Shaw interview - Printable Version
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Shaw interview - murky - 08-06-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY6A3tlg2x4
No comments?
He says we're the healthiest we've been in 3 years. Offensive line is solidly two deep and healthy, expects and needs them to have a brobdingnagian step up from last year. Receivers the envy of the nation, and so on.
I'm paraphrasing from memory, watched it this morning.
Surely folks will be heartened by the comments about the staff ;)
RE: Shaw interview - cardcrimson - 08-06-2022
The non spam comment on the youtube video, sarcasm or true thoughts? Enquiring minds want to know. . ..
RE: Shaw interview - murky - 08-06-2022
(08-06-2022, 06:58 PM)cardcrimson Wrote: The non spam comment on the youtube video, sarcasm or true thoughts? Enquiring minds want to know. . ..
We have Shaw as our coach. We are fans and want a great season. Shouldn't be controversial.
But yes, I'm a supporter, if that's what you are asking.
RE: Shaw interview - msqueri - 08-06-2022
Reactions:
* In general a subdued vibe that's hard to get a read on so I won't try to divine indications of confidence, anxiety, defensiveness, or any other big picture takeaway like that based on this interview. Shaw tends to have a mature perspective about the various parts of the calendar and he's not going to take the first practice, or really any practice before pads, all that seriously. As a result the media availability had a kind of pro forma tenor to it and that's fine.
* Observing the video, the team's health does seem notable, with very little yellow visible anywhere on the field. Filkins and Lukrich are two we know about and Shaw talked about Filkins and Bragg both being 80-ish percent ready. To me that raises some questions about readiness for Colgate (not a game we'd rush anybody for) but it's good health at this stage. The question is whether we can get through camp without significant injuries.
* Shaw making the distinction between the two deep "guys getting ready to play" as opposed to the young guys was interesting. Usually there's at least an ostensible notion that there are camp battles/competition but here Shaw just seems realistic that the guys who will play against Colgate and USC are relatively clear. Eyeballing our roster and depth chart that makes sense. Not much drama around who the key players on the roster will be. I could be over-thinking that though as Shaw appears to be making the distinction mainly to say "only freshmen are seriously injured."
* The bluntness with which Shaw said Bailey, Roush, and Reuben would play as of today was interesting, especially for Reuben to be put in that group despite the depth at WR. As all of us commented in the spring, all three of these guys appear to have over-recruited some older players.
* Especially accounting for body language, I don't think the 2023 early enrollee comment had four in mind when Shaw said "we anticipate having more than three next year." It sounds like a continued, significant expansion into the world of early enrollment. No idea if that means six or eight or 12 or 15.
* On McKee, in case folks missed it, the hype is starting to really pick up. An ESPN article this week handicapped McKee as one of the 11 top candidates to go #1 overall in the next draft while a PFF article had McKee as the #1 NFL prospect in the Pac-12.
* Really hoping for a superstar turn for Bragg. I could see it going either way. I think he has the talent to be one of the top five linemen in the Pac-12 but I'm also starting to worry a bit about his availability.
* I realize I said earlier I'd try not to read too much into Shaw's tone and body language in this interview, but the discussion of the OL is an example of how it lands differently in a transcript as opposed to video. The transcript reads unequivocally confident but actually watching Shaw say those words I think the reading between the lines version is "everything I want to do depends on gigantic improvement from that group and we'll see if they can deliver." Cautious optimism strikes me as a much better read of Shaw than confidence.
* Folks are probably tired of me raising alarm bells about the RB room's depth but it's so freaking bleak. Filkins cannot be trusted. He's been on the sidelines 55 percent of the games in his career and is now only 80 percent after an entire off-season of rest. I'm very anxiously awaiting word on whether Harris is one of the freshmen coming in banged up, as it sounds like there are numerous. I'd love to be surprised but I really don't like this room.
* That, of course, puts even more pressure on Smith. He's unquestionably the guy and maybe the Stanford player with the most pressure on him this season (I guess you can always say QB1 faces uniquely intense pressure). I thought I had said everything I had to say about Smith and now it's just a matter of waiting until the USC game (running for 150 yards against Colgate isn't going to mean anything), but it turns out Shaw had something interesting to say about Smith with this bit about how "we've had a plan for EJ since the beginning." There's a pessimistic read and an optimistic read. Pessimistically, Shaw knows Smith is very unproven and that it's a brobdingnagian gamble to go into 2022 with basically everything in the run game riding on Smith, so Shaw could be spinning/self-justifying, especially insofar as our "plan" drove away proven RB depth. Optimistically, Smith came in as very much an all-purpose back and a tantalizing talent with receiver chops but no track record as an all-around back (despite his family pedigree), so there very well may have been a multi-year plan to "groom" him as Shaw says. All off-season I have gravitated toward the pessimistic read but I surprisingly found myself listening to this and feeling optimistic. Something about how Shaw talked about "the plan" resonated with me given Smith's recruitment, first two year usage, and the data points about Jones/Peat perceptions of their role in the offense despite how much more they had played than Smith to date. Maybe there has been a plan....
* I was much less taken with Shaw's very next answer on coaching staff continuity. This whole stripping things down and rebuilding from the studs process sounds much more comfortable than challenging. We have been in such a dire state that I'm not comforted by the idea that it's at all good for the coaches to be comfortable in getting to go through that stripping down/rebuilding together/with familiar faces/drawing on institutional memory/blah blah blah. Equally fundamentally, I just have no confidence Shaw and the team he's built and refused to hold accountable even know how to rebuild from the studs. They may think they're questioning assumptions and starting from first principles, but all of that comfort and institutional memory practically ensures continuity with past practices. Would a computer program look fundamentally different if all the same engineers were asked to do a reboot together?
* I don't think McGill and Wilson have Bragg's ceiling but those are two other guys who I am really pulling for to have big seasons and could see it going either direction. I think many here know how close those players are to the top of my list of favorite current Stanford players.
* I'm so bummed about Manley. I really viewed him as the #2 corner on the roster and arguably the most underrated player on the team. I view corner back as not much of a strength now to be honest. Kelly has a high ceiling but has been burned way too regularly throughout his career to think of him as elite in the way Shaw talks about, and the others are all so mediocre (or worse). We've kind of thought of DB as a clear strength of this team, but as the season approaches the coverage part of DB doesn't look that great to me.
* As for the intrigue behind Manley's absence......remains a mystery. Shaw's answer and body language very much leave open the possibility this is an academic or disciplinary thing. I have no idea if it's that or medical or just personal. It is a mystery. I'm kind of holding out hope it's a Pakola kind of situation but it turns out differently this time and we get a prodigal son returning for 2023 when we will really need help at DB. Again, no idea if that's at all in the realm of the possible.
RE: Shaw interview - JohnR34231 - 08-07-2022
(08-06-2022, 07:43 PM)murky Wrote:(08-06-2022, 06:58 PM)cardcrimson Wrote: The non spam comment on the youtube video, sarcasm or true thoughts? Enquiring minds want to know. . ..
We have Shaw as our coach. We are fans and want a great season. Shouldn't be controversial.
But yes, I'm a supporter, if that's what you are asking.
I don't see a problem with being a little excited and optimistic about the upcoming season. It certainly doesn't cost anything to be wrong, and if it starts going as badly as some of the people on this board have predicted, there will be plenty of time for cynicism and negativity.
RE: Shaw interview - gailtate - 08-07-2022
Two and ten.
RE: Shaw interview - JohnR34231 - 08-07-2022
(08-07-2022, 06:59 AM)gailtate Wrote: Two and ten.
See what I mean? Even gail is getting optimistic now.
RE: Shaw interview - murky - 08-07-2022
(08-07-2022, 06:38 AM)JohnR34231 Wrote:(08-06-2022, 07:43 PM)murky Wrote:(08-06-2022, 06:58 PM)cardcrimson Wrote: The non spam comment on the youtube video, sarcasm or true thoughts? Enquiring minds want to know. . ..
We have Shaw as our coach. We are fans and want a great season. Shouldn't be controversial.
But yes, I'm a supporter, if that's what you are asking.
I don't see a problem with being a little excited and optimistic about the upcoming season. It certainly doesn't cost anything to be wrong, and if it starts going as badly as some of the people on this board have predicted, there will be plenty of time for cynicism and negativity.
I leave open the possibility of very pleasant surprise. Maybe not quite the same thing as optimism, but I prefer to emphasize the encouragement and support at this stage.
msqueri, I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you.
I had a similar impression about the O-Line. And he led off with a more confident sounding declaration, later to follow up with more of hedge. Going from expecting to see brobdingnagian things from them, to needing to see brobdingnagian things from them.
Also, not at all surprised at the response regarding the coaching staff stripping things down, and comfortable with each other. I didn't think that would go over well.
He also said something to the effect of most of the change is subtraction. That makes it sound like folks shouldn't expect to see big differences. Although if he had introduced big changes, I don't think he'd be broadcasting that now.
RE: Shaw interview - old spanish trail - 08-07-2022
Yes, thanks Square. Didn't Shaw say the same thing last year? That they eliminated stuff to make it simpler? I think it was on the Off side. Maybe this time it's D? Also, as someone pointed out last year, he always says they are bigger and stronger. Let's hope it''s true this time. As ever, I'm optimistic and not surprised at all that McKee is getting so much recognition. Let the good times roll...maybe.
RE: Shaw interview - 81alum - 08-07-2022
(08-06-2022, 10:50 PM)msqueri Wrote: Reactions:This is the kind of post that makes me keep coming to the Cardboard. Thank you for your thoughtful analysis.
* In general a subdued vibe that's hard to get a read on so I won't try to divine indications of confidence, anxiety, defensiveness, or any other big picture takeaway like that based on this interview. Shaw tends to have a mature perspective about the various parts of the calendar and he's not going to take the first practice, or really any practice before pads, all that seriously. As a result the media availability had a kind of pro forma tenor to it and that's fine.
* Observing the video, the team's health does seem notable, with very little yellow visible anywhere on the field. Filkins and Lukrich are two we know about and Shaw talked about Filkins and Bragg both being 80-ish percent ready. To me that raises some questions about readiness for Colgate (not a game we'd rush anybody for) but it's good health at this stage. The question is whether we can get through camp without significant injuries.
* Shaw making the distinction between the two deep "guys getting ready to play" as opposed to the young guys was interesting. Usually there's at least an ostensible notion that there are camp battles/competition but here Shaw just seems realistic that the guys who will play against Colgate and USC are relatively clear. Eyeballing our roster and depth chart that makes sense. Not much drama around who the key players on the roster will be. I could be over-thinking that though as Shaw appears to be making the distinction mainly to say "only freshmen are seriously injured."
* The bluntness with which Shaw said Bailey, Roush, and Reuben would play as of today was interesting, especially for Reuben to be put in that group despite the depth at WR. As all of us commented in the spring, all three of these guys appear to have over-recruited some older players.
* Especially accounting for body language, I don't think the 2023 early enrollee comment had four in mind when Shaw said "we anticipate having more than three next year." It sounds like a continued, significant expansion into the world of early enrollment. No idea if that means six or eight or 12 or 15.
* On McKee, in case folks missed it, the hype is starting to really pick up. An ESPN article this week handicapped McKee as one of the 11 top candidates to go #1 overall in the next draft while a PFF article had McKee as the #1 NFL prospect in the Pac-12.
* Really hoping for a superstar turn for Bragg. I could see it going either way. I think he has the talent to be one of the top five linemen in the Pac-12 but I'm also starting to worry a bit about his availability.
* I realize I said earlier I'd try not to read too much into Shaw's tone and body language in this interview, but the discussion of the OL is an example of how it lands differently in a transcript as opposed to video. The transcript reads unequivocally confident but actually watching Shaw say those words I think the reading between the lines version is "everything I want to do depends on gigantic improvement from that group and we'll see if they can deliver." Cautious optimism strikes me as a much better read of Shaw than confidence.
* Folks are probably tired of me raising alarm bells about the RB room's depth but it's so freaking bleak. Filkins cannot be trusted. He's been on the sidelines 55 percent of the games in his career and is now only 80 percent after an entire off-season of rest. I'm very anxiously awaiting word on whether Harris is one of the freshmen coming in banged up, as it sounds like there are numerous. I'd love to be surprised but I really don't like this room.
* That, of course, puts even more pressure on Smith. He's unquestionably the guy and maybe the Stanford player with the most pressure on him this season (I guess you can always say QB1 faces uniquely intense pressure). I thought I had said everything I had to say about Smith and now it's just a matter of waiting until the USC game (running for 150 yards against Colgate isn't going to mean anything), but it turns out Shaw had something interesting to say about Smith with this bit about how "we've had a plan for EJ since the beginning." There's a pessimistic read and an optimistic read. Pessimistically, Shaw knows Smith is very unproven and that it's a of immense proportions gamble to go into 2022 with basically everything in the run game riding on Smith, so Shaw could be spinning/self-justifying, especially insofar as our "plan" drove away proven RB depth. Optimistically, Smith came in as very much an all-purpose back and a tantalizing talent with receiver chops but no track record as an all-around back (despite his family pedigree), so there very well may have been a multi-year plan to "groom" him as Shaw says. All off-season I have gravitated toward the pessimistic read but I surprisingly found myself listening to this and feeling optimistic. Something about how Shaw talked about "the plan" resonated with me given Smith's recruitment, first two year usage, and the data points about Jones/Peat perceptions of their role in the offense despite how much more they had played than Smith to date. Maybe there has been a plan....
* I was much less taken with Shaw's very next answer on coaching staff continuity. This whole stripping things down and rebuilding from the studs process sounds much more comfortable than challenging. We have been in such a dire state that I'm not comforted by the idea that it's at all good for the coaches to be comfortable in getting to go through that stripping down/rebuilding together/with familiar faces/drawing on institutional memory/blah blah blah. Equally fundamentally, I just have no confidence Shaw and the team he's built and refused to hold accountable even know how to rebuild from the studs. They may think they're questioning assumptions and starting from first principles, but all of that comfort and institutional memory practically ensures continuity with past practices. Would a computer program look fundamentally different if all the same engineers were asked to do a reboot together?
* I don't think McGill and Wilson have Bragg's ceiling but those are two other guys who I am really pulling for to have big seasons and could see it going either direction. I think many here know how close those players are to the top of my list of favorite current Stanford players.
* I'm so bummed about Manley. I really viewed him as the #2 corner on the roster and arguably the most underrated player on the team. I view corner back as not much of a strength now to be honest. Kelly has a high ceiling but has been burned way too regularly throughout his career to think of him as elite in the way Shaw talks about, and the others are all so mediocre (or worse). We've kind of thought of DB as a clear strength of this team, but as the season approaches the coverage part of DB doesn't look that great to me.
* As for the intrigue behind Manley's absence......remains a mystery. Shaw's answer and body language very much leave open the possibility this is an academic or disciplinary thing. I have no idea if it's that or medical or just personal. It is a mystery. I'm kind of holding out hope it's a Pakola kind of situation but it turns out differently this time and we get a prodigal son returning for 2023 when we will really need help at DB. Again, no idea if that's at all in the realm of the possible.
RE: Shaw interview - winflop - 08-07-2022
I've learned over time with Shaw & the press that if it's anything but glowing & effusive, it's cause for concern and is almost always worse than what he says it is.
We're healthier than anytime in the last 3 years? OK season hasn't started yet and it's a pretty low bar.
Saying that the OL group has to improve more than any other this season. Notice he didn't say that they are the most improved, just that they need to be.
Yes I have a polarized lens when it comes to Shaw - I just don't think as highly of him anymore. I hope I'm wrong but I just can't see this team being better than 4-8.
RE: Shaw interview - CardinalSagehen - 08-07-2022
Quote:This whole stripping things down and rebuilding from the studs process sounds much more comfortable than challenging.
I agree completely. One time when my CEO of seven years resigned as the company started to struggle and needed to make some serious changes, he said something like, "Sometimes, the person that constructed the castle might not be the right one to tear it down and rebuild." I am reminded of his words now.
Instead of trotting out last year's media playbook (we've stripped everything down and simplified it, OL is finally maturing, Covid hurt us more than others, we've had bad injury luck, etc.), maybe Shaw needs to revisit the 2007 Harbaugh rhetoric - we bow to no one. This program bows to no program. In other words, acknowledge publicly that we have been dominated physically for most of the last three seasons, and everyone else is starting to see us as pushovers. Acknowledge that we're now the underdogs and need to claw our way up.
I really want to see Shaw succeed. I voted to give him multiple more years in our poll several months ago on this board. I stick by that point of view. He's an incredible coach with incredible accomplishments under his belt at Stanford. But I've grown frustrated and now find it hard to listen to his interviews. I sure hope we can start turning things around this season, even if it's just baby steps!
RE: Shaw interview - Softball Fan - 08-07-2022
I keep reading if Notre Dame joins the Big 10 (probably a year away from a decision), Stanford is in the best position to be their companion member. We've got to have a winning season to make that seem like a feasible choice.
I think Stanford will come close or exceed a .500 season. Before the season starts I reside in ignorant bliss because I don't know enough to make a meaningful evaluation of the team.
RE: Shaw interview - cardcrimson - 08-08-2022
Shaw certainly didn't build the Stanford football castle, he inherited it. That said, he managed it very effectively for several years and even made tweaks to make the castle stronger. Sadly though, it's fallen into disrepair and needs an overhaul. I too want Shaw to succeed at rebuilding, but I'm afraid your CEO is probably pretty close in this case.
(08-07-2022, 08:50 PM)CardinalSagehen Wrote: One time when my CEO of seven years resigned as the company started to struggle and needed to make some serious changes, he said something like, "Sometimes, the person that constructed the castle might not be the right one to tear it down and rebuild." I am reminded of his words now.
RE: Shaw interview - Phogge - 08-08-2022
Perhaps start with convincing the average billionaire Stanford fan to get in the NIL game so you can add that to the ole recruiting pitch of the 40 YEAR DECISION.