I Guess it's Too Late for More Previews
Unlike some other Big Ten programs, Penn State had little trouble with it's first foe this weekend. After a relatively pedestrian 59-0 dismantling of Florida International, it's hard to find worthwhile nuggets to glom on to. Nevertheless, here is the first installment of the Lion's Report Card.
Quarterback: B+
Morelli had a decent numbers day (23-28, 295, 3,0), but that should've been the case anyway. I think John Schaeffer would have put up good numbers against this overmatched opponent. However, Morelli still showed disturbing signs that he hasn't quite gotten over his penchant for holding the ball too long. Big Ten Network analyst Glen Mason echoed the sentiments of many fans when he urged Morelli to take the open, underneath stuff rather than going for the big play every time. More improvement needed next week.
Clark looked decent in mop-up time, and I guess we know who the third stringer is (Devlin).
Running Backs: B
Don't let the 200+ yards in team rushing fool you. Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw looked very mediocre in the first half when the game was still respectable. How much of that has to do with the O line is up for debate, but neither looked decisive when they hit the hole. Scott looked downright slow. The one bright spot for me was the play of Evan Royster. My money is on him being the starter in 4 weeks. He's fast, he can block, and he showed good vision. Lions must be able to run vs Notre Dame or there will be a lot of unhappy fans in the stadium.
Wide Receivers: B+
This group has the ability to make Morelli look really good. Norwood showed that an offseason playing basketball didn't hurt his hands, and Deion Butler looked good. He should have had a touchdown had he not been underthrown early. Chris Bell looked a little shaky, but could be good. Hooray for Mickey Shuler. Not exactly a Jerame Tuman-type TE, he showed flashes of competence. Quarless should still get the nod when he gets out of the doghouse, though.
Thought DWill looked very poor. Slow on the end around, and a big 3rd down drop on the sidelines. He may have come into the season 10 pounds lighter, but he doesn't look any faster.
O-Line: B
Pass protection was phenomenal. Early run blocking was atrocious.
Overall Offense: B/B+
D Line: A
Lots of depth. Looks like they have a healthy mean streak, too. Outside rush has to do a better job of containment, but the speed and power are definitely there. Odrick is a Jay Alford clone...which is a good thing.
LBs: A
These three (four, if you count Jerome Hayes) have a chance to be the best in the country. Connor and Lee were constantly making plays. No worries on this front.
DBs: B+
Their performance looked good, since the FIU QB had little time to throw and no running game to help take the pressure off. Lydell Sargent looked tough.
Overall Defense: A
Special Teams: A
Jeremy Boone looked good punting, and Kelly's kickoffs were routinely fielded around the goal line.
Coaching: A
I like the game plan to get Morelli off to a fast start. Not much to go on here, given the opponent.
Some ramblings:
--Good to see Joe run out with the team...wonder how sore he was Sunday
--Big Ten network debut was not good. Bad camera work, dead air...the saving grace is that most Lion fans didn't get to see it. Glen Mason might end up being a good analyst, but he needs some work
--Tough weekend for the Big Ten. Minnesota gets beat by the team that gave Paterno wins #100 and 300 (Bowling Green). Michigan....ugh...nevermind.
--No way that Notre Dame is that bad.
--Had my fantasy draft this weekend...my running backs are so bad, I'm thinking of picking up Christian Okoye
For the Glory....BEAT ND!
Quarterback: B+
Morelli had a decent numbers day (23-28, 295, 3,0), but that should've been the case anyway. I think John Schaeffer would have put up good numbers against this overmatched opponent. However, Morelli still showed disturbing signs that he hasn't quite gotten over his penchant for holding the ball too long. Big Ten Network analyst Glen Mason echoed the sentiments of many fans when he urged Morelli to take the open, underneath stuff rather than going for the big play every time. More improvement needed next week.
Clark looked decent in mop-up time, and I guess we know who the third stringer is (Devlin).
Running Backs: B
Don't let the 200+ yards in team rushing fool you. Austin Scott and Rodney Kinlaw looked very mediocre in the first half when the game was still respectable. How much of that has to do with the O line is up for debate, but neither looked decisive when they hit the hole. Scott looked downright slow. The one bright spot for me was the play of Evan Royster. My money is on him being the starter in 4 weeks. He's fast, he can block, and he showed good vision. Lions must be able to run vs Notre Dame or there will be a lot of unhappy fans in the stadium.
Wide Receivers: B+
This group has the ability to make Morelli look really good. Norwood showed that an offseason playing basketball didn't hurt his hands, and Deion Butler looked good. He should have had a touchdown had he not been underthrown early. Chris Bell looked a little shaky, but could be good. Hooray for Mickey Shuler. Not exactly a Jerame Tuman-type TE, he showed flashes of competence. Quarless should still get the nod when he gets out of the doghouse, though.
Thought DWill looked very poor. Slow on the end around, and a big 3rd down drop on the sidelines. He may have come into the season 10 pounds lighter, but he doesn't look any faster.
O-Line: B
Pass protection was phenomenal. Early run blocking was atrocious.
Overall Offense: B/B+
D Line: A
Lots of depth. Looks like they have a healthy mean streak, too. Outside rush has to do a better job of containment, but the speed and power are definitely there. Odrick is a Jay Alford clone...which is a good thing.
LBs: A
These three (four, if you count Jerome Hayes) have a chance to be the best in the country. Connor and Lee were constantly making plays. No worries on this front.
DBs: B+
Their performance looked good, since the FIU QB had little time to throw and no running game to help take the pressure off. Lydell Sargent looked tough.
Overall Defense: A
Special Teams: A
Jeremy Boone looked good punting, and Kelly's kickoffs were routinely fielded around the goal line.
Coaching: A
I like the game plan to get Morelli off to a fast start. Not much to go on here, given the opponent.
Some ramblings:
--Good to see Joe run out with the team...wonder how sore he was Sunday
--Big Ten network debut was not good. Bad camera work, dead air...the saving grace is that most Lion fans didn't get to see it. Glen Mason might end up being a good analyst, but he needs some work
--Tough weekend for the Big Ten. Minnesota gets beat by the team that gave Paterno wins #100 and 300 (Bowling Green). Michigan....ugh...nevermind.
--No way that Notre Dame is that bad.
--Had my fantasy draft this weekend...my running backs are so bad, I'm thinking of picking up Christian Okoye
For the Glory....BEAT ND!
posted by HappyValley at 12:23 PM
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