The QB Competition: Dissecting JoePa's Comments
by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 16, 2010 4:13 PM EDT
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Trying to glean any concrete meaning from a pre-season JoePa press conference may be an exercise in futility, but as I was reading over the media day transcript, one line in particular caught my eye:
Well, there isn't anybody with any experience out there, so when you say you're going to play a freshman or what have you, we may be forced into playing a freshman. I think we have really the (Kevin) Newsome kid is really a freshman. He started in January a year ago.
I should begin by saying that I am very much in the Bolden camp. He was the most highly-touted prospect of the four candidates. He blew everyone away at the Elite 11. Plus, from what we hear, he's lighting it up in preseason practices. Given that all of the candidates will have a lot to learn once they take the field, why not make sure we have the most talented guy in there?
My only concern has been the seniority issue. Joe and the rest of the staff have always given preference to more senior guys--sometimes even at the expense of a clearly more talented younger player. So, I have been worried that Bolden and Jones would be put at a disadvantage to Newsome and McGloin simply because Newsome and McGloin had been around a year longer. Joe's comment during the spring practice press conferences that he "doesn't even know freshmen exist" yet helped to feed that fear.
This comment helped to ease my concern. I read it as Joe saying that none of the candidates will get any sort of preference in the competition as a result of their seniority--that even Newsome, who's been with the program longest and is the only one with Penn State game experience, will be viewed as a freshmen for purposes of this competition. Maybe his experience and familiarity with the program has made him the best QB of the bunch, but he'll have to show it on the field like everyone else.
Perhaps I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here--after all, it's mid-August, and I'm football-starved. Still, I'm starting to think it's more likely we see Bolden take the helm come September.
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I read that the same way.
I’m with you where I’ve really been moved into the Bolden camp. The more and more I read on this kid, the more I think he’s going to end up being the guy….eventually. Everything I hear is how he’s probably the most athletic, demonstrates great leadership skills, has a solid arm. I’ve bought in. I was sipping the “Paul Jones Kool-Aid” after the Blue/White game when he was the only QB that, to me, looked somewhat solid. That quickly passed when I remembered the kid is playing against the 3rd team defense. Not to say it wasn’t a good performance but, I’d like to see more against the 1st team before I really start buying in.
However, I think we will see Newsome take the first snap against Youngstown St. I think the staff and Joe will take the approach that he does have the most experience of who is there, and obviously the kid has a lot of talent.
Also, thought I read on tWWL or one of the other billion meida outlets about Joe at least starting to narrow it down here pretty soon (read “this week”). It might have gotten lost in between the 500 articles of “When will Joe Retire?”
Let's Go State!
How can anyone be in a "camp" when we all know little more than nothing and "reports" from guys who have seen these quarterbacks play against something which is not Alabama?
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here"
yeah, what he said
I really don’t understand this “camp” stuff. I’m rooting for someone to take the bull by the horns and be a confident QB that doesn’t lose us games. I could care less if its Bolden or McGreger. I just want someone to drive the bus and I trust the coaches want to win as much as I do, though they probably want to win more.
What's the difference
Between camping in a Speculation Cave and playing fantasy football. Although the season is in smelling distance, it is still the offseason.
I approve of fan camps.
Until our defense proves otherwise, it should be presumed they will be excellent.
Ultimately, I agree with you
More than anything, I hope the coaches pick the best QB. That being said, the 4 candidates seem to bring very different strengths to the table, and so I expect the offense will be tailored significantly to the strengths of whomever wins the starting job. From what I’ve read/seen/heard, Bolden provides the skill set I’d most like to see in a QB—strong, accurate arm, impressive ability to learn the offense quickly, and very respectable running/scrambling ability. I simply see him as being able to make the most of the Spread HD system.
Newsome is a great athlete, the best runner of the bunch, and seems to have good instincts, but has a scattershot arm and is apparently slower to learn the system. I’m sure the coaches could craft an offense that plays to his strengths, but he’ll never be able to throw the precise passes that the other three are (or at least, will be) capable of. On the flip side, Jones and McGloin may develop into great passers, but neither presents the scrambling threat that Bolden does.
So, to the extent I want to see Bolden win the job over the other three, that’s why.
by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 17, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm merely felt based on what I've read that I think he sounds like the based candidate.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with forming an opinion based on what information I have been given. The more I hear about Bolden, the more I feel that he brings to the table. That doesn’t mean that if Newsome or Jones or McGloin ends up being the starter that I wont support them or that I’ll be screaming “Fire Jay!”
I merely giving my choice based upon the information presented. I’ll support this team regardless.
Let's Go State!
by MGPardoePSU on Aug 17, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
there is nothing wrong with what you stated
What is wrong is when the people that join the camps then decide to lambaste coaches and players when their “camp” guy gets passed over. The reports have been great on Bolden but no one here really knows what is going on in practice. When McGloin starts the first game you can’t hammer him and the coaches for the decision because from some internet insider report you heard McGreger was by far the best in camp.
Youngstown State won't tell us a whole lot.
The starter for that game may very well be who we play the rest of the year. But it’s just as possible that we don’t end up having a clear-cut started until mid-season. In fact, if the race is as close as it sounds like, it would almost be a good idea to give reps to both Newsome and QB#2 (whoever that may be). Then again, that approach could backfire, particularly against Bama and Iowa early in the season.
I’m pretty excited, nonetheless….whoever ends up starting will have a great stable of wideouts to throw to, and Royster to give the rock to. The QB won’t have to be a game changer, just a game manager…imo.
Does our opinion matter?
Really, the coaches see these kids a lot more than we do. I am confident that they will make their decision based on performance.
Yes the coaches have made mistakes on who should be in the game (refer to QB#14/Clark incident from previous). I don’t believe that they will put themselves in same scenario without quickly rectifying the situation if it turns sour.
I think the philosophy of starting the best 11 players is beginning to be the norm . Honoring the senior players is admireable, but doesn’t always win games.
Settle it on the field!
What about lift for life
So I went to lift for life as did many others and I noticed that Newsome wasn’t there. Some people said he was at some family function?
Do you think this could have upset Joe / got him a bit miffed? I’m worried Joe may hold grudges against players for silly things and this could have been something that got him in the dog house a tiny bit.
Oh and just to throw some gas on the fire, don’t be shocked if McGroin or Newsome starts the first few games of the season. Only after a Senecca-esque performance do we see Bolden in there.
That being said I say just throw Bolden in there and get it over. Joe constantly says he wishes he had played player X more the previous year, and the only way you get better is by seeing reps. So let’s just get both parts addressed now. It’s going to be a run-oriented offense with Royster/Green anyway
I say give it to McGloin
I already have #11 jersey…
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face
Hmmm, with this method, I still get Bolden
since I have a number 1 jersey. But, I can see this selection method working.
Unless there was someway to get DC another year of eligability since I have a #17 jersey as well…..
Let's Go State!
by MGPardoePSU on Aug 17, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
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