ABC will televise ND vs. Michigan State Game prime time 8 PM.
Dayne Crist named co-captain at Kansas.
Something gnawing at me watching Hendrix- couldn’t put my finger on it then while perusing another site, someone commented that he just looks awkward running and throwing and that’s it.
Great video put up by und.com check it out:
I never thought too much about it when TR was recruited–seem to remember he had good passing stats was about 6’2″ but I was under the impression he was more of a running QB.
The big catch was Hendrix with the cannon for an arm and if Weis knew anything-he knew QB’s and anyhow Crist had at least 2 yrs eligibility left. Plus a Montana with the team.
Kelly arrives and adds QB Luke Massa. So depth chart looks like Crist, Hendrix, Massa, Rees & Montana.
But somewhere along the process it becomes apparent that Tommy is the only QB that can quickly read defenses and check out of plays.
We all know the rest of the story which led to an unacknowledged schism within the team. Dayne had it all and I believe if a vote taken he would have been a captain.
Tommy becomes a lightning rod among the blogs–weak arm etc gets nickname (earned) Turnover Tommy but equally earned he led the team to 12 wins and had some great comebacks.
While Dayne was treated unfairly, in my opinion–Tommy was also put in a very difficult situation within this ND team.
Whole situation handled very badly. You simply cannot change an entire pro style offense to a spread overnight.
Yet Kelly tried, but like Rick Rod at Michigan he did the whole square pegs to round holes thing.
So we end up, at this point, with two disillusioned young guys –simply not fair to either.
ND vs. Florida State
Thursday 12/29/11 5:30 est ESPN–Orlando Fla.
Kelly names Rees starter–I have no problem with that but Hendrix better play a lot. Think Bowl Game start puts too much pressure on Hendrix and hopefully he will be able to grasp a few more plays in the next 3 weeks.
I’m more concerned about the OL–think FSU eats them alive and Rees is carried off field on a stretcher.
So unfortunate with the absolute bungling of the Crist situation–could have been lead up to big big 2012 season–oh well!!!!
Much has been written about both Crist & Rees everywhere. I’m going to try another angle.
Just consider the outcome of the QB situation from Rees perspective. Unheralded prospect ranked after Hendrix, Massa and maybe even Montana on depth chart. Knows Crist will probably be starter for at least 1 or more years–plenty of time for him and just maybe he can compete with guys in his class. Not much expected of him and— I actually thought he was more of a running QB.
His nightmare starts with Crist injury but somehow he wins 4 games as a fill in–maybe I can play this game. So he comes out for 2011 season competing against Hendrix and Massa and Golson for 2nd spot–Dayne’s the guy–senior, leader and all around great guy–teammates love him and he takes me under his wing to help me be a better QB–sorta like the All American big brother.
1st game 2011–half time–Kelly yanks Crist and benches him for the season.
All hell breaks out on the team and Rees right in middle of a schism that is still festering—Dayne leaves team and won’t be at Bowl Game.
While all that going on in-house Rees is blistered on game reviews everywhere–5 yard Tommy etc
How the hell would you like to be in this kid’s shoes?
While we have Mahone, who I believe will do the job and compliment Wood–I want a jumbo fullback say 6’2″ 245 lbs that has a burst to get the 2-4 yds.
Don’t need a speed merchant but if we can get a FB like Navy churns out every year that would set up numerous running possibilities–lead blocker, QB protector and to mix it up have 3 RB’s in backfield at same time.
Thinking ahead–if Calabrese is pushed out of LB rotation–give him a shot at FB.
He was a great runner in HS–just don’t know if he’s lost that skill set and speed.
But with the middle wide open so often would rather see an animal running opposed to QB.
If Hendrix wins job–he needs to learn to get down–he took a blast on his right arm and a few more hits like that and he can’t throw.
Not ready, sloppy, low intensity by the ND offensive line contributed to a flame out in the first half and down 21 to zip no way to beat Stanford.
This team, especially the offense in facing quality opponents falls flat and almost looks like they are not only confused but that they expect to lose.
The OL was atrocious against a Stanford defense not known for brutalizing opponents. Sure Cave was out but it was the entire line that got punked.
A depleted defense made a valiant effort and those young guys gives us hope for the future.
Turning again to the OL we lose at least 2 starters but I do not recall any 2nd teamer getting any significant playing time–that is not how you produce effective depth.
Rees lack of any mobility almost got him killed. Going to Hendrix provided a spark and he should start in Bowl game.
Unfortunately it was also a final dis to Crist.
Wait til you see the Fla State pass rush–that could get real ugly.
For some reason this offensive team does not look prepared ag. good teams nor does there appear much effort or intensity.
Kelly and the offensive coaches have to do a much better job in all phases of the game prep.
Keep recruiting both OL and DL men but they have to play at least a little so they are ready when some one goes down.
Rarely do you have a talent like Mike Floyd and not play someone who can actually pass.
This team better in Sept than Nov.– called regression.
Lastly–get Gunner Kiel
Waiting around for tomorrow’s game so had an opportunity to see the first half of the LSU -Arkansas game.
What an eye opener and ND has so far to go that I’m not sure we will ever reach that level. Speed and power all over the place–they even field and run back punts.
Both OL’s open up huge holes
and they have an endless supply of running backs while we now have one. They also play freshman backs.
Their defenses deliver crushing hits.
I know Petrino is a good coach but Miles?
I really don’t get it–even the freshman know the plays and let’s face it– probably none actually go to class.
On the other hand ND gets smart kids but can’t seem to know the playbook. Hendrix has to have a limited package–what the hell’s going on.
Does Kelly and staff watch any of these games? If so, they must know the mountain they have to climb. Good idea to get some SEC asst coaches.
Praise the Lord we won’t have to play any top 5 team.
This game basically over by halftime with ND 49 AF 16 due primarily to turnovers by AF and an unstoppable ND offensive performance.
ND totaled 560 yards total offense with Rees passing for 4 TD’S 260 yards and the rest by an explosive running game.
The following players scored:
Floyd, Eifert, Gray, Wood, Riddick, Atkinson and Roby Toma–his first as a ND player.
Andrew Hendrix leading rusher at 111 yards which included a 78 yard run–should have been a TD but Hendrix got his feet tangled and fell down at the 1 yard line.
Dominating offensive performance and MVP offense goes to Rees.
Defense was another matter altogether–they were gashed for 565 yards and clearly don’t have a clue how to stop a fast paced multiple style option offense. AF just couldn’t put points on the board when it mattered. Does not bode well for future opponent Navy which cut blocks a lot more than AF.
Jamoris Slaughter the defensive MVP.
Surprised that freshman DL Chase Hounshell, number 50 played although he looked pretty damn good–but burns a year of eligibility.
Overall a win against a good team. 4-2 going into bye week.
Check out highlight video from und.com below:
When Brian Kelly opened his first Spring Practices to reporters–they were blown away by the uptempo speed with which the offense was working. And Kelly quipped –you ain’t seen nothing yet–wait until we finish Fall Practice.
He also opined on the Spread Offense with warp speed running plays which happens so fast, it keeps the defense from substituting as well as changing up the defense before ball snapped.
Sure enough,they ran a blazing fast offense but Christ was unable to keep the tempo up to Kelly’s satisfaction, which started the screaming at the QB tirades every time Christ came to the sidelines. No one can tell me that this did not sap Crist’s confidence which led him to being scared of making the smallest mistake.
Crist is a Pro-set QB and always will be–tutored by Charlie Weis.
Ok let’s forward to the 2011 season. Now we have a slow tempo offense–might as well huddle, which re-acts to what the defense is doing-so Rees can go thru his progressions. The ND offense is not setting the tempo–their opponents are.
Seems very strange to me that Kelly ran a helter skelter uptempo offense at first, which has now slowed to a crawl since Rees is only a very green QB at this time. It has slowed so much that they can barely get the play off.
Was all this Crist’s fault–hardly. He did not get a fair shake. Rees, on the other hand can barely move and just locks onto on receiver and became almost unhinged when Pitt took Floyd out of the game.
It looks like there is utter confusion on the ND sideline.
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I’ve posted this before but to re-iterate–doubt if Crist ever plays again nor will Hendrix and both gone elsewhere by end of season. Golson will be next in and soon.
I have already expounded on my take of the Pitt game–lucky win, but so were the losses lucky for our opponents.
Read Kelly’s comments on this game (I’m in control) and Rees is MY QB–okay so what if he is planted in the sod of ND stadium–what is plan B–really no answer except maybe more Frosh will play.
So what do we take from that. My gut instinct–Crist out, Hendrix out and Golson is next in , even if preferable to redshirt him.
I further read this that the Charlie Weis recruits out, namely Crist and Hendrix. Crist and Hendrix are both Pro-set QB’s–so they are out
If I were either, I’d tell Kelly to stuff it–Crist, maybe has 1 yr. eligibility left–Anyone need a strong arm Qb that plays Pro set–same for Hendrix–Charlie Weis wanted this kid real bad and if anything CW knows Qbs–so off to Fla goes Hendrix. Crist one year left goes anywhere he can start.
So that brings us back to the present. We just saw a defense with Pitt that worried about vertical long strike hold ND to 15 pts–every team ND faces will play short knowing Rees can’t throw the long ball.
So mix in the OL woeful pass block ability ND has a real problem–an absolutely piss poor Pitt Db’s took Floyd out of game.
Looking ahead USC and Stanford(with much Better athletes) blanket Floyd and blitz the shit out of Rees resulting in regular picks and fumbles.
The only thing Kelly has going for him is the Defensive side of the ball although Diaco has movie star looks, can recruit, doesn’t have the cojones yet to be outstanding defensive coordinator–hey you have the players–let them loose the entire game.
ND’s future rests on the defensive side of the ball.. Kelly has to get the offensive moving–see how fast we run the offensive–I don’t see it happening against USC or STANFORD.
