SBNation.com User Blog: jdj5045

Will Bill O'Brien continue to coach Penn State football after this year? (Poll)

jdj5045 — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:38:29 -0000

Not only did my trip back to the 717 after the Indiana game take an extra 3 hours (holy 322, Batman!), but I also had the displeasure of listening to ESPN radio as my only source for following the Kansas St. and Oregon games. During the broadcast they played Bill O'Brien's post game presser a couple of times focusing on the question of whether on not BOB would return to Penn State next season as its head football coach.

Go to the 8:50 mark:

Bill O'Brien Indiana Post Game Presser

I have been a big admirer of BOB and his ability to lead this squad since day one and, honestly, I am a bit worried about his evasive comments to the question on multiple instances. The ESPN radio broadcasters discussed his options and, of course, both said to jump ship at Penn State and take the money offered in the NFL (with the understanding that he could always return to college since he's proved himself worthy after this season). There will be multiple head coach job openings including the Jacksonville Jaguars who are rumored to be interested in him. They then went on to criticize Matt Barkley's decision to return to USC saying they didn't understand how he could leave all that money on the table to finish his career in college! Culture problems, eh Emmert?

I can't help but feel that if BOB leaves after this season then the ship might really start sinking. Does Hackenberg, or any of the other recruits, remain committed to an unknown system? What ties will current players still feel towards this team?

This team, without a doubt, has been my favorite Penn State team to support in my lifetime. I have the utmost respect for all the players and the fight they show each Saturday. Michael Mauti is one of my heroes (and my entire family can expect #42 Jerseys for Christmas). As far as the future holds, I only want football players and a coaching staff who have loyalty to this school and will continue to fight with their backs against the wall; even if it necessitates a "Me versus the World" mentality because, really, the "me" represents the greatest student-athletes, students, alumni, and fans in the world. Who would you rather have on your side?

For the Glory.

Go to the 8:50 mark:

Bill O'Brien Indiana Post Game Presser

For the Glory.

Poll

Will Bill O'Brien be the Penn State football coach next year?

Tom Bradley is a Class Act

jdj5045 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:26:35 -0000

Statement issued today from Coach Tom Bradley via http://www.centredaily.com/2012/01/07/3044032/outgoing-coach-tom-bradleys-full.html:

"Penn State has been my life. In my nearly four decades in Happy Valley, I went from a kid who loved football to a man who cherished and respected the game for the life lessons it taught. I learned many of those lessons under a great mentor and coach in Joe Paterno and I have dedicated my life to trying to help other young men, like myself, realize their potential both on and off the football field.

As a former player, I want to acknowledge and thank my teammates who have remained lifelong friends and confidants. Our friendship didn't end when we hung up our blue and white jerseys – it only became stronger. As for my fellow coaches, the bond we share is irreplaceable in my life. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

As a coach, I am most proud of how many of our players have gone onto lead lives dedicated to making this world a better place. I have always believed that football was just one part of preparing student athletes for the next chapter in their lives. Those chapters – lived by our players after the games ended – define the Penn State football tradition. I want to thank every one of our players who gave their talent, effort and most importantly, heart to Penn State. It has been my life's privilege to coach you.

I also want to thank President Erickson, the Board of Trustees, Administrators and Faculty for the chance to be a part of Penn State University. This is a world class academic institution and I am proud to not only work here but to be an alumnus.

Finally, to our fans and alumni, your support has been incredible, not just this year but for the 37 years I have been here as a player and a coach. You make Beaver Stadium come alive. You are our heart. Make sure that our team – and our opponents – never forget it.

I wish Coach O'Brien all the best. No matter the challenges that the university may face, Penn State will always have my support. This is forever my home and forever my family. It is important that we come together to support our players and our university. Now is the time to demonstrate that we are – and always will be – Penn State. "

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/01/07/3044032/outgoing-coach-tom-bradleys-full.html#storylink=cpy

Statement issued today from Coach Tom Bradley via http://www.centredaily.com/2012/01/07/3044032/outgoing-coach-tom-bradleys-full.html:

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/01/07/3044032/outgoing-coach-tom-bradleys-full.html#storylink=cpy

Silas Redd

jdj5045 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:20:46 -0000

I think Silas Redd could be one of the top running backs in the nation over the next few years. The kid is one of the shiftiest backs Penn State has seen in while. I've lost count the number of times he's made defenders miss in the backfield for what appeared to be sure loss of yardage plays. Even though he doesn't have breakaway speed, he runs hard and is tough to bring down despite his size. He was the best running back in the nation in the month of October.

However, it was apparent this season that our offense's ineptitude in the passing game hindered what could have been an even better year for Silas. When other teams can stack the box against a rush-first/pass-later offense it's tough for any runner to get going (even though Silas put up nearly 1200 yards on the ground).

My point here is, Silas Redd has quickly become one of our favorite players on the team: he's a great kid, a hard worker, and even more important is his devotion to Penn State. It would be very frustrating to watch a kid like Silas be held back because of the lack of talent around him.

I'm interested in your thoughts: how far can Silas go? Is he going to taste the national spotlight of a Heisman race or is this the best we're going to see from him? Are we going to run Silas into the ground or can he match the numbers from other great backs in Penn State's history?

Devon Still Left Off All-America Team

jdj5045 — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:20:03 -0000

Devon Still Left Off All-America Team

Careful, it's an ESPN link in case you're boycotting and don't want to give the site it's hits (which I would completely understand).

Devon Still's response via twitter.

This is a must read.

jdj5045 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:19:44 -0000

The only reason I am linking this article in the FanPosts is because it shouldn't be in the FanShots, since nobody reads the FanShots.

"The board of trustees got it wrong. They should have consulted the victims before making a decision on Mr. Paterno...They should have considered these victims watch TV and are aware of the students' reaction and may not want to be associated with the downfall of Mr. Paterno. The school instead elected to do what it felt was in its own best interest at the time. Isn’t that what put the school in this position in the first place?"

"The way the Board reached its decision raises more concerns than the decision itself. There is no indication the Board considered the impact of the decision on the abuse victims. The school let the victims down once, and I think they owed it to the victims to at least gauge how the immediate termination decision would impact them as opposed to Mr. Paterno's resignation at the end of the year. These victims do not live in a bubble. They see the students reaction to the termination, and to think this does not weigh on their minds would be naive."

-Civil Attorney Ben Andreozzi, Adviser of some of the alleged victims in this case

http://www.thepostgame.com/commentary/201111/alleged-victims-lawyer-board-made-wrong-call-firing-paterno

The only reason I am linking this article in the FanPosts is because it shouldn't be in the FanShots, since nobody reads the FanShots.

"The board of trustees got it wrong. They should have consulted the victims before making a decision on Mr. Paterno...They should have considered these victims watch TV and are aware of the students' reaction and may not want to be associated with the downfall of Mr. Paterno. The school instead elected to do what it felt was in its own best interest at the time. Isn’t that what put the school in this position in the first place?"

"The way the Board reached its decision raises more concerns than the decision itself. There is no indication the Board considered the impact of the decision on the abuse victims. The school let the victims down once, and I think they owed it to the victims to at least gauge how the immediate termination decision would impact them as opposed to Mr. Paterno's resignation at the end of the year. These victims do not live in a bubble. They see the students reaction to the termination, and to think this does not weigh on their minds would be naive."

-Civil Attorney Ben Andreozzi, Adviser of some of the alleged victims in this case

http://www.thepostgame.com/commentary/201111/alleged-victims-lawyer-board-made-wrong-call-firing-paterno

Also, read the first page of this article (Courtesy of Ben16)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/joe-paternos-firing-penn-state-attorney-general-concern/story?id=14925158#

This coming from a Penn State Student

jdj5045 — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:05:56 -0000

I'm a 5th year senior at Penn State, but I've bled blue and white long before my enrollment. The Penn State Football program has meant a great deal to me since my first game at Beaver Stadium in 1993 and this news has deeply saddened/angered me beyond words of explanation.

But despite the number of people who take a fall for this (and rightfully so), I refuse to change my perception about a University that has provided me with some of the greatest, and most important, times of my life.

On football Saturdays there is a lot more going on than the presence of Joe Paterno, Tim Curley, and Graham Spanier. We see 40,000+ students band together. We watch 60,000+ others fill the seats of Beaver Stadium. State College becomes the 3rd largest city in PA because a horde of fans make the trip to SC to share their love for the University and be around others who can reciprocate that love. Then, after all the preparation and festivities, we watch young men (18-22 years old) play their hearts out on the field in a sport they love; and they do it for each other, for us, and for the university.

I am upset at the number of people who are ready to give up on Penn State. Penn State is not just football. Penn State is the collection of students, alumni, Facutly, staff, and fans (University Park, Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, DuBois, Erie, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Lehigh VAlley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and York) who believe/believed that this university provides the opportunities to develop and mature as professionals and individuals. Along the way, great things are accomplished (THON is only 1 example).

I have read any and all articles on the situation. I tirelessly scoured this website yesterday to read opinions on the matter. I will be taking a break from BSD so that I can enjoy these beautiful fall days on Penn State's campus. I'm no expert on anything, but I would like to say this:

Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley, Garry Schultz, and Graham Spanier did not write the Alma Mater. Believe it or not, neither did Joe Paterno.

I will always believe in Penn State.

For the Glory.

Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley, Garry Schultz, and Graham Spanier did not write the Alma Mater. Believe it or not, neither did Joe Paterno.

I will always believe in Penn State.

For the Glory.

Joe's Corner, 2011 Season: Destined

jdj5045 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:08:17 -0000

It is undeniable the fight the 2011 edition Penn State Football team has shown throughout the season. I applaud the success of these young men and credit their determination and loyalty to each other to one man: Joe Paterno.

Say what you will about Joe as a coach (his age, his inability to coach a game on the sideline, his play calling, his lack of play calling), we've heard it all. It is easy to find a rebuttal simply by looking at his numbers: 45 seasons as a head coach, 409 FBS wins, 24 bowl victories, the list goes on. However, outside of being the Division 1 winning-est head coach in college football, Joe Paterno is something much more important to his football players at the collegiate level: an educator.

I believe Joe, who really cares about these young men, tries to build a foundation of excellence beneath each individual player who has been a part of his tenured career so that those players will find success in their future endeavors. I say "tries" because I am sure there are those who do not buy into everything Joe is selling. But when a player does, something special happens (see Tamba Hali's story, see Adam Talifero's story).

And ladies and gentleman, this 2011 Penn State Football team is buying into Joe's expectations for excellence.

"When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality."

"Believe deep down in your heart that your destined to do great things."

-Joseph Vincent Paterno

I choose these two quotes because I believe they describe this year's football team in a nutshell. A team fighting for each other with the belief that this is a season destined for accomplishment.

And Joe's lessons are paying dividends on the field. As I watched the final Penn State offensive drive during the Illinois game this past Saturday, I couldn't help but compare it to two other very important drives in Penn State history...

1994 Penn State vs. Illinois:

Down 31 - 28 with 6:07 left and the ball at their own 4 yard line, Kerry Collins marched Penn State down the field to score a touchdown with 57 seconds left on the clock.

Result of the game: Penn State 35 - Illinois 31 W

Result of the season: #2 Penn State defeats #12 Oregon in the ~~BCS~~ Rose Bowl

2005 Penn State vs. Northwestern:

Down 29 -27 with 2:10 left and the ball at their own 20 yard line, Penn state moves down the field scoring on a 36 yard touchdown completion from Michael Robinson to Derrick Williams with 51 seconds left.

Result of the game: Penn State 34 - Northwestern 29 W

Result of the season: #3 Penn State defeats #22 Florida State in 3 OT's in BCS Orange Bowl

2011 Penn State vs. Illinois:

Down 7 - 3 with 3:05 left and the ball at their own 20, Penn State drives the field scoring on a 3 yard touchdown run by Silas Redd with 1:08 remaining on the clock.

Result of the game: Penn State 10 - Illinois 7 W

Result of the season: ______________ (To Be Determined)

Enjoy it ladies and gentlemen, we may be destined for great things this season.

And ladies and gentleman, this 2011 Penn State Football team is buying into Joe's expectations for excellence.

"When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality."

"Believe deep down in your heart that your destined to do great things."

-Joseph Vincent Paterno

I choose these two quotes because I believe they describe this year's football team in a nutshell. A team fighting for each other with the belief that this is a season destined for accomplishment.

1994 Penn State vs. Illinois:

Down 31 - 28 with 6:07 left and the ball at their own 4 yard line, Kerry Collins marched Penn State down the field to score a touchdown with 57 seconds left on the clock.

Result of the game: Penn State 35 - Illinois 31 W

Result of the season: #2 Penn State defeats #12 Oregon in the ~~BCS~~ Rose Bowl

2005 Penn State vs. Northwestern:

Result of the game: Penn State 34 - Northwestern 29 W

Result of the season: #3 Penn State defeats #22 Florida State in 3 OT's in BCS Orange Bowl

2011 Penn State vs. Illinois:

Down 7 - 3 with 3:05 left and the ball at their own 20, Penn State drives the field scoring on a 3 yard touchdown run by Silas Redd with 1:08 remaining on the clock.

Result of the game: Penn State 10 - Illinois 7 W

Result of the season: ______________ (To Be Determined)

Enjoy it ladies and gentlemen, we may be destined for great things this season.

UPDATE: Well, this should take some focus off the QB situation.

jdj5045 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:13:20 -0000

UPDATE: Well, this should take some focus off the QB situation.

The situation has gone from the:

"That's unfortunate but kind of funny cause he fell down the steps" level.

to the,

"Oh for f*#@s sake this is starting to suck as much as tO$U. Why must this team do this to me this year." level.