[socalstanfan1]

Owusu did get on the field, and caught a few passes, but hardly had a brobdingnagian impact his freshman year. A bit more of an impact than Kodi Whitfield the year before, but he had more of an impact on special teams coverage teams (F. Owusu, I mean).

McCaffery might have impact as a returner, but that doesn't require extensive knowledge of the play book, or mastery of blocking schemes that will keep your QB from extensive injury due to missing a blitzing LB or Safety.  I won't be surprised to see Casey Tucker get in on the jumbo packages, and I guess in Stanford's offense that could count as extended playing time. But I don't see him cracking the starting OL grouping.

Adding on the WIM's comments about why some teams field younger players (or, conversely, why Stanford fields older players), we have a very low attrition rate. Very few catastrophic injuries of late, due to excellent conditioning and probably a smattering if good luck; players who choose to stay a full 4 or 5 years, and who don't drop out due to academic or probationary reasons. In fact, the relative experience of the players may be one of Stanford's great advantages.

[socalstanfan1]

Owusu did get on the field, and caught a few passes, but hardly had a brobdingnagian impact his freshman year. A bit more of an impact than Kodi Whitfield the year before, but he had more of an impact on special teams coverage teams (F. Owusu, I mean).

McCaffery might have impact as a returner, but that doesn't require extensive knowledge of the play book, or mastery of blocking schemes that will keep your QB from extensive injury due to missing a blitzing LB or Safety.  I won't be surprised to see Casey Tucker get in on the jumbo packages, and I guess in Stanford's offense that could count as extended playing time. But I don't see him cracking the starting OL grouping.

Adding on the WIM's comments about why some teams field younger players (or, conversely, why Stanford fields older players), we have a very low attrition rate. Very few catastrophic injuries of late, due to excellent conditioning and probably a smattering if good luck; players who choose to stay a full 4 or 5 years, and who don't drop out due to academic or probationary reasons. In fact, the relative experience of the players may be one of Stanford's great advantages.

[washingtonismoney]

Listen to interviews with college coaches who have gone to more simplified offenses in an effort to increase the pace of play.

Yes, I have heard those interviews. But it doesn't always seem to be that simple -- take the case of Baylor, as I pointed out.

My personal feeling is that Coach Shaw will give chances to Freshmen, even those who are really special athletes, only over his dead body or in the context of an unfortuanate series of injuries with his more senior players. 
...
One of the defining plays of 2013 was Whitlfield's amazing TD catch vs. UCLA.  When will we ever see him again......

1. David Shaw, apparently part cat -- apparently he's already died after making Montgomery, Carter, Peat and Garnett true freshmen starters/important roles. Guess he's only got five lives left!

2. Well, Kodi Whitfield's got some really good competition -- guys who make defining plays like Montgomery (annihilating Washington), Cajuste (brobdingnagian catches against ASU), Rector, etc. etc. This seems like quite an odd metric to use.

[washingtonismoney]

Listen to interviews with college coaches who have gone to more simplified offenses in an effort to increase the pace of play.

Yes, I have heard those interviews. But it doesn't always seem to be that simple -- take the case of Baylor, as I pointed out.

My personal feeling is that Coach Shaw will give chances to Freshmen, even those who are really special athletes, only over his dead body or in the context of an unfortuanate series of injuries with his more senior players. 
...
One of the defining plays of 2013 was Whitlfield's amazing TD catch vs. UCLA.  When will we ever see him again......

1. David Shaw, apparently part cat -- apparently he's already died after making Montgomery, Carter, Peat and Garnett true freshmen starters/important roles. Guess he's only got five lives left!

2. Well, Kodi Whitfield's got some really good competition -- guys who make defining plays like Montgomery (annihilating Washington), Cajuste (brobdingnagian catches against ASU), Rector, etc. etc. This seems like quite an odd metric to use.

[CrazedZooChimp]

One of the defining plays of 2013 was Whitlfield's amazing TD catch vs. UCLA.  When will we ever see him again......

You managed to pick the one position that we actually do play young players (actually, DB also seems to get a lot of youth playing).  The four WRs who saw the most time were Montgomery, Cajuste, Whitfield and Rector, one RS frosh, one (whitfield) a true Sophmore who played as a frosh, one a RS Sophmore, and one guy who's played significant minutes all three years he's been with the team.  Which of those guys was Whitfield being held back by due to seniority?  Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

[CrazedZooChimp]

One of the defining plays of 2013 was Whitlfield's amazing TD catch vs. UCLA.  When will we ever see him again......

You managed to pick the one position that we actually do play young players (actually, DB also seems to get a lot of youth playing).  The four WRs who saw the most time were Montgomery, Cajuste, Whitfield and Rector, one RS frosh, one (whitfield) a true Sophmore who played as a frosh, one a RS Sophmore, and one guy who's played significant minutes all three years he's been with the team.  Which of those guys was Whitfield being held back by due to seniority?  Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

[stupac2]

Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

Trojan and Pratt.

There's plenty of room on this team for our best 5 receivers to get time, IF we stop trotting out sub-par receivers for reasons that are baffling to all observers.

[stupac2]

Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

Trojan and Pratt.

There's plenty of room on this team for our best 5 receivers to get time, IF we stop trotting out sub-par receivers for reasons that are baffling to all observers.

[CrazedZooChimp]

[quote author=CrazedZooChimp link=topic=6741.msg82704#msg82704 date=1390931847]Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

Trojan and Pratt.

There's plenty of room on this team for our best 5 receivers to get time, IF we stop trotting out sub-par receivers for reasons that are baffling to all observers.
[/quote]

You think Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 6 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

[CrazedZooChimp]

[quote author=CrazedZooChimp link=topic=6741.msg82704#msg82704 date=1390931847]Which one do you think Whitfield is immensely better than and should get more playing time over?

Trojan and Pratt.

There's plenty of room on this team for our best 5 receivers to get time, IF we stop trotting out sub-par receivers for reasons that are baffling to all observers.
[/quote]

You think Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 6 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

[BostonCard]

Kodi Whitfield: 14 games, 16 receptions, 170 yards, 1 TD
Jordan Pratt: 7 games, 12 receptions, 148 yards, 0 TD
Jeff Trojan: 4 games, 6 receptions, 50 yards, 0 TD
Francis Owusu: 5 games, 2 receptions 56 yards, 1 TD

source: cfb stats (http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/re...index.html)

BC

[BostonCard]

Kodi Whitfield: 14 games, 16 receptions, 170 yards, 1 TD
Jordan Pratt: 7 games, 12 receptions, 148 yards, 0 TD
Jeff Trojan: 4 games, 6 receptions, 50 yards, 0 TD
Francis Owusu: 5 games, 2 receptions 56 yards, 1 TD

source: cfb stats (http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/team/674/re...index.html)

BC

[stupac2]

You think Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 2 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

They don't need to have gotten more than him for them to have gotten too many. Regardless, according to CFBStats.com:

Whitfield: 16/170/10.63
Pratt: 12/148/12.33
Trojan: 6/50/8.33

Sadly it doesn't have data about targets, though I bet that exists somewhere.

[stupac2]

You think Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 2 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

They don't need to have gotten more than him for them to have gotten too many. Regardless, according to CFBStats.com:

Whitfield: 16/170/10.63
Pratt: 12/148/12.33
Trojan: 6/50/8.33

Sadly it doesn't have data about targets, though I bet that exists somewhere.

[washingtonismoney]

Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 2 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

I don't have an exact count but I think the snap count by the end of the year went:

Montgomery
...
...
Pratt/Cajuste
...
Rector
...
[everyone else]

The issue I have with Whitfield -- and with F. Owusu as well -- isn't that they weren't played much. It's perfectly justifiable to say, "Well, with Montgomery/Cajuste/Rector and Pratt as a supporting guy I've got more than enough ammunition." And it's also perfectly justifiable to say "Owusu and Whitfield are very talented, they should get more time." The problem was the in-between space we have Owusu and Whitfield in, by burning their redshirts. Just as we regretted some of Harbaugh's dumb redshirt-burning decisions (G. Whalen, Stephens, Terrell and Patterson), I have a suspicion we'll regret some of Shaw's decisions in this area too. It's a flaw that both Harbaugh and Shaw have and I don't get it.

[washingtonismoney]

Trojan and Pratt got more snaps than Whitfield?  I highly doubt that.  Especially since Trojan ended up with only 2 catches (sadly I can't easily find # of plays or targets).

I don't have an exact count but I think the snap count by the end of the year went:

Montgomery
...
...
Pratt/Cajuste
...
Rector
...
[everyone else]

The issue I have with Whitfield -- and with F. Owusu as well -- isn't that they weren't played much. It's perfectly justifiable to say, "Well, with Montgomery/Cajuste/Rector and Pratt as a supporting guy I've got more than enough ammunition." And it's also perfectly justifiable to say "Owusu and Whitfield are very talented, they should get more time." The problem was the in-between space we have Owusu and Whitfield in, by burning their redshirts. Just as we regretted some of Harbaugh's dumb redshirt-burning decisions (G. Whalen, Stephens, Terrell and Patterson), I have a suspicion we'll regret some of Shaw's decisions in this area too. It's a flaw that both Harbaugh and Shaw have and I don't get it.

[FarmBoy]

Just as we regretted some of Harbaugh's dumb redshirt-burning decisions

It goes both ways. Put me in the camp as one who regrets Harbaugh's decision to redshirt Luck in 2008. With Luck under center, I think we get that 6th win to become bowl eligible, thereby gaining the valuable experience of bowl practices and game. That collective team experience, plus having already a full season of snaps under Luck's belt, may have lead to an even better more efficient (lower turnover) offense in 2009, likely enough to reverse the outcomes of the UofA and Big Games, thereby putting us in the Rose Bowl. You can play lots of would have, could have, should haves with these decisions.

[FarmBoy]

Just as we regretted some of Harbaugh's dumb redshirt-burning decisions

It goes both ways. Put me in the camp as one who regrets Harbaugh's decision to redshirt Luck in 2008. With Luck under center, I think we get that 6th win to become bowl eligible, thereby gaining the valuable experience of bowl practices and game. That collective team experience, plus having already a full season of snaps under Luck's belt, may have lead to an even better more efficient (lower turnover) offense in 2009, likely enough to reverse the outcomes of the UofA and Big Games, thereby putting us in the Rose Bowl. You can play lots of would have, could have, should haves with these decisions.

[donkey687]

We can't forget that the player also influences the decision. Shittu was adamant about not red-shirting.  He probably should have but should Shaw have gone against his wishes and potentially had a sour apple on his hands as a result? One area that players consistently praise Shaw is his ability to recognize individual needs of players and motivate them in different ways. Thus, his redshirt decisions takes players thoughts into consideration.

[donkey687]

We can't forget that the player also influences the decision. Shittu was adamant about not red-shirting.  He probably should have but should Shaw have gone against his wishes and potentially had a sour apple on his hands as a result? One area that players consistently praise Shaw is his ability to recognize individual needs of players and motivate them in different ways. Thus, his redshirt decisions takes players thoughts into consideration.

[yvonne]

I saw a tweet earlier today from one of the services: Thomas and Alexander are announcing on signing day.

[yvonne]

I saw a tweet earlier today from one of the services: Thomas and Alexander are announcing on signing day.

[washingtonismoney]

Burkett to Stanford: https://twitter.com/StanfordRivals/statu...7710202881

brobdingnagian get -- means we have 4 OL commits, so we can be a bit flexible with our roster, either recruiting fewer in '15 or contemplate some "what if [xxx] played NT?"

[washingtonismoney]

Burkett to Stanford: https://twitter.com/StanfordRivals/statu...7710202881

brobdingnagian get -- means we have 4 OL commits, so we can be a bit flexible with our roster, either recruiting fewer in '15 or contemplate some "what if [xxx] played NT?"

[BostonCard]

I feel a little bad for mason, but I got over it quickly.

BC

[BostonCard]

I feel a little bad for mason, but I got over it quickly.

BC

[FrankO]

he knew going in that we were after and likely to land him... but the big bucks and opportunity beckoned... so good for Mason

better yet, good for Burkett

[FrankO]

he knew going in that we were after and likely to land him... but the big bucks and opportunity beckoned... so good for Mason

better yet, good for Burkett

[washingtonismoney]

A scouting report on Solomon Thomas:

Described as a tweener by an SEC recruiting coordinator, the 6-2, 260-pounder impressed all the college coaches I spoke to with his smarts and physicality. "He has great quickness but he is a little undersized," said one Pac-12 coach. "We loved this kid. He has been very, very well-coached in high school."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ng-battles

[washingtonismoney]

A scouting report on Solomon Thomas:

Described as a tweener by an SEC recruiting coordinator, the 6-2, 260-pounder impressed all the college coaches I spoke to with his smarts and physicality. "He has great quickness but he is a little undersized," said one Pac-12 coach. "We loved this kid. He has been very, very well-coached in high school."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...ng-battles

[washingtonismoney]

I feel a little bad for mason, but I got over it quickly.

BC

I don't think continuing to recruit Burkett was unethical or anything, but Vandy's down to 8 commits now. That's the sort of thing that can throw a program off-course in the medium term.

[washingtonismoney]

I feel a little bad for mason, but I got over it quickly.

BC

I don't think continuing to recruit Burkett was unethical or anything, but Vandy's down to 8 commits now. That's the sort of thing that can throw a program off-course in the medium term.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Pratt played way more than Whitfield last year

[AthleticsDynasty]

Pratt played way more than Whitfield last year

[BostonCard]

On the wide receivers, it is easy to see why Whitfield's redshirt was burned last season, and Owusu's this year; there simply wasn't that much returning depth.

After the 2011 season, we graduated our top two receiving pass catchers: Griff Whalen and Chris Owusu, responsible for 101 catches for 1125 yards.  Our top returning wide receiver was Montgomery (then a true freshman), who caught 24 catches for 350 yards.  The next guy was Drew Terrell (8 catches for 81 yards).  That's not a whole lot of returning production.
After the 2012 season, we graduated Terrell, who was our top wide receiver and Jamal-Rashad Patterson (16 catches, 271 yards and a better season in terms of yards than Montgomery), and our only real returning treat was Montgomery, who had had a down season (26 catches, 213 yards).  Whitfield, unfortunately had 2 catches for 13 yards ad Young had 8 catches for 74 yards; Cajuste and Pratt each had one catch.  Whitfield's modest production was not because we had a stable of wide receivers that took balls away from him, but rather because we had a ton of pass catching tight ends.  Although he didn't wind up contributing much, it was easy to see how the staff might have thought that we need help at wide receiver.
And again, this year, we only really had Montgomery coming back, after a down season, so it was easy to see why the coaches thought Owusu would be needed.  Fortunately for the team, both Rector and Cajuste had break-out years, and we probably didn't need to play Owusu.  But that was hard to guess in advance.

My guess is that we don't play any true freshmen wide receivers next year (of course, we don't have any WR commits this year). 

BC

[BostonCard]

On the wide receivers, it is easy to see why Whitfield's redshirt was burned last season, and Owusu's this year; there simply wasn't that much returning depth.

After the 2011 season, we graduated our top two receiving pass catchers: Griff Whalen and Chris Owusu, responsible for 101 catches for 1125 yards.  Our top returning wide receiver was Montgomery (then a true freshman), who caught 24 catches for 350 yards.  The next guy was Drew Terrell (8 catches for 81 yards).  That's not a whole lot of returning production.
After the 2012 season, we graduated Terrell, who was our top wide receiver and Jamal-Rashad Patterson (16 catches, 271 yards and a better season in terms of yards than Montgomery), and our only real returning treat was Montgomery, who had had a down season (26 catches, 213 yards).  Whitfield, unfortunately had 2 catches for 13 yards ad Young had 8 catches for 74 yards; Cajuste and Pratt each had one catch.  Whitfield's modest production was not because we had a stable of wide receivers that took balls away from him, but rather because we had a ton of pass catching tight ends.  Although he didn't wind up contributing much, it was easy to see how the staff might have thought that we need help at wide receiver.
And again, this year, we only really had Montgomery coming back, after a down season, so it was easy to see why the coaches thought Owusu would be needed.  Fortunately for the team, both Rector and Cajuste had break-out years, and we probably didn't need to play Owusu.  But that was hard to guess in advance.

My guess is that we don't play any true freshmen wide receivers next year (of course, we don't have any WR commits this year). 

BC

[OutsiderFan]

Cal sent four coaches to visit Louis Vecchio tonight.  Safe to assume Vecchio was offered a Cal scholarship during the visit.

Now the question is, does Stanford covet him enough to step up and offer a scholarship to Vecchio, knowing doing so will win his signature?  Or does Stanford still try to get Vecchio to walk-on, knowing Stanford is where he wants to be, and he can afford the financial realities of being a walk-on?

[OutsiderFan]

Cal sent four coaches to visit Louis Vecchio tonight.  Safe to assume Vecchio was offered a Cal scholarship during the visit.

Now the question is, does Stanford covet him enough to step up and offer a scholarship to Vecchio, knowing doing so will win his signature?  Or does Stanford still try to get Vecchio to walk-on, knowing Stanford is where he wants to be, and he can afford the financial realities of being a walk-on?

[BostonCard]

Last time we were in a similar position was with Patrick Skov.  Harbaugh wanted Skov the younger but didn't want to expend a scholarship.  Skov wanted to come, but not unless he had said scholarship.  Harbaugh blinked, and fwiw, I think it will wind up being a good decision.
BC

[BostonCard]

Last time we were in a similar position was with Patrick Skov.  Harbaugh wanted Skov the younger but didn't want to expend a scholarship.  Skov wanted to come, but not unless he had said scholarship.  Harbaugh blinked, and fwiw, I think it will wind up being a good decision.
BC