According to ESPN, PSU no longer Linebacker U

[baircub1!]

According to Nittany Nation, ESPN is not a media network...

More outstanding reporting by ESPN... oops they forgot about Sean Lee and Navarro Bowman... apparently they played Linebacker at Penn State...

However the article did call us out as #3 in D Linemen... wonder what Larry Johnson and OSU have to say about that...?

Stupid article in any event...

 

[Mudge1026]

Very surprised posters aren’t posting in this thread. Penn St, we all know, is LBU, you would think given the writer”s “Ignorance” on the subject there would be more posts? Maybe some could comment on that “historical” aspect which, imo, is the most important aspect of the topic.

 

[Option Bob]

Very surprised posters aren’t posting in this thread. Penn St, we all know, is LBU, you would think given the writer”s “Ignorance” on the subject there would be more posts. Maybe some could comment on that “historical” aspect which, imo, is the most important aspect regarding this topic.

You rang? I'll offer some perspective as on old timer.

Penn State's legacy of LBs was built in the 60's with guys who moved from DE at PSU to LB in the NFL. Bob Mitinger, Dave Robinson, and Ralph Baker were likely the founders.

By the mid-70's, Penn State sent guys like John Ebersole Jack Ham, Doug Allen, Gene Gladys, Tom Hull, Bruce Bannon, John Skorupan, Greg Buttle, Jim Laslavic, Ed O'Neil, Kurt Allerman, Ron Crosby, and Chris Devlin to play LB in the NFL. The list doesn't even include the best LB in PSU history (only my opinion, of course) -- 2-time All American Dennis Onkotz, who suffered a career-ending injury with the Jets.

It was around that time in the mid-70s that Howard Cosell tagged Penn State as "Linebacker U." on a MNF telecast that featured several ex-Lions at LB. The moniker was not created by a Penn State PR machine.

Joe Paterno built his defenses with speed ... long before Miami made it famous. Guys like Frank Spaziani and Onkotz moved from QB to LB ... other examples include Mike Reid from FB to DT, Bruce Clark and Matt Millen from LB to DT, and Shane Conlan from S to LB.

ESPN can blather all it wants and anoint any trendy program with a title, but just as Muhammed Ali will always be known as "The Greatest," so, too, will Penn State always be known as "Linebacker U."

 

[Madsol]

Very surprised posters aren’t posting in this thread. Penn St, we all know, is LBU, you would think given the writer”s “Ignorance” on the subject there would be more posts? Maybe some could comment on that “historical” aspect which, imo, is the most important aspect of the topic.

I'm guessing a lot of people aren't commenting on the post because it's a dumb premise. "Linebacker U" is a made-up, honorary nickname applied to Penn State. It really isn't quantifiable, although we have a great LB history. But it would be like trying to argue that Chicago is no longer the Windy City or that Disney is no longer the Happiest Place on Earth. Those nicknames are forever attached to those places. Same with Linebacker U. Penn State is and will always be Linebacker U. Not necessarily because we always have the best LBs year in and year out but because it is a nickname that was given to us.

 

[Mudge1026]

You rang? I'll offer some perspective as on old timer.

Penn State's legacy of LBs was built in the 60's with guys who moved from DE at PSU to LB in the NFL. Bob Mitinger, Dave Robinson, and Ralph Baker were likely the founders.

By the mid-70's, Penn State sent guys like John Ebersole Jack Ham, Doug Allen, Gene Gladys, Tom Hull, Bruce Bannon, John Skorupan, Greg Buttle, Jim Laslavic, Ed O'Neil, Kurt Allerman, Ron Crosby, and Chris Devlin to play LB in the NFL. The list doesn't even include the best LB in PSU history (only my opinion, of course) -- 2-time All American Dennis Onkotz, who suffered a career-ending injury with the Jets.

It was around that time in the mid-70s that Howard Cosell tagged Penn State as "Linebacker U." on a MNF telecast that featured several ex-Lions at LB. The moniker was not created by a Penn State PR machine.

Joe Paterno built his defenses with speed ... long before Miami made it famous. Guys like Frank Spaziani and Onkotz moved from QB to LB ... other examples include Mike Reid from FB to DT, Bruce Clark and Matt Millen from LB to DT, and Shane Conlan from S to LB.

ESPN can blather all it wants and anoint any trendy program with a title, but just as Muhammed Ali will always be known as "The Greatest," so, too, will Penn State always be known as "Linebacker U."

Bingo!

And that’s just up to to the mid ‘70’s so that doesnt even include Lance Mehl, Larry Kubin, and Matt Millen (I know converted to LB and was a great professional LB). I’m too lazy to do the research regarding all of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. But up until he got hurt, wasn’t Navarro Bowman considered the best inside LB in the game, and then he was succeeded by Sean Lee as best ILB in the game.

Question, was Derek Wake considered a DE/LB in a pro 3-4 scheme or was he a pure DE in a 4-3 scheme. Would love to take credit for him as a LB so I will.

So these three names you can say were at the top of their position in the NFL if you look at a more recent perspective.

 

[Mudge1026]

I'm guessing a lot of people aren't commenting on the post because it's a dumb premise. "Linebacker U" is a made-up, honorary nickname applied to Penn State. It really isn't quantifiable, although we have a great LB history. But it would be like trying to argue that Chicago is no longer the Windy City or that Disney is no longer the Happiest Place on Earth. Those nicknames are forever attached to those places. Same with Linebacker U. Penn State is and will always be Linebacker U. Not necessarily because we always have the best LBs year in and year out but because it is a nickname that was given to us.

Wrong.

It started as a “Nickname” given in the beginning, but it was “Earned” over time that’s why the historical record is the most important part to look at.

 

[Madsol]

Wrong.

It started as a “Nickname” given in the beginning, but it was “Earned” over time that’s why the historical record is the most important part to look at.

Sorry but that's just silly. How does one earn a made up, completely unquantifiable title? It's like World's Best Dad. I guess if you want to die on this hill that's your choice. But you asked why people weren't commenting on the thread and I gave you at least a possible reason so I'm out.

 

[Mudge1026]

Sorry but that's just silly. How does one earn a made up, completely unquantifiable title? It's like World's Best Dad. I guess if you want to die on this hill that's your choice. But you asked why people weren't commenting on the thread and I gave you at least a possible reason so I'm out.

Okay so you want to trivialize Penn State’s rich LBer history on the collegiate level and NFL level, well, that’s on you.

“World’s best dad” to LBU? Really?

 

[STPGopherfan]

They don’t hate Meeechagin either. In fact, they love them.

I actually thought that after I posted it, but I was to lazy to correct myself. IMHO It's (Promoting Michigan and Ohio State over the rest of the teams in the conference) carryover from the Big Two little eight era. I will say that during that era, it was hard to argue against it during that period. Obviously that was before PSU was part of the BigTen.

 

[odshowtime]

I actually thought that after I posted it, but I was to lazy to correct myself. IMHO It's (Promoting Michigan and Ohio State over the rest of the teams in the conference) carryover from the Big Two little eight era. I will say that during that era, it was hard to argue against it during that period. Obviously that was before PSU was part of the BigTen.

It's sicken and it makes no sense. We can generate just as much revenue if you kiss our ass. That's why it doesn't make sense. Be fair and the money will flow.

 

[STPGopherfan]

It's sicken and it makes no sense. We can generate just as much revenue if you kiss our ass. That's why it doesn't make sense. Be fair and the money will flow.

Agree. My point about Michigan and OSU was that during the big two little eight era. Few did little to refute that perception. Penn State was a major program during that era, obviously, they weren't in the BigTen at that time.

Right now, PSU is holding their own and then some. Your program is in a good position to force ESPN to recongnize them.

Cheers!

 

[Madsol]

Okay so you want to trivialize Penn State’s rich LBer history on the collegiate level and NFL level, well, that’s on you.

“World’s best dad” to LBU? Really?

Hey I EARNED that World's Best Dad mug so don't you go trivializing the rich history of my fatherhood.