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Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - Printable Version

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Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-05-2012

Tom FitzGerald of the Chronicle has an article about everyone's favorite QB derby-- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/03/SP091NFQSA.DTL

Apparently Nunes and Nottingham were "solid, not great" (Shaw) and Nottingham has the "quickest release" of the five competing quarterbacks. Also we got to hear everyone's favorite superlatives thrown at Wayne Lyons, who now has two Thorpe Award predictors in his favor, with David Shaw echoing Michael Thomas. It's getting to the point where I'll be disappointed if Lyons doesn't turn into a mutant combination of Charles Woodson and Ronnie Lott.

Stewart Mandel, SI writer, observes that Nottingham has "a heck of an arm" but that there's no top-flight WR. I'm guessing he doesn't realize that Ty Montgomery is out and is supposed to be that, but still good to know I suppose. (https://twitter.com/#!/slmandel/status/176040645318803457)

Why do you assume Montgomery is "top flight"? - Redrum - 03-05-2012

Certainly promising.  Certainly has shown enticing moments.  But with a hurt Montgomery sitting on the sidelines in Spring practice and no way to settle the matter until actual games in the Fall,  I guess we'll both have to wait to see just how productive and important he becomes. 

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-05-2012

Didn't assume at all. "Supposed to be" is different than "is."

I think Montgomery's performance becomes much more impressive when you realize he did it in half of the year--and in the more important and difficult half to wit. If he can separate against OK State and SC defensive backs, he can separate against just about anyone not hailing from the Crimson Tide and Bayou Bengals.

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - Hurlburt88 - 03-05-2012

Feels like we could have a very, very strong defense if we can replace the safeties

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - OutsiderFan - 03-06-2012

Well, I for one think Stanford may have the best defense in the Pac-12.  USC might have the most talented starting 11, but Stanford has more depth and will be better overall, IMO.  Nobody has a deeper front seven than Stanford.



Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-06-2012

Stewart Mandel expands his observations into a reported piece: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/03/05/stanford.spring.practice/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_wr_a1

Apparently Nottingham has "incredible arm strength and touch."

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - CompSci87 - 03-06-2012

"incredible" is a pleasant word to hear, even if it does sound like hype.


Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - OutsiderFan - 03-06-2012

It would have been nice for him to highlight the quality of the defense, but all things considered, that's a really well done piece by Mandel.  A lot less "they will go back to mediocrity now" sentiment than you've read the last year.

Because Kathy is off seeding the upper pasture - Redrum - 03-07-2012

I'll just note that "incredible" is not inherently a good thing and an "incredibly" strong arm could,  literally,  produce bad results nobody can believe.

Re: Because Kathy is off seeding the upper pasture - ChicagoCard - 03-07-2012

(03-07-2012, 09:13 AM)Redrum link Wrote:I'll just note that "incredible" is not inherently a good thing and an "incredibly" strong arm could,  literally,  produce bad results nobody can believe.

I saw Elway when he first came into a game as a freshman for a series. It was as if Goose Gossage had come in. Players couldn't catch the ball. Just an anecdote to share, he obviously made a quick fix.

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-07-2012

Today, from The Fourth Estate:

Quote:Stanford football coach David Shaw likes what he has seen from his defense during spring practice. "We have been flying around, defensively," Shaw said. "Defensively, up front, we're playing as well at this time of the year as I can remember since I've been here."

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_20117160

Probably not as big an achievement as you'd think--pre-Fangio there wasn't the talent and coaching there. The one year of Fangio the players were probably adjusting to the 3-4. But still, a nice little tidbit. If Wayne Lyons approaches what he's cracked up to be, it's the best defense in the Pac-12 on paper. (On grass....?)

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-10-2012

Observations from the twitter feed of Joe Ritzo, play-by-play man for the SJ Giants by day and (apparently) Stanford football fan by, uh, other times.

"Redshirt Fr. WR Kelsey Young had an excellent practice...shifty player will give team a new element this yr...definite breakout candidate."

https://twitter.com/#!/JoeRitzo/status/178620701824126978

"Taking in @StanfordFball spring scrimmage... Nottingham/Nunes look like clear top candidates for QB job...Hogan showing some promise as well"

https://twitter.com/#!/JoeRitzo/status/178620066571624449

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - washingtonismoney - 03-10-2012

Observations from Kyle Bonagura:

Stepfan Taylor held out of practice because he's so awesome, why bother confirming that he is, as we know, awesome? (Shaw: "He's looking like one of the best players in the country.") http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17715483

Kelsey Young gets a thumbs up from Bonagura. ("Freshman Kelsey Young is listed at RB but spent most of Saturday's open scrimmage playing WR. Young showed the speed and elusiveness coaches have been talking about since fall camp.") http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17715396

Evan Crower: not so good. :( (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17715281)

Nottingham and Nunes took the bulk of the work. The former completed his last ten passes. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17715175)

EDIT: David Shaw thinks David Shaw is a great play caller on offense. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17715929)

EDIT2: Bonagura speculates that the LT spot will end up being one of the incoming mega recruits (https://twitter.com/#!/KyleBonagura/status/178681432665890817)

and turns out Shaw likes Kelsey Young too! (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/17716238) I'm going to guess Kelsey Young plays a big role for the 2012 Stanford Cardinal.

I hope he's WRONG about left tackle - Redrum - 03-10-2012

We are in a world of bloody hurt if what is essentially a high schooler starts at LT for us.  Glad that Bonagura is covering Stanford football.  Certainly the first to be sending information to those who couldn't go see the practice for themselves.  But I'm hoping he simply doesn't know his line play.

Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - socalstanfan1 - 03-11-2012

I'm sure Murphy and Peat have the potential to be great.  But starting as freshmen?  That's a lot to ask.  From what I've read, Peat is probably more physically developed at this point, though Murphy may have more agility and talent in the long run.  MAYBE, if Peat is fantastic, he gets more playing time as the season progresses.  But if he is able to start right away, then I'm pretty worried about that spot on the line.

Encouraged by the news about Kelsey Young.  If he can develop as a receiver, that would resolve some issues for the offensive side of the ball.

Not all that surprised about Evan Crower.  When I saw his highlight tape, I thought it looked like he floated a lot of balls, rather than rifled them.  I was much more impressed with Hogan's highlight reel.  A post on another thread noted that both Crower and Hogan seemed to be loafing through the drills.  I hope that isn't the case, or if it is that the coaches light a fire under them.  Maybe they already believe the pecking order will be Nottingham and Nunes at the top (in one way or another), and the rest further down.  OR, maybe they are both still thinking through what they are doing (footwork, timing, etc), and thus seem much slower.



Re: I hope he's WRONG about left tackle - DC - 03-11-2012

(03-10-2012, 09:07 PM)Redrum link Wrote:We are in a world of bloody hurt if what is essentially a high schooler starts at LT for us.  Glad that Bonagura is covering Stanford football.  Certainly the first to be sending information to those who couldn't go see the practice for themselves.  But I'm hoping he simply doesn't know his line play.

Unless Yankey or Fleming is moved to LT, a non-starter will be starting there.  However, Shaw has said he doesn't like moving people to new positions when they are doing well in their old ones, as he says it creates two problems.

Didn't Bob Whitfield start for us as a freshman?

Maybe Taylor and/or Hewitt to help protect the blindside on long passing plays?

Whitfield was good, but a bad example - Redrum - 03-11-2012

Whitfield had his embarrassing moments and survived as a physical specimen who came in with a great physical differential vs. many of the defenders he played against.  And, it was two and a half decades ago.  I don't think Peat has that same differential over opposing defensive linemen.  But, maybe so.

I think my comment referred to bad choices either way.  Moving a veteran has a downside.  Sticking with an overmatched (or bad fit for the position) veteran has a downside.  Starting a freshman has a downside.

If you look at Taylor's blocking contributions he almost always is picking up a rusher from the center-guard gaps or a stunting DL who has come free.  Devoting him to just covering the LT position changes the plays and fakes that have set him up the past two years  and  also leaves the shortest route to the QB without the blocking that really helped protect Luck.    In short, we're screwed if the answer to our blocking problems is a RB devoted to plugging leaks on the left.  Yikes



Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - stan01 - 03-11-2012

Dave Fowkes has a new article about spring training.  Unlike Shaw, he thought the defense looked ahead of the offense.

http://www.examiner.com/stanford-cardinal-football-in-san-francisco/stanford-football-spring-practice-finale?CID=examiner_alerts_article.



Re: Peat or Murphy could very well start in '12 - Red State - 03-11-2012

Peat is brobdingnagian and has incredible athletic ability. Shaw, a former teammate of Whitfield, btw, said Peat has done some things on the field that he has never seen any other OL do, ever. Freak.

A father of a current Stanford QB candidate who has seen Murphy play in person multiple times, said the guy is so athletic and fundamentally sound that he expects a very strong challenge for a starting job from him this season. Greg Biggins of ESPN thinks he is the premier OT in the country.

The current "starter" at LT, Brendan Austin, was wearing shorts and a knee brace at Saturday's practice. Cole Underwood, who worked with the #1 offense yesterday at LT, looks quite short for an OT and seems much better suited for OG.




Re: Some spring practice observations from the Fourth Estate: - doubledub - 03-11-2012

Cole Underword IS short and weighs less than 300 lbs.  I don't know how we could survive with a "little" guy like that at LT.