[washingtonismoney]

More newspaper reports.

From FitzGerald at the Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O0D0T.DTL

Suggests that the competition for Masifilo's vacated spot is going well and, indeed, that Ben Gardner's spot might be at stake? ("We've got three guys for two spots"--Randy Hart.) I very much doubt that this is so, but we'd truly have an embarrassment of riches at the DE spot if true.

And a report on Williamson from the Mercury: http://www.mercurynews.com/stanford-card...der-spring

[washingtonismoney]

More newspaper reports.

From FitzGerald at the Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O0D0T.DTL

Suggests that the competition for Masifilo's vacated spot is going well and, indeed, that Ben Gardner's spot might be at stake? ("We've got three guys for two spots"--Randy Hart.) I very much doubt that this is so, but we'd truly have an embarrassment of riches at the DE spot if true.

And a report on Williamson from the Mercury: http://www.mercurynews.com/stanford-card...der-spring

[Redrum]

Knew he was a TE in high school.  Most HS tight ends aren't used like Stanford uses its TEs.  I want Hopkins tested against college level (our) secondary to see whether he's a natural receiver / ball catcher like Fleener  or Ertz.  If not....well, maybe we've been spoiled by Fleener, Ertz, Rueland  and will have to accept a regression to the mean.  OR... maybe the staff is more worried about our TE depth situation than we know  OR  Hopkins, as a DE represents the kind of contact / blocking ability that we need to help support a shakey left tackle situation.

OR...maybe he'll be an absolute dynamite receiver TE along with all the rest he'd bring to the position.

I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

[Redrum]

Knew he was a TE in high school.  Most HS tight ends aren't used like Stanford uses its TEs.  I want Hopkins tested against college level (our) secondary to see whether he's a natural receiver / ball catcher like Fleener  or Ertz.  If not....well, maybe we've been spoiled by Fleener, Ertz, Rueland  and will have to accept a regression to the mean.  OR... maybe the staff is more worried about our TE depth situation than we know  OR  Hopkins, as a DE represents the kind of contact / blocking ability that we need to help support a shakey left tackle situation.

OR...maybe he'll be an absolute dynamite receiver TE along with all the rest he'd bring to the position.

I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

[OutsiderFan]

Wow, Fowkes sure has some great reports.  Blows the doors off what guys like Wilner report.

Just to touch on the Running Backs...

Taylor, Gaffney, Wilkerson, Seale, Wright, Young are already in the mix.  And you know who comes in Summer.  It's no wonder they are doing all they can to push Young to WR.  But even if Young does move to WR full time, That still leaves Stanford six deep at Tailback. 

[OutsiderFan]

Wow, Fowkes sure has some great reports.  Blows the doors off what guys like Wilner report.

Just to touch on the Running Backs...

Taylor, Gaffney, Wilkerson, Seale, Wright, Young are already in the mix.  And you know who comes in Summer.  It's no wonder they are doing all they can to push Young to WR.  But even if Young does move to WR full time, That still leaves Stanford six deep at Tailback. 

[socalstanfan1]

I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on Toilolo's hands (though maybe not his route running).  I can recall a number of sideline grabs while being defended in which he pretty gracefully kept feet inbounds while making pretty difficult catches.  I don't recall a lot of drops on his part over the course of the season.  My impression is that he may never be the deep threat of a Fleener, but his is tall (obviously) with pretty reliable hands and better than average agility. 

As an aside, everyone wants to compare Fleener to Gronkoski (fair enough, he's the flavor of the month); but personally he reminds me a bit more of the old 49ers TE Brent Jones: fair blocker, great hands, destroys defenses by going down the seam in zone coverage.  Just happened to play at a time that moving the TE away from the lineman was not so common, but otherwise they seem really similar. 

[socalstanfan1]

I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on Toilolo's hands (though maybe not his route running).  I can recall a number of sideline grabs while being defended in which he pretty gracefully kept feet inbounds while making pretty difficult catches.  I don't recall a lot of drops on his part over the course of the season.  My impression is that he may never be the deep threat of a Fleener, but his is tall (obviously) with pretty reliable hands and better than average agility. 

As an aside, everyone wants to compare Fleener to Gronkoski (fair enough, he's the flavor of the month); but personally he reminds me a bit more of the old 49ers TE Brent Jones: fair blocker, great hands, destroys defenses by going down the seam in zone coverage.  Just happened to play at a time that moving the TE away from the lineman was not so common, but otherwise they seem really similar. 

[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=5807.msg42781#msg42781 date=1333905202]
I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on Toilolo's hands (though maybe not his route running).  I can recall a number of sideline grabs while being defended in which he pretty gracefully kept feet inbounds while making pretty difficult catches.  I don't recall a lot of drops on his part over the course of the season.  My impression is that he may never be the deep threat of a Fleener, but his is tall (obviously) with pretty reliable hands and better than average agility. 
[/quote]

Toilolo made tough catches look easy and easy catches look tough.

Ted Miller interviews Derek Mason: http://espn.go.com/blog/stanford-footbal...erek-mason

EDIT: Derek Mason gets in the traditional "Alex Debniak looks great this spring!" mention.

EDIT2: Mason also thinks the secondary will be "adequate." Yes, worrying time is now for the DBs.

[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=5807.msg42781#msg42781 date=1333905202]
I don't include Toilolo in that natural receiver group.  Seems a little more awkward running routes and catching the ball,  his height being his greatest asset.  Maybe it's just how really big guys look when they run.  Could be an experience thing,  but don't  see him with the same skill set as  Fleener/Ertz.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on Toilolo's hands (though maybe not his route running).  I can recall a number of sideline grabs while being defended in which he pretty gracefully kept feet inbounds while making pretty difficult catches.  I don't recall a lot of drops on his part over the course of the season.  My impression is that he may never be the deep threat of a Fleener, but his is tall (obviously) with pretty reliable hands and better than average agility. 
[/quote]

Toilolo made tough catches look easy and easy catches look tough.

Ted Miller interviews Derek Mason: http://espn.go.com/blog/stanford-footbal...erek-mason

EDIT: Derek Mason gets in the traditional "Alex Debniak looks great this spring!" mention.

EDIT2: Mason also thinks the secondary will be "adequate." Yes, worrying time is now for the DBs.

[washingtonismoney]

Ted Miller finishes off the coordinator interviews with Hamilton: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7793035

[washingtonismoney]

Ted Miller finishes off the coordinator interviews with Hamilton: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7793035

[washingtonismoney]

Notes on Kevin Anderson, Kyle Olugbode, Ryan Hewitt from the Palo Alto Daily News: http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_...r-cardinal

Anderson looks like he'll make an impact this year.

[washingtonismoney]

Notes on Kevin Anderson, Kyle Olugbode, Ryan Hewitt from the Palo Alto Daily News: http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_...r-cardinal

Anderson looks like he'll make an impact this year.

[StannyBoy]

Kevin Anderson is the reason James Vaughters has been moved to ILB. Although that could change it Skov comes back strong and the Lueders injury keeps him out long term.

[StannyBoy]

Kevin Anderson is the reason James Vaughters has been moved to ILB. Although that could change it Skov comes back strong and the Lueders injury keeps him out long term.

[Redrum]

Is a football coach in a Stockton area high school.

[Redrum]

Is a football coach in a Stockton area high school.

[CowboyIndian]

Is a football coach in a Stockton area high school.

And a Stanford coach for many years.

[CowboyIndian]

Is a football coach in a Stockton area high school.

And a Stanford coach for many years.

[washingtonismoney]

Lance Anderson interviewed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_zFCiI4-pU&hd=1

Not really spring practice related, but thought I'd drop in there.

Pep Hamilton has joined the hype machine--whatever else can be said about the coaching staff, they sure know how to describe the team in ways that get you pumped up for a date several months from now.

Stepfan Taylor? 2,000 yards this season is possible. (http://twitter.com/#!/KyleBonagura/statu...9306617856) Also, the best running back in the country (http://twitter.com/#!/KyleBonagura/statu...1645057024). What I like about these comments isn't the Stepfan Taylor part--it's the offensive line part. I've yet to see a 2,000 yard rusher behind a average offensive line.

Also Chase Thomas is interviewed. He is not particularly exciting. http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...ase-thomas

[washingtonismoney]

Lance Anderson interviewed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_zFCiI4-pU&hd=1

Not really spring practice related, but thought I'd drop in there.

Pep Hamilton has joined the hype machine--whatever else can be said about the coaching staff, they sure know how to describe the team in ways that get you pumped up for a date several months from now.

Stepfan Taylor? 2,000 yards this season is possible. (http://twitter.com/#!/KyleBonagura/statu...9306617856) Also, the best running back in the country (http://twitter.com/#!/KyleBonagura/statu...1645057024). What I like about these comments isn't the Stepfan Taylor part--it's the offensive line part. I've yet to see a 2,000 yard rusher behind a average offensive line.

Also Chase Thomas is interviewed. He is not particularly exciting. http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...ase-thomas

[washingtonismoney]

FitzGerald on the Hamilton/Mason press conference: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O1SNI.DTL

Wasn't aware Barry Browning was hampered by injury his first two years--perhaps that explains his disappearance from the field post-SC?

And...Wilner: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...ractice-2/

[washingtonismoney]

FitzGerald on the Hamilton/Mason press conference: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O1SNI.DTL

Wasn't aware Barry Browning was hampered by injury his first two years--perhaps that explains his disappearance from the field post-SC?

And...Wilner: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegespor...ractice-2/

[Hank 91]

Did anyone catch this? Pep Hamilton seems to feel Stepfan Taylor could run for 2,000 yards this season. Sounds like it could be four straight Voldemort runners-up!

OC Pep Hamilton on if RB Stepfan Taylor is capable of running for 2,000 yards next season: "Absolutely." Hamilton said the team's run-to-pass ratio would sway more towards the run next season -- at least until the QB develops -- compared to 2011, when it was about 55 percent run, 45 pass.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...t/18477095

[Hank 91]

Did anyone catch this? Pep Hamilton seems to feel Stepfan Taylor could run for 2,000 yards this season. Sounds like it could be four straight Voldemort runners-up!

OC Pep Hamilton on if RB Stepfan Taylor is capable of running for 2,000 yards next season: "Absolutely." Hamilton said the team's run-to-pass ratio would sway more towards the run next season -- at least until the QB develops -- compared to 2011, when it was about 55 percent run, 45 pass.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...t/18477095

[washingtonismoney]

Shaw interviewed on KNBR: http://murphmac.blogspot.com/2012/04/041...-shaw.html

[washingtonismoney]

Shaw interviewed on KNBR: http://murphmac.blogspot.com/2012/04/041...-shaw.html

[stan01]

Barry Browning ahead of Wayne Lyons?  That's a different story than the Lyons All-American hype a month ago.  I am officially worried about our corners.

[stan01]

Barry Browning ahead of Wayne Lyons?  That's a different story than the Lyons All-American hype a month ago.  I am officially worried about our corners.

[oman]

Spring Game streaming?  Did not look like it was going to be on espn3 (or whatever it is currently called).

[oman]

Spring Game streaming?  Did not look like it was going to be on espn3 (or whatever it is currently called).

[socalstanfan1]

Barry Browning ahead of Wayne Lyons?  That's a different story than the Lyons All-American hype a month ago.  I am officially worried about our corners.

I noticed that comment, too, though my initial thought was not as troubled as yours.  I actually considered a few possibilities:

1.  An earlier quote by Shaw (I believe) noted that Lyons right now is still at about 85%.  Maybe that helps to explain why Browning is currently ahead of Lyons.

2.  Maybe Browning is just better than we thought.  I recall, when he was playing nickel back as a true freshman, being very, very impressed by him.  Perhaps now, recovered from whatever injuries he struggled with, he is just making progress.  That would be a good thing, regardless of which back eventually wins the starting spot.  As we know from our games with Oregon, you cannot have too many good, athletic DBs.

3.  If Browning and Terrance Brown really are that good, is it possible that Lyons slides over to solidify the safety spot?  I haven't heard any coaches mention this, but that was the position most people penciled him in for coming out of HS. 

4.  How much of this is just coaches speaking with their own agendas?  Is this a way of keeping competition alive?  Intensifying the competition within the team? 

I was more taken with the comment, I think from Coach Mason, that Oglubude has emerged as one of the top safeties.  Cause for concern? or sign of great player development?  We'll find out in September.

[socalstanfan1]

Barry Browning ahead of Wayne Lyons?  That's a different story than the Lyons All-American hype a month ago.  I am officially worried about our corners.

I noticed that comment, too, though my initial thought was not as troubled as yours.  I actually considered a few possibilities:

1.  An earlier quote by Shaw (I believe) noted that Lyons right now is still at about 85%.  Maybe that helps to explain why Browning is currently ahead of Lyons.

2.  Maybe Browning is just better than we thought.  I recall, when he was playing nickel back as a true freshman, being very, very impressed by him.  Perhaps now, recovered from whatever injuries he struggled with, he is just making progress.  That would be a good thing, regardless of which back eventually wins the starting spot.  As we know from our games with Oregon, you cannot have too many good, athletic DBs.

3.  If Browning and Terrance Brown really are that good, is it possible that Lyons slides over to solidify the safety spot?  I haven't heard any coaches mention this, but that was the position most people penciled him in for coming out of HS. 

4.  How much of this is just coaches speaking with their own agendas?  Is this a way of keeping competition alive?  Intensifying the competition within the team? 

I was more taken with the comment, I think from Coach Mason, that Oglubude has emerged as one of the top safeties.  Cause for concern? or sign of great player development?  We'll find out in September.

[OutsiderFan]

I think it's time for a lot of you fans who are worried about the corners or safety spot because the guys you expect to be playing aren't, to relax and look at the glass as half-full. 

Ever since Harbaugh took over the level of competitiveness on the Stanford football team has been high.  That alone increased the competitiveness of the team as a whole, even with untalented lesser talented players.  Since 2009 the talent level has been going up, across the board.  David Shaw is not Harbaugh, but he is just as competitive, and demands just as much from his players. 

Until you see Stanford's compete level fall, I think it is unwise to question who is playing where.  A lot of coaches play favorites and give special treatment to certain players.  David Shaw has made it abundantly clear that the best players will play, regardless of whether they are 5th year seniors, true Frosh, 5 star recruits, or walk-ons. 

As a California football follower, I can tell you, that team does not play the best players period.  The coaches do seem to play favorites, and give special treatment to guys "who have paid their dues" by being in the program longer.  IMO, this has been one of the downfalls of California football since 2007. 

[OutsiderFan]

I think it's time for a lot of you fans who are worried about the corners or safety spot because the guys you expect to be playing aren't, to relax and look at the glass as half-full. 

Ever since Harbaugh took over the level of competitiveness on the Stanford football team has been high.  That alone increased the competitiveness of the team as a whole, even with untalented lesser talented players.  Since 2009 the talent level has been going up, across the board.  David Shaw is not Harbaugh, but he is just as competitive, and demands just as much from his players. 

Until you see Stanford's compete level fall, I think it is unwise to question who is playing where.  A lot of coaches play favorites and give special treatment to certain players.  David Shaw has made it abundantly clear that the best players will play, regardless of whether they are 5th year seniors, true Frosh, 5 star recruits, or walk-ons. 

As a California football follower, I can tell you, that team does not play the best players period.  The coaches do seem to play favorites, and give special treatment to guys "who have paid their dues" by being in the program longer.  IMO, this has been one of the downfalls of California football since 2007. 

[jayasena]

That alone increased the competitiveness of the team as a whole, even with untalented players.

Untalented is me on a football field  :). Maybe the guys we had before were less talented than the ones we have now overall, but we did have some pretty decent guys who just weren't coached or motivated properly.

[jayasena]

That alone increased the competitiveness of the team as a whole, even with untalented players.

Untalented is me on a football field  :). Maybe the guys we had before were less talented than the ones we have now overall, but we did have some pretty decent guys who just weren't coached or motivated properly.

[washingtonismoney]

I'm not totally concerned here because it's early, and because Browning did have a pretty impressive freshman season. That's especially notable because, as the article notes, he was playing at 158 pounds, which is teeny-tiny for a football player--a model post-photoshopping. That said, it's not totally reassuring because Browning had a disappointing sophomore season. Maybe it was those (previously undisclosed) injuries. Hope so! It's nice, though, that Browning's rise doesn't totally seem to have been about mediocrity--"playing with the swag a corner should" sounds pretty positive to my ears.

At any rate, note that the Wayne Lyons hype, while significant, has usually been about his future. I think Shaw (and Michael Thomas) said at one point Lyons would be up for the Thorpe Award, not that that was anytime soon. I probably got a bit too far ahead of myself there, but that's being a sports fan. Lyons can still be really helpful as a part of a rotation and a nickel back--I thought it hurt our defense a little bit in the past when we moved Michael Thomas from his safety spot to nickel back against 3 WR formations. It was a necessary evil, but last year in particular a healthy Wayne Lyons in that spot might have helped us tremendously.

[washingtonismoney]

I'm not totally concerned here because it's early, and because Browning did have a pretty impressive freshman season. That's especially notable because, as the article notes, he was playing at 158 pounds, which is teeny-tiny for a football player--a model post-photoshopping. That said, it's not totally reassuring because Browning had a disappointing sophomore season. Maybe it was those (previously undisclosed) injuries. Hope so! It's nice, though, that Browning's rise doesn't totally seem to have been about mediocrity--"playing with the swag a corner should" sounds pretty positive to my ears.

At any rate, note that the Wayne Lyons hype, while significant, has usually been about his future. I think Shaw (and Michael Thomas) said at one point Lyons would be up for the Thorpe Award, not that that was anytime soon. I probably got a bit too far ahead of myself there, but that's being a sports fan. Lyons can still be really helpful as a part of a rotation and a nickel back--I thought it hurt our defense a little bit in the past when we moved Michael Thomas from his safety spot to nickel back against 3 WR formations. It was a necessary evil, but last year in particular a healthy Wayne Lyons in that spot might have helped us tremendously.