[Goose]

Disagree. The DL was so bad that it can't possibly get worse. Gone was one starter who contributed nothing and two others who underperformed.

I think you'll be unpleasantly surprised.

I fear you are correct. At best we are going to be very young (and undersized as a result) as I understand it. Perhaps we will get something out of a "speed defense" or the equivalent, but as of now I see few reasons for optimism.

[Goose]

Disagree. The DL was so bad that it can't possibly get worse. Gone was one starter who contributed nothing and two others who underperformed.

I think you'll be unpleasantly surprised.

I fear you are correct. At best we are going to be very young (and undersized as a result) as I understand it. Perhaps we will get something out of a "speed defense" or the equivalent, but as of now I see few reasons for optimism.

[Phogge]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

[Phogge]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

[SamuelMcF]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

[SamuelMcF]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

[old spanish trail]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

It's hard to get a sack if you never blitz. I understand they had to stay back to cover for the DL and ILB's but a disguised blitz now and then could have made a tiny(?) difference. I think Reid and Fox got a few sacks in the last couple years.

[old spanish trail]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

It's hard to get a sack if you never blitz. I understand they had to stay back to cover for the DL and ILB's but a disguised blitz now and then could have made a tiny(?) difference. I think Reid and Fox got a few sacks in the last couple years.

[winflop]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

But don't worry, with the same coaching staff things will be much improved this season! <extreme sarcasm>

[winflop]

I think that the guru is incorrect. Ryan Johnson gave them nothing, zip, nada. The big tank in the middle was completely out of shape for his Stanford tenure. How many plays did #4 make this year? Not many.

Can't be any worse. Plus the crappy secondary can't be any worse either. The LB's however are a schit show.

The secondary should be better, especially with grad transfer godsend Fields, a healthy McGill, and Kelly returning.

I was genuinely surprised at how bad the LBs were, especially the OLBs. Year what, 4 in a row with zero pass rush?

You are correct that the starting DL sucked. The problem? They were our starters. And now all of them are gone. Who the hell is going out there?

But don't worry, with the same coaching staff things will be much improved this season! <extreme sarcasm>

[Phogge]

The DL was stale. The staff IS stale. If they were a perishable food product their atoms would would have been redistributed years ago.

[Phogge]

The DL was stale. The staff IS stale. If they were a perishable food product their atoms would would have been redistributed years ago.

[OutsiderFan]

It was obvious in the Vandy game that Filkins was the best RB Stanford could put on a field in 2021. Of course, he got put on Covid list after that game and wasn't available for next game along with Jones.

And Peat also had the 75 yd TD run at USC the previous week, so of course you would lean on him more. Frankly, Austin Jones should have been made into a slot receiver.  His high school highlights made clear he was a very good receiver. He put on too much weight and lost his quickness trying to play RB at Stanford.

[OutsiderFan]

It was obvious in the Vandy game that Filkins was the best RB Stanford could put on a field in 2021. Of course, he got put on Covid list after that game and wasn't available for next game along with Jones.

And Peat also had the 75 yd TD run at USC the previous week, so of course you would lean on him more. Frankly, Austin Jones should have been made into a slot receiver.  His high school highlights made clear he was a very good receiver. He put on too much weight and lost his quickness trying to play RB at Stanford.

[TriangleTree]

It was obvious in the Vandy game that Filkins was the best RB Stanford could put on a field in 2021. 

Filkins did look great at Vandy, but Smith had a couple of runs where he looked like an absolute star about to explode.
At least to me it wasn't clear that Filkins was obviously the best, is it really that cut-and-dry to you? 
Unfortunately Smith got injured late in that game and lost a few games as a result.
I'm as concerned as anyone else with the departure of Jones and Peat, but it's certainly not because of the lack of potential behind them.

[TriangleTree]

It was obvious in the Vandy game that Filkins was the best RB Stanford could put on a field in 2021. 

Filkins did look great at Vandy, but Smith had a couple of runs where he looked like an absolute star about to explode.
At least to me it wasn't clear that Filkins was obviously the best, is it really that cut-and-dry to you? 
Unfortunately Smith got injured late in that game and lost a few games as a result.
I'm as concerned as anyone else with the departure of Jones and Peat, but it's certainly not because of the lack of potential behind them.

[terry]

Incoming RB recruit Arlen Harris was pretty well rated and reportedly had a bunch of good offers -- Iowa, Michigan, Michigan St., Penn St., Purdue, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa St., etc. Maybe he could make a contribution?

[terry]

Incoming RB recruit Arlen Harris was pretty well rated and reportedly had a bunch of good offers -- Iowa, Michigan, Michigan St., Penn St., Purdue, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa St., etc. Maybe he could make a contribution?

[Phogge]

Or they could go 5 wide no huddle and throw it 80 times a game. Bring back Dick Norman as a geezer guru.

[Phogge]

Or they could go 5 wide no huddle and throw it 80 times a game. Bring back Dick Norman as a geezer guru.

[gailtate]

A scan of these comments reveals a pretty bleak outlook, indeed, but refreshing realism, too. Nary a head in the sand. When you think about the paucity of talent and absence of depth, it's a small miracle there was more than a single win last year and, that it came against Oregon, is in retrospect astounding. FoolsGold or not. I do not believe Shaw can re-build what he once had, but I want to believe that he is privately accepting that he hit rock bottom and that the jolt inspires something--anything--positive.  Step one is the big one: learning how to win again. Shades of 2007-'08.

[gailtate]

A scan of these comments reveals a pretty bleak outlook, indeed, but refreshing realism, too. Nary a head in the sand. When you think about the paucity of talent and absence of depth, it's a small miracle there was more than a single win last year and, that it came against Oregon, is in retrospect astounding. FoolsGold or not. I do not believe Shaw can re-build what he once had, but I want to believe that he is privately accepting that he hit rock bottom and that the jolt inspires something--anything--positive.  Step one is the big one: learning how to win again. Shades of 2007-'08.

[Spiny_Norman]

Shades of 2007-'08.

I don't know if this is a team with bus riders and steak eaters. But I sure would like to see some more warriors on the field.

[Spiny_Norman]

Shades of 2007-'08.

I don't know if this is a team with bus riders and steak eaters. But I sure would like to see some more warriors on the field.

[MVDan]

According to the Sports PAC-12 Wesbsite, Austin Jones has committed to USC. This one hurts.

[MVDan]

According to the Sports PAC-12 Wesbsite, Austin Jones has committed to USC. This one hurts.

[dabigv13]

Austin Jones to SC. Yuck.

[dabigv13]

Austin Jones to SC. Yuck.

[Phogge]

Well then knock him on his azz.

[Phogge]

Well then knock him on his azz.

[Spiny_Norman]

I think this spot opened up when Keaontay Ingram, USC's leading rusher last season, declared for the draft last week.

Jones will likely compete for playing time with returning backup Darwin Barlow and incoming 5 star RB Raleek Brown.

USC's OL was almost as weak as Stanford's last year. They have not done much to change things except for the coaching. They have signed 0 OL recruits so far and only have 1 OL transfer.

[Spiny_Norman]

I think this spot opened up when Keaontay Ingram, USC's leading rusher last season, declared for the draft last week.

Jones will likely compete for playing time with returning backup Darwin Barlow and incoming 5 star RB Raleek Brown.

USC's OL was almost as weak as Stanford's last year. They have not done much to change things except for the coaching. They have signed 0 OL recruits so far and only have 1 OL transfer.

[SamuelMcF]

I think this spot opened up when Keaontay Ingram, USC's leading rusher last season, declared for the draft last week.

Jones will likely compete for playing time with returning backup Darwin Barlow and incoming 5 star RB Raleek Brown.

USC's OL was almost as weak as Stanford's last year. They have not done much to change things except for the coaching. They have signed 0 OL recruits so far and only have 1 OL transfer.

Jones will have plenty of running room when the base formation is 4 wide and there aren't 8 guys in the box every play.

[SamuelMcF]

I think this spot opened up when Keaontay Ingram, USC's leading rusher last season, declared for the draft last week.

Jones will likely compete for playing time with returning backup Darwin Barlow and incoming 5 star RB Raleek Brown.

USC's OL was almost as weak as Stanford's last year. They have not done much to change things except for the coaching. They have signed 0 OL recruits so far and only have 1 OL transfer.

Jones will have plenty of running room when the base formation is 4 wide and there aren't 8 guys in the box every play.

[Papa John]

I congratulated Nathaniel Peat on returning to MO to play for his hometown university's football team. Not gonna do the same for Austin Jones, though.

[Papa John]

I congratulated Nathaniel Peat on returning to MO to play for his hometown university's football team. Not gonna do the same for Austin Jones, though.

[AthleticsDynasty]

I'm ambivalent about all things Stanford Football now. There is no indication anything is getting better and how can Jones transferring make anything worse?

McCaffrey 'bowl opting' was the skillshot for Stanford football

And the nail in the coffin was the moment the portal became a thing.

College football is nothing but glorified minor league football. For Stanford It's too difficult to get in and too easy to get out. We could have the greatest coaches in the universe and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

[AthleticsDynasty]

I'm ambivalent about all things Stanford Football now. There is no indication anything is getting better and how can Jones transferring make anything worse?

McCaffrey 'bowl opting' was the skillshot for Stanford football

And the nail in the coffin was the moment the portal became a thing.

College football is nothing but glorified minor league football. For Stanford It's too difficult to get in and too easy to get out. We could have the greatest coaches in the universe and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

[SamuelMcF]

I'm ambivalent about all things Stanford Football now. There is no indication anything is getting better and how can Jones transferring make anything worse?

McCaffrey 'bowl opting' was the skillshot for Stanford football

And the nail in the coffin was the moment the portal became a thing.

College football is nothing but glorified minor league football. For Stanford It's too difficult to get in and too easy to get out. We could have the greatest coaches in the universe and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

Having better coaches would ABSOLUTELY make a difference. Even if the W-L column wouldn't change (which it still would), there's a massive difference between actually being competitive in every game and getting completely bullied off the field with the team clearly quitting on the coaches.

[SamuelMcF]

I'm ambivalent about all things Stanford Football now. There is no indication anything is getting better and how can Jones transferring make anything worse?

McCaffrey 'bowl opting' was the skillshot for Stanford football

And the nail in the coffin was the moment the portal became a thing.

College football is nothing but glorified minor league football. For Stanford It's too difficult to get in and too easy to get out. We could have the greatest coaches in the universe and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

Having better coaches would ABSOLUTELY make a difference. Even if the W-L column wouldn't change (which it still would), there's a massive difference between actually being competitive in every game and getting completely bullied off the field with the team clearly quitting on the coaches.