Know your silicon valley nerds: Stanford

[portlaNDgal]

Deleted because I cannot read and posted a year-old article. Current info below.

 

[Doomsday Device]

I don't think you realized this, but the article is actually about the 2006 Stanford spring game.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Thanks for trying.

 

[portlaNDgal]

I don't think you realized this, but the article is actually about the 2006 Stanford spring game.

D'oh!! My bad....got sloppy when I tried to rush. Shouldn't try to work so hard after 11 p.m.

Here's a teaser until their 07 game this Saturday...

Tuesday Apr 3

Harbaugh in search of winners

Stanford coach promises 'toughest spring football in history'

By John Reid / Palo Alto Daily News Staff Writer

Stanford commences spring football practice Wednesday at 4 p.m., the first of 15 scheduled practices. New coach Jim Harbaugh said this spring football session might be different from the norm. "This is going to be the toughest spring football in the history of spring football," Harbaugh said. "We have a lot of ground to make up." Stanford is coming off a 1-11 season, a school record for losses, which saw the dismissal of head coach Walt Harris. There is nowhere to go but up for Harbaugh and the Cardinal, which kicks off the 2007 campaign versus UCLA on Sept. 1 at one-year-old Stanford Stadium.

"All positions are up for grabs," said Harbaugh, an alumnus of Palo Alto High ('82). "We're going to find out who the best players are who can help us win. They're going to play for us. We're going to find out who the players are who can get us beat and they won't play for us. We've had a good 10 weeks of weight training. Now it's time to take it to the grass." Harbaugh is already attempting to drum up interest for his first game as Stanford head coach, though it's some five months away. "We don't want to wait for the UCLA game," Harbaugh said. "We want to get the alums, fans, students excited about coming to Stanford Stadium. We're going to get the youth of the area involved. We'll get them on the field after practice and throw some footballs around. Then we'll bring them into the locker room for some autographs."

Harbaugh struck gold in the offseason when receivers Evan Moore and Mark Bradford opted to come back for one more year of football. Both players missed most of last season due to injuries. Center Tim Mattran missed all of last season because of an injury, but was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Mattran is one of three linemen, along with right guard Alex Fletcher and left tackle Allen Smith, who has a starting berth going into spring drills. Harbaugh calls Smith "a potential all-Pac-10 player." Harbaugh likes Ben Muth as the leading candidate to start at right tackle. Gustav Rydstedt has switched from defensive line to offensive line and could have a shot at the left guard position. "There are many candidates at those other two offensive line positions," Harbaugh said. "Offensive line is our biggest concern, as is defensive tackle. Those are premium positions."

Menlo-Atherton product T.C. Ostrander is the incumbent at quarterback, but nothing is guaranteed. Breathing down Ostrander's neck is redshirt sophomore Tavita Pritchard and redshirt freshman Alex Loukas. "Ostrander will get most of the reps," Harbaugh said. "We're going to work on his decision-making and taking better care of the football. The better he plays, the more reps he gets. Same with Pritchard and Loukas." Anthony Kimble and Toby Gerhart are slated to be the featured backs next season with Jason Evans next in line to carry the mail. Gerhart, who broke his arm playing baseball, will participate in spring drills, but will not engage in contact. Harbaugh dubbed sophomore wideout Richard Sherman, who led the Cardinal last year with 34 catches, his "best football player."

Several players have switched positions and Harbaugh will be banking on them to contribute in the fall. Receiver Austin Yancy has switched to free safety, as has cornerback Carlos McFall. Bo McNally has moved from linebacker to strong safety. Fullback Ben Ladner has switched to tight end, while tight end Erik Lorig - per his own suggestion - has crossed over to defensive end. "A month ago I felt we were weak at safety," Harbaugh said. "Now I feel it's one of our strengths."

The annual Red and White Spring Game is on April 28 at Stanford Stadium at 4 p.m.