My First Blue White Roundtable
Everybody gather around as I take my first steps into the world known as the Blue White Roundtable. The water’s a little cold but I have no fear. If I make some mistakes along the way I hope you will forgive me.
Zombie Nation was kind enough to set up the questions for this spring edition.
Blue White Roundtable: Blue White Game & the 2009 NFL Draft
1. Ok, so the Blue White Game and spring practice is done. Whether you just read the reports, or actually watched the game… (a) What’s one glaring team/unit/player issue you’re still concerned with? (b) What are you most pleased with?
I still find my biggest concern to be the secondary. We all know about the downfalls that portion of the defense has presented over the past couple of seasons (The Rose Bowl and the game at Michigan State in 2007 are the thorns in my side) and recruiting may have addressed some of those concerns. In the Blue White game there were four touchdown passes and 17 first downs by passing.
On the flip side I guess I could credit the entire passing unit from quarterbacks to wide receivers. Sure, they practice against the unit that most concerns me, but they appear to be in better shape than I would have originally thought. Look at it this way; in the spring game they could have had a been outing. Right?
2. Navorro Bowman was held out of the game for probation violation. He did admit his mistake to Joe Paterno, and took responsibility. But he still shouldn’t have done it. What punishment do you think will be appropriate, and why?
This is a tough situation. Of course Bowman was wrong for the things that he did, but he did not hide from it and owned up to it it seems. Paterno is taking his time in deciding what to do. Personally I do not think he should be a starter until he shows a genuine effort to knock out his community service over the summer. If Bowman makes a significant dent in his service in the summer (and honestly he should complete all 100 hours easily) I think he will avoid any sanctions from Paterno. If he seems lazy on his community service or slips up though than a suspension should be in order.
3. Penn State’s offensive staff said after the game that things were kept pretty simple. Do you think this year’s returning offense will be able to handle an offensive scheme with the same complexity as the 2008 version? Why or why not?
To expect this offense to click like the 2008 offense would be silly. However, that is not to say they will not be effective. I expect the running game to be similar and the passing game to be scaled back, at least to start. I am not sure who could replace the versatility of Derrick Williams so we won’t see as many wide receivers sweeping behind the line of scrimmage and bursting up field for 20 yards. As the season progresses though, so will the offense.
4. Five Penn Staters were drafted, while 10 more signed free-agent contracts. Was there any pick/signing that surprised you the most, either positively or negatively? What did this 2009 NFL Draft say about the Penn State football program?
As far as how the draft reflects on Penn State, it is hard to bash the Nittany Lions. Five picks scattered through out the draft shows that Penn State has NFL talent that is both highly sought after and the kind of players that are expecting to pick up some reliable players.
I was actually surprised that A.Q. Shipley went in the seventh round. For some reason I felt like he may go earlier. I may be a homer, but I think the Detroit Lions picking Derrick Williams was a great pick.
Shooting from the hip…
1. Average PSU offensive PPG/defensive PPG in 2009? 33 offensive ppg/ 15 defensive ppg
2. USC’s Mark Sanchez (5th overall – Jets): Too high? Yes, but the Jets did need him.
3. How many Lions drafted in 2010? 3
4. List you’re top three Big Ten teams, as of today. Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois
Releated Posts:
- Blue White Roundtable: Blue White Edition
- Blue/White Roundtable: Blue/White Game Edition
- Blue/White Roundtable: Y’Town State Edition
- Kevin rushes through the Blue White Round Table
