[yvonne]

Wait.  Stanford had a true freshman who ran for 303 yards behind Toby Gerhart?  

Stanford will NOT be hurting at running back.

[yvonne]

Wait.  Stanford had a true freshman who ran for 303 yards behind Toby Gerhart?  

Stanford will NOT be hurting at running back.

[Mick]

Amanam had wheels at Bellarmine.  He was crazy fast, and seemed like he could turn it on whenever he wanted.  But he always seemed nicked up in high school.  I don\'t really see him as a third down back.  He\'s no bull.  But he\'s very quick, very shifty, runs very low and he\'s not brobdingnagian to begin with.  I still think his best role would have been punt/KP returner.

[Mick]

Amanam had wheels at Bellarmine.  He was crazy fast, and seemed like he could turn it on whenever he wanted.  But he always seemed nicked up in high school.  I don\'t really see him as a third down back.  He\'s no bull.  But he\'s very quick, very shifty, runs very low and he\'s not brobdingnagian to begin with.  I still think his best role would have been punt/KP returner.

[teejers1]

Assuming RT stability, Stanford fans are going to be content with the running game.  Gaffney, Taylor and Stewart can all play - while they will not show the bull strength consistency of Toby Gerhart, they each have their own strengths, some of which exceed Toby\'s.

I also think Wilkerson and perhaps Seale, true frosh, might get some PT at RB, particularly if there are injuries.

I\'m with Mick on Usua.  See him as a contributor to Stanford, but not as an every down (or even third down) back.  He\'ll get some carries this season, will catch a couple out of the backfield, but will really help on STs.  

That\'s my rank speculation.

[teejers1]

Assuming RT stability, Stanford fans are going to be content with the running game.  Gaffney, Taylor and Stewart can all play - while they will not show the bull strength consistency of Toby Gerhart, they each have their own strengths, some of which exceed Toby\'s.

I also think Wilkerson and perhaps Seale, true frosh, might get some PT at RB, particularly if there are injuries.

I\'m with Mick on Usua.  See him as a contributor to Stanford, but not as an every down (or even third down) back.  He\'ll get some carries this season, will catch a couple out of the backfield, but will really help on STs.  

That\'s my rank speculation.

[teejers1]

Agree with you on being from Missouri when it comes to Stanford\'s D.  Still, I\'m pretty hopeful after speaking with a couple people "close to the program."  We\'ll see.

On the RBs, I think/hope we\'re right.  But it\'s also possible that we do not fully appreciate the impact Toby had on defenses.  They may have sold out or cheated to try and stop him, leaving the passing defense vulnerable.  Luck certainly had a very good year last year.  But who knows, maybe with a more "straight up" D, the passing game struggles some.  Again, we\'ll see.

Bottom line: I\'m excited for this season. Really excited.  And that is a nice feeling to have.

[teejers1]

Agree with you on being from Missouri when it comes to Stanford\'s D.  Still, I\'m pretty hopeful after speaking with a couple people "close to the program."  We\'ll see.

On the RBs, I think/hope we\'re right.  But it\'s also possible that we do not fully appreciate the impact Toby had on defenses.  They may have sold out or cheated to try and stop him, leaving the passing defense vulnerable.  Luck certainly had a very good year last year.  But who knows, maybe with a more "straight up" D, the passing game struggles some.  Again, we\'ll see.

Bottom line: I\'m excited for this season. Really excited.  And that is a nice feeling to have.

[fullmetal]

Yeah, I feel like defenses against Stanford did have to focus on the run (and Toby + OL still won their games)...now defenses will try to stop future draft pick Luck.  

[fullmetal]

Yeah, I feel like defenses against Stanford did have to focus on the run (and Toby + OL still won their games)...now defenses will try to stop future draft pick Luck.