[PrinceLightfoot]

"Takeaway from evaluating Stanford: That defense is loaded with as much talent as any defense this side of Alabama's."

http://heismanpundit.com/2013/08/13/two-...-cardinal/

Interesting evaluation. Plenty of NFL talent on both sides of the ball, but some of who we consider All-American level players are graded much lower than expected.

[PrinceLightfoot]

"Takeaway from evaluating Stanford: That defense is loaded with as much talent as any defense this side of Alabama's."

http://heismanpundit.com/2013/08/13/two-...-cardinal/

Interesting evaluation. Plenty of NFL talent on both sides of the ball, but some of who we consider All-American level players are graded much lower than expected.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Lost me when he had Skov as a "late round talent" and Tarpley as a "1st round talent"

[AthleticsDynasty]

Lost me when he had Skov as a "late round talent" and Tarpley as a "1st round talent"

[StannyBoy]

yeah that guy's evaluation on almost every player is way off. SMH

[StannyBoy]

yeah that guy's evaluation on almost every player is way off. SMH

[PrinceLightfoot]

To further clarify what the author is saying, he tweeted in regard to the grade "Remember, that's not a prediction of where they'll actually be drafted, but merely a way to quantify their physical ability."

Skov is an absolute terror for offenses when at 100% health. Just look at his 2010 tape.

Reviewing Skov vs Tarpley last season, you can see where he is coming from. Tarpley was always around the ball; incredible ball instincts along with good pass coverage and excellent run support. An 80% Skov lacked in pass coverage this year and some of the rushes that came his way, he completely missed (see PAC12 championship game or Marcus Mariota's 77 yrd run).

Skov will change that perception in the minds' of his critics as the season progresses.

[PrinceLightfoot]

To further clarify what the author is saying, he tweeted in regard to the grade "Remember, that's not a prediction of where they'll actually be drafted, but merely a way to quantify their physical ability."

Skov is an absolute terror for offenses when at 100% health. Just look at his 2010 tape.

Reviewing Skov vs Tarpley last season, you can see where he is coming from. Tarpley was always around the ball; incredible ball instincts along with good pass coverage and excellent run support. An 80% Skov lacked in pass coverage this year and some of the rushes that came his way, he completely missed (see PAC12 championship game or Marcus Mariota's 77 yrd run).

Skov will change that perception in the minds' of his critics as the season progresses.

[Leftcoast]

Here is the HP comment on Skov. 

11 Shayne Skov (6-3, 244, Sr.)

High energy, hard nosed, sure tackler. Trouble taking on/disengaging with blockers. Average speed, athleticism, COD since knee injury. Inconsistent pursuit angles. Late round talent.

[Leftcoast]

Here is the HP comment on Skov. 

11 Shayne Skov (6-3, 244, Sr.)

High energy, hard nosed, sure tackler. Trouble taking on/disengaging with blockers. Average speed, athleticism, COD since knee injury. Inconsistent pursuit angles. Late round talent.

[fullmetal]

Well, Skov's finally 100% post-injury now, so he'll get to show a lot of evaluators what they missed in 2010...rockets baby, rockets.

[fullmetal]

Well, Skov's finally 100% post-injury now, so he'll get to show a lot of evaluators what they missed in 2010...rockets baby, rockets.

[OutsiderFan]

It's a bit silly to predict Aziz Shittu as a first round talent when he has hardly played.  As silly as it is to say Ikenna Nwafor is a late round talent when he has never played a down of college football.

Might people believe Alex Carter will be viewed as a future first round pick after this season?

As for Tarpley, he was clearly more productive than, and a bigger play maker than Skov in 2012.  But he was also really good as a RS Frosh when he stepped in for the injured Skov.  Tarpley is the most underrated player on the Stanford defense, IMO.  If Skov returns to form this season, as an explosive play maker, Tarpley will probably once again be overshadowed, because Tarpley doesn't do anything particularly flashy.  He just makes plays all over the field, in both the run and pass game, and is incredibly consistent.

The bottom line is Stanford's defense is freaking loaded, and every starter on the 2013 unit is on a trajectory to one day sign an NFL contract.  To me, the weakest link will be either Vaughters or Lueders, but that's really more because they haven't played much.  They were both Top 10 recruits at their position. 

There really may be no true weak link when all is said and done.  It's frankly amazing to see this happening at Stanford.

[OutsiderFan]

It's a bit silly to predict Aziz Shittu as a first round talent when he has hardly played.  As silly as it is to say Ikenna Nwafor is a late round talent when he has never played a down of college football.

Might people believe Alex Carter will be viewed as a future first round pick after this season?

As for Tarpley, he was clearly more productive than, and a bigger play maker than Skov in 2012.  But he was also really good as a RS Frosh when he stepped in for the injured Skov.  Tarpley is the most underrated player on the Stanford defense, IMO.  If Skov returns to form this season, as an explosive play maker, Tarpley will probably once again be overshadowed, because Tarpley doesn't do anything particularly flashy.  He just makes plays all over the field, in both the run and pass game, and is incredibly consistent.

The bottom line is Stanford's defense is freaking loaded, and every starter on the 2013 unit is on a trajectory to one day sign an NFL contract.  To me, the weakest link will be either Vaughters or Lueders, but that's really more because they haven't played much.  They were both Top 10 recruits at their position. 

There really may be no true weak link when all is said and done.  It's frankly amazing to see this happening at Stanford.

[ChicagoCard]

He also has it established that Hogan has good accuracy as a passer. I had the general impression that that remains the single biggest open question about Hogan... terrific under pressure, smart, good runner, strong arm. On the other hand, hasn't yet established that he's accurate in the more long-range passes (vs Oregon St and Wisconsin especially). Just my two cents.

[ChicagoCard]

He also has it established that Hogan has good accuracy as a passer. I had the general impression that that remains the single biggest open question about Hogan... terrific under pressure, smart, good runner, strong arm. On the other hand, hasn't yet established that he's accurate in the more long-range passes (vs Oregon St and Wisconsin especially). Just my two cents.

[washingtonismoney]

He also has it established that Hogan has good accuracy as a passer. I had the general impression that that remains the single biggest open question about Hogan... terrific under pressure, smart, good runner, strong arm. On the other hand, hasn't yet established that he's accurate in the more long-range passes (vs Oregon St and Wisconsin especially). Just my two cents.

I guess it depends on your definition of good accuracy, of course. Being really accurate 0-20 yards is about 80% of what you need as a QB. You can't be awful at the deep ball and be a good QB, but you don't have to be elite at it either. Unfortunately Hogan was much closer to awful than elite, which is why he needs to improve that.

[washingtonismoney]

He also has it established that Hogan has good accuracy as a passer. I had the general impression that that remains the single biggest open question about Hogan... terrific under pressure, smart, good runner, strong arm. On the other hand, hasn't yet established that he's accurate in the more long-range passes (vs Oregon St and Wisconsin especially). Just my two cents.

I guess it depends on your definition of good accuracy, of course. Being really accurate 0-20 yards is about 80% of what you need as a QB. You can't be awful at the deep ball and be a good QB, but you don't have to be elite at it either. Unfortunately Hogan was much closer to awful than elite, which is why he needs to improve that.

[Redrum]

There was the Playboy college football issue and Street and Smiths.  One day in Summer you'd go into the market or drugstore and there they'd be.  First sign of Fall around the corner.  I'm not saying the picks and predictions were of better quality,  but at least we didn't have to endure the opinions of so many jack-leg pundits with a website  and a twitter account.

[Redrum]

There was the Playboy college football issue and Street and Smiths.  One day in Summer you'd go into the market or drugstore and there they'd be.  First sign of Fall around the corner.  I'm not saying the picks and predictions were of better quality,  but at least we didn't have to endure the opinions of so many jack-leg pundits with a website  and a twitter account.

[FarmBoy]

I've held back my Negative Nancy side, but at a minimum, I'm curious to see how Hogan has progressed in his deep passing in the spring and summer. With our TEs last year, we could drive the length of the field with passes in the 0-10 range, but I think we're going to need to stretch the field more to open up the running and short passing game.

[FarmBoy]

I've held back my Negative Nancy side, but at a minimum, I'm curious to see how Hogan has progressed in his deep passing in the spring and summer. With our TEs last year, we could drive the length of the field with passes in the 0-10 range, but I think we're going to need to stretch the field more to open up the running and short passing game.

[washingtonismoney]

... I think we're going to need to stretch the field more to open up the running and short passing game.

I agree -- but the question is, how to stretch it? Stretching it vertically is always appreciated, but I think we have the weapons to stretch the field horizontally. Hogan has thrown some nice quick slants before, which should give linebackers pause. Young and Montgomery can handle bubble screens, fly sweeps, etc. We can open up running lanes in a variety of ways (and I hope we do!)

We need more big plays at any rate, so deep throws will be needed no matter what.

[washingtonismoney]

... I think we're going to need to stretch the field more to open up the running and short passing game.

I agree -- but the question is, how to stretch it? Stretching it vertically is always appreciated, but I think we have the weapons to stretch the field horizontally. Hogan has thrown some nice quick slants before, which should give linebackers pause. Young and Montgomery can handle bubble screens, fly sweeps, etc. We can open up running lanes in a variety of ways (and I hope we do!)

We need more big plays at any rate, so deep throws will be needed no matter what.