Presean Problems May Handicap Lions

[SkypointBull]

Posted on Mon, Aug. 29, 2005

 

Preseason problems may handicap Lions

By Frank Fitzpatrick

Inquirer Staff Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - While it probably isn't ready to make a serious run for the roses on New Year's Day, the 2005 Penn State football team is at least supposed to put the gallop back into a program that over the last few seasons has performed like a gimpy nag.

To accomplish that, however, the Nittany Lions have to hope that all their uneasy thrashing in the preseason starting gate didn't permanently damage their dreams.

Exiting a disturbing summer camp, the team that many handicappers predicted would restore the growl to Penn State football, the luster to Joe Paterno's reputation, and the optimism to Happy Valley was, if not yet lame, clearly limping.

As a result of off-the-field trouble, a serious injury, academic difficulties and a transfer, the Lions who will play in Saturday's season opener against South Florida are a far different group from what was anticipated just a few months ago.

Dan Connor, a sophomore linebacker from Strath Haven with all-American potential, was suspended indefinitely for making prank calls to a retired assistant coach.

Sophomore wide receiver Mark Rubin, expected to be one of quarterback Michael Robinson's favorite targets on a rebuilt receiving corps, dislocated an ankle in camp and is out for the season.

An experienced offensive line is in disarray after an incident last winter in which arrows were fired into an apartment wall. Senior center E.Z. Smith temporarily was expelled. He will return, but when and in what capacity remains to be seen. Two other 2004 starters, guard Tyler Reed and tackle Andrew Richardson, are buried on the depth chart for their peripheral participation.

The defensive line is equally unsettled. Senior end Scott Paxson also was involved in the bow-and-arrow incident and is trying to return to Paterno's good graces. Fellow end Lavon Chisley was declared academically ineligible. Among the backups, Ed Johnson was temporarily booted out of school for a violation of the university's code of conduct and Amani Purcell transferred to Hawaii.

Not surprisingly, the 78-year-old Paterno, hungry for one last run at glory, has been peppered with questions about the disciplined players.

"Until they prove to me that they are mature enough and can handle some of the things that have to go on in the football team, off-the-field activities and all that stuff, they have to show me they belong," Paterno said.

All that has obscured what figures to be an intriguing and significant campaign. Paterno returns most of a stubborn defense that was the lone highlight in a dismal 4-7 season. Even without Connor, Chisley and Johnson, there is enough depth among the linebackers and defensive linemen to compensate.

It's on the other side of the ball, though, where improvement has to come if Penn State hopes to pull itself out of the new-millennial funk in which Paterno's teams have experienced an unprecedented four losing seasons in the last five.

"Offensively, we have to be better," Paterno said.

Those big plays are expected to come from Derrick Williams and Justin King, widely touted freshman speedsters whose mere presence has excited downtrodden Penn State supporters and provided twin threats on what in 2004 was a lackluster receiving corps.

"I'm anxious to see what our young receivers can do, man-on-man coverage, because I know teams aren't going to respect us at first," Robinson said.

The root of that disrespect will be the Nittany Lions' offensive inexperience.

Robinson is a senior, but he shared duties with the graduated Zack Mills the last few seasons. BranDon Snow, a linebacker a year ago, will be the fullback. Inconsistent senior Isaac Smolko returns at tight end, but the wide receivers - freshmen Williams, King (who also will play at cornerback) and Lydell Sargeant, plus Brendan Perretta, Terrell Golden and Jim Kanuch - are untested.

"It's just one of those things where you just have to wait and see what some of these kids can do in tough situations," Paterno said.

Consequently, if Paterno can create some order and stability on his undersized offensive line, this is a team that - like so many of his best teams - figures to tilt heavily toward the run.

Robinson, who dropped 15 pounds this off-season, can scamper with the best of quarterbacks. Tony Hunt is a solid starter at tailback. And Austin Scott, who has moved constantly in and out of Paterno's doghouse, appears ready for the kind of breakout season everyone anticipated when he was shattering state records at Allentown's Parkland High.

"I definitely think I've matured a lot," said Scott, a lightning-quick, 6-foot, 208-pound junior.

His coach, who chafed whenever Scott showed up late for a practice and frequently benched the talented tailback, seems to have noticed the change.

"He has come back all business," Paterno said. "He looks real quick underneath."

With the infusion of speed, and with the free-wheeling Robinson having beaten out sophomore Anthony Morelli at quarterback, Paterno has gone back to the spread offense Penn State used so successfully during the 1970s and '80s.

"I think we are going to be a little bit more wide open," he said. "I would hope that we have enough skilled people that we can do that."

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Paterno, who is entering his 40th season as Penn State's head coach, will be convincing a core of players who have lost 16 of their last 23 games - 13 of 16 in the Big Ten Conference - that they are good enough to play with Michigan, Ohio State and Purdue.

"I have to always look back," he said. "I know it sounds like I'm being critical, but we lost a lot of games. Last year, we played tough football. There was a play here, a play there. It was a catch here, a kick there. I have tried to zero in on that. We were so close to being a good football team.

"Nobody on the staff came out of last year feeling like we had a bunch of dogs. We just felt that we needed one or two players here or one or two players there and a little bit of luck."

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http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/12502187.htm

If we just play a smart game we can possibly hang in there.  

1.) No Stupid Penalties

2.) Protect the ball

[ChiTownBull]

109k and our lack of discipline = stupid penalties....i hope they prove me wrong!

[TyBull]

Posted on Mon, Aug. 29, 2005

 

Preseason problems may handicap Lions

By Frank Fitzpatrick

Inquirer Staff Writer

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Paterno, who is entering his 40th season as Penn State's head coach, will be convincing a core of players who have lost 16 of their last 23 games - 13 of 16 in the Big Ten Conference - that they are good enough to play with Michigan, Ohio State and Purdue.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/12502187.htm

Yeah, they are concerned with OSU, Purdue & Michigan. OK, maybe there is a chance to sneak up on them.

[Zonald]

1.) No Stupid Penalties

Ummm, please see the HISTORY of USF football.  Note: Road Games, i.e. Arkansas.  

[psu78]

I think if you have no turnovers you might keep it real close.You guys will have to play a really good game to win in my mind.PSU 35-10

[ChiTownBull]

1.) No Stupid Penalties

Ummm, please see the HISTORY of USF football.  Note: Road Games, i.e. Arkansas.  

OU when Kawika scored the TD on the trick play....it was called back because of what....a stupid penalty!

[The_Reaper]

35-10? C'mon be for real. You won't score 35 with the offense you have. More like in the 20's if possible. WE ARE NOT THE PANSY'S YOU THINK WE ARE!!!   Reaper

[BullDoug]

"Until they prove to me that they are mature enough and can handle some of the things that have to go on in the football team, off-the-field activities and all that stuff, they have to show me they belong," Paterno said.

Why JoePa deserves more respect than good ole boy Booby Bowden.

[BigShoop]

please stop posting things like this. they are filling my brain with thoughts of an upset..........which is pretty far from my early predictions.

[psu78]

35-10? C'mon be for real. You won't score 35 with the offense you have. More like in the 20's if possible. WE ARE NOT THE PANSY'S YOU THINK WE ARE!!!   Reaper

Didn't Army put over 40 on you guys?Penn State is not Army we have WAY more talent!