Notre Dame Football: What's the Appropriate Punishment for QB Tommy Rees?

With the way the offseason has gone for Notre Dame, things really couldn't have gotten much worse for this program. It started when the Irish lost several key contributors from last year's team, then they lost several recruits they thought they had, Aaron Lynch transferred and now, last year's starting quarterback Tommy Rees was arrested.

Rees was arrested Thursday morning and is being charged with resisting arrest, battery to law enforcement and public intoxication. He was also arrested with linebacker Carlo Calabrese, although they have both posted bond recently and have been let go.

But while Rees may be free for now, you can expect there to be some type of consequence from his school. The question is, what's it going to be?

"

The University is aware of this incident and is confident that it will be handled in a prompt and professional manner through the criminal justice system. Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown said in a statement via ESPN. Internal discipline is handled privately, in accord with our own policies and federal law.

"

First we have to actually find out the complete story, it's never good to speculate and just assume what is being reported is the absolute truth. But if the reports are true, and Rees was drunk, he did run from the police, kneed one in the stomach and needed pepper spray to help be detained. Well, we have a problem on our hands.

Last season around this time, star wide receiver Michael Floyd was arrested for a DUI and was later suspended by head coach Brian Kelly because of it. But just before the season started, he was reinstated and didn't end up missing a minute of the season because of the arrest.

Now it does seem those two situations are a little different. Both players were drunk according to reports at the time they were arrested, but there was nothing about Floyd running away from the police or assaulting law enforcement like there was with Rees.

There is also a big difference between the type of players these two are. Floyd was arguably the greatest receiver in Notre Dame history and the offense would have struggled mightily if he wasn't on the football field. Rees is a quarterback that struggled all of last year and may not be missed as much with the depth the Irish have at the position. 

After all, it looks like Everett Golson is the favorite to be the starter by the time season arrives, especially if he keeps performing like he did in the spring game.

Is this the perfect opportunity for head coach Brian Kelly to make an example out of a player who may not have even seen the field this season anyway? It's a good possibility he could be dismissed from the team if those reports are accurate.