Are we missing a "nasty" on D?

[BostonNit]

First off, let me say I love this team. My son is a freshman at PSU and last year and this year have been about as fun to watch as any in the last 30 years.

My one "complaint" is it seems like we're missing a leader on defense with a nasty streak. Some players who come to mind in the past are:

Matt Millen
Ray Isom
Trey Bauer
Shane Conlan
Brian Chizmar
Mark D'Onofrio
Lavar
Brian Gelzheiser
Gerald Hodges
James Boyd
Etc...​

Not all were superstars, but all had a bit of that on-field craziness that is infectious on game day. We likely don't win the Fiesta Bowl if Ray Isom doesn't destroy Michael Irvin early in the game.

Any thoughts on who on this team is closest to that type of player? Marcus Allen brings intensity and comes to play every Saturday, but it's a happy love-to-play-this-game enthusiasm, and not really nastiness. Yes, I saw his reaction after the safety, but I'm talking about someone who plays every play like they have a chip on their shoulder. Who is it or can it be on this team? Thoughts?

 

[Ranger Dan]

I don't think you have to have one particular guy who exemplifies this, but I think the d line has a few guys who have a chip or two on their shoulder.

 

[BostonNit]

I don't think you have to have one particular guy who exemplifies this, but I think the d line has a few guys who have a chip or two on their shoulder.

Who are you thinking of?

 

[PennState1997]

I can't think of one player on this team who I would describe as "playing on the edge". No Lavar, or James Boyd or Bauer. The only one I can think of is Shareef Miller. It's a stretch but he seemed to be on a mission against Pitt. We have a lot of hard nosed players but nobody who is going out there with ill will.

 

[83wuzme]

Cam Brown appears to be that kind of a guy, but his snaps have been pretty limited this season because of it.

 

[PennState1997]

Wait...I take that back....Nick Scott. That hit against Maryland on the return and the hit against Pitt. He likes to mix it up. We need a little more Nick Scott.

 

[OldTiredLion]

I believe Jason Cabinda somewhat fits that description, and Iowa discovered this last season.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Who are you thinking of?

It's not one personality on the D line, but Coach Chaos having his guys play like wild dogs... it's great when one of our D ends chase down a scrambling QB, but when I see the our D tackles collapse the pocked and the D ends come crashing in, it's a scary sight with bodies lunging and arms ripping. They really play as a unit, with seemingly little drop off when rotating guys in.

 

[mfb5053]

How about Marcus Allen. Dude had a mean streak and is a thumper.

 

[mfb5053]

How about Marcus Allen. Dude had a mean streak and is a thumper.

^has

 

[ClarkstonMark]

thought Cabinda would be that guy, but he has been a ghost this year

 

[shelley]

^has

I agree - the guy can hit!

 

[LemonEars]

It's clearly Marcus Allen.

 

[NittanyChris]

Marcus Allen hands down. AND Nick Scott too.

 

[GregInPitt]

Allen sets the tone this year.... Could Parsons be that guy, starting in 2018?

 

[Ranger Dan]

Allen sets the tone this year.... Could Parsons be that guy, starting in 2018?

He has one heck of a mean tweet history...

 

[BostonNit]

I love Marcus, but I wouldn't call him nasty. I'm thinking scowling, smeared eye-black, a few 15 yard penalty types...

 

[mfb5053]

I love Marcus, but I wouldn't call him nasty. I'm thinking scowling, smeared eye-black, a few 15 yard penalty types...

I don't know if you remember but Allen used to get 15 yard penalties all the time in his younger days. He's just learned to control himself a little more these days.

 

[psugisher]

Our defensive guys are just fine.. I'm good with our disciplined, smart, tough group just doing their job and making plays. Guys like Grant Haley and Marcus Allen are well spoken, gracious, humble kids off the field but don't confuse that with on the field where they're tenacious, tough, mean and nasty competitors.