Quarterbacking Case...Matt McGloin
by QBsneak12 on Aug 17, 2010 12:06 PM EDT
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PrintPart two of a three part series reviewing the four potential candidates for the quarterback position.
Making the Case For….
Matthew McGloin
#11
Redshirt Sophomore
6’1" 209lbs
At first glance, Matt McGloin is the outlier in the 2010 Quarterback competition. A former walk-on, McGloin is up against three former blue chip recruits in Kevin Newsome, Paul Jones, and Robert Bolden. He may not have the national recognition of some of his teammates, but McGloin has already earned a scholarship and is ready to compete for the job.
Penn State has a long history with walk-ons that made big impacts on the team. In recent years, Deon Butler and Josh Hull have gone from walk-ons, to scholarship athletes, to NFL draft picks (Butler was a 3rd Round Pick in 2009 and Hull was a 7th Rounder in 2010). Butler is perhaps one of the greatest wide receivers in Penn State history leaving the school as the all-time leader in receptions with 179. But what about the history with walk-on quarterbacks at Penn State?
When was the last time a walk-on QB ran the show in Happy Valley? In order to get the answer we went directly to the source for all things Penn State, Lou Prato. Lou couldn't recall a single walk-on who became the starter at QB since scholarships resumed in 1949. With as much history as Penn State has with walk-ons, walk-on QBs don't seem to have much of a history at all since 1949. If McGloin wins the job, his first start on September 4th against Youngstown State will be a history making one.
Experience
In terms of experience, Newsome looks like a seasoned vet compared to McGloin. Appearing in only two games during the 2009 season, McGloin failed to connect on either of his two pass attempts. WR Curtis Drake actually has more completions (One) and more TDs (One) then McGloin (Drake has the most TD passes on the team heading into the season).
What McGloin, or "Brett" as named by his teammates (referring to former Packers great and current retired/not retired Vikings QB Brett Favre) lacks in experience, he more than makes up for with confidence. He firmly believes in his skill set and that if given the opportunity, the team will follow his lead.
Some people don't think I have the speed or the arm strength, which I kind of disagree with," he said. "I can control the game and I think the team rallies around me as it is.
"They show me I can be a leader in and out of the huddle. I believe I can get the job done."
If winning the job was based on how you talk about winning the job, McGloin takes the cake.
If McGloin wins the job
"Evan Royster on the carry. A gain of 9 yards on the play." Expect to hear that, or some incarnation of that early and often during the season. Nothing against McGloin, Newsome, Jones, or Bolden...Penn State knows what they have with Evan Royster. Royster is only 481 yards away from breaking College Football Hall of Fame Running Back Curt Warner's career rushing record. If you have a horse, you need to feed it, and Penn State knows that much. McGloin's role as the QB will be to limit mistakes, trust the coaches, and when given the opportunity to make the big play, make it (think Todd Blackledge to former walk-on Gregg Garritty in the 1982 National Championship game against Georgia).
McGloin may actually be better equipped to lead the offense than Newsome simply for the simple fact that he does not have elite running skills to try and extend the play. McGloin is also seen as the better and more accurate passer(questions regarding Newsome's ability to read the defense, not lock on to his #1 WR, and throwing motion have been hot button issues during summer camp). McGloin is not Kerry Collins in terms of athletic ability, but he also won't remind people of Michael Robinson. He will need to take what the defense gives him and protect the ball. In the Spring Game, McGloin forced a lot of his passes hoping to make a play and ended up with an interception. He will need to stop doing his Brett Favre impersonation and starting doing his Matt McGloin...being himself will get him the job.
Another potential option is a QB by committee. We've seen it done in our program before with Rashard Casey and Kevin Thompson back in 1999. Florida is the gold standard of the QB by committee. They pulled off the feat and won a National Championship (Chris Leak and Tim Tebow). Both of the scenarios worked because each player had a different skill set (Pocket Passer Leak and battering ram Tebow). Can it really work in Happy Valley in 2010?
Domino Effect
McGloin could very well be the Week 1 starter. If he wins the job expect some noise from the Penn State faithful. When Pat Devlin didn't win the job in 2008, fans (on Team Devlin) were very vocal about it (fans were excited to have a potential three year starter at QB). It was said Penn State would never land another 4 or 5 star recruit at QB. Fast forward two years and we have 3 big time QB recruits all with their eyes on the prize. What will be said if a former walk-on beats out the blue chip recruits? It will once again prove the only thing Rivals star system is good for is unique visitors.
If McGloin performs well and wins during the first four weeks (especially if he finds a way to win @ Alabama) of the season and continues to progress and develop, we will have to look at his teammates to see what happens next (back in 1980 Jeff Hostetler started three games before he was unseated by Todd Blackledge, that could potentially happen in his scenario with one of the three backups winning the job at some point before the game @ Iowa). There is a lingering feeling that his stay at the top will only be for a short few weeks.
Quarterback is a unique position. Only one kid can start and if that player is a Sophomore he will have three years to run the Spread HD. College football has become all about who can get me to the NFL faster and get me the guaranteed cash. Kids who have been told they are the best since they were 12 years old don't want to wait their turn, they want the job right out of high school, even if they aren't ready for it. It is JoePa's job to tell them otherwise. It's tough to think two Freshmen and a Sophomore are going to sit and wait their turn. They aren't going to wait around like Mike McQueary to start for one year for the love of Dear Ol' State. On September 4th we will see the first domino fall. We might have to wait until December to see the next one (or two).
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So is part three going to be a combination of Jones and Bolden?
Just wondering about a three part series for four QBs.
For the glory
Dear World
Can I please never read about Matt McGloin again?
Thankssssssssssss
PS – OK, maybe in 3 years in a BSD Meme contest
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Aug 17, 2010 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Here's the deal
Joe likes a reliable QB. Clark was one of the most reliable QB’s you could have. He wasn’t going to take over and win the game very often, but he knew the system, and was a vocal leader out on the field. He made very few mistakes, and Joe loved him for it. Joe knew Clark wasn’t going to go out on 1st down after a big defensive stop and throw a back-breaking pick like Morelli did so routinely.
McGloin in as a starter will let Joe sleep at night. He’ll fall asleep knowing that his little Irish good luck charm isn’t going to fumble the 1st snap or muff the handoff to Royster on the goal line. He may force a throw, or not have the arm to complete every pass, but he’ll go out there and call the right play and stay out of Royster’s way.
Newsome in as a starter will cause the old man serious sleep deprivation. One play he may break off a fantastic run or hit a TE on a beautiful crossing pattern. Then he may go out and drop the ball inexplicably or over throw a wide open receiver.
So, as you all know, my assertion is that we’ll start McGloin, run the wild cat with Newsome, and then eventually Jones/Bolden will fill the void depending on how Newsome progresses. We may see the Rational Cat at some point if Newsome does take over for McGloin. It’s obviously going to be a temporary situation if McGloin does start but it lends itself to the notion that Bolden/Jones may be involved a lot.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
Being the face (or internet avatar) of the Pro McGloin Party has to be exhausting, eh millz?
I’m not sold one way or the other, but you’ve got to have the highest words-per-post stats in the past month on BSD.
@EpicTripod
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 17, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I am on board with this idea
Though if Bolden is doing as well as reported, I think he’ll find his way into the mix early on.
I don’t think Newsome will ever be a serious passing threat, but I think he’s a good enough athlete that he’ll end up on the field quite frequently. It’s too bad Drake got injured—having three running/passing threats on the field at the same time (Newsome, Bolden, and Drake) could be mind-blowing.
If McGloin can play the role of mistake-free game manager, that would be great—and I think if he can demonstrate those abilities to the coaches, he’ll be the #1 guy early on in the season. His gunslinging and two interceptions in the B/W game made me think that he’s not a mistake-free kind of guy. But of course, that was just the B/W game; he could be a very different QB coming out of camp.
by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 17, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
If McGloin starts @ Bama
I feel like that’s the staff basically saying they know we don’t have a chance. tAnd I couldn’t necessarily blame them for that.
why would you read it that way?
If we don’t have a chance, might as well just throw the freshman in there to get some playing time and experience, right?
If McGloin wins the job, I think it’s b/c the coaches think he gives the team the best chance of winning. This year’s team should not be tailored to the qb; the qb should be tailored to the rest of the team. It might be that McGloin happens to have the combination of skills that work best in combo with the rest of the offensive skills…
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
I guess my thought process is that putting mcgloin out there means he’ll just manage the game and limit mistakes, essentially giving them the least chance of getting completely embarassed. That and they don’t want to expose a freshman to that. I don’t know, just speculating.
by speedomike on Aug 17, 2010 2:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn't say that
I would say if they play McGloin it means they think they can win 6-3 and don’t want to give Alabama opportunities with freshman mistakes.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
I don’t know about the assumption that McGloin would make any less mistakes than Bolden or Jones. The dude can barely see over the line and he isn’t quick enough to roll out and get a clear passing lane.
by Rocky Mountain Nittany Lion on Aug 17, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
On the passing side of things, I’m not sure you could argue Newsome vs. McGloin, neither looked great in the B&W. But in terms of going out into a hostile territory, calling the right play, taking the snap, and handing Royster the ball — I think it’s pretty clear that’s where McGloin easily beats out Newsome. He’s not going to set the world on fire, but he’ll reliably execute the game plan, which I think we all agree is going to be your typical Paterno standoff.
And, if by some chance McGloin has good play action mechanics and can sell the hand off, we may find wide-freaking-open receivers that you or I could hit from 20 yards out.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
How does forcing balls let Joe sleep?
Newsome’ s “fumbles” are going to keep Joe up…..but McGloin throwing into triple coverage w/o benefit of a Farve like arm won’t???? In our prior banter I said he looks like a I-AA QB at best…..I truly believe that. If McGloin is our starter our chances of stealing a game from Bama, OSU or Iowa die!
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
I understand it’s a personal choice to love McGloin or not, so I can’t make you love him. But if he is our starting QB on Sept 11th, and if he wins, I expect that you’ll do the sensible thing and get his face tatooed on your body. It’s only fair. Just think of the fun you’ll have come beach season asking the ladies to come over and rub lotion on McGloin.
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
love your new pic
I’m not the huge McGloin fan you are but I do know the kid is better than people are giving him credit. His senior yr in high school was pretty amazing stat wise and no one else here is comparing the college ability of the guy they want. I do think Bolden is the future but McGloin might just be the one that gets the engine rolling this year.
You can lead an elk to the McGospel
But you can’t make him drink.
Until our defense proves otherwise, it should be presumed they will be excellent.
A good leader
doesn’t walk around and tell everyone what a good leader he is.
True....
but I like having someone that displays a confidence in their abilities. We’ve seen that McGloin can talk it up about leading the team and having confidence, if he can come out of the gate having a solid game and keep working on improving on his performance from the BW game, that I think he’d be a solid starting QB.
I guess as I watch these videos and read these articles about Newsome, I just don’t get the feeling that he is overly confident or very vocal about leading the team. He says he wants to win and do everything he can but he doesn’t seem to vocalize what he is doing or what skills he brings to the table that make him the best choice. I don’t mean this to bash Newsome in anyway, just making a statement in the difference I see about the leadership qualities I see from what little information we do get.
Let's Go State!
I think most of McGloin's leader comments
are the result of media questions.
On the other hand – If the kid is walking around with a gold crown on his head requiring the team to call him King Matt the Leader then that is a different story.
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
Experience
You’re confusing me. In the Newsome post/thread you said experience was time in the offense/system, and the the longest tenured QB typically wins the job. Which would make McGloin more experienced than Newsome. But now you’re saying it’s game experience that makes Newsome the veteran. Which is it?
If McGloin expects to be taken seriously
He needs to work on a serious hullstache (?Mcgloinstache), that is the only way I see him taking the starting position. The best thing about this is only 3 weeks till an actual game!
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils
These things scare me
He will need to take what the defense gives him and protect the ball.
…
He will need to stop doing his Brett Favre impersonation and starting doing his Matt McGloin…being himself will get him the job.
These are things said to put the shine on bad quarterbacks. I don’t know shiz about shiz (or really how these guys have looked this summer), but it can’t bode well if that’s the best you can say about the guy.
Quit wasting time
We have 3 highly rated qbs. Figure out which one is most ready and let’s move on. McGloin, although a nice story, shouldn’t be in the mix.
by Llama Sports on Aug 17, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
If anything
he has done the most to strengthen his case since the Spring. Seems like he is taking a leadership role and getting better on the field….
Gotta give him at least a shot. Just because a website didn’t give him 3 stars doesn’t mean he can’t be a future stud. Look at Kurt Warner, Tony Romo…guys that weren’t heavily 4 star recruits…they’ve done OK.
Blue and White
It was much funner to argue the Hostettler/Blackledge debate.
No one followed recruiting back then and you could only argue what you knew, not what some service that gives kids higher ratings if their parents pay more money. Yes that is how it works. Go to our camp and make us money and we will give you a higher rating. Or go where the coaching staff pays for our service, not PSU.
And mustaches
Hostetler had a killer stache and Blackledge went all pretty-boy.
Until our defense proves otherwise, it should be presumed they will be excellent.
Todd couldn't even grow one in college.
his looked like junior high kid that didn’t wash after chocolate milk.
HE DIDN'T GET ANY STARS!!
MORE STARS = BETTER, IT’S JUST A FACT.
Walk ons just don’t have the talent to play at this level, right Deon?
McGloin Despite Them
Preaching the McGospel since Aug. 2nd, 2010
by millzners on Aug 17, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
They ain't got the tradition
to hold our nuts.
Until our defense proves otherwise, it should be presumed they will be excellent.
Nothing
But usually if a guy doesn’t pull down any offers from D-I schools, it’s because his easily evaluated tools are mediocre. Those aren’t the most important qualities for a QB, but if the tools aren’t there, then there’s a ceiling on what a guy can do against a defense that is just as smart and has guys with big time raw talent.
I’m just not that excited if a guy with borderline D-I tools is our starter when there are three guys with serious pedigree behind him. I get the feeling in McGloin we’ll see a guy who is a ‘system quarterback’ who could succeed if the offense is built to his strengths. But that probably means very few long out patterns unless we’re accepting passes that aren’t all that crisp.
What tools that McGloin possesses are not D1 and what are D1 tools?
Curious. He was short when he graduated from high school and has grown. Had he been 6’1" in high school he would have gone D1. He doesn’t have a weak arm, he was a very good high school pitcher. He isn’t slow, not Newsome fast but not slow. He probalby has the same skill set of Devlin without being 6’3".
Good question
But I’m not sold that it’s just an inch or two of height that is the sole deciding factor. The 5’11" Todd Reesing still ended up at Kansas after being overlooked in TX and put up a ton of yards. He still didn’t have a very strong arm, though he was a useful system QB.
If McGloin has such huge upside, why didn’t PSU offer him from the very start? Everything here points to a player who has size, athelticism and arm right on the cusp of D-I. Maybe he really does have an accurate cannon. But you’d think at least Buffalo or Temple would have given him an offer.
Come on dude....
Did you actually watch the blue white game…..everything he threw floated and he looked like he was wearing lead boots. Poor decision making, poor throws and the lead boots don’t make a D-1 QB!
I thought only safeties played 15 yards off the ball?
based on Experience
Does that mean Drake gets the job?
That's what makes his injury so untimely.
Bloggin' at joepasdoghouse.com
by Cairo on Aug 17, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
philosophy of recruiting ratings
I like that this thread has devolved to this level. That aside, I hate to get in the way of a bunch of great storylines, but what have we seen out of McGloin that suggests he’s better than Newsome? Even though Newsome was bad in the BW game, wasn’t he better than McGloin?
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Aug 17, 2010 5:26 PM EDT reply actions
And Morelli blew up the B/W game, guess that meant he was all world.
The coaches see the body of work, we really see nothing. No one here knows what these guys look like. I don’t see how anyone can judge and bad mouth a player without knowing anything. You can critque the B/W game performance but you don’t even know what the coaches were doing or calling there. Recruiting services are the biggest joke in college athletics. At least the corrupt AAU basketball services play games and not just run drills.
Millzner said so, he heard a rumor
The rest of us will have to take it on faith.
by Frank O'Brien on Aug 18, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
It makes ZERO sense to start MyGroin if the only reason
is because he might make fewer mistakes. Let me get this straight, we’re going to trot out a smaller, inferior athlete with 1 less year of eligibility to be our starting QB while we have 2 larger, more athletic QBs with 1 more year of eligibility (who by all accounts look better in practice and scrimmages). And I’m not even addressing Newsome, because by all accounts he looks poor.
It makes ZERO sense, but wouldn’t surprise me with the Paternos’ wisdom at QB.
Yeah, Paterno sucks at choosing the right players.
Reflects poorly on his body of work. And you know Joe doesn’t really want to win, he just wants to create a family atmosphere.
Sarcasm?
I’d like to know how it DOES make sense then?
The coaches feel he gives the team the best chance to win
That is why he starts, if he starts. Same as Bolden, Jones or Newsome if they are chosen. The coaches will choose who they feel gives the team the best chance to win games. A good coach doesn’t play the player that will be good down the road unless they have given up on their goals for the season. A good coach plays the player who gives them the best chance to win now.
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