Notre Dame, Tommy Rees and the Welcomed QB Problem of Andrew Hendrix

Last Saturday's lopsided win over Air Force put the Fighting Irish at 4-2. Believe it or not, chances of making a BCS Bowl are still alive.

Notre Dame's offense had really been looking strong in recent weeks under the guidance of Tommy Rees. Rees has so many weapons starting with Michael Floyd (the expected No. 1 wide receiver taken in the next NFL Draft). Other players such as Cierre Wood, Jonas Gray, and Tyler Eifert have looked strong too.

On Saturday, Irish fans were introduced to a new weapon on offense. That being Andrew Hendrix. Although Rees is clearly the starter, head coach Brian Kelly wanted to get Hendrix in the game. After seeing Hendrix with that huge run, it was clear why Kelly wants him in the game. Hendrix is too good of athlete to keep on the bench. Hendrix also threw the ball well with his limited attempts.

That does give Notre Dame a unique problem. It is a good problem to have, but it is a problem. It is a problem because you just can't take Tommy Rees out. He has the team behind him and the team knows how to win with him. At the same time, Hendrix is too valuable and too good of an athlete to leave on the bench.

So what does Kelly do?

Does he continue to have a special package for Hendrix? I think initially that is what will happen. If Rees were to go down with an injury, I think Dayne Crist would get another chance and be the primary quarterback. Still, Hendrix will get his touches.

The problem under that scenario for Hendrix is that he'll will only be on the field for a limited number of plays.

Also, redshirted freshman Everett Golson is really the guy the coaches are excited about. Where will that leave Hendrix after Rees is gone?

It is kind of interesting how this whole situation came about. Notre Dame entered the 2010 season with Crist as the starter. Rees was the back up because the coaches did not want to waste a year of eligibility on Hendrix. Then Crist goes down and the team is 4-5. The Irish then find the winning touch with Rees.

After not beginning the year with Rees, they seem to have found it again. Unfortunately for Hendrix, that left him on the bench. Hendrix might have been the plan at quarterback, but Rees has changed those plans with his play.

But again, after what we saw on Saturday, Hendrix is too good of an athlete to keep on the bench. Maybe coach Kelly would consider lining him up at receiver. There will be a need there because Floyd will likely be gone at the end of the year and Theo Riddick only has one more year of eligibility. Could we see the positional change?

I know that is not the position Hendrix envisioned playing when he came to South Bend. However, it is probably better than not playing at all or very sparingly in a package.

As mentioned earlier, this is a good problem to have and a problem many coaches would love to have. At the same time, a good problem is still a problem and it will be interesting to see how Kelly ultimately handles this.