[OutsiderFan]

Since nobody has mentioned it, how about Walker Little?  After re-watching the UCLA game, he was good for a 5th year Senior playing LT, let alone a True Frosh in his second career start.  We can see why they shuffled the OL as they did after USC. 

Little is the prototype LT.  He's big, powerful, has long arms, can bend, and move his feet.  I know UCLA isn't a great defense, but that said, not only did Little rarely miss his blocking target against UCLA, they couldn't get off him when he engaged, just totally neutralized his guy routinely.  No UCLA pass rusher came close to getting around him.  It was really disappointing that Jaelan Phillips was injured last week, as I was so looking forward to seeing he and Little lock horns.

The OL shuffle puts the two most dominant physical presences on the OL on opposite sides, Little on the left at LT, and Herbig on the right at RG.  Since Little can move, they can still get Little and Herbig blocking together on same side by pulling Little.  If you've got them both on the same side, the other side is at risk of being defeated more often, because Bright and Hall, and I'm assuming Hamilton, aren't nearly as physically stout as Herbig and Little.

I really only paid attention to Little, so don't know how the other OL played, but when you have two dominant physical forces on the OL, it's going to be good.  When you consider the big play production Love provides, you see the elements of a pretty dominant offense in the making, as long as Stanford has a credible passing threat. 

IOW, with some decent QB play added to the seemingly settled OL, this Stanford offense has the potential to get much better, and possibly be great as the season goes on. 

[OutsiderFan]

Since nobody has mentioned it, how about Walker Little?  After re-watching the UCLA game, he was good for a 5th year Senior playing LT, let alone a True Frosh in his second career start.  We can see why they shuffled the OL as they did after USC. 

Little is the prototype LT.  He's big, powerful, has long arms, can bend, and move his feet.  I know UCLA isn't a great defense, but that said, not only did Little rarely miss his blocking target against UCLA, they couldn't get off him when he engaged, just totally neutralized his guy routinely.  No UCLA pass rusher came close to getting around him.  It was really disappointing that Jaelan Phillips was injured last week, as I was so looking forward to seeing he and Little lock horns.

The OL shuffle puts the two most dominant physical presences on the OL on opposite sides, Little on the left at LT, and Herbig on the right at RG.  Since Little can move, they can still get Little and Herbig blocking together on same side by pulling Little.  If you've got them both on the same side, the other side is at risk of being defeated more often, because Bright and Hall, and I'm assuming Hamilton, aren't nearly as physically stout as Herbig and Little.

I really only paid attention to Little, so don't know how the other OL played, but when you have two dominant physical forces on the OL, it's going to be good.  When you consider the big play production Love provides, you see the elements of a pretty dominant offense in the making, as long as Stanford has a credible passing threat. 

IOW, with some decent QB play added to the seemingly settled OL, this Stanford offense has the potential to get much better, and possibly be great as the season goes on. 

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Good post and I share your enthusiasm for Walker's play. It will be interesting to watch him go up against a different set of D-line players each week.
I see no reason why he will not perform his assignments well and win his match ups.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Good post and I share your enthusiasm for Walker's play. It will be interesting to watch him go up against a different set of D-line players each week.
I see no reason why he will not perform his assignments well and win his match ups.

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

Play of the year to my eye, in an otherwise brutal game, was when Little got outside on a long Love TD to the left side vs SDSU.  Little was the second guy in the endzone after Love.  His athleticism at his size is next level for sure.  I jumped off the couch when I saw that.

[MustardtheBallCarrier]

Play of the year to my eye, in an otherwise brutal game, was when Little got outside on a long Love TD to the left side vs SDSU.  Little was the second guy in the endzone after Love.  His athleticism at his size is next level for sure.  I jumped off the couch when I saw that.