Rees and Calabrese Suspended for Navy Game in Dublin

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

That's fine if that is how you feel, but I disagree. I feel like Our Mother's University is suppose to stand for integrity and principles. This decision spits on both of those and is clearly a "business decision".

I'm sad today.

So it would have been a good thing if a Notre Dame player wasn't punished by the team for assaulting an officer?

 

[Rhode Irish]

I understand this point too. But why couldn't Rees be suspended for all of fall camp? This would have been the same as Floyd missing spring and would have ended in the same result for the QB battle. Having Tommy suspended for all of fall camp and giving him the opportunity to return for the Navy game (which he obviously wouldn't be prepared for because of his absence in fall camp) if he met certain academic, personal and philanthropic goals would have been fair by the precedence Kelly set with Floyd.

What you are describing here is far MORE punitive than a one game suspension. It basically makes him a non-factor for the season. At least now he has the opportunity to compete for the job in camp, and if he flat-out wins it, he'll just miss one game and then have a chance to get back on the field.

 

[mkg77]

I understand this point too. But why couldn't Rees be suspended for all of fall camp? This would have been the same as Floyd missing spring and would have ended in the same result for the QB battle. Having Tommy suspended for all of fall camp and giving him the opportunity to return for the Navy game (which he obviously wouldn't be prepared for because of his absence in fall camp) if he met certain academic, personal and philanthropic goals would have been fair by the precedence Kelly set with Floyd.

Is your point simply that Rees wasn't punished the exact same as Floyd, therefore this isn't fair; or that Rees was punished more harshly than Floyd, therefore this isn't fair? If the former, I disagree with such a rigid view, but I understand your point. If the latter, though, I have serious doubts that missing 15 Fall practices (much less "all of fall camp") would be a less serious punishment than missing one game (albeit a game involving a fun trip). To put it differently, if BK were to have given Rees the choice between those two punishments, how sure are you he would have picked missing Fall camp versus missing the Navy game? I'm not at all sure of that.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Keith Arnold weighs in here.

From a disciplinary point-of-view, Kelly suspending Rees and Calabrese one game has raised more than a few eyebrows after comparing it to the non-suspension of wide receiver Michael Floyd. Yet it’s a disservice to Floyd to consider a stripped captaincy, a suspension from all football activities during spring practice, and significant on-campus penalties (dorm living, community service hours, etc) as zero punishment.

Rees was informed of the decision to miss the trip to Ireland last week. While some fans have taken pleasure in seeing the Irish offense put into the hands of Golson or Hendrix, key offensive teammates were unhappy with the decision, another piece of evidence that should remind fans that while many are clamoring for a change behind center, the offensive players have largely put their faith in Rees.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Being suspended for fall camp would have meant he could start no games pretty much, am I right? That sounds way harsher.

 

[Walter White]

Name Golson the Starter BK!!!

Love my boy Fox also..

No thanks.

I want Golson to earn it during fall camp. I understand rooting for your guy, but I don't want Golson to be given the job just because of potential. I think there will be quite the battle between Hendrix and Golson.

Hendrix I am sure has been also working his tail off during the off season. He has a lot going for him and last time we got to see them, he had a better grasp of the offense. I won't be surprised if he beats out Golson. He also has the upper hand in release, speed, and overall strength.

In regards to Rees and Calabrese: I feel bad for them on having to miss out on Ireland, but I understand the punishment. Calabrese will work his way back into the rotation if Fox plays like he did at the beginning of last year, but I don't think that's likely. He will at least get meaningful reps on rushing downs. Tommy may be done because of this, but you never know. I will always remember his fantastic leadership and poise as a freshman to help pull the team back together after Crist went down.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

Keith Arnold weighs in here.

There is zero doubt in my mind that the fellas will get behind the new starter strongly. I'm just not worried about that at all.

 

[gkIrish]

I think a point that is being downplayed is the fact that they don't even get to go to Ireland, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kelly could have unofficially suspended them by sitting them for the entire game but still allowed them to make the trip. The punishment is magnified considering the context and venue and seems much more severe than Floyd's relative to the crime.

P.S. there's nothing positive about this situation on or off the field. Y'all need to stop being so happy about a QBs demise. And I'm a golson supporter

 

[tadman95]

Floyd was arrested on March 20 or 21, during the semester, before spring ball. Being his third alcohol related offense, and assuming Kelly/Notre Dame would have to deal with this relatively quickly, it made sense to suspend him from spring practice. Then he could deal with the legal issues and work on the conditions given him to get back on the team. Good plan, based on the timing of the arrest.

Rees and Calabrese were arrested on May 31. Schools out. You can't suspend them from summer practice since there is no official practice. The next option is the fall. If you suspend them from fall practice, they can't possibly play in Ireland anyway. Missing a game seems inevitable either way. Good plan, based on the timing.

Seems fair to me, especially based on the timing of the arrests. I personally would have liked for them to be suspended for the summer, even if it didn't mean much, just to be consistent and look more proactive in dealing with this stuff.

I also don't buy the argument that a player would get treated differently based on their skills at all. That's not Notre Dame, that's not Kelly.

 

[GBdomer]

How did I know this thread would turn into a pointless pissing match?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think a point that is being downplayed is the fact that they don't even get to go to Ireland, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kelly could have unofficially suspended them by sitting them for the entire game but still allowed them to make the trip.

Simply sitting them for Navy would have been no punishment at all.

The punishment is magnified considering the context and venue and seems much more severe than Floyd's relative to the crime.

Were Rees or Calabrese stripped of a captaincy? Held out of practice? Forced to move back into the dorms?

 

[NYMIKE6]

How did I know this thread would turn into a pointless pissing match?

Fixed

 

[rocket31]

I also don't buy the argument that a player would get treated differently based on their skills at all. That's not Notre Dame, that's not Kelly.

meh, i buy it and it doesnt bother me at all...

people who excel at their occupations/positions get much more leeway in the real world too.

 

[IrishLion]

Floyd was arrested on March 20 or 21, during the semester, before spring ball. Being his third alcohol related offense, and assuming Kelly/Notre Dame would have to deal with this relatively quickly, it made sense to suspend him from spring practice. Then he could deal with the legal issues and work on the conditions given him to get back on the team. Good plan, based on the timing of the arrest.

Rees and Calabrese were arrested on May 31. Schools out. You can't suspend them from summer practice since there is no official practice. The next option is the fall. If you suspend them from fall practice, they can't possibly play in Ireland anyway. Missing a game seems inevitable either way. Good plan, based on the timing.

Seems fair to me, especially based on the timing of the arrests. I personally would have liked for them to be suspended for the summer, even if it didn't mean much, just to be consistent and look more proactive in dealing with this stuff.

I also don't buy the argument that a player would get treated differently based on their skills at all. That's not Notre Dame, that's not Kelly.

Allow me to support the last part by referencing BKs treatment of Marcus Barnett and Ben Guiduigli at UC. Both were stars (Barnett caught 8 or 10 TDs as a freshman in BKs first year at UC, and Guiduigli was a walking highlight tape at TE). However, both found BKs doghouse at some point, and lost game reps because of it; particularly Barnett, who barely played his sophmore and junior seasons. From 8+ TDs as a freshman to barely seeing game reps? BK is not one to change his disciplinary decisions based on the individual players, nor is he one that lets you out of the doghouse easily. He never has been.

EDIT: Ooops, Barnett caught THIRTEEN (13) TDs as a Freshman. And still found the doghouse the next two seasons.

 

[GBdomer]

Fixed

Iphone problems.

 

[SaltyND24]

Golson: ND's Dark Knight Rises

Swap out Batman for Golson and make the bat outline in the background a shamrock.

Why's Golson gotta be the "Dark Knight" Brotha Whiskey, hmmmmmm?????

 

[gkIrish]

Simply sitting them for Navy would have been no punishment at all.

Were Rees or Calabrese stripped of a captaincy? Held out of practice? Forced to move back into the dorm

Why not? Carlo surely would have gotten PT normally. Players hate not playing. Absolutely Hate it.

They should have been "suspended" from summer practice. I think that's a mistake on Kelly's part.

How can you havea captain with a DUI/multiple offender? Not a punishment as much as it is a decision for the betterment of the team.

From what I understand Floyd wanted to live in the dorms to keep himself in check. And even if that's not true how does that compare to missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

They should have been "suspended" from summer practice. I think that's a mistake on Kelly's part.

There is no "summer" practice from which to suspend them. Only voluntary work-outs.

How can you havea captain with a DUI/multiple offender? Not a punishment as much as it is a decision for the betterment of the team.

I'm sure Floyd would disagree with you. Being stripped of one's captaincy is a serious public reprimand.

From what I understand Floyd wanted to live in the dorms to keep himself in check.

As I understand it, he moved back into the dorms under Kelly's orders, which was just one of many changes he had to make in his lifestyle to earn his way back onto the team.

And even if that's not true how does that compare to missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity?

They're entirely different circumstances, so making direct comparisons probably isn't going to be very enlightening. But since you asked, Floyd's punishment was personally invasive in a way that Rees' and Calabrese's is not. Sort of like being grounded for 6 months v. missing the family vacation to Ireland.

 

[koonja]

There is no "summer" practice from which to suspend them. Only voluntary work-outs.



I'm sure Floyd would disagree with you. Being stripped of one's captaincy is a serious public reprimand.



As I understand it, he moved back into the dorms under Kelly's orders, which was just one of many changes he had to make in his lifestyle to earn his way back onto the team.



They're entirely different circumstances, so making direct comparisons probably isn't going to be very enlightening. But since you asked, Floyd's punishment was personally invasive in a way that Rees' and Calabrese's is not. Sort of like being grounded for 6 months v. missing the family vacation to Ireland.

Could you imagine being a freshman/sophomore girl living on that dorm floor? That's just not fair. How could you study? I'm a dude and I'd just walk the halls, back and forth acting like I'm going to the bathroom just hoping to get a conversation with him.

 

[gkIrish]

There is no "summer" practice from which to suspend them. Only voluntary work-outs.

Yes I know hence the quotations around suspended. Should have told them they couldn't participate

I'm sure Floyd would disagree with you. Being stripped of one's captaincy is a serious public reprimand.

Not saying Floyd was happy about it. I'm saying Kelly absolutely had to strip the captaincy, no question, so it's not fair to consider that when comparing "punishments"

They're entirely different circumstances, so making direct comparisons probably isn't going to be very enlightening. But since you asked, Floyd's punishment was personally invasive in a way that Rees' and Calabrese's is not. Sort of like being grounded for 6 months v. missing the family vacation to Ireland.

Yeah...the family vacation where all your brothers/teammates will be bonding with the new QB and losing what loyalty they had left to you. Again I'm an EG fan but this doesn't seem fair. You make good points though

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Call me crazy, but I think running from and kneeing a cop in the ribs has much more malicious intent then someone who gets DUI. Sadly, most people who get DUI's are just not thinking and being stupid. They don't set out to hurt themselves or other people.

Supposedly, another cop saw him use his knees to injure the cop intentionally, right? If not, and it was just the way he landed, I apologize.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yes I know hence the quotations around suspended. Should have told them they couldn't participate

We discussed this very subject last year, and there was some doubt as to whether the coaching staff can even keep players away. "You're not allowed to show up for voluntary work-outs this summer" strikes you as a sufficient punishment for Rees' blearly-eyed mug-shot being all over ESPN?

Not saying Floyd was happy about it. I'm saying Kelly absolutely had to strip the captaincy, no question, so it's not fair to consider that when comparing "punishments"

What does the perceived necessity of a punishment have to do with "fairness"? Floyd endured it, Rees and Calabrese won't. It's entirely relevant if you're comparing.

Yeah...the family vacation where all your brothers/teammates will be bonding with the new QB and losing what loyalty they had left to you. Again I'm an EG fan but this doesn't seem fair. You make good points though

I'm not trying to diminish the severity of Rees' and Calabrese's punishment. I agree that they're serious. Where we disagree is that their punishment is much harsher than Floyd's.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

We discussed this very subject last year, and there was some doubt as to whether the coaching staff can even keep players away. "You're not allowed to show up for voluntary work-outs this summer" strikes you as a sufficient punishment for Rees' blearly-eyed mug-shot being all over ESPN?



What does the perceived necessity of a punishment have to do with "fairness"? Floyd endured it, Rees and Calabrese won't. It's entirely relevant if you're comparing.



I'm not trying to diminish the severity of Rees' and Calabrese's punishment. I agree that they're serious. Where we disagree is that their punishment is much harsher than Floyd's.

What is more valuable to a football player? Missing a football game or missing spring practice? Yeah the Ireland game is a tremendous expierence, and a oncein a lifetime opportunity, but its still just 1 football game. Missing an entire spring practice session is much more severe.

 

[gkIrish]

We discussed this very subject last year, and there was some doubt as to whether the coaching staff can even keep players away. "You're not allowed to show up for voluntary work-outs this summer" strikes you as a sufficient punishment for Rees' blearly-eyed mug-shot being all over ESPN?

It would have been more comparable than this. I would have liKed to have seen some more off the field punishment too though. Maybe the dorm thing or some type of curfew.

What does the perceived necessity of a punishment have to do with "fairness"? Floyd endured it, Rees and Calabrese won't. It's entirely relevant if you're comparing.

Rees and Carlo can't endure what they were never in a position to lose. More is expected from captains than other players which is why they are captains.

Say Floyd and another non captain senior both committed the same crime. Wouldn't you agree that Floyd should lose the captaincy in addition to other punishments Floyd and the other senior both got?

 

[IrishLax]

Absolutely ridiculous that Carlo was suspended for the same amount of time as Rees. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous. That's effectively equating what he did (i.e. "disorderly conduct" for making a "threat") to running from the cops + assault. Wouldn't be too surprised to see a transfer; if I was in his shoes I'd be beyond pissed off.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Absolutely ridiculous that Carlo was suspended for the same amount of time as Rees. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous. That's effectively equating what he did (i.e. "disorderly conduct" for making a "threat") to running from the cops + assault. Wouldn't be too surprised to see a transfer; if I was in his shoes I'd be beyond pissed off.

That's his right. Enough said.

 

[koonja]

Absolutely ridiculous that Carlo was suspended for the same amount of time as Rees. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous. That's effectively equating what he did (i.e. "disorderly conduct" for making a "threat") to running from the cops + assault. Wouldn't be too surprised to see a transfer; if I was in his shoes I'd be beyond pissed off.

Threats like 'my people will get you' might scare me a little more than ^ kneeing me in the stomach.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Absolutely ridiculous that Carlo was suspended for the same amount of time as Rees. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous. That's effectively equating what he did (i.e. "disorderly conduct" for making a "threat") to running from the cops + assault. Wouldn't be too surprised to see a transfer; if I was in his shoes I'd be beyond pissed off.

This I agree with. I'd bring Carlo to Ireland and sit him, while leaving Rees back in South Bend. But what do I know?

 

[Rhode Irish]

Absolutely ridiculous that Carlo was suspended for the same amount of time as Rees. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous. That's effectively equating what he did (i.e. "disorderly conduct" for making a "threat") to running from the cops + assault. Wouldn't be too surprised to see a transfer; if I was in his shoes I'd be beyond pissed off.

I cannot disagree with this at all. Can't wait to hear what Kelly says about it, because I'm sure he'll be asked on Friday.

 

[ulukinatme]

I can see the argument that Carlo/Tommy got harsher punishment than Floyd received for his DUI. The DUI was stupid, and ultimately could have paid the biggest price, but everyone was fortunate that no one was hurt in that case. As such, I think thats why the penalty against Rees and Carlo was more substanial. Both should be considered starters or at least contributors in any case, and they both made boneheaded decisions between running from the cobs, trying to escape their hold, and the threat from Carlo after.

That said, I don't think this was a move by BK to get another QB smoothly under center, but it will look that way. I have no ill will toward Tommy, I'm going to root for whoever starts. He gave us the best chance to win last year, like it or not. This is a new season, and I hope your QBs have all improved regardless.