11-07-2014, 08:38 PM
See, I don't think the problem with the defense is that the fullbacks are often caught upfield. I think the problem is that it just doesn't ever seem to get organized at all. Like, often you see teams organize in two banks of four, roll deep, etc. With Stanford, when it's trying to defend on its end of the field, it just kind of surges to the ball.
Basically, Stanford -- when it has the ball and doesn't -- seems to see the game as a series of individual battles rather than a team game. That works OK on offense, because it has talented players who often instinctively combine as teammates. On defense those instincts get harnessed to pressing high and not taking prisoners. But it's kind of strange overall.
Basically, Stanford -- when it has the ball and doesn't -- seems to see the game as a series of individual battles rather than a team game. That works OK on offense, because it has talented players who often instinctively combine as teammates. On defense those instincts get harnessed to pressing high and not taking prisoners. But it's kind of strange overall.