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Starting Defense - Printable Version

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Starting Defense - alex_9 - 08-26-2015

Quote:With Stanford's season opener against Northwestern fast approaching, several position battles are starting to come into focus while others remain too close to call.

http://rvls.co/1KOO34B

Second string defense - donkey687 - 08-26-2015

The article provided absolutely no new info on starters but clarified who is in the running for second string.

The open starting positions before I read the article.

1) 4 DL for 3 spots. Who starts? No clarity. Doesn't really matter. Nothing new.
2) Who starts at CB opposite Harris? Murphy and Holder are battling out just as was the case coming out of spring ball. Nothing new.
3) Who is the other starting ILB?  Perez and Palma are duking it out still. Nothing new.

Interesting news on back-ups that Watkins is much improved and two frosh (reid and Edwards) are duking it out with Simmons for back-up safety. Alfieri is the OLB next in line.  Those are nice tidibits.


Re: Starting Defense - Langdude - 08-26-2015

I, for one, am surprised that Terrence Alexander is not starting at corner opposite Ronnie Harris. Yes, I know he will be the nickel back. That does not mean he cannot start at corner.

-m.

Re: Starting Defense - Hulk01 - 08-27-2015

We want a longer, bigger corner on the side opposite Harris.  Harris locked down one spot; if the battle was close, his competitiveness and leadership won it for him.

Re: Starting Defense - alex_9 - 08-27-2015

Maybe Terrence Alexander is not good enough.No coach is going to tell a recruit we see you as a nickel.Should he have redshirted or not.Game reps didn't count in his case.

Re: Starting Defense - pcgoode - 08-27-2015

In the pass-crazed PAC 12, we are likely to be spending an awful lot of time in the nickel.  Alexander will see a lot of action.

Re: Starting Defense - OutsiderFan - 08-27-2015

(08-27-2015, 04:28 AM)alex_9 link Wrote:Maybe Terrence Alexander is not good enough.No coach is going to tell a recruit we see you as a nickel.Should he have redshirted or not.Game reps didn't count in his case.

What?  Why would you redshirt a guy if he isn't good enough to be a starting CB, but is good enough to make a contribution to the team?  Wouldn't you want him to matriculate ASAP to clear his scholarship for a better player? 

But what is wrong with playing Nickel anyway?  The NFL in fact is moving away from the concept of the traditional Safety.  They are preferring to play CBs, or more smaller guys who are faster and quicker.  This is for two reasons:

1. The NFL is a much more pass-oriented league than it used to be, not in terms of how many passing plays there are, but in terms of the number of receivers on the field.

2. The rules against hard hits make having a physical thumper a much less valuable commodity than it used to be.

So in reality, Alexander is setting himself up for an NFL opportunity if he can play the Nickel spot. Moreover, slot receivers tend to be a bit smaller than your typical X and Z receivers, so being a short Nickel CB is not going to do detrimental, and might even be beneficial to one's NFL career aspirations.



Re: Starting Defense - alex_9 - 08-27-2015

I hear you outside Fan.Just never heard of a NB drafted if there is even a shot at the league.He seems to be a team player. Well Akina was close to Louisiana and didn't recruit him maybe he knows something we don't .


Re: Starting Defense - donkey687 - 08-27-2015

I wouldn't read this as a slight against Alexander. Locking in the nickel position may be higher in the pecking order than the #2/#3 CB.  Nickel plays 60% of the snaps and should be considered more of a starter than our 3rd DL.  The second CB tends to split time with the third. (i.e. Hoffpauir probably played as many snaps as Harris or Lyons last year when they were all healthy).  Nickel and CB aren't necessarily interchangeable so focusing on one has benefits and if Alexander is our best option at nickel, let the other guys duke it out for the second and third CB spots.'



Re: Starting Defense - terry - 08-27-2015

Our nickel back will get more snaps than our nose tackle.

Re: Starting Defense - alex_9 - 08-27-2015

Isn't this Harris campaign for the NFL.So if NB is an undersized player opportunity to showcase playing the nickel wouldn't this  be his best shot also???Maybe I'm just not seeing it as the experts are.

Re: Starting Defense - OutsiderFan - 08-27-2015

alex_9, I think it's time you reveal yourself.  How do you know Terrence Alexander?  It's clear from your posting history that the only reason you are on this board is because of him.  So are you a friend, acquaintance?  You're too critical of him to be a parent or loving family member.

Re: Starting Defense - PrinceLightfoot - 08-27-2015

Alexander was too good a player to keep off the field last year, thus redshirt was burned and his role was primarily at NB which is essentially a corner/safety hybrid.

Why is playing this position a knock on his talent especially as a true sophomore? Could it be that others being considered at CB currently do not handle the NB position nearly as well as Alexander? I need to understand why there is doubt concerning his ability if he were solely at CB.

Re: Starting Defense - washingtonismoney - 08-27-2015

Tyrann Mathieu nearly won the Voldemort as (essentially) a NB. Usua Amanam won the Rose Bowl MVP in 2013. No diss to be a nickel in today's game at all.

Re: Starting Defense - alex_9 - 08-27-2015

I do know him but his folks would not like me even commenting about him.That being said we are not blood related FYI.I want to see Tee do well. :) :) don't judge me.

Re: Starting Defense - OutsiderFan - 08-27-2015

OK, thanks for owning up.

FWIW, I believe TA has the athletic ability to be a dynamic playmaker for Stanford as a Nickel back.  As another poster pointed out, Usua Amanam was the Rose Bowl defensive MVP playing that position.  TA is probably a bit quicker and faster than Amanam. 

Let's all hope your guy stays healthy and makes a name for himself on Stanford's defense this year.

Re: Starting Defense - Rally - 08-27-2015

(08-27-2015, 01:01 PM)alex_9 link Wrote:I do know him but his folks would not like me even commenting about him.That being said we are not blood related FYI.I want to see Tee do well. :) :) don't judge me.

As a former Dog Show judge I find that last comment offensive in a micro-aggressive way.  I'm calling 911.