kelly is just waiting to see another QB step up. Until then, Rees will be out there and he will keep improving like he has since day one.

 

[Riddickulous]

This team is two years away from a BCS bowl. 2013 looks like our best bet in the near future.

 

[NDinFL]

Watch Golston to have the special packages next year,speed kills,and thats what we are heade towards.They asked Kelly if they lowered the entrance scores, and he said they told him they wanted the players to graduate in 4 years and stay out of trouble on and off the field.We are back baby.Look for us to have speed again.

It's Golson. Everett Golson.

There is no "t" in his last name

 

[IrishLax]

This team is two years away from a BCS bowl. 2013 looks like our best bet in the near future.

Could still get there this year. Just sayin'. No one wants to hear it but if we get to 8-3 we'll probably be somewhere ~#20-#30.... and if we're on the right side of the top 25 and beat a (likely) undefeated Stanford team we could jump to #14. And if we get to #14 we'll play in a BCS game. Michigan State and Stanford need to win their conferences though. Because it'd be a huge selling point to be 9-3 with wins over the Big Ten and PAC12 Champs.

Chances of all of this happening? Very slim. But it's not over until it's over.

 

[BeatSC]

Open QB Competition

Open QB Competition

I don't think Kelly can stand another season of a QB with limited options. Without Floyd to make Tommy look better he looks even worse. I really don't see a difference in Tommy this year from last. If we had a Defense and special teams like Alabama and LSU we could get away with an average QB.

I presume most of you watched Golson in the Blue Gold game. I thought everything about him looked better than Tommy and Dayne. Hendrix also looked better. These two also didn't have the luxury of a red jersey. We're going to lose 2 good weapons next year on offense when Floyd and Jonas leave. We're going to need much better all around production from our QB if we're going to win games and the turnover battle. What is Tommy's TO to TD ratio so far this year? He gets great protection, has a great run game, has great rcvrs and yet the TD/TO ratio is almost 1 to 1. I like supporting the team but Tommy is not our best option to win next year and I still think Dayne had way too short a leash. We'll see Dayne at Florda reunited with CW IMO.

Commence the piling on me for this opinion.

I have all the ND games this year and some of the wins from last year DVR'd and I have watched them all a few time (get a life I know).

 

[georgia irish]

I can't spell very good like everybody in the south.LOL

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I agree with the Gunner part.

The only question is, do you think he would start as a freshman?

I don't care how good the kid is in high school, starting a freshman would not be an improvement over Tommy Rees.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I don't think Kelly can stand another season of a QB with limited options. Without Floyd to make Tommy look better he looks even worse. I really don't see a difference in Tommy this year from last. If we had a Defense and special teams like Alabama and LSU we could get away with an average QB.

I presume most of you watched Golson in the Blue Gold game. I thought everything about him looked better than Tommy and Dayne. Hendrix also looked better. These two also didn't have the luxury of a red jersey. We're going to lose 2 good weapons next year on offense when Floyd and Jonas leave. We're going to need much better all around production from our QB if we're going to win games and the turnover battle. What is Tommy's TO to TD ratio so far this year? He gets great protection, has a great run game, has great rcvrs and yet the TD/TO ratio is almost 1 to 1. I like supporting the team but Tommy is not our best option to win next year and I still think Dayne had way too short a leash. We'll see Dayne at Florda reunited with CW IMO.

Commence the piling on me for this opinion.

I have all the ND games this year and some of the wins from last year DVR'd and I have watched them all a few time (get a life I know).

I think Golson is still a ways away from starting. He has the talent for sure, but talent can only take you so far, he needs to learn the offense, and get a handle on the speed of the game, which takes time. lol Florida will not go after Dayne Crist, absolutely no way. They are loaded with talent. If Crist leaves to go play somewhere else it will be for a midmajor, or a team like Washington State.

I think ND fans, myself included, need to be patient. This team needs to learn how to win. They need to keep doing what they are doing, and growing. They need leaders to develop that take charge, and inspire.They need to get better in the system that is still relatively new to 85% of the team, and they need to fill a couple holes. BK was/is building a team from the ground up. He took a terrible defense and has made them play fairly well, but is still missing pieces. BK's offense needs its play makers to step up. Most of his starters had to break every habit they learned while runing CW's offense, BK's is totally different, habits are heard to break. Next season, I think we will see an emergence of playmakers we didn't know existed because they were training for 2 years in 1 system without having to be untrained in another.

I am as upset as everyone else, but winning takes time, especially at ND where we don't take Junior college players like LSU Bama..etc. They have junior colleges who are like farm teams that run the same offense as these powerhouses, all Nick Saban has to do is go shopping to fill a missing void. ND develops its players from square one. Look at Stanford, they are efficient and machine like. They all know their assignments, and execute to perfect, because they have been trained since freshman year. But, that takes time, Harby didn't do it over night, and neither will BK. Next season, I think our offense is going to be a lot more productive, and our defense a lot stronger with scheme, and physical toughness.

 

[pumpdog20]

What is Crist's major? Florida (or anyone else at the FBS level) would have to offer a graduate major that is not offered at ND right? If Crist leaves, I would think he would most certainly have to go the FCS route. IMO, I think he should apply for the draft. I bet he would look great at the combine, if invited, and may get a 6th round pick.

 

[irishtrinity]

As we move through the season I seem to keep asking myself, how does the team move to the next level (consistently ranked in top 25 with some years a BCS level team). Obviously the continued emphasis on defense and speed is critical, which leads me to offense. Don't get me wrong, I like TR and I think he is the best option at QB because his accurate and mature for his age at the position. However, his upside is limited and may not be enough to get us to the next level in the next two years, due to his lack of mobility. Floyd has been his security blanket and we all have seen what happens when he is not an available option.

What are your thoughts on how Kelley transitions to a QB with more upside? Does he start next year or waits and stays with TR.

Sonofdomer32

With better faster athletes that Coach has brought in.. Last yr we got an amazing class to me a NC team BCS team fosho.... Offense i feel we always seem to be strong just the same thing tho we are building a base of players that are going to just get better ND=NFL type kids...
QB.. I would love to land Gunner, but like i said when we landed Golson i see the Option spread offense with a great run game and a Tony Rice Style QB.... 1988 NC Option football...

 

[kmoose]

There's a valid discussion to be had, about the QB situation for next year. But, seriously..........all of us should be more worried about who is going to step up and be the man, at WR, next year.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

There's a valid discussion to be had, about the QB situation for next year. But, seriously..........all of us should be more worried about who is going to step up and be the man, at WR, next year.

I think we are going to be solid at WR next year. While Mike Floyd is irreplaceable, I think some of the young guys (TJ Jones for one) are going to explode with having 3 years in the system. And, I think that guys who haven't played yet are going to step up big time. I believe that time in Brian Kelly's system, aside from a super star like MF, is necessary to excel. I think we are going to spread the ball around a lot, not because we have too, but because we will have an emergence of numerous weapons on the field, too many to be covered at once. I think we will be way more consistent and productive next season.

 

[salveamicus]

I think Riddick will be a good WR next year. On the day that Kelly actually made an effort to get the ball to him, he did some good stuff with it. It's hard to stand out now with Floyd as the #1 guy.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Most you guys are right on the money . It's a Q.B U.S.C proved what a elite one can do . To be elite you need to be Elite on one thing we are just not yet good defense and good offense . Just not elite Anything yet.

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

1. Someone needs to emerge as QB of the future out of Hendrix, Golson, or Kiel if we get him. Once we have one of these kids starting and playing at a high level our offense should be firing on all cylinders.

2. We need to develop and continue to bring in speed and athleticism on defense. We've already started bringing in elite defensive talent with guys like Lynch, Tuitt, Williams, Niklas, Councell etc. We're bringing in more elite guys like Darby, Shepard, Jones, Day, Perkins etc. in this years class. If we develop the amazing talent we've brought in on defense and continue to bring in more of that type of talent, we will have one of the top defenses in the country for years to come.

If/when those two things happen I expect us to be making BCS bowls on a fairly regular basis. I doubt it happens next year because the young guys in the secondary will not be ready and our QB situation still may not be resolved. Add in one of the toughest schedules we've had in years and it will be very difficult to make the BCS. 2013 onwards, I think we will be an elite program.

 

[Irishman77]

There's a valid discussion to be had, about the QB situation for next year. But, seriously..........all of us should be more worried about who is going to step up and be the man, at WR, next year.

I would love to see us utilize the mismatch our TE's bring to opposing defenses. We could have a Gronkowski/Hernandez situation with Eifert and Koyack.

I also see us running the ball more next year. Our O line will be able to beat the pulp out of most of our schedule.

 

[kmoose]

I would love to see us utilize the mismatch our TE's bring to opposing defenses. We could have a Gronkowski/Hernandez situation with Eifert and Koyack.

I also see us running the ball more next year. Our O line will be able to beat the pulp out of most of our schedule.

Assuming the loss of Cave, Robinson, and Dever (C, RG, RT): I'm not sure you can say anything about our O Line, with certainty.

I'm not sure which of these guys is eligible for a 5th year, but we better hope that the line is as good, next year.

 

[IrishLax]

Assuming the loss of Cave, Robinson, and Dever (C, RG, RT): I'm not sure you can say anything about our O Line, with certainty.

I'm not sure which of these guys is eligible for a 5th year, but we better hope that the line is as good, next year.

Cave is 100% sure going to be offered a 5th year so count him in not out. Robinson and Dever have both played quite well but I really think Nichols/Lombard should be able to step in there. Martin and Watt could both be utterly dominant next year.