[CompSci87]

Sanders looked really good in the condensed games!

[CompSci87]

Sanders looked really good in the condensed games!

[BostonCard]

 And, I doubt Shaw breaks with his history of not playing true freshmen QBs (McKee.) 

I understand that assumption and yet..

Now players can play a number of games without using a year of eligibility.   As I type this I don't know how that will play out if a season gets reduced from 12 games down to 7 or 8 if an outbreak emerges in the USA in mid-October.

Also, for a true freshman it would seem almost ideal to get them some real game experience while also removing noisy bands and fans from the stands.

McKee is coming off a two-year mission, so it would be difficult for him to start.  Before McKee, the most recent QB comparable in ranking was Mills, who was coming off an injury.  Before that, it was probably Luck who was pre-Shaw.  We haven't had a highly heralded QB since the new rules allowing players to play in up to five games without losing their redshirt.

In light of the new rule, I could see Mills being the starter and McKee getting in on garbage time for up to five games, or coming in if Mills becomes injured, unless he is clearly not  ready.

BC

[BostonCard]

 And, I doubt Shaw breaks with his history of not playing true freshmen QBs (McKee.) 

I understand that assumption and yet..

Now players can play a number of games without using a year of eligibility.   As I type this I don't know how that will play out if a season gets reduced from 12 games down to 7 or 8 if an outbreak emerges in the USA in mid-October.

Also, for a true freshman it would seem almost ideal to get them some real game experience while also removing noisy bands and fans from the stands.

McKee is coming off a two-year mission, so it would be difficult for him to start.  Before McKee, the most recent QB comparable in ranking was Mills, who was coming off an injury.  Before that, it was probably Luck who was pre-Shaw.  We haven't had a highly heralded QB since the new rules allowing players to play in up to five games without losing their redshirt.

In light of the new rule, I could see Mills being the starter and McKee getting in on garbage time for up to five games, or coming in if Mills becomes injured, unless he is clearly not  ready.

BC

[SamuelMcF]

McKee is coming off a two-year mission, so it would be difficult for him to start.  Before McKee, the most recent QB comparable in ranking was Mills, who was coming off an injury.  Before that, it was probably Luck who was pre-Shaw. 

Before Mills it was KJ Costello, the #3 pro-style QB, then Keller Chryst, the #3 pro-style QB (woof), then Andrew Luck, the #3 pro-style QB.

We haven't had a highly heralded QB since the new rules allowing players to play in up to five games without losing their redshirt.

In light of the new rule, I could see Mills being the starter and McKee getting in on garbage time for up to five games, or coming in if Mills becomes injured, unless he is clearly not  ready.

The rule is maximum 4 games, not 5.

Obviously it's yet to be seen how this affects a whale freshman QB for us since McKee is indeed the first since the rule change, but staff walked the 4-game line pretty well with a bunch of freshmen last season (to the extent that the catastrophic injury situation allowed). Notably, non-whale true freshman QB Jack West did play in garbage time against UC Davis and Oregon State, so there is precedent there. However we have no idea how "in football shape" McKee will or won't be, especially since W&M is the first game of the season. It looks like our post-redshirt-rule LDS frosh usually need most of that first season to really get back into it: Loa Kaufusi played in 2 of the final 3 games, Simi Fehoko played the final 4 games, Levani Damuni played in the final game. That said, walk-on Spencer Jorgensen played every single game on STs and that blew my mind.

All that said about McKee:

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

[SamuelMcF]

McKee is coming off a two-year mission, so it would be difficult for him to start.  Before McKee, the most recent QB comparable in ranking was Mills, who was coming off an injury.  Before that, it was probably Luck who was pre-Shaw. 

Before Mills it was KJ Costello, the #3 pro-style QB, then Keller Chryst, the #3 pro-style QB (woof), then Andrew Luck, the #3 pro-style QB.

We haven't had a highly heralded QB since the new rules allowing players to play in up to five games without losing their redshirt.

In light of the new rule, I could see Mills being the starter and McKee getting in on garbage time for up to five games, or coming in if Mills becomes injured, unless he is clearly not  ready.

The rule is maximum 4 games, not 5.

Obviously it's yet to be seen how this affects a whale freshman QB for us since McKee is indeed the first since the rule change, but staff walked the 4-game line pretty well with a bunch of freshmen last season (to the extent that the catastrophic injury situation allowed). Notably, non-whale true freshman QB Jack West did play in garbage time against UC Davis and Oregon State, so there is precedent there. However we have no idea how "in football shape" McKee will or won't be, especially since W&M is the first game of the season. It looks like our post-redshirt-rule LDS frosh usually need most of that first season to really get back into it: Loa Kaufusi played in 2 of the final 3 games, Simi Fehoko played the final 4 games, Levani Damuni played in the final game. That said, walk-on Spencer Jorgensen played every single game on STs and that blew my mind.

All that said about McKee:

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

[Goose]

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

Certainly plausible that it will work out that way. If it were a "normal" summer fall, I would expect that Shaw would give Sanders the opportunity to run the "normal" offense and see how it goes. If he can do it pretty well, he may be #2. Unlike some Air Force QBs, he looks like he can actually throw the ball and wants to do so. He may be a pretty good fit, and that may be a reason he wanted to come here. Think Hogan II, only better wheels and not quite as good an arm. May not work out that way, but it might.

[Goose]

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

Certainly plausible that it will work out that way. If it were a "normal" summer fall, I would expect that Shaw would give Sanders the opportunity to run the "normal" offense and see how it goes. If he can do it pretty well, he may be #2. Unlike some Air Force QBs, he looks like he can actually throw the ball and wants to do so. He may be a pretty good fit, and that may be a reason he wanted to come here. Think Hogan II, only better wheels and not quite as good an arm. May not work out that way, but it might.

[Brickcity]

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

Certainly plausible that it will work out that way. If it were a "normal" summer fall, I would expect that Shaw would give Sanders the opportunity to run the "normal" offense and see how it goes. If he can do it pretty well, he may be #2. Unlike some Air Force QBs, he looks like he can actually throw the ball and wants to do so. He may be a pretty good fit, and that may be a reason he wanted to come here. Think Hogan II, only better wheels and not quite as good an arm. May not work out that way, but it might.

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

[Brickcity]

Knowing Shaw's preference for the more experienced QB (though never even attempting to turn to senior Richardson, the spring ball hero, over West vs UCLA was admittedly curious), I think West will be QB2 and Sanders will have his own set of triple option/wildcat/gadget packages. This is not what I want, but it is what I predict. Sanders looked pretty good to me and I see him being more of a weapon than just a "gadget package" guy. At the very least I would much rather see how we could adapt around his run-threat skill set at QB2 if Mills gets hurt.

Certainly plausible that it will work out that way. If it were a "normal" summer fall, I would expect that Shaw would give Sanders the opportunity to run the "normal" offense and see how it goes. If he can do it pretty well, he may be #2. Unlike some Air Force QBs, he looks like he can actually throw the ball and wants to do so. He may be a pretty good fit, and that may be a reason he wanted to come here. Think Hogan II, only better wheels and not quite as good an arm. May not work out that way, but it might.

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

[Goose]

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

If you simply use experience as Shaw's metric, Sanders has much more experience than West does. I would think that favors Sanders heavily. It will depend a lot on what Sanders shows in picking up the offense. If he can run the "normal" offense pretty well, he will be placed ahead of West. If he can't, that will be a problem, because while you can switch emphasis when you switch QBs, you can't change the entire offense. I am pretty sure they told Sanders he could compete for the job and would not just be a "change of pace" guy. We shall see, assuming we play football this year.

[Goose]

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

If you simply use experience as Shaw's metric, Sanders has much more experience than West does. I would think that favors Sanders heavily. It will depend a lot on what Sanders shows in picking up the offense. If he can run the "normal" offense pretty well, he will be placed ahead of West. If he can't, that will be a problem, because while you can switch emphasis when you switch QBs, you can't change the entire offense. I am pretty sure they told Sanders he could compete for the job and would not just be a "change of pace" guy. We shall see, assuming we play football this year.

[Brickcity]

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

If you simply use experience as Shaw's metric, Sanders has much more experience than West does. I would think that favors Sanders heavily. It will depend a lot on what Sanders shows in picking up the offense. If he can run the "normal" offense pretty well, he will be placed ahead of West. If he can't, that will be a problem, because while you can switch emphasis when you switch QBs, you can't change the entire offense. I am pretty sure they told Sanders he could compete for the job and would not just be a "change of pace" guy. We shall see, assuming we play football this year.

Good points, Goose. Personally, I don't expect to see a season in 2020. But, yes, if it does happen, I have to think that even Shaw would see logic in starting Sanders. And, with all the D1 experience Sanders has, I would think he'd be able to pick up our offense fairly quickly.

[Brickcity]

I don't see how West is placed ahead of Sanders on the depth chart. Well, actually I do (for the reason noted above) but I shudder at the thought.

If you simply use experience as Shaw's metric, Sanders has much more experience than West does. I would think that favors Sanders heavily. It will depend a lot on what Sanders shows in picking up the offense. If he can run the "normal" offense pretty well, he will be placed ahead of West. If he can't, that will be a problem, because while you can switch emphasis when you switch QBs, you can't change the entire offense. I am pretty sure they told Sanders he could compete for the job and would not just be a "change of pace" guy. We shall see, assuming we play football this year.

Good points, Goose. Personally, I don't expect to see a season in 2020. But, yes, if it does happen, I have to think that even Shaw would see logic in starting Sanders. And, with all the D1 experience Sanders has, I would think he'd be able to pick up our offense fairly quickly.

[Phogge]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

[Phogge]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

[Brickcity]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

Ha! (I'm laughing but sorta crying.)

[Brickcity]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

Ha! (I'm laughing but sorta crying.)

[SamuelMcF]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

He nullified his own rule last year starting RS frosh West over senior Richardson against UCLA.

[SamuelMcF]

Wait a minute. Sanders has one year but it takes three to learn the playbook. Shaw nullifies his own rule if he plays Sanders.

He nullified his own rule last year starting RS frosh West over senior Richardson against UCLA.

[Goose]

It never took three years to learn the playbook. What does take time and experience is learning the "reads". We are talking about who will play backup QB, as Mills is the starter baring injury. Sanders probably had only a few reads at AF, and probably some of those wouldn't apply to Stanford's system. However Sanders has taken real snaps in real games and played when all the pressure was on him. He has done moderately well in those games. West has one start and that didn't go well. So, I think Sanders has the edge IF he can execute the offense. He may not have the experience to get them out of a bad play at the LOS, but neither does West have that experience. However, if there are lots of throws that Sanders just cant make and West can, West gets the nod, IMHO.

[Goose]

It never took three years to learn the playbook. What does take time and experience is learning the "reads". We are talking about who will play backup QB, as Mills is the starter baring injury. Sanders probably had only a few reads at AF, and probably some of those wouldn't apply to Stanford's system. However Sanders has taken real snaps in real games and played when all the pressure was on him. He has done moderately well in those games. West has one start and that didn't go well. So, I think Sanders has the edge IF he can execute the offense. He may not have the experience to get them out of a bad play at the LOS, but neither does West have that experience. However, if there are lots of throws that Sanders just cant make and West can, West gets the nod, IMHO.

[BobK]

Thank you Goose. I wrote this about the reads several years ago after a QB explained at the Council of chiefs.

[BobK]

Thank you Goose. I wrote this about the reads several years ago after a QB explained at the Council of chiefs.

[Phogge]

Hey Goose, perhaps I should have added "Just kidding." I will shorten to JK in the future.

[Phogge]

Hey Goose, perhaps I should have added "Just kidding." I will shorten to JK in the future.

[Goose]

Hey Goose, perhaps I should have added "Just kidding." I will shorten to JK in the future.

Phogge, I knew you were just kidding. I just wasn't sure everybody else did! I have followed the narritive long enough to know what you meant.

[Goose]

Hey Goose, perhaps I should have added "Just kidding." I will shorten to JK in the future.

Phogge, I knew you were just kidding. I just wasn't sure everybody else did! I have followed the narritive long enough to know what you meant.

[PVTree]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

[PVTree]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

[Goose]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

You could be correct, but I think we really don't know what Sanders could do throwing the ball. He looked pretty good in the game highlight footage IMHO, and possibly could work out just fine as a Stanford QB. West started one game and looked horrible, but that doesn't mean he is totally incompetent as a QB. Many things contributed to his problems that were not really in his control. So the jury is still out on what we will have as a backup QB to Mills.
           I am actually more concerned about what our running game will bring. Since there isn't tons of experience at running back, we are kind of in the dark there as well.

[Goose]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

You could be correct, but I think we really don't know what Sanders could do throwing the ball. He looked pretty good in the game highlight footage IMHO, and possibly could work out just fine as a Stanford QB. West started one game and looked horrible, but that doesn't mean he is totally incompetent as a QB. Many things contributed to his problems that were not really in his control. So the jury is still out on what we will have as a backup QB to Mills.
           I am actually more concerned about what our running game will bring. Since there isn't tons of experience at running back, we are kind of in the dark there as well.

[Brickcity]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

You could be correct, but I think we really don't know what Sanders could do throwing the ball. He looked pretty good in the game highlight footage IMHO, and possibly could work out just fine as a Stanford QB. West started one game and looked horrible, but that doesn't mean he is totally incompetent as a QB. Many things contributed to his problems that were not really in his control. So the jury is still out on what we will have as a backup QB to Mills.
           I am actually more concerned about what our running game will bring. Since there isn't tons of experience at running back, we are kind of in the dark there as well.

I think if the offensive line does its job, the running game will be solid. We simply have too much talent at the position to not have a successful running game if there are holes to run through.

[Brickcity]

If somebody other than Mills is taking the snap, the defense will load 8-9 players in the box. I don't see us being much of a threat to gain yards through the air without Mills.

You could be correct, but I think we really don't know what Sanders could do throwing the ball. He looked pretty good in the game highlight footage IMHO, and possibly could work out just fine as a Stanford QB. West started one game and looked horrible, but that doesn't mean he is totally incompetent as a QB. Many things contributed to his problems that were not really in his control. So the jury is still out on what we will have as a backup QB to Mills.
           I am actually more concerned about what our running game will bring. Since there isn't tons of experience at running back, we are kind of in the dark there as well.

I think if the offensive line does its job, the running game will be solid. We simply have too much talent at the position to not have a successful running game if there are holes to run through.