As fall practice continues, there is a couple interesting developments which might surprise the average Penn State fan. First, could we possibly be starting a true freshmen at QB when we take the field against Youngstown State a week from this Saturday.
Here is the deal so far, Paul Jones has already been red-shirted (see blog from earlier), so that leaves three. Everyone would think that the stud recruit in Newsome, now a red-shirt freshmen, who has had a year in the system is not impressing anyone. He is very well liked, a great guy and can run very well, but his passing is very weak and his progression thru the different passing options on a play is poor.
That leaves McGloin, a former walk-on and also a red-shirt freshmen. McGloin is by all reports, steady, but not flashy. I don't think anyone thinks he is the long-term solution, there is just too much upside in Jones and Bolden (and even Newsome for that matter). So starting him is just a band aid, a temporary solution.
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That leaves Robert Bolden, the player who has had the least amount of time on campus, showing up just this fall. From all reports, he is the real deal, he is 6-4 and 214 lbs and runs a 4.6 forty. At the end of the day, they are looking for the QB of the future, he is learning quickly, getting better every practice and seems to have the best feet and arm combination.
Second observation from practice thus far, could this defense be better than last year's defense. Remember, last year’s 'D' led the Big Ten in scoring defense, never gave up more than 24 points all season (that was to Iowa and 7 of those points came on a punt block returned for a TD), and did not give up a 100 yard rusher all year. While this year’s defense has some holes to fill and some studs to replace, but based on reports the athletes are there and the coaching is doing what they do best, 'coaching them up' (sure wish the offensive coaching staff did that consistently).
The rumors are that the D-line is amazing and deeper than last year. The DE's are fast and have motors that don't stop (Crawford is supposed to the be the next stud) and the DT's are solid and immovable (Devon Still is getting rave reviews). And yes, we have to replace all three LB's, but again the talent is stocked and while they need some more game time experience the next Dan Conor, Poz, Sean Lee is in the mix.
Last, but not least, could this mix of receivers be better than the 'midget' trio (and I say that with the utmost request) that graduated in 2008? This year’s group of WR's are tall, fast and have solid hands. They are lead by Moye and Zug, who both had solid years in 2009 and as long as they have a QB to get them the ball, they will be some of the best to ever touch the field in Beaver stadium. And I think the talent of these WR's is putting more pressure on the coaching staff to pick a QB that can throw, not a run only option.
At the end of the day, this team has lots of open questions, but from the fall practice reports, the talent is there now we just need to make sure the coaches put the right players on the field and put them in the position to win.
We are Penn State.
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