When I think back to Penn State's first national championship, against Georgia in the 1983 Sugar Bowl, I really remember two moments. First, of course, the long TD pass to Greg Garrity--who could forget that? But the second is a short pass in the flat for about 5-6 yards, near the end of the game, when the Lions were trying to keep possession of the ball. Georgia was convinced that, on third down, Paterno would be conservative, "play the percentages," and they'd stuff the run and get the ball back to try to win the game with a field goal. Instead, Blackledge made a safe pass, they got a first down, and the game was essentially over.
Maybe somebody should suggest that a coach or two watch that game.
In the last decade or so of Joepa's coaching career, one of the biggest reasons why I was so frustrated with the coach was that I thought that he and his assistants weren't doing a good job of utilizing the talents of our players. That the players weren't getting the coaching and play-calling that they deserved. Suddenly, I'm getting that same feeling. I'll leave it at that.
I'm far from demanding the removal of any coaches on the staff. Maybe I'm suggesting that the coaching might be improved.
Maybe somebody should suggest that a coach or two watch that game.
In the last decade or so of Joepa's coaching career, one of the biggest reasons why I was so frustrated with the coach was that I thought that he and his assistants weren't doing a good job of utilizing the talents of our players. That the players weren't getting the coaching and play-calling that they deserved. Suddenly, I'm getting that same feeling. I'll leave it at that.
I'm far from demanding the removal of any coaches on the staff. Maybe I'm suggesting that the coaching might be improved.
