In 2017, the Stanford Cardinal recorded 32 sacks, the lowest number for the defense since 2009 when Stanford posted a dismal 21 sacks.
Following the ‘17 campaign, Peter Kalambayi and Harrison Phillips (two of the staples in the front) joined the ranks of the NFL, with few to fill their shoes on the current roster.
Curtis Robinson and Dylan Jackson are X-factors here; both players failing to reach the level of stardom many hoped they would find at Stanford. The duo could very well hit their anticipated stride in a season with no predominant stud on the Cardinal front, but looking at the offensive competition Stanford plays potentially makes it a moot point.
Of the 12 teams set to play the Cardinal in the regular season, three of them (Utah Utes, Arizona State, Devils and Washington State Cougars) allowed 40-plus sacks, placing them in the top 10 most sacked teams last season. Five more teams (USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and California Golden Bears) fell in the top 45 most sacked teams. Only four teams on the Stanford slat (Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Washington Huskies and UC Davis Aggies) allowed 25 or fewer sacks in 2017. The idea here is offensive lines actually capable of pushing around the depleted Cardinal front seven will be few and far between.
Studying opponents incoming offensive line talent lends more confidence to Stanford’s uncommonly mediocre defensive front.
Of the teams who were truly abhorrent, few made leaps and bounds towards change in the offseason. Washington State gathered two, 3-star offensive linemen (tackle Cade Beresford and guard Blake McDonald). Arizona State signed just as many 3-star men to their front, adding a tackle (Ralph Fries) and a guard (Jarrett Bell). Utah brings in just one guard, Braeden Daniels, with two more 3-star linemen not yet enrolled. All three teams struggled (and failed) to stop opposing pass rushers last season- a problem they will again face when Stanford plays them in 2018.
Even when considering the top recruiting classes (as ranked by 247Sports), the Cardinal will hold their own. The Fighting Irish gave up 30 sacks last season but only managed one 4-star tackle in Jerrett Peterson in their 10th ranked class. USC boasts a 4th ranked class, but 4-star center Justin Dedich is one of only two linemen in the class.
Of the opponents with whom Stanford goes to war, only Oregon added significant numbers to their offensive front (three 4-stars and two 3-stars). Stanford also has a strong backend group led by veteran corner Alijah Holder, and their star in the making- Alameen Murphy. A dependable secondary offers a much-needed crutch for the Cardinal. The bottom line- these teams will not be good at stopping pass rushers. Everything has fallen into place to for the Cardinal to not suffer from a weak pass rush. The issues can scheme around, the problems masked with the right blitz. The name of the game, baring a breakout from Robinson, will be taking advantage of susceptible lines.
Defensive coordinator Lance Anderson will have his work cut out for him this season, but the schedule and a solid secondary should be enough to keep Stanford’s high-powered offense ahead.
Comments
banking is often blanking
I do not share your enthusiasm for the opposition’s porosity at O line. I have a hunch you looked at total sacks, not per game and certainly not accounting for O style or top tier program (bowl win plus top 20 ranking). The pac 12 is no group of disciples. Stanford’s greatest defensive weapon will be ball control passing, if Coach is wise. I doubt that. As to the secondary, Firey Chariot’s parent’s name will haunt him all year, as it did in the end zone against the spoiled chillin. Flag citi. Stanford’s punter must become the least interested person in every stadium in the West.
By ffishman1 on 08.13.18 9:59pm
There's More to Sacks Than Just the O'Lines
Interesting spin on the opposition’s O-lines, but I’m afraid I just don’t buy it. With a 3-4 defense up front, Stanford has always relied upon its linebackers to get sacks (Solomon Thomas notwithstanding). That was what was missing last year. The opposition’s offensive line really has minimal impact upon linebacker blitzes, as they run either around them or through the gaps. The defensive ends can also cause some havoc in the backfield, particularly on stunts, if they have some speed. That was also missing last year. Reading between the lines of Shaw’s cryptic comments this summer, it seems that he and Lance Anderson have been attempting to add speed to the overall front seven. Alfieri, who is fast, back on the outside. Barton, who is very fast, on one inside position. Recruiting a hockey player and a lacrosse player, as both demonstrated excellent speed. If the defensive backs do their job (and certainly they have the talent to do so), then that extra time should give the blitzes and speed rushes by the front seven the time to get to the QB, regardless of the pass blocking ability of the opposition’s front five.
By SU74 on 08.14.18 8:46am
The Logic Seems Flawed
You note our weak sack performance last year and then point out (looking at this year) that it was against a group of teams that actually gave up a lot of sacks last year. We need to put some pressure on the QB as decent QBs will pick apart our bend but don’t break secondary if they have time. We lost a couple of good players and the replacements are not yet shown to be at their level. Hopeful but cautious. Best option is to put a lot of points on the board, within the context of chewing up some clock as well.
By hoyaparanoia on 08.14.18 8:49am