- This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 6 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
-
-
David Shaw’s comments on KJ’s performance speaks not only volumes but defines history. With one minute of conversation, his commentary begs many questions.
He says he knew KJ would put up big numbers in Leach`s system. OK. So why was KJ unable to put up big numbers in Shaw’s own system? Is that an admission of poor O design and concept? Does he think Mississippi State has more talent around KJ? Does he think the competition was easier for KJ at Mississippi State than Stanford? The SEC conference weaker?
He says KJ will be a great professional QB. OK. I thought Shaw ran a derivative of Bill Walsh`s pro style O? Why was KJ only marginally successful here at Stanford. Shaw mentions injuries but KJ played for three years. KJ put up record shattering numbers against a defending national champion in his very first game under Leach. Think about that.
Although he did not say it, this is what his answer really means:
1: Leach runs a high powered O designed to score a bunch of points and gain a lot of yards, striking quickly and is willing to put his D on the spot and just try to outscore the competition. Exciting.
2: In contrast, Shaw’s Offense is designed for ball control, chew clock, not put the onus on the D, get ahead and hold on. If necessary, gear it down in the second half, not be aggressive, not go after more points so that mistakes will not be made. Boring.
3: In essence, Leach plays to score 100% of the time while Shaw plays not to lose by not being aggressive with a lead. Costello is a great fit for Leach. His gambling, aggressive style was never a fit for David Shaw and is why he left. What happened against Oklahoma St, UCLA, SDSU where we tried to sit on leads or play a Shaw percentage is the boring, staid style of a coach who puts a premium on not losing by gearing down athletic aggression vs. playing to win. It is unattractive to top athletes who want to play football, not chess.
4: Shaw always knows what is best, come hell or high water. He is staid, boring, predictable and refuses to accept his O is passe and not at the level of the best O`s in college football. The result is diminishing recruiting effectiveness, diminishing loyalty of the players to stay in the program, diminishing ability to compete with guys like Mike Leach and the best programs in the land. We are returning to mediocrity.
Like it or not, guys like Saban, Riley, Day, Leach and Cristobal are where it is at in college football. They grow, evolve, change coaches when necessary. Those coaches play to win and the athletes flock to them. Shaw plays not to lose and our recruiting is going downhill. We are doomed to mediocrity if Shaw stays as HC and maintains his position as O coordinator. We will just not attract the guys Harbaugh attracted because of the concept. Why would they come unless academics were paramount? Would you come to Stanford if a great athlete to play Shaw’s style of football? I for one would not. Great athletes will identify with a philosophy, a concept for a football program. Guys identified with Harbaugh when he was here. He was aggressive, played to win, had a wide open O. Those same guys do not identify with David Shaw`s concept anymore and they are going to other programs preferentially.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.