Dan Connor Got Screwed

Ohio State's Laurinaitis won the 2007 Butkus award for College Footballs most outstanding Linebacker. In my opinion DC-40 got absolutely hosed in the voting*. The following stats will show that Dan Connor was a better linebacker in 2007 than Jimmy Laurinaitis.

Dan Connor had 136 tackles this year, Laurinaitis had 103. Not even close, DC-40 Dominates.
Dan Connor had 14 TFL, Laurinaitis had 8.5. DC-40 is better in this regard, it is a fact. Look it up.
Dan Connor had 6.5 sacks, Laurinaitis had 5. Last time I checked, 6.5 is more than 5.
Dan Connor had 6 passes broken up, Laurinaitis had 1.
To be fair, Laurinaitis did have 2 Interceptions this year to Dan's 1.

Wow. It is quite clear that Laurinaitis deserved this award. I just have to call bullshit on this. There is absolutely no statistical justification to say that Laurinaitis is a better LB than Connor. Unless the Butkus award has become some sort of competition over who has slightly more interceptions rather than deciding who was the best Linebacker.

GO STATE! BEAT THE AGGIES!

* Just so we're clear, this is not an argument that PSU was better than Ohio St. this year. Ohio St. had the better record and beat PSU on the field. This is merely an illustration that big #40 was the best linebacker in the country.

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Linebacker U: The Battle for the Throne (redux)?

Penn State and the Aggies will meet in this year's Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29th 8 Pm EST) in a rematch of the 1999 Alamo bowl. The 1999 contest was built up to see who deserved the title: Linebacker U. Now you might say "JB, that is poppycock! PSU has always been and will always be Linebacker U." Well, if that is the case then you weren't paying attention to Texas A&M circa 1999. Observe:

"The game gets me pumped up," Glenn said. "They do have Arrington, but we have linebackers who are just as good. We just don't get the recognition they do.

"We've got Brian Gamble, who is a freshman who came in and is doing a good job. Cornelius Anthony has made a lot of tackles and Roylin Bradley speaks for himself, when he comes and plays. With the depth that we have, our linebackers are just as good. I believe our linebackers and our backups could start anywhere."

When asked what team really is "Linebacker U," Glenn had a quick answer.

"I believe it's really Texas A&M," Glenn said. One indication in the disparity in talent can be found by comparing the honors lists of the two schools. Punter Shane Lechler was the only Texas A&M player selected for the All-Big 12 team. The Nittany Lions had three players -- defensive end Courtney Brown, Arrington and middle linebacker Brandon Short -- as consensus All-American selections.

Find the Article here.

You may also remember that this got Lavaar a little fired up.

"History says that Penn State is Linebacker U., forever," Arrington said. "Anybody else who claims that name is just a wannabe. That's the reason I went to Penn State, to play for Linebacker U. That's something I'll defend, with all my honor."

Hell YES! That is what I am talking about!

Find that article here.

PSU also went on to steamroll the Aggies 24-0 in that game.

This year, PSU yet again has a potential AA at Linebacker in this year's Bednarik Award Winner, Dan Connor (3rd straight year the award went to a Nittany Lion), and the Lions arrive at the Alamo Bowl after a disappointing year. This year, however, there will be no debate over who has the best Linebacking corps. The Aggies' two leading tacklers are LBs Mark Dodge and Misi Tupe with 108 and 89 tackles respectively. The duo also has 4.5 and 4 TFL on the season. These numbers, however, seem quite piddly in comparison to Dan Connor and Sean Lee who racked up 136 and 124 tackles respectively. The two standouts also had 14 and 9.5 TFL this season.

The two talented Nittany Lionbackers also lead a defense which gives up 8.5 fewer pts/game this season. The choice is clear, PSU was, is, and always will be Linebacker U.

Dan Connor = Nagurski Watch List

Fight on State is reporting that Dan Connor (DC-40, i really want to get that nickname to take hold!) is on the Nagurski watch-list. Dan is joined by Shawn Crable from Michigan and James Laurinaitis from Tosu to represent the Big Ten.
Photo by Annemarie Mountz
GO STATE! GO DAN! YOU'RE THE MAN BY THE WAY!

Dan Connor (DC-40) = All-American!

Dan Connor, or DC-40 as I like to call him, has been named a pre-season All-American by Athlon. Dan, You ARE THE MAN!

GO STATE! GET FIRED UP FOR THE SUMMER!

PSU Apartment Fight Update....Sorta

Dan Connor was asked recently about what affect the fight has had on the focus of the team, here is his reply:

No, it hasn't been a distraction at all," Connor said.

Connor called the assault "an unfortunate incident" and said the team has to "see how everything plays out."

"I've been in and out of trouble with Coach Paterno," Connor said. "I think that has helped me a lot."

Now, DC40 is the man, but these aren't the greatest comments of all time. I suppose he means that even though he has been in trouble in the past it and, while regrettable, it has helped him to mature on and off the field.

GO STATE! STAY FOCUSED ON THE FIELD!

Dan Connor Returns!

Dan Connor announced yesterday that he will return to the Lions for one more year. WHEW! PSU really needed Dan to come back and play another year. His presence solidifies the entire linebacking corps. Without Dan, Sean Lee would be the most experienced LB on the field for Penn State with only one year starting. Not an ideal situation. Now, PSU can field two excellent LBs and let some of the young talent PSU has been recruiting at LB fight it out for the third spot.
Really, without Connor in the lineup PSU's defense looks skimpy near the line of scrimmage. However, with Connor he can step up and make some plays and let the young defensive line develop.
This is a very good day for the Nittany Lions!

GO STATE! GET READY FOR '07!

Connor's Future

Dan Connor has been an absolute stud for PSU over the past two years. At this point, however, there is no guarantee Dan will be back for his senior season. Dan, clearly, has yet to make up his mind as he has been ducking the question when posed. Poz returned after hurting his knee in last year's Orange Bowl. That is no guarantee that Connor will be back seeing as how he has witnessed how quickly an injury can occur.
Losing Connor to the draft before his senior season would be a big blow to Linebacker U. His absence would need to be filled by Sean Lee (who should be great) but this would leave two gaping holes at the Linebacker position. While PSU has had solid LB recruiting years recently there is no guarantee that players will transfer from high school ball smoothly. Here is a list of players who could be vying for PT provided Connor does not return:

Bowman, Navorro

LB

Fr./Fr.

Brown, Dontey

LB

Jr./So

Gbadyu, Bani

LB

Fr./Fr.

Hayes, Jerome

LB

So./Fr.

Hull, Josh

LB

So./Fr.

Lee, Sean *

LB

So./So

Ridenhour, Spencer *

OLB

Jr./So.

Sales, Tyrell *

LB

Jr./So.

Yocum, Nic

LB

Sr./Jr.

This list will also include the incoming fresheman:
Nathan Stupar (see below)
Andrew Dailey
Chris Colasanti

There are a couple of letter winners in that group and a lot of them have seen playing time over the last couple of years. Hopefully, two of them can step up and play well if needed. This much is clear, if Connor does leave it will leave a wide open battle to earn a starting spot at Linebacker U!

GO STATE! BEAT THE VOLUNTEERS!