If Godwin stayed we would be in the playoffs this year....For Sure!
- Thread starter grinagrin
- Start date
I don't buy that. PSU has a good shot with or without him, but the road games this year may cause an issue. Godwin was a very good WR, but I think PSU has some talented guys there still who will step up.
Honestly it would be nice to have Godwin but he isn't the key to the playoffs. This offense will be able to score. The key to beating the great teams is defense. Need to get pressure on the good QB's PSU will play. Hopefully the defense takes some big steps this year in that category.
He was a great player, but we will be fine without him. We are stronger on the offensive line and also VERY deep at receiver. Even with Godwin gone we still have the #1 receiver corp in the league. And we haven't seen what Juwan Johnson can do, which there have been raves about his play in the spring. He is a stud and a rare athlete.
We absolutely needed Godwin last year and he saved us when we needed saving, but hopefully this year we won't need to be saved as much. Minnesota is a great example of that.
We absolutely needed Godwin last year and he saved us when we needed saving, but hopefully this year we won't need to be saved as much. Minnesota is a great example of that.
He's great and we'll miss him but I am comfortable with our offense. It starts with #26 being a year older and more mature (physically). Trace has a year under his belt and will only be better. Add Gesicki, a better line, more depth at RB, other excellent WR's and I am excited.
Agree, pressure and sacks on the QB and TO's. We need to generate more TO's. especially int's.
The five biggest keys to this season are (IMHO):
- getting some good bounces and getting lucky.
- staying injury free or as close to that as possible.
- diversify the running attack with some two back sets and even an occasional full house backfield.
- improve punt and especially kickoff return games.
- have our defensive backs and especially our safeties learn how to anticipate throws and go get the ball instead of always sitting back and watching plays in front of them. This was our biggest weakness last year.
- getting some good bounces and getting lucky.
- staying injury free or as close to that as possible.
- diversify the running attack with some two back sets and even an occasional full house backfield.
- improve punt and especially kickoff return games.
- have our defensive backs and especially our safeties learn how to anticipate throws and go get the ball instead of always sitting back and watching plays in front of them. This was our biggest weakness last year.
IMO, the key to making the playoffs will be keeping #26 healthy. Miles needs to work in the weight room and seriously work on his pass protection. He and Robinson were a big drop off last year. If #26 stays healthy, the defense stops the run and developes a pass rush, there isn't a team in the country we can't beat.
Good list, IllinoisLion.
1. I watched the Wisconsin game recently, and it seemed that nearly all fumbles eluded the white helmets and landed in the arms of the Badgers. Often during a game, I will turn to those suffering through my angst with me and say something like, "When are we [Penn State] going to get some totally random, unforced, undeserved blind luck in our favor?" I consider punts snapped way over the head of the punter, a terrible lateral beyond the RBs reach, dropped punt that goes towards the opponent's goal, a dropped pass by a wide open receiver as TRUUBL type of plays.
2. Yes, of course.
3. I long for the days when Penn State routinely converts 3rd/4th and <2. Perhaps your idea of a return to the "full-house backfield" will accomplish this quest.
4. I don't understand the intricacies of the game well enough to understand how Penn State can go so many years without touchdowns on punt and kickoffs. I actually am not sold on Miles Sanders on kickoffs, but I expect Mark Allen (regular) and Lamont Wade (punt safe) to be back for punts.
5. I still remember when Neal Smith intercepted 10 passes in 1969 (well, 12 counting the Bowl) in 11 games. Now it seems PSU has a tough time getting 12 as an entire defense in 14 games, despite more passes attempted. As solid as Marcus Allen has been at S, to go 14 games without a single interception is not the stuff of legends ... or of the NFL. However, I think Franklin is quickly bringing the Lion secondary into the sphere of Ohio State, and we will see receivers more closely covered leading to more interceptions.
Yep, rewatched the Wiscy game about a month ago and it was incredible that Wiscy was getting every bounce going their way. When the game was played I was in the USVI (St John) and had no tv. Listening on the internet to all those scrambles and having Wiscy always coming up with the ball was driving me crazy (moreso than normal).
Our safeties seldom make a break on the ball and seem to prefer a good hit on a receiver when they have as good or better chance to go get the ball. Again, drives me nuts.
(As a Chicago Bear fan, I thought Da Bears made a great pick in Adrian Amos two years ago. I thought when they moved him to safety his defensive back experience at PSU would help. Not so.....no interceptions in two years and maybe only 2-3 deflections, despite starting almost every game over these two years. I wouldn't be that surprised if he goes from being a starter to being cut loose this fall.....hope I'm wrong.)
You nailed it with the aforementioned paragraph. Our safeties have been sitting back watching the play unfold and not getting to the ball until its too late for years.That 40 yard bomb into the end zone by USC late in the game was a perfect example. You could see the safety standing in the end zone from behind the USC QB as the play unfolded but he never got over had for some unknown reason which resulted in a TD.
Lowry's interception against Smith the Buckeyes is the way safeties should read and react to a pass play in the making. That was a thing of beauty they way he came across the field for the pick.
While Godwin was/is a fantastic receiver, the drop off at WR isn't that much as compared to other areas. How well our OL and defensive front seven play, and the decision making and (hopefully) improvement in Trace McSorely's accuracy/completion percentage will be much bigger factors.
