You Play To Win The Game!

There are Pro-Rees and Pro-Hendrix (and still probably pro-Crist) fans at the moment in Notre Dame's fan base. Kelly recently chose Tommy Rees to start the Champs Sports Bowl against Florida State over Andrew Hendrix. It is likely that we will see Hendrix as well. There are pros and cons to starting either Quarterback. Irish Sports News analyzes them for each Quarterback.

Tommy Rees


Pros

• Experience-Rees has played in 19 total games. In the game which will feature two excellent defenses, it is unlikely that a lot of points will be scored. It is important that Notre Dame does not turn the ball over. Tommy Rees is more likely to hold on to the ball than Andrew Hendrix.
• Knowledge of the Playbook-Tommy Rees has the ability to check to a better play to get Notre Dame out of a bad play against a defensive look that does not favor the Irish.
• Pass Accuracy-Rees is very accurate in the short to intermediate range, which might be positive in a game against a fast Florida State defense. 

Cons

• Arm Strength-Rees' arm strength limits the offense. The game for Notre Dame's offense is essentially played between the hashes with the defense not respecting the deep ball.
• Mobility-When teams drop 8 or 9 defenders into a zone, Rees lacks the speed and mobility to make them pay for making that decision.

Andrew Hendrix


Pros

• Arm Strength-Hendrix has NFL arm strength that stretches the field horizontally and vertically.
• Speed & Athleticism-Hendrix has the speed and athleticism that a defense is forced to respect and account for on every play. 
• Play Calling Options-With Andrew Hendrix in the game, Brian Kelly can call all the plays in the playbook. 

Cons

• Accuracy-At the moment, Hendrix is an inaccurate Quarterback.
• Inexperience-Hendrix has only played in three games at Notre Dame. He has never started.
• Knowledge of Playbook-Hendrix has only worked on "packages". It remains to be seen if he has a knowledge of the entire playbook. 

In this game, Tommy Rees should start if Notre Dame wants to win. Hendrix can use the Spring to prepare and compete for starting job in 2012. The pros and cons dictate that. There is too much risk in starting Hendrix right now.