GoPSUSports.com provides us with a great interview with incoming head coach Bill O'Brien, where the new coach gives us an update on his coaching style, some X's and O's talk, and continues to impress with his words.
Also, now that we've heard him speak a few times, we can start to fill out our standard, Bill O'Brien coachspeak bingo cards. Some of the blocks you'll see on your cards:
"gameplan offense" - O'Brien's description of what he'll do on offense, referring to the fact that as of now, he doesn't have an offensive identity, per se, but rather will tailor the offense to suit the opposing defense
"attacking defense" - Blitzing? Blitzing. Yes, please.
[puckerface] - Watch O'Brien (and you'll see this more in the introductory press conference) while a reporter/interviewer is asking a question. It seems to be a tick while he's formulating an answer.
[references a New England players] - "The next Tom Brady may be out there..." You hear that Skyler? He means you.
2 recs | 265 comments
I enjoy the puckerface
make the interviewer think you’re generally disgusted at his question as the default. Eff the media
ckmneon - January 10, 2012
eff the media
something he doubt learned from Bill Bellichik
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Yeah saw that too at the presser
Couldnt figure out is it was a case of the sniffles from a cold, a nervous tick, or some sort of breathing apnea- like sleep apnea but while awake…
PSUinOH - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I was hoping that he would frequently touch the chin dimple
like Robert puts his food on his chin on Everybody Loves Raymond
letsgopsu - January 11, 2012
NOBODY READS THE FANSHOTS
Artiefufkin10 - January 10, 2012
What are fanshots?
dbl5030 - January 10, 2012
"We're going to evaluate our team as soon as we can"
Would love to be a fly on the wall when he sits down with the QB film.
PSU Mudder - January 10, 2012
I'm sure he'll get a good laugh.
tlrpsu - January 10, 2012
It'll go like this..
BOB: “Hey Guys, I think this is tape from a PA high school team with our colors”
Staff:(silent)
BOB: “No seriously guys, where’s our tape?”
(silence)
BOB: “Fu-k”
Artiefufkin10 - January 10, 2012
"Hey that #1 guy farted what looks to be a football into the ground
at the feet of the running back on a screen play. Now, I wonder what happened to the actual ball."
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
I worry about that
Just like I worried about what Guy Gadowski would think after seeing his first ACHA game, but apparently he’s unphased.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Nice to have a coach talking in specifics.
Talking formations, types of tight ends, all kinds of crazy stuff. I like it.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
Why?
I enjoy the Joe Paterno / Bill Belichick “eff you, media” shroud of secrecy. It’s a sort of quiet arrogance I’ve learned to like in head coaches.
ckmneon - January 10, 2012
I think it depends on the coach....
When you win a lot and are successful, like Belichick, then I think you can be like that. A guy like Andy Reid, who has won Zereaux (LSU BCS spelling there) titles, not so much.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
/cough, grumble, mumbles “I need to put my players in a better position to win,” clears throat, repeat.
Bob Sacamano - January 10, 2012
Wow, you must have seen a weird presser, I've never heard BB that talkative.
Press: [very specific question about the offense]
Belichick: We need to play better
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
Press: You don’t have any comment on [follow up specific question]
Belichick: We need to play better
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
[silence]
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
Eh, that was an Andy Reid presser, but I feel that we share the same sentiment.
Bob Sacamano - January 10, 2012
Gotta do a better job.
Gotta do a better job.
MainLion - January 10, 2012
I have lived in TN for a while and don't much follow pro football so I hadn't seen an Andy Reid presser ever.
My brother turned it on and as the intro was going he was joking with one of his friends that Andy Reid would say x, y, z, etc. I was laughing my ass off when he nailed every line in his list of about 10 things… including “I need to put my players in a better position to win.”
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
It's infuriating, but there's a method to it.
Philly sports media is crazy, and he gives them nothing. He almost always takes full blame for everything and rarely throws a player under the bus. It’s a different flavor of Belichick, really.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
I understand the strategy...
I’m just surprised that his self-blaming style hasn’t gotten him fired. Philly sports fans aren’t exactly known for their patience or inability to speak their mind. And when a guy takes the blame every week, at some point don’t you start to really believe it is all his fault?
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
Thankfully, fans don't get to make that decision.
Especially when the stadium is always sold out and the team usually makes the playoffs. Fact is, he’s one of the better coaches in the league.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
that says...
a lot about the quality of NFL coaches.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
I'm not an Eagles fan
but I always get a little upset when people get down on Reid. I can understand wanting a new start, but the guy took the team to 4 straight NFC championship games and went to the SB once. And they had a chance to win it.
I think it says more about how hard it is to win a SB.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
You get to certain point...
where you realize that a guy isn’t going to win you a super bowl. You then move on. Plus, he hasn’t gotten better as a coach. He is a terrible game day coach. Great prep guy though.
Esteban d' Amur - January 11, 2012
It’s been my opinion for years and years, that coaches matter less and less the higher you get.
An innovative high school coach who ingrains fundamentals at that level of learning can dominate a local league for years. Plant that coach in college and he might be a good coordinator. Why isn’t every NFL team knocking on Chris Peterson’s door?
Of course, there are good ones and bad ones, clock management in crunch time and game planning stand out, but having the horses the higher you get is the most important factor IMO.
hbeach08 - January 10, 2012
Interesting explanation, especially because I've always thought the exact opposite.
Never thought of it your way. I get it, though.
As for Reid, I mean, the guy is a killer after bye weeks. He’s a pretty good judge of talent. The team makes the playoffs rather consistently. He bungles actual game management issues like nobody else. He’s still better than [standard re-tread NFL hire]. Once you get past the very best coaches in the league, Reid’s probably in that next tier.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
"judge of talent"
ranks VERY highly for me
same in college…you can’t miss on kids year after year…of course guys get stronger and can get better….but I think Parcells said something about turning puppies into wolves or something like that…ya’ either got it or ya’ don’t.
hbeach08 - January 10, 2012
I don't necessarily disagree...
but I think we all know what happens when the unshowered masses get an idea in their head. Every presser giving those people the same idea is an interesting strategy is all.
The problem I’ve had with what I know of the Eagles for quite a while is that every year, at the beginning, people talk about them having a dream team as if they can’t miss… and they always seem to miss.
I understand the task is difficult. But I also understand that NEVER seeming to meet expectations usually results in coaching changes, regardless of whether the expectations are realistic or not. That’s the biggest reason why the coaching carousel exists… especially when it comes to new coaches coming into a program.
I hope we have the patience to give O’Brien a fair shake. We may not have been truly elite for a bit (a couple of really good years in the 00’s notwithstanding), but I also think we have all become a bit spoiled by generally having reasonably competitive teams for quite a long run.
BNittsDeMilo - January 11, 2012
And he loves the national media
Nittanian - January 10, 2012
Well....
It’s not just the secrecy. Bill doesn’t need to talk X’s and O’s. His offenses seem to do well on the field. With Joe, I really question whether or not he knew what to do when the offensive game started to evolve.
Swiggs - January 10, 2012
Because I like it?
I enjoy hearing specific things about what the coach is trying to implement, what he’s looking for in his players, etc. It’s interesting. I’ve dealt with Joe Paterno press interaction my entire life and Andy Reid for the past 12 years. This is refreshing, even if it turns out to be temporary.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
I don't follow many new coaching hires at other schools.
And maybe that is why, but I have never really heard a new coach come in and talk about his specific football plans. I really get the sense he knew he was coming into a situation where the fans were begging for something new and went out of his way explain his philosophy. I kinda like it.
Swiggs - January 10, 2012
But wasn't this a different approach with the same
Paterno like result. Was there a type of offense or defense he didn’t name and say we are going to run? I’m pretty sure he threw them all in there. By the time he was done, I don’t think anyone could say with certainty what he is going to do.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
Oh sure it makes the pressers more worthwhile and interesting
but I always enjoyed Paterno’s condescending attitude toward reporters. To know that I could count on an hour’s worth of “you are not worthy to be in the same room” made in-season Tuesdays better.
ckmneon - January 10, 2012
I get that, and it's fun to see JoePa smack down a dumb question.
But it’s a really arrogant, entrenched approach to handling the media and I’d prefer it remain a relic of the past. It does nothing but work against the program.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
And is undoubtedly one cause...
of the media feeding frenzy that we saw.
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
I think there's something to that.
College coaches have to play ball with the media to a pretty good extent, and Paterno reached a point where he felt that to be (a) too annoying, (b) unnecessary, and/or © beneath him. I’m expecting O’Brien to be another Pat Chambers — willing to talk to anyone who will put a microphone in front of him, and selling the program as much as possible.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
You can't copyright
and/or. It’s for all of us!
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
what if he switches it up to
or/and? Get a fresh new take on it.
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
You just blew my mind.
You are just like BOB and his multiset offense. Thinking outside the box and trying to get the best possible matchups.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
That's a gameplan offense, right there!
jtothep - January 10, 2012
/drink
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
I guess we could just start saying BOR
for Boolean OR
ckmneon - January 11, 2012
I agree.
Nick Saban was brutally condescending with the local media in south LA. The moment he left for Miami, payback began. All of which contributed mightily to preparing the field for the total and irrational demonization of “Little Nicky” when he took the Alabama job.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
The Alabama media,
does not refer to him at Little Nicky. They fellate him every chance they get.
Paige2PSU - January 10, 2012
If the last two months have taught me anything
it’s that the media at large does not have PSU’s best interest at heart. They’ll even sacrifice their sacred ethics (WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU, FOOGE?) and lie to make PSU look bad.
That doesn’t mean it’s in PSU’s best interest to be dickish to them, but I really don’t see any moral or selfish reason to be nice to them.
ckmneon - January 10, 2012
He can talk specifics with most reporters
as long as every time Giger asks a question he laughs derisively and then says “Any real reporters wanna ask a question?”
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
I've always thought that Cory Giger smells like Bologna myself.
The Heel - January 11, 2012
Its like getting a new car...
Does not mean you did not love the old one to death but it sure is nice seeing all the new buttons that can be pushed and the window goes down again. Its just nice to hear something new. I loved Joe and Tom but we really needed fresh air in the program and I did not even realize it until I heard BOB speak about this stuff.
I cant wait!
PSU_sincebirth - January 10, 2012
Good analagy.
I feel like we all realized how bad we needed something new, but it was just scary to think about.
tlrpsu - January 10, 2012
Joe Paterno
was an 81 Aries K, rumbling down Rt 322 with coke bottle glasses for headlights. Once was Motor Trend’s Car of the year and saved an entire company. Tough to retire that old car despite the AC no longer working and the tape deck eating cassettes. You knew exactly what you were getting when you drove and it got you there every time, often bypassing broke down Chevys on the side of the road, and occasionally even dusting a souped up Honda Civic at the start line.
Now we have a 2012 Acura TL with lots of HP and a GPS and a bluetooth hookup for your iphone. And the car is ugly as hell, but it’s sure going to be an interesting new drive.
PSU Mudder - January 10, 2012
Did you just call BOB ugly?
jetskijoe - January 10, 2012
Ugly might be too strong a word, but the resemblance is striking.
PSU Mudder - January 10, 2012
aren't there some cars with bigger chin dimples?
tlrpsu - January 10, 2012
Yes there are... and they're better than an Acura.
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
Looks like an Audi.
Which means it’s really a VW.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
It is technically a VW I guess (which I did not know)...
Nonetheless it has a swell chin dimple. And I certainly would be happy to park it in my (non-existent) garage if anyone is giving them out.
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
I drive an Audi A3.
AKA: VW GTI for grown folks.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
The second fastest Golf there is!
WorldBFat - January 10, 2012
Nobody will know it's second fastest
once I retrofit some RS 3 badges.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
You have the TT to deal with.
WorldBFat - January 10, 2012
I'll get a body kit . . .
If I’m doing “all show, no go,” then I might as well show all the way.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
replying up here so the pic fits
You disgust me.
WorldBFat - January 10, 2012
Wow . . .
Sabre teeth?
There goes the “for grown folks” hook.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
This is how rumors and....
bad reporting becomes “fact”…..Joe’s tape deck was an 8-Track, taped with B/W duct tape to the glove compartment AND the model was a ‘62 Plymouth Valiant (purchased from Sue’s parents), stick on the floor…it got 12 miles per gallon, but then gas was only 17-cents per gallon or less if there was a “gas war”.
DerryPharmer - January 10, 2012
I Agree
I was getting a little tired of watching teams pour 5-8 yard completions on us because we insisted on running that soft cover 2. Seeing an aggressive scheme with players like Hodges and Mauti could be very exciting.
Two Shades of Blue - January 10, 2012 via iPhone app
It feels good
to be excited about Penn State Football
The Mustard Tiger - January 10, 2012
Hey mustard tiger
wanna have dinner with me tonight?
Dr.TobiasFunke - January 10, 2012
This is not
the time or the place Tobias
The Mustard Tiger - January 10, 2012
Don't use my real name please
Dr.TobiasFunke - January 10, 2012
douche chill....
The Mustard Tiger - January 10, 2012
WHat the hell?
Artiefufkin10 - January 10, 2012
"I'm a fast learner"
#notcharlieweisstweets
jtothep - January 10, 2012
So candid
’there’s gonna be a certain amount of learning on the job.’
jtothep - January 10, 2012
'A lot of cross-checking, a lot of dialogue, a lot of documentation'
I think I just processgasm’d
jtothep - January 10, 2012
i'm stealing processgasm'd
spakajewia - January 10, 2012
Process based decisions over Results based decisions
Please, God, yes.
psuwxman - January 10, 2012
Ok, I'll admit it
I just swooned a little.
jtothep - January 10, 2012
I echo others.
There is a certain level of excitement to having something new. Maybe it’s all hype, but after listening to JoePa same essentially the same thing in every presser and every interview in recent years, it’s a breath of fresh air to experience something new.
My big fear — very rough first couple of years. The last two recruiting classes (including this year) have been less than stellar. I have serious doubts that the current players on this roster can run BOB’s system. Furthermore, after the 2nd grade level playbook utilized by Jay/Galen, these guys will be seriously challenged to learn and execute a new offensive system.
Swiggs - January 10, 2012
That's where the salesmanship skills of the staff come into play.
If O’Brien can nab some talent that fits his system in this year’s class and just let them take the field and go, maybe they won’t know that they’re not supposed to be good yet. Remember how quickly the offense transformed when Butler, Williams, King and Norwood came to town.
PSU_Buch - January 10, 2012
Can we agree that Skyler will not be Brady?
He can totally tear up opposing defenses. But lets leave the douchieness (sp?) in NE.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
what?
you mean you don’t like uggs?
Why did I Graduate? - January 10, 2012
or beiber hair
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Gisele can come
Ben16 - January 10, 2012
does she, now?
TheAL76 - January 10, 2012
nice
hbeach08 - January 10, 2012
No
Smee - January 10, 2012
rec
tlrpsu - January 10, 2012
only if she agrees to clean my bathroom everyweek
psualum9931 - January 10, 2012
The best part is 2:09-2:26
I can’t wait to find out what a “Bear Front” is…
Thomas Rzucidlo - January 10, 2012
Please please please
let it involve actual bears.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
Or did he actually mean "Bare front"?
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
Yes.
DerryPharmer - January 10, 2012
Damn, didn't keep reading.
Sorry NR.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
No, that was our O-Line in 2010.
87Townie - January 10, 2012
Keep the Sandusky jokes
out of this!
Tailgate Shogun - January 10, 2012
Not what I was going for
Not at all.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
Best description I could find:
Is all about Rex and Rob Ryan’s implementation of it.
Thomas Rzucidlo - January 10, 2012
Rec'd
by Mayor Black Bear of Galeton.
cs93 - January 10, 2012
Nono
he meant bare front. Think backwards assless chaps.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
Aren't chaps assless by definition?
icavalera - January 10, 2012
They could be.
I guess I’m not a chaps expert.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
I swear this comes up everytime I hear a discussion about assless chaps
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
I think the point is
that you rarely get to use “assless” as an adjective. You can’t waste the opportunity when it arises even if there is some implied redundancy.
Nittany Llini - January 10, 2012
You make a valid point - one I hadn't considered before.
I’ll have to rethink how I discuss chaps going forward.
icavalera - January 10, 2012
Nicely postulated!
And, I agree.
jtothep - January 10, 2012
Bear front refers to Buddy Ryan's eagled down 4-6 look from the mid 80s
It is great against power run teams, but can get torched if you can’t man up well.
carolinaeasy - January 10, 2012
And I'm not sure we do...
However, I gotta think that that kind of defense would be very attractive to recruits.
The best CBs probably fancy their ability to handle guys one on one and guys on the line and linebackers are probably psyched to be coming off the bus blitzing.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Ahem, calling Armani Reeves
jrock4 - January 10, 2012
seriously call him
someone has to
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Better yet BOB should show up on his front porch holding a boom box over his head
jrock4 - January 10, 2012
Lloyd Dobler FTW
YOU MUST CHILL!!! YOU MUST… CHILL!!!!
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Thank you!
I keep trying to find that clip on youtube!
Paige2PSU - January 10, 2012
IS this the one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpP8N-X1dF4
wonderlin - January 10, 2012
YAIS, THANKS!
The other one I want is the parking lot of the convenience store when the guy goes, “Dude, you’re bringing me down,” or something like that!
Paige2PSU - January 10, 2012
Well
This is a pretty bad clip, but that part is in there, about 90+ seconds in.
Once I get my editing software reinstalled (new computer) I can see if I can edit it down for you. Maybe find a better quality clip first though.
wonderlin - January 10, 2012
Dagnabbit!
forgot the link! Geesh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkVTbmTbakE&feature=colike
wonderlin - January 10, 2012
Wonder, wife and I met DC17 in
State College over the weekend. Said he was all ready to be a GA, then the situation blew up. Was really eager.
Got a pic with him I posted on the other thread, where you asked about DC.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 10, 2012
<3
Love that movie
letsgopsu - January 10, 2012
Bear
its the 4-6-1
4 down, 6 LB’s 1 FS
Kunza - January 10, 2012
Too many FS's.
Need more LBs on the field.
PSU_Lions_84 - January 10, 2012
center and both guards covered by down defensive linemen
hbeach08 - January 10, 2012
Rawwr!
jtothep - January 10, 2012
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Somehow, this made me laugh maybe more than any post in a very long time.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
I think it's the idea that
HB’s technical description of the bear front is somehow emobied by the noise a bear makes.
PSUinBOSSton - January 10, 2012
Does that front...
put more pressure on a lineman than others. I mean in terms of reading who you are supposed to block, getting off the initial block and getting to the second level, setting up pass blocking, etc…
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
its a run clogger, to be sure
can also set up inside “A” gap blitzes by LB’s forcing QB and RB to make quick decisions
A gap being between guard and center
hbeach08 - January 10, 2012
well in madden...
a bear front was like a 46…stacked in the middle with 2 lb’s and man coverage on the outside…i think
lionalum05 - January 10, 2012
My guess is he is refering to the old Buddy Ryan/Chicago Bears front once run by half the teams in the NFL, IIRC it was known back then as the “36” D.
Kev S - January 10, 2012
*46 not 36
Kev S - January 10, 2012
I'm good with 36 D's, Kev.
Oo-la-la!
PSU_Lions_84 - January 10, 2012
Or maybe he meant the 86 Chicago Bears
I used to often run the “mad dog” and “tiger” on Madden because of the names.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
methinks you mean the 85 Bears
the 86 team on paper may have been better, in fact they went 14-2 without Jim McMahon, who was a combination of fat and very injured from Charles Martin’s hitlist sack. If you think Rob Bolden/McGloin is a bad set of QB options, try Mike Tomczak/Doug Flutie/ Steve Fuller.
I digress, the 85 defense was the greatest of all time.
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Right. 85
I’m thinking 86 Penn State.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Ok
The 85 Bears coached by 86 Ditka and 86 Bears coached by 85 Ditka play each other in the Superbowl. Who ya got?
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
Ditka
kijana's acl - January 10, 2012
HOLD AHHN! HOLD AHHHN!
is Ditka Quarterbacking? and if so which team?
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
I love these gopsusports interviews
They remind me of that old Chris Farley sketch where he just asked “remember….that was awesome.”
I don’t know who that guy is. He works for PSU somehow. I’ve seen him around at PSU events and he was out with a bunch of WBB alums and boosters at Rotelli’s the other night.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
TONY MANCUSO
ChrisHarrell's_stache05 - January 10, 2012
Chris Farley: Remember in Terminator, when you said “I’ll be back.” ?
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Yes.
Chris Farley: That was awesome!
icavalera - January 10, 2012
"Old Mother Dunn.....
went to the cupboard to get his poor Lions a bone, when he got there, the cupboard was full-BOBBED Bare, and the poor Little B1G had none."
DerryPharmer - January 10, 2012
So...9 men in the Box?
That’s what it looks like. I don’t really understand what a “flex nose tackle” is.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
The DL will......
sometimes play zone.
DerryPharmer - January 10, 2012
I'm interested to see the "Bear" front defense
Or is it “bare”? Either you send in a huge lineman who eats a running back or quarterback alive, or you send out a lineman butt-nekkid and the other team gives up a down because they’re laughing too much and get a delay of game.
RWReese - January 10, 2012
Obviously the posts above came in while I was slowly typing on my iPad...sorry
RWReese - January 10, 2012
It's "Bear".
As in Chicago Bears. This seems helpful:
http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2010/8/12/1614381/the-bear-defensive-front
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
I can't follow all of that
I already have a full-time job.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Does the "we're going to be a multiple look defense" relate to why he picked Roof?
Is that his style? It doesn’t seem like it was at Auburn. That gives me hope that what he did at Auburn isn’’t what he’s capable of.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
What he did at Auburn
was coach the two worst defenses in school’s history.
YAY!Paige2PSU - January 10, 2012
My fear is that he's expecting too much of college kids.
Pros can handle huge play books and multiple d’s because they’re pros. There’s not a lot of practice time in college relatively-speaking.
RWReese - January 10, 2012
I had the number 1 defense in my region this year in Yards allowed
We ran the 3-4, 3-3 stack, 4-3, and a derivative of the bear front. And I coach high school kids from the “corridor of shame”. It isn’t that hard unless you start getting really funky on the back end of your coverages.
carolinaeasy - January 10, 2012
Yes but these are college kids.
jetskijoe - January 10, 2012
I was stupider in college than in high school
But yeah – I’m not too worried about “don’t get too cute, our kids can’t handle it.” Especially with regard to expanding the offensive playbook beyond the plays in NCAA ‘12. If our kids truly can’t handle it, 1) teach them how to handle it, and 2) recruit kids who can and want to handle it.
PSUCharmas - January 10, 2012
dont know about you but i run essentially
the same 5 or 6 run plays and 3-4 pass plays in NCAA 12.
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
There are more plays than the playbook of NCAA '12?
Damn. Maybe I’m not qualified to be a college coach after all.
psuphysicist - January 10, 2012
Next thing I know
You’ll be telling me there isn’t an ask the coach button.
psuphysicist - January 10, 2012
There is but it is a direct line to Galen Hall
So your playbook actually shrinks.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
And you have to burn a timeout
nuker77 - January 10, 2012
And the announcers keep pointing out that...
somewhere behind the glass… is Joe Paterno.
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
well that or Galen just passes it off to Jay cause its his turn
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
I'm pretty sure some of the confusion this year...
was because Galen didn’t shake the Etch-a-Sketch hard enough to erase the last play, before passing it to Jay. Jay was always a Lite Bright guy anyway.
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
There's a shitton of Alabama players who can handle it
jtothep - January 10, 2012
Saban tends to recruit smart kids.
He did at LSU. And I believe it’s more because he wants to run complex schemes than due to any noble commitment to academics.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
Yeah, and smarts in football players is sometimes very tough to read for fans
Courtney Upshaw is a 3yr letterman for Saban and is presumably in line to graduate (not sure of the major). When he came on for an interview with Erin Andrews the other night, the first thing I said was ‘holy shit!’ That was before he began speaking. I’ve seen that dude play probably 6 times, but somehow had never seen him without his helmet on. My wife goes ‘what?’ I said ‘look at that dude. He’s in college.’ His arms are pythons, his torso narrows, he’s got massive hips & thighs, but none of that does anything to describe his head. Did you guys get a look at that thing?
Just an amazing physical individual.
Anyway, I had also never heard him speak. He was plenty polite and seemed like a good dude. But, like thousands of other football players across the country, grammar on the mic was not a strong suit. So that’s the first impression my wife got of him. But he’s plenty smart enough to operate in Saban’s complex for college defensive schemes all the while putting in time enough to grow beastly and go to class enough to stay eligible and probably graduate. It totally can be done.
jtothep - January 10, 2012
Saban kills kids who miss class.
He brought in the late Roger Grooters to run the Academic Center for Athletes and forced the administration to upgrade their academic facilities.
The grammar issue is largely a function of HS and cultural background. I see some pretty damn smart students who will probably never in their lives get subject/verb agreement in a sentence. We’ve had some discussion on here about how bad Paul Jones’ school (Sto-Rox I think) is. It would probably be a magnet school in south LA.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
Having a dead guy running an academic center?
Scaring those kids straight!
WorldBFat - January 10, 2012
Now that I think about it . . .
SubLime - January 10, 2012
Sounds like Nebraska
jtothep - January 10, 2012
we played a bear front from time to time when i was in high school
let’s not sell these guys short. i don’t think we recruited many dummies (won’t make a comment about the qb situation). put in some new stuff and let ‘er rip. you can always dial back if they can’t handle it.
NuclearLion - January 10, 2012
If our players are the scholar-athletes we continuously brag about them being.
They’ll find a way to remember a few extra plays and formations than what they were previously taught.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
Theres a bit of difference
between remembering your periodic tables and remembering the route your 3rd progression is running as a 275 lb DE is bearing down on you. Just saying is all.
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
repitition
if these guys want to really succeed in a new system, hopefully they’ll be doing some work on their own outside of organized practice. It sounded like clark and mrob lead the charge on that in the past; a new, more complex system’s gonna require even more work. hopefully obrien’s able to get some actual leaders in to keep guys focused when the coaching staff’s not watching.
NuclearLion - January 10, 2012
Flash cards
Seriously, that’s the only way I can learn a big pile of stuff. Saved me in college.
Other teams have QBs that are able to see the whole field and remember the offense. Houston, for example. I think we can do that too.
Skarocksoi is right, however, that just knowing it and being able to execute it under pressure are two different things. Bolden, for example, often seems to make the right play about a half second too late.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
There's a bit of difference
between having position coach/cordinator responsibilities among guys who live and get paid to perform 24/7 and having head coach responsibilities among guys who attend class, must pass academic standards, and are limited in practice time. Just saying is all.
Smee - January 10, 2012
Oh, I get that.
And it’s a two-way street. Players have to know more and coaches have to teach better. We’ve all been clamoring for more excitement and diversity in our offense. It’s here. O’Brien’s likely smart enough to not dump a 300-page binder in everyone’s lap and expect it to be memorized right away. It’ll take time.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
BillCallahan'd!
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
think Oregon
Somehow Oregon’s players run their offense – nicely put, there are not many Academic All-Americans on that team.
dwlion - January 10, 2012 via iPhone app
unnicely put
they’s DUMB
Cari Greene - January 10, 2012
Does this mean we're going to have giant cue cards on the sidelines for our players to "read" before each play?
GMac14 - January 10, 2012
OOOOH.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
Navy uses those
It might not be a terrible idea if it works.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012 via mobile
True, but going for intelligence would certainly play to one of our relative strengths
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Intelligence is nice with a large......
dollop of athleticism.
DerryPharmer - January 10, 2012
That was a nice interview
I really hope he does well here.
misdreavus79 - January 10, 2012
Agreed
I’ve watched a lot of William & Mary basketball. We’re like Duke without any of the basketball skill.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Are you in Williamsburg?
I’ve been for about 12 years now.
rahpsu92 - January 10, 2012
Not any more
I went to college there. A while ago.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
Go Tribe
I had hoped Joyner & Co. would interview Jimmye — not so much to hire him (he wouldn’t leave anyway) as to get a darn good benchmark against which to judge other candidates.
Smee - January 10, 2012
Laycock is never leaving. I don't think he'd even pretend to consider it.
He had chances to go to BC and Clemson in the late 80s and decided his family is happy in Williamsburg. There are a few other 1AA guys like that who might do well in the big time but are now too old to make that move. Andy Talley at Nova and the guy at App State seem to be happy where they are. I’m not sure about Craig Bohl at NDSU. He may want to move up.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I think we can finally put our fingers on why BOB was hired and Joe was fired
Its the hair.
Obviously Joyner is incredibly self-conscious about his hairless noggin and was jealous of that thick quaff of italian hair atop Joe’s, so Joyner supplanted him with his own follicly challenged puppet. All Hail the Hairless!
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
If we get 10 wins next season I'll bic mine down to nothing.
BNittsDeMilo - January 10, 2012
Special Teams.
Yes.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
I just got around to watching this!
He continues to say all the right things. The only thing I didn’t understand was this “man to man” defense thingy? Sounds sketchy.
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
I think that's important.
A lot of high-end CB recruits simply didn’t want to play at PSU because they’d be lining up 8 yards off the ball so often. Not that Bradley’s defenses weren’t effective (which yes, is the point), but they were hard to sell to high school defensive backs.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
I always found it curious...
that Justin King and some other “elite” recruits would come to PSU. It says something about the good recruiting job the staff did. However, it also explains why it seems very few stick in the NFL for very long (or have a big impact).
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
Yeah, for all the front seven guys we send to the NFL.
…not many of the DB’s stick around for very long, if they make it at all.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
Our "best" DB's (relatively speaking)...
Anwar Phillips, Zamaitis, King, etc… found themselves getting some playing time (King is still in there), but they never stick. I’m sure the 4 years of zone kills their chances. Same with our safeties, with a few exceptions (Bryan Scott). Maybe this will change things.
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
Safeties
Kim Herring played in the NFL for quite awhile.
Lowry was around a bit too
nuker77 - January 10, 2012
Forgot about Herring...
And I’m just saying, as Grovich said, when compared to the front seven… hell… even RB’s and FB’s, the lack of NFL “staying power” for our DB’s is shocking.
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
I think that is an across...
the board issue. It seems to me that there is tremendous turnover at that position in the NFL.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
Our safeties occasionally stick around.
I mean, Herring is my age (36). He hasn’t been in the league since ’05. Bryan Scott is still around, another safety. Lowry, safety, and really only started one full year.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
As was Darren Perry.
icavalera - January 10, 2012
I think we're better with safeties.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
King and Macklin are the only two great CBs I can recall.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012
I think Zemaitis was a better corner than King.
Brian Miller was pretty good, too. Speaking of college careers only, of course.
icavalera - January 10, 2012
Duffy Cobbs
has to be in the top 5.
Though, as a PSU homer, I’ve learned to judge corners primarily on their run-support. As evidenced by my support for Derek Bochna and Clint Holes.
bscaff - January 10, 2012
Holes was a safety, not a corner.
He was a big hitter, from what I remember, though.
icavalera - January 11, 2012
King was not great imo
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 10, 2012
should've stayed for his senior season
and he wasn’t even drafted high AT ALL which made the jump even more silly, IMO
Cari Greene - January 10, 2012
Though he also played a lot of safety
jtothep - January 11, 2012
Articulate, motivated, and intelligent...
Jeez folks, we got ourselves a ball coach here. I’m stoked. Is it too soon?
87Townie - January 10, 2012
For what its worth
Darren Perry appears to be the one of the front runners as new head coach of the Raiders
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
I don't think he would have made the move
from position coach in the NFL to position coach in college.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
Love the fact that when I search for his image...
I get Katy Perry with some tool named Darren.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Darren+Perry&view=detail&id=176127B40BB9C64B8A31FE95188298FE92AB50C1&first=0&qpvt=Darren+Perry&FORM=IDFRIR&adlt=strict
LB31Monster - January 10, 2012
Should probably use Google instead.
Bob Sacamano - January 11, 2012
no i didnt mean for that
i was just saying he was a name that came up a lot as a candidate for this job, so its interesting to see that he is coveted elsewhere (even if its the raiders)
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Very interesting . . .
Particularly since Al Davis is not making the hire — at least I’m pretty sure he isn’t.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
He's too busy calling O'Brien's wife from the grave
jtothep - January 10, 2012
For what it's worth, some of our assistants have
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 10, 2012
Was going to say that, too.
Stan Hixon made WR-to-WR move from Buffalo. Don’t really get it, but I’ll take it.
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
PSU is arguably a better gig than Buffalo
No disrespect to the Bills, but that’s got to be a frustrating situation.
reedjohnmiller - January 10, 2012 via mobile
The one thing the Bills can say
At least we’re not the Browns.
/palmface
/shakes head
PSUPing - January 11, 2012
The first time...
Matt McGloin audibles at the line will be the happiest and scariest moment in recent PSU history.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
FUCK IT!
EVERYONE GO DEEP!
DrewRusse - January 10, 2012
Yeah...
we will all learn the hand signal for the vertical patterns real quick.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
Imagine it's just a dismissive wanking motion to the sideline
and then he unleashes the Dragon.
F it.
Tailgate Shogun - January 10, 2012
I'm picturing Tecmo
Nittanian - January 10, 2012
/calls flea flicker
/runs to back of own endzone
/throws ball 120 yards downfield
/indescribable anticipation
TOUCHDOWN!
Just like in real life.
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
you mean
???
TOUCHDOWN!
TheAL76 - January 10, 2012
/cue hot route to Justin Brown on a fly
dbl5030 - January 10, 2012
interestingly enough
That moment will very likely proceed the first time BOB gets into a shouting match with our QB on the sidelines.
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
Let's just hope the
“Who’s clearly in charge” dynamics are different on our sidelines.
Smee - January 10, 2012
The importance of that can't be overstated.
During games and practices. There should be no doubt who is running things now.
Chris Grovich - January 10, 2012
not specifically at you ska
but does the shouting match with Brady really bother people? seemed like an isolated incident to me for two guys on a struggling team at the time. I read somewhere that O’Brien and Brady are actually good friends who’s families spent xmas together. dont know if that includes Brady’s Brazilian supermodel wife or his bastard love child with a Hollywood starlet that makes us all infuriate him so
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
I'm...
not sure I would call his Baby’s mama a Hollywood starlet. Solid B level celeb.
His shouting match doesn’t bother me.
Esteban d' Amur - January 10, 2012
shes pretty hot
thats what i was going for
swiggy04 - January 10, 2012
Isn't that what we're all going for?
Nittany_Ryan - January 10, 2012
I believe JoePa
was grabbing jerseys and doing a little sideline screaming through the mid 1990s.
bscaff - January 10, 2012
I loved the shouting match
I was watching the video the other day and it looks like Brady starts to get on Underwood for not catching the pass, and then BOB steps in and just goes off on Brady, who was the one who threw a shitty pass into tight coverage in the end zone in the first place. I like that he was holding Brady, who typically is treated like a golden god, I’m sure, accountable.
LAPSU - January 10, 2012
At first I thought it might be problematic
then I realized that anyone who’s putting Tom Brady is his place is cool in my book.
PSU Mudder - January 10, 2012
doesnt bother me in the slightest
football can be an emotional game. People get mad and shout. Big deal. I’d be worried if he punched him in the face or something but thats it.
However, college kids are a little different. I dont want to see crap like Brian Kelly or Bo Pelini on the sidelines all the time. If a kid does a bonehead thing again and again and BOB flips out once, no big deal. If everytime a kid runs off to the sideline and hes there throwing fits, I’m not going to enjoy it.
And you know McG is going to get it at least once. BOB himself said he has patience for the 1st time a kid makes a mistake and not after that. We know McGloin doesn’t have problems making the same mistake over and over again…
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
Rec'd for
‘BOB himself said…’
Dude is skyrocketing up our popularity polls.
jtothep - January 10, 2012
It really would be asymptotic at this point.
I retweeted a Scout poll a couple of days ago that said something like “After an initial 70% D/F rating, BOB is now 90% A/B…”
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
/googles asymptotic
jtothep - January 11, 2012
Fixed
ICEICETHATGUY13 - January 10, 2012
Oh yea, for sure.
/checks out of FB dive
//checks into trips wide go-routes
///UNLEASHES HELL
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
I have to say
he really sounds like the right guy for the job. I’m excited for the future again and that feels good.
Good luck Coach!
SarcasmJam - January 10, 2012
Same here.
The more I hear from Coach O’Brien, the more I like him.
psu2007 - January 10, 2012
So does the season start tomorrow.
Who is ready for the season to start now :)
jetskijoe - January 10, 2012
Jay fired!
Jay Paterno relieved of his duties.
con10der - January 10, 2012
Just saw on the ticker
that Pres erickson will step down……after his contract is up in 2014
farrellpsu - January 10, 2012
That's a
SHOCK!Smee - January 10, 2012
Lackey, we hardly knew ye.
SubLime - January 10, 2012
"The next Tom Brady may be out there..."
“The next Gisele Bündchen may be out there…”
Fight on, State.
MainLion - January 10, 2012
Well that's a rec.
Jeff Junstrom - January 10, 2012
Is that her O face?
only one way to find out I guess…
skarocksoi - January 10, 2012
PSUPing - January 10, 2012
the third day in a row there is an OfficeSpace reference
here at BSD
tlrpsu - January 10, 2012
I haven't gotten a chance to watch this yet.
I’ve generally been hopeful for BOB, but his DC hire has me perplexed and frustrated. Most of you know that my other team is Auburn. Ted Roof coached the two worst defenses in Auburn history. They seriously regressed under his leadership. The only reason he took the UCF DC position last month is that he would have been fired from Auburn had he not voluntarily left for a lesser position.
I hope Johnson and Vanderlinden can balance out the Roof factor, but I’m doubtful.
Paige2PSU - January 10, 2012
I'm with you on this
I want to believe. But it’s not exactly easy, considering how defense was always a strength, even when the offense couldn’t get out of their own way.
Tailgate Shogun - January 10, 2012
i noticed he mentioned Ralph (Friedgen maybe)
was he referencing him as an influence or as a member of his staff?
lionalum05 - January 10, 2012
No one has mentioned the PA recruiting remark.
Something to the effect that every coach will have an area of Pennsylvania as part of his recruiting responsibility.
It will be nice if some burned bridges can be rebuilt.
CvilleLion - January 11, 2012
I think PA recruiting will have a rebirth for the class of 2013
Let’s build a friggin wall on the PA-OH border….. and steal back Noah Spence while we’re at it!
Nittany Merle - January 11, 2012
I want this wall as well.
If Urban or Brady want to go from Yo’town to Sharon, then Checkpoint Charlie must be negotiated.
SubLime - January 11, 2012
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