08-29-2023, 07:55 AM
Reactions:
* I think it's clear that media savvy, transparency, and helpful information flow are not hallmarks of Stanford football under Taylor so far. Some have made the fair point distinguishing the SID folks from the football folks, but in real life there is a hierarchy and tone and just general "head man in charge" tone with any major college football head coach. I think it's naive to say Shaw wasn't or Taylor isn't responsible for the media side. They're responsible for everything. And beyond all the evidence we're not dedicating much attention to football media these days, there is also the evidence of Taylor's own secrecy - continuing to have closed practices, treating Spring Game just like a practice (which I am fine with), highly unusual (by his peers' standards) coyness about the QB competition, this cute over-use of OR in several places on the depth chart, etc.
* There can be a rationale for secrecy and coyness. If Taylor thinks a lack of clarity on QB and RB gives us even the slightest edge against Hawaii, he's going to be inclined to take it and it's hard to begrudge that. Depth charts, especially at a school with as few fans and media attention as Stanford, are a minor curiosity, not something very important at all. Ok, our couple hundred fans who care will know a bit less and a CBS Sports Network broadcast like 75K people watch will be a bit less crisp.
* It strikes me that the coyness is highly concentrated in the QB/RB/WR rooms that are nearest and dearest to Taylor's heart and that are led by Sacramento State coaches. That suggests that the coyness is coming directly from Taylor or his mini-mes. Everything else on the roster looks normal on the coyness spectrum.
* Taylor's comments in the press conference make it even more obvious the QB thing is coming from him. He doesn't want people to know the starter or if we're playing two QBs or three QBs or even if we have a plan until the game starts. I think it's pretty cute to say "OR" for all three when he keeps talking about separation. This seems to be about tactical advantage. In terms of tea leaf reading, I don't know if Daniels as the first among equals is notable. Could just be alphabetical, though other OR situations aren't alphabetical. Could be misdirection of Lamson actually first among equals. Could be an actual first among equals because Taylor wants to be coy but Daniels really is 1A and it would undermine him too much to list him after others. We'll know more Friday.
* The RB depth chart is so cute. There is no way we have a four way tie at RB. That being said, it may have some kernels of insight. In particular, we may be in for much more of a committee than any of us have been anticipating. Taylor and Agnew had the committee of all committees in 2021, with a situation I'm not sure I even knew was possible, four RBs among the top 35 in snaps on the entire roster. Maybe without a bell cow and with the injury histories of Smith and Filkins we are going to have a consciously, extremely Swiss Army knife/interchangeable RB room. I think this very well may be the case. Also, this depth chart and Taylor's press conference remarks make it obvious Irvin is in line for immediate playing time.
* I think it's clear that media savvy, transparency, and helpful information flow are not hallmarks of Stanford football under Taylor so far. Some have made the fair point distinguishing the SID folks from the football folks, but in real life there is a hierarchy and tone and just general "head man in charge" tone with any major college football head coach. I think it's naive to say Shaw wasn't or Taylor isn't responsible for the media side. They're responsible for everything. And beyond all the evidence we're not dedicating much attention to football media these days, there is also the evidence of Taylor's own secrecy - continuing to have closed practices, treating Spring Game just like a practice (which I am fine with), highly unusual (by his peers' standards) coyness about the QB competition, this cute over-use of OR in several places on the depth chart, etc.
* There can be a rationale for secrecy and coyness. If Taylor thinks a lack of clarity on QB and RB gives us even the slightest edge against Hawaii, he's going to be inclined to take it and it's hard to begrudge that. Depth charts, especially at a school with as few fans and media attention as Stanford, are a minor curiosity, not something very important at all. Ok, our couple hundred fans who care will know a bit less and a CBS Sports Network broadcast like 75K people watch will be a bit less crisp.
* It strikes me that the coyness is highly concentrated in the QB/RB/WR rooms that are nearest and dearest to Taylor's heart and that are led by Sacramento State coaches. That suggests that the coyness is coming directly from Taylor or his mini-mes. Everything else on the roster looks normal on the coyness spectrum.
* Taylor's comments in the press conference make it even more obvious the QB thing is coming from him. He doesn't want people to know the starter or if we're playing two QBs or three QBs or even if we have a plan until the game starts. I think it's pretty cute to say "OR" for all three when he keeps talking about separation. This seems to be about tactical advantage. In terms of tea leaf reading, I don't know if Daniels as the first among equals is notable. Could just be alphabetical, though other OR situations aren't alphabetical. Could be misdirection of Lamson actually first among equals. Could be an actual first among equals because Taylor wants to be coy but Daniels really is 1A and it would undermine him too much to list him after others. We'll know more Friday.
* The RB depth chart is so cute. There is no way we have a four way tie at RB. That being said, it may have some kernels of insight. In particular, we may be in for much more of a committee than any of us have been anticipating. Taylor and Agnew had the committee of all committees in 2021, with a situation I'm not sure I even knew was possible, four RBs among the top 35 in snaps on the entire roster. Maybe without a bell cow and with the injury histories of Smith and Filkins we are going to have a consciously, extremely Swiss Army knife/interchangeable RB room. I think this very well may be the case. Also, this depth chart and Taylor's press conference remarks make it obvious Irvin is in line for immediate playing time.