With Devlin gone, Newsome has a window
I'm not really sure why, but hearing about the Pat Devlin transfer makes me upset, but at the same time, curiously optimistic about that position's future. There are obvious reasons why this sucks ass for Penn State. He's yet another really, really good quarterback prospect (Devlin was No. 5, and Morelli before him was No. 2) essentially busting at Penn State. Now the Lions are down to two, TWO quarterbacks for the Rose Bowl. And unless Penn State grabs some recruit like Kevin Newsome for next season, things are scary thin at that position.
So, what Penn State is telling us, is that there's no way they could have gotten Devlin more playing time this season, and won't make any promises to him for 2009. They just listened and said, "Okie dokie! See ya, Pat." He's already off the official roster. I like Daryll Clark, I do. He's a good thrower, a decent runner, and a great leader. But I still wanted Devlin to get more time... and keep him at Penn State!
Penn State is going to face the best defense in the history of college football, at least, that's what ESPN wants us to think. So, what if USC's Rey Maualuga gets to Clark? Well, this could happen...
And if that does happen, we're stuck with Paul Cianciolo. Don't get me wrong. Paul is a good kid, and one of the best 45-0 4th-quarter hander-offer Penn State's ever had. But come on. Without Devlin–who is most definitely better than Cianciolo–Penn State would be screwed. I don't care how many screens or throws in the flat Penn State would call, USC's defense is too good for Cianciolo.
But what does this mean for Penn State's recruiting prospects. Well, it might turn out better than we think. Of course, going all in has its risks, too. And that's what Penn State is doing. Without Devlin and Cianciolo next season, Daryll Clark would have one singular backup... Matthew McGloin. Yup, that's right. No picture. No stats. No bio. We only have a name to look forward to in 2009.
This leaves Penn State in some quandry. If Joe Paterno and the staff play its cards right, the Devlin loss could turn out to be a benefit to recruiting. Let's say Kevin Newsome was on the fence about Penn State, seeing that the Lions' quarterbacks usually sit the bench in favor of seniority. Well, Kev, there's no one but you after Clark leaves! So I guess you could call that my plea for Newsome to take a hard look at Penn State's quarterback situation. Should Newsome decide to sign with Penn State, the loss of Devlin could mean good things for Happy Valley. The Lions would have him come in next season, possibly redshirt (although with such a think QB group, I doubt RS would happen), and get a very good three to four years of him as a starter.
Funny, I intended this to be a short post. Penn State football will do this to you...
4 Commented on this story:
Seriously, would you stay at PSU with Jay Paterno as the quarterback coach - I mean the moron is completely unqualified - never took a snap himself and uses playstation as a coaching method. Sucks for us to have Devlin leave but I hate to say it, I would do the same thing if I were him. PSU hasn't created an NFL quarterback since Kerry Collins (hence pre Jay). Hey, Devlin is smart.
I was surprised he chose Penn State in the first place. Like the other commenter said the program has trouble developing quarterbacks. I said last year that if Terrelle Pryor ever wanted to play in the NFL than his best bet would be at Ohio State or somewhere other than Penn State and Michigan.
And to the "Without Devlin–who is most definitely better than Cianciolo–Penn State would be screwed" comment.....if Clark goes down Penn State was screwed anyways.
If Clark can't get away from their rush than how would Devlin get away?
But either way I don't think we will have that problem cause USC's defense is good but you also have to consider the offenses they have played against.
Pryor's best option in order to become a pro quarterback was Ohio State? Exactly how well have the Buckeye QBs been in the NFL?
If Clark gets tagged by the greatest defense of all time in USC (and I doubt they are even as good as our defense much less best of all time if you check out what they both did against the same opposition this year) from what I have seen in Paterno over the years Devlin would have been reduced to easy passes and handing the ball off, much like PC would have do to. Paterno would try to win with defense and field position (which is how he managed to lose all those games to OSU and scUM).
PSU has to forget about Devlin and why he left. He didn't play because he didn't fit into the spread HD as well as Clark did. He's gone and PSU has to play USC like they played the first 8 games of the season ... the perfect game plan would be how we played offensively in Madision this year.
Post a Comment