Paterno Talks: Mo, Abe, Quarless, Illinis, and Beyond!

Paterno held his weekly press conference. Below, I have the highlights of Joe's interaction with the press. However, if you are hardcore and you want to read Joe's presser for yourself you can find it here.

Are Abe and Mo Gonna Play?

Well, we'll see. They took practiced yesterday. I'm not so sure what I'm going to do the rest of the week.

Yeah. They are gonna play. I've been saying this for a while. I don't think they will "start" for whatever it matters. But you can bet that Evans and Koroma will be in the rotation.

Is Juice good?

I think Williams played very, very well against us last year. He's obviously better this year. He's been a little bit more consistent. I think they've depended on him a little bit more this year than last year. They don't have that other back, (Rashard) Mendenhall, that was with them last year.

So, I think that they're depending more and more on the quarterback. And I he's doing a really good job for them. He's a big kid. He runs well. I think he's made good progress.

I can live with Juice completing passes. He isn't accurate enough to play a big game mistake free. The key is to get pressure on the QB. Enough pressure will make anyone crack.

Illinois comes off a bye-week this week, your thoughts?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. If I had my preference, I'd rather have a bye week. But it doesn't always turn out to be an advantage. We've had bye weeks and didn't play well the week after the bye week. So if we get licked, it's because they're a better football team or they do a better job than we do. I don't think it will be because it's an off week.

Now if they have some people banged up that wouldn't be able to play, and because of the week off they can play, that might be helpful to them. I'm not threatened very much about that, really.

This was actually an informative question. I had no idea Illinois was coming off a bye-week. I think this is nothing but an advantage for Illinois. The bye will give them an extra week to scheme for PSU's offense. Penn State hasn't had to play their starters late enough into games for fatigue to be a factor, however, if the Zooker was going to cook up a scheme to stop the offense this would be his shot.

Bowman and Maybin are good, right?

They are both good. They make some mistakes, obviously. You wouldn't see the bad things. You see the good things. But I think they both played well (vs. Temple). They're getting better each week. They're both good athletes, and they like to play and they hustle. They have a chance to be really good.

But they've got to get into situations with people that know a little bit more about them and pay more attention to them. Maybe the teams we've played so far haven't done that. But I thought both of them played well Saturday.

This means Joe is fucking psyched up about these kids. Of course they need to keep getting better, however, they are ready to contribute right away. Very exciting!

11 fumbles in three games is a lot, right?

It's a tremendous concern. You don't address it just in the middle of the season. We address it every day. We have ball-carrying drills and take away drills. It worries me. It really does. I don't think it's good putting the ball on the ground that many times.

We talk about it, we practice it. As I said, we set up drills where the kid carrying the football has to protect it with one or two guys trying to pull it out, that kind of thing. But I don't know what else to do.

Eleven fumbles?!?! Seriously? It didn't seem like that many! I'm suddenly terribly concerned about turnovers. It might be cliche but winning the turnover battle is an important element to the scrapple that is winning.

Is A.J. Wallace's hamstring still bothering him?

No, there was a little bit of a misunderstanding I think there. I said he wasn't in there in the second half. I called down to Tom Bradley. I said, "Tom, get Wallace in there." He said, "his hamstring's bothering him." I looked down there and he's in on a couple of the return teams. I think he's okay. I really do. He practiced yesterday and he looked okay.

This is huge. It is terribly important that Wallace stay healthy. The secondary is going to need to play well against Illinois on Saturday.

Is Devon Still out for the rest of the year?

No, I think he can still come back. That would be great because he's already given up one year. But that's a guess. I don't think our doctors could tell you yes or no, and obviously, I can't. But I'm hoping he will be back.

Fuck. Yeah! Still could be back? That is awesome! The defensive will be back to being completely stacked in time to face a very physical Michigan State team.

I can't wait for the biggest game of the year!

GO STATE! BEAT THE ILLINIS!

Joe To Coach From Press Box

FOS is reporting that Joe is not going to be on the sidelines when PSU squares off against Temple.

There is no word on whether it is the knee which was injured or the "good leg" which Joe has been saying has been bothering him.

I don't think this will have a big impact on the game. Mcqueary has to be psyched to not have old man Paterno screaming at him all day.

GO JOE! FEEL BETTER!

Tons of Penn State News

After a busy week of work I emerged to a massive amount of Penn State football news over the weekend. Not all of it is good news but, at this point, I'm willing to take what I can get.

There is a new Blue-White Podcast up which is always good news. It also appears that all the guys over at BSD will be featured on the podcast but also yours truly at some point during the year. I shall certainly keep you posted. My insight will probably not be as "informed" or as "relevant" as the features with BSD, however, I will bring some over-the-top rhetoric to the podcast.

Speaking of over-the-top-rhetoric, ESPN the Magazine has named the Penn State Student Section the best in the nation. ESPN has gotten something right, and for that, I commend them! There is no greater show in college football nor a greater experience for a Penn State fan than to sit in the student section for a big game. The students are fully responsible for taking what was a tame crowd to a raucous, drunken, throng of murderous, white-clad, banshees. Thanks guys.

The CDT has a nice write-up about former walk on (now full scholarship LB) Josh Hull. It will be interesting to see how the LB position takes shape as the season goes along. While it is almost guaranteed that you will see guys like Colasanti on the field this season, I think Colasanti could challenge Hull for the starting spot by the beginning of Big Ten play.

The PPG has a story about Ex-Lion Phil Taylor heading to Baylor to play for the mighty Bears. Will the troubled young man find new life at the largest baptist university in the world? Me thinks not. Enjoy this talented vat of crazy, Baylor!

The PPG also has a story chronicling A.Q. Shipley's rise from back-up on the defensive line to one of the best centers in the country. The offensive line should be a needed bright spot for the Lions. If the big fellas up front can open up holes for Penn State's young RBs and protect the inexperienced QBs this team might be something special.

Devon Still has been injured...again. The reportedly talented Defensive lineman suffered a broken leg. Still has been much ballyoooed despite never having played a down for the Blue and White. Regardless, this is another crushing loss to a defensive line which, three months ago, seemed incredibly deep. While unquestionably talented we shall have to see exactly how deep LJSR's bench will go this season. I'm quickly becoming concerned.

GO STATE! GET FIRED UP!

Exploring the Blue-White Landscape

We are back into the work week and that means that there is plenty of news being published regarding the team and players.

First, GoPSF.com has a new face so head on over and check out it's new veneer and it's giant new focus on videos. Who can get enough of Penn State videos? Not this guy.

The PPG is ready to crown a starter for the football season despite the fact that Joe isn't ready to do so. Not that I think they are wrong but, lets be honest, they had a 50/50 shot of getting it right regardless of their choice. Going with the more senior player is hardly a shakey limb to climb out on.

Lastly, Justin King won't be playing at all this season. He has torn a ligament in his big toe which renders you unable to play the game of football or participate in a wide variety of bizzarre foot-related pornography. Really, can anyone dispute that King made a misstep in entering the 2008 draft?

GO STATE!

Jamelle Cornley's Season is Over (BALLS!)

The Collegian is reporting that Cornley that the Junior had season ending surgery. While the Lions will certainly miss Cornley and his 12 points and 6 boards a game they didn't play like it on Sunday.

Despite losing Cornley, PSU took down #18 Indiana in an upset, over-time, thriller!

This season will certainly be remembered as: what might have been for the Blue & White. However, injuries to key players have stymied PSU's once high hopes.

GO STATE! PLAY HARD! NEVER GIVE UP!

Injuries, Austin Scott and More

The CDT reports and I analyze the following: Paterno would not tell us anything more than what we already knew about the Austin Scott. We know he was kicked off the team, his locker was cleared out, and it was all because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Paterno would say only this:

“Scott broke a team rule and I think that’s as much as I’m gonna say,”

Mysterious.

Evan Royster left the game after looking fantastic against Iowa, fortunately, the injury is only a thigh bruise. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. I saw them working on his general knee area and I started to flip out a little. Because it is only a bruise Royster should be able to return to play soon, which is great news because he has looked the best of any PSU back we've seen all season.

It feels great to get a win! More Iowa reactions later.

Joe Speaks!

Joe Paterno held a press conference today and fielded questions from reporters. Right out of the gate Joe was asked about the status of Quarless and Harriott. We all knew that they wouldn't be playing this Saturday but Joe said that they could be out for 3-4 weeks! If you break out your handy PSU Calendar you can see that the dynamic-drinking-duo might not be back for MICHIGAN! Holy shit. That is a major suspension. I think it is too large a punishment. For more on that, Laschout.com has a great post on the matter.

Joe's take on Koroma:
His loss is a big blow to the program and he will be reevaluated based on his medical clearance.

How is Joe doing?:
Joe will be back on the sidelines on Saturday. I hope the old guy runs out of that tunnel on Saturday and looks like the octogenarian trapped in a 50 year-old's body. For the love of god, Joe is over 10 years older than Lou Holtz but he looks about 20 years younger!

How does Joe feel about FIU?
He is worried. They can recruit athletes in Florida. Joe has no idea what they are going to do on offense or on defense. He is just guessing. (You are so coy, sir!) They can start gigantic, embarrassing brawls. (I only added the last part).

RB situation?
Joe is thinking about putting a big redshirt on Royster. I really don't think that will happen. Scott has had several injuries in the past and Kinlaw has never been able to shoulder a full load so you have to think that Royster will see some PT this fall.

FOS has a great right up. Much better than mine. Find it and an Audio recording of Joe's excellence here.

I didn't know this but, apparently, Joe's old football # was 36. Who Knew!

GO STATE! ANALYZE JOE's EVERY WORD!

The Injury Bug

Penn State has had a frustrating off-season when it comes to injuries. The Defensive line has been particularly hard hit. First McEowen has been rehabbing an ACL since last January, then Devon Still goes down for the year in the first week or so of practice. Now there are reports that Abe Koroma has broken his ankle. You have to think that, depending on the severity of the break, Abe could sit out anywhere from 4-16 weeks.

Recovery from ankle sprains depends on the degree of the sprain. The recovery period for mild to severe sprains ranges from 4 to 12 weeks. If the ankle is broken, it may take 2 to 3 months for the bones to heal. You might not be able to return to sports activities for 4 months after a broken ankle occurs.

This could put Koroma back in action for the Michigan game or it could leave him on the sidelines until 2008.

I, to be sure, am not the only one following this story. Check out RUTS and/or BSD for another take on the situation.