[Sue_Ann_Duckett]

According to this Chronicle story, Alex Loukas, who only practices half-time with the offense and as we know has problems throwing downfield, is nonetheless the leader for the backup QB spot. If nothing else, this should lay to rest the lingering fringe arguments that Robbie Picazo should have started the Sun Bowl. The story also says Jeremy Stewart is ahead for the starting running-back position.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1EUP1Q.DTL

[Sue_Ann_Duckett]

According to this Chronicle story, Alex Loukas, who only practices half-time with the offense and as we know has problems throwing downfield, is nonetheless the leader for the backup QB spot. If nothing else, this should lay to rest the lingering fringe arguments that Robbie Picazo should have started the Sun Bowl. The story also says Jeremy Stewart is ahead for the starting running-back position.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...1EUP1Q.DTL

[JohnR34231]

With Owen Marecic starting at two positions, it will be interesting to see what his total time on the field will be. Presumably he will be in there more than half the game, but will it be 2/3, 3/4, or some other amount.

In other words, how much of an iron man is he?

[JohnR34231]

With Owen Marecic starting at two positions, it will be interesting to see what his total time on the field will be. Presumably he will be in there more than half the game, but will it be 2/3, 3/4, or some other amount.

In other words, how much of an iron man is he?

[washingtonismoney]

If Jeremy Stewart is the starting running back with a majority of carries, that makes me much more pessimistic about the season: he just doesn\'t have the burst or upside that the other runners seem to have. He\'s an adequate running back, I suppose, but I\'m not sure adequate is good enough for this team\'s purposes.

[washingtonismoney]

If Jeremy Stewart is the starting running back with a majority of carries, that makes me much more pessimistic about the season: he just doesn\'t have the burst or upside that the other runners seem to have. He\'s an adequate running back, I suppose, but I\'m not sure adequate is good enough for this team\'s purposes.

[terry]

Alex Loukas, who only practices half-time with the offense and as we know has problems throwing downfield, is nonetheless the leader for the backup QB spot. . . . Jeremy Stewart is ahead for the starting running-back position.

I don\'t think we really know much about how Loukas can throw the ball. He has a career total of just 20 pass attempts. I\'d have to see more from him before writing off his throwing ability (although I actually hope that we don\'t see him at all, except to run out the clock late in the game).

I suspect Stewart is the leader for the RB position at the moment because the coach likes his seniority, familiarity with the offense, blocking ability, and maturity. He may start the first few games for the same reasons. But I will be surprised if Stewart ends up getting the largest number of carries at RB.

[terry]

Alex Loukas, who only practices half-time with the offense and as we know has problems throwing downfield, is nonetheless the leader for the backup QB spot. . . . Jeremy Stewart is ahead for the starting running-back position.

I don\'t think we really know much about how Loukas can throw the ball. He has a career total of just 20 pass attempts. I\'d have to see more from him before writing off his throwing ability (although I actually hope that we don\'t see him at all, except to run out the clock late in the game).

I suspect Stewart is the leader for the RB position at the moment because the coach likes his seniority, familiarity with the offense, blocking ability, and maturity. He may start the first few games for the same reasons. But I will be surprised if Stewart ends up getting the largest number of carries at RB.

[fullmetal]

I think Stewart is a good option to start in that he\'s perhaps a more well-rounded back, but we certainly have other runners with more focused talent who could come in as situations may warrant.

[fullmetal]

I think Stewart is a good option to start in that he\'s perhaps a more well-rounded back, but we certainly have other runners with more focused talent who could come in as situations may warrant.

[JohnR34231]

As Garvin points out occasionally it\'s been sometime since a Stanford QB made it through the entire season unscathed. So like it or not, I think we will see Loukas (or whoever the backup ends up being) in a non mop-up role sometime this year.

[JohnR34231]

As Garvin points out occasionally it\'s been sometime since a Stanford QB made it through the entire season unscathed. So like it or not, I think we will see Loukas (or whoever the backup ends up being) in a non mop-up role sometime this year.

[Leftcoast]

The O-Line was amazing last year ..... compare Trent Edwards typical 35-40 sack season with all it\'s accompanying knock-downs to the seven sacks the O-Line allowed last year - and Andrew Luck\'s bright white jersey in post game interviews.

I\'m not saying Stanford will make it through the season without a QB change but it\'s at least a little more likely this year.   Heck, we made it through the REGULAR season last year.   (Yeah, I know Luck sat during the bowl game.)

[Leftcoast]

The O-Line was amazing last year ..... compare Trent Edwards typical 35-40 sack season with all it\'s accompanying knock-downs to the seven sacks the O-Line allowed last year - and Andrew Luck\'s bright white jersey in post game interviews.

I\'m not saying Stanford will make it through the season without a QB change but it\'s at least a little more likely this year.   Heck, we made it through the REGULAR season last year.   (Yeah, I know Luck sat during the bowl game.)

[Farm93]

Oh the fun of closed practices!

My guess would be that Loukas may be moving back to the offense because JH sees enough raw potential from the incoming freshmen on that side of the ball.  Therefore the need to convert a QB to fill a 2 deep DB slot has become less essential.  That is my hope anyway.  The alternative is that Loukas is just not defensive material, and the gaps in the defensive depth chart will remain unaddressed.

On the Stewart side, I have suspected that the RB skill level is close between all 3-5 guys.  HOWEVER, Stewart is likely far ahead in QB protection reads.  And since protecting Luck is job #1, I am 100% OK with the most experienced RB getting the starting edge.

I would guess that with Luck, Owusu and crew now in year #2, there will be some fairly subtle reads and audibles.  That will be fine, but it will all turn into a disaster if the RB misses the assignment and allows Luck to get blasted.

[Farm93]

Oh the fun of closed practices!

My guess would be that Loukas may be moving back to the offense because JH sees enough raw potential from the incoming freshmen on that side of the ball.  Therefore the need to convert a QB to fill a 2 deep DB slot has become less essential.  That is my hope anyway.  The alternative is that Loukas is just not defensive material, and the gaps in the defensive depth chart will remain unaddressed.

On the Stewart side, I have suspected that the RB skill level is close between all 3-5 guys.  HOWEVER, Stewart is likely far ahead in QB protection reads.  And since protecting Luck is job #1, I am 100% OK with the most experienced RB getting the starting edge.

I would guess that with Luck, Owusu and crew now in year #2, there will be some fairly subtle reads and audibles.  That will be fine, but it will all turn into a disaster if the RB misses the assignment and allows Luck to get blasted.