An Interview With Class of 2013 PA TE Adam Breneman
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 11:00 AM EST
in Recruiting
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PrintWith the talent level in Pennsylvania not what it was once, it is imperative for the new Penn State coaching staff to retain the top in-state prospects. In 2012, the majority of the recruiting class hailed from Pennsylvania or bordering states, and that trend likely has no plans of dropping.
In 2013, one of the premier players in the Keystone State is Cedar Cliff HS tight end Adam Breneman, a name many are already familiar with because of his gaudy stats and 6'5" frame. Already holding verbal offers from some of the elite schools in the eastern part of the country, including Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Michigan, and many more, Breneman's recruitment will be one to watch closely.
What most fans don't know, though, is that Adam is also a dedicated student and very personable young man. In the first of many Class of 2013 interviews, we asked Adam to share where he was in the whole recruiting process, and which schools he was hearing from the most.
BSD: So how is the whole process unfolding for you? How many offers are you up to, who are you hearing from the most, and so on?
Adam Breneman: The process has been very exciting, but at the same time very stressful. Right now I'm trying to take it all in stride and not get too overwhelmed by it. This process is just such a huge blessing. I've gotten to meet some awesome people and see some awesome places. I thank God all the time for this opportunity he gave me.
I have about 30 offers now. Some of the schools that are recruiting me the hardest would be Notre Dame, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and Virginia.
BSD: Growing up a Penn State fan, is it difficult to separate your opinion of Penn State as a fan from that of a high profile tight end recruit?
AB: As many people already know, I grew up being a Penn State fan, looking up to Joe Paterno and loving Beaver Stadium. Penn State was what you could call my dream offer. However, at the end of the day I'm going to a school as a player and not as a fan. I have to find the best fit for me athletically, academically, and spiritually. Right now I really have no idea what school will be the best place for me.
BSD: Have you spoken with any of the new coaches at Penn State, and have they indicated how they would use you on the field?
AB: Coach Strollo has been to my school a few times to see me. He is a great guy and obviously a great coach. My family and I will be visiting PSU on the 27th of February and I'm really looking forward to meeting Coach O'Brien and talking more about the offense.
BSD: Any planned visits coming up soon? I know you've said in the past that you have a busy February planned, so who all do you plan on seeing?
AB: In February I will be visiting Maryland, Penn State, and Ohio State. I will also visit Notre Dame in March. Michigan, UNC, Northwestern, and Miami are also likely to get visits at some point.
*******
Stay connected to Black Shoe Diaries for future looks at some of the top Penn State targets in the Class of 2013. If there is someone you think we should be taking a look at, or if you know of someone in your area that is looking for exposure, please email.
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I wonder what Strollo and Breneman talked about
I’m guessing all the great food in State College
"My kitchen is a mess y'all" Paula Deen
As a Cedar Cliff grad...
it is nice to see some quality players coming from the school again.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Spence, Schwan, Breneman
Harrisburg area putting out some legit talent. As a CD grad excited about this past year’s state championship, I’m really curious to see where Issah, Scales and LaVia end up as far as stars/offers by the end of the new recruiting cycle. I’d love it if at least one of them ends up at PSU.
Yeah
the area has normally been good at putting out good talent and it appears that it will continue to do so. Cedar Cliff Football was really bad when I attended. The new coach has really turned the program around to the way it was in the 90’s when making the playoffs was normal.
Some guy at PSU Hershey Med Center just discovered a virus that eats cancer. Where were the CNN trucks for that? THON will probably break $10 mil this year. Put that on "Outside the Lines".
Harrisburg is an area
where Bo’B and co. really need to do better than the previous staff did.
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
not a football player
but phil davis is from that area too.
We have little tranquility but tons of tranquilizers.
by mikeissurreal on Feb 2, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
Sweeeeeeeet
I’m going to bury my head in the sand and believe, in the end, the fact that Penn State was a life long dream offer will make the difference. When I had to choose a college I didn’t have a lot of preconceived notions about it. All I knew was that I liked PSU football. So after doing some (not a lot) of looking around and visiting, PSU was the only application I bothered to submit. I’m lucky that dumbass decision didn’t come back to bite me…I got into main campus and just went.
Adam Breneman: if you go to Penn State I bet you will get into main campus, too!
by PSUCharmas on Feb 2, 2012 11:08 AM EST reply actions 6 recs
I hope Coach O'Brien
can really sell the kid on his creative offense how he involves the TE and the PSU stance on the importance of academics. Oh btw kid, Penn State has a really good Cru ministry, too!
That;'s the part that scares me
He specifically said “spiritually.” Granted, Penn State has a great campus atmosphere for both the religious and the secular student, but the school is obviously not a religious institution a la Notre Dame. I’m very interested to see how much the “spirituality” aspect plays into his recruitment. Obviously, I’m hoping he comes to Penn State, but if spirituality is a high priority for him, I hope wherever he goes, he finds the connections he’s looking for.
by LionInTheWeeds on Feb 2, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Is he Catholic?
If he is, then ND makes a difference. If he is Protestant, though, he may feel out of place there. I will say from personal experience, PSU has a great Cru and Newman group. Maybe BOB will try to leverage that in recruiting. I used to see Paul Posluszny at church and church events.
Ok, please educate me. What is a Cru ministry?
"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987
Campus ministries...
Cru is short for “Campus Crusade for Christ.” PSU actually has quite a few good ones… Navigators, Alliance Christian Fellowship, and a bunch of other ones.
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - JoePa
I thought it was the hip-hop spelling
for a faith-based rowing sports initiative.
"I think what the university did to him was grossly wrong" -- Mike Ditka
I like this kid, but fail to see why you interview him and post this now
There is a lot of time left until next year’s class signs. I have problems reading pieces like this and then getting my hopes up, unless there is at least a verbal commitment to PSU from the kid (and then even with that, I have problems because a verbal commit, as we have seen, doesn’t mean squat).
I really hope he attends PSU, but for now this is nothing more than informative. These kids change their minds all the time. One can only count on these kids after the fax comes in.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
Well
Junny is the BSD recruiting guru and this is what he wants us to read.
The title gives you all the information one would need to ignore it.
by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 2, 2012 11:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Exactly
2013 signing day is a looong way off.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
It is
so if you don’t want to read about it, the title makes it easy to avoid.
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Feb 2, 2012 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Getting ur hopes up
Is what following recruiting is all about! And who cares if it’s a ways off, it’s to fun to talk/read/blog/comment about anytime of the year. Why criticize a post that was free to read? Silliness
by stewsplace on Feb 2, 2012 12:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's the point
Its meant to be informative.
by misdreavus79 on Feb 2, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
There is a long way to go to Signing Day
Which is why this is just the beginning of these posts. I hope you continue to read them, as it is our goal to bring you some great coverage. If we waited until January of next year to interview everyone, we’d be missing a lot of quality information. It’s my goal to keep you informated on who PSU is after, where those recruits stand, and whatever else you may want to know about recruiting. Part of our new model for the new year.
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Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions
I for one love
being informated. Music for the Masses.
"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight
Good job with this.
I get what Old Lion is saying, but there’s nothing wrong with this. Personally, I like it. Whenever I see something that doesn’t interest me I simply don’t read it.
Different strokes for different folks on here and that’s a good thing.
Keep up the good work.
For the record, I do think does a great job
And in many ways, he is better than the recruiting sites (free or paid). I just have my opinion that is all, please don’t think I’m trolling, I’m not!
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Correction, *JEFF* does a great job.
My writing is terrible today, sorry Jeff.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn't clear enough in my post.
I should’ve added that’s it’s cool with me that you don’t like it. That’s your right. And it’s good that you voiced it – the world would be a very boring place if we all had the same thoughts, likes, dislikes, etc.
Civil disagreements are a big part of what makes this a great site.
Thanks.
I just didn’t want people to think I was M1EK! Haha…
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He interviews him now because more and more junior recruits are signing
early and its not unlikely that Breneman will be committed to a class in the next few months.
Considering the utmost importance BOB has in signing this guy for a multitude of reasons, what Breneman is thinking right now is extremely important. If we can lock him down early, it a stamp that says BOB IS going to lock down PA and not let our state talent go elsewhere.
Breneman is huge and right up BOB’s alley considering the success that he’s had with tight ends.
However, if BOB CAN NOT lock him down… it could be the begining of a long LONG year(s) of disappointment.
Thats really how important this kid is to next years class.
"Heaven hired THE best coach ever".
Paul Jones
What's wrong with informative?
As someone who doesn’t follow recruiting very much, I keep seeing his name come up, but all I know about him is that he’s a highly coveted TE recruit. Now I know a bit more, which is nice.
^ reply to the above
’sposed to be a reply to OLDLION…oops
Nothing wrong about informative PSUmob
Like I said in my post, I just think it’s too early to post things like this, let’s at least get a verbal first…
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
what if he doesn't verbal until next January?
I mean, I understand that it is super early but Junny scored an interview now, while the kid’s still available to be interviewed. And it gives those interested in recruiting plenty of time to salivate.
Fire Dan Snyder
It is important
that we get him to commit because of several reasons. 1) it shows that PSU is back and other 4 & 5 star kids should not be worried about negative press if they decide to come here 2) it may start to give BOB & staff some momentum for the next recruiting season. The signing period is all about momentum, this could kick things off.
Yeah, if this was the surprise...
Pretty much a bummer, Jeff. If he actually gave us a verbal…that would have been a decent surprise…
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
It's a nice interview and all
but I don’t really see anything to get excited about.
Junny is working up his Sekrah tribute act
before taking it on the road.
"I think what the university did to him was grossly wrong" -- Mike Ditka
Haha, did I hype too much?
Sorry. We’re just excited at the new direction. Bringing some first hand information directly to you.
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Black Shoe Diaries
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Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
A little too much hype, but great content, none the less :)
by gnuf on Feb 2, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
/Joyner'd?
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
by PSU_Lions_84 on Feb 2, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Best use of his last name ever
I am going to steal that from you and start using Joyner as a verb.
Go for it!
It ought to be on the Oxford Dictionary list of new words in no time.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
I no offense to Junny though
I really liked this post. Hopefully, these interviews will get recruits more excited about PSU.
Agreed, 5005, and
I was just having a little fun with Junny. I like the idea of doing these interviews, esp. if he gives prospective recruits a free subscription to BSD, so they can log in and see how much we appreciate their interest in us.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
One commit told me last night that he's read the site before.
So there’s that. Anyone can be an anonymous internet bully. If you’re going to say something bad about a kid, some of whom apparently read this site, use your name.
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Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
So you're good with offering THEM free subscriptions
but I have to pay?!?!?
Oh, wait . . . .
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
YES!
The use of the word “surprise” did it. That said, I did remember to check in this morning, so your cliffhanger worked! Outsmarted again by the BSD crew…
by stewsplace on Feb 2, 2012 12:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i feel like the crew at dunder mifflin
when Michael Scott said he had a surprise, and then just brought in ice cream sandwiches.
by swiggy04 on Feb 2, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hey, I'd like an ice cream sandwich right about now...
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - JoePa
Ice cream sandwiches
Would be better right now!
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
old school ice cream sandwiches.
none of this neopolitan crap. that would be nice
OK Junny
The verdict is in. Step away from the keyboard unless you have good news.
/c’mon guys
by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 2, 2012 11:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Didn't mean to be harsh, just stating an opinion..
And I do understand, this is a blog after all, signing day is over…so one has to write something. It just needed to be something else.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Junny
has just been Old Man Euler’d
"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.
by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 6:46 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really, dont underestimate the importance of signing this kid.
Besides the fact he’s a good kid and one of the best prospects in the country… He’s a PSU lifetime fan and he’s in our state.
"Heaven hired THE best coach ever".
Paul Jones
couldn't agree with you more
It’s all about momentum !
People are being critical
Because when they read that we were getting a surprise today, they thought it would include a siren. And if not, and they jut don’t like the post, then they’re silly. Who dislikes reading an interview with a top recruit from our state?! Thanks for the post double J
by stewsplace on Feb 2, 2012 12:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
You are reading too much into my criticism.
Once again, nothing wrong with the post, just way too early. That is my main complaint.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Hold the interview, but post it later on when he verbally commits
I have said it a couple of times already, it’s just way too early for this. These kids change their minds like fashion models change their clothes.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, that's why keeping up with him is a good idea.
Hopefully we’ll check back in with Adam throughout the year.
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Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with your post below.
It is one of the reasons why I’m not a fan of “early” talk either when it comes to these kids.
Honestly, in my perfect world their wouldn’t even be verbal commits. We would only know on signing day itself. All the speculation to me isn’t fun at all, and then you have people disappointed when certain verbal commits back out.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
OK, so even if verbal commitments didn't exist
Wouldn’t it be valuable to read a direct interview with an elite player you know Penn State is recruiting from the Harrisburg area? Especially early in the process, getting to know what his perspective is on his college search and what plans he has re: Penn State and other schools?
I think you’re still just a little jazzed up from the build-up to NSD. Take this interview at face value and it’s a nice feature, I think.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
You are partially correct.
I am not a recruiting guru by any means, but I do follow it. I have to say that my opinion has been influenced through the years by all the decommitts and the players that we could have had (granted many of those players weren’t even college successes). Lately, it had been a bit better, but I think that feeling arose again when players like Reeves and Williams decommitted.
That is why I don’t comment on sirens usually, because these kids can’t be counted upon and I’ve come to the point really, not to sound mean, where I could care less about any of these recruits until they sign with PSU (or until they hurt us somehow by signing with a BIG squad or hurt us in game. I’ve just become so jaded about recruiting. I really hope BO’B and his staff are top notch.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I think what a lot of people in this thread have been trying to say
Is that you can actively not care about something without expressing to everyone how much you don’t care. I usually practice this approach by not clicking a link that doesn’t interest me. I agree with your stances on recruiting to a large degree, but I think it’s valuable to at least learn about what top recruits are thinking and what they’re looking for. I’m not going to get too invested in any comments or commits or visits or whatever or go on twitter and blast anyone for decommitting, but I like to have a sort of bird’s eye view over the recruiting landscape and potential targets.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
Good points.
Haha..and about the not clicking..that’s Jeff’s fault!! Jeff said that there would be a surprise and I thought at the end of the interview he was going to verbally commit to PSU or something..which still would have been a decent surprise, even with my stance on verbal committments!
I would not have clicked the story if I had known it was just an interview, so it’s also on me to some degree. But I totally blame Jeff! hehe…
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
I like to see who they are after
even if there wasn’t anything about verbal commits you would still be hoping that so and so is coming to PSU. It will make it fun and something to read about on who PSU is trying to get and what they have done throughout the year. I hope for more of these posts from the top recruits. The more I know about them the better it is even if they do go to another team I will a tleast know someone thing about them.
Who says the kid DOES verbally commit?
This is an information piece that gets you familiar with a guy that HOPEFULLY we get to talk about doing great things for us for the next four to five years.
"Heaven hired THE best coach ever".
Paul Jones
Understand
But the title of the post wasn’t “Breneman may come to Penn State!”. I know it’s a long way out, and recent track records would sugget it will be difficult to keep this kid at home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun speculating or posting about it.
by stewsplace on Feb 2, 2012 12:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't get it
You get too overly excited by these types of articles and don’t want to be jilted so you want to wait until at least a verbal commitment?
Sounds like a you problem – not a Junny problem – to me.
He's a smart kid
There is no reason not to visit a bunch of schools…maybe not everyone one of them, but why not check out at least 5 or 6, look at campus, talk to coaches, etc?
In my opinion, going to that many places helps to really focus a recruit on what he really likes about the school he will eventually choose. He knows he likes Penn State. But he might not be completely sure Penn State is right for him until he goes to some other places and realizes that the feeling he gets there and doesn’t feel at the other places makes it the place for him. Maybe I’m being optimistic, but that’s the same thing I’d do, and how I think it’d eventually work out.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Feb 2, 2012 12:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
And I hope BOB really fine-tunes his recruiting skills. While he doesn’t need to get every PA kid, this coming years class is going to tell us a lot about how he can do going against Meyer/Kelly/Hoke etc.
by stewsplace on Feb 2, 2012 12:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
To be honest, I don't get early commits.
I suppose if you absolutely fell in love with a place and want to stop the harassment of other coaches. But recruits get five free official visits, paid for by the schools. Why not check out places like UCLA, USC, UC-Irvine, UC-Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles County Community College before committing to Penn State. If you loved PSU in February 2012, you’re probably still going to love it after taking those trips in July.
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by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
Dakota Conwell verballed to Pitt early and ended up in Arizona (or ASU..I get them confused).
He said if he had to do it all over again he wouldn’t give an early verbal, but instead let it all play out.
how could you get them confused
University of Arizona looks like this
Arizona State looks like this:
They are totally different
by swiggy04 on Feb 2, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm still confused...
so, which one doesn’t have attractive women??
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
At Arizona
The ratio of blondes to brunettes is 1:1.
At Arizona State it’s 6:1.
See, easy to tell the difference.
Humanum est pati.
So Arizona State
has lower academic standards then, is that what you are trying to say?
by TJM5054 on Feb 2, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Ok, so this is a long winded joke but it's one of my fav's
Blond walks into an appliance store and tells the clerk that she wants to buy a microwave, he tells her that they do not sell microwaves to blondes. She goes home and thinks, “well I know how to get around that, I’ll dye my hair” so she dyes her hair brown. The next day she goes to the same store and tells the same guy that she wants to buy a microwave. Again, he tells her that it is store policy not to sell microwaves to blondes. She goes home, dyes her hair red, returns to the store the next day. Once more, she is told that the store does not sell microwaves to blondes. By now she is really frustrated and goes home, dyes her hair black and comes back one last time. The sales clerk meets her at the appliance and says, “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t sell microwaves to blondes”. Fed up, she yells, “HOW DO YOU KNOW I’M A BLONDE!?” and the sale clerk goes, “Because that’s a TV and not a microwave.”
"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.
by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 6:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Let me be the bigger man here
and say I’ll take either………
Let me be the bigger man and say I'll take both
AT THE SAME TIME!
"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort
I'll just be the biggest man and they will will take me!
"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."
by BMAN13 on Feb 2, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I mentor...
a kid in law school that did his undergraduate work at Arizona. He said the place is everything you think it is.
"Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last"
by Esteban d' Amur on Feb 2, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
I don't get early commits at all either
unless there’s a serious concern that the school might offer someone else and pull your offer, there’s really no reason to verbally commit. If there’s a school you like the best and feel you’re more likely to end up attending in your mind, that’s all that matters. Do your due diligence. Organize your priorities and compare pros and cons for different places.
In the end, it’s about where you feel the most happy and comfortable…but how can you know what that place will be until you’ve seen a few places that don’t feel the same? How can you know until you go somewhere where a coach doesn’t seem 100% genuine?
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
One of the benefits of pulling an early trigger
Is to recruit other players to your new school. I’d never begrudge a kid for taking his time and looking around. Selfishly, I’d love to see a player of Breneman’s talent declare for PSU (he’s no doubt quite familiar with the program by now) and start getting in the ear of other recruits about the new PSU offense.
Or, you know, schedule an official to Miami. I’m sure it’s a great trip as a recruit, but I can’t imagine that playing in front of a 1/3 full stadium in a town that care more about pro sports is much fun (#PITTTROLLGAZE2K12).
by Chris Grovich on Feb 2, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You mean like how Camren Williams did?
Not trying to be a smart*ss, just pointing out that you can’t even rely on those who commit early and then become psuedo recruiters.
Yeah, goes to my points. Basically, can count on any of them...
until they send that fax on signing day.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
You can't count on a crippling sex scandal and having no head coach for two months, either.
by Chris Grovich on Feb 2, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Wait...
That has an impact?
"Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last"
by Esteban d' Amur on Feb 2, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
Agree...
If you know you will most likely end up at that school, verbal and start recruiting your future teammates. Cam did it for us then stabbed us and all those recruits in the back in the end.
If we get someone like AB87 and a Hackenberg or Burns, then that sets the stage for other recruits to believe in PSU and committ to us.
Early Verbals this year are extremely crucial if you know what I mean.
Yes, indeed.
I’m sure it’s a tough choice between wanting to take your time and see what various places have to offer, or stepping out and being the leader of a recruiting class. Both have their benefits.
by Chris Grovich on Feb 3, 2012 9:00 AM EST up reply actions
I don't understand why every recruit....
isn’t clamoring for an official visit to the U of Hawaii !! Go Warriors!! Pass me the mai tais
I think they're very restrictive on how they allow official visits.
Obviously, it’s pretty damn expensive to fly those kids out on the school’s dime.
by Chris Grovich on Feb 3, 2012 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
Looks good
in the basic blues and white helmet…i thought for a second it was zach mills throwing to him with the left #7 in there
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things
Yea, Artie, Peter and myself were discussing this on the Twitter last night.
A saw a video of this interview on Scout last night. Every one of the players interviewed is really excited about the new S&C program. And that’s exciting as a fan.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
the old players seem to really like this staff
They all seem to have a new energy about them or something. I hope it shows on the field. I am going to miss Joe Pa out on the field but I am ready to see what new younger coaches can do.
Yeah, I do like the enthusiasm.
Maybe if BO’B and Co. get these kids fired up, it could be a surprising year…who knows.
short in stature, tall in power, wide of vision & narrow of purpose.
by OLDLIONofNYC on Feb 2, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Rumor has it that they'll be using something called "protein powder" too
SOUNDS DANGEROUS
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
NO WHEY!
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
by OctaShields on Feb 2, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 11 recs
---
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
That curdn't happen
at our program!
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
JAGERBOMB!
"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.
We're they really not drinking shakes after workouts?
If not, this is freakin’ absurd, considering how much weight some of these frosh need to put on to get to playing weight.
by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 2, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting article,
although very cherry picked in my opinion. I watched about 8 minutes of interviews of those same players (where almost all of those quotes came from), and quite a few were trying to make clear that it has been challenging and difficult because it is a significant change in your routine, and ANY time you change your routine it makes challenges your body morea and rounds you out more. Especially Mauti. He came off as borderline defensive because the interviewer was trying to get him to say that the routine was better, and Mauti did not agree with that.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
I should clarify, not that
Mauti was implying in any way that the old way was better either. His only point seemed to be that the significant change was what made it so challenging.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Good points
What it comes down to is a philosophy and that’s the point Mauti was trying to make.
And I think, regardless of the philosophy, if you buy into it and work its going to pay off.
by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 2, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Mauti really backtracked mid interview...don't think he wanted to throw JT under the bus
But the most interesting part was him admitting they were not physical enough, this is probably the best hire ever.
Anyone see some of the pics from Dev Still? Dude is getting monster big using free weights
May no act.................
Yeah, I didn't see it that way at all.
I think his attitude changed because he realized the interviewer was trying to get him to say something he didn’t agree with by taking it out of context. But I think he was very consistent with his point that it’s difficult because their bodies aren’t used to it and it’s different from what they were doing.
I guess at the end og the day I hope you are right. Of course I want our players to improve automatically no matter what. But I think it’s a pipe dream to think they they are going to improve automatically because they weren’t in good or the correct form of shape in years past.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
There was no out of context (IMO) he just caught himself being too honest
Smart move on his part, I don’t think he was being baited.
May no act.................
Yeah, difference of opinion.
Everyone is different anyway. If there is room for improvement, hopefully our new S&C coach adapts every routine to each player. People respond differently to different things. A law school classmate and constant fixture when I was in the gym came to school from fitness modelling, huge guy, never touched the bench or squats because they did not work for him. If it’s the same olympic only routine across all players and all positions, I really think some players will regress significantly in the fitness department. If there’s room for improvement in our S&C program, it will be in customizing the workouts more (I believe). But I just don’t know that it will lead to any significant results on the field.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Cantafio is this kids coach?
DOES HE HAVE ANY PRIDE??????????
Do you Danny?
Wait…I mean Adam.
May no act.................
With BO'B's offensive scheme...
one would think that he would want to come here. He’s a load and runs great routes. I hope we get him!
How do we know what BO'Bs offensive scheme is going to be in college
It could be 100% different then the pats. Til I see the first few games I don’t know what the offense is going to be like.
Good point
I never heard BOB say what he was planning to do with the offense. I was interested when Breneman said he wanted to sit down with BOB and talk about the offense. I believe that it will be a little the New Englands offense now with a few modifcations. I hope he doesn’t plan on getting pure drop back passers ( not that there is anything wrong with them ) because I think the college game you need a dual threat at QB. I think it puts more pressure on the defense. I read that someone hopes that he has the exact same offense as New England. Well, I will be happy with that too if you get me Tom Brady at QB.
In general
Coaches apply schemes that they’re comfortable and experienced with. I think it’s pretty safe to say that a lot of the elements used in the Pats offense will be incorporated into Penn State’s offense.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
He's stated in interviews that he's going to run the Patriots offense
but he’s going to adapt it year-to-year based on what kind of players he has to work with. No trying to “shove a square peg in a round whole.”
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
A round whole what?
"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987
by icavalera on Feb 2, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You know what I meant.
It’s been a long day at the office.
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
Because he said he's using the Pats' system.
by Chris Grovich on Feb 2, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
I don't remember him saying that exactly
Thanks Chris, but now I am a little more nervous. I agree you should use a system you are familiar with but I don’t know if that translates to todays college game. I mean Alabama & USC can use that only because of their talent level but I don’t know if in general that will work. Having Tom Brady sligging the rock is one thing but Bolden or Mcgloin ?
I mean, we're not expecting to expertly execute the Pats O
But employing their concepts can’t hurt. As in general things like formations, blocking schemes, patterns and specific things like the usage of the TE position, slot receiver, and different emphasis in the run game.
Basically I’m looking forward to playing more to our QBs strengths (slash simplifying reads and focusing more on open, short passes to playmakers in space) and putting more pressure on the defense by making LB or S have to worry about covering TE, thus creating new possibilities for the running game and play action passes. It won’t be as seamless as it is under Brady, but the concepts will still result in exploiting the weaknesses of defenses and putting people in position to make plays.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
My biggest question
is whether you can change your gameplan that much week to week with the NCAA time limitations and have less experienced players get a handle on and execute it within those limitations. Let me say I’m not optimistic. It seems to me that the real successful programs have either massive talent advantages, or systems that they find the players to fit. I don’t even think other NFL teams have the right mix of players to run the offense. It takes a ton of discipline from the players, that’s why they are so particular about the type of person they have rather than the pedigree of the athlete. Hell, maybe BOB was telling the truth on signing day and can identify the right people to execute rather than needing top quality workout-warrior type talents. We’ll see in the end I guess.
Fall now?
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
I think a lot of offenses have to rely on mirages more so
than lots and lots of different plays. You can have six-ten different plays, but disguise them with different sets and looks (i.e., mirages). Our problem has been that we line the RB up in the LG-center gap, and then run there. Too predictable.
Disguising is easier than learning 500 different plays, and since our players are, judging by graduation rates, smarter than most, I think they can pull off the legerdemain.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
Yeah I think that's the thing about the Pats offense
From what I’ve seen it’s not ridiculously complicated. And obviously, it would be simpler with less experienced kids and less practice time. They could have a relatively small number of plays, but mess around with formations, motion, etc. and change the emphasis and “gameplan” for each game without really introducing too many new plays or things to remember.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
And, really, having a basic set of plays has been
the Penn State philosophy for a long time. Joe and the other coaches preached execution, execution, execution — that’s fine as long as your O-linemen are dominating the defense. However, there were many games (cough, Houston, for example, cough, cough) where that domination, and thus execution, failed to occur.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
College defenses as a whole
Are as much worse than pro defenses as college quarterbacks are compared to pro quarterbacks. I mean, from what I’ve seen, the Pats offensive philosophy just basically makes the other team’s LBs have to act like safeties and their safeties have to act like linebackers. Once you get them leaning to try to cover up for their weaknesses, you exploit the mismatch. For instance, if they’re switching out a LB for a nickelback, you run down their throats. If they’re playing straight up, you stretch the field and get your TE in space where LB can’t hang with them. If the safeties worry about containing the TE in the middle, you can go deep to the WR on the edges, and vice versa. In college VERY few teams can field players that can stop an offense like that straight up.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
Within one week maybe.
But watching every snap week to week, the content of the plays changes very significantly, and I don’t think its just formations. When I say turnover, I’m sure they work on the whole set in the preseason, but without knowing what those were in the preseason it looks like a very new playbook.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Even Brady wasn't really Brady
at Michigan. He was — what? — a 6th-round pick?
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
Name the first rounders that contribute on that offense.
Mankins (last pick of the first, and had a consensus 3rd round draft grade) . . . Solder . . .
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Which offense, BOSS --
Pats or Brady’s Michigan team?
I really can’t answer either question — just curious as to the slant of your thought process.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
Pats
Along the line there are a bunch of top picks I guess the more I think about it. But skill players are many undrafted and late picks. Gronk and Branch as late second/almost third are about as highly drafted as you get (that I can recall).
A few more first on the defense maybe-Wilfork, Mayo, and McCourt all firsts.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
I'm a BIG fan of unit/team cohesion,
since my military experience stressed that so highly. The sum can be greater than the parts IF the leadership is there. Am hoping BOB/other coaches can find that collective chemistry for our kids, particularly on offense. Not to reignite the QB debate, but our two-headed monster hurt cohesion, imho.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
Agree with you,
but think it is most important on the OL. Not running in a new guard and shifting guys around from series to series alone has to help them get better, right?
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Yes.
It becomes collective muscle memory: “When John sets up this way, I will instinctively set up that way.”
Football = military in many ways. It’s uncanny how I came to know what John, Tom, et al. were going to do, and how my reactions became instinctive after awhile. Same can/should happen in football.
"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.
"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."
UM Brady couldn't handle NE's Brady's offense.
Almost no college QB could handle a pro offense. It might look that way but it’s much more complicated then a college offense. You cannot handle that much with so little practice time. Even the Wr’s probably couldn’t adjust their routes as well, they simply cannot learn that much in such a short time.
That's fine
As long as college defenses can’t stop watered-down versions, it should still work, even without the same level of precision.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
And yes, 199 overall I believe.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Thanks for the interview Jeff
Good stuff, looking forward to seeing more of them as the year goes on.
Looks awesome but
I see Ohio State and Michigan on his offer sheet ive already given up on this one. next?
In all seriousness,
I enjoyed getting a glimpse at the kid and his thoughts.
"I think what the university did to him was grossly wrong" -- Mike Ditka
Another recruit I spoke with (STAY TUNED!)
said he was very excited with how the Pats used their offensive weapons.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 2, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Not at all a Pats fan
But I’m impressed on how well they use their personnel on both sides of the ball. Lining Hernandez up in the backfield and having it work is one thing. Using Edelman as DB? And it actually working out well? Very impressive.
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
Breneman
seems like a bright kid so I won’t question anything or suggest I know what’s best for him. But you’ve gotta think he watches Pats games and looks at Gronk and Hernandez and the way the NFL is starting to emphasize a hybrid TE these days and lick his lips at the prospect of playing under O’Brien.
I read yesterday that Gronk and Hernandez had more receiving yards and TD than the entire Jacksonville Jaguars team.
"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.
And having a history of winning a superbowl doing it!
See, e.g., Brown, Troy 2004.
"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace
Please post things when you want Junny
I love reading about kids we’re looking at
COME TO PENN STATE ADAM!!
That is all.
If they ever tell my story let them say that I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Bradley, tamer of offenses. Let them say I lived in the time of Paterno.
Thanks for the interview
I think this is great. Good to hear what the recruits have to say. I"m really hoping we can get him to play here. Seems like a good kid. It’s been a while since we’ve had a tight end that made plays. Since Quarless and Shuler left, there’s been no production from that spot. I feel like McGloin and Bolden would look a lot better if they had a good tight end.
I am soo ready for a late 70's early 80's run
I love PSU and I love that we have great people on our team but to be honest I am ready to start to compete for a NC year in and out. We have the facilities and the stadium to get top recruits. This class will be a great foundation class and if we can get a couple of top guys next year it could be a start of something big.
I am not trying to get ahead of myself I understand that it wont be next year but I am not happy with 9-3 year in and out. I for one hope BOB can get kids excited about PSU in a way where our coaches can go into any house in PA and get their man and pull a kid or two from Texas and Flordia each year.
since quarless
we haven’t had much talent at the tight end position, im hoping that if breneman joins up, maybe that turns the head of foster and burns, it would be an unheard of offensive recruiting class….wish list for next year’s class, levenberry, brown, burns, foster, breneman, and norman….heres hoping
"since quarless"
so, in two years?
We’ve gone much longer with much less talent at TE, IIRC
Fire Dan Snyder
Awesome work Jeff.
Breneman is our number one target I think for 2013 because he’s the high profile PA guy we lose ever year.
I think if we can get him on early we can really get a decent class going.
"Heaven hired THE best coach ever".
Paul Jones
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