Blue White Roundtable

It is Wednesday so we meet to discuss prognostications of Penn State's excellence for the coming year. Mike from BSD proves what sissies the rest of us are with this week's questions. Be sure to check out the other Tablers at TNL and RUTS.

This week it was learned that Travis McBride is no longer with the team. With Spencer Ridenhour having transferred out of the program that’s now two safeties we’ve lost. How much will this affect the defensive secondary?

Well, rumors are swirling that the charges against Scirrotto will be dropped. And by swirling I mean there is one website reporting it but with no actual confirmation. That being the case, one must assume that the charges will continue to be pursued when evaluating Penn State's depth at safety. All reports are that Davis is making a smooth transition to safety and Scirrotto is an excellent player (if he plays). However, the problem is; what kind of talent is behind those guys? If you completely remove Scirrotto, McBride, and Ridenhour here are ALL the kids who remain listed at safety:

Sukay, Nick a talented True Frosh
Rubin, Mark a converted WR
Jeffries, Cedric back-up SS
Ganter, Jason long-toiling Senior

That is not a deep list. I think all of this will have a big impact on the secondary as you could will need to move Jeffries in to be a starter, probably w/ Sukay backing him up at SS. The real lack of depth would be a FS. Davis seems able but is inexperienced at the position and if he goes out will Rubin and Ganter be able to fill his shoes? Too many questions remain beyond the projected starters for these absences to NOT have an affect on the team.

David Jones had it out with Paterno at the Penn State media day over scheduling Coastal Carolina in 2008. If you were Tim Curley and Joe Paterno, what would your strategy be toward out of conference scheduling keeping in mind you had to have seven home games?

I would try to land one-2 good out of conference match-ups per year. Having Notre Dame on this years schedule is great. The home & home with Nebraska, great. With Miami, Great! To keep the program growing and relevant you have to play and beat good teams.

Who is James Terry? We just got a commitment from a kid that held offers from Temple, Delaware State, and Towson. Should we throw Larry Johnson under the bus or give him the benefit of the doubt?

We need to give LJ Sr. the benefit of the doubt. Terry is a big kid who seems to have the body to play DT at nearly 300 LBs in High School. I think the old saying applies: if you have two guys, one runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds with perfect form. The second guy runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds with terrible form. Who do you take? The second guy of course because you can coach him up into being great. This could be that situation. If Larry likes him than I like him!

Who is your pick to finish at the bottom of the Big Ten this year?

It is Indiana. The loss of Hoeppner is a major blow to the program and my guess is that this will just take all the air out of the previously inflating Hoosier balloon.

Lightning Round

I’m coming over to raid your beer cooler. Where do you park on game day?

Well, my Parents live about a mile from the Beav so I usually walk over and join my compatriots at their RV on the other side of Park Ave.

Do you put up any goofy flags or tents? Play any unique music? How will I find you once I’m there?

We don't usually put up any flags or tents, sorry to say. I'm afraid you'll have to call me and ask for directions. I would say look for the group of drunken, white-clad, lunatics but that would hardly narrow down the search.

When I open your cooler what will I find?

Well, you'll find some bloody mary mix for early in the day and a million Lagers for later in the day. (If you need to ask "what brand?" in response to Lager than you are not a Penn State fan!)


GO STATE! LAGER UP!