Boy, season went by very fast as well as disappointing, sitting at 7-3 and could end up 7-5 and no Bowl Game. When news came out that Golson gone, the ND staff had plenty of time to tailor an offense to Tommy Rees’s capabilities and we were all surprised at how well he progressed in flinging the long ball. Unfortunately, the Staff did not adequately prepare this offense in running the football which led to putting the games solely on Rees – which was indecently unfair.
Here’s a kid that did everything asked of him for the last 4 years and he had spectacular success in threading the ball to his receivers – for the most part. The staff, every game put it on him and I think that subliminally they thought they would be off the hook if the season flat-lined – hey, what could we do – we don’t have our starting QB. Sure Tommy threw picks at the worst of times but he also kept us in games with some great passing. The utter lack of a running game torpedoed ND in many games. This season is on the Coaching Staff and not on Rees.
With all the night games, it gave us an opportunity to see what other teams were doing. I was shocked at how well teams played against good competition – actually had running plays to complement the passing game. I did not see one game that ND could compete – think Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Stanford and of course Alabama and LSU. I really don’t see this ND team beating anyone in the top 10 – all the teams I watched were pumped and played like hell for 4 quarters.
Getting back to Rees – QB’s in all the games I watched threw interceptions – even gasp Johnny Football – 5td’s and 3 picks. AJ McCarron’s last game 2 picks, and on and on. Looking at the criticism of Tommy, I can only conclude the critics never watch other games or even Pro games – All Pro QB’s throw picks all the time.
So when Tommy trots out Senior Day to meet his parents, give him a goddamn standing ovation. Think about it, go back and look at the highlights – ND would be 1-9 without Tommy Rees.
Coaching – not there, play calling baffling at best. As far as RB’s it seems to me these kids want to get the ball and go – not wait around for blocks going east/west. When you have the ball 1st down and 3 for a T – run it in 4 tries, you don’t roll Tommy out to pass on 2nd down against Pitt – Christ sake.
Tuitt and Nix – really, does anyone think they want to come back and play Navy again – get real. As I’ve said before, only the Academies and Georgia Tech cut block – it should be banned. Hey paybacks are a bitch – you cut us and we’ll cut you. see how you like losing 4-5 starters.
Diaco will never again have a Tuitt or Nix in his 3 down defense – better get some tough big boys from the Catholic Schools in Pa, Ohio – they may not have any stars but can help your rotation by just being there clogging the middle – see Penn State and Wisconsin.
Hope it’s good weather Saturday and ND puts on a show but I have a feeling nothing will change and the same lethargic team will just go thru the motions.
