SB Nation User Blog: smashtheguitar

Former Penn State AD Ed Czekaj dies at 87

smashtheguitar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:32:28 -0000

Former Penn State AD Ed Czekaj dies at 87

Thought it was worth mentioning.

Everyone Does

smashtheguitar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:08:57 -0000

Everyone Does

Maybe it's Empty-Nest Syndrome?

smashtheguitar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:01:12 -0000

OK, so I don't know what it is exactly, but I feel.... depressed.

Perhaps it's all these SEC football reruns on ESPN.

Or maybe it's all this rain up here in State College.

Or perhaps it's.... dare I say.... Empty-Nest Syndrome?

I was curious about how our seniors from the 2008 football team are doing while preparing for their roles in the NFL, so I went on an Internet hunt to sniff out the details:

It seems that most "news" outlets are excited but cautious about Derrick Williams' role in the NFL. Most claim that he will be worked out as a return specialist and could see some Wildcat action. There is also the rumor that Williams missed a Detroit Lions minicamp earlier this month because of a sore hamstring.

Meanwhile, former Penn State walk-on WR Deon "We Are Not Normal" Butler signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He reportedly received a $680,750 signing bonus and a contract worth slightly under $3.2 million.

Out in the Midwest, WR Jordan Norwood signed with the lowly Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent and, with the trade of Kellen Winslow, the release of Joe Jurevicius and a possible season-long suspension of Donte Stallworth, most are speculating that Norwood has a good shot at finding his way through to the final roster. Besides, who's going to pick up the slack after Braylon "I Lead the League in Drops" Edwards does what he does best?

Center A.Q. Shipley, now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, could see a bit more practice time after Pittsburgh's starting Center Justin Hartwig recently broke his toe. Shipley, however, noted that he'll have to put up with Head Coach Mike Tomlin's comments every day regarding his short arms.

Aaron Maybin is holding out for big bucks over at PSU's satelite campus in Buffalo. The Bills' much needed new sack machine is likely to play oustide linebacker alongside former PSU great Paul "This One's For The Ladies" Posluszny.

Apparently Rich Ohrnberger is gaining the reputation as a jokester in the Patriots' community. Of course, this is also coming from a team that thinks cheating is a joke too (zing!). Ohrnberger signed a four-year contract with the Pats for about $2.2 million.

Safety Anthony Scirrotto signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers. However, if that doesn't work out, he still has another option: Scirrotto was also drafted in the 50th round (Wait, did you say "50th?") with the 1,502nd pick of the 2009 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Overall, more than 300 of Joe Paterno's former players have signed NFL contracts. Pretty snazzy.

Miles Dieffenbach picks PSU

smashtheguitar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:45:27 -0000

Scout and Rivals say that "4-star" OL Miles Dieffenbach from Pittsburgh committed to PSU today.

Apparently everyone figured him a lock with Pittsburgh. I guess he got wiser after his visit this week.

Per a Rivals interview:

"I wasn't really holding out for it. I mean, I grew up a Pitt fan all my life and always hated Penn State, so when they offered me, I wasn't really that into it," said Dieffenbach. "But then I visited and it was different from what I thought. I loved it, and the tables turned."

http://rivals100.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=951922

So..... where is my siren?

Project Mayhem Story on ESPN.com

smashtheguitar — Sat, 02 May 2009 07:02:00 -0000

There's an interesting story on our friend Aaron Maybin on ESPN.com concerning his past and what led him to Penn State and, eventually, the NFL.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-8-2/Through-pain-and-support--Maybin-emerges.html

Pretty good stuff, I think. Just another example of how PSU has provided for some great stories both on the field and off it.

Shazaam! This post is 75 words long exactly!

Pigskin Lures Cornley

smashtheguitar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:16:48 -0000

There's an interesting story in the Collegian today about Cornley's possible future playing football for PSU. Could it happen? Who knows?

... Probably not. But we can dream, right?

"I am seriously considering football -- mainly professionally -- but there is a chance that I could come back and play football collegiately," Cornley said. "For what team, what university, I do not know yet. But yes, I am seriously considering it."

Perhaps the bionic arm can lead us to another championship!

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2009/04/17/pigskin_lures_cornley.aspx