10-18-2018, 10:20 AM
Well I think that it is very apparent that the under performance is puzzling. That is why we have all spent so much effort trying to think through the disappointing results we have gotten this year vs. our expectations. Prior to the season there was near unanimity that the OL would be our strength. Experience and depth were very good, and yet we have been downright abysmal in both run and pass blocking. So, yes, it is puzzling to know what has caused this to occur.
The injury situation seems to be the best explanation, particularly in light of the dearth of detailed information that Shaw releases. We are not just denied in-depth information. We are actually "spun" to minimize our understanding of the severity of the situation. Garvin commented elsewhere as follows: "As usual, David Shaw was lying about Bryce Love's injury last week when he said that, with another day's rest, Love would have played. Now Love has had FIVE more days rest and is still doubtful for tonight." I am not suggesting that Shaw should provide any more information than necessary to our opponents. It's great that he keeps them guessing. But, given the results, it seems clear that the injuries are more severe and pervasive than we know.
Having said that, it seems appropriate to consider the highly inconsistent performance of the offense overall as possibly reflecting the inexperience of our OC and the possibility that he is unable to have any effect on Shaw. Shaw just stated again this week that he wants to stay with Stanford football and just get a full game of execution out of the players. And I think that that is possibly viable. But "just doing more of what we've been doing" doesn't sound like a way to get different results. What has been causing the inconsistency?
The idea of essentially having no OC, if that is the case, just doesn't strike me as a good organizational dynamic. I was hoping that a new coordinator would challenge Shaw in a way that resulted in meaningful growth in the program's offensive capabilities. In the search for a solution, we on this board are SOL in knowing what might work. A board like this exists in order to give people the chance to speculate about causes and solutions. Ignoring the possibility that Pritchard's presence is a liability is just whistling through the graveyard. Can anyone hear share some insights about what Pritchard is doing that is contributing to our success? I don't ask as a challenge. I mean, what sorts of information might one find about an OC that says what they are doing and whether it is good or bad?
The injury situation seems to be the best explanation, particularly in light of the dearth of detailed information that Shaw releases. We are not just denied in-depth information. We are actually "spun" to minimize our understanding of the severity of the situation. Garvin commented elsewhere as follows: "As usual, David Shaw was lying about Bryce Love's injury last week when he said that, with another day's rest, Love would have played. Now Love has had FIVE more days rest and is still doubtful for tonight." I am not suggesting that Shaw should provide any more information than necessary to our opponents. It's great that he keeps them guessing. But, given the results, it seems clear that the injuries are more severe and pervasive than we know.
Having said that, it seems appropriate to consider the highly inconsistent performance of the offense overall as possibly reflecting the inexperience of our OC and the possibility that he is unable to have any effect on Shaw. Shaw just stated again this week that he wants to stay with Stanford football and just get a full game of execution out of the players. And I think that that is possibly viable. But "just doing more of what we've been doing" doesn't sound like a way to get different results. What has been causing the inconsistency?
The idea of essentially having no OC, if that is the case, just doesn't strike me as a good organizational dynamic. I was hoping that a new coordinator would challenge Shaw in a way that resulted in meaningful growth in the program's offensive capabilities. In the search for a solution, we on this board are SOL in knowing what might work. A board like this exists in order to give people the chance to speculate about causes and solutions. Ignoring the possibility that Pritchard's presence is a liability is just whistling through the graveyard. Can anyone hear share some insights about what Pritchard is doing that is contributing to our success? I don't ask as a challenge. I mean, what sorts of information might one find about an OC that says what they are doing and whether it is good or bad?
"It's not what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you think you know that just isn't so."
Mark Twain