Joe Paterno Press Conference Notes

by BSD on Oct 7, 2009 8:15 AM EDT in Penn State Football Comment 53 comments

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Here are the bullet points from Joe Paterno's weekly press conference.

Joe wasn't ready to say the running game has turned the corner yet. He says it takes more than one game. Illinois was more concerned about the pass which opened some things up, but they did a better job of holding their blocks this week. Joe expects more blitzing from Eastern Illinois so we'll see what happens.
Not surprisingly, Joe did not want to discuss the Bobby Bowden situation.
Joe has been pleased with the performance of Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore. Overall, he thinks the defense played well against Illinois.
There was a somewhat heated discussion about scheduling. You can hear the unedited version here.
Joe gave a rambling answer in reference to the defensive tackle rotation. Basically he has been pleased with the depth at defensive tackle and defensive end. He's still worried about depth at linebacker, and he would like to see the secondary get a little quicker at reacting to the ball.
Joe is very pleased with Jeremy Boone. Says Boone has made things a lot easier on the defense by giving them good field position.
Injury Update: Devon Smith is probably out. Nerraw McCormack is doubtful with a bum ankle. Brent Carter, Stephfon Green, and Chris Colasanti are all "banged up", and DeOn'tae Pannell "has an ankle". Most likely they will all play except for McCormack and Smith. Also, Sean Lee is out.
Chaz Powell will play. There were rumors he had the flu or something last week.
Quarless and Shuler have been doing a good job. They have been blocking well, and they felt they were going to be able to get them involved in the passing game against Illinois.
Not surprisingly, Joe calls Eastern Illinois a "good solid football team."
Joe was really impressed with Stephfon Green. Says he's come a long way and credits Galen Hall for coaching him up.
Joe isn't thrilled with running Clark as much as they did against Illinois, but he feels that some of the younger quarterbacks are coming along, so they can take some chances with Clark. Illinois opened up some things that lended themself to running Clark more. Going forward they may not do that.
Joe wishes they could have found more time for Newsome to play. But they want to put him in situations where he can succeed, because if they put him in there and he struggles they worry it may set him back.
Lou Eliades is coming along. He's learning how to play hurt and getting better.
Stephon Morris is playing cornerback in the nickle package and D'Anton Lynn is moving over to the nickle back. He's playing well and the staff is pleased

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I'm not one to question the guy who has won 387 games, but

Joe wishes they could have found more time for Newsome to play. But they want to put him in situations where he can succeed, because if they put him in there and he struggles they worry it may set him back.

I know that may not be the kind of playing time he’s talking about, but I still wonder why they didn’t put Newsome under center on the last drive when Clark just handed the ball off. I always thought it was routine for us to put the backup for those duties.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does that really accomplish anything?

I don’t think playing time is what Newsome needs, its passing attempts. Taking a snap and handing it off probably won’t give him the confidence boost that Paterno implies Newsome needs.

by VVeRPennState on Oct 7, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Playing time is different

than practice time.

Just getting him in for handoffs expsoses him to the spped of the games. Handling the snap count, running the huddle. Heck, even getting hit a few times by a defense that wants to hit you is good experience.

If anyone else read that ’94 PSU Playbook that RUTS posted the other day, the entire opening dealt with little stuff like establing the huddle. Putting in Newsome for stuff like that gets him comfortable so when he is actually needed that basic stuff is automatic.

One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's

by rahpsu92 on Oct 7, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not buying it

Sorry but handing the ball off 3 consecutive times does nothing to help Newsome get used to college game speed that he can’t witness from the sidelines or establishing a huddle that he better have learned in high school.

Newsome needs passing attempts in game situations. Unfortunately we weren’t blowing out Akron, Syracuse or Temple by a large enough margin like we were in cupcake games in 2008 so the backup QB could get a large amount of playing time. Hopefully that changes this weekend.

by catesinator on Oct 7, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder too

People respond to adversity in different ways. I would hope that if a Div. I athlete who is used to competing his entire life went out in a game and got his butt handed to him it would inspire him to work harder. I don’t like coddling players and protecting them from experiencing failure. Sometimes failure can be a significant motivator.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Oct 7, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought getting killed at the end of the Syracuse game

was the best trial-by fire Newsome could’ve gotten. I agree with not coddling these kids — He saw what can happen if he’s not ready for a blitz, he’ll study the film, and the next time he’ll be ready for it.

by PSU Mudder on Oct 7, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But...

sometimes you can crush a young QB and it is hard to overcome that. Failure is needed to learn from, but there is a fine line between helping and hurting a young qb.

I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.

BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.

by carolinaeasy on Oct 7, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder, too.

Joe says he’s worried about him failing too early, wants him to have success first:

Expanding on that a little bit, Kevin Newsome has six just pass attempts so far this season. Has he gotten enough game experience to this point in the year?

Paterno: No, I wish we had been able to give him more experience, but he’s getting a lot of reps in practice and getting a better feel for some things.

Yeah, he’s a little bit like a lot of high school quarterbacks that got away with running — every time they had to do something they ran away from people. He’s still only a freshman. Not a redshirt. He started in January, but he’s still a true freshman.

So I wish we could have gotten him playing more. I really would have liked to have him in the game more. But, you know, we just haven’t — I haven’t felt comfortable. Two things: I didn’t want to put him in there with too much pressure on him and have him not succeed, because that would only set him back.

I wanted to put him in situations and give him things that I felt comfortable, that Jay felt comfortable, he could do as indicated by the way he did them in practice. When we were comfortable could do this in practice, we were willing to try and put him in the game and let him do it.

When he was able to do this, plus this, plus this, we were willing to do it. Unfortunately, we haven’t had as many opportunities to play him as we would have liked.

I agree with Mr. Easy AND Mudder: it’s a fine line, and it does feel a little too coddly

"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69

by jtothep on Oct 7, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's gotta start getting some first team reps

Especially this week. I hate it, but we need to suck it up and let the kid get his feet wet.

It’s important for this year as well as next. But if, god forbid, something happens to Clark during the Michigan game, there will be a lot of belly-acheing about how little PT Newsome got.

Where’s the Beer and the Bar-b-Que?

by jesse. on Oct 7, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would like to see Newsome start the second half on Saturday

I agree with what everyone else is saying; and this is clearly the last best chance before the bowl game to get him some practice reps and prepare for him to spend some significant time on the field.

Joe’s comment about not wanting to run Clark combined with the lack of reps for KN is a little troubling. I don’t like a combination of not running Clark and not playing Newsome; it seems too timid. Play the kid and let the kids play; Clark’s ability to run really helps open up the offense and we’ve got to stick with it through the rest of the big11 season.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Oct 7, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with your points...

oh,and did you guys hear that Michy and USC are starting freshman QB’s? didn’t know if you caught that under-the-radar news… we need to sack up and get that kid some snaps

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Oct 8, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ND started a freshman a few years ago

and the kid already has 3 Heismans

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Oct 8, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's windy in State College

So apparently part of the scoreboard facade landed on a car and another somewhere outside of the stadium. But my question is—is this an ominous omen?

by MainLion on Oct 7, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this reminds me of the time

I saw a girl get carried away by the wind on lot 80. She was holding an umbrella, and disappeared ala Mary Poppins; never seen of again.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Oct 7, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

cindy song?

"Wherever you go, Penn State will go with you. You are now a part of her. Her image will be cast in your image. Your reputation will become her reputation."

by noodlebucket on Oct 8, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Terrible, terrilble reference...but I have to +1 this b/c it made me lol

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Oct 8, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

what the horse hockey is up with the score?

by PSUgirl on Oct 7, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh,

and I really hate the whole “Great Show” bit.

by PSUgirl on Oct 7, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sounds kinda tacky

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's kind of like our Compliance Dept...

I’m sorry, but you can’t use greatest in your marketing materials. You can however choose from the following lame alternatives:

The A’ight Show
The Pretty Good Show
The Really Good Show
The Big Show
The Beige show

One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's

by rahpsu92 on Oct 7, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t hate the “Great Show” thing nearly as much as the marketing squad attached to it. I haaaaate those people

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Oct 7, 2009 5:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

+1 million

if you’re referring to the Great Show student volunteers. Gosh those people annoy the crap out of me. They’re living, breathing astroturf.

by PSUMark2008 on Oct 8, 2009 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a fan of that either

I don’t think of it so much as a show, but the “Best Pre-game in College Football”. I’m sure the “great show” thing was a quote from a columnist who said we had the best show in college football.

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO

it has nothing to do w/ pre-game. To be honest, our pre-game isn’t that spectacular. It’s the atmosphere created by our fans, particularly the student section, particularly during a big game. Of course, Guido is still convinced that it’s because we all wear our favorite tie dye jerseys.

As far as the origin of the quote, in 2005, SI on Campus (which no longer exists) called us “the greatest show in college football.” Guido latched onto it, but as Rambler implied above, “Greatest Show” was copyrighted so now we’re “the great show.” Gag me.

by PSUMark2008 on Oct 8, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least we're not the Big Show

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Oct 8, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1

Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."

by Roland86 on Oct 8, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The "Great show" bit is getting way overplayed

It was really cool and quite an honor when SI said we are the greatest show in cfb, but Guido and his gang have really beat it to death. It just sounds so egotistical to me to keep saying we’re the greatest (even though we all know we are!)

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Oct 8, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

that Guido and the administration have ~~ruined~~ changed things so much since SI gave us that honor. (Or maybe I had it right the first time?)

by PSUMark2008 on Oct 8, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the hell is up with horse hockey?

by jtothep on Oct 7, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fair question.

my guess is that it’s something like polo – but more slippery.

by PSUgirl on Oct 7, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OH NOES!!!

We’re going to lose 21-10!

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Oct 7, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Football Gods Forbid!

now go sacrifice a turnip or something

by PSUgirl on Oct 7, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah... wtf is up with that score?

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Oct 8, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe this is just

the football gods showing their displeasure over the logo change??

by coachKofPA on Oct 7, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually it's probably because Rambler has led some Overlord rebellion against Zug

and in his rage at such blasphemy, he knocked down part of the scoreboard with his mind.

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fool

Boone will make you pay for your worship of an old false god.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Boone

It wasn’t the wind that was causing problems to the scoreboard… Boone was just practicing.

by GreatScawt on Oct 7, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

You have potential!

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zug frowns upon your pandering!

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How's he going to accomplish that?

He’d be vaporized before he knew what hit him.

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uh huh

Just like Zug vaporized Amari Spievery, right?

You are the classic Zuggee. I prefer to live my life in reality.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I misspelled "Spievey"

Guess that means, your false god will vaporize me, right?

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 7, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, actually, you just suck at spelling

Zug and Boone weren’t involved in that.

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Surprise, surprise

A Zuggee who actually has some comprehension of reality.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 8, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Say Spievey again Motherphuquer!

by jtothep on Oct 8, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spievey

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Oct 8, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I don't know why they have the jumbotron on

but I have a class out by the horse stables near the stadium on Mondays and Wednesdays, and last week I saw the same exact thing, except Iowa was the opponent. You’ll notice that’s the Iowa game score. Do they just do that to make sure everything is in order? Idk.

by dawsonPSU10 on Oct 7, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs