Paterno back for 40th year as PSU Coach

[Like A Mofo]

JoePa

 

Highlights of the article:

 

Armed with a contract extension, a smothering defense and a monster recruiting class, Paterno is way more rejuvenated than retired entering his 40th year as head coach.

 

One look at the field and it seems like one or two decades away. While the defense (No. 10 nationally) was up to Penn State standards, the offense was a root canal in cleats -- 110th out of 117 in I-A in scoring. In any age where speed rules the game, Paterno had yet to grasp the rules.

 

Derrick Williams, a receiver/returner type who has been clocked from 4.28-4.32 in the 40, topped off a top 25 recruiting class. Paterno so desperately wanted the kid who was widely regarded as the best recruit in the country, he sent him gushing letters proclaiming "WE NEED DERRICK WILLIAMS."

 

Paterno also landed No. 1 defensive back Justin King out of Pittsburgh and athlete-type Lydell Sargeant all the way from California. They're all speedsters.

 

Fifth-year senior Michael Robinson goes into spring as a slight favorite at quarterback. But in his career he has been all over the field, never really mastering any position. Penn State Nation no doubt hopes that highly touted sophomore Anthony Morelli eventually takes over.

[R. Rich]

I don't know if I want Morelli to take over. I'll have to see more of him before saying something like that. Robinson has looked good at QB at times, but he's looked pretty sorry there as well. Much of that, I'm sure, has to do with the fact that he's been shuffled between WR and QB for the past couple seasons. No continuity. Personally, I say leave him at either or WR instead of having him do both sparingly. If Morelli is as good as they thought when they recruited him, he can handle the pressure of being the starter, or at least competing for the starting job.

 

Things are definitely looking up for the Nittany Lions.

[UConn James]

I don't know if I want Morelli to take over.  I'll have to see more of him before saying something like that.  Robinson has looked good at QB at times, but he's looked pretty sorry there as well.  Much of that, I'm sure, has to do with the fact that he's been shuffled between WR and QB for the past couple seasons.  No continuity.  Personally, I say leave him at either or WR instead of having him do both sparingly.  If Morelli is as good as they thought when they recruited him, he can handle the pressure of being the starter, or at least competing for the starting job. 

 

Things are definitely looking up for the Nittany Lions.

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A few years ago, UConn had a QB, Keron Henry, like that who eventually became the backup to Orlovsky (who's projected for the 2nd round this year) in camp and then a WR during the season. He actually did pretty well there for two years. In 2-on-2 BBall pickup game a couple of summers ago, a buddy from high school and I kicked KH's and his WR buddy's asses....

 

To me, if you've had your QB starting at another position, it's time to say 'Hey, we need a true QB.' Recruit a truly GOOD prospect by dangling the phrase "possible four-year starter" in front of them and see how fast they sign. Esp. w/ PS's reputation. I'd say to start the Morelli kid, not that I've seen or heard of him, but Paterno should trust his scouts.

 

Should JoePa be back? That's an unanswerable question. His team hasn't shown much on O for the past few years but,.... he's JoePa! I thought last year would be it but he's back; maybe he wants to end on a positive note.

[Trilat]

JoePa

 

Highlights of the article:

 

Armed with a contract extension, a smothering defense and a monster recruiting class, Paterno is way more rejuvenated than retired entering his 40th year as head coach.

 

The Coca-Cola company will be very happy since this signing is a continuation of the subliminal message program.

What is the first thing that you think of when you look at Paterno's glasses??

[Adam]

Paterno should stay there as long as he wants- he's done a lot for that institution. After he retires as a football coach, they should name the field or something after him, and find a role for him at the University.

 

Classy guy.

[R. Rich]

Paterno should stay there as long as he wants- he's done a lot for that institution. After he retires as a football coach, they should name the field or something after him, and find a role for him at the University.

 

Classy guy.

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More than likely, Adam, they will. He already has a library named after him at PSU.

[Adam]

More than likely, Adam, they will.  He already has a library named after him at PSU.

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As well it should be- he funded it!!!!

[Tux of Borg]

There are no more excuses for Paterno. He had a monster recruiting class and has Miami type talent on the sideline. The blame goes on him if they aren't ranked next season.

[R. Rich]

As well it should be- he funded it!!!!

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He and SuePa funded a portion of it, not the entire amount. They personally gave a quarter million to the cause, but the total amount was about $27 million. Still, I can't think of another college coach that would give so much personally to their school.

[R. Rich]

There are no more excuses for Paterno.  He had a monster recruiting class and has Miami type talent on the sideline.  The blame goes on him if they aren't ranked next season.

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This recruiting class is a damn sight better than some of the more recent ones, that's for sure! But, to say that a bunch of freshmen (some who may end up redshirted) are going to turn around the program in one season is a bit much. That said, seeing how good the PSU defense was last season, I'm hoping the added speed in the receiving corps will make our offense a lot more dangerous. There's still some uncertainty at the QB position (is Morelli ready, or is Robinson going to start?), so there's still going to be some bumps in the road.

[stuckincincy]

More than likely, Adam, they will.  He already has a library named after him at PSU.

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Fitting. When my wife attended PSU, athletes had to check in and spend specified hours in the library to maintain their academics.

 

PSU's football decline in recent years may well be the result of JoPa not accepting the UM style of business...

[R. Rich]

Fitting. When my wife attended PSU, athletes had to check in and spend specified hours in the library to maintain their academics.

 

PSU's football decline in recent years may well be the result of JoPa not accepting the UM style of business...

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Possibly, stuck. Who knows? In recent years, there have been more 'incidents' involving PSU players than in years past. I'm just hoping there's a turnaround in that stuff.

[UConn James]

Fitting. When my wife attended PSU, athletes had to check in and spend specified hours in the library to maintain their academics.

 

PSU's football decline in recent years may well be the result of JoPa not accepting the UM style of business...

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Possibly, stuck.  Who knows?  In recent years, there have been more 'incidents' involving PSU players than in years past.  I'm just hoping there's a turnaround in that stuff.

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Then, there's the times when I've witnessed BBall and FBall players go into the library to pretend they're reading articles on Shakespeare only to really be furtively look at porn.

 

The NCAA should really come up w/ an option to compensate players the equivalent of tuition for athletes who just aren't interested in anything to do with scholarship. The classroom really suffers from people who don't want to be there and the sh-- they pull; and yes, I was in some "Jock-heavy" classes. That, or require much higher academic standards than being able to write and fill in the bubbles for your name on the SAT. What goes on now to keep players in when any other student would be thrown out is an effin' joke.