[Jamesy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/thestuarthead/status/1310270856732594178?s=21[/tweet]

[Jamesy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/thestuarthead/status/1310270856732594178?s=21[/tweet]

[Phogge]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

[Phogge]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

[donkey687]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

This is a head scratcher to me. If he wants to play in the NFL, why isn't he playing this year?  Chalk up another potential defensive starter transferring out (Williams, Swann) or deciding not to play (Pryts). What is going on here?  Last one out, turn off the lights.

[donkey687]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

This is a head scratcher to me. If he wants to play in the NFL, why isn't he playing this year?  Chalk up another potential defensive starter transferring out (Williams, Swann) or deciding not to play (Pryts). What is going on here?  Last one out, turn off the lights.

[SamuelMcF]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

This is a head scratcher to me. If he wants to play in the NFL, why isn't he playing this year?  Chalk up another potential defensive starter transferring out (Williams, Swann) or deciding not to play (Pryts). What is going on here?  Last one out, turn off the lights.

"Potential defensive starter?" No. Antoine and Williamson are our starting safeties. McGill was already playing more than him too.

[SamuelMcF]

Good luck to him but the NFL? Got to learn how to tackle.

This is a head scratcher to me. If he wants to play in the NFL, why isn't he playing this year?  Chalk up another potential defensive starter transferring out (Williams, Swann) or deciding not to play (Pryts). What is going on here?  Last one out, turn off the lights.

"Potential defensive starter?" No. Antoine and Williamson are our starting safeties. McGill was already playing more than him too.

[OutsiderFan]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

[OutsiderFan]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

[old spanish trail]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

[old spanish trail]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

[OutsiderFan]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

Tim McDonald was not any faster than Stuart Head. McDonald was a Pro Bowl Safety.  Hell, I don't think John Lynch was faster than Head either. Head had some pretty impressive high school highlights. Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame offered Head.  I've seen enough from those programs to believe if Head went to one of those schools he would have been a better player than he was at Stanford.

[OutsiderFan]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

Tim McDonald was not any faster than Stuart Head. McDonald was a Pro Bowl Safety.  Hell, I don't think John Lynch was faster than Head either. Head had some pretty impressive high school highlights. Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame offered Head.  I've seen enough from those programs to believe if Head went to one of those schools he would have been a better player than he was at Stanford.

[SamuelMcF]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

Tim McDonald was not any faster than Stuart Head. McDonald was a Pro Bowl Safety.  Hell, I don't think John Lynch was faster than Head either. Head had some pretty impressive high school highlights. Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame offered Head.  I've seen enough from those programs to believe if Head went to one of those schools he would have been a better player than he was at Stanford.

One thing to keep in mind is he was constantly hurt and couldn't practice much. It's hard to get better when you can't practice.

[SamuelMcF]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

He was too slow for safety and not hefty enuf or quick enuf for lb. He wants to play, so transfer makes sense. He doesn't want to be a 2nd teamer.

Tim McDonald was not any faster than Stuart Head. McDonald was a Pro Bowl Safety.  Hell, I don't think John Lynch was faster than Head either. Head had some pretty impressive high school highlights. Alabama, Clemson, and Notre Dame offered Head.  I've seen enough from those programs to believe if Head went to one of those schools he would have been a better player than he was at Stanford.

One thing to keep in mind is he was constantly hurt and couldn't practice much. It's hard to get better when you can't practice.

[slide]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

[slide]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

[old spanish trail]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

[old spanish trail]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

[fullmetal]

I feel like it's up to OCs/DCs and the head coach to decide each year's recruiting allotment/targets.  Is that right?  Maybe the safety position just hasn't been as much of a priority to the decisionmakers lately, and injuries etc. have forced suboptimal choices.

I still trust Akina.

[fullmetal]

I feel like it's up to OCs/DCs and the head coach to decide each year's recruiting allotment/targets.  Is that right?  Maybe the safety position just hasn't been as much of a priority to the decisionmakers lately, and injuries etc. have forced suboptimal choices.

I still trust Akina.

[SamuelMcF]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

[SamuelMcF]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

[BostonCard]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

While I agree with you, Stanford has a long tradition of converting offensive players into very successful safeties.  That we've converted offensive players into safety is not, per se, an indictment on the position.  The fact that the players we have had there are slow, couldn't cover and couldn't tackle speaks for itself.

BC

[BostonCard]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

While I agree with you, Stanford has a long tradition of converting offensive players into very successful safeties.  That we've converted offensive players into safety is not, per se, an indictment on the position.  The fact that the players we have had there are slow, couldn't cover and couldn't tackle speaks for itself.

BC

[gailtate]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

Bust after bust. At what point does this become statistically significant? Inability to get what's needed and failure to do much with what comes in is not the way to reclaim glory.

[gailtate]

Stuart Head is one of the more disappointing recruits of the last several years. There is a troubling trend of too many recruits not developing and improving year over year, particularly on defense.

Bust after bust. At what point does this become statistically significant? Inability to get what's needed and failure to do much with what comes in is not the way to reclaim glory.

[old spanish trail]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

While I agree with you, Stanford has a long tradition of converting offensive players into very successful safeties.  That we've converted offensive players into safety is not, per se, an indictment on the position.  The fact that the players we have had there are slow, couldn't cover and couldn't tackle speaks for itself.

BC

Good point, Sam, re draftees in last 5 years. Time flies. I'm still with Fullmetal; trust Akina.

[old spanish trail]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

How many players from our secondary have been drafted in the last 5 years under the "best secondary coach in America?"

One.

And there's no denying the safety position has been an abject disaster over the past couple years. We have started an equal number of converted offensive players at safety as actual bonafide safeties (not converted CBs) in the last 5 years, and more converted CBs than both. Three walk-ons given scholarship at the position in three years out of sheer necessity, more than any other position group on the team by a landslide. Hell, Spencer Jorgensen might make four - he started every game on STs as a true frosh along with Brock Jones who is now no longer on the team (so I guess that scholarship is freed up).

While I agree with you, Stanford has a long tradition of converting offensive players into very successful safeties.  That we've converted offensive players into safety is not, per se, an indictment on the position.  The fact that the players we have had there are slow, couldn't cover and couldn't tackle speaks for itself.

BC

Good point, Sam, re draftees in last 5 years. Time flies. I'm still with Fullmetal; trust Akina.

[slide]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

in addition to the other commentary, I'd add from what I've seen based on on-field product, I think Mason's DB were technically more proficient, particularly tackling, and much better at angles on passes and runs.  

in the end, Akina has say on the offers and recruitment (Jesse's and the Joe's) and the coaching (X's and the O's) and both aspects seem to be on the decline.

[slide]

Derek Mason was a good secondary coach.  not sure about our guy of late.

You jest? Many think Akina one of the best. Has placed a representative sample in the NFL. Has he lost a step?

in addition to the other commentary, I'd add from what I've seen based on on-field product, I think Mason's DB were technically more proficient, particularly tackling, and much better at angles on passes and runs.  

in the end, Akina has say on the offers and recruitment (Jesse's and the Joe's) and the coaching (X's and the O's) and both aspects seem to be on the decline.

[terry]

Stanford's first and second team All Pac 12 defensive backs in the last five years --

1st team -- Paulson Adebo (twice), Justin Reid

2nd team -- Quenton Meeks, Ronnie Harris

[terry]

Stanford's first and second team All Pac 12 defensive backs in the last five years --

1st team -- Paulson Adebo (twice), Justin Reid

2nd team -- Quenton Meeks, Ronnie Harris

[SamuelMcF]

Stanford's first and second team All Pac 12 defensive backs in the last five years --

1st team -- Paulson Adebo (twice), Justin Reid

2nd team -- Quenton Meeks, Ronnie Harris

You'll note the position 3 of those 4 played. Hint: not safety.

[SamuelMcF]

Stanford's first and second team All Pac 12 defensive backs in the last five years --

1st team -- Paulson Adebo (twice), Justin Reid

2nd team -- Quenton Meeks, Ronnie Harris

You'll note the position 3 of those 4 played. Hint: not safety.

[BostonCard]

Some other defensive all-Pac-12

DL:
1st team: Harrison Phillips (2017), Solomon Thomas (2016), Aziz Shittu (2015)

LB:
1st team: Blake Martinez (2015)
2nd team: Casey Toohill (2019)

Five all conference selections (amongst four players) in the last five years is as many as we got in the front seven combined.  Two linebackers selected in five years especially is very concerning, as is the fact that we've had no defensive linemen selected since 2017 (and unless Booker shows significant improvement, it's a trend that will continue).

BC

[BostonCard]

Some other defensive all-Pac-12

DL:
1st team: Harrison Phillips (2017), Solomon Thomas (2016), Aziz Shittu (2015)

LB:
1st team: Blake Martinez (2015)
2nd team: Casey Toohill (2019)

Five all conference selections (amongst four players) in the last five years is as many as we got in the front seven combined.  Two linebackers selected in five years especially is very concerning, as is the fact that we've had no defensive linemen selected since 2017 (and unless Booker shows significant improvement, it's a trend that will continue).

BC

[fullmetal]

Jordan Richards converted to safety right away at Stanford and did well (two-way HS player).  Akina had him for his senior season (2014 leading up to the 2015 draft).  Speaking of which, Richards is listed as the third-string strong safety for the Baltimore Ravens.

[fullmetal]

Jordan Richards converted to safety right away at Stanford and did well (two-way HS player).  Akina had him for his senior season (2014 leading up to the 2015 draft).  Speaking of which, Richards is listed as the third-string strong safety for the Baltimore Ravens.