[OutsiderFan]

But since there seems to be very little interest there, I figured I would try to see if there is more interest in my topic here...

Is there any chance Patrick Skov can come in an play for Shane?  He doesn't seem to be needed at FB, as Hewitt and Meinken seem solid there.

Will Vaughters be moved inside, or will he stay outside where he has been playing (and got a sack vs. Arizona)?  I think I've seen enough to conclude Vaughters is better than Trent Murphy, even though Murphy might know the defense a bit better, so it may be smarter to keep Vaughters playing and learning OLB.  Thomas and Vaughters would make quite an OLB tandem. 

A.J. Tarpley has looked pretty good to me so far, better than Jerek Lancaster.  Maybe Debniak could be moved inside?  Vaughters and P. Skov are better athletes with higher upside than the other ILB options, but probably don't have the experience.  I guess the question is can they make enough plays to make up for the mistakes they will make by being so inexperienced?

I would think Patrick would be supremely motivated to step in for his brother.  Good thing for Stanford they have a bye week coming up to figure it out.  But the next game is against a UCLA team that can run the ball pretty darn well.

BTW, what exactly is Shane Skov's injury?

[OutsiderFan]

But since there seems to be very little interest there, I figured I would try to see if there is more interest in my topic here...

Is there any chance Patrick Skov can come in an play for Shane?  He doesn't seem to be needed at FB, as Hewitt and Meinken seem solid there.

Will Vaughters be moved inside, or will he stay outside where he has been playing (and got a sack vs. Arizona)?  I think I've seen enough to conclude Vaughters is better than Trent Murphy, even though Murphy might know the defense a bit better, so it may be smarter to keep Vaughters playing and learning OLB.  Thomas and Vaughters would make quite an OLB tandem. 

A.J. Tarpley has looked pretty good to me so far, better than Jerek Lancaster.  Maybe Debniak could be moved inside?  Vaughters and P. Skov are better athletes with higher upside than the other ILB options, but probably don't have the experience.  I guess the question is can they make enough plays to make up for the mistakes they will make by being so inexperienced?

I would think Patrick would be supremely motivated to step in for his brother.  Good thing for Stanford they have a bye week coming up to figure it out.  But the next game is against a UCLA team that can run the ball pretty darn well.

BTW, what exactly is Shane Skov's injury?

[fullmetal]

I don't think there's been any official word on the injury.  I'm still guessing ACL, although that would seem to be the worst case scenario.

I don't see P. Skov making his way up the linebacking corps in two weeks.  There's just too much talent, developed or otherwise, and I don't think he'll be able to absorb a Pac-12, nay--an NFL, defensive playbook that quickly and be able to read/react to Pac-12 offenses well enough to beat out the likes of Vaughters, Lancaster, et al.

Unfortunately, P. Skov seems to be buried near the bottom of the depth chart at fullback right now as well.  I've seen Hewitt and Meinken get touches, but not P. Skov.  Maybe they're redshirting him?

[fullmetal]

I don't think there's been any official word on the injury.  I'm still guessing ACL, although that would seem to be the worst case scenario.

I don't see P. Skov making his way up the linebacking corps in two weeks.  There's just too much talent, developed or otherwise, and I don't think he'll be able to absorb a Pac-12, nay--an NFL, defensive playbook that quickly and be able to read/react to Pac-12 offenses well enough to beat out the likes of Vaughters, Lancaster, et al.

Unfortunately, P. Skov seems to be buried near the bottom of the depth chart at fullback right now as well.  I've seen Hewitt and Meinken get touches, but not P. Skov.  Maybe they're redshirting him?

[washingtonismoney]

I don't know, it doesn't seem that coaches were as enthusiastic about P. Skov contributing immediately as they were the other freshmen who've seen the field. So I'm not sure that'll work. Maybe I'm being complacent, but I think Jarek Lancaster will be perfectly fine at ILB.

(Also, re: Trent Murphy. He's a good player! If Vaughters replaces him, it says more about his excellence than any lack of quality on Murphy's part. Long-term I see Vaughters moving inside, particularly if both Noor Davis and Ifeadi Odenigbo end up coming.)

[washingtonismoney]

I don't know, it doesn't seem that coaches were as enthusiastic about P. Skov contributing immediately as they were the other freshmen who've seen the field. So I'm not sure that'll work. Maybe I'm being complacent, but I think Jarek Lancaster will be perfectly fine at ILB.

(Also, re: Trent Murphy. He's a good player! If Vaughters replaces him, it says more about his excellence than any lack of quality on Murphy's part. Long-term I see Vaughters moving inside, particularly if both Noor Davis and Ifeadi Odenigbo end up coming.)

[washingtonismoney]

Oh, by the way--as convenient a place to put this. FUN FACT: James Vaughters has more tackles for loss as a freshman than Shayne Skov had through his entire season (and 50% of Chase Thomas's redshirt freshman totals). Our leading TFLer that 2009 season was Thomas Keiser, with 15 in 13 games. Stanford has four players averaging a higher pace...one of whom is James Vaughters.

I suspect the poor Arizona OL will be replaying this play quite often, first to berating in the film room, then in his nightmares:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:6987993

Vaughters just slaughters him.

[washingtonismoney]

Oh, by the way--as convenient a place to put this. FUN FACT: James Vaughters has more tackles for loss as a freshman than Shayne Skov had through his entire season (and 50% of Chase Thomas's redshirt freshman totals). Our leading TFLer that 2009 season was Thomas Keiser, with 15 in 13 games. Stanford has four players averaging a higher pace...one of whom is James Vaughters.

I suspect the poor Arizona OL will be replaying this play quite often, first to berating in the film room, then in his nightmares:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:6987993

Vaughters just slaughters him.

[StannyBoy]

I'm pretty sure Pat Skov is being redshirted. He really isn't needed at ILB or FB. Tarpley, Lancaster, and Vaughters will be fine. And if they want to keep Vaughters on the outside I can definitely see Debniak sliding inside.

[StannyBoy]

I'm pretty sure Pat Skov is being redshirted. He really isn't needed at ILB or FB. Tarpley, Lancaster, and Vaughters will be fine. And if they want to keep Vaughters on the outside I can definitely see Debniak sliding inside.

[OutsiderFan]

OK, Patrick Skov isn't an option.  And most people think Vaughters will ultimately be more valuable as an OLB/DE, so he's not going inside.  That leaves Lancaster, Tarpley, and potentially Debniak if Vaughters stays outside, to give a LB 2-deep of:

ROLB: C. Thomas - B. Lueders
RILB: J. Lancaster - A. Tarpley
LILB: M. Bergen - A. Debniak 
LOLB: T. Murphy - J. Vaughters

Does that sound about right?

BTW, on that sack by Vaughters, Thomas had a great inside spin move.  The RB was in to block, and chose to help on Thomas.  That left Vaughters unblocked after running by the RT. 

[OutsiderFan]

OK, Patrick Skov isn't an option.  And most people think Vaughters will ultimately be more valuable as an OLB/DE, so he's not going inside.  That leaves Lancaster, Tarpley, and potentially Debniak if Vaughters stays outside, to give a LB 2-deep of:

ROLB: C. Thomas - B. Lueders
RILB: J. Lancaster - A. Tarpley
LILB: M. Bergen - A. Debniak 
LOLB: T. Murphy - J. Vaughters

Does that sound about right?

BTW, on that sack by Vaughters, Thomas had a great inside spin move.  The RB was in to block, and chose to help on Thomas.  That left Vaughters unblocked after running by the RT. 

[fullmetal]

I can't remember which games I saw them in, but I think I've seen all of the four above except Tarpley in on plays this season.  I'm cautiously hopeful about not dropping off too much without Skov.

[fullmetal]

I can't remember which games I saw them in, but I think I've seen all of the four above except Tarpley in on plays this season.  I'm cautiously hopeful about not dropping off too much without Skov.

[washingtonismoney]

On Shaw's radio show last night, he seemed to indicate Joe Hemschoot would be given a shot to earn some more reps. I've always been intrigued by him and his story: http://www.denverpost.com/preps/ci_10519148

[washingtonismoney]

On Shaw's radio show last night, he seemed to indicate Joe Hemschoot would be given a shot to earn some more reps. I've always been intrigued by him and his story: http://www.denverpost.com/preps/ci_10519148

[Redrum]

That Skov won't be back before the end of the season.

Nah.  I'm just messing with you.

Fullback:  I've had this conversation so many times I can't remember where and when.  Hewitt is a TE playing out of position.  Great passing option,  but the kid does not stand out in the blocking dept.    Meinken had a good run,  but I haven't seen enough games to know if  1) he really can block  2) would be a no brainer to carry on short yardage and goal line scoring chances.  I suspect the jury is still out on #1  and  the answer is "no" to #2.    We might have seen the best of Meinken against Duke.  He was recruited as a big guy who had very good speed (for a big guy).  He got a showcase carry near the end of the game against a physically beaten Duke team.  What I haven't seen is the power to get the 1 or 2 yds. up the gut against stacked defenses.    Which brings us back to Skov.    If  Skov can be that guy with power in traffic and the ability to really STICK a block,  he should stay at fullback.  Gonna need all the help we can get after Luck graduates.

At linebacker:  We have a very highly recruited Blake Lueders playing behind Chase Thomas.  No shame in that, but the question is whether Lueders has developed or will quickly develop into a LB that can start.  It's a genuine question,  not a final judgment on his ability.  But with Thomas done after this season and a question mark on how quickly and how well Shane Skov plays again ... and  Bergen graduating  that's a LOT of starters gone or questionable.  We have Noor Davis coming in, but he's another LB projected outside.  Lancaster, Tarpley, Hemschoot, Debniak.  If it comes down to finding two starting ILB  out of that group,  then a move by Skov to defense might make sense.

[Redrum]

That Skov won't be back before the end of the season.

Nah.  I'm just messing with you.

Fullback:  I've had this conversation so many times I can't remember where and when.  Hewitt is a TE playing out of position.  Great passing option,  but the kid does not stand out in the blocking dept.    Meinken had a good run,  but I haven't seen enough games to know if  1) he really can block  2) would be a no brainer to carry on short yardage and goal line scoring chances.  I suspect the jury is still out on #1  and  the answer is "no" to #2.    We might have seen the best of Meinken against Duke.  He was recruited as a big guy who had very good speed (for a big guy).  He got a showcase carry near the end of the game against a physically beaten Duke team.  What I haven't seen is the power to get the 1 or 2 yds. up the gut against stacked defenses.    Which brings us back to Skov.    If  Skov can be that guy with power in traffic and the ability to really STICK a block,  he should stay at fullback.  Gonna need all the help we can get after Luck graduates.

At linebacker:  We have a very highly recruited Blake Lueders playing behind Chase Thomas.  No shame in that, but the question is whether Lueders has developed or will quickly develop into a LB that can start.  It's a genuine question,  not a final judgment on his ability.  But with Thomas done after this season and a question mark on how quickly and how well Shane Skov plays again ... and  Bergen graduating  that's a LOT of starters gone or questionable.  We have Noor Davis coming in, but he's another LB projected outside.  Lancaster, Tarpley, Hemschoot, Debniak.  If it comes down to finding two starting ILB  out of that group,  then a move by Skov to defense might make sense.

[OutsiderFan]

I know when Lueders was recruited Harbaugh suggested he was going to be an ILB.  Lueders certainly has the size for ILB, but not sure he has the quicks to drop into pass coverage too much.  I haven't seen anything to make me think Chase Thomas isn't truly the most irreplaceable guy on that defense.  Shayne is awesome, yes, but Chase Thomas plays the most important position on the defense - weak side pass rusher - and he plays it really well.

I honestly can't believe Rivals dropped Thomas from its Top 25 Linebacker list this week. 

[OutsiderFan]

I know when Lueders was recruited Harbaugh suggested he was going to be an ILB.  Lueders certainly has the size for ILB, but not sure he has the quicks to drop into pass coverage too much.  I haven't seen anything to make me think Chase Thomas isn't truly the most irreplaceable guy on that defense.  Shayne is awesome, yes, but Chase Thomas plays the most important position on the defense - weak side pass rusher - and he plays it really well.

I honestly can't believe Rivals dropped Thomas from its Top 25 Linebacker list this week. 

[washingtonismoney]

At linebacker:  We have a very highly recruited Blake Lueders playing behind Chase Thomas.  No shame in that, but the question is whether Lueders has developed or will quickly develop into a LB that can start.  It's a genuine question,  not a final judgment on his ability.  But with Thomas done after this season...

Thomas is a redshirt junior--he has another year of eligibility after this one. Whether he'll take it is another matter, I suppose. Mel Kiper rates him as the #2 junior OLB but doesn't have him as one of his top 25 players overall. I don't see a lot of the draft pundits fawning over Thomas (yet?). So it's entirely plausible to me that Thomas will be back for a senior season.

[washingtonismoney]

At linebacker:  We have a very highly recruited Blake Lueders playing behind Chase Thomas.  No shame in that, but the question is whether Lueders has developed or will quickly develop into a LB that can start.  It's a genuine question,  not a final judgment on his ability.  But with Thomas done after this season...

Thomas is a redshirt junior--he has another year of eligibility after this one. Whether he'll take it is another matter, I suppose. Mel Kiper rates him as the #2 junior OLB but doesn't have him as one of his top 25 players overall. I don't see a lot of the draft pundits fawning over Thomas (yet?). So it's entirely plausible to me that Thomas will be back for a senior season.

[Redrum]

The official depth chart on the Stanford site  lists  Thomas simply as a "Sr."    All others with redshirt years are listed with a dual "normal" class designation and a redshirt eligibility designation,  ferinstance  "Sr.- Jr. "    So I'm confused.  Of course,  the Stanford site is infamous for its lack of proofreading and quality control,  so maybe Chase's designation is simply in error.  Thomas' first season would have been 2008,  so if he played enough as a freshman to burn his shirt, then he's done.  But that would entail me actually memorizing and remembering each player's actual game participation for each season... and there is no joy in the remembering ability dept.

[Redrum]

The official depth chart on the Stanford site  lists  Thomas simply as a "Sr."    All others with redshirt years are listed with a dual "normal" class designation and a redshirt eligibility designation,  ferinstance  "Sr.- Jr. "    So I'm confused.  Of course,  the Stanford site is infamous for its lack of proofreading and quality control,  so maybe Chase's designation is simply in error.  Thomas' first season would have been 2008,  so if he played enough as a freshman to burn his shirt, then he's done.  But that would entail me actually memorizing and remembering each player's actual game participation for each season... and there is no joy in the remembering ability dept.

[Griffins78]

Who will be calling the defensive plays and audibles?

[Griffins78]

Who will be calling the defensive plays and audibles?

[terry]

Who will be calling the defensive plays and audibles?

I'm guessing Bergen?

[terry]

Who will be calling the defensive plays and audibles?

I'm guessing Bergen?