Bagel

This is a fun thread -- and it helps crystallize that we likely won't be telling our grandchildren about the Tyrod Taylor era.

For all their flaws Tyrod and EJ are both noted for being diligent, hardworking players. And yet, to my eye, neither player appeared to progress from last year to this year. Rather, they exhibited the same flaws. Accordingly, how much blame (if any) do you assign to the quarterback coach for their apparent lack of development? David Lee has a lengthy resume. But it’s not exactly littered with success. http://prod.static.bills.clubs.nfl.com/assets/pdf/pdf-bios/Lee-David-Bio.pdf

Again, I can only speak from my personal experience, but having taught D1 athletes at Stanford I can assure you that is not the case there. You may not like guys like Doug Baldwin, Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman or AJ Tarpley, but those guys worked HARD (and honestly) at Stanford.

I don't know what you are basing this on, but having taught athletes at Stanford -- including Stanford football players -- I can assure you that this is not my experience. I determined their grades and there was no "cheating" to keep them eligible. I was not involved with admissions, but once on campus Stanford football players took the same courses and met the same academic requirements as their fellow Stanford students.

A few years ago Joe B said that he preferred Matt Barkley to Andrew Luck as a prospect "because he has a better arm." Seems like a nice guy, but I don't particularly value his football acumen.

One additional fact may be instructive. The Krafts have also owned the MLS New England Revolution since their inception in 1995. There the Krafts have not found their Belichick or Brady. The Revolution’s aggregate record is 194-231-102. They have had 6 winning seasons in 17 years and have never won the MLS Championship. Perhaps post-Belichick/Brady the Patriots will revert to similar mediocrity.

Buddy Nix seems to make good use of the waiver wire (see Merriman, Shawne, Chandler, Scott and Urbik, Kraig). Are there any teams flush with OT prospects who may discard a better player than Ed Wang or Cordaro Howard? If so, what teams/players do people have their eye on? When Vernon Carey was asked to take a pay cut I had a two day panda watch going with dollars 2 donuts. It's a pity that he agreed to accept the cut and stay on with the Fins.

I agree that it's too early to make definitive statements about Andrew Luck, but in addition to the arm, poise, decision-making etc., he plays with a good deal of controlled fire. Set forth below is a link from last night's Stanford win over USC where he decleats a defender after a Stanford fumble.

I don't necessarily agree with his premise. Even winning 7 games this season should not prevent us from drafting a franchise QB next year because (1) at this point there appears to be an unusually large number of interesting possibilities – such as Locker, Luck, Mallett, Ponder and Devlin and (2) so many of the bad teams have recently signed/drafted their franchise quarterbacks (St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Kansas City, Denver, Detroit). As such, we could still win 7 games this season and walk away with someone like Mallett at the draft, especially if we are willing to trade up a few slots.

I would also encourage your son to watch Owen Marecic, Stanford’s starting FB and MLB. He plays the game correctly and always looks like he’s having fun (he’s my favorite player in CFB). Owen is also a great kid by all accounts and is pre-med (3.98 gpa last semester). I’m always searching for positive role models for my little guys and Marecic fits the bill.

To be fair, Trent did not choose to go to the worst program in the Pac-10. During Trent's senior year of high school Stanford went 9-3, playing in the Aloha Bowl. This turned out to be Ty Willingham's last year at Stanford (where he compiled a 44-36 record). I don't think anyone could have predicted the disaster that was the Buddy Teevens/Walt Harris era.

I am perplexed by your oft repeated comment that Trent “sucked” in college. It’s no secret that Trent played on some horrific teams at Stanford. He had a lousy offensive line and, even worse, questionable targets. I remember one game where Trent’s starting WRs were both walk-ons. One local columnist suggested that Trent sue Stanford for lack of support. Despite that, Trent was first team freshman all Pac-10 and ranks in the top 10 for Stanford in career yards, completions and touchdowns. He was also team captain and team MVP. Admittedly, his college statistics were good, not great. But for those of us who actually watched him play at Stanford, I submit that Trent was an excellent college player.

Given our physical resemblance, I believe that I should get a Darryl Talley jersey.

I have seen a number of posts that contemplate the Bills drafting Andrew Luck next year. First, I understand the excitement. I was at Stanford’s spring game last year when Andrew was throwing touchdown passes like Dan Marino in 1984. He is 6’4” 235 with a great arm – perfect size and arm strength for Orchard Park. As a freshman he threw for 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, with an average yards per attempt of 9. He was also second on the team in rushing, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. In addition, he has tremendous field awareness, footwork and accuracy. Andrew is a great kid, humble and a natural leader. BUT, please note two items: 1. Experience. Andrew has only played in 12 college games. Moreover, he played behind a dominant offensive line and handed the ball off to Toby Gerhart, the Doak Walker winner as the best running back in college football. Andrew may be good, great or terrible. It’s really too early to tell. 2. Availability. Andrew may not come out in next year’s draft. You may recall Andrew’s father, Oliver, who played at West Virginia and spent most of his 5 year NFL career as a backup to Warren Moon. Oliver is now GM of the Houston Dynamo after spending 10 years in an administrative position with the NFL. This family is not hurting for cash and the early-entry decision will not be driven by a need to support the Luck family. Andrew takes academics very seriously. He was his high school’s valedictorian (class of 441 students) and is majoring in architectural engineering. If he stays for the 2011 season, Andrew can earn his degree. Also, Andrew’s sister Mary is starting at Stanford in the fall on a volleyball scholarship. Andrew is enjoying himself and receiving pro level coaching in college. He may not leave school after his sophomore season. In sum, I share the board’s general lack of enthusiasm for our current slate of quarterbacks, but I am more focused on following the collegiate progress of Messrs. Mallett, Locker and Devlin in 2010.

Fair point JayBaller10. I agree that the admission's standards for Stanford football recruits are lower than those for the general population. But to put it in perspective, in the early part of the decade (2003?), I was chatting with some Stanford faculty who noted that the average test scores of the incoming class of football recruits was higher than the average test scores of an incoming Ivy league student (non-athlete). You are absolute right that ND does not bend it's academic requirements for football players to the same degree as comparable institutions. Cal football academics has actually gotten better under coach Tedford. Moreoever, as I understand it, Marshawn was known to take academics seriously in college. Who knew? That said, this is really all a red herring, unless Trent can prove to better substantially more durable and aggressive in 2010, I am looking forward to watching Locker, Luck or Mallett behind center in 2011.