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2004 Season Preview

by Jeff Metzger

August 22, 2004

Well folks, with last year’s ugly 3-9 season well in our rearview mirror, it’s time to put down the Jack Daniels and burn my final column of 2003. “Only positive thoughts,” I keep telling myself as I wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat wondering why we’re taking a timeout facing a 3rd and 16 from our own 31 with :26 left in the first half. I’m here to vow to you, my loyal readers, that I’ll be a calmer, more peaceful critic of the Lions as the 2004 campaign gets underway. That is, until we use our last timout of the first half at the start of the second quarter after getting a first down on a defensive holding penalty because we can’t get a stinkin’ play in on time!

Now that I’ve effectively rehashed two of our many coaching blunders during the 2003 campaign, let’s look ahead.

POSITIVES:

• The returns of Paul Jefferson (FB) and E.Z. Smith (C): Both Jefferson and Smith are very strong leaders and tremendous additions to an offense that was, at best, inconsistent all of last season. Look for Jefferson to get a lot of carries in short yardage situations and add to the maturation of our young tailbacks while Smith to help anchor the middle of the line and provide some much needed leadership and stability to that group.
• Zack is Back: While 2003 was somewhat of a down year for the senior signal caller, he is one of the most veteran and polished QBs returning in the Big Ten. With a little more help from his receivers (i.e., better route running and hands), look for #7 to return to his pre-2003 form. Zack’s ultimate key to success might be learning to put himself in less dangerous situations when running draws and the option and keeping himself healthy.
• A young stable of talented tailbacks: Last season, we all saw glimpses of some the greatness that Austin Scott and Tony Hunt could provide. This season, two tailbacks who sat out last season with injuries, Mike Gasparato and Rodney Kinlaw, will push Scott and Hunt to be even better. The Lions desperately need one of these backs to step up and become the homerun threat that they’ve been lacking.
• The return of Linebacker U?: I can’t think of a year since 1999 when our linebacking corps has been getting more hype than this one. We all know what Pos (who by the way changed his number to 31 in honor of Shane Conlan) is capable of, but what about the others? Is Dan Connor as good as advertised? All indications out of pre-season practice are that he is and will push for a starting job. Will Tim Shaw’s speed be an asset that our defense has sorely been lacking over the past 5 seasons? Will Derek Wake finally play consistent football each and every week? While this unit has many unanswered questions, the talent is there for it to be a difference maker.
• Alan Zemaitis: That’s all you need to know. He’s probably our best corner since David Macklin left for the NFL a few years back. He’ll need to be the shutdown corner that everyone expects him to be in order to let the brand new starter on the other side (Donnie Johnson or Anwar Phillips) get his feet wet.

QUESTIONS:

• What role will new Offensive Coordinator Galen Hall have with this offense? Will the two-headed play-calling monster continue to thrive on the Penn State sidelines?
• What role will Michael Robinson have in the Penn State offense? Will he strictly be Zack’s backup or will he continue to be used as a ‘slash’ type of threat?
• Will the institution of a new zone blocking scheme help to open up more big runs for the offensive backfield?
• Will there be any wide receivers that step up their game to become a go-to threat for Zack and help to revive Penn State’s passing game? Will new receivers coach Mike McQueary instill more confidence and consistency into PSU’s passing attack?
• Will the defensive line be able to hold up against the run? Are they bigger and stronger and can they hold their blocks longer to allow the linebackers the opportunity to make plays?
• Will Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley institute a more aggressive scheme on defense to take advantage of the talent at the linebacker position?
• Who will emerge as the starting cornerback opposite of Alan Zemaitis?
• Will our special teams units be better organized than they were a year ago? Will our kickoff return team yield better results than a 12 yard return?
• Can Robbie Gould regain the consistency he displayed in 2002 that allowed him to be a threat once the offense moves inside their opponents 30 yard line?
• Who will lead this team? Will the off the field incidents that have plagued the Lions once again return to the forefront in 2004?

MY FEELING:

While the talent is there and my gut tells me that this team will be much better than the one we saw against Michigan State last November, too many questions still exist for me to think that we’ll be any better than 7-4. Even if all of the questions I asked above are answered, this team still needs to learn how to win and play tough Penn State football in the fourth quarter. With tough road contests at Boston College, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio State all before the first of November, this teams needs to find itself and do it fast!

Let me know what you think and email me at jeff@pennstatetailgate.com.

Stop back next week when I take a look at the Akron Zips and begin my weekly PSU Gameday Preview!


Until next time, S-T-A-T-E, Go State!!!

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