The CardBoard
Is the dream over? - Printable Version

+- The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board)
+-- Forum: C-House! (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: Is the dream over? (/thread-6104.html)

Pages: 1 2 3

Re: Is the dream over? - jayasena - 11-18-2013

I haven't read much of the board since Saturday, so apologies if this has already been said.

Count me as a bit concerned about the future not because we lose a bunch of guys but because we always seem to play to the level of the opposition. We have won many of those close games but sooner or later, we are going to lose a few of those. We seem to get up for the big games and deliver, but games where we are favored are quite often a different story (not always, but fairly often).

I put that on the coaching staff. The start of the SC game was a particularly bad case of this. Two timeouts burned on the first drive to go 3 and out?? Even if we can't execute at 100% each week, we should be able to be better prepared. Sure, it's a trap game and SC was healthy etc. but even something remotely close to Stanford's best wins that game easily.

The be *very* clear, I'm not suggesting we need a coaching change (not the head coach, not the coordinators, not even position coaches). But I do wonder if we need a slight adjustment from the staff on how the team is motivated. If that does not improve, I can easily see Yvonne's scenario of merely being good long-term panning out.

That said, I belong to the camp that thinks Shaw is a good learner and not the stubborn guy some seem to think he is (despite what he may say and project in public). So I am hopeful this is something that will improve even though we haven't seen any improvement in this regard yet...

Re: Is the dream over? - Farm93 - 11-18-2013

2014 might not be better than 2013 even if the team is a lot better.  The even years are tougher.
@Oregon, @Washington, @UCLA, @Notre Dame.  Most pre-season top 10 teams would be thankful to get a 2-2 split.  And a 2-2 split would mean that 2014 already can not be better than 2013.

However, the recruiting classes over the last 4 years have been so much better than most in Stanford's history, so I believe 1-3 loss type seasons could be in our 4-6 year future at least.  And in most BCS conferences getting 9+ wins a year means the program is a CFB power.

Re: Is the dream over? - CrazedZooChimp - 11-18-2013

I'm just glad I don't root for one of the 100+ schools out there that wish they could be "merely good" like us...

This thread is a joke, right?

Re: Is the dream over? - fullmetal - 11-18-2013

The dream of a NCG shot is over for this season.  The graduation of All-American level talent from the defense probably means a three or four loss season next year. 

But Stanford will probably still be a #15-20 ranked team next year in the AP preseason.  I just don't see the offense improving by leaps and bounds next season unless a pass-catching tight end enters the scene and unless David Shaw stops coaching for the close wins as much as he does now.  Even our first-stringers could use more game experience at this point.

Re: Is the dream over? - yvonne - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 12:50 PM)CrazedZooChimp link Wrote:I'm just glad I don't root for one of the 100+ schools out there that wish they could be "merely good" like us...

This thread is a joke, right?

But that's just the point. Five years ago, a good year was being merely good -- bowl eligible. Now, we "bow to no program." An elite team plays in a BCS bowl. The past three years, we were elite. Our dreams were bigger. If next year is a 3-4 loss year, will that result in regressing to what we'd been accustomed to?

I think the consensus seems to be that much of that will depend on whether the coaching staff can coach up the top level talent we have and whether it can make in-game decisions that put us in a position to win.

Re: Is the dream over? - stupac2 - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 01:18 PM)fullmetal link Wrote:The dream of a NCG shot is over for this season.  The graduation of All-American level talent from the defense probably means a three or four loss season next year. 

But Stanford will probably still be a #15-20 ranked team next year in the AP preseason.  I just don't see the offense improving by leaps and bounds next season unless a pass-catching tight end enters the scene and unless David Shaw stops coaching for the close wins as much as he does now.  Even our first-stringers could use more game experience at this point.

Well, I think there are decent odds that one of the 2013 TEs emerges next year. Combine that with Rector, Cajuste, Whitfield, and Montgomery, and we'd have an abundance of riches in the passing game. If good Hogan shows up every game, and our defense takes only a small step back (if any), then we'd have a real shot to run the table.

Re: Is the dream over? - Extra Point - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 01:18 PM)fullmetal link Wrote:I just don't see the offense improving by leaps and bounds next season unless a pass-catching tight end enters the scene and unless David Shaw stops coaching for the close wins as much as he does now.

David Shaw's strategy is to maximize the strengths of the team and minimize the weaknesses. It just so happens that the strengths are the power running game and defense. The weakness is the short and intermediate passing game. This combination translates to ball control. Shaw is doing exactly what he should do with this team. Next year will be a different story.

Re: Is the dream over? - stupac2 - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 01:53 PM)Extra Point link Wrote:David Shaw's strategy is to maximize the strengths of the team and minimize the weaknesses. It just so happens that the strengths are the power running game and defense. The weakness is the short and intermediate passing game. This combination translates to ball control. Shaw is doing exactly what he should do with this team. Next year will be a different story.

I don't know if that's really our weakness. I mean, yes, it has been, but how much of that is because we keep throwing it to our crappy TEs and guys like Pratt when we're in short-yardage situations? In a Rule of Tree article today the author talked about how last game was the first time this season that Rector caught a pass on a slant over the middle, and shockingly he was really good at it! I get that they're not big targets who play close to the line, but guys like Whitfield and Rector can be awesome when used in the short game. We like doing screens with Montgomery, but why not put Rector/Whitfield into the slot and try to use them like Ertz last year? Smaller target, but faster, so a mismatch with a linebacker in a different way that Ertz.

Anyway, I agree that right now we're doing badly with that, but it's not clear to me that it's a problem we couldn't fix right now if we wanted to.

Re: Is the dream over? - CowboyIndian - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 01:18 PM)fullmetal link Wrote:The dream of a NCG shot is over for this season.
This is correct.

The graduation of All-American level talent from the defense probably means a three or four loss season next year. 
This is pure conjecture and adding my conjecture, given the level of our recruiting, probably wrong.


Re: Is the dream over? - oman - 11-18-2013

Felt kinda like this after the game.  Feeling is right but lyrics more grim than I feel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJNB8fXje3I

Re: Is the dream over? - dabigv13 - 11-18-2013

I agree completely. I think the defense next year could very well be better, depending on NFL defections obviously.

We could return our entire secondary, perhaps the most athletic in Stanford history. Carter, Lyons, Reynolds, and Richards all have eligibility. Ronnie Harris should be able to step up into the Amanam role.

At LB, we return a lot of excellent players. Vaughters and Tarpley will likely start. Lueders, Kevin Anderson, Hemschoot, Noor Davis, Peter Kalambayi all either very highly recruited, or established depth.

On the line, Henry Anderson and David Parry should be back. Some of our touted recruits hopefully will be ready to step up, whether that's Nwafor, Kuamatele, Shittu, or Watkins. The talent is there.

Re: Is the dream over? - Trevmiesterj - 11-18-2013

I am a bit unclear what "the dream" really is.  Is it playing in the National Championship?  The Rose Bowl consecutive years? Or just another 11+ win season in 2014.

The reality is that we have raised the bar because the program has raised the bar.  Never have the Cardinal been to 4 straight, soon to be five, bowl games in a row.  The Cardinal may catch lightning in a bottle one of these years and play for the NC, but to sustain a year in and year out Alabamian level of excellence is probably unlikely due to reasons Stanford fans are well aware of.

As a fan, I am thrilled that the team can now beat any team in the conference any game of any year.  As long as Shaw still has his hands on the wheel, I believe this program will maintain the present course and heading with little if any drop off.  If you are looking for a parallel, Boise State and Chris Petersen are a perfect example. 

Consistent, competitive and at times, dominant.  This is the new paradigm for the Cardinal.

Re: Is the dream over? - SUBuddha - 11-18-2013

I am sorry, but who are we? We have had 4 years of really good football and now the sky is falling? If that is the case so be it, but it is not the case. Did any of you think during your years on the farm you would see us complaining about a team that may be anywhere from 8-4 to 11-1 the next few years.

For me, any year we are above 7-5 I am ellated. Have we, as fans, become this spoiled this quickly? With the recruiting the last few years, Shaw at the helm (say what you will, I think overall he is a heck of a coach), the support of the university (remember when they wanted to drop us down a division), and the returning players we have, I personally see this team as a top 25 team for the next 3-5 years minimum. I just do not see a major drop off any time soon.

Would a NCG, a 4th BCS bowl, a second Rose Bowl in a row make me happy? Heck I would be dancing in the streets, and trust, me no one wants to see a 40yo overweight balding man do that. In all reality, I am just happy to be better than we were 10 years ago. If we stay in the to 25 for the next 4 years it will be an unprecedented streak of success for this team, and aside from some of the best programs in the country, an unmatched feat that many other schools would sell their collective souls for.

Sorry to vent, now lets focus on BEATING the fur of the dirty golden bears.

Re: Is the dream over? - fullmetal - 11-18-2013

(11-18-2013, 03:21 PM)CowboyIndian link Wrote:[quote author=fullmetal link=topic=8876.msg75128#msg75128 date=1384805939]
The dream of a NCG shot is over for this season.
This is correct.

The graduation of All-American level talent from the defense probably means a three or four loss season next year. 
This is pure conjecture and adding my conjecture, given the level of our recruiting, probably wrong.
[/quote]

I made the second statement based on current QB performance and based on how otherworldly Murphy, Skov, et al. are playing.  Not only are they great players, they're great players at the peak of their college experience with numerous starts and stats under their belts.  That kind of veteran experience, paired with physical talent, counts for something.


Re: Is the dream over? - Farm93 - 11-18-2013

BTW - There is another dream...not likely, but imagine...
Stanford is rolling it up on the UCB team.  35-3 at half, but few are watching the band performances as most start tracking an amazing story.

Later, UCB fans head to the exits at the end of the third quarter with the score at 42-10, but Stanford fans don't notice since they are too focused on their iPhones.  Then with 8 minutes left in the game UCB is just about to score a junk time TD when the Stanford Stadium crowd GOES WILD.

It is a dream, but it would be sweet.

Re: Is the dream over? - fullmetal - 11-18-2013

Ah, I see :)  Yes, that would be sweet.

Also, I cannot believe I missed the fact that women's basketball is playing at Texas this weekend.  But alas, it would likely run into the Big Game watch party anyway...

Re: Is the dream over? - yvonne - 11-23-2013

(11-18-2013, 04:36 PM)Farm93 link Wrote:BTW - There is another dream...not likely, but imagine...
Stanford is rolling it up on the UCB team.  35-3 at half, but few are watching the band performances as most start tracking an amazing story.

Later, UCB fans head to the exits at the end of the third quarter with the score at 42-10, but Stanford fans don't notice since they are too focused on their iPhones.  Then with 8 minutes left in the game UCB is just about to score a junk time TD when the Stanford Stadium crowd GOES WILD.

It is a dream, but it would be sweet.

Major props to Farm93 for dreaming the dream!

Re: Is the dream over? - Farm93 - 11-24-2013

I have much respect for MLK's dream, so let's say I had a hopeful vision.

But I never thought that the day would EXCEED that hopeful vision.
Stanford, not UCB, was driving to score a junk time TD and we would get to enjoy more than a quarter of UCB destruction.
Arizona would dominate Oregon so that even at halftime it was clear that the critical element of the hopeful vision could materialize.

I thought my vision was pretty aspirational so to watch it get exceeded in almost every way was amazing. 

Next week's hopeful vision?  UofA quickly recovering from their epic battle against Oregon to shock ASU.  I guess it could happen because ASU had their own major battle against UCLA, but beating Oregon probably took a lot out of Arizona.

Re: Is the dream over? - Hey - 11-24-2013

Quote:BTW - There is another dream...not likely, but imagine...
Stanford is rolling it up on the UCB team.  35-3 at half, but few are watching the band performances as most start tracking an amazing story.

Later, UCB fans head to the exits at the end of the third quarter with the score at 42-10, but Stanford fans don't notice since they are too focused on their iPhones.  Then with 8 minutes left in the game UCB is just about to score a junk time TD when the Stanford Stadium crowd GOES WILD.

It is a dream, but it would be sweet.

Hey Farm93, can you also dream of steamrolling Notre Dame, ASU, and then (a team to to be named later)?  It's spooky how much control over reality you have.


Re: Is the dream over? - pefloresjr - 11-24-2013

(11-24-2013, 07:29 AM)Big Brother link Wrote:
Quote:BTW - There is another dream...not likely, but imagine...
Stanford is rolling it up on the UCB team.  35-3 at half, but few are watching the band performances as most start tracking an amazing story.

Later, UCB fans head to the exits at the end of the third quarter with the score at 42-10, but Stanford fans don't notice since they are too focused on their iPhones.  Then with 8 minutes left in the game UCB is just about to score a junk time TD when the Stanford Stadium crowd GOES WILD.

It is a dream, but it would be sweet.

Hey Farm93, can you also dream of steamrolling the University of Dead Fake Girlfriends, ASU, and then (a team to to be named later)?  It's spooky how much control over reality you have.

Oh, and if you're not too busy, could you include my dream weekend getaway with Shakira?

Cheers,
Pete F.