Stanford Cardinal football was well represented at Pac-12 Conference Media Day by Harrison Phillips and Bryce Love. They discussed the expectations, opportunities, and challenges that Stanford faces headed into the 2017. Two quotes from David Shaw succinctly sum up where the Stanford football program is at right now:
Shaw on last season:
“We won ten games last year and it felt like a disappointment”
Shaw looking ahead to this season:
"We have a chance to be a better team than we were a year ago. A complete team, even though we lose two of the better players in the nation last year."
Stanford football has more depth and Experience:
While the media, experts, fans and just about everyone else will naturally want to focus on how Stanford plans to replace Christian McCaffrey and Solomon Thomas, Coach Shaw preferred to focus on what the team has now which as he said was far more depth and experience than they had a year ago. Shaw awesome was excited about the way the offensive line finished off the year last season and he looks forward to seeing them in action this season.
The Defensive Backfield will be strong:
On defense the backfield is the deepest position on the team according to Shaw. The Cardinal roster is loaded with plenty of studs in the secondary with guys like Quenton Meeks, Frank Buncom, Justin Reid, Alijah Holder, and more. With a unit like that opposing teams may find it difficult to pass the ball against the Cardinal. Rarely one for hyperbole Coach Shaw summed it up best:
“These guys have a chance to be one of the better units in America”
You can watch the full video on Facebook here:
Replacing Christian McCaffrey:
Inevitably the conversation had to turn toward replacing Christian McCaffrey. While David Shaw did joke that if there was another Christian McCaffrey he’d take him, but the reality is that Coach Shaw is really excited about running back Bryce Love. Shaw also thinks Love could be one of the better players in the nation:
“Every time Bryce has touched the ball for the last two years there is a collective pause that happens on our sideline and the other sideline. There’s a gasp that happens, you can kind of hear that anticipation because he’s so explosive he averages 7 yards per carry, so many long touchdowns, so many explosive plays. He’ll have an opportunity in the run game as well.”
Go behind the scenes with Harrison Phillips and Bryce Love:
Stanford football returns to the field Saturday, August 26th.
Comments
I Like Shaw's Optimism But.....
…. do not see the same things.
1. We were probably the worst 10 win in the nation last year. Sure, we could have beaten Colorado. But we could have lost a few along the way as well. We beat nobody really good, and the PAC 12 was way down last year. Christian McCaffrey saved our butts more than a few times. Note: He will not be here this year.
2. EVERY YEAR it seems to take the offensive line a number of games to figure things out. Being excited about how we finished last on the line is nice (and irrelevant).
3. The QB spot remains a huge question mark. And a more important position given McCaffrey’s departure.
Having said that, I share Shaw’s excitement about the year. We have a very solid team. On defense I am concerned about the linebackers. On offense, I am concerned about the QB and the offensive line. USC is a huge wake-up call in the second game of the season.
Maybe more than the past couple of seasons, this really is on Shaw to make the offensive plyabook work. We lack an individual or experienced talent at the QB or RB position who can make things happen on their own – in the face of playcalling issues. The O-line will be key and Shaw’s adjustments to when the O-line is not working will be key. Just like the past two years but more important this year.
By hoyaparanoia on 08.02.17 6:16am