[washingtonismoney]

Don't think we had this thread yet, so here we are.

Ted Miller's notes: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...laces-luck

Reading between the lines, the safety position is starting to worry me more--the inclusion of walk-on Kyle Olugbode sticks out, and not in a good way.

[washingtonismoney]

Don't think we had this thread yet, so here we are.

Ted Miller's notes: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...laces-luck

Reading between the lines, the safety position is starting to worry me more--the inclusion of walk-on Kyle Olugbode sticks out, and not in a good way.

[socalstanfan1]

Yeah, the safety position is definitely a point of concern, along w/QB and OL.  But I'm actually not super concerned about it, at least at the moment, and certainly not simply because a walk-on's name is mentioned.  We have had some pretty respectable walk-on players in the recent past (both of the Whalen's come immediately to mind); while you might not want to stock all your starting spots with walk-on players, if Olugbode earns the spot, that won't necessarily be a sign of weakness.  Also, if there are real problems at safety, but better depth at safety, I imagine the coaches might quietly have a contingency plan for moving Wayne Lyons and/or Alex Carter over to help.  I'm sure they want to develop those guys as big, athletic corners who can match up with the bigger receivers like Lee an Woods at USC.  But if you have Brown and Browning handling corner duties, and someone else steps up as a capable backup, it might make sense to get Lyons on the field as a safety if the other guys are not taking charge of the position.

[socalstanfan1]

Yeah, the safety position is definitely a point of concern, along w/QB and OL.  But I'm actually not super concerned about it, at least at the moment, and certainly not simply because a walk-on's name is mentioned.  We have had some pretty respectable walk-on players in the recent past (both of the Whalen's come immediately to mind); while you might not want to stock all your starting spots with walk-on players, if Olugbode earns the spot, that won't necessarily be a sign of weakness.  Also, if there are real problems at safety, but better depth at safety, I imagine the coaches might quietly have a contingency plan for moving Wayne Lyons and/or Alex Carter over to help.  I'm sure they want to develop those guys as big, athletic corners who can match up with the bigger receivers like Lee an Woods at USC.  But if you have Brown and Browning handling corner duties, and someone else steps up as a capable backup, it might make sense to get Lyons on the field as a safety if the other guys are not taking charge of the position.

[washingtonismoney]

And here's Ted Miller interviewing David Shaw: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...-2#comment

[washingtonismoney]

And here's Ted Miller interviewing David Shaw: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...-2#comment

[Redrum]

A walk-on in contention for a starting spot always gives one pause,  but our experience with the Whalen I and Whalen II  at WR should have mellowed us a bit.    For the record,  a couple of the Bootleg recruiting mavens -- the local ones, one of whom actually played college ball and knows the Bay Area -- weighed in on Olugbode when he announced he'd walk on.  He was seen as a natural athlete who had the #1 Harbaugh factor:  he was a ball player  with a nose for the ball.  Played both ways at Bellarmine and was a NorCal player of the Year in one preps team.  Local HS football fans considered him a star,  the kind of guy who would start at San Jose State, but had an academic bent that led him to Stanford.  I'm not his agent or publicist,  I just remember the reaction when he chose to walk on at Stanford.  Presumably time spent in our S&C program have made him more capable than when he first arrived.

[Redrum]

A walk-on in contention for a starting spot always gives one pause,  but our experience with the Whalen I and Whalen II  at WR should have mellowed us a bit.    For the record,  a couple of the Bootleg recruiting mavens -- the local ones, one of whom actually played college ball and knows the Bay Area -- weighed in on Olugbode when he announced he'd walk on.  He was seen as a natural athlete who had the #1 Harbaugh factor:  he was a ball player  with a nose for the ball.  Played both ways at Bellarmine and was a NorCal player of the Year in one preps team.  Local HS football fans considered him a star,  the kind of guy who would start at San Jose State, but had an academic bent that led him to Stanford.  I'm not his agent or publicist,  I just remember the reaction when he chose to walk on at Stanford.  Presumably time spent in our S&C program have made him more capable than when he first arrived.

[fullmetal]

Olugbode might have been a walk-on, but Scout gave him two stars, fwiw.  In the coaches I trust.

[fullmetal]

Olugbode might have been a walk-on, but Scout gave him two stars, fwiw.  In the coaches I trust.

[washingtonismoney]

Ted Miller was on College Football Live just now, and his comments in the post about the 2012 recruiting class (i.e. that many are expected to play) were amplified on the show--in fact, according to him, the coaching staff expects some unnamed players to challenge for starting spots.

In not-Stanford news but relevantly, the Domer ESPN reporter said that Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix come out of spring as "co-favorites" to pilot James Cameron's Titanic remake the QB position for ND.

[washingtonismoney]

Ted Miller was on College Football Live just now, and his comments in the post about the 2012 recruiting class (i.e. that many are expected to play) were amplified on the show--in fact, according to him, the coaching staff expects some unnamed players to challenge for starting spots.

In not-Stanford news but relevantly, the Domer ESPN reporter said that Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix come out of spring as "co-favorites" to pilot James Cameron's Titanic remake the QB position for ND.

[washingtonismoney]

And Ted Miller interviews David Yankey: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...vid-yankey

[washingtonismoney]

And Ted Miller interviews David Yankey: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/...vid-yankey

[OutsiderFan]

Olugbode was very good at Bellarmine.  He in fact was probably the biggest playmaker on that team when it won the WCAL title in 2009.  Usua Amanam was WCAL POY in 2008 and Olugbode was in 2009.  Also on that Bellarmine team was Michael Clay, starting LB for Oregon.  I wouldn't sweat having Olugbode win the FS job. In fact, my take is if Olugbode wins the FS job over Devon Carrington that would be a good development for Stanford because Carrington is not good enough to be a starter on a championship team, IMO, and that would show Stanford does have more talent than maybe previously thought in the secondary.

[OutsiderFan]

Olugbode was very good at Bellarmine.  He in fact was probably the biggest playmaker on that team when it won the WCAL title in 2009.  Usua Amanam was WCAL POY in 2008 and Olugbode was in 2009.  Also on that Bellarmine team was Michael Clay, starting LB for Oregon.  I wouldn't sweat having Olugbode win the FS job. In fact, my take is if Olugbode wins the FS job over Devon Carrington that would be a good development for Stanford because Carrington is not good enough to be a starter on a championship team, IMO, and that would show Stanford does have more talent than maybe previously thought in the secondary.

[socalstanfan1]

There was a time a few years ago, in the pre- and early-Harbaugh years, when a walk-on getting playing time almost surely indicated weakness at the position.  I think at this point, a walk-on getting onto the field is probably a better indication of the coaches having found and developed a talent.  That seems to me to be particularly the case with Oglubode, given his success at the HS level. 

The whole thread also points out, as if we didn't need to be reminded, of the danger of predicting future success based on the "star" recruiting system.  While it is always better to get highly rated players than lower rated players, some guys with high ratings just never meet the lofty expectations, while others slip through the cracks and then come up big when they have a chance.  Though he wasn't a walk-on, Ben Gardner I think best exemplefies the later situation.  A guy who nearly went unrecruited, Wisconsin had talked to him about being a preferred walk-on for them, when Harbaugh got him.  Now he is arguably the best DE in the Pac-12. 

[socalstanfan1]

There was a time a few years ago, in the pre- and early-Harbaugh years, when a walk-on getting playing time almost surely indicated weakness at the position.  I think at this point, a walk-on getting onto the field is probably a better indication of the coaches having found and developed a talent.  That seems to me to be particularly the case with Oglubode, given his success at the HS level. 

The whole thread also points out, as if we didn't need to be reminded, of the danger of predicting future success based on the "star" recruiting system.  While it is always better to get highly rated players than lower rated players, some guys with high ratings just never meet the lofty expectations, while others slip through the cracks and then come up big when they have a chance.  Though he wasn't a walk-on, Ben Gardner I think best exemplefies the later situation.  A guy who nearly went unrecruited, Wisconsin had talked to him about being a preferred walk-on for them, when Harbaugh got him.  Now he is arguably the best DE in the Pac-12. 

[OutsiderFan]

Here are some highlights of Olugbode playing Safety at Bellarmine.  He's a pretty physical player with good ball skills.  You don't see any missed tackles in highlight vids, but I think you can see he's a solid tackler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV6Q5vvn-2s

[OutsiderFan]

Here are some highlights of Olugbode playing Safety at Bellarmine.  He's a pretty physical player with good ball skills.  You don't see any missed tackles in highlight vids, but I think you can see he's a solid tackler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV6Q5vvn-2s

[washingtonismoney]

Certainly there are many instances of walk-ons being successful, particularly at Stanford--I'm just a bit skeptical of them until proven otherwise. The walk-on players who have been successful generally earn scholarships pretty quickly--Ryan Whalen earned a scholarship at his first summer camp, IIRC. Olugbode is a redshirt sophomore and hasn't earned a scholarship yet, to my knowledge; the only walk-on secondary player to earn a scholarship recently was Myles Muagututia. And Myles M, while he tried his best and contributed to the best of his ability, was more part of the problem than part of the solution. Kind of odd that Olugbode couldn't pass him earlier...

Anyway, again, not something to panic over, perhaps just being concerned. Wouldn't necessarily be shocked if Zach Hoffpauir seizes that spot and makes this mini-debate unnecessary. 

[washingtonismoney]

Certainly there are many instances of walk-ons being successful, particularly at Stanford--I'm just a bit skeptical of them until proven otherwise. The walk-on players who have been successful generally earn scholarships pretty quickly--Ryan Whalen earned a scholarship at his first summer camp, IIRC. Olugbode is a redshirt sophomore and hasn't earned a scholarship yet, to my knowledge; the only walk-on secondary player to earn a scholarship recently was Myles Muagututia. And Myles M, while he tried his best and contributed to the best of his ability, was more part of the problem than part of the solution. Kind of odd that Olugbode couldn't pass him earlier...

Anyway, again, not something to panic over, perhaps just being concerned. Wouldn't necessarily be shocked if Zach Hoffpauir seizes that spot and makes this mini-debate unnecessary. 

[washingtonismoney]

In not-Stanford news but relevantly, the Domer ESPN reporter said that Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix come out of spring as "co-favorites" to pilot James Cameron's Titanic remake the QB position for ND.

An ND reporter (from their Rivals affiliate) here (http://www.thesolidverbal.com/episodes/2...verbal.mp3) declares that if the season started today, Tommy Rees would be the starter. There's no way this can (eventually) happen, right? Divine providence at work if it does.

[washingtonismoney]

In not-Stanford news but relevantly, the Domer ESPN reporter said that Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix come out of spring as "co-favorites" to pilot James Cameron's Titanic remake the QB position for ND.

An ND reporter (from their Rivals affiliate) here (http://www.thesolidverbal.com/episodes/2...verbal.mp3) declares that if the season started today, Tommy Rees would be the starter. There's no way this can (eventually) happen, right? Divine providence at work if it does.

[washingtonismoney]

Tom FitzGerald on the offensive line competition: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O00AT.DTL

Sounds like the competition for the right guard spot vacated by DeCastro is going well but the left tackle one is not going as well.

[washingtonismoney]

Tom FitzGerald on the offensive line competition: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1O00AT.DTL

Sounds like the competition for the right guard spot vacated by DeCastro is going well but the left tackle one is not going as well.

[OutsiderFan]

I'd say the odds are better than 50-50 that Peat starts at LT.  And I don't think that is a bad thing necessarily.  The guy is brobdingnagian, moves well, is smart, and plays with an attitude.  It's disappointing that Brendan Austin isn't seizing the opportunity, but the reality is the elite programs can and do bring in Frosh that can play key roles right away and play at a high level.

Having said that, I didn't get that the LT position is not going well from that article, just that it isn't as impressive as what's happening at RT.

[OutsiderFan]

I'd say the odds are better than 50-50 that Peat starts at LT.  And I don't think that is a bad thing necessarily.  The guy is brobdingnagian, moves well, is smart, and plays with an attitude.  It's disappointing that Brendan Austin isn't seizing the opportunity, but the reality is the elite programs can and do bring in Frosh that can play key roles right away and play at a high level.

Having said that, I didn't get that the LT position is not going well from that article, just that it isn't as impressive as what's happening at RT.

[Redrum]

Playing QB at the University of South Bend reminds me of those pagan cultures we read about where the Chosen One,  the one without blemish,  is selected and then feted, feasted and pampered  for a whole year...and then sacrificed to the God Who Is Never Satisfied.

The last good QB they had was Clausen,  and even his career ended up with him getting punched in the face in a South Bend bar.  Then Dayne Crist was the Chosen One...until he wasn't and  Tommy Rees was the next one.  Except that now,  if you read the ND boards,  Rees is the not the Chosen One,  never was and never will be.  Domers sort of view him as an inconsistent savant.  A guy who plays well enough--better than the other QBs on the roster-- to get the start but then will break their hearts.  Sort of like we viewed Tavita Pritchard,  although Rees=Pritchard is kind of an insult to Pritchard. 

Meanwhile,  the domer automaton demographic  has skipped over and moved on from Hendrix and is sure that freshman Gunner Kiel  will be the true Chosen One.  Really.  No kidding this time.

[Redrum]

Playing QB at the University of South Bend reminds me of those pagan cultures we read about where the Chosen One,  the one without blemish,  is selected and then feted, feasted and pampered  for a whole year...and then sacrificed to the God Who Is Never Satisfied.

The last good QB they had was Clausen,  and even his career ended up with him getting punched in the face in a South Bend bar.  Then Dayne Crist was the Chosen One...until he wasn't and  Tommy Rees was the next one.  Except that now,  if you read the ND boards,  Rees is the not the Chosen One,  never was and never will be.  Domers sort of view him as an inconsistent savant.  A guy who plays well enough--better than the other QBs on the roster-- to get the start but then will break their hearts.  Sort of like we viewed Tavita Pritchard,  although Rees=Pritchard is kind of an insult to Pritchard. 

Meanwhile,  the domer automaton demographic  has skipped over and moved on from Hendrix and is sure that freshman Gunner Kiel  will be the true Chosen One.  Really.  No kidding this time.

[socalstanfan1]

It's disappointing that Brendan Austin isn't seizing the opportunity, but the reality is the elite programs can and do bring in Frosh that can play key roles right away and play at a high level.

Having said that, I didn't get that the LT position is not going well from that article, just that it isn't as impressive as what's happening at RT.

I agree with most everything you say, but I'm not yet ready to count Austin out.  Apparently he was injured for the first part of spring, so we haven't really seen what he can do.  I think the next week, and then opening of camp in August, will be very interesting.

I'm sure that Shaw and Bloomgren are being totally honest when saying that the incoming OL will have a chance to claim some PT this year, but I'm also sure there is a bit of coaching gamesmanship going on here.  What better way to light a fire under your linemen than to say you may lose your position to the new guy.  And you amplify the message by saying, well, the guys right now have been ok, but...  If I'm Austin and Underwood, I'm working every extra hard to impress the coaches and get that position between now and August.  I'm sure they thought they were working hard before, but there is nothing like a bit of insecurity to help you find new depths to your work ethic.  And if you DON'T find them, then someone else will.  Shaw is saying basically the same thing for the QBs, I'm sure with the same intention.

Personally, I won't start truly worrying until I see them step on the field and notice players missing blocks and tackles and are out of position.  But I'm guessing that, while there may be a bit of a drop off this year, the coaches won't let it get that far.

[socalstanfan1]

It's disappointing that Brendan Austin isn't seizing the opportunity, but the reality is the elite programs can and do bring in Frosh that can play key roles right away and play at a high level.

Having said that, I didn't get that the LT position is not going well from that article, just that it isn't as impressive as what's happening at RT.

I agree with most everything you say, but I'm not yet ready to count Austin out.  Apparently he was injured for the first part of spring, so we haven't really seen what he can do.  I think the next week, and then opening of camp in August, will be very interesting.

I'm sure that Shaw and Bloomgren are being totally honest when saying that the incoming OL will have a chance to claim some PT this year, but I'm also sure there is a bit of coaching gamesmanship going on here.  What better way to light a fire under your linemen than to say you may lose your position to the new guy.  And you amplify the message by saying, well, the guys right now have been ok, but...  If I'm Austin and Underwood, I'm working every extra hard to impress the coaches and get that position between now and August.  I'm sure they thought they were working hard before, but there is nothing like a bit of insecurity to help you find new depths to your work ethic.  And if you DON'T find them, then someone else will.  Shaw is saying basically the same thing for the QBs, I'm sure with the same intention.

Personally, I won't start truly worrying until I see them step on the field and notice players missing blocks and tackles and are out of position.  But I'm guessing that, while there may be a bit of a drop off this year, the coaches won't let it get that far.

[washingtonismoney]

You can read some blow-by-blow recounts of the scrimmage from Stanford Football and Kyle Bonagura's Twitter feeds, respectively, but it's good news that Ty Montgomery is back and cleared for contact. (He caught a touchdown from Nunes, beating Lyons.)

[washingtonismoney]

You can read some blow-by-blow recounts of the scrimmage from Stanford Football and Kyle Bonagura's Twitter feeds, respectively, but it's good news that Ty Montgomery is back and cleared for contact. (He caught a touchdown from Nunes, beating Lyons.)

[washingtonismoney]

Dave Fowkes: http://www.examiner.com/stanford-cardina...ice-update

And Kyle Bonagura's flash reports are replete with interesting tidbits: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball.../team/STAN

Surprised we didn't hear the full Shaw quotation on Anderson, calling him "special." With him and Seale, looks like we have a glut at LB and RB. I think rotating Yankey in at LT is a worthwhile precaution--while highly-rated freshmen offensive linemen contribute to good teams all the time, you don't want to count on that at all. So you might as well prepare for that particular bad-case scenario.

UPDATE: Fowkes also transcribed the post-practice media thing from Shaw. http://www.examiner.com/stanford-cardina...ts_article

Aziz Shittu mentioned by name as someone who can contribute. Also intriguing that the staff has identified a couple of guys in recruiting that can maybe emulate Fleener; also says "The hard part is sometimes convincing guys getting recruited as defensive ends to come play tight end." Sounds like the Luke Kaumatule-to-TE thing hinted at in signing day might come to fruition.

[washingtonismoney]

Dave Fowkes: http://www.examiner.com/stanford-cardina...ice-update

And Kyle Bonagura's flash reports are replete with interesting tidbits: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball.../team/STAN

Surprised we didn't hear the full Shaw quotation on Anderson, calling him "special." With him and Seale, looks like we have a glut at LB and RB. I think rotating Yankey in at LT is a worthwhile precaution--while highly-rated freshmen offensive linemen contribute to good teams all the time, you don't want to count on that at all. So you might as well prepare for that particular bad-case scenario.

UPDATE: Fowkes also transcribed the post-practice media thing from Shaw. http://www.examiner.com/stanford-cardina...ts_article

Aziz Shittu mentioned by name as someone who can contribute. Also intriguing that the staff has identified a couple of guys in recruiting that can maybe emulate Fleener; also says "The hard part is sometimes convincing guys getting recruited as defensive ends to come play tight end." Sounds like the Luke Kaumatule-to-TE thing hinted at in signing day might come to fruition.

[Redrum]

And see if he actually has a gift for catching the ball,  not just knocking down passes while rushing the QB.

[Redrum]

And see if he actually has a gift for catching the ball,  not just knocking down passes while rushing the QB.

[97fan]

Charlie Hopkins played both DE and TE in high school. He could also be a candidate for a position switch.

[97fan]

Charlie Hopkins played both DE and TE in high school. He could also be a candidate for a position switch.