[OutsiderFan]

One of the assumptions I've been making is that the 2013 Stanford defense may be better than the 2012 version.  This is largely based on a belief Wayne Lyons would be healthy, come into his own, and form the best CB tandem Stanford has had, maybe ever, with Alex Carter.

After reading the Rivals story about the CB position, it sounds like Lyons is more of a question mark than an answer, in large part due to the fact he hasn't shaken the effects of that foot injury two years ago.  What do folks here think about Lyons and his outlook this season?

[OutsiderFan]

One of the assumptions I've been making is that the 2013 Stanford defense may be better than the 2012 version.  This is largely based on a belief Wayne Lyons would be healthy, come into his own, and form the best CB tandem Stanford has had, maybe ever, with Alex Carter.

After reading the Rivals story about the CB position, it sounds like Lyons is more of a question mark than an answer, in large part due to the fact he hasn't shaken the effects of that foot injury two years ago.  What do folks here think about Lyons and his outlook this season?

[JohnR34231]

My impression is that Lyons is going to go through his entire Stanford career at less than 100% because of that foot injury. It definitely seems to have become chronic. However, I think he is still a pretty good football player despite the foot problems, so I look for him to be a significant contributor this year.

[JohnR34231]

My impression is that Lyons is going to go through his entire Stanford career at less than 100% because of that foot injury. It definitely seems to have become chronic. However, I think he is still a pretty good football player despite the foot problems, so I look for him to be a significant contributor this year.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

[ChicagoCard]

Todd Husak wrote a detailed breakdown on the secondary in May in which he is a little more bullish on Lyons. He offered this: "the one thing that Lyons hasn't shown is the quick recognition of route combinations." Link: http://www.ruleoftree.com/2013/5/3/42949...sive-backs.

[ChicagoCard]

Todd Husak wrote a detailed breakdown on the secondary in May in which he is a little more bullish on Lyons. He offered this: "the one thing that Lyons hasn't shown is the quick recognition of route combinations." Link: http://www.ruleoftree.com/2013/5/3/42949...sive-backs.

[OutsiderFan]

If Lyons is in fact healthy, he is going to win the starting spot opposite Carter.  Browning may have more experience, but Lyons, if healthy, is a far better athlete. 

My projected 2-deep for San Jose State:

RCB: Carter - Browning/Harris
LCB:  Lyons - Amanam/Carrington
  SS:  Richards - Hoffpauir
  FS:  Reynolds -  Olugbode
Nic:  Amanam - Harris

Even though 10 guys can play, only three are true CBs.  I'm not sold on Carrington as a CB, or Browning really, and am going to guess Amanam and Harris gets some back-up CB duty.

[OutsiderFan]

If Lyons is in fact healthy, he is going to win the starting spot opposite Carter.  Browning may have more experience, but Lyons, if healthy, is a far better athlete. 

My projected 2-deep for San Jose State:

RCB: Carter - Browning/Harris
LCB:  Lyons - Amanam/Carrington
  SS:  Richards - Hoffpauir
  FS:  Reynolds -  Olugbode
Nic:  Amanam - Harris

Even though 10 guys can play, only three are true CBs.  I'm not sold on Carrington as a CB, or Browning really, and am going to guess Amanam and Harris gets some back-up CB duty.

[Hey]

I second what OutsiderFan wrote, adding that I think Carrington could also get safety snaps as well. 

There's also Taijuan Thomas and Chandler Dorrell in the freshman class.  Maybe later in the season Thomas can be a contributor. 

I expect a lot of the freshmen cornerbacks coming in 2014 will get playing time.

Coming into the season last year, the secondary was the big question mark and it really turned into a strength.  Hopefully that scenario repeats this year as well.

[Hey]

I second what OutsiderFan wrote, adding that I think Carrington could also get safety snaps as well. 

There's also Taijuan Thomas and Chandler Dorrell in the freshman class.  Maybe later in the season Thomas can be a contributor. 

I expect a lot of the freshmen cornerbacks coming in 2014 will get playing time.

Coming into the season last year, the secondary was the big question mark and it really turned into a strength.  Hopefully that scenario repeats this year as well.

[terry]

Didn't Shaw say recently that the CB position is a competition between Lyons, Browning, and Amanam? Or am I mis-remembering?

[terry]

Didn't Shaw say recently that the CB position is a competition between Lyons, Browning, and Amanam? Or am I mis-remembering?

[OutsiderFan]

Did anyone catch Mason raving about Wayne Lyons?

Not only did Mason say Lyons is as healthy physically and mentally than he ever has been (post injury I assume), he said Lyons is doing things that make it difficult to distinguish him from Alex Carter. 

Of course in the same interview Mason talked about Barry Browning also being healthy and coming in with a transformed body.  But if both Lyons and Browning are maximizing their physical ability, Lyons is going to win the starting job opposite Carter, and Stanford may have the best secondary in college football if this in fact happens.  I can't even believe it is possible to say such a thing, but it's true.

[OutsiderFan]

Did anyone catch Mason raving about Wayne Lyons?

Not only did Mason say Lyons is as healthy physically and mentally than he ever has been (post injury I assume), he said Lyons is doing things that make it difficult to distinguish him from Alex Carter. 

Of course in the same interview Mason talked about Barry Browning also being healthy and coming in with a transformed body.  But if both Lyons and Browning are maximizing their physical ability, Lyons is going to win the starting job opposite Carter, and Stanford may have the best secondary in college football if this in fact happens.  I can't even believe it is possible to say such a thing, but it's true.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Did anyone catch Mason raving about Wayne Lyons?

Not only did Mason say Lyons is as healthy physically and mentally than he ever has been (post injury I assume), he said Lyons is doing things that make it difficult to distinguish him from Alex Carter. 

Of course in the same interview Mason talked about Barry Browning also being healthy and coming in with a transformed body.  But if both Lyons and Browning are maximizing their physical ability, Lyons is going to win the starting job opposite Carter, and Stanford may have the best secondary in college football if this in fact happens.  I can't even believe it is possible to say such a thing, but it's true.

Wouldn't be so sure about that. Browning has a lot more experience and they would probable be cautious with giving Lyons a full workload early in the season

[AthleticsDynasty]

Did anyone catch Mason raving about Wayne Lyons?

Not only did Mason say Lyons is as healthy physically and mentally than he ever has been (post injury I assume), he said Lyons is doing things that make it difficult to distinguish him from Alex Carter. 

Of course in the same interview Mason talked about Barry Browning also being healthy and coming in with a transformed body.  But if both Lyons and Browning are maximizing their physical ability, Lyons is going to win the starting job opposite Carter, and Stanford may have the best secondary in college football if this in fact happens.  I can't even believe it is possible to say such a thing, but it's true.

Wouldn't be so sure about that. Browning has a lot more experience and they would probable be cautious with giving Lyons a full workload early in the season

[OutsiderFan]

Experience is overrated.  Lyons would have started by the end of his Frosh year were it not for his foot injury.  As a True Frosh early in a season, lack of experience might be an issue, but it's really lack of scheme and assignment knowledge, not experience per se, that is the issue.  Lyons is now going into his third year in the program.  He knows the defense.  His only issue is his physical and mental health (ability to trust his foot).

[OutsiderFan]

Experience is overrated.  Lyons would have started by the end of his Frosh year were it not for his foot injury.  As a True Frosh early in a season, lack of experience might be an issue, but it's really lack of scheme and assignment knowledge, not experience per se, that is the issue.  Lyons is now going into his third year in the program.  He knows the defense.  His only issue is his physical and mental health (ability to trust his foot).

[terry]

Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

Are you saying Lyons is still struggling with the foot injury? That isn't what I took away from Mason's comment that was quoted in this thread.

[terry]

Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

Are you saying Lyons is still struggling with the foot injury? That isn't what I took away from Mason's comment that was quoted in this thread.

[AthleticsDynasty]

[quote author=AthleticsDynasty link=topic=8202.msg65437#msg65437 date=1376050572]
Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

Are you saying Lyons is still struggling with the foot injury? That isn't what I took away from Mason's comment that was quoted in this thread.
[/quote]

That post was from last week before Mason's comments(or at least before I had seen Mason's comments).

[AthleticsDynasty]

[quote author=AthleticsDynasty link=topic=8202.msg65437#msg65437 date=1376050572]
Browning will most likely start the season and we'll know right away against San Jose if he's up to the challenge. Assuming he is I think they should take it as slow as possible. If it means Lyons doesn't play the first half of the season that is fine. Our schedule is backloaded and having Lyons as close to 100% as possible for the last 5 games of the regular season should be first priority.

Are you saying Lyons is still struggling with the foot injury? That isn't what I took away from Mason's comment that was quoted in this thread.
[/quote]

That post was from last week before Mason's comments(or at least before I had seen Mason's comments).

[Rando]

Have never been impressed with Lyons. Seen him goof quite a few times, but we could contribute that to his injury I suppose. He has a high recruiting ranking out of high school,  hope he lives upto it. So far I am not sold on him being so amazing unlike outsiderfan.

[Rando]

Have never been impressed with Lyons. Seen him goof quite a few times, but we could contribute that to his injury I suppose. He has a high recruiting ranking out of high school,  hope he lives upto it. So far I am not sold on him being so amazing unlike outsiderfan.

[yvonne]

Hey, it's Rando! (welcome back) :)

[yvonne]

Hey, it's Rando! (welcome back) :)

[Hank 91]

I remember Lyons making a few plays during his freshman season that looked like nothing I had ever seen from a Stanford cornerback. David Shaw tends to heap praise on individual players, but I completely believed him when he said Lyons would one day be the best cornerback in America. I think that potential is still there. Even if he's only above average, it will be difficult to pass against this team. If he's great? Wow.

[Hank 91]

I remember Lyons making a few plays during his freshman season that looked like nothing I had ever seen from a Stanford cornerback. David Shaw tends to heap praise on individual players, but I completely believed him when he said Lyons would one day be the best cornerback in America. I think that potential is still there. Even if he's only above average, it will be difficult to pass against this team. If he's great? Wow.

[OutsiderFan]

It looks like Wayne Lyons is going to be paired with Alex Carter as a starting CB.  Mason is really impressed with Lyons and this would seem to mean he is 100% healthy.

Lyons is not Richard Sherman in terms of size, but he's quite physical, and is 6-1 in his own right. I don't see any weak link in Stanford's defense, and even the second unit is pretty damn good.  Barry Browning will be the 3rd corner and it sounds like Carrington will be getting CB reps over Harris and Amanam.  Ra'Chard Pippens is now stepping up as well, and Mason like Taijuan Thomas too.

The talent and depth on this Stanford defense is flat-out incredible.  It may very well be the best in the country. 

[OutsiderFan]

It looks like Wayne Lyons is going to be paired with Alex Carter as a starting CB.  Mason is really impressed with Lyons and this would seem to mean he is 100% healthy.

Lyons is not Richard Sherman in terms of size, but he's quite physical, and is 6-1 in his own right. I don't see any weak link in Stanford's defense, and even the second unit is pretty damn good.  Barry Browning will be the 3rd corner and it sounds like Carrington will be getting CB reps over Harris and Amanam.  Ra'Chard Pippens is now stepping up as well, and Mason like Taijuan Thomas too.

The talent and depth on this Stanford defense is flat-out incredible.  It may very well be the best in the country. 

[FarmBoy]

OF - I hope you're knocking some serious wood over there. When Stanford offense was clicking on all cylinders 2010-2011, the praise was not that unusual as Stanford has periodically had some exciting offense (though that was clearly exceptional), but being top notch on defense is really new territory on the Farm (at least in my fanship.) I have a hard time getting my mind around and accepting the fact, though when you look at each unit, the greatness is self-evident.

Man, I'm pretty pissed that we have this first week bye. 11 more days until kick off? Ugh.

[FarmBoy]

OF - I hope you're knocking some serious wood over there. When Stanford offense was clicking on all cylinders 2010-2011, the praise was not that unusual as Stanford has periodically had some exciting offense (though that was clearly exceptional), but being top notch on defense is really new territory on the Farm (at least in my fanship.) I have a hard time getting my mind around and accepting the fact, though when you look at each unit, the greatness is self-evident.

Man, I'm pretty pissed that we have this first week bye. 11 more days until kick off? Ugh.

[Treefence]

He's been named the starting corner opposite Carter.  Good for him, could be a real shutdown pair!

[Treefence]

He's been named the starting corner opposite Carter.  Good for him, could be a real shutdown pair!

[fullmetal]

In Stanford coaches we trust.  #treefense

[fullmetal]

In Stanford coaches we trust.  #treefense

[Rando]

Will we be seeing much of Amanam?

[Rando]

Will we be seeing much of Amanam?