April 29, 2008
STANFORD, Calif. - In a spark of ingenuity the Cardinal Coaches chose to bring a different format to spring practices. By splitting the sessions in half, both players and staff alike have enjoyed a much needed break in the action. This allowed for continued maintenance of participating players, and the ability to bring back many players recovering from off-season surgeries and injuries.The first half saw a revamped defensive scheme from new defensive coordinators Andy Buh and Ron Lynn. Lynn, with a vast amount of NFL experience, plans to utilize an array of complex blitzes. As offensive lineman, it is worth noting that playing against a defense that blitzes so often is more headache inducing than listening to USC's band play that one song over and over again. The defense has adjusted well to this new scheme despite the temporary absences of speedy linebacker Pat Maynor, and defensive line stalwarts Ekom Udofia, Brian Bulcke, and Levirt Griffin. In the long run these injuries may prove to be a blessing in disguise as the defense has seen terrific performances by many of their stars. Bo McNally, Pannel Egboh, Erik Lorig, Wopamo Osaisai, and of course the prolific Clinton "2-0" Snyder have been playing as well as they ever have, providing continuous hardships for the offense. Speaking of the aforementioned "2-0", rumor around the locker room is that he has recently shifted eating habits to that of a Piscatarian, donning him the new nickname "Tilapia" around his teammates.The other side of the ball has been experiencing its own maturation process. The question on everyone's mind is who will be the starting quarterback? Coach Harbaugh has been adamant in relaying that no one quarterback has earned the starting role yet. As some might see this as a negative, it is quite contrary as spectacular performances have been turned in by Tavita Pritchard, Alex Loukas, and Jason Forcier. All three have shined continuously, and it appears that great depth will be had with three very able quarterbacks. However, such depth is not apparent at other positions. The running back position has been maintained by two "young bucks", in Tyrone McGraw and Jeremy "Patch" Stewart. The playing time the two received towards the end of last season is clearly showing as both have been menaces to the opposition in the first half. Later additions of Anthony Kimble and Toby Gerhart will make the Cardinal backs the most deep and multifaceted group in the conference.At wide receiver, Richard Sherman has spearheaded the charge, followed by Doug Baldwin, Nate "Hyphy" Wilcox-Fogel, and Ryan Whelan. Coby Fleener has moved back to tight end (from wide receiver) where he was initially recruited. Fleener backs up a terrific athlete in Tom McAndrew, who leads the two man group at tight end. Jim Dray, Austin Gunder, and Konrad Reuland will provide much needed reinforcements come autumn, although the absence of team leader Patrick Earl Bowe has been noticeable at the tight end position.Now for everyone's favorite position, the best and most handsome athletes on the team, the offensive line. The Cardinal will be without the assistance of center and ironman Tim Mattran for the first time in the better part of a decade. Nonetheless, the staff has gone to great lengths to order a group that they find will be most productive next fall. Filling the immense hole left by Mikal Brewer (who reportedly put on 25 lbs over spring break) is a new face to the offensive side in Gustav "the Swede" Rydstedt. He has picked up the offense incredibly quickly in just nine short practices and looks to be a robust fixture at left guard. But perhaps, the biggest off-season move was that of Alex Fletcher to center. Fletcher, who has starred at both center and guard in his career at Stanford, heads up the line from the middle this fall. He is a born leader that truly plays with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Coaches felt his intensity, leadership, and experience in the middle would be wondrous for the Stanford heavy-hotties and a terrific career move for Fletcher. Andy Phillips has been stout to say the least at right guard, continuing to improve on a handful of very solid performances last fall. Tackle play in the first group has been simply dazzling throughout the first session. Ben "Pipes" Muth has been there all spring, solid as always. At right tackle the continued progress of Matt Kopa is evident as he shows much needed toughness and athleticism at the position. The second team has continuously pushed the first squad, especially Bert McBride and Chase Beeler, who provided great depth at the guard and center spots. But like in all things, there seems to be something missing with the O-line this spring. The group's reverend and spiritual leader Allen "Suge" Weldon Smith has been sadly missed on the field, though his attendance in the meeting room has been just what the doctor ordered. Chris "the Boston Strangler" Marinelli has offered sagelike advice for younger tackles Halamandaris and Mabry, with a main focus on the evolution of Kopa as his top project.Special Teams has been all about D.J. Durkin, who brings a fearless attitude and work ethic to his group of hungry wolves. It is commonly believed amongst players and staff that the most entertaining portion of practice is that run by Durkin, where the special teams players will go at it in all out competition. Durkin also brings a tremendous deal of comedy to the team as his quick-wit and verbal battles with offensive lineman have put smiles on the faces of all the young boys.All in all the first nine practices were as intense and hard-hitting as either of us can remember. Each practice featured tremendous passion by all involved, and it is clear that the Cardinal has adopted the demeanor of our Head Coach. The team has undertaken an effort and toughness focus on the field, where it plans to out-hustle and out-rough its opponents in 2008.
Final Ramblings:Muth Thinks: Nothing beats the Sunken Diamond spring quarter...on a similar note, Pat Murphy is completely insane...the Wire will be impossible to replace...South Park may finally be losing its touch...Ben Muth likes Lucy, but is not in love with her...There Will be Blood is way better than No Country For Old Men...Straight Talk Express '08 (Marinelli is a Communist)...David Wells thinks Miguel Cabrera should mix in an occasional salad... ...the Jason Kidd trade has been as successful as the Bay of Pigs...
Marinelli Thinks: New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits...Boston Celtics NBA Champs 2008...Boston Red Sox MLB Champs 2008...LA Sparks WNBA Champs 2008... Obama '08 (Muth is a vicious Conservative)...Stanford Women's B-Ball all day everyday...Jim Cramer says invest in First Solar (FSLR)...be a simple kind of man...Patrick Bowe is the best player European Football has ever seen... Gimme' my axe!
Note that it is no accident that so much more is written about the offense, because it is a known fact that we are both sweeter and generally more intelligent. Well, time to adjourn this session with much more to come about the break, the second half of practice, and the Spring Game...until then it's lunchtime for these two bigguns'.