Quarterback Situation

[tommyIRISH23]

I think Dayne is the best answer in a pile of questions. Dayne has the talent that is offset by his inability to stay healthy. Also, I think Kelly is over simplifying the playbook to be successful. He wants to have the offense at a very quick pace this season.

Can Dayne deliver that? Noone knows for sure. He progressed slowly last season, maybe Kelly gave him to much, but his injury definitely set that progression back. If he misses the spring, how on earth is he going to run the offense efficiently? It's not like he had a in depth understand of it, and could run it with his eyes closed before he got hurt.

Now, if he can participate this spring atleast at 70%, then he will be in a great position. I'd have to imagine that he is going to have to back track some to go back over what he already knew. How is he going to be mentally? If he plays stiff, you can get he will get hurt again sooner then later.

Rees, if he starts from day 1 over the spring workouts, he should have a very good understanding of what going on. But his arm strength is a big question mark. Will it get stronger?

Hendrix has it all supposedly, except he could not understand the offense well enough to play. Will he get it now? Who know's?

I think the likelihood of us seeing Golson as a big factor, and as someone who plays more and more of a role throughout the season, is hinged on who starts. If it's Crist I think he'll have a situational package. If it's Rees or Hendrix, I think we see his role grow throughout the season, starting small and growing larger.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Just thought I'd put this out there. Dayne and Rees' APG's throughout their first four starts
173.25 yards
2.0 TD
1.0 INT

Dayne first 4 starts were
APG
288.75 yards
2.0 TD
.75 INT
and 1 rushing TD

and also I hate the "well he's 4-0 as a starter" what about the tulsa game, dayne threw the ball twice and ran for 29 yards, the rest was Rees.

Great point!

 

[tankjeep]

I thought that this situation was muddy enough until I read Kelly's comments at his post-signing day "film-review" press conference. In his semi-prepared remarks about Golson, he praises him, of course, like he did every recruit, but spent as much or more time on him as anyone. He reiterated a whole litany of things that he felt Everett did at an exceptional level [he didn't just make stuff up to extend other recruit's commentary, so I see some significance in the extent of this rave]. And he specifically said that he is "a great fit for what we want to do offensively".

OK. Take that comment and glue it together with what he said later to a question about Golson. Kelly didn't direct his answer to just Golson. He discussed the whole set of quarterbacks. Mentioning "Rees and most likely Dayne Crist and the other quarterbacks" he placed them all into one category of QB, AND GOLSON IN ANOTHER. Kelly said: "Within our offensive structure, we can go full speed with Everett Golson", or he then said we can modify the system to go with other QBs strengths. Kelly then went on to say that we'll see Golson's skill set in the spring on the field.

Everyone will read these remarks as they will, but for me, it seemed like our Boss is REALLY taking Everett Golson seriously, and immediately. Unless Golson himself can't live up to Kelly's expectations, I imagine that we'll see Everett Golson playing QB for Notre Dame this coming year, even if it's in a change-of-pace role.

^this.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Ok so I had a dream last night that Rees started the opener and on the opening play of the game we ran a reverse to Golson and he threw a BOMB down the sideline towards Floyd...... but it was a mile out of bounds. I am one who believes Crist will start the opener and not Rees, but what does this all mean? Do we have any dream interpreters on the board?!

 

[InKellyITrust]

Ok so I had a dream last night that Rees started the opener and on the opening play of the game we ran a reverse to Golson and he threw a BOMB down the sideline towards Floyd...... but it was a mile out of bounds. I am one who believes Crist will start the opener and not Rees, but what does this all mean? Do we have any dream interpreters on the board?!

It sounds like to me with all of my dream interpretation experience that there are a lot of offensive surprises in store for ND next year. Also, Golson will throw a TD or 2 during the fall. You're like a modern day Miss Cleo.

 

[Old Man Mike]

You're having a foggy telepathic contact with Kelly. HE is dreaming that Rees shovels a reverse to Golson and he hits Floyd perfectly down the sidelines for a fifty yard score. [We only had to go 50, since AIII returned the kick-off fifty yards].

 

[Mirer3Powlus]

Let's also not discount the fact that Rees would face teams that will actually have tape on his tendencies beforehand, unlike much of last year.

 

[DillonHall]

I happened to walk by Rees and Hendrix, who were hanging out last night in the dorm. Physically, it's astonishing how much bigger Hendrix is. Rees didn't even look like a football player next to Andrew. Of course, this isn't new information, but Rees really has some work to do to catch up to Hendrix physically.

 

[Rocket89]

I happened to walk by Rees and Hendrix, who were hanging out last night in the dorm. Physically, it's astonishing how much bigger Hendrix is. Rees didn't even look like a football player next to Andrew. Of course, this isn't new information, but Rees really has some work to do to catch up to Hendrix physically.

Yet they are listed as the same height and with Hendrix only 8 pounds heavier. Did Hendrix look taller, he seemed much bigger than Rees on the sidelines late in the season.

 

[Mirer3Powlus]

Yet they are listed as the same height and with Hendrix only 8 pounds heavier. Did Hendrix look taller, he seemed much bigger than Rees on the sidelines late in the season.

From what I've seen in pictures, Hendrix has a LOT more muscle than Rees. He's not Brady Quinn or anything, but Andrew is pretty built. I held my breath every time Tommy took a hit last season.

 

[Rocket89]

I have a hard time believing Rees is 210. Must have some heavy *** bones or something.

 

[DillonHall]

Yet they are listed as the same height and with Hendrix only 8 pounds heavier. Did Hendrix look taller, he seemed much bigger than Rees on the sidelines late in the season.

Hendrix is very well built with much larger arms and a larger frame; there's no way that he's only 8 pounds heavier than Rees (I'd guess it's more like 20-25). Also, he's at least two inches taller than Rees.

But I guess more important than looking the part, you gotta play the part, which Rees has done for the most part. It'll be a fun competition throughout spring and into camp.

 

[irish1958]

I have a hard time believing Rees is 210. Must have some heavy *** bones or something.

Maybe he took a deep breath and held it.

 

[Irish Man3]

I really like Andrew Hendrix chances to see the field this year. Even if Crist comes back and can fully recover from his second serious knee injury, how long will he hold up?

I respect what Tommy Rees did this year but in my opinion he is not a BCS caliber quarterback. The offense was very limited with Tommy in the game. He doesn't make the defense respect the zone read.

I think Golson will make a push but have a much better chance in 2012 and beyond. Much like Hendix did this year, he will spend his first year on campus as the leader of the scout team.

All in all, I look for Crist and Hendrix to battle for the top spot. I think that battle will give you a starter and a back-up because Crist has already said he will not transfer. Massa may transfer or move to another position. My depth chart for early September:

1. Dayne Crist
2. Andrew Hendrix
3. Tommy Rees
4. Everett Golson

 

[phork]

I really like Andrew Hendrix chances to see the field this year. Even if Crist comes back and can fully recover from his second serious knee injury, how long will he hold up?

I respect what Tommy Rees did this year but in my opinion he is not a BCS caliber quarterback. The offense was very limited with Tommy in the game. He doesn't make the defense respect the zone read.

I think Golson will make a push but have a much better chance in 2012 and beyond. Much like Hendix did this year, he will spend his first year on campus as the leader of the scout team.

All in all, I look for Crist and Hendrix to battle for the top spot. I think that battle will give you a starter and a back-up because Crist has already said he will not transfer. Massa may transfer or move to another position. My depth chart for early September:

1. Dayne Crist
2. Andrew Hendrix
3. Tommy Rees
4. Everett Golson

Did you see Kelly's comments in regard to Golson getting 1st team reps?

 

[irishtrain]

I happened to walk by Rees and Hendrix, who were hanging out last night in the dorm. Physically, it's astonishing how much bigger Hendrix is. Rees didn't even look like a football player next to Andrew. Of course, this isn't new information, but Rees really has some work to do to catch up to Hendrix physically.

I dont really have a guy who I'm for or against. If anything I would like to see a healthy upside Crist because of his talent level. I know nothing about Hendrix but as far as Rees is concerned on physical stature consider a guy by the name of Tom Clemmons. He did not look the part but was one of the truly great Notre Dame Qb's. This position under Kelly is not a pro prospect situation. Its long hand-offs, precision medium passes, and extending Kelly's touch ( scheme ) on the field. Of course it would be nice to have Kelly's touch and pro talent but in IMO it is not the main concern. This team is going to have weapons and of course you want a weapon at QB but leadership and bringing home the mail is how I judge a QB. Dan Crist did that at times but Rees did it everytime he started. I would throw out a loss against Tulsa just because of the chaos of your first game and trying not to wet your pants in your first significant time out there as the QB at Notre Dame.

 

[NDinFL]

I've stated before that I'm openly on the Hendrix bandwagon.
When you think about it....they all have the same amount of time in Kelly's system. It's not like Crist has this head start on learning the offense or anything. This being year two I think Hendrix will make it impossible for them to keep him off of the field. Hendrix seemingly has all of the physical tools to be able to make the plays that the Irish Offense needs to be explosive

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I've stated before that I'm openly on the Hendrix bandwagon.
When you think about it....they all have the same amount of time in Kelly's system. It's not like Crist has this head start on learning the offense or anything. This being year two I think Hendrix will make it impossible for them to keep him off of the field. Hendrix seemingly has all of the physical tools to be able to make the plays that the Irish Offense needs to be explosive

Well Crist did play 9 games, so I consider that a head start.

But I do see where you are coming from.

 

[Riddickulous]

I've stated before that I'm openly on the Hendrix bandwagon.
When you think about it....they all have the same amount of time in Kelly's system. It's not like Crist has this head start on learning the offense or anything. This being year two I think Hendrix will make it impossible for them to keep him off of the field. Hendrix seemingly has all of the physical tools to be able to make the plays that the Irish Offense needs to be explosive

Sarcasm?

Crist had all of spring practice to work on the offense. I'd consider that a head start.

 

[NDinFL]

actually, no, it wasn't meant as sarcasm.
I was implying that no QB on the roster (sans Golson) has really had that much time in a spread offense, let alone Kelly's spread offense. In my humble opinion I don't think Crist has that much of a head start on everyone else, aside from the game experience.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Game experience in the system gives you a huge edge in a qb competition. That's prolly the one of the only reasons Rees will still be in the running for the job in the spring.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Kelly has stated clearly that it is full-speed reps that get the whole team [and especially the QB] to make the final step up to full functionality. He also regularly hinted that nobody was ready yet to make the full speed reps happen [with any consistency] in the first year. He kept warning us, but we were greedily impatient with him, that we would have to wait to "next year" to see this offense begin to really function as intended, and maybe even to the following year to get to ultra-high-speed where he wants it.

The relevance of this is, of course, two-fold: 1]. no quarterback got reps at the pace that Kelly wants yet. This absolves Dayne and Tommy from blame as to some "malfunctions" in actual games;

2].But it also minimizes their actual "head-starts" on Hendrix, particularly, [who unlike Golson has had a season with the playbook and observing the current speed and also the characteristics of the receivers]. For example, even in practice, the famous phrase "work volume" that Kelly is always using is meant to talk about pace and, therefore, number of reps per minute. No one was getting that "work volume" in his eyes, because the whole team [despite being faster than we have been] was still not ready to gear that far up. That also means the defense can't simulate the necessary speed-up to force the offensive pace either.

These comments aren't clairvoyant, but are my take on what I believe I was hearing Coach say all year, and why I believe that it was hard for him to judge where each player was in his complex development. This complexity created the occasional error [bad guesstimate] by him, [Kelly thinking that a player was more evolved than he turned out to be on a certain play] as for example the famous Tulsa play that we all hate the outcome of [including him].

p.s. While I agree that game reps are tremendously important, apparently Kelly [once he has his system up to speed] does not so much. His "next man in" philosophy may seem naive to us, but he is apparently smarter than we are, as he has made it work---i.e. the "game-virginal" bench player walking right out there at QB and wooommm, there they go still.

 

[Mirer3Powlus]

Excellent point, Mike. We should just be thankful that Kelly's system isn't anywhere near as radical as Rich Rodriguez's, who needed three years (and probably more) just to get the majority of the players in place that would fit his offense. Now Michigan will need at least another three seasons to get the personnel to shift back to a pro style under Hoke. Kelly's offense is shockingly efficient no matter who is running it. That's a sign of true genius and innovation.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Another small point: one of my football-playing monster-sized brothers played for Cincinnati and keeps up with them. He said that in many ways Kelly's offense IS simple; it's just real fast. He said that's there's always somebody open on the basic patterns, but the QB must be able to very rapidly see it before the defense can adjust. If you have a calm but fast-recognition-accurate-dart-throwing QB, the defense essentially stands no chance.

 

[johnnykillz]

Another small point: one of my football-playing monster-sized brothers played for Cincinnati and keeps up with them. He said that in many ways Kelly's offense IS simple; it's just real fast. He said that's there's always somebody open on the basic patterns, but the QB must be able to very rapidly see it before the defense can adjust. If you have a calm but fast-recognition-accurate-dart-throwing QB, the defense essentially stands no chance.

Tommy Rees, anyone? I still got Dayne #1. We'll see. Great breadth OMM...

 

[JughedJones]

Tommy Rees, anyone? I still got Dayne #1. We'll see. Great breadth OMM...

I wouldn't exactly call Rees someone who 'throws darts.'

 

[ojo_223]

Personally, as to the thread title, we are in a great situation. There is depth and there are options. There are many different styles of play that Kelly can choose from. While I hope it does not turn into somewhat of a carousel at the position it wouldn't surprise me. From Kelly's comments on recruiting day (and maybe he was just saying the right things and excited about the incoming class) it sounds like he is really high on Golson. Like many, I personally don't have a favorite. I think it is Dayne's job if he can play, Tommy's if he can't. I think that Tommy has earned it, and as long as opposing defenses don't think he's much of a threat, like many posters here do, we have an advantage. They said the same about Drew Brees. (No, I don't think that Tommy=Drew. Just saying that it gives him an advantage if defenses overlook him.) Anyway, we are much better off at this stage than we were last year, and that is a good thing.

 

[irish1958]

Also, Rees locks on one receiver (Floyd if he is in) and doesn't really scan the field.
Check the replays: Jones is open often as is the other receiver or the tight end. But they get very little love.
When Kelly talks about a quick release, he means to the open receiver, not just getting rid of the ball. I don't think Crist or Rees qualify; Crist repeatedly over threw and/or
fired the ball with excess velocity to open receivers.
I just can't see either running Kelly's offense. If they play, it will be with a dumbed down or different offense.
And neither can run very well.
To get the offensive output we will need either Golson or Hendrix, if they can do it.
I agree, the offense is simple: send five receivers out and one will be open; find him and give him the ball.
If all five are covered, run. Do it fast so the defense can't set and figure out what to do.
That is it.
In addition to ND, I attended UC for 4 years and have followed them for years. I love Kelly's offense and have observed it often (occasionally live at the game).
I really don't think Crist or Rees can run it. Hendrix--I don't know; Golson--I don't know.

 

[fightinirish68]

why is everyone bashing rees. saying hes not a bcs qb, oh he locked on receivers. HE WAS AN 18 YR OLD FRESHMANNNNN. do you all not remember jimmy, or bradys freshman years? not the most solid performances ever.

 

[choo choo]

mmm lets see...crist comes back as the starter...rees is # 2 (unless crist falters at all, and rees will get playing time everytime bk is pissed at crist - which will be often)...hendrix will be the #3 guy...golsen will get a "redshirt" but not forgotten...massa will move to wr...montana will be gizzley (id still love to see him irish)