A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
OutsiderFan - 11-01-2012
IIRC, one of the post-game comments from David Shaw expressed some bewilderment as to why his Offense was so dreadful against Washington State despite a great week of practice.
Obviously coaches base their decisions on who plays in games on who does what in practice. QBs are the toughest guys to judge in practice because they aren't allowed to get hit by the defense, so you never really know how they will play in games (if they haven't had game experience) even if they practice well.
It seems fair to suggest Nunes has performed well enough in practice that Shaw and co. have expected to see him perform similarly in games. So while all of us see a QB struggling and some even question Shaw's sanity for sticking with him, it may very well be that the Nunes we have seen is not been the one visible in practice.Â
If this theory is true, the Washington State game was enough to make Shaw realize that he can't any longer project Nunes to perform in games as he does in practice. Shaw has continuously said the QB doesn't have to be great this year -- an apparent acknowledgement that Nunes hasn't been awesome in practice -- just steady for Stanford to win football games. Now it seems Shaw has realized that unless his QBs are lights out in practice, he has to use actual real games to measure their ability to perform.
To me, this is a good development in terms of Shaw demonstrating he can learn and change. He isn't as stubborn as some believed. If he really was basing his decision to stick with Nunes based on his practice performance and he believed that guy would show up in games, you could see why he might say the idea of changing QBs was "asinine." Now that Shaw has lost full faith and confidence that the practice Nunes will show up in games, he is now where fans were weeks ago.
A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
OutsiderFan - 11-01-2012
IIRC, one of the post-game comments from David Shaw expressed some bewilderment as to why his Offense was so dreadful against Washington State despite a great week of practice.
Obviously coaches base their decisions on who plays in games on who does what in practice. QBs are the toughest guys to judge in practice because they aren't allowed to get hit by the defense, so you never really know how they will play in games (if they haven't had game experience) even if they practice well.
It seems fair to suggest Nunes has performed well enough in practice that Shaw and co. have expected to see him perform similarly in games. So while all of us see a QB struggling and some even question Shaw's sanity for sticking with him, it may very well be that the Nunes we have seen is not been the one visible in practice.Â
If this theory is true, the Washington State game was enough to make Shaw realize that he can't any longer project Nunes to perform in games as he does in practice. Shaw has continuously said the QB doesn't have to be great this year -- an apparent acknowledgement that Nunes hasn't been awesome in practice -- just steady for Stanford to win football games. Now it seems Shaw has realized that unless his QBs are lights out in practice, he has to use actual real games to measure their ability to perform.
To me, this is a good development in terms of Shaw demonstrating he can learn and change. He isn't as stubborn as some believed. If he really was basing his decision to stick with Nunes based on his practice performance and he believed that guy would show up in games, you could see why he might say the idea of changing QBs was "asinine." Now that Shaw has lost full faith and confidence that the practice Nunes will show up in games, he is now where fans were weeks ago.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
fullmetal - 11-01-2012
I hope you're right. I just wish this inflection point had come much earlier in the season. Of course Nunes making easy/short throws and having a better command of the offense would be nice too.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
fullmetal - 11-01-2012
I hope you're right. I just wish this inflection point had come much earlier in the season. Of course Nunes making easy/short throws and having a better command of the offense would be nice too.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
LuckE2Bhere - 11-01-2012
This theory sounds reasonable to me. I'm clearly not a position to judge, having watched very few of their practices and no film, but your story sounds more plausible than the Shaw's Selective Stupidity theory. I might also suggest that Nunes' (outstanding) second-half performance against Arizona (without which, we're sitting at 5-3) may have given him reasonable pause in drawing this conclusion. I don't know about you all, but I'll take 6-2 (with a "much closer than it should have been" footnote to the WSU game; theorizing that very few head coaches would have flip-flopped as early as the Washington game) instead!
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
LuckE2Bhere - 11-01-2012
This theory sounds reasonable to me. I'm clearly not a position to judge, having watched very few of their practices and no film, but your story sounds more plausible than the Shaw's Selective Stupidity theory. I might also suggest that Nunes' (outstanding) second-half performance against Arizona (without which, we're sitting at 5-3) may have given him reasonable pause in drawing this conclusion. I don't know about you all, but I'll take 6-2 (with a "much closer than it should have been" footnote to the WSU game; theorizing that very few head coaches would have flip-flopped as early as the Washington game) instead!
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
Spiny_Norman - 11-01-2012
Quote:Now that Shaw has lost full faith and confidence that the practice Nunes will show up in games, he is now where fans were weeks ago.
Hogan will be QB for 12-20 plays. Nunes will be QB for the rest of the game. Does not sound like the coach has lost full faith and confidence in Nunes. Shaw has doubts and wants to see what another guy can do. But he still believes enough in Nunes to make him the starter and expect that he will run the offense for ~50 plays.
If you are a Kremlinologist who is interested in learning more about the inside story of the QB situation, give a listen to the David Lombardi and Sam Fisher audio report. Nottingham discussion at about 11 minutes into the stream.
http://soundcloud.com/kzsusports/qbsituation
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
Spiny_Norman - 11-01-2012
Quote:Now that Shaw has lost full faith and confidence that the practice Nunes will show up in games, he is now where fans were weeks ago.
Hogan will be QB for 12-20 plays. Nunes will be QB for the rest of the game. Does not sound like the coach has lost full faith and confidence in Nunes. Shaw has doubts and wants to see what another guy can do. But he still believes enough in Nunes to make him the starter and expect that he will run the offense for ~50 plays.
If you are a Kremlinologist who is interested in learning more about the inside story of the QB situation, give a listen to the David Lombardi and Sam Fisher audio report. Nottingham discussion at about 11 minutes into the stream.
http://soundcloud.com/kzsusports/qbsituation
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
OutsiderFan - 11-01-2012
I think it's pretty safe to assume Shaw no longer has 100% confidence in Nunes. If he did, Hogan wouldn't be getting more PT.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
OutsiderFan - 11-01-2012
I think it's pretty safe to assume Shaw no longer has 100% confidence in Nunes. If he did, Hogan wouldn't be getting more PT.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
AlbanyCardinal - 11-01-2012
(11-01-2012, 09:48 AM)Spiny_Norman link Wrote:If you are a Kremlinologist who is interested in learning more about the inside story of the QB situation, give a listen to the David Lombardi and Sam Fisher audio report. Nottingham discussion at about 11 minutes into the stream.
http://soundcloud.com/kzsusports/qbsituation
I'd heard this, too, from a Bootleg friend more connected to the program than I. I didn't know what to make of it then or now. I mean, should Arizona State and the Giants not have played Barry Bonds b/c his teammates thought he was an egotistical asshole? I know that Nottingham is not the equivalent in greatness, and I know the starting QB needs his teammates to believe in him, but I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be a popularity contest, either. I'm still confused and will just root for whoever's out there, hoping this shit sorts itself out over the offseason.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
AlbanyCardinal - 11-01-2012
(11-01-2012, 09:48 AM)Spiny_Norman link Wrote:If you are a Kremlinologist who is interested in learning more about the inside story of the QB situation, give a listen to the David Lombardi and Sam Fisher audio report. Nottingham discussion at about 11 minutes into the stream.
http://soundcloud.com/kzsusports/qbsituation
I'd heard this, too, from a Bootleg friend more connected to the program than I. I didn't know what to make of it then or now. I mean, should Arizona State and the Giants not have played Barry Bonds b/c his teammates thought he was an egotistical asshole? I know that Nottingham is not the equivalent in greatness, and I know the starting QB needs his teammates to believe in him, but I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be a popularity contest, either. I'm still confused and will just root for whoever's out there, hoping this shit sorts itself out over the offseason.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
dabigv13 - 11-01-2012
Hmm hard to know what to make of this. Obviously it's tough to be a leader if people don't like you. But because he's too intense? I mean Skov, Thomas, those guys are intense too, can't believe they're too warm and fuzzy.
And if Nottingham is really playing IM football on the side, I could see why the coaching staff would not be too keen on that. Then again playing IM football on the side is not exactly on the same level of transgression as a DUI is, and that only kept Skov out for a game.
If those are the reasons, I guess I'm a bit less disappointed in Shaw for not making the switch earlier. Obeying the rules (and playing IM football is definitely against the team rules) and having the respect of your teammates are important issues for a leader on the team. I still would've made the switch, but a bit more defensible.
Also I feel like I recall seeing something about Nottingham not playing at all this season to preserve a redshirt year or more eligibility if he transfers- BN played in one game already this season, was 2-3 for 6 yards. Unless there's an injury, his eligibility for this season is used up.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
dabigv13 - 11-01-2012
Hmm hard to know what to make of this. Obviously it's tough to be a leader if people don't like you. But because he's too intense? I mean Skov, Thomas, those guys are intense too, can't believe they're too warm and fuzzy.
And if Nottingham is really playing IM football on the side, I could see why the coaching staff would not be too keen on that. Then again playing IM football on the side is not exactly on the same level of transgression as a DUI is, and that only kept Skov out for a game.
If those are the reasons, I guess I'm a bit less disappointed in Shaw for not making the switch earlier. Obeying the rules (and playing IM football is definitely against the team rules) and having the respect of your teammates are important issues for a leader on the team. I still would've made the switch, but a bit more defensible.
Also I feel like I recall seeing something about Nottingham not playing at all this season to preserve a redshirt year or more eligibility if he transfers- BN played in one game already this season, was 2-3 for 6 yards. Unless there's an injury, his eligibility for this season is used up.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
Spiny_Norman - 11-01-2012
Outsider Fan, I inferred that Shaw had lost 100% confidence in Nunes when Hogan ran those plays near the goal line in Big Game. I don't think that Shaw is in the same place as the most vocal fans who would like to see him be more decisive. Instead, the CU game appears to be an audition by both QBs for more playing time in the final three games.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
Spiny_Norman - 11-01-2012
Outsider Fan, I inferred that Shaw had lost 100% confidence in Nunes when Hogan ran those plays near the goal line in Big Game. I don't think that Shaw is in the same place as the most vocal fans who would like to see him be more decisive. Instead, the CU game appears to be an audition by both QBs for more playing time in the final three games.
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
FarmBoy - 11-01-2012
BN has been playing IM football? Aside from being against team policy, isn't that a bit douchebagy? I mean, "pick against someone your own size." I guess if you're feeling down in the dumps sitting behind a guy that's playing like Nunes, then maybe you want to boost your confidence by throwing lasers against guys who mostly aren't even D-III caliber, some of whom may not have played on their high school teams. (on the other hand, I didn't complain when a member of the '98 Final Four team played on my IM team in grad school, so maybe I'm throwing stones from the front stoop of my own glass house.)
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
FarmBoy - 11-01-2012
BN has been playing IM football? Aside from being against team policy, isn't that a bit douchebagy? I mean, "pick against someone your own size." I guess if you're feeling down in the dumps sitting behind a guy that's playing like Nunes, then maybe you want to boost your confidence by throwing lasers against guys who mostly aren't even D-III caliber, some of whom may not have played on their high school teams. (on the other hand, I didn't complain when a member of the '98 Final Four team played on my IM team in grad school, so maybe I'm throwing stones from the front stoop of my own glass house.)
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
fullmetal - 11-01-2012
That's also against IM policy if you remember what Mark Madsen had to go through :)
Re: A theory re: Nunes and Shaw -
fullmetal - 11-01-2012
That's also against IM policy if you remember what Mark Madsen had to go through :)