Post Game Observations....

[HereComeTheIrish]

I'm just going to say I disagree with your opinion of Dayne and leave it at that. I could give you arguments pro-Dayne but I've seen them rehashed plenty of times. Like many others, I think he's a great guy (undeniable) and think he could have progressed this season. However, Rees is the starter so I support him. But let's not dog Dayne so much. He is still part of the family.

far out...

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I just finished watching this game on DVR. That first half had me preparing for disaster.

- I will always take a sloppy win like this, with a smile.. especially with ND. We are used to losing this kind of game. The atmosphere was not electric, Wake Forest was pumped and this was a classic trap game after a Navy slaughter.

- Once again, the defense, despite multiple injuries, played solid. Sure, we could use more speed on the edges and overall depth but they are consistently giving the offense opportunities to win. Also, reinforcements are on the way.

- Tommy is winning, fact. But, until tonight I failed to realize how mediocre his arm actually is. I watched the highlights of guys like Tyler Wilson and Case Keenum and noticed how the ball zips out of their hands with impressive velocity and is consistently on target. Tommy can make the short to medium throws but lacks velocity and rarely attempts and nails the long ball. He's not losing games but he is most definitely holding this offense back.

I'm all in with Tommy, this season, because I believe the coaches will play whoever gives the best chance to win. But, next season, I will be hoping for one of our more athletic QBs to step up with confidence, understand the playbook and open up this offense to its max potential.

If it doesn't happen and Tommy keeps the reigns I will root for him as I have every week. I respect the hell out of the kid and think he's doing a fine job.. but I'm calling it as I see it. He holds the O back.

 

[phgreek]

The defensive gameplan to start the game was terrible. Shembo lining up in space on the slot was about the worse possbile matchup I've ever seen.

Coaches made the needed adjustments, but everytime I saw Shembo line up out there I just cringed..

I love Jonas!

Rees was pretty bad, but I am not even gonna start in with that crap again... BK thinks he is the best option, thats all that matters..

Lynch played with the kind of heart and desire that this team needs.

Golic filled in like a CHAMP!! Sr. is one proud father tonight.

Flemming and Blanton were all stars IMO.

Manti struggled to get off blocks moreso tonight than I have ever seen before.

Playcalling was a bit suspect, but again, BK knows what he is doing..

They went on the road, faced a tough opponent ( I don't care what anybody else thinks about that squad, they are good) and pulled out the victory. The "W" is all that matters!

Yea..Yea...whatever you say.

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

 

[tadman95]

Observations from the game:

Sat 2nd row from the wall about the 15 yard line. Mike Golic was right in front of us most of the game.

ND cheerleaders were hot!

Rees' accuracy was not good tonight. Almost got TJ killed. Don't know what the answer is next year but QB play is holding us back.

Team was flat in the first half. Definite difference in the 3rd qtr

Manti must have tweaked his ankle again. Took some plays off, looked like he was limping.

Stephon Tuitt is a big man! And reeeeeal good!

Lynch pushed 2 lineman into qb. He rushed in, looked like he knew he couldn't get around them, just lowered his head and pushed all of them back into the QB.

As good as Manti is, he really needs to improve his pass coverage. He'll make the tackle, but after the ball is caught.

Jumbotron was really nice and managed very well. It helped in a 31,500 seat stadium. In a 80,000 seat stadium were the seats are much further from the field, how do we not have one?

The helmets are striking and gorgeous.....

I think there will be some new Irish Envy readers/members. Talked to several people who hadn't heard of the site, said they will check us out. I told then we were really well behaved LOL

Really bad personal foul call on the interception, Kelly was pitching a fit. (He could see it on the Jumbotron)

I'll take the win. Wake Forest is pretty good, especially at home but we played to their level, not ours. That's what Kelly was talking about I think, it has to stop.

Aaron Lynch LOVES to play football. He was like a big, happy kid out there.

Blanton can go. He's got game!!

 

[phgreek]

He made a few nice throws but some of his deep throws were downright denardian. I also wet my pants thinking about the stats Floyd would put up if Tommy could push the ball just a little farther down the field.

Now thats Funny....

And yea...Floyd has got to be going nuts...His timing is going to be all dicked up at the combine because the poor guy doesn't EVER get a chance to catch a ball in stride.

The strength of TR over DC was his timing, accuracy/delivery...even that SUCKED *** tonight. My god...if you are going to let the deep route develop, you better be able to effing chuck it 45-50 on a rope...If you can't do that... decide early and get it the eff out...

 

[returnofthemack]

Well with your logic, then why are people hounding Rees as he continues to win ball games?

Dayne has a great arm, and a great physical set, but his decision making has always just been awful. It is just the opposite for Tommy. He isn't the best athlete, but reads the defense well and (most of the time) makes great decisions. If the turnovers weren't there, I think everyone might be singing a bit of a different tune...

ummm yeah

 

[clashmore_mike]

Not sure if it was already posted, sorry if it has. BK's post game presser. He gets a little fired up towards the end.

University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I find it funny how some people are still calling for Tommy's head when Hendrix isn't ready, and Dayne, well, is Dayne.

Which is apparently better than Rees based on their body of work.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Well with your logic, then why are people hounding Rees as he continues to win ball games?

Dayne has a great arm, and a great physical set, but his decision making has always just been awful. It is just the opposite for Tommy.

Seriously? Do you watch Tommy throwing into double and triple coverage EVERY GAME??? And not doing it well mind you...

He isn't the best athlete, but reads the defense well and (most of the time) makes great decisions. If the turnovers weren't there, I think everyone might be singing a bit of a different tune...

The turnovers ARE there and they are BECAUSE of him. The two tonight were ALL on him.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

1. Tommy Rees looked pretty bad tonight. Probably the worst I have seen him, so far. But he's still the best option on the roster. If he wasn't, Kelly would be starting someone else.

2. I was happy to see Kelly come out and establish the run, but I was pretty disappointed in the playcalling. We ran that same misdirection cutback run about a dozen times in the first quarter alone.

3. Congrats to Jonas Gray, who is finally starting to look like the back that many of us hoped he would be.

4. Pretty disappointed that Theo Riddick hasn't been a bigger part of the offense. I'm not sure if he's been open, but is in Kelly's doghouse (making him the 3rd or 4th read on every play), or if he is just struggling to make the transition to WR. Either way, I'd like to see him more involved.

5. I'm getting tired of seeing team's take advantage of our defense's inability to defend the edges. And those underneath routes were killing us, too. Our LBs are just not getting it done.

6. Those were probably the worst announcers I have ever heard. It was almost painful to listen to them.

Yes!
I remember thinking to myself towards the end of the Hawaii bowl how great he was going to be.
It didn't pan out quite the way I thought, but what a great way to finish, he has done a great job.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

After Rees threw his first pick to end the 2nd quarter, I recall feeling absurdly grateful that one of our mandatory TOs finally turned out to be irrelevant.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Which is apparently better than Rees based on their body of work.

Really??? What has Hendrix done under any pressure? His body of work is not even close to Tommy's. And Dayne Crist's 16 TDs to 9 INTs aren't better than Tommy's stats either, and don't get me started with his dear-in-the-headlights look he gets when things are going bad (and just in case you forgot, vs. USC, he fumbled on the biggest snap of his career.)

So no, they are not better than Rees based on their body of work.

And before you say anything else...I understand completely that ND needs to upgrade the position. But for now, Rees is the best man for the job...

 

[irishtrain]

Wake had a great game plan-junk it up on both sides of the ball and wait for Notre Dame to screw up and turn it over-it didnt happen and the 'Irish got and ugly win. Very nice job tonight by the young D line. O line great again. Kelly almost played it too close to the vest. A win is a win. Maryland will give blood to win this upcoming game. I dont like the feel.

 

[returnofthemack]

While watching the press conference, the video on und just ended after the question about passing efficiency even though someone was asking him a question. I just wanted to make sure nothing horrible happened (Kelly went ape$hit on a reporter, providing ESPN fodder for the next decade).

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Really??? What has Hendrix dome under any pressure? His body of work is not even close to Tommy's. And Dayne Crist's 16 TDs to 9 INTs aren't better than Tommy's stats either, and don't get me started with his dear-in-the-headlights look he gets when things are going bad (and just in case you forgot, vs. USC, he fumbled on the biggest snap of his career.)

So no, they are not better than Rees based on their body of work.

And before you say anything else...I understand completely that ND needs to upgrade the position. But for now, Rees is the best man for the job...

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.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

While watching the press conference, the video on und just ended after the question about passing efficiency even though someone was asking him a question. I just wanted to make sure nothing horrible happened (Kelly went ape$hit on a reporter, providing ESPN fodder for the next decade).

Kelly answered one more question after that. You could barely catch someone off camera (Brian Hardin?) calling the presser closed. Nothing terrible happened.

I'd hardly call that going "apesh!t", and I sympathize with Kelly. His team just ground out a tough victory against a quality opponent, and he has to field questions about why X wasn't up to par.

 

[returnofthemack]

Kelly answered one more question after that. You could barely catch someone off camera (Brian Hardin?) calling the presser closed. Nothing terrible happened.

I'd hardly call that going "apesh!t", and I sympathize with Kelly. His team just ground out a tough victory against a quality opponent, and he has to field questions about why X wasn't up to par.

haha no I meant to say that I didn't want to hear that he went apeshit on a reporter and that was why it was cut out on und.com. Thanks

 

[t3hjc]

It looked like Kelly was making a point to stick up for his guys.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

D*mn!
BK just went up a few more notches in my book after that presser.
He was already really high anyway.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Man, I am sure glad we got the win. Being bowl eligible is important, and winning on the road is even more important.

Now, looking at next year I really, really hope to see a different QB. I am really sick of Tommy Turnover. Can't throw deep at all (even last game on the bomb to Floyd it was way short and Michael had to slow almost to a stop to catch it), throws to the wrong part of the body ALL THE TIME--thank God for good hand receivers to make the catch, no running/athletic ability, and the freaking Turnovers. I am so sick of him. If he is the best choice, and BK thinks he is, I sure hope somebody beats him out. A very average QB and ND deserves better.

Way to pull it out while definately not playing the best as a team, and overcoming a Turnover Prone QB.

 

[military_irish]

I am not sure where to look or if it has been posted but Lynch tweeted that he is okay and everything is good. About his injury. That is a good sign.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Lynch is so freaking good. And HIm and Tuitt are just flipping studly.

I love watching these guys!

 

[irishfan]

Dayne is the best QB. Hendrix has the best tools. Rees has the keys to our offense right now. If we want to be 8-3 going into
Stanford, we have to roll with Rees.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

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.

Man our receivers are good blockers! Goodman and Floyd are rocking it.

 

[InKellyITrust]

I'm so impressed with Tuitt. That guy really hustles all over the place. Can't imagine what kind of player he'll be after another year in the weightroom.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Tuitt, Lynch and Nix were all money in the second half. I'm very excited to see that unit for the next two or three seasons.

This game really drove home for me the idea that ND might be too big at linebacker. Perhaps that's why we only appear to be recruiting OLBs: they are going to move some of our current OLBs to the inside and replace them with more speed. Just a thought.

Also, I think we are all actually kind of on the same page with respect to the QB situation. Kelly made his move in the USF game and there is no turning back from that. He doesn't have the luxury of punting a couple of seasons to just worry about the future. He needs to win games today. As much as I would like to see Hendrix get some opportunities to prove himself it's just not a realistic possibility because ND is desperate to win out.

 

[koonja]

- Floyd was a beast as always
- I hope the Packers draft Jonas Gray
- Defense looked slow in the first half
- Our safeties are either really slow or take poor angles. Why does it seem that there's always a guy open in the middle of the field?
- I honestly think if I watched Rudy a few times I could block Prince Shembo
- I wish Crist could have played better in the first half of the USF team. Truly believe we'd be a different team if he built his confidence.
- Why is our O-line so good at pass protection but average at best at run blocking?
- Glad TJ and Lynch are ok. We need EJ back.

 

[Ironman8]

While watching the press conference, the video on und just ended after the question about passing efficiency even though someone was asking him a question. I just wanted to make sure nothing horrible happened (Kelly went ape$hit on a reporter, providing ESPN fodder for the next decade).

It was Coach D from ISD who asked that question.

 

[clashmore_mike]

It was Coach D from ISD who asked that question.

Ouch.

 

[Old Man Mike]

1). We beat a good team at their home. Wake IS a good team. They are 37th in the nation in passing efficiency defense ahead of people like Stanford and USC. Their total defense is 54th ahead of people like Miami, Clemson, Arizona State, Iowa, Oregon, Arkansas. This was not a cupcake;

2). Our total offense now ranks 38th; our total defense now ranks 39th. Some perspective should occasionally be maintained. Except for a few powerhouses, few teams have as good a balance;

3). Coach is sticking with Tommy for the most basic of reasons: he has to win games now and not gamble things away. Kelly sees great potential in this program if he can just get a few years in the saddle. Noting how vicious many Notre Dame "fans" are about every dammm thing, he cannot afford to miss out on marginally improving things his first three years. Of course the vicious cheap-shotting "fans" will tolerate nothing;

4). Diaco is just fine again, despite the "fans". WF got ZERO points the second half. Our D-Line is severely depleted but we prevailed. The famous Kelly depth and character and next-man-in saved the day; same thing with Mike Golic, Jr...applause;

5). one of Tommy's interceptions was meaningless; anyone thinking that it was likely that we'd score in those circumstances is just looking for another reason to gripe;

6). our linebacking speed-lack continues to be badly exposed; that Diaco can hold opponents down while lumbered with this is miraculous;

7). O-Line stood up under tough blocking assignment tasks; WF played speed-laterally---this seemed to make Jonas and Cierre hesitate which screws them up. Finally we figured it out well enough. The last drive was pure grind it in your face Holtz. I at least have no doubt that we'd have punched it all the way home if we'd had to.

End of lucubrations.....