Time To Step Up: Justin Brown

by BSD on Mar 28, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Football

STATE COLLEGE PA - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Justin Brown #19 of the Penn State Nittany Lions catches a pass during a game against the Michigan State Spartans on November 27 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College Pennsylvania. The Spartans won 28-22. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Fairly or unfairly, there were a lot of high expectations put on Justin Brown when he was a true freshman in 2009. The heralded triumvirate of Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood were finally gone after starting the previous four years. The four star prospect seemed destined to claim one of those spots the moment he stepped on campus and have a good chance at claiming a lot of Penn State's career receiving records.

Brown's freshman year probably didn't work out the way he had hoped. Derek Moye, Graham Zug, and Chaz Powell grabbed most of the playing time. Brown struggled to get on the field, and when he did he didn't get many opportunities only catching five passes for 78 yards on the year. Three of those catches came against Eastern Illinois in a 52-3 blowout.

Last year Brown was more seasoned and appeared ready to challenge for a starting spot. Graham Zug suffered through a season-long slump seemingly opening the door. But it was Brett Brackett that walked through it. Personally, I think Paterno wanted Brackett on the field to provide some leadership to a squad that was very young. Still, Brown managed to see considerable playing time and make some big catches finishing with 33 catches for 452 yards and a touchdown.

This year Brackett and Zug are gone. Brown is a junior and one of the most experienced wide receivers on the team. He probably won't outshine Derek Moye, but he has the potential to be a major weapon. Defenses are going to pay a lot of attention to Moye. It will be up to Brown to keep them honest.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We have the best starting receiver set in the conference.

Moye is an elite level receiver, terrific hands, solid route runner, and can burn. He has size to match. Brown is a terrific second option and could be a one virtually anywhere else. Big, strong kid. Turned a corner in the middle of last season and developed into a very good player.

If Drake could get healthy and Kersey develops, we’ll have a nice group. It’s nice to see Smith in there as well; he provides a different look entirely.

"I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on the negative. I believe that having a good, peaceful mind is the basic premise for a good life."

by Adam Collyer on Mar 28, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

I'm really excited to see

our receivers this year. If our receivers don’t have too many silly drops, our QB’s are going to be a happy group with these guys to throw to.

"You're holding my hand Chuck - you sly dog!"

by rahpsu92 on Mar 28, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep, we have two #1 receivers in Brown & Derek. And they're both the "it" kind of receivers

Big, fast, down field threats. Honestly, the concentration concerns sound exactly like Julio Jones after his sophomore year. Am I saying he’s as good? No. But the situation is certainly comparable.

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Mar 28, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Big JB fan, just needs to concentrate on the ball before trying to run...not worried about WR at all

Hire Mike Pettine Jr!!!!!!!!

by SweepTheLeg on Mar 28, 2011 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Justin Brown had some very nice games last year

He also had some drops in games where other receivers had some drops. Drops, it says here, are the worst offense a receiver can make.

WRs, you hear me? Don’t drop the damn ball!

jtothetweet
"Cats been getting hookups on tatts since back in '01". - former buckeye Antonio Pittman

by jtothep on Mar 28, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

'Tot

-have a classic youtube video to post, but alas I can’t get it to work…‘help!’ Which code and link should I use?

" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009

by BlueWhiteLife on Mar 28, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You have to use a Fanpost

The embed tool (tee hee hee) isn’t available in the comments. Then:
- use the Video button, 2nd from left under Media and Assets
- click the Import tab (not Find or Upload)
- in the Embed line, paste the Embed code found in youtube under your vid, under the Embed link
- click the green Import button next to your paste

Good luck!

jtothetweet
"Cats been getting hookups on tatts since back in '01". - former buckeye Antonio Pittman

by jtothep on Mar 28, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks!

- but ‘crap’, because it’s related to your above comment.

It’s an old ‘EF Hutton’ commercial…and old guy with an old-school leather football helmet.

Was going to do the superimposed ‘when jtot talks…PSU WR’s listen!!!’

Here’s the youtube embed if you’re curious…

http://www.youtube.com/embed/NNh7qrvs4vQ" frameborder=“0” allowfullscreen>

" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009

by BlueWhiteLife on Mar 28, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

HA!

Well that’s cool!

Note the little guy at the end with the PSU esque football helmet as well.

" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009

by BlueWhiteLife on Mar 28, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions