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Topic subjectStanford vs. Arizona
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=21&topic_id=86680&mesg_id=86784
86784, Stanford vs. Arizona
Posted by will_5198, Mon Nov-08-10 09:17 PM
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford (6'4, 235) -- What's so dope about Luck is that Stanford doesn't come into games and just stunt on teams with talent. Player for player they can't compare to many top 25 teams, but they get phenomenal coaching and out-execute their opponents.

Even better is that they do it with a ton of pro concepts. Fullback lines up next to the tight end and goes uncovered -- Luck makes the hot read and hits him in the flat for a first down. When Stanford wanted to throw deep against Arizona's pair of all-conference defensive ends, they lined up in a typical I-form (offset weak) and ran play-action. The pulling guard doubles Elmore with the tight end, the weakside fullback doubles Reed with the tackle, and even facing eight in the box, Luck gets max protect. The safety is out of position when he stepped up to play the run, making a cover three a cover zero. Owusu puts a double move on the corner -- which he had time to do because of the play scheme -- and Luck hits him in stride for the score. Perfect play, perfect execution, perfect football.

Buffalo should be asking for a team's entire 2012 draft if they end up with the number one overall.

WR Chris Owusu, Stanford (6'2, 200) -- Nice, sturdy target with soft hands. Runs decently and I like his ability to shake off defenders post-catch. Maybe you wonder about his separation against NFL corners, but he seems to read the coverage right in tandem with Luck and finds the proper weakness. He had three kickoff return touchdowns in 2009, too, and you know I'm always looking for special teams value with receivers. One red flag is his injury history -- he missed the start of this year with an undisclosed ailment (apparently Captain Comeback prescribes to Belichick rules) and got concussed badly against Oregon.

QB Nick Foles, Arizona (6'5, 245) -- Based on my limited, limited observations, Arizona's offense is not asking him to make a ton of reads. They spread the field 2x2 on most passing plays and make coverage adjustments before the snap. Corner playing soft and it's a hitch or out. Safety playing deep or shaded towards the middle and it's a receiver screen. Seam routes by the inside receivers when safeties move outside. All four receivers run streaks to bust cover two/three shells.

He also throws almost exclusively from the shotgun. Of the 15 or so times he lined up under center in a one-back set, Arizona passed just once (kind of obvious, huh?). So the all important play-action ability (resetting and reading the defense after turning your back) and consistency in his drops is unknown. Great height and an OK arm (he back-footed a couple throws, including the embarrassing soft toss interception). His receivers were ass in this game, dropping at least six passes, but I think he's more of a back-up type anyway.

OLB/DE Brooks Reed, Arizona (6'3, 255) -- Pass rush was tenacious -- great quickness off the line and he buries that inside shoulder on a direct line to the quarterback. He's got a ton of power for a hybrid linebacker-end (his best attack might be that straight bull rush) and throws in a nice spin move to mix things up. He even got penetration and held his gap pretty well against the run. Impressed.

DE Ricky Elmore, Arizona (6'5, 260) -- Less impressed. Slow reaction off the snap and his rush moves were limited. Didn't excel at anything...he was moved around against the run and does not seem to be especially fast or strong.

CB Trevin Wade, Arizona (5'11, 182) -- Horrible game. Skewered and left on the grill by the double move from Owusu. Fell down on a long completion during the next series. Later, he followed a receiver in motion pre-snap (indicating man coverage), then gave him up when he crossed the formation as if Arizona was playing zone. Said receiver was left to roam free. His biggest contribution was to Stoops' blood pressure.