Tuesday linkage: Shipley, Steelers and Pitt

◊ Two interesting news clippings from the Pittsburgh papers. I've never met people so cocky about their city than Steel City natives. Even those outside the metro area thump their chests about Pittsburgh. That aside, the competing papers are filling the time between the bowl season and the NFL draft. Here's what's up in western PA...

• Bob Smizik wrote in his blog yesterday, questioning if Pitt would join the Big Ten, if the conference came calling. Of course, any discussion about this kind of thing must warrant a customary slap towards Penn State:

"Rivalries: Hopefully, West Virginia would not pout like Penn State and continue to play Pitt in football and basketball. The loss of the great rivalries in basketball with the likes of Connecticut, Georgetown and Syracuse wouldn’t be that large a factor. New rivalries quickly would spring up. The football rivalries with Penn State and Ohio State would be enormous."

Why won't the Pittsburgh loyalists just admit it? Pitt needs Penn State more than Penn State needs Pitt.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Will AQ Shipley continue to play football in the Keystone State? Over at Pittsburghlive.com, Mike Prisuta gives us a little insight.

"Yesterday was the first day players were permitted to work out at their team's headquarters and receive compensation per the NFL's collective bargaining agreement.

"That's [Shipley]," [Steelers' director of football operations Kevin] Colbert said of Harrison. "It's not surprising because that's his work ethic. He was here as much as anyone last year. It says a lot about who he is."

Shipley did well for himself at the combine a few weeks ago, and we can wish him only the best.

Pittsburgh Trib

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The week in review

◊ Here are a few items of interest, as we wrap up the week:

• It looks like Penn State All-America center, A.Q. Shipley, is garnering some attention from a host of NFL teams going into the draft. One of those teams is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Black and Gold might remember another long-time offensive center from Penn State, Jeff Hartings. This could work out well for A.Q.

Link: Pittsburgh Tribune Review

• Sophomore cornerback Jesse Alfreno is taking a cue from former quarterback Paul Cianciolo, by playing both football and baseball this spring. It's tough enough to manage school and football, but adding baseball is a real testament to this kid's work ethic. Even better for Alfreno, head coach Robby Wine thinks the move could be smoother for him than it was for Cianciolo, since quarterbacks have a lot more on their plate.

Link: The Daily Collegian

• In an awkward article featuring Ohio State All-America linebacker, James Laurinaitis, the Buckeye said he aspires to a better draft-day showing than his Big Ten predecessors, Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor. The odd thing in this article is that Laurinaitis' own coach, Luke Fickell, didn't do him any justice, saying how teammate Marcus Freeman has much more going for him at the NFL Combine.

Link: The Plain Dealer

• Michigan will be lowering its football ticket prices for 2009. Athletic Director Bill Martin chalked it up to the slow economy. But I'm not really sure how the price decrease will really help. The average season ticket will cost $3.57 less per game than it did in 2008, which makes this whole thing sound more symbolic than anything. If people can afford to fork out $400 for season tickets, do you really think they care whether the price is $53.57 per ticket, or $50?

Link: MGoBlue

• If you like seeing the big boys of sports blogging take a humility pill once in a while, then you have to read the absolute bitch slap put up on The Hoosier Report this week. A Deadspin writer published a nearly incoherent post about Indiana basketball, I guess figuring no one would notice or care that he pretty much bull-sh*tted his way through it. Well, John over at THR noticed, and took him to the wood shed.

Link: Hoosier Report

• Mike over at Black Shoe Diaries has been going over the scholarship outlook for the 2010 recruiting class. In the latest entry, he writes about the running back situation.

Link: Black Shoe Diaries

• It seems that Minnesota's football team has taken secretly taken over its basketball team, as the Gophers have been on a gut-wrenching slide of late. Once the hottest team in the conference at 16-1, the Gophers have gone 3-6 since.

Link: The Daily Gopher

• And in more important basketball news, Penn State beat Illinois by the absurd score of 38-33. Yes, thirty-eight to thirty-three, in basketball, not football. Hail to the Orange (formerly Paint the Town Orange, before they decided to sell out to the evil empire) wasn't too happy.

Link: Hail to the Orange

• Penn State still can't beat Michigan in one way, average stadium attendance. The difference was something like 317 people per game, but it's still annoying. Penn State should have realized that this past year's home schedule wasn't even close to the year prior; and should have scratched the Coastal Carolina game for, at the very least, an FBS (I-A) opponent.

Link: Stadium attendance

• Earlier this week, we got the results of a poll here, asking how readers felt about this year's recruiting class. The verdict was favorable, but not great. Most liked Penn State's 2009 haul, even though the Lions lost out on Jelani Jenkins.

Link: Poll results

Have a great weekend...

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Feb. 13

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Shipley wins Rimington Trophy

You probably already heard about this, so I won't go into to much detail. But the Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting that Penn State senior center AQ Shipley will be awarded the Rimington Trophy. It's given to the best center in college football. Congratulations, AQ!

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Preview: No. 3 Penn State vs. Michigan

Preview: Michigan at No. 3 Penn State
Kickoff: Sat., Oct. 18. 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Weather Forecast: Cool, Partly Cloudy.

Host: Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 7-0 (3-0, Big Ten)
Last Game: Won at Wisconsin, 48-7
Injuries: WR Brett Brackett (concussion - possible), RB Brent Carter (knee - out), DE Jerome Hayes (knee - out), C Doug Klopacz (knee - out), LB Sean Lee (knee - out), DE Devon Still (ankle) - out, S Nick Sukay (foot - out)
Key Players: (offense) QB Daryll Clark, C AQ Shipley;(defense) DE Jared Odrick, S Anthony Scirrotto
Head Coach: Joe Paterno, 43rd season, 379-125-3
Season Statistics:
Offense - 235.1 rush/247 pass/45.3 points per game
Defense - 89.9 rush/169.4 pass/11 points per game
TO Margin - (+8)

Why PSU will win -- The Michigan defensive front is very good, but they haven't faced an offensive line like Penn State's. With a sure-All America selection in A.Q. Shipley, and a few others working towards all-conference honors, Penn State just has to play to the line's strength. Lately, that's just about everything. The Nittany Lions have given up a total of SIX sacks this season, while plowing the way for the best rushing attack in the Big Ten. On the flip side of that, Penn State's defensive front has been the biggest, and most important, surprise this season. After losing so many players, then losing Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma for three games, no one thought the line would play as well. Um, not exactly. Penn State has been able to lean on the defensive line, in both pass and run defense. Penn State should be able to rush only four against Michigan, as they did against Wisconsin, and drop seven into coverage.

Visitor: Michigan Wolverines
Record: 2-4 (1-1 Big Ten)
Last Game: Lost vs Toledo, 13-10
Injuries: RB Brandon Minor (ribs - probable), DE Brandon Braham (leg - probable), WR Martavious Odoms (shoulder - probable), CB Donovan Warren (leg - probable), WR Junior Hemingway (Mono - out), LB Austin Panter (shoulder - out), RB Carlos Brown (foot - out), RB Mike Milano (susp. - out)
Key Players: (offense) RB Sam McGuffie, QB Steven Threet; (defense) LB Obi Ezeh, DT Terrence Taylor
Head Coach: Rich Rodriguez, 1st season at Michigan, 2-4; 8th year overall, 62-30
Season Statistics:
Offense - 130.7 rush/160.8 pass/18.8 points per game
Defense - 102.5 rush/241.7 pass/24.8 points per game
TO Margin - (-8)

Why Michigan will win -- While the offense has been almost a non-factor for Michigan, the defense has been quietly fantastic. It was the defense which turned the Wisconsin blowout into a Michigan win. If there's a chance for Michigan to jump on Penn State, it's with an early turnover or two. And while Wisconsin couldn't throw off Penn State by focusing in on stopping the run, Michigan's front seven could put enough pressure on Daryll Clark to force him into a few mistakes. On offense, the absolute only way Michigan can pull this one out is to not turn the ball over. It's plagued the Wolverines, highlighted by a six-turnover trip to South Bend, but can't come back again. Steven Threet (5 tds, 3 ints) has been the more consistent option at QB, but he hasn't gotten much help from the unit as a whole. There is talent, but no cohesion on offense. Michigan can only hope that the offense has an epiphany between now and Saturday, say, around 4:30 p.m.

What will happen -- I thought Wisconsin would put up a fight, any fight, against Penn State. But the deflating losses against Michigan and Ohio State were too much to overcome. What's Michigan thinking right now? Sure, they're saying that they will bring their best. Well then, what did they bring against Toledo? This game is a total mismatch, both on paper and in real life. Penn State will come out with fire in its eyes, seeking as much revenge as can be crammed into 60 minutes of football. The sheer desire to pound Michigan into the ground will keep Penn State focused enough to put this game away by the fourth quarter. After all, the Penn State coaches realize a win over Michigan doesn't come all that often, and will want to play as many of the backups as possible.

Prediction: No. 3 Penn State, 59 - Michigan, 13 (What?!?! Yeah, I went there.)

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Phil Steele's College Football Preview is HERE :: Initial Thoughts, and Offense

I've gone over the basics so far. Here's what I'm seeing. Ohio State finishes first in the conference, followed by Penn State, and as expected, Wisconsin rounds out the top three. We all know the all-conference and all-american picks, so I won't get into that. But I was very interested to see where some top-name players ended up in the individual position rankings, as well as where Penn State's individual unit rankings fell. This is the official start of the 2008 college football season!

It's been well documented that PS (Phil Steele, and in his spirit, I'm using a PS-style abbreviation) lofted PSU high into the No. 10 spot nationally, shocking many fans in Happy Valley and beyond.

"I doubt anyone else will have the Lions in their Top 10 but this is a talented team and I may have had them higher had their best defensive player (LB Sean Lee) not been lost in the spring."

Those are some strong words. Higher than No. 10; where would have that landed us? Most likely not much higher. I'd expect PS to only notch them up about two slots to No. 8, but come on people, this is PS, and he knows his shit.

Now for the individual position rankings. I don't want to completely rip off PS, so I'm going to give you just enough to force you to buy it when you get out of work today. No PSU QB is in the top 62 for that position. I don't really mind that, as Pat Devlin and Daryll Clark combined for TEN passes in 2007. Fine. However, Evan Royster comes in at a solid No. 44 in the running back list. I'd peg him a bit higher, but this is a very good, conservative rating by PS. Watch for a big jump in his stock if PSU performs well early on.

Unlike previous years, ALL THREE PSU wide receivers make the top 67 list. Jordan Norwood squeaked in at 65, following Deon Butler at No. 44, and Derrick Williams making the top-20, at No. 17. Not bad considering they've combined for more yards than any other set of WRs in PSU history. If you're thinking Andrew Quarless isn't going to start the first few games this year, you may be right, but PS still thinks he's the No. 8 TE going into the season. And in another twist, lowly Dan Lawlor fills the No. 17 fullback spot nicely, and could be a key factor in how Royster does this year.

The offensive line is well represented on PS's rankings. AQ Shipley is the No. 7 center, with Rich Ohrnberger high up at the No. 23 guard slot. I can see this unit having a lot of non-household names on it, but by years end, earning recognition as one of the best OLs in the nation. We'll see. But finally, Mr. Heart Attack himself, Kevin Kelly makes the list for the top kickers yet again, falling at a respectable No. 15 nationally.

*Check back in a little while for the Defense, and other conference observations.

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Penn State will have FIVE captains in 2008

I am all for leadership on this team. The program needs guidance from within. I guess Joe Paterno had no problem then, when the players selected FIVE team captains for 2008. Read the PSU Sports Info release below...

"Nittany Lions Announce Captains for 2008 Season

Gaines, Lee, Scirrotto, Shipley and Williams Elected Captains

April 29, 2008

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., April 29, 2008 - A quintet of seniors have been elected captains of the 2008 Penn State football team.

Defensive end Josh Gaines (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) and safety Anthony Scirrotto (West Deptford, N.J.) were named the defensive captains. Center A.Q. Shipley (Coraopolis) and wide receiver Derrick Williams (Greenbelt, Md.) were named the offensive captains.

In addition, linebacker Sean Lee (Pittsburgh) will serve as an honorary captain in 2008. Lee suffered a serious knee injury earlier this month that will likely keep him off the field this season, but he is planning to return for the 2009 season as a fifth-year senior.

All five of the 2008 captains are on schedule to graduate during the next year. Williams is on schedule to graduate in August, with Gaines and Shipley on track to earn their degrees in December. Lee could graduate in December or next spring, with Scirrotto on schedule to graduate next spring.

A two-year starter, Gaines played an important role in helping the Nittany Lions rank in No. 2 the nation in sacks and No. 7 in rushing defense in 2007. The only returnee on the defensive line with any significant experience going into last season, Gaines was instrumental in helping the unit make substantial progress. The former Northrop High School all-state selection has provided consistently strong play and good leadership the past two seasons. A 2007 honorable-mention All-Big Ten selection, Gaines recorded 40 tackles, with 5.0 TFL, including 2.5 sacks for minus-16 yards. Gaines, who comes from a family of 11 children, also had one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

"I was a little surprised at first when Coach Paterno said I was a captain," Gaines stated. "I just look at it as I've got to keep doing what I've been doing. I was voted a captain for a reason, so they must like what I've been doing. I just try to lead by example and if somebody is down, I try to pick them up."

One of the squad's most versatile and valuable athletes, Scirrotto led the Nittany Lions in interceptions for the second consecutive season in 2007. A physical player that loves to deliver a jarring hit, he has started all 26 games the past two seasons at safety and played a significant role in the success of Penn State's Top 10 defense. Scirrotto has 10 career interceptions, moving him one away from moving into the school Top 10. The former West Deptford High School standout was fourth on the squad with 65 tackles last year, including a tackle for loss, with three interceptions, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. His three interceptions were tied for ninth in the Big Ten. A 2006 first-team All-Big Ten selection, Scirrotto recorded a career-high 10 tackles at Michigan State last season, including 0.5 TFL, and returned an interception 53 yards to set-up a touchdown. A special teams standout, the talented and instinctive Scirrotto was on the field a team-high 1,029 snaps last season and is a probable post-season honors candidate.

A starter in all 26 games the past two seasons, Shipley anchors the offensive line. A hard-working leader for the offense, he has used his skills, tenacity and competitive nature to become one the top offensive linemen in the Big Ten. He was recognized by the conference coaches with his selection as the 2007 first-team All-Big Ten center and will be a candidate for the Rimington Award for the second consecutive year. The Coraopolis, Pa. native also is on the Watch List for the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. The former Moon Area High School standout was selected to the 2007 ESPN.com All-Bowl Team after the Nittany Lions ran for a season-high 270 yards in the 24-17 win over Texas A&M. He also made his first career reception against the Aggies, rumbling for four yards after snaring a deflected pass. He saw action on 997 snaps last season, fourth-highest on the team.

"It's a great honor to be put in the same category with all the great captains Coach Paterno has had before," Shipley said. "We're just going to go about our business, keep everybody moving together in the same direction and lead by example on and off the field."

Williams enrolled at Penn State in January 2005 and has been a catalyst for the Nittany Lions as a receiver, returner and runner the past three seasons. The nation's top prep player in 2004, Williams is a three-year starter coming off a season when he made a team-high 55 receptions, tied for No 3 on the school season list. The immensely talented and hard-working athlete gained 1,121 all-purpose yards last year, second-highest on the team. He averaged a superlative 10.37 yards on his 108 touches. Williams continued to take on a larger role in the passing game, making a team-high 55 catches for 529 yards and three touchdowns. The former Eleanor Roosevelt HS All-American ranked third in the Big Ten in punt returns, averaging 11.0 yards on 23 returns. He swung the momentum of the Notre Dame clash with his electrifying, zig-zagging 78-yard touchdown return, earning the Pontiac Game Changing Performance for the second time in his outstanding career. Williams also averaged 6.3 yards per carry with one score.

A candidate for the 2008 Biletnikoff Award and other post-season accolades, Williams made 25 receptions in the last four games, lifting him into a tied for No. 4 on the school career receptions chart with 117, along with classmate Jordan Norwood and Jack Curry (1965-67). The dynamic playmaker also is No. 15 in Penn State career receiving yards (1,258), needing 262 yards to crack the top 10.

"It's an honor. It doesn't really change anything for me leadership-wise from the past three years," said Williams. "We just want to work hard, go out and do the best we can to bring back a good season."

Lee had a superlative junior season, earning 2007 first-team All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly. But, during practice on April 11, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during practice and is unlikely to play during the 2008 season. Lee had surgery on April 28 and his rehabilitation will take approximately nine months. A rising senior, Lee played as a true freshman in 2005 and has a redshirt year available. The vastly talented, instinctive and intelligent Lee ranked second in the Big Ten with 138 tackles last year, trailing only teammate Dan Connor.

A two-time Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Week honoree in 2007, Lee earned second-team all-conference honors in a league that featured two of the three finalists for the Butkus Award. His 138 tackles were No. 5 on the school season list. Lee recorded double-figures in tackles in 10 of the last 11 games. An intense competitor who loves to hit, Lee also had 10.5 tackles for loss (minus-34), 3.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and grabbed one interception. The swift and strong athlete also was second on the team with eight pass breakups. A first team Class AAAA all-state selection from Upper St. Clair High School, he was tied for first in the Big Ten in fumble recoveries and was tied for No. 7 in the conference in forced fumbles last year.

A starter in the last 26 games, Lee punctuated his marvelous junior season by earning 2007 Valero Alamo Bowl Defensive Player of the Game accolades. He recorded a game-high 14 tackles, tied for most in Alamo Bowl history, to lead a defensive unit that allowed Texas A&M just three points over the final 49 minutes of the game. He also had a minus-yardage hit and a pass break-up in the 24-17 victory to earn a berth on the ESPN.com All-Bowl Team. Lee earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors last year and has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors twice.

"It's an honor to be a captain and join the list of players that have been a captain prior to me," Lee commented. "I've always dreamed of being a captain at Penn State. It's a great responsibility, but we have a great senior class with a lot of leadership."

The Nittany Lions completed spring practice on April 19, as a record crowd of 73,000 attended the annual Blue-White Game. Penn State students are in their final week of classes for the spring semester.

In his 43rd season as head coach, Joe Paterno's squad returns 16 starters (8 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists) from last year's 9-4 squad that defeated Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 25 in the final USA Today Coaches poll, earning their 33rd Top 25 finish under Paterno. Penn State has won 31 of its last 40 games, tied for eighth-best record in the nation over that span."

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