What was the best trio of linebackers at PSU who played together, Lavar, Mac, Short maybe?
- Thread starter Mr. Potter
- Start date
Ham, Onkotz, Ebersole! All 3 drafted in the early rounds.
2005 had Dan Connor, Sean Lee, and Paul Posluzny... think that takes the cake imo.
Edit: Roster also included Tim Shaw, of note.
Edit: Roster also included Tim Shaw, of note.
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Ebersole actually played DE at PSU although he was a LB in the NFL.
Conlan, Bauer and Giftopolous would have to be in the discussion. I am assuming the OP is referring to their production as college players as opposed to their NFL prospects.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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Bowman, Lee and Hull were great to watch in the bowl game against LSU. Bowman was a beast that day.
Of my era this would be my thoughts. Bowman ruled the field that day. Nothing got past on his side of the field.
He (Bowman) caught a bad break with that ridiculous call in the 49ers playoff game.
LdN
Connor, Lee and Poz......three NFL'ers and two All-Pros. Sean Lee can be mentioned in the same breath as Luke Keuchly right now as could Bowman 3 years ago. If Bowman was in that group it would be hands down, still, the above 3 were probably best.
1968 - 1969: PSU's 4-4-3!
Ham / Onkotz / Kates & Hull (68) Smith (69).
Ham / Onkotz / Kates & Hull (68) Smith (69).
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Not one of the best but still pretty good back in 2012: Carson, Mauti, Hodges, & Hull
It's amazing how well Joe recruited LBs but not so good with DBs, and how well CJF recruits overall but his weakest position is arguably LB. Maybe the young kids will turn that around.
It's amazing how well Joe recruited LBs but not so good with DBs, and how well CJF recruits overall but his weakest position is arguably LB. Maybe the young kids will turn that around.
In those years they played a four linebacker defense.
Ebersole was a DE.
They used 4 LB's back then. Jim Kates was the 4th.
I'm glad some of you mentioned Jim Kates from the 68-69 teams. IMHO one of the most underrated LBs in PSU history.
We were a 3-4 team back then. Don Graham was the other OLB and a 2nd round pick even though a NFL career didn't work out for him. Ya'll might remember him from this pic.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs...Don%20Graham_Miami_Sack_1986.jpg&action=click
Not really. Our strong safety was called "Hero" and he might move up towards
the LOS against strong running teams. But, he was still a safety..
Reid, Smear, Hull and Ebersole were the defensive line. It wasn't a 3-4.
Oops! I didn't read the post you were replying to. Thought you were referring to 68-69.
I was only a young whipper-snapper back then. Didn't even live in Pa. I meant 85-86 teams and beyond. Pretty sure Millen/Clark teams ran a
3-4-4 with a hero also.
They also ran a 5-2 for several years.
Pretty sure Randy Sidler was a middle guard.
Really, Ham and any 2 LB's that were on the field with him would probably tie for the best 3 on the field for PSU.
But as far as splash plays go, LA and his guys likely would take that title...
Having Kates, ham and Onkotz are hard to beat. All played pot ball. Redskins, Steelers, Jets.
Shiat, you should see what Bowman looks like NOW. I see pictures of him in the SF Chronicle a lot, given that he is a Niner. The pictures of him at training camp, without pads on, are just incredible. The guy defines the term "yoked."
A great thread, Let me add some historical perspective here to keep the comparisons even.
1968 starters: DEs = Lippincott and Spaziani; DTs = Reid and Smear; 4 LBs = Onkotz & Kates inside, Gary Hull and Ham, outside.
1969 starters: DEs = Ebersole and Rakiecki; DTs = Reid and Smear; 4 LBs = Onkotz & Kates inside, Mike Smith and Ham, outside.
When comparing linebackers, it would be more balanced to take only 3 of the 4 used in PSU's 4-4-3 defense. Thus, it might shape out this way:
2005 - Connor, Posluszny, and Shaw
2006 - Connor, Posluszny, and Lee
2007 - Connor, Lee, Sayles
2009 - Lee, Bowman, and Hull
How does one choose anyone over that 2006 crew? Well, I will. I'm going with Onkotz, Ham, and Kates by a whisker. Reason: Onkotz could stuff the run and intercept the pass both exceptionally well. And Jack Ham was , well, Jack Ham.
1968 starters: DEs = Lippincott and Spaziani; DTs = Reid and Smear; 4 LBs = Onkotz & Kates inside, Gary Hull and Ham, outside.
1969 starters: DEs = Ebersole and Rakiecki; DTs = Reid and Smear; 4 LBs = Onkotz & Kates inside, Mike Smith and Ham, outside.
When comparing linebackers, it would be more balanced to take only 3 of the 4 used in PSU's 4-4-3 defense. Thus, it might shape out this way:
2005 - Connor, Posluszny, and Shaw
2006 - Connor, Posluszny, and Lee
2007 - Connor, Lee, Sayles
2009 - Lee, Bowman, and Hull
How does one choose anyone over that 2006 crew? Well, I will. I'm going with Onkotz, Ham, and Kates by a whisker. Reason: Onkotz could stuff the run and intercept the pass both exceptionally well. And Jack Ham was , well, Jack Ham.
And I find it interesting that the two All-Pros were the two 3-star recruits while the 5-star was not. Things that make you go hmmmm!
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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And Kates just cleaned up everything else; he was the best physical specimen that i had ever seen at the time. All 3 played pro ball. Oh! Onkotz returned punts!
Amen! He and Pitman were room mates in North (Beam) Hall. Were not only great FB players, but good students and friends.
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