Time to Step Up: D'Anton Lynn

by QBsneak12 on Apr 7, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in Football

It feels like D'Anton Lynn has been around the program forever. Lynn has been a four year contributor and three year starter for the Nittany Lions since he arrived on campus from Celina, Texas as a 4 star prospect. He was a great get for a Nittany Lion team that doesn't necessarily dip into Texas all too often, unless of course we are looking for a kicker that has a hankering for Cruzan Mango Rum.

Lynn was a highly touted prospect with offers from USC, Florida, Ohio State, and Oklahoma but he choose to come to Penn State to play for Tom Bradley and his bend but don't break defense. Lynn does have a strong set of bloodlines, one of the reasons fans were so excited for him to arrive on campus. His father, Anthony, is the current New York Jets running back coach and former two time Super Bowl Championship (backup) running back with the Denver Broncos.

Because his dad has the NFL connections, a few people (message boards mostly) thought Lynn might bolt Happy Valley for the greener pastures of the NFL after last season. Luckily for us he stayed put and Penn State will look for Lynn to hold down one of the corner spots while Stephon Morris, Chaz Powell and maybe Derrick Thomas (if he stops trying to star in the remake of 'The Fighter' and the Up in Smoke Tour) battle for the other spot.

Lynn was by far Penn State's best defensive back last season finishing the season 2nd on the team with 75 tackles and tied for first with 3 interceptions with safety Nick Sukay. Lynn did have a few moments where he got burned deep (see photo above) and that is the type of stuff he will need to work on this spring if Penn State wants to have a shot against Alabama, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. The fact that he doesn't have any competition for his spot could be a bad thing, but hopefully Lynn wants to win another Big 10 Championship before he takes off for the NFL.

Lynn also has a chance to be the defensive captain this season, that is if his teammates don't opt for a surprise pick like Jack Crawford or Brandon Ware. Like Lynn says in the clip below, the secondary is the most experienced unit on the defense, which is a scary thought considering the style of defense we play. It might be tough for the 2011 version of the Smurfs to get things done if they get zero help from a defensive line that is practically a skeleton crew at this point and a linebacker corps that has had its own injury issues and is fairly young. There is always hope. And if that doesn't work...there is always next season.

Check out D'Anton's spring comments. It's all about experience.

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Comments

Hmmm...

I wonder if Lynn learned a thing about foot-fetishes from Rex Ryan.

On a serious note, I think Lynn’s coverage skills are very very good. He sort of got beat at OSU, but it was probably the best thrown ball you’ve ever seen from Pyror because Lynn was all over the WR.

Also, he did a great job baiting the UF QB in the OB bowl to get that pick.

@ArtieFufkin10

by Artiefufkin10 on Apr 7, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

His father was hilarious on Hard Knocks.

Tough as nails, especially the rough time he gave Joe McKnight. Kid has a ton of talent but showed up out of shape and lazy. By the end of the season, he had made a pretty quick turnaround. Credit Coach Lynn for that.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Apr 7, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Lynn, it hink,

is one of the more proven players on our defense. I expect a lot of good things from him this season.

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by tlrpsu on Apr 7, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

i think**^^

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by tlrpsu on Apr 7, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

And, he respects his elders.

“Yes sir”.

by misdreavus79 on Apr 7, 2011 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

D'Anton's probably my favorite player on the team.

Has the capacity to be a shut down corner.

I haven’t looked at stats, but I feel like he had a better year in ‘09 than last year. Also, there was some question as to whether he wanted to play corner or safety, and some unhappiness in general just before last year. Hope that’s out of his system.

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Apr 7, 2011 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

I think he felt that safety was his natural position...

but especially in 2009, there wasn’t much talent at CB and I think the coaches needed his athleticism there.

(insert recruiting complaints here).

@ArtieFufkin10

by Artiefufkin10 on Apr 7, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Lynn has already one upped Pryor this offseason.

Forget beating a team 9 times out of 10. Lynn said, “If we played [Florida] 10 times, we should have beat them 10 times.”

by VVeRPennState on Apr 7, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

at least Lynn was willing to play Forida 10 times.

Pryor only wanted to play Wisconsin 9 out of 10 times. Of course it isn’t atypical of OSU to run away from competition. 1912, never forget!

by The JuggerNitt on Apr 7, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Danton Lynn doesn't step up.

You step up and hope Danton Lynn allows you to stay at his level.

Go Lions !! if

by Illegal Formation on Apr 7, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

This is true

He’s a helluva tackler.

Is it too much to hope for a penetrating Dline this year, so that we can watch D’anton Lynn make plays on balls in the air instead of in the arms of runners?

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

by jtothep on Apr 7, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

But Lynn will still find a way to make plays. In case you can’t tell, I have a man crush on Danton Lynn.

Go Lions !! if

by Illegal Formation on Apr 7, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

So you're looking for him to make plays on balls on your person?

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

by jtothep on Apr 7, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not like that!

We’re just friends!

Go Lions !! if

by Illegal Formation on Apr 7, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This

in itself, is an Illegal Formation!

" 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 Apr 7, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Aside from the pic in this post

I feel like Lynn almost completely shut down Julio Jones in that ‘Bama game. But maybe I’m remembering through tinted glasses…does anyone know Jones’ stats?

Fire Dan Snyder

by Cari Greene on Apr 7, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

4 catches, 41 yds, no TD's, long of 21

by lion09 on Apr 7, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Good job guys

Now Moye is out with a concussion. I suppose D’Anton Lynn separates a shoulder tomorrow?

by PSU Mudder on Apr 7, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

I thought this was a joke at first,

but it’s real. I’m now in the “I don’t actually believe in superstition but it might be a good idea to stop writing these articles anyway” camp.

by dbl5030 on Apr 7, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I say we appease the Time to Step it Up Gods

and call out the student section next. LET THE SACRIFICE BEGIN!!

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.

by skarocksoi on Apr 7, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't believe in jinxes or superstition either

but we’ve reached the point that if another of these goes up and the player gets hurt, I’m going to be forced to write a “Time to Step Up” article on one of our authors. They better watch out or they’ll get season ending carpal tunnel!

It's even possible that Jim Tressel drinks out of the toilet

by jman07 on Apr 7, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Time to STEP OFF: BSD!

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

by jtothep on Apr 7, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry jtot

you know I love ya, but I’ll interweb maim you if another one of our guys go down.

It's even possible that Jim Tressel drinks out of the toilet

by jman07 on Apr 7, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Moye got injured on Monday.

The post went up on Wednesday. I’m hoping that means BSD is in the clear.

This is BSD, the crazy stirs itself.

by Paige2PSU on Apr 7, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Paige, get you and your facts outta here

it’s the internet. There’s no need for facts here. Just speculation and wild accusations.

It's even possible that Jim Tressel drinks out of the toilet

by jman07 on Apr 7, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Fine, I'll just take my facts and go home.

Just you wait until you need rational conversation again.

/Sticks tongue out at jman07

This is BSD, the crazy stirs itself.

by Paige2PSU on Apr 7, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Angry Step Up Gods are omniscient

So they just hit Moye in advance

WE'RE DANCIN!!!

by bigs26 on Apr 7, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I just want to remind everyone that I called this yesterday in thread....

Take a shower, shine your shoes...

by Adam Collyer on Apr 7, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

So it's your fault?

It's even possible that Jim Tressel drinks out of the toilet

by jman07 on Apr 7, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

we should stop this posting

i don’t believe in any jinxes…but….gotta stop this

by mook1525 on Apr 7, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Time to Step Up...Montee Ball of Wisconsin.

Perhaps this can work in our favor.

@jschnauzer
Bloggin' at http://joepasdoghouse.com

by Cairo on Apr 7, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I like where your heads at

Time to Step Up: Terrelle Pryor. The possibilities are endless.

It's even possible that Jim Tressel drinks out of the toilet

by jman07 on Apr 7, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think TP need any more help in regards to shooting himself in the foot.

@jschnauzer
Bloggin' at http://joepasdoghouse.com

by Cairo on Apr 8, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Lynn is prob my favorite player to. Love the way he plays. He hits as hard as any DB in the land, and he makes plays all over the field. Moye is hurt? Any links?

by PSU Flojo11 on Apr 7, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

here's gazette article by

ron musselman

by dbl5030 on Apr 7, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Well hopefully it’s of the mild variety, but who knows. There’s plenty of time for him to recover and all, but it’s hard to improve your game on the sidelines. These injuries need to take a vacation, or better yet move away from State College.

by PSU Flojo11 on Apr 7, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Lynn is my favorite player on this years team, hands down

Honestly, with that 08’ secondary, against a guy like Julio, I would’ve been scared as hell. With Lynn, well, the results speak for themselves. All of Julio’s big plays came against Step.

Really, there aren’t that many more underrated guys (like TY Hilton) in cfb this year.

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Apr 7, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Lynn is a GOOD player, but he has some things to improve on to be GREAT.

First, well thrown ball or not he got torched by Posey. Posey had him beat by a couple of steps. The only way Lynn was in a position to make a play on that ball is if it was severely underthrown. That’s just Lynn’s lack of speed – there’s nothing he can do about that.

However there’s two things I hope he can improve on. First, it’s learning what Zemaitis mastered his senior year – bating QBs into picks. He has the athleticism, hands, and awareness to do it. I think he just needs to learn the positioning and trust himself to TRY. Second – he may be a good tackler but he’s absolutely horrible at getting off of blocks and keeping contain on his side during sweeps, tosses, and passes into the flat on his side. That’s where Temple was having their success until their RB was hurt. And lots of teams followed that blueprint all year long. If he wants to be an NFL safety that’s one area where he needs drastic improvement in a hurry.

by PSUEnrg02 on Apr 8, 2011 7:23 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs