Penn State Names 2009 Team Captains

by BSD on May 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT in Football Comment 54 comments

More photos » by Carolyn Kaster - AP

Thanks to JayTweet we know that the first summer session got underway this week. And the first order of business was electing team captains. Today it was announced that your 2009 Penn State Nittany Lion team captains will be quarterback Daryll Clark and linebacker Sean Lee.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A pair of Penn State standouts, quarterback Daryll Clark and linebacker Sean Lee, have been elected co-captains of the 2009 Penn State football team.

Clark, from Youngstown, Ohio, and Lee were elected by their teammates at the end of the spring semester, following completion of spring practice. The first summer academic session began on Monday on the University Park campus.

There are absolutely no complaints here at BSD. These are two excellent choices.

Sean Lee has been a consistently hard worker and was even named an honorary captain last season after tearing his ACL in the spring.

Daryll Clark is the face of the 2009 Nittany Lions. He is one of only two seniors starting on offense and makes a no-brainer choice.

If I have one concern it's that we only have two captains. Maybe it's just me, but I'm of the belief the more captains the better. You can never have too much leadership, and historically the more leadership Penn State has on the team the better they perform.

Again, I'm thrilled with the choice of Lee and Clark, but I'm wondering why guys like Dennis Landolt, Mickey Shuler, Jerome Hayes, and Jared Odrick weren't worthy of the Big C?

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I think two or three captains are sufficient.

You don’t want to dilute the position. Odrick’s been a bit of a PITA off the field, Hayes basically hasn’t played in two years, Shuler isn’t much of a star, and Landolt…well, I have nothing bad to say about Landolt.

But Clark and Lee were the obvious choices — smart, charasmatic guys who represent the program and school with pride.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

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

by Run Up The Score on May 19, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Terrell Golden wasn't much of a star and he got to be a captain...

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on May 19, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who were the other offensive captains that year?

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Black Shoe Diaries

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

by Run Up The Score on May 19, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You really want to know?

#14.

by Screen Name 20 on May 19, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

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

by Run Up The Score on May 19, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Golden was voted in by the team as a Captain

I remember reading that he was just a great guy who busted his ass every day, and was able to get along with everyone, and for that, the whole team loved him, and voted him in as a captain. Sort of like those (and I apologize if no one knows wtf I’m talking about) “Face in the Crowd” speeches from high school graduation. They were speeches given by a kid who wasn’t the valedictorian or salutatorian, but who wrote speeches to say during the ceremony, who kind were the face and embodiment of the class (not those nerds who had to come in first and second in their class*)

*Funny story, I was actually really good friends with the valedictorian of my class and still am, but he is a huge nerd, and not the Trekkie nerd, but the "I can’t go out and have fun because I have to (or my parents are making me) study for a test I’m already going to get an A on regardless.

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always thought less is more

Seriously, who are the other leaders on this team. It’s Lee and Clark, and everybody knows it. Too many people just confuses the issue.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on May 19, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just my preference.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And I'll tell you why

Picture the 4th quarter against Ohio State. We’re down by five points and 80 yards away from a touchdown. Clark goes down on the first play with another concussion.

Now you have 11 guys standing in the huddle looking at each other saying, “Now what?” Who is going to calm them down and tell them it’s going to be ok because they’re going to execute their plays and march down the field and score?

I’m sure somebody will say it, but it means more coming from a captain rather than a sophomore or Clark’s replacement. People change their attitude when they are put in a position of leadership. And the perception of that person changes in the eyes of the people who work for/with them.

I just think it pays to nudge people into leadership roles. Sometimes they never know they can be a leader until they are asked to do it.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I wholly agree

Assume for a second that Newsome is the replacement. Further assume that he displays the maturity, skill and confidence to take his offense into the endzone and nstills that confidence in his teammates. You still can’t discount the impact of having that confidence expressly reinforced by an upperclassmen who is also a captain.

It’s a dynamic that could be sorely missed if the need ever arised and, IMHO, poses no risk if the need never arises.

"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"

by nitwit86 on May 19, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

I don’t think you need the proverbial “C” on your jersey to be a leader. There are different types of leaders. Look at Poz, who didn’t lead so much vocally in the defensive huddle as his did by example and his play on the field. Who’s to say that Royster won’t take command and demand the rock if Clark were to go down?

by Screen Name 20 on May 19, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't need a C to lead

But it definitely helps. Your voice carries more weight when you have that C on your jersey. They are almost like an extension to the coaching staff.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right now...

through the players’ votes or Joe Pa’s wishes, we have two (probably unanimous) captains. I get what you’re saying with being a captain having more weight, but why force another captain when you have two strong individuals who will overshadow any other “captain”?

If they go down, God forbid, we’ll soon find out who will step into their roles. Often times, a situation arises where a player is thrust into role unexpectedly and they have that chance to become a leader.

by Screen Name 20 on May 19, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Certainly

You hope there are underclassmen setting good examples and being vocal when they have something to say.

But still, there is something special about being a captain. Maybe it’s the universal recognition of the team that gives them extra respect. Speak out against a sophomore criticizing you in the huddle and most guys won’t pay attention. Speak out against the captain and the whole team will set you straight.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but not if they don't believe in him as a captain

(cough) #14 (cough)

And I have no evidence to back that up, that just what I would imagine from his general attitude on the field.

by Screen Name 20 on May 20, 2009 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deon Butler wasn't Captain

but then, he wasn’t normal

by PSUgirl on May 19, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard

that he’s a legend, and that tOSU doesn’t have a tradition of holding his nuts

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe it was Wisconsin

that lacked suficent tradition to hold our nuts.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on May 20, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope it was OSU

by RNF18 on May 20, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the speech was definitely OSU

but for the record, Wisconsin doesn’t have the tradition to hold his nuts, either

by The JuggerNitt on May 20, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was it just his nuts?

Or our collective nuts? ’Cause that would be a lot of nuts. Even for the Buckeyes.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on May 20, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was "our" nuts

but I felt it was more of the team’s nuts, and didn’t want to say “our” and include my puny nuts with those of “Legend” and “Supreme Overlord” and “QB-17” and the rest.

by The JuggerNitt on May 20, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Mike...

"...goon-a-la-goun-ga...gung-ga-la-gun-ga...he said; there will be no money exchanged..."

by BlueWhiteLife on May 19, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Wisniewski should also be selected.

He’s had family excel here, he’s experienced, and he knows what Penn State is all about. He would be a good one in the huddle for that last drive down the field.

by Ab4PSU on May 20, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My friend showed me Daryll Clark’s facebook “about me” – before the season last year (right after he beat out Devlin):

“… times have change and FINALLY I am the H.N.I.C (You figure it out!)…”

Clark has an ego and that’s part of what makes him so successful. He wants to be THE guy, no questions asked. I think giving him complete control over the offense is a great decision because there are no mixed messages. All the leadership on the offensive side of the ball has to come through him.

He does need to get over his mistakes on his own this year. We won’t have an AQ Shipley to get in his face and tell him to calm down after he throws a pick – that’s the only thing that worries me. But I don’t think you can appoint one of the question marks on the line an offensive captain at this point just so you have an AQ Shipley.

by PSUMBBtrumpet on May 19, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just appoint a captain so you can say you have one

Kind of like we did with #14?

(OH NO HE DI’INT!)

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I was just going to say that.

by Screen Name 20 on May 19, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could see you

chicken necking from here.

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

by rahpsu92 on May 19, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just a thought

but maybe just 2 captains is just the result of Clark/Lee taking so many votes that anybody else just had a few votes and it was a case of either taking 2 captains or having to chose from the 2 that got the majority plus a group of guys who had 3 or 4 votes each for them. I’d assume Clark/Lee were damn near unanimous votes and the other worthy candidates may have split any remaining votes.

And obviously Zug respectively declined to be included so that other players could receive votes. He is an awesome ZUG!

"I'm driven by greatness" - Derrick Williams

by HookMania on May 19, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eh

I think the voting is rigged. There have been years when they didn’t vote and Paterno picked the captains. I think in years where he knows how the vote will go he lets them vote. In years where he’s not happy with the team he’ll pick captains on his own.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe, just maybe Clark is wrong...

JoePa may still be the H.N.I.C.

Just a guess though.

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

by rahpsu92 on May 19, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Head Ni...ttany In Charge ;-)

by The JuggerNitt on May 19, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I cannot honestly believe

That anyone but the coaches appointed #14 a captain. Does anyone think he’d get sympathy votes from the rest of the team? He was planted there b/c he was already fragile with the Nittany Nation turning on him, and him sucking up and down the field.

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

I think Paterno did appoint him as a captain because he desperately wanted him to be more of a leader. I think he was trying to show confidence in him in hopes that the team would also.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 20, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you meant "I agree"

since (at least to me) you guys are basically saying the same thing. Only difference is that dawson makes it seem like Paterno was protecting him, while you are saying that Paterno was trying to boost his confidence, but I think they’re somewhat similar, overlapping motives

by The JuggerNitt on May 20, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

May lightning strike me

but what happens if either of these guys goes down for the season. Do they pick new captains to replace them?

by InScoresOfOtherGames on May 19, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Play it by ear

There’s no manual for handling this stuff. It’s up to Paterno.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Technically Lee was a captain last season too, and he was on the injured reserve/staff member

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

whats

hnic?

We are not normal...WE are Legends...We are PENN STATE!

by hawaiipennstatefan on May 19, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Head N------R In Charge

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh

Uncomfortable territory here, but I think it might end with an "a"

by Bob Sacamano on May 19, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok fine

Let’s stop this thread here.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on May 19, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NittanyLion

doesn’t end in “R.”

by confirmy on May 19, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, "naggers". Of course.

--
Black Shoe Diaries

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

by Run Up The Score on May 19, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For those who didn't see this episode

The correct answer was NAGGERS, but that wasn’t the answer Randy gave…

by dawsonPSU10 on May 20, 2009 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was Lean on Me, right?

That was a great scene with Morgan Freeman and Robert Guillome. That’s where I heard HNIC for the first time. Thought it was great then, and I think it’s great now.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on May 19, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs