[AncientCityIndian]

Unless we are talking about a once in a lifetime Andrew Luck or John Elway or even a Kevin Hogan, with our or SDSU`s type of O scheme, what kind of QB would be best?

I think Long vs. Shaw answered the question definitively last evening.  We need a mobile guy who can go against the grain, pass out of the pocket and cherry pick receivers away from the flow.  We stood in the pocket with our pocket passer and offered no stress to the SDSU D.  Easy pickings for the D, no hard choices to be made.  Flat outcoached and outrecruited.

Long has what he needs and Long has what WE need and Shaw has made the wrong choice and it is killing us, OL be damned.

If a team controls the TOS for 41 minutes, that team will win 99% of the time.

[AncientCityIndian]

Unless we are talking about a once in a lifetime Andrew Luck or John Elway or even a Kevin Hogan, with our or SDSU`s type of O scheme, what kind of QB would be best?

I think Long vs. Shaw answered the question definitively last evening.  We need a mobile guy who can go against the grain, pass out of the pocket and cherry pick receivers away from the flow.  We stood in the pocket with our pocket passer and offered no stress to the SDSU D.  Easy pickings for the D, no hard choices to be made.  Flat outcoached and outrecruited.

Long has what he needs and Long has what WE need and Shaw has made the wrong choice and it is killing us, OL be damned.

If a team controls the TOS for 41 minutes, that team will win 99% of the time.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Is the best move to give experience to Costello now or to hope for a peaking 5th year Chryst next year? Would putting Costello in now give him needed experience, or is it risky and dangerous to put in a less experienced qb now given our current issues? Would we be sending Costello into a Luck-Colts type of situation?

I believe a significant number of Stanford fans, as well as the coaching staff, are now asking the exact same questions you pose.
To help answer those questions I think Costello needs a bit of playing time. The coaching staff has now seen Chryst play 8 or 9 games so they are aware of his strengths and weaknesses. Regarding Costello,  until he plays at least a couple of Quarters, the coaches will not really know what he may bring to the table.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Is the best move to give experience to Costello now or to hope for a peaking 5th year Chryst next year? Would putting Costello in now give him needed experience, or is it risky and dangerous to put in a less experienced qb now given our current issues? Would we be sending Costello into a Luck-Colts type of situation?

I believe a significant number of Stanford fans, as well as the coaching staff, are now asking the exact same questions you pose.
To help answer those questions I think Costello needs a bit of playing time. The coaching staff has now seen Chryst play 8 or 9 games so they are aware of his strengths and weaknesses. Regarding Costello,  until he plays at least a couple of Quarters, the coaches will not really know what he may bring to the table.

[washingtonismoney]

I dunno, "even a Kevin Hogan" does not suggest an offense needing a superman at QB. Love the guy, of course, but I don't view his achievements as impossible heights.

Which I guess goes back to the puzzle of why the coaches' post-Hogan QB options have been so mediocre. I'm a bit wary of putting Costello in -- not because I'm theoretically opposed to a change, but just because his accuracy looked OK-ish during the spring game. But who knows.

[washingtonismoney]

I dunno, "even a Kevin Hogan" does not suggest an offense needing a superman at QB. Love the guy, of course, but I don't view his achievements as impossible heights.

Which I guess goes back to the puzzle of why the coaches' post-Hogan QB options have been so mediocre. I'm a bit wary of putting Costello in -- not because I'm theoretically opposed to a change, but just because his accuracy looked OK-ish during the spring game. But who knows.

[AncientCityIndian]

We are supposed to be the quintessential pro style  running team in the country yet 6 points down, our coach signals he has no faith in his team gaining a half yard inside the 5 yard line.  What message does it send to his team?  For me, it meant he had to make up a phony , inaccurate 2 score down excuse to rationalize his belief his only option was a run into a stacked box and felt the odds were against him.  With Hogan or Luck, a rollout away from the pressure with one or two receivers heading to the sideline would definitely be an option and the SDSU D would have had to account for it.  With our present top two QB`s, it is not an option.  We have the wrong type of QB against good D`s.  Darnold is great out of the pocket.  Last night, the SDSU QB may not be pro material but he was plenty good and a great fit for Rocky Long`s O which is basically our O.

[AncientCityIndian]

We are supposed to be the quintessential pro style  running team in the country yet 6 points down, our coach signals he has no faith in his team gaining a half yard inside the 5 yard line.  What message does it send to his team?  For me, it meant he had to make up a phony , inaccurate 2 score down excuse to rationalize his belief his only option was a run into a stacked box and felt the odds were against him.  With Hogan or Luck, a rollout away from the pressure with one or two receivers heading to the sideline would definitely be an option and the SDSU D would have had to account for it.  With our present top two QB`s, it is not an option.  We have the wrong type of QB against good D`s.  Darnold is great out of the pocket.  Last night, the SDSU QB may not be pro material but he was plenty good and a great fit for Rocky Long`s O which is basically our O.

[GoodGrief]

I am officially on board the Costello Train. Bring him in--I want to see more of his zippy passes!

At some point in any season (Andrew Luck years excepted), I always find myself rooting for The Other Quarterback, and that time is last game.

[GoodGrief]

I am officially on board the Costello Train. Bring him in--I want to see more of his zippy passes!

At some point in any season (Andrew Luck years excepted), I always find myself rooting for The Other Quarterback, and that time is last game.

[Goose]

I was never "sold" on the idea that Chryst's performance last year was all that good, or that he was substantially improving. On this board, he has repeatedly been accused of locking on to a single receiver. He also seems to play in "slow motion" relative to the rest of the team. Most importantly, as he showed last night, if you need him to make a throw, even to an open receiver that he has identified, he most often can't. That last point is fatal. You can have faults as a QB and get away with it if the rest of the team is good enough. However, if you can't hit most of the "must have" throws, it isn't going to end well. Yes, the OL basically sucks right now, and that is a big, big issue to a run first team. The run game is a 50 yard touchdown or nothing, which isn't good. Even with all these problems, and more, if Chryst completes the 3rd and 12 to an open receiver, we win. He didn't. Yes, it may be true he can't run because of his injury. That's bad. But not being able to execute when it is there is much, much worse. This was the Colorado game all over again.

[Goose]

I was never "sold" on the idea that Chryst's performance last year was all that good, or that he was substantially improving. On this board, he has repeatedly been accused of locking on to a single receiver. He also seems to play in "slow motion" relative to the rest of the team. Most importantly, as he showed last night, if you need him to make a throw, even to an open receiver that he has identified, he most often can't. That last point is fatal. You can have faults as a QB and get away with it if the rest of the team is good enough. However, if you can't hit most of the "must have" throws, it isn't going to end well. Yes, the OL basically sucks right now, and that is a big, big issue to a run first team. The run game is a 50 yard touchdown or nothing, which isn't good. Even with all these problems, and more, if Chryst completes the 3rd and 12 to an open receiver, we win. He didn't. Yes, it may be true he can't run because of his injury. That's bad. But not being able to execute when it is there is much, much worse. This was the Colorado game all over again.

[thunder_chik]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?  It's not that we don't recruit talent; according to 247 Sports website, composite ratings for our four QBs are Burns=.9272, Chryst=.9745, Costello=.9746, Mills=.9918.  So why do we have a QB problem?

At times I've read elsewhere on this board that the complexity of our playbook is one of the reasons it takes so long to prepare our QBs.  And/or that our O-line hasn't "jelled". Or is it a leadership void?  A coaching deficiency?  Is our program a proverbial victim of its own success?

[thunder_chik]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?  It's not that we don't recruit talent; according to 247 Sports website, composite ratings for our four QBs are Burns=.9272, Chryst=.9745, Costello=.9746, Mills=.9918.  So why do we have a QB problem?

At times I've read elsewhere on this board that the complexity of our playbook is one of the reasons it takes so long to prepare our QBs.  And/or that our O-line hasn't "jelled". Or is it a leadership void?  A coaching deficiency?  Is our program a proverbial victim of its own success?

[Goose]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?  It's not that we don't recruit talent; according to 247 Sports website, composite ratings for our four QBs are Burns=.9272, Chryst=.9745, Costello=.9746, Mills=.9918.  So why do we have a QB problem?

At times I've read elsewhere on this board that the complexity of our playbook is one of the reasons it takes so long to prepare our QBs.  And/or that our O-line hasn't "jelled". Or is it a leadership void?  A coaching deficiency?  Is our program a proverbial victim of its own success?

I don't know. Why was Hogan better than Nunes? On paper, not what was expected. Unfortunately, it isn't an exact science, or even a science at all. That may be why we have so many QBs, because lots of them don't pan out  :) It isn't the playbook. Playbooks facilitate open receivers. You have to throw to the right guy, get the ball there and on time. Chryst doesn't seem to be able to do so. My joke from last year was that Burns throws it over their head while Chryst throws it into the ground may not be so funny right now. Costello? Who knows, but I bet we find out.

[Goose]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?  It's not that we don't recruit talent; according to 247 Sports website, composite ratings for our four QBs are Burns=.9272, Chryst=.9745, Costello=.9746, Mills=.9918.  So why do we have a QB problem?

At times I've read elsewhere on this board that the complexity of our playbook is one of the reasons it takes so long to prepare our QBs.  And/or that our O-line hasn't "jelled". Or is it a leadership void?  A coaching deficiency?  Is our program a proverbial victim of its own success?

I don't know. Why was Hogan better than Nunes? On paper, not what was expected. Unfortunately, it isn't an exact science, or even a science at all. That may be why we have so many QBs, because lots of them don't pan out  :) It isn't the playbook. Playbooks facilitate open receivers. You have to throw to the right guy, get the ball there and on time. Chryst doesn't seem to be able to do so. My joke from last year was that Burns throws it over their head while Chryst throws it into the ground may not be so funny right now. Costello? Who knows, but I bet we find out.

[stupac2]

I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? Saban gets more-or-less whichever players he wants (and damn near as many of them as he wants too...) but can't seem to find a QB at all.

It's similar to the Pros, how many college QBs drafted high end up panning out? There's millions of dollars at stake and people are still basically guessing. I think projecting performance when the competition level jumps is just hard.

[stupac2]

I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? Saban gets more-or-less whichever players he wants (and damn near as many of them as he wants too...) but can't seem to find a QB at all.

It's similar to the Pros, how many college QBs drafted high end up panning out? There's millions of dollars at stake and people are still basically guessing. I think projecting performance when the competition level jumps is just hard.

[winflop]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches

[winflop]

Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches

[Snorlax94]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]

Winflop, I was unfortunately wondering the same thing. In general, I think the name Tavita Pritchard should always be followed by a grateful pause, then "that guy is an eternal hero."

However, I must admit, I have been wondering lately whether it is time for Tavita Pritchard, (pause), that guy is an eternal hero, to be replaced.

I was wondering whatever happened to Pep Hamilton, then I learned earlier this year Michigan scooped him up as a passing game coach, and I was like, what the heck?? It made me wonder whether we pursued him. If we got outbid, I can live with that. But if we didn't try, that would be disappointing.

One thing that makes me slightly less critical of our qb development, ironically, are Hogan's initial inaccuracies and struggles in the NFL. If NFL coches were able to quickly turn around his accuracy, it'd make me wonder why we couldn't do it. But it has taken years even in the NFL.

As for Alabama being unable to recruit a qb, I don't think it necessarily reflects a universal difficulty to recruit and develop qbs. The SEC is a human meat grinder, fun if you're a 250lb linebacker, or 300 lb lineman, a very poor career choice for any qb. I would even argue they could ruin the prospects for a 240lb running back.

[Snorlax94]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]

Winflop, I was unfortunately wondering the same thing. In general, I think the name Tavita Pritchard should always be followed by a grateful pause, then "that guy is an eternal hero."

However, I must admit, I have been wondering lately whether it is time for Tavita Pritchard, (pause), that guy is an eternal hero, to be replaced.

I was wondering whatever happened to Pep Hamilton, then I learned earlier this year Michigan scooped him up as a passing game coach, and I was like, what the heck?? It made me wonder whether we pursued him. If we got outbid, I can live with that. But if we didn't try, that would be disappointing.

One thing that makes me slightly less critical of our qb development, ironically, are Hogan's initial inaccuracies and struggles in the NFL. If NFL coches were able to quickly turn around his accuracy, it'd make me wonder why we couldn't do it. But it has taken years even in the NFL.

As for Alabama being unable to recruit a qb, I don't think it necessarily reflects a universal difficulty to recruit and develop qbs. The SEC is a human meat grinder, fun if you're a 250lb linebacker, or 300 lb lineman, a very poor career choice for any qb. I would even argue they could ruin the prospects for a 240lb running back.

[Goose]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]
Could be. I don't know if Tavita is a good coach or not. One could say you look at the results, but even that is a bit difficult to do. Hogan is part of that tree too, isn't he? However, give the under performance of many college QBs in the presence of supposedly "known good" coaches, I find your certainty on the subject hard to justify. Possibly you have some inside info on what is missing?
FWIW, I would like to see Tavita move on, not because I think he is not a good coach, (because I don't claim to know), but rather to further his own career. You can't make it in the coaching profession staying in one place, at least as a rule. You have to demonstrate you can adapt to new conditions. Don't do your postdoc where you did your PhD. Shaw should put in a word for him to be an offensive coordinator at some smaller school, just to punch the ticket. Or maybe go work for a pro team for a while.

[Goose]

[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]
Could be. I don't know if Tavita is a good coach or not. One could say you look at the results, but even that is a bit difficult to do. Hogan is part of that tree too, isn't he? However, give the under performance of many college QBs in the presence of supposedly "known good" coaches, I find your certainty on the subject hard to justify. Possibly you have some inside info on what is missing?
FWIW, I would like to see Tavita move on, not because I think he is not a good coach, (because I don't claim to know), but rather to further his own career. You can't make it in the coaching profession staying in one place, at least as a rule. You have to demonstrate you can adapt to new conditions. Don't do your postdoc where you did your PhD. Shaw should put in a word for him to be an offensive coordinator at some smaller school, just to punch the ticket. Or maybe go work for a pro team for a while.

[winflop]

This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

[winflop]

This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? .

The late, great, Ken Stabler !

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? .

The late, great, Ken Stabler !

[Goose]

This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

True, but is that because of him or because of them? Burns was always considered a "project", so when he was selected as a starter last year, it was a bit of a red flag, or at least a question mark for Chryst. From what I have seen of Chryst, he just doesn't have the fluidity that we need in a QB. He also isn't accurate. (sorry to all those who have said he was improving last year. If he was, which I didn't really see, it didn't stick. Maybe he is still hurt). We have had this discussion before, but the consensus seems to be that you can't coach accuracy. You either have it or you don't. So I can't blame Tavita. Neither can I reward him. I just don't know. This does bring up the Rosen question, but that probably was beyond Tavita's pay grade. So it is true that Tavita hasn't delivered any good QBs except (maybe) Hogan. But the sample size is too small to know it is his fault, IMHO. Unfortunately, Costello has seemed a bit all over the lot from what I have seen of him, but he at least seems to know where he wants the ball to go, and it isn't always Irwin.

[Goose]

This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

True, but is that because of him or because of them? Burns was always considered a "project", so when he was selected as a starter last year, it was a bit of a red flag, or at least a question mark for Chryst. From what I have seen of Chryst, he just doesn't have the fluidity that we need in a QB. He also isn't accurate. (sorry to all those who have said he was improving last year. If he was, which I didn't really see, it didn't stick. Maybe he is still hurt). We have had this discussion before, but the consensus seems to be that you can't coach accuracy. You either have it or you don't. So I can't blame Tavita. Neither can I reward him. I just don't know. This does bring up the Rosen question, but that probably was beyond Tavita's pay grade. So it is true that Tavita hasn't delivered any good QBs except (maybe) Hogan. But the sample size is too small to know it is his fault, IMHO. Unfortunately, Costello has seemed a bit all over the lot from what I have seen of him, but he at least seems to know where he wants the ball to go, and it isn't always Irwin.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17413.msg201222#msg201222 date=1505683796]
This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

True, but is that because of him or because of them? Burns was always considered a "project", so when he was selected as a starter last year, it was a bit of a red flag, or at least a question mark for Chryst. From what I have seen of Chryst, he just doesn't have the fluidity that we need in a QB. He also isn't accurate. (sorry to all those who have said he was improving last year. If he was, which I didn't really see, it didn't stick. Maybe he is still hurt). We have had this discussion before, but the consensus seems to be that you can't coach accuracy. You either have it or you don't. So I can't blame Tavita. Neither can I reward him. I just don't know. This does bring up the Rosen question, but that probably was beyond Tavita's pay grade. So it is true that Tavita hasn't delivered any good QBs except (maybe) Hogan. But the sample size is too small to know it is his fault, IMHO. Unfortunately, Costello has seemed a bit all over the lot from what I have seen of him, but he at least seems to know where he wants the ball to go, and it isn't always Irwin.
[/quote]

I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?
I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17413.msg201222#msg201222 date=1505683796]
This is Pritchard's fourth season as QB coach - he started in January 2014 after being promoted from RB coach. His starting QBs during those four years:
2014: Hogan
2015: Hogan
2016: Burns/Chryst
2017: Chryst/???

You could argue that he did a good job with Hogan but nobody else since that has either taken the field or hasn't earned a spot has looked questionable to just plain bad. That's not good enough, and the lack of any kind of quality QB play since Hogan left suggests that Pritchard hasn't really developed ANY recruits that have joined the team since he became the QB coach.

True, but is that because of him or because of them? Burns was always considered a "project", so when he was selected as a starter last year, it was a bit of a red flag, or at least a question mark for Chryst. From what I have seen of Chryst, he just doesn't have the fluidity that we need in a QB. He also isn't accurate. (sorry to all those who have said he was improving last year. If he was, which I didn't really see, it didn't stick. Maybe he is still hurt). We have had this discussion before, but the consensus seems to be that you can't coach accuracy. You either have it or you don't. So I can't blame Tavita. Neither can I reward him. I just don't know. This does bring up the Rosen question, but that probably was beyond Tavita's pay grade. So it is true that Tavita hasn't delivered any good QBs except (maybe) Hogan. But the sample size is too small to know it is his fault, IMHO. Unfortunately, Costello has seemed a bit all over the lot from what I have seen of him, but he at least seems to know where he wants the ball to go, and it isn't always Irwin.
[/quote]

I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?
I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

[Goose]

I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?

Well, the coaches have tons of practice time. Costello also played in the spring scrimmage and the two open fall practices (I think). He also played a bit aginst Rice.

I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

Well, it we were in a really tight race for a championship, his inexperience might cause us to lose a game we would otherwise win. This is especially an issue if the coaches know he has certain problems that we fans either haven't recognized or haven't seen. If we are not competing for a championship, the bar is probably lower. We shall see.

[Goose]

I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?

Well, the coaches have tons of practice time. Costello also played in the spring scrimmage and the two open fall practices (I think). He also played a bit aginst Rice.

I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

Well, it we were in a really tight race for a championship, his inexperience might cause us to lose a game we would otherwise win. This is especially an issue if the coaches know he has certain problems that we fans either haven't recognized or haven't seen. If we are not competing for a championship, the bar is probably lower. We shall see.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

[quote author=SF_Cardinal_Fan link=topic=17413.msg201234#msg201234 date=1505686870]
I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?

Well, the coaches have tons of practice time. Costello also played in the spring scrimmage and the two open fall practices (I think). He also played a bit aginst Rice.

I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

Well, it we were in a really tight race for a championship, his inexperience might cause us to lose a game we would otherwise win. This is especially an issue if the coaches know he has certain problems that we fans either haven't recognized or haven't seen. If we are not competing for a championship, the bar is probably lower. We shall see.
[/quote]

Yes, I understand about Costello's practice reps and, or, his appearance in a one sided win against Rice.
But, those reps do not reveal a QB's skills as would real game time play.
I may be misinterpreting other people's posts , but there does not seem to be a consensus (here at this forum) that Chryst's play during his 9 games at starting QB has been outstanding.
So, if Chyst's playing performance has been only mediocre, it may be worth the risk to give Costello some playing time and see what he can do.
Furthermore, having the opportunity to now evaluate Costello's play may be useful a year from now, when highly regarded recruit QB Mills will likely be part of the "Stanford's starting QB" conversation.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

[quote author=SF_Cardinal_Fan link=topic=17413.msg201234#msg201234 date=1505686870]
I am new this season to watching Stanford football.
What playing opportunities has Costello had that would give spectators (or the coaching staff) to evaluate his current quarterbacking skills ?

Well, the coaches have tons of practice time. Costello also played in the spring scrimmage and the two open fall practices (I think). He also played a bit aginst Rice.

I ask because if in fact Costello has not had college game experience, then what is to lose by giving him some playing time ?

Well, it we were in a really tight race for a championship, his inexperience might cause us to lose a game we would otherwise win. This is especially an issue if the coaches know he has certain problems that we fans either haven't recognized or haven't seen. If we are not competing for a championship, the bar is probably lower. We shall see.
[/quote]

Yes, I understand about Costello's practice reps and, or, his appearance in a one sided win against Rice.
But, those reps do not reveal a QB's skills as would real game time play.
I may be misinterpreting other people's posts , but there does not seem to be a consensus (here at this forum) that Chryst's play during his 9 games at starting QB has been outstanding.
So, if Chyst's playing performance has been only mediocre, it may be worth the risk to give Costello some playing time and see what he can do.
Furthermore, having the opportunity to now evaluate Costello's play may be useful a year from now, when highly regarded recruit QB Mills will likely be part of the "Stanford's starting QB" conversation.

[Mick]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17413.msg201211#msg201211 date=1505680353]
[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]

Winflop, I was unfortunately wondering the same thing. In general, I think the name Tavita Pritchard should always be followed by a grateful pause, then "that guy is an eternal hero."

However, I must admit, I have been wondering lately whether it is time for Tavita Pritchard, (pause), that guy is an eternal hero, to be replaced.

I was wondering whatever happened to Pep Hamilton, then I learned earlier this year Michigan scooped him up as a passing game coach, and I was like, what the heck?? It made me wonder whether we pursued him. If we got outbid, I can live with that. But if we didn't try, that would be disappointing.[/quote]

We got outbid.  Three of Michigan's assistants make more than $1 million annually, including both Pep Hamilton and Tim Drevno.

[Mick]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=17413.msg201211#msg201211 date=1505680353]
[quote author=thunder_chik link=topic=17413.msg201192#msg201192 date=1505676727]
Why is it that development of our QBs seems so difficult?

Because Shaw hired a fanboy hero to coach them instead of a real QB coach. After the season he needs to find the Akina of QB coaches
[/quote]

Winflop, I was unfortunately wondering the same thing. In general, I think the name Tavita Pritchard should always be followed by a grateful pause, then "that guy is an eternal hero."

However, I must admit, I have been wondering lately whether it is time for Tavita Pritchard, (pause), that guy is an eternal hero, to be replaced.

I was wondering whatever happened to Pep Hamilton, then I learned earlier this year Michigan scooped him up as a passing game coach, and I was like, what the heck?? It made me wonder whether we pursued him. If we got outbid, I can live with that. But if we didn't try, that would be disappointing.[/quote]

We got outbid.  Three of Michigan's assistants make more than $1 million annually, including both Pep Hamilton and Tim Drevno.

[Mick]

[quote author=stupac2 link=topic=17413.msg201200#msg201200 date=1505678508]
I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? .

The late, great, Ken Stabler !
[/quote]

Some guy named Namath was pretty good. 

AJ McCarron was 36-4 as a starter, won the Maxwell Award, selected in the fifth round.

[Mick]

[quote author=stupac2 link=topic=17413.msg201200#msg201200 date=1505678508]
I said this elsewhere, but think about Alabama. Have they ever had a great QB? .

The late, great, Ken Stabler !
[/quote]

Some guy named Namath was pretty good. 

AJ McCarron was 36-4 as a starter, won the Maxwell Award, selected in the fifth round.