[pefloresjr]

I've always been a fan of Shawtagonists and Shawpologists.  I'm definitely a Shawpologist because, for me, his results in victories and in production overcome any described "eye tests" I've seen.  Also, simply knowing whether or not a play is a run or pass is not the same as knowing what run is coming.  It is not unusual to hear announcers marveling at the number of different plays Stanford runs out of its base formations.  It can be frustrating to watch when our offense isn't working well.  I hate when our running back gets caught from the backside end rusher like in the Pac 12 Championship.  Also, I felt it was clear that SC was just better than us this year and Shaw did a great job of keeping us in the game until the very end.  I also guess I am conservative because I would have taken the 3 points to tie the game.  Still, I appreciate the aggressive call even if it didn't work. 

One thing I appreciate, and fear, about this board, is that you really need to back up your opinions with facts.  I don't have them, but based on the stats posted by others, I think it is pretty clear that the offense has been very good under Shaw.  I went to the Alamo Bowl and we scored 37 on a team that usually gives up 19.  I wish we would have shown more on the final possession, but sometimes young quarterbacks and lines get flustered at the end of a big game.  It happens to all teams at times.  I think they will learn from it and be better next year. 

I don't care to analyze the line-up of those whose first reaction to a loss or failure seems to be to blame Shaw but at least a few (Hi Teejers) do regularly acknowledge all the great things Shaw does.  There seems to be an underlying idea that we could and should be playing at the Playoff level that doesn't match the reality of our recruiting and of the difficulty in winning consistently.  To my eyes, we are still consistently outplaying our talent level and winning more games than I would expect.  If we can get a higher percentage of top level recruits, my views will probably change, but for now, I am extremely satisfied.  I do go to all the home football games, some road games, a variety of other team's games through the year, and donate a modest amount of money to the Buck Cardinal Club. 

Happy New Year Everybody!

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

I've always been a fan of Shawtagonists and Shawpologists.  I'm definitely a Shawpologist because, for me, his results in victories and in production overcome any described "eye tests" I've seen.  Also, simply knowing whether or not a play is a run or pass is not the same as knowing what run is coming.  It is not unusual to hear announcers marveling at the number of different plays Stanford runs out of its base formations.  It can be frustrating to watch when our offense isn't working well.  I hate when our running back gets caught from the backside end rusher like in the Pac 12 Championship.  Also, I felt it was clear that SC was just better than us this year and Shaw did a great job of keeping us in the game until the very end.  I also guess I am conservative because I would have taken the 3 points to tie the game.  Still, I appreciate the aggressive call even if it didn't work. 

One thing I appreciate, and fear, about this board, is that you really need to back up your opinions with facts.  I don't have them, but based on the stats posted by others, I think it is pretty clear that the offense has been very good under Shaw.  I went to the Alamo Bowl and we scored 37 on a team that usually gives up 19.  I wish we would have shown more on the final possession, but sometimes young quarterbacks and lines get flustered at the end of a big game.  It happens to all teams at times.  I think they will learn from it and be better next year. 

I don't care to analyze the line-up of those whose first reaction to a loss or failure seems to be to blame Shaw but at least a few (Hi Teejers) do regularly acknowledge all the great things Shaw does.  There seems to be an underlying idea that we could and should be playing at the Playoff level that doesn't match the reality of our recruiting and of the difficulty in winning consistently.  To my eyes, we are still consistently outplaying our talent level and winning more games than I would expect.  If we can get a higher percentage of top level recruits, my views will probably change, but for now, I am extremely satisfied.  I do go to all the home football games, some road games, a variety of other team's games through the year, and donate a modest amount of money to the Buck Cardinal Club. 

Happy New Year Everybody!

Cheers,
Pete F.