This topic has been debated continually over the past few weeks, so I wanted to get a consensus from the fans on IE. Is Tommy Rees' 12-2 record as ND's starting QB an accurate indicator of his performance?
Last week you claimed that there was no such thing as a won/loss record of games started. I gave you the numbers on different sports, different levels, and the list of ND Winningest QBs both by number of games won and by Percentage of Games Started that were Won. Stats than ND keeps and hands out to the media. (Check the bottom of page 28 of the BC Game Week Media Notes.)
So I gather now you agree the parameter exists but you don't think it's fair because football is a "team" game. Tell that to the lineman that block for the QBs and RBs that win the Heisman year after year. An offensive tackle could not allow a sack all year on over 400 plays but he won't get invited to the Heisman Ceremony as a candidtate, would he? That's reality.
When you get done playing in school, one of the harsh realities of the business world you'll learn is managers, coaches, owners, CEOs, stock analysts, voters, et al., keep track of "Winners". Usually "the wins" are due to team efforts and in many cases "The Win" could be due to someone else's primary efforts, or factors beyond the individual's control (see President's and the ecomony) but it's how it's done.
Rees had turnovers in the Michigan game but he had nothing to do with not tackling Denard when the Michigan fumble fortuituously bounced into his hands and he was untouched scoring a TD. Rees quarterbacked his team to a winning TD with a minute left on the clock in that game. Rees didn't neglect the receiver on the wheel route but ND's entire secondary did. Rees wasn't the one that didn't look for the ball on UM's winning TD either, but those 2 plays gave him one of the 2 "L"s he's been credited with as a starter.
When you're out in the world and your boss rags your butt over the reversed numbers in your proposal that cost the company a multi-million dollar contract, be sure to tell him, "That's not fair. It was a team effort and besides it was my secretary who made that made that typo not me."
If you're the QB you get the Win or the Loss. As Kelly noted in the post game presser, "Rees is 12-2. Pretty good for a starter!"
Be sure to send your poll results on to Kelly. No doubt he'll be keenly interested.