[OutsiderFan]

One other interesting nugget from the Tuesday presser...

Shaw made clear that though Stanford could pass more (because pass protection is good and the receivers are so talented), they are still committed to the run and will keep at it even when not working well, because the program's identity is so committed to being able to run the ball - move a player from point A to point B, against his will.

In other words, the offense could pass more (possibly score more points, and even have beat USC doing so), but to be in position to accomplish the team's year end goals, it must be able to run the ball more consistently, and develop the physical toughness that is the hallmark of the program. 

There is a fine line between doing what works, relying on it too much, and not being able to do anything else if the first option is taken away.  But given the passing game in terms of being a threat all over the field, is an option in 2014 that wasn't in 2013, it seems very smart to keep on working at getting the running game rolling, because if that happens, the offense will be too much to handle for most teams. 

After watching the U$C game I couldn't help but think David Shaw and staff were thoroughly confident they were going to beat that team handily, because nobody expects a team to shoot itself in the feet so much.  If the second half OL performance against Army is a foreshadowing of thing to come, the offense could really become very good.  The Washington game will tell the tale. 

[OutsiderFan]

One other interesting nugget from the Tuesday presser...

Shaw made clear that though Stanford could pass more (because pass protection is good and the receivers are so talented), they are still committed to the run and will keep at it even when not working well, because the program's identity is so committed to being able to run the ball - move a player from point A to point B, against his will.

In other words, the offense could pass more (possibly score more points, and even have beat USC doing so), but to be in position to accomplish the team's year end goals, it must be able to run the ball more consistently, and develop the physical toughness that is the hallmark of the program. 

There is a fine line between doing what works, relying on it too much, and not being able to do anything else if the first option is taken away.  But given the passing game in terms of being a threat all over the field, is an option in 2014 that wasn't in 2013, it seems very smart to keep on working at getting the running game rolling, because if that happens, the offense will be too much to handle for most teams. 

After watching the U$C game I couldn't help but think David Shaw and staff were thoroughly confident they were going to beat that team handily, because nobody expects a team to shoot itself in the feet so much.  If the second half OL performance against Army is a foreshadowing of thing to come, the offense could really become very good.  The Washington game will tell the tale.