Blue-White Game Preview '11: Offensive Backfield

This post is part 1 of 5 this week previewing all the offensive and defensive units heading into the Blue-White scrimmage this Saturday in Beaver Stadium.

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Part 1: The Offensive Backfield

Penn State has more talent at the skill positions this spring than I can remember. That doesn't necessarily mean that talent is experienced, developed or realized at this point. A dominating theme last season was that of underachievement by a football team that had arguably more raw talent than at least two of the teams that defeated it (Illinois & Michigan State) and probably another (Iowa).

In the first parts of our preview series heading into the Blue-White Game, we'll start with the offensive backfield--quarterbacks and running backs. Then tomorrow it's on to the receivers and tight ends.

While the quarterback position remains a hot mess this spring, the running backs are surprisingly strong with the loss of Penn State's all-time leading rusher. Even the fullbacks are something to get excited about for 2011 and possibly on the field this weekend.

More on each in the following sections below the break.

Penn State Spring Media Day 2011 Recap: Depth, Injuries, and Quarterbacks

It's not really football season until Joe Paterno
blows off reporters in a press conference, right?

The weather is warming (unless you're in State College), the trees are budding (unless you're in State College), and football is in the air (especially if you're in State College). Joe Paterno gave his first press conference today for the 2011 football season, focusing on spring practice, injuries, the quarterback situation, and a few other topics. It was only the average 30-minute Q&A with reporters. But afterward, players were available, who also had some good things to say.

Did Penn State oversign for 2011? Kinda.

Math. While it's a tough concept for those in SEC country, up here in the north it doesn't seem like all that much work to, you know, count. And that's all it took to figure out that Penn State appeared to have oversigned for the class of 2011 by two scholarships. But as I'll explain in this post, the Nittany Lions coaching staff did not, in fact, do anything outside of the Big Ten's oversigning regulations.

Kevin Newsome changes plans? Nate Stupar says QB will stay at PSU (updated)

Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome has apparently decided to stay in Happy Valley, according to teammate linebacker Nate Stupar's twitter account:

In December, it was reported that Newsome wanted to transfer out of the program. It was assumed he wanted to go elsewhere due to his No. 3 position on the QB depth chart this past season, losing out to true frosh Rob Bolden and later redshirt sophomore Matt McGloin. Newsome was widely regarded as the heir-apparent to Daryll Clark, after he was the primary backup in 2009 to the two-time 1st Team All-Big Ten quarterback.

This is making my head hurt...

Update: Nate backed off a bit, but it's still interesting with everything else going on, that Newsome's name came up. I, and most of the people I talk to, figured he was the one definite move in the quarterback equation. Again, head... hurting...

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Outback Bowl '11: Three stay home; Kevin Newsome transfer looking more likely

Kevin Newsome didn't join the team
this week in Tampa. (Photo: LBU/Mike)

Three underclassmen on Penn State's football team were left behind when the team traveled to Tampa this week for Outback Bowl preparations. This is according to Sean Fitz at Lions247.com:

Sophomore quarterback Kevin Newsome, redshirt sophomore tight end Mark Wedderburn and true freshman offensive tackle Thomas Ricketts did not make the trip.

Outback Bowl '11: Media Day Quick Hits

Not much in the way of real news, mostly just fluff stuff from the Outback Bowl Media Day this week. But we'll quickly touch on some of the more substantive bits from the day, including injury updates, which for this Penn State team is critical, and Kevin Newsome.

Michael Mauti should be fully healthy
for the Outback Bowl. (Photo: Mike/LBU)

• Anthony Fera should--should--be ready to go for the game. This could be huge, as he was sorely missed on kickoffs the final few games. It initially wasn't expected for him to return, but this is good news, albeit tempered a bit by the uncertainty. 
• Kevin Newsome met with Joe Paterno this week, to discuss options for transferring. Paterno said he doesn't want to prevent Newsome from playing, and told the true sophomore QB to at least wait through the bowl preparations and game. Newsome is set on playing quarterback, which doesn't bode well for him staying at Penn State. If he was interested in switching positions, then there would definitely be a place for him. But nothing yet has been decided.

Report: Kevin Newsome looking to transfer

Kevin Newsome could be looking
to take his services elsewhere. And really,
who could blame him?
(Photo: Mike/LBU)

Unless you've had your head in the sand these last few months, you knew it was just a matter of time before one of Penn State's four very talented quarterbacks started to look for another program. Can't say the news is surprising, but it looks like Kevin Newsome is the first name to come up, according to BWI:

"Multiple sources close to the Nittany Lions have indicated to Blue White Illustrated that sophomore quarterback Kevin Newsome intends to seek a transfer."

To tell you the truth, there's a bit of relief that comes with this news, for both Penn State and Newsome. Penn State now can play around with three great quarterbacks, all of whom have at least two years of eligibility after this one.

Preview: Penn State at Alabama

THIS WEEK		#18 AP / 1-0, 0-0 Big Ten	@		#1 AP / 1-0, 0-0 SEC
9/11, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN		Wk 1 - W, 44-14 vs YSU			Wk 1 - W, 48-3 vs SJSU
Full Game Preview / Staff Predictions / Penn State Depth Chart / Live Blog

Welcome, Mr. Bolden... make yourself comfortable.

I'll ditch the formalities. Let's just start digging and see where it all ends up.

Optimistic as I am (to a fault, most of the time), the opportunities for the Nittany Lions to pull out a shocker in Tuscaloosa are so slight, even a team like Alabama would have trouble if faced with the same situation.

As the season goes on, I'll deal more with season stats and numbers. But with only one game in the books--most likely against a far inferior opponent--teams like Penn State and Alabama are still relatively shrouded in mystery. Alabama won't have two of its best four players (Marcell Dareus and Mark Ingram), while its entire defense is new. For Penn State, no one knows what Rob Bolden will do against a real defense, while the Nittany Lions defense will face a drastically different offense down in Tuscaloosa.

So, for all we don't know about these two teams, here are a few things we do know...

Joe Paterno Press Conference Recap: Alabama Week

Joe Paterno took questions from the media today,
as Penn State prepares to travel for its game
against the Alabama Crimson Tide, 2009 national champions.

Here's the long and short of what happened today at Joe Paterno's Alabama game week press conference. Let's just say, Joe is grounded going into this one...

Quick hits:

Joe Paterno Press Conference Recap: Youngstown State

Chaz Powell could play offense
or defense this Saturday, depending on
some key injuries in the Penn State secondary.

Here's the long and short of what happened today at Joe Paterno's first game week press conference. The season opener against Youngstown State is four days away (!), and the quarterback situation isn't getting any better. But more on that in a minute.

Quick hits:

• Being a team captain is a lot like being an officer on Omaha Beach. Yikes.
  
• Andrew Szczerba's back isn't any better, and might not play for a few weeks. (I guess injury information isn't secret after all)
• Chaz Powell is moving back to offense. This is due to an unusually high number of injuries at the wide receiver position--Curtis Drake's broken leg, and Christian Kuntz's knee injury this past weekend. And with Szczerba's absence, they may take some time working in a sufficient gameplan for TE Garry Gilliam, meaning more WR sets.
• Linebacker will be a strength of the team, despite what the pundits are saying. Mike Mauti is fine.
• Stephfon Morris might be out, but it depends on how his neck injury heals. Powell can be moved back to defense if Morris can't go.
• Drew Astorino is doing alright, and should go.
• The offensive line is getting better. Joe and the staff are "very encouraged," which means they might actually be good. Joe doesn't praise units that aren't doing remarkably well. If they weren't, the wouldn't remark on them, right?
  
• Joe Paterno was asked about the quarterbacks, a lot. The gist of it all? Everything is fine, but unknown.
• Paul Jones was redshirted because of academics. Joe's worried about a few players, but wouldn't name them, and asked the guys not to ask about them.
• Both quarterbacks, Newsome and Bolden, can play. But they're obviously young.
• Hopefully a starter will be named tomorrow night.
  

So how many questions did Joe get about the quarterbacks? This many...

Newsome likely to start vs Youngstown State

Kevin Newsome (12) is likely to get
the official start on opening day.

You know that huge bubble of media speculation about true freshman Robert Bolden becoming Penn State's starting quarterback on opening day? Well, we may have just seen it burst. Reports came trickling out of Penn State's final scrimmage this weekend, as the team ends the camp portion of practice, and heads into actual game preparation on Monday. Scary, I know.

During Friday's practice, Kevin Newsome apparently looked like the best overall quarterback, something we've heard non-stop the last few weeks... about Bolden. Newsome had apparently run an offense mostly resembling the Nittany Lions' schemes from 2005 and 2008, in which a running quarterback was a very big factor. But the passing game had also hinted at Michael Robinson ca. '05 or Daryll Clark ca. '08, in that a heavy QB-TB rushing attack was supplemented with a devastating pass game that struck just when the defense was fully locked on the ground game.

But why should one practice have such an impact, as to sway conventional and almost uniform belief that Bolden has basically won the majority-time quarterback job? Because during Friday's practice, Bolden was reportedly playing much less like the boy-wonder the media had been making him out to be, and more like a very talented, but very raw true freshman quarterback. It should also be noted here that the coaching staff continued to play the quarterbacks without the protection of red jerseys.

Even if Matt McGloin is out of the race,
he'll still be a valuable backup quarterback.

Matt McGloin, the darkhorse in this race, seems to have now settled in as the official backup quarterback. Earlier in the week there was a rumor out that Newsome and Bolden would each receive 40 percent of the snaps in practice from now on, while McGloin would see 20 percent.

I was really starting to get on the Bolden Bandwagon this season; really, I was. If he does end up starting, and Newsome comes in as the "change of pace" quarterback, that's great. But if Newsome is The Guy for 2010, it's just as good.

How can I say that it's just as good? Because we just don't know which guy will do better when three separate BCS Bowl winners are breathing down his throat. I'm excited for 2010, even with the unknown that is the quarterback position. I'm excited because of the young talent that this team has, yet not forgetting the powerful upperclassmen in the starting lineup as well.

Penn State seems to have been written off this season, by the media, by most of the fans, and by everyone else. They say Penn State is just going to have a "meh" season this year, and hopefully send Joe Paterno out on a winning note in 2011. I'm not buying that. This team, starting with the quarterbacks, has so much raw talent, it is probably more talented than any Nittany Lions team from the last 10 years. The experience will come. Hopefully it can come quickly to the quarterback, or quarterbacks, whoever he or they might be.

Odds 'n Ends...

-Andrew Sczcerba might not see action until week 3, as his back problems haven't gotten any better. That means RS frosh Garry Gilliam will get to start game one of his Penn State career.

-Johnnie Troutman is making a strong push for DeOn'tae Pannell's spot at left guard. Some are saying that if that were to happen, Troutman would go to left guard, Pannell to right guard, and Wisniewski would go back to center. I'm not crazy about that, but if it happens, it wouldn't be crushing; would probably only make the line that much better overall, to have the best five on the field.

-If you're wondering who No. 93 is on the field next week, it's James Terry. He's pretty good, so learn the name-number association.

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Joe Paterno open to dual-QB offense for 2010

If Penn State uses two quarterbacks in 2010,
true frosh Robert Bolden (pictured) could see the field,
or even get the nod as the starter, in his first collegiate game.

He sure doesn't like the idea, but he's not ruling it out.

During the the Big Ten Network's Penn State preview special Wednesday night, Joe Paterno said he would not rule out playing two quarterbacks in tandem this season.

Jerry DiNardo: Coach, you've been through quarterback changes before. Your thoughts on playing two, if no one emerges?

Joe Paterno: Not crazy about it, Jerry, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I would prefer that we get a leader; I would prefer a guy that gets in the huddle that can grab a couple guys by the jersey and say "Hey, don't blow that block again or I'm gunna kick your rear end." You know, somebody who takes over. I would prefer one. It's tough to do that with two. So... but if we gotta play with two, we play with two.

I'm really surprised this hasn't been kind of one of those dog-whistle moments for bloggers and the media, especially this close to the season. But I guess when everyone is more concerned with Joe Paterno's health, what happens on the field is secondary, or at least covered in a "yeah, yeah, but Joe was..."

This is a big deal. Penn State hasn't been a team that likes to rotate quarterbacks, but there has been a model in place, one more recent than 1999 when Kevin Thompson and Rashard Casey split time during games.

In the 2007 Alamo Bowl, the coaching staff successfully implemented a dual-quarterback game plan that worked extremely well. Daryll Clark didn't have to throw a pass, but was successful at keeping the defense off-balance, particularly when Clark and Anthony Morelli were in the game at the same time. And to wonder, what if Morelli was also a dual-threat quarterback, as was Clark? How insane would that drive opposing defenses?

Well, we might find out.

With the news yesterday that Robert Bolden's freshman counterpart Paul Jones will redshirt this season this boils the race down to three guys--Bolden, Kevin Newsome, and Matt McGloin. The coaches like McGloin's poise, but Newsome's athleticism. Bolden has been impressing everyone in Happy Valley the past few weeks.

If Penn State uses two quarterbacks, my guess is that one of them will be Newsome. He's the fastest quarterback by far, and is lethal running a spread-run offense. The staff might also want to try out Newsome as the starter, with McGloin and Bolden rotating in and out. But I can't imagine that happening during even the Youngstown State game. They want to know who will be their guy--or guys--before then.

But I won't get excited over something that's still an unknown in many ways. We don't know if Penn State will actually use two quarterbacks in its offensive game plan. We don't know, if two QBs are used, if it will actually work against the other teams, particularly the better defensive football teams like Iowa and Ohio State.

This is an interesting twist, two weeks away from the opening game. That's one thing we do know.



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Paul Jones to redshirt 2010 season

At least there is something certain coming out of Penn State's 2010 quarterback derby. Mark Brennan at FOS is reporting ($) (Here is a free version of the story by Frank Bodani at the YDR) tonight that true frosh Paul Jones will redshirt this season.

This isn't surprising, but I wouldn't say I was expecting it to come out at this time. Jones wowed everyone in the Blue-White Game, but most realized that you can't judge too much from that scrimmage against the second and third team defenses. This leaves Kevin Newsome, Matt McGloin and true freshman Robert Bolden, who's been on campus all of three weeks.

I guess this is a nice problem to have, figuring out which top-10 quarterback should get the job.

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LBU Video: Kevin Newsome Freshman Season 2009

With the rapidly growing quarterback controversy hysteria among Penn State fans and pundits, I thought this would be a worthwhile addition to our LBU Videos collection.

In this clip, I put together every single snap from 2009 in which Kevin Newsome either carried or passed the football.

I was really hoping to post this video within this week's Thursday Question, since I picked Kevin Newsome as my surprise breakout offensive player for 2010.

But I ran into some issues with the Eastern Illinois tape (super h/t to LBU reader Mike Bianchini for helping me out with it!), which was the one game Newsome saw the most action. So, I couldn't leave that game out. Enjoy, and let the bickering begin...



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Thursday Quesiton: 2010 Surprise Breakout Offensive Player

Will Kevin Newsome (12) surprise the Nittany Nation this fall, with a breakout season?

Last week, it was our picks for the breakout defensive player for 2010. This week, we flip over to the offensive side of the ball. From quarterback to wide receiver to the return game, we'll take a look at a few players that could catch you off guard this season, with a truly surprising breakout campaign.

So, let's get to it: What's your surprise breakout offensive player for 2010?

Galen

This may come as a shocker but I’m going to go with Kevin Newsome as my breakout offensive player for 2010. It’s all set up for Kevin, Penn State will feature a strong running game behind a record-setting running back. If Newsome can be adequate to above average the offense will soar. Teams will undoubtedly stack the line to stop the run and challenge PSU to beat them through the air. If Kevin can burn a couple defenses early it will make defensive coordinators think twice. Not to mention there isn’t a Penn State fan that doesn’t think Kevin has wheels, he’ll burn a couple defenses that let him get outside the pocket. I was skeptical about Michael Robinson and Darryl Clark when they stepped into the starting QB role for the first time and I was wrong about them. I’ve been outspoken about Newsome as well so who’s to say I’m not wrong about him, and let’s face it the universe hates me so he’ll probably have a great year just to make me look bad.

Mike

I really do think that Kevin Newsome qualifies for a surprise breakout candidate this year; that's why he's my pick. No one is expecting the kid from Portsmouth, VA to excel on the field of play this fall. Far too many fans and pundits are calling for him to be benched, before he's even thrown a meaningful pass. That's ridiculous. This is all not to say that Paul Jones or Robert Bolden, or even Matt McGloin aren't good, or have the chance to someday get there. But considering the offensive situation for 2010, why wouldn't Newsome have a chance to be a younger Mike Robinson?

The offense will need a running quarterback. The wide receivers are dynamic enough to make mediocre passes look fantastic. The offensive line is good enough to get by with said running QB. There are at least three good running backs, and another who is up for the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards. Kevin Newsome has the most experience of any QB, not matter how little that actually may be. He has been running these plays for a year and eight months, and has speed to burn. Yes, there's a new No. 12 in town, and he is my pick for 2010's surprise breakout player on offense.

Will Brett Brackett (83) have a breakout senior season?

Ryan

I know going it may not seem like too big of a risk to say a senior is going to be a breakout player, but Brett Brackett to me has all the makings of finally coming into his own this year at the receiver position. He was slated to start in the slot before the Curtis Drake injury, but it seemed a formality that Drake would be getting a bunch of snaps in his stead. Brackett is a HUGE target, and whoever the starting quarterback is, they are certainly going to find comfort in throwing to the 6'6 232 pounder. I expect Brackett to be the primary red-zone threat, as well as a frequent target on third downs. Brackett is also slotted to be the starting holder, so he hopefully will be able to help Colin Wagner in the kicking game as well. And who knows, if this passing game turns out to be as bad as a lot of people think it is going to be, maybe Brackett goes back to his high school days and starts taking snaps under center for old time's sake.

Tim

I'm going to go out on a limb here: Devon Smith. Let's not forget that the little speedster saw some meaningful PT early last season before a concussion and off-field issues got him buried under the depth chart. I still remember him running a beautiful route to get wide open for a 20+ yard catch against Akron and having a couple of nice runs out of the reverse. I fully expect to see him returning kickoffs this season but now with the lovable Drake out 6-8 weeks, don't be surprised if you see Smith being utilized the way the coaching staff had intended to use Drake (i.e. reverses, screens, etc.). Not only is he a blur, but his shortness (5'8") could make him difficult to spot by opposing defenders if he has enough tall blockers in front of him.

Of course, there's a chance I could be dead wrong on this prediction and Brett Brackett ends up filling the void for Drake's duties but I have a gut feeling about Devon breaking out this year. Oh, and you can't talk about Mr. Smith without this obligatory video:

Who is your surprise breakout offensive player for 2010?

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Linkbacker U is getting to know the Quarterbacks

Dissecting the Competition

We get it. Two freshmen quarterbacks. Three scramblers. One walk-on. None of which excite the Penn State faithful. But what about beyond the game...once they take their helmets and jerseys off and are actual people. StateCollege.com talked to each of the quarterbacks (wonder who their connection was) and found out a little more about them.

Kudos to you Mr. Newsome. The Goofy Movie is a phenomenal film.

No where to go but up....Right?

The special teams for Penn State last season was..well.. special. And that was WITH Jeremy Boone. When Collin Wagner is one of the only sure things for the special team unit, you know there are going to be problems.

Audrey Snyder of the Daily Collegian broke down the current state of affairs in the special teams unit, telling us a couple things. Wagner is expanding his range, the punting situation is still up in the air, and at least one member of the kick return unit from a year ago can now focus on his duties on offense.

"We have some guys that can step up and do the return game and stuff like that," Royster said. "I doubt I'll be too involved with that, but definitely catching the ball out of the backfield and trying to split out. I think we'll try and get into that."

Basketball in July

Thankfully basketball season is still a long way away, but the mass exodus at the end of last year opened up many a spot on the roster, and so far so good for their replacements, Talor Battle told the Pitt Stop

Not sure whether this is simply PR on Battle's part or not, but I guess when Battle has good things to say about his teammates, that's good to hear on a few different levels.

Speaking of Basketball, We've Got Company.

Jim Delaney was just too kind. He knew that us Penn State basketball faithful were getting lonely in the Big Ten cellar. So he invited Nebraska to give the Lions a run for their money on the court. Black Shoe Diaries talked with Brian from Corn Nation to discuss the newest addition to Big Ten basketball.

"Brian: Again, we've been competitive. We just haven't had the wins to show for it. We won the league tournament in '94, and have a handful of upsets over Missouri and Kansas when they were ranked in the top 2 or 3. Case in point, we led Kansas in the second half during both games last year, but couldn't pull them out in the end.

Nebraska will be more competitive in the Big 10. We've had a few rough seasons, but our youth is very talented and after last season...experienced. Keep in mind, Nebraska led the Big 12 in scoring defense for the majority of the year in 2009-10. We fit the Big 10's style of play a bit better than the Big 12. I'd say that Nebraska will compare to an Iowa or Minnesota in terms of what they are capable of."

That pre-season optimism sounds all too familiar. I'm not buying it.

Checking in on our Old Friends

They won't be running out of the Beaver Stadium tunnel this season but they're still Lions in our book.

Bleeding Green Nation reports that A.Q. Shipley is doing well in the first team offense while Jamaal Jackson is out, Micky Shuler signs with the Vikings, and PackersNews.com says Andrew Quarless still has his work cut out for him.

“We’re probably going to have a lot of conversations like we had a few years ago (about Finley) where we have a young guy who’s got a long way to go,” McAdoo said of Quarless. “Really there’s not a lot to talk about right now. He’s a young man that has to learn how to practice the right way, he’s got to learn how to keep his pads down, he’s got to learn the offense.”

At Least not all Conferences Suck at Math...

Finally a conference that has as many teams as it claims to have. The Pac 10 added two more teams in Colorado and Utah, and just recently changed its conference name to indicate such. What a novel concept huh? Doesn't seem the Big 10 or Big 12 grasp this higher level of thinking.

Linkbacker U finally gets some common sense on JoePa

Unfortunately, sane arguments don't pay the bills... Jeff Rice over at the CDT took his sweet time getting to the point--about 500 words into the article and we still didn't know what it was really getting to--but his point was well worth the wait. Weird, right? A mainstream sportswriter actually making a point at all?

Look, Paterno is not without character flaws. He can be more than a bit of a hothead, as stubborn as an old lawn mower and has an impulse to control things and people that just can’t be controlled that can drive him and those around him crazy.

I bet you all those JoePa detractors are fired up after reading that, huh? I mean, seriously, that old kook is past his prime, and ruining Penn State football!

But not so fast, my pessimistic friends!

Paterno has always kept his program behind lock and key, but the machine that helped build Woods and James has also turned college football into a three-ring circus. He tolerates it to an extent because of the money it brings his program and, in turn, the university, but he’s an old-school coach, with the emphasis on school. He believes as much as anyone in the concept of the student-athlete but knows that grade-point averages aren’t what draws ESPN to college campuses.

If Paterno is being a little selfish and refusing to step aside and give someone else a crack at leading one of the nation’s top programs, so what? That selfishness might mean a few more stud athletes get their degree, or a kid who grew up in Pennsylvania dreaming of playing for Joe Paterno will get to do just that.

Now if that isn't one of the most commonsensical string of words to come off a mainstream sportswriter's fingers this entire off-season, you show me otherwise.

But you know why this article is a problem? It won't draw nearly as many links (I like to think I do my part), and sure as hell won't generate as much fired up controversy as a certain other article LBU covered yesterday.

Penn State would be wise to put Kevin Newsome in position to succeed this fall, ala Michael Robinson 2005.

Kevin Newsome. Not the worst starting QB in the Big Ten? According to The Rivalry, Esq., that's the case. Their fantastic series breaking down the Big Ten starting quarterbacks continued yesterday with Kevin Newsome, who comes in No. 9 on the list.

I have confidence that if Newsome starts, PSU will find ways to use him effectively...unlike say Jim Tressel, who let Pryor wilt in a confusing Shotgun Spread for way too long before simplifying his gameplan ("Oh damn, you're telling me that's not Troy Smith back there? Whoops..."). Newsome can run like TP, but it remains to be seen whether he can make the 8 yard throws that keep secondaries honest and make the (I presume) run-focused Spread HD that much more effective.

Overall: C-

I'll take it! Seriously, though. Read the whole post. Don't get frustrated by the negatives, because they're all true. But get excited because they/we only had the Blue White Game (*see below) and a few snaps last season to go off of. If Jay Paterno and Galen Hall whip out the old Michael Robinson playbook, this offense will be rockin' in 2010.

Ain't no party, indeed. BSD catches us up on the whos and whats of the SEC domination of the universe, and how the media just gobbles it up.

Bobby and Joe will meet on the field again... ESPN's Ivan Maisel came away from the SEC media days with this little nugget I know Penn State fans like us will enjoy:

"Alabama athletic director Mal Moore told me that Bowden has accepted an invitation to the Crimson Tide’s game on Sept. 11 against Penn State. Bowden will see his childhood team play against the team of his old friend and competitor, Joe Paterno. Very cool."

Very cool, indeed.

Erin Andrews suing the Buckeyes? I'm not at all a legal mind, but is this talking about The Ohio State University?

Along with Barrett, the complaint named Marriott International Inc.; West End Hotel Partners LLC and Nashville Marriott At Vanderbilt University; Windsor Capital Group Inc.; Radisson Hotels International Inc.; Ashtel Inc. and Radisson Hotel Milwaukee Airport; Ohio State University and The Blackwell Inn; and Preferred Hotel Group Inc. and Summit Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott, Windsor, Preferred and Ohio State and the Nasville Marriott declined to comment. Ashtel and Radisson could not be reached.

That sure sounds like it.

Don't investigate me, bro! Florida Gators lineman Maurkice Pouncey is denying that he took $100,000 before the Sugar Bowl. Well, duh. What, you thought he would say "sure I did!" I actually kind of believe him. But you better believe Florida doesn't want this kind of story coming down the road at them.

Hello, Mr. Caldwell. Meet Vanderbilt's new head coach.

Win one bowl game, now we get this crap. Pitt is a top-five school, in the "best of both worlds" category of basketball and... football?

If LTP calls it a perfect post, well then... Just because Lake The Posts liked it so much, I pretty much have to tell you about this one by Sippin' on Purple.

*Since you probably want to waste 10 minutes doing something other than work on this Friday morning, here is our 10 Minutes or Less segment from the 2010 Blue White Game:



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Blue-White Countdown 2010: Quarterbacks

Sophomore Kevin Newsome (12) is Penn State's best dual-threat signal caller. But will one of the younger guys jump him on the depth chart this spring?
Previous entries...
1: Special Teams
2: Defensive Backs
3: Linebackers
4: Defensive Line
5: Offensive Line
6: Tight Ends
7: Wide Receivers
8. Running Backs

As if the Nittany Lions weren't already dealing with enough this spring, there's this little matter of finding a new starting quarterback to replace two-time All-Big Ten signal caller Daryll Clark. The 2010 Blue-White Game is just days away, so it's time to wrap up out countdown by breaking down the quarterbacks.

Background

When the coaching staff went down to Texas in the summer of 2005, they brought back an offense that changed the face of Penn State football. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, that change turned out to be the best offense to hit Happy Valley since Nebraska was handed the 1994 national title.

Michael Robinson, after spending his career at what seemed like every position except at quarterback, went on to become the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, while his Nittany Lions won its second Big Ten title since joining the conference. But was the spread offense here to stay? Or, was it a one-year wonder, a gimmick to produce immediate success with Robinson's abilities, but not a long-term solution?

Penn State fans found out, sometimes in viciously painful fashion, that the spread offense, with a mobile quarterback taking the snaps, was where the championship seasons came from. Following two moderately successful seasons with Anthony Morelli, a pro-style quarterback, Daryll Clark took over. The redshirt junior led the offense for two seasons that included another Big Ten championship--this time including the Rose Bowl trip--two consecutive 11-win seasons, and a New Years Day bowl win over Louisiana State. Clark also became the first Penn State quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards in a season.

The development of Penn State's version of the spread offense, the "Spread HD" as co-coordinator Jay Paterno labeled it, seemed to read a high-water mark in 2008. In 2009, the loss of a few key players, including heavy losses on the offensive line, were more to blame, instead of the scheme itself, on lower offensive output.

But now Clark is gone. The unquestioned leader of the offense for two of the most successful seasons in recent Nittany Lion football history has his eyes fixed on the NFL draft this week. Penn State fans, on the other hand, will have their eyes fixed on three terribly inexperienced quarterbacks, all bucking for the starting job this fall. Spring football is a time to build team cohesion. But if Penn State ends Saturday's Blue-White Game with the quarterback race just as foggy as it was going into the scrimmage, it could be a testy summer in Happy Valley.

Quarterbacks

Conventional wisdom has this year's quarterback race squarely in Kevin Newsome's hands. At least, it's his to lose until the fall, or unless he completely implodes during spring and summer practice. But even with all the shaky reports that came from last weekend's Coaches Clinic scrimmage, it's not as chaotic as the media has portrayed. Here are the five quarterback's on Penn State's spring roster:

No.	Name	Pos.	Elig	Ht/Wt	High School	Coach
10	Paul Jones	QB	FR	6-3/220	McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox	Jason Ruscitto
11	Matthew McGloin	QB	rSO	6-1/204	Scranton, Pa./West Scranton	Mike DeAntona
12	Kevin Newsome	QB	SO	6-2/220	Portsmouth, Va./Hargrave Military Academy	Robert Prunty
16	Shane McGregor	QB	rSO	6-1/197	Ebensburg, Pa./Central Cambria	Ken Bussard
19	Garrett Venuto	QB	rFR	6-0/215	Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca	Ed Redmond

The rapidly growing controversy over Newsome is probably just the start. But we're not here to talk about that. Newsome has a very legitimate claim to the position, considering he's the only one to have played at all last year. Minuscule or not, the amount of action Newsome saw in 2009 is more than any other quarterback on the roster.

The true sophomore has a strong arm, though sometimes erratic. But Newsome can move better than any other Penn State quarterback.

“Then, later, he took off on a 25-scamper where he started left, slid right and headed up field, a half-step (OK, maybe a full step; no matter, he was fast) ahead of the Lion defense.”

Sounds awfully similar to a certain Big Ten champion Nittany Lion, no?

With two very highly touted quarterbacks on the roster, and another on the way this fall, is Matt McGloin (11) really the answer?

The problem with those who are calling for a challenger to Newsome is that it really only boils down to one other player, Matt McGloin. The redshirt sophomore looked good in last year's Blue-White Game, and out-performed Newsome in the Coaches Clinic scrimmage. Those close to the team will tell you that while McGloin isn't nearly as much of a runner as Newsome, the kid can use his legs to get out of trouble.

As the No. 2 quarterback right now, just as any backup quarterback for most teams would be during the regular season, McGloin is the name being called for most loudly by the message board hoards. I'd say those fans have a legitimate argument, if it wasn't for the other quarterback in the mix this spring, Paul Jones.

Jones is one of two very highly touted quarterbacks to sign with Penn State this off-season, the other being Robert Bolden. Bolden won't come to campus until summer, giving Jones the big edge between the two freshmen.

I am not very convinced that Jones will win the starting job, or even the second-team job by the fall. But there is just no way that McGloin will pass both Newsome and Jones on the depth chart before the season opener.

You never know. McGloin could be the biggest diamond in the rough this side of sixth-round draft pick Tom Brady. It's tough to really completely count anyone out of this race, particularly when it's still so early, and with no single player separating himself as the hands-down leader of the offense.

This year's quarterback battle alone is enough to watch the Blue-White Game.

Next: The Blue-White Game!

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Bench Newsome! A Rejoinder (w/ Poll)

In part two of our series covering the growing controversy over quarterback Kevin Newsome, Galen adds his counterpoint in opposition to starting the dual-threat sophomore...

When the staff here at Linebacker-U.com kicked around the idea of a point-counterpoint discussion of the decades old Nittany Lion tradition of a quarterback controversy I, of course, jumped at the chance of taking on the "backup RULES!1!!!" role. Tim decided to defend incumbent backup and default-starter-by-lack-of-experience Kevin Newsome, doing so in a respectful and articulate manner to which I reply in an equally sophisticated style… Tim you magnificently ignorant slut.

Let me point out that I'm not necessarily for the backup, per se, no I'm for the best man getting the starting nod. I'm not one of those fans that will be sitting in the stands screaming for the backup against Youngstown State. Oh, and believe me, the first time Newsome misses a wide open receiver or, God forbid, throws an interception there will be a smattering of boos thrust in his direction. I'm not one of "those guys," I give the starter a chance especially since none of the quarterbacks on the roster have real game experience. My beef lies in the fact that of all the scholarship QB's on Penn State's roster, the only one that is getting the bulk of reps, at least from the reports we are reading, is Newsome.

In the coaches clinic scrimmage Newsome was the only quarterback to get reps on the first team offense against the first team defense and despite a long run (no one is questioning his athletic ability) did very little going 3 for 9 for 38 yards. McGloin did see a series with the first team but that was against the second team defense and remember, the first team D is without several starters the second team was thin. Jones was relegated to the third team and spent his one series handing the ball off. That's not exactly an open, equal competition for the starting role, I have no idea how anyone can glean anything from it. It was more a chance for Newsome to get in some reps and allow the backups some spare time. No, this race was already decided long before spring practice started.

But don't take my word for it, let our glorious leader speak for himself.

Q. Coach, what do you see from the freshmen and what are you looking for this spring?

Freshmen? I don't even know they exist. You can't count on...you want to go down to Tuscaloosa with freshmen?

Ah, yes coach, if he's the best quarterback on the roster. Does it matter if it's Newsome or Jones getting destroyed by the Alabama defense? If you don't give Jones a shot in practice with the first team offense how is he going to be prepared if he's needed and how is he supposed to get better running the third string? Paterno coached when freshmen were not allowed to play and with few exceptions has not changed that mentality, you won't see many freshmen on Penn State's roster especially at the quarterback position.

Is McGloin Penn State's answer?

Paterno's bias against true freshman (especially at QB) is painfully obvious; let me ask you this: Can you name me one other major college program that would have a blue chip QB who enrolled early, stuck behind a former walk-on with roughly the same game experience (none) on the depth chart?

I'll give you a second.

No?

Me either.

Let's not forget McGloin though, he might be the best man for the job, but if that's the case it needs to be decided sooner than later because he's a completely different style of quarterback and the offense will have to be tailored to his strengths/weaknesses. Waiting till the week between Youngstown State and Alabama to change the offense around would spell disaster and, even worse, bringing in McGloin in the middle of a game would drastically shorten your playbook.

Newsome will be Penn State's starting quarterback and I will root like crazy for him and stand behind him. Hopefully he has a season like Clark's first as a starter, but I highly doubt it. He will make mistakes and when he does I'll have a long leash for him, hopefully he's the best man for the job. Problem is, we may never know.

Who should be Penn State's starting quarterback for 2010?

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In Defense Of Kevin Newsome (w/ Poll)

Following a shaky performance at Penn State's annual coaches clinic scrimmage, Kevin Newsome has come under fire by the fans and media. In part one of our two-part series about the sophomore quarterback, Tim assumes the task of defending Newsome against his critics...

Kevin Newsome displays his patented "Graceful Swan" passing motion at last year's Blue-White game. That's right Tim Tebow, take your "jump- pass" and shove it! (Photo: Joe Hermitt/Patriot-News)

Growing up in State College, I was sucked in by the aura of Penn State football when I was merely seven years old. It wasn't until a few years later when my dad decided to purchase season tickets and I began attending games at Beaver Stadium that I became fully cognizant of the cult-like following of the Penn State fan base.

Since that time, I've seen my share of moments from the absolutely amazing (Anything involving the 1994 team, Joe Nastasi's fake field goal TD run to beat Michigan in the "Snow Bowl", the 2005 Ohio State game), to the downright vomit-inducing (Minnesota kicker Dan Nystrom booting PSU's national title dreams through the uprights in 1999, the 6-4 Iowa game). I even witnessed the transformation that helped create the current Beaver Stadium configuration. That's right boys and girls, before 2001 there were no luxury boxes, no video scoreboards, no JoePa statue outside the stadium, and no upper deck in the South End Zone either, which meant that from our seats you could see Mount Nittany directly behind the student section. This made for a very colorful, picturesque, sunset during the second half of 3:30 PM kickoffs that would've made Bob Ross jealous.

One thing that has remained the same however, in all my years of following PSU football is that the backup quarterback is the most beloved player on the team. Yes, everything is all 'puppy dogs and ice cream' when you're the backup to that lousy, no-talent hack who's getting all the playing time. Well, that is, until the backup himself one day becomes the starter at which point, they become subjected to the scrutiny of an impatient fan base that demands immediate and near-perfect results. Misfire on more than a few passes, or throw an interception, and you're suddenly the most hated player on the team and subject to a Niagara Falls-like volume of verbal diarrhea on message boards written by every moron with a keyboard who thinks going 25-of-25 passing for 407 yards in NCAA Football 10 makes him an expert on quarterbacking.

With few exceptions (Kerry Collins in '94, Mike McQueary in '97, Rashard Casey in 2000, Zack Mills in '02), you could expect to hear plenty of grumblings about the starting quarterback every season. For the record, some of it was justified: Matt Senneca was clearly not as good of a QB compared to Zack Mills, Mills probably should've been benched in favor of Michael Robinson when he was clearly in decline, and Anthony Morelli showed over and over again in 2007 why he didn't deserve the starting role over Daryll Clark(*cough* ILLINOIS *cough*).

With all the reports about Newsome's struggles in practice, I can only envision what things will be like come September: Newsome misfires to Derek Moye who's running a perfect post pattern or Newsome fumbles the ball trying to scramble. The fans will start grumbling, and the message boards will be overflowing with posts such as "BENCH NEWSOME" or "The Official Start Paul Jones Thread" (Please, do you really think most fans are going to give a former walk-on in Matt McGloin a chance?). That's right Newsome-haters, I'm beating you all to the punch.

All I'm saying is give Newsome a chance. Yes, his passing abilities leave a lot to be desired but surely, his athleticism has to have you reminiscing about a certain other QB #12 that once led the offense. Hell, just read this little excerpt from Mark Brennan at Fight On State (emphasis on the bolded part):

Later, leading the second-team offense against the first-team defense, he fumbled a snap (but recovered) and then missed wideout Brett Brackett. Facing third and 16 from his own 29, he made his best play of the day, avoiding the blitz and scrambling for 26 yards.

Don't expect Newsome to be an overnight success either, Michael Robinson went through a couple of seasons of passing suckage (2003 passing stats: 45% 892 yards, 5 TDs, and 5 INTs. 2004: 36%, 170 yards, 1 TD, 5 INTs) before that magical 2005 campaign, which by the way, didn't exactly feature Heisman-caliber passing stats from M-Rob (52% 2350 yards, 17 TDs, 10 INTs). Granted, Robinson was being used in a 'slash' role most of his career where he saw a good deal of action at tailback and receiver, which didn't leave him with as much time to develop as a QB. Newsome will not be subject to the position shuffling treatment which should allow him to develop more quickly than Robinson ever did but make no mistake, he will spend this season working out the kinks: It is beyond absurd to think that anybody can go from throwing 11 passes in garbage time as a freshman to being a quality passer when they take the starting reins as a sophomore. Look for Newsome though, to start resembling the true dual-threat QB he is capable of becoming by 2011, a season that the fan base seems to unanimously agree will be a national title-contending one.

And please, when you're busy chastising Mr. Newsome after he throws his first interception on a scramble, don't be too harsh...especially if you run into mortgage issues someday.



Be sure to check out part two of this series, where Galen voices his opposition to starting Newsome.

Who should be Penn State's starting quarterback for 2010?

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