Questions answered, at least responded to.

Since Saturday’s loss to the Pitt Panthers I have read a lot of rhetorical questions, have been asked a lot of pointed questions and I have even raised some questions to myself about what happened not only on Saturday but the team we thought we had heading into the season.  So for a defector therapy session in an attempt to exorcise some demons I thought I would try to respond (R) as some may never be answered.

Q -What will be Tommy Rees’s legacy at Notre Dame?

R – Rees will finish in the top five of most Notre Dame Quarterback records, however the name Rees will conger up images of interceptions.  He should be remembered as a player who for the most part did what he was asked to do when he was asked, performed well and actually overachieved at times but never had the ability to play to lead a championship caliber offense.

Q – Should Malik Zaire have played this season.

R – Hard to say.  I say no, I don’t think burning his redshirt this season would have changed much.  Game experience is good but it is possible he could have been a freshman sensation leading the Irish to the Promised Land?  Unlikely.

Q - Why did Folston not get more than four carries against Pitt?

R – Like how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop, the world may never know.  My best guess is the that the magic eight ball Chuck Martin and Brian Kelly have been using all season on running back calls got stuck.

Q – What happened to the running game plan against Pitt in the second half?

R – Apparently 128 yards on 18 carries was enough in the first half for Kelly so he downshifted to six carries for 10 yards.  Or maybe Rees told Kelly he was ready for a big second half and Kelly believed him.

Q - Was Manti that big of a loss to the Irish defense?

R- I did not initially think so but apparently so.

Q – Weren’t Bennett Jackson and Matthias Farley supposed to be better?

R – Yes, on both counts.  Farley actually looks like he is taking steps back in his development.

 

Q – Where is Corey Robinson?

R – I don’t know but would love to find out.  He looked like the next Megatron in the making then he doesn’t see the field in weeks.

Q – Why do the Irish go empty backfield every play inside the 20?

R – Maybe the same reason Rees has not taken a snap under center in three years.

Q – What’s the story with Andrew Hendrix?

R – He was not developed and will be a successful doctor.

Q – Will Kelly keep evolving as a coach?

R – I believe so, he will as players and his staff change from season to season.  I have seen more change than growth but I still have faith in him.

Q – Is this team better than its 7-3 record indicates?

R – I think it’s a fair record.

Q – Is there more wrong with Nix then we know?

R – Yes, either physical or mental or both.

Q – What do the Seniors feel about their legacy?

R – Initially they should be happy about contributing to last year’s National Championship Game run.  They may feel disappointed about their season this year.  Depending where Brian Kelly takes the Irish in the upcoming years they could be the key cogs of the new Era of Notre Dame Football.

Q – Using Eifert leaving and missing this year and Martin staying for it as a barometer does it discourage players like Tuitt with more eligibility from coming back?

R – Probably, but each player makes their own decisions for their own reasons, personal, professional and educational.

Q – Are we / will we get the top recruits?

R – Even with last years undefeated season and appearance in the BCS Championship Game Notre Dame has not returned to glory and they are not considered among the consistent elite programs.  Every year the Irish play in a second tier bowl the echoes thunder a little quieter in the ears of young recruits.

Q – When will “next year” be here?

R – The bad news is that it may be a long time; however with last year’s run and endless hope Irish fans have it could be every year.  With Brain Kelly’s process and the upcoming playoff system in may be sooner than later.

Q – Is Kelly’s seat getting warm?

R – Going 12-0 last year went a long way in solidifying Kelly’s credibility.  Even getting eight wins in his first three years looked good compared to years past in terms of consistency.