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Re: Is anyone else concerned? - FarmBoy - 08-23-2012

I'm sure the value of the Stanford degree is included in BN's calculus. As is leaving the friendships he's made and comfort with his environment. But none of that has stopped other players from transferring out of the Stanford Football program in the past. Scott Frost comes to mind as someone who decided the chance to play and win at Nebraska (and get a Nebraska degree) was worth more than staying at Stanford. I think we as fans, and alums, overvalue the "getting a Stanford degree" calculations for some of these players. BN was originally going to play for UCLA before backing out and signing with Stanford. Clearly, he was comfortable with the idea of getting a degree from a non-elite University in the past. Mostly, I think these guys want to play for a winning program and have a shot at the NFL.

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - washingtonismoney - 08-23-2012

Nottingham would probably find it difficult to transfer within D-I because of eligibility problems. It's too late in practices to transfer now, so he'd have to transfer next year and sit out 2013. I can't speak to Nottingham's academic status right now, but I would advise him to stay through the 2013 season, earn his degree, and take advantage of the grad-school exception to the transfer rules and not sit out a year.

Or, drop down a level and play two years. Either way.

That's the transfer route. Of course, Nottingham could just wait behind Nunes and compete in his redshirt senior year for the job. (Assuming Nunes, having seized the job, doesn't relinquish it. Which I will assume for no other reason than it makes me feel warm and optimistic.) The trouble here is that Hogan sounds like he's impressed the coaches, Dallas Lloyd received some raves early in camp, and then there's Ryan Burns and whomever we end up recruiting in 2014 to contend with. (The unknown 2014 QB would have to be absurdly good to compete that quickly, but, again, I will assume it is possible because I like feeling optimistic. Sue me.)

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - OutsiderFan - 08-23-2012

I just watched some video of Nunes in High School.  It's four years ago, but I think it gives some insight into why Shaw went with him.  In the highlights, you don't see any plays that particularly stands out.  Not a single throw or escape and throw do you say "wow!"

What you start realizing is this kid isn't spectacular, but he just makes all the throws he needs to make.  One thing I noticed is that in the highlight package, he only is given half the field to read and did a lot of zone read type faking.  He probably did have to run it a few times to keep the defense honest.  My guess is Nunes has been given the whole field to read in college, has had to learn a whole different kind of play action faking for Stanford's offense, and he probably has proven that he still makes the same consistent plays when given the whole field to read in a more pro style offense.

The video I saw didn't show him making a single scramble to avoid pressure, or run for a first down.  So the first thing I would look at with Nunes is his ability to feel, get away from pressure, and make a play largely with his feet.  I'm under no illusions that Nunes is going to be a great QB. But he may not need to be great for Stanford win football games.  The team surrounding him is better than what Luck had, so he won't have to be as good for Stanford to have success.  Think of guys like Gino Torretta and Steve Walsh at Miami, or Danny Wuerffel at Florida as a couple examples of how the QB doesn't have to be great for the team to win if the supporting cast is strong.







Re: Is anyone else concerned? - Hank 91 - 08-23-2012

I'm also wondering about the prevailing idea that Shaw is conservative in his play calling. I think this is still a hold over from his management of the final few minutes of the Fiesta Bowl, but I think that's a completely different issue. In general, I think once we got to midseason, the offense was pretty imaginative. Not Chip Kelly imaginative, but still pretty good. If you pay attention to what other college teams are doing on offense, you don't see anything close to the number of formations that Stanford features (again, except Oregon), and there was a stretch during the season when Shaw rolled out something new each game. My feeling was that he was consciously putting more stuff on tape to give defensive coordinators more things to prepare for. The Sequoia formation (okay, wildcat) was much discussed here, but like it or not, it was certainly creative, and they added wrinkles to it each week. Eventually, defenses couldn't just key on Gaffney to run up the middle. There could be a sweep, a sweep option, a reverse, a toss pack to Luck for a pass, and even A PASS TO ANDREW LUCK. And that was all out of one formation. Again, you can be critical of this if you want, but taking the best player in America and moving him away from the ball is certainly thinking outside the box.

Also, this year I think we'll see lots of things we haven't seen before, specifically plays designed for Kelsey Young. Creative, aggressive play calling is not something we have to worry about with this team.

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - Treebound - 08-23-2012

I don't see Nottingham leaving, at least at this point.  He's going to get his share of playing time versus SJS and probably Duke.    The coaches need to see how both perform in game.  Nunes is the starter and I'm fine with that as Shaw and co have been focused on making this call since last January.  Let's see what they each bring to the table in the next two weeks.  I'm just thankful we have 2-4 very good options to run the offense.  We will be running a ton of POWER and we will open things up for these guys to use or talented tight ends and our improved and hopefully hungry wide outs.  Our line is big, strong and deep and they will key our offense. 

Our defense will win plenty of games with the best LB unit we have ever had at Stanford.  Add to that a talented set of athletes in the secondary and a strong, deep and underrated d-front and I'm thrilled to start our season.  Let's hope our special teams coach (new) has those units ready to make a difference....that's a bit of a concern for me.  As for Shaw, he's still learning and will improve again this year.  The U$C game will tell us much, especially if we can't get to Draco Malfoy or cover Lee and the other speedster.    Let the games begin!

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - washingtonismoney - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 11:22 AM)garvin link Wrote:I think you're mistaken, WIM; Nottingham can transfer any time until school officially begins.

Probably should clarify that what I meant to say was: while he can transfer, it would be logistically difficult for him to do so, given that fall practices are winding down in preparation for the games.

(08-23-2012, 10:40 AM)Hank 91 link Wrote:I'm also wondering about the prevailing idea that Shaw is conservative in his play calling. I think this is still a hold over from his management of the final few minutes of the Fiesta Bowl, but I think that's a completely different issue. In general, I think once we got to midseason, the offense was pretty imaginative.

Kevin Gemmell agrees with you--http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/44965/ncaa-fb-with-kevin-gemmell

Anyway, I'll also add that the OL scheme they seem to be contemplating--having Peat and Murphy split snaps at LT--is pretty unusual and not at all a conservative maneuver. Whether it works or not is another question, but it's certainly outside-the-box thinking (to invoke an inside-the-box phrase.)

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - FarmBoy - 08-23-2012

Quote:it would be logistically difficult for him to do so, given that fall practices are winding down in preparation for the games.

Not to beat a dead horse, why would this be a barrier? He would have to sit out a season regardless, so what does it matter if he missed a couple of weeks of practice?

Re: Is anyone else concerned? - CowboyIndian - 08-23-2012

(08-23-2012, 11:49 AM)garvin link Wrote:Well, a player can transfer anytime he wants to. But it has to happen before school begins for the clock to start ticking on the NCAA-mandated period for sitting out. If you wait a week into the semester or quarter to transfer, then the NCAA won't count the semester or quarter as part of your bench time.

Real question: Is this schedule for the school to which or from which you're transferring.