08-23-2012, 08:46 AM
I just watched some video of Nunes in High School. It's four years ago, but I think it gives some insight into why Shaw went with him. In the highlights, you don't see any plays that particularly stands out. Not a single throw or escape and throw do you say "wow!"
What you start realizing is this kid isn't spectacular, but he just makes all the throws he needs to make. One thing I noticed is that in the highlight package, he only is given half the field to read and did a lot of zone read type faking. He probably did have to run it a few times to keep the defense honest. My guess is Nunes has been given the whole field to read in college, has had to learn a whole different kind of play action faking for Stanford's offense, and he probably has proven that he still makes the same consistent plays when given the whole field to read in a more pro style offense.
The video I saw didn't show him making a single scramble to avoid pressure, or run for a first down. So the first thing I would look at with Nunes is his ability to feel, get away from pressure, and make a play largely with his feet. I'm under no illusions that Nunes is going to be a great QB. But he may not need to be great for Stanford win football games. The team surrounding him is better than what Luck had, so he won't have to be as good for Stanford to have success. Think of guys like Gino Torretta and Steve Walsh at Miami, or Danny Wuerffel at Florida as a couple examples of how the QB doesn't have to be great for the team to win if the supporting cast is strong.
What you start realizing is this kid isn't spectacular, but he just makes all the throws he needs to make. One thing I noticed is that in the highlight package, he only is given half the field to read and did a lot of zone read type faking. He probably did have to run it a few times to keep the defense honest. My guess is Nunes has been given the whole field to read in college, has had to learn a whole different kind of play action faking for Stanford's offense, and he probably has proven that he still makes the same consistent plays when given the whole field to read in a more pro style offense.
The video I saw didn't show him making a single scramble to avoid pressure, or run for a first down. So the first thing I would look at with Nunes is his ability to feel, get away from pressure, and make a play largely with his feet. I'm under no illusions that Nunes is going to be a great QB. But he may not need to be great for Stanford win football games. The team surrounding him is better than what Luck had, so he won't have to be as good for Stanford to have success. Think of guys like Gino Torretta and Steve Walsh at Miami, or Danny Wuerffel at Florida as a couple examples of how the QB doesn't have to be great for the team to win if the supporting cast is strong.