Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/145833
Upon Further Review todd D. burlage up for through his experience and a steadiness that the other quarterbacks don't offer, not even Golson — at least not yet. Rees is 14-4 in his career as a starter, and the equity and confidence he has built with Kelly and the Irish coaching staff in three seasons will be vital when the team builds its offense around a new starter but a familiar leader during fall training camp. Golson was solid last season — taking the team to the national championship game proves that. But was he really as spectacular as he was often made out to be? Looking at the numbers, Golson's national rankings were rather pedestrian: No. 61 in total offense, No. 62 in passing efficiency and No. 76 in passing yards — not exactly a Heismanesque profile. As a team, Notre Dame ranked No. 74 in passing efficiency last season, easily the lowest of the 10 Bowl Championship Series qualifiers. Because of his superior arm strength and athleticism, Golson was often talked about as a big-play quarterback last season, when his stat line actually suggests he was more of a game manager. It's the same style Rees has used as a proven winner as a starter, and as a magician as a reliever, bailing out Notre Dame in a backup role last season against Purdue, Michigan and Stanford. Rees is the starter this year; we all knew that was coming. But given his physical limitations, installing an offensive package for either Hendrix — or better yet, Zaire — to be mixed into every game as a "platooning" change of pace from the predictable Rees style will be critical to sustained success. By adding a limited offensive package for Zaire — the most athletic quarterback on the roster — defenses must account for a dual-threat player, which would take some heat off Rees and provide a much needed change of style and tempo for the Notre Dame offense. When Rees was the full-time starter in 2011, defenses began to figure out his tendencies and weaknesses as the season rolled on. Expect Rees to be a better player this year than he was two years ago. As a student of the game, watching and playing behind Golson last season can only help Rees limit the careless mistakes, and improve his decisions — the two greatest concerns in his game. Rees will never be mistaken as the most gifted quarterback ever to wear the blue and gold. But not many programs around the country enjoy the great fortune of a backup QB bringing more experience than the starter he's replacing. Golson vows to do everything necessary to return to Notre Dame and regain his starting status for the 2014 season. Until then, let's be grateful and not critical that Rees is the man to keep title hopes alive, because he's really the best — and only — option to get the Irish there. ✦ Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com