With an assist from Jack Swarbrick

 

Notre Dame looks nothing like the program these two inherited. And that's from top to bottom.

 

But specifically as it relates to the on-field product, it's not even not your dad's Notre Dame it's not your older brother's Notre Dame either.

 

And Brian Kelly deserves all the credit.

 

From Day One there has been a plan, and it's now truly being reflected in style of play, talent level, depth, philosophy, confidence, power and strength and athletic ability.

 

There is talent all over the field, from the starters to the backups, and it's being utilized beautifully.

 

The thing I kept noticing over the last four years was the foundation that was being built. The talent that was being brought in. The process underway developing that talent.

 

It was unfortunate there wasn't a game-changing QB already on the roster, or that EG was lost for an entire season and his absence was reflected in the W-L record last season, but the buy-in was appreciating just how good the coaching actually was while playing with a quarterback who - God bless him - probably doesn't start on 90 percent of Div-I college football teams.

 

That, and the kind of talent being assembled around the QB position.

 

The pieces were being accumulated, it just took a little longer to solidify the QB.

 

BK stayed true to his plan while also adjusting to a glaring limitation.

 

And now it's all coming together.

 

And it's a beautiful thing.

QB is pretty much everything in Pro football too.

 

There's only ONE place in football where the QB doesn't matter:

 

Tecmo Bowl Raiders with Bo Jackson...

 

[ame]

[/ame]

there's only one place in football where the qb doesn't matter:

 

Tecmo bowl raiders with bo jackson...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pbvoxicz-0

 

lmfao!!!!!!!!

I dont know. Saban doesnt need a great qb. Holtz had guys like Rice and. McDougal. How many great qb's did Paterno have?

 

You need to have a solid qb sure but this qb is everything is a bit far fetched to me.

I dont know. Saban doesnt need a great qb. Holtz had guys like Rice and. McDougal. How many great qb's did Paterno have?

 

You need to have a solid qb sure but this qb is everything is a bit far fetched to me.

 

Holtz and Paterno were 30 years ago.

 

Saban has had 41 players drafted since he's been at Alabama, 14 players in the first around alone.

I dont know. Saban doesnt need a great qb. Holtz had guys like Rice and. McDougal. How many great qb's did Paterno have?

 

You need to have a solid qb sure but this qb is everything is a bit far fetched to me.

 

Serious question, could Saban have won in 2012 with Tommy Rees at the helm, in your opinion?

Serious question, could Saban have won in 2012 with Tommy Rees at the helm, in your opinion?

 

2012? No. I think the 2012 team was his weakest of his three NC teams...

2011 and 2009, for sure.

 

Tommy Rees doesn't beat LSU in Death Valley, at night, on that final drive in 2012.

Did HE have issues with them or did they simply have talent and imitation issues?

 

I think the answer is obvious.

 

But if you want to stick with Brian Kelly didn't properly tap into the talent of Tommy Rees, Dayne Crist, Andrew Hendrix, feel free.

 

I just don't think any of them were all that great.

 

This is just horseshit. How come Martin seems to be able to coach up Hendrix? See his numbers in his first game?

 

It's the HC's effin job to prepare a QB to win. According to apologists like you, BK is just supposed to wait around passively for the right QB to show up. Not like he recruits them or anything!

 

This throwing of kids under the bus while protecting a 55-year old man from ANY criticism is beyond stupid; it's repugnant...

Holtz and Paterno were 30 years ago.

 

Saban has had 41 players drafted since he's been at Alabama, 14 players in the first around alone.

 

QB is still the most important position in football. Including college football. Who are we trying to kid here?

QB is still the most important position in football. Including college football. Who are we trying to kid here?

 

No one. That was my point... He sited coaches who had success in the 80s and Nick Saban, who has been able to collect the most talent of any coach in the history of the game.

 

QB is ESSENTIAL. See Auburn's two recent trips to the NCG and the seasons that surround them...

No they weren't all that good. But were they any better after he worked with them? No. That raises questions when a QB guru has three different QBs not get any better under his tutelage.

 

I completely disagree. Tommy Rees should have lost more games than he did based on talent. As an example, he had no business walking into LA in 2010 and upsetting the Trojans. Tommy showed good improvement while he was at ND, but his limitations were glaring. Besides 2012 (Golson), Rees QB rating improved each year. His passing yards improved each year. His Y/A increased each year. Touchdowns increased, etc, etc, etc. :deadhorse:

 

I believe Crist never got on board. Go back and read my posts from that time. I STILL BELIEVE there was a major divide in the locker room and it's not hard to imagine a Weis guy, the QB (team leader) being at the center of it. I believe it reached a breaking point against USF. I wouldn't doubt if Crist blames BK for his failures. Of course I can't prove it, but I will always believe it.

 

Regardless of what I believe, judging BK's QB coaching ability during his first few years at ND seems a bit superficial. Shouldn't we consider his entire portfolio? BTW, do ANY of the QB's you mentioned fit the mold of our current QB's? Could any of them win a starting role if competing against Golson or Zaire. I hear Kizer is a gamer as well. Let's see what happens Cory. ND is the biggest stage CBK has ever stood on and he is trending up, clearly. Five spots in the polls. WHHAAAAAATTT? When is the last time THAT happened?

 

Heck, at this point you could argue Whitfield is as important to Golson's growth as anyone. But I won't argue that point.

 

Of course Whitfield is important to Golson's growth, but that is hardly an argument worthy of consideration if we are discussing BK, lol.

 

I truly believe BK has a lot to prove this year, but QB development is not on my list. Sorry.

This is just horseshit. How come Martin seems to be able to coach up Hendrix? See his numbers in his first game?

 

It's the HC's effin job to prepare a QB to win. According to apologists like you, BK is just supposed to wait around passively for the right QB to show up. Not like he recruits them or anything!

 

This throwing of kids under the bus while protecting a 55-year old man from ANY criticism is beyond stupid; it's repugnant...

 

Not so good in his last game though. 1 td and 3 picks.

most think BK didnt develop tommy.

the smart ones see that BK got way more out of TR than others would have.

 

andrew hendrix is not all of a sudden a world beater is he? he is playing at miami of ohio and playing mediocre at best.

Serious question, could Saban have won in 2012 with Tommy Rees at the helm, in your opinion?

 

Yes. The rest of their TEAM was that good. And thats what its about, team. You build a team, not wait around for the next Cam Newton or RG3 to come bail you out of every play. Was McCarron that much more gifted than Rees? He handed the ball off and did some playaction passing.

 

Do you think Saban would have went 8-4 last year with Rees at ND with a loss to that awful Pitt team?

Pope Urban without Braxton Miller---lose the first opener at the horseshoe since Woody Hayes was knocking kids round------OUCH I guess he sucks as a coach now eh---losing three of his last four including this record setting opening loss.

 

QB is everything--Alabama with TR would not have won squat in 2012 to think otherwise is DELUSIONAL!--- 9-3--8-4 and several coaches would have hung themselves---

 

its silly--

 

QB is defining---Kelly recruited his guy quickly, coached him up and then got screwed by his poor judgement---

 

Now its EG/ZAIRE/KAISER SOSAE----

 

This discussion should be left in HISTORYs DUMPSTER---

 

aloha's

First you ask who I am, then you don't want to know. You are confusing me.

 

You are right though, Kelly is a good coach and has built a good team.

 

If he just figure out how to build a QB without sending him to San Diego for a year, this thing should keep rolling right along.

 

Some of you are just never content. Look at the job BK did with the guys he had at Cincinnati. He got Tony Pike drafted who had absolutely no business being on an NFL team.

 

If something is going wrong it's all BK's fault. If something goes well credit goes elsewhere.