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OLB situation - OutsiderFan - 03-19-2014

Don't know if y'all saw Lombardi's projected 2014 depth chart for Summer camp, but it did seem to confirm one area of intrigue, OLB depth.

As it stands, both Okereke and Alfieri are being earmarked at ILB.  Don't know if this is conjecture or based on feedback from program sources, but that puts ILB like this:

Tarpley, Martinez, Hemschoot, Davis, Palma, Alfieri, Okereke, Perez

And OLB like this:

Vaughters, Anderson, Kalambayi, Tyler, Veach

The conventional thinking has been Veach needs to bulk up before he can play, so Stanford really only has 4 legit OLB options with Lombardi's depth chart.  It seems to have been assumed that Okereke or Alfieri would be moved to OLB, to provide a bit more depth, but my question is, what about Palma making the move?

He may not have the ideal OLB height, but sure has the size and strength to set edges.  Basically it comes down to which position needs more depth, OLB or ILB, and which position can more comfortably handle a True Frosh playing.  What do others think?

Re: OLB situation - Stymie - 03-19-2014

OF

My take on this is that the top 4 OLB's are very solid and even if Veach is a project rather than a player next year, his getting more reps in practice is a good thing.

As for the ILB's, Tarpley and Martinez are solid citizens, but Hemschoot and Davis are still question marks.  So....adding Palma, Perez, Alfieri and Okereke into the mix is also a good thing, particularly since some or all of them are flexible enough to switch to OLB if need be.

Stymie

I think right now we don't truly grok a world of pain - Redrum - 03-19-2014

...at outside linebacker if Anderson goes down or Vaughters' play doesn't match up to his physique.    Remember, we were setting the edge with 6'6"/260 lb. Trent Murphy who spent most of his career playing out of his skull.  And, although designated a linebacker, he was more like a standup DE.

If Anderson goes down or Vaughters doesn't raise his game close to Trent M level we have:
Noor Davis: 6'4"  230  2 years exp.
Kalambayi:  6'3"  240  1 yr. exp redshirt
Kevin Palma 6'2" 240  1 yr. exp redshirt  Move from ILB?
Mike Tyler    6'5" 225  1 yr. exp redshirt

Joey Alfieri    6'2" 210  0 experience
Bobby Okereki  6'3" 205 0 experience

Of course, short of a team bus crash or freakishly prodigious talent , Alfieri and Okereke aren't going to see the field in 2014.  Tyler, recovering from a HS senior injury last year,  got praise for his mental grasp of the position after the 1st session of Spring ball.  This might indicate talent that separates him from the other contenders down the road, but it probably just an attaboy from the coach.  Unless his weight is wrong, only playing speed would separate him from the others.  Still too light.  Noor Davis was highly rated as a recruit but hasn't truly broken out, yet.  Reports of the light not coming on in the mental game, but who knows really?  So the logical candidates left are Kalambayi and your theoretical move of Palma outside.  Both about the same weight at roster posting time, Kalambayi an inch taller.

So it comes down to which of those two has something extra.  Setting the edge on the run is going to be tough for either against good OL play and schemes.  Trent combined size and strength with very good playing speed ( supposedly lost ground in the NFL combine 40 time, regained a lot of respect with a very quick 3-cone drill, which is more indicative of the skills and quickness for a pass rushing player.)  If none of these two guys are really at an ideal playing weight for the position,  then I think it comes down to quickness and playing speed.  Does Palma have an edge on Kalambayi in that?    Maybe we'll find out.


Re: I think right now we don't truly grok a world of pain - kuz - 03-19-2014

(03-19-2014, 08:51 AM)Redrum link Wrote:...at outside linebacker if Anderson goes down or Vaughters' play doesn't match up to his physique.    Remember, we were setting the edge with 6'6"/260 lb. Trent Murphy who spent most of his career playing out of his skull.  And, although designated a linebacker, he was more like a standup DE.

If Anderson goes down or Vaughters doesn't raise his game close to Trent M level we have:
Noor Davis: 6'4"  230  2 years exp.
Kalambayi:  6'3"  240  1 yr. exp redshirt
Kevin Palma 6'2" 240  1 yr. exp redshirt  Move from ILB?
Mike Tyler    6'5" 225  1 yr. exp redshirt

Joey Alfieri    6'2" 210  0 experience
Bobby Okereki  6'3" 205 0 experience

Of course, short of a team bus crash or freakishly prodigious talent , Alfieri and Okereke aren't going to see the field in 2014.  Tyler, recovering from a HS senior injury last year,  got praise for his mental grasp of the position after the 1st session of Spring ball.  This might indicate talent that separates him from the other contenders down the road, but it probably just an attaboy from the coach.  Unless his weight is wrong, only playing speed would separate him from the others.  Still too light.  Noor Davis was highly rated as a recruit but hasn't truly broken out, yet.  Reports of the light not coming on in the mental game, but who knows really?  So the logical candidates left are Kalambayi and your theoretical move of Palma outside.  Both about the same weight at roster posting time, Kalambayi an inch taller.

So it comes down to which of those two has something extra.  Setting the edge on the run is going to be tough for either against good OL play and schemes.  Trent combined size and strength with very good playing speed ( supposedly lost ground in the NFL combine 40 time, regained a lot of respect with a very quick 3-cone drill, which is more indicative of the skills and quickness for a pass rushing player.)  If none of these two guys are really at an ideal playing weight for the position,  then I think it comes down to quickness and playing speed.  Does Palma have an edge on Kalambayi in that?    Maybe we'll find out.
Davis moved to ILB, remember. As far as Tyler goes, I believe he was scout team player of the week on multiple occasions as well as overall scout team defensive player of the year, which is a promising sign. His high school football tape was pretty outstanding (and I don't recall him being injured his senior year...), so I'm interested to see what he brings to the table. Hopefully by the time the season starts he'll have bulked up enough.

Don't forget Hemschoot - donkey687 - 03-19-2014

Hemschoot has played OLB and could move back in case of injury.  He is an experienced and talented LB that won't hurt us whether he is playing ILB, OLB or big nickel.

Yeah, I liked Tyler's HS video too - Redrum - 03-19-2014

Lots of raw talent and good instincts there.  I think it would be a stretch to start in place of an injured Anderson or Vaughters.  Since he's now off the redshirt status and the clock is running, I hope he gets some playing time to get him ready to really contribute as an (eligibility) soph.