Rockne's Roundtable

I would like to see Hendrix get the ball for the opener. He has a rifle, and it would be nice to see ND be able to stretch the field again.

Re Hendrix: "However, for now he seems to combine the best overall package, and to be leapfrogged at this point by an underclassmen could be demoralizing to his progress"

Demoralizing? What about Golson if he shows to be the best talent over the summer and then August practice? If Hendrix is the best, that's fine; but you can't sit Golson so Hendrix doesn't feel bad (See Crist last year!).

If you had to pick 2 games for a new QB to get experience and comfort running the offense, it would be Navy and Purdue, and it's our good luck that they are the first 2! Off of what I have seen, Golson's problems are more easily fixed than Hendrix'. Given the talent we have at Offensive line, TE and Slot/TB, and a good Defense, we should be able to get through the first two games with any of the QBs. Hendtix and Golson could alternate quarters or whatever combination Kelly chooses. We need to know who the QB is by Michigan State on September 15. We should all be able to tell who makes us most confident by that week.

Although I am on the Golson bandwagon, I see Andrew Hendrix starting that first game with plans to change it up here and there and insert Golson depending on how the game is going. Andrew has the most game experience and I think Kelly obviously values that and although I wish he would throw Golson to the wolves and just let him go, I dont see him doing that. 98% that Hendrix will start, but we will see Golson as well. How the QB position shakes out after that will be determined by the play on the field.

based on eligibility

Golson for 2 years
Kiel for 3
Zaire for 2

Done.

I feel like Hendrix will start the season, and may even finish it if he can step up and not make poor reads. Lets remember he has some wheels of his own. That run against Air Force last year was awesome. I do think that Golson will see action in alot of games either way though. I actually am on the Golson bandwagon myself and have been all along, but my gut us telling me Hendrix will start the season. If he makes plays its gonna be hard to say he's not the right guy under center.

The QB derby is pretty even right now. Hendrix laibility is his ability to read the defense as he goes to second and third options. Golson seems to make the right reads but for some inexplicable reason can't get the plays and team lined up fast enough to avoid delay of game penalties. Both have the skills it takes to effectively run a spread offense. They are both mobile and have strong arms.

I think it really depend on who makes the most progress from now to summer. If Golson masters the pre-snap part of the process I think he surges ahead as he just appears much more instinctive. However, if he doesn't master the pre-snap part of the game, then he won't see the field.

You can't have a QB that can't get his team to the line of scrimmage in time to avoid delay of game penalties. This site has documented how poorly we do on drives where there are negative plays and it seems that right now Golson is not capable of avoiding delay of game penalties. I still can't understand why a smart kid like Golson would have this problem. I hope its a thing of the past by the summer as I think this kid could be really exciting come the fall.

"However, for now he seems to combine the best overall package, and to be leapfrogged at this point by an underclassmen could be demoralizing to his progress." -- Dr. lou II

Doc, you didn't write that did you? It had to be your ghost writer.

Just as there is "No crying in baseball" (Tom Hanks in "A League of their own"), there is no demoralizing on the grid iron. One just bows up and works harder to get better on - every play and every chance one gets. That guy with the biggest whistle and the Irish name has all the trump cards. Let's not rehash # 10 in Jayhawk Blue. That complete saga may be played out for years to come.

There is something very interesting blowing in the wind.

Maybe, just maybe the stars are starting to align and your wishful expression is beginning to take shape.

"Where did that come from!? -- Our Dr. Lou

Over the last several weeks, we have had a number of excellent threads (including Lou's "Who will Start and Finish" thread) on Rees, Golson, Hendrix and Kiel. The relative strengths and weakness were analyzed and the people's choice seemed to be Golson. Some were willing to put up with mistakes early if Golson could be
seasoned to finish this year strong and lead the Irish into 2013 as a strong BCS contender in its last year before "playoffs" are instituted. Regardless of folks' opinions, Rees' mistake puts even more pressure on Golson and Hendrix to get ready and shore up their weaknesses in time for Dublin. To some extent, this is why I am willing to blame Tommy more than perhaps I would otherwise--his "mistake of judgment" has, to some extent, jeopardized his teammates more than Carlo's could ever do. Now, the mantle of leadership has fallen to Everett and Andrew. Their time is now.

I've been watching ND football for 40 years and this reminds me of the Joe Montana years! Montana was clearly the best QB we had but they kept starting Rick Slager(if I spelled that right) or Rusty Lisch(that too) in front of him...why? I don't get it, every time Golson gets on the field good things happen! Just give up on Hendricks and Reese and play Golson, he's the Man, period, just like Montana was, mark my words this kid can play, period.

If Rees gets suspended Hendrix will the starter.the ideal in mind would be to have a game day package for both Hendrix and godson.

ashaia,

Well. like i said, that is more of a mystery that I'm not smart enough to solve. In Year 1, the adjustment from pro style to spread is understandable. Then when you have to insert a true freshman (Rees) into the mix and scale back, that also gets a pass.

In the second year, you saw some flickers of it, but the turnovers were a constant fly in the ointment. Possibly, that's why there might be some doubts about Henrix and why he didn't pick up things a little faster. In my opinion, this is his crossroads, now-or-never opportunity, and he has to grab it. With Golson,it's been more about playing within the framework. Chuck Martin has stressed that there is a time to ad-lib and improvise, but making it a habit impedes overall progress.