[teejers1]

ATL, I agree that there have been "player execution" problems, too.  No question.  The best example from the NW game, from my vantage point in the stands, was a 1H screen pass where there was all kinds of real estate to be gained if an OL makes the block on the one guy in the vicinity of the ball carrier.  That did not happen and a big play was negated.  On the reverse you cite, I think another problem was having Owusu (?) as the ball carrier - don't you want better speed/elusiveness (though I also agree a block was missed).  And of course the Rector drop was an obvious botch on player execution.

But player execution has NOTHING to do with getting plays in late ==> delay of game penalties or worse (sometimes) burning a TO, which is what Stanford did on its first drive of the 2H after a punt!  AYFKM?  And how about the late game drive where Hogan is looking pleadingly at the sideline for a call, only to see play clock tick down to 10 seconds, and then the call finally is relayed:  a hand off up the gut!  Again, AYFKM?

Also, player execution has NOTHING to do with not appreciating game situation, which has happened numerous times under Shaw, including against NW.  You have to run on 2nd and 5 from the NW 37 yard line, down 7.  You have 3 stinking downs to grind out the 5 yards, if necessary.  (See also end-game at Utah where Shaw again passed instead or running).

Finally, do you find it worrisome at all that Stanford can look good (or at least decent) in the first series or two, and then look lost/worthless after that?  Do you think that has anything to do with "the script running out?"  That is troubling in its own right.

To this longtime fan there are WAY TOO MANY indications that the offense is in the wrong hands (or too many hands, or what have you).  Let the OC be the OC.  Maybe Bloomgren really is the problem.  But until Shaw gets out of it altogether, we really won't know.  And right now, Shaw looks to be the issue offensively.

[teejers1]

ATL, I agree that there have been "player execution" problems, too.  No question.  The best example from the NW game, from my vantage point in the stands, was a 1H screen pass where there was all kinds of real estate to be gained if an OL makes the block on the one guy in the vicinity of the ball carrier.  That did not happen and a big play was negated.  On the reverse you cite, I think another problem was having Owusu (?) as the ball carrier - don't you want better speed/elusiveness (though I also agree a block was missed).  And of course the Rector drop was an obvious botch on player execution.

But player execution has NOTHING to do with getting plays in late ==> delay of game penalties or worse (sometimes) burning a TO, which is what Stanford did on its first drive of the 2H after a punt!  AYFKM?  And how about the late game drive where Hogan is looking pleadingly at the sideline for a call, only to see play clock tick down to 10 seconds, and then the call finally is relayed:  a hand off up the gut!  Again, AYFKM?

Also, player execution has NOTHING to do with not appreciating game situation, which has happened numerous times under Shaw, including against NW.  You have to run on 2nd and 5 from the NW 37 yard line, down 7.  You have 3 stinking downs to grind out the 5 yards, if necessary.  (See also end-game at Utah where Shaw again passed instead or running).

Finally, do you find it worrisome at all that Stanford can look good (or at least decent) in the first series or two, and then look lost/worthless after that?  Do you think that has anything to do with "the script running out?"  That is troubling in its own right.

To this longtime fan there are WAY TOO MANY indications that the offense is in the wrong hands (or too many hands, or what have you).  Let the OC be the OC.  Maybe Bloomgren really is the problem.  But until Shaw gets out of it altogether, we really won't know.  And right now, Shaw looks to be the issue offensively.