[Hulk01]

Given the stream of posts somewhat critical of our defensive backs and pass coverage, I'd offer this for consideration.

The best way to measure a team’s pass defenders is by their performance on third down and passing situations.

Here’s how Stanford's fare, relative to other Pac 12 teams

PER Defense, third down only
Stanford  89.6
UCLA    93.6
USC  97.5
Utah  104.7

Conversions allowed on third downs by passing
UCLA  30%
USC    34%
Stanford  35%
Utah  36%

Passing touchdowns allowed, third down
Stanford  1
USC  2
Cal  2
Washington  2
Utah  3
UCLA  3

Yards allowed per pass attempt, third down
UCLA  4.7
UCLA  4.8
Stan    5.7
Utah  6.3

Completions allowed, third down
Stanford  42.2%
Utah  51.3%
UCLA  52.2%
ASU  53.3%
Wash  53.8%

For a defense that ranks near the bottom in sacks, that looks like very good performance by Stanford’s back seven.  The same can be said of UCLA, who are depleted up front and register relatively few sacks, but may have the best DBs in the conference.

[Hulk01]

Given the stream of posts somewhat critical of our defensive backs and pass coverage, I'd offer this for consideration.

The best way to measure a team’s pass defenders is by their performance on third down and passing situations.

Here’s how Stanford's fare, relative to other Pac 12 teams

PER Defense, third down only
Stanford  89.6
UCLA    93.6
USC  97.5
Utah  104.7

Conversions allowed on third downs by passing
UCLA  30%
USC    34%
Stanford  35%
Utah  36%

Passing touchdowns allowed, third down
Stanford  1
USC  2
Cal  2
Washington  2
Utah  3
UCLA  3

Yards allowed per pass attempt, third down
UCLA  4.7
UCLA  4.8
Stan    5.7
Utah  6.3

Completions allowed, third down
Stanford  42.2%
Utah  51.3%
UCLA  52.2%
ASU  53.3%
Wash  53.8%

For a defense that ranks near the bottom in sacks, that looks like very good performance by Stanford’s back seven.  The same can be said of UCLA, who are depleted up front and register relatively few sacks, but may have the best DBs in the conference.

[TrumpCard]

Forgetting stats, and just using my eyes:
Harris has been excellent. 
Holder has been up-and-down and has been picked on recently, but still has exceeded expectations.
Meeks has been very good in coverage, but needs to clean up the tackling.
Whitfield has looked pretty good in coverage, and just needs to catch the ones that hit him in the hands.
All-in-all, as good as you could have expected coming into the season.

[TrumpCard]

Forgetting stats, and just using my eyes:
Harris has been excellent. 
Holder has been up-and-down and has been picked on recently, but still has exceeded expectations.
Meeks has been very good in coverage, but needs to clean up the tackling.
Whitfield has looked pretty good in coverage, and just needs to catch the ones that hit him in the hands.
All-in-all, as good as you could have expected coming into the season.

[Hulk01]

Holder just needs more reps; he's very good for a true sophomore in just his eighth game.  He just needs to see more, and experience more, and the game will get slower and clearer.  Even getting to see Rosen and Falk this season will prepare him for next year.

Meeks has a terrific upside, given his length, size, instincts, and coaching. 

And that someone even can make a case for them as among the top three defensive backfields in the conference seems remarkable, considering that none of them were in our top five DBs last season.  At the least, we can say that our worst fears about them have not been confirmed.

[Hulk01]

Holder just needs more reps; he's very good for a true sophomore in just his eighth game.  He just needs to see more, and experience more, and the game will get slower and clearer.  Even getting to see Rosen and Falk this season will prepare him for next year.

Meeks has a terrific upside, given his length, size, instincts, and coaching. 

And that someone even can make a case for them as among the top three defensive backfields in the conference seems remarkable, considering that none of them were in our top five DBs last season.  At the least, we can say that our worst fears about them have not been confirmed.

[TrumpCard]

I never would have thought to ask this in August, but is there a chance Harris will get drafted?  I know he's small, but he's been a lock down corner in a conference with a lot of NFL-type receivers.

[TrumpCard]

I never would have thought to ask this in August, but is there a chance Harris will get drafted?  I know he's small, but he's been a lock down corner in a conference with a lot of NFL-type receivers.