Quick-hitters: Tommy Rees on Notre Dame quarterbacks, tight end development, improvements in spring practice

Two weeks away from the April 23 Blue-Gold Game, it is clear the Notre Dame football team is starting to put its spring pieces together before breaking for the summer.

On Saturday, Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spoke with the media following a scrimmage — which was over 100 plays — in the Irish Athletic Center.

Here are a few of the topics he addressed:

On the quarterbacks in the scrimmage

“I thought both Drew (Pyne) and Tyler (Buchner) did a really nice job of managing the show. It’s a little different when I’m not standing out there with him, and I’m up in the loft calling it like it will be on game day. So I thought they did a nice job of handling the offense, really taking ownership of it. They put some good drives together, they found ways to score the ball. They had some opportunity in there with the second group where it’s really a challenge to make sure they’re the leaders and they’re getting guys lined up and assigned. That’s by design.”

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On the quarterbacks’ decision making

“They’ve been making good decisions throughout spring. That’s something that at the end of the day, the most important part of playing the quarterback position is making good decisions, putting your team in the right spot. As we get into situations and get different looks, you can grow there. Coach Golden does a great job of mixing up coverages. The quicker you can recognize things, the quicker you can make the right decision. We’ve been exposed to a lot, and I’m very proud of the way our guys have come every day hungry to work and get better.”

On tight end development outside of Michael Mayer

“Mitchell (Evans) and Kevin (Bauman) have really taken big steps forward. Kevin has fought through some injuries. He’s kind of through those, and you’re seeing the best version of Kevin Bauman right now, which for anyone that knows the kid, he works hard and has been committed to this process and to this program. You’re seeing that come to fruition, which is great. Mitchell Evans is a guy that has a very natural ability as a pass catcher, and we’re putting him in some situations that show me where he is as a receiver, (but we want to) continue to challenge him in other parts of playing tight end. Both of those guys have taken steps forward. I think Coach (Gerad) Parker has done a great job with that group.”

On an area where he’s seen noticeable improvement this spring

“I think red zone efficiency. We started in the red zone. That’s an area where we’re always going to stress to be better. We talked about four-point plays, plays down there that are critical to the difference between a field goal and touchdown. I think our guys understand that. We put more on the quarterback in terms of getting us in the right play, and they’ve taken ownership of that. So that’s a situation where we want to be great. If we can get inside the 10 and score touchdowns, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

On having staff meetings under the Freeman regime

“It’s much more regular. I think Coach (Marcus) Freeman does a great job of bringing everyone together. He’s a natural leader, and he just has a way about him that brings people together. A couple days ago, I was standing in (graduate assistant) office. It was myself, Coach Freeman and Coach (Mike) Mickens in there. We were really just kind of chopping it up, and I took a moment as I was walking out the office and said ‘I wonder how many places across the country you have the head coach standing in the GA office, talking to them like they’re his peers.’ I think that’s a testament to Coach Freeman and not wavering on who he is. That’s pretty cool to see from my own vantage point.”