From: yvonne@well.sf.ca.us (Yvonne Lee)
Subject: Re: Hail Stanford!--best record in the PAC10
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 02:14:19 GMT

In <1993Jan6.010720.18088@leland.Stanford.EDU> paladin@leland.Stanford.EDU (Jason Gische) writes:


>>Not to put water on all the Stanford praise, but I don't think Stanford will
>>"go all the way" next year, if that means national championship.
>>
>>I wouldn't be surprised if they went to the Rose Bowl, and given Walsh's bowl 
>>record, would give them a good chance at winning, but they're going to lose 
>>some games next year.
>>
>>Stanford is losing too many people to expect them to go all the way.
>>
>>Still, they should be good.  Everybody but Chris Dalman returns on the O-line.
>--but Dalman was their best OL this year, and the line is still a bunch
>of drive blockers rather than pulling, sweep blockers like Walsh likes.

The line has had a year to learn the new techniques; they've improved over
the last few games.  Moreover, underclassmen T.J. Gaynor and Jeff Buckey have
had a lot of playing time.  Aslo, since Roberts will be used more, drive blocking
will be an asset (though I con't expect him to have the number of carriess that
Vardell did.

>>Steve Stenstrom's coming back, and could be the Pac-10's best QB.  Justin Armour's coming back at WR, and Ellery Roberts
>--Armour is probably going to be asked to bulk up and move to TE.

Maybe, the backup tight end didn't look that great in the Blockbuster Bowl,
so we'll need hlp at that key position.

>>could pose a Vardell-like threat at FB.  Sure, we'll miss Glyn Milburn early on, 
>>but we've got verbal commits from some stellar kids at that position.  The jr
>>college transfer WR from Idaho should more than make up for Mike Cook and David
>>Calomese.
>>
>>The problem is one defense.  Estevan Avila is gone from the D-line.  Nose
>>guard Jason Fisk has a similar intensity, and will be back.  Pete Swanson
>>of Hollister, who redshirted this year, could well be the next Dave Tipton.
>--not to mention the rest of the DL, including Tyrone Parker.

Are you saying Parker graduates, or returns?  Stanford plays 3-4, so there are only
two DEs and the NG.  I know Fisk is listed as a junior.  He's had his share of 
sacks.  The coaches are very pleased with redshirt frosh Swanson, but the d-line
coach may be biased.  Looking at him, I kind of doubt it.

I think he'll aptly replace Avila.

>>He's big, strong, and fast. The inside linebackers return, but standouts Dave 
>--Starter Tom Williams graduates, but Coy Gibbs and Toby Norwood return, and
>both got plenty of playing time this year due to injuries to Williams.
>There were two solid recruits at OL who redshirted this year, one due to injury.
>One of their names is Justin Morabito.  Hopefully they can step in and try to 
>fill the holes left.

Idon't think the O-line is much of a problem, but maybe one of them can move
over to D.

>>Garnett and Ron George graduate.  In the secondary, the big losses are 
>>FS John Lynch and CB Darrien Gordon.  Tommy Knecht could become the FS.  I
>>dunno about the CB.  Vaughn Bryant, who plays the other corner, has intensity,
>>and has made some good plays this year (he's also made some stupid ones).
>--All 4 starters in the secondary graduate this year.  Knect will probably
>start, along with sophomore Kwame Ellis at CB.  The other 2 spots are undetermined.

Are you sure about that?  I thought Vaughn Bryant started, and he is a sophomore.
If he didn't start, he did get a lot of playing time.
>>

>I think Stanford has a shot at being very good next year, but they
>have a lot of holes to fill, especially on defense.  I'm not counting
>on Rose Bowl just yet.

They *do* have a lot of holes, but seeing the backups, who have had significant
playing time, looking at the articles about prize recruits including several 
Street & Smith top 50 and some Parade All Americans, I think there is a lot of
reason to be optimistic.  The D won't be as good next year, but the offense will
be improved.

Of course don't *count* on the Rose Bowl, or anything else in Stanford football,
but there's a lot of reasons to be optimistic.
>Jason Gische
-- 
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