[OutsiderFan]

After reading the Spring Practice thread and looking at some of the players on the roster I watched high school videos of Kelsey Young, Remound Wright, Henry Anderson, Ronnie Harris, and Davis Dudchock, and saw some of the offers they had.  My conclusion is Stanford is turning into a football power.

Everywhere you look on the roster there are really talented guys.  The only position on the team that might not have an elite guy is FS.  Perhaps someone will develop, but even Carrington was a 4 star recruit.  When combined with the talent of the incoming class, all I can say is most people really don't appreciate what Stanford has put together and are probably going to underrate them just because Andrew Luck is no longer there.

I'd peg the O/U on 2012 regular season wins at 8 and probably pick the over.  U.S.C., Oregon and N.D. are the only games I see Stanford more than likely losing, but I doubt they lose all three.  At Washington will be tough, but Stanford may have more talented players than every team it faces in 2012, except possibly N.D.

Some like U.S.C. and Oregon might have the most individually elite players, but Stanford is going to have as many if not more top players on its roster than anybody it plays with the possible exception of one game in 2012.  In other words, Stanford seems to have reached a point it can out-talent all the teams it plays with the exception of 2 or 3 teams on its schedule. 

Imagine that.  Stanford has more talented football players on its roster than U.S.C. thanks to sanctions, and every other Pac-12 team simply because Stanford has out-recruited them.  Amazing.

[OutsiderFan]

After reading the Spring Practice thread and looking at some of the players on the roster I watched high school videos of Kelsey Young, Remound Wright, Henry Anderson, Ronnie Harris, and Davis Dudchock, and saw some of the offers they had.  My conclusion is Stanford is turning into a football power.

Everywhere you look on the roster there are really talented guys.  The only position on the team that might not have an elite guy is FS.  Perhaps someone will develop, but even Carrington was a 4 star recruit.  When combined with the talent of the incoming class, all I can say is most people really don't appreciate what Stanford has put together and are probably going to underrate them just because Andrew Luck is no longer there.

I'd peg the O/U on 2012 regular season wins at 8 and probably pick the over.  U.S.C., Oregon and N.D. are the only games I see Stanford more than likely losing, but I doubt they lose all three.  At Washington will be tough, but Stanford may have more talented players than every team it faces in 2012, except possibly N.D.

Some like U.S.C. and Oregon might have the most individually elite players, but Stanford is going to have as many if not more top players on its roster than anybody it plays with the possible exception of one game in 2012.  In other words, Stanford seems to have reached a point it can out-talent all the teams it plays with the exception of 2 or 3 teams on its schedule. 

Imagine that.  Stanford has more talented football players on its roster than U.S.C. thanks to sanctions, and every other Pac-12 team simply because Stanford has out-recruited them.  Amazing.

[Nan3cy]

Who could possibly have thought in their wildest dreams during the 1-11 season that just a few years later the future of the team would look so bright?

That brings to mind a funny story the columnist Mark Shields told a few weeks ago: During his 2008 campaign, Mitt Romney was telling his wife Ann about a meeting he'd had with some serious movers and shakers, and said to her, Would you have thought in your wildest dreams that I'd be meeting with these people? Her reply: "Mitt, you're not IN my wildest dreams."  :P

[Nan3cy]

Who could possibly have thought in their wildest dreams during the 1-11 season that just a few years later the future of the team would look so bright?

That brings to mind a funny story the columnist Mark Shields told a few weeks ago: During his 2008 campaign, Mitt Romney was telling his wife Ann about a meeting he'd had with some serious movers and shakers, and said to her, Would you have thought in your wildest dreams that I'd be meeting with these people? Her reply: "Mitt, you're not IN my wildest dreams."  :P

[FarmBoy]

Now the question is whether Shaw can coach or if last year's success was based on left over Harbaugh EUTM and the senior class leadership. Player personnel clearly is not an excuse, should things decline. I'm cautiously optimistic on Shaw's abilities. I won't hold the few lapses in judgement against him from his rookie season (Harbaugh certainly had his share during his first few years), but he's got all the tools to keep the program in the upper echelon. Let's hope he's up to the task.

[FarmBoy]

Now the question is whether Shaw can coach or if last year's success was based on left over Harbaugh EUTM and the senior class leadership. Player personnel clearly is not an excuse, should things decline. I'm cautiously optimistic on Shaw's abilities. I won't hold the few lapses in judgement against him from his rookie season (Harbaugh certainly had his share during his first few years), but he's got all the tools to keep the program in the upper echelon. Let's hope he's up to the task.

[socalstanfan1]

Now the question is whether Shaw can coach or if last year's success was based on left over Harbaugh EUTM and the senior class leadership. Player personnel clearly is not an excuse, should things decline. I'm cautiously optimistic on Shaw's abilities. I won't hold the few lapses in judgement against him from his rookie season (Harbaugh certainly had his share during his first few years), but he's got all the tools to keep the program in the upper echelon. Let's hope he's up to the task.

Agreed, though I think what Shaw really needs to do, as much as anything, is hire the right coaches and set the general tone.  So far, he seems to have a pretty good track record with the coaches: the new OL coaches seemed to work pretty well, based on the development of three new OL starters who were very good by the end of the season; Tarver at LB (granted, he now has to be replaced), who helped create a stellar group even after the loss of its acknowledged leader, Skov; didn't notice any drop off at RB with Sanford coaching.  If Shaw keeps evaluating and hiring the right coaches, I think the fundamentals of the team will be sound. 

[socalstanfan1]

Now the question is whether Shaw can coach or if last year's success was based on left over Harbaugh EUTM and the senior class leadership. Player personnel clearly is not an excuse, should things decline. I'm cautiously optimistic on Shaw's abilities. I won't hold the few lapses in judgement against him from his rookie season (Harbaugh certainly had his share during his first few years), but he's got all the tools to keep the program in the upper echelon. Let's hope he's up to the task.

Agreed, though I think what Shaw really needs to do, as much as anything, is hire the right coaches and set the general tone.  So far, he seems to have a pretty good track record with the coaches: the new OL coaches seemed to work pretty well, based on the development of three new OL starters who were very good by the end of the season; Tarver at LB (granted, he now has to be replaced), who helped create a stellar group even after the loss of its acknowledged leader, Skov; didn't notice any drop off at RB with Sanford coaching.  If Shaw keeps evaluating and hiring the right coaches, I think the fundamentals of the team will be sound. 

[OutsiderFan]

I think it is safe to say Shaw knows how to recruit football players, and specifically to Stanford, but agree the jury is out on coaching hires and him as a coach in general.

The coaches he hired his first year were very good.  Any time you hire Pete Alamar however, red flags have to waive, or at least be unfurled.  The new LB coach doesn't seem to have a great resume in terms of team level, but he has had some success over his many many years coaching.  If this was California, I'd say "what a terrible hire."  But Tedsel needs guys who are young, hip, and have sexy resumes from the NFL or power programs to appeal to recruits.  Shaw doesn't need those types of guys because Stanford sells itself aside from football.  Shaw can hire coaches who are great technicians and mature (older) because Stanford recruits don't need the flash of sexy coaching/playing resumes and such.  I mean did Noor Davis turn down Stanford after Tarver left?

That said, coaches with NFL resumes can only help.  If Kotulski is the guy, he's got to be at least 60, so the fact he has never coached in the NFL is certainly a cause for concern, unless he never wanted to and he just values coaching college kids, and academically-oriented ones at that. 

[OutsiderFan]

I think it is safe to say Shaw knows how to recruit football players, and specifically to Stanford, but agree the jury is out on coaching hires and him as a coach in general.

The coaches he hired his first year were very good.  Any time you hire Pete Alamar however, red flags have to waive, or at least be unfurled.  The new LB coach doesn't seem to have a great resume in terms of team level, but he has had some success over his many many years coaching.  If this was California, I'd say "what a terrible hire."  But Tedsel needs guys who are young, hip, and have sexy resumes from the NFL or power programs to appeal to recruits.  Shaw doesn't need those types of guys because Stanford sells itself aside from football.  Shaw can hire coaches who are great technicians and mature (older) because Stanford recruits don't need the flash of sexy coaching/playing resumes and such.  I mean did Noor Davis turn down Stanford after Tarver left?

That said, coaches with NFL resumes can only help.  If Kotulski is the guy, he's got to be at least 60, so the fact he has never coached in the NFL is certainly a cause for concern, unless he never wanted to and he just values coaching college kids, and academically-oriented ones at that. 

[ChicagoCard]

It seems to me it's pretty tough to make a judgment on NFL experience as a prerequisite. Harbaugh came from U of San Diego. Mason has NFL experience, Hart doesn't. I like the sound of this guy. Hope it happens. Hasn't Shaw said Mason will be full defensive coordinator? In reality I can't believe the new guy won't also have Tarver's role even if unofficially. Tedford is and has been essentially an offensive coordinator as head coach in my opinion, and I think there are lots of instances where defensive or offensive coordinators don't turn out so well as head coaches.

[ChicagoCard]

It seems to me it's pretty tough to make a judgment on NFL experience as a prerequisite. Harbaugh came from U of San Diego. Mason has NFL experience, Hart doesn't. I like the sound of this guy. Hope it happens. Hasn't Shaw said Mason will be full defensive coordinator? In reality I can't believe the new guy won't also have Tarver's role even if unofficially. Tedford is and has been essentially an offensive coordinator as head coach in my opinion, and I think there are lots of instances where defensive or offensive coordinators don't turn out so well as head coaches.

[StannyBoy]

As for Henry Anderson, you think he has a good chance of stepping in to Masifilo's shoes? I know S.C. wanted him. I believe another defensive line recruit in this class is from same high school as Henry Anderson (not to be confused with Kevin Anderson).

I do think Henry Anderson will start. He's supposedly more athletic than Mauro and has a year ahead of Hopkins. But I also expect Aziz Shittu to get a lot of playing time.

[StannyBoy]

As for Henry Anderson, you think he has a good chance of stepping in to Masifilo's shoes? I know S.C. wanted him. I believe another defensive line recruit in this class is from same high school as Henry Anderson (not to be confused with Kevin Anderson).

I do think Henry Anderson will start. He's supposedly more athletic than Mauro and has a year ahead of Hopkins. But I also expect Aziz Shittu to get a lot of playing time.

[slide]

Jordan Watkins may wedge some early PT too.

[slide]

Jordan Watkins may wedge some early PT too.

[StannyBoy]

Jordan Watkins may wedge some early PT too.

Pretty sure he'll redshirt. And Lohn is benching 435ish if that's even believable. I think he'd get next crack after Shittu.

[StannyBoy]

Jordan Watkins may wedge some early PT too.

Pretty sure he'll redshirt. And Lohn is benching 435ish if that's even believable. I think he'd get next crack after Shittu.

[Redrum]

And seductive.  We imagine these freshmen coming in and tossing normal college players over their shoulders and into the next county like the animate machines in the Transformers  movies.    Lohn will start because he is so strong he's going to twist Pat Skov's head clean off his shoulders.  Nope, Shittu will get the nod because by the time Yankey takes his first step to block him he'll already be sitting on Nottingham's chest.

Works for me!

[Redrum]

And seductive.  We imagine these freshmen coming in and tossing normal college players over their shoulders and into the next county like the animate machines in the Transformers  movies.    Lohn will start because he is so strong he's going to twist Pat Skov's head clean off his shoulders.  Nope, Shittu will get the nod because by the time Yankey takes his first step to block him he'll already be sitting on Nottingham's chest.

Works for me!