Post Game Observations....

[Irish Man3]

First ND game I've been to and this is what I have to share:

Crist and Rees communicate a lot more that I thought on the sidelines. Every time Rees came off the field, he went straight to Crist.

Theo Riddick and TJ were NOT happy with Tommy Rees at all. Alford spent a lot of time talking to Theo and TJ on the sidelines. Over and over both receivers said,"I'm wide open." I got some good pictures of Alford coaching these two guys up.

Aaron Lynch is a leader. The guy was up and down the sidelines talking up the offensive line, Tommy Rees, and the defense. Every time the offense made a big play, Aaron was the first one to great them coming off the field. The kid is a leader.

Ishaq showed very little emotion on the sideline. I'm not sure if that's just the kind of kid he is or if he's disinterested because he's not playing much. Tuitt and Lynch seem to have a really good connection while Ishaq stays mostly to himself.

Coaches were lighting up George Atkinson and Bennett Jackson on the sidelines after the big returns on special teams by Wake.

Offensive line coach spends every moment the offense is not on the field with every member of the offensive line. Showing them what they're doing wrong but also giving them a lot of time to talk amongst themselves. That's a really tight unit right there. They don't get enough love from Irish fans.

Tommy Rees played a very sub par game. Throws were late and off target for the most part. The long third down when Rees went to Goodman, Kelly tore into Rees when he came back to the sideline for making the wrong read. But, the kid does not let anything get to him. He never dropped his head and he always seemed like he was trying to talk to his guys. TJ and Theo seemed very disinterested.

Had a lot of fun at the game and I'll post some pictures soon.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Actually, when you compare Dayne's body of work to Tommy's it's very interesting. Dayne was behind an OLine which was not nearly this good (they are stellar now). He did not have a powerful RB tandem. And he was in a new system. To add to that, he was playing on a team with a mediocre D (at best). His numbers are super-similar.

So unless he's regressed this year, Tommy has not proven to be better. He's an effective game manager, I agree with that...but his physical limitations, stare-downs, and bad judgement put him behind Crist.

Hendrix is a newbie. If Kelly decided to scrap Rees and Crist and only play hendrix, I would be fine with that, since it's looking to the future...but he's not better at this point.

Excellent points. I would add that the Rees and Crist/or other QBs debate has become more emotional than rational because of how Kelly has handled the position. It is hard to rationally claim that Crist's one poor half of football justified being permanently benched.

Kelly doesn't have to start Crist or Hendrix...he just needs to play them in blow outs or certain situations. He hasn't done so and that is the most perplexing thing. Against Navy, he claimed that Crist should have went in a series sooner than he should have...I frankly don't buy that BS. If Kelly wanted Crist in a series sooner, Crist would have been in a series sooner. The argument that Rees needs more snaps is kinda hypocritical for those who have banished Crist for not playing flawless every snap.

For those who feel Kelly knows what he is doing and that next spring will change how Kelly views Rees are missing the point that many are making with regards to playing another QB. Inexperienced QBs no matter how good they are will go through growing pains. You want to play them if you have the chance. Kelly has wasted numerous oppurtunities to play Crist/Hendrix.

If he switches QBs next year, I am curious how Kelly reacts if the play of the new inexperienced QB is understandably poor or inconsistent.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

Yea..Yea...whatever you say.

Is that Avatar Bob Ross...I pissed myself...

HAHA, Bob Ross that be.

 

[irishog77]

Excellent points. I would add that the Rees and Crist/or other QBs debate has become more emotional than rational because of how Kelly has handled the position. It is hard to rationally claim that Crist's one poor half of football justified being permanently benched.

Kelly doesn't have to start Crist or Hendrix...he just needs to play them in blow outs or certain situations. He hasn't done so and that is the most perplexing thing. Against Navy, he claimed that Crist should have went in a series sooner than he should have...I frankly don't buy that BS. If Kelly wanted Crist in a series sooner, Crist would have been in a series sooner. The argument that Rees needs more snaps is kinda hypocritical for those who have banished Crist for not playing flawless every snap.

For those who feel Kelly knows what he is doing and that next spring will change how Kelly views Rees are missing the point that many are making with regards to playing another QB. Inexperienced QBs no matter how good they are will go through growing pains. You want to play them if you have the chance. Kelly has wasted numerous oppurtunities to play Crist/Hendrix.

If he switches QBs next year, I am curious how Kelly reacts if the play of the new inexperienced QB is understandably poor or inconsistent.

Yep.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Have you guys forgotten that Crist fumbled at the 1 yard line against USC in what was essentially a 14 point swing and killed the team's chances to win? That was his moment of redemption and he failed miserably. Rees is the guy until Hendrix or Golson is ready.

 

[BobD]

WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON!

 

[irishandy]

Post Game Observations
1) A win is a win and I'll take it.
2) Our defense gets better and better each week.
3) Minus the run attack our offense is boring to watch.
4) Michael Floyd only 5 catches???
5) Jonas Gray has the heart that Robert Hughes had last year.
6) Rookie of the year on defense- Aaron Lynch and/or Stephon Tuitt...hard to decide.
7) Wonder why Ishaq is not getting playing time.
8) Props to Wake Forest they played us well and could've beaten us.
9) Mike Golic Jr. stepped in and played a heck of a game.
10) For now Tommy is our QB and we have to live with it.

 

[georgia irish]

I'd like to see Dayne mixed in a little bit in games that Ree's starts slow.Kelly used 2 qb's at cinci. and had good results.

 

[enrico514]

First ND game I've been to and this is what I have to share:

Crist and Rees communicate a lot more that I thought on the sidelines. Every time Rees came off the field, he went straight to Crist.

Theo Riddick and TJ were NOT happy with Tommy Rees at all. Alford spent a lot of time talking to Theo and TJ on the sidelines. Over and over both receivers said,"I'm wide open." I got some good pictures of Alford coaching these two guys up.

Aaron Lynch is a leader. The guy was up and down the sidelines talking up the offensive line, Tommy Rees, and the defense. Every time the offense made a big play, Aaron was the first one to great them coming off the field. The kid is a leader.

Ishaq showed very little emotion on the sideline. I'm not sure if that's just the kind of kid he is or if he's disinterested because he's not playing much. Tuitt and Lynch seem to have a really good connection while Ishaq stays mostly to himself.

Coaches were lighting up George Atkinson and Bennett Jackson on the sidelines after the big returns on special teams by Wake.

Offensive line coach spends every moment the offense is not on the field with every member of the offensive line. Showing them what they're doing wrong but also giving them a lot of time to talk amongst themselves. That's a really tight unit right there. They don't get enough love from Irish fans.

Tommy Rees played a very sub par game. Throws were late and off target for the most part. The long third down when Rees went to Goodman, Kelly tore into Rees when he came back to the sideline for making the wrong read. But, the kid does not let anything get to him. He never dropped his head and he always seemed like he was trying to talk to his guys. TJ and Theo seemed very disinterested.

Had a lot of fun at the game and I'll post some pictures soon.

Thanks for those comments...

 

[enrico514]

Just finished watching the game...

#1. Officials blew a couple of important call.

#2. Defence came up big in the second half... the next couple of years should be fun. Linebacker play needs to improve as many of you have mentioned.

#3. I understand BK believes Tommy gives him the best chance to win today but I really hope one of the other options step up next year. If not, this will be a very frustrating/disappointing offence to watch.

#4. We once again didn't play up to our potential but we WON on the road... I'll take that any day!

 

[aubeirish]

I LOVE TOMMY!

 

[phgreek]

* Tommy Rees was awful tonight. Still our best option, though.

* Jonas Gray was running exceptionally hard tonight. He's getting better and better every week.

* Cierre Wood's role keeps decreasing. It's a shame, because he does make some great plays.* Michael Floyd was fairly quiet.

* Theo Riddick was almost silent. Very inconsistent.
* Really hope Jones is alright.

* Eifert was awesome. Gotta love a good tight end.

* Golic did an excellent job filling in for Cave.

* Run blocking was above average tonight. Gray and Wood had to elude too many defenders in the backfield.

* Gotta love the heart and effort from the young defensive linemen.

* Linebackers were horrid today in coverage.

* Secondary did a fine job.

* Robert ****ing Blanton.

* Harrison Smith was all over the place.

* Zeke Motta is absurdly terrible.

* Austin Collinsworth is such an underappreciated special teams player.

Jonas has earned it...but makes me wonder why we don't leave Jonas at tail, and rotate cierre at slot and tail...the guy can run and block...of course, we could say that about theo, but 0 productivity there. I just hate to see Cierre not on the field in some capacity...

 

[Irish Man3]

<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114377917204214986889/WakeVsNotreDame?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J7bjkZmHLTY/Tra0yHLJIdE/AAAAAAAAAXA/WsndJkIiPws/s160-c/WakeVsNotreDame.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114377917204214986889/WakeVsNotreDame?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Wake vs. Notre Dame</a></td></tr></table>

Click on the picture and it will take you to all the pictures. Some good stuff.

 

[Riddickulous]

Ishaq showed very little emotion on the sideline. I'm not sure if that's just the kind of kid he is or if he's disinterested because he's not playing much. Tuitt and Lynch seem to have a really good connection while Ishaq stays mostly to himself.

Fiery and passionate is not Ishaq's personality.

Wonder why Ishaq is not getting playing time.

He has no idea what he's doing.

 

[Irish Man3]

Fiery and passionate is not Ishaq's personality.



He has no idea what he's doing.

...and in my opinion that has showed up on the field and that's a problem.

 

[Patulski]

Just watching the game again, and a ton of Tommy's throws were crap again. I knew the first time they were all over the place, and they were even worse than I saw on the first.

The horrible pass and great catch by TJ that he got hurt on. Thanks Tommy.

The one to Eifert right before the bad TJ pass was behind him again and a great catch.

Man, good receivers and bad thrower. Man, if we had a good QB we would be pretty dang awesome. Instead we have Tommy.

When did it become OK for ND fans to be so disdainful of ND players?

 

[anarin]

Kelly tearing into the reporter at the press conference was suprising!

If kelly read this thread he would toss a chair through the window in a hulk rage!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

...and in my opinion that has showed up on the field and that's a problem.

A problem that can be fixed...he is young a kid. He isn't a 22 year old senior.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Ok, all the Tommy hate in the game-day thread was a little absurd. He is exactly who we thought he was, and that includes our starting QB. At the start of the season, we had two QBs with problems. For whatever reason, Crist's seemed to have a more negative impact on the team than Tommy's and Kelly made the logical move and went with the QB who got better results.

In other words, Kelly played it safe. Had he stuck with Dayne, he would have been gambling: Dayne's issues were mostly mental (he also struggles with touch, but that's not what got him benched). The reason I wish Kelly had gone with Dayne at the start of the season was that I believed, with a little support and a productive running game, Dayne could overcome those problems and lead a truly fierce offense.

Tommy can not overcome his limitations, at least not this season: they are physical. He's at his best when he's dishing the ball off to ND's great athletes and letting them make the plays. However, his TD pass to Floyd today (which was a great throw) was at the outer edge of his effective range. He'll also struggle with athletic defenses whose players aren't over-matched by our offensive stars.

It is what it is. I wish Kelly had gambled, because this was a season that could have been great, but only if things went great. He didn't, I understand why. So even though I wish I was watching Dayne, I'm not going to bash Tommy because he is our man. And, to be honest, some of the comments were absurd.

That being said, I'm no longer hoping Dayne transfers to a better situation next year. I think its very possible he could put an amazing finish on a hugely disappointing career if he sticks around for one more year.

Here's my beef. Dayne was our best option at the beginning of the year, which is why he started against South Florida. How did Tommy suddenly become the unchallenged best chance to win now just because Dayne put up one first half of football that was similar to about 4 or 4 first halves of football that Tommy Rees has put up so far yet he seems to have a never ending leash. The kid does VERY LITTLE to help this team win. He turns the ball over to much, misses open receivers constantly, and is pretty much riding the coattails of a solid running game and a solid defense and getting credit for being a "gamer". Why is he a gamer? Because he looks confident as he throws his 2nd INT of the game, or loses another fumble? Because he has 5 bad drives, but then is able to finally put together oen good drive all damn game against Pitt? That makes him a gamer? GFTO.

Whoever the poster was who saidthat he is an anchor slowing down the ship, perfectly stated. I haven't said a bad word about Tommy all year up until the last week and a half, but enough is enough with his tired act. And did TJ Jones sleep with Tommy's girlfriend or something? he hangs him out to dry on a high throw, Jones leaves the game, comes back in and the first thing Tommy does is throw him into a big hit.
LIABILITY.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

When did it become OK for ND fans to be so disdainful of ND players?

We live in America brother. We are all entitled to support the team 100%, but not be particularly fond of some of the individual players on it.
Was it not OK when Gary Gray was getting burnt every other play against Michigan and it was holding the team back, for people to be critical of him?

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Also, our O-line is completely boss. Our QBs have been able to sit in the pocket all day this season. There are some nice holes in the running game, but the best part of the pass protection is that the QB doesn't even need to step up in the pocket...nobody is getting near them. They can sit back there scan the field for a good 7-10 seconds if need be and find the open man. If our QBs ever looked at the RBs as a safety valve, rather than only on designed passes to the RB's our pass game would be deadly. Wood and Gray are open out of the backfield all day.

 

[pkt77242]

Here's my beef. Dayne was our best option at the beginning of the year, which is why he started against South Florida. How did Tommy suddenly become the unchallenged best chance to win now just because Dayne put up one first half of football that was similar to about 4 or 4 first halves of football that Tommy Rees has put up so far yet he seems to have a never ending leash. The kid does VERY LITTLE to help this team win. He turns the ball over to much, misses open receivers constantly, and is pretty much riding the coattails of a solid running game and a solid defense and getting credit for being a "gamer". Why is he a gamer? Because he looks confident as he throws his 2nd INT of the game, or loses another fumble? Because he has 5 bad drives, but then is able to finally put together oen good drive all damn game against Pitt? That makes him a gamer? GFTO.

Whoever the poster was who saidthat he is an anchor slowing down the ship, perfectly stated. I haven't said a bad word about Tommy all year up until the last week and a half, but enough is enough with his tired act. And did TJ Jones sleep with Tommy's girlfriend or something? he hangs him out to dry on a high throw, Jones leaves the game, comes back in and the first thing Tommy does is throw him into a big hit.
LIABILITY.

He is a gamer because he makes the right call at the line of the scrimmage and is constantly being praised by Kelly for making the correct presnap call. I don't think I have ever heard kelly say that about Dayne (which is a big deal in this offense) and the fact that Dayne's body language was horrible in the USF game and probably was part of if not the reason he was pulled. Look most of us think that Tommy needs to improve and/or we need to have an open QB competition in the spring but for the rest of the year we swim or sink with Tommy and bitching about it ain't going to change it.

 

[t3hjc]

Stop replying to Teo4Heisman, guy's not worth it.

 

[pkt77242]

We live in America brother. We are all entitled to support the team 100%, but not be particularly fond of some of the individual players on it.
Was it not OK when Gary Gray was getting burnt every other play against Michigan and it was holding the team back, for people to be critical of him?

You are definitely allowed too bitch all you want but it does get very annoying to see the same post in 4-5 different threads by the same poster talking about how Tommy sucks. I am all for an intelligent fact based conversation about Rees but it is starting to turn into a Tommy hatefest.

Tommy is an above average QB (if you don't believe me look at the stats and at some of the other QB's in the FBS) but he is by no means a great QB and he may not ever be but for now he gives us the best option to win (and that isn't my opinion it is Kelly's). For the record I was all aboard the Dayne wagon before the season but I couldn't stand the lost look he had in the USF game (and yes I know there are no stats to back it up). Is Tommy holding us back this year, possibly but he isn't the only one. Gary Gray, Motta, Riddick, Crist, Carlo, Fox, Shembo in space, and punting the first couple of games. Plus a fair number of stupid penalties.

 

[DillonHall]

He is a gamer because he makes the right call at the line of the scrimmage and is constantly being praised by Kelly for making the correct presnap call. I don't think I have ever heard kelly say that about Dayne (which is a big deal in this offense) and the fact that Dayne's body language was horrible in the USF game and probably was part of if not the reason he was pulled. Look most of us think that Tommy needs to improve and/or we need to have an open QB competition in the spring but for the rest of the year we swim or sink with Tommy and bitching about it ain't going to change it.

I don't think this is correct. Kelly says that he wants to 'call it and haul it,' meaning that he doesn't particularly want the QB to change the call at the line. Remember how fast his offenses were in Cincinnati? And how many times have we had to burn timeouts because Rees couldn't get the snap off in time?

 

[t3hjc]

I don't think this is correct. Kelly says that he wants to 'call it and haul it,' meaning that he doesn't particularly want the QB to change the call at the line.

Uh, isn't that exactly what 'haul it' suggests?

Most every spread offense you see has the quarterback audible to a more favorable play at the line.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Stop replying to Teo4Heisman, guy's not worth it.

Because I don't agree with you. Stay classy.

 

[DillonHall]

Uh, isn't that exactly what 'haul it' suggests?

Uh, no.

Rees, not Kelly, is dictating tempo of offense - Inside Notre Dame sports

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

You are definitely allowed too bitch all you want but it does get very annoying to see the same post in 4-5 different threads by the same poster talking about how Tommy sucks. I am all for an intelligent fact based conversation about Rees but it is starting to turn into a Tommy hatefest.

Tommy is an above average QB (if you don't believe me look at the stats and at some of the other QB's in the FBS) but he is by no means a great QB and he may not ever be but for now he gives us the best option to win (and that isn't my opinion it is Kelly's). For the record I was all aboard the Dayne wagon before the season but I couldn't stand the lost look he had in the USF game (and yes I know there are no stats to back it up). Is Tommy holding us back this year, possibly but he isn't the only one. Gary Gray, Motta, Riddick, Crist, Carlo, Fox, Shembo in space, and punting the first couple of games. Plus a fair number of stupid penalties.

In previous posts, I have presented plenty of "facts" to support my view on Tommy. To which the rebuttal is "he's a gamer"...because somehow THAT's a fact. Or it's a FACT that he is our best chance to win? It can not be a FACT he is our best chance to win when others haven't gotten the same opportunities. It IS however a FACT, that if you take out games against the two worst defenses we have played all season, Tommy Rees has thrown 10 INTs to 10 TDs and lost a few fumbles.

 

[t3hjc]

I don't see how your initial post contradicts what pkt said. He praised Rees for his ability to get into the right call. Your article says that we don't go up-tempo because we don't have a running quarterback capable of wrecking havoc with his speed. Because of that, we have to run a slower offense that puts more of an emphasis on slowing tempo and getting into the right call.