A few observations on the game last night

[PaoliLion]

the good
-the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought it was silly that we were playing ga state at night, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-the team is truly a team...I love that they were high diving Billy Fessler after the one play he subbed for Stevens...also liked the TD celebrations on the sideline for the second and third string
-no one let up despite getting out to a large early lead
-mcsorley looked much sharper than he did vs Pitt
-great to see us create turnovers...I get that the quality of the opponent was not great, but it's the style of play that creates the turnover
-I'm sold on Franklin at this point because of the culture he creates

The bad
-we're not running well between the tackles, the oline is the biggest negative surprise for me. I thought they wouldn't take a step back from last year, but we did. Franklin summed it up nicely in his Tue press conference...he wants some of the line to develop a mean streak on the field
-our linebacking play and tackling continues to be mediocre. Shame on Pry for not recruiting linebackers better and developing better tackling. I'm not yet sold on him as our d coordinator and I throw up every time I hear Franklin make excuses like "no D1 program tackles in practice any more" - I've heard him say this over and over and it's a very bad rationalization for poor tackling when there a so many programs that tackle well.

 

[Madsol]

I agree with much of what you say. Re: the tackling, probably my biggest disappointment with the defense. Several of Pitt's drives were extended due to poor tackling on 3rd down and we saw it last night too. Not sure if it's technique, attitude or what but it needs to improve. And LB play needs to improve as well. Like the secondary and the rotation on the DL will be a major positive as the season plays out bit LBs need to step it up.

 

[KC-KS-Lion]

the good
-the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought it was silly that we were playing ga state at night, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-the team is truly a team...I love that they were high diving Billy Fessler after the one play he subbed for Stevens...also liked the TD celebrations on the sideline for the second and third string
-no one let up despite getting out to a large early lead
-mcsorley looked much sharper than he did vs Pitt
-great to see us create turnovers...I get that the quality of the opponent was not great, but it's the style of play that creates the turnover
-I'm sold on Franklin at this point because of the culture he creates

The bad
-we're not running well between the tackles, the oline is the biggest negative surprise for me. I thought they wouldn't take a step back from last year, but we did. Franklin summed it up nicely in his Tue press conference...he wants some of the line to develop a mean streak on the field
-our linebacking play and tackling continues to be mediocre. Shame on Pry for not recruiting linebackers better and developing better tackling. I'm not yet sold on him as our d coordinator and I throw up every time I hear Franklin make excuses like "no D1 program tackles in practice any more" - I've heard him say this over and over and it's a very bad rationalization for poor tackling when there a so many programs that tackle well.

Franklin's and BOB's staff were exact opposites, BOB's being mostly NFL types and Franklin starting with who he brought along from the last gig. But BOB seemed more loyal to the point of dissing 2 very good defensive holdovers and promoting Butthead, while Franklin seems less loyal and more likely to make changes. I know the rah-rah sells with the younger generation, but I have yet to see a solid, complete, and consistent defense from this regime.

 

[Osprey Lion]

the good
-the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought it was silly that we were playing ga state at night, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-the team is truly a team...I love that they were high diving Billy Fessler after the one play he subbed for Stevens...also liked the TD celebrations on the sideline for the second and third string
-no one let up despite getting out to a large early lead
-mcsorley looked much sharper than he did vs Pitt
-great to see us create turnovers...I get that the quality of the opponent was not great, but it's the style of play that creates the turnover
-I'm sold on Franklin at this point because of the culture he creates

The bad
-we're not running well between the tackles, the oline is the biggest negative surprise for me. I thought they wouldn't take a step back from last year, but we did. Franklin summed it up nicely in his Tue press conference...he wants some of the line to develop a mean streak on the field
-our linebacking play and tackling continues to be mediocre. Shame on Pry for not recruiting linebackers better and developing better tackling. I'm not yet sold on him as our d coordinator and I throw up every time I hear Franklin make excuses like "no D1 program tackles in practice any more" - I've heard him say this over and over and it's a very bad rationalization for poor tackling when there a so many programs that tackle well.

Were you sold on "scrap" as our defensive coordinator? How is UCLA's tackling?

 

[PSU-Knocker]

Were you sold on "scrap" as our defensive coordinator? How is UCLA's tackling?

I wasn't sold on Scrap, but I believe Vanderlinden was a much larger contributor to our defense than will ever be acknowledged. The combination of Scrap and Vandy made our defense very good.

 

[PaoliLion]

Were you sold on "scrap" as our defensive coordinator? How is UCLA's tackling?

That's apples to oranges, right? A veteran d coordinator with a proven track record vs. a brand new d coordinator. Yes, I was 100% sold on scrap. He showed time and time again that he could develop a dominant defense. It doesn't mean that we didn't have down years, which I'm more than comfortable with. I use the words "not yet sold" very intentionally. The spirit of this phrase is that "I could one day be sold, but I'm not there yet"

 

[Obliviax]

Franklin's and BOB's staff were exact opposites, BOB's being mostly NFL types and Franklin starting with who he brought along from the last gig. But BOB seemed more loyal to the point of dissing 2 very good defensive holdovers and promoting Butthead, while Franklin seems less loyal and more likely to make changes. I know the rah-rah sells with the younger generation, but I have yet to see a solid, complete, and consistent defense from this regime.

For whatever reason, our horses are on offense. We also don't run the clock while on offense so our defense is on the field more.

 

[BlueBand]

I know the rah-rah sells with the younger generation, but I have yet to see a solid, complete, and consistent defense from this regime.

And how often did we see a complete offense from Joe's regime?

It's not what we're used to, but the offense is stronger than the defense. You can win a lot of games that way too. After all, the goal of the game is to score the most points.

OTOH, this non-solid, incomplete, inconsistent defense has pitched 2 shutouts and only given up 1 touchdown so far this season.

 

[Saquon4Prez]

I'm not delighted by the linebackers, but how about some positives here - for the first time in forever, it seems like we have an actual good secondary! How many times recently and even in the Bradley/Vanderlinden years did we get picked apart through the air? I'm hoping that will start to change now with the type of athletes we have in the back 4, and the license they have to play somewhat aggressively.

 

[grinagrin]

the good
-the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought it was silly that we were playing ga state at night, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-the team is truly a team...I love that they were high diving Billy Fessler after the one play he subbed for Stevens...also liked the TD celebrations on the sideline for the second and third string
-no one let up despite getting out to a large early lead
-mcsorley looked much sharper than he did vs Pitt
-great to see us create turnovers...I get that the quality of the opponent was not great, but it's the style of play that creates the turnover
-I'm sold on Franklin at this point because of the culture he creates

The bad
-we're not running well between the tackles, the oline is the biggest negative surprise for me. I thought they wouldn't take a step back from last year, but we did. Franklin summed it up nicely in his Tue press conference...he wants some of the line to develop a mean streak on the field
-our linebacking play and tackling continues to be mediocre. Shame on Pry for not recruiting linebackers better and developing better tackling. I'm not yet sold on him as our d coordinator and I throw up every time I hear Franklin make excuses like "no D1 program tackles in practice any more" - I've heard him say this over and over and it's a very bad rationalization for poor tackling when there a so many programs that tackle well.

I especially agree with the part that this team is truly a team

 

[ClarkstonMark]

I'm not delighted by the linebackers, but how about some positives here - for the first time in forever, it seems like we have an actual good secondary! How many times recently and even in the Bradley/Vanderlinden years did we get picked apart through the air? I'm hoping that will start to change now with the type of athletes we have in the back 4, and the license they have to play somewhat aggressively.

optimism is good. but remember, we have played 3 garbage qb's so far this year. good thing is, I don't see any good qb's on the schedule

 

[dcf4psu]

the good
-the atmosphere was fantastic. I thought it was silly that we were playing ga state at night, but I was pleasantly surprised.
-the team is truly a team...I love that they were high diving Billy Fessler after the one play he subbed for Stevens...also liked the TD celebrations on the sideline for the second and third string
-no one let up despite getting out to a large early lead
-mcsorley looked much sharper than he did vs Pitt
-great to see us create turnovers...I get that the quality of the opponent was not great, but it's the style of play that creates the turnover
-I'm sold on Franklin at this point because of the culture he creates

The bad
-we're not running well between the tackles, the oline is the biggest negative surprise for me. I thought they wouldn't take a step back from last year, but we did. Franklin summed it up nicely in his Tue press conference...he wants some of the line to develop a mean streak on the field
-our linebacking play and tackling continues to be mediocre. Shame on Pry for not recruiting linebackers better and developing better tackling. I'm not yet sold on him as our d coordinator and I throw up every time I hear Franklin make excuses like "no D1 program tackles in practice any more" - I've heard him say this over and over and it's a very bad rationalization for poor tackling when there a so many programs that tackle well.

I was also surprised last night with the size of the crowd and the enthusiasm of the crowd - the beginning of the new night time Sweet Caroline was really cool, as well as unscripted with thousands of fans using their cell phones lights to create a really cool effect.

 

[joeparules]

optimism is good. but remember, we have played 3 garbage qb's so far this year. good thing is, I don't see any good qb's on the schedule

Wait, I thought JT Barrett is a Heisman candidate?!

 

[blion72]

And how often did we see a complete offense from Joe's regime?

It's not what we're used to, but the offense is stronger than the defense. You can win a lot of games that way too. After all, the goal of the game is to score the most points.

OTOH, this non-solid, incomplete, inconsistent defense has pitched 2 shutouts and only given up 1 touchdown so far this season.

i think we all would agree that the OFF is better than the DEF. JMO, but i think a few things are creating all this discussion:

• when on OFF we punt more than most of us probably expected. we have had a good number of 3 and outs vs pretty weak competition. if someone would have asked most of us how many 3 and outs would PSU have in its first 3 games, several would have said none. i would have guessed 1-2 totally in these 3 games.
• when on OFF we have not run the ball. our rushing yards in the game dont represent what your eyes saw. our RBs get hit in the backfield alot...again vs very weak competition.
• when on OFF, TM is not consistently running. when he runs on a regular basis, then the OFF can run better. this was obvious last year also.
• when on DEF we seem unable to stop the same weak competition from converting 3rd downs. we have pitched two shutouts and the yds look like a good DEF, but if we played a solid team with a pulse on OFF, i think we are looking at possibly giving up 40-50 pts. GA St had a runner with 100yds >>> than SB ran for.
• the net of these items is what is leading to the big TOP differential. the TV analysts are saying PSU quick strike OFF leads to this large differential. that is only true if your DEF cannot pitch 3 and outs.

next 3 weeks will be good test. even though none of these teams are ranked, they are all much better than anyone we have played, and two games are away.

 

[KCLion]

i think we all would agree that the OFF is better than the DEF. JMO, but i think a few things are creating all this discussion:

• when on OFF we punt more than most of us probably expected. we have had a good number of 3 and outs vs pretty weak competition. if someone would have asked most of us how many 3 and outs would PSU have in its first 3 games, several would have said none. i would have guessed 1-2 totally in these 3 games.
• when on OFF we have not run the ball. our rushing yards in the game dont represent what your eyes saw. our RBs get hit in the backfield alot...again vs very weak competition.
• when on OFF, TM is not consistently running. when he runs on a regular basis, then the OFF can run better. this was obvious last year also.
• when on DEF we seem unable to stop the same weak competition from converting 3rd downs. we have pitched two shutouts and the yds look like a good DEF, but if we played a solid team with a pulse on OFF, i think we are looking at possibly giving up 40-50 pts. GA St had a runner with 100yds >>> than SB ran for.
• the net of these items is what is leading to the big TOP differential. the TV analysts are saying PSU quick strike OFF leads to this large differential. that is only true if your DEF cannot pitch 3 and outs.

next 3 weeks will be good test. even though none of these teams are ranked, they are all much better than anyone we have played, and two games are away.

Why risk Trace running a lot when winning like we are? Do we forget that it was not until Maryland last year that he started running more consistently and we were no longer playing in the "phone booth" that our offense had been liable until then.

 

[KCLion]

Why risk Trace running a lot when winning like we are? Do we forget that it was not until Maryland last year that he started running more consistently and we were no longer playing in the "phone booth" that our offense had been liable until then.

Labeled, not liable

 

[Madsol]

Labeled, not liable

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