The Blue-White Roundtable :: Spring Practice 2008

ZN was kinda, sorta invited to participate (finally) in the BWR--I was sent an email by Nittany White Out about their RT, which was followed up by BDS's email that they were already going to do one this week. I was sent that email also. So whether it was intentional or now, here I am, with the special spring practice edition of the Blue-White Roundtable. Here is the list of bloggers taking part in the BWR.

Black Shoe Diaries
The Nittany Line
There Is No Name On My Jersey
William F. Yurasko
Tangled Up In White and Blue
The Big Eleventh
The Nittany Notebook
Run Up The Score
Nittany Whiteout


Let’s start with the ugly news. Chris Baker, Chris Bell, Phil Taylor, Knowledge Timmons, and Navorro Bowman are all sitting out the spring practice sessions. What impact will this have on the 2008 season?

-After Summer workouts begin, not much. Even with the guys who aren’t on the Spring roster, most of them will return and play. Remember what happened last season, when Quarless got nabbed and then played three games into 2008. Joe wants to win, and he’ll let these guys back. Luckily for the team, they’re all upperclassmen. It might work out for the best, giving the younger guys more time going against the first teams.

Would you move Sean Lee to middle linebacker like Paul Posluszny in 2006 and Dan Connor in 2007?

ZN: Never. I’m still not exactly sure why Poz made the move, but unlike Dan Connor—a MLB coming out of high school—Lee has always been a true OLB. With guys like Chris Colasanti ready to burst onto the scene, there’s no reason to take Lee away from his natural position.

If Lee stays on the outside, who would you start at the other outside linebacker assuming Bowman is out of the picture?

ZN: No one will like this, but Hull will make the start against Coastal Carolina. Watch out for Bani Gbadyu, though, as he really came on the last few games of 2007.

Which position on the field is our weakest link?

ZN: Right now, it’ll be the defensive line. But if all of the injuries heal up before June, and PSU gets back at least half the guys in trouble, this won’t be a problem. That being said, in the fall it will be the kick return coverage. The coaches have to start playing first-stringers on kickoffs and punts, or you’ll have more Illinoises and Purdues in 2008.

Who is your pony in the quarterback contro…uh, competition?

ZN: This is a cop-out, but I’m saying Joe breaks down and plays both, ala Florida 2006. Again, Joe wants to win, badly, and if he was willing to study Texas for Mike Robinson, he might just look at some of Urban Meyer’s tapes from the season he won it all.

Name three players that absolutely have to step up their performance this spring?

ZN: Andrew Quarless… This is his chance to put everything behind him. If he wants to even get a sniff at the draft, he needs to play like a man possessed. It’s been a long time since someone with his measurables has played for the Lions. Lydell Sargeant… He lost his job after the Ohio State game, and now has the chance to slide back into the starting job. That doesn’t mean he deserves it. If he can step in front of a few key passes (and actually catch them, unlike Justin King) he’ll earn the position. And finally, The Quarterbacks… I’m really selling out on this two-headed quarterback thing. I really think that if both Devlin and Clark play lights-out this Spring, Joe will be forced to get them on the field together.

Lightning Round

Who is your pick to win the Red Worrell award given to the offensive player that shows the most improvement during spring practice?

ZN: Gerald Cadogan.

Who is your pick for the Jim O’Hora award given to the defensive player that shows the most improvement?

ZN: Josh Gaines.

Your 2008 team captains are…?
ZN: Lee, Shipley, (definite) and Butler (not so definite, maybe Williams)