[BostonCard]

https://gostanford.com/news/2021/8/2/foo...house.aspx

Sunday, Aug. 15 from 2:15-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21, with practice at Elliott Practice Fields from approximately 2:45-4:45 p.m. PT (the open house)

BC

[BostonCard]

https://gostanford.com/news/2021/8/2/foo...house.aspx

Sunday, Aug. 15 from 2:15-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21, with practice at Elliott Practice Fields from approximately 2:45-4:45 p.m. PT (the open house)

BC

[terry]

I remember when all of the practices were open. I used to work close enough to campus that I could leave the office early and watch some of the practice before heading home. I did that many, many times. It was fun to lean on the practice field rail and talk with fellow fans as we watched practice. I think it might have been Jack Elway who coined the term "railbirds" to describe the regular observers at practice.

Then Harbaugh came. At first, practices continued to be open. Then, for a short time, practices were technically open, but Harbaugh would change the time and/or location to make it hard to find the practice. Then Harbaugh just closed practice entirely. I understand, but I still miss the old days.

[terry]

I remember when all of the practices were open. I used to work close enough to campus that I could leave the office early and watch some of the practice before heading home. I did that many, many times. It was fun to lean on the practice field rail and talk with fellow fans as we watched practice. I think it might have been Jack Elway who coined the term "railbirds" to describe the regular observers at practice.

Then Harbaugh came. At first, practices continued to be open. Then, for a short time, practices were technically open, but Harbaugh would change the time and/or location to make it hard to find the practice. Then Harbaugh just closed practice entirely. I understand, but I still miss the old days.

[vataha]

Remember “Fort Dowhauer”?

[vataha]

Remember “Fort Dowhauer”?

[chrisk]

For kickoff dinner after open practice, players and coaches will not be able to mingle and eat with the fans. Program is now Jim Plunkett and then Shaw and 2 players on the stage.

Meanwhile all Stanford students on campus are now being tested for COVID weekly.

[chrisk]

For kickoff dinner after open practice, players and coaches will not be able to mingle and eat with the fans. Program is now Jim Plunkett and then Shaw and 2 players on the stage.

Meanwhile all Stanford students on campus are now being tested for COVID weekly.

[bbm233]

I remember when all of the practices were open. I used to work close enough to campus that I could leave the office early and watch some of the practice before heading home. I did that many, many times. It was fun to lean on the practice field rail and talk with fellow fans as we watched practice. I think it might have been Jack Elway who coined the term "railbirds" to describe the regular observers at practice.

Then Harbaugh came. At first, practices continued to be open. Then, for a short time, practices were technically open, but Harbaugh would change the time and/or location to make it hard to find the practice. Then Harbaugh just closed practice entirely. I understand, but I still miss the old days.

I was involved with the team back in the 80s and the way Elway ran his practices was warm up and skills practice were open on two practice fields (one for offense and one for defense). The team would then move inside "the Fort" (a practice field surrounded by an obscuring fence) to do 7 on 7, 11 on 11 and scout team work in which game prep was done. Then back out in the open for special teams and conditioning to end the day.

Rail birds was definitely the term used for the regular observers (John Paye's dad was there almost every day). The assistant AD for football would spend time at many practices hobnobbing on the rail to ensure that these folks felt welcomed.

[bbm233]

I remember when all of the practices were open. I used to work close enough to campus that I could leave the office early and watch some of the practice before heading home. I did that many, many times. It was fun to lean on the practice field rail and talk with fellow fans as we watched practice. I think it might have been Jack Elway who coined the term "railbirds" to describe the regular observers at practice.

Then Harbaugh came. At first, practices continued to be open. Then, for a short time, practices were technically open, but Harbaugh would change the time and/or location to make it hard to find the practice. Then Harbaugh just closed practice entirely. I understand, but I still miss the old days.

I was involved with the team back in the 80s and the way Elway ran his practices was warm up and skills practice were open on two practice fields (one for offense and one for defense). The team would then move inside "the Fort" (a practice field surrounded by an obscuring fence) to do 7 on 7, 11 on 11 and scout team work in which game prep was done. Then back out in the open for special teams and conditioning to end the day.

Rail birds was definitely the term used for the regular observers (John Paye's dad was there almost every day). The assistant AD for football would spend time at many practices hobnobbing on the rail to ensure that these folks felt welcomed.

[CardinalSagehen]

I swung by today around 3:30 (late) and saw about 45 mins of live scrimmaging, without tackling to the ground. There’s not much to report, and consider the source because I’m just a fan and have never played a down of real football in my life.  

Gotta be honest, though.  Neither QB looked particularly sharp to me today.  All deep balls were missed during the time I was there, and McKee threw a particularly ill advised INT into double-coverage to Turner-Muhammad.  He also missed a wide open TE in the middle of the field and was inaccurate on a couple sideline passes.     

McKee certainly looks the part and has a gun, and like everyone, I’m guessing he’ll start.  But if I had to pick, I’d say West looked better during the time that I watched today. I like how his slants tend to hit the receiver in perfect stride. We saw that a few times. Both guys had reps with the 1’s and 2’s, although it did kind of seem like McKee got to go first each round and had more time with the 1’s. (Hard to say.  The point is that West wasn’t always with the 2’s.)

Our DBs looked good. Receivers generally did not seem open. Our QBs tucked it and ran several times.   

It’s just a hunch, but I think we’ll be seeing more of Casey Filkins this year in some capacity - return game, slot, RB - he has some moves. EJ Smith also had one or two nice plays.  

If the offense had one thing going, it was the starting O-line opening some holes on inside runs.  I think Nathaniel Peat went to the house a couple times that way.  

Everyone practiced except a handful of guys. 
McGill - walking boot (ankle)
Wilson - unknown
Toomer - unknown
Caleb Kelly - unknown
Aristotle Taylor (Fortnite pro / freshman walk-on) - on a crutch. 

So we’re down two starters as it stands, but these are experienced guys that have had enough reps to come back quickly. My total guess is that Wilson and McGill will be ready for the opener.

[CardinalSagehen]

I swung by today around 3:30 (late) and saw about 45 mins of live scrimmaging, without tackling to the ground. There’s not much to report, and consider the source because I’m just a fan and have never played a down of real football in my life.  

Gotta be honest, though.  Neither QB looked particularly sharp to me today.  All deep balls were missed during the time I was there, and McKee threw a particularly ill advised INT into double-coverage to Turner-Muhammad.  He also missed a wide open TE in the middle of the field and was inaccurate on a couple sideline passes.     

McKee certainly looks the part and has a gun, and like everyone, I’m guessing he’ll start.  But if I had to pick, I’d say West looked better during the time that I watched today. I like how his slants tend to hit the receiver in perfect stride. We saw that a few times. Both guys had reps with the 1’s and 2’s, although it did kind of seem like McKee got to go first each round and had more time with the 1’s. (Hard to say.  The point is that West wasn’t always with the 2’s.)

Our DBs looked good. Receivers generally did not seem open. Our QBs tucked it and ran several times.   

It’s just a hunch, but I think we’ll be seeing more of Casey Filkins this year in some capacity - return game, slot, RB - he has some moves. EJ Smith also had one or two nice plays.  

If the offense had one thing going, it was the starting O-line opening some holes on inside runs.  I think Nathaniel Peat went to the house a couple times that way.  

Everyone practiced except a handful of guys. 
McGill - walking boot (ankle)
Wilson - unknown
Toomer - unknown
Caleb Kelly - unknown
Aristotle Taylor (Fortnite pro / freshman walk-on) - on a crutch. 

So we’re down two starters as it stands, but these are experienced guys that have had enough reps to come back quickly. My total guess is that Wilson and McGill will be ready for the opener.

[LDN/SG Card]

Interesting observations and much appreciated.

Really hoping Oline can be a dominant force this year - it is the Dline that keeps me up at night.

Are we thinking starting lineup will be:

DE Booker
NT DWP
DE Johnson??

Seems like a bunch of young DEs on the way but am fearful about what teams are going to to be able to do in the run game and thereby set up PA and intermediate/deep pass game.

[LDN/SG Card]

Interesting observations and much appreciated.

Really hoping Oline can be a dominant force this year - it is the Dline that keeps me up at night.

Are we thinking starting lineup will be:

DE Booker
NT DWP
DE Johnson??

Seems like a bunch of young DEs on the way but am fearful about what teams are going to to be able to do in the run game and thereby set up PA and intermediate/deep pass game.

[SamuelMcF]

Interesting observations and much appreciated.

Really hoping Oline can be a dominant force this year - it is the Dline that keeps me up at night.

Are we thinking starting lineup will be:

DE Booker
NT DWP
DE Johnson??

Seems like a bunch of young DEs on the way but am fearful about what teams are going to to be able to do in the run game and thereby set up PA and intermediate/deep pass game.

Nickel base. Booker and DWP.

Run game will live and die by OLBs actually setting the edge and ILBs shooting gaps instead of waiting for the OL to come to them. The DL was never really the biggest problem.

[SamuelMcF]

Interesting observations and much appreciated.

Really hoping Oline can be a dominant force this year - it is the Dline that keeps me up at night.

Are we thinking starting lineup will be:

DE Booker
NT DWP
DE Johnson??

Seems like a bunch of young DEs on the way but am fearful about what teams are going to to be able to do in the run game and thereby set up PA and intermediate/deep pass game.

Nickel base. Booker and DWP.

Run game will live and die by OLBs actually setting the edge and ILBs shooting gaps instead of waiting for the OL to come to them. The DL was never really the biggest problem.

[LDN/SG Card]

Fair point re LBs... which OLBs/DEs do you think best suited to contain/hold edge am assuming size and length key here as going up against OTs... additionally do we have the ILBs ready to hit those A/B gaps if that is the right spots?

Would also be interested in your thoughts re best pass rushers from OLBs/DE position in pass downs...?

[LDN/SG Card]

Fair point re LBs... which OLBs/DEs do you think best suited to contain/hold edge am assuming size and length key here as going up against OTs... additionally do we have the ILBs ready to hit those A/B gaps if that is the right spots?

Would also be interested in your thoughts re best pass rushers from OLBs/DE position in pass downs...?

[BostonCard]

It’s just a hunch, but I think we’ll be seeing more of Casey Filkins this year in some capacity - return game, slot, RB - he has some moves. EJ Smith also had one or two nice plays.  

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1427818610890661888?s=20[/tweet]

(I think that's Filkins)

Keep in mind that the RB depth chart goes: Jones, Peat, Woods, Smith, Maddox, but maybe as a kick returner?

BC

[BostonCard]

It’s just a hunch, but I think we’ll be seeing more of Casey Filkins this year in some capacity - return game, slot, RB - he has some moves. EJ Smith also had one or two nice plays.  

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1427818610890661888?s=20[/tweet]

(I think that's Filkins)

Keep in mind that the RB depth chart goes: Jones, Peat, Woods, Smith, Maddox, but maybe as a kick returner?

BC

[CardinalSagehen]

Filkins was among four guys returning kicks (or at least catching them) in the special teams drills. I could also imagine him getting a few bubble screens and slants from the slot. For another instance (I think?) of Filkins going to the house, see 0:39 in the video below, which was posted last week. 

One more postscript - in the category of “how dumb am I,” I stood right next to Jim Plunkett and his wife for 30 minutes on the rail at the practice field and couldn’t quite place him!  I know, I know, it’s sacrilege!  In fairness, they were seated and I didn’t get a straight look. It dawned on me later when I saw social media pics of Plunkett at the season ticket member dinner, which apparently followed the practice session. 

I don’t know what I’m doing discussing Casey Filkins in the same post with an epic H.eisman / Rose Bowl / Super Bowl winner.  But good luck anyway, Casey! 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stanfordfball/status/1426286427898142720?s=21[/tweet]

[CardinalSagehen]

Filkins was among four guys returning kicks (or at least catching them) in the special teams drills. I could also imagine him getting a few bubble screens and slants from the slot. For another instance (I think?) of Filkins going to the house, see 0:39 in the video below, which was posted last week. 

One more postscript - in the category of “how dumb am I,” I stood right next to Jim Plunkett and his wife for 30 minutes on the rail at the practice field and couldn’t quite place him!  I know, I know, it’s sacrilege!  In fairness, they were seated and I didn’t get a straight look. It dawned on me later when I saw social media pics of Plunkett at the season ticket member dinner, which apparently followed the practice session. 

I don’t know what I’m doing discussing Casey Filkins in the same post with an epic H.eisman / Rose Bowl / Super Bowl winner.  But good luck anyway, Casey! 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/stanfordfball/status/1426286427898142720?s=21[/tweet]

[BostonCard]

Another Filkins highlight, this time receiving the ball from the backfield.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428155499199881223?s=20[/tweet]

It's always fraught to extrapolate from a handful of highlights from practices, but you also have to wonder why he keeps getting highlighted.  There may be something there.

BC

[BostonCard]

Another Filkins highlight, this time receiving the ball from the backfield.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428155499199881223?s=20[/tweet]

It's always fraught to extrapolate from a handful of highlights from practices, but you also have to wonder why he keeps getting highlighted.  There may be something there.

BC

[SamuelMcF]

Another Filkins highlight, this time receiving the ball from the backfield.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428155499199881223?s=20[/tweet]

It's always fraught to extrapolate from a handful of highlights from practices, but you also have to wonder why he keeps getting highlighted.  There may be something there.

BC

This is the same play as the first one.

[SamuelMcF]

Another Filkins highlight, this time receiving the ball from the backfield.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428155499199881223?s=20[/tweet]

It's always fraught to extrapolate from a handful of highlights from practices, but you also have to wonder why he keeps getting highlighted.  There may be something there.

BC

This is the same play as the first one.

[troyc]

Some quick thoughts from Shaw during his media Zoom yesterday...

Troy C

[tweet]https://twitter.com/TroyClardy/status/1428086678980218882[/tweet]

(by the way, was really cool to host this year's football season ticket members' kickoff dinner! If you were there, hope you had as much fun as I did)

[troyc]

Some quick thoughts from Shaw during his media Zoom yesterday...

Troy C

[tweet]https://twitter.com/TroyClardy/status/1428086678980218882[/tweet]

(by the way, was really cool to host this year's football season ticket members' kickoff dinner! If you were there, hope you had as much fun as I did)

[BostonCard]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428861906803073029?s=20[/tweet]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

[BostonCard]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428861906803073029?s=20[/tweet]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

[Brickcity]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428861906803073029?s=20[/tweet]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

Does anyone have a sense if Porter could be a serious contender for major playing time this season at safety? God knows we need someone to step up at safety.

[Brickcity]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/1428861906803073029?s=20[/tweet]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

Does anyone have a sense if Porter could be a serious contender for major playing time this season at safety? God knows we need someone to step up at safety.

[CardinalSagehen]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

I think right now, based on tiny shreds of data, we are more sad about the QB and it's not even close.  (It looks more like West to me, in this case.)  On Sunday, McKee threw the same kind of bad ball to Turner-Muhammad, into double-coverage.  We're reading into nothing, but it's telling that neither guy has done enough to win the QB1 job and a larger share of the practice reps.  

Safety is important (and thin, with McGill injured), but QB is the 800-pound gorilla unknown for us.

[CardinalSagehen]

Are we happy about the Porter interception or sad about the QB (I can't tell if that is #10 West or #18 McKee) throwing it behind Humphreys, where Porter could make a play?

BC

I think right now, based on tiny shreds of data, we are more sad about the QB and it's not even close.  (It looks more like West to me, in this case.)  On Sunday, McKee threw the same kind of bad ball to Turner-Muhammad, into double-coverage.  We're reading into nothing, but it's telling that neither guy has done enough to win the QB1 job and a larger share of the practice reps.  

Safety is important (and thin, with McGill injured), but QB is the 800-pound gorilla unknown for us.

[BostonCard]

I think you are right; it looked like a bad throw, behind a receiver who has a significant height advantage over pretty much anyone he goes up against.  At least it doesn't seem to be thrown into double coverage.  But I think our QB's need to be making better plays than that.

Arrow down.

BC

[BostonCard]

I think you are right; it looked like a bad throw, behind a receiver who has a significant height advantage over pretty much anyone he goes up against.  At least it doesn't seem to be thrown into double coverage.  But I think our QB's need to be making better plays than that.

Arrow down.

BC

[Phogge]

Has McKee learned how to take a T Formation snap yet?

How many guys so far have carried on the summer tradition and gotten season ending injuries at practice?

[Phogge]

Has McKee learned how to take a T Formation snap yet?

How many guys so far have carried on the summer tradition and gotten season ending injuries at practice?

[baycommuter]

To my knowledge, they didn't do a single T formation snap at practice today. 

The only person who limped off the field today was Maddox and it might have been a cramp. 

Shaw again insisted it was a tossup between West and McKee but McKee is sharper. West had one batted down. I think there's more than the official two inches height difference between them.

[baycommuter]

To my knowledge, they didn't do a single T formation snap at practice today. 

The only person who limped off the field today was Maddox and it might have been a cramp. 

Shaw again insisted it was a tossup between West and McKee but McKee is sharper. West had one batted down. I think there's more than the official two inches height difference between them.