Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FIGHTING WORDS WES MORGAN ance that began in the first half versus Michigan that also turned out to be the right coaching decision. Te'o's skills are undeniable, and he has a bright professional future ahead. Rees' abilities are often underwhelm- ing, which is why the only time he'll see the field at the next level is the next time he buys a ticket. Both are invalu- able to what Notre Dame has already accomplished this season and what they're trying to eventually attain. "Does he have all the tools, the strength of arm, the foot speed?" Kelly said after the win over Stanford. "No, he does not. But what he has is a great mind for the game. He can manage difficult situations. And he comes in and he can close games, if we need him. he can stay so focused in the game. He knows what's going on during the game. At halftime, I'm talking with him and Everett, and he's pointing out some things about the outside cov- erages that we should maybe think about running as well. He's just a very smart football player." There's no comparison between "He's an incredible young man that Rees and Golson — who, in time, will undoubtedly develop into a great quarterback. Golson's overall athleti- cism dwarfs Rees' — it's no contest. What Rees has is guts, an eye for rec- ognizing what opposing defenses are trying to do and a team-first attitude. When Golson got banged up on Notre Dame's final possession in reg- ulation, Rees finally located his hel- met and prepared to close out another game. to manage," Kelly said. "We're going to give you a run play and you're go- ing to have to get us in the right play. And we'll keep it really simple, we had three or four plays; you manage the rest. And he, essentially —you saw him out there — he got us into the right play. He managed the game very well." Rees was 4-of-4 passing for 43 yards "I told him here is what you have while leading the Irish to a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation and a touchdown toss to junior receiver TJ Jones in overtime. The reserve player knows, no matter what he does, he'll likely never be the starter at Notre Dame again. Because he wants so badly for the Fighting Irish to win, it's not worth worrying about the limited amount he spends on the field in the weeks ahead. "I didn't imagine this," Rees said about starting 16 games from 2010-11, only to be overshadowed in fall camp by Golson. "For good, bad or indiffer- ent, it's worked out this way, and it's going well. We are 6-0. I think any role I have to help this team win I'm just going to accept and move forward." Many believed Rees would never play another meaningful snap at Notre Dame again heading into this season. Others hoped he wouldn't. But without Rees, even with his Assitant Editor Wes Morgan has been with Blue & Gold Illustrated since February 2011. He can be reached at wmorgan@blueandgold.com shortcomings, the Irish wouldn't be perfect midway through 2012. ✦