Tell me why my PSU concerns are unfounded!!
by 5026 on Sep 6, 2010 2:17 PM CDT
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Ok, many people think I’m a total pessimist but let me say I do think Bama will win Sat. However, I have concerns about this game. Probably more concerns now than I had during the summer. So, read my concerns and tell me where I am wrong.
Concern #1: I’m not sold on our secondary. Lester is my biggest concern. He can be burned for big plays. I also think that when we are in the dime package we are vulnerable. We are playing a true freshman (Milliner), a juco guy that is not, by his own admission 100%, (Menzie), and a walk on, short white guy (Lowery.) I get very concerned with these guys on the field along with Lester.
Concern #2: Upshaw & Dareus. We’ve lost Dareus and we sure can’t afford not to have the "big" body of Upshaw at least at 95%. We could suddenly be not so strong on our front 7.
Concern #3: Pass rush. I know OTS is not worried about this but I sure thought Square, Davis, Sentimore, or somebody on the front 3 would put SJS’s QB on the ground. They didn’t. I know we have "packages" we did not use, but I’m concerned because I suspect PSU will have better protection "packages" than SJS. And, if we can’t put pressure on their QB then concern #1 becomes an even bigger concern. And where was Williams Sat.?
Concern#4: PSU will come to pass. I was surprised at how PSU did not run that well against YS, and did not try to run that much. But, they passed pretty well. Well, I think the reason is that PSU is planning on being a huge passing team this year. I think PSU also took notice of our horrible 1st scrimmage. I really think they will put the ball up 35-40 times against us. And in this I hope I am wrong. I want them to run the ball against us. A hot humid day that turns into a slugfest is great as we can wear them down on both fronts. But, quick strike passing could wear us down.
Concern#5: Win one for the old man. We have a huge target on our back. Joe Pa is going to get to 400 this year and he is going to quit. This is his last shot at Alabama a team he is 4-8 against all time. We are playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium the home of the one coach that Joe Pa could not beat in life or death. I think a win against a #1 ranked Bama on his last try would help the old man rest easy in his retirement (however long or short that may be.) We have more talent than PSU, but I am afraid they may well be more motivated.
Ok, please tell me that these concerns are unfounded so I can go to T-Town this weekend and relax before the game.
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Alabama must throw the ball.
The best way to attack Penn State is to try to emulate USC’s victory in the 2009 Rose Bowl and use a lot of pro style patterns and play action. I think Alabama has the horses to do this. Penn State’s Cover 3 defense relies on getting pressure, giving up the short stuff but tackling well, and getting pressure on the quarterback. Lucky for us, most teams don’t run a passing offense like USC anymore and our defense routinely is among the best in the nation. But there are always holes in our “Bend But Don’t Suck” defense. If the line can’t make McElroy antsy, Alabama will win.
My two cents.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
Okay I understand why it matters that he's short
but why can’t a white guy play secondary?
I do agree on the dime package though and I would think we wouldn’t see a huge amount of it. I think Lester will reap the benefits of good coaching this week – he showed a lot of potential by making a few good plays, but also got burned a couple times and hopefully that can be corrected.
I think Upshaw will be in the game but we’ll see lots of rotation to keep people fresh.
As far as pass rush, putting the QB on the ground has never been our ultimate goal, has it? (although it’s certainly a plus…) If we can get to his head and pressure him I think we’ll do well. And while he is talented, he’s also a true freshman. I like that matchup.
Biggest thing I’m worried about is our own passing game. I don’t want Fluker to get beat and force GMac to rake little dinks and dunks all day. Because PSU will score on us with our green secondary and we need to give them one back in return.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
Sure white guys can
jump…some. But if Lowery was really fast I don’t think he would have been a walk on.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
well done 5026
all solid points. i’m glad to see you back to mid season form.
i’m pretty confident Bama wins. if Bama cant give mcelroy time to throw and ingram is limited, coupled with PSU being able to exploit Bama’s secondary. then its a different story. but i dont think all of those things will fall into place for PSU.
The beauty of The Process is that you have never arrived, so you get to continue being perpetually awesome... -Espyonage
#1 plus #4
gives cause for concern, but mostly due to the unknown, not because they’ve proven their passing attack is solid and that we’ve shown our secondary to be weak. I do think PSU will come out passing and testing the secondary over the middle. If we are expecting them to try to win the battle in the trenches (between their O and our D), we may be in for a big surprise.
Oh lord. You had to link to a video of those overrated guys.
Time for a little story. In 1999, Penn State’s defense was on top of the world. They had LaVar Arrington. They had Courtney Brown. They had Brandon Short. They believed their own hype. They were number one.
Then they lost to Minnesota on a hail mary. Then – the worst of the injustices commited by that team – they blew a 27-17 lead in the 4th quarter to Michigan and Tom Brady. Then they did what you just linked to. LaVar was too busy trying to make highlight plays and got caught freelancing constantly. Short stunk it up. I guess Brown was ok.
We have 4-7 teams we are more proud of. That freaking 2004 team scored more points than they gave up.
If Alabama beats us by 300, I will still like this team more than the 1999 team. I would rather go back in time and have Chamberlain driven up that hill by Oates than watch another game with the 1999 team.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
by ReadingRambler on Sep 6, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
So that post has nothing to do with anything.
But anyway, Penn State won’t be like that anymore. Or else I’m shooting myself in the leg.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
by ReadingRambler on Sep 6, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
the point is...
nick saban knows how to beat joe paterno. and if he can do it with the talent at michigan state, he damn well can do it with what he has at his disposal in tuscaloosa.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I'll give you that point.
One thing I’m not concerned about is their coach out coaching our coach.
However, the assistants are running PSU these days and they do have a very good staff.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Everyone who isn't a Penn State fan says the assistants are running Penn State.
They are also right in some ways and Joe has admitted that. Joe makes the final decisions, but still puts in a lot of work and input and with help from outstanding guys like Bradley, Ron Vanderlinden, Larry Johnson, et al, we’ve gotten back to churning out fine players and fine teams. These guys have been coaching for thirty years, sometimes more (Galen Hall was OC with Switzer in the 70s). Even the much maligned Jay Paterno has now produced some good quarterbacks.
Joe Paterno can still outcoach anyone. Saban? Shoot, I don’t know. But he probably has the ability to do so.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
by ReadingRambler on Sep 6, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
You don't seem to understand.
If you guys can constantly post that picture from the Sugar Bowl, then I can choose to act like the 1997 and 1999 teams didn’t actually play for Penn State. Screw them. I hate them.
And I’ll also add that Joe Paterno (And our entire coaching staff) was lazy back then. That’s why we fell into years of crappy play. Joe is a better coach with a better staff.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
by ReadingRambler on Sep 6, 2010 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
half of the wins michigan state has against penn state
were with nick saban at the helm. that’s not just coincidence no matter how much you might dislike those particular nittany lion teams.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Kleph, Michigan State usually stinks. They're almost always worse than Penn State.
I guess I don’t see a big deal here.
Then again, I’m not really being serious anyway.
"Alabama is foldin' thanks to Robert Bolden." - Brad Nessler
by ReadingRambler on Sep 6, 2010 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions
i'm kinda not
but i kinda am.
the 20-year-gap in games between the two teams is the biggest source of hope for both sides but the fact is Alabama’s coach is just a decade past his last victory over PSU. and his time with michigan state certainly gave him a familiarity with the program that no other SEC coach can realistically match.
nittany lion fans rightfully cite jopa’s longevity as one of the assets of the program and that extends to his staff, most of which which has been in state college under him for an unusually long time given the nomadic nature of coaches in the modern game. but this cuts the other way as well and nick saban is an example of that.
but this is ancillary in the sense that both saban and paterno are renowned for preparing for the team in front of them not the reputation that preceeds them. but the ability to recognize patterns from past experience is clearly a plus. and while michigan state usually stinks, alabama doesn’t. add that to the equation and it’s certainly a reason for additional confidence on the part of the crimson tide fanbase.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
and just to be clear
saying a coach has a familiarity with another coaches style (not to mention success against the latter) is not the same as saying he “has his number.”
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
a bruising tailback that refuses to go down
running behind a massive O line….where have I seen that recently?
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
Listening to the radio on the way home from watching tonight's game at my dad's place
Trevor Maddox (sp?) was talking about Bama/PSU. He said he stuided the PSU game film vs Youngstown State and although their QB looked good, he said that he saw things that made him think the Bama defense is going to eat him alive.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
to clarify, he said the kid was just doing rookie mistakes: staring down receivers, not going through progression, etc. And he said if our D confused Tebow last year, what chance does this kid have.
Take what he said for what you will though. Just one man’s opinion.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
I expect Bolden to struggle
but I’m not sure what Tebow and last year’s Bama defense have to do with it. Bolden has a much quicker release than Tebow ever will have. And Bama, while the system is the same, has different players filling those roles. A freshman facing a sophisticated defense should struggle, but I don’t agree with the logic stated here. It’s much less convoluted. FR QB, on the road, facing elite athletes with proper training. ADV, defense.
Staring down the receivers I can't really argue with.
He did it.
I thought he did an excellent job of reading his progressions. On his first touchdown pass, he saw that Brett Brackett would be wide open, but followed the left outside route until Brackett got open and then he turned and threw a really nice pass.
From what I saw, I think he’s already a good quarterback but as a freshman mistakes will be made.
"This is the last time we're going on the field tonight and we're going to bust our butts and stop them again and get this game over." - Mike Reid, 1970 Orange Bowl
by ReadingRambler on Sep 7, 2010 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions
But his freshman mistakes
will be against a secondary that starts only 1 veteran.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
I'm not really worried
about Barron, Menzie, or Kirkpatrick but Lester scares the crap out of me. He is gonna get picked on and I just hope he passes the test. lol I think Kirkpatrick is gonna turn into a shutdown corner as the season goes along and he gets more experience.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Sep 7, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Green 18 yr old QB,stadium over 100K.
His first trial by fire.I don’t believe he will rise to the occasion this time,however he may also open some eyes.But seeing those front seven beast’s tend to make QB’S fear for their well being.We get in his head and it will be cryin time for PSU.
I hope you are right.
However, you have to wonder if maybe he will be really good. Terrelle Pryor was pretty good as a true freshman so you never know. (Erik Ainge wasn’t bad either.)
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
obviously we only have 1 game to go on but yeah, he does look pretty good
but it’s only his second start as a true freshman so I think we can still affect him quite a bit. I’d like to have Dareus to help out with that but I won’t take the Texas route if we lose.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
Terrelle Pryor was not very good as a true freshman.
I wouldn’t even call him pretty good.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 7, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd disagree
Taking over as the starter in Week 4, Pryor led Ohio State to an 8-2 record. The Jeanette, Pa., native was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after throwing for 1,311 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions on 100 of 165 passing (60.6 percent). He added 631 yards rushing and six touchdowns on 139 attempts (4.5 yards per carry).
I’d say being named Freshman of the year passing 12 TDs and just 4 picks, almost 2000 total yards, and 6 rushing TD’s would, in my book, is pretty good.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Pryor was average to mediocre against all of the good defenses he played that year.
Against Penn State, his long completions were mostly jump passes brought in by his superior receivers. Then he fumbled and later threw the game away. That was the toughest defense he played and Penn State’s secondary wasn’t very good.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 8, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
So what you are saying
is that the Big Ten stinks because he put up 2000 yards on them, accounted for 18 TD’s and only threw 4 picks. Then he was picked as Freshmen of the Year.
Actually, I can buy that the Big Ten stinks so maybe you are right. Maybe he was and is no good.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Sorta.
The Big Ten is getting better, but the conference was fairly crappy in 2008.
by ReadingRambler on Sep 8, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Pryor is still mediocre.
Each Saturday is a chance for Pryor to shine.
The rest of the team are just there to make Terrelle look good.
The center has a mirror on his ass so TP can primp.
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