[OutsiderFan]

Late in the fourth quarter, facing 3rd and I think it was 14, Barry Sanders entered the game.  He caught a pass and "Sandersed" his way for 11 yards, leaving a 4th and short that ultimately turned into a a FG.

My question is, why, on arguably the most important 3rd down of the season (near the Red Zone, down 7 with 5 minutes left in the Rose Bowl), would Stanford be counting on a player who hardly played all year long?  Or to put it another way, if Barry Sanders was the best option to have the ball in his hands on the most important play of the season, isn't it a bit confusing why he didn't get more opportunities earlier in the game?

And on a somewhat related note... Sanders has a unique ability to make plays with with quickness and elusiveness, yet when Stanford could have used his talents to field a bouncing punt, and perhaps make overpursuing defenders miss him, and make a big play, it seemed coaches were more concerned with conceding 10-15 yards of field to make sure he wouldn't misplay the ball than they were interested in seeing him use his natural ability to make a big play for the team.  I can see merits to both options.

Curious to hear any thoughts on this.

[OutsiderFan]

Late in the fourth quarter, facing 3rd and I think it was 14, Barry Sanders entered the game.  He caught a pass and "Sandersed" his way for 11 yards, leaving a 4th and short that ultimately turned into a a FG.

My question is, why, on arguably the most important 3rd down of the season (near the Red Zone, down 7 with 5 minutes left in the Rose Bowl), would Stanford be counting on a player who hardly played all year long?  Or to put it another way, if Barry Sanders was the best option to have the ball in his hands on the most important play of the season, isn't it a bit confusing why he didn't get more opportunities earlier in the game?

And on a somewhat related note... Sanders has a unique ability to make plays with with quickness and elusiveness, yet when Stanford could have used his talents to field a bouncing punt, and perhaps make overpursuing defenders miss him, and make a big play, it seemed coaches were more concerned with conceding 10-15 yards of field to make sure he wouldn't misplay the ball than they were interested in seeing him use his natural ability to make a big play for the team.  I can see merits to both options.

Curious to hear any thoughts on this.

[OutsiderFan]

Late in the fourth quarter, facing 3rd and I think it was 14, Barry Sanders entered the game.  He caught a pass and "Sandersed" his way for 11 yards, leaving a 4th and short that ultimately turned into a a FG.

My question is, why, on arguably the most important 3rd down of the season (near the Red Zone, down 7 with 5 minutes left in the Rose Bowl), would Stanford be counting on a player who hardly played all year long?  Or to put it another way, if Barry Sanders was the best option to have the ball in his hands on the most important play of the season, isn't it a bit confusing why he didn't get more opportunities earlier in the game?

And on a somewhat related note... Sanders has a unique ability to make plays with with quickness and elusiveness, yet when Stanford could have used his talents to field a bouncing punt, and perhaps make overpursuing defenders miss him, and make a big play, it seemed coaches were more concerned with conceding 10-15 yards of field to make sure he wouldn't misplay the ball than they were interested in seeing him use his natural ability to make a big play for the team.  I can see merits to both options.

Curious to hear any thoughts on this.

[OutsiderFan]

Late in the fourth quarter, facing 3rd and I think it was 14, Barry Sanders entered the game.  He caught a pass and "Sandersed" his way for 11 yards, leaving a 4th and short that ultimately turned into a a FG.

My question is, why, on arguably the most important 3rd down of the season (near the Red Zone, down 7 with 5 minutes left in the Rose Bowl), would Stanford be counting on a player who hardly played all year long?  Or to put it another way, if Barry Sanders was the best option to have the ball in his hands on the most important play of the season, isn't it a bit confusing why he didn't get more opportunities earlier in the game?

And on a somewhat related note... Sanders has a unique ability to make plays with with quickness and elusiveness, yet when Stanford could have used his talents to field a bouncing punt, and perhaps make overpursuing defenders miss him, and make a big play, it seemed coaches were more concerned with conceding 10-15 yards of field to make sure he wouldn't misplay the ball than they were interested in seeing him use his natural ability to make a big play for the team.  I can see merits to both options.

Curious to hear any thoughts on this.

[washingtonismoney]

two thoughts:

1. one of the distinctive -- and odd -- features of the offense this year has been the insertion of random guys for hyperspecific roles. For example on the final drive of the game Ricky Seale was exhumed to run a four-yard screen. Earlier in the year Rollins Stallworth was our "red zone specialist" and actually targeted a couple times. Sanders coming in randomly fits in perfectly with that trend. I have no particular thoughts about this -- it's a bit different, but is mostly tangential to my main problem with personnel matters in this year's offense. (Which was including so-so skill players for large chunks of the game -- i.e. less Pratt/Trojan and more Rector. Less TEs, more 3 WR/1 FB/1 RB sets.)

2. With respect to the Barry J. Sanders punt return question -- again, that's been the m.o. all season. Whitfield handles the fair catches when field position is poor, Sanders gets to make people miss otherwise. Sanders has had some trouble tracking the ball in the air -- I think he muffed (but fell) on a punt once or twice, IIRC. This is one area Christian McCaffrey might provide an instant boost -- we really missed Terrell, who was better statistically and wonderful at fooling gunners (thereby letting the ball fall into the endzone for a touchback).

[washingtonismoney]

two thoughts:

1. one of the distinctive -- and odd -- features of the offense this year has been the insertion of random guys for hyperspecific roles. For example on the final drive of the game Ricky Seale was exhumed to run a four-yard screen. Earlier in the year Rollins Stallworth was our "red zone specialist" and actually targeted a couple times. Sanders coming in randomly fits in perfectly with that trend. I have no particular thoughts about this -- it's a bit different, but is mostly tangential to my main problem with personnel matters in this year's offense. (Which was including so-so skill players for large chunks of the game -- i.e. less Pratt/Trojan and more Rector. Less TEs, more 3 WR/1 FB/1 RB sets.)

2. With respect to the Barry J. Sanders punt return question -- again, that's been the m.o. all season. Whitfield handles the fair catches when field position is poor, Sanders gets to make people miss otherwise. Sanders has had some trouble tracking the ball in the air -- I think he muffed (but fell) on a punt once or twice, IIRC. This is one area Christian McCaffrey might provide an instant boost -- we really missed Terrell, who was better statistically and wonderful at fooling gunners (thereby letting the ball fall into the endzone for a touchback).

[washingtonismoney]

two thoughts:

1. one of the distinctive -- and odd -- features of the offense this year has been the insertion of random guys for hyperspecific roles. For example on the final drive of the game Ricky Seale was exhumed to run a four-yard screen. Earlier in the year Rollins Stallworth was our "red zone specialist" and actually targeted a couple times. Sanders coming in randomly fits in perfectly with that trend. I have no particular thoughts about this -- it's a bit different, but is mostly tangential to my main problem with personnel matters in this year's offense. (Which was including so-so skill players for large chunks of the game -- i.e. less Pratt/Trojan and more Rector. Less TEs, more 3 WR/1 FB/1 RB sets.)

2. With respect to the Barry J. Sanders punt return question -- again, that's been the m.o. all season. Whitfield handles the fair catches when field position is poor, Sanders gets to make people miss otherwise. Sanders has had some trouble tracking the ball in the air -- I think he muffed (but fell) on a punt once or twice, IIRC. This is one area Christian McCaffrey might provide an instant boost -- we really missed Terrell, who was better statistically and wonderful at fooling gunners (thereby letting the ball fall into the endzone for a touchback).

[washingtonismoney]

two thoughts:

1. one of the distinctive -- and odd -- features of the offense this year has been the insertion of random guys for hyperspecific roles. For example on the final drive of the game Ricky Seale was exhumed to run a four-yard screen. Earlier in the year Rollins Stallworth was our "red zone specialist" and actually targeted a couple times. Sanders coming in randomly fits in perfectly with that trend. I have no particular thoughts about this -- it's a bit different, but is mostly tangential to my main problem with personnel matters in this year's offense. (Which was including so-so skill players for large chunks of the game -- i.e. less Pratt/Trojan and more Rector. Less TEs, more 3 WR/1 FB/1 RB sets.)

2. With respect to the Barry J. Sanders punt return question -- again, that's been the m.o. all season. Whitfield handles the fair catches when field position is poor, Sanders gets to make people miss otherwise. Sanders has had some trouble tracking the ball in the air -- I think he muffed (but fell) on a punt once or twice, IIRC. This is one area Christian McCaffrey might provide an instant boost -- we really missed Terrell, who was better statistically and wonderful at fooling gunners (thereby letting the ball fall into the endzone for a touchback).

[george]

One more overlooked Rose Bowl question:

Why no flyover at the end of the national anthem?  Last year we were treated to a stealth bomber and it was FRIGGIN AWESOME.  This year we got the rockets red glare fireworks, but no negative-ghostrider-the-pattern-is-full tower buzz.  Sequester cuts taking their toll?

[george]

One more overlooked Rose Bowl question:

Why no flyover at the end of the national anthem?  Last year we were treated to a stealth bomber and it was FRIGGIN AWESOME.  This year we got the rockets red glare fireworks, but no negative-ghostrider-the-pattern-is-full tower buzz.  Sequester cuts taking their toll?

[george]

One more overlooked Rose Bowl question:

Why no flyover at the end of the national anthem?  Last year we were treated to a stealth bomber and it was FRIGGIN AWESOME.  This year we got the rockets red glare fireworks, but no negative-ghostrider-the-pattern-is-full tower buzz.  Sequester cuts taking their toll?

[george]

One more overlooked Rose Bowl question:

Why no flyover at the end of the national anthem?  Last year we were treated to a stealth bomber and it was FRIGGIN AWESOME.  This year we got the rockets red glare fireworks, but no negative-ghostrider-the-pattern-is-full tower buzz.  Sequester cuts taking their toll?

[stupac2]

Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.

[stupac2]

Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.

[stupac2]

Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.

[stupac2]

Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.

[donkey687]

3 reasons.
1) Michigan State was covering our receivers like a glove cutting off the mid-range passing option
2) We were missing Montgomery with an injury
3) Gaffney was getting stuffed

We had to try something different because our bread and butter wasn't working. I think it is ironic that Shaw is being questioned for trying something different here when most of the criticism is for him not trying something different.

[donkey687]

3 reasons.
1) Michigan State was covering our receivers like a glove cutting off the mid-range passing option
2) We were missing Montgomery with an injury
3) Gaffney was getting stuffed

We had to try something different because our bread and butter wasn't working. I think it is ironic that Shaw is being questioned for trying something different here when most of the criticism is for him not trying something different.

[donkey687]

3 reasons.
1) Michigan State was covering our receivers like a glove cutting off the mid-range passing option
2) We were missing Montgomery with an injury
3) Gaffney was getting stuffed

We had to try something different because our bread and butter wasn't working. I think it is ironic that Shaw is being questioned for trying something different here when most of the criticism is for him not trying something different.

[donkey687]

3 reasons.
1) Michigan State was covering our receivers like a glove cutting off the mid-range passing option
2) We were missing Montgomery with an injury
3) Gaffney was getting stuffed

We had to try something different because our bread and butter wasn't working. I think it is ironic that Shaw is being questioned for trying something different here when most of the criticism is for him not trying something different.

[76lsjumb]

[quote author=george link=topic=9360.msg81007#msg81007 date=1389136025]Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.
[/quote]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

[76lsjumb]

[quote author=george link=topic=9360.msg81007#msg81007 date=1389136025]Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.
[/quote]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

[76lsjumb]

[quote author=george link=topic=9360.msg81007#msg81007 date=1389136025]Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.
[/quote]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

[76lsjumb]

[quote author=george link=topic=9360.msg81007#msg81007 date=1389136025]Sequester cuts taking their toll?

That was my assumption.
[/quote]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

[Embo]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

I wish you had told me that at the stadium.  I didn't pay much attention to the singers during the Anthem because I was looking up, iPhone at the ready, to capture the B2 flyover.  I had to reset my iPhone last spring and lost all my photos, including the B2. 

[Embo]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

I wish you had told me that at the stadium.  I didn't pay much attention to the singers during the Anthem because I was looking up, iPhone at the ready, to capture the B2 flyover.  I had to reset my iPhone last spring and lost all my photos, including the B2. 

[Embo]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

I wish you had told me that at the stadium.  I didn't pay much attention to the singers during the Anthem because I was looking up, iPhone at the ready, to capture the B2 flyover.  I had to reset my iPhone last spring and lost all my photos, including the B2. 

[Embo]

The Thunderbirds did a flyover right down Colorado Blvd to open the Parade, and the program said it was their first public performance since the sequester cuts first took effect.  As for the game, I assumed it was because there was a "soulful" Banner, rather than a mrching band Banner.  With the latter [especially if the MSU Band had done it], the tempo is generally precise enough that you can set your clocks by it, so the timing of the flyover is pretty easy to get right.  With a vocal "soulful" banner -- which often (including this case) take FOREVER to complete -- there's a risk that the jets will run out of fuel circling in the distance waiting for the singers to reach the end...  ;)

I wish you had told me that at the stadium.  I didn't pay much attention to the singers during the Anthem because I was looking up, iPhone at the ready, to capture the B2 flyover.  I had to reset my iPhone last spring and lost all my photos, including the B2. 

[Viking_Guy]

76--

As a side note - in the 2000 edition, the flyover was actually 4 seconds late.  LSJUMB hit its mark with precision :).  Then had to hold that last note long enough for the planes to get to the stadium.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

76--

As a side note - in the 2000 edition, the flyover was actually 4 seconds late.  LSJUMB hit its mark with precision :).  Then had to hold that last note long enough for the planes to get to the stadium.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

76--

As a side note - in the 2000 edition, the flyover was actually 4 seconds late.  LSJUMB hit its mark with precision :).  Then had to hold that last note long enough for the planes to get to the stadium.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

76--

As a side note - in the 2000 edition, the flyover was actually 4 seconds late.  LSJUMB hit its mark with precision :).  Then had to hold that last note long enough for the planes to get to the stadium.

VG

[pokey]

I found the sheet music for SSB:

http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/u...00x395.jpg

Yup, the planes would have had no chance.

[pokey]

I found the sheet music for SSB:

http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/u...00x395.jpg

Yup, the planes would have had no chance.

[pokey]

I found the sheet music for SSB:

http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/u...00x395.jpg

Yup, the planes would have had no chance.

[pokey]

I found the sheet music for SSB:

http://files.doobybrain.com/wp-content/u...00x395.jpg

Yup, the planes would have had no chance.