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Upon Further Review: Offense

Quinn Barham

Upon Further Review is back with a preview of the Nittany Lions' offense in 2011.

    • Well written, especially the qb's

      PSUJoe11

    • Nice read. I think we all have our fingers crossed in regards to the QB situation. One thing we can all agree on though, this year has to be a step forward from last year.

      rummel49

    • By drive the ball down field I assume you mean a long pass right? Just chekin here

      ejb5212

    • I love these things. You have the most realistic reviews/previews I have ever read about PSU. I am slightly more negative on the OL than you, but I agree just about 100% with all the rest.

      Between Barham, Stank, and the one guard spot that is just too much average and way below average to make a decent line I fear. The depth behind them is even more worrisome when the inevitable injury happens. If they do jell however, the O has a lot of potential to be explosive. Love Moye, Brown and Redd.

      POV ●

    • Nice write-up, as usual.

      When I see Silas Redd run, I think of Darren McFadden. It is not exactly the same style, but both were fairly lanky RBs with upright running styles.

      Cambria Nittany

    • ejb5212 said...

      By drive the ball down field I assume you mean a long pass right? Just chekin here

      That is the way I took it. We do need Bolden to be more accurate on the long ball to reach full potential on offense. McGloin (for as much as I am on team Bolden) was much better at getting that deep ball to Moye.

      POV ●

    • Well done gemrich..great read. It will certainly be interesting to see how the QB situation shakes out. I just wish they would make a decision sooner rather than later to allow the starter to get some more snaps but I'm not holding my breath.

      JoePaternoverr

    • Ya man that pass against nw was freaking perfect.... Best pass he threw all season imo

      #teambolden

      This post was edited by ejb5212 on 8/24/2011 at 1:44 PM

      ejb5212

    • Excellent article, gemrich. I love the realistic, even-keeled approach where you don't get caught up either in any hype or succumb to common, but faulty, criticisms.

      Are you going to do one for special teams? Or if you're done, then are you going to give us a win-loss prediction based on your analysis?

      psubills62 ●

    • POV said...

      That is the way I took it. We do need Bolden to be more accurate on the long ball to reach full potential on offense. McGloin (for as much as I am on team Bolden) was much better at getting that deep ball to Moye.

      It was one of the things I have long said held him back last year. He just didnt go down the field to stretch things much. Maybe just not being as comfortable with it at the time yet? If I were the D, I would have blitzed and taken away the short stuff on him. The good thing is I think he can improve on these things, and hope he already has. The ball to Moye vs. Bama down the sideline shows he can....I just would like to see him do it more often.

      Seltz

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      LaJollaLion

    • LaJollaLion said...

      Part of Bolden's issues is he tried to hard not to make mistakes IMO. That is why he didn't go downfield. He was a frosh, he wanted to take the snap and get the ball out. That is just what young QB's do and it's easy for good DC's to bait younger QB's. He also missed high a few times which is dangerous. I honestly think both areas improve this year with him assuming he is the man at QB. He did what young QB's do, does he grow out of it?

      He missed high alot, that really bothered me... But hopefully you're right and he will spread the field more this year, we have the receivers and he has the arm to do it

      ejb5212

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      LaJollaLion

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      Jfelt

    • ejb5212 said...

      By drive the ball down field I assume you mean a long pass right? Just chekin here

      basically. But more specifically when he needs to throw the 25 yard plus pass with some zip. When he really lets it fly he wasn't consistent with his release last year. When he's relaxed and has time he's very very accurate.

      gemrich ●

    • gemrich said...

      basically. But more specifically when he needs to throw the 25 yard plus pass with some zip. When he really lets it fly he wasn't consistent with his release last year. When he's relaxed and has time he's very very accurate.

      Thank you for the explanation, your analysis is great

      ejb5212

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      getmyjive11 ●

    • LaJollaLion said...

      Part of Bolden's issues is he tried to hard not to make mistakes IMO. That is why he didn't go downfield. He was a frosh, he wanted to take the snap and get the ball out. That is just what young QB's do and it's easy for good DC's to bait younger QB's. He also missed high a few times which is dangerous. I honestly think both areas improve this year with him assuming he is the man at QB. He did what young QB's do, does he grow out of it?

      You also gotta remember though...he was playing behind an o-line that wasn't exactly on the top of their game early in the season. You add that to a nervous freshman, and they are not going to feel comfortable sitting tight, waiting for a downfield route to open up. They will also be high on some throws as well due to being too fired up.

      I just remember that late 90+ yard drive vs Temple, and some of the plays he made there. The throw from the goal line with a player at his feet. The across the field throw to Brown to convert on 3rd down. That drive, to me, showed me he had what it takes to get it done. I know it was only "Temple", but he made some plays there that I don't see many true freshman make.

      I just don't see how you don't give him the keys and see what he can do for half a season more. What is there to lose? Either way, we should go through the first 6 games at worst, 5-1, with either QB. So why not see if the prized recruit can take that next step? Nobody will argue he has a higher ceiling, so why not see if he can reach that? If at that point he is still not showing much vs some of the weaker teams, then go with the other guy. I think the team has a lot more to lose, if they are truly neck and neck, but not giving him the shot first.

      md154

    • Gem, with all the discussion about Bolden not throwing downfield and not wanting to make mistakes, do you have enough video (assuming from tv) to assess his decision making? Is he going through his progressions? Is he checking down because his primary receivers are covered downfield or just because he wants to get rid of the ball?

      psujmc1992 ●

    • psujmc1992 said...

      Gem, with all the discussion about Bolden not throwing downfield and not wanting to make mistakes, do you have enough video (assuming from tv) to assess his decision making? Is he going through his progressions? Is he checking down because his primary receivers are covered downfield or just because he wants to get rid of the ball?

      Pretty sure Gem is using the save TV footage we all are, which typically does not give a good view of coverage for most of the field. It would be nice if we could subscribe to get access to all video footage...

      That being said you can see if he is looking people off or zeroing in on a WR.

      This post was edited by helpdesk on 8/24/2011 at 4:42 PM

      helpdesk

    • This is a fantastic column!!

      ialion

    • Nice job gemrich. Like your wait and see take on some of the big questions.

      kcpsu

    • psujmc1992 said...

      Gem, with all the discussion about Bolden not throwing downfield and not wanting to make mistakes, do you have enough video (assuming from tv) to assess his decision making? Is he going through his progressions? Is he checking down because his primary receivers are covered downfield or just because he wants to get rid of the ball?

      sorry, been gone for most of the evening. I actually think the Bolden not throwing downfield thing is overblown. I thought he threw downfield a normal percentage of the time last year when the situation dictated it.

      gemrich ●

    • gemrich said...

      sorry, been gone for most of the evening. I actually think the Bolden not throwing downfield thing is overblown. I thought he threw downfield a normal percentage of the time last year when the situation dictated it.

      I agree but it's been discussed so much I thought I was probably wrong. Since you have watched each game multiple times and actually kept notes, where do you stand on the playcalling? Did McGloin have more designed rollouts than Bolden? (IMO, he did.) Did he just leave the pocket more? Or was it a figment of my (and it seems a lot of other people's) imagination?

      psujmc1992 ●

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