Nitt Picks Knows You Are Watching

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 10:32 AM EDT in Nitt Picks Comment 96 comments

With the Blue-White Game quickly approaching this Saturday, several players have been made available to the media this week. Yesterday Daryll Clark sat down to answer some questions. You can sense he realizes how important he is to Penn State's success this year, and yesterday he explained that he's going to take it easy to avoid contact unlike years past.

"I can't afford to have another concussion," said Clark, who threw for 2,592 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2008, his first year replacing Anthony Morelli.

"I feel I'm important to this team. ... I don't want to hurt this football team."

Clark acknowledged he took a few unnecessary hits a year ago and said he intends to do a better job of avoiding contact down the field.

The good fellas at BWI were kind enough to post the entire transcript of Clarks media session for free. He may have tipped Joe's hand a little bit in discussing the wide receivers. (Emphasis by BSD.)

How much has Derek Moye improved from last year to this year?

I think he's improved tremendously over a short amount of time. Him knowing that he's going to be one of our two go-to guys. He's a bigger target, very fast and he can catch.

Sounds like Moye may be emerging as one of the top receivers in this group if he has not already established himself as so. It will be interesting to see how much he gets used on Saturday.

But you have to take these comments with a grain of salt. I remember prior to the 2007 season all we read and heard about was how much #14 had matured and grown in confidence. We all saw how well that worked out. So when everyone is praising the wide receivers left and right it makes me wonder. Especially when I read Jay Paterno's twitter where every other comment is about how great the wide receivers look.

	@kriegmeat If we get the same WR production from this new group as we did with the new WR group in 2005 we'll be very strong & explosive.
	@Mpettinato WR corps is doing well. Can be a major asset for us this fall. They've got to stay healthy. We can be creative with this group.

Then someone named Mainline Mom, who sounds like some guy's smokin' hot wife, asked Jay if he reads Black Shoe Diaries.

@MainlineMom RE: Black Shoes Diary-I don't read much stuff about us. I look for info on our opponents when I check the net & the news.

Oh come on, Jay. We know you read BSD every day snickering at the latest Graham Zug jokes and Ed Hightower photoshops.

Our friends at BHGP managed to work in a question of their own for Jay, and as you can guess hilarity was at play.

	@JayPaterno I have a question-- guns for coaches on gameday? would cut down on unsportsmanship, imo.
	@oopspow Better keep coaches unarmed on gameday...we may use them on that fan in row 23 who thinks he knows it all. Tazers would work though

On a side note, when I clicked on Jay's profile image to save it for this post, the file was titled "Jay_Headshot_Bigger". Do I need to insert a joke here?

Getting back to real football news, Jared Odrick spoke to the media the other day and seems to think we have the next Aaron Maybin waiting in the wings.

What can you tell us about Jack Crawford?

Jack is an athletic guy. He's about 6-5, 260 and is just as fast as the guy who just left, Maybin. He's very athletic and he's got all the tools to be a great defensive end and he's just putting it all together right now.

This is right along the lines with everything I hear and read about Crawford. Don't be surprised if he takes the conference by storm this year.

In Scores of Other Games

Michigan State is looking for a new quarterback this year to replace Brian Hoyer, but it doesn't sound like the Spartan players have much confidence in their options.

Michigan State's senior class divided into two teams and made the selections for the Green and White squads. They filled 16 different position groups before coming to the quarterbacks. Even the long snappers were scooped up before (Kirk) Cousins and (Keith) Nichol.

The Green team finally relented and picked Cousins, the sophomore who backed up Brian Hoyer last season. That meant Nichol went to the White team, which seemed happy to have him.

Mark Dantonio tried to put the best positive spin he could on this.

"It was interesting how the guys who may be the MVP, the quarterbacks, they're some of the last ones picked," said head coach Mark Dantonio, who officiated the draft inside the team meeting room. "It's because everybody feels they're both very, very good players and they both can lead and they both can make plays. That's a positive thing."

Yeah. That's why the fat kids always get picked first on the playground, huh?

Etcetera

Sounds like the plan to put PSU student tickets on student ID cards this season still has some bugs to work out.
Josh Hull thinks he'll be starting this fall.
Chris Fowler will be speaking at Penn State on Friday. His spokesperson kindly begs you not to throw beer on him again.

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Ack

Formatting messed up on the Jay twitter comments. Working to fix.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WR

I’m not too worried about WR. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually have faith in the staff to use what we have effectively. Maybe it’s more that I have faith that the staff has faith in Clark.

What the hell did I just write?

by speedomike on Apr 23, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, my friend

You have faith in Zug

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clark

Is growing on me. I absolutely love how verbal he is.

Sometimes he comes off as a bit Brewsterish with all the confidence dogma, but I’m also a believer in the Fake it til you Make it practice, and he does seem to be growing through all this repetition. Verbally and physically. He was pretty freakin composed in the Rose Bowl.

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he's going to be a great leader as well

We have a huge leadership void this year, but I really think with his confidence and charisma he can make up for it. Yes, there were some moments last year where he appeared a bit immature and fumed on the sidelines (note one of those was during the tOSU game, and he was delirious with a concussion and unable to understand why he was taken out and replaced by Devlin, however Clark later admitted he doesn’t have much recollection of the end of that game, so I think we can cut him a break for that one). But I think, or at least hope, that with a years worth of new experience, he will mature into a great leader. Although I don’t see him being the pump-up Butler-esque pre-game speech maker, mainly because no one can top Deon.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deon is not normal

he is a legend

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

And I will definitely

tell my theoretical/future kids about them

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RE: electronic student tickets

I’m glad they got the informed opinion of the webmaster for the Paternoville Coordination Committee for that article.

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 23, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They really better get their shit together

If I miss out on my senior season in the student section after missing soph and junior years, I’m going to be extremely pissed off. Normally it would be custom to blame Iowa, Curley, JayPa, or all of the above, but this is Spaniers fault for accepting so many goddamn retards in my class instead of raising the standards a bit and trying to keep admission under control. Now we have the largest class in PSU history, and all wanting a limited % of the 21,500 tickets for students.

I’ve e-mailed Spanier and Curley’s offices last year about how students were buying tickets just to sell them for profit, but even despite the fact that last years ticket policy said their tickets would be revoked if caught selling them (and I included e-bay and craigs list listings from PSU students) they didn’t have any plan in place for actually controlling it.

The ID card is in theory a good idea, but they tested it out last season which was why it took even longer to fill up the student section (aside from the drunks getting there late), and it just clogged up Gate A so badly that most of them missed the pre-game show, which sucks.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I agree that it sucks that students are scalping the tickets…this is quite frankly an awful solution. What we will now end up with is a half full student section for some games. Maybe things have changed in 7 years since I graduated but I remember numerous games where people were getting rid of tickets the day of the game (for a multitude of reasons – many of which included being WAY too drunk to navigate the stairs in the stadium). Now these seats will likely go empty. Doesn’t make much sense. Prosecute students who get caught scalping, don’t limit attendance at the games.

I must admit that I am also opposed to it for purely selfish reasons because I still enjoy sitting in the student section whenever possible (even if it costs me a little extra money) because as you know (well or maybe not since you didn’t get tickets) its just a fun environment. I was able to sit there for almost all of the games last year and it was great.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Apr 23, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't there some provision

that allowed students to sell tix back to the university so they could be re-sold?

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

by rahpsu92 on Apr 23, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did get tix freshman year

So yeah, I do know how much fun and how crazy it is, which is why I will be so pissed if I don’t get there for my senior year. My freshman year I got tix and my father for the first time in probably 20 years bought season tickets, so even though I was going to a branch campus, the family still went up to tailgate and go to the games every time.

Yeah it sucks that some of the tickets don’t get used. Granted it was Temple, but the one student ticket I was able to get from a friend that wasn’t able to go, and pretty much gave it to me for nothing, and I know she knew people who also weren’t going that had tickets. I think they usually fill up for the big games, but I say, if you’re too drunk or stupid enough to get there before the end of the first quarter, those unused tickets should be voided and be able to be sold at the Will-Call office or something, and the student who didn’t use it or scalped it should be fined. That way, at least students who actually give two shits enough to appreciate what a privilege it is to be a part of the student section can get the chance to experience it and enjoy it with their fellow students instead of being forced to watch on TV or scalping.

Sorry to rant, but I’m really passionate about this. But institute a fine for unused tickets, and implementing some sort of voiding process after some amount of time and allowing those tix to be resold to people who care I think would not only solve the student ticket shortage, but fill up that section to capacity for every game (ok, maybe not for a CCU game or equivalent).

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely will be disapointed

if they discontinue non-students standing in the student section.Ive never stood anywhere else. It would be weird sitting during play. I understand the motivation to get as many students as possible and in the case of non-students to get the face value out of the ticket by ‘validation’ and the whole bit.

Its a tricky situation, but I would like nothing better than to be able to bring my younger brother (who would be freshly 21) to the OSU game this fall and show him what its like in the student section. This is no small task as It would require a cross country trip for the both of us. Really, after I can do that then I wouldn’t be so crushed to be relegated to the rest of the stadium and take my place as an alum (class of 07)…sigh. Ive always wondered what it was like to respond with PENN STATE!!

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Apr 23, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, as a non-student/alumni who enjoyed a few years of continuing to sit in student section after graduation thanks to some friends in grad school, I still think it’s wrong for non-students to sit in student section. Those tickets are earmarked to students and, even if the university gets “full ticket price” by validating them for non-students, I find that wrong. If a student can’t use those tickets, they should be used by another student. IMHO. There’s only some 21,000 for a university with over 80,000 students — no reason different non-students should be sitting in those seats instead of students.

I don’t know if this card system will end up working or being used, but I fully support ant system that cracks down on students selling tix to non-students. Heck, eliminate that option (even if you could sell to other students) and I’m sure that the number of students that buy just to make a profit would go down, which is good for real student fans who might otherwise to locked out from tix.

by Laaaaazzz on Apr 23, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree somewhat

since the student section is for students (and I haven’t even tried sitting there since I graduated), but man I do miss the excitement. Maybe they could do a compromise and have a “young alumni” section where everyone still basically acts like they do in the student section (standing the whole time, wearing the shirts, doing lots and lots of cheering), but without having to be a student. I hate feeling guilty even standing up and cheering because I’m blocking the view of some older alumns who either can’t (forgivable) or won’t (lazy and unsupportive) stand up for exciting moments.

On an aside, last year at the Michigan game, I felt like I was annoying the guy who I was sitting next to (looked to be in his 80s or so). Wound up I was sitting in 2 of his season ticket seats (that they traded in for wheelchair seats for his friends), and I guess whoever re-bought the seats had sold them on the internet (to me). I was trying to act respectable, but once we started our comeback (and eventual large lead) I started to act…enthusiastic (nothing too crazy, but just the general high-fiving everyone within reach, hugging my friends, jumping up and down, and yelling loudly whenever we were on defense or got huge stops).

Anyway, it got to the point where eventually everyone else was also standing up, and he couldn’t see anymore, so I helped his wife (who was actually pretty cool, and eventually started initiating high fives with me) lift him up so he could stand and cheer as well. I think that was when we got the safety, and the guy started “jumping” as best as he could (with my support).

But yeah, those are the people I just hate standing up in front of (and usually try my best to remain seated, when I’m in front of them), but I wish there was another option that didn’t deprive students of seats, either.

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 24, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 for the young alumni section

No offense, I can’t stand sitting with the old heads who yell at you every time you stand up to cheer for a play.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Apr 24, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good call on the young alumni section.

That would be close enough. Laaazz, I definitely hear where you’re coming from and I cant disagree with getting students into their section. I guess yeah my other problem comes along the same lines as JNitt. I hate blocking peoples view, but at the same time sitting during the whole game would be rough. So It would be an uncomfortable situation all around.

Ive kind of wondered why there aren’t ‘rowdy’ or hell even overly obnoxious sections at events like there are ‘family sections’. Seems it would cater to both types of people. A student section extension would be a great compromise i think, but the fluidity of demand for such a section might pose administrative problems year to year.

"Even though it was bouncing, I knew it was so soft that it was just going to stay in," Battle said. "Then I ran around like a lunatic."

by bconway6 on Apr 25, 2009 5:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dantonio

OMG. It’s downright phenomenal how these coaches who used to scare me have plummeted along with the S&P. Between Bielema and Dantonio, I can’t tell who’s the bigger joker these days.

Letting your team do a playground draft for the spring game? Is that the dumbest idea you’ve ever heard from a football coach? Tell me those draft results won’t stick with the team throughout this season. Can you imagine how many more games we would have lost if Joe didn’t have veteran leadership all on board with his ’we’re behind #14’ message?

Here’s his own words on it:

Where did you get the idea to draft players for the spring game, and what does it to do to take away some of the grind of spring practice?
It adds a little bit more fun, I think, because it makes it more competitive. We are going to have the basketball coaches and the four seniors as coaches for each team.
 We actually started doing it at Youngstown State back in 1986 and we have done it ever since, whether I was with Coach Tressel or since I’ve been a head coach. I remember at Ohio State walking out on the first spring game and asked a guy, “What’s your name?” He was a new walk-on. I said, “You’re starting for the Gray.” So it gives everybody an opportunity to play. Stevie did a great job that day, and earned a scholarship. It makes it a little bit more fun for everybody. It’s not a grind. I don’t really want a lopsided game. And I remember also in ’02 (the national championship year at OSU) the score was 6-3. So we won 14 games that following season, so you never know what could happen.

I don’t know. Maybe he’s got enough of an ironfist that he can spin it like this and make it really stick. Just seems …..

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok

So I watched the video (sorry if it’s premium; my acct’s a little jacked and I can’t tell what’s free or not). It looks like they’re having fun, which I get is the point. And I spose it’s fine if it’s clear (which it is) that this is going to be a defensively-led Spartan team.

So, I don’t know, maybe I’m backing off my flabbergast a little….

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I recall a few years back

Anthony Adams pestering the staff to let him play goal line FB and get some touches. And they did.

Everyone knows this is for the fans & the guys buried a mile on the depth chart. Coaches have seen plenty from the main guys already. I’d get a kick out of it if they let Talor Battle or the Willard Preacher call plays out there. Christ, I’d get a kick out of it if they let them RUN some plays out on the field.

by Tailgate Shogun on Apr 23, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not a bad idea doing the draft

But the spring scrimmage is supposed to highlight 1st string O v. 1st String D, and then take them out so we can see the up and coming talent IMO, all while enjoying the first football in months in the greatest (and largest still) stadium in the country.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the question I want to know

Who is the other WR that Clark is referring to when he says that Moye is going to be one of the 2 go-to guys at WR this year? Any guesses?

by RNF18 on Apr 23, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've probably said this before

but whoever made this is a God, and worthy of Zug’s blessings.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike did it

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be me

Thanks.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Note the lions

in the submissive position.

Smart kitties. Smart.

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Apr 24, 2009 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Nittany Lions -

African lions submissive.

Jeez……having a rough time communicating lately.

Time to lock my keyboard.

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Apr 24, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

obviously Zug

how dare you insinuate that it may be someone else.

But seriously the way I read it, it seems like he means go-to guys for the entirety of the offense and my guess would be Royster.

"I'm driven by greatness" - Derrick Williams

by HookMania on Apr 23, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much a given

that it’s ZUG. Everyone knew going in that they’d be competing for 2nd.

by Screen Name 20 on Apr 23, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brackett

is a great number 3…he has the size.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Apr 23, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know

I read about Hull saying he’ll start, and then in my head I see that play from the Indiana game where he got sucked up in the line and the running back ran for a touchdown.

Anyway…

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Also you can't forget

the numerous times that he just got flat out run over by a RB last year. You can’t play LB if you’re going to constantly lose 1 on 1 battles with RBs. It was embarassing to some extent to see that happen time and time again last year. Hull’s a backup and shouldn’t be seeing starter’s minutes at a school like PSU where LBs grow on trees!

by RNF18 on Apr 23, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't he teamed up with Bani

on that play?

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe so

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The play I remember most

Is the play Illinois continued to run where Hull was primary coverage and the slot receiver would run (what I think) is called a drag-route across the field about 10 yards out. Hull was too slow and he couldn’t keep up with the reciever and the play always went for an extra 3-4 yards b/c Hull couldn’t get the lead out and he had to have a safety or CB catch the WR.

I love his story, I love me some walk-ons, but this is LB U — c’mon.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Apr 23, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Lee in the middle

and Bowman and Mauti/Stupar on the outside what’s he going to do – take a tire iron to Lee’s knee, hypnotize Bowman into telling the police he’s smoking week while on probation?

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

by rahpsu92 on Apr 23, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hull sucks

This kid should be kicked off the team for those comments. As soon as he was pulled in the Michigan we started winning again. Hull couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag with scissors in his hands.

by cjj127 on Apr 23, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a little excessive

I wouldn’t say he sucks. He’s good enough to walk on at Penn State which says something in and of itself. Maybe he’s not up to the Linebacker U tradition we’re used to seeing, but he busts his butt and keeps his nose clean. He’s a good kid hardly deserving of getting kicked off the team.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

He’s really not God-awful, and actually had his good moments last year. He’s just not our typical superstar linebacker. I think he got in last year in an effort to balance out the loss of Lee, not so much that he was deserving of the starting position.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that he can't improve, of course

And we could all be proven wrong this Fall, though he’s going to have to really kick ass to beat out the talent we have starting this year.

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa there fella

That’s just ridiculous. He was a walk-on, who got better as the year went on. He was possibly the only person capable of playing MLB (or LB “general,” if you will). Hopefully with more repetition he’ll continue to improve.

You act like he single-handedly caused our losses to Iowa and USC.

Geez, get a grip…..

"We heard all that talk all week about the SEC and their speed, but we knew personally that they weren't nearly as tough as us."

-Tony Hunt

by Cpiritual27 on Apr 23, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Colsanti

Whatever happened to him? He looked decent as a freshman but nothing more out of him?

by cjj127 on Apr 23, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still around

But there is talk with all the depth that he may redshirt this year.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Interesting for being such a top recruit. Glad Mauti has panned out better.

by cjj127 on Apr 23, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Word is

he has had trouble getting the resposibilities of being the MLB down in the PSU defense. An RS year may be the best thing considering all the things we’ve heard about his physical tools.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on Apr 23, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WR

Wide receiver is definitely a position I am not overly concerned about. I think Zug, Powell and Moye are all athletic enough and showed enough in limited action last season that they’ll be fine.

Defensive line I’m sure will be fine. Penn State has pretty much established this decade that they know how to spot and develop front 7 talent under LJSr. We know what we’re going to get out of the linebackers, tight ends, running backs and at QB.

That pretty much leaves the only two units left to be concerned about as offensive line and the secondary. The secondary should be fine, I think, during the season because there aren’t any decent passing QBs that can take advantage of that weakness. I’m hopefull that the cupcakes on the schedule prior to the start of the Big Ten slate allows the o-line to jell. We’ll see though.

by catesinator on Apr 23, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dont forget Brackett

He had some great catches last year

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I think you're completely wrong about the Cousins/Nichol thing.

The way the MSU draft was set up, once one team picked a player, the other player (either a backup, or the other person competing for the starting job) immediately went to the other team. Neither Cousins nor Nichol went until very late in the draft because they’re very, very evenly matched right now, and given the draft rules, the incentive is to draft a player where getting the backup instead would be a significant downgrade. Here, that wasn’t an issue, so both of the players fell to near the bottom of the draft. (And yes, supposedly they do take this stuff this seriously.)

FWIW, all reports have been that Nichol and Cousins have both looked very good in practice so far. I’m more than comfortable with either of them at QB this fall.

"Do not cheat your team or your teammates. Know your plays. Block. Protect. Add to what we are trying to do."
The Only Colors

by LVS on Apr 23, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This sounds like

It comes from the Wisconsin school of spin-control from last year. How did that work out?

by STU Boy on Apr 23, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe so

Would you like me to forward you some of the glowing reports we read about Anthony Morelli in 2007?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Apr 23, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, you definitely could be right

But I also certainly wouldn’t jump to that conclusion from the draft, especially when the coach, the players, and every reporter present said the lateness of the pick was for the reasons above. I see what you’re saying, but, given all the circumstances, I buy the expanation, and I don’t think I’m being Brewsteriffically blind here.

"Do not cheat your team or your teammates. Know your plays. Block. Protect. Add to what we are trying to do."
The Only Colors

by LVS on Apr 23, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The point I'm trying to make is...

that both quarterbacks are evenly matched, thus that’s why the position of QB was taken so late in the draft. The players were looking to gain advantages elsewhere where there’s more of a talent dropoff (safety, right tackle for example).

Now the quarterbacks are evenly matched, but whether that’s evenly matched at a mediocre, average, or good level of skill remains to be seen. The only thing we have to go off of is that Cousins did look good in the OSU, PSU and Georgia games last year. (albeit against 2nd string defenses with OSU and PSU, but that’s better than sucking against them.)

by Pete Rossman on Apr 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was it Lee Corso who said...

“If you don’t have one quarterback, you have no quarterbacks?”

Of course, we were in a similar position last year and it worked out just fine.

by rbz14 on Apr 23, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All is well. We have already vanquished our opponents for this season.

Congratulations to MSU, 2009 Big Ten Champs!

by Tailgate Shogun on Apr 23, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I miss that guy

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Little known fact

PSU picked up the phrase “All is well” from Baghdad Bob during the dark years.

by RNF18 on Apr 23, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Bacon begs to differ

--
Black Shoe Diaries

"Never. We would never shoot nuclear weapons at Decepticons." -- Gen. Jack Jacobs

by Run Up The Score on Apr 23, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he looks like Lloyd Christmas

by STU Boy on Apr 23, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Christmas Jones?

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer Christmas Jones

by Screen Name 20 on Apr 23, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice tangent direction!

Settle it on the field!

by PSUncle1981 on Apr 23, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just get this straight...

I have no problem with tank tops being tested to their elastic limits.

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

by rahpsu92 on Apr 23, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Certainly better than

The Devil in Mrs. Jones

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But maybe not as good as

Janet Jones

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like 10,000 marbles, please!

by Tailgate Shogun on Apr 23, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While we have the MSU blog leader here

Do you have replacement’s for Ringer? I’m curious to know if you might be struggling there after the loss of such a great back (that we completely shut down last year [sorry]).

by dawsonPSU10 on Apr 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, no.

We’ve got about 5 guys fighting for the job right now. There are a couple players (Ashton Leggett and Caulton Ray) who seem to have separated themselves from the pack, but we’ll see. I don’t feel as good about replacing Ringer as I do about replacing Hoyer.

Just as everyone predicted, Ringer wore down at the end of last season. We didn’t find out until after the season that he partially tore his meniscus against Michigan; so, against you guys, he was definitely playing hurt. (Not that a healthy Ringer would have made any difference in that game, honestly.)

"Do not cheat your team or your teammates. Know your plays. Block. Protect. Add to what we are trying to do."
The Only Colors

by LVS on Apr 23, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then someone named Mainline Mom, who sounds like some guy’s smokin’ hot wife

Wow, way to take the fun out of it for the rest of us.

Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet.

Noli nothis permittere te terere.

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Apr 23, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But if Mike was the plant-er

Wouldn’t he be praising his very own hot-soundingness? Is that still the same if he’s praising the hot-soundingness of his alter ego as some guy’s wife?

Oy vay, I need Zug to decipher all this for me.

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mainline Mom is PSUWifey's Twitter account

so while Mike may have planted the question, it was technically asked by someone’s (I wonder who) smoking hot wife

On a side note, I do enjoy how all of Mike’s family have their relation in their name. PSUWifey, PSUncle1981…I’m still waiting for the PSUHotCousins account to start up (so far I know that they’re about 10 miles in some direction from campus :-p )

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 23, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh, I didn't need Zug's Guidance This Time

after all. Just JNitt’s! You’ve been studying hard my son.

You serve Zug well.

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once Mike makes a(nother) $10 million from this blog

My new screen name will be PSULongLostBrotherLookingForAHandoutCanIHaveAFewBucks

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Apr 23, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm considering

changing to ‘PSUMikes20%Partner’

Call me, Bro, when the checks start arriving. I’m always here for ya, and just a deposit slip away

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Apr 24, 2009 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

crawford

been waiting two years to see this guy dominate. he will be the next one, if not the best one.

World F#$king Champions

by psudrozz on Apr 23, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not to mention the dude’s friggin scary looking:

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Apr 23, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that's even before

you hear him speak with his pommey accent.

Would love to be a fly on the wall in the trenches of the OSU game when he says to Justin Boren ’I’m gonna rip your face off’ with a british accent.

Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. --j. odrick
But I’m biased towards tailgating, as you may imagine. -ts
Ignore the accolades – just enjoy the games. -bb&w

by jtothep on Apr 23, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brittish accents are the opposite of scary

I’d rather have Jack just make random grunts and assorted noises so Boren thinks he’s as crazy as he looks.

by RNF18 on Apr 23, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should rephrase that

Technically, Scottish and Welsh are both “British”, and I’ve always thought Welsh was scary sounding.

Um, anyway.

Have a "great HD day!" - Jay Paterno

by ReadingRambler on Apr 23, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just waiting

for him to lose his helmet like Maybin did, and you get to see that crazed look in his eye. If I had kids I’d shield their eyes when that happens.

Maybin isn’t a scary looking guy until we saw him against Wisky w/o a helmet on, he had an insane look in his eye. I can only imagine what Crawford may look like chasing a QB w/o a helmet.

"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.

by millzners on Apr 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs