[OutsiderFan]

There is no other responsible thing to do.  If you need to simplify the playbook, do it.  But Burns and Chryst are NOT the answer.  If they are, I take exception to the question.

What good is having a big playbook, and all this complication, if the resulting offense is so pathetic?

[OutsiderFan]

There is no other responsible thing to do.  If you need to simplify the playbook, do it.  But Burns and Chryst are NOT the answer.  If they are, I take exception to the question.

What good is having a big playbook, and all this complication, if the resulting offense is so pathetic?

[yvonne]

If the playbook is complicated, playing a freshman quarterback is not the answer.

[yvonne]

If the playbook is complicated, playing a freshman quarterback is not the answer.

[martyup]

Today we had 4 turnovers.  All 4 were on Burns.  Time to change. 

[martyup]

Today we had 4 turnovers.  All 4 were on Burns.  Time to change. 

[stupac2]

If a complicated playbook leads to an offense this anemic then it's also not the answer. I don't know what the best way to solve this problem is, but at this point I'm willing to try something crazy.

[stupac2]

If a complicated playbook leads to an offense this anemic then it's also not the answer. I don't know what the best way to solve this problem is, but at this point I'm willing to try something crazy.

[OutsiderFan]

Yvonne, this season is over.  It's time to start building toward next season.  Get Costello some experience.  What good does it do having him sit on the bench, when there is nobody better than him ready to play?

Davis Mills is a 5 star QB coming next year.  There is absolutely no reason not to play Costello now.  None.  Like I said, if the playbook needs to be simplified to get him in, then simplify it.  If the game plan needs to be more basic, then do it, but seriously, do you see anything complicated and working with this offense right now?

Even if Stanford goes winless the rest of the season, if playing Costello gets him ready for 2017, then it's totally worth it.

[OutsiderFan]

Yvonne, this season is over.  It's time to start building toward next season.  Get Costello some experience.  What good does it do having him sit on the bench, when there is nobody better than him ready to play?

Davis Mills is a 5 star QB coming next year.  There is absolutely no reason not to play Costello now.  None.  Like I said, if the playbook needs to be simplified to get him in, then simplify it.  If the game plan needs to be more basic, then do it, but seriously, do you see anything complicated and working with this offense right now?

Even if Stanford goes winless the rest of the season, if playing Costello gets him ready for 2017, then it's totally worth it.

[martyup]

What a waste of a top 10 caliber defense.  What a waste of the H-award runner-up and last season's AP Player of the Year.  What a waste. 

[martyup]

What a waste of a top 10 caliber defense.  What a waste of the H-award runner-up and last season's AP Player of the Year.  What a waste. 

[norcard]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this. 

[norcard]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this. 

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

[82lsju]

if Costello is the real deal he won't be here for 5 years.

[82lsju]

if Costello is the real deal he won't be here for 5 years.

[gocard14]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this.

Against UW it was easy to cut him some slack, on the road, no time to throw, etc. In this game, his O line gave him it's best pass blocking effort (not amazing, but not horrible), and he still couldn't get it done. He had 4 turnovers that were entirely on him, is staring down receivers, and seems incapable of completing a pass that isn't a flat or comeback route. Additionally he has a knack for making bad plays at the worst times. Drive inside the red zone? Unforced fumble. Big play? Take an unnecessary sack on the next one. I know we've been spoiled by the unflappable duo of Luck and Hogan, but come on.

Chryst hasn't looked like the answer either, but we should at least see what he can do with a full practice week as the unquestioned #1. Failing that, put Costello out there. It just sucks to see our Studs on defense playing their hearts out for nothing. Thomas was an absolute beast and a warrior, Alfieri played his best game, and our CBs played lights out against a good QB. ILB play still needs work but on the whole a great defensive day. Let's see what someone else can do.

[gocard14]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this.

Against UW it was easy to cut him some slack, on the road, no time to throw, etc. In this game, his O line gave him it's best pass blocking effort (not amazing, but not horrible), and he still couldn't get it done. He had 4 turnovers that were entirely on him, is staring down receivers, and seems incapable of completing a pass that isn't a flat or comeback route. Additionally he has a knack for making bad plays at the worst times. Drive inside the red zone? Unforced fumble. Big play? Take an unnecessary sack on the next one. I know we've been spoiled by the unflappable duo of Luck and Hogan, but come on.

Chryst hasn't looked like the answer either, but we should at least see what he can do with a full practice week as the unquestioned #1. Failing that, put Costello out there. It just sucks to see our Studs on defense playing their hearts out for nothing. Thomas was an absolute beast and a warrior, Alfieri played his best game, and our CBs played lights out against a good QB. ILB play still needs work but on the whole a great defensive day. Let's see what someone else can do.

[JohnR34231]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this.

Of course it's not proven that KJ is the answer, he hasn't been put in yet.
Something has got to be done. Giving KJ some experience to prepare him for next year might be a good idea.

[JohnR34231]

Season is a lost cause - I'd hate to see him get injured.  Andrew didn't play either.  Better to learn and work on landing some stud OLs (Walker and Sarrell).  It's also not proven that KJ is truly the answer - Keller looked as good in high school.  I'll defer to the coaches on this.

Of course it's not proven that KJ is the answer, he hasn't been put in yet.
Something has got to be done. Giving KJ some experience to prepare him for next year might be a good idea.

[gocard14]

Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.

[gocard14]

Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.

[French Rage]

[quote author=MustardtheBallCarrier link=topic=15965.msg176833#msg176833 date=1477174868]
Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.
[/quote]

No, no, we need to put Chryst in and make it obvious to everyone in the stadium that it will be a designed run.

[French Rage]

[quote author=MustardtheBallCarrier link=topic=15965.msg176833#msg176833 date=1477174868]
Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.
[/quote]

No, no, we need to put Chryst in and make it obvious to everyone in the stadium that it will be a designed run.

[martyup]

After the last four games, it is apparent what a miracle it was that we drove down and scored on UCLA at the end of that game.  We could easily be 3-4 right now instead of 4-3.  Add to that the clutch pick 6 by Meeks in the ND game.  This offense is so bad that we are just a couple of big plays from being 2-5.

I don't know about KJ, but I would be surprised if Chryst isn't the starter at Arizona.

[martyup]

After the last four games, it is apparent what a miracle it was that we drove down and scored on UCLA at the end of that game.  We could easily be 3-4 right now instead of 4-3.  Add to that the clutch pick 6 by Meeks in the ND game.  This offense is so bad that we are just a couple of big plays from being 2-5.

I don't know about KJ, but I would be surprised if Chryst isn't the starter at Arizona.

[jayasena]

I agree that Burns doesn't seem to be the answer but I think the problems at that position and the offense in general are much deeper than that.

The list of highly-regarded QBs coming out of high school who just don't seem to develop in our "system" is getting pretty long: Nunes, Nottingham, Burns, Chryst. Even Hogan had a lot of questions about technique and lack of improvement throughout his career here (at least to my untrained eye, Hogan seemed like a great example of QB instincts that can't be taught rather than the product of great coaching). This goes beyond a specific player or the normal "hit rate" in recruiting. Yes, I realize it's still a very small sample size but none of these guys other than Hogan were even serviceable, much less average, D1 QBs. We aren't talking about a high bar here. And I'm willing to bet it's not because the players aren't trying hard enough. No way that many athletes who can get into Stanford aren't putting in what it takes to succeed.

This team is also uncharacteristically undisciplined. That's not on the QB either. That's on the coaches. We've had more injuries this year than in any other recent season, so perhaps the mental mistakes are due to all of the personnel changes. And it hasn't been a multi-year issue, so I'm hoping that one will get ironed out.

But the QB development issue seems to be systemic. Maybe it's the complexity of the system or maybe it's the coaching. Maybe it's an issue with identifying the right fit for the system in recruiting. Maybe it's a combination or something else altogether. Whatever it is, that needs attention beyond just trying a different QB (although that seems needed for the near term as well).

[jayasena]

I agree that Burns doesn't seem to be the answer but I think the problems at that position and the offense in general are much deeper than that.

The list of highly-regarded QBs coming out of high school who just don't seem to develop in our "system" is getting pretty long: Nunes, Nottingham, Burns, Chryst. Even Hogan had a lot of questions about technique and lack of improvement throughout his career here (at least to my untrained eye, Hogan seemed like a great example of QB instincts that can't be taught rather than the product of great coaching). This goes beyond a specific player or the normal "hit rate" in recruiting. Yes, I realize it's still a very small sample size but none of these guys other than Hogan were even serviceable, much less average, D1 QBs. We aren't talking about a high bar here. And I'm willing to bet it's not because the players aren't trying hard enough. No way that many athletes who can get into Stanford aren't putting in what it takes to succeed.

This team is also uncharacteristically undisciplined. That's not on the QB either. That's on the coaches. We've had more injuries this year than in any other recent season, so perhaps the mental mistakes are due to all of the personnel changes. And it hasn't been a multi-year issue, so I'm hoping that one will get ironed out.

But the QB development issue seems to be systemic. Maybe it's the complexity of the system or maybe it's the coaching. Maybe it's an issue with identifying the right fit for the system in recruiting. Maybe it's a combination or something else altogether. Whatever it is, that needs attention beyond just trying a different QB (although that seems needed for the near term as well).

[Card Fan in OR]

It pains me to say this, and I hope RB doesn't see it, but I believe Burns cost us this game. We all saw his performance. To deflect some criticism elsewhere, why does/do Shaw/Bloomgren (don't know who actually calls the plays) keep calling deep passes when it is so clear the QB is unable to deliver them. Today, many were significantly underthrown. Other weeks, many well-overthrown. He seems OK on the short to short-intermediate routes--especially if he would learn when not to throw into very tight coverage. Why not design more plays that he has a chance to complete? There are other areas to critique, but I'm sure everyone is aware of them.

I don't know who is at fault, but our starting QB seems to me to be dramatically regressing. Something needs to change.

[Card Fan in OR]

It pains me to say this, and I hope RB doesn't see it, but I believe Burns cost us this game. We all saw his performance. To deflect some criticism elsewhere, why does/do Shaw/Bloomgren (don't know who actually calls the plays) keep calling deep passes when it is so clear the QB is unable to deliver them. Today, many were significantly underthrown. Other weeks, many well-overthrown. He seems OK on the short to short-intermediate routes--especially if he would learn when not to throw into very tight coverage. Why not design more plays that he has a chance to complete? There are other areas to critique, but I'm sure everyone is aware of them.

I don't know who is at fault, but our starting QB seems to me to be dramatically regressing. Something needs to change.

[French Rage]

Yeah I don't know why they kept going for that deep pass.  Even in good situations it can be a bit of a toss-up where you hope the receiver gets enough height to have a shot, and you hope you overthrew it otherwise so no one gets it.  But Burns simply kept underthrowing.  Even when there was no INT it was up the WR to knock it away from an INT.

[French Rage]

Yeah I don't know why they kept going for that deep pass.  Even in good situations it can be a bit of a toss-up where you hope the receiver gets enough height to have a shot, and you hope you overthrew it otherwise so no one gets it.  But Burns simply kept underthrowing.  Even when there was no INT it was up the WR to knock it away from an INT.

[cardcrimson]

Stubborn play calling. 1st down, CMac inside the tackles. Rose Bowl, 4 straight jumbos against MSU.

[cardcrimson]

Stubborn play calling. 1st down, CMac inside the tackles. Rose Bowl, 4 straight jumbos against MSU.

[pcgoode]

Part of where we are with our QB situation has to be on Tavita Pritchard, who coaches the QBs and WRs. Burns is in his fourth season and Chryst is in his third - it boggles my mind that neither of these guys are up to the task given how much time they have had in the program.

Pritchard assumed his current position in December 2014, so he has had going on two years to coach these guys up after Mike Sanford left to be OC at Boise State.

[pcgoode]

Part of where we are with our QB situation has to be on Tavita Pritchard, who coaches the QBs and WRs. Burns is in his fourth season and Chryst is in his third - it boggles my mind that neither of these guys are up to the task given how much time they have had in the program.

Pritchard assumed his current position in December 2014, so he has had going on two years to coach these guys up after Mike Sanford left to be OC at Boise State.

[VFRing98]

[quote author=gocard14 link=topic=15965.msg176840#msg176840 date=1477175443]
[quote author=MustardtheBallCarrier link=topic=15965.msg176833#msg176833 date=1477174868]
Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.
[/quote]

No, no, we need to put Chryst in and make it obvious to everyone in the stadium that it will be a designed run.
[/quote]

That was the worst. What a horrible series. And everyone in the stadium knew what was going to happen. Worst ever.

[VFRing98]

[quote author=gocard14 link=topic=15965.msg176840#msg176840 date=1477175443]
[quote author=MustardtheBallCarrier link=topic=15965.msg176833#msg176833 date=1477174868]
Does Nunes have any eligibility left?

Alternatively we could go Wildcat every play. Probably better then this, and I hate the wildcat.
[/quote]

No, no, we need to put Chryst in and make it obvious to everyone in the stadium that it will be a designed run.
[/quote]

That was the worst. What a horrible series. And everyone in the stadium knew what was going to happen. Worst ever.