Apoplectic is the only word I can think of. Truly, aside from injury, the worst case scenarios for Penn State football.
Clearly there is a lack of talent on the offensive line. Clearly Paris Palmer was miserable. I didn't see anyone, on a single play, replace PP. So, he must be our best LT. Wow. Let me say that again, according to our staff, PP is our best option at LT.
I am not going to go into detail on the kids. They were horrible, enough said. But here is where it gets worse:
I know this sounds reactionary, but this was the worse I've ever seen a Penn State team play....ever. And, they've lost the players, it would appear. One can hope that the team came in big-headed and it simply rolled up on them....but I fear that is not the case. With a combo of bad personnel and bad coaching, this team, our team, is in trouble. its one thing to have a bad game, not play well...but it wasn't that...this team was unprepared and collapsed. That's on the coaching....there was no hope by the offensive players by the middle of the third quarter...we've got a three year starter at QB and a senior at RB. And we lacked and/or lost poise. That's on the coaching staff.
Oh, and one more thing, last time I listen to Jeff Nelson's football opinion.
Clearly there is a lack of talent on the offensive line. Clearly Paris Palmer was miserable. I didn't see anyone, on a single play, replace PP. So, he must be our best LT. Wow. Let me say that again, according to our staff, PP is our best option at LT.
I am not going to go into detail on the kids. They were horrible, enough said. But here is where it gets worse:
- Pregame, my predictions were 100% correct. T would put 8 in the box and bring a blitz on just about every down. PSU would counter that with several plays, one being the jet sweep. OK, check. However, it didn't seem like the staff anticipated what every defense did last year after the opener...blitz, blitz, blitz.
- The line stunk, but you've GOT to give them some relief, you've got to make them pay. How about something over the middle, Gesicki dragging, a pass to a RB? Every team has a play were a receiver breaks off a route and floods a zone that a linebacker abandoned. I didn't see that...not once.
- Not a single reception by a TE. Not one. Not one!!! Here is a team with a budding superstar at TE in Gesicki and another who is an excellent receiver in Sr. Carter.
- It appears we have the same ten plays we had last year. Wait...11, we added a jet sweep. Great.
- Hackenberg. Well, he stunk, even when he had time early in the game. I am not sure what the problem is...but he looks defeated...all the time.
- Turning point in the game was Cabrinda not catching a critical INT and when PSU gets the ball, they toss a telegraphed INT, one handed reception by the DE, for what was essentially a pick six.
- Defense was totally gassed on a hot day. Especially after loosing N-W at LB. They were on the field the entire day...and were mentally defeated by the middle of the third qtr despite Zettel trying to get them back into the game. Gotta move Cabrinda to one of the MLB positions.
- Several alums from last year taking shots at the OC. Especially Smith who insinuated that is why he left early for the NFL.
- Yep, I know, the O-line stinks...but you've got to at least TRY to coach around that. They didn't. They ran the same ten plays...er, 11 plays again and again and again. There doesn't seem to be a single play designed to counter a blitz. None.
- Based on the alum comments and the team's body language, the coaching staff doesn't have the confidence needed from the players. Where does this come from? I've heard some whispers but chose to ignore it giving the staff some time to have a full year. I get these aren't their kids...and we are still ravaged by sanctions.....but you've got to give the players some tools to work with. You don't judge a fish by how fast he can climb a tree, or a monkey on how well he swims. This team is what they are, skill wise.
I know this sounds reactionary, but this was the worse I've ever seen a Penn State team play....ever. And, they've lost the players, it would appear. One can hope that the team came in big-headed and it simply rolled up on them....but I fear that is not the case. With a combo of bad personnel and bad coaching, this team, our team, is in trouble. its one thing to have a bad game, not play well...but it wasn't that...this team was unprepared and collapsed. That's on the coaching....there was no hope by the offensive players by the middle of the third quarter...we've got a three year starter at QB and a senior at RB. And we lacked and/or lost poise. That's on the coaching staff.
Oh, and one more thing, last time I listen to Jeff Nelson's football opinion.