In last week’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we took a look at some potential weaknesses that the 2009 version of the Nittany Lions will possess. This week, we will pinpoint strengths that we expect the team to have.
We’ll also have our No. 5 moment of the year in Penn State athletics and feature another member of the Class of 2009.
Stephfon Green can be a weapon, if used properly.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Strong Spots
Last week, we took a look at areas of concern. This week, we’ll take a look at areas where the Nittany Lions are strong.
If there is a strength on this year’s squad, it’s in its captains, Sean Lee and Daryll Clark. In my opinion, the two will be the best captains Penn State has had since the 2005 season, when Paul Posluszny, Alan Zemaitis and Michael Robinson were the captains.
Lee is the poster boy for everything that is right with Penn State athletics. He says the right things, but more importantly, he not only talks the talk, he walks the walk. He will be the defensive leader for sure and you can bet that defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will be happy to see Lee in front of him, not beside him for a change.
Lee will be responsible for getting everyone on the defensive side of the ball on the same page, especially the new-look secondary, which will have its hands full once Big Ten season begins.
On the offensive side of the ball, Clark is the man. He is a born leader and the lessons he learned last season will pay big dividends this season. He’s can throw a mean pass and he’s got a couple of nice backs lining up behind him in Evan Royster and Stephfon Green.
That brings up the question mark — the wideouts. With Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams out of the picture, Clark will be relying on a group of unknowns. Can Derek Moye, Brett Brackett and Graham Zug replace the Three Amigos? That remains to be seen. But it certainly will help that Clark is throwing the ball.
Make no mistake about it, Clark and/or Lee will help the Nittany Lions pull some games out of the fire.
Another strong spot for the Nittany Lions will be the aforementioned backfield tandem of Royster and Green. Royster is one of the most underrated running backs in the country and could be Penn State’s all-time leading rusher before his career is over.
The wildcard in the backfield is Green. While most will remember Green for coughing up the football at the Rose Bowl, Green is a weapon, he’s just used poorly.
The coaching staff has to find creative ways to get Green the football. He’s got blazing speed to the outside, so use him more on sweeps and bubble screens.
Royster is a workhorse, but Green can be someone who can step in and produce in tight spots. If used properly, both backs can have over 1,000 yards apiece.
Finally, the biggest advantage the Nittany Lions have is on the schedule. They open with four games at home and over the course of the season, there are just four away games. The biggest game of the year comes on Nov. 7, when Ohio State comes to town. That game could be for the conference title. If Penn State is unbeaten when the Buckeyes come to town, look out.
Moment No. 5: Cael Sanderson Named Wrestling Coach
Our No. 5 moment of the year in Penn State athletics is not a performance, but a hire.
After athletic director Tim Curley issued an ultimatum to head wrestling coach Troy Sunderland — resign or be fired — and Sunderland chose to resign, speculation was rampant about who the next coach might be. Most observers thought any new coach would have to have ties to Penn State.
They were wrong.
Curley blew away Nittany Lion fans and the wrestling world when he hired Cael Sanderson away from Iowa State. A legend on the mat where he won four national championships and compiled a 159-0 record, Sanderson put together a 44-10 record in three years at ISU and sent a perfect 30 out of 30 wrestlers to the NCAA tournament.
Eric Shrive’s is a four-star recruit, according to rivals.com.
(Photo courtesy of Blue White Illustrated).
Class of 2009: Eric Shrive
West Scranton offensive tackle Eric Shrive shocked the recruiting world in May 2008 when he abruptly ended his recruitment and committed to the Nittany Lions. Before announcing his decision, most who were following along had considered the Nittany Lions an afterthought.
But the four-star prospect instead quickly became the Keystone of the Nittany Lions’ Class of 2009. Several prospects followed in his footsteps, as Shrive became one of the best recruiters in the class.
The 6-foot-6, 302-pound prospect had offers to nearly every top Division I program, including ones from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Illinois, Michigan and Florida State. But he spurned the offers in order to stay in state. Since then, he has been a regular visitor on campus for games and other team events.
West Scranton had a down year in 2008, as the Invaders finished the season 3-7. Shrive played both ways for West Scranton and was also the team’s kicker.
Shrive was a repeat first team all-state selection, and was also named first team all-region and all-conference. He was also a part of the WNEP Super 16 Dream Team and was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He was also selected to participate in the annual Big 33 Classic, but declined the invitation.
Chris Morelli is the award-winning editor of Blue White Illustrated, a weekly publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. This column does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of BWI’s writers or publisher.