David Lombardi, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Stanford mailbag: Requirements for a successful power run game?

It's NFL draft week. That means spring practice is over, and the long football-starved desert of summer is just around the corner. There's no better time, then, to kick off the Stanford mailbag, something we hope helps quench your curiosity during the oft-parched four months ahead.

Have your questions ready, and be sure to follow me on Twitter.

On to the first installment:

Brandon in Stockton writes: What’s the biggest question mark coming into this season other than defensive line (from a position unit standpoint)?

David Lombardi: Spring practice was fascinating in this regard because some of the uncertainty coming from Stanford's defensive line actually dissipated as time passed. There is still plenty of healing and strengthening to do, but what started as a desperate situation (only three healthy bodies) has morphed into a rather promising one, thanks to a Harrison Phillips/Solomon Thomas surge and the transfer of Brennan Scarlett.

One can argue that the Cardinal's secondary is a bigger question mark than the defensive line at this point. Following the departures of Alex Carter, Wayne Lyons, Jordan Richards and Kyle Olugbode, youth is also prevalent there. And since Zach Hoffpauir's recent success on the diamond has reignited speculation that he might sign to play professional baseball following the MLB draft, Stanford isn't even sure of its roster situation at the position group.

David Shaw and Duane Akina have been pleased with Dallas Lloyd and Kodi Whitfield at the safety positions. Those two and Ronnie Harris can add some veteran stability to the mix. But the inevitable reality remains: Stanford will rely on fresh faces in the secondary come fall. In this pass-happy era of the Pac-12, that's a recipe for at least some hand-wringing. Talented youngsters like Alijah Holder and Terrence Alexander, both of whom made strides this spring, must show they're ready for the real stage, and that can't happen until September.


Scott in Sacramento writes: Stanford’s identity is toughness, and on offense that means the power running game. Do you agree with me, as evidenced by the last three games of 2014, that Stanford can have a successful power run game with Remound Wright, as long as the offensive line play is Tunnel Workers Union-worthy?

David Lombardi: Quality offensive line play is critical, but it's not the be-all, end-all. A successful power run game also requires a certain type of running back. And from the time of Jim Harbaugh's arrival for the 2013 season, Stanford was fortunate to have that 215-plus pound bruising star -- see Toby Gerhart, Stepfan Taylor, and Tyler Gaffney. All three of those guys punished tacklers and defeated contact, two prerequisites for backs operating in the Cardinal's 'phone booth' attack.

Stanford lost size at the running back position in 2014. At 204 pounds, Wright was their heaviest guy. And that's part of the reason why the standard power run game of the past just wasn't as effective for much of the season.

The Cardinal adapted as time went on. They ran the football in ways that played to their new strengths, spreading defenses with Christian McCaffrey's explosiveness. This success helped Kevin Hogan work out of his rut, and that proved mutually beneficial, as more holes opened for the run game as a result. Wright became the go-to red-zone option, scoring a remarkable nine of his 11 touchdowns in the final three games.

Here's the bottom line: Several factors are at play when a run game clicks, and a certain back's particular skill set is one integral variable. Can Stanford run power successfully in 2015? Yes -- especially since McCaffrey has packed on seven pounds of strength and left guard Josh Garnett has enjoyed a solid spring. But in my opinion, the Cardinal shouldn't pidgeon-hole themselves into only running power, especially since they are well-equipped to feature a diverse rushing attack these days. Stretch the perimeter with McCaffrey, Barry Sanders, and some creativity (Michael Rector end-around, anyone?), and old-school power can be more effective as a result.


Kyle in Palo Alto writes: It seems like many Stanford players drastically improved their draft stock during the Pro Day, especially those that weren't invited to the NFL combine. What are you hearing is the outlook for the less-touted prospects like James Vaughters and A.J. Tarpley?

David Lombardi: As you know, draft matters are difficult to forecast, but you're right: Both Vaughters and Tarpley posted pro day numbers that surprised some scouts and analysts, many of whom opined that both linebackers lacked NFL-necessary athleticism. From the sound of chatter now, it sounds that both players might have a chance to be selected on the draft's final day. If not, they will certainly get opportunities as undrafted free agents, which wouldn't be the end of the world since those players have more leeway to choose a team whose system and situation fits them best.


Chase in Palo Alto writes: Was really excited when Noor Davis committed a few years back -- was a big get. What's been the holdup in him getting on the field and what do you expect out of him this year?

David Lombardi: Because Davis was a highly touted recruit, I think some fans expected that he would play immediately -- or at least very early in his college career. It rarely works that way at Stanford, though, especially in the veteran-laden defense of recent years.

Davis played outside linebacker in high school before Stanford moved him to the inside, so that was one reason he saw only sparing action in 2013. But the main impediment to his playing time was far more simple than that: The Cardinal were stacked at both linebacker positions. Trent Murphy, Shayne Skov, and Tarpley are just three of the stalwarts who have recently commanded the second level. There was turnover at the position in 2014, and Davis enjoyed some meaningful playing time in his third year on campus. Remember, he still has two seasons of eligibility remaining. That's plenty of time to make a mark as he jockeys with the likes of Kevin Palma for playing time next to Blake Martinez. I expect Davis to be a solid contributor in 2015.

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