[81alum]

Guys, it was bad. 

You can see what played out with your eyes, but here are the QBR numbers for Stanford starting QBs this season, according to ESPN:

KSU: 68.7
Under Stanford Control (again): 72.4
UCLA: 45.2
UW: 17.7
WSU: 36.9
ND: 36.5
COL: 18.3
AZ: 15.3

Pay attention to that last line.  Chryst, brought in to be better than Burns, actually had the worst QB performance of the season by the numbers.  To the eyeballs that was clear too.  It's also clear that Burns is the better QB between the two, which is downright scary.  Anyone who thinks Chryst needs more time, is not thinking with the sense of urgency needed.  He doesn't have either the poise, accuracy, defense reading ability, athleticism, or any intangible needed to be a championship level QB now or ever.

Yes, Stanford plays some bad defenses - like Arizona - the rest of the way, but Stanford isn't going to beat anyone other than Rice if they can't be more potent on offense.  This "they were trying to mix things up for future opponents, so it's not important that they didn't complete the pass on 4th down and 1" is silly.  They are going to have to execute those kind of plays to beat Oregon and ןɐɔ for sure, maybe even Oregon State.  Shaw was clearly trying to get the passing game going in the 4th quarter, but even when Arizona was expecting run, Chryst was awful.  He had his shot against the worst defense Stanford has played to date and he authored the worst QB performance of the season. 

If they aren't going to play Costello, just to see what they have, knowing Davis Mills is coming, then they have to go back to Burns, because Chryst demonstrated absolutely nothing to suggest he is or might be better.  But now David Shaw knows everyone can see why he chose Burns as the starter.  He can now go back to Burns knowing nobody wants to see Chryst any more, no matter how Burns might be.  Everyone knows Chryst is worse.

Both Burns and Chryst seem to lack the ability to scan the field in a timely way, and they both have substantial accuracy problems even when they have time.  I've been turning off the TV sound and listening to Todd Husak this year--the commentary of one of our previously successful quarterbacks--and one who is willing to be critical--is more valuable to me than just about anything else.  He was excited to see Chryst get the opportunity and speculated about him playing for 2 1/2 years.  But during the game Husak kept pointing out the bad reads.  He did point out problems with Irwin and Rector's routes that contribute to the problem, and he openly questioned why the tight ends were not more involved.  Holding the ball too long, the interception, etc. were signs of an inexperienced quarterback, Husak said.  But the throwing mechanics and the arm talent are superior to Burns.  He needs coaching and experience to get better--how much better he would get is a guess.

I don't think Shaw will play Costello this year, so he might as well give Chryst a chance to improve.  What this does is to make the transition to Costello next year less controversial, given that both Burns and Chryst had their shot at it. 

By the way, what makes everyone think Costello would be better?  I remember when Hogan was a little sub par and some of you were shouting for Chryst to replace him.  Why should this be any different?  It seems to me that the lofty praise that follows recent recruits makes fans always think that the latest one will be the best.

[81alum]

Guys, it was bad. 

You can see what played out with your eyes, but here are the QBR numbers for Stanford starting QBs this season, according to ESPN:

KSU: 68.7
Under Stanford Control (again): 72.4
UCLA: 45.2
UW: 17.7
WSU: 36.9
ND: 36.5
COL: 18.3
AZ: 15.3

Pay attention to that last line.  Chryst, brought in to be better than Burns, actually had the worst QB performance of the season by the numbers.  To the eyeballs that was clear too.  It's also clear that Burns is the better QB between the two, which is downright scary.  Anyone who thinks Chryst needs more time, is not thinking with the sense of urgency needed.  He doesn't have either the poise, accuracy, defense reading ability, athleticism, or any intangible needed to be a championship level QB now or ever.

Yes, Stanford plays some bad defenses - like Arizona - the rest of the way, but Stanford isn't going to beat anyone other than Rice if they can't be more potent on offense.  This "they were trying to mix things up for future opponents, so it's not important that they didn't complete the pass on 4th down and 1" is silly.  They are going to have to execute those kind of plays to beat Oregon and ןɐɔ for sure, maybe even Oregon State.  Shaw was clearly trying to get the passing game going in the 4th quarter, but even when Arizona was expecting run, Chryst was awful.  He had his shot against the worst defense Stanford has played to date and he authored the worst QB performance of the season. 

If they aren't going to play Costello, just to see what they have, knowing Davis Mills is coming, then they have to go back to Burns, because Chryst demonstrated absolutely nothing to suggest he is or might be better.  But now David Shaw knows everyone can see why he chose Burns as the starter.  He can now go back to Burns knowing nobody wants to see Chryst any more, no matter how Burns might be.  Everyone knows Chryst is worse.

Both Burns and Chryst seem to lack the ability to scan the field in a timely way, and they both have substantial accuracy problems even when they have time.  I've been turning off the TV sound and listening to Todd Husak this year--the commentary of one of our previously successful quarterbacks--and one who is willing to be critical--is more valuable to me than just about anything else.  He was excited to see Chryst get the opportunity and speculated about him playing for 2 1/2 years.  But during the game Husak kept pointing out the bad reads.  He did point out problems with Irwin and Rector's routes that contribute to the problem, and he openly questioned why the tight ends were not more involved.  Holding the ball too long, the interception, etc. were signs of an inexperienced quarterback, Husak said.  But the throwing mechanics and the arm talent are superior to Burns.  He needs coaching and experience to get better--how much better he would get is a guess.

I don't think Shaw will play Costello this year, so he might as well give Chryst a chance to improve.  What this does is to make the transition to Costello next year less controversial, given that both Burns and Chryst had their shot at it. 

By the way, what makes everyone think Costello would be better?  I remember when Hogan was a little sub par and some of you were shouting for Chryst to replace him.  Why should this be any different?  It seems to me that the lofty praise that follows recent recruits makes fans always think that the latest one will be the best.