Can we stop this talk about how good Kelly is with developing QBs? Neither one of them was worth a damn. That look Everett Golson had on the sidelines after that one pick (as if he was thinking “I’m redshirting because of these clowns?”) spoke volumes.
What a waste of Michael Floyd’s career. Hope he gets to a good pro team where he can contribute and get a big payday.
That said, he got hurt — again — and no one aside from Eifert stepped up to be a threat.
Diaco’s mistake was taking the foot off the gas. Rush three? Should have been at least four on every down.
In the end, it’s difficult to have any sympathy for a team that insisted on beating themselves.
I’ll reserve my judgement on BK and QB development for next season. Rees was never going to be the guy and his ceiling is ridiculously low in comparison to Hendrix/Golson.
Thumbs Up/Down: 21
By DJ December 30, 2011 - 2:33 pm
Well, it’s … puzzling that Hendrix wasn’t given more of an opportunity for game action in the blowout wins against Navy, Maryland, and perhaps Air Force. Especially when you consider his skill set is better suited for the offense Kelly wants to run.
Barring injury, illness, or some other catastrophe, either Hendrix or Golson should be the starter in Dublin. Rees has, sadly, shown that he has struggles with even the reduced responsibilities of the offense that he runs.
It seems to be a program philosophy thing. Kelly will almost totally refuse to play anyone who doesn’t earn it in practice. Which we hear was part of the biggest adjustment for more senior guys when Kelly took over.
We’ve also heard the Kelly never felt great about the execution of the primary offense. So if Hendrix wasn’t earning it, and the primary O was already problematic, then there’s the answer to your mystery.
Thumbs Up/Down: 00
By DannyBoy December 29, 2011 - 11:41 pm
Kelly already lost the best QB on the roster, so I truly hope he realizes very quickly that Tommy Rees never has been and never will be a starting QB for a D1 program. It is clear that he needs to recruit a top QB to put pressure on Hendrix and Golson, or his offense will continue to be dismal for years to come. Kelly has the potential to lead ND to greatness, but he needs serious upgrades to his coaching staff to realize that potential. I have a sickening feeling that Brian may not be at ND very long…putting the program even further behind in a long road to recovery.
I really wish Lou was not 93 years old…
Thumbs Up/Down: 13
By canuck75 December 30, 2011 - 9:19 pm
It took all season but I’m off the Tommy bandwagon. What is most disappointing is that he probably played his best football against Miami last year and then Michigan this year. How was there no further development?
I have never been on the Hendrix train so I can relate to the guys who never liked Tommy. What Hendrix showed is how he would play as a starter. The good news is that Golson is the real deal and will start for 4 years.
However, the real bottom line is the un sexy stuff. We couldn’t block when we had to, and couldn’t cover when the game was on the line.If I could change one thing I would get guys who can make plays on the ball. BTW, Slaughter a potential AA next year.
Cierre is no good and shouldnt see the field next year. Too many teams we see trot out freshman running backs who are better. Lets hope one of the new guys has it.
Eiffert should be back, but we seem to grow TE’s on trees so its not a big concern.
I have been a big Kelly backer but am a bit shaken today. Poor play calling all game. The 8 yd pass would have worked all day- no reason to not call it way more.
I may not post again this year, so best wishes to all on this site. I remain an optimist and believe it is amazingly easy to turn 3-4 losses into wins.( Floyd makes that catch and Ruffer converts and we win for sure)
Its our turn for God’s sake!!
Thumbs Up/Down: 01
By Brad December 30, 2011 - 8:33 am
I hurt, but I still feel confident in the progress of this football team. My thoughts on are the Sideline.
Thumbs Up/Down: 02
By Mark G. December 30, 2011 - 1:15 pm
My real disappointment is not that we lost the game – it is that we lost at after being up by 14 points late into the third quarter.
We lost to a pretty good team with which we were very evenly matched. Both teams scored a touchdown off a turnover (their’s two offensive plays after the interception, ours on the fumble). Both teams scored an offensive touchdown after a long drive. They made two field goals, one after a long kick-off return, and we missed a pretty makeable field goal. That’s the difference. Both teams had defenses that dominated, and offenses that were hit and miss.
Upside? We played very physically, and were not blown out by their speed (though their defensive speed turned runs what looked like they were going to gain 7 or 8 yards into 3 yard gains). That’s about all the good I could see.
Downside? Too many to number, and everybody has already focused on those.
Oh well. On to another Chicago winter, and off-season trying to fill my sports needs with the Blackhawks, ND hockey and ND women’s BB. Only one thing to really look forward to — see you in Dublin!
Thumbs Up/Down: 00
By DJ December 30, 2011 - 2:35 pm
Don’t discount the Men’s basketball team just yet. Not sure an NCAA bid is a possibility, but they are showing some promise.
By Mark December 29, 2011 - 9:05 pm
I took back all the gift cards to Best Buy. Instead I just shit in 100 bags and put a bow on them.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
1
By NDtex December 29, 2011 - 9:06 pm
Sums it up quite well. Best analysis ever.
Thumbs Up/Down:
1 
1
By DJ December 29, 2011 - 9:20 pm
Can we stop this talk about how good Kelly is with developing QBs? Neither one of them was worth a damn. That look Everett Golson had on the sidelines after that one pick (as if he was thinking “I’m redshirting because of these clowns?”) spoke volumes.
What a waste of Michael Floyd’s career. Hope he gets to a good pro team where he can contribute and get a big payday.
That said, he got hurt — again — and no one aside from Eifert stepped up to be a threat.
Diaco’s mistake was taking the foot off the gas. Rush three? Should have been at least four on every down.
In the end, it’s difficult to have any sympathy for a team that insisted on beating themselves.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
6 
2
By NDtex December 30, 2011 - 11:06 am
I’ll reserve my judgement on BK and QB development for next season. Rees was never going to be the guy and his ceiling is ridiculously low in comparison to Hendrix/Golson.
Thumbs Up/Down:
2 
1
By DJ December 30, 2011 - 2:33 pm
Well, it’s … puzzling that Hendrix wasn’t given more of an opportunity for game action in the blowout wins against Navy, Maryland, and perhaps Air Force. Especially when you consider his skill set is better suited for the offense Kelly wants to run.
Barring injury, illness, or some other catastrophe, either Hendrix or Golson should be the starter in Dublin. Rees has, sadly, shown that he has struggles with even the reduced responsibilities of the offense that he runs.
Thumbs Up/Down:
2 
0
By Matt Q. (DMQ) December 30, 2011 - 4:17 pm
It seems to be a program philosophy thing. Kelly will almost totally refuse to play anyone who doesn’t earn it in practice. Which we hear was part of the biggest adjustment for more senior guys when Kelly took over.
We’ve also heard the Kelly never felt great about the execution of the primary offense. So if Hendrix wasn’t earning it, and the primary O was already problematic, then there’s the answer to your mystery.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DannyBoy December 29, 2011 - 11:41 pm
Kelly already lost the best QB on the roster, so I truly hope he realizes very quickly that Tommy Rees never has been and never will be a starting QB for a D1 program. It is clear that he needs to recruit a top QB to put pressure on Hendrix and Golson, or his offense will continue to be dismal for years to come. Kelly has the potential to lead ND to greatness, but he needs serious upgrades to his coaching staff to realize that potential. I have a sickening feeling that Brian may not be at ND very long…putting the program even further behind in a long road to recovery.
I really wish Lou was not 93 years old…
Thumbs Up/Down:
1 
3
By canuck75 December 30, 2011 - 9:19 pm
It took all season but I’m off the Tommy bandwagon. What is most disappointing is that he probably played his best football against Miami last year and then Michigan this year. How was there no further development?
I have never been on the Hendrix train so I can relate to the guys who never liked Tommy. What Hendrix showed is how he would play as a starter. The good news is that Golson is the real deal and will start for 4 years.
However, the real bottom line is the un sexy stuff. We couldn’t block when we had to, and couldn’t cover when the game was on the line.If I could change one thing I would get guys who can make plays on the ball. BTW, Slaughter a potential AA next year.
Cierre is no good and shouldnt see the field next year. Too many teams we see trot out freshman running backs who are better. Lets hope one of the new guys has it.
Eiffert should be back, but we seem to grow TE’s on trees so its not a big concern.
I have been a big Kelly backer but am a bit shaken today. Poor play calling all game. The 8 yd pass would have worked all day- no reason to not call it way more.
I may not post again this year, so best wishes to all on this site. I remain an optimist and believe it is amazingly easy to turn 3-4 losses into wins.( Floyd makes that catch and Ruffer converts and we win for sure)
Its our turn for God’s sake!!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
1
By Brad December 30, 2011 - 8:33 am
I hurt, but I still feel confident in the progress of this football team. My thoughts on are the Sideline.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
2
By Mark G. December 30, 2011 - 1:15 pm
My real disappointment is not that we lost the game – it is that we lost at after being up by 14 points late into the third quarter.
We lost to a pretty good team with which we were very evenly matched. Both teams scored a touchdown off a turnover (their’s two offensive plays after the interception, ours on the fumble). Both teams scored an offensive touchdown after a long drive. They made two field goals, one after a long kick-off return, and we missed a pretty makeable field goal. That’s the difference. Both teams had defenses that dominated, and offenses that were hit and miss.
Upside? We played very physically, and were not blown out by their speed (though their defensive speed turned runs what looked like they were going to gain 7 or 8 yards into 3 yard gains). That’s about all the good I could see.
Downside? Too many to number, and everybody has already focused on those.
Oh well. On to another Chicago winter, and off-season trying to fill my sports needs with the Blackhawks, ND hockey and ND women’s BB. Only one thing to really look forward to — see you in Dublin!
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DJ December 30, 2011 - 2:35 pm
Don’t discount the Men’s basketball team just yet. Not sure an NCAA bid is a possibility, but they are showing some promise.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0