Potential Penn State Problem #4: Catching On
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
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PrintContinuing our countdown of concerns heading into the 2009 season.
Innovative offensive systems are great and everything, but you can't just replace three of the all-time leading receivers in school history without missing a beat. Can't happen, especially considering that two of those three former receivers are locks to make NFL teams and the third is making a hell of a run at a roster spot in Cleveland despite being the smallest guy in camp. Essentially, Penn State is trying to replace four years of starting experience (not to mention a ton of talent) at each of its top three receiver spots.
Just looking at last year's statistics, here's what we're trying to replace:
| RECEIVING | GP | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
| Butler, Deon | 13 | 47 | 810 | 17.2 | 7 | 70 | 62.3 |
| Williams, D. | 13 | 44 | 485 | 11.0 | 4 | 39 | 37.3 |
| Norwood, Jordan | 11 | 41 | 637 | 15.5 | 6 | 55 | 57.9 |
None of the returning players (including the returning tight ends) averaged more than one catch per game. One! Here's what is coming back:
| RECEIVING | GP | No. | Yards | Avg | TD | Long | Avg/G |
| Brackett, Brett | 13 | 13 | 160 | 12.3 | 1 | 20 | 12.3 |
| Zug, Graham | 13 | 11 | 174 | 15.8 | 2 | 49 | 13.4 |
| Quarless, A. | 12 | 11 | 117 | 10.6 | 1 | 17 | 9.8 |
| Shuler, Mickey | 13 | 9 | 120 | 13.3 | 1 | 24 | 9.2 |
| Moye, Derek | 10 | 3 | 71 | 23.7 | 1 | 33 | 7.1 |
| Powell, Chaz | 13 | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 0 | 22 | 2.8 |
This is not exactly inspiring. Not when our quarterback is adjusting to life behind three new offensive linemen and two others who are playing new positions. But let's take a look at the returning personnel, and see if we can't find some light in the darkness:
#5 Graham Zug (Jr., 6'2" 183) - Former walk-on, vaporizer of all that is evil, caught two touchdowns last year (Temple, MIchigan State) and a 49 yard bomb that set up PSU's opening field goal at Ohio State. The type of player you love to have on the field as a third or fourth option, but not exactly a guy who you expect to beat the other team's #1 or #2 corners with his quickness. Sure-handed and smart. Really, he's a less-quick version of Jordan Norwood who can find the soft spot in a defense and catch the ball.
#83 Brett Brackett (Jr., 6'6" 232) - Obviously, the sheer size is Brackett's main attribute. He scored one touchdown last year, a tough catch over the middle for Penn State's first touchdown against Temple (2:20 of this video). He's quicker than most people probably realize, but for all practical purposes he's a fast tight end. Like Zug, he has good hands, but also has the advantage of creating mismatches with his height. Also caught three short passes (all on first down, curiously) against USC in the Rose Bowl.
Zug and Brackett are both possession types whose success mostly depends on other offensive threats to stretch the defense. Bypassing the tight ends on the list (they should actually be a strength of this year's team, assuming Andrew Quarless seizes upon his last chance as a collegiate player), we find two guys who can be those explosive offensive threats.
#6 Derek Moye (So., 6'5" 198) - Caught three whole passes last year, none of which meant anything. Only one of the receptions was in Big Ten play, and it was in garbage time against Indiana. It's hard to underestimate how badly Penn State needs Moye to be a reliable target this year. His height will be quite useful, but Moye is also deceptively fast and is likely to end up at Penn State's primary deep threat in 2009. He might not break a cornerback's ankles on a ten yard out pattern, but should fly by most safeties if he has a 10-15 yard running start.
#2 Chaz Powell (So. 6'1" 197) - Fast as anything, but can he catch? That's the main concern with Powell, who was moved from defense to offense for good after he took a short pass 55 yards for a touchdown against Coastal Carolina. That was pretty much the extent of Powell's offensive contributions last season -- two catches and eight rushes. He's extremely likely to be one of PSU's kickoff returners, having averaged nearly 29 yards on nine returns.
These are your top four wide receivers for 2009 -- not exactly a group that strikes fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators across the country. Having Daryll Clark at quarterback helps, and they'll have a few games in which to settle into their new roles, but will they be able to get open and catch the ball when Iowa comes to town? Will any of the speedy freshmen, including Curtis Drake (#7, 5'11" 169), Justin Brown (#19, 6'3" 208), Shawney Kersey (#4, 6'1" 187), and Devon Smith (#20, 5'nothin" 100¬hin'), be getting any playing time by then? Maybe, but considering the experience in front of them on the depth chart, don't count on those guys being major contributors anytime soon.
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I’ll reitterate my post from the last threat about our receivers: we just need these guys to catch the passes thrown to them. Clark is going to get them ball and all they need to do is come down with it. I’d be much more concerned if we weren’t returning an all-conference QB who makes extremely good decisions.
For all the concerns about speed, size, routes, I think they are exagerated — we just need serviceable receivers who will catch what’s thrown to them. In the meantime we’ll bring our freshman up to speed and I have little doubt we’ll find at least one who’s got the home-run threat ability. Drake and Brown could both be starting by November.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
by millzners on Aug 19, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Serviceable receivers would be cool,
but if a guy like Powell can be a consistent threat to a defense, or if someone else (Moye?) turns out to be a deep threat, that opens up a ton of things to our offense that might otherwise stay vanilla and probably wins us a tight game or two (Illinois? Ohio State?) that we might not win without them. So says me anyway, the know-nothing peon that likes to talk like an analyst on the internet.
I wouldn't judge this crop of receivers too harshly
Their stats are because of Williams, Norwood, and Butler. With those three starting, the others had limited times on the field.
I’m assuming Problem #1 is our corners and safeties. That’s what I’m worried about. Should have known USC would pick us apart after Iowa, (of all teams) beat us through the air.
There will definitely be a dropoff in terms of production from the WRs...
but I think the offense as a whole will be fine. Having a senior QB and the best 1-2 RB tandem in the B10 is definitely going to help. Hopefully our running game can sort of set up the pass when needed. I really want to see Royster and Green catch even more out of the backfield as well.
If 1 or 2 guys can use the NC schedule to clearly establish themselves as reliable WR’s, I think we will be in good shape once the B10 season rolls around.
what is the definition of production?
all i want to see is completions and moving the chains, i don’t need 250 yards a game.
you’re definitly right about have a returning QB vs returning WR… and the run along with short qucik passing game will open up opportunities to go deep…
Great work
with the stats and especially with the Numbers & Sizes—very helpful here in the preseason. Even managed not to be too despairing with the tone.
Nice work.
"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
Thanks.
Not easy to come up with too many major problems facing a team that was 11-2 last season and returns five of the 15-20 best players in the conference.
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Now now
He’s supposed to play the role of the downer in this series. We’re all about being fair and balanced here at BSD. We want to give you the bad with the good. Otherwise we turn into BWI and I’m Phil Grosz and you’re all yelling at me at the end of the year because I promised you Andrew Quarless was going to catch 20 touchdowns and this was the greatest team Joe Paterno has ever had.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
I always kinda thought of
Phil as a certain organ unique to the male anatomy.
"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"
The Adam's Apple?
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Aug 19, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Prostate?
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Aug 19, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Is that a new sponsor? Prostate insurance?
Ugh, I hate having to thank the corporate sponsors, they can be a real pain in the rear end.
by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 19, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Just get it done and over with
it only hurts for a few seconds…
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Moon River...
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Aug 20, 2009 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I know Mike
I understand the philosophy…i was just hoping during these posting RUTS could play the full part and kinda use this avatar as a running joke…I really like the posts and it keeps the kool aid fresh and not watered down
I *have* been contemplating an avatar change.
But Soda Popinski will live on for now.
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Soda's name was changed
It was originally Vodka Drunkenski but Nintendo wanted it changed to be more family-friendly. If you watch the cut scenes between rounds, his original name makes a lot more sense.
and I was wondering
is the #1 problem going to be TP…will the NCAA allow him to transfer to a new school each week so he can play PSU?
We're not just losing experience
We’re dropping down in talent, and this is going to be a test for Jay and Galen Hall.
If our offense really is like Purdue’s, which I read somewhere on BSD recently, then it should really matter what the talent is, we’ll just be able to put a bunch of no-names into the positions and should have a pretty good team.
I think you’d always prefer to have an experienced qb and question marks at WR, as opposed to the opposite, which was the case last year. My hope here is that between innovative playcalling, and with the experience and talent in the backfield, we’ll be able to figure out how to use the wideouts effectively.
From your description, Brackett seems like a great target in the end-zone, ala Plaxico. Let’s hope he doesn’t shoot himself in the foot at whatever the crow’s nest is called now.
If they’re creative with Royster, I think we should be fine at the skilled positions. I agree with putting this as the fourth area of concern, Mr. RUTS.
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
Dude, EIU is going to hang 50 on us.
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
hush you.
that $(*#& christensen is their qb -
i blame iowa
Ms. Simpson could tell you just how cruel those panthers can be.
Oh, well, then make it "hang 50 yards on us."
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Only Devon is slightly faster than Rudy.
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 19, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
To be able to run to setup the pass
We’re going to need that new OL to really gel, and step things up by the time we get Iowa. If we’re not much of a threat to throw, we need to be able to block to be able to run.
I’m worried about our offense. I think Clark is legit, but he had great college players all around him last year. He turned in a great year, but this year he’s expected to make all these guys better.
Pre-shades of PPSUP #1...
"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
Experienced QB + Young Receivers > Inexperienced QB + Experienced Receivers?
It’s an interesting question. I think there have been more recent examples supporting the “inexperienced QB w/ experienced receivers”, at least off the top of my head: Colt McCoy at Texas coming in and doing well in his first season (’06 with Sweed), ’04 Chad Henne chucking the ball to Braylon Edwards and Jason Avant all the way to a Big 10 title comes to mind, Pryor last year, and really even your PSU squad last year with Clark assuming the starting role.
I’ve come to respect Clark more and more, but to think that his presence alone makes the receivng corps effective regardless of who trots out there is a pretty big stretch if you ask me. In order for Clark to get them the ball they have to, you know, actually get open and bring it in… the experience is one thing, the drop in talent is another (trust me, as a Michigan fan we now understand this concept all too well). Fortunately for PSU, there’s plenty of “tune-up time” early on in the year to get things sorted out to see who will step up. While none of the guys you graduated ever put up huge individual numbers, to see what they did collectively is impressive, and it leaves some awfully large shoes to fill heading into this year.
GO BLUE! http://www.maizenbrew.com/
I think the argument assumes that the players are at least competent
just not a known commodity, or perhaps just not great.
We will see, though, as Michigan State is kinda the anti-PSU right now in terms of returning offense (though they might wind up sucking for completely different reasons, such as being Michigan State)
by The JuggerNitt on Aug 19, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Just to add to Clark and the receivers
And not that this really counts for jack, but we’ve jokingly linked Clark’s twitter feed on this site a few times, and from the sound of some of his posts, he’s working EVERY day, or close to it from what it sounded like, with his receivers all throughout the summer before official practices began which will help both Clark and the guys he’s throwing too tremendously. Clark gets to gel with them a little bit and all of the receivers get used to Clark throwing to them. Obviously, that could mean nothing in the long run, but I find it hard to believe it will count for nothing when all said and done.
The Wide Receiver Position Itself Is Overrated
As delineated here by one astute fan.
I love your screenname btw.
"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
Oh I agree...
But there’s a difference between just being competent and the guys that you trotted out at spots one, two, and three last season. Love the MSU comment though, of course according to Sparty, they’re going ZOMG1! 11-1 this year…
GO BLUE! http://www.maizenbrew.com/
I know I'm drinking the Kool-Ade here, but isn't a 2005 a possible analogy to this year?
A senior quarterback leads a group of untested wide receivers to a conference championship, thanks to the support of an amazing running back.
I’m not worried about the WR in and of themselves. Will the offensive line give Clark enough time to get the ball to them? That’s the question, Jimmy.
I am scared that we’re going to keep assuming that Andrew Quarless seizes upon his last chance as a collegiate player. If he doesn’t show up, we need to go with Mickey Shuler sooner rather than later. (Actually, this could be in my Top 5 PPSP.)
it is impossible to tell at this point
as those freshmen WR’s we trotted out in 2005 turned out to be quite good WRs. These guys may be good, but that’s basically hoping that we get lucky and strike gold again, which isn’t really something you should bet on, or expect. They may turn out to be as good (or maybe even better), but the odds of it happening are low.
What we really have to hope for is basically what millzners suggests: that the system we have allows to plug in basically a competent reciever at the spots that can catch the ball and not drop it. We don’t need a ton of yards after the catch, as long as they actually catch it.
by The JuggerNitt on Aug 19, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Success begets success
Our young guys have had a couple of years to work under a great receiver corps and will have the same qb. They may be motivated to play beyond their assumed abilities.
A win over Pitt is like kissing your sister
by JuniataMan on Aug 19, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
For ‘begets’
"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 Aug 20, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1 for being jtot
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Aug 20, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait, did I miss something
Zug is a senior? Or does he still have a year of eligibility left? I thought he was a RS JR.
RS Jr = Real-life Senior
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Aug 20, 2009 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Huh.
I was looking at this. Transcribing error, I guess.
--
Order your copy of "We Are Penn State", like, now. One team, 128 pages.
by Run Up The Score on Aug 20, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I know
but in the post RUTS has playing year next to each player, not what class they’re in. But it’s cool now, he fixed it.
That's why I never take that at face value
As RUTS has shown, it’s entirely too easy to screw up a player’s year.
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Aug 20, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhhh
A Senior Vaporizer that is!
"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
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