Not looking good for Deon Barnes to get drafted

[21Guns]

What needs to be taken from this, is that Larry Johnson cannot be trusted. If you had a son, would you want your son to play for a man who advised a rival schools player to leave, while not being projected by anyone to be taken in the draft, while at the same time advising his own player, a consensus top 3 round pick, to stay?

 

[LaJolla Lion]

No. This is a total BS statement. And David M I like you, but not one damn ounce of proof has been put forward to back this up. I'm not saying this is or isn't true, but this poster shouldn't go mocking others when that's the same damn thing as what the whole world did to Joe and Penn State and you know it.

List one shred of evidence that this occurred? And I'm not talking Internet message board innuendos. And if it did occur, LJ should have recused himself and notified JF.

It was reported elsewhere. He screwed Barnes IMO.

 

[9fold]

It was reported elsewhere. He screwed Barnes IMO.

Where is "elsewhere"? Is there a link in the deep, dark chasm of the interwebs?

 

[9fold]

What needs to be taken from this, is that Larry Johnson cannot be trusted. If you had a son, would you want your son to play for a man who advised a rival schools player to leave, while not being projected by anyone to be taken in the draft, while at the same time advising his own player, a consensus top 3 round pick, to stay?

Do you have proof that this happened? I know it has been discussed here, but when did this happen? Who claimed that it happened? Who is the source? Is Barnes on the record saying it happened?

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Where is "elsewhere"? Is there a link in the deep, dark chasm of the interwebs?

Try this Google thing out or keep thinking it was made up.

 

[9fold]

Try this Google thing out or keep thinking it was made up.

If you spent half the time reading as you did being a dick, you would see that I posted earlier that I searched on Google last night and found nothing on the topic.

I noticed that you pointed me to Google instead of simply posting a link. There have been many requests here for a link and no one has posted one.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Try this Google thing out or keep thinking it was made up.

If you spent half the time reading as you did being a dick, you would see that I posted earlier that I searched on Google last night and found nothing on the topic.

I noticed that you pointed me to Google instead of simply posting a link. There have been many requests here for a link and no one has posted one.

It was on other PSU sites when he declared. If you paid for them and missed it, that isn't my fault. If you don't subscribe, a link is useless to you. Quit acting like a little biotch about this. Believe what you need to.

 

[9fold]

It was on other PSU sites when he declared. If you paid for them and missed it, that isn't my fault. If you don't subscribe, a link is useless to you. Quit acting like a little biotch about this. Believe what you need to.

Seriously, f(ck you. It was discussed on a paid site, so it must be true? If it were written by a member of the media on a paid site, it very likely would have migrated to a free site by now. Google brings up nothing about it.

If you aren't going to post a link or even specify the paid site, how about posting the source of the information? Who broke this? Of you could continue to be a dick and assert that it is true while offering nothing to back it up.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Seriously, f(ck you. It was discussed on a paid site, so it must be true? If it were written by a member of the media on a paid site, it very likely would have migrated to a free site by now. Google brings up nothing about it.

If you aren't going to post a link or even specify the paid site, how about posting the source of the information? Who broke this? Of you could continue to be a dick and assert that it is true while offering nothing to back it up.

GFY you little whiny biotch. I don't owe you jack crap. Even more so with the dick comments. Believe what you need to.

 

[psuguy04]

GFY you little whiny biotch. I don't owe you jack crap. Even more so with the dick comments. Believe what you need to.

Looks like 9fold has joined the Bushwood crowd and decided to wait for Jeff Nelson to confirm..

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Looks like 9fold has joined the Bushwood crowd and decided to wait for Jeff Nelson to confirm..

No kidding. Like I owe him a damn thing.

 

[21Guns]

Allow me to add this: If it IS true that the little clique known as the "Supa Six" doesn't care for the new staff, then good riddance. IF, and I am NOT saying this is part of it, but IF Barnes, Belton, Smith, etc...didn't care for the new staff, and therefore Barnes decided to go with Smith early, then this team doesn't need them around, and is all the better for it. Again, I am not implying that is the reason, but it HAS been opined in other places that this was a part of it. All in, that's what will bring us back to the top tier of the game, not a little group of players aside from the rest.

 

[Ranger Dan]

If indeed Johnson gave him advice would that be an infraction?
Say he gives Barnes advice and says something like take care of your body for draft, would that be game tampering? i.e. Barnes plays without intensity against OSU.

Clearly tampering IMHO, or at least a conflict of interest

 

[Raffycorn]

Here, in my mind, is what we don't know about this LJ/Barnes conversation (if it occurred). Say Barnes calls LJ and says "coach, I had a pretty good year this year and some folks around me are saying I should go, and others are saying I should stay. I think I'm good enough to play in the league, I'll have my degree, and the last few years have really worn me out with the coaching changes, the sanctions, and everything. You recruited me - what do you think?" And LJ says something along the lines of "well I don't have your draft evaluation, but I think it's important for you to have your degree first. Once you have that, and if you feel as though you've accomplished what you've set out to do there, I think you should listen to yourself if you think you're ready. I don't know where or if you'll be drafted, but I've coached you and against you and I think you can play in the league." That, to me, is a perfectly reasonable conversation in my mind, and I don't have a problem with it. If it's a deliberate "you should go" knowing his draft projection, thats a bit different - but knowing what we know about LJ, I think what I posited is more likely.

 

[9fold]

Clearly tampering IMHO, or at least a conflict of interest

Which is why I have a hard time believing it. I could see Barnes reaching out to Johnson, but I would think Johnson would have the sense to not get involved. Even if we get into conspiracy theory mode and consider that Johnson were bitter towards the way things ended at Penn State and Barnes leaving early could weaken his now conference rival, Johnson would have to know that giving Barnes advice could come back to hurt him and Tosu. Johnson has been around the block a few times and would have to know better. Of course, he coached under JoePa for many years, so I'm pretty sure he knows a thing or two about NCAA compliance.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Well, if the NFL still had, what, 12-15 rounds, then maybe he gets drafted.

With seven rounds, however, he had no chance based on his 2014 performance.

I think he made a HUGE mistake, but wish him well in camp as a free agent. I hope he proves me wrong and makes it!

 

[Raffycorn]

Well, if the NFL still had, what, 12-15 rounds, then maybe he gets drafted.

With seven rounds, however, he had no chance based on his 2014 performance.

I think he made a HUGE mistake, but wish him well in camp as a free agent. I hope he proves me wrong and makes it!

2014 performance? In 2014 he arguably had the best year of his three-year career, and his 2014 stats were nearly identical to his 2012 stats where he was a freshman All-America pick. The issue with Barnes is that he was projected and expected to keep making leaps of progression compared to his freshman year and it never translated to the football field. But his 2014 stats were quite good compared to a lot of others who were drafted.

 

[21Guns]

2014 performance? In 2014 he arguably had the best year of his three-year career, and his 2014 stats were nearly identical to his 2012 stats where he was a freshman All-America pick. The issue with Barnes is that he was projected and expected to keep making leaps of progression compared to his freshman year and it never translated to the football field. But his 2014 stats were quite good compared to a lot of others who were drafted.

Regardless of how well he might have done on the field for this defense, the scouts in the NFL, felt that there were 7 rounds worth of defensive ends, better than him.

 

[Sandinista!]

I remember the exact source of this rumor. It came from an insider on TOS's premium board.
This particular poster is one whom most find to be very very reliable.

Which is why I have a hard time believing it. I could see Barnes reaching out to Johnson, but I would think Johnson would have the sense to not get involved. Even if we get into conspiracy theory mode and consider that Johnson were bitter towards the way things ended at Penn State and Barnes leaving early could weaken his now conference rival, Johnson would have to know that giving Barnes advice could come back to hurt him and Tosu. Johnson has been around the block a few times and would have to know better. Of course, he coached under JoePa for many years, so I'm pretty sure he knows a thing or two about NCAA compliance.

 

[9fold]

I remember the exact source of this rumor. It came from an insider on TOS's premium board.
This particular poster is one whom most find to be very very reliable.

And that person is who exactly? An "insider" in what respect?

 

[Sandinista!]

Somebody who has the inside scoop with the going ons of the team
Don't know who he is the than a screen name on TOS.
I do know he is usually right and posted this months ago before Barnes announcing.

And that person is who exactly? An "insider" in what respect?

 

[ILLINOISLION]

2014 performance? In 2014 he arguably had the best year of his three-year career, and his 2014 stats were nearly identical to his 2012 stats where he was a freshman All-America pick. The issue with Barnes is that he was projected and expected to keep making leaps of progression compared to his freshman year and it never translated to the football field. But his 2014 stats were quite good compared to a lot of others who were drafted.

I just don't think he improved much in his soph and junior years. And stats can be deceiving.....they reflect plays made but don't reflect the plays that aren't made.

I think another year at PSU would have helped his development.....but as I said, I hope he proves me wrong and makes a roster or a practice squad..

 

[9fold]

Somebody who has the inside scoop with the going ons of the team
Don't know who he is the than a screen name on TOS.
I do know he is usually right and posted this months ago before Barnes announcing.

Obviously people can believe whatever they like, but that is not enough for me to assert that it definitely happened the way some here have. Johnson served Penn State faithfully for many years and took a position offered to him at Tosu (a good strategic move by meyer) when he did not get what he wanted at Penn State. For that, and on the word of some anonymous message board poster, some here have crucified Johnson. That is ridiculous in my book.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Certain posters have a history of being right. You can choose not to believe he talked to Barnes, but it did happen. Other sites reporters hinted at this as well. LJ gave him bad advice. That is not tearing him apart.

 

[lattydaddy]

It was reported elsewhere. He screwed Barnes IMO.

Sir, he didn't "screw" anyone. Deion Barnes didn't want to be at Penn State next year. Get over it. If a 21 year old man is basing his future off of the alleged advice of a former coach, so be it. I also think it's reasonable that he could have made the decision himself. He's 21. Life goes on for both Deion, Larry, and Penn State. Let it go.

 

[9fold]

Sir, he didn't "screw" anyone. Deion Barnes didn't want to be at Penn State next year. Get over it. If a 21 year old man is basing his future off of the alleged advice of a former coach, so be it. I also think it's reasonable that he could have made the decision himself. He's 21. Life goes on for both Deion, Larry, and Penn State. Let it go.

Kids make these decisions every year. I still am not convinced that Johnson advised Barnes to enter the draft, but even if it did happen (Where's the proof?), it is one man's opinion. Barnes had other information available to him (the opinion of Coach Franklin and those of his assistants, draft predictions, etc.). Whatever the circumstance, the decision to enter the draft was Barnes' decision. He should have known he was not a sure thing in this year's draft. It's on him.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Sir, he didn't "screw" anyone. Deion Barnes didn't want to be at Penn State next year. Get over it. If a 21 year old man is basing his future off of the alleged advice of a former coach, so be it. I also think it's reasonable that he could have made the decision himself. He's 21. Life goes on for both Deion, Larry, and Penn State. Let it go.

How did his draft go again? It's on him, but who advised him on going versus who didn't? Feel free to disagree, but I don't think he was done any favors by LJ at this point in time. Maybe LJ talked to NFL people who told him a different story on Barnes...that must be it. To the few that want to pretend this didn't happen, so be it. The people who were reporting this are more credible than anyone on the BWI site for the most part.

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

He should have listened to everyone and got a broad range of ideas, not just listened to LJ. I know we're just fans, but I don't think anyone said it was a great idea for him to leave early.

Well you are wrong. He wasn't increasing his "stock" with another year. He hit his ceiling freshman year. The fact that you think he went only on the advice of LJ is just amazing.

 

[DavidM]

"Well you are wrong." Seriously? IMHO Barnes was a better football player last season than he was as a redshirt freshman, and if he'd stayed in the program and gained some more good weight, he might have improved even more. Of course LJ sr was not the only reason why the kid decided to leave, but minimizing that coach's influence would be a mistake. And I've suggested that it was completely inappropriate for the coach, now working for a rival program, to give him that recommendation.

 

[lattydaddy]

How did his draft go again? It's on him, but who advised him on going versus who didn't? Feel free to disagree, but I don't think he was done any favors by LJ at this point in time. Maybe LJ talked to NFL people who told him a different story on Barnes...that must be it. To the few that want to pretend this didn't happen, so be it. The people who were reporting this are more credible than anyone on the BWI site for the most part.

Yea, he was undrafted. Who cares? That's his problem. He's not that good of a player. 44 combined tackles and 6 sacks his RS Junior year, and with my eye test, he was practically invisible last year. He'll never play football again, that's on him. I'm sure he feels worse than any of you do about his decision. Let him be.

 

[psuro]

He'll never play football again, that's on him. I'm sure he feels worse than any of you do about his decision. Let him be.

How is that part time job at suicide prevention going for you? Sheesh - give the kid a break.

From what I have heard - this is from the father of a current squad member who plays on the defensive line (I won't mention whom or the position).

1. Barnes wanted to go.
2. Barnes' father did not want him to go.
3. Barnes (along with James and Smith) were not impressed/happy with Franklin. (No reason given as to why, just that they were not). They all felt they wanted to move on with their lives and careers.
4. LJ Sr. and Barnes did speak. I don't know all the details, but I was informed that LJ Sr said "Do what your heart tells you to."

That is what I was informed- obviously I cannot "link" the conversation since it happened in person, and you can choose to believe me or not. I am simply passing on the information.

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

@ psuro: I liked your post for six reasons. It was a good post and your sig pic.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Yea, he was undrafted. Who cares? That's his problem. He's not that good of a player. 44 combined tackles and 6 sacks his RS Junior year, and with my eye test, he was practically invisible last year. He'll never play football again, that's on him. I'm sure he feels worse than any of you do about his decision. Let him be.

And people were saying it was a bad decision. That isn't ripping on anyone, but stating something clearly obvious. In addition to what ro stated, the family had a great deal of trust and admiration for LJ. Rightfully so as his players seemed to love him. That doesn't mean he is beyond criticism or we can't speak to this. You don't like it, you can step out of the thread if you need to.

 

[lattydaddy]

And people were saying it was a bad decision. That isn't ripping on anyone, but stating something clearly obvious. In addition to what ro stated, the family had a great deal of trust and admiration for LJ. Rightfully so as his players seemed to love him. That doesn't mean he is beyond criticism or we can't speak to this. You don't like it, you can step out of the thread if you need to.

And I'm referring to the hate here for LJ. If I were in Deion's shoes you best believe I would ask the opinion of my position coach of 3 years in college. That said: 1) we don't know what LJ said. do people think he would really try to "stick it" to Penn State by intentionally giving bad advice to affect one of the young men he was a mentor to and intentionally screw up his LIFE?! Come on, LJ has bigger things to worry about at OSU than the return of a mediocre (at best) defensive end from Penn State. OSU isn't shaking in its boots over the 2015 Penn State squad... and 2) It's Deion's decision, regardless of what "advice" anyone gave him. Keep sitting here and b'ing and moaning about LJ as some traitor. Give me a break.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

Maybe you should direct your comments for those spouting hate then I guess. Just some food for thought.

 

[21Guns]

Assuming that Barnes would have been unseated as a starter for the 2015 season, however, is reaching: Barnes would have been one of the two starters had he stayed. Thinking that the staff would have jumped Sickels ahead of him, based on pre season performance and potential, is asking a great deal. With that said, I think we are going to be better at both DE positions than many people might think, but believing that we are somehow better because of Barnes' departure, just isn't accurate.

 

[Still in State College]

Don't know anything about the Barnes situation, but all I can offer is Larry Johnson is not the man portrayed publically.

 

[psuguy04]

Don't know anything about the Barnes situation, but all I can offer is Larry Johnson is not the man portrayed publically.

Let's look at LJ, who IMO, is a great coach and did many good things for our players over the years. But, these are facts:

• A significant number of players he recruited had disciplinary issues during their tenure at PSU, resulting in arrests, dismissals, suspensions, etc.
• One of his sons had a problem with the bottle.
• One of his sons has a problem with beating/assaulting women.

Correlation doesn't equal causation, I know. But, before we bestow Joe-like praise upon the guy.....let's remember the facts.

 

[lattydaddy]

Maybe you should direct your comments for those spouting hate then I guess. Just some food for thought.

apologies if you were not one of the LJ bashers. sometimes i just reply to a posters post, not necessarily directly calling out that specific poster.

 

[lattydaddy]

Let's look at LJ, who IMO, is a great coach and did many good things for our players over the years. But, these are facts:

• A significant number of players he recruited had disciplinary issues during their tenure at PSU, resulting in arrests, dismissals, suspensions, etc.
• One of his sons had a problem with the bottle.
• One of his sons has a problem with beating/assaulting women.

Correlation doesn't equal causation, I know. But, before we bestow Joe-like praise upon the guy.....let's remember the facts.

I personally know a LOT of parents who are FANTASTIC people with a troubled child. Yes, parenting is important in the development of a child, but there are many times even the best of parents are helpless once their child heads down a certain road, be it drugs or whatever. You absolutely can not judge a parent's character based on the actions of his/her son.