No. 20 - Penn State Gets The Pre-Snap Read Treatment

Middle-of-the-road commentary, imo

No real epiphanies, but no cheap shots about Joe’s age or stuff like that. Would have liked to see him dig a little deeper into the defense, esp. the LBs and line, given that the standard thinking our secondary is solid. Do we have too many good LBs that will compete for PT and lead to a lack of consistency?

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah but he does this for like 35 teams..

so I wouldn’t expect a personnel breakdown. but he clearly knows enough to mention guys like Belton who are generating a buzz.

@ArtieFufkin10

by Artiefufkin10 on Aug 13, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Not just 35, all of them.

He has done this in-depth of an analysis for 100 teams now. If you look at the bottom, he has a running word count; with PSU’s he’s at over 314K words, or 3K words per team reviewed. One hell of an endeavor if you ask me.

But 3K words can only go so far. We could commit 20K words to recapping and previewing PSU in a post, but since Myerberg is limited, I think he does a pretty good job. I don’t know how he does pre- to post-season ranking (he had PSU at 18 pre- and 41 post-season last year). But as far as the “what you need to know” analysis, he’s one of the best.

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 13, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Guys, wasn't being totally negative

just expressing a desire to see more, more, more about the only CFB team I care about. Given time and interest constraints, I don’t really read much about other teams, but I do soak up as much about the Lions as I can.

Apologies to Mr. Myerberg if my OP was too harsh.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm the opposite.

I try to know as much as time permits about other teams, just so I can be well-rounded.

@misdreavus79

by misdreavus79 on Aug 13, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't make it a priority, 79,

given other things going on in my life. It’s great you can — hasn’t worked that way for me.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh believe me, "as much as time permits"

means on my 15 minute breaks at work, or when I’m off.

@misdreavus79

by misdreavus79 on Aug 13, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Amazing how quickly time slips away, isn't it?

except for the interval btwn Spring and Fall CFB camps, of course.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That seems to take for ******* ever!

@misdreavus79

by misdreavus79 on Aug 13, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't think you were being too harsh, nor do I think your desire to learn as much as you can about PSU is unwarranted.

But like I said, he’s limited. I think he did a pretty spot on job for 3K words.

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 13, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough, Junny.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...

I thought it was an exceedingly fair, albeit general, forecast of where this team likely sits in the overall scene for the coming season.

"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway

by SubLime on Aug 13, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Question..

How do you get the “Follow @” in your signature?

@EstebanDAmur

Scott, things aren't as happy as they used to be down here at the unemployment office. Joblessness is no longer just for Philosophy majors - useful people are starting to feel the pinch.

by Esteban d' Amur on Aug 13, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean this?

Follow @misdreavus79

@misdreavus79

by misdreavus79 on Aug 13, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Check here

This comment should have what you need, just replace the twitter handle with your own and paste it into your sig.

by nylyst on Aug 13, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you..

and misdreavus79

@EstebanDAmur

Scott, things aren't as happy as they used to be down here at the unemployment office. Joblessness is no longer just for Philosophy majors - useful people are starting to feel the pinch.

by Esteban d' Amur on Aug 14, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to admit

reading this:

…last year’s team got nothing at quarterback, did not do a good job running the football, couldn’t muster up any pass rush and suffered an almost ridiculous number of injuries.

did actually (if temporarily) dent the hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. Rationally, I understand all of these things he says to be true, but coming of my (or any die-hard Penn Stater’s) mouth, they can’t help but sound like excuses and homerism. To see an objective source arrive at the same conclusions suggests that there’s some legitimacy there, especially to the part about the injury bug.

by PSU_Buch on Aug 13, 2011 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

It was encouraging to have him note most of those problems as "fixable"

which, combined with news out of HV about Fall camp, gives reason for optimism that this season will be much better than last.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 13, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Just ask the Pennlive crowd

if you say anything positive about PSU or give a completely legitimate reason for misfortune aside from JOE PATERNO IS OLD AND A BAD COACH, you are a shameless homer sheep

"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.

by ckmneon on Aug 13, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I was not familiar with this site

but I am impressed. I like the optimism he holds for us, too.

ACCEPTS THE PAYPAL
Hello, everybody, coach get old, the new coach approaching, click in.
Welcome to http://www.pennlive.com

by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 13, 2011 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting to see

He cam up with about the same feelings many of us have about the upcoming season : somewhere between Undefeated and 7-6, but not sure which. I can’t make up my mind either.

With firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right
- A.Lincoln

by SarcasmJam on Aug 13, 2011 7:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agreed.

The ceiling is MNC, but that’s pretty unrealistic. The basement for me is 8-4 regular season, with losses to Alabama, OSU, Nebraska, and Wisky. I think we take two of those and finish at 10-2 and work our way into Cap1/Outback Bowl range.

I like every single position’s talent level over last year, with the possible exception of kicker. Maybe we can be awesome?

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 13, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

We certainly can be.

Awesome, that is. Like this article said, all the pieces are in place, with the threshold between good and great resting with the DEs and their ability to get their pass rush back. If they do, that defense could be 2005-style great, and 10 (or more) regular season wins are very much in the cards.

ACCEPTS THE PAYPAL
Hello, everybody, coach get old, the new coach approaching, click in.
Welcome to http://www.pennlive.com

by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 13, 2011 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

DL/OL

I am willing to put faith in the DL. Last year was a deviation from sustained excellence on the defensive line, and faith that it will return to form (or at least be “good” instead of not good) is warranted.

I want to take a similar leap of faith on the O-line, but belief there is not so warranted given the track record. Is it possible the O-line will be better? Certainly. But I’ll only believe it if they start opening a few creases for Redd against the Crimson Tide.

by tuscaloosalion on Aug 14, 2011 7:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely maybe.

It will come down to the consistent goodness of the combination of the O-line and QB. If it’s 05 or 08 level consistently good, the basement is 10-2 and 12-0 is possible. If it’s 06 or 10 level consistently good, the what should be totally stacked skilled guys and defense should still be good enough to go 8-4, but I wouldn’t be hoping for any better than that. Somewhere in between, like 09, and anywhere from 8-4 to 11-1 is possible depending on injuries and luck.

"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.

by ckmneon on Aug 14, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Haven't you heard??? We have a Ficken kicker!!!!!

If Sam’s gametime kicks are anything like his recruiting video, he should be contributing immediately. He is my personal pick for super secret special weapon. I am making the prediction right now- Sam Ficken will leave PSU breaking Kevin Kelly’s record to become the new ALLTIME POINTS SCORER.

by PSUinOH on Aug 14, 2011 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Why can't us?

Formerly known as kmart93
@kmart93
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Aug 15, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

I'm just hoping to have a PSU defense again

That alone should get us 8+ wins. I am stoked to see the LB corps this year. We have some seriously ridiculous talent and depth there.

"Hey Joe, don't worry about the guys we lose. Only make sure the guys you bring in here belong here, and they're coming here for the right reasons." - Rip Engle to Joe Paterno

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 14, 2011 2:18 AM EDT reply actions

8 wins

is about what I expect. I watched the replay of win #400 yesterday; it was the running game more than McGloin that powered the offense in the second half.. If he is the starter I see 8 wins tops this season.

by nits4ever on Aug 14, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm with you

I watched that replay yesterday and was thinking the exact same thing. But having said that if Bolden and McGloin both come back with some serious improvement, I think we may find ourselves with another QB controversy this year, but just with a lot better talent. May not be horrible, no?

"A setback is just a set up for a comeback." -Drew Brees

by kajpsu on Aug 14, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

The worst part of last season wasn’t the meh offense we ran out there each game. It was the sense of dread that if we didn’t score, the other team was going to. I did not like that defense, and I’d love a return to the traditions top 5/top 15 defense I’ve come to expect

Formerly known as kmart93
@kmart93
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Aug 15, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Correction on Sparty

He’s already covered Michigan State. He pegged them at #41 in a decidedly underwhelming preview. Coincidentally, #41 is exactly where he had Penn State ranked last year.

by tuscaloosalion on Aug 14, 2011 7:30 AM EDT reply actions

Whoops. Edited.

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 14, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

MSU #41

He must be taking schedules into account-MSU has a tough one-both the Suckeyes and Badgers out of division.

by nits4ever on Aug 14, 2011 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

Not Sure

It’s been a few days since I read it, and I can’t tell if he consistently considers schedules (I mean, Penn State has ’Bama, OSU, Wisky, and Nebraska, not to mention Iowa and Illinois).

If I recall correctly, though, he seemed to feel that Sparty was a little bit, well, lucky last year, as he cited the number of close games they won. He doesn’t think they’ll catch lightning in a bottle twice (he might have used that phrase, actually).

I’m a little skeptical of Sparty, too, but I was frankly surprised to see them as low as 41. I don’t know that I’ve seen any other preview with them outside the top 25. Of course, one of the great things about this is that he’s posting them now, whereas all the print mags had to meet far earlier deadlines, when people don’t have as many out-of-season reports to go on and are still overly swayed by the final rankings of the previous year.

by tuscaloosalion on Aug 14, 2011 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Sparty is the Big Ten team from whom nothing should be surprising

I mean, everyone’s back from an 11-2 Big Ten Champ. They play OSU before the tat-5 return. They get Michigan and Wisconsin at home. They avoid Penn State and a mildly talented, if nothing else, Illinois team.

On the other hand, they were really just a luckier Penn State last year in terms of overall goodness and this year’s schedule, especially the beginning, is much tougher. 5 of MSU’s first 8 games are against BCS teams who had winning records last year, 3 on the road. Sputtering out to a 4-4 start and finishing somewhere around 6-6 should surprise no one.

To me, they’re the obvious clear favorite in the Legends division, but I don’t know that I give them any more than a 30% chance of actually winning it.

"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.

by ckmneon on Aug 14, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

It's the Tat-4 now

As they’re missing their fearless leader

Formerly known as kmart93
@kmart93
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Aug 15, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Also it's Sparty

Blowing the season is in their blood. I will always expect them to stumble to 6-7/7-6 records and am surprised if they do better than that.

Formerly known as kmart93
@kmart93
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Aug 15, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hmmm

I agree that, with MSU’s historic week-to-week schizophrenia they’re one of the hardest teams to predict, and that the ceiling/floor for them is as wide as you suggest.

But they don’t return “everyone”. They lost Greg Jones and Eric Gordon at LB. Perhaps more troubling is the loss of three starters on the O-line, which could make life much tougher on Cousins, et al. They also project to be rather young in the secondary.

I don’t see how you could make them the “obvious clear favorite” to win the Bo Division* over Nebraska, though you’re right that catching OSU early is a bonus.

I refuse to use the “official” names for those divisions. For me, Penn State is in the Joe Division; the other one (with Michigan) is the Bo Division.

by tuscaloosalion on Aug 14, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

I like Corn/Pig

Or South+Wisconsin/North.

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 14, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Where is Wisconsin/Wisconsin is Here

Formerly known as kmart93
@kmart93
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Aug 15, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

this is the best

My grammer skills need improved.

by BMAN13 on Aug 15, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

East/West ...

is what I am calling them. Hey in the SEC Eastern Division Vandy is clearly west of both Bama and Auburn.

My alternatate would be Joe/Woody and Bo/Tom-after the 4 greatest coches of Big Ten scholls in the modern era i.e. I can remember back to when Woody was coaching. In fact my wife was at the infamous 10-10 tie in 1973 (as opposed to 1966 involing two other scholls-one of which I have always despised and will continue to do so forever).

by nits4ever on Aug 14, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Those work

The inanity of the division names has been beat to death, but really … really … almost anything is better than what they came up with.

by tuscaloosalion on Aug 14, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Hell, let's just go with the GEE and DELANEY divisions for.....

somethin’ different.

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.

by DerryPharmer on Aug 14, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

If the DL plays well,

I think that translates into 10 wins, even if the OL and QB play are only average. Great defenses tend to make plays and win most close games.

Pete massaro’s loss is a bummer.

by rodney20 on Aug 14, 2011 12:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I agree...but if not...same as last year.

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.

by DerryPharmer on Aug 14, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Rodney, I agree.

A stout defense can shorten the field, and give an okay offense a better chance to score. I think most of us agree our secondary and LBs will be awesome; as you noted, the DL will be the difference btwn good and great. I am cautiously optimistic about the line, but would like to see a strong three-deep roster to carry us through a pretty tough schedule.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 14, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

The D will depend on.....

a solid DL and major injury free season…..The rest of the LBs and DBacks would then be ok….I really miss the “old days” of stopping the run cold, LBs killing, and some, please some, interceptions….there was a lot of never being able to get 3 downs and out on D last year…..look, I realize what happened last year, but WE just can’t help but not being better this season….I am looking forward to BOTH O and D improvement, despite a pretty tough schedule….3 weeks away and I am getting psyched as they used to say.

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.

by DerryPharmer on Aug 14, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Unfortunately for IN State

we need to destroy them. I remember the sick feeling in my stomach last year when we started so slowly against our OOC sked. It was like watching a train bearing down on my stuck-on-the-tracks car.

We need the Lions to come out fired up and totally dominate the Sycamores. Then, we need Joe to point out the team’s flaws, so they don’t get over-confident leading to the Bama game.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 14, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions