[BostonCard]

Given that we just closed on a recruiting class featuring 4 5* players (and three guys who were the top ranked player at their position) plus 5 4* players, it seems a bit odd to be ragging on the recruiting.  And although last year had an unusual number of exceptional players given the small class size, it is not the first time that Shaw had a first rate class class.  Right before the 2013 class you are complaining about, we had the epic 2012 class that gave us the best offensive line recruits in Stanford history as a whole (Peat, Murphy, Garnett, Caspers, Shuler, plus Fanaika who went on a mission), as part of a 22 person class.

This year's class will not be as good, and may well be comparable to 2013.  But I find it hard to argue that it's a strategy problem when the strategy has produced really good results.

Put another way, is there any evidence that Shaw's recruiting has been any worse than Harbaugh's?  Harbaugh was certainly much more aggressive about throwing offers out, and of course ran into exactly the problem that you noted.

We have a problem at defensive line.  That is certainly clear, as we have been thin at that position for years.  Even when we've recruited high caliber players (Thomas, Phillips), we just haven't recruited enough of them.  But that has been a problem since time immemorial.  I'd say getting quality and quantity in defensive linemen has been a problem for at least as long as I have followed Stanford.  It has been helped somewhat by the move to the spread by a lot of Pac-12 teams, but that doesn't help us against a team like USC, that plays a pro set and has quality offensive linemen.  Washington will again be a problem for us.

Last point.  Our defensive line was lacking today.  BUt so too were our linebackers, a position that we have reasonable quality and certainly quantity.  Even our DB's (aside from the two interceptions) looked quite pedestrian and got beat a fair bit.  Yeah, it the lack of pressure up front didn't help, but still.  Our defensive backs are supposed to be good enough that we ought to be able to get a coverage sack or two a game.  Today... nothing.

BC

[BostonCard]

Given that we just closed on a recruiting class featuring 4 5* players (and three guys who were the top ranked player at their position) plus 5 4* players, it seems a bit odd to be ragging on the recruiting.  And although last year had an unusual number of exceptional players given the small class size, it is not the first time that Shaw had a first rate class class.  Right before the 2013 class you are complaining about, we had the epic 2012 class that gave us the best offensive line recruits in Stanford history as a whole (Peat, Murphy, Garnett, Caspers, Shuler, plus Fanaika who went on a mission), as part of a 22 person class.

This year's class will not be as good, and may well be comparable to 2013.  But I find it hard to argue that it's a strategy problem when the strategy has produced really good results.

Put another way, is there any evidence that Shaw's recruiting has been any worse than Harbaugh's?  Harbaugh was certainly much more aggressive about throwing offers out, and of course ran into exactly the problem that you noted.

We have a problem at defensive line.  That is certainly clear, as we have been thin at that position for years.  Even when we've recruited high caliber players (Thomas, Phillips), we just haven't recruited enough of them.  But that has been a problem since time immemorial.  I'd say getting quality and quantity in defensive linemen has been a problem for at least as long as I have followed Stanford.  It has been helped somewhat by the move to the spread by a lot of Pac-12 teams, but that doesn't help us against a team like USC, that plays a pro set and has quality offensive linemen.  Washington will again be a problem for us.

Last point.  Our defensive line was lacking today.  BUt so too were our linebackers, a position that we have reasonable quality and certainly quantity.  Even our DB's (aside from the two interceptions) looked quite pedestrian and got beat a fair bit.  Yeah, it the lack of pressure up front didn't help, but still.  Our defensive backs are supposed to be good enough that we ought to be able to get a coverage sack or two a game.  Today... nothing.

BC