Publication Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Looking downfield
Looking downfield
(August 25, 2004) Edwards prepares to take the reigns as No. 1 quarterback
by Rick Eymer
Trent Edwards' football season ended abruptly with a thigh injury in Stanford's loss to California in the Big Game last year.
It had already been a rough year for the redshirt freshman quarterback, who took over for the popular Chris Lewis in the first game of the season. A shoulder injury in the fifth game of the season limited his play. Stanford was 1-3 in games he started.
He takes the field as a sophomore knowing the job is his to lose. Come a week from Friday, when San Jose State visits Stanford Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff, Edwards will take the first snap and remain the quarterback as long as he remains productive.
"I feel the experience factor is going to play a big role," Stanford tight end Alex Smith said. "Offensively we got on the same page with Trent. In years past we wouldn't really be certain who the quarterback was going into the first game. It's pretty much been determined Trent's the guy. All spring and summer we tried to get our timing down so he feels comfortable with us and we feel comfortable with him. It goes a long way when he can trust you to be in the right spot at the right time."
Edwards, who will celebrate his 21st birthday on the same day the Cardinal visit UCLA, will take the spotlight as Stanford attempts to recover from two losing seasons, two straight losses to Cal, and some negative publicity caused offensive production faltered under coach Buddy Teevens.
"I expect to lead this team to a successful, winning season," Edwards proclaimed. "We need to move on from the last two losing seasons and turn this thing around. We need to win ballgames. We're not concerned about statistics. I'm a lot quicker and a lot stronger. Putting on more weight was a goal of mine during the off-season to help sustain an 11-game season. I have more muscle mass and less body fat. I need to be durable, in shape and able to take hits."
Edwards has put the shoulder and thigh injuries behind him after coming back in February and going through three months of physical therapy before putting on the pads again.
"I have been working with the strength coach and I feel I have made tremendous progression," Edwards said. "It's time to move on and I look forward to the season."
He's heard the grumbling that comes with two unsuccessful seasons. He watched as a redshirt as the Cardinal struggled through a 2-9 season, and then took part in last year's 4-7 finish.
He understands how things work with pre-season predictions. Not many people believe Stanford will do any better this season, and that Teevens is suddenly on the hot seat.
Most of the people who do believe the Cardinal have a chance to reach a bowl game are wearing a Stanford uniform. Coaches and media have Stanford finishing ninth in the Pac-10.
"It means nothing. It's not that important. As a player, we don't even look at it," Edwards said. "It's something for you guys to write about. It goes in one ear and out the other. You know yourself the best, and you look within and learn from plays you don't do so well. You can't put added pressure on yourself."
His teammates agree with his assessment.
"I like it that way instead of having all these lofty expectations where you have to finish first in the Pac-10," Smith said. "When guys don't see you coming that's when you're the most dangerous. As far as I'm concerned it doesn't really matter. What they're going off of is last year and we're so much more experienced you can't really compare this team to last year."
Edwards threw for a season-high 278 yards against the Spartans in Stanford's season opener, and never came within a hundred years of that the rest of the way. Call it a learning experience, but Edwards - who led Los Gatos to a 26-0 record in his final two years - expects those numbers to increase dramatically without setting a statistical goal.
"I'm still learning things every day. There are a lot more small details to pay attention to," Edwards said "I've been through these situations before. This is my third year of double days so I know what to expect. You can't get used to losing. It's hard to win in this league."
But that's exactly what Edwards expects to do.
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