First off, I want to congratulate you on your 42nd year as head coach of Penn State and 58th overall. You have stood the test of times and even told NFL teams to look somewhere else because of your commitment to Penn State. You are the definition of class, on and off the field. You are a living legend with 366 career wins, second all time and you just happen to be at the ripe old age of 80.
Joepa, you are the man. And while I have the utmost respect for you and your coaching staff, changes must be made to save this 2007 season. This isn't like the teams from 2000-2004 (rule out 2002), this team has the talent and skill to compete for the national championship. And with the loss to Michigan today, that possibility is almost entirely gone. This team, this group of players, has what it takes, to win the Big Ten. Big Ten line them up, run it down your throat is your specialty. And not many have done it any better than you. But this isn't the Big Ten of old. This isn't the same college football. While you philosophies might not have changed in the past 42 years, the game has. Speed is now the key, strength is a bonus. And I know I know nothing about football compared to you or Galen Hall or your likely successor Tom Bradley, but here are some suggestions to saving perhaps a dream season, one that ends with a march around a certain stadium in Pasadena.
Don't take this personally but how many Austin Scott fumbles does it take to get the point across that he isn't that good. I'm not saying he's horrible because he is a lot better than I could ever be, but to say he's better than Rodney Kinlaw is pushing it. Kinlaw should be starting and getting the majority of the rushes. He has shown the ability and poise to find holes and explode on through. Austin Scott just hasn't shown that since his break out game in Miami. That's not to say to bench him and never put him in but he can't keep fumbling like he is. He very well could have cost us 7 points in today's game against Michigan. To put up a long drive and then fumble isn't fair. I know it happens but it seems to happen a little too much.
This one might seem a little shocking but in my opinion I believe you should install QB Daryll Clark into the system. Morelli is too much of a stationary pocket quarterback and teams can feed off of that and wait because the option of running is irrelevant. I am impressed though with Morelli's footwork to escape the pocket this year, which is a much improved factor of his game, but he still isn't exactly mobile. But Clark could help. He has the ability to run a little. He can make defense lose focus by using his feet. Don't let him throw the ball but let him spin. Maybe this is a stupid idea, but if I remember correctly, two men by the name of Chris Leak and Tim Tebow did this and won a National Championship not too long ago.
Let it all loose. It is as simple as that. This goes back to your style of coaching which is how I think it should be but it isn't the way it is anymore. Morelli could throw the ball 50 yards when he was 12; odds are he can throw it a little father nowadays. Let D-Will, Butler and Norwood go deep. Let Morelli go deep because odds are your receivers are faster than the cornerbacks and/or safeties.
Well the defense could be better...no I'm just kidding. Of course you and Bradley established an amazing defense as usual. Connor and Lee are the real deal, Scirrotto is so good at his position QB's have refused to throw his way. Kudos to this defense, this is one of your best yet and don't change anything (by the way, Sargent was screwed on that pass interference today, that was a horrible call, of course it ended up costing us 7 points. Don't you just hate scUM?).
I had the privilege of going to opening day of the 2005 season against South Florida, and there was this kid that wore the jersey #7. Now he wears #1 and is a stout cornerback but back then his best weapon was his legs. I am obviously referring to Justin King, but I remember that season consisting of a barrage of reverses to him and most of them ending up for big gains. Since then he has not had the ball in his hands like that because of his defensive responsibilities. But the kid could fly and could find a crease as good as anyone. So why not letting him play a role in the offense? I'm not saying to put him in 20 plays a game but 5 times would work nicely. It would give the defense one more thing to worry about.
I understand to you I'm just another person but I'm a diehard Penn State fan. I take a lot of heat because I have this habit of not talking for hours after a loss but it's just the way I am. My suggestions have the right intentions, to make this season something to remember. Whether you take these suggestions into consideration is totally up to you, but think about it. Why settle for good when you could be great?
