Many people have asked me since Penn States miraculous turnaround, can they do it again? My answer to them is, yes.
They can repeat an 11-1 season, and they even have a chance to go undefeated. In all fairness, yes, M-Rob is gone, drafted by the 49's with the 100th pick overall.
In the 2005-2006 season he was the main man who made the difficult choices in triage on the gridiron. He did what many called impossible. Led a ill sickened Penn State Nittany Lions squad from the depths of their own souls into the promise land...
From worst to first is a corny saying, but it is true in cases such as Penn States storied comeback. Robinson single handedly took games over for Penn State.
His mistakes led to their greatness and his legacy which will always be told about in Happy Valley. I will be honest when he fumbled late in the game against Northwestern I blew my top off. I had it with him. But oh my, when he threw that 4th and 15 pass to Smolko, he threw that ball with the velocity of Brett Favre's pass. And when he tossed up that bomb to D-Will, all was forgiven.
His pass to D-Will, the deciding pass, wasn't pretty. But that's what made it so great and made it work. In fact the pass was so bad and wobbly, Williams actually had to slow down and come slightly back to the ball creating space from him and the Northwestern corner back, enabling Williams to shimmy his way under and around to the end zone.
If that ball was thrown with direct precision I'm convinced he would have caught it, but wouldn't have scored. Who knows maybe that once in a lifetime throw truly was a gift from the football gods, or maybe it was just Robinson being...Robinson. Showing how he can do it all, and even when he messes up he does it with flair and goes out a winner.
Michael Robinson was Mr. Choke and Mr. Clutch. And I know from bleeding blue and white myself that is perfectly alright with Penn State football fans and alumni.
A new year begins with hope, Robinson gave that to us. He gave us a reason to believe again. True, Robinson will be a huge loss and his presence inside the pocket can never be replaced but his backup Anthony Morelli, has a cannon. Amazing vision. Great accuracy and awareness. The tools needed to become a natural college football quarterback.
While he doesn't possess Robinson blistering feet, Morelli can scoot along if need be. He will be a fine replacement.
He showed us that in the Blue and White game where he tore up the opposing defense. He will be a fine replacement of Robinson and will show off his arm with the weapons of returning sophomores, Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood, and the return of Derrick Williams will create problems for even the best defenses.
With the passer inside of Morelli and the speed of the trio of receivers, you can bet touchdowns will be flying up onto the stat sheet almost instantly. The trio of receivers are also excellent blockers, often paving the road up field for Tony Hunt and Mr. Austin Scott who came out of nowhere during the Orange Bowl racking up the touches and yards.
This is something you can't teach in football. You can teach speed and you can teach hands, but the mental instinct to block and give yourself up can't be taught. It can only be possessed by the individual from birth. That goes to show stats aren't everything in sports.
Chris Bell out of Norfolk, Va will be joining the show as well. He is 6-3, 210 and runs his 40 in 4.5. Giving Morelli yet another tall and wide option.
With the return of the Butkus Award winner, Paul Posluszny, and his counterpart Dan Connor. The two of them will wreak havoc for the opposing quarterback and offensive line. Navorro Bowman, 6-1, 218 lbs, is a newcomer and look for him to play some downs this year.
Justin King has improved his touch at the cornerback/safety position and will stay put there and succeed as Alan Zemitas did.
A.J. Wallace looks to become a fine corner back in upcoming years and will possibly play a lot of next season. Penn State football is back baby. No doubt about it, The recruiting class once again was outstanding.
The only thing that makes me worried, the only thing that makes me believe there is a chance they wont go undefeated or have a 1 or 2 loss season is the schedule. Anybody who watches college football can tell you that Penn States schedule last year was very easy compared to their schedule this year. Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin were all played at Beaver Stadium last year. This year the travel to south bend, they go to Ohio State, they bundle up and journey to Minnesota.
They head on over to Purdue and Wisconsin.
These games all could be problems playing away from home with such a young team. But I'm convinced they can do it again.
Under JoePa they will win. Weather the scoreboard will show that, is up to the players. Penn State was given a drive last year and a desire to win unlike any team last year.
They want greatness. They want to live and play for those who played before them. They want to become champions, winners, legends. Immoral beings of Americas most triumphant and prestigious sports and academic colleges. They were given a second chance. And they will take it. Penn State will roll in 2006. It may not be easy but the will roll with grace and respect acting like they were there before. Pride. Strength. Success With Honor. Loyalty. Tradition. Respect. All words that describe what the blue and white stand for.
Penn State is back, and they are here to stay.
Utmost Respect,
Happy Valley
