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Black shoes, basic blues. No names, all game

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Some blue/white game thoughts...

  • you can't take much from any blue-white game, let alone a rain soaked and shortened game, but a few thoughts:

    (1) Our LBs looked impressive, particularly Mauti, Hull, Fortt, and Hodges. So did our starting four defensive linemen. It is still early, but our front seven could be an area of significant improvement this year over last year.

    (2) Our starting offensive line looks small (except Troutman). Also, Farrell and Pannell appeared to be rotating in with the first team. We rarely go two-deep across the offensive line and instead go into the season with six or seven linemen that can play interchangeably, so that is what we seem to be doing here, with the starting five plus Farrell and Pannell being the "two deep" on the o-line.

    (3) I'm not sure if Newsome sticks around, but he is someone that really could've benefitted from a redshirt year. His footwork, ball handling, and throwing mechanics all looked better this year. The staff ought to consider giving Newsome more reps or at least using him in some wildcat packages this year.

    (4) Why is there talk about lack of RB depth? We have three viable options at TB in Green, Redd, and Beachum. Maybe they're unproven and have injuries, but there is no shortage of numbers. Throw in Dukes, Zordich, and Suhey, and this is the deepest backfield in years.

    (5) Why was Evan Lewis placekicking?

    Cambria Nittany

  • Cambria Nittany said...

    you can't take much from any blue-white game, let alone a rain soaked and shortened game, but a few thoughts:

    (1) Our LBs looked impressive, particularly Mauti, Hull, Fortt, and Hodges. So did our starting four defensive linemen. It is still early, but our front seven could be an area of significant improvement this year over last year.

    (2) Our starting offensive line looks small (except Troutman). Also, Farrell and Pannell appeared to be rotating in with the first team. We rarely go two-deep across the offensive line and instead go into the season with six or seven linemen that can play interchangeably, so that is what we seem to be doing here, with the starting five plus Farrell and Pannell being the "two deep" on the o-line.

    (3) I'm not sure if Newsome sticks around, but he is someone that really could've benefitted from a redshirt year. His footwork, ball handling, and throwing mechanics all looked better this year. The staff ought to consider giving Newsome more reps or at least using him in some wildcat packages this year.

    (4) Why is there talk about lack of RB depth? We have three viable options at TB in Green, Redd, and Beachum. Maybe they're unproven and have injuries, but there is no shortage of numbers. Throw in Dukes, Zordich, and Suhey, and this is the deepest backfield in years.

    (5) Why was Evan Lewis placekicking?

    The lack of depth at RB comes from the fact that outside of Redd, you have nothing but questions. Green is fragile and isn't durable enough to take over if Redd gets banged up. He really hasn't done the wow factor that many expected. Beachum is coming back off major injury and history shows PSU RBs that attempt to do this don't do well. Zordich and Suhey are what they are ... goal line types or in Suhey's case, a guy to throw a screen pass to.

    Hamilton Lion

  • Agree on #1 and #2.

    #3 I am just "torn" on. KN just doesn't blow me away. He looks to have lost a step to me. Again if that was the weather, I totally understand. But he just appears very herky-jerky but not making progress forward (or positve yardage-wise) when he is moving. But I do think he could add another dimension and could provide defenses with something else to have to prepare for.

    #4- I may be way off on this, but I am very worried about our RB depth.
    1) Green has missed time in each of the last 2 years, and had that very nasty ankle injury 3 years ago in the Rose Bowl.
    2) Beachum looked good, But I am ALWAYS nervous about those major surgeries on the knee. He is one slip, one wrong twist, from being on the shelf again.
    3) And Dukes looked good, but we keep hearing that he is not "hitting holes properly" or "needs to work on this and that or improve his vision, etc". I still think he can be very good but he just doesn't appear "ready"
    All that being said, "IF" they stay healthy, we will be fine. But that is a big "IF" I am a percentage type of guy and if 2 guys get banged (out of the 4) up during the season, then we are at 50% and that worries me.
    I am extremely excited to see Zordich perform this year, I think he has an All-Big Ten potential type of year ahead, I don't know that I want him or Suhey lined up 8 yards deep in the backfield, trying to run ISOs and Counters.
    Again, not trying to be "doom and gloom" but there is room for concern here IF a bad thing or 2 happens. I pray that Redd stays healthy.
    #5, curious also. Granted only 2 kicks really but, don't remember seeing Fera even punting, thought Butterworth punted for both sides.

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    That is my name on their tops and no one can tell me any different!!!!

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  • Here is what I saw.

    LBU will be back in a big way this year if all of them stay healthy. Mauti, Fortt, Hodges, and Hull looked great. QB's were so so, but it was crappy out. MM did look the most poised by far, but Joe himself stated Rob looked a bit off and had a great spring. OL may have looked small, but seemed to get some push in the running game. Redd is a good RB and Beachum looked to be further along than I epected. Elite starting RB and some good depth behind him. LB's were making the plays...not the DL which is better than what can be said for last years OL I guess. WR's didn't impress me at all. Drops and more drops at that....TE too. DL was average to me and still need to find an outside presence or decent passing QB's will tear PSU up. DB's will be pretty good when it's all said and done. If Thomas stays on the right track...I like the secondary for this year. The only thing that will expose them will be the lack of a good pass rush IMO. Who knows what's going on with the special teams. The way I see it...this team can win at least 8 games as is. Develop an outside pass rush and add 1-2 more.

    "One man didn't build this program and one man sure as hell cannot tear it down."

    LaJollaLion

  • In what little could be seen, LBU looked a lot more like it fits the name than it has in a few years...

    And re: the RBs, I thought Dukes looked pretty solid in what action he received as well. While there may be ? Marks, I wouldn't think there is much for concern.

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    JC from LP

  • I don't believe our RB situation behind Redd is all that dire. We're not exactly going to have a stud, but it shouldn't matter if the OL is up to par (see Iowa last year).

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    psubills62

  • Cambria Nittany said...

    you can't take much from any blue-white game, let alone a rain soaked and shortened game, but a few thoughts:

    (1) Our LBs looked impressive, particularly Mauti, Hull, Fortt, and Hodges. So did our starting four defensive linemen. It is still early, but our front seven could be an area of significant improvement this year over last year.

    (2) Our starting offensive line looks small (except Troutman). Also, Farrell and Pannell appeared to be rotating in with the first team. We rarely go two-deep across the offensive line and instead go into the season with six or seven linemen that can play interchangeably, so that is what we seem to be doing here, with the starting five plus Farrell and Pannell being the "two deep" on the o-line.

    (3) I'm not sure if Newsome sticks around, but he is someone that really could've benefitted from a redshirt year. His footwork, ball handling, and throwing mechanics all looked better this year. The staff ought to consider giving Newsome more reps or at least using him in some wildcat packages this year.

    (4) Why is there talk about lack of RB depth? We have three viable options at TB in Green, Redd, and Beachum. Maybe they're unproven and have injuries, but there is no shortage of numbers. Throw in Dukes, Zordich, and Suhey, and this is the deepest backfield in years.

    (5) Why was Evan Lewis placekicking?

    Regarding Newsome. Did Clark work with Newsome also this winter? I thought he did. If so, could THAT be the reason he looked better than he did with 2 years with Jay?

    md154

  • JC from LP said...

    In what little could be seen, LBU looked a lot more like it fits the name than it has in a few years...

    Didn't catch much of the game, but they looked like they could be better than Bowman, Lee, Hull? The past few years have had some pretty awesome linebackers, so I'd be very excited if they looked to possibly be better than 2 years ago.

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    #DicedPineapples

    shavisimo2 ●

  • JC from LP said...

    In what little could be seen, LBU looked a lot more like it fits the name than it has in a few years...

    And re: the RBs, I thought Dukes looked pretty solid in what action he received as well. While there may be ? Marks, I wouldn't think there is much for concern.

    I think the ? marks are there because Joe wants them to be there. Not because there are these gaping question marks. Joe has to keep the guys low on the depth chart working hard so he has to say that stuff, in his mind.

    md154

  • I think our talent at RB, WR, DT, LB, and CB is equal to the best in the Big Ten at each of those positions.

    We have to be able to pressure the QB much better than last year. This defense works best when we can get to the QB without blitzing. A Qb who can sit in the pocket is going to pick apart the zones we use in the secondary. Hopefully, Stanley becomes a consistent pass rushing threat. Crawford looked pathetic rushing the passer last year, hope a healthy version of him looks more like 2009.

    I had hoped that Bolden would grab the job from McPick, disappointed that hasn't happened. Have no idea what he's going to do. Certainly haven't thrown in the towel on him, but he didn't light up the stat sheet in high school. Like a certain other 51% completion % his HS sr. year QB in my avatar.

    If it is McPick, he'll light up the weak teams and hit more DBs in the numbers than our WRs against the strong teams.

    JudgeSmailsPSU

  • JudgeSmailsPSU said...

    I think our talent at RB, WR, DT, LB, and CB is equal to the best in the Big Ten at each of those positions.

    We have to be able to pressure the QB much better than last year. This defense works best when we can get to the QB without blitzing. A Qb who can sit in the pocket is going to pick apart the zones we use in the secondary. Hopefully, Stanley becomes a consistent pass rushing threat. Crawford looked pathetic rushing the passer last year, hope a healthy version of him looks more like 2009.

    I had hoped that Bolden would grab the job from McPick, disappointed that hasn't happened. Have no idea what he's going to do. Certainly haven't thrown in the towel on him, but he didn't light up the stat sheet in high school. Like a certain other 51% completion % his HS sr. year QB in my avatar.

    If it is McPick, he'll light up the weak teams and hit more DBs in the numbers than our WRs against the strong teams.

    WR I agree, LB I certainly agree. Not too sure about the rest of the positions you mention. JMO, while there is talent there, there are just as many questions to go along.

    Hamilton Lion

  • Like a certain other 51% completion % his HS sr. year QB in my avatar.

    Judge,

    did you catch that "certain other QBs" performance the other night in his Arena debut??
    5 TDs!!! And was just a hair over 50% btw. clap

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    That is my name on their tops and no one can tell me any different!!!!

    Jmaus24

  • JudgeSmailsPSU said...

    I think our talent at RB, WR, DT, LB, and CB is equal to the best in the Big Ten at each of those positions.

    We have to be able to pressure the QB much better than last year. This defense works best when we can get to the QB without blitzing. A Qb who can sit in the pocket is going to pick apart the zones we use in the secondary. Hopefully, Stanley becomes a consistent pass rushing threat. Crawford looked pathetic rushing the passer last year, hope a healthy version of him looks more like 2009.

    I had hoped that Bolden would grab the job from McPick, disappointed that hasn't happened. Have no idea what he's going to do. Certainly haven't thrown in the towel on him, but he didn't light up the stat sheet in high school. Like a certain other 51% completion % his HS sr. year QB in my avatar.

    If it is McPick, he'll light up the weak teams and hit more DBs in the numbers than our WRs against the strong teams.

    Agree. DE had 7.5 sacks last year...which one you ask....ALL OF THEM COMBINED. I think PSU had something like 17 less sacks last year then any of the previous 4-5 years. QB play doesn't have to be stellar if the DE's pick it up. It has to be decent and minimize the turnovers. People bash McGloin all they want to, but too was a first year starter. His simple scramble to the right and toss out of bounds this weekend gave me some hope that he realizes you don't have to throw it long to to someone every single time. Same goes for Rob if he's around. Bottom line PSU has 3 big question marks...OL, QB, and DE play. DE and OL are a bit more pressing IMO than QB because if the other two don't improve...it doesn't matter who the QB is. 1 or 11...PSU will drop 3-5 games if the other two spots don't step it up.

    "One man didn't build this program and one man sure as hell cannot tear it down."

    LaJollaLion

  • LaJollaLion said...
    I think PSU had something like 17 less sacks last year then any of the previous 4-5 years. QB play doesn't have to be stellar if the DE's pick it up.

    Yep, as a team Penn State had 17 sacks - their fewest total since joining the Big Ten. To put that in perspective, sack totals were 41, 40, 47, 33, 37 from 2005 through 2009 respectively. (The 2003 and 2004 defense only totaled 19 sacks - but they also suffered from a dreadful PSU offense that couldn't put points on the board so opponens predominantly ran the football in the 2nd-half.)

    Last year's defense had a front-4 that couldn't generate a pass-rush and linebackers that couldn't flow to the football and make plays. That combination spells disaster for a Tom Bradley defense.

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  • JudgeSmailsPSU said...

    I think our talent at RB, WR, DT, LB, and CB is equal to the best in the Big Ten at each of those positions.

    We have to be able to pressure the QB much better than last year. This defense works best when we can get to the QB without blitzing. A Qb who can sit in the pocket is going to pick apart the zones we use in the secondary. Hopefully, Stanley becomes a consistent pass rushing threat. Crawford looked pathetic rushing the passer last year, hope a healthy version of him looks more like 2009.

    Agree with the positions you mention and how you state it.

    I expect our DB's to be solid, especially as it pertains to how the mix/gel with experienced CBs and a talented LB group. (our back 7 and DT's I am exited for).

    Need to get healthy at DE and then need them to produce more for sure. Would be nice for Latt/Crawford to be healthy and play well to mix with Stanley,, and then the best one (maybe 2) of the young uns, at the time the season starts. Minimum of a 4 man rotation. We will see I spose.

    OL I think will be solid in many ways, but still not to the level we want. I think with the talent brought in '09-'11 at the position, we start to see much improved Oline play next year and beyond, but that is a separate topic, so I will stop there.

    TE depth a concern, i feel Haplea will continue to grow as a player, and felt he was more solid than given credit for last year. Interested to see how the rest of the TE position plays out.

    Finding a QB is a concern and I am confident in none of them at the moment, as last year left a lot to be desired from All the candidates we saw. Improvement needed here is the most polite way to state it maybe.

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